Innocence

Part 7

Jane sat at her desk reading the damning statement given by one Nikki Vicker. The description of the incident was very detailed. No matter, though, there was just something that was off about it. It was definitely putting her in a tough position. How could she investigate with the intention of conviction, but also strive for exoneration? Jane thought of herself as a good detective, but when the boss is trying to tie her hands and force a verdict of guilty, how does she proceed?

Jane threw her pen down. The round and round in her mind was the least productive thing she could do. She got up and headed for the break room, she needed food and she needed it now.

"Hey, Jane!"

Jane turned and saw Korsak making his way towards her. She waited for him and they both went to the break room together.

"What's up, Korsak?"

The older man looked at her with curiosity.

"Well? Are you going to talk?" Jane was impatient.

"Jane, have you ever questioned why Mezzler wanted you to take this case over again and not hand it off to the sex crimes unit?" Korsak looked on with nothing but curiosity.

"What the hell? What are you trying to get at?" Patience definitely was not on her agenda today as Jane frowned at Vince.

"Just think about it, Rizzoli. If you find there is a question, it's up to you to answer it." Korsak then turned and walked away.

'Everybody is a freaking Yoda!' Jane huffed to herself and headed off to somewhere, she wasn't sure where to herself. All she knew was that this case against Maura was sending her life into a tailspin.

Freaking Mezzler had it in for Maura for some reason, that much was becoming clear now.

Jane stopped walking and wheeled around in frustration, food…she needed food. That's where she was going before Korsak interrupted her, to the break room.

Maura sat on the hard bench watching, waiting for the next attack. Her face throbbed from the powerful blow that came in the form of a hard fist. Mary Pat, a guard had tried to look out for her as best she could, but there were more inmates than could be properly governed by the few prison personnel that were on hand. Although it seemed that Mary Pat was the only one concerned with her safety, the male guards seemed unwilling to step in and break up the beat down she was getting from the other female prisoners.

There was a sudden sense of motion and Maura looked around. She could not help but feel relieved as she watched Jane swagger down the walkway behind Mary Pat.

"Look at that bitch; she's all up on five-oh. Told ya'll! Not only is she a fucking sex fiend, she a fucking narc lover, too!" yelled out one of the other females.

Maura cringed back against the wall as she tried to make herself as small as possible. The first punch was to her ribs, the pain cause her to expel the breath she was holding. All she could do was protect her head as violence rained on her once more. The only thing that fostered her hope of survival this time, was the pounding of Jane's heavy boots striking against the concrete floor as she ran towards the holding cell where she was curled up in a ball against the violent attack.

Jane rushed the room as soon as Mary Pat had the door open. Nothing would stop her from getting to her Maura. Together, Jane and the guard worked hard throwing inmate after inmate off the small, huddled figure curled up in a ball almost under the metal bench. Once the last woman was tossed back away from Maura, Jane pivoted to face them. She took up a stance that put Maura directly behind her spread legs. Jane's demeanor screamed possessiveness over the diminutive blond woman. This was Jane the girlfriend and not Jane the detective.

"Alright you bitches, you see this woman, she is under my protection! Any one of you even think about batting an eyelash in her direction will be sorry!"

Hostility was shining bright in every face.

"That sounds like a threat to me, cop!" A large woman with tight curls yelled out.

Jane was beyond frustrated with everything. A part of her welcomed a good brawl to burn off her agitation. God damn this case!

Jane almost smiled when tight curls stepped up and confronted her.

"What you gonna do, Skinny Bitch, ya'll think ya'll all bad, but in here I rule. Ya hear! In here I rule!"

Jane waited for it, and then she felt it; the solid thump of tight curl's shoulder against her own. If anyone had been looking close enough, they would have seen the slight smile that graced Jane's lips for a brief second.

"Mary Pat, I would like to report that this prisoner just assaulted a police officer on official business."

Mary Pat nodded, "Aye, I seen it, Detective."

Tight Curls sneered, "Well come on Skinny Bitch, let's do this right!"

With that she suckered punched Jane. She made the mistake of turning her back and celebrating with her cellmates, who by now were contained by a wall of correction officers.

Jane grabbed her and drove her to the floor.

"What's wrong, did momma never teach to not turn your back on the enemy?"

Jane threw a couple of punches and was satisfied by Tight Curls gasping for breath.

Jane popped up in a fighter's stance and when Tight Curls got back on her feet, the fight was on.

Punch for punch, they fought each other. When the other woman felt she was tiring, she tackled Jane and brought them to the cold, cement floor.

Tight Curls was on top and quickly pressing her advantage, she punched Jane in the nose. Blood spurted out and coated both women.

Jane shook it off; she brought up her legs and mounted the inmate in an upside down arm bar. Tight Curls struggled, but Jane's training as a cop and the fights she fought as a kid gave her the upper hand. Plus, her long legs were a weapon unto themselves.

As soon as her opponent's eyes rolled back in her head, Jane dropped her to the floor. Most looked squeamish as Tight Curls made a fleshy smacking sound when she hit the concrete.

Jane pushed herself to her feet and once again stood in front of Maura, who by now was standing against the wall, but closer to her detective.

"Any more takers, bitches?" Jane stood tall, her swagger on full, defying any rules that may be.

After a few moments, one inmate spoke up, "Damn, did ya'll see Brenda trip and fall on that bench?"

Confused seconds ticked by, then one by one a chorus of yes's filled the air.

Mary Pat spoke up, "Detective, do you want to interview this prisoner in a more secured area?"

Jane looked around, eyeballing guards and inmates alike. She knew that Mary Pat was the only one looking out for Maura. She wanted to make sure they understood that she was walking out for their protection, not her own.

"Yeah, sure. Let's go."

Mary Pat motioned for Maura and the three women left the holding cell.