Spoiler Warning: We are now heading into no man's land between 'Lost and Found', though we have intel from and will imminently enter 'It Takes a Village' territory, so turn back if you have not yet seen 5x09.

Trigger Warning: I have researched the subject matter to a point I feel comfortable writing, but I am about the furthest thing from an expert in medical practice and terminology as it is possible to be. Also I have never experienced what Jane is going through, so feel free to point out issues & glaring errors. I will though try to be as sensitive as I possibly can, I know this is not an issue to be trifled with. If it were my choice, they would still be in perfect health.

Jane's condition had begun to deteriorate soon after they got her into the ambulance.

Maura had clambered on board without a moment's hesitation. She took a seat on the bench closest to the partition to the driver's cab, where she thought she would be least likely to get in the way. She instantly took Jane's dirt streaked hand in her own once more. "OK," she said and though it wasn't a question Jane nodded weakly, even that slight movement caused her to wince. She slumped back to the bed with a groan. She smoothed her free hand through Jane's tousled hair, now damp from a light sheen of sweat braking out on her forehead and scalp. "Rest Jane, just rest."

"I'm going to give you something to manage the pain, it should make you comfortable for the ride." The EMT told her, already preparing the medication, which he administered swiftly and while the ambulance was stationary he took a few moments to connect an IV. His next task was to ensure that the stretcher and Jane upon it were secure for the journey. In doing so he pulled the grey blanket aside, which exposed Jane's abdomen through her shirt which had been roughly cut open from the bottom and revealed the extent of the bruising she had suffered to Maura for the first time.

Maura sucked in a sharp breath, she could not help but reel from the sight. Though she was intimately familiar with patterns of bruising on human flesh, none had ever made her feel as sick as she felt now looking at these.

Just above and to the right of Jane's navel was an angry red bull's-eye where the slug had impacted upon the vest. It was within a ring of almost normal looking tissue, but beyond was a third ring of much more extensive bruising, where the force had been transmitted to the surrounding tissue, already a dark purple-red. Added to that there was a second bruise developing in a linear pattern, this time on her left side. Maura closed her eyes against the sight; but she had already read the injury, the angle of the mark on her friend's flesh told her how it had likely been made and her mind supplied the image of a heavy strike with a blunt object swung with great force. She could also predict the damage sustained internally even though she could not see it, the extent of the bruising was highly suggestible of trauma to the soft organs.

Still with closed eyes, her head drooped, Maura began mentally preparing herself for the worst as hopes faded for the chances that Jane's body would be able to continue supporting her pregnancy after sustaining such injuries.

That was when Jack found her. "Maura?" he asked softly, looking in with wide eyes at the flurry of activity in the tight space around the stricken woman. Jane looked alarmingly pale, and when Maura's head came up she didn't look much better herself. "How is she?"

Maura just shook her head, not trusting her voice to hold against her fears if she tried to explain.

"Ma'am, we need to go," the EMT paramedic told her. He'd hooked Jane up to the monitors, and was looking worriedly at the jumble of information displayed on the screen. Without waiting for any response, he grabbed one of the doors, swinging it in where it locked into place.

Jack backed away. "Go," he said simply with a respectful nod which told her everything she need to know. Maura thanked him with her eyes and a tight smile made its way onto her lips. Then the second door slammed shut and the EMT patted the side wall, the signal to his partner they were secure and ready to move.

She squeezed Jane's hand a little harder, "Hang in there Jane, it won't take long." Worryingly there was little reaction from Jane, she seemed less responsive than she had been only a few moments ago. Maura looked to the EMT for reassurance, but found little there even though he was calm and entirely professional, she could see the urgency in his work and the regularity with which he kept checking on Jane's vitals.

He asked for information about Jane; was she allergic to anything, did she have any medical conditions which might affect her treatment? Maura answered them all as best as she could. Giving voice to the history of previous injuries, even just the relevant ones, made her realise how much her friend had already gone through – and now this.

The truck shuddered and yawed violently as they sliced at speed through city traffic, Maura was struggling against the movement, and watched in wonder as the EMT worked, seemingly no more bothered by it than he would by a light summer breeze.

Bringing her attention back to Jane she noticed that her breathing had become rapid and shallow, the sweat on her brow more pronounced. The monitoring equipment began giving out warning alarms. "Pressure's dropping," the EMT called out, apparently to himself as he began taking steps to identify and treat the probable cause.

"Two minutes out," came a voice from beyond the wall, evidently the driver could hear everything his partner was saying even through the medical bay's cabin wall. "Trauma team is on standby, they've been briefed on her condition as was at the scene."

The medic pulled the blanket away entirely, and that's when Maura saw the blood. "Oh god, no." the words bubbled to the surface, not with any force, only with the resignation of all remaining hope.

Muara knew the statistics for maternal mortality rates associated with obstetric haemorrhaging, and they scared her. They had to get the bleeding under control as soon as possible and get Jane's blood pressure up. All thoughts of using the Doppler were forgotten, now this was all about attempting to keep Jane stable, all other issues could wait until they got to the hospital.

All Maura could do was to sit by and watched as the EMT worked. His routine was well practiced, his instincts well honed, his knowledge extensive. She knew primarily about the results of trauma, not treatments for them. Her medical rotations had been a long time ago and she had not enjoyed the experience or the pressure which had come with it. Now the reactions, instincts and knowledge had been dulled by time and lack of necessity required to keep the skill set.

What she could do was be there for Jane and that was a role she hoped to continue with for a long time yet and through better times than these, but she would do whatever was required, as she knew her friend would do for her if their positions were reversed.

The truck decelerated rapidly, and the doors burst open. The gurney was whisked out and a hive of people swarmed around Jane. Information was given and orders barked, which even Maura was hard pressed to follow in the rapidity of which everything took place. She entered the ER behind the crowd, but aside from checking Jane's details at the administration desk, her role was over for now. All she could do was wait.

Maura had a greater connection than just to Jane however and her vigil would not be conducted alone. The Rizzoli family were closer to her than Maura's own and it wasn't long before they all arrived. Angela was first, looking utterly devastated. She asked a question with her eyes, and nodded silently although not a word had passed between them. The answer was in Maura's eyes, her posture and the way her lip trembled as she closed in. The women embraced and held on for mutual support.

Frankie arrived at that point, having been dismissed by Korsak who himself promised to come by just as soon as he had cleared the scene and completed his report. The paperwork for discharge of a weapon was tremendous and this time it was an officer involved shooting resulting in a fatality, so the procedure would take some time and it was critical he get the details right. But not even that would stand in his way for long, Maura knew his thoughts would be drawn to Jane until he was able to get there. "How is she?" Frankie asked.

Maura stepped back from Angela and did her best to steel herself with a shaky breath while she ordered her thoughts and searched for a way to tell them all that she knew so far. Just as she were about to begin she heard Jane's voice - dripping in sarcasm and mild irritation at google-mouth explanations - a drawn out, "Nope," in her head. The invasion of that simple memory almost made her crumble, but she pressed it down and momentarily put up the screen of professional detachment to become Dr. Isles once more. It was the only way she could get through this without cracking.

"She has significant bruising and probable internal injuries. She started bleeding on the way here, her blood pressure dropped, I think it's likely that she's suffering a miscarriage."

Silent resigned nods met her statement. "But she'll be ok, right?" Frankie dared ask at last.

Despite her tendency towards appalling eating habits, Jane was one of the fittest and most healthy people Maura knew, added to that the woman had an iron will, and spirit galvanised by sheer determination. "She's strong and she's in very good hands," Maura nodded as she tried to reassure them, to reassure herself. She hoped she was able to convey confidence, even though she was just as scared of the possible implications as they were. Probably more so.

Tommy and Korsak joined their watch as night drew in. Korsak came in bearing a huge bouquet of flowers, and soon began spinning tales of cases he'd worked with Jane, lightning the mood a little with humorous tales embarrassing himself and Jane, if she were here Maura felt sure she would have punched him just to shut him up. They all had a story to relate while their wait went on. They laughed and they cried together, the warmth and support of the family to draw upon when they needed it most.

Eventually a doctor appeared and he confirmed Maura's suspicions, "I'm very sorry," He said, then proceeded to inform them of Jane's condition, "She's had a D&C and she's still sedated, but there were no major complications." Maura heaved a sigh of relief at this, Jane would still have a chance if she wanted to try for a child again at some time in the future. "You can go and see her, but I expect she will be out for a few hours yet."

And so they waited with Jane, a shift pattern emerged organically, each making a coffee run, or going out for food, and as time went on, going home to rest. Angela waited longest along with Maura, but she noticed the older woman flagging and she persuaded her to go home for a while. "I'll just take a shower and then I'll get some things from Jane's apartment, I don't want to be gone too long."

Maura already had the benefit of a short break, Jack had brought her a change of clothes - along with his baseball bouquet - and thanks to her credentials she had been able to gain access to the staff showers. She felt much better for it, refreshed if not recharged, but she would not go home, not until Jane regained consciousness. She sensed it wouldn't be long now.

She was right and soon heard Jane's breathing change as she came round, perturbed by the glare of the harsh hospital lighting she found Maua by her side. "Hi there," she said with a genuine smile.

Though clearly confused, a thought dawned and typically of Jane, that first concern was not for herself. Working against an incredibly dry mouth she asked, "Tasha?"

"She's ok, she had a very good surgeon and she came through with flying colours."

Jane made an attempt to shift into a more comfortable position, but even this small movement was enough to cause her friend severe abdominal pain. Jane hissed against it, shocked at the intensity and Maura thought that was then the realisation began to set in, "Shit," she breathed shakily, squirming instinctively which only made the pain worse.

"I wouldn't move around too much, your Spleen, liver and kidneys are bruised." Maura advised, still she recognised it was her way of delaying discussing the inevitable.

"And the baby?" Jane asked, with a pained look. But by far the worst part of it was there was still the most fragile remnant of hope imbued within the inflection of her friend's question. Maura knew she was about to shatter it with the truth.

Maura shook her head, "I'm so sorry Jane." It was like she'd just punched her friend, her softly whispered words landing a devastating blow. The anguish they caused was displayed in heart breaking clarity on her Jane's face, but her eyes - twilight settled within them and the certain spark they had contained over the past few weeks, the twinkle of knowing, the expectation, promise and joy of new life, winked out.

Maura felt sickened by having been the one to deliver the news, but then again she knew that it had to be her. She couldn't have left it to Angela, she would have been more broken than Jane if she had to tell her and there was no way she was going to leave it to a doctor to deliver the news with horrible clinical detachment. No, Jane deserved so much more than that, even though she didn't deserve it at all. She didn't deserve any of this and Maura found herself devoid of words adequate to provide comfort.

Alright then lovely people, my current thinking is that this will be wrapped in four parts… But, I have been wrong before... I am a leaf on the wind.

Thanks to all those reading, following, favouriting and reviewing - without you, this really would have ended after chapter one.

Sláinte