***Chapter had a fit, reuploaded!***
A/N: I don't know anything about crime scenes or investigating, so I've kinda just rolled with my imagination. Also the show doesn't include much about Suzie's life (other than she's a nudist), so I've had to make up or guess (tut tut!) some of the details about her life, but this is Fanfiction, so we're allowed ;) More below :)
"One body, female, approximately 25-35 years old, no signs of forced entry" The EMT informed Rizzoli and Isles as they ducked under the yellow tape and made their way to the crime scene.
"First job is to identify the body - better get Nina to start searchin-" Jane faltered as Maura and her glanced down at the floor, and took in just who the victim was.
"No," Maura almost whispered in shock. "It can't be..."
"I'm afraid it is," Jane said aloud as she was handed the ID that wiped away any doubt.
The body on the floor was Maura's former Senior Criminalist: Suzie Chang.
Maura quickly exited the apartment, Jane hastily followedbher. It wasn't until they reached an empty stairwell away from the hustle and bustle of the crime scene that Maura allowed the great, heaving sobs she'd been holding in escape, echoing around the hall as Jane put her arms around Maura and held her tightly, the warmth of the gesture spread through her.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Jane whispered to Maura: "Would you like me to get someone else to do your job? You don't have to do this one..." she trailed off, her small smile bringing a little comfort to the shorter woman.
"No, no!" Maura spoke quickly. "I need to do this - I owe her this much, to find out who did this to her, and why. Plus I don't think Suzie would ever forgive me if I let Dr Popov or, heaven forbid, Dr Pike conduct her autopsy..." she finished with a small laugh.
"Come on then," said Jane. "Let's get this over with." she said Maura dried her tear-stained face and both women walked back into the crime scene, the same swagger they started the day off with slowly returning.
***Later in the Precinct***
Detective Vince Korsak, Lieutenant Cavanaugh and Nina Holiday gathered around the white board Rizzoli had been filling with various photographs and hand-written notes complied from the inital investigation.
"Right, okay," Cavanaugh began. "Suzie Chang was one of us, so this case is held dear to many people around the BPD. Let that drive us to ascertain exactly what happened here."
Rizzoli took a deep breath, and then continued after her boss. "Suzie Chang," she began, slapping a picture on the left-hand side of the board. "29. Estimated time of death: midnight to when the 911 call came in just before 9:00am this morning - we'll know more after the autopsy, however inital investigations show signs of a struggle so we're treating this as suspicious. Former employee of the Chief MEs Office here at the BPD as Senior Criminalist. Worked closely with Doctor Isles - we'll need a full statement from Maura. Born and raised in Boston, father deceased but Mother is still alive - Korsak can I send you to do that? Nina, I need you on phone, computer, CCTV etc - who called her before she died. There was no sign of forced entry - someone let themself in, or-"
"She knew them, and let them in herself." Korsak finished, his years of experience shining through.
"Okay people, lets roll." Rizzoli finished, as everyone got to work. In turn, she left the room and, watching the button light up, she impatiently tapped her foot as the elevator made its way up. Her first task was to visit Maura.
Jane entered the morgue just as Maura was stitching up the Y-incision, indicating the autopsy was over. Her face still grave, Isles picked up the clipboard on the side, and approached Jane.
"One stab wound to the abdomen, the loss of blood from said wound indicates it killed her. The angle of the wound shows she couldn't have stabbed herself - someone else stabbed her. No other external injuries, aside from external bruising consistent with a struggle. Apart from that, nothing to suggest any ill health of the victim," Maura took a deep breath, composing herself, before continuing: "Samples are at the lab to check for anything I've missed, but I think it's safe to say Suzie Chang didn't kill herself, and I'm ruling the death suspicious. We'll know more tomorrow when the lab are finished." She finished, as the pair made their way to Maura's office. Jane closed the door, blocking the outside world out, and turned to face Maura.
"You've done a brilliant job there, Maura," she began, meeting the quivering, hazel eyes in front of her. "And now, we wait. Let's go home, get you rested, the days been a long one."
Maura sighed heavily as the tears began to flow, once again finding herself in the warm embrace of the taller woman.
"We will catch who did this to her, won't we?" Maura asked quietly, her voice unsure.
"I'm certain we will." Jane replied, the strength of her response betraying her own doubts.
"You're the best girlfriend I could have. I love you, Jane. I can't wait to tell everyone we're together." Maura finished as the two held on to each other, never letting go...
A/N 2: And you guessed it...RIZZLES! Sorry, but I ship them too hard, and whem ccecilis brought it up, I felt the need to set the ball rolling :)