A/N: Wow. Thirty chapters off a story I originally thought of as only a one-shot. You guys are awesome. I've enjoyed reading all of your reviews and thank you for taking the time to respond. I enjoy telling stories and I'm thankful you like to read them.

Chapter Thirty

Jane ran out the back door, following Joey as closely as she dared. She saw the children jump into the back seat and Joey get in the driver's seat of a Prius. Joey started the engine and began backing out of the alleyway without bothering to shut the driver's door. The door suddenly caught on a telephone pole and the car slowly briefly. Jane saw her chance and leaped onto the hood of the car, holding tight. She saw Caitlyn's little face pucker up like it does when she is about to cry. Angelo's mouth was open in a wordless scream.

Joey didn't meet her eyes. He was watching the end of the alleyway and trying to grab the door. Jane's legs started to swing wildly from one side of the hood to another and she tightened her grip as much as she could. The car was too small for her to get a better grip and the hood sloped.

He's going to have to kill me to get me off here, Jane thought grimly. She hoped Maura understood if she didn't return to her, and that Maura took good care of her kids. Jane tried looking through the windshield and back window to see how much farther before Joey got to the street. It wouldn't be long, she knew.

Suddenly Joey swerved the car while still in the alley. Once again Jane's lower body swung wildly but she managed to hang on. Joey gunned the engine and the car darted into the street. Joey pulled the steering wheel hard and Jane couldn't hang on this time. She slid off into the street, directly below the Prius. Flattening her body in the street the car rolled along missing her arms and legs by mere inches. Jane could feel the heat from the engine and hear the low roar it made as the Prius went above her. When the car passed she rolled over to the gutter and jumped up. A white van roared through the intersection and came up behind the Prius. The side door of the van opened and Jane could see the barrel of a gun poking through. It aimed for Joey; two shots rang out. Joey's body jumped and was still. The Prius backed into another car and came to a rest.

Jane ran over to the car, wrenching open the door. Both Caitlyn and Angelo piled out of the car and into their mother's arms, crying hysterically. Jane looked over at Joey. He stared sightlessly out the window. His life was gone, wasted. Jane was sorry for her children and what he put them through this evening but was glad the ordeal was now over.

"Jane!" she heard Maura's voice. Turning with both kids clutching at her Jane grabbed Maura in her arms as well. They shared a group hug, both women holding the children and trying to soothe their cries. Maura met Jane's gaze. Jane could see a mixture of love and relief reflected in Maura's eyes.

"Hey, Maura, can we buy stock in this hospital?" a tired and groggy Jane asked. She noted Maura was once again at her bedside. Jane vowed to stop doing this but then something else always happened. She wondered how thick her medical file was getting to be.

Maura chuckled. "No, love, hospitals are non-profits. We can't buy stock. My family already donated enough for the other wing so I think we're good."

"Kids?"

"Checked out, they're both fine, just upset at seeing what transpired. They're with Frankie and Angela right now."

"They're both going to need a lot of counseling to get through this," Jane said.

"Yes, and I took the liberty of calling a friend of mine I went through medical school with. She's an excellent pediatric psychologist. We have an appointment with her early next week."

"Okay, M, last question. Since I was standing up with the kids when you ran down the alley, how the hell did I end up in a hospital bed again?"

"Just a precaution, Jane. Korsak saw the Prius drive over you and nearly had a heart attack. You hit your back against the curb when you rolled over to the gutter. We decided it was a good idea to bring you in for observation when you fainted after the children went off with Angela."

"I fainted? I did your vasovagal thing?"

Maura giggled once again. "I think they've given you just a little too much pain medication in your IV, Jane. You're being discharged tomorrow if all goes well. You have a minor concussion and some contusions on your back. The fainting spell was probably shock."

"I've seen others get shot, Maura, or I've shot them myself and I don't faint."

"True, but you weren't married and had two children with them, either. Plus your blood pressure probably spiked when you saw Joey leave with the kids, not knowing if you'd be successful in stopping him."

"One more thing, Maura," Jane said and paused.

"Yes, love?" Maura answered.

"Well, two things really. First, I love you Maura Isles. Second, please never stop calling me 'love'. I love it."

"Good night, Jane. I'm right here."

"No, you're up here with me. Come on, we're getting good at this."

"Yes, we must stop doing things like this." Maura looked at Jane whose eyes were already closed. Her breathing indicating she was relaxing enough to sleep Maura knew Jane would always put everything on the line to save her loved ones. Maura knew she'd just have to deal with it each time it happened and pray for the best outcome.

The official reports came out quickly. The white van, whose driver disappeared with the vehicle, was determined to be a rival Irish mob out to assassinate Joey. The gang unit was given the information for follow-up but Jane suspected the case would grow cold before arrests were made.

Joseph Grant died from two gunshot wounds, fired close range. He didn't stand a chance once the gun was fired. He died instantly. Maura sent Joey's autopsy to a colleague since she was afraid she would strangle a corpse. She didn't think unexplained ligature marks or finger impressions would look appropriate at the funeral home.

Jane didn't hear from Doyle, nor did she expect to. Joey was out of their lives now and Doyle knew Jane could take care of his daughter. Jane knew she would always struggle with the urge to arrest Doyle and make him face charges for his actions but decided that day would probably never come.

Jane was discharged from the hospital the next day. Maura drove her home. Jane noticed the emptiness of the house the minute she stepped foot inside of it.

"Where is everyone?" she asked Maura.

"The kids are at school, naturally, and Frankie is picking them up afterwards. They both wanted to go. I think they wanted to see their friends and find some normalcy after yesterday's events. Frankie is keeping them at his place this weekend. We thought it best if the kids didn't have to see the inside of my house for a couple of days. Your mother is taking a well-deserved rest at that new spa across town. She'll be boarding there until Monday."

"So we're alone?"

"Yes, love, we're completely alone. Now, let's get you settled." Maura moved to take Jane's jacket from her and hang it up.

"Let's go into the bedroom, Jane."

"I know I just got home from the hospital, Maura, but I'm not really tired."

"Neither am I, love," Maura said against Jane's lips.

The End