Notes: Thanks again for reading and reviewing! This chapter has nice times for you at the end as a reward for suffering through my last couple of emo-angsty chapters.

CH 19: Ebb and Flow

The Monday morning after the assault Jane and Maura stopped by the District Attorney's office on their way back to work. Jane had tried to talk Maura into taking a few more days off but the dedicated M.E. had insisted that being back at work would help occupy her mind. No one could understand that feeling more than Jane, so she hadn't pressed the issue.

The D.A.'s office had assigned their heavy hitter to the case, Jeffrey Schilling. A dignified man in his mid-fifties with a striking silver coiffeur that was always impeccably styled, Jeff had spent his entire career in the Boston D.A.'s office. He had the highest conviction rate in the office and the lowest overturn rate. Jeff didn't earn those statistics the easy way; he took the hard cases, the big cases. Public and private defenders alike quaked in their wingtips when they heard they'd drawn Jeffrey Schilling. By comparison to his usual cases Maura's case was fairly straightforward one would have thought; what Jane and Maura didn't know was that Jeff had been requested by the Police Commissioner himself at the persuasive behest of Captain Cherise Franklin.

Jeff launched into his review of the case for Jane and Maura, going over their statements, the statements from the other officers, the pictures of Maura's injuries and the report from the hospital. When he was finished he looked at Maura, "With what we have here, we have a few directions we can go. Kearns' attorney is going to try and make a deal, a guilty plea, no trial in an attempt to get less jail time. If you're opposed to going to trial I can see what I can get but defense will probably angle for somewhere around a year or less. Personally, with this case and the history that I've been made aware of with Kearns I think we can put him away for a lot longer if we go to trial. Right now he's charged with assault with intent to commit rape, under Massachusetts law the maximum jail time is twenty years. Kearns has no record so getting the maximum on a first offense is unlikely; however, if I also tack on a hate crimes charge which is more than appropriate given the circumstances that could add an additional five years onto the assault sentence."

Maura looked over at Jane and extended her slightly trembling hand, looking for the strength and calm of Jane's grip to soothe her.

"You know we'll all be there for you if this goes to trial, you won't be doing this alone," Jane's eyes flickered with an impassioned sincerity that imbued Maura with a new resolve.

Maura turned her sight back to Jeffrey Schilling, "I want him behind bars for as long as possible."

As word spread around the precinct that Jane and Maura had come to work an endless parade of officers streamed in throughout the day to ask Jane how Maura was doing. The homicide unit had barely let her get in the door before converging on her and then they also concocted various reasons to pop down to the morgue during the day. All except for Korsak of course, who was suspended for the week for his TKO of Kearns. Captain Franklin, Gretchen, Deena, Sarah, even Michelle Davis and Officer Cottrell from the bowling league had come by. Maura knew the real reason behind the slew of "case-related" questions and she was pretty sure that most of the files that were brought down one at a time throughout the day could have been brought in a single batch; but it reminded her of what Jane had said before the welcome back party Korsak had thrown a few months ago. Our friends. They could have easily asked Jane how she was doing, but each and every one found some reason for a trip to the morgue that day.

Shortly before the end of the shift Cavanaugh called Jane to his office. She walked in to find Maura, Captain Franklin and the Commissioner's assistant in the office. Jane took a seat next to Maura.

Cavanaugh looked at Maura and gave what was the best version of a smile he possessed, "I've been on the horn with the Commissioner, the charges have been filed against Officer Kearns."

The Commissioner's assistant broke in, "Dr. Isles, the Commissioner wants you to know that you have the full support of the Department in this matter."

Cavanaugh continued, "Because of that blurb in the paper, which by the way the Commissioner put in a personal call to the editor of the Herald over for its insensitive violation of your privacy the media is unfortunately already clawing at the door. The Commissioner and ADA Schilling are discussing making a brief statement…" Cavanaugh cut his eyes towards Captain Franklin.

Cherise looked at Jane and Maura, "The media is going to want to know how the hate crimes charge applies; they'll want the claims from the paper article confirmed."

"We have nothing to hide," Maura stated firmly.

"You don't have to attend the press conference; but if you're not there it is likely some of the media will come to your residence or here looking for a statement."

Maura placed her hand on Jane's knee, "We'll attend."

Maura paced nervously around Cavanaugh's office rubbing the St. Valentine's medal between her fingers for comfort. Her back was to the door when Jane came in giving her a startle. Maura smiled, taking in the dashing sight of Jane in her brand new Donna Karan pantsuit.

Jane reached for both of Maura's hands, pulling her in close, "How are you doing? Ready?" Maura nodded. "Did you call and warn your parents?"

"Yes, they wanted to come actually. But I told them it wasn't allowed."

Jane smiled, tucking some of Maura's hair behind her ear, "Yeah, Ma and Pop wanted to be here too, so did Frankie. I told Pop to make sure Ma doesn't come over tonight, to give us some space."

Cavanaugh poked his head in, "We're ready."

The Commissioner led the way into the BPD conference room followed by ADA Schilling, the BPD Chief Media Relations Officer, the head of Internal Affairs, Captain Franklin, Lt. Cavanaugh, Maura and Jane. Stepping up to the podium he began his statement: "Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for joining us today. This isn't a press conference I look forward to giving but in light of the events of the past couple of days I felt it was necessary to do so. Late Friday night Officer Lloyd Kearns of the Boston Police Dive Team was arrested at the Dirty Robber Bar and Grill. Officer Kearns has been with Boston PD for five years when his service with the U.S. Navy ended. The Boston District Attorney's Office has charged Officer Kearns with criminal assault with intent to commit rape in addition to a hate crimes rider. The victim, as alleged in the Herald piece from Saturday morning is Boston's Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Maura Isles. Dr. Isles had been invited to the Robber for a meeting of the newly formed Association of Women Officers headed by Captain Cherise Franklin, present with us today. Officer Kearns was taken into custody by members of BPD on scene at the time of the incident. The arresting officer was Officer Gretchen Robinson, fifteen year veteran of the department. At this time I'll let ADA Jeffrey Schilling address the hate crimes charge as I'm sure that's a question many of you have."

Jeff took the Commissioner's place at the podium, "Thank you Commissioner, without going into detailed specifics I will confirm the hate crimes charge was added to the initial assault charge yesterday afternoon. The DA's office has what it considers sufficient evidence to proceed with this additional charge. We will at this time further confirm the application of this charge for bigotry related to sexual orientation. I will seek the maximum penalty for these charges." Jeff stepped away and allowed the Commissioner to resume his place at the podium.

"I will take a few questions."

The first few questions tried to pick more details of the case and BPD's stance, which the Commissioner, having had much practice with the media in those types of situations deftly deflected. While his stance and support of Maura had been made clear to her, he was duty bound to avoid the appearance of undue bias until the conclusion of the trial.

The Herald's reporter raised her hand, "Commissioner, can you explain the presence of Detective Jane Rizzoli at this press conference, is Boston Homicide playing a role in this case?"

The Commissioner paused, "Boston Homicide has no role in this case."

Maura looked at Jane who gave her the go ahead nod. The Commissioner stepped slightly to the side allowing Maura to approach the microphone. She could feel the pressure of the eyes and flash bulbs and video cameras on her, "I don't wish to make a lengthy statement other than to thank the Boston Police Department and District Attorney's Office for their professionalism and support. I will address the last question, as indicated by the nature of the hate crimes charge I believe my attack was motivated by my sexual orientation and that Detective Rizzoli and I have been openly involved in a relationship for several months; she was present the night of the assault and I asked her to be here with me today. I won't be making any further statements during the course of the trial and I would ask that the media respect our privacy during this time. Thank you."

Maura eased herself down into the hot bubble bath with a satisfied groan. Then, she waited. Jane had learned that if Maura announced she was taking a hot relaxing bath that was an invitation to join. But a few minutes passed and Jane had not appeared. Jane had been wonderful to her in the days after the attack; but in terms of some established patterns of their physical interaction Jane had been holding back. Kissing had been chaste and more a tool for comfort, and at night in bed where Jane was normally very handsy even with no expectation of those strokes and caresses leading to sex she now restrained herself.

"Jane?" Maura called out.

Maura heard footsteps trot from the bedroom, "Yeah?" Jane called out from the other side of the door.

"Can you come in here please?"

Jane opened the door, poking her head in, "Need something baby?"

"You."

Jane walked in and sat on the edge of the tub, she smiled, taking in the sight of just Maura's head bobbing above a thick foam of lavender scented bubbles. "I wasn't sure if you wanted me to join you tonight or not."

Maura cocked her head, "Of course I wanted you to; that's why I told you I was coming to take a bath."

Clothes were quickly shed and Jane stepped in the tub sliding down behind Maura. Maura waited for Jane to pull her into her lap, but Jane didn't make that move.

"Jane, are you afraid to touch me…like you used to?" Maura could feel her heart pounding erratically but it needed to be said.

A tentative hand found its way to a still very bruised shoulder, "A little," Jane answered honestly.

"Please don't be, it makes me feel like something's wrong with me."

Apologetic arms snaked around Maura's body as Jane buried her face in Maura's neck for a moment, she turned her head and kissed her shoulder followed by a trail of kisses up Maura's neck, as she leaned back she pulled Maura into her lap. "I'm sorry, I…I didn't want to do anything that would make you uncomfortable so soon after…."

"Jane," Maura interrupted, "nothing you could do would make me uncomfortable; there is no way you could touch me that would remind me of him touching me."

Maura let her head rest against Jane's jaw, she ran her hands across the taught arms wrapped around her midsection until she came to a hand. She felt the slightly raised scar on the back of Jane's palm before lacing their fingers together. Her other hand searched out the long muscular leg that was supporting her, she let her fingernails caress up and down the outside of Jane's thigh.

"Jane…"

"Mmmhmmm," Jane muttered, kissing Maura's temple.

"I need you to touch me."

Jane's mouth opened near Maura's ear and she was about to speak but Maura cut her off, "Yes," she whispered craning her head to the side to kiss Jane's neck, "I'm sure."

Maura released Jane's hand and waited for her response. She didn't have to wait long as hands with renewed confidence began to sketch abstract patterns across her abdomen. Maura let her head loll back against Jane's shoulder and neck. She couldn't see Jane's hands under the bubbles so she closed her eyes and just felt them lightly roaming around her torso. "Mmmm" she moaned to let Jane know this was what she wanted.

She exhaled as Jane's fingers teased her touch-thirsty nipples. Jane's full handed massaging of her breasts sent a shot of warmth through her core. Maura's breathing accelerated and she spread her legs, her knees rising up out of the bubbles signaling to Jane that she really did need her touch, she wanted it, all of it.

"I love you," Jane whispered as Maura shifted and turned her head so their lips could meet. Maura's right hand rose to keep Jane's hand firmly on one breast as she felt Jane's left hand start to slide back down her body.

Jane broke the kiss and started nuzzling Maura's face.

"Don't stop kissing me," Maura pleaded. Jane took her lips again with more hunger and rising passion as her fingers danced down Maura's inner thigh before finally finding their purpose. Long, flexible fingers swirled around Maura's folds before giving practiced and vigorous attention to her clit. Soft moans of pleasure transferred from Maura's mouth into Jane's as she rocked her hips causing the bathwater to roll from one end of the tub to the other like a tide coming in and out.

"Inside me," Maura directed before continuing to revel in the sensation of Jane's lips and tongue intertwined with hers.

Two fingers gently entered her, sliding all the way in, curling and then nearly withdrawing completely before repeating the motion. They were both growing breathless but neither wanted to release the other's mouth; they gasped for air. Jane's rhythm quickened and Maura voiced her approval in a series of increasingly louder and erotic vocalizations. As Jane brought her closer Maura once again laced the fingers of their free hands together and drew Jane's hand up to rest over her heart. As Maura came she bit down ever so lightly on Jane's lower lip, her entire body shuddering with the release, only the faintest moan slipping out as she exhaled.

Jane reluctantly withdrew her fingers and then cupped Maura's cheek as she placed soft kisses all over her flushed girlfriend's face.

Maura's legs slipped back under the water, but she kept Jane's hand pressed tightly to her heart, "Thank you," she whispered, her eyes still shut and body relaxing to fit perfectly in the cradle created by Jane's. She was content to stay just like that, the two of them as close to one body as possible, until the water was no longer warm.