Friendly Fire Chapter 12
Disclaimer: I don't own Rizzoli and Isles or the characters except for...yeah HER!
A/N: Hey guys, thanks so much for the reviews and alerts. Incredible the interest in this story. I don't think I have seen the word Bitch and Hate so many times in one day. I actually think I am beginning to dislike Melinda McDaniels as well. Hmmm.
The sun making it's way in through the blinds was enough to pull Jane from her deep slumber. She was alarmed to realize how long she had slept, eager to blame the pain medication she argued with herself about taking. She needed to sleep, but her body was punishing her for it now as she held her breath with every step she took. The pain was dull, but she felt it everywhere. How she did not break any bones was beyond her, however that did mean she could return to work a lot sooner.
Jane checked her phone, hoping to see a missed call from Maura. The disappointment only made her body ache more as she forced herself into the shower. She felt dizzy, she felt nauseous, she was worried as to why Maura hadn't stayed to see her in the hospital or even called to check on her. This was not like her. They had had tifts in the past, but Jane believed no matter where they were, Maura would want to know if she were okay.
She would go see Maura. She wanted to talk to her yesterday morning, maybe she still would. Jane knew something was wrong, she read Maura's body language too easily the other night when Melinda was with her. She prayed Maura would let her help her if she were in trouble. Melinda had an agenda that was more than she was putting out there and Jane wanted to know what it was. Maura trusted Jane, at least she always had. Jane would have to count on that now.
"Thanks Frankie. I'll have to get a rental later today." Jane forced herself out of her brother's car, trying in vain to hide the pain she felt from her accident.
"You shouldn't be here. You need to take it easy, Jane." Frankie knew better than to argue with his sister when she had her mind set on something.
Jane made her way into the building, the look on her face telling her colleague's that she was fine, but she was on a mission. Nobody stopped her, nobody asked. She stood outside Maura's office door, wondering if she should knock. She usually didn't, but the last time she was greeted with Melinda and Maura holding hands. Jane knocked once before letting herself in.
"Jane?" Maura immediately stood, her eyes wide with surprise. "You shouldn't be here."
Jane was pleased to see Maura alone, but the nervous way she stood alerted Jane instantly. "Expecting someone else?"
"No, but wasn't expecting you. You need to rest, Jane. You're actually lucky to be alive." Maura returned to her chair behind her desk, a move that confused Jane slightly.
"I'm fine, Maura. Not that you would know that. Melinda shows up at the hospital and you can't even wait around to see how I was? Come on, Maura." Jane hated that she sounded so brass, but it was how she was feeling.
"It's not like that." Maura refused to look up at Jane.
"Then tell me how it is." Jane made her way behind Maura's desk, gently pulling on her arms until she stood. Jane forced Maura to look her in the eyes simply by staying in her space, making sure she didn't touch her. "What is it, Maur?"
"Jane, this isn't a good time." Maura began to turn away but Jane then did grab hold of her.
"No, Maura. Talk to me!" Jane's words were as intense as her expression. "Please, talk to me."
Maura shook out of Jane's hold and took a few steps back away from her. "Jane, I'm fine. Everything is fine. I have to get back to work."
"Maura, I know things aren't okay. If you won't talk to me, I will find McDaniels and find out what is going on. This isn't like you." Jane turned to head out when Maura quickly met her at the door.
"Jane, please don't do that."
"Then talk to me." Jane picked up on the fear Maura tried to disguise.
Maura rubbed her temples with her fingers. "We are trying to figure out things, you know. A new relationship, the stress of the job, her recent loss. We're just trying to figure things out."
Jane shook her head, letting her gaze land on Maura. "Do you want to be with her?"
Maura's slight hesitation wasn't missed by Jane. "I want to try to make it work with her. I like her, Jane."
Jane could feel Maura's words as they slammed into her. "I have to go." Jane reached around Maura, grabbing hold of the doorknob. The movement put her close to Maura, almost too close.
"Don't ask her anything, Jane. Please." Maura's eyes begged Jane.
Jane searched her friend for something, anything that would explain why she was so nervous. Jane took a step closer to Maura, close enough to be able to breathe in Maura's familiar scent. Her words were quiet, her voice deep."Why am I not good enough?"
Maura turned quickly, her eyes instantly finding Jane's. Jane didn't wait for an answer, instead left Maura standing stunned alone in her office.
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Melinda was growing impatient as she rung the doorbell again. Maura told her what time she'd be home and her car out front was a clear indication that she was indeed home. Finally, Maura opened the door, stepping aside when Melinda invited herself in. "I was worried about you."
Maura watched Melinda carefully as she closed the door. "I really wish you would leave Jane out of whatever this is we have. She has nothing to do with it."
"Whatever it is we have?" Melinda removed her jacket, exposing her gun that she wore much like Jane did. "Maura, this is beautiful what we have. We are building a relationship. I, for one, feel so very lucky to have met you."
Maura walked away from Melinda without responding, heading into the kitchen. "I thought we'd eat in tonight."
Melinda quickly joined Maura in the kitchen. "That's fine. Maura, did something happen today?"
"It's just been a long day. A long couple of weeks actually." Maura offered Melinda a sleepy smile. "I'm really quite worn out."
"Why don't you come sit down. We'll order out or something." Melinda gently guided Maura back into the living room. "Relax, let me take care of you."
Maura sat down, thankful that Melinda was instantly on her phone calling for dinner. She couldn't shake the look on Jane's face and the vulnerability in her voice. Why am I not good enough? Maura had replayed Jane's voice in her head throughout the day and she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Jane had always been good enough.
"Maura." Melinda's voice was filled with aggravation and irritation. "Where'd you just go?"
"Oh, sorry. My mind is just still at work, I suppose." Maura tensed up involuntarily as Melinda sat down on the couch next to her.
"Rizzoli come to see you today?"
"What? No." Maura stood knowing she was never good at lying and she figured Melinda would call her on it. She was right.
Melinda stood as well, her whole demeanor shifting with Maura's response. "Are you sure about that?"
"Melinda, she works there. We are friends. She wanted to know why I left the hospital without talking to her." Maura was quickly growing nervous. She should've told Jane what was going on, but Jane would have gone immediately to confront Melinda. Maura was worried about Jane. She knew she was in a lot of pain.
The instant stinging along the right side of Maura's face caused her bring her hand up to cover it. She hadn't seen it coming and doubted she would know how to defend against it if she had. "Don't lie to me."
Maura stared at Melinda with wide eyes. "I want you out of here." Maura could taste blood as she realized Melinda had split her lip with the force of her backhand.
"It's probably best that I leave. I'm sorry, Maura. I don't know what came over me." Melinda pulled Maura's hand down away from her face. She used her fingers to wipe away the blood. "I know you told Rizzoli something. She's not in any condition to fight for herself right now, I thought you actually cared more for her than that."
"Melinda, please leave her alone. This is ridiculous. What is it you want?" Maura was scared now and Melinda smelled the fear instantly.
"You. I want you, Maura, but I want you without Rizzoli in your head." Melinda let her fingers feel the soft skin on Maura's face. "It really isn't that hard to block her out...is it?"
"No."
"Okay, we'll try this again tomorrow night. I'll be looking forward to seeing you." Melinda smiled before winking at Maura. She then put her jacket back on and headed for the door. "Be careful, Maura."
Maura went to the kitchen to grab some ice for her lip. She could feel it beginning to swell. This was getting out of control. Maura had never been hit before and she would have to tell Jane something."
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"What the hell happened?" Jane was immediately furious when Maura opened the door.
"Jane, calm down." Maura held the door open wider and Jane was quick to enter.
"You call me and ask me to come over. You're standing her with a busted lip and you tell me to calm down." Jane began to pace but quickly changed her mind. "Maura, I can do this by the book and arrest her now."
Maura closed her eyes and Jane could see she was fighting tears. She knew her frantic pace was only making things worse and forced herself to calm down. Jane positioned herself so that she was standing directly in front of her friend and waited patiently for Maura to talk to her.
"She has threatened to hurt you if I don't stay with her." Maura glanced up into Jane's eyes at her confession. "I believe her, Jane."
Jane pulled Maura into a tight hug, ignoring the searing pain in her side where the stitches were. It felt good to have Maura so close, but the way she was shaking only angered Jane more. "Maura, I need you to tell me what's been going on. I will end this one way or the other."
"I don't know for sure, but I believe she had something to do with your accident." Jane silently nodded at Maura's statement. "She believes I have feelings for you and has demanded that I have little to no contact with you."
Jane followed Maura to the couch, where she opted to stand while Maura took a seat. "It's something else. She has had a hard on for me since she arrived in Boston. Sorry." Jane knew Maura hated the way she talked sometimes and the look she gave Jane reminded her of that. "Maura, she hit you. I can't ignore that."
Maura stood then, almost frantically. "Jane, if she knows I said anything...I...I don't know what she'll do."
Jane let her gaze fall from Maura's eyes to her mouth. "She wants you to tell me. Otherwise she would never have done this." Jane gently let her fingers run over the wounded part of Maura's lip. "Maura, do you trust me?"
"Of course." Maura stared into Jane's eyes, trusting her as she moved her hands up to her face.
"Let me take care of this." Jane's movements were slow, but she carefully placed her lips against Maura's. Jane waited until Maura began to respond before she carefully kissed her. Slowly, gently Jane tasted Maura knowing Maura might be angry at the chance Jane took.
Maura stepped back away from Jane, her eyes showing how surprised she was at Jane's action. "Jane, she will hurt you."
Jane shook her head with Maura's words. "She hurt you, Maura. Has she hurt you any other way?"
Maura thought back to the night she had pinned her to the bed, not allowing her to get to Jane's call. "No."
Jane's expression showed she doubted Maura's answer but she decided she wouldn't push. Jane walked away from Maura then and walked through her pain, anger filling her senses.
"Jane, don't confront her. Please. She will hurt you or me for telling you." Maura pleaded with Jane, knowing it was too late.
"She won't hurt you. Do you understand me, Maura. She will not hurt you." Jane opened the door, glancing back at Maura. "Lock this."
Maura did as directed, suddenly not able to stop the tears as they ran down her face and burned her lip. Jane had kissed her and it was like nothing she had ever experienced. Now what would happen. Maura was suddenly angry with herself. If anything happened to Jane, it would be her fault and she didn't know how she would be able to live with herself. Maura let the tears fall knowing she would have to trust Jane to handle this the best way she knew how. "You are good enough, Jane." Maura's words were heard by only her as she wished she had told Jane that before she left.