Chapter 2 yay! Well I'm pretty proud of myself for remembering to work on this chapter after this weekend. My family was down for the game so I was taking a break. Anyway hopefully I'll be just as fast with the next chapter. This one is kind of slow going but things will pick up in chapter 3. So thank you for reading, please let me know what you think and, as always, enjoy.

Chapter 2

Alexis had let herself slump against the fence as she prepared to answer the detective's questions. Jane could clearly see the distress on the woman's face but she couldn't figure out what had caused it. Jane shifted her weight from her left foot to her right crossing her arms in the process. She felt the need to make herself look more intimidating for some reason that was completely beyond her at the moment.

"Alexis can you run us through what went on last night?" Jane asked.

Alex glanced up at Jane but refused to meet her eye. With a heavy sigh Alex ran a hand over her hair to smooth it down before nodding. "Gracie and I met up around eight. Cody had their car so we took mine instead. We headed to some bar not far from her house grabbed a few drinks then moved on." Alex paused trying to recall more of the past night. "We hit up a couple more bars and a club or two. I don't remember the names of any of them… I think we ended up at a bar called the 21st Amendment or something around midnight."

"Alright so you two went bar hopping how late did you stay out?" Jane pushed.

"Not much longer," Alex informed her. "Around twelve fifteen maybe my neighbor called. My dog, Blue, had gotten out of the apartment again and was barking up a storm. He's harmless just gets anxious when he's alone. I guess I didn't lock the deadbolt when I left. He can open the door damn dog…"

"So after the phone call you left the bar?" Jane continued trying to get Alex back on track.

"I told Gracie I had to go and offered to take her home but she wanted to stay out awhile longer." Alex let out a half-hearted laugh as she leaned her head back against the fence. "Gracie can take care of herself so I thought she'd be alright by herself. We were in a part of town we knew well. I told her to call me if she needed a ride home and then I left… I can see that leaving her was a mistake…

"Cody is always telling me that Gracie isn't as capable of taking care of herself as I like to think she is. I never listened. Gracie had no trouble kicking my ass… Christ Cody isn't going to forgive me for leaving Gracie by herself…"

Jane glanced over at Korsak hoping he would have something to interject into the conversation. Instead her partner only shrugged. Jane was sure that Korsak had noticed that Alex had trouble focusing on one thing at a time. As glad as Jane was to start filling in the events of the night before leading to the murder of Grace Harper she wished Alex would keep on track.

"Is there anyone who collaborate this?" Jane finally asked.

"Yeah I got back around one. The neighbor that called me probably saw me come back. That or the old lady who lives directly next to me. There's nothing she doesn't hear. Including anytime I bring home company… She's a sweet lady but you know she's lonely likes to know everything going on," Alex shrugged. "I stayed in after I got Blue back inside. Gracie never called so I figured she got home okay… Fuck… I should have locked the deadbolt."

"We appreciate you taking the time to talk with us Alex," Korsak said sensing there wasn't much more they could get out of the woman. He extended his hand which she promptly took shaking it.

Jane could see how tightly Alex gripped Korsak's hand before she released it. Alex then turned to Jane her hand extended expecting Jane to follow the same action as her partner. Instead Jane held out her card for Alex to take. Calloused fingers plucked the card from between Jane's slender fingers.

"We'll be in contact if we need anything else from you," Jane explained. "If you remember anything that may be of use just give one of us a call."

This time Alex didn't try to offer Jane a hand shake. She tucked the card into a breast pocked before returning her helmet to its place. She took a second to adjust the way it sat on her head before nodded at Jane. Her lips curled up in a smiled when her gray eyes met the dark brown eyes of the detective.

"I'll do whatever I can to help," she admitted moving away from the fence. "I cared a lot about Gracie. She deserves justice. Now uh if you'll excuse me I need to make sure none of my guys has screwed up in the past twenty minutes."

Jane was about to stop Alex when the woman brushed pass her. The momentary contact sent a light jolt through Jane's person. She turned to grab Alex's elbow to prevent her from leaving but Alex was already being joined by the same construction workers from earlier. Jane turned back to Korsak. His eyebrow arched in question.

"What was that?"

"Another gut feeling."

"What was it this time?"

"Not sure." Jane noticed Korsak messaging his hand. "She hurt your hand Korsak? Or are you just getting that old?"

Korsak chuckled but ignored his partners question. "What do you want to check out first her alibi or the bar where she left our victim alone?"

Jane glanced at her watch. It was nearly 5:00pm meaning traffic would be a bitch no matter what she decided they do. What she really wanted was something to eat since she hadn't had anything since breakfast.

"Let's head to the bar," she finally decided. "Hopefully whoever was bartending last night will be there again."

Korsak handed the car keys over to Jane and let her lead the way back to their vehicle.

"Besides if the bartender doesn't have anything to offer at least I can get some wings. I'm starving."

Korsak pulled the car door open, laughing as he did. He was just as hungry as Jane was. It wouldn't hurt if they ate while they worked.

XXXXX

The 21st Amendment wasn't as busy as Jane had thought it would be at that point in the evening. Even on a Monday night most Bostonians could be found cramped into some bar somewhere in the city. But not here, not tonight and for that Jane was glad. They small trickle of patrons in and out of the bar meant it would be easier to talk to the bartender without much interruption. Luck had even been on their side when it came to the bartender who happened to have been working the night before.

He greeted the two detectives with a warm smile as they took up two spots at the bar. When he came over to offer them a drink Jane held up her badge and gave a smile of his own.

"I take it you're not here for a social outing then," he commented dropping his hands to the bar.

"Unfortunately not this time," Jane admitted with a sigh.

"Alright. So what interest do the police have in this wonderful establishment?" he asked flashing a smile in Jane's direction.

"We're here investigating a murder that occurred last night," Korsak replied deciding to join the conversation. He produced a photo of Grace Harper from his blazer and handed it to the bartender. "We were hoping you saw this woman, Grace Harper, last night. She would have been here around midnight."

The bartender took the photo from Korsak's hand. He studied it for a moment before shaking his head and handing it back.

"Yeah I remember her," he confirmed. "Somebody killed this poor girl? Such a shame."

"What can you tell us about last night?" Jane probed. "Was she with anybody? Was anyone causing her any trouble?"

"The bar was pretty busy last night, which isn't unusual but it doesn't happen often on Sunday's," he recalled. "She came in around eleven thirty. She had her friend with her. The friend seemed pretty buzzed when they came in. bar hopping I guess."

"Can you describe the friend Miss. Harper was with?" Korsak asked.

"Tall, looked a lot like you Detective," he glanced at Jane. "But with more muscle on her. She had blackish hair and her eyes… I've never seen eyes like that."

He reached up to rub the back of his neck smiling sheepishly. "She came up to order a round for her and… Grace was it? I uh… I flirted with her but she just ignored it. They both kept to themselves except when they ran out of beer."

"How late were they here?" Jane jumped in. Her mind momentarily stuck on the fact that Alexis had turned down the bartender's advances. He was attractive and obviously trying to flirt with Jane while answering questions.

"They were here about an hour, gone through four rounds I think, when the friend got a phone call and stepped out. She was gone for a minute maybe before she came back in and said something the Grace girl," the bartender ran his hand through his hair. "They talked for a minute and then the friend left."

"Miss Harper was here alone then?"

"For a little, she left about one when things started to really slow down here."

"And she left alone?"

"Far as I could tell."

"We appreciate the help," Korsak told the bartender.

"Anything to help Boston's finest," he smiled and winked at Jane. "I better get back to work. Let me know if you need something."

Korsak turned to face Jane after the bartender had moved away. A smirk played across his face.

Jane raised her eyebrow at him. "What?"

"He likes you."

"I think he likes any woman with a pulse Vince."

Korsak chuckled. The conversation between them died down when a waiter finally brought out the wings they had ordered. It wasn't often that the two of them got to take time to sit down and eat together when they were working. Whenever they were off duty they were at the Robber but it was always in the company of their other friends. They had been partners for years and Jane missed having downtime with him. She hated that he was on his way to retirement. She knew he wouldn't leave so soon after losing Frost but he would retire eventually.

"Hands off my chicken Korsak." Jane swatted his hand away when he reached for a wing.

"I just wanted the celery."

"Bullshit. That hand gets any closer you'll lose a finger."

Korsak held his hands up and turned back to his own wings. He knew full well Jane would remove a finger if he tried to steal her food. Next to him Jane took a bite of a wing and chuckled. Feeling a little pity for her partner she tossed her piece of celery into his basket. She nearly choked on the food in her mouth when a small amount of BBQ sauced into his face and on his shirt.

"At least we're done for the day."

"You got BBQ sauce on my tie."

"I think it's an improvement," Jane snickered as she picked up another wing.

Next to her Korsak rolled his eyes.

XXXXX

Alexis Eldsfield laid stretched out on her couch in gym shorts and a worn-out tee. On the floor next to the couch her pitbull, Blue, was curled up keeping his master company. She was tired. After having gone out the night before and staying up well past 2AM only to drag herself to work at 8AM had taken a toll on her. Learning that Grace had been murdered not long after she had left her alone… Alex wiped the tears from her eyes. She felt responsible for what had happened. So much so she couldn't bring herself to call Cody.

She could tell that the detectives suspected her of having a part in Grace's murder. She really couldn't blame them. Especially after she had gone off on Detective Rizzoli.

Sighing she rolled to her side so she could reach Blue. He lifted his head at her touch. He looked up at Alex happily excepting her pats. She smiled at him leaning farther of the couch to plant a kiss on the top of his head. Blue returned the favor by licking her face.

"Alright, alright you big goof I love you too," Alex chuckled pushing Blue away from her.

A knock at the door caused Blue to let out a low woof and start towards the door. Alex smiled knowing exactly who was on the other side. She got up from the couch and moved towards the door. She tugged on Blue's collar giving him a silent command to go lay down. "It's only Marian, bub."

Blue seemed to recognize the name that came from Alex's mouth because he turned his attention from the door to his dog bed. Once Alex was sure he wouldn't get back up she pulled the door open and was greeted by a gorgeous brunette.

The brunette, Alex knew as Marian, wrapped her arms seductively around Alex's neck, pulling her into a long heated kiss. Alex's arms wrapped around Marian's slender waist pulling her as close as possible. When they pulled apart Alex had completely forgotten about the events of that day.

"Hey baby I take it you missed me?" Marian kissed down Alex's neck.

"I did," Alex groaned, painfully aware that her neighbors could come out to see her standing in the doorway with a woman working her hand under her shirt. "I just hope you weren't expecting a fancy dinner."

Marian looked up meeting Alex's eye before she pulled away. She took ahold of the collar of Alex's shirt and pulled her inside, shutting the door behind them.

"I figured you had something else in mind," Marian whispered before nipping Alex's earlobe causing moan to escape her lover's mouth. "So Alex tell me what you want to do to me tonight?"

Alex moved quickly as she pinned Marian to the wall, pressing their bodies closely together. She bit down on Marian's neck, not hard enough to hurt her but enough that it would leave a mark. Marian wrapped her legs around Alex's waist. Finally, Alex decided to answer her lover's question. "Whatever you want me too darling."

Marian snaked a hand between them. She continued down until her fingers came to the elastic of Alex's shorts. Alex felt hot breath against her ear as Marian leaned closer. "Do you tell that to all the women you bring home?" Alex couldn't help but chuckle. Marian knew she wasn't the only one Alex was sleeping with and she really didn't care. Alex had always treated her different than the others and she made sure Marian knew that.

"Only you." Alex stepped away from the wall, taking all of Marian's weight. "And that really hot pizza girl." She teased earning a bite from Marian.

The bedroom wasn't far away. It was only a minute before the door shut behind the two women.

Blue, who had fallen asleep in his bed, lifted his head lazily at the noise but didn't bother rising. He understood the door being shut meant his owner wanted to be bothered. He dropped his head again yawning loudly. After a moment the dog was asleep again.

XXXXX

Maura hadn't been expecting to see Jane that day. The detective had been busy doing her usual gumshoeing. Was that the word? Maura could only remember the look she had earned from Jane the last time she had used it. All their years working together and Maura was always struck with awe when it came to her friend. They knew everything about each other. At least it felt that way. Then again there were times that they were completely surprised to learn that there were still things neither had mentioned. Maura smiled as she placed the kettle on the stove. Perhaps Jane would surprise her again.

Almost as if expected Maura's front door opened and the tall brunette walked in carrying a Styrofoam box. Jane didn't wait for a further invitation before making her way over to the kitchen island that Maura stood beside. The smell of BBQ hit Maura suddenly. She and Korsak must had stopped to eat after talking to Alexis Eldsfield.

"I wasn't expecting you to come by tonight Jane," Maura said wanting to get rid of the silence in the home.

The comment earned her a chuckle from Jane who was now perched on a barstool. "Let me as you this," she leaned forward resting her elbows on the counter. "When, in all the years we've known each other, have I not come by after work?"

Jane was right. There really wasn't a night she hadn't made a stop at Maura's even if it was just to steal food. Normally Maura wouldn't try to argue with Jane but tonight she couldn't help herself.

"There was last Tuesday and that night during the Evans case a couple months ago," she recalled.

"Okay that night doesn't count I was in the hospital," Jane countered.

"Should I remind you why you were in the hospital Jane?" Maura asked coming around to it next to the now flustered Jane.

"Please don't," Jane groaned. The incident that had landed her in the hospital had not been one of her finer moments. "Can we just talk about the case? Did your techs find anything?"

"There was some trace on her clothes, dirt under her fingernails but nothing we were able to run tonight," Maura felt like indulging Jane for the moment. "Kent and I will get on it tomorrow. But honestly we have nothing as of now. You'll have to get us a DNA sample to run against the one I found on Grace Harper's neck."

"Yeah tomorrow Korsak and I are headed over to Eldsfield's place of residence and talk to her neighbors. They'll either give her an alibi or make use look at her even harder," Jane shrugged. "Maybe she'll be forthcoming and give us some DNA."

"I thought you were going to get that today," Maura pointed out.

"I forgot," Jane said flatly.

"So why are you here?" Maura asked deciding to change the subject.

"Your place was closer than mine. You don't mind do you? I'd be here first thing in the morning anyway."

Maura shook her head as she rose to remove the screaming kettle from the stove top. She didn't mind Jane staying at all. She had come to expect it from the detective. Jane kept clothes at her place for those nights she just couldn't make it home. Maura enjoyed the company. Even though Angela Rizzoli resided in her guest home and was constantly spending time with Maura sometimes the doctor couldn't ignore the void she felt.

It was something she never talked about. She didn't feel the need too. Her loneliness stemmed from a longtime inability to speak to other people without making a fool of herself. Jane had changed that. Maura was grateful for that. She cherished the time she spent with Jane. She was sure Jane had no idea how important she truly was to her and she was okay with that.

"Of course you can stay. You know my home is your home."

"I wouldn't say that around my mother," Jane laughed.

"I'm not worried about Angela taking over my home. Just your instant coffee." Maura couldn't help but smile at her friend. "Unless you have another run-in with a streetlamp."

Jane groaned as she dropped her head to the counter. People still picked on her about that chase that had landed her in the hospital. She hadn't seen the streetlamp until it had been too late. Hell even the bastard she had been chasing, on foot mind you, started laughing. It was the only reason they caught the guy. The months of teasing had not been worth bagging the suspect. Neither had the concussion she had sustained for that matter.

"You're a terrible friend," Jane muttered.

"And yet here you are," Maura chuckled.

"I don't think I can forgive you."

"Don't be ridiculous Jane."

Jane rose from the counter throwing her arm over her eyes dramatically. "You've wounded my pride." She moved over to the couch and, knowing Maura absolutely hated it, collapsed over the arm of the seat with a loud sigh.

"You're going to ruin my couch if you keep doing that."

"It amazes me that this couch is more important than our friendship."

Maura came to join her friend in the living room holding a cup of tea in her hand. "Stop pouting Jane you know I didn't mean anything by it."

Jane crossed her arms over her chest, "I don't believe you."

Maura rolled her eyes, something she rarely did, at the detective stretched out on her couch. She knew Jane was messing with her but after years of playing the same game Maura decided to mess back.

"If that's what you want." Maura turned away from the brunette and began to move towards her room. She had a story that she knew Jane would want to hear. She wasn't about to lose this round. "I'll tell you about the time I rode nude on a horse some other time."

That did it. Jane sat up, rather unsuccessfully because of the way her legs hung off the couch, to look at Maura. The story really wasn't that interesting. Maura had done it as a protest in college. But the words had their intended effect. Jane was no longer focused on messing with Maura and she was off the couch.

"You did what?"

Maura didn't answer.

"Maura."

Maura smiled to herself. Jane never believed she had done some very out of character things in the past. It was always interesting to see how the detective would react.

"Maura!"

"I'm going to bed. Goodnight Jane."

"You're playing dirty."

"I have no idea what you mean." Maura smiled at Jane, knowing full well what she was doing.

"You really need to stop spending time with Kent."

"I learned it from you. Now goodnight Jane."

Jane sighed knowing she'd lost this round against Maura. "Night Maura. Cheater."

Maura could only chuckle at her friend as she sauntered off into the guestroom. She had never had a friendship like she had with Jane before. She enjoyed being close to someone she could tell everything too and be comfortable enough to joke with and be herself around.

She took another sip of tea and made her way into her own room where she changed out of her clothes and into something more comfortable. Setting her cup on the dresser she crawled into her oversized bed. It wasn't long before she began to drift off to the sound on Jane moving around across the hall…

Quick little note, I am very hesitant to develop characters who aren't directly from the series to much as I feel it takes away from the people the story is really about. I am making an exception with this story for reasons you'll see as the story continues. Thank you all so much. Have a great day.