Count Down

Summary: After a case, Maura and Jane grow closer. But will fear and prejudices keep them apart forever. Can a second chance save them or will it destroy them forever?

A/N: This story is set during a time of Jane and Maura's friendship that I wouldn't say they're best friends, just good friend who are still learning about each other. I wanted some room for them to get to know new things about each other and feel they can do that better from an earlier point in their friendship. Some people may see this is alot another fic I did for another couple a few years ago, svu. I am the same author but there are changes. I just thought it would work as a good jane maura so no need for confusion to those who have stated as much. They are different stories, but I did write both.

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Jane Rizzoli ran her fingers through her long black hair and sighed. She leaned back in her chair and looked up at the ceiling. The MEys seemed to get longer and longer with each passing hour that went by without she and Frost catching this sick bastard.

"You okay?" Frost asked as he sipped from his coffee. "God this stuff is just awful. Is it me or is it awful?"

"It's a rhetorical question Frost," Jane smiled and stood. "I need a breath of fresh air."

"Back to my first question," Frost said watching Jane stand up from her chair. "You okay?"

"Yeah," Jane nodded. "I just can't shake the feeling that we're missing something right in front of our noses."

"Jane," Frost said picking up the various folders, "we've been through them twenty times at least. I don't think we've missed anything."

"Well…after I come back from my walk…we'll make it twenty one."

"Enjoy," Frost waved her off and sipped from his coffee again. "Poison maybe? They're trying to do away with the entire Boston Homicide division. Death by coffee." He shook his head and opened up the files again. "Twenty one," he mumbled and read.

xxxxx

Jane wasn't sure where she was walking; she just needed to stretch her legs. She and Frost had been working the case now for almost a week and they didn't seem any closer to cracking it. There was something she was missing, something they both were missing. Jane sat on the bench and watched the pond across the way as the children fed the ducks.

"What are we missing?" she wondered out loud. "Motive? Means? Desire?"

"Jane?" came the voice from behind her. Jane turned around to see Maura Isles coming up. "I thought that might be you, but I wasn't sure."

"The hair?"

"No…the jacket actually," Maura smiled. "I've always been fond of it. May I?"

"Please," Jane said moving over and allowing Maura a seat. "So what brings you to my pond in the woods?"

Maura smiled and lowered her head. "Actually I called Frost and he said you might be here."

"Yeah, this is my place."

"Your place?"

"Yeah- see most of us have a place we go to think out cases. Work shi…stuff out. This case is bugging me and we've hit a wall. I was hoping if I came here I could work some stuff out."

"I see." Maura nodded. "That makes sense."

"Do you have a thing like that?"

"I think," Maura smiled. "It's a bottle of red wine and Ella Fitzgerald."

"Ella?" Jane smiled. "Really?"

"You seem surprised," Maura laughed.

"I am…I would never have pegged you for an Ella Fitzgerald fan." Jane looked back out at the pond.

"I'm fairly certain there's a lot about me you don't know, Detective" Maura said looking out at the pond as well.

"I'm sure you're right."

"So it's the Moonlight killings right?" Maura assumed.

"Yeah…" Jane said biting her lower lip. "We're missing something Maura…and it's not something we haven't found yet. It's something that's already there. Frost thinks I'm in denial…but I just can't shake it."

"What exactly?"

"I don't know. I should get back to the office. Maybe twenty one will be the lucky number."

"Jane," Maura said softly, "maybe I can help. What if I came over later…maybe we could go over it together. Perhaps another set of fresh eyes would make the difference."

"Sounds like a good point to me," Jane smiled. "One condition though."

"What's that?"

"You bring that red wine and Ella with you," Jane said looking at Maura.

"You're on."

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"You heading out?" Frost asked as he placed his jacket on.

"yeah…in about ten minutes."

"Don't worry Jane, we'll get him."

"I know," Jane smiled. "Go home Frost." Jane smiled as Frost nodded.

"See you tomorrow bright and early. Remember…ten minutes- no more."

"Yes sir," Jane saluted.

"Smart ass," Frost chuckled as he left. The one light shined in the office and that light belong to Jane. The phone rang.

"Rizzoli," Jane answered.

"You about ready to get out of there?"

"Yeah," Jane said leaning back in her chair. "You all done with your paper work?"

"Finally caught up," Maura said softly. "I thought it would never happen."

"You sure you want to do this Maura?" Jane asked. She was suddenly feeling guilty. "I don't want to take advantage of you."

"You're not," Maura answered. "Besides, I know if the shoe was on the other foot, you'd help me."

"That would never happen," Jane smiled.

"Why's that."

"I wear a size 10…your feet are too small for my shoes." She heard Maura laugh softly. Jane loved to be the one who made Maura laugh.

"Don't quit your day job Bob Hope."

"Never," Jane said softly. "Maura you made a joke and a good one!" Jane laughed. "See you in a few minutes?"

"Perfect. I'm on my way up."

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"Sorry I did not have time to clean up," Jane said as they made their way into her apartment. "Maid must not have come in."

"It's fine," Maura said as she made her way in.

"I don't know about you," Jane asked. "But I'm starving. You want to order dinner?"

"Sounds wonderful," Maura said. "I didn't get lunch today and I'm famished."

"Great- dinner on me then. How does Pizza sound?"

"Sounds good." Maura nodded. "Veggie?"

"There is this place down the street that has this Veggie pan pizza to die for," Jane said as she picked up her phone and ordered. "Make yourself at home," she whispered to Maura. "I'm going to go change."

"Okay," Maura smiled as Jane left the room. Maura had been to Jane's apartment a few other times, but only briefly. She looked around the room. She smiled when she saw the picture of Jane with her mother and brothers. They looked so much alike. Maura heard the radio turn on from the other room. The bedroom. The song was familiar to her. It was an oldie. Otis Reading. She could tell it was him by the higher pitch smooth voice.

'These arms are mine. They are burning. Burning for wanting you. These arms of mine they are wanting to hold you. And if you would let them hold you…oh I'll breathe a sigh of relief. Come on…come on…'

Maura smiled. It appeared she wasn't the only one with a taste of older music. A moment later Jane returned from the bedroom dressed in a pair of jeans and an old academy shirt. "How about that wine?" she asked gliding into the kitchen.

"Sounds great."

"The pizza should be here in about half an hour."

"Great," Maura said as Jane returned with a glass for each of them.

"Now all that is missing is Ella," Jane said putting the CD in her system. She turned the music down low and soft, so it could be heard but not overbearing. "How is that?"

"Perfect."

Jane took the seat next to Maura as she opened her case. "These are the case files," Jane said handing some to Maura. "Just give them a read through and tell me what you think."

"Okay," Maura nodded as she sipped from her wine. She reached to take the files from Jane and felt her finger touch Jane's. "Sorry," she said softly.

xxxxxxx

A pizza, four glasses of wine, and several folders later the two women now sat opposite each other on the floor. "I don't know Jane," Maura said shaking her head. "I didn't see anything."

"I know…me either," Jane said disappointed.

"You know what might help? Step by step."

"Okay. So…step one…the killer leads his victims to a park. We know it has to be at night since no one can ID them."

"You know the killer has the same MO in each of the cases," Maura added.

"He gags them, rapes them…and then places the bag over their head."

"Except in the Samantha Walkers case," Maura looking at the folder. "She was stabbed. Why?"

"We don't know…we think it was a rush job. Like you'd found, there were no signs of asphyxiation whatsoever." Jane sipped her wine. She looked up and made eye contact with Maura who tilted her head.

"what?"

"What if it's a woman?" Jane asked. Suddenly a whole new light had been shined on their case. "A woman?" All of Maura's reports hadn't noted that. Her brain begin work in overtime.

"What if it wasn't a male attacker like we've been assuming all along. What if it was a female attacker."

"But that's not the typical MO for a female attacker," Maura spoke up. "At least not from what I've seen."

"True," Jane nodded, "but nothing about these cases seems normal. It would make sense wouldn't it?"

"It certainly would put an interesting spin on things that's for sure." Jane went to reach for a folder and accidentally knocked Maura's wine glass off the table into Maura's lap.

"Shit," Jane cursed, "I'm sorry Maura."

"it's okay," Maura said trying to absorb as much as she could before it got on Jane's carpet. "I'm more worried about your carpet."

"Forget the carpet," Jane mumbled. "I got it at Wal-Mart for $60 bucks. It's that suit I'm worried about. Come here…lets see if we can soak it." Jane motioned for Maura to follow her to the bedroom. "Put these on," she said pulling out a Boston PD t-shirt and a pair of matching jogging pants.

"Okay," Maura disappeared into the bathroom and slipped out of her clothes. She placed on the offered garments and opened the door. "Done." Jane took the offered stained clothes and brought them to her washer.

"Is this machine wash?"

"Yes," Maura nodded. Maura washed as Jane sprayed a special stain fighter on the pants and then tossed the outfit in. "You'll have me cleaned up in no time Detective Rizzoli," Maura smiled.

"God it's already 2 a.m.?" Jane mumbled under her breath and rubbed her eyes.

"I should get going…I'll call a taxi."

"No…you came here to help. The least I can do is drive you home," Jane said helping Maura to her feet. "Come on."

xxxxxxx

The ride to Maura's home was fairly silent. "Good luck tomorrow with Frost."

"Thanks," Jane nodded. "It'll be a hard sell, but I think I can spin it. At least give us some new options."

"This is true," Maura nodded. "It's the forth one…"

"On the left," Jane smiled, "I know." Jane paused as she pulled the car over. "Maura, thanks…for tonight."

"I had fun."

"Me too," Jane smiled as she held Maura's gaze for a moment. "I was wondering if you had plans for tomorrow?"

"No." Maura shook her head. "none."

"Would you at least let me buy you dinner? A way to say thank you for tonight."

"Dinner would be nice," Maura nodded. "Yes that sounds wonderful."

"7?"

"You want to pick me up or would you like to meet at the restaurant?" Maura asked.

"I'll pick you up," Jane said.

"I'll see you at work," Maura smiled and closed the door. She walked down the walk way and up to the front door of her building. She pulled other key and looked back to see Jane still watching her to make sure she got in safe. Maura turned back to the door and smiled. She felt a warm feeling run over her.

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