A/N: Hey all, I apologize for my absence depression can be a really Big Bitch, but I've been feeling a bit better so working on revising how this story is going to play out. This of course included me deleting all my rewritten work and starting over. I really want to thank everyone that has left comments and kudos as they really helped motivate me when I would just stare at my open documents willing the words to appear. You guys are amazingly supportive even with my shoddy uploading skills, and I couldn't ask for a better fan base to be apart of. So without any further ado, please enjoy the second chapter before things begin to ramp up in Jane and Maura's lives. Much love - E

Chapter 2:

Maura woke up to the small beeping of her alarm several hours later. Flinging an arm back towards the nightstand, she managed to snag the cell phone and bring it towards her. The beeping was silenced swiftly as she hit the snooze button.

Letting the phone fall to her stomach, she dragged her hands through her hair. She could see the faint outline of the sun beginning to rise, the shadows dancing across the bedroom. Her flight back to New York was at two and if she wanted to be on time, she needed to get up soon.

If she played her cards right, she could be up and in autopsy within the hour. James Brumfield may have been a man of questionable tastes, but he like everyone else that crossed her table, deserved the truth.

"You're thinking too loud."

Maura looked over to see Jane burring her face in the space between their pillows.

"Well, I do have a lot to think about at the moment."

"Other than how much your girlfriend would love for you to put the phone down and come here?"

"Well, I mean I do have to get up and dressed, preform a full autopsy, get the labs running, run to the airport, fly to New York…"

Maura was cut short by Jane's quick hand coming to rest over her mouth.

"Point taken, Maur."

She pulled Jane's hand down to rest over her hip as she turned to face her.

There was something in the way that Jane looked at her then that had her rooted to the spot. The pure adoration uninhibited even with the weight of sleep pulling at them. Jane's hand moved again to thread through her hair. The soft tension sent ripples of anticipation through her body.

The kiss that followed was unrushed. The ache that had settled deep in her chest from being away began to warm over as Jane sunk them both further into bliss. Jane Rizzoli had become the one thing she looked forward to in the day, more refreshing and satisfying than any Savasana. They broke away slowly, pressing small, barely there kisses to the other.

"Do you really have to go back? Can't they get someone else to fill in?"

Jane's voice was thick with emotion, tugging fully on Maura's heart.

"It's only three more days darling."

She watched Jane's face beam at the term of endearment, faltering slightly at the sound of her own phone vibrating on the opposite nightstand.

"Rizzoli, this better be good."

Maura ran her hand up and down Jane's bare arm as she waited for her to hang up.

"Frankie, not right now. It's barely six in the morning and you know as well as I do that nothing you say right now will make things magically ok. You're sleeping with the one reporter this entire department wants to hang out to dry for Peter's sake!"

She could hear Frankie faintly telling Jane that it wasn't anything serious. That whoever this mystery reporter was had never asked about them or their jobs. Jane's face sported a small crinkle in between her brows as she listened.

"Frank we will talk about this in person. Meet me before debrief."

Jane hung up the phone and rolled back against the pillows, her face tense.

"I just don't get it Maur, how can he be so dense sometimes?"

"He's a smart man, if he says nothing is going on maybe that's exactly right."

Jane turned her head to meet Maura's eyes, mouth opening to say something before pausing.

"You know you really are the most trusting of us all. Hell, maybe you're right. Still Heather Green is not someone I want to just sit back and believe is here simply because she likes my brother."

Maura simply nodded in understanding. She knew when Jane got this frustrated it was best to let her cool off alone before pushing too hard at the subject. She knew that after she was able to sit and sort out the facts and emotions, Jane would talk to her. In the meantime, she knew just the right way to help set the mood right. Even though she would be back in three days, she was an idiot to leave again before saying a proper goodbye.

She slipped out from the covers and began to make her way out of the room her voice carrying easily in the quiet space. She allowed the silk top she had been wearing to drop carelessly to the ground. Each step swinging her hips slightly in a way she knew the detective loved.

"You know, I am feeling a bit cold."

When she reached the doorway, she looked over her shoulder at Jane who was watching her intently.

"Would love to have some help from Boston's finest in getting that taken care of."

Laughter bubbled up between them as Jane sprung from the bed ready to chase her. Maura felt her movement slow as Jane approached, the feeling of strong, tones arms wrapping around her waist from behind. The kisses that traveled from her ear down to her neck banished any thoughts of reporters, New York, and autopsies. The roaming hands made quick work of anything else other than Jane.

This was definitely going to make her late, but it was worth it.

The morning had flown by after their longer than normal shower. Jane found herself studying her new suit in the reflection of the glass wall that surrounded BRIC. The slate gray hugging her curves in just the right way gave her a much more polished look that she was used to.

She had to give it to Maura, she looked damn good.

She could hear the faint mumbles of Frankie and Frost talking under their breath as they rounded the corner to the bullpen. She turned to watch them approach, her face settling into what she knew was a look of passive annoyance.

Frankie stopped short, his voice faltering causing Frost to look up.

"Hey Jane. Frankie was just telling me how the chips in the drug unit's vending machines are never broken like ours. I'm just…"

His voice trailed off as he walked backwards, she could hear him rapidly pressing the elevator button.

"Look I'm sorry for overacting Frankie, but you have to know how this looks. Captain Caption is not some blonde bimbo weather reporter on Channel 5."

She felt the eyes of Crowe and some other patrol officers on them. Shooting them a withering glance, she grabbed Frankie's arm and pulled them off to the unit breakroom. It was thankfully empty, with the only sound emanating from the small tv mounted in the corner.

"Look I didn't even mean for it to happen that way."

"What way did you mean it?"

Jane's voice was stressed, but patient as he stammered out his explanation.

"I met with her for coffee a few weeks ago to try and get her off your back. She said she was just doing it because it provided for a good cash story. She was just trying to get her name back out there after you gave her that shit interview trying to catch that union boss. It got her kicked from the outlet and she had no other options."

Jane gave him an incredulous look.

"No other option? Do you even hear yourself right now?"

She began pacing, her volume rising with each step.

"It's journalism Frankie! Every city in freaking America has an opening for her. There was zero reason for her to go after me like that. She almost cost me my spot in the department!"

She could see Frankie's mouth opening to retort, but it closed and he looked past her shoulder at the open doorway.

She turned to see Lieutenant Cavanaugh standing there, arms folded and face set in a stone frown.

"Sir?" Jane asked hesitantly.

He didn't respond, instead took short steps over to the chipped wooden table between them. The paper he was holding made a small fluttering sound as he dropped it to the table. Jane moved to the table to read the front article, eyes closing in contempt as she saw her own face staring back at her.

Hero Cop or Coward?

Heather Green, Bostonian Times Guest Correspondent

Boston Homicide Detective Jane Rizzoli allowed the killer of James Brumfield to ride off into freedom last night. After failing to secure the crime scene, Rizzoli had a brief encounter with an unknown assailant before watching him ride away on a dirt bike, taking with him the only known murder weapon.

Jane turned away from the table, hand pinching the bridge of her nose. She couldn't read another line, couldn't believe this was happening again. The last time a piece like this ran she was stuck on desk duty for nearly a month. Then there was Frankie, not even an official Homicide detective yet. This was seriously going to mess with any chance he may have had.

Looking over to her superior she could see the tight line that formed at his mouth, he was waiting for her. She nodded and turned back to Frankie who was staring at the paper, mouth slightly open.

"Look Rizzoli… Frankie." Cavanaugh's voice broke the tension as approached placing a hand on Frankie's shoulder.

"This is not easy, but you need to be removed from this investigation. Since you don't technically belong to Homicide's roster, I'm going to need you to stay out of any homicide calls. Your Sergeant has been notified that unless there is an emergency, you are to remain on desk duty here."

"That's not fair! She didn't even talk to me after our conversation last night." Frankie's frustration had him red in the face.

"Enough! It's not up for debate. When the facts are evaluated, we will reconsider. Until then you have your order."

Cavanaugh turned to leave, the tension now resting heatedly between the siblings.

Jane was unsure how to proceed. She was still angered, but she knew that feeling of having your rug pulled from under you. She knew she had to say something, this was still her brother after all, but the chance slipped away as he stomped from the room. Her hands landed squarely on her hips as she collected her thoughts.

She would need to figure out a way to fix this, Maura had been right when she said Frankie as smart. She just needed a way to get though to him and figure out what was going on. Her phone buzzed with the alarm letting her know it was time for briefing. She silenced the phone and slipped it back into the holster on her hip. Grabbing the paper from the desk, she sulked off to their morning meeting. The talking would need to wait.

The brief hadn't lasted longer than usual other than a step aside conversation from the brass about professionalism. Luckily Korsak had the foresight to notify Brumfield's wife last night so she wouldn't have to find out via the news that her husband was dead. They were scheduled back at their penthouse for an interview in a couple hours, which left them sitting around Jane's desk planning.

"Alright what do we know?" Jane's attention was centered on the screen Frost had been scrolling through.

"Well, a definite underdog story for sure. Brumfield was bounced around from group home and foster families from ages 12-17. He managed to keep way ahead on his studies and graduated a year early from high school with a full ride to Yale. Got is undergrad in Comp Sci and a Masters in Economics before moving to Boston to establish W-B Industries with his old college roommate Alan West, hence the name W-B."

Jane sat back in her old work chair, the wheels beginning to turn in her head.

"Family?" She asked.

Frost pulled up a new screen below replying.

"Mother deceased, father unlisted. His wife Anne is the only known familial connection left. She was an executive for W-B when they met, I guess their relationship got to the point of media attention and she was "asked" to step down from her position. She now is a writer and avid hiker according to Instagram."

Jane's interest was piqued, she sat forward.

"So, a wife who was ousted from her platinum position, turns to hiking and an active lifestyle to cope, ends up with a dead husband who was murder in one of their favorite city spots," she turned to look at Frost with a look of knowing.

"Life insurance policy is well into eight figures, with the wife standing to gain it all. Plus, I'm willing to bet the will goes mostly to her." Korsak spoke up as he looked up from his own screen. He shrugged his shoulders before continuing.

"Sounds like motive to me, any word from Dr. Isles on the evidence processing?"

Jane wordless unlocked her phone and scrolled. "Nothing yet other than the standard check-in. She says she should be done by the time we get back from interview if we want to head down."

She didn't mention the separate message from the doctor with a request to demonstrate her warm up skills again when she returned.

Both men nodded as Jane stood, swinging her woolen button-down coat around her shoulders. She clipped her phone in its case, gathered her notebook, and began to twirl her keys around her index finger.

"Last one to the cruiser buys coffee."

The men didn't stand a chance against Jane's long legs, she beat them easily without a sweat.

The penthouse at 501 Pearl Street was on the outside rather understated. The faded brick giving a clue the it was an older building, but that is about where the age stopped. The trio pooled into the marble cast front lobby, taking in the opulence that only the Nouveau riche could account for. Separating the lobby from the elevator bank was a sleek desk maned by what Jane could only assume was the security front.

"Can I help you?" The man's voice was softer than his commanding frame would have suggested.

The three handed over their badges as Korsak spoke.

"Boston Police, I spoke with Mrs. Brumfield last night about her husband. She should be expecting us."

The man tutted under his breath as he consulted the slim computer in front of him.

"Ah! Yes, here you are. I will escort you up, if you would like to follow me?"

The man lead them around to the elevator bank and slipped his keycard in, the doors opening with a quite ding. The motioned for them to enter and he hit the button for the tenth floor. They were met at the top by a woman dressed in plain but well-tailored grey slacks and a crème-colored sweater. She was holding an iPad scribbling quickly as she gave clipped answers to the other end of the small Bluetooth in her ear.

"Yes Jared, now I have to go," She reached up and clicked the device off. "You must be the detectives. I'm Gretchen Sanders, the Brumfield's assistant."

She stretched out her hand to shake theirs, Jane noticed her grip was strong and brief, no-nonsense.

"I'm Detective- "

"Rizzoli, yes I recognized you from the news. Loved your interview with Kitty Vansen last month about the Ripper case."

Jane grimaced as she nodded, she hated that people hung onto that stuff like a bad sugar addiction.

"Mrs. Brumfield is finishing up a meeting with her lawyer, she should only be a few minutes. Would you like something to drink while you wait in the living area?"

Gretchen had asked the question over her shoulder as she motioned for them to follow her.

"No, we are fine thank you. Though if you have a moment, I would like to ask you some basic question to help assist with our investigation."

Jane had to give it to him, his voice was smooth. Smooth enough to have Gretchen raising her eyebrow, but moving towards the kitchen. For someone who's boss just died she was remarkably unaffected, she hopped Frost would be able to charm some answers out of her.

Jane watched Korsak make his way around the white and black furniture, his hands clasped behind his back. His hand pointed to the mantle above the inset fireplace and he regarded her with a curious look. Jane wandered over, taking in the smiling faces of Anne Brumfield and a woman whose face was covered by a large sunhat, the sun gleaming of the water. There were several photos of friends, but Jane looked closer noting none of them contained James.

Someone behind them cleared their throat, and Jane stepped back to meet the tear-streaked gaze of Anne Brumfield.

"Sorry to have kept you. My lawyer wanted to remind me not to say anything stupid, as if I had any part in this whole mess."

Jane could tell she had been crying for a while, the hoarseness in her voices was like sandpaper against terracotta.

"That's alright. We just needed to ask you some basic questions, but I think we all know how lawyers can be."

Jane kept her tone even and light, not wanting to spook the woman. She pulled out her notebook and began to take notes for the questions she had asked a thousand times. Where did you last see him, what time did he leave, did you have an argument? Anne gave detailed answers, and admitted Jane knew she had a semi-good alibi with having gone to dinner with friends. Still, she held her reservation for later.

"Mrs. Brumfield, can you tell me anything about what your husband had going on outside of your relationship with him? Any reason why someone would want him dead?"

Korsak filled in playing the part of curious inquisitor. Anne paused, her eyes wandering over to the mantle they had stood at not an hour ago. Jane watched as indecision crossed the stark pale features as her brow furrowed. Her pale-yellow hair fell around her shoulders as she leaned forward.

"I haven't had much to do with the company, you would need to ask Alan West about that. Those two were thicker than thieves, never saw one without the other for years until we got married. I know James had a few girlfriends here and there."

The detectives gave each other a look of surprise. Most women didn't know there was one mistress let alone several. Anne chuckled softly at them.

"We were in an open marriage Detective Rizzoli. I would give you their names, but I'm afraid I don't have them. Though I do love the man, we agreed a long time ago that this marriage didn't give use everything we needed. I can see if Gretchen can hunt down their names and information."

Jane nodded. She went to ask another question, but was interrupted by the small buzz of her phone. She mumbled a quick excuse me and nodded to Korsak to continue before moving into the hall away from both parties. Maura's smiling face half hidden by a large pair of sunglasses brightened the screen.

"Flunitrazepam," Maura said without preamble. Her voice was excited.

"Uh, bless you?" Jane hid her laughter as the pair looked over at her. She turned away.

"No Jane, Flunitrazepam as in Rohypnol. We found trace of it in his water bottle and in his blood stream. Someone drugged him before he was shot."

"Someone would have had to know that he would be out running if they were going to drug him first. That stuff works quick and I'm sure the increased heart rate from running would have made it even quicker. Anything else you can tell me?"

Jane stood in her default pose; hand cocked against her hip as she listened to Maura list off things she already knew from last night. She paced tersely down the hardwood hallway, stopping at the bathroom doorway and looking in. She could see a handful of bright orange pill bottles nestled neatly with other cosmetics that looked mostly like men's products.

"Jane, are you listening?" Maura's voice pulled her back to the present.

"Yeah, Susie's going to run the lab while you are gone and you will facilitate the report findings after your conference is over for the day."

She may not have been paying full attention, but she always listened to the doctor.

"Perfect, and you are still planning on picking me up at eleven for the airport?"

Jane glanced down at her watch, the hand ticking slowly across. It was nine forty-five, she had plenty of time.

"Wouldn't miss it, we should be wrapping up here soon anyway."

"Good, well I am going to finish up here and get started on the report so it should be ready by the time you are back. Bye darling."

"Bye Maur."

She clicked the phone shut and walked back to the living room to see Gretchen and Anne huddled in the kitchen talking quietly. Frost and Korsak waited for her in the center of the room, she could see both were anxious to leave. She nodded and stepped over to the women, pulling out two business cards.

"This is my number in case you need anything. We will be in touch, but don't hesitate to call if you need help or can remember anything."

Anne gave her a small smile as Gretchen just grasped the cards away, her voice taking over.

"Thank you, we will," her voice was sharp and clear she was in charge even if she was just the assistant. Jane simply nodded and headed towards the elevator, the men following her.

They rode in silence down to the garish lobby and strode confidently back out into the rapidly cooling Boston air. Even with a fresh murder to solve Jane couldn't help stop and admire the autumn foliage around them. This section of neighborhood was nestled into the Rose Kennedy Greenway section of Downtown and the park was alive with color.

She watched as families made their way to the park, strollers packed full of extra jackets and snacks. An occasional couple strolling leisurely hand in hand through the park center. She wondered if Maura would like that, maybe on one of the warmer evenings packing up a light dinner and spending time watching the sun set over the newest mural that was painted on the large building in the center.

The Crown Vic let out a startling honk next to her causing her to jump. She glared at Frost who simply shrugged from behind the steering wheel. She begrudgingly left thoughts of picnics and stolen kisses under the setting sun, and settled into the empty passenger seat. Her mind slipping seamlessly back into work mode as Frost pulled into traffic. There would be time for more of that, but for now she simply relayed her information and let her mind start putting the pieces together.