Friendly Fire Chapter 19

I do not own Rizzoli and Isles, Jane, Maura, Korsak, Frost...I do own Melinda McDaniels...

A/N: Sorry guys for the slight delay in updating. Had to deal with some "Friendly Fire" of my own this past week. All's well that ends well...so they say.

Jane tried to be as quiet as possible as she moved around Maura's darkened bedroom. She needed to check on Cindy and her girls and told Korsak she would be ready as early as possible. In reality, all Jane wanted to do was lie in bed; Maura's bed, with Maura. Jane found herself staring at Maura's sleeping form hoping that when this was all over, there would be plenty of time for just that.

Surely Maura had something stronger than ibuprofen in her medicine cabinet. Jane felt wrong for looking, but she really needed something. She didn't want to take what they had given her at the hospital or what they had given Maura. She knew she would have to be alert and focused. Her body was protesting every movement and she knew she was pushing herself. She had to find McDaniels and she prayed she wouldn't have to physically restrain her when she did. Melinda McDaniels was strong, every bit as tough as she would expect and unfortunately, Jane knew she would have the upper hand if there were any kind of physical confrontation. There was only a few ibuprofen left and Jane took them all making a mental note to replenish Maura's drug wall.

Jane wondered if she should wake Maura before leaving, the last thing she wanted was Maura to be worried. She figured that was inevitable, but decided Maura needed to know as much as possible what was going on.

"Jane, what's wrong? Where are you going?" Well, that settles that, Jane wouldn't have to wake Maura after all.

Jane walked over and took a seat next to Maura on the bed. She held her hand up to stop Maura from sitting up. "Relax, Maur. You need to rest as much as possible, you're gonna be hurting a lot worse today."

"Have they found Melinda?"

Jane shook her head, pleased Maura was heeding her advice and had relaxed against her pillows. "I want to check on Cindy McDaniels. We moved her to a safe house last night and I want to make sure she is doing okay."

"Melinda is the police, Jane. Wouldn't she be able to find Cindy?" Maura talked with her eyes closed and this both alarmed and relieved Jane.

"We've thought of that." Jane let her fingers run down the length of Maura's forearm. "Maura, I am so sorry. I would give anything..."

"Jane, I know. You're not responsible for this. If anything I should have listened to you, trusted you and I didn't." Maura opened her eyes and the tears that began to form moved Jane to change the subject slightly.

"Maura, what made you suspicious of Melinda not being related to Jeff?" Jane reached for her

phone when the alert for an incoming text came through. Jane looked up at Maura after reading the message, still wanting an answer.

"I had a hunch." Maura smiled knowing Jane would call her on the fact that she didn't believe in gut instinct.

"Well, your hunch paid off. Korsak just got a call from Pike. The DNA results are in and Hoyt is confirmed to be Melinda McDaniel's biological father." Jane hung her head after sharing her text with Maura. "It all makes sense now."

"I hate it when Pike is using my office when I'm not there. He adjusts my chair and I can never get it back to where it suits me." Maura's voice was weak and the sound of it made Jane look up.

"He trained her. She is his apprentice. She knows he liked to torment couples." Jane got to her feet, rubbing her temples. How she wished Maura had something stronger in her medicine cabinet. "Maura, I'm not sure Melinda had any other intentions with you other than to hurt you...to get at me. I'm sorry, Maura."

Maura barely moved, just her eyes as they followed Jane. "I suppose I just don't catch on to things like this. I am not skeptical by nature, I guess I like to believe that people are genuine."

"Most are Maura and I love that you still see the good in people first. I usually don't and I know that's a direct result of my job, of who I am and have become." Jane stood in front of Maura, staring down at the beautiful woman she had just kissed with so much passion the night before. "Even though Melinda has an agenda, I still think she was attracted to you. It would be very hard not to be."

"What are you going to do? Now that you know this? Jane, you've got to let Korsak handle this investigation. You're in no shape physically to handle Melinda and that is what she wants, you know. She wants you to find her, she wants to kill you." Maura's words trailed off at the end and the emotion was enough to make Jane sit down once again close to Maura.

Jane leaned in and kissed Maura. She didn't wait for Maura to respond, she just wanted to let her know that she wanted and needed her. She leaned her forehead against Maura's carefully, mindful of the dangerous, dark bruising that covered much of Maura's face. "I am going to find her, Maur. I am going to bring her down and if she ends up with her father, then so be it. I am also going to come back here, to you...if that is what you want."

Maura caught Jane's lips and the passion from the night before was there and then some. Of course that is what she wanted, more than anything. "Go, Jane. Please, be careful."

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"Things will get better soon." Jane took a seat next to Jeff's youngest daughter. "I really don't think you'll have to stay here too long."

"I don't like it here. The other kids are mean and they made fun of my sister for crying." Samantha McDaniel's was about seven in Jane's estimation and seemed to be a lot older than her years. "Nobody made fun of momma for crying."

"I'm sorry, Sam. As soon as I find your Aunt Melinda you all can go home." Jane studied the little girl carefully. She wanted to but decided against asking Samantha if she knew where Melinda may have gone.

"My daddy is never going to come back. Aunt Melinda says that happens sometimes when you are the police." Samantha studied Jane's gun that was partially visible from under her jacket. "Did you use to work with Daddy?"

"I did. Your daddy was a very good police officer." Jane smiled but she was sure little Sam knew she was sad too.

"Ryan used to come eat dinner with us sometimes but he hasn't visited since Daddy died." Sam got up as if on cue when Cindy approached. Jane watched her as she avoided the other children.

"This has been hard on them, but I guess that's to be expected." Cindy gave Jane a slight hug. "Thanks for coming by."

"Of course. Cindy, I know this is hard, but I need more. Any idea where Melinda may have gone?" Jane wasn't worried about showing the frustration she was feeling.

Jane blew out a long breath as Cindy simply shook her head. "So Melinda is the daughter of a monster. It makes sense now that Jeff was so upset. He rarely talked about work when he came home; most things I heard was because I overheard."

"You and Jeff had been married for what twelve, thirteen years?" Jane hated that it seemed like she was drilling Cindy, but she couldn't help but feel Cindy had more answers even if she didn't realize it.

"Fourteen next month." Cindy's voice cracked but she composed herself quickly. "Being married to a cop isn't easy."

"I bet." Jane could only imagine. "Were he and Melinda always close as far as you knew?"

"Very. We hadn't seen much of Melinda the past two years or so. Her position with NYPD kept her busy and she rarely came out for Thanksgiving or Christmas like she used to. She was very close with our girls, but she rarely acknowledged them lately." Cindy suddenly realized what she had said. "Maybe she found out somehow she was not Jeff's biological sister just recently?"

"Maybe." Jane knew Korsak had set Frost up to do some digging from the hospital. Melinda's current situation with NYPD needed clarifying and now that she was wanted here in Boston for assault on an official, she hoped her superiors would be a bit more forthcoming. "Cindy, have you seen Ryan lately?"

"Just at the funeral. He and Jeff had been partnered for so long he said it felt like he lost his own brother." Cindy shook her head. "I guess that's the way it goes with partners."

"Ryan was granted leave. It's unclear if he'll come back to homicide at all." Jane studied Cindy carefully before asking the next question. "Samantha says he used to come to dinner often with Jeff. He was close with the girls?"

"Oh yes. Ryan was always so good to these girls. Jeff trusted him with their lives and his own." Cindy then did smile. "I guess that's that bond partners share that he used to tell me I could never understand."

"It's an easy bond to understand, but it's a very hard bond to break and when it is broken in this way it is very hard to heal." Jane spoke with a sadness that Cindy did understand. "I will be in touch. I promise you as soon as I find Melinda I will get you all home, okay?"

Cindy shook her head and stood when Jane did. "Jane...do you think Melinda is behind Jeff's death? You found his killer, right?"

Jane didn't want to say too much too soon but yes, she definitely believed that. "I know that Melinda hurt Dr. Isles severely. She is wanted for that and we are looking for her for that reason. Anything else comes up I will let you know. You and your girls are here as a precaution. Please call me if you are contacted in any way, nobody knows you are here."

Jane lightly touched Cindy's arm before leaving. She glanced around as she made her way to the car where Korsak was waiting patiently. "Anything?"

"No, not a creature was stirring..." Korsak knew his attempt at light humor was lost on Jane. They had both secretly hoped Melinda would follow Jane from Maura's home to the safe house where Cindy was.

"Korsak, Ryan Pearson."

"Jeff's partner? He's good police. Probably won't be back to homicide though, maybe leave the force as well from what I'm hearing." Korsak stared at Jane knowing there was a reason she brought him up.

"I want to look at him a bit closer." Jane settled in beside Korsak as he headed back to the precinct. "I also want to speak with Jeff's mother again."

Korsak nodded. "There will be around the clock protection for Dr. Isles until Melinda is in custody. Already approved and then some by Cavenaugh. Oh, and your suspension has been lifted pending the outcome of this investigation."

Jane smiled. "Cavenaugh is finally hearing me."

"Jane, according to records, Melinda McDaniel's is two years older than Jeff, born to the same parents. Mrs. McDaniel's must have plenty to tell us now."

"She will." Jane stared out the window, letting the hum of the car slowly calm her nerves. "Korsak, do you think Melinda hurt Maura...I mean more than the obvious?"

Korsak shrugged, clearly uncomfortable with the question. "Would she say, do you think?"

"I'm not sure." Jane mumbled her answer. "I am worried she will get to Maura before I find her. Korsak, I have to look at Melinda like she is Hoyt. Hoyt would kill her."

"We'll find her." Korsak continued to drive letting Jane's words bounce around inside the car.

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Melinda stared at the entrance to the safe house. She could only shake her head at Rizzoli and how predictable she was. It was a toss up between whether Jane wanted her to follow her or was improperly prepared in case she did. Melinda was not a huge fan of Jane Rizzoli, but even she wouldn't be that careless. It was clearly a set-up. Melinda pulled out of the hidden area, keeping more than enough distance between her and Korsak's car. Once she was sure they were headed back to the precinct, she continued with her plan to destroy Jane Rizzoli.

Melinda made her way up to Jane's apartment. Access took less effort than she had originally planned for, obviously Jane relied on her gun to protect her when she was inside but didn't give much thought to her home otherwise. Her security system was easily breeched and Melinda was inside in no time. She took a few minutes to scan the apartment, it was obvious Jane hadn't been home much in the last few days; what a shame.

The pictures scattered around Jane's home showed her and her family, happy and healthy. Melinda took a few minutes to study each one before smashing each individual picture. The sound of shattering glass was more than enough to make Melinda smile. She continued on into Jane's bedroom where she took her time going through her closet. She had to admit Jane was a desirable size for any woman, not the most feminine but sexy nonetheless. She let her knife slice through each of her red sox shirts. Melinda was definitely a Yankees fan and she could only laugh as she destroyed Jane's beloved jerseys.

The apartment was quiet minus the sounds of breaking glass in Jane's bedroom. Melinda picked up a picture of Jane and Maura at what seemed like last years Christmas party. The anger that consumed Melinda as she stared at the picture was nearly too much as Melinda began to shake violently. She broke the glass, removing the picture and promptly tore it in half. She placed both halves on Jane's unmade bed and pulled two scalpels from her pocket. Carefully she pinned the pictures to the bed using the scalpels and then slowly pulled out her knife. She sliced her palm without acknowledging pain so that blood would drip onto Jane's half of the picture. She stood perfectly still until Jane's face was covered with her blood before moving on to destroy the rest of her apartment.

Melinda searched for and finally found Jane's photo albums. She figured she'd find her diplomas and certificates as well. It was like payday when she came across Jane's graduation picture. She continued until she found the newspaper clipping of how Detective Rizzoli killed Charles Hoyt. She placed the article onto Jane's bed, unwrapped her hand so it would continue to bleed but was careful not to allow any blood to cover the picture of her father. She figured Jane would have figured out by now that she was a product of Charles Hoyt and it would be that much sweeter if Jane knew that Melinda knew she knew.

The kitchen was a mess, Rizzoli wasn't much of a housekeeper. Melinda would be lying if she said she didn't understand that with the way detectives kept odd hours. Jane's cabinets were neatly organized though until she very methodically took her hand and swiped the glasses onto the kitchen floor. She reveled in the sound of her boots crunching the shattered glass under her feet. There was one beer left in the refrigerator which Melinda helped herself to, making a face at Jane's choice of drink. She took a seat on Jane's couch, kicking her feet up on the coffee table as she pulled her phone from her pocket.

"I think it's time. Dr. Isles has had enough time to heal." Melinda hung up her phone, taking a long swig of Jane's beer.