Friendly Fire Chapter 6
I don't own the show the characters or anything...just an imagination and some hope.
A/N: I appreciate those of you that are sticking with me on this story. I especially appreciate Whitebordeaux. Thanks Jen for your help and encouragement on this chapter and my writing in general.
Jane barely looked up as she saw Maura approaching. She had been running for hours by the time Maura had made it in and fatigue was beginning to set in. "Sorry I missed your call, I was beat last night."
"You must've been running all night, I'm sorry Jane. When I didn't hear from you for dinner, I accepted Melinda McDaniel's invite." Maura had taken a seat alongside Jane's desk where she would often sit to chat when time permitted.
Jane's head snapped up at Maura's words. "You had dinner with Melinda?" Jane tried to keep her words neutral but could hear herself that she was failing miserably.
"Yes, Jane. We had a nice evening." Maura was surprised by Jane's tone, opting to change the subject quickly. "I should have my official finding back here shortly on Jeff's COD."
Jane tapped her pen, refusing to look Maura in the eye as she spoke. "I don't like her."
"Jane, she's really a sweet lady. I'm sure she's just having a rough time right now with just losing her brother. I'm sure you can understand that." Maura did like Melinda, but recognized the tension between her and Jane.
"Just be careful, okay, Maura." Jane could have told Maura she just had a bad feeling about Melinda, but she knew how Maura wouldn't accept her explanation of gut feelings.
Maura stood feeling a bit dismissed by the otherwise occupied detective. "I'll let you know when I have something for you."
Jane watched Maura walk away, wondering exactly what a nice evening entailed. No, she didn't like Melinda. She didn't like Jeff either, but something about Melinda set her hair on end. Jane stood, grabbing her jacket from her chair. She motioned to Korsak that she would return shortly and headed out. Maybe it was time to cut to the chase with Jeff's sister. She wouldn't have held back on Jeff.
It was early and Jane hoped she'd catch Melinda in a bad mood. She wanted a pissing match this time and was determined to not only get into one with Melinda but win it. She suddenly felt guilty as Cindy McDaniels opened the door, obviously just waking up from what appeared to be a rough sleep.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Cindy. Is Melinda around?" Jane's voice was kept low, despite having already woken the recent widow.
"Jane? Is there any news. Nobody's really telling me anything other than it was possibly related to his undercover assignments last year." Cindy seemed so vulnerable and Jane hated that she wasn't here to offer up any kind of closure.
"No, not yet, Cindy. We are following several leads and have our theories. I will personally let you know what happened as soon as I know for sure." Jane's words trailed off as Melinda appeared behind Cindy.
"Detective Rizzoli, how good to see you. Quite early isn't it, or is it late?" Melinda rubbed her sister-n-law's arms and Cindy took the cue to leave the two detectives to their cop talk. Melinda stepped outside, closing the door behind them.
"Both. I am sorry for waking you, but I think we need to discuss a few things. You know, if you're going to be here in Boston for awhile." Jane let her eyes scan Melinda, wondering if Maura was truly attracted to her. The feeling she got from Maura earlier was that she was hoping for more time with Melinda and Jane hated the jealousy that followed that realization.
"Have any answers on Jeff's death yet. He was undercover for two years, Rizzoli. Fifteen years homicide division, lots of enemies, I'm sure. Despite that, I really am having a hard time understanding what is taking you so long to find out what happened. You know the first forty-eight hours..." Melinda could tell she had gotten under Jane's skin and stopped her statement. "Maybe I was right when I said you were in over your head."
Jane smiled at Melinda, refusing to allow her to unbalance her. "I understand you had a nice time with Dr. Isles last night. Stay out of this case and away from our M.E."
"Oh, Jane. I have no interest in Dr. Isle's findings, even though I'm sure she could solve this case faster than you seem to be doing." Melinda watched as Jane struggled with her anger. "I simply enjoyed a nice dinner with Maura, since you were busy and all."
Jane turned to walk away, before suddenly changing her mind. She stood toe to toe with the tall, New York detective only then realizing that Melinda was slightly bigger than she. "Are you interested in Dr. Isles or are you just trying to get at me through her?"
Melinda stood her ground, refusing to allow Jane's rough tone to scare her. "Oh, I am definitely interested in Maura. She's beautiful, don't you think, Jane? I do believe her to be interested in me as well."
"I am only going to tell you this once. Stay away from Dr. Isles." Jane hated when people talked through their teeth, yet it helped control the sudden urge to remove the smug look from Melinda's face.
Melinda took one step back from Jane, almost as if anticipating Jane's reaction with her next comment. "Ever kissed a woman, Jane? Really kissed a beautiful woman such as Maura? It really isn't that hard to tell what they want. Your Dr. Isles wants me and I intend to give her what she wants."
Jane closed the distance once again, mindful of not touching Melinda despite the desire to hurt her bad. "Stay away from her."
Melinda laughed causing Jane to turn her head slightly. She turned away and headed back toward her car. Jane felt blindsided although she was looking straight ahead. She wasn't sure what her and Maura's relationship consisted of other than friendship, but Melinda's words touched something that scared her. The thought of Maura kissing Melinda was enough for Jane to see red, although she knew she had no right.
Jane stormed into the precinct. She needed to see Maura. Needed to know if she was indeed interested in Melinda. It really shouldn't bother her as much as it did, but for some reason it bothered her bad.
"Rizzoli!" Jane clenched her teeth as Cavenaugh's words stopped her dead in her tracks. "My office, now."
Jane caught the questioning look from her partner and then from Korsak as she slowly made her way into her captain's office. She knew the tone, she knew she was going to catch hell for something.
"Do you want to tell me why you are harassing Jeff McDaniels' family?" Cavenaugh was pissed and Jane equally matched his mood.
"I..." Jane found herself at a loss for words. Harassing. "I feel Melinda McDaniels is hampering my investigation, Sir."
"I'll take care of that for you then. I want all hands on deck on this case and I want it put to bed yesterday. I'm assigning it to White and McBride. I expect your cooperation...completely." Cavenaugh made it clear there would be no room for discussion.
"You're pulling me?" Jane was angry and she wasn't sure where exactly to direct her anger.
"You'll work it, you're just not running point. Now get with McBride ASAP."
Jane's first thought was to go back to Melinda. Maura was closer and she needed to hear it from her that she wanted Melinda. She knew the best thing to do was keep her head in the game and go see McBride as ordered. Instead, she headed down to the morgue, Maura always had a way of making her remain balanced.
Maura was reading an article on her computer, thoroughly engrossed as she didn't hear Jane enter. Jane took advantage of the few seconds she'd have to really look at Maura. Yes, Melinda was right, Maura was beautiful. That fact wasn't something Jane wasn't aware of. Jane just never thought Maura would be interested in another woman. She certainly didn't pick up on any clues that Maura wasn't totally into guys, despite the crazy amount of time they had spent together over the past few months especially.
"I'm off the case." Jane's voice pulled Maura's attention immediately.
"What? Why?" Maura stood up as Jane then made her way into her office.
"I'm still working it, just not as lead. Something about harassing the family." Jane's breathing suggested she was angry and Maura studied her carefully allowing her time to continue. "Melinda has had a hard on for me since she's been here."
"Jane." Maura hated when Jane talked like the guys, but sometimes it was the only way.
"I'm sorry, Maura." It was evident in Jane's voice that she wasn't and Maura was aware of that fact. "I didn't mean to offend you with my language. I'm sure Melinda would never talk like that."
"Jane, I understand you're upset, but what exactly does Melinda have to do with this?" Maura knew she hit a nerve as soon as the words left her lips.
"She was pissed when I was given point on this case. She hates me simply because Jeff hates me. She has her nose in this case and she needs to stay out of it." Jane was pacing now and Maura knew her friend well enough to let her vent.
Maura watched Jane as she walked off her angry energy. She suddenly felt guilty about spending the time with Melinda that she had and wondered if she shouldn't tell Jane now before she found out.
"Maura, did you kiss her?" Jane had stopped and was staring at Maura, expecting an answer despite her expression giving her away.
"Yes, Jane I did."
"I'm busting my ass on this case, trying to prove my differences with Jeff won't interfere with me solving his murder and you're..."
Maura was quick to respond, cutting Jane off. "Not doing anything wrong. I like her, Jane."
"Maybe you feel sorry for her. Did she cry on your shoulder and tell you how she was wrongfully terminated from the NYPD? She sexually harassed another officer, Maura. A female."
"Jane, how do you know this? There are two sides to every story." Maura tried to understand why Jane was so against Melinda. Of course she was here, but she was in no way a threat. Jane was too good to let somebody interfere in her work.
Jane glared at Maura a long time before starting again. "She's using you, Maura. I know you don't want to see it, but I know it. I don't know exactly what her beef is with me just yet, but she is using you."
"This is crazy. I had dinner with the woman and yes, I kissed her. I want to see her again. If you can't keep that separate from your...our case than I just won't share with you. I have a right to be happy, Jane." Maura walked away from Jane then, returning her attention to her computer.
"She'll hurt you, Maura." Jane almost whispered her words as she turned and walked out of Maura's office.
Maura looked up as Jane turned the corner. She heard her and she heard the pain in Jane's voice. It hurt her to hear Jane hurting in any way. She would ask Melinda when they met tonight about the circumstances of her termination. Melinda would tell her or she wouldn't. It really wasn't any of her business, but it bothered her that Jane found the need to make it hers.