A/N: Here's chapter two! I've realized that this story is going to turn out longer than expected. Thanks for any reviews and "hi" to my followers! I know angst-y stories are a little hard to jump on board with but this was an idea I couldn't shake. Hope you like what you read. Reviews are always welcome! Once again, I own nothing, just what I manage to squeeze from my imagination.

Maura Isles was well educated when it came to human psychology, impulse of the human brain, and even the chemical balance necessary for humans to function properly. But what she couldn't figure out is what was causing her to NOT function properly. She stood stock still in her kitchen, eyes fixed on the digital clock at the front of her espresso machine. Over the past week this was a common occurrence, Maura frozen and staring at nothing in particular. Her hand would automatically find its home on her chest, over the very organ that she felt betrayed by. She ached. Every part of her ached. As a scientist she knew the connection in her brain between physical and emotional pain. It all translated the same in gray matter. As a doctor she knew this. But having a first hand experience, it was hard for her to comprehend.

The sound of her ringtone brought Maura back from her thoughts. Not even bothering to check the ID she answered. There was a body in the park she needed to get to so her body switched on the auto pilot. She was cleaned up and impeccably dressed, and before she realized it she was behind the wheel of her car. After a deep breath she turned the key and started on her way. Each mile she drove, each familiar landmark she passed the ache deep inside grew stronger. With a dead body came an investigation, and with an investigation came a detective.

Jane and her partner detectives were already on the scene, looking every which way for the evidence that eluded them. Detective Frost stuck to the perimeters, wanting to keep a distance between him and the gruesome sight. Meanwhile Detective Korsak stuck close by the only female detective. Both her partners had noticed a difference in Jane as of late, but neither would dare bring attention to such a thing. Jane was a fierce protector of her private life but knew that if she needed them, her partners would be at her side as best friends.

Vince Korsak and Barry Frost weren't promoted to detective because there were empty spots to fill, they were detectives because they were dedicated and good at their jobs. Their detective skills were finely tuned, which meant the absence of a certain medical examiner in the bullpen recently didn't go unnoticed. The men shared a knowing look when the dark blue Prius saddled up along the curb by the site, both sets of eyes turning to gauge their fellow detective's reaction at the newcomer. Jane's features were like stone.

Maura gave herself a short but stern pep-talk before she got out of her car. You are a professional. Work life and personal life are separate. Dealing with Jane as a detective should be easy. My God, I miss her. I miss her smile, I miss her smell, but I miss her gentle touch most of all. This was going to be hard and hard was an understatement. But this was pain she had to bear, had to deal with. There was a victim now, and that victim probably had a family that was relying on them to do their job. Her emotional pain was nothing compared to what others will have to deal with. Mustering up all the confidence she had, the ME made her way over to the body and greeted the detectives.

"Jane. Detectives." Those two words were all she could manage through her tight, fake smile. Even Jane's name felt foreign as it rolled off her tongue.

Frost gave Jane a moment, expecting her to speak first but when she didn't he stepped in. "Uh, good evening Dr. Isle's." He looked back and forth between the women and shot a look of confusion over to Korsak. Jane was usually the one to fill Maura in on the body, but as the seconds went by her silence never wavered. "31 year old female. ID found on the victim. Name is Colette Stevenson, lives in the area, and the police are in the process of notifying family. She appears to have been stabbed..." He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to fight the bile that was rising as Maura pulled back the sheet that covered the woman's torso. "A lot." He finished quickly before dismissing himself.

"Poor kid." Korsak chuckled.

"A lot is right." Maura said to herself more than to anyone who was listening. "Whoever the attacker is was clearly angry."

"Other than the quantity of wounds, what makes you say that?" The senior detective asked, picking up where Frost had left off. Clearly it was up to them to ask the questions since Jane was still honoring her vow of silence.

"If you look closely at the damage to the tissue around the entrance you can get a good idea of how much force was behind each blow. There's a lot of damage here. The knife had a significant width and was forced in the full length of the blade."

"Are the multiple stab wounds the COD?" A raspy voice crackled from behind the examiner. Jane almost shuddered at how much lower her voice sounded when she didn't use it often.

Without turning to look at the dark haired detective Maura answered as evenly as she could. "I'm not about to guess, but with the amount of blood loss, it's a definite possibility. But I need to do a proper autopsy before I can confirm." She removed her gloves and began to stand.

"Of course." Jane grumbled as she turned her back to Maura and the body that was now being moved. Out of the corner of her eye Jane could see Korsak shaking his head at her. Rolling her eyes she turned to back only to see Maura's retreating form.

"What the hell was that all about, Rizzoli?" The senior detective dared to ask with a hint of amusement in his voice. He'd seen his fair share of squabbles between the couple, there wasn't any reason for him to assume this was any different.

"Not now Korsak."

"Things were ice cold between you two! What did you do this time?" He let out a chuckle.

"What part of 'not now' don't you understand?!" Jane voice was on the verge of a full yell. Drawing attention from everyone on the scene. "Fuck!" Jane let out a breath and made her way back to her cruiser.

Frost rejoined Korsak as he stood where the body had once laid. Shock was still evident on his face as he watched the unmarked car drive away.

"What was that all about?" Curiosity got the best of the younger detective.

"I have no idea. But I think she really screwed up this time." Korsak ran his hands over his face, trying to balance his concern for his friend with the frustration he felt towards his fellow detective. "Let's head back to the precinct. I need some coffee to help me think clearly and someone needs to go kick Jane's ass." With that the two detectives made their way back, hoping that either the case would be easy or Jane would be easier to deal with. Neither were sure which to hope for more.