I own nothing Rizzoli and Isles

This chapter is a little different...let me know your thoughts

LET SLEEPING BLOOD LIE

Chapter 23 - Fridays

The biggest hurt was the loss of Jane.

After the funeral Maura saw Jane less and less. No one else saw Jane for weeks. She was barely ever home. The neighbours thought Jane had moved out but her belongings were still in the apartment. Frankie had given up searching for her. Angela got a call every few days from Jane and was luckily quite convinced nothing was out of the ordinary. Korsak had given Maura a basic understanding of torture and that it is designed to mess with someone psychologically not physically.
She had adamantly argued that Jane was strong, probably the strongest person she knew, that nothing could affect her like what Korsak was saying. She read studies on torture and PTSD, she knew deep down Korsak was probably right but she couldn't will herself to accept that Jane wouldn't be ok.

'She just needs time', she had defended, 'she will be back to herself soon, she was only gone four days...not years'. But although Jane was still Jane, she couldn't deny things had dramatically changed for them all.

But despite everything else, Jane was at Maura's on a Friday night, every Friday without fail, their movie night, even in the pouring rain under an umbrella looking like she had been hunted by a pack of wolves.
They didn't talk about this arrangement, about much of anything serious really.
Movie night usually started with a knock at the door, a quick assessment of Jane's bumps and bruises from whatever unspoken activities she engaged in these-days, Maura had learnt not to ask, so she would patch up her friend in silence. Then dinner and wine or beer, a chat about family, work or a small-talk topic.
The first 15 minutes of the movie viewed in silence, then unless it was a super-interesting-non-documentary-type program, it was interrupted by a passionate make-out session, where 6 days of separation was made up for. Often before the credits began to roll, Jane would take Maura's hand and lead her up to Maura's bed. Sometimes they would just cuddle and kiss in the darkness, often salty tears could be tasted in their kiss, they were Jane's, but she never said anything. Sometimes the passion would take over completely, the desire and need was always strong. Sometimes it seemed like an escape from reality but Maura never felt used, she needed Jane in any capacity she was allowed to have her and she accepted it, as painful as it was at times. Maybe she was deluding herself that passion and intimacy somehow helped Jane, that it might save Jane, bring Jane back to her whole and unbroken self.

Maura once asked how Jane supported herself now. The reply was a shrug and a smile.

"If you ever need anything, Jane. ANYTHING. Please ask me or if you can, please just take it. I don't ever want to think you are hungry or tired or walking the streets, unable to pay bills, missing out on the basic needs and wants, a home. Promise me Jane, promise me you won't suffer if you don't have too."

"Can I borrow your car?"

"Of course"

"Drink all your beer?"

Maura chuckles, "You know the answer is yes although it isn't really a need."

"What? Beer is most definitely a need. Hmmm, Do I get pocket money too?" they both laughed, lightning the gravity of the situation.

"Korsak asks after you" Maura hinted the need to convey something from her to him.

Jane nodded and took a sip of beer, "Tell him I am doing much better" she smiled gingerly at Maura

"Are you? Doing better?"

Jane leans in giving Maura a quick sloppy kiss

"I am now" she grins before deepening the kiss

It was these conversations where Jane seemed like her old self, like things hadn't changed. And these conversations only happened over food...because the rest of the time was otherwise occupied.

"Do you what to know what i'm thinking?" Maura finally asks after several moments of silence, her meal finally finished, excited to now share her news with Jane.

Jane grins raising an eyebrow, "Is it weird that I do?"

"I am thinking how much you are going to owe me in a minute." Maura chuckles

Jane's face falls, "I don't think I want to know anymore."

Maura laughs nudging Jane with her shoulder causing a smile

"Careful honey, you fall off that chair and I am going to know you're thinking your butt really hurts."

Maura kisses Jane's cheek and then in a low voice like she is telling a secret she whispers, "I spoke to my friend who happens to be a Judge working with first time offenders and underage misdemeanours." her eyes twinkle with a mysterious smile, "He is a little controversial in his punishments, he sometimes makes offenders wear a sandwich board in public with their crimes written on it." Jane watches as her face becoming alive with excitement, "I told him about John Howell and the situation with his family, with his mother and sister, the drug dealing. You remember John?"

"Of course" Jane laughs thinking back to the interview that now felt like years ago, John, a broken boy caught in the consequences of doing something illegal to try to help his family. It had broken her heart.

Maura has Jane's full attention and she loves the sparkle of hope she see's in Jane's eyes.

"This Judge has agreed to take John's case on and has already made arrangements to have it transferred to his courtroom. He is a wonderfully kind man and will do his best to help John make a fresh start but also to amend his actions and pay back society." Jane has a glowing smile across her face, she couldn't be more in awe of the compassion Maura displays and the way she uses her connections to help others. That she had taken the time to do this without being asked.

Maura continues, "I also spoke to a youth worker in his area who helps families in hard circumstances. The organisation believes in keeping families together. They teach budgeting and other helpful skills. They have agreed to look into the situation also, to offer help and support, so hopefully that wee girl is not taken from her home, her family." Maura holds her finger up to indicate there is more, Jane chews on her bottom lip in excitement and impatience.

"It was suggested that part of John's community service could be caring for his sister and other children her age in a child and youth daycare centre nearby. So John will spend more time with her as well as help his mother have more free time to work."

"A miracle." Jane smiles a tear of joy escaping and her throat constricting with emotion. She pulls Maura into a huge hug, waiting for the emotions to pass she finally whispers, "You're absolutely amazing Maur" and kisses her cheek squeezing tightly.

"You are welcome Jane."

At the knock at the door, Maura's heart skips a beat, Fridays can never come soon enough, but opening the door reveals Jane looking a little more 'worse for wear' than usual.

"Are you ok?"

Jane steps through the doorway with a grunt, "Yeah"

Maura frowns at her "You don't look ok?"

She leans forwards and brushes Jane's lips with her thumb, Jane hisses at the pain to her swollen lip

"It's going to be sad not kissing you tonight, Jane"

Jane scoffs, "Yeah right, like that's the only place you can kiss me"

"It's my favourite place though, and how will you kiss me in return?"

Jane looks deeply into Maura's eyes a half smile growing on her face, "The pain will be worth it. But I'm a little more worried about my rib"

"Jane" Maura sighs horrified, "What happened?"

"You should see the other guy." She jokes lifting her top to reveal a rather sinister looking bruise across her toned abs and ribcage

Maura pokes around the bruise gently ignoring Jane's pained complaints, "When did this happen?"

"Um...last night I guess" she shrugs trying to downplay it

"Does it hurt to breathe in"

"nuh-uh"

"What did this?"

Jane laughs, "It could have been a Baseball bat, no longer my favourite past-time sport"

"Who?"

Jane leans in brushing her lips against Maura's and ignoring the pain, "Am I gonna to be ok doc?"

Maura leans away from the kiss to get a good look at Jane, "Yes you'll be fine, hematoma of tissue, I would need an x-ray to determine if any fractures were present, But they would heal on their own anyway. You will be sore for sometime though. Are you going to tell me who did this?"

Jane's face falls, the joy gone for a long moment, "No Maur, not yet. I hurt a little, can I get a hug?" she sticks out her sore lip in a pout and tilts her head to the side questioning.

...to be continued...