Till Death Do Us Part
Part 8
Rizzoli and Isles are the property of TNT and Tess Gerritson. I am just borrowing them for a little writer's indulgence.
It was late. Jane had fallen asleep with Maura wrapped tightly around her as the moon rose in the distance, but now she was walking the edge of the swimming hole using only the moonlight to help her pick her path. Amman had watched her leave through slitted eyes. The campfire burning embers from the night be fore's discussion. She found a high rock where she could dangle her feet without getting wet and sat down.
For over an hour she gazed at the reflection of the moon and stars in the water working out everything Gabriel Dean had sent, everything she had read in the BPD and FBI files, the information she had gleaned on the ranch, and her memories. The picture she put together was complete and terrifying. If the two agencies had talked and shared more maybe the explosion in the warehouse wouldn't have happened, but Jane shook her head. No, everything had been flawed from the beginning because they had put their trust in an organization that had a few corrupt pieces.
"So where do we go from here she said to the darkness? How do I finish this and protect Maura when I feel so weak?" The breeze in the grotto caused her to shiver.
"You do it with help." Jane turned a little too quickly pulling the few stitches on her side.
"Ssssss, damn Maura you are getting real good at sneaking up on me." Maura sat down next to Jane gathering her into a hug as the pain receded.
"Sorry, didn't mean to cause you pain." Jane snuggled into deeper to the woman. A muffled reply was lost within Maura's sweater. "What?" Maura questioned softly.
"You do not cause me pain. These damn stitches are causing me pain." Maura smiled and gazed across the water. "Why are you out here?"
"I missed my bed warmer. The sleeping bag loses its appeal when you're not present." Maura pulled back from Jane a bit carefully tucking an errant hair behind her ear. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
"This case. I have spent the last hour puzzling everything out and the complete picture I get is a horrid nightmare from some filmmakers dream." Jane picked up a rock and threw it into the water. "These people Rebecca is playing with are the worst of the worse, yet she acts likes it's a walk in the park. She seems so sure of herself and her plans." Jane shook her head running a hand through the black curls.
"Yes, I must say this case has me unsettled also. It brings memories of the night you and Dean shot Patty in the warehouse." Jane looked over at Maura drawing close to study her.
"What brought that up? You still mad at me? Have I done something wrong?" Jane still carried little cracks inside from those three months of grief Maura had went through. They had found their friendship put to its limits, yet the couple was stronger than they had expected as they jumped each hurdle that had presented itself drawing back to each other in the end. The hardest part was looking inside and realizing they were in love. Then really looking inside and figuring out why they were mad at each other. Maura quickly moved to assure her girlfriend.
"No, no Jane. I have complete trust and faith in you. It was something Edward said about Rebecca doing anything to protect those she loved. It reminded me of Patty." Jane let out a nervous sigh and nodded.
"You know in a way he is a good man, if you can overlook the killing, beatings, arson, and all the other stuff." Jane smiled hoping she hadn't pushed Maura a little too far. Maura's eyes sparkled in the moonlight.
"Yeah, just like you're a good detective if you overlook getting shot, stabbed, and beat up on a regular basis." Maura smirked over her tease aimed at Jane, even as Jane chuckled.
"You win, I give up." Jane kissed Maura and pulled her closer just watching the water ripple in the breeze. After a while Maura spoke softly, almost a whisper on the wind.
"Can I ask you something and you won't be mad at me?" Jane nodded; she had been expecting this question for a long while.
"Did you Rebecca become lovers after she recovered? I mean, understand Jane, I know it's in your past but she keeps saying she can never repay the debt to you. It makes me wonder." Jane sat up and looked at Maura. She had hoped this wasn't a worry with her soon to be wife, but knew she needed a truthful answer.
"No, I was never her lover, girlfriend, or even her ship in the night. I was only her friend who held her when she woke up screaming in the night drenched in sweat, bullied her into living when she could have so easily killed herself, stood by her when the defense tried to paint her as whore with no morals or ethics because she was gay, and her cook when she could eat nothing because nothing appealed. The last I think she just fell in love with my cooking, but I am not sure." Maura chuckled at that understanding how a bowl of Mama Rizzoli's chicken soup could almost heal any ailment. "In return she was one of the first friends who friend actually meant something. She taught me how to value true friendship when it came along and in a way she showed me what true love could be. Unfortunately, I was a tad bit stubborn with love until you."
"Of which I am extremely thankful for Jane. I cannot imagine loving anyone else." Maura leaned forward kissing Jane. "Thank you for understanding where that question came from and for telling me. However, I think it's time to return to our sleeping bag. The Texas red rock area in fall tends to lose heat rapidly on a clear night and it has not been unheard of people freezing to death while out on the plain area." Maura stood reaching her hand down to Jane helping her to her feet. "Come with me Jane, let me warm your body and soul."
"Now how could I refuse an offer like that?" Jane took Maura's hand as they picked a path over the rocks and back to their sleeping bag.
Airport in a small inconsequential town in Texas…
"Officer Korsak I presume?" Jacob reached out and shook the man's hand.
"Yes, are you my ride?" Jacob nodded and picked up the man's bag.
"Rebecca is sorry she could not be here to pick you up, but she had some business to attend too. She sends her apologies." Korsak nodded as he loosened his tie. It was warmer here in Texas than Boston for him. He was going to enjoy rubbing this into Frost when he got back.
"Has Agent Dean arrived yet?" Korsak walked out of the small airport and got into a Ford F250 King Ranch pickup that was waiting for them. Korsak smiled as he slid into the leather seats. "Nice, I am loving the thought of Frost in cold, rainy Boston."
"His team will be along tomorrow morning. They have a longer drive as the government isn't willing to fly them into the small airports, especially one that belongs to Anderson Industries. I figure they will be tired, grumpy, and hungry by the time they arrive. There isn't much between them and Rebecca's ranch." Korsak smiled wider.
"Good, nice to see the Feds treated so appropriately for a change, especially after the fiasco up in Boston. I have some news for Rebecca too that I received from Frost at my last change over. Something that will make her happy I think." Jacob smiled and the truck pulled out of the airport heading down the highway toward Rebecca's ranch.
An hour later, after a boisterous conversation about some of Korsak's more dangerous cases and Jacob relating some of the wild events that have happened on the ranch they arrived at the ranch house.
"Officer Korsak" Rebecca began as Korsak climbed out of the truck and walked over to Rebecca.
"Call me Vince. Where's Jane?" Rebecca smiled taking Vince's hand and leading him into the house.
"She's out with Maura taking some time together." Vince stopped short eyeing Rebecca with suspicion. "I know that look. I know you have no reason to trust me, but let me say they will be back tomorrow early morning. They were to be here tonight, however, Jane found the area inviting and asked to camp for the night."
"Jane? Our Jane camping?" Rebecca nodded as she looked at Korsak confused. "Do you have someone who can take a picture without her knowing and send it to me?" Rebecca let out a large guffaw and wrapped her arm around Vince leading him into the kitchen were grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and baked sweet potatos waited.
"Let me see to that for you." Rebecca sat down and enjoyed an evening of light hearted talk with the man who was once Jane's mentor.
Gonzalez's Ranch gate…
"Hey, what do you all want? You know Mr. Gonzalez's property is off limits to you." The cowhands that guarded the gate entrance to the ranch held there rifles with ease, but ready at a moment's notice.
"We have a message from Ms. Rebecca for Mr. Gonzalez." Jaramillo said as he got out of the truck and walked around to open the side door. The clicks of guns being cocked caused him to pause. "There is no danger here. Just an important package." The head guard waved his hand as the others lowered their weapons. Jaramillo nodded, opened the door, and helped Joey Gonzalez into the gate guard's arms. The guards looked bewildered. "Message delivered. You boys have a nice night." Jaramillo got back in the truck and drove down the drive back toward Rebecca's ranch. "Joseph what have you gotten yourself into?" He spoke to himself quietly. "You should never have taken that man's money." The sight of Joey Gonzalez had caused Jaramillo to question everything he thought he knew. Now what was he going to do?