Chapter Sixteen

Jane pulled her car over to the side of the road. Her emotions regarding Maura were all over the place and she needed to pull herself together before going to work. Seeing she was at the park she got out of her car and took a walk to clear her head.

It was going to be a beautiful day. But Maura won't be able to see it, Jane thought and the tears started. Walking over to the nearest bench she sat down. Bowing her head the tears continued and she silently sobbed for the woman she loved.

I swear I don't know why I walked away from Maura, but I hope I have a chance this time. And God, if you're in your heaven, next time let it be me, okay? I can't stand seeing Maura hurt.

After a few moments Jane's sobs subsided. She sat on the bench for another hour trying to pull herself together.

"Maura?" Angela knocked on her bedroom door. "Honey, if you're up to it I made you a little dessert."

"Thank you, Angela, I don't usually eat dessert unless I go out to dinner with someone," Maura answered. With Angela's help she sat up in bed.

"I made you some cannoli, it's easy finger food for you."

"Jane says your cannoli is the best."

"I left the extra sauce off of it so it shouldn't be too messy. Can I get you anything else?"

"No, Angela, this is perfect, thank you. I think I'm just going to get more rest this afternoon."

"I'll be here if you need anything," Angela said and retreated to the kitchen. She thought her plan to keep Maura plied with good food while Jane made her move was a good one.

Maura leaned back against the pillows. She felt out of place; she didn't watch a lot of television and wasn't able to read. She didn't think Angela wanted to read a medical journal out loud to Maura and Maura didn't want to put her through the medical jargon. And, most of all, Maura didn't want to encourage a conversation with Angela. At least, not yet.

Jane walked into the precinct and asked for Frost. "He's out with the burglary detail, Detective Sgt," her secretary replied. She started to take off her jacket, thought better of it, and pulled it back on.

"Where?" she asked. Anna squinted at the address from dispatch.

"2922 Lincoln Avenue. You need directions?"

"No, I'll be back." Jane took off at a run. If this suspect was the one who assaulted Maura, she wanted to be there.

Jane radioed Frost and easily found the detail watching the house in question. She pulled over and parked, around the corner and out of the way. Listening by radio she heard when the suspect walked out of the house carrying a large bag. Cops from every direction came out of the woodwork, drew their weapons and yelled for the suspect to drop his bag and put up his hands in surrender. She heard scuffling then a few curse words. "He's a runner!" she heard and got out of the car. Starting around the corner Jane ran right into the suspect. He tried to get up and run again and Jane saw her chance to exact a little revenge. She threw a punch, he fell to the ground and Jane kneed him in the back to make sure he was ready to surrender.

"Got him!" she yelled out. Cuffing him she walked him over to where the man dropped his garbage bag. Opening it she saw a picture of her and Maura staring up at her. Pulling it out she noticed the broken glass. Behind it was the Boston Red Sox cap Jane gave Maura when they attended their first game together.

"Where did you get this stuff?" she yelled at the man. He flinched at her tone but didn't answer. Jane walked over to him, grabbed his shirt in her fists and got in his face.

"If you're the one who assaulted Dr. Isles you better make your peace with the man upstairs because you're mine," Jane spit out between clenched teeth. "Get him out of here," she said. Pointing after the suspect she yelled for the burglary unit to put him in the interrogation room after booking. "I want to talk to him."

"We got him, Jane, come on let's go," Frost walked up to Jane. "Keep your anger under control, partner. We don't want him walking on a technicality."

"There won't be a technicality, Frost, because I'll just slam his head into the wall until he confesses. Nobody does this to Maura and gets away with it."

Jane was too wired to go back to her office. "I want to see Maura," she said to herself. "Tell her we got the suspect." Opening her phone she dialed Maura's number.

"Hey, Ma, how's Maura?"

"She's good. I'm fine too, by the way," came the reply.

"Is Maura up to a visit?"

"Let me check. I just made her some cannoli, if you come over Jane you can have some, too."

"Thanks, Ma, but I really just want to see Maura." Angela went to Maura's bedroom door and Jane could hear a muffled conversation.

"Yes, Jane, she said a visit would be nice." Jane grinned at the words, knowing that was exactly what Maura said.

"I'll be right there," she answered.

Opening Maura's door without knocking she called out. "I'm here!"

Angela poked her head out of the kitchen. "She's in her bedroom, Jane. I'll be here in the kitchen if you need anything-or anyone."

"Thanks, Ma."

Jane knocked softly on the open door. "Maura? It's me."

"I know."

"How did you know?" Jane teased.

"Your scent. I've always known when you were in the room," Maura said. Jane looked at her. God, she's beautiful. Even with two bruised swollen eyes and a bruised chin she is the most gorgeous woman I've ever seen.

"How are you today, M?"

"I'm feeling better. I just feel useless, I can't do anything since I can't see."

"Not up for daytime tv, huh?"

"I lost track of my soap operas a long time ago, Jane."

"Huh? Dr. Isles watched soaps?" Jane asked. Maura smiled.

"No, Jane, I'm teasing. I've never watched much television."

"Yeah, other than your medical channel surgeries and nature documentaries." Jane settled on the side of the bed. She took Maura's hand in her own.

"Why are you here, Jane?"

"You get right to it, don't you Maur?" Jane sighed. "Okay, we caught a suspect. Burglary unit picked him up, he had a bag of things taken from your place he was trying to fence."

"You punched him, didn't you, Jane?" Maura asked.

"How did you know?"

"Your hand. Your knuckles are swollen. Swelling in the-"

"Yeah, okay, wikipedia. Yes, I punched him. He tried to run and I wanted to make sure he didn't get away."

"Oh, Jane," Maura sighed. She ran her fingers over Jane's injured hand. "You need to put an ice pack on it, at least. I know you won't get it x-rayed. Let me see if anything seems to be broken," Maura said and flexed Jane's hand.

"Seems to be good. Come back later and I'll check it again."

Jane was nearly speechless as Maura stroked her hand. "I miss you, M."

Maura started to say something but Jane stopped her. "I'm not pushing you, Maura, I'm just stating a fact."

"Jane, I wasn't going to complain. I was going to say I, too, miss my best friend. Come back later for dinner, please."

"Okay, I'll see you later," Jane said and stood. "Take care of yourself this afternoon, Maura. Get a lot of rest, I want you better soon."

"I will, Jane. Oh, and Jane? Quit punching people," Maura said with a smile.

"Bye."

Jane stopped in the kitchen for a quick hug with her mother. "I'll see you for dinner," she said and looked at Angela. Angela smiled at her daughter. "Here. I packed a lunch for you. It includes an ice pack, Jane," Angela called after her.

Jane was smiling as she returned to the precinct.

Frost paced outside of Jane's office. Knowing she probably went to Maura's he didn't want to call her, but he wanted to speak with her ASAP.

"Jane, I need to talk to you," he said as soon as Jane went through the precinct doors. He followed Jane into her office and closed the door.

"What's up, Frost? My mother packed a lunch, care to join me?"

"No, and you're going to want to wait to eat. The suspect we picked up this morning is saying this was a setup for an assault."

"Details, Frost, details."

"He was at that dive bar on 3rd street when a well dressed man walked in, made conversation and started asking questions about people who did 'jobs' for others. He thought it strange the way the man talked, but he was curious. The man asked it be an assault disguised as a robbery."

"Yeah, I thought it strange he had a picture of Maura and I. The frame isn't worth anything. Do we have any idea who the setup man is?"

"Joey Grant."

"Son of a fucking bitch!" Jane cried out. Rising, she ran out of her office and into the interrogation room.

"How much did he pay you?" she yelled at the suspect. She lunged across the table. "How much you scumbag?"

"Three thousand dollars. Said he couldn't afford much more because his wife was bleeding him dry by running off to Australia to see her friend," the perp answered, slurring the word 'friend.'

"You're going to need a hospital room by the time I get through with you," Jane yelled. The man shrank back in his chair.

"I want a lawyer! Get this crazy lady off me!" he screamed. Two uniformed officers and Frost pulled Jane back.

"Jane, we sent a unit out to pick up Joey. He should be here shortly. You need to leave," Frost said quietly. "I'll sit in and give you all the details. Your kids need you now." Jane got her breathing under control but her thoughts were all over the place. Recognizing what Frost said was true, she nodded.

"I'll be out for the rest of the day," she said. "I need to pick up my kids. You keep me posted the minute you have any information," Jane jabbed her finger at Frost. He agreed and she left the precinct.

TBC