OK, so a couple things:
First...apparently this story has been nominated for a Rizzles award, in a few different categories. To be honest, I'm absolutely humbled and flattered by the nomination. I truly appreciate those of you that are reading this story and have been encouraging me along the way. YOU ALL ARE AWESOME. Seriously. All my writing started off as an experiment, and it turned into something that I never expected. So thank you to those of you who are reading this story, and a special thank you to whoever felt like this story is worthy of a nomination.
Second, we are getting to the good stuff on this one, folks. I am going to attempt to be more diligent in updating more frequently, especially since we are getting to the heart of the story. Also, I am taking some creative license in the Hoyt storyline, but I feel like on the show, the backstory is a little ambiguous, so I feel like I needed to fill in the storyline a bit. Hopefully I do it justice.
In the meantime, happy reading. I wrote this in somewhat of a rush, so I of course apologize for any errors!
Jane groaned loudly and jammed the heels of her hands into her eyes in frustration.
"Why can't we nail this son-of-a-bitch?" She muttered, opening her eyes again and focusing on the murder board several feet away, now cluttered with pictures of six victims. "We've definitely got a serial killer on our hands, but why do we keep coming up blank on possible suspects?" Jane exhaled slowly and stood up from her desk, gingerly flexing her neck from side to side to help ease the tension there. "What are we missing Vince?"
Since discovering Mark Hart murdered in his house two weeks ago, the case had billowed into the biggest one of Jane's career. Less than twenty-four hours after discovering Dr. Hart's body, the body of his wife Lisa had turned up in some conservation land just outside the city. Her throat had been slit in an identical fashion to her husband's, but there had also been evidence of sexual assault. If that hadn't been troubling enough, Maura's examination revealed the sexual assault had taken place post-mortem.
Just when the homicide team was struggling to unravel the details of the Hart's gruesome murder, another man was found murdered in his house several days later. The crime scene was essentially identical to the one at the Hart's house, and once again the wife was discovered the following day, showing signs of the same abuse that Lisa Hart had suffered. Jane and Korsak had come to the unfortunate conclusion that they were dealing with a serial killer at that point, and had been struggling to put together the pieces of what was turning out to be a huge investigation. It didn't help that over the weekend, which was supposed to be Jane's weekend off, another man was found murdered. It was clearly their serial killer's MO, and sure enough, the man's girlfriend was found dead early that morning.
Korsak took a large gulp of coffee from a Red Sox mug and grimaced at the taste of the now-cold beverage. He perched himself on the edge of Jane's desk and stared at the grisly crime scene photos taped to the board.
"I wish I knew, Jane." Korsak sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This bastard has been so careful not to leave any forensic evidence behind. And we've run the MO through the database to see if it matches any other serial killers. No hits." He shook his head. "I've never seen anything like this."
Jane moved closer to the board, staring at the autopsy photos of each victim, all of them marked by identical wounds across their necks. "There's gotta be something here Vince. I can feel it. Let's go over Maura and Dr. Benton's autopsy reports again." Jane rubbed her tired eyes and moved to grab the reports from the large stack on her desk. She was about to grab them when Korsak placed his hand over hers. Jane looked up at him in surprise.
"Let's pick this back up in the morning." He said quietly, noting the dark circles under his partner's eyes. "We've been at this since yesterday. Go home to your wife and your kids and we'll start fresh in the morning."
Jane opened her mouth and was about to protest when she glanced at the clock and realized that she hadn't been home in over thirty hours. And if she hurried, she would be able to spend some time with the kids before they headed to bed. Jane shut her mouth and looked at Korsak, who was also sporting dark circles under his eyes. His suit jacket and tie had been discarded at some point earlier in the day, and his shirt was rumpled and there was a small stain on the front from a mishap with a jelly doughnut a few hours ago. Jane knew that she probably didn't look much better, and suddenly her exhaustion hit her full force.
"You know what? I'm not even gonna argue." She chuckled, reaching out to pull her keys out of the desk drawer. "You look like shit, Vince." Jane pulled her blazer off the back of her chair and pulled it on. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Have a good night Jane." Korsak chuckled and gave Jane a pat on the shoulder as she passed by. "Get some sleep."
"You too." She called over her shoulder as she pushed the button for the elevator. Once the elevator opened, she pressed the button for the lobby several times, then leaned against the wall and shut her eyes as the elevator started its descent. Jane tried to put the stress of the case in the back of her mind so she could devote her time at home to Maura and the kids, but as the elevator opened again her mind was still whirling with the details of the case. Jane pulled her car keys from her pocket and was just about to open the door and head outside into the cold, when a voice called out across the lobby.
"Detective Rizzoli!"
Jane sighed and turned back around to see the young patrol officer that was acting as the security guard for headquarters waving her over. Jane put on a fake smile and headed towards the young man.
"What's up Connors?"
"Sorry to bother you Detective…I know you were just leaving." The young officer started, reaching into his back pocket and pulling out a small envelope. "Some guy dropped this off earlier and said to make sure to give it to you."
Jane took the offered envelope and gave Connors a quick grin. "Thanks Connors. Have a good night." She slipped it into her own back pocket and gave the man a quick wave.
"You too Detective."
Jane finally pushed open the main doors and a blast of cool air took her breath away. She hurried to her car, unlocking it as quickly as she could. She climbed inside and turned the key in the ignition, twisting the knobs for the heat to the maximum setting after the car started. Jane blew on her hands, trying to warm them, and then pulled the envelope from her back pocket, curious as to who it was from.
It was addressed to Det. Jane Rizzoli, and Jane didn't recognize the slanted handwriting on the front. Jane slid her finger along the flap of the envelope to open it, pulling out a small scrap of paper with the same slanted handwriting on it. As Jane's tired eyes read the brief note, a shiver went down her spine.
And it wasn't from the cold winter air.
You're mine, Detective.
Jane shivered again and frantically looked out the windows of her SUV, suddenly feeling like someone was watching her. She could feel her heart rate increase as her gaze darted around, eventually realizing that she was alone. With trembling hands, Jane slipped the paper back into the envelope and tucked it into her pocket. Jane took a few deep breaths to try and quell the rising panic, and put the car into drive. As Jane pulled out of the BPD parking lot, her mind started to whir as she struggled to process what had just happened. Jane pushed the accelerator down, wanting to get home to the safety of her family as quickly as possible.
Maura was watching Jack coloring as she nursed a very sleepy Tessa, when she heard the back door opening. She smiled as she heard the familiar sound of Jane dropping her keys on the counter followed by two soft 'thunks' as Jane's boots were kicked off. Jack heard it too and raised his head from his colorful creation, a wide smile crossing his face as he realized Jane was home.
"Mama's home!" He crowed, standing up and running towards Jane, who bent down and held her arms open wide. Jack hurtled into her, his momentum knocking the both of them to the floor. Maura watched over the back of the couch as Jane's long arms wrapped tightly around their son.
"Hi Mama." Jack grinned, wriggling in his mother's grasp.
Jane kissed the top of the boy's head and tickled him. "Hi handsome. Did you save me some dinner?" She tickled him some more until he was giggling loudly, bringing a smile to her face.
Maura watched this scene for a few seconds before Tessa recognized Jane's voice and started wiggling against her, suddenly more concerned with seeing Jane than with nursing.
"Someone else is happy to see you." Maura chuckled as Tessa kicked her legs excitedly and smiled as Jane got to her feet and held her arms out towards their daughter.
Jane gladly accepted the little girl, first pressing a kiss to her wife's lips before blowing a loud raspberry on Tessa's cheek, eliciting giggles from both Tessa and Jack. Jane could feel herself relaxing as Tessa bounced happily in her arms, and tried to push the unsettled feeling in her stomach caused by the anonymous note down, hoping that she wouldn't project her nerves onto her family. Especially since she was married to Maura, who was so perceptive and in-tune to Jane's moods.
"I'm glad you're home." Maura said quietly, wrapping an arm around Jane's waist and resting her head on Jane's shoulder. Jane kissed the top of her wife's blonde head and sighed.
"I'm glad too." Jane replied, as Maura loosened her grip on her waist and started to clean up the toys littering their living room. "What time did you get home?"
"A little after four." Maura said, gathering up the assortment of toy trucks that Jack had assembled after dinner. "Surprisingly, Dr. Benton wanted to perform the autopsy of the latest victim from your case, so I was able to leave a little early." She tossed one last truck into the wicker basket it belonged in and moved to clean up Jack's crayons and paper.
"No Mommy! I'm not done coloring!" Jack cried out, running to the coffee table and clutching at the sheets of paper Maura was trying to clean up.
Maura crouched down and looked Jack in the eye. "Jack, it's almost time for bed. We need to clean up." She explained quietly.
The little boy pouted and stomped his foot. "But Mama just got home!" He whined.
Maura was about to respond when Jane cut in.
"How about Mama gives you both a bath and then reads you a special bedtime story?"
Jack mulled this idea over for a few seconds. Finally his face brightened and he ran over and wrapped his arms around Jane's legs in a tight hug. "Okay!"
Jane laughed and tried to extricate herself from Jack's tight grip. "Why don't you pick out your pajamas and meet me in the bathroom?"
Jack nodded excitedly and took off in a run towards the stairs.
"No running on the stairs!" Both women called after their son, who looked sheepishly over his shoulder before slowing to a brisk walk.
Maura was chuckling as she turned to look at Jane. Jane looked absolutely exhausted, and Maura's smile started to fade.
"I can give them a bath." Maura had a look of concern on her face and reached out to take Tessa from Jane. "You look exhausted." As Maura studied her wife, she could sense that something else was bothering Jane, not just sheer exhaustion.
Jane smiled, but the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's fine Maur." She said quietly, tickling Tessa and pulling her closer. "I can do it. I want to spend some time with them."
Maura hesitated, but knew that Jack was desperately wanting time with Jane. Both women had been working hard on the serial killer case, but Jane had been more directly involved in the investigation, which unfortunately meant working nearly around the clock. Maura smiled sympathetically and leaned in to kiss their smiling daughter on the cheek.
"I'll heat up some dinner." Maura said, giving Jane's free hand a squeeze and starting towards the kitchen.
"Don't bother." Jane replied, heading toward the stairs. "I'm too tired to eat. I just want to collapse into bed." She grinned briefly. "Preferably with you."
Maura nodded, returning the grin. "I'll finish cleaning up down here, but I'll wait for you in bed."
Jane bounced Tessa on her hip as she started up the stairs. "Sounds perfect."
Nearly an hour later, Maura heard Jane's footsteps coming down the hallway. She put down the medical journal she had been reading and looked up expectantly as Jane entered the room, yawning widely. Maura watched Jane unbutton her wrinkled shirt and toss it in the general direction of the laundry hamper, with Jane's pants and socks following shortly after. Clad only in her tanktop and underwear, Jane shut the lights off and slipped under the covers, immediately reaching for Maura and pulling her close. Both women curled into one another, assuming the positions they so easily settled into night after night.
Maura felt Jane's warm breath rustling her hair as Jane exhaled deeply. Maura wrapped her arms more tightly around Jane's abdomen and kissed Jane's exposed shoulder.
"Did they go down okay?"
"They did." Jane murmured. "When did Tessa learn to love taking baths? Last time I gave her a bath she screamed bloody murder the entire time, and tonight she was giggling and splashing up a storm."
Maura smiled in the darkness, picturing their daughter waving her chubby arms as she splashed water all over.
"She started doing that last week. I think she was splashing me intentionally the other night. I tried to scold her because I didn't want her to ruin my cashmere sweater, but it only made her do it more."
Jane chuckled for a few seconds before another yawn overtook her. "She's growing up too fast. They both are." Jane frowned, knowing that the past few weeks were causing her to miss too much time with her family. "I just want this case to be over. I feel like I'm missing too much."
Maura pulled back so she could study her wife in the darkness, immediately noting the frown lines on Jane's forehead and the muscle clenching in Jane's jaw as she worked through whatever was going through her head. Maura rose up on one elbow and kissed the creases on Jane's forehead and the side of Jane's jaw, hoping to ease the tension.
"I know." She replied. "How is the case coming? Do you want to talk about it?"
Jane immediately stiffened next to her, the uneasy feeling appearing in her stomach once again. She briefly debated telling Maura about the note from earlier, but decided against it. To be honest, right now the case was the last thing Jane wanted to talk about. She just wanted to sleep.
Maura noticed Jane tense up, and resumed her position curled up next to Jane. She wrapped her arms around Jane and shut her eyes.
"We don't have to talk about it. Go to sleep Jane."
It was silent for several minutes, and Maura eventually felt Jane relax and her breathing even out. Just when she thought Jane was asleep, Jane's quiet murmur broke the silence.
"Love you Maur."
Maura smiled sleepily and nuzzled her face into the crook of Jane's neck.
"Love you too."