Friendly Fire Chapter 8
I own nothing...or no one...
Maura hesitated as she entered the squad room, her sights falling immediately on Jane as she sat on the edge of her desk. She was in deep conversation with Frost and a few other detectives, no doubt discussing the progress of the Jeff McDaniels case. Maura hated that Jane was pulled as lead, knowing she was more than capable of leading the investigation. She would wait until Jane noticed her, not wanting to disrupt what seemed to be an important conversation.
"Dr. Isles?" Korsak's voice behind her caused Maura to jump just a bit as she had let herself get lost with her thoughts. "Did you need something? To talk to Jane?"
"Um, no. I just wanted to say good morning. You know, touch base." Maura suddenly felt silly for hanging back and not approaching Jane.
"Looks like we may have gotten the break we were looking for." Korsak's statement was quick as he stepped around Maura and joined the group.
Maura watched Jane a bit longer. She wished this murder wasn't in the way of Jane and Melinda. Jane didn't trust Melinda and she wasn't shy about hiding that fact. She knew Jane was on edge with this case. A fellow detective, and the way she was being scrutinized due to the nature of the relationship she shared with Jeff McDaniels. Maura watched a focused Jane as she talked to the other detectives, trying in vain to make her point. She often talked with her hands and body language. Maura wondered if Jane knew this.
She would catch up with Jane later; maybe this evening. She hadn't had much time with Jane outside of work and missed the casual friendship they shared. Korsak did say they may have caught a break, then maybe this would all be over. Maura headed to her office where she knew she had plenty of paperwork to catch up on.
"Oh, Melinda, hi." Maura jumped at the sight of the tall blond, standing just outside her door. "What are you doing here?"
"It's funny how if you walk around like you belong here, nobody asks." Melinda smiled at Maura as she explained the question Maura was really asking which was how did she get down there without being stopped. "I came to see you, Maura."
"Are you going back to work?" Maura let her eyes fall on the badge that was clipped to Melinda's belt. That could be why nobody stopped her from making her way down to the morgue.
Melinda let her fingers skim the detective's badge that Maura was studying. "No, not yet. I thought I would wear this just in case they didn't let me down here to see you."
"Melinda, all you need to do is call me. You really don't need to go through all that trouble." Maura stepped around the other woman, inviting her into her office as she unlocked the door.
Melinda wrapped her arms around Maura as soon as she closed her office door. She used her lips to move the hair away from Maura's neck and placed a quick kiss there when she felt Maura startle at her movement.
"Ah, Melinda, this is nice, but it's really inappropriate." Maura turned so that she was facing her.
"Why is that? Afraid Rizzoli will come down here and catch you with somebody else?" the disdain in Melinda's voice was very evident and Maura was quick to diffuse the situation.
"I am a professional as is Jane. I just don't think this is the place for that kind of behavior." Maura made her way over to her desk, keeping her eyes on Melinda.
"Do I make you nervous, Maura?" Melinda sauntered over, taking a seat in the chair closest to Maura's desk. "It's either nervous or excited. I could tell." Melinda's last statement was whispered and Maura couldn't help but smile.
"I don't mean to be rude, but I do have a lot of work to do today." Maura watched Melinda wondering if she was just misunderstood by Jane or if Jane was just following her instincts.
"How about dinner tonight? I've got the perfect place." Melinda let her fingers wrap around Maura's hand.
"Maura, do you have..." Jane stopped suddenly when her eyes fell on the women, seemingly holding hands. Jane wished she would've knocked, but then she never did. "Uh, sorry. Didn't know you had company."
"Oh, Rizzoli. So good to see you again." Melinda winked at Maura before standing to face Jane.
"Why are you here? You have no business here." Jane worked hard to keep her voice solid as she too noticed the badge on Melinda's waist. She let her eyes shift over to Maura who was watching the two detectives intently.
"It's personal." Melinda winked at Maura knowing just the simple action would anger Jane. "Which means none of your business."
Jane watched the interaction between Melinda and Maura. The heat was building and Jane felt the anger she was fighting take hold. "Maura?"
Melinda took a step to the right so that she was blocking Jane's view of Maura. She slowly licked her lips knowing the simple gesture would say more and upset Jane more than any words at this point. "Have a good day, Detective."
Jane crossed her arms over her chest, turning to watch Melinda as she left the office. She waited until Maura called her name before turning to face her friend. "She's got no business down here."
"Jane..."
"I'm not entirely convinced she had nothing to do with her brother's murder." Jane knew Maura wanted to explain, but there clearly was no need. "She's bad news, Maura and the fact that she nosing around down here is suspect alone."
"It really isn't like that, Jane. She didn't ask to see anything or ask any questions about the case." Maura dared to take a few steps toward Jane.
Jane glared down at Maura. "She has no business here, understand Maura? Her presence is compromising the investigation. You know that."
"Jane, don't you think you're being a little hard on her? She is a detective after all and her brother..."
"No, Maura. She was a detective. Was!" Jane turned and headed toward the door. She spun around to face Maura before opening the door. "If you want to date that, I guess that is your business. I will not allow you to compromise our case because you have some misplaced feelings of compassion or sympathy for that woman."
Maura opened her mouth to respond but the look on Jane's face stopped her. She had never seen Jane this way and was confused as to how to talk to her.
"I will ask for another ME if I have to." Jane's voice was considerably softer and the women just stared at one another for what seemed like forever. Jane hated the way Maura's eyes defended against her words, but she really couldn't understand how Maura was being played by this woman the way she was.
"No, Detective. That will not be necessary." Maura turned away from Jane and returned to her desk where she was immediately engrossed on what was on her computer screen.
Jane stared at Maura, knowing she was wrong to threaten such a thing. Apologizing would say she was okay with the situation and she was anything but. She wanted Melinda McDaniels gone; away from this case, away from the precinct and away from Maura.
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"What are you working on?" Korsak stopped by Jane's desk as she frantically typed away at her computer. He could sense how upset Jane was and wondered how much of it had to do with being pulled as lead detective.
"Melinda McDaniels." Jane stopped typing long enough to look at Korsak to judge his reaction. "I don't like her."
"Think she's involved. We cleared her originally. Something pop up we need to be looking at?" Korsak really was clueless and that would work in Jane's favor.
"I think she has no business here at the house unless we summon her. I caught her down in Maura's office this morning." Jane leaned back in her chair, letting her eyes scan the computer screen.
Korsak's questioning look was directed to the screen as Jane turned it more toward him. "She's not a detective?"
"Not at the moment. Looks as if she's been asked to take voluntary leave while this mess is cleared up." Jane let her fingers fall on the words that explained exactly what Jane already knew.
"Jane, how did you get into her jacket. That isn't public record yet and the charges are pending." Korsak let his eyes skim the page before looking back to Jane.
Jane shot her former partner a grin that told the story. "Friend of friend, Korsak." Jane exited out just as Frost approached.
"I think we got something big here." Frost sat down at his desk just as Jane's phone rang.
"Rizzoli." Jane listened for a few seconds, before getting to her feet. "We're en route."
The tone in Jane's voice told Frost and Korsak both that they indeed had the break they had all worked so hard for. It was only seconds as the squad room was cleared out and the eerie silence left behind was enough to make Maura turn around.
She had arrived in time to see Jane take the call. She had seen the look in her eyes as she announced to her partners that they had to go immediately. She knew the tone, the pace, the atmosphere and a quick question to the desk clerk informed her of what she expected. Another officer was shot. Didn't look good was the prognosis.
Maura's chest grew tight as she knew what that meant. If they were not successful in apprehending a suspect, Jane would be even more on edge which was understandable. It was the short, angry glance that Jane shot Maura as she secured her weapon on her hip and grabbed her jacket. Jane spoke through her eyes more often than she realized and today they were telling her she was angry. Angry at her and Maura was torn for it.
Melinda was not involved in her brother's murder. Surely these fine detectives would've found proof of that by now if she were. Melinda didn't even know Jane until she arrived in Boston, although Maura assumed Jeff shared how he and Jane never got along. Surely Jeff and his detective sister talked shop from time to time. She wondered if Jane was angry that she was seeing Melinda. It encroached on their time together, but Jane was so busy with the case anyway. It was the nature of their chosen professions. Jane did have a point that Melinda was compromising the case by being there and she would definitely address that tonight.
She headed back down to the morgue to wait word on the case. She knew Jane and company would be careful, they were after all professionals. Still, she worried. Whoever they were chasing had no problems killing police officers and Jane was working angry.
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Maura answered her phone on the first ring. "Jane?"
"No, better." Melinda tried to keep her voice pleasant despite the hope she heard in Maura's voice for Rizzoli.
"Hi, Melinda. Is it that time already?" Maura seemed distracted and this alone irritated Melinda.
"It is. You've had a long day, I can hear it. I am out front. Didn't want to chance Rizzoli jumping me." Melinda's voice was pleasant enough to pull Maura.
"I have had a long day. They'll call me if they need me, I'll be right there." Maura hung up the phone. She wanted to respect Jane, but whether or not she dated Melinda really wasn't anybody's business. She was not a suspect, so it was not a conflict of interest and Jane would just have to accept it. She left word with the desk clerk that she was stepping out for dinner and would be available if needed.
Maura got in beside Melinda and quickly fastened her seat belt. She had yet to look the blond in the eyes and this caused Melinda to hesitate before starting the car. "Everything okay?"
"I'm sure it will be." Maura knew better than to let on that the detective's were onto something big in the case, but she also couldn't hide the concern she was feeling.
"You know, you are entitled to a meal break and besides isn't your shift about over anyway?" Melinda started up the car before letting her hand fall onto Maura's.
"We don't exactly work on any particular shift. I'm sure it was the same way in N.Y." Maura tried to keep the conversation moving, hoping it stayed away from Jane.
"Do you have that same worried look about you every time Rizzoli gets called out? Not healthy, Maura." Melinda's tone had changed with the mention of Jane's name and Maura couldn't help herself but ask her own questions.
"What is it about Jane? Why are you so angry with her?"
Melinda pulled into the parking lot of a fancy little restaurant that Maura hadn't been to in at least a few years. She turned the car off before turning to face Maura. "I am not angry with Jane Rizzoli. I just don't believe she should have been leading my brother's murder investigation. She and Jeff were known enemies and I doubted Jane would give a hundred percent in finding my brother's killer."
"Melinda, Jane is not like that at all. Yes, she and your brother didn't always see eye to eye, but they were both detectives, both officers. There's no doubt in my mind that Jane wasn't giving two hundred percent to this investigation." Maura unhooked her seat belt and exited the car feeling a bit uneasy where this conversation was headed.
"Well, doesn't really matter what I think. She was pulled by her captain, so obviously he felt the same way. Jane isn't as good as you think she is, Maura." Melinda waited until Maura was ready to change the subject and smiled when she did. She was pleased with herself as it seemed Maura too was beginning to doubt the great Detective Jane Rizzoli.
Maura refused wine with dinner as she anticipated a possible call back to work later. Melinda wasn't pleased but understood, ordering for herself. Conversation was light and Maura seemed to let previous comments about Jane fall further from her mind as time went on. "I wish you didn't have to go back to New York." Maura was enjoying Melinda's company. It was a nice distraction from her work as of late.
"I may not. I like Boston, the people...the scenery." Melinda winked at Maura and the gesture made Maura blush just a bit. "Besides, may not be going back to work any time soon."
Melinda watched as Maura refused eye contact, choosing not to comment on her last statement. "Rizzoli knows I have a situation there, but she doesn't know the facts. I'm sure the complaint will be dropped as it truly was just a misunderstanding."
"I'm sure." Maura wanted away from this subject and instead concentrated on getting to know her friend a bit more. It seemed her and Melinda had quite a few things in common and Maura could only laugh as Melinda shared college dorm stories. Maura had stories of her own and it was realized they both had their first sexual experiences with women while in college.
Melinda paused letting an uneasy silence fall between them. "Maura, do I make you uncomfortable?"
"Not at all." Maura lied. She like Melinda despite the fact that she was quite forward and moved quicker than perhaps she was ready. "I just get busy with my work sometimes, hard to turn it off and enjoy the other parts of life. I enjoy your company."
"Good. I ask because I like you, Maura. I mean, really like you and I can see this going someplace." Melinda inserted her credit card into the check portfolio and motion to their server. "I want this to go someplace."
"I wonder if we shouldn't slow it down a bit, at least until this case is over. Jane..."
"I don't want to hear about Rizzoli. You don't answer to her." Melinda was instantly sorry that she cut Maura off the way she did. "I'm sorry, Maura. I didn't mean that."
Maura stood, encouraging Melinda to do the same. "I think I'm ready to call it a night."
Melinda followed Maura out in silence only to address her at the car. "Maura, what is it about Rizzoli. Why do you feel so tied to her, like you have to have permission to see somebody else. You said yourself you two weren't an item. What is the problem?"
Maura felt attacked by Melinda's questions and took a moment before answering. "Jane and I are friends. Close friends. I worry about her, I care about her."
"Okay, fair enough." Melinda thought about her next question. "Do you want to be with her, Maura? If she wanted that, surely you would've had some kind of hint by now. She's not into you like that, but I am. I want to be with you."
Melinda was quick again and Maura attributed this to the New York way as Melinda had explained earlier. She was immediately drawn into a deep, passionate kiss and found it nearly impossible not to respond. Maybe Melinda was right. Surely Jane would've said something by now if she were interested in anything other than friendship. As far as she knew Jane's preference was male, but Jane could assume the same about her as she had had her share of male suitors.
Melinda had just taken Maura's face in her hands when Maura's phone rang. "Don't answer that." Melinda's mouth was instantly back on Maura's.
"I have to. I'm sorry." Maura took a few steps back, staring at Melinda before turning her attention to her ringing cell phone. "Dr. Isles."
Melinda watched Maura carefully. She watched as Maura listened intently before responding to her caller and then hanging up. "Rizzoli again?" No attempt to hide the frustration at the interruption.
Maura thought for a moment as to how to answer Melinda. "They have your brother's murderer in custody. However there are two fatalities, one of them a Boston Homicide Detective. Another detective wounded. I have to get to the hospital."
Melinda grabbed Maura's arms, forcing her to look her in the eyes. "Was that Rizzoli?"
"No, no it wasn't." Maura forced herself to breathe in through her nose and out through her mouth.
"Wouldn't she be the one to call you, you know, seeing how close you two are." Melinda could see how upset Maura was getting and wondered if Jane wasn't the one injured...or worse."
"Yes, she would, but that wasn't her." Maura took a few moments before looking up at Melinda. "I need to get to the hospital."
"Okay, no problem. I'll drive you." Melinda quickly got behind the wheel and pulled into traffic. She stole glances at Maura who was barely keeping her composure. She grabbed a hold of Maura's hand, squeezing without a response. "For what it's worth, Maura, I hope Rizzoli is okay."