Set post 7x13 Ocean Frank.
Maura shows up for an unplanned visit to Jane in DC, as the world hangs in balance for a potential major shift.
This story becomes Rizzles as chapters evolve – so if it is NOT your cup of tea, don't continue reading, you have been warned.
PLEASE… this refers to war, refers a few countries by name, so before anyone gets offended: I tried just using random names, but reading it sounded completely phony.
Everything here is COMPLETELY FICTIONAL, so please DO NOT get offended by the countries mentioned in the war – I don't think any of the countries would do war, I just needed the geography to work in my favor, and I am not great at geography anyway…
And individual soldiers' actions are no reflection of the culture or values of the entire nation. So, again, please read it for what it is, FICTION.
Everything is completely fictional to create the backdrop of the story for our known characters.
If you cannot read fiction as fiction, then I recommend you do not proceed…
ALERT: if you have not watched the show yet, there might be spoilers – I use references to things that happened across all seasons.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Rizzoli & Isles nor any of the characters from the show. I am writing this purely for entertainment, not profit. Rizzoli and Isles are property of Tess Gerritsen and TNT.
I am not a native English speaker, and I don't have a beta. So all mistakes are 100% mine.
Enough of disclaimers and warnings – read at your own risk. Reviews are always welcome.
Chapter 1
"I will see you tomorrow." Jane greeted the agents leaving her last class of the day, as she collected her things.
It was a Thursday end of her working day.
"Hey…"
Jane snapped her head up, recognizing that voice immediately.
"Maura!" she yelled enthusiastically, leaving her half-organized materials on the podium, and moving to the door to hug her best friend tightly.
Maura reveled in Jane's warm hug. The Rizzoli's hugged as if they meant it. Jane more than all of them together. It made Maura feel whole again.
"I was not expecting you… What brings you to DC?" Jane motioned Maura to enter the classroom, while she finished packing.
"I take you have not seen the news?" Maura asked, her voice strangled.
Jane stopped what she was doing, to dedicate her entire attention to Maura, for the first time noticing Maura's constrict expression.
"No. Last night I stopped for groceries on my way home, and arrived just in time to catch the game on tv. What happened?" Jane's tone was concerned.
"War. Switzerland was invaded. By Germany."
Jane knotted her eyebrows. Not that she was favorable to any wars. But why news of an invasion to Switzerland would affect Maura that much?
"My parents… they have been in our mansion near Zurich since the beginning of Spring." Maura's voice was small.
Zurich. Right by the border between Switzerland and Germany. Shit, Jane thought.
"How are they?" Jane asked, her eyes widening with concern.
"I have no idea, Jane… All communications were cut. I can't get a hold of them. E-mails, text messages, phone calls via landline or mobile, nothing is getting completed, delivered or responded. That is why I came to DC. All diplomatic services are here. I am hoping I can get some help."
"Good thinking…" Jane collected her last things hastily, and offered her arm to Maura, who looped hers through it.
"I submitted a leave request, and left Kent in charge of the lab. I booked a hotel, but I…" Maura sighed. "On my flight from Boston, I realized I didn't want to face this on my own…"
Jane squeezed Maura's arm through the loop of hers.
"I would be offended if I have learned that you were here in DC and didn't stay with me, Maura. You know mine is a one-bedroom apartment, but it is all yours for as long as you want to be here."
"Thank you, Jane…" Maura squeezed Jane's arm back.
They stopped by the building reception to retrieve Maura's luggage, before Jane guided them to her parked car, driving them home.
Jane rolled Maura's bag to the bedroom, and while Maura unpacked, Jane made space on her closet and on her bathroom cabinet for Maura's things.
"Is Chinese OK?" Jane asked, when Maura finished efficiently unpacking.
"It is, Jane, thank you…"
"Why don't you take a shower to relax while I take care of ordering dinner?"
Jane could see Maura was stressed out, and she couldn't think of anything to calm her down.
While Maura showered, Jane ordered their food, changed into relaxed clothes to stay home, and set up the table for their dinner.
"Thank you, I feel more human again…" Maura offered when she entered the kitchen in lounge clothes, as Jane was plating their food that had just been delivered.
Jane just smiled at her, pouring some wine for Maura, and popping a beer to herself.
Maura explained her first plan of action for that Friday while they ate.
It involved talking both with the Swiss embassy, as well as talking to someone in the State Department to understand any information they had on American Citizens in Swiss territory and any plans for help.
"I can cancel classes and go with you…" Jane volunteered.
"Thank you, Jane, but I think I can handle it. You don't need to miss any days at work for that. I will let you know if or when I need you to come with me, don't you worry. I don't have appointments there tomorrow, so I will need to show up and wait."
Jane nodded.
"You know you just need to say the word. As well as anything else you can think that I can help you with."
Maura smiled thankfully at her best friend.
While Jane cleaned up the dishes, Maura turned on the TV, switching to a news channel. There was surprisingly little on the war. Jane joined Maura in the sofa, as Maura switched among the different news channels.
When the news hour was over, Maura picked up her computer, browsing every serious and reliable news agency website from European countries, in all languages she dominated.
Say there was little on the war was an overstatement. News shortened to say Switzerland was invaded by Germany, all communication had been shut down, and further news should be forthcoming in the upcoming days as alternative paths of communication were established.
Jane watched as Maura checked her phone and her email almost compulsively, and it broke Jane's heart to see how consumed by worry Maura was.
"It is late…" Jane offered, when it was time for bed. "Let's get some rest… Tomorrow will be a new day…"
They had been laying down for a while, but Jane could feel Maura was tossing and turning, still awake, until she finally sat in bed.
"Where do you think you are going?" Jane asked, holding Maura's wrist before she could get up.
"I am not sleepy yet, and I am bothering your sleep."
"You are just restless, Maura. Lay back down, please." Jane pleaded gently.
When Maura complied, Jane pulled Maura closer to her, and Maura's head found its place on Jane's shoulder with a sigh. Jane felt Maura finally relaxing against her.
"Are you not going to admonish me because of being stressed out?" Maura asked in a small voice.
"I won't." Jane stated flatly. "I cannot be hypocritical, Maura. If it was you, my mother, or one of my brothers there, I would be feeling the same as you are, and acting up probably much worse than you are acting up…" Jane squeezed Maura gently.
Maura sighed again, and Jane held her tightly, kissing the top of her head.
"Tomorrow, Maura. We will learn more tomorrow, you are gonna see…" Jane coaxed on her low voice.