Newspaper Clippings: A Touch Better Forgotten
A Rizzoli & Isles drabble by Gigi
A/N: Based on tonight's episode, so if you haven't seen it yet, don't read it until you have!
The second Jane stepped back into her apartment, she immediately started stripping.
Maura closed the door behind her and looked on at her friend in worry. "Jane, what are you doing?"
Frenzied hands ripped at her shirt and tried to undo her belt at the same time. "He's...he's all over me," she muttered, her normally husky voice cracking with the leftover tremors from the day's ordeal. She started unzipping one boot. "Get him off of me." A whimper escaped her mouth as she struggled with her boot. "Get him off of me, please. I can't deal...just help me get him off of me, Maura."
Maura didn't even remember crossing the room. All she was aware of was her strong, fearless best friend huddled and shaking in her arms, her tears soaking through her shirt. Every now and then, she heard the same thing, "Get him off me. I still feel him everywhere." Even Hoyt hadn't managed to scare her this badly; Hoyt was predictable in his own terrifying, deadly way. This guy was just...deranged, which made him that much more dangerous. He could have been two seconds from throwing acid in her face.
Slowly, Maura helped Jane peel off her clothes. She stood in her own clothes and thoroughly scrubbed Jane from head to toe, not caring that she would have to throw out her skirt and blouse. She wrapped Jane in a towel and handed her one for her hair, and while her friend was occupied, she ran into the bedroom and changed the bedspread. She'd never be able to look at that comforter again, much less sleep on it.
Later, when Maura laid in the bed next to Jane in borrowed pajamas, she glanced over to the brunette staring catatonically at the ceiling fan. "Jane?" she asked softly.
"I keep looking for a webcam," she admitted, letting out a heavy sigh. "I thought...I thought once Hoyt died, I was done being scared."
Maura rolled onto her side and gave Jane the closest thing possible to a hug in their position. She stayed there, knowing Jane needed to replace the unwanted contact with a safe, unassuming touch. "I did, too, Jane."
A/N: As much as I loved the episode, I thought the ending was a little rushed. I don't think Jane would be able to walk away from that and be able to laugh right away. I hope you appreciated this, and I really hope you review!