A/N: Hope you all enjoy this chapter! Forgive my tardiness. I've had an unbelievable last month! Some good, some bad... but it delayed my writing. So here were are. Happy Reading!

Kill & Collect

Chapter 12

"Maura!" A man's strong voice boomed from outside.

The blonde stopped breathing for a moment and her spine tingled at the sound of the voice. She knew that voice. When she finally found the strength to move, Maura placed a gentle hand on Jane's arm. "You can put the gun down, Jane," she calmly spoke.

"What? What the hell are you talking about? Who is that?"

Maura met the brunette's confused eyes and let out a small chuckle of disbelief. "My father."

Jane frowned. "Your father? Paddy?"

Maura nodded affirmatively.

"How did he find you?"

Maura looked at the brunette with a weary expression and shrugged. "He always finds me."

Jane rose from her crotched position, soon followed by Maura. The brunette carefully approached the exit of the plane with her weapon drawn. She cautiously poked her head out halfway and saw that the runway was scattered with several dead bodies. Jane's stomach churned with guilt as she searched for Korsak. Her eyes then landed on a man sitting on the pavement, holding his bloody shoulder. Korsak. Her heavy heart sighed in relief. He was alive; wounded but still alive. Jane looked passed Korsak and saw Paddy Doyle standing tall and strong with six other armed men standing around him. Their weapons were lowered which made Jane feel comfortable enough to exit the plane. "Come on, Maur," she said over her shoulder.

As they stepped down the few steps, Maura instantly spotted their injured pilot on the ground. As soon as her feet hit the pavement, Maura's doctor mentality kicked in and she rushed over to Korsak.

Jane slowly followed, sticking her gun in her waistband. Her eyes were trained on Paddy the entire time, but Doyle's eyes were not on her however. They were on his daughter.

"You're going to be okay, Vince." Maura reassured the older man. She removed the scarf from around his neck and proceeded to stop the bleeding. The blonde finally looked up and made eye contact with her estranged father. "You have to help him," she demanded.

Jane watched a softness pass over Paddy's eyes as he looked upon his daughter but his expression soon shifted to a steely gaze. He glanced at the men beside him and gave a head nod. Two of them immediately moved in and helped Korsak to his feet. Maura moved back and stood.

"Take him to the nearest hospital," Paddy ordered. "Make sure he's taken care of."

The older man looked at the men suspiciously and then met Maura's gaze. "Are you guys going to be okay?"

Maura smiled softly at Korsak and his protective nature. She placed a gentle hand on his uninjured shoulder. "We'll be fine, Vince. Thank you for everything."

"I promise to get that money to you, Korsak," Jane said.

"You're damn right you will. I didn't sign up to get shot."

"It'll all be taken care of," Paddy interrupted. He nodded to his men and Korsak was escorted to one of the vehicles.

A gust of wind came across Maura's face as she turned to her father. Wisps of her hair blew wildly and her eyes narrowed. She took a few steps forward towards Paddy, with Jane not too far behind her. Maura stopped within arm's length of her father but neither one of them moved to embrace.

"Hello, Maura." Paddy finally spoke.

"Father," Maura said evenly.

Paddy's eyes then shifted to the tall brunette. He seemed curious but also intrigued by the other woman. Maura grasped Jane's hand and the brunette saw that the action did not go unnoticed by Paddy. The brunette swallowed nervously but did not drop Maura's hand. "This is Jane. She's been protecting me."

Suddenly, police sirens could be heard in the distance. Paddy's men began to scatter towards the vehicles.

"You two, are riding with us. We have to go now." Paddy instructed. He began to direct them towards the vehicles as well.

"Where are you taking us?" Maura demanded.

Paddy looked his daughter straight in the eyes. "Somewhere safe."

Maura gave a stoic nod, believing there was no other choice. They climbed into the black Sedan and it sped away from the runway.

They travelled for at least an hour until they reached their destination. The area was heavily wooded and secluded in the mountains. The vehicle soon reached a clearing and a large two-story cabin came into view. It was a beautiful cedar wood mansion cabin in the forest. A place any family would want to spend a vacation.

Everyone piled out of the vehicles and Maura stood looking up at the massive house. She then turned to her father. "How did you manage to get a place like this?" She suspiciously questioned.

"I know a guy," he simply replied, glancing at her.

"Right," Maura muttered. She really did not want to know what type of connection or debt some poor soul paid in order for this property to be possessed by her father.

"Follow me," Paddy said before heading towards the house.

Maura glanced at Jane and the brunette only looked at her, waiting to follow her lead. She was in Maura's world now. The blonde sighed but begrudgingly followed Paddy up the front steps with Jane and a couple of other men in tow.

The house was even more beautiful on the inside. The foyer expanded out to an open step down carpeted den with a huge big screen television and pinewood furnishings. Beyond the den was a dining room with a table that could sit at least twelve people. Everything was immaculate; from the stone fireplace, to the polished wooden floors, to the handcrafted staircase.

Jane's eyebrows rose at the nice digs. She had never stayed in a home this nice before and she was impressed. But at the same time her eyes were scanning for every exit and possible quick escape route.

Suddenly, a woman who looked to be in her early 50's rounded the corner from what looked like the kitchen area. She was a tad shorter than Jane with auburn colored hair with strands of gray, blue eyes, and a shapely body. She wore a tight white sweater and black leggings. She was attractive.

"Oh, good. You all are back," she said. "About fuckin' time."

Jane and Maura exchanged curious glances while Paddy wore a somewhat amused smirk on his lips before he addressed the woman. "Easy Suzette. I want you to meet my daughter, Maura and her… friend, Jane."

Suzette crossed the room with a smile on her face. "So, you're Maura. I'm Suzette. Your father has told me so much about you."

Maura curiously eyed the woman before shaking her offered hand. "I wish I could say the same. Are you my father's girlfriend?" She bluntly asked.

Suzette raised her eyebrows and her eyes moved to Paddy. The older man shifted his weight and cleared his throat slightly. "It's complicated."

Suzette smirked. "Sure. Let's leave it at that," she replied. The older woman then shifted her attention to Jane, looking the brunette up and down. "And Jane… my, aren't you the tall, dark and brooding type," she smiled.

Jane did not know what to make of the woman but she definitely saw her charm. Suzette's eyes shifted between both women and she placed her hands on her hips. "You both look fucking exhausted," she commented with a shake of her head. "Lord knows what you girls have been through."

About five of Paddy's guys were heading down a corridor off to the left that led into a room. He nodded to one of them before looking at the women. "Suzette will show you where to get cleaned up," Paddy said. "Me and my men have some matters to discuss."

"Well, go discuss," Suzette said, waving him off. "I'll take it from here. Dinner is in a half hour. Follow me upstairs ladies."

Maura frowned, confused by the entire scene. What was this? So Paddy and his men go out conducting illegal activities involving gambling, debt collecting and murder to come back to a nice home with a cooked meal waiting for them? This was madness. She watched her father disappear into the backroom before one of his men closed the door behind them.

She was snapped out of her thoughts by a gentle hand touching her forearm. Maura's head snapped towards the touch and she instantly relaxed when she realized it was Jane and those kind brown eyes.

"You okay, Maur?"

"Uh, yes. I'm fine."

Suzette softly smiled. "Well, come on then," she politely stated.

They followed the older woman up the wooden staircase and down a long hallway. There were rooms on either side as they walked down the corridor. Suzette finally stopped and gestured towards two rooms.

"Okay. Maura this is your room to the right and Jane you'll be in this room across the way. Both rooms have a full bath and in the bathroom there's shampoo, a toothbrush, and towels. On your beds you'll find a change of clothes."

"Uh, thanks," Jane said, when she realized Maura was not saying anything.

Suzette nodded with a smile. "I'll leave you to it." She maneuvered around the two women and headed back down the hall the way they head come. "If you need anything else just give me a holler."

Jane and Maura were now left in the hallway alone, looking at each other. "Wow, this is uh…"

"Bizarre," Maura finished in a hushed whisper.

"Yes. I mean, don't get me wrong. I'm glad Paddy saved our asses back there but…" Jane poked her head into Maura's supposed bedroom and gave a whistle before turning back to Maura. "… this is the snazziest safe house I have ever been to."

"I don't even want to know how it fell into Paddy's hands," Maura shook her head.

"Hey," Jane softly spoke. She reached up and cradled Maura's cheek in her hand. "Try not to think about that."

The blonde leaned into the touch and briefly closed her eyes. "It's hard not to." She sighed and glanced at Jane's shoulder. "How's your arm?"

"It still throbs here and there but no biggie."

Maura gently ran her hand down Jane's arm, down to her hand. "I'll see if we can get it redressed. I'll ask Suzette for some pain killers and antibiotics to…"

Jane suddenly grasped Maura's chin and pulled the blonde forward, cutting off Maura's words with her lips. Maura was surprised by the kiss but soon returned it. The brunette leaned back after a moment and they looked into each other's eyes.

"What was that for?" Maura breathed.

Jane lightly smirked. "For thinking about me. We're hiding out in the mountains with your father, Hoyt's men are trying to hunt us down… yet you're thinking about taking care of me."

Maura blushed lightly and ducked her eyes. "We should get cleaned up."

Jane felt her heart expand with even more feelings for the woman in front of her. "Good idea."

Maura turned to head into her room and felt Jane follow her. The blonde frowned and turned around stopping the brunette. "Jane, your room is over there." She said, placing a hand to the taller woman's chest.

A sexy gleam formed in Jane's dark eyes, making the blonde slightly shiver. "I know," the brunette smiled.

"Then why are you following me?"

Jane moved a little closer, invading the blonde's personal space. "I was thinking we could shower together."

Maura's eyes widened in comedic horror. "Absolutely not!" she loudly whispered, giving Jane a small shove. "Not with my father in the house!"

Jane chuckled. "I'm teasing, Maur."

"Oh…" Maura sighed with relief. She smoothed out the invisible wrinkles on her dress. "Good."

Jane backed away and headed into her room. "Kind of teasing," she quickly said before disappearing into the room.

Maura shook her head with a smile and went into her own room. Jane was right. It was snazzy. There was a queen-sized bed, beautiful wood furnishings such as matching nightstands, a dresser and a window with a breath-taking view of the horizon. Maura walked over to the bathroom and noticed there was not only a shower but a tub as well. Maura chose the latter of the two.

As soon a Jane stepped into her room she stopped dead in her tracks. On the bed was a suitcase and a pair of black boots at the edge of the bed. Her boots… her suitcase. "What the fuck?" She entered the room and examined the suitcase closer. How was this possible? She had left this suitcase in her hotel room in Paris. She quickly opened it and inside were all the belongs she had packed. Jane's brain started weaving through possibilities. "Son of a bitch," Jane lightly chuckled, impressed by Doyle's abilities.

Maura immersed her tired body in the liquid warmth of the bath water and closed her eyes. Bubbles surrounded the surface and the smell of peaches and roses filled the air. The blonde hummed in pleasure, not remembering the last time she had felt this content and safe. Allowing her tense muscles to relax was utter bliss. All thanks to Paddy Doyle. Her father she had not spoken to in nearly sixteen years. She had always felt his presence however. She knew he would be watching her, making sure she was safe. How Paddy's men did not catch wind of Jane being assigned to assassinate her, she would never know. That was how good Hoyt was. That was how good Jane was. Jane…

A small smile spread over Maura's lips. She and Jane had made love last night. It had been so wild in the beginning but later Jane was gentle and attentive. Maura knew she was already falling for the tall brunette but she knew a life with Jane seemed impossible; especially, now. There was no future until Hoyt was out of the picture.

Fully refreshed from her shower, Jane stepped out of the bathroom and crossed into the bedroom to her suitcase. She threw on some clean boy shorts, black jeans, her boots and a white tank top. She wanted to pull on her black sweater over it but her arm needed to be re-wrapped. She also found some black finger-less gloves to throw on. She had been missing these since the first motel she and Maura had stayed in. Although, she was not self conscious without them in front of Maura. She slipped them on and headed out of her room. She stood in the hall near Maura's door. She peeked inside and noticed the bathroom door was closed. Hearing water being lightly sloshed around she figured the blonde was still in the tub. Satisfied that Maura was okay, Jane crept downstairs in search of Suzette. As she passed the den, she noticed one of Paddy's men posted by the front door. When she entered the kitchen she saw the older woman over the stove, stirring the contents of a large pot.

"Suzette?"

"Yes, honey?" She glanced over her shoulder.

"Do you happen to have any gauze?"

"For?" She asked, tapping a large spoon against the pot before turning around.

Jane turned slightly and showed the woman the ugly reddened dark hole in her arm. "I need to wrap up my arm."

Suzette set down the spoon and stepped closer, eyeing Jane's wound. "Gunshot?" She asked with no surprise in her voice.

"Uh, yes, actually. I was just going to have Maura wrap it and…"

"Nonsense, girl. I can do that for you."

"It's okay, really. I…"

"Do you know how many gunshots I've redressed over the years?" She interrupted pulling out a chair from the connecting dining room. "Now shut up and come sit down over here right now."

Suddenly, feeling like a stubborn teenager, Jane begrudgingly walked over and sat in the chair. In a way, Suzette's presence was almost a comfort, reminding Jane very much of her own mother, Angela Rizzoli. They had very similar qualities.

Suzette grabbed the necessary materials from a nearby cabinet and went right to work on Jane's arm. "This is a pretty clean bullet wound. It didn't pass through though."

"No. Maura, removed it a few days ago."

"She did a hell of a job."

A small smile danced on Jane's lips. "Yeah."

"How was it removed?"

"My pocket knife."

Suzette grimaced. "Jesus, that must have hurt like hell."

"It did. But, it's nothing compared to… other things," Jane replied, looking forward.

The older woman studied Jane for a moment. "I'm sure," Suzette replied. After cleaning the wound she began to wrap the brunette's arm. "So," the older woman began. "You're sleeping with Paddy's daughter."

Jane immediately stiffened and her breath caught in her throat. "What?" She barely got out as her eyes shot towards the other woman.

"Calm down, kid. I saw you both in the hallway upstairs. I had come back to ask if you liked gumbo but when I saw that your lips were busy, I didn't want to interrupt."

Jane lowered herself in the chair and shifted her eyes away from the other woman. "Shit…" she muttered.

"Hey, it's none of my concern, honey. You're both adults. But Paddy is very protective of his daughter."

Jane waited for Suzette to meet her gaze before speaking. "I care about Maura. I wouldn't do anything to hurt her."

"I know that…" Suzette nodded. "… and I think Paddy knows that too. Hell, you kept Maura safe all this time. He can't ignore that."

Jane nodded her head. It did not take Suzette long to finish the wrap and then she stood saying she would fix Jane a bowl of gumbo. Paddy entered the room just then and his eyes connected with Jane's. The brunette could not help but feel a nervous jump in her heartbeat.

"Jane, a word," he said.

The brunette remained stoic and stood to her feet. "Sure," she replied.

"Oh, Paddy, she was just about to eat," Suzette complained.

"It won't take long," he replied. Paddy led her out to the connecting patio from the kitchen and they stepped outside. One of his men was out there and he dismissed him from his post. When they were alone, Paddy walked across the wooden deck and stood by the railing. Jane followed but stood a good distance away from the man. The outside mountain air was refreshing and felt amazing as she breathed it through her lungs. They stood silently for a moment before Paddy finally spoke.

"I wanted to thank you for watching my daughter."

The brunette nodded. "Not a problem, sir."

"I only have one problem…" he said.

Jane held her breath not knowing what to expect.

"I don't know who the hell you are," he finished.

Jane looked into Paddy's steely grayish-blue eyes and tried to keep her expression unreadable.

"Some of my guys tried to photo i.d. you, but we couldn't find anything. Not through government or military records… hell, any records actually. According to every records system in the world, you don't seem to exist."

Jane remained quiet and only stared at the man.

"...and from what my men tell me," Paddy continued. "You have skills. Skills you don't just pick up in the backstreets. You're fast and you're smart. My guys were always a day behind from where you and Maura had been. The motel, the ranch house, the small town… we finally caught up to you from that pilot's airstrip and found out where you were headed."

Jane looked out over the expansion of woods and swallowed. Her head was spinning. Paddy had been following them this entire time?

"You've been tracking us. No wonder my suitcase was here."

"My men retraced your steps. Couldn't find shit on your laptop."

"It's built to self-destruct within a day of use."

Paddy studied Jane curiously. "We caught the alias you used to check-in at the hotel in Paris. But we figured your name was not Suzanne McKenna. So…" He looked her dead in the eyes. "Who are you? And how does all this involve my daughter?"

"My name is Jane Rizzoli. I'm an ex-green beret."

"No shit?" He said, raising an eyebrow. He looked over her arms. "I don't see any tattoos."

"They were removed."

"Okay, Rizzoli. Who or what are you and Maura running from? It's not one of my enemies I know that for damn sure."

Jane licked her lips and sighed. "A man named Hoyt. I used to work for him."

"Doing what?"

"Assassinations."

"What's going on out here?"

Both Jane and Paddy turned towards the door and saw Maura standing there with a distrustful look on her face. Her eyes shifted between the both of them.

"Nothing. Just having a few words with Jane." Paddy replied.

"Jane, can I have a moment with my father."

"Yeah." She headed towards the blonde and gave her the once over. Maura was dressed in a maroon sweater and blue jeans that fit her perfectly, along with fashionable brown boots. "You clean up nice," she said under her breath with a smirk.

Maura briefly smiled at her, as Jane blocked her from Paddy's view. "You too. I'll meet you in there."

Jane walked by her and Maura stepped outside, closing the door behind her. She crossed her arms and stared at Paddy. "What were you discussing?"

"Jane's an assassin," he stated, rather than asked.

"She was."

"Was?"

"I was her next target." Paddy's eyebrows slightly perked up and he stood taller with more alertness. "She's risking everything to protect me, Dad. She saved me."

"Why you?" He asked.

"I'd rather not discuss that…" Maura replied averting her eyes. "… but this man named Hoyt is after us. He wants to kill Jane and I because of her disloyalty to him."

Paddy's jaw muscles tightened. "Not if I get to him first," he growled.

"Dad…" Maura took a step forward.

"No one goes after my family… my blood…"

"Dad, you can't," Maura interrupted. "I understand that you want to go after this man, but this is Jane's fight and she wants to handle it her way."

"It's my fight too if he's after you."

Maura gave him a pointed look and Paddy exhaled a heavy relenting breath. "I still want to talk with her about it."

"Fine, talk to her but please don't do anything foolish without her say."

"I won't." He promised.

Maura stepped even closer to her father, looking into his eyes. "This changes nothing. I appreciate the help, but this doesn't change how I feel about what you do or who you are."

"I didn't expect it to. You're my daughter, Maura. I don't care how much you hate me. It's my job to protect you. It was my vow ever since you took your first breath. I don't want or need anything in return."

Maura was slightly taken aback by the man's honest and lightly nodded her head. "Good." She turned and took a few steps towards the door but stopped. She turned her head slightly, not meeting her father's gaze. "Thank you," she softly spoke before going back inside.

A/N: So what are your thoughts? I love your opinions!