Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or series I am just borrowing them from their awesome creators.

Boston's witch burnings

By: Fire Wolfe

A/N: 'Telepathy or thoughts', "Speech"

Friday, March 29, 2013

Boston Is Burning

Part 7 Ripples

Hope Martin pulled into the Boston Police Department and parked her car. It seemed that lately she was spending a lot of time here but given that Maura worked here she really did not mind. Her schedule had not yet demanded too much of her time. She was glad that she had agreed to take a year and teach at BU. It would give her a chance to spend time with both of her children and hopefully allow them to all mend their relationships. She knew the task was not going to be simple or easy and that the fault could be laid squarely at her feet. Maura lover Detective Jane Rizzoli pulled no punches when she told her off. It had been refreshing, annoying and disturbing to see how badly she had screwed up not one child but two. It had never been her intention to make Caylin feel like she had to live up to her lost sibling. She had always thought she had shown her how proud of her she was. However she had made a mistake somehow and that mistake had almost cost her both her children. She pushed her hair back and checked her makeup before getting out of the car. She was not a vain woman but she would do her best to reflect well on her eldest. Maura, a gift beyond measure the child she thought she had lost. It was a miracle and one she had almost failed to appreciate. Jane Rizzoli was right she did not really deserve a second chance but Maura Goddess bless her was a forgiving woman. She was willing to try to make this work. Hope was grateful. She knew it would not be easy or simple and that Caylin was still wary and upset but, she was not about to not try. Hope owed Maura so much. Caylin's life was but one of the things. After checking she looked acceptable she got out of the Leaf and headed inside. Her special visitor's badge allowed her inside. The officer at the front smiled at her when he saw her.

"Dr. Martin it is good to see you again."

"Thank you Sergeant. I'm afraid I am here on business could you let Dr. Isles know I am here? I don't want to just pop in on her."

"Sure thing and it's probably a good idea. This new case is nasty. I think it has everyone jumpy."

"Yes it sounds disturbing. I do hope I can help solve it."

"I'm sure you will be a great help to the doc and the detectives." The desk Sergeant said with a smile even as he dialed the Morgue to let the Chief Medical Examiner know her specialist had arrived. It was a semi open secret that Dr. Martin was Dr. Isles' biological mother but the desk sergeant kept it to himself. It was not really his business and he liked the doc. plus to his mind one could never have too much family. It was likely his Hispanic background, because he loved having a large family surrounding him. It made life worth living to see his kids, and grandkids filling the house along with his nieces and many nephews. Yep family was a good thing.

The phone rang down in the morgue and Dr. Isles answered it. "Dr. Isles here."

"Thank you Sergeant Ortega. Please send her right down."

"Sure thing Doctor Isles. She just did not want to disturb you if you were in the middle of something."

"That was kind of her, but the sooner she can help the better."

"Ok I'll send Dr. Martin down." He motioned for her to head down."Have a good day Dr. Isles."

"I will Sergeant, thank you again for your help."

"No problem," He waved goodbye to Dr. Martin who headed to the elevators to go down to the morgue. She would not keep Maura waiting.

Maura set down the phone with a sigh. It was a relief that Dr. Martin came so quickly. She looked over the four bodies laying out with sadness. Deep in her heart she knew they were her friends but sadly the damage was such she could only guess on who each was. Ironically the women were all similar in size and build. Of course she had a fair idea of who each were but, honor and her deep respect for them kept her from labeling them until she was absolutely certain. Plus if she was absolutely honest the delay….well it helped her deny the truth of what was directly in front of her. The truth being that once again people she cared about would spend some of their last hours with her in her cold morgue. For the first time it was not her refuge it was a place she longed to run from. She pushed back her tears refusing to be anything but professional.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Jane tossed the file down with frustration. "Frost have you found anything at all we can use to solve this case?"

"I'm working on it Jane. This is not easy you know. I mean most of the time we get warnings from other jurisdictions this time it's like someone is surpassing the information. I keep running into roadblocks."

"Huh, that does not make any sense?"

"Maybe it's someone's pet case. I mean if this really is a serial killer and they have been working for a while maybe someone does not want to share." Korsak said. He looked disgusted with that idea but they had seen it before. He took a drink of his coffee and tossed the cold beverage into the trash. He stood up stretching his legs. "I'm going to get some coffee do either or you want any?"

"Yeah, please, I could use it. It will hold us over until dinner. Oh I did tell you guys Maura and I are heading to the dinner to meet her father. He is going to look over those carvings for us."

Frost gave a squeamish look not sure he liked the idea of viewing those disturbing pictures over dinner. "Ah Jane that's…."

"Yeah I know but it's my treat and we are heading for the steak house."

Barry look changed. It was clear he was weighing the idea of a great steak against the idea of working and wondering if it would disturb his stomach.

"Come on Barry we won't show you the pictures. Besides Dr. Isles is doing us a favor and it's for Maura. You know a chance for her folks to get to know us all. It's a bonding thing."

Korsak snorted at that even as he nodded his assent and headed to find the coffee. "Should I ask Angela along?"

"Yeah, see if she wants to come I already texted Frankie. We might as well make it a family affair."

"So does that mean Dr. Martin will be there too?" Frost asked. He suddenly decided to go if the doctor was going to be present. He like Jane was not sure he totally trusted her motives and he thought of Maura as family so he would protect her. Even if it meant he might not quite enjoy his meal.

"Yeah, I think so. Or at least Maura was going to ask her. Look I'm not sure I like the idea of her being around but Maura wants to try, so, I'll go along and I would really appreciate the support."

"Sure Jane, I'll be there. I got your and the doc's back. We are family you know."

Jane Rizzoli smiled. It was not the smirky one she showed the world generally but a real honest to God smile and the room lit up. Barry felt his heart leap. He smiled back. God he loved her. OK maybe it was not the kind of love he had once hoped for but, it was still love. She was his best friend. Even if she never knew it or accepted that she was. He was close to Frankie and he considered him his best mate or buddy but Jane, Jane was far more to him and always had been. She was mentor, friend and sister he supposed. He had once had a wicked crush on her and if he was honest he still measured most women against her, but his feelings were deeper now. Now she was hell the whole team of them was his family. He had never had a close relationship with anyone since his mother passed away. His father was cold and distant and he had a hard time connecting to people. Oh he may appear to be socially savvy but deep down he was a loner. His being partnered with Jane Rizzoli was the best thing ever to happen to him. In the past three years she and Korsak along with Jane's family had become his. Hell he could pin point the exact minute of the change. He grinned recalling Dr. Isles first day and Jane's reaction. He had known then that life as he knew it was over because the lines between professional and personal had blended ever since and they became a family. Dysfunctional at times but, it was still better than he had ever known and he would walk through hell for Jane and Maura for giving him that.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Constance Isles set the reservation for her daughter. She wondered what Maura would think or say if she ever realized Paddy Doyle owned this place. However she would not say anything as it was a safe place for them. It was the one place in Boston Constance knew they could all go out to dinner and not have to worry. Ok maybe only she and William knew that but, for all his sins Paddy loved Maura and he would keep her safe. He had the restaurant guarded 24/7 on the off chance Maura would stop by for a meal. She hung up the phone and texted her husband to let him know they had a private room with a table big enough for all of them. She sighed it seemed that their past was coming back. She leaned against the wall and wished….wished she did not have to do this. She never wanted Maura to know she and William had been a part of the Council of Watchers. She tossed her phone aside and hoped that this would not be the straw that finally broke her relationship with Maura. She would never understand the things the old council had done hell Constance did not and she had been raised to support them. How could she explain that her family had spent generations training and sending young women out to fight and die and that until she had met William she had not seen anything overly wrong with it Goddess I was such a cold hearted bitch back then. It was no excuse but, it had been her life and her training and it had been William's too. She idly picked up a letter opener and in frustration threw it hard against the wall. It sunk in two inched. Of course she had been raised as a potential so the idea of serving humanity had been ingrained. Of course given her family she had never been separated from them and she had the best training money could buy. She sighed and knew she had just been glad someone else had been called. Well she had been until her best friend had been called and perished. It had shattered her and only William had saved her sanity and helped her see that the way things were was not right. Constance just prayed Maura would understand. Hell it was one of the reasons she had taken Maura in. Maura had been a potential and she had been damned if she would be seen as disposable. Paddy Doyle might be a bastard and evil in many ways but he had far more humanity then many on the old council and he had saved Maura from a life of being treated as a robot. The irony of it was not lost on Constance as Maura had become very self contained. She knew full well her daughter would have made an exceptional slayer. She poured herself a drink and sipped it. Hope Martin might believe Patrick Doyle lied to hide Maura from her and to hide his own sins. Perhaps a part of it had been true but the deeper reason had been to protect his daughter and that was why Constance and William had helped. They both understood the life Maura would have lead. She also knew a part of her had remained distant because she had been terrified Maura would be called and she had been trying to protect her heart. It was foolish and neither she nor William had understood that they were doing it. Now, now it would all come out she prayed Maura could forgive her.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Hope entered the Morgue and saw Maura staring at the bodies. If she had any question on how disturbed she was seeing her now took those doubts away. She moved with care so not to startle her eldest. "Dr. Isles, you called saying you needed my help?"

Keep it professional let Maura lead this. She is clearly upset I don't want to spook her.

Maura snapped her head up. She locked eyes with her birth mother. "Yes, thank you for coming in so quickly. I, I need some assistance identifying these ladies."

"Do you have some scubs I could use?"

"Oh yes of course. This way please." Maura said leading Dr. Martin to a changing area. "Here I hope these are your size?"

Hope took them and smiled. "Perfect, I'll change and be right out."

Maura nodded and slipped out using the time to gather her composure.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Korsak handed Jane a travel mug of hot coffee. He knew she hated the paper ones so going down to the café and seeing Angela about coffee was a good thing.

Jane took the metal travel mug and pulled it to her to take a drink. Suddenly liquid spouted out of the side.

"Son of a bitch!" She shouted as hot coffee spilled all over her.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Maura pulled the door to the locker room closed to give Dr. Martin some privacy as she did so the handle came ripping off. She froze and stared at it incredulously. "How did that happen?"

Her logical mind decided that the handle's screws must have come loose. She went to her office to call for a repairman when the same thing happened on her door. She froze suddenly worried. This was not good.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

"Jane what happened, I'm so sorry I could have sworn I put the lid on tight?" Korsak said.

"No you did Vince. The side of the cup, it just caved in."

Korsak came over and looked at the cup. He shook his head. "Well you have had that thing forever and a day."

"I have not. It's only about three years old. I mean it's practically brand new."

He snorted at that watching Jane grab some paper towels to clean up. "Yeah well they don't make cups like they used to."

Jane glared at him.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Willow eyes glossed over and she froze. She blinked and looked at Buffy and Faith. Both women seemed frozen and then Faith said. "Well fuck this is going to complicate matters."

"Yeah think." Buffy said. "What are the odds?"

"I don't know B but this…this is strange even for us. I mean who'd have thought it. I mean, really they are both ….way to ….I mean…." She stopped suddenly looking at William who seemed to not notice their sudden panic. How the hell were they going to tell him?

"Yeah, TPTB are so not on my good side right now." Buffy said. "I mean really, as if this won't be a mess as is."

Kennedy looked at them and then at Dawn who shrugged. Neither woman had any idea about what had just happened. Buffy leaned over and whispered into Dawn's ear and Willow into Kennedy's.

"What the fuck." Kennedy almost shouted. "No, that's not right it really not right."

This outburst did draw William's attention. "Kennedy language young lady!"

"Uncle William trust me, you will agree. Fuck, Faith…how…shit…Buffy are you sure I mean this is not right."

"What has happened?" William demanded suddenly getting a sinking feeling.

"Three new slayers have been called. It's going to complicate things a lot."

"What three? Why how come and who are they?"

"Uncle William, why did you not tell me that Aunt Constance was a potential and that Maura was too?"

William paled and began cursing his language made his god daughter's and friends seem tame. Hell a sailor on a three day drunken orgy would have had cleaner language. "No damn it not, now not after all these years it's not possible." He suddenly glared at Willow and Buffy and almost attacked them. Fortunately Kennedy caught him.

"It's not their fault. Calm down. We can deal with this."

William was shaking. "Three you said three whose the last one?"

"Well, that's the detective Jane Rizzoli." Willow said meekly.

Suddenly William seemed to collapse. His posture changed to one of almost relief. "Thank the Goddess….I ….Jane, Jane will keep Maura safe and protect Constance too." He was shaking.

Kennedy pulled open a small hidden bar. This luxury car had it all and she knew her uncle needed a drink. She poured it straight and handed it to him. He swallowed the whole glass in one gulp.

"This changes everything."

"Yeah think." Faith said. "However it may be a good thing. It will help keep them safe."

"Faith they will now be targets." Dawn said clearly worried.

"Yeah, but now they have a chance. Look they/ we are going to have to go to some dark places with this them being slayers can only help."

"One could hope." William said cursing again.

TBC….