Sorry this is taking so long to finish.
"Get in there, Rizzoli. I'm tired of hearing you gripe." Korsak pushed the taller detective through the Human Resources door, grunting with frustration as he forced her into the small office on the upper floor of BPD.
"I already told you, Korsak, I'm not talking. We have work to do. Will you," she quickly turned around, walking backwards and glaring at her ex-partner, "stop pushing me?"
Squaring his shoulders, the sergeant stared down his nose at the younger woman. "No. As your superior officer, it is my job to make sure that you follow protocol, and you're going to follow protocol if it kills you. Now, go over there and tell that HR rep…"
"Man, Korsak, this is none of your business!" They were both starting to yell, and the small group of HR workers was shifting uncomfortably as they watched the scene play out from behind the chest high counter that blocked their work area off from the now feuding detectives. Jane waved her right hand in the air as if dismissing the whole proceeding while she pushed her jacket back with her left, resting her hand on the handle of her pistol. "If I don't want to turn someone in, then you can't make me. I'm not a fucking stool pigeon!"
"Detectives." A voice from behind the counter called out in a strong yet calm voice. "That'll be enough."
Both detectives turned to see who had dared to interrupt their discussion-turned-argument only to find the head of BPD HR, Rosa Hernandez, watching them with a look that could only be described as quiet irritation etched into her features.
"This is the HR department, not the boxing ring in the workout room," she continued with that same authoritative but calm voice, "If the two of you have issues that need to be brought to our attention, I am more than happy to hear them and take appropriate action. However, if you're here only to argue and cause disruption to my department, I'll be forced to call in your superior."
"Rosa, you know I never come up here just to be loud." Korsak's jaw flexed as he tried to get himself under control. "I'm here because my detective needs to write up an incident report for IA. I'm sorry about the noise. We didn't mean to make you have to come out of your office."
Rosa sighed, pushing up her wire rimmed glasses to pinch the bridge of her nose. "Sergeant Detective Korsak, as loud as the two of you were just a moment ago, I'm surprised Doctor Isles isn't up here asking you to keep it down for fear of waking up her patients."
From somewhere behind the petite woman standing directly behind the counter, a few chuckles and a snort could be heard.
"Call him. Go ahead and call Cavanaugh." Jane's still angry voice cut through the humor that was starting to lighten the room. "Hell, call the captain and Maura for all I care. Call whoever in the hell you want to call because I'm not writing up a report for IA, Korsak, and you can't make me. In fact," she turned toward the detective next to her, "you can kiss my…"
"Not another word, Rizzoli, before I have to write you up for inappropriate language on the job site." Rosa closed her eyes, face falling into an unreadable mask of calm as she opened them again. "Perhaps the two of you would like to step into my office? I feel we should all chat, yes?"
"No!" Jane roared, catching no one by surprise but visibly irritating her fellow detective. "I'm not 'chatting' with you, Rosa. I'm not turning in reports that are going to do jack, and I'm not staying here. Korsak," she pointed a finger at him, eyes blazing, "You can call up whoever you want. I don't give a shit. The HR department is a joke. You know it, I know it, and…"
"Detective!" Hernandez's voice again called out, this time a thin undercurrent of tension could be detected in her otherwise calm voice. "Captain Fletcher will be up here momentarily," her jaw flexed as she took in a stream of air. As she spoke again, the undercurrent of tension had seemingly vanished. "Cathrine was kind enough to call for me while the two of you have been… talking with me. It would seem that Lieutenant Cavanaugh was unavailable. Captain Fletcher has instructed us to tell you both to remain here until the he arrives. You may either take a seat here in the waiting area, or you may come back to my office. Those are your choices. Which will it be?"
"Man, really?" Jane crossed her arms and plopped into a seat in the corner of the room.
"You could have just done what I told you to do, but no," Korsak took a seat a few chairs down from her, glaring at her as he ranted. "Why you can't treat me like the rank I am, I don't know, but, just this once, it'd be nice if you wouldn't be so insubordinate. Just because we used to be partners doesn't give you the right to just go off on me, Jane. I am your superior officer, you know."
"Yeah, whatever," Jane countered, rolling her eyes.
"I would suggest," Rosa interrupted as she stepped from behind the counter to stand in front of the two officers, "that you take a moment to contemplate whatever statements you would like to make once Captain Fletcher arrives. Perhaps some quiet consideration? There's coffee in the corner. It's not top tier, but it is hot, and, Detective Rizzoli," she gave a small, knowing smirk to the lanky woman pouting in the corner, "there's plenty of sugar."
"Fine." With a grunt and a roll of her eyes, Jane stood and made her way to the coffee as the HR department head turned to return to her office.
"There you are!" Maura popped her head around the door leading into the BPD HR department. "When I went up to give you this, you weren't at your desks." She stepped inside, glanced toward the counter to nod cordially to the people working behind it, and then returned her gaze back to the detectives. "Detective Frost told me you were here. Is something wrong?"
"No, everything's fine," Jane grumbled from behind her coffee cup.
"We have a… what do you call it? An impromptu meeting with Captain Fletcher and Rosa Hernandez." Korsak winced at the hard look the doctor gave him. "We're waiting for Fletcher to get up here. Anyway, why are you looking for us?"
Maura handed a folder over to Korsak. "I have the results of your current case," she said, voice normal. "I believe you may want to look at the information, so I brought it to you rather than waiting until Jane came down for lunch."
"Thanks, Doc," he took the folder, opened it, nodded, closed it, and handed it to Jane. "Where are you two going to lunch anyway? Can Frost and I go, or is this one of those working lunches where you come back hungrier than when you left?" He winked.
From behind the counter, someone made a gaging sound.
Jane rolled her eyes. "Korsak, really? You know Maura is a professional. We don't do shit like that when we're on the clock."
"That's correct," Maura nodded. "While on duty, we don't participate in any activity that would hinder us should our services be needed by the department. The rule book is very clear on the expectations of behavior by those who work for the Boston Police Department, and you know I value rules as they are there for a good reason."
"As long as nothing's going on in your office that makes me not want to touch anything, Doc, I'm pretty sure that isn't something BPD says you can't do on your lunch break," the older man smirked. "I mean, if I were Jane… or you… I don't think I'd have any other kind of lunch but…"
At both Maura and Jane's hard looks, he stopped talking and cleared his throat. "I just mean… well… you two make a good couple, that's all. I'm glad you finally figured it all out."
From behind the counter, someone groaned.
"Strong relationships take time, Vince, but thank you. I'm very glad Jane figured it out as well." Maura smiled, winking at the other woman.
"Are you teasing me?" Jane chuckled. "I think I'm starting to rub off on you, sweetheart."
"I should hope not. Your fashion sense is atrocious! Speaking of," the doctor said, not bothering to let her detective counter what she'd just said regarding her choice in clothing, "I've an appointed this Saturday with James, my tailor."
"Okay, how long are you going to be gone? Jo and I can go take a run or something," Jane pulled out her phone to make a note on the calendar.
"Not for me, dear-heart. For you." Maura's eyes twinkled with delight and mischief. "I've bought eight suits for you from a few of the designers that I feel have the best cut for your frame, and I've also purchased ten different shirts that can be used between the various suits. James is coming to our house to measure you and the clothing."
"I don't suppose there's a way to get out of this?" Jane's voice was flat, eyes already full of defeat.
"No, I think not," the honey brunette's smile grew.
"You are so whipped, Rizzoli," Korsak chuckled.
From behind the counter, someone stood up and walked forward to stand directly behind the desk.
Cynthia Boyle cleared her throat, eyes dark with clear anger and irritation. "Doctor Isles, is there a reason you're here?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the light mood the detectives and doctor had created. "Is there something we can help you with?"
Flustered, Maura turned to address the HR representative. "Well, no. I came to see the detectives to give them some paperwork."
"I see." Cindy's eyes narrowed. "As you know, they are waiting on Captain Fletcher to arrive, but I'm sure you have pressing business elsewhere. Surely," she said, her voice becoming harsher as she spoke, "you have something that requires your attention?"
"Jane always requires my attention," Maura answered with just as much sharpness in her voice. "And I don't appreciate you questioning my time management abilities, Miss Boyle. I have more than proven myself to be one of the top professionals in my field. I did not gain that respect by shirking my duties. Your implications are unwarranted and unwelcome as the detectives and I weren't disrupting anyone."
"I would disagree with that statement," Boyle countered, glancing back to the bullpen behind her to find one pair of eyes watching and agreeing with her while the rest remained with their head down. "You were disrupting me and my colleagues."
"Is that so?" Maura stepped closer to the counter. Jane stood following a few steps behind her and remaining there while Korsak simply stood up. "How were we disturbing you, may I ask? Our noise level was within appropriate levels for this social setting. There was no rudeness that required an HR representative's immediate attention in our conversation; all parties were speaking amicably. None of our subject matter was any more or less offensive than what is generally normal for the atmosphere of the Boston Police Department, so how were we being disruptive?"
"Your subject matter was offensive, and I think it best you should know that complaints have been lodged against you regarding your habit of discussing such offensive subject matter," Cindy counter, eyes growing dark with threat. "We do not tolerate inappropriate behavior here, Doctor Isles."
Clearly offended, Marua's hand went to her chest as her voice went up a notch. "When have I ever," she said, growing angrier by the moment, "been anything but appropriate while on the job? That is… its just…"
"Maura," Jane reached forward to place a hand on the smaller woman's shoulder. "Let it go."
"No," the doctor shook her shoulder, pulling free of the touch as she stared down Cindy.
"I would ask," the HR representative continued on, "that you began to act in a more professional manner or I'll be forced to bring these complaints up to Ms. Hernandez, who will have no choice but to bring you both up on disciplinary charges. There are simply too many complaints for her to do otherwise."
"Are you threatening us?" Maura dropped her arm, and her hands balled into fists at her side. "How dare you. How dare you threaten us or even presume to call us unprofessional. I am nothing but professional while within the parameters of my job, which, Miss Boyle, I will repeat I do better than most in my field. You have no right to threaten me or to question my professionalism."
Korsak cleared his throat. "Doc, maybe we should…"
Not taking her eyes from the woman across the counter, Maura called out loudly, "No, Vince. I refuse to be treated this way. You, Miss Boyle, have crossed the line. If there are as many complaints about our 'unprofessional' behavior as you claim, why is the first we've heard of it? There are rules, steps in place, so that we are warned of impending issues prior to disciplinary action taking place. What you are threatening is what is unprofessional. I demand to speak to Rosa Hernandez right now."
"She's indisposed until Captain Fletcher arrives," Cindy replied dryly.
"Bullshit!" Jane spat out. "Man, why the hell aren't the rest of you saying something, huh? You know this is all a bunch of BS. Come on, you're supposed to stand up for our rights here." She called out to the people at their desks who still refused to look up.
"Seniority, Detective. They know who they have to answer to when you leave, and you will be leaving soon." Cindy's face turned into a sneer. "One way or another."
"What did you say?" Jane stepped up to stand beside the honey brunette. "Did you just threaten our jobs?"
"I am simply saying," Boyle replied, an air of arrogance wafting off of her, "that, when someone has as many complaints about their conduct as you and Doctor Isles have, it's difficult for any department to justify keeping you on the payroll despite how talented you may be at your job."
"You can't do that!" The lanky brunette's eyes grew wide with anger and frustration as she turned behind her to look at the man standing just a few feet away. "Korsak, do you hear this woman?"
"Yeah, I heard her." He said as he stepped closer. "You're a piece of work, Boyle, you know that? You and Cavanaugh both. You know, just because these two women are dating each other doesn't mean it gives you the right to threaten their jobs."
"I never said their jobs were in jeopardy because they were lesbians dating each other," Cindy replied coyly. "I said that the number of complaints about them currently sitting on my desk would have them in disciplinary hearings if they continued to act the way they do in public."
"What do you mean by that?" His eyes narrowed. "They're nothing but…"
"Professional. Yes, I've heard Doctor Isles already on that subject, but I have enough complaint forms to prove otherwise." Cindy chuckled. "It's my word and those forms versus your word."
"Those forms," he gave a disgusted grunt. "That's what started this anyway. Cavanaugh had the doc's ICE form. I don't even know how he," Korsak's eyes went wide for a moment. "What did you do, Cynthia? Huh? You pushing around private info on us to our superiors when you don't like what we do on our free time? Who do you think you are? Where do you get off giving our personal information over to someone else? You're supposed to be working to protect our rights and do what's best for BPD, not pushing some messed up agenda."
"I give information to the appropriate people when I think that information is pertinent to them maintaining order within the departments," Cindy snapped, losing her cool. "I do what I feel I have to do in order to do what's best for BPD."
"Including giving Maura's ICE form to my lieutenant?" Jane snapped.
"You call us unprofessional!" Maura added.
"This is unbelievable!" Korsak shouted.
"He needed to know!" Cynthia snapped back. "He needed to know what kind of corruption was going on with his detective and the Chief Medical Examiner."
Jane growled. "Corruption? What the fu…"
"Yes, you heard me. I said corruption. What you and Maura Isles are doing is as corrupt as it gets, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Your family does, too. That's why they haven't spoken to you since you 'came out'. Everyone in BPD knows all the drama going on with the Rizzoli family, and I've been dating Frankie for over a month now. I know what they think about you and your little girlfriend here. It is a corruption, and corruption only leads to more corruption. Someone has to put a stop to it before the whole police force is drawn down!"
"I could not agree more, Miss Boyle." Rosa Hernandez's voice carried over the fray. "What do you think, Captain Fletcher?"
Stepping from behind Rosa's door, the captain answered quietly, "I think Miss Boyle, the detectives, and the doctor should step in here so we can all talk."
"Yes," Rosa nodded her head in the affirmative. "Why don't we all chat? Cathrine," she looked over to one of the HR workers who still had her head down at her desk, "gather all the documents on top of Miss Boyle's desk and cross check them with our internal database while we chat. The rest of you, take an early lunch. You've earned it, thank you. Oh, and Charles?" The man who had nodded his head yes during Cynthia's rant stopped abruptly from his exit route. "We'll chat later this afternoon."
"Of course, Miss Hernandez," he visibly winced before making a hasty retreat out of the office.
"In my office, Cynthia. Now." Rosa nodded her head for the rest to follow. "Cathrine, take a message for me if anyone calls. I'm unavailable until this meeting is over. I'll buy you lunch today for drawing the short straw, okay?"
"It's okay, Rosa. I'm just glad we finally boxed her in." The young woman grinned. "I never liked her anyway."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that. Knock once you've gotten the results from the database search." With a small smirk of acknowledgment at the delight Cathrine showed in taking Cynthia down, Rosa turned to enter her office and close the door with a gentle click. Looking about the room before striding to her desk to take her chair, she said in an eerily even toned voice, "Everyone take a seat, please. I feel this will be a long conversation."
I think I have two, maybe three, more chapters to do. What your thoughts here regarding this confrontation?