A/N: *hand pops out underneath pile of paper* Hello, my lovely readers! Sorry, been busy with schoolwork. Finally got time to do this! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Read Ch. 1

"Life is full of surprises." – John Major

Ch. 7: Surprises at Every Corner

Jane went down to the morgue with the elevator doors opening to reveal Maura inside her office. The detective walked into the room quietly until she stood at the doorway. She observed the medical examiner that was knee deep in Devyn's journals with her new prescribed glasses on. They were thin-rimmed glasses, making the medical examiner more regal than ever to Jane. Sensing that she wasn't alone, Maura peered up and smiled at the sight of Jane. "How's everything," Maura inquired.

Jane moved further into the room and replied, "We got a slight problem." Concern crossed Maura's face and Jane continued, taking a seat on the hard seat. "Agent Dickhead is here with the FBI, wanting to interrogate Devyn."

"What," Maura gave a surprised expression. "What do you mean the FBI wants to interrogate your cousin? Also, I would scold you about language but if my deduction is correct, you were talking about Agent Dean?"

"Deduction is correct," Jane sighed.

Maura removed her glasses and placed them down on the desk while she grabbed the journal. She then stood up from her seat, walked over to Jane then sat beside her. "Here," she handed the journal to the detective. Jane gave a confused expression while Maura explained, "There are about a couple pages missing. I can tell by the seams of the pages that they were ripped out."

"Doesn't look like they are ripped out…"

Maura placed her hands over Jane's, pushing back the journal a bit more. It then revealed the gap that came from the missing pages. "It's a very clean rip but I noticed that the binding was a bit off."

"So my cousin is hiding something. I sense a pattern," Jane slumped.

"She said it was to protect you."

Jane nodded, "She said that she will explain everything later." She then ran her fingers through her hair then asked, "By chance, did you see a file about this mysterious Jane Doe?"

"I have actually," Maura answered. She pulled the file from a pile she had on the side and continued, "Jane Doe was in the burn unit for a couple days until released to family. Nothing more that she wrote about this one."

"She used to be very good about connecting dots. I don't understand how this Jane Doe fits in with everything." The detective then looked up at Maura and continued, "I'm sorry we couldn't do our date."

Maura smiled, taking Jane's hand and replied, "We'll figure out something." Jane smiled back then felt Maura's lips on her cheek. "If anything, we can grab a real late bite," Maura informed the detective.

"I don't want you up waiting on me."

"I don't mind."

Jane pressed her forehead against Maura's then pulled back with their faces inches away from each other. They began to lean in until Maura's office phone began to ring, prompting them to pull back. The raven-haired woman ran her hand over her face while Maura smiled sheepishly. The doctor then stood up from the sofa, walked across the office then answered the phone, "Doctor Isles."

Jane stood up from the sofa, walking toward Maura and wrapped her arms around Maura's waist while the doctor talked. "Yes, she's down here…" Maura answered. Jane quirked an eyebrow up while Maura continued with her smile dropped to a serious expression, "I'll let her know."

She then ended the call and prompting, Maura to ask, "What's going on?"

"It was Korsak. Emily arrived so your cousin is entering interrogation."

The detective pulled back and retorted, "I better go out there."

Maura nodded in agreement and kissed Jane's cheek. "Good luck," Maura expressed.

Jane smiled, walking out of the office and going up the stairwell.

The detective ran up the staircase until they reached the homicide floor. "Jane," Frankie called out as the door opened with Jane turning her head to look down the hallway. She walked down the hallway until she reached the interrogation room to see Korsak, Cavanaugh and Frost standing at the one-way mirror.

Jane walked up to see Devyn sitting in interrogation with Emily beside her. Dean hadn't entered yet, giving the two some much needed privacy. "What are you going to do," Emily asked softly.

"I don't know," Devyn answered. She ran her hand through her hair then sighed, "They think I did it."

"But you didn't and they are going to bring up some old memories. You need to keep your cool and I'm saying this as your lawyer and your girlfriend." The woman then leaned in and touched her forehead against Devyn's, whispering something softly.

"They were always tight," Frankie commented aloud at the sight.

Jane nodded in agreement then commented, "I'm surprised mostly about Angelica and Nicholas."

"Nico…I'm surprised at the way he acted but Angelica was always…I don't know."

"Jealous?"

Frankie nodded then they heard footsteps to reveal Dean approaching the door. He looked at the group in front of the one-way mirror and commented, "It's nothing personal." Jane ignored the comment and returned her attention toward the mirror as Dean opened the door and entered the interrogation room.

As he stepped in, Devyn and Emily remained close with Emily's hand over Devyn's as Dean introduced himself to Emily, "Agent Dean, FBI."

"Emily Richards, Ms. D'Angelo's lawyer and girlfriend."

"Conflict of interests much?"

Devyn's eyes narrowed and retorted, "Agent Dean, my girlfriend is my lawyer due to many things and you will respect that or I will walk out."

"I can arrest you for interfering with the investigation."

"You can't do that," Devyn argued. "I'm helping with this case."

"Actually, I can," he replied. "You help very reluctantly because your cousin forced your hand. Also, I have the authority over you."

Before Devyn could become more enrage, Emily retorted quickly, "Agent Dean, you will speak to my client and I with respect. Also she can walk out at anytime as long as she is not charged with anything."

Jane's eyebrows shot up and as did everyone else's. She glanced at Frankie who mouthed 'wow' and Dean was caught off guard as he took a seat. He then opened the folder that he was carrying and a pen as he asked, "You were the investigator of the Bard case ten years ago?"

"Yes, Sergeant Detective Korsak and I were working together on the case because I was a floater detective," Devyn answered.

"A floater?"

"Despite having a desk and everything, I worked with many of the detectives due to the lack of people willing to be my partner. Korsak was alright with working with me and when the case came to me, I was the only one willing to take it."

"So you were lead?"

"At first, no. I was a detective in homicide and I was still very much a newcomer despite being there for a bit. Korsak lead it for a bit until I realized the connections."

"Shakespeare."

Devyn nodded, "I was the only one to realize it and that's when everything began."

Agent Dean nodded at this then asked, "Would you say this case took up most of your caseload?"

Devyn leaned back in her chair and answered, "If you're asking, did it take up most of my attention? At a times, yes as well as no. I still helped with other cases but this kept my priority because he continued for a while."

"During the six months that he was loose, you interacted with this 'Bard.' Why didn't you try to talk him down?"

"Every time that I tried, he would mock me then say the next one was coming. Traces were a bit hard to use so…it was hard to determine where he was."

Dean nodded and jotted a couple notes, prompting Frost to comment, "Why is he asking all of these questions when he already knows the answers?"

Jane pressed her lips together and replied, "He's up to something."

"Like what per say?"

"Who knows but I'm worried about Devyn."

Devyn's eyes darted from Agent Dean to her girlfriend to the one sided mirror. All the years of trying to leave the past all behind but it seemed that the Bard would always return with vengeance. "So what happened to this other victim," her eyes darted back to Dean.

Jane noticed immediately that Emily's serious exterior softened. The detective then noticed that under the table, Emily's hand moved from her knee to Devyn's knee and took her hand. She gave her hand a hard squeeze while Devyn seemed to pale. "What about them," she asked back.

"Who are they? Why are they not documented?" He then looked down at the file then continued, "All you have was that it was a Jane Doe in their early thirties."

Devyn closed her eyes then reopened them. "The case was put under lock and key due to the fact that the victim was part of BPD," Devyn answered finally.

"What," Frost mumbled.

Frankie looked up at Korsak who paled then looked down at the ground. "This is crazy," he commented then looked at his sister. However, at the sight, he noticed that Jane was silent and seemed to pale as well. "Jane," Frankie called out.

Korsak turned his head and Jane looked back at them. "How could you keep this from me," she questioned her mentor.

"Jane," Korsak tried to calm.

"What are you two talking about," Frost asked.

"When you mean by a victim," Dean spoke causing them to become silent. Jane looked back at her cousin and watched as Dean leaned back and shoved the file toward Devyn as he concluded, "You mean you, D'Angelo."

"How are you so sure about this?"

"He has an obsession on one victim and it's the only victim that's branded. Has to be one left alive. You are the only connection left to this case."

Devyn looked down, closing her eyes and Emily touched her lover's shoulder. Jane watched as Devyn stood up from her chair and walked toward the window. "My marriage was already falling apart unknowingly and this case became nothing but part of my life," she began. "I was going home when I ended up being knocked out in BPD's parking structure. When I awoke, there was the Bard with a brander with the words "Fortune's Fool" in his hand. It was still hot and I tried to reach for my gun but...he took it already. His foot was on my throat and simply, he pressed it down on my shoulder." She touched her right shoulder then pulled away as if she was scalded once more as she continued, "He said it's a reminder that he wouldn't catch him. He then knocked me out again and I awoke with Korsak finding me."

"So why didn't you report it? Why leave it as Jane Doe," Dean pushed.

"Because I would have been pulled from the case and…I needed to stick with it."

"Stick with your obsession?"

"No, stop this monster before he hurts anymore."

"And you failed."

"I didn't."

"You did."

"I didn't," Devyn barked then pointed to the mirror. "My family was threatened. He knew that Detective Rizzoli was my cousin and threatened her so I cut off all ties with my family," she claimed. "I protected my family."

Dean glanced at Emily, "Then why keep her around?"

Suddenly, Jane watched as Devyn's stature turned from aggressive to defensive fast as she snapped, "That reason is my business and I believe we are done."

"Show the wound."

"Fuck off," Devyn retorted as she stormed to the door and opened it. Emily stood up and followed her girlfriend behind quickly with Devyn slamming the door. Hearing her cousin stomping, Jane exited out of the observation room and ran out, trying to catch up. As she reached the hallway, the elevator began to close with Jane placing her hand to stop it.

Devyn and Emily look up and Jane's cousin sighed, "Not now, Jane."

"No, right now."

Devyn sighed and shook her head, stepping forward and pushed Jane back. "You heard everything you needed to know," Devyn informed her cousin. Jane pushed forward stubbornly and Devyn sighed, "Janie…please."

At the sound of these soft words, Jane took a moment to look at her cousin. For the first time, in a very long time, the detective noticed that her cousin's softer side was coming out. She looked tired and frailer as if all the years of keeping this secret released something; the shell of the person Jane once knew.

Jane stepped back and Devyn gave a small nod as Emily pressed the down button, closing the door. As the doors closed, Jane began to walk back to her desk until she heard familiar clicking and turned her head to see Maura, carrying a file. "Aren't you a very lovely sight right now," Jane sighed as she approached the medical examiner.

Maura blushed then replied, "That's very sweet."

"Sh, don't ruin my rep."

"Of course," Maura giggled.

Jane gave a small smile then gestured to the folder, "Please tell me that you have good news."

"Actually, I do," Maura handed the folder. Jane opened the folder, recognizing the crime scene photos with the zoom on the victim's neck.

"Okay, why am I looking at the neck," Jane asked in confusion.

"Do you notice the spot right here," Maura pointed to the red spot on the neck of the female. Jane nodded in acknowledgement and Maura continued, "This was dry blood. I had it tested and it turned out that it came off the living victim."

Jane raised an eyebrow, "That doesn't make sense."

Maura nodded and continued, "I had the hospital email me his records and he had a broken nose besides the stab wound."

"We hadn't spoke to him but since we got this information, I definitely plan to go back."

"Would you like some company," the doctor inquired. "Then you can tell me what's bothering you."

"How did you know…"

"I know you and I can tell something's bothering you." Maura raised her hand, running her knuckles against Jane's cheek. The detective took in a deep breath then released it before she turned her head and kissed Maura's knuckles.

Maura blushed as she pulled back. They then took a small step back, clearing their throats with Jane rubbing the back of her neck and walked back toward the bullpen. When she entered, she saw Korsak who stood up, trying to articulate words but Jane raised her hand and said, "We'll talk about everything later. We need to continue going over the FBI's shit and Devyn's. I might not go to the hospital until tomorrow."

"Then it's a date."

R&I

After a couple of hours, Jane with the help of the others, they connected that the string of attacks after the Bard's supposed death varied and spaced over the last ten years. They didn't caught on until the recent murders and the realization that Devyn was one of the victims. "But why come back now," Jane mumbled as they pinned the last piece of their large puzzle on their murder board.

Jane then looked back at Korsak who continued to stare as his computer. He had been like that for the last hour, making Jane wonder what he was up to. She walked over, pulled up a seat by his desk then asked quietly, "Why?"

Korsak turned his head, looking at Jane through his glasses then sighed. He pulled them off and answered, "After the attack, they bandaged her up and cleared her to go. I wanted to bring you in the loop since you two were close at the time but I don't know…I saw the fear in her eyes and she declined it. She told me that I couldn't tell anyone then acted like nothing happen. She made me swear."

"Damn it, Dev," Jane clarified. "She worked one more then left while cutting off communication with me. Cut me out of her life."

"All to protect you and the family."

Jane sighed, "I wish you told me, Vince."

"Many times I wanted to but Devyn…she acts like she doesn't care but she does. She wanted you safe and I didn't even know about the threat and I asked why she cut you off but never answered. Now we know."

"Yeah..." The detective then looked down at her watch and stated, "I have to go. Keep me in the loop if something pops up."

"Of course."

"Easy there, Devyn…"

The stinging and the pain, it was so intense that she couldn't twist her body. The fight and flight response was active though. She couldn't tell that it was Korsak as she grabbed him by his coat, trying to claw at him. "It's Vince, Devyn," he called out and he pushed her hands back while he called for an ambulance.

They placed an IV in her body and they rushed her through the emergency room. Besides the blood coming from her skull, Korsak watched as the ER physicians cut open the shirt to reveal the pieces of shirt, sticking to the words etched in her skin.

"How bad," she heard.

Groggily, she opened her eyes and the pain seemed to be dull due to the morphine. She turned her head to look up, attempting to sit up and immediately she heard, "Devi, lay back." She felt the soft gentle hand push her back and finally, her eyes focused to see who it was. Emily pushed Devyn back then looked back up at Korsak who sat in another chair. "Why wasn't her husband called," she inquired.

"I tried five times and he hasn't answered. I have uniforms going down to her place. You were her second contact, Emily and I know she would listen."

"Why didn't you call Jane?"

"Don't," Devyn shouted with her eyes darting to Korsak.

"Sh…relax." Emily ran her hands through Devyn's hair. "Vince, just make sure that Eric gets here. I'll stay with her." Korsak nodded and stood up from the chair, exiting out of the room. Devyn turned her head to look up at Emily again, moving her hand on top of Emily's. At the feeling of the hand, Emily looked down with a surprised expression then gave a soft smile. She pulled her chair close to the bed and rested her body against the bed. "You'll be okay, Devyn. I'll be here. I promise."

Maura sat in her living room with a cup of tea with a blanket over her feet as she read her medical journal. She then heard the sound of a car pulling up into her driveway and immediately she knew that it was Jane. She placed the cup and journal down as she removed the blanket off her body.

She walked toward the door and listened to the grumbling that came from the detective. "Fuckin' snow…freezing…just want to cuddle with Maura," the blonde heard, prompting her to open the door finally to reveal a key holding but snow covered Jane Rizzoli.

Maura giggled at the sight of the snow on Jane's beanie. Gently, Maura grabbed Jane's sleeve and pulled her inside the warm house. "Just stay right here," Maura told the detective while Jane removed her beanie.

As Jane placed the beanie into her coat pocket, Maura returned with a cup of tea in her hand. She placed it on the table then approached Jane again. She slid her arms up Jane's shoulders, feeling the leftover cold on her body. Jane placed her forehead against Maura's, taking in the sweet scent that she recognized to be Maura's. The doctor then removed the detective's coat, placing it in the coat closet then took Jane's gloved hands into hers.

"They hurt a little bit," Jane mumbled.

Maura nodded and removed the gloves slowly. She lifted the scarred hands and kissed each one then informed softly, "We'll put some heating pads on." She then looked up to see Jane starring at her intently, causing Maura to blush.

"You look nice," Jane whispered.

"Thanks."

"You are making it hard to stay in control."

"I'm sorry," Maura apologized.

"Don't be…just trying hard to be a gentlewoman."

Maura giggled, prompting the doctor to grab Jane's scarf and pulled her in, kissing her cheek. She then stepped back and ordered, "Remove your boots and place your scarf away then you can drink your tea with me under the blanket."

"That doesn't help," Jane groaned as she removed her scarf then her boots. She then grabbed her cup of tea and walked over to the sofa, taking a seat beside Maura who rested her head on Jane's shoulder. "I hope this isn't panda poo," Jane mumbled as she kissed Maura's forehead.

The doctor rolled her eyes and retorted, "It's not. It's English tea."

"Thank god," Jane joked then took a sip of the tea. They relaxed for a bit under the blanket then Jane spoke finally, "Devyn was the victim." Maura lifted her head up with a surprised look and Jane continued, holding her tea tighter, "She was the Jane Doe and the Bard threatened to kill the family and I. That's why she cut me out."

"Oh Jane…"

"I need to find this bastard and help my cousin even if she doesn't want me to." Maura nodded in agreement then rested her head on Jane's shoulder once more. "I'm glad I got you by your side when I had Hoyt…I know Devyn had Emily but at least, I had my family despite not wanting them involved," Jane confessed to the doctor.

"I'm glad you let me in too, Jane."

Maura then looked up at Jane who was gazing down at her. The detective then placed her cup down next Maura's cold cup before she placed her hand on Maura's cheek and commented, "I'm going to kiss now because if I don't soon I'm going to go crazy."

"I doubt you would go crazy but I find this very flattering."

The detective rolled her eyes but leaned down with her lips connecting with Maura's. At the touch, Maura wrapped her arms around Jane's shoulders while Jane's arms wrapped around Maura's waist. She then pulled back and smiled, "Much better than I imagined."

"Really?"

"Oh yes," Maura retorted, pulling Jane into another kiss but broke apart at the sound of a knock of the door. Jane groaned loudly, slumping against Maura's shoulder while Maura commented, "It may be Angela trying to grab some tea."

"But why knock on the door," Jane wondered, prompting the detective to stand up and approach the door. She looked into the peephole then gave a surprised expression and opened the door.

"Why am I not surprised that you're here, Jane?"

Yay! They kissed! But who's at the door? Obviously, we know! Please review and of course, thank you for reading! I'll try to update as soon as possible but finals are coming. Just expect a chapter to come in December!