Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em

"Which will it be Rizzoli?" the raspy voice asked in the dimly lit room. A single chair stood in the corner, a single light hanging down from the middle of the ceiling. Jane surveyed the room once more, and then gazed on in horror as the knife dragged just mere inches down the ME's neck. She could see the tears, the pain. Her eyes locked in on Maura's own.

The duct tape prevented the words from being said, but Jane knew the argument the Doctor would barrage her with had this been some other format.

"You can't!'

"He's insane Jane! You'll get killed!"

"Please don't do this!"

Her telling eyes spoke them all. Jane mouthed, 'I'm sorry,' before slowly lowering her gun. Other circumstances would dictate to never lower your weapon when dealing with a mad man, never put yourself in this situation…but she had. And currently, she had no choice.

He'd given her an ultimatum.

Maura or herself.

Jane knew the killers intelligence, knew his earnestness, and recognized that there was no talking him out of this one. There was no side stepping, no negotiating.

He'd let Maura go…or at least she'd have to pray to whatever God sat above allowing this to happen that he would.

"Good girl," he hissed condescendingly. "Drop it."

"You'll let her go?" Jane asked, again, feeling as though she was bargaining with the devil. Part of her rage was directed at Maura. Why didn't she listen? Why couldn't she follow simple directions? Why had she assumed Maura would listen to her in the first place, after all, when did she ever? There was so much of herself she saw in Maura. The devotion. The desire to seek the truth. Jane knew Maura wouldn't let this go. Normally she'd be smarter, taking Frost or Korsak with, Jane too…but she and Jane had had a fight. So Maura checked the lead herself, suspecting it would not pan out. But now…here they both were.

Maura began to shake her head as the gun finally touched down. "Good. Now kick it over here."

Every instinct within Jane told her not to. "You let her go first. That's the deal."

"Who the hell made you in charge Detective? This isn't your game. It's mine. Now kick over the gun before I take off her ear."

"Why ruin a masterpiece?" Jane was stalling for as long as she could. Jane didn't have a degree in criminal profiling, but she'd worked with some of the best. Jane knew this killers desire for perfection in his victims. It wasn't just the thrill of the kill, it was the beautiful art behind it. He'd always managed to leave them untouched. No scars. No bruising. Nothing. Just the beautiful, lifeless corpses he'd leave behind.

There was only one person who could save her now. Korsak.

"She isn't who I came for," he groaned. "And this is getting old Detective. Now kick over the gun or your…" Jane watched the smile spread across his face. "What shall we call her Detective? Your Medical Examiner? Your best friend? Your secret…" He saw the moment of weakness on Jane's face, as did Maura. "Ahhh yes. Your secret. She has no idea does she?"

Jane could risk humiliation for the time being as long as she could keep him talking. "Please let her go," the Detective asked, pleading. Maura had never heard Jane plead for anything before- not from a suspect. Jane Rizzoli does not plead. Jane Rizzoli does not beg.

"You didn't answer my question Detective. She has no idea does she?"

Maura's eyes were pleading with her. 'Please. Run.' Jane shook her head. Who was she answering? In truth it was both. There was no way she was going to leave Maura, and no…Maura had no idea.

He tore the tape fastened to Maura's mouth, quickly. Maura let out a yelp of pain. "Tell her," he hissed digging the knife into Maura's neck even more. Jane locked eyes with Maura again. "It'll be okay Maura. We'll be out of here soon enough, enjoying a burger at the Dirty Robber. Just stay calm, sweetie."

"Tell her now!"

"Leave her alone," Maura said finally able to speak.

"She's quite protective of you," he smiled pulling Maura closer to him. "Offered me anything I wanted so long as I left her precious Detective alone," he leaned in inhaling her smell. His demeanor had changed, and Jane saw it.

"Stay away from her," Jane warned.

"Ahh there is the territorial Bitch I'm looking for," he winked. "Now…tell her before I slice her throat and make you watch as your secret dies on unheard ears." There was no bluff in this action as he pushed the knife, it's sharp edge drew blood from Maura's fair gentle skin.

"I love you," Jane said loudly and clearly. He held all the cards and there was no way she was in any position to bluff him. Maura's eyes flung open, almost as though someone had knocked the wind out of her.

"Again," he whispered near Maura's ear. "Again Detective, this time watch the look of disgust and horror spread across her face."

"I…I love you," Jane repeated the words, looking Maura in the eyes, seeing the large tears trace down her cheeks. His smile grew.

"Excellent."

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

3 weeks prior

Jane tossed the paper on her desk and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "What on earth are you doing here still?" Frost asked coming in. "Didn't Korsak tell you to leave like…" he glanced at his watch, "a day ago?"

"Something just doesn't make sense this time," Jane looked at her partner. "His whole MO is changing."

"Maybe because he's targeting you," Frost whispered.

"Shhh," Jane looked around. "People aren't suppose to know that Frost."

"Why is it you Korsak and I both, but not Maura?"

"She's got so much going on right now," Jane shook her head. "And I know she'd do something noble and totally unsafe in an attempt to get this guy. I can't have her doing what she did with Hoyt. He totally messed with her in that interview and nearly killed her at the prison." Jane paused and looked at Frost who had this 'uh-huh' look.

"Not this again," Jane rolled her eyes. "Frost you're reading into things. You always read into things. It's what makes you a great Detective. But there's nothing worth reading into here."

"And you're good at avoiding the truth when it suits you," Frost winked. "That's what makes you such a great detective."

"I…" Jane's cell phone beeped. "Saved by the ring," she smiled. "Rizzoli," she answered picking up the phone.

Maura looked at the officer tapping his watch. "Ummm…it's kind of a long story…"

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Prostitution!" Jane stood on the other side of the bars. Korsak, Frankie, and Frost all standing behind her.

"Jane I asked you not to tell anyone," Maura said blushing to the shade of red.

"Frost was with me when you called," Jane began pacing. "What the hell were you doing?"

"Following a lead," Maura whispered.

"What?"

"Following a lead on the…"

Jane cut her off. "I heard you the first time that wasn't a question 'what' that was a statement 'what'." She just walked away.

"Where is she going?" Maura asked. "She isn't going to leave me in here to like…teach me a lesson or something right?" Maura asked both Frost and Korsak. "I've never been in jail before. I'd like it very much if you could please get me out of here. Now."

"Maybe she went to get coffee?" Korsak offered up with a smile.

"Or her oil changed."

"Oh God she is going to leave me in here isn't she?" Maura panicked.

"Maura," Korsak approached the bars. "Didn't Jane tell you to leave this case alone?"

"I was just trying to help."

"We know that," Frost nodded. "It's just this is way bigger than we ever expected. Jane just wanted to keep you safe Maura. There is too much at stake for us to risk bringing attention to Jane…" Frost stopped short.

"Bring attention to Jane?" Maura asked slightly confused. "What does Jane have to do with the killer? Aside from not sleeping at night and risking," Maura spoke loud enough for Jane to hear if she was out there somewhere, "…what sanity she may have left!"

Korsak threw Frost a look. "Nothing. It has nothing to do with her. It's just the FBI…"

"Wait. What was that?"

"What was what?" Korsak asked.

"The look," Maura said between both men.

"What look?" Frost asked.

"You just gave him a look," Maura said to Korsak. "I saw you."

"I didn't give him a look," Korsak shook his head.

"Okay she may under estimate me at every turn, and think I'm some kind of sensitive flower…but I'd hoped the two of you would give me a little more credit."

Frost knew Maura was right. Korsak knew as well. Somehow, Korsak knew if they told Maura the whole story all three of them may end up behind bars compliments of one pissed off Detective.

"She should know," Frost said to Korsak.

"And you're going to tell her?"

"Korsak."

"Frost," Korsak tried to argue with the Detective but Maura finally spoke up.

"Just tell me!"

"The killer has targeted Jane as his next victim," Korsak spoke calmly and evenly. Frost looked at him. "What? She can't kill me or lock me up. I'm a mentor and her father figure."

"And you two knew this…but I didn't?" Maura looked back and forth between the two men.

"She was trying to protect you," Frost said softly. "She cares about you Maura."

"She cares about the two of you also…but she told you guys. I get it. Because I'm not homicide…not part of the circle…is that it?" Maura began pacing. "I can take care of myself. I don't need superwoman Rizzoli to swoop in and rescue me every time she thinks I'm in trouble."

"Okay Doc," the uniformed officer came over, "Lucky Rizzoli spoke for you; otherwise you'd be sleeping in the cell tonight." He took out the keys and slid the bars open. "You're free to go." He handed Maura her bag as she stormed out of the cell.

"Hell has no fury…" Frost whispered to Korsak.

"Like a blond scorn?" Korsak offered up.

"Good one."

"We should get out there. Before she gets herself arrest again for assaulting an officer."

"You…" Maura began.

"You're welcome," Jane turned around smiling at the shorter blond. "And if I find out you've been…"

Maura cut her off. "You have no right to tell me what to do!" She raised her voice. Jane threw her hands up attempting to calm the woman down.

"Whoa."

"I'm an adult Jane Rizzoli," she said angrily. "And I don't need you to protect me."

"What are you talking about? Next time you want me to leave you in the jail cell fine! Don't call me."

"That's not what I'm talking about!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jane had a sinking feeling she already knew the answer seeing the guilty look of her two other approaching friends. "You didn't."

"She had a right to know," Frost said calmly.

"Damnit Frost," Jane rolled her eyes. She looked back to the blond.

"Look Maura…"

"Save it," Maura shook her head. "I'm done." She pulled out her car keys only to realize that she didn't have her car. "Son of a…"

"I'll give you a ride," Korsak spoke up. "Come on Doc."

"Wait a second Maura," Jane reached out to grab the arm of her best friend. "At least let me explain."

Maura smiled sadly. "You don't have too," she looked up into Jane eyes. "I already know your answer. It's been the same answer since the incident with Hoyt. I get it," Maura bit the side of her lip to keep from crying. "Thank you for getting me out of there. I appreciate it. Goodbye Jane."

Korsak shrugged at Jane and followed behind the Doctor. "Boy she's pissed," Jane said to Frost. "I'm sure once she calms down she'll let me explain."

Frost noticed the way Maura did not turn back. "I'm sure she will," the man nodded.