Author's Note: Well, guys...This is it-the last chapter of Hear Me. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me, and commenting. Especially to those of you who have commented and said that I have helped them in some way. Honestly reading things like that make everything worth it. If I can help someone along the way then that is the best thing. Those of you who have suffered, you are strong, you are beautiful and wonderful people. You are smart and good and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. Bless all of you. Every single one of you. You've been amazing and I just literally cannot thank you enough. I can't believe I have finally finished this fic. It's been my baby for over a year now. If you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here. Don't hesitate. I'll let you guys get to reading. I didn't proof-read this so any mistakes are my own. Also, I don't know much about law so yeah...Kinda winged it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize from the show. Any other characters are my own.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Tomorrow was the day. It had been 6 months, 4 days, 1 minute and 30 seconds since Maura last saw Riley being hauled off to jail. It had been 6 months, 1 week, 5 minutes and 10 seconds since Maura was raped. She stared at herself in the mirror, running her hands slowly over her dress, smoothing out non-existent wrinkles. Tomorrow she would be in court. She would see all three of her assaulters. She was terrified but she knew she could do it. Her body had healed and her heart and mind-though not fully mended and probably never would be, was strong. She was strong and she could do this. She would not let them win.

Slender, yet strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind and Jane met her gaze in her reflection. The brunette let her head rest gently on Maura's shoulder. "Hey, you okay?" She asked, pressing a soft kiss to her girlfriend's cheek.

Maura blinked and then smiled. "Yes, I'm alright." She replied, turning in Jane's arms to stand on her tiptoes and kiss the detective's lips. And she was. She was okay.

Jane smiled into the kiss and sighed lightly as she pulled back. "Are you ready?"

"Just let me put on my shoes." Maura replied as she reluctantly stepped out of Jane's warm embrace and moved into her closet. She returned moments later in her heels of choice for the day and slipped her hand in Jane's.

When they arrived at the Precinct, detective Olivia Vega and Dr. Abigail Reese were sitting outside, talking closely and smiling. Olivia spotted them first and waved. "Hey, doc. Rizzoli. How are you?" She asked gently, offering a smile. Abi's greeting of choice was a warm hug for each of them.

Both Jane and Maura smiled. "We're alright," Jane answered for them both.

Olivia nodded. "Okay, then. Let's get this thing started. Detectives' Frost and Korsak are already inside."

The four of them headed inside and up to the bullpen. When they met Korsak and Frost, they were led to a conference room where boxes of Chinese and plates sat on the table. Each took a seat, Maura and Jane beside each other, Olivia and Abi on the other side of the table and Korsak and Frost on the same side of Maura and Jane.

Olivia ran a hand through her hair as she prepared to speak. "Tomorrow is the big day." She said, as if it hadn't been on anyone's mind since the court date had been set. She looked over at Maura and smiled softly. "You won't need to testify but it'll be good if you appear in court. As far as I'm concerned though, they're as good as jailbait." Olivia said with a nod.

Maura took a deep breath and nodded. She was strong. She could do this.

Jane looked over at her girlfriend and placed a comforting hand on her arm before she nodded to Olivia to continue.

"Jane, will you be okay to testify?" Jane's face hardened but she gave a sharp nod. Olivia nodded back and continued. "Detectives' Frost and Korsak?" She waited for them to give a firm nod as well. Olivia then turned to her own girlfriend and Maura's attending when she arrived at the hospital all those months ago and then days later. "Abi?"

Abigail looked at Maura and then back at Olivia. "Of course. I will report everything that happened." She gave a sympathetic look to Maura at this, but Maura merely nodded. It needed to be done.

"Good. Their Attorney doesn't have much of a defense. The brothers are wanted for at least 14 suspected murders and then there's your assault, Doc and we have evidence of that, so there's really nothing that won't keep them from jail." Olivia said confidently. "But just be prepared. I know the Prosecution and Maura's Lawyer has already spoken to everyone, me included, but I Just wanted to check in and," She gestured to the Chinese that sat untouched on the table. "Buy lunch for everyone. We're putting evil away tomorrow." She said with a smile.

Everyone smiled back and began to dig in, letting the serious atmosphere drop for now.

The group ate their food, everyone talking and joking and telling horror stories of when they first started their respected jobs. Maura was quiet for most of it, just watching them, soaking up the comfort and the support that these people offered her.

These people were her family. They'd all become a part of her life in some way or another and each of them accepted her for who she was. Though Abigail and Olivia were new to her little group, they were family too. These people, and Angela, Frankie and Tommy, and her pets; they were home.

Maura smiled at the thought, her heart filling with a warmth that spread throughout her body and grounded her. She would be okay. She would make it past this and she'd already made it so far now.

A scarred hand gently grabbed Maura's hand, pulling her from her thoughts. Jane leaned in and whispered softly in the honey blonde's ear. "You okay?" She asked, watching as their friends laughed at a joke that Frost had told.

A small smile spread across Maura's face and she nodded. "I am definitely okay." She replied softly as she squeezed Jane's hand. Tomorrow would be hard, but with her family by her side, she knew she could make it through.

The next morning, despite her thoughts yesterday, she wasn't sure she could do it anymore. Jane was there though, rubbing her back and whispering how strong she was, how strong and how beautiful and brilliant she was. Jane was there to tell her that she wouldn't let anything happen to her, that she'd hold her hand and that she could do it. She could face her fears.

Maura had hugged her tight after her breathing had calmed and she got dressed. She and Jane drove to the courthouse and met Maura's Defense Attorney as well as their little group, and to Maura's surprise, Angela, Tommy and Frankie were there with their support as well. They each hugged her tight and whispered reassurance in her ear.

When they entered the court room and the O'Rourke Brothers came into view, Maura grabbed onto Jane's hand tight and took a strangled breath. Jane wrapped an arm around her girlfriend's waist and led her to their seats. She sat between Angela and Jane, both women holding a hand. Abigail sat on the other end of Jane and Tommy and Frankie sat next to Angela. Frost and Korsak sat in the pew in front of them, as if shielding Maura. Olivia sat up front with the Lawyer.

Looking back on it, Maura would remember everything; remember the strength she felt from her family. She would remember how Jane had stared at her from the bench as she swore on the bible.

Do you swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?

I do.

How she kept her gaze on Maura as she recounted the events that followed Maura's rescue; didn't flinch when the Prosecution tried to call her out for taking Maura's statement. And when Jane stood to return to her seat, she stared directly at the O'Rourk brothers and Maura could have sworn Riley looked away fearfully, as if she could open up the depths of hell and send him there herself.

Maura would remember how Olivia had told them of her investigation, and how the Attorney handed the Jury a copy of Maura's witness statement. She would remember how pictures of her bruises were shown, how Abigail explained each one and how they were sustained.

And she would remember Olivia explaining how they were wanted for murder, assault and battery, theft.

But most of all, Maura would remember the moment that her assaulters, her monsters under the bed were found guilty. She had nearly stopped breathing as the judge spoke.

"Has the Jury reached a Verdict?"

"Yes, your honor," A young woman on the end stood up. "We the jury find Riley O'Rourke, Shamus O'Rourke and Ryan O'Rourke, guilty on all charges."

Had Jane not had her arm around Maura, she was sure her knees would have given out. Her eyes filled with tears and she threw her arms around Jane's neck. It felt as though a weight had been lifted off of her chest.

Jane hugged Maura tightly and ran her fingers through honey blonde locks, whispering softly in her ear. "It's over, baby. You won, we won." She murmured.

Maura sighed as she felt another set of arms wrap around her, it was Angela who was crying as well.

Her little family all took turns hugging her, and in the background you could hear the brothers being read their Miranda rights and cuffed.

"Oh Maura, I think you should let me cook a big dinner for everyone." Angela said on a sniffle as she rubbed the honey blonde's arm.

Maura merely nodded, still crying. She had made it. She had stood and faced her fears and they were gone. Life without parole.

Later that night, after Angela had made an amazing dinner, after everyone had shared laughs over beer and wine, after everyone had left and given both Jane and Maura tight hugs; they lay quietly in bed.

Maura was cuddled up to Jane's side, content and sleepy from all the food and wine and Jane had both her arms wrapped protectively around Maura.

It was quiet save for the snores of two dogs at the end of the bed and Jane's breathing. Maura was happy, she was safe and happy and loved—just content.

Just as she thought Jane had fallen asleep, she felt the brunette sigh softly. "You know, you're the strongest person I know." Jane whispered, pressing a light kiss to Maura's forehead. "I love you so much."

Maura grinned and snuggled closer. "I'm strong because of you and because of our family. Thank you, Jane. I love you too."

No longer did Maura feel alone or scared, no longer was she calling out to be heard. She was home, safe and finally home.