Flameout – Chapter 12

Monday Afternoon

Stella

Once Stella arrived at her apartment, she began working on her plan to win Jane back. She knew that Jane was being transported back to Boston on Wednesday. She had to work fast, she only had a few days. She knew that Nikki was out of her way for the week. The thought of Nikki being in jail but a smile to her face.

Stella had a vast number of resources available to her. She checked with her friend who worked at the EMT scheduling office. Her friend told her she would let her know who was scheduled to be in the ambulance that transported Jane to Boston. Stella knew that Frost would be following the ambulance in his unmarked car. She had to modify any plans that she would come up with to account for this, she knew that Frost would not leave Jane's side. He had taken off of work to be with her and to see that she made it back to Boston safely.

Although they knew that the rocket was the cause of Jane's flameout, Frost didn't want to leave Jane's side. Jane had quite a few enemies from her years of service with BPD and with her being somewhat vulnerable due to her injuries he wanted to ensure her safety. Jane knew and appreciated Frost's friendship and loyalty.

Frost

Jane had asked Frost if he would go by and close up her apartment. She wanted to make sure that it was secured until she could return in a few months. Normally she would have done this Sunday morning before she left for her second day of guard duty so she could go straight home to Boston at the conclusion of her workday.

She told Frost. "Why don't you take a shower while you are there and to take a nap, I will be fine for a few hours alone."

Frost replied, "I won't argue as I have wanted to check out your bachelorette pad. I can't believe you never bring anyone to it."

"I don't share that apartment with anyone. If I meet someone I usually go to their place or to a hotel, I like keeping my apartment private. If I don't bring anyone here then no one will be knocking at my door interrupting me, you know what I mean." Jane smiled at him, he knew exactly what she meant.

"But given the opportunity you would take the doc there, right?"

Jane smiled again, "Hey!"

Frost smiled back and took the keys from Jane and went on his way. He made sure he had everything he needed for his shower. "I will be back before dinner, do you want me to bring anything for you?"

"Yes, please, go to Loded and get me a Gahhbage Smash burger and an order of fries, they are called 'just the fries' they is enough stuff on the burger, the fries can be plain, when you get there you will see what I mean. You have my wallet right?"

"Yes, I do."

"Okay let them know it is for Rizzoli and they will hook you up. I go in there enough they know me. Oh, and a chocolate shake. Thanks, Frost, you are the best. They close at 6 PM so you have to be there before then, you can look on their website and then call the order in so it will be ready for you."

"Okay, Jane, I will see you later."

Now being alone in the room, Jane closed her eyes and waited for a nurse or doctor to enter the room. It seemed like someone came by almost every hour so she knew she wouldn't be alone long.

Maura

Maura phoned her supervisor and let him know that she needed to take half a day off. Nina volunteered to watch her three patients for her. She liked checking in on Jane because she had such a great sense of humor. Nina never had a patient that had such an outstanding sense of humor. She had had her fair share of grumpy patients during her time as a doctor so having someone as good hearted as Jane was such a pleasure.

Maura called the nanny and asked if she could pick Bella up from school as she had to take Charlie to court. The nanny understood and agreed to pick Bella up. Bella loved when the nanny picked her up and it was just the two of them. They always did something special.

Maura and Charlie arrived at the courthouse at 1:45. Maura knew it would take time to get through the metal detectors and then walk to the courtroom. She knew that the courtroom they needed to go to was right by the metal detectors so she was comfortable with their arrival time. As they approached the courtroom, they saw the other boys with their parents sitting on benches outside the courtroom.

Charlie said hello to his friends and they were all chatting when the bailiff asked them to enter the courtroom. He instructed the boys to come sit up at the table and for the parents to wait behind the small two-feet high fence that separated the tables from the observer's chairs.

Maura hated that she was there by herself. The other boys each had two parents present. Maura didn't know that many people in Syracuse. She had concentrated on her job and children. She had her friends at work, especially Nina. She couldn't ask Nina to come with her as she needed Nina to cover her patients for her.

Maura took out a small tablet so that she could take notes. Her lawyer arrived and was instructed to sit beside Charlie. The other boys did not have lawyers. Charlie wondered why he had to have a lawyer. He looked at his mother and she just smiled at him. She had previously told Charlie that her lawyer would be there with him as a precautionary measure.

The judge arrived and the court was called to session. The judge explained that this was not a normal court session. He further explained that he had read all the reports and had talked with the detectives working the case. He further explained that since all four boys had admitted to building and shooting off the rocket, that he was there to discuss what punishment would be granted.

He told the boys that they would not go to juvenile hall although they would go through the process as if they were and would spend a day in juvenile hall as a warning to what could have been their punishment if he had chosen to go that direction. He had not chosen that path for these four boys.

The parents were all relieved that their sons would not be spending more than the one day in juvenile hall. They patiently waited for the judge to explain their son's sentence. The judge also informed them that, "There was a huge monetary loss to the United States Government due to your mishap with your rocket. The F-16 costs 63 million dollars to build. If I were to charge each of you one fourth of the price for the F-16 you would owe the government over 15 million dollars each. Instead of money you will be required to perform community service hours. The amount of hours that each of you will have to serve is 400 hours." The parents all sighed, that is a lot of hours but it is better than 15 million dollars.

The judge continued, "Now, your lawyer," The judge looked at Charlie's lawyer, "has agreed to coordinate your community service hours with the court. He will track your hours and approve the location that you are to serve your community service hours. Do you all understand?" He looked at each boy as they nodded that they understood.

"We have also decided that your immediate family can help you serve your hours. That means only your parents and siblings can help, no one else. All community service hours are to be performed for some type of government agency. Do you understand?" Once again he looked at each boy as they nodded that they understood.

"Doctor Isles," Maura stood when addressed.

"Yes, your honor." She replied.

"You may also have the assistance of the children's nanny to complete Charlie's community service hours, being as you are a widow."

"Thank you, your honor." Maura stated and sat back down.

The judge loved rockets and he wanted to make sure that these four boys understood the basic fundamentals so he also stated that they would participate in the following two online courses: Exploring Aerospace: From Gliders to Rockets and Current Events in Space Technology and Rocket Launches as They Happen.

The boys also had to write a letter to Captain Rizzoli apologizing for what happened. One of the boys, Billy, asked, "Your honor, can we also see Captain Rizzoli and apologize to her in person?"

The judge looked to Maura, "Doctor Isles, would Captain Rizzoli be up to seeing the boys so that they could apologize in person?" Maura had stood once again when addressed by the judge.

"I am not sure, your honor, I can send a message to Doctor Holiday and have her ask Captain Rizzoli."

"Please do that while we discuss a few things." As soon as Maura sat down, the judge explained about the online courses and why it was important for the boys to complete the online courses. He believed that the courses would ensure that the boys understood the fundamentals of rocket science.

"Yes, your honor." Maura sat down and immediately sent a text message to Nina.

Nina

Nina was surprised to receive a text message from Maura while she was in court. She read the message. She was in with Jane and asked her. "Jane, the judge would like to know if the four boys that built that rocket that caused your plane to crash can visit you so that they could apologize in person."

Jane smiled, "Yes, but they have to hurry, I am out of here Wednesday morning."

"Okay, I will let the judge know." Nina quickly sent a text back to Maura. "Jane said, yes but they have to hurry because she is out of here Wednesday morning."

"Thank you, Nina."

"You are welcome." After reading Nina's reply, Maura put her phone away and addressed the judge.

"Your Honor."

"Yes, Doctor Isles."

"Captain Rizzoli said yes the boys could visit her however she is being transported to Boston Wednesday morning."

"Thank you, Doctor Isles. Boys you heard the doctor. If you would like to visit Captain Rizzoli in person you must see her this afternoon or tomorrow. Do you understand?"

"Yes." All four boys said in unison. Court was adjourned and all four boys left the court with the name and phone number of the lawyer, a list of approved community service hours locations and the information for the online courses.

Jane

Jane had spent the last fifteen minutes telling jokes and laughing with Nina. She enjoyed when Nina came in to check on her. She thought she was a hoot, but she enjoyed Maura's visits more. In a way she was sad that she was leaving Syracuse and would not get to see Maura. She was happy to be going home though.

After Maura had text Nina, Jane was thinking about what Maura was going through because of Charlie and his rocket. "Hey, did Maura say anything about how court was going?"

"No, she only asked me the question about if the boys could visit you to apologize. She will call me later this afternoon. I am sure the judge will be fair, it is not like the boys can reimburse the government for the price of your jet."

"Okay, can we go back to telling jokes and laughing, although it hurts a little to laugh?"

"Yes! Before Frost gets back. I am sure he is enjoying your apartment you were telling me about."

"Ya, he probably is. He had never been here to see me so he didn't know about my bachelorette pad here. I am going to miss you when I leave."

"You can always call me when you are back in town."

"That I can, once you give me your digits."

Nina laughed, "I am not giving my digits to you until you are on your way back to Boston, at that point I will no longer be one of your doctors. Remember, I don't date women, so don't think about me like that."

"What a shame, you and I could've had fun together."

"Yes, we probably could have if I was into women and didn't love my boyfriend so much, but I think there is another doctor you have your eyes on."

"Who are you talking about woman?"

"You know damn well who I am talking about, your heart monitor goes all crazy when she walks in the room, now lay down and get some sleep, that is an order."

"Yes, ma'am." Jane smiled at the thought of Maura. She didn't know that Nina had pushed the button on her pain meds so that she would get some rest.

Monday Night

Amelia

Amelia talked with Nina and raised her concern about Maura and how hard everything was affecting her. Nina knew exactly who to have Maura talk to and made all the arrangements. Maura would talk to a therapist Tuesday morning. Amelia and Nina were just looking out for Maura.

Amelia knew that Maura was a strong and proud woman. She knew that Maura would react badly to being forced to see a therapist but she needed to see the therapist. She needed to work through the trauma she herself was going through.

Amelia met with the therapist and talk about Maura and her past, the death of her husband and how the move to Syracuse had helped her get through his death. Amelia had known Maura for quite some time and she knew that Maura needed the help. Jennifer came highly recommended from Nina. Jennifer also knew Maura causally, they were not friends but had seen each other around and had a few patients together, so she was pleased to be able to assist Maura.

Jane and Frost

Frost came back from Jane's apartment with a special ordered dinner for Jane. He had to sneak it in as Jane was supposed to eat the meal provided from the hospital. He had packed the dinner carefully into an overnight bag and carried it into her room.

Frost spread the meal out on the little table. "Oh my God, that smells heavenly," Jane stated as she took in the smells from the food.

"You have quite the bachelorette pad, Jane." Frost said as he took a bite of his burger. He couldn't decide what to get so he just ordered the same thing for himself that Jane had ordered. He knew that would make sorting out the meal easier when he arrived at Jane's room.

"Ya, I like it. It is all mine." Jane said between bites. "I do not share it. Nobody comes to my apartment."

"So, Stella and Nikki have not seen your apartment?"

"Correct, I do not bring ladies to my apartment. I like having a place that is just mine. I do not have memories of others being there with me."

Frost laughed before he said, "Now, when you go back I guess you will be having dreams of you and Maura there."

"Frost!"

"What, I know you like the doc. I have heard the heart monitor. Heart monitors do not lie Jane." They laughed and enjoyed their meal. As they were finishing the meal and cleaning up, there was a knock at the door. Frost quickly disposed of their dinner remains and answered the door.

Visitors

The night nurse checked to let Jane know, You have four young boys here who would like to talk to you. Is it okay if they come in?"

"Yes, of course." Jane replied and quickly wiped her face to make sure she didn't have any remains of her dinner on her face. She knew how messy the burgers were.

The parents of the four boys were also present and Jane asked them to come in as well. Frost stepped out as there were so many people in the room already.

"Doctor Isles, it is so nice to see you again. Who do we have here?"

"Captain Rizzoli, these are the four boys that built the rocket that crashed into the engine of your F-16 and caused it to flameout. They have something that they would like to say to you. This is Charlie, Billy, Danny and Bobby."

"Well, young men, it is so nice to meet you. Although I could think of a better way to meet you than causing my plane to crash." Jane could see the boy's heads look down and sadness over take each of them. One of the boys, Danny, turned and started crying into his mother's embrace. They all were showing signs of remorse and Jane felt for them.

Maura motioned to Charlie who stepped forward and presented Jane with a card. "I made this for you. My little sister, Bella, helped me. She knew our mom was said because of what happened to you." Jane looked at Maura who nodded. "I wanted personally apologize for my actions that led to you being here in the hospital. I never meant for anything like this to happen."

"Thank you, Charlie. This card is beautiful. Please express to Bella how much I loved the card."

"I will." Jane reached her left hand out to shake Charlie's hand. Charlie looked to his mother who nodded. Charlie then shook Jane's hand. He could tell that her right hand was in a cast so she could only shake with her left hand.

This was repeated three more times as each of the boys gave her a homemade card along with an apology letter. It was an emotional ordeal for Jane as well as the boys and their parents. Billy, Danny and Bobby all left with their parents. Maura and Charlie stayed behind and Bella came in with the nanny. Bella went right up to Jane and gave her a card. Maura didn't know that Bella had made a get-well card for Jane. Maura had tears running down her face when Jane looked at her.

"You must be Bella, you are so beautiful, just like your mommy."

"My mommy is the bestest mommy ever. When I found out about your crash and that Charlie had played a part in it, I knew why my mommy had been so sad. I hope this card will help you to get better. I know cards make my mommy happy so I thought it might make you happy as well. Are you a mommy also?"

"No sweetie, I am not a mother. I am a police officer though in Boston."

"I thought you were a pilot. You are a police officer and a pilot?"

"Yes, my full-time job is a police officer and then one weekend a month and a few other times during the month I am a fighter pilot with a unit here in Syracuse."

"Oh cool, mommy said we used to live in Boston, but my daddy died there and mommy was sad so we moved to Syracuse. She said we might move back to Boston. If we move back, can we see you?"

"Of course, I would love that." Jane replied as she looked at Maura who smiled at her.

"Mommy said she met your boss. I think she said her name is Gen, she said she was really nice and helped her with Charlie and the police."

"Yes, Gen is my boss, however, she is also a really great friend of mine. I have known her for a long time. Long before she was my boss."

"Mommy, doesn't have that many friends, she works too much. She …" Maura hugged Bella and put a hand over her mouth as she was getting very personal now. When Maura moved her hand Bella smiled at her. "Maybe Jane could be your friend mommy, I like her, she seems nice."

"Ya, mommy maybe I can be your friend." Jane said as everybody laughed.

Charlie who had been quiet while his sister rattled on said, "She is not your mommy, Jane, but I am sure she can be your friend."

"There you have it Maur, your children want us to be friends."

"Children, I think it is time that we say goodnight to Captain Rizzoli and go home." They both frowned but said 'yes mother' at the same time.

"Good night, Captain Rizzoli." Charlie said followed by Bella.

"Good night, Charlie and Bella and please call me Jane. I hope to see you all later. Good night, Doctor Isles."

"Good night, Jane, I will see you in the morning." With that the Isles family left the room and Frost came back in.

"So, Maura and her children stayed behind, interesting."

"Shut up Frost and break out some cards or something, it's too early to go to sleep."