N: this went where it wanted to go. I had to set up a few things with Maura's memories for the next chapter, or chapter after that. She will get her full memory back and i had to set up the Maura scar...anyways. It's fluff but i was stuck and just wrote until i worked my way out and into the next chapter that will have the epic showdown. I think there might be two or three chapters in this one before it's done. Yes, cliffhanger, but i have no idea if i've written a decent story...anyways! Enjoy!

Maura

I clutched to Jane's arm, using her to stabilize myself as we walked slowly through the back garden. The cool air was invigorating, and a welcome changed from the recycled air I'd been breathing. From the hospital, to my home, the airplane, the flat, the car, etc. I'd been breathing canned air and I was eager to fill my lungs with clean air that smelled like trees and dirt. I smiled as I felt Jane's hand on my forearm, warm and secure. "Thank you." I broke the strange silence that had fallen between us in the last five minutes of our walk.

Jane was looking up, squinting at the canopy the trees offered us. "For what? I think you learned how to walk a long time ago." She smirked, looking down at me, "Unless you're thanking me for being a much better-looking cane." She pulled me closer into her side, her gait slowing to match my wobbly one.

I cocked my eyebrow, nudging her. "For everything. Especially being my cane. You sturdier and much better to look at than black steel with a rubber tip." I pulled the collar of my coat up, the chilly wind sneaking its way around it to grace my skin. "The pancakes were amazing and gave me quite the energy boost."

Jane reached over, fixing the scarf she had wrapped around me at the back door. "You don't have to thank me. It's my pleasure to take care of you. I believe it was written in our best friend contract a long time ago, to take care of each other when we need it." She smoothed down the scarf edge, "If you're cold, we can go back."

I shook my head, "I'm fine." I spotted an old bench a few steps away from us, my body suddenly drawn to the idea of sitting down for a moment. Walking for long periods of time was still a physical chore and my body had no hesitation to let me know when it had enough. "Can we sit for a moment?"

Jane nodded and directed me to the bench. She sat me down before flopping next to me, pulling her own coat closer around her. The tip of her nose was turning red and she sniffled from the cold. I stared at her, thinking about what she said about our contract and taking care of each other. It made me think about her scars, the ones I saw when I almost walked in on her changing after breakfast. I gasped at the sight, only recognizing the one on her lower back. The rest, I had no memory of where they came from and they made my stomach twist at the Jane being in pain. She was such a strong force, and so beautiful. I hated that her smooth skin was so marred. It made me want to kiss everyone of them and wish them from her body. I took in a cool breath, leaning into her warmth. "Jane, your scars. How did you get them?" I knew asking would have an adverse reaction, but I wanted to know. I was hoping if she told me more about herself, the adventures we shared at the police department, it would spark up my memory like it did before. I wanted to know so I could try and take care of her. Be there for Jane like she was for me, reassuring when the world came down heavy around my shoulders.

Jane sighed, taking my hand. "It's probably better that you don't remember my scars." She ran her thumb over my knuckles. "I've done a lot of stupid things and they're all reminders that I need to slow my heroic ass." She glanced at me, smiling weakly. "They remind me too much of all the times I almost screwed up so badly, I would've never seen you again." She nudged me again, "Were you creeping on me while I dressed?"

My face turned hot, "No, no." I swallowed hard, my skin starting to prickle with hives. "I mean, I wasn't creeping as you say. I came into the room to ask you something and I happened to see you in the bathroom looking for a shirt. That's when I saw your back and the scars. You're stunning, Jane and I couldn't look away." I tipped my head down, utterly embarrassed, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't."

Jane's hand fell to my cheek, directing me to look at her. "Hey, I was kidding. I don't care if you look. I think over the years you've seen me in varying states of undress. We did have to take hazmat showers in your lab once. I think the entire station saw all of my bits." She smiled, "I'll say this, there's once scar on my back that has your name on it." She searched my eyes, clearly debating if she wanted to tell me or keep it to herself. "It's nothing sad, it's silly and it always makes me think of Christmas." She waved it off, "It's nothing."

"I wish I could take them all away, your scars. You're too beautiful, Jane." I paused, feeling silly for what I wanted to say next.

Jane leaned over, kissing my cheek. "I don't want them taken away. They remind me I'm a survivor. They remind me I'm strong. Stupid, but strong and there isn't a damn thing I won't do to protect those I love." She bent to my ear, "I'd take all of yours away and put them on my body if I could. You're far more beautiful than I, Maura."

I blushed once more and turned to kiss Jane fully on the lips. I closed my eyes as she kissed me back. AS we kissed, something clicked in my heart and I knew I was hopelessly beyond in love with this beautiful stranger. Jane Rizzoli had stolen my heart and soul. I smiled against her lips as a tiny moan escaped, "Jane? I think we should walk some more." I whispered, brushing her bottom lip with mine. I was very warm, and my hands itched to slid them under her coat, her shirt, and lay flat against her skin.

Jane leaned back, flushed with dark eyes. "Okay." She stood up, pulling open her collar. "I could use some air."

I chuckled taking her hand. "Will you ever tell me about the scar I gave you?" I reached up, brushing fingertips over the small wound on her cheek that was now just a yellow bruise. The stitches had already begun to dissolve. "This one will be nothing but a faded bruise in a few weeks. The doctor did an amazing job stitching you up."

Jane linked our arms together, barely hearing my comment about her most recent injury, "Maybe." She stared out in front of us, her face dropping ever so slightly. "Maybe." She motioned to the path ahead of us. "Let's do a loop and go back inside. I'm itching to light that fireplace and make smore's."

I squeezed her elbow, forcing her to look at me. "Jane. I love you. I think when you held me in the library chasing away all of my negative thoughts about how I look, I couldn't ignore what I feel for you. I love you so much, and I honestly don't care if the old me comes back. The Maura Isles standing in front of you has fallen in love with you." I shrugged, "Maybe I have an advantage now, being free of the past." I linked my fingers in hers. "I want to know everything about you Jane, the good, the bad, and the ugly."

Jane sniffled, chuckling. "You know I made you watch that movie last summer? You absolutely hated it and pointed out all of the historical inaccuracies. You literally drove me to tears, and I made you buy me ice cream to make up for it."

Jane lifted my hand, kissing the top of it. The moment her warm lips touched my chilled hands, something flickered in my mind. I closed my eyes focusing on it, pushing my mind. "You had a triple banana split with extra sprinkles and hot fudge. I bet you, you couldn't eat all of it, and you made yourself so sick trying to prove me wrong. You ended up passing out on my bed, curled up in the fetal position with your head in my lap." I opened my eyes, staring at Jane. "I had to run my fingers through your hair to prevent you from throwing up everywhere."

Jane grinned, turning to swallow me up in her strong arms. "I swear your brain has a vendetta against me. Only picking up on my most embarrassing moments." She kissed the top of my head, "I almost threw up in your lap, but I didn't want to prove you right." She let out a slow breath, "I should just tell you all the stupid things I did, maybe it'll snap all of your memories back."

I slid my arms under her coat, laying my hands on her lower back. "You couldn't stand the smell of bananas for a month." I laid my ear over her heart, searching my brain for more. I was getting really tired of the bits and pieces it was giving me.

I slipped my fingers under her shirt, pressing against very soft, hot skin. I smiled as Jane's breath hitched, "Maur." She reached back, slowly covering my hand and removing it from under her shirt. "I don't hate what you're doing, I just have to keep my focus on keeping you safe. And it's really hard to focus on that when you're touching me like that." She cleared her throat, stepping back but still holding onto my hand. She looked at me, her eyes a darker shade of brown. "I love you, and I have to keep you safe. When this is over, I promise…" She paused, swallowing hard. Jane never finished her thought, she just awkwardly pointed to the path. "Let's um…walk."

I nodded, following her. I was starting to realize that Jane was very uncomfortable when it came to intimacy. It could be that I was in a precarious state of selective amnesia. I couldn't help it, my feelings for Jane were incredibly strong and the only time I felt whole was when I was touching her. It was the only time the world stop spinning, and I didn't feel weak.

Jane looked back at me, "Maura, stop over thinking it. It's not you. I want nothing more than to lock us up and whittle away at this incredible tension between us. But duty first. I've lost my focus more than once and it turned into a disaster." She tilted her head down, walking us slowly back towards the house.

I nodded, "You won't lose me, Jane."

I watched as her jaw clenched, "I hope so, Maura."

In her tone I heard more, and it scared me.

Jane

Maura was passed out. Her head in my lap, a hand clutching to my leg like it was a safety blanket. I chuckled, flipping through channels on the TV above the fireplace. Maura went out like a light the second we sat down with snacks, a cozy fire and a thick blanket. The walk had taken a lot out of her. I ran a hand over her soft hair, smiling at the soft snore she let out. If only everyday could be like this. Maura wearing my old tshirts, snuggled up against me and not worrying about anything other than what we would eat when she woke up.

Reality was, it wasn't. Holton was hiding in the gutters and it was a matter of time before he found us.

I chewed on my bottom lip, watching some odd English baking show. I felt guilty about ignoring Maura's questions about my scars. I should've told her, but I was horribly embarrassed by the unique collection of stories my body carried. The scar where I shot myself to save others. The scars of Hoyt, the stabbings, the shootings, and the surgery scars from all of the stupid shit I've done as a cop. I didn't want to tell her. I was afraid they would trigger the bad memories and scare her back into oblivion. Maura had sat at my hospital bed more times than any woman should. There truly was only one scar that I would keep forever and remember with a smile. I called it Maura's scar and I got it shoveling her snow last winter. She came out in her stupid high heels to check on me and slipped. I rushed to her side, catching her in time, but sacrificing my own body. I landed on my back, catching the edge of her fancy wrought iron art piece she kept by her side door. It stuck me and hurt like a bitch.

Maura fell on top of me, her face right in mine and when I looked up, her hazel eyes were boring into mine. Straight to my soul and it was as if she reached down into my chest and took my heart, claiming it as her. She stared at my lips and the air thickened between us. She bent forward as if to kiss me and I wasn't go to fight it, even if I was impaled and probably bleeding out. Three millimeters before our lips met, ma came screaming around the corner. She saw the blood and went ape shit. Maura jumped off of me like lighting had struck her ass and ran to get her medical bag.

I went to the hospital for stitches. Maura sat at my bedside apologizing and all I could do is stare and curse the gods for giving ma her weird sixth sense about her kids getting hurt.

Things grew tense between us, slowly and steadily until it all went to hell. Like a slow sinkhole.

I wasn't sure why I didn't tell her when she asked. Probably because as she asked about my scars, Holton's voice rang in my head. His eerie question of if I was willing to die for her or with her. My scars were badges of honor in terms of what I would do for those I love. A sobering reminder that I couldn't slip up. Especially when it came to Maura. I had too much to repent for when it came to her. I rolled my eyes, god damn catholic guilt.

Maura shifted, sighing softly as she snuggled deeper into my lap. She looked so peaceful when she slept. I ran a finger across her forehead. "I want to do everything with you. Love you. Move in with you, whether it's your fancy townhouse or my shithole of an apartment, I want to live with you. I want to wake up to you judging me for sleeping through all eight of my alarms and dressing in wrinkled clothes to make it to work on time. I want to make you pancakes in the morning after we've made love all night. I want you to know all of my scars and run your hands over them. I want your touch to heal all of my fears." I paused as she let out another sleepy snort. I didn't want her to hear this whispered confession. "I want to marry you and have kids. Adopt them. I'll even adopt a tortoise for you. Just, please give me a little more time. I don't want to die to save you, but I will if it comes to that." My eyes welled up. "Please give me a little more time, then I can promise you. I can promise you the world and do my damn best to give it to you." My feelings were convoluted as more of her memories clicked in. It made it harder to distance myself as I had been trying. I figured if Maura didn't fully remember me, I had less to sacrifice. I huffed, that was a foolish idea.

I wiped my cheeks with the back of my free hand, wiping away the few tears that snuck free. My phone beeped on the table next to me, I lifted it to see Frost had sent an email.

Jane

I found the court case Holton mentioned. It was one Maura testified in. What sucks is that she identified Holton as a prime witness for the prosecution as the drug manufacture for Rodrigo Varez. She traced all of the chemical components and structures to Holton. He was then pressed by the DEA to testify against Varez in exchange for a plea deal. Varez escaped DEA custody and went after Holton. Killing his entire family. His wife, his parents and his little brother. They called it cartel justice and when Varez was caught, he had evidence on Holton that eliminated the deal he had with the DEA. Maura was called in to testify at Holton's trial, subsequently sending him to prison to rot alone. Varez was sent to a cushy max prison after cutting his own deal with the DEA. Holton linked up with a few gangs in prison, utilizing all of his time in learning how to kill quietly. The books he checked out of the prison library were military history books focusing on special forces. He also took a handful of computer classes and learned how to hack proficiently. He hacked into Maura's personal accounts and online activity. That's how he found her and is able to track her as you move her around.

Holton wants Maura dead because he sees it as being double betrayed by her. She took his family and his freedom.

I checked out every one of his victims and they're all attached to both trials in one way or another.

Jane, Holton is seeking pure unmitigated revenge. Making him a very dangerous man with his skill set and connections. I've reached out to Scotland Yard for assistance. Holton is going to find you and I want to send their tactical unit your way. Give me the word and I can have them there within the hour.

Please be safe. This guy is a hundred times more deranged than anything we've ever met.

Frost.

My jaw clenched as I dropped the phone back on the table. Holton was a driven psychopath and that was the worst combination. I glanced at Maura, debating when my phone vibrated.

I turned it over, there was a message from an unknown number.

Have you thought about my question, Jane? I hope so, because tomorrow night we dance. It wasn't hard to track you once I hacked into the traffic cameras. The black Audi suits you, Jane. Makes you appear almost worthy to sit next to the lovely doctor. You know you're beneath her status? But that's what will make you a formidable foe. Your scrappy and fearless, with nothing to live for when I kill her. Before you say it, the police found something better to entertain themselves with over searching the gutters for a suspect. Wish Maura sweet dreams as they will be her last. XOXO Cooper Holton.

"Sonofabitch." I screen capped the text and sent it to Frost, asking him to give Scotland Yard the heads up, but to move discreetly when I sent the message. I didn't even want to know when they got here, that way Holton couldn't see it on my face. I was afraid if Holton was spooked, I'd lose the upper hand.

I slipped out from under Maura, tucking the blanket under her chin.

I needed to search the house and find the best place to hide her when the time came. This manor would have to become a fortress overnight.

I moved through the stone hallways, thinking one thing.

I would die for her.