We're heading to LETO next chapter, and with it comes more humor, more of Jane's gay jokes and a lot more fun. But first here comes the Raven.
Detective Sergeant Korsak felt his stomach lurch and he made a beeline to the hedge that separated the two yards. He barely made it before his morning coffee and doughnuts came shooting out of his mouth. As his stomach emptied and then settled, his thoughts turned to all of the times he had made fun of his late partner Frost.
Leaning back on his knees he wiped his face and looked up at the sky, "I fully expect you to be laughing up there, new school."
He rose shakily to his feet to find Sean Cavanaugh standing not far away. "You Okay, Vince?"
"Yeah," he said precariously, "It's a bad one that got to me for a minute."
The Lieutenant nodded and handed him a foam cup. "Some herbal coffee that Dr. Isles gave Angela, it's like drinking straight from the bean but it should get the taste out."
Vince nodded and took the cup, "It's Hart. Badge was on the ground next to his spleen."
"His spleen?"
"Someone gutted and skinned him like an animal." He said angrily, "No one deserves that, especially a cop."
Cavanaugh's face got red, "I want this bastard, Vince. All cops, all units, whatever you need."
He nodded, "All I need right now is Jordan to give me something the boys and I can use to find this monster."
Sean nodded, "If it's there, you'll have it."
Vince walked back towards the grizzly sight, "Where's Martinez?"
"He's on his way." Cavanaugh replied.
Vince put a hand on his commander's chest, "Don't let him in. It won't do anyone any good."
"It's his UC, Vince. He's got the right to see it."
Korsak looked down at the shorter man. "Go take a look, then tell me that."
Then minutes later Cavanaugh, Woody Hoyt, and Frankie Rizzoli were holding an enraged Lieutenant Martinez down on the ground while Jordan's team removed the body and all of its parts.
Kate came in with Castle right behind her and a very satisfied smile on her face. It was matched with the content one on his as they got off the elevator to the bullpen. She was thinking about how hot they had been last night after only a few days away from each other and she was actually looking forward to going to LETO for two whole weeks. Despite the fact that it was the one thing she looked forward to every year, she couldn't wait to see how wanton he'd become after two weeks alone. The thought brought a smile to her face until she rounded the corner and was confronted with a very grumpy Jane in a uniform that matched her own save the three bluish silver chevrons on her sleeve.
"What the hell kind of an idiot are you!" She shouted into the phone on her desk, "Who the hell puts a guy like that in the Tomes?"
Oh this is bad. She thought as Jane stood up, "Look here pal, I may be from Boston but I've been in NYPD long enough to know that when someone's gunning for your witness, you don't stick the witness in the goddamn Tomes… You think I'm pissed off, wait 'til Dan Reagan hears this!" She slammed the phone down in the cradle and nearly knocked it off her desk.
Rick leaned in and whispered, "I'm going to get her some coffee." Before Kate could turn to him, he was gone.
Jane looked up at her partner, "Torrez got killed in the Tomes last night."
Her eyes widened, "Reagan said he was going to keep him in holding."
She nodded, "And some desk jockey sergeant sent him to the Tomes after Reagan and Curatola went home. As if that wasn't bad enough, my soon-to-be mother-in-law, whom my fiancé had not told that she was sleeping with her best friend until an hour before I got home, has been staying with us for the last couple of days and I can't..." Her voice trailed off as she remembered that she was in the bullpen.
Kate pulled Rick's chair over to her partner and sat in it, "Jane. It's not like you to be so... high strung."
"I need to go to the gym." She said softly, "I've been having problems with It lately."
Kate felt her skin prickle. She knew that Jane had been having trouble sleeping and that she had a sorter fuse than normal lately but this was the first time she had even thought that it might be related to her partner's darker side. Her trust in Jane's control over it was the only reason she hadn't called the department shrinks on her, Jane admitting that she was having issues with It made her nervous, "Are you okay?"
Jane nodded, "Running down Torrez helped me understand what I've been doing wrong. Why It's been so hard to live with and why I've been getting these nightmares. I need to go work out for a few hours."
"You should have told me." Kate scowled.
"I had It under control and if I thought It would get loose, you know I'd tell you." Jane spoke quietly, "But all It was doing was giving me nightmares and making me cranky because I couldn't sleep."
Kate sighed as she leaned back in the chair, "How many hours do you need?"
Jane leveled a gaze at her, "Until I'm tired or I use It up. A couple of hours a day in the fitness room aren't cutting it." Jane looked straight at her partner, I need to let Itout and I can't do that here.
Kate nodded to her that she got the message, "You don't need an excuse for Maura, Jane."
"No, she'd understand but Constance wouldn't." she replied. "I've already been gone a few days and to not come home the day after wouldn't look too good."
"Unless you were out with your partner," Kate groaned. "You want me to cover or come with you."
Jane sighed, "Aside from Torrez, It's been under wraps since you brought Maura to the gym. I need you, Kate. I need you because I need to let It go completely and I tend to lose track when that happens and I'd feel better knowing you were there looking out for me."
Kate sighed, "I swear you're helpless but okay. We'll head over to Mickeys after dinner."
"Dinner?" Confused, Jane stared at her partner, "We're having dinner?"
Kate's features slid into a sly grin, "We are now. There's no way my partner is keeping me out all night half naked and sweaty without at least buying me dinner first. I mean, what would people say, really? I do have a reputation to think about." Kate got a cute look on her face and fluttered her eyelashes.
Jane laughed at her partner's innuendo. Leave it to Kate to make her feel better. "I think my fiancé would get rather upset with that."
"Please." Kate barked, waving a hand in dismissal, "I'm the one person she wants you sleep with."
Exploding in laughter, Jane nearly fell out of her seat as Rick came back with coffee and Captain Gates right behind him. She tried to contain herself at her boss's appearance. Gates simply raised one dark eyebrow as she looked down at them.
"Share the joke." He said simply.
"It's an inside joke, Castle." Kate said with a smile.
"Share it anyway," Gates added. "I could use the humor."
The thought of Gates needing humor was enough to send Jane spiraling back into the realm of uncontained laughter as her partner groaned.
"It's nothing, Sir." Kate said, "I made a few innuendos about sleeping with Jane and we had a laugh."
"Interesting," She stated, "I wonder how Dr. Isles feels about these innuendos."
Rick chuckled, causing the captain to turn to him.
"Dr. Isles is in on the jokes more than she's out." He said, "She's very comfortable with Kate and Jane's friendship."
Gates dismissed the conversation and focused solely on the phonecall she had gotten this morning. "Working parking at 500 Pearl?"
Kate nodded, "DMV Inspection, in Lower Manhattan."
"I must commend Captain Barletta on keeping you busy since my creativity ran out last month." She said, "Stop off at 1PP. The Commissioner wants to see you both." She glared, "I'd better not get a complaint from Major Case about apprehending Torrez."
Jane leaned back in her chair and her voice took on a bitter tone. "If Major Case hadn't taken Torrez away from us, he'd still be alive."
Gates stared at her, "Come again?"
Kate sighed, "Alonzo Torrez was killed in the Tomes last night."
Anger rose up in Gates and an image of her captain's head exploding popped up in Jane's mind.
"I thought Detective Reagan was keeping him in holding?" the CO growled, "How did he get shipped to the Tomes?"
"Some desk jockey didn't get the memo that he was supposed to stay in holding." Jane grumbled, "I just talked to Curatola over there and she said that he was moved to the Tomes during evening transfers. She was about to call Reagan when I called."
"Prisoner transfers are done by clipboard," Gates barked menacingly. "Find the one who authorized his move."
"Officer Aaron Radcliffe was on holding at the five-four." Jane yanked a page off of her scratch sheet and handed it over. "Curatola gave that to me."
"Our best lead on the Raven just hit the floor." Kate growled, "And now we're back to square one."
The pretty blond detective walked them into the office and once again they found the commissioner behind his desk, this time on the phone.
"Losing our prime suspect wasn't one of those decisions. Internal Affairs is looking into it for a possible connection." There was some incoherent loud voicing on the phone and Reagan sighed, "I serve at your pleasure, Mr. Mayor, I work for the people of New York City. We will find the person responsible and bring them to justice." He gently placed the receiver down in the cradle and looked up. "The mayor was just voicing his opinions on the loss of Alonzo Torrez. Needless to say, he's not happy."
Jane snorted as she stood with her hands behind her. "Tell Bobby McCheese that I said to take a Midol."
He looked up at her, "Bobby McCheese?"
A groan escaped Kate.
"Castle and the Mayor are good friends and we've been to the mansion several times for poker night." Jane said proudly. "He's got a very weak constitution when bluffing on Texas Hold 'em."
Frank Reagan stood up and nodded as he came around the desk, "I'll have to remember that next time we play."
He smiled thoughtfully at Beckett. "So you asked for a week and I gave you two. Have you come to a decision about the lieutenant's position?"
Kate relaxed and looked straight into his eyes, "Yes, Sir. I have."
He nodded, "And your decision is?"
She sighed, "It's a generous offer, Sir and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't interested. Despite the fact that Boston Police can't give me what NYPD can, I still believe that Boston is where I need to be."
He nodded again, "Was not knowing the unit you'd be in charge of a factor in your decision?"
"No Sir." She said smoothly, "I know what unit you want me to take over and I know for a fact that I do not have the fortitude for that position. You'd replace me within six months."
Jane looked over at her partner, What unit?
Not now, came the replying look.
Raegan watched Kane carefully, she was very confident that she knew who she was to replace. He nodded and turned to Jane, "I assume that means that you are not interested in the Sergeant's position."
She nodded, "Yes Sir."
He nodded and picked up his phone. "Baker, could you bring them in? Thank you."
The doors parted and the who's who of the NYPD Command staff entered the large office and stood to one side of the room while the 12th's commanders came in on the right, including Captain Gates.
Both Jane and Kate were looking rather nervous so Reagan called attention. He cleared his throat and addressed the room, "Almost since the founding of the New York City Police Department, we've had the privilege of rewarding our own with honors and ceremonies for distinguished service and acts of heroism above and beyond the line of duty. Today we honor two of our own.
"On September twenty-third, two thousand and twelve, Homicide Detectives Sergeant Katherine Beckett and her partner Detective Jane Rizzoli were ambushed in a machine shop in the industrial area of Brooklyn. Sergeant Beckett was hit and took cover behind a toolbox while Detective Rizzoli attempted to call for back up. The two way radio that Rizzoli carried was shot right out of her hand. Wounded and unable to reach her partner, Sergeant Beckett ordered Detective Second Rizzoli out of the building while maintaining fire to cover Rizzoli's escape.
"Detective Rizzoli, unable to leave her best friend and partner, charged straight into the suspect's fire and managed to avoid being hit. The suspect, realizing that he lost the advantage circled the factory in an attempt to kill them on at a time, starting with Sergeant Beckett. The suspect found Beckett and placed the barrel of his weapon against her head. Detective Two Jane Rizzoli, upon seeing her partner in imminent death fired a single shot that ended the life of Nathaniel James Murphy and saved the life of her partner, Detective Sergeant Katherine Beckett.
"The New York City Police Department is proud to present Detective Two Jane Rizzoli with the Exceptional Merit Award for bravery under fire that clearly saved the life of a fellow officer. In the spirit of the heroism Detective Rizzoli displayed, the award will be presented by the officer whose life she saved, Sergeant Katherine Beckett."
Kate mechanically took the box in stunned disbelief and saluted him. He returned it and stepped back.
In a parade ground move Beckett walked two steps forward, turned 90 degrees, took another step and turned to face Jane.
You could have warned me! Jane sent.
I didn't know! came the reply as Beckett opened the box and put it in Jane's hand. Just hold it.
Unlike the Medal of Valor she had received for shooting herself. It wasn't an actual medal with a ribbon. It was small brass bar with four bands of yellow that separated three colored sections, one green, one white, and one blue. It represented Meritorious Police Duty and the only reason she knew that was because Kate had one of those. It sat beneath her black WTC bar. The thing that drew the most attention was the shiny green star right in the center, it represented the actual award she was just embarrassingly given.
Kate slipped her hand inside Jane's uniform jacket and unhooked her Detective's badge. Palming it in one hand she removed the badge and name plate from it and handed the plastic piece to the Commissioner who exchanged it for a larger one. Kate quickly attached the badge and the nameplate to it and reaffixed it to Jane's Jacket before taking the box from her. She took the bar out of the box and attached it directly over her partner's badge. The room applauded and Jane had to stop herself from cringing.
Salute. Kate sent.
Jane quickly snapped her hand up and Kate returned the gesture before taking her place back at her partner's side.
Frank Reagan stood before her and shook her hand, "Congratulations, Detective." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small envelope and again addressed the room. "As most of you are aware, Detective Rizzoli came to us last year from the Boston Police Department. It was Detective Beckett that recommended her for the 12th precinct's homicide department to her commanding officer, Captain Victoria Gates, who coincidentally nominated you for this award. Since that time you have shown exceptional skills with regards to your duties as a detective and as a leader. As such, many of your fellow officers, upon hearing of your return to Boston, have nominated you for another award."
He opened the envelope and pulled out a small patch that oddly reminded her of a Hash mark.
"Members of your Homicide Unit as well as members from other units you've worked with such as the Special Victims and Major Case units have nominated you for the Hollow Blue Service Stripe. It's an exceedingly rare honor that represents your time here in the New York City Police Department. Although you have only been with us for a year, your fellow officers felt that you should be able to go home and proudly display your time of service here."
He held it up so she could see it. Kate's hash marks were blue slashes outlined in silver, but the one he held up only had the silver outline and one blue diamond shaped field neatly centered. "The blue field is representative of one year in the NYPD and to receive one of these means that the NYPD was exceptionally proud to have you despite your brief service with us, know that very few before you have made such an impression on us and know that no matter where you go, you will always be an officer of the greatest Police department in the world and we want you to represent us with the same honor and courage that you have so gallantly displayed here."
He placed the patch in her hand and again shook her hand. "Well done. Any thing you'd like to say?" He asked as he indicated the room and stepped back.
Why do I always have to be put on the spot? Can't anybody ever warn me?
She sighed and turned to face the room. Her uncomfortableness brought a smile to Kate's face as she came to stand next to their captain. "Since I grew up in Boston I never thought I'd ever be a part of New York's finest but I have to say that being here has taught me a lot about the city and the people here. It's a tough job… and I never understood how different it was until I worked here. I feel very privileged to have been allowed to come here and to do my part in helping make the city safer. It has taught me a lot about the kind of cop I am and has given me lessons and experiences I doubt I'd have gotten in Boston. I'm proud to have been a part of the NYPD and I'm very humbled by the faith you've put in me."
The room broke out in applause and she felt her cheeks flushing. A few minutes later Jane stood next to her partner as the high ranking leaders of her department shook her hand congratulating her and carried on out of the office. Kate had quickly come to her side after her little speech and gave her a reassuring hand squeeze, knowing how much Jane hated these kinds of things.
Captain Gates was second to last in line and congratulated her, "You've been a pain in my ass since the day I met you but you earned that award." She said pointing at the bar over her badge.
Kate rolled her eyes as Jane smirked at her CO, "I knew you liked me, sir."
Gates's features turned hard, "I like my Sergeant, who you are taking away from me. You saved her life so I put one on you."
She turned to leave but a wicked grin creased her face and she turned back to Jane, "Make sure you get that Hollow Blue attached before you get to the DMV today. You represent New York City and you're currently out of uniform." Then she left.
"Every time." Jane said to Kate.
Reagan stopped next to them and watched the dark skinned Captain leave. "Gates can be hardnosed but when she pushes like that, it means you've got potential."
He looked down on Jane, "Sorry about the impromptu ceremony but according to your transfer papers, you won't be here for Medal Day."
Jane just nodded, "Thank you sir."
"Did you rehearse that speech, Rizzoli?" He asked.
"Completely off the top of my head," She replied with that cocky grin.
Reagan nodded again. "Congratulations Detective and good luck to both of you in Boston." He said and headed back to his desk.
After attaching the internship completion certificate she had received from Dr. Parrish to the college application, Alexis searched through her inbox for the email she received from Dr. Cavanaugh. It was an acknowledgement that Jordan had received the certificate and she also provided proof of hire for when the young girl came to Boston. Jordan had offered the intern position after Alexis adjusted her curriculum to support her desire to become a Medical Examiner. She attached the document to her application and sent it on its way to Boston Cambridge University. Being the conscientious student that she was, she also filled out and sent out the one to Harvard Medical, though she strongly wanted BCU.
Although Maura, an alumni of BCU Medical had offered to draft a letter of recommendation that would all but guarantee her entry, Alexis had politely declined because she wanted to get in on her own merits. Jordan's letter was somewhat of a stretch in that area since she had to actually make room for her as an intern but aside from that Jordan was a professional and insisted on reviewing her transcripts and Lanie's inter report before committing to hiring her.
With the applications, transcripts, certifications, and Jordan's letter, she had a better chance than most at getting into BCU but her experience with Stanford had taught her that there were no guarantees. Her heart still stung at the rejection she had received from the college, even though now she could admit that Ashley had a lot to do with the hurt. She sighed as she thought about him; she really thought they had love down pat and looking back on it she should have known better. Look at all the troubles her family faced, each one always eager to share their experiences. Frank Rizzoli had been married to Nonna for over forty years and he had just up and left her with a foreclosing house and massive tax debt.
Aunt Jordan had no problems sharing her stories of rocky relationships before she gave in to Woody. She swore that she'd never been happier. Kate cautioned her on relationships anytime she asked, but Kate was like a mother to her so she thought caution came with parenting. She knew that Kate had been a wild one back in the day; a scofflaw was what she called it. Being a cop had settled her down a lot and now that she felt she was responsible for Alexis, she tried to set a better example.
And then there was Aunt Jane. She had been gay the whole of her life and fought it tooth and nail all the way up until last year. It was the only fight Alexis had ever even heard of Jane losing. The hand scars didn't count, that was an ambush and not a fight. She'd gone out with all kinds of guys and despite saying or believing that she was in love her aunt Jane said that she hadn't been because it wasn't what she wanted. Only in the arms of Maura Isles had Aunt Jane found true love.
As if all of that wasn't enough to caution her about love, then all she had to do was look at Aunt Olivia who looked as if she was dying from a broken heart every day. She had been in love with Alexandra Cabot for more than half of the young girl's life and they still couldn't put it together. Alexis sighed as she set her tablet down on the table. She was starting to believe in that song that her Ma liked. Love is a battlefield.
"Miss Rodgers."
Alexis turned to see the old, short, wiry, thin man who taught this pre-med course. One of her favorite professors, he was always kind and informative. But the reason she liked him so much wasn't because of any academic or teaching reasons. He had taken time off to witness his very first grandson's birth and in his place he had left Dr. Maura Isles. It was that event that had brought the doctor and Alexis's aunt back together.
"Hello, Professor." She said with that dimpled smile, "How is your grandson?"
A wide grin spread across his face, "Growing like a weed and already walking."
"Well that's wonderful!" She replied.
He nodded, "We're going to spend the summer down there to help out and spoil him rotten."
"As every grandparent should." She laughed, "Mine sure do."
He nodded, "Alexis, I had a concern that I wanted to ask you about."
"Until one of my Aunts has a baby, I can't help you there."
He shook his head, "No, it's not that. I was looking at your transcripts and I noticed that right after the holiday break, you've changed all of your major courses except mine. I was wondering what happened."
Unconsciously, Alexis rubbed her fingertips over the finger shaped scar between her index finger and thumb. "I… um… I decided to become a Medical Examiner."
Tipping his head slightly a look of confusion came over him. "Like Dr. Isles?"
She nodded, "She's a big part of it."
"Strange how certain people can have such an influence over such a short period of time. Three days with Dr. Isles and you chose her profession."
Smiling Alexis shook her head and pulled up a picture on her tablet. "Actually I'm a lot more familiar with her than that. She and my Aunt Jane have known each other for years."
It was the picture from Yankee Stadium where Kate, Alexis, Jane and Maura went together.
"That's Aunt Jane. She's from Boston. She's a homicide cop and Maura was her ME."
He looked at the picture and nodded, "They look close."
"They're moving back to Boston this summer." she said, "I've put in my applications for Harvard and BCU but I wanted to do another internship to improve my chances."
"Is Dr. Isles planning on teaching?"
Alexis shook her head, "She's planning on being pregnant."
He laughed, "I wasn't aware she was married."
"She's engaged." Alexis grinned, "To her long time flame." Well that was an exaggeration. Her Aunts had been in love for years but only in the last year did they come clean about it. She had seen her Aunt Jane at both extremes, destroyed beyond measure and now in love beyond belief.
"Please tell her that I said congratulations." The bell sounded the beginning of class, "Also I have a request from a Dr. Cavanaugh, whom I guess is Dr. Isles's successor in Boston. She requested a report regarding your curriculum and your habits as a student. I believe she's going to offer you an internship."
"She did, but Jordan Cavanaugh likes to be thorough so feel free to give her anything she asks."
He nodded. "Is there anyone in Boston you do not know?"
"These are the people who had the most influence on my life and like my Ma and my Dad. I want to help make the world safer."
He nodded in approval, "Dare say I think you mean it and when you mean it, you can do it. Good luck in Boston, Miss Rodgers."
She smiled as he walked away and her thoughts turned towards Boston and the brand new beginning of her adult life.