Friendly Fire chapter 11
Disclaimer: I do not own Rizzoli and Isles or the characters. I do own Melinda McDaniels...definitely a love to hate character.
Jane watched as Maura made her way toward her, the slight smile announcing that she had something she was excited about. Maura always looked so good in the morning, her hair and makeup expertly done. Jane always thought she could jump on any runway at any time, she was that beautiful. Maura was oblivious to her beauty and that only made her that much more desirable by so many.
"What? You look like that cat that ate the canary?" Jane could only smile watching Maura try to make sense out of her cliché.
"Actually, Jane, I wanted to talk to you this morning. I need to explain what's been going on."
Jane dropped her arms to her side, knowing her stance with crossed arms often was portrayed as closed off. She in no way wanted to be closed off to Maura.
"Ma'am! Ma'am can you hear me?" Jane opened her eyes, wondering why she was only now hearing sirens. "That's it. You're going to be okay."
Jane focused on the fireman as he tugged on her door to no avail. "Ma'am, I need you to hang in there."
"Detective." Jane's vision was becoming clearer as she tried to straighten herself. She saw the confused look on her rescuer's face. "It's Detective Rizzoli. Boston Homicide."
"Okay, Detective. We're gonna have to cut you out." Jane knew what was coming and she closed her eyes as a wave of pain flooded her whole being. She could hear more sirens and wondered just how bad off she was.
"You can always talk to me, Maura. I know I can be difficult, but I'm trying." Jane held her breath hoping Maura was ready to tell her what was going on with Melinda McDaniels.
"I come to realize that I have feelings for someone. So much stronger than even I realized." Maura's smile was confusing to Jane and she wondered if she hadn't really fallen for McDaniels. "I'm not sure what to do about my feelings."
Jane felt her heart drop a bit as she considered the fact that Maura would only ever be interested in her as a friend. "Follow your heart, Maur. That's what my ma would tell you."
"Rizzoli, you still with me." Jane forced her eyes open again. She nodded to the fireman waiting for his next direction. "I need you to turn your head toward me while my partner breaks out the other window. Keep your eyes closed, Detective."
Jane's entire body jumped causing her to cry out when she heard the sound of the glass breaking to her right. "Okay. Okay, now what?" Jane worried about her side as she could feel the blood as it pooled in her hand.
"Put this coat over your head. It's heavy and will protect you." Jane reached for the fireman's coat not prepared for the weight of it. She struggled, only being able to use her right arm, but managed to pull it over her head. "Okay, sit tight, Detective. It won't be long now."
Jane could hear the sound of the jaws of life, never realizing how loud they really were. She closed her eyes, grateful for the cover of the heavy fireman's coat. The noise only helped calm her when she would have expected it to have the adverse effect.
"I know you don't feel the same and that's okay, Jane. I have feelings for you and I just wanted to be able to get that off my chest." Maura stood vulnerable as she watched Jane react to her words.
"You have feelings for me? I'm the one you're talking about? I thought you and Melinda..."
"No, Jane. She has made me realize that I have to be true to my heart. Life's too short and I already feel like I've wasted too much time." Maura reached out for Jane's hand, her face falling when Jane didn't offer her own hand.
"I can't Maura." Jane suddenly realized what Maura was thinking. She couldn't move her arm, not that she couldn't feel the same for her as well. "Maura, I can't move. Please don't think..."
"Okay, Rizzoli." Jane once again forced her eyes open, letting the cool air attack her. She tried to take a deep breath, but realized she was hurt worse than she thought. "We're going to pull you out. Nice and easy, okay." Jane felt hands on her neck as a cervical collar was fastened into place.
Jane thought she would get a warning but was suddenly moving. She held her breath instead of crying out at the pain the movement caused. She fought to stay conscious as it was difficult to breath with the collar on. "Can you take this off, I'm okay."
"No, ma'am." Jane knew the precautions that were being taken, but still she wished she could see something other than the sky as it was beginning to lighten a bit. The sun was beginning to rise and she figured Maura would probably be at the station looking for her by now.
"Jane!" Korsak was close by and Jane felt a sudden sense of relief at hearing his voice. "It's going to be okay, Jane. It's not as bad as they thought."
"Vince." Jane's voice was strained as she still struggled with her breathing. "Where's Maura?"
"I convinced her to go straight to the hospital. She doesn't need to see this." Korsak's explanation helped Jane's breathing as he was replaced by paramedics preparing to transport her to the hospital. Frost jumped into the ambulance as the doors were slammed shut. The siren was loud but not too loud to hear the questions her partner was demanding answers to.
"Frost." Jane waited until Barry leaned down so that she didn't have to struggle to speak. "Check out McDaniels."
Frost stared at Jane, waiting to see if she knew something she wasn't saying.
"Trust me, Frost. See where she was. She's involved, I feel it." Jane allowed the oxygen mask to be placed on her face as she watched the anger cross Frost's features.
Maura used her status as head medical examiner to gain access to the main emergency bay. She waited for Jane to be pulled from the back of the ambulance before she rushed to her side. "Jane!"
"I'm okay, Maura. Looks worse than it is." Jane knew Maura was making her own observations. "My car is totaled though."
Jane could feel Maura's hand as she gently placed it against Jane's face. "I'll be here, okay."
Frost nodded to Jane as she was wheeled away toward the emergency room. Jane could feel the pain medication kicking in and she was finally able to relax enough to accept the fact that she would soon be out. She thought of Maura and where they were right now. Maura was with Melinda, but she was so worried about Jane. Jane knew Maura wanted to talk to her about something, but now they would both have to wait.
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"Maura, I came as soon as I heard." Melinda instantly pulled Maura into a hug only to take a step back when Maura wrestled her way out of it. "Maura?"
"Is this what you were referring to last night, Melinda? I cannot believe you would do this!" Melinda was taken back by the anger Maura was displaying.
Melinda grabbed Maura by the arm, roughly pulling her away from the other people in the waiting room. "Are you accusing me of causing Rizzoli's accident? That is plain ridiculous."
Maura glared at Melinda. She didn't know what to believe, but she was certain Melinda had threatened to harm Jane in her own way before she left last night.
"Maura, I don't like Rizzoli, but I know she is your friend. I would never do that to her, to you." Melinda tried again to pull Maura into a hug, but the stressed medical examiner wasn't having it.
Maura took a few steps away from Melinda before whirling around to face the taller blond. "I'm done, Melinda. I don't care if you stay in Boston, but I do want you to stay away from me."
Melinda had yet to see this side of Maura and the slow smile that appeared on her lips showed just how intrigued she was. "Maura, you're over-reacting.
"I'm going to check on Jane." Maura brushed by Melinda, but was stopped by Melinda's strong grasp on her arm.
"We are not done. Am I clear, Doctor?" Melinda paused to make sure Maura was listening to her every word. "I told you, I want to be with you. It would be in Rizzoli's best interest if you accepted that and just enjoyed what I have to offer you."
"You are threatening her. Melinda, she is a detective. She will..."
"No, she won't. She won't know. I told you, Rizzoli is not that sharp." Melinda loosened her grip on Maura's arm. "I want you to walk away from her completely."
Maura's eyes filled with tears as she realized what Melinda was saying to her. "Melinda, I can't do that. We are friends and she needs me, especially now."
Melinda pulled Maura close, wrapping her in her arms, letting her lips fall close to her ear. "Walk away from her or she won't survive the next accident."
Maura pulled back, refusing to look Melinda in the eye. Frost approached the two women, taking in the distraught look on Maura's face. "Miss McDaniels, may I have a word with you?"
"Can it wait, Detective? I really need to get Maura home. She's really upset over her Jane's accident." Melinda wrapped her arm around Maura's shoulder, giving it a squeeze meant to warn.
"Maura, Jane has been asking to see you." Frost couldn't believe Maura would leave without at least seeing for herself that Jane was okay.
Maura was careful not to react to Melinda's hold. "I have to go, Detective Frost." Maura let Melinda lead her out of the hospital wondering how she would get word to Jane about what was going on without jeopardizing her safety.
Melinda turned Maura, immediately capturing her lips. She held Maura still, smiling against her pained expression. "Relax, Maura. I can and will make you forget all about Jane Rizzoli. She's not worth any of this. She cannot please you like I can, I really thought you realized that."
"How could you do this? I could never fall for somebody that would do this, Melinda." Maura's voice cracked as she spoke. "I work with, Jane. I have to be able to talk to her."
"Not about this, not about us. If you do, Maura..." Melinda was careful as she chose her next words. "If you care at all about Rizzoli, you won't risk her."
Maura could feel her chest tightening. She wanted to believe Melinda wouldn't hurt Jane. Jane could take care of herself, but right now she didn't know how badly hurt Jane was. She wouldn't risk Jane, she loved her and now she wondered if she would ever get the chance to tell her.
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"Where's Maura?" Jane slowly pulled on the shirt her partner had retrieved for her from her locker at work. "I need to talk to her."
"Uh, Jane. She left already." Frost was nervous, fairly certain how Jane would react. "With McDaniels."
Jane stopped her movements completely at her partner's words. Frost could see how knowing Maura was with Melinda was enough to crush Jane, yet she forced herself not to react. "Okay. I need to get back to the house. McBride's funeral is tomorrow and I will make an appearance."
"Cavenaugh said no. You're home for at least a week." Frost helped Jane on with her jacket. "Jane, I'm not entirely sure Maura wanted to leave with Melinda."
"Why didn't you stop them? I'm telling you, Frost, that woman isn't right." Jane sucked in her breath as she got to her feet. The fifteen stitches in her side pulled with every movement she made.
"Maura had every opportunity to tell me if she were being forced to leave with her. She didn't, Jane."
Jane stood still for a few minutes before looking around for a wheelchair. Frost read her mind and summoned a nurse to bring one. "Frost, we need to find out how McDaniels has Maura so snowed. She's involved in this accident, I just don't know how yet."
"I checked her whereabouts this morning and she was at her sister-n-law's place." Frost stood back knowing Jane hated admitting she wanted a wheelchair, she wasn't about to ask him for help getting into it.
"Of course, she was." Jane tried but quickly gave up trying to wheel herself. Frost was quickly behind her, taking the arms of the chair in his hands. "Maura doesn't want to be with her, I could see it in her eyes last night, but she stays. She's threatening her Frost and I intend to put an end to it."
Frost began to wheel Jane out of the hospital. "I want to stop by Maura's."
"How about I stop by Dr. Isles' house and check on her and you get home." Frost was quick to dissuade Jane from pursuing her gut feeling; at least for a few days.