Friendly Fire Chapter 14
Disclaimer: I don't own Rizzoli and Isles, but I still have hope that some day I will.
A/N: I definitely appreciate the feedback, comments and story followers. Very encouraging. A few people have commented on the fact that Maura is smarter than I have her portrayed. Fear is a very controlling emotion as is love.
Jane hated waiting, her impatience not hidden in any way. She rushed the doctor when he finally did manage to make it in to stitch her side up once more. She held her breath as she opted to forgo the anesthetic, she didn't want to give the doctor any excuse to leave before she was released as well. The pain was barely tolerable, and her nerves were shot. "Any news on my partner?"
"He's in surgery to remove the bullet. His surgeon says his prognosis is good for a full recovery." Jane could hear the frustration in the doctor's voice as he reminded her once again to sit still.
"We need that bullet. I have to get it to ballistics." Jane spoke more to herself, knowing the doctor tending to her really had nothing to do with Frost's surgery. "Come on!" Jane reacted to the pain, her voice angry, her temper short.
Jane pulled her shirt on over the heavy bandage. She ignored the doctor as he warned her about doing too much too soon. She refused to wait for her discharge paperwork and was immediately out in the waiting room looking for Korsak. She waded through the officers and the few members of the press who were all waiting for word on Frost. She avoided Cavenaugh, seeking out Korsak. He caught her eye and followed her out of the hospital.
"We have to get to Maura's now." Jane pleaded with Korsak, her voice nowhere near as strong as she had tried to make it.
"Jane, we've opened up a full blown investigation. McDaniels will be looked at, but so far her alibi for the time of the shooting is tight." Korsak allowed Jane to lead him to his car.
"I know, but that doesn't change the fact she was involved somehow." Jane was nearly out of breath by the time she made it to the car. "Please, just trust me on this."
Korsak climbed in behind the wheel. "She is definitely a person of interest. I do trust you, Jane, but I also know that you have been through hell. Stand down and let us follow up on your instincts."
"Stand down? Korsak, she is involved and the worst part is she is using Maura to get at me. I have to know for what and I have to get Maura away from her." Jane's voice was a mixture of determination and fear and the combination seemed to work as Korsak made his way towards Maura's home.
Jane felt the dread in the pit of her stomach, the way Melinda answered Maura's phone and taunted her was enough to push her over the edge. Of course, Melinda knew exactly how to get to Jane. Jane hated that Melinda was anywhere near Maura and chastised herself for ever leaving Maura alone to confront Melinda in the first place. Now her partner was in surgery, Melinda was with Maura and she was left to figure out what was going on.
"Frost will be okay." Korsak's voice was just loud enough to pull Jane from her thoughts.
"I heard. I want to make sure Maura is okay, then I will go back to see him."
"Jane, are you going to be able to do this? Maybe you wait in the car and let me check things out." Korsak pulled up in front of Maura's home, quickly shutting off the car.
Jane glared at her former partner and immediate supervisor before getting out of the car. She quickly made it to Maura's door, waiting until Korsak caught up before knocking loudly. She felt Korsak's hand on her arm making her wait for an answer. It was late, but Jane doubted Maura was sleeping. "Come on!"
Maura opened the door and immediately stepped aside as Jane didn't wait for an invitation in. Her attention was pulled toward the hallway where Melinda was leaning in the entrance way, slowly buttoning up her shirt. "Is something wrong, Detective?"
"Jane." Maura's nervous voice forced Jane to turn away from Melinda and focus on Maura. She didn't want to believe that Maura had been intimate with Melinda. Maura slightly shook her head no to Jane's unasked question. "Is Detective Frost okay?"
"He will be." Jane watched as Melinda made her way over to where Maura stood. She could feel her chest tighten as Melinda moved in close to whisper into Maura's ear.
"Is there something you need, Rizzoli? It's late and Maura and I have better things to do." Melinda let her arms slide around Maura's waist as she stood closely behind her.
Jane hated the fact that Melinda was touching Maura at all but the fact that she was behind Maura gave Jane an advantage. She watched as Maura braced against Melinda's touch, closing her eyes, holding her breath. Jane waited until Maura made eye contact with her before she would answer Melinda. It was when Maura opened her eyes, that Jane saw exactly what was going on. "Yeah, I need you to leave Dr. Isles's residence immediately. I know you're threatening her and I know you're involved in tonight's shooting."
"First of all, it is Maura's call whether or not I leave her home. Second of all, you wouldn't be talking right now if you truly had reason to believe I was involved in the awful tragedy tonight. I truly hope your partner is okay." Melinda stepped out from around Maura. "You really need to be careful, Rizzoli."
"Is that a threat? Are you threatening me, Mindy?" Jane quickly closed the distance, her fuse getting shorter and shorter by the second.
"Jane." Korsak had placed himself between the two women, knowing Jane was about to blow. Jane took a step back with Korsak's warning.
"Maura, I can make her leave. You just have to tell me." Jane pleaded with Maura through her eyes to trust her. To say the words so that she could have Melinda removed. Jane knew Maura was scared of Melinda's threats against her, but she just had to get Melinda away from Maura.
"Maura, honey. Tell Detective Rizzoli that everything is fine and that she is too late. You've made your choice and she will just have to accept it." Melinda smiled at Maura, but Jane could see how she threatened with just her glare.
"Maura?" Jane could see how torn Maura was. She thought back to earlier when Maura had confided in her, trusted her, kissed her. She knew Melinda had a hold of her and she was scared. "I'll be okay. She can't hurt me. Just tell me you want her gone."
Korsak watched closely as Jane kept her eyes trained hard on Maura's. She just needed Maura to say the words. Melinda quickly made her way back over to Maura, smiling at Jane as she wrapped her arms around Maura's shoulder's. "I think since you have no reason to arrest me, you need to leave now."
Jane ignored Melinda as she watched Maura fight with her fear. "Maura, you said you trusted me. It'll be okay."
"Now, Rizzoli." Melinda let her fingers slide over Maura's throat and the look on Maura's face was enough for Jane.
"Jane!" Korsak tried to dissuade Jane from reacting, but he knew it was too late. Jane was propelled forward by anger, pure rage at this point as she grabbed Melinda. The crushing tackle did little to disable Melinda as she was every bit as tough as Jane and tougher without injury.
Korsak grabbed Maura pulling her out of the way of the fighting women. Jane had managed a hard left that seemed to slow Melinda and followed with a right that all but stopped her. She then felt Korsak forcefully yank her off of the bigger blond. "Son of a bitch!" Jane was furious and found herself angry at Maura as well. She knew she was scared but why wouldn't she trust her to help her. Why wouldn't she trust that Jane could take care of herself as well as McDaniels.
"Melinda McDaniels you are under arrest for assault on a police officer." Korsak pulled his gun, shoving it in Melinda's face. He pulled her to her feet and quickly cuffed her.
"I am a police officer. I have not been officially terminated. I want charges pressed against Detective Rizzoli." Melinda smiled around the blood that began to drip from the busted lip she now wore.
Korsak called for backup as he pulled Melinda out the front door into the early morning darkness. Jane to a few steps toward Maura, her anger only slightly lessening. "Why? Why wouldn't you tell me to take her out of here?"
"Jane, can't you see what she's doing. She wants you to react. She wants you to screw up. She is provoking your every action." Maura could see that Jane pulled her stitches once again as the blood was very visible through her shirt. "She threatened to hurt you every time I refuse her and so far she has."
"Maura, you have to trust me." Jane slammed her eyes shut, forcing herself to take a breath. "Refuse her? Maura has she forced you to..."
"No. No, Jane she hasn't." Maura hated how Jane's breathing was erratic. She hated how much pain Jane was in and she hated how much danger she was now facing for having attacked Melinda.
"Trust me to help you. I can protect myself. I will find out what she is hiding and I will put an end to all of this." Jane stood still as Maura moved close to her. She watched as Maura placed her hand against the side of her face, her expression changing from fear to concern.
"Jane, you're burning up." Maura kept her hand on Jane's face, using Jane's health be a reason to touch her.
"I'm hot? I'm fucking pissed off, Maura." Jane hated how her words attacked Maura and she quickly reached for her hand as Maura began to back away. "I'm sorry, Maur. I just don't understand why you can't trust me."
"She is going to kill you, Jane! I am scared to death she will kill you and I will have to live with the guilt that I caused your death." Maura broke down into tears forcing Jane to put her anger aside as she reached for her and pulled her into her chest. "You warned me, I know you did, but I didn't listen to you."
"Shhh. Maura, it's okay. I'll fix this okay?" Jane did feel warm and she was beginning to feel a bit light-headed as well .
"Jane, I'm so sorry. I should've listened to you. I should've trusted you." Maura's voice cracked.
Jane pushed Maura back slightly so that she could look into her eyes. "Please trust me. Please listen to me." Jane waited until Maura nodded. "Come stay with me. I don't want you here when she makes bail. If she can't get to me, she will hurt you."
Maura nodded, allowing Jane to take a deep breath for the first time all night.
"I will find out what Melinda McDaniel's agenda is, I guarantee that. In the meantime, I need you to trust me. I promise you, Maura. She will not get to me or you, but you have to allow me to protect you."
"Jane, you were almost killed tonight. That's not a coincidence." Maura let her eyes take in the blood that had now soaked through most of Jane's shirt. "You need to get back to the hospital."
"Yeah, I want to check on Frost." Jane let herself fall down onto Maura's couch while she waited for her to change. She would feel much better knowing Melinda couldn't get to Maura.
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Maura watched carefully as Jane did opt for anesthetic this time. The gash on her side had become infected and the fever that resulted worried Maura. Jane refused to let Maura leave her side despite the officers that were still at the hospital waiting to see Frost. Maura wished she could breathe for Jane as she braced against the sharp pain from the needle as it was inserted into her wound. Maura took in the bruises that were all over Jane's chest and back from the car accident. Once the doctor was finished, Jane let herself lie back on the bed. She hurt all over and she feared she would soon pass out if she tried to stand. "Maura?"
Maura reached for Jane's hand, letting her eyes take in the damage to Jane's body. She was concerned with the abdominal breathing and wondered if maybe Jane shouldn't be admitted at least overnight. "Jane?" Maura looked to Jane's face to see that she had fallen asleep holding her hand.
Maura used her other hand to smooth Jane's hair back away from her face. Her temperature was too high to the touch and Maura was alarmed enough to pry her hand out of Jane's. She found Jane's doctor and begged him to return to check on her.
Korsak stopped Maura from going back to Jane right away. "Dr. Isles, are you okay? McDaniel's hasn't hurt you has she?"
"I'm fine. I'm worried about Jane though. Her fever is spiking, I'm sure it's a due to infection and her breathing worries me." Maura was anxious to get back into the room with Jane.
"As soon as she is able she needs to get back to the precinct. Cavenaugh needs to see her ASAP." Korsak suddenly looked older than his years.
Maura could feel what was coming and she worried about how Jane would take it. "She's in trouble for what she did to Melinda tonight?"
"He's suspending her following McDaniel's complaint. This could get real ugly." Korsak lightly touched Maura's shoulder before realizing Frost's surgeon was looking for him. Maura listened as he was informed on Frost's condition.
Maura took a few minutes to grab some coffee. Frost was going to be okay. It was Jane that Maura was worried about. Hopefully they could bring her temperature down and find the source of her irregular breathing. Maura mostly worried about how Jane would handle her suspension. Once again, Melinda had managed to get to her and Maura found herself doubting Jane to be able to protect either of them from Melinda McDaniels.