Author Note: Thank you for all the comments, favs, follows, etc. as always. You guys really do make these stories more fun to share. I got on a bit of a roll with this chapter, so it's finished a little sooner than I was expecting. I'm not sure if I'll get another chapter out before I go away, or not. I have FIVE days! I'm scared and excited.

"I need a list of hotels in Boston upward of five hundred a night." Jane ran a hand through her hair and sighed. "It's nothing to do with work, Korsak. I just need that list."

Maura returned the cordless phone to the desk and crossed 'Fairmont Academy' off her list. Jane dropped her phone on the counter and cupped her face, sighing.

"Can he help?" Maura asked.

"Nina'll email the list as soon as it's ready."

"I still don't know what point there is," Maura said. "We don't know where Luke called from. He could be back in Vermont by now."

Jane walked across the room and wrapped her arms around Maura's shoulder. She stroked her arm and rested her head against her chest. Jane kissed the side of her cheek. "We don't know anything, but if they're still here, we'll find them. I promise. Besides, if Luke was home, he'd have access to his games console and the internet."

"Not if he's been grounded."

"Would you rather sit in bed all week grieving the kid who wants you back as much as you want him?"

"I don't know what use there is." Maura sighed. "Gregory isn't going to let me see him."

Undraping her arms, Jane perched on the edge of the desk. "At the very least you can say goodbye, properly. Did your lawyer call you back?"

"Not yet. Luke's definitely not at school."

"Is there anywhere else you can think of that Greg might have taken him?"

"I don't know." She rubbed her eyes, trailing her hands down her cheeks. "I don't know what he does anymore, where he goes. I don't know if he has any family here."

"We could get Nina to do a background check, find out."

Maura shook her head and stood up. "No. The more we involve them, the more we have to tell them."

"There could be something we could use. If he'd committed any crimes, or not paid a parking fine. We could bring him in."

"I don't want to do that."

"I know you don't. But if it means getting Luke back."

She wrapped her arms tightly around Jane's waist, her head rested on her shoulder. Her arms tugged around her back. Maura brushed aside the threat of tears and clung to Jane. "I know you mean well; I know you want to help."

"I do."

"I don't want to play the game, I just want my son in my life. If I play filthy then I don't see how that can happen."

"You mean play dirty?"

"Yeah."

"Okay." She kissed her head again. She stepped back and reached for her cell. "As soon as the hotel list comes in I'll start calling around."

"Are you sure they'll give you the information?"

"Don't worry, I've got a plan."

x

"How can you be so sure this is the right place?" Maura asked.

"Five places told me they're not there," Jane said, walking along the road toward the hotel. Maura tucked her hand comfortably in Jane's as she fell into step beside her. "The only one that didn't, refused to give out any information. If that's not code for 'they're here but we shouldn't tell you' I don't know what is."

In the lobby, Maura glanced around at the ornate décor and the champagne reception they had for the guests. She'd stayed there only once, after an event in one of the function rooms. She let go of Jane's hand and hovered by the entrance.

Jane stepped up to the desk. "I'm here to see Gregory Danforth."

"And you are?" the man asked. He glanced down his nose at her.

She flashed her badge. "Boston PD. I need to speak to Mr Danforth immediately."

"Didn't I speak with you on the phone?"

"Me?" Jane shrugged and headed for the staircase. "Don't know what you mean. The rooms are this way?"

"Wait a second," he said, rushing out from behind the counter.

Jane carried on up the stairs, her eyes trained on Maura. "I'm sure I'll be able to find him."

Picking up on the cue, Maura slipped behind the desk and opened up the computer system. Without a thought for consequence, she typed 'Danforth' into the search box and pressed enter.

"If you don't come back down here this second I will call security."

"Excuse me," Maura shouted, standing beside the desk. "I'd like to reserve a room for tonight."

The man turned, a crease formed between his eyebrows. He glanced at Jane, then back at Maura. He waved a hand in Jane's direction and returned to his position. She walked up a couple more steps until she disappeared from sight.

"I'll see what we have available, if you'll excuse me just a second."

He picked up the phone and dialled. "I need security in the lobby. It appears we have a double, and a suite available."

"How much is that?"

"Eleven hundred."

"I'll take it."

"Is it just yourself?"

"No," Maura said, handing over her credit card. "I have a guest joining me."

"Doctor Maura Isles," he said. "I see you've stayed with us before. Welcome back."

"Thank you."

"May I have the name of your guest?"

"Jane Rizzoli."

"That's in our system," he said, handing her the receipt and her card. She signed it and handed the paper back. "Breakfast is in the Garden Room from seven. Room service is available on request. Would you like somebody to bring in your luggage?"

"No," Maura said. "That's fine. Thank you."

She took her key card and walked up the staircase to the second floor. She glanced back over her shoulder briefly as the man resumed his work. A couple of men in suits appeared at the front desk. Maura continued up to the door to the corridor.

"Hey," Jane said, wrapping her arms around her waist. "We staying in a fancy place tonight, or what?"

"Jane," Maura said, tilting her head. "Perhaps you could go downstairs and collect our bag from the trunk."

"I would," she said, trailing her fingers along the hip of her red, figure hugging dress. "But I don't anticipate wearing much tonight."

"Did you forget our purpose for being here?"

"No." She shrugged. "But I've never been in a five-star bed before, let alone had sex in one."

"Excuse me," a man said from the doorway.

He folded his arms across his chest and stared at Jane. A smaller man beside him reached out a hand and gripped Jane's arm. "You need to come with us."

"Officer," Maura said. "I think there's been some kind of mistake."

"I beg to differ," he said. "This woman is trespassing on private property."

"She's a guest." He stepped back, his brows tugged together. Jane nodded. "You can go down to the lobby and check the system if you don't believe me. Jane Rizzoli, she's listed under suite 127."

"Alright, Ma'am, you can go," he said. "But we'll be checking."

"Thank you." Maura handed them a ten dollar note each and continued down the corridor.

Jane fell into step beside her. "Did you seriously just tip the security guys?"

"Do you have a problem with that?"

"Isn't the room expensive enough?"

"The room was not cheap," Maura said. "But I figured it would be a special treat for us, especially considering the last few weeks, that's why I chose the suite over the room."

x

The door at the other end of the corridor was closed, much as Maura expected when she approached. Jane hovered at a distance. She didn't know how she was going to do this, but she needed to do it alone. At least that's what she kept telling herself on the walk through the hotel. She lifted her balled fist, then lowered it again.

"Jane," she said, motioning her to join her. She stalked over, her hands thrust into the pockets of her slacks. "I can't do this alone."

"I thought," Jane began, but Maura cut her off.

"I know." She gripped her wrist. "Please. I need you."

She took her hand from her pocket and tangled her fingers up around Maura's. Together, they stood in front of the door, hand in hand. Maura lifted her fist again. She closed her eyes, about to knock, when she dropped it by her side.

"I can't."

"You can," Jane said, holding her hand tightly between her palms. "All you have to do is hit the door and wait."

"You do it."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Before Maura could change her mind, Jane knocked on the door a couple of times before stepping to one side, abandoning Maura's hand. She reached out, but Jane stood at a distance.

"I can't do this bit for you," she said. "I'm right here."

The man that opened the door had salt and pepper hair, a shade much older than the man she remembered. She breathed in slowly, stealing a glance at Jane, before she looked into Gregory's pale eyes.

"Maura." His mouth dropped open. "What are you doing here?"

She opened her mouth, the words caught in her throat. "I'm here to…"

"Luke's in bed." He stared at her, his gaze cold. "I'm busy."

He pushed the door closed, but Maura reached out and held it open. "Wait."

Pursing his lips, he smirked, stepping over the threshold and into the corridor slightly. He trailed a finger across her cheek. "I know you love him, but you know he's better off here, with me. Don't you?"

"No."

"Maura, come on." He squeezed her shoulder. "Nothing's changed. You couldn't do this before and you can't do this now."

"I, I can," Maura said. Her chest ached as she struggled to breath. She stared into his eyes, so familiar, and it all came flooding back. She lowered her head. "I can't."

"See?"

"Hey, no," Jane shouted, throwing an arm across the space between Maura and Gregory. "Who are you to tell her she can't do this? You don't know her."

"Ah, the detective," he said, raising his eyebrows. "You think I don't know her? Maybe you don't know her. Did she tell you why she's not in her son's life?"

"Yes."

"Oh." He leaned back. "Then you probably don't have children; don't understand."

"So, it's fine for Luke to stay with her when it's convenient for you," Jane said.

"Jane, don't." She grasped at her shirt sleeve, but Jane tugged it away.

"Don't?" She turned around and stared at Maura. "Are you serious?"

"He's right." She retreated into the corridor. "I don't know why I came."

"You do." Twisting around, switching her attention from Maura, to Greg, and back again, Jane shook her head. "Maura can do this. I know you can. Even if he doesn't."

"We should go."

"No."

"Do what she says, Detective," Gregory said, folding his arms. "This is one thing she's right about."

"At least give her five minutes with him."

"Why?"

"Because he's her kid and she loves him."

"Like I said, he's asleep."

Jane rolled her eyes. She stared at Maura, retreating further into the corridor, then turned and smacked her hands against Greg's chest. He stumbled back slightly.

She sprang into action, reaching for Jane. "Jane, don't."

"You let her see her son." She thrust her finger against his clavicle. "Or you'll be sorry."

"Is that a threat?"

"No," Jane said. "But you can't let her spend two weeks with him, then take him away without so much as a goodbye. Five minutes, that's all I'm asking for."

He chewed his lip, his eyes trained on Maura. He glanced back at Jane and raised his eyebrows. "Fine. Five minutes."

x

Jane blocked his path as Maura entered the hotel suite. She folded her arms across her chest and stood as tall as she could reach. Gregory stared back, their eyes fixed like two people ready to duel.

"Alone."

"I never said she could see him alone," Greg said, stepping to one side.

"Don't be a jerk," Jane said, stepping in his way. "Haven't you done enough? Hasn't she been punished enough?"

"She's not good for him."

"Says you?"

"You haven't seen them together," he said, lowering his gaze. "You didn't see how difficult it was."

"When was the last time you saw them together? I've been with them the past two weeks; I've seen what a good mother Maura is."

"Two weeks doesn't make up for all the damage that was done." He smiled at her, his teeth bared briefly. He shook his head and fixed his gaze. "He didn't understand what was happening, he didn't know that she was hurting him by the way she is."

"The way she is?"

"You know she's different."

"She's Maura," Jane said, frowning. "She's not different, she's just her."

"You can defend her all you like, but the way she is hurt my son. I had to protect him, I had to do what's best for him. You don't have children, do you, Detective?"

"No." She sighed. "But I don't see what that's got to do with anything. Maura's grown so much and you haven't been here to see it. She tries harder every day than either of us will ever understand."

"That's the thing though, isn't it?" He raised his eyebrows, leaning forward as he stared at her. "She has to try. He doesn't need that level of instability."

"But he needs you living in another country while he's shipped off to boarding school?"

"Maura and I both went to boarding school. We are no worse off for it."

"That's what you think."

x

Luke's eyes bugged the second he opened the door, he reached out and wrapped his arms tightly around Maura's body and rested his head on her shoulder. She stumbled back slightly, taken aback by his affection. She rested a hand against the back of his head and ran it across his neck and down his spine.

"I thought I wasn't gonna see you again," he said, pulling out of the embrace.

Maura cupped his cheeks. "My sweet boy."

"Can we go home?"

Her chest heaved as she let out a sigh. "I'm sorry. I'm not here to take you back, I'm not allowed."

"But you can change that, can't you?" He gripped her wrist and pulled her into the bedroom.

She followed him across to the bed and sat down, his hand rested against her arm. "Do you want me to change it?"

"Yes."

"I can't promise you I can," she said. "I want to see you more; I want to be the mother I should have been all these years."

"Please."

She pressed her lips together. "I don't know if it's possible, but I'm going to try everything in my power to change this."

"Why can't I come with you now?"

"Your father won't let that happen." Maura tucked her hands under the edges of her dress. She stared at her shoes as she lifted her foot up in front of her. "You need to understand that I don't want to lose you again, that I'm here."

"I know."

Her eyelids fluttered closed. She sat up as straight as she could. Tears pricked her eye. "I don't know if I'm any good for you. I don't know if I can give you the home that you deserve, or be the mother you need."

Luke's voice broke as he spoke, tears laced his voice. "Dad can't. He's never here."

"I want to try," Maura said, squeezing his fingers. "I want to try and do better. For you."

"Is he going to take me back to school?"

"Probably. I don't know."

"I'll run away again." His chest heaved, tears caught on his cheeks. "I won't go back to school. He can't make me go back."

"Luke," she said, running her fingers across the back of his hand. "Think about your actions. I know you want what you can't have, I want it too. We have to let the court decide."

"What court?"

"The only way I can make sure I can see you is to go through the court system. It's that or mediation, and I don't think your father is open to that."

"Why do you have to go to court? Why can't he just let me stay?"

"It's complicated." She sighed. "I'll try to explain it to you one day."

"Explain it to me now."

"I can't. It would take too long and I only have a couple of minutes left."

"You're leaving?" He stood up, his chest heaved faster, tears strolled down his cheeks. "Don't go."

The bedroom door opened. Gregory stood on the other side with his hands on his hips. Maura glanced at Jane over his shoulder, staring back apologetically.

"You can't do this," Luke shouted, walking up to his father. "Don't make her go."

"This is for your own good, Lucas."

"Don't call me that. Don't talk to me. I hate you."

"You can hate me all you want," Gregory said. "But I'm doing what's best."

"No, you're not." Luke marched across his room, then back again. He stood up tall, squaring up to Gregory. "You don't understand. I want to see her. She didn't make this happen, I did. Don't make me stay with you."

"Luke."

"No. Don't say that." He shook his fist angrily at his side. "Don't say my name like that."

"I'll say your name how I like," Gregory said. "Get in the bathroom and wash up for bed. Maura and Detective Rizzoli are leaving now."

"No!" he screamed, wrapping his arms around Maura and holding her tightly. She stood, frozen on the spot for a moment. She glanced at Jane, trapped between her desire to do the legal thing, and her love for Luke. The more upset he became, the harder it was to peal him away. But she did it anyway. She slowly removed his fingers from around her body. "Don't let him make you go. Don't go. I don't want you to go."

"Lucas," she said, stroking the tears from his cheek. "My beautiful boy. Listen to me, you have to stay here. I have to go."

"No." He stepped back, stumbling against the bed. He cradled his head in his hands.

Maura ran a hand across his shoulder. "I'll be back."

"No, you will not," Greg said, stepping forward.

"I will," Maura said, standing a little taller. She pursed her lips. "Things are different now, Gregory. Luke needs me, he wants me in his life. Can't you see how hard this is for him?"

"This wouldn't be so hard if you'd sent him back to school like you should have done."

"I tried." Maura sighed. "He didn't want to go. He hates it there. I may never get full custody of him again, but I promise you that I will fight you for as long and as hard as I can to get access."

"Maura, please," he said. "Be reasonable. You're not fit to be a mother."

"Maybe not." She stepped backward through the doorway. "But how do I know if I don't get to try again? I love you, Luke."

She marched through the living area, Jane hot on her heel. Her chest burned with the breath she held in, with the pain locked up inside. When she set foot on the carpet of the corridor, and the door closed behind them, she gasped for breath.

"What if I can't do this?" she asked, leaning forward, every breath harder than the one before. "What if I can't do what I just promised Luke I'd do? What if I can't get access?"

"You will," Jane said, hooking an arm across Maura's shoulders. She leaned close against her back. "I'm here. I'll do it with you. I won't let you do this alone."