Stalked (1/2)
Title: Stalked (1/2)
Author: PI
Pairing: Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles
Rating: NC-17
Summary: Maura has an unwelcome admirer
Disclaimer: Mine? No, I just like to play.
A/N: Grad school is literally killing my brain.
Jane Rizzoli knew a few things for sure. One, she detested being cooped up; two, though Maura Isles was her best friend a week of being in small space with almost no other company was too much; three, she hated not working; four, she was never doing Pilates again.
Jane was aggravated and though she would have liked to blame it all on one Dr. Isles, really she was frustrated at the situation. It wasn’t Maura’s fault that she’d been targeted by a crazed stalker, nor was it her fault said stalker had made several attempts on her life and had yet to be caught. Jane did feel justified however in blaming the doctor for the insane stalker feeling the need to also attempt to kill her.
Maura couldn’t pin point when she had started receiving the disturbing love letters as she’d just dismissed them. Over time, the letters had grown more threatening and Maura’s home security had been breached multiple times (though thankfully the doctor had never been home when her alarm went off). The Boston Police Department officially opened a file after the third break in and a letter threatening to kidnap Maura arrived on the ME’s desk, but with the usual gauntlet of gang members killing each other and idiots selling crack it got pushed back. Jane worried but Maura insisted she was fine. Jane forced Maura to spend a few nights learning basic self-defense, Maura continued to maintain that it was ridiculous because ‘the chances of being attacked by a stranger were infinitesimally small.’ Jane started spending more and more time in Maura’s company, sleeping over more nights than not, Maura’s false bravado began to crack as the threats piled up. Then the attempts on her life began.
***
The first time was a fluke, and it wasn’t until much later that Jane connected it to the pattern.
“Come on Maura, we’ve only got 20 minutes to grab lunch.” The detective pulled on the ME’s arm attempting to hurry her down the street. “If you wouldn’t insist on wearing ridiculous shoes we could move faster than that tortoise of yours.”
Maura smiled; silently please Jane had called Bass by his proper name. “I had court this morning and these shoes make my triceps surae muscles appear longer. And besides I would’ve been perfectly content eating the salad I had in the fridge instead of spending our precious time going to ‘the perfect hamburger place,’” mocking Jane’s earlier proclamation with her last statement, Maura shook off the detective’s pushy hand.
Jane paused to wait for a light to change and turned to Maura. Though the weather was typical late-spring Boston: gloomy, Maura was radiant in her cream knee-length skirt and purple blouse. Jane wasn’t sure what sury muscles were but she knew that the doctor’s legs looked endless in the plum pumps. Tapping her foot with impatience, Jane whined, “Mauuura, the salad was from the dead fridge, and I want a burger.” She continued, silently glancing at her watch, “And why do your legs need to look good in court? Last I looked the jury couldn’t see below your waist.”
“Yes, but the prosecuting attorney could.” Maura responded smugly.
“The lights must be frickin screwed up again.” The brunette muttered and glanced in both directions before tugging Maura with her across the street. “Wait, wasn’t the Daniels’ case today, with Santiago prosec…eeew Maur he’s like 65.”
Halfway across the intersection Maura paused, indignant “As I’ve explained previously Jane, women are attracted to the mos…”
Only half paying attention, Rizzoli almost didn’t see the SUV barreling towards them, going far above the speed limit. The man with the balloons saved both of their lives; a commotion had ensued when he tripped over a dog and let go of his bouquet of multi-colored balloons. Jane turned at the sound and saw a flash of black. “Maura!” she screamed and yanked the surprised woman onto the sidewalk, both of them ending up a tangled mess on the cold concrete as the car screamed by.
“Jesus effing Christ” Jane stood up brushing off her slacks and glaring after the disappearing vehicle “you’d think we handed out licenses’ like goddamn candy in this city. Are you alright Maura?”
“Yes” the doctor replied, attempting to stand without flashing half of Boston.
“Here let me help.” Jane leaned down to grab a hold of the other woman’s arms. “Looks like you lost a shoe doc.” Maura looked forlornly toward the street where her once pristine pump lay, now with a broken heel.
“And I’d just bought those too,” Maura said with such sadness that Jane wanted to laugh.
“Let’s just go back to the station, I’m sure we can convince Korsak to share some of those Little Debbie’s I know he’s hiding in his desk. “ Jane threw her arm companionably around Maura’s shoulder and helped her limp back to the building.
***
The second time was far more direct and much more frightening.
Maura was spending a rare evening alone after convincing Jane that since a letter hadn’t arrived in over a week she was safe enough by herself. Jane only conceded after, breaking what Maura assumed was several laws, leaving her back up sidearm with the doctor.
Triple-checking the alarm system, she turned to Bass. “It’s ridiculous really; I know perfectly well the system is functioning properly, the status light is illuminated and I had them run diagnostics on it just last week.” Yet for some reason she couldn’t escape the fear that there was something out there in the darkness waiting for her.
Walking into the kitchen, Maura poured herself a glass of wine and selected an apple from the bowl on the counter. “Come on Bass; let’s watch that documentary on the Diamondback Terrapin I recorded ages ago.”
Settling onto the couch, she continued, “You know Jane would say conversing with a pet is a sign of mental illness, even though I’ve told her that in actuality, by itself, it is not a sign of any psychological disorders.”
Several hours later, after watching two documentaries, Maura was bored. “I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but I miss Jane’s commentary.” Moving back into the kitchen, she continued, “I will deny I ever said that though Bass.” She allowed herself a small indulgence and left the dishes in the sink unwashed. Turning to head towards the bedroom the sound of shattering glass caused her to freeze. Jane would have immediately recognized the gunshot for what it was, but Maura spent her time in the morgue not on the streets, so she turned to face the window above the sink. A heavy thud heralded the arrival of another bullet, embedding itself in her custom-designed cabinets. The third announced itself as a burning pain on her right shoulder. She fell to the floor clasping her now bleeding arm.
Dispassionately she noted that it was what Jane would term a ‘flesh wound.’ Automatically she removed the phone from her pocket and pressed 1 on her speed dial.
“What’s up doc? Couldn’t live a night without me?”
“Jane, someone’s shooting at me, I have a superficial abrasion on my right deltoid, but I doubt it will require more than a few stitches.”
Jane slipped into what Maura had once dubbed, “deadly cop mode.” Grabbing her keys and service weapon before jogging to the car, she attempted to remain calm. “Where the hell are you, is the shooter still there, have you called the police?”
Maura remained below the counter, shifting to sit on the tiled floor, cradling the phone in her right hand and clutching the wound with her left. “I’m in my kitchen. I called you first. I haven’t heard another sho…” Her voice hitched as another bullet destroyed what was left of her window. Her composure broken, the doctor began sobbing quietly.
Jane turned on the siren she had rarely used and urged her car faster. “Ok baby, here’s what I want you to do. Stay down, don’t make a noise. I’m going have to get off the line for a minute; I’m going to alert the patrol car down the street from your house.” Maura whimpered and Jane cursed, ramping her speed up another 10 miles an hour. Who knew her car could go 95?
***
After the shooting and a letter vowing “If I can’t have you, no one can. I won’t miss next time,” Maura had round the clock protection, an unmarked car always outside her condo, and an uniform to sweep her house before she entered it. Maura simply couldn’t understand why this was happening, though she comprehended intellectually obsessive personality disorders and the medical reasons behind the psychosis that led to stalking, she couldn’t grasp how her life had become a bad Lifetime movie. One night after Jane had moved into her guest room, the detective explained it away “There are just fucked up people in this world Maura, some really fucked up people.”
The third incident led to Maura’s ensconcement at the safe house.
“Jane, this is ridiculous. I know you have your own work to do, I’m sure you would accomplish much more upstairs.” Maura drummed her fingers impatiently on her desk. The detective ignored her and continued to review the file in her hands. Gritting her teeth, the doctor continued, “There’s no need to be in my presence every waking moment, the shooting was likely a fluke, a way of scaring me.” The quaver in her voice suggested that even the doctor didn’t believe what she said, but she continued. “Typically stalkers do not resort to explicit violence, it’s more likely this man feels that I have rejected him in some way or is fixated on me but lacks social skills.”
“For Christ’s sake Maura” Jane seethed, while continuing to look at the papers in her hand “I think this bastard lacks a little more than social skills and he wants more than a dinner date. He tried to kill you, do you get that.” With the last statement, Jane looked up and stared at Maura intently. “If he wasn’t such a lousy shot, you’d be dead right now. I’m not giving him another chance.”
The M.E. turned away, flustered by the intensity of the brunette’s gaze. “Sure. Fine. Whatever. I’m going out to lunch, somewhere far away from this building. I can’t stand to eat take-out for another day.”
Maura stood up, grabbing her coast and purse. “I really don’t think that’s a good idea Maura, I can have a uniform go pick up food from anywhere.” Maura ignored her and started to walk out the door.
“Maaauraa” Jane sing-songed, pulling her keys out to dangle them on her index finger. “How are you going to get there, we took my car this morning.”
The other woman turned around, and, her tone icy, quipped, “I’ll take a taxi.”
“Absolutely not!”
Her gaze, if possible, turned even colder as she slowly enunciated, “I. am. an. adult Jane. I do not need your permission to do anything.” With that, she stalked out of the morgue and left Jane jogging after her.
“Wait, Wait.” Jane tugged Maura’s arm. “Alright, I get it, let’s take my car.”
The two women traveled silently to the back parking lot. Maura tapped her foot impatiently as Jane attempted to remember where she parked her car. “I had to park in the frickin back of beyond today, after I got back from that double homicide in Back Bay. Ah there it is.”
Maura entered the car primly, still refusing to look at Jane. “Oh for god’s sake,” the detective cursed as she attempted to crank the car. “Do not do this to me you piece of junk.” A few more tries and she popped the hood and slammed the car door in frustration. “Could you go grab Korsak for me Maur? He claimed he could fix any problem, any car, let’s see him prove it.”
Maura had gotten out of the car and was now watching a frustrated Jane stare at the engine. “You know I really know quite a bit, maybe I could…”
“Just get Korsak I wouldn’t want you to get your Dolce & Gabbana dirty.”
“It’s not…oh never mind.” At Jane’s glare, she stomped off.
“Now what the hell is wrong with you now? I just got the friggin transmission looked at.” Checking a few cords, she kicked the tire in annoyance at finding nothing obvious. “Maybe…aha…there you are, just a little loose.”
Reaching in the car to try the engine again, she smiled in triumph as it growled and turned over. She saw Maura and Korsak approaching from the other side of the parking lot, and leaving the car running, she started to walk over to them.
Suddenly there was a large boom and she was thrown face first onto the pavement
***
“”He blew up my fucking car Frost, my car.” Jane emphasized the last point by banging her fist on the desk. Frost well used to these rampages, a week after the incident and Jane had yet to calm down. Secretly, Frost attributed at least part of her bad attitude to the inability to see Dr. Isles. Her tirade continued as he diligently attempted to finish the report in front of him. “And for God’s sake, who the hell calls himself ‘The Dark Crusader,’” she said the last in a faux falsetto “a fucking antisocial psycho who reads too many comic books that’s who. And how the hell have we not caught him, he wired the vehicle of a freaking cop in the parking lot of a police station. What the hell are the guys downstairs doing? Sucking their thumbs? A few more seconds and this would be homicide case. Maura wouldn’t be in some dinky safe house she’d be downstairs on one of her slabs.” Her voice broke and her rant finally stopped.
Frost looked up to see his partner looking at the floor, hiding her face with her hair. “Jane” he said softly “it’s alright, Maura is alright, she’s safe and nothing is going to happen to her.” Rizzoli wiped her hand across her face and looked up. She looked rough, the bandage covering her nose and the stitches on her forehead only adding to the look. He knew that she was spending nights going over Maura’s case, on top of their already heavy case load. She had seen the ME only twice since the car bomb, once in the hospital and once after she bullied her way into the apartment being used as a safe house.
Jane glared at her partner. “You’re damn right nothing is going to happen to her, if she has a single fucking scratch on her the next time I see her I will track down and kill whatever asswipe flunked out of Police Work 101 and let her get hurt.”
Frost ignored the other detective’s misplaced rage. “Jane, they think they have a lead from the paper he used to write the notes, it’s only a matter of time. We don’t let people hurt one of our own. “
“It’s, it’s Maura, Frost, not some detective who carries a gun, Maura, quirky, adorable Maura. What the hell has she ever done to anyone?” Jane sounded pathetic even to her own ears. “I just…you know, cops, we live with the danger, knowing some crack head could get off a lucky shot every time we go out, but Maura, she’s a doctor for Christ sakes, she cuts people open and refuses to call cause of death until she’s ruled out every possible thing, she keeps her lunch in the dead fridge, and wears a one piece suit to play softball. She has a freaking tortoise as a pet. Why the hell would anyone ever want to hurt her?”
Frost started to say something, but Jane cut him off with a held up hand. “Just don’t. I can’t take sympathy or a pep talk or whatever right now. I’m going to go bust some heads down stairs, you wanna come? I’ll buy you a hot dog.”
Frost grabbed his coat and trotted after her. “Only if the dog comes first, I hate roughing people up on an empty stomach.”
As the pair jogged down the stairs, Rizzoli looked companionably at the man “You’re alright Frost, you know that? Let’s get lunch and then scare some uniforms.”
The partners left the precinct and began walking towards the diner on the corner.
When the wall behind her threw shards of brick everywhere in a tiny explosion, she barely understood what was happening. She felt the heat of the second shot as it came within millimeters of her cheek.
***
DYKE BITCH COP GET AWAY FROM WHATS MINE.
The note had shown up on Jane’s desk the day after the latest incident, printed in ugly block letters the color of blood. Not wanting to take any chances, after all this guy had managed four attempts on a member of the police department, two within shouting distance of headquarters, Korsak and Frost insisted Jane join Maura at a safe house. The detective steadfastly refused until they pulled out the big guns: a phone call from one Dr. Isles. Maura so rarely sounded genuinely upset and the pleading tone in her voice was one Jane couldn’t bear to turn down. Thus, she was now sitting in a too small apartment in South Boston, with an aching back and likely a pulled muscle from doing the swan or some other ridiculously named Pilates move.
“Ugghhh, Goddamn!”She groaned, punching the pillow, turning over, and attempting to get comfortable.
A light knock sounded at the bedroom door, followed by Maura’s soft voice “Can I come in Jane?” Jane grunted in response and Maura pushed the door open, standing hesitatingly at the threshold. “Are you alright?”
Jane grunted again in response and the doctor moved farther into the room. The detective turned her head to glare at the other woman. “No I am not okay, your stupid Pilates broke my back.”
The ME frowned and moved to the edge of the bed to look Jane over. “I find that highly unlikely Jane, you appear to still have full use of your limbs and nothing…”
“Ugh, why do I even talk to you?” Jane grumped and flipped onto her back to stare at the ceiling.
“Jane? I’m sorry.” Maura sounded as if she was about to cry and sure enough when Jane looked over at her, the doctor’s bottom lip was trembling. The detective shook her head, only Maura would look elegant wearing yoga pants, a t-shirt, and on the verge of tears.
“Oh Jesus Maur, I’m just feeling bitchy from being stuck in this place with no information. My back isn’t actually broken; I just, like, sprained a muscle or something.”
Maura moved to sit on the bed and looked Jane over critically. “Really? Let me see, turn over.” The detective grudgingly moved onto her stomach.
“What are you going to do….ooooh” Jane’s snark ended as the doctor rubbed her hands over her upper back. “That feels really good, is that some magic yoga technique or something?”
“Don’t be ridiculous Jane. I think you’re carrying all of your stress in your trapezius muscles, you need to relax” Feeling Jane start to tense up below her Maura put a restraining hand on her companion. “I know some excellent Swedish massage techniques, if you’d let me try.”
The detective shrugged. “Sure, why not, not like we have anything else to do in this hellhole and if it'll help the pain until I can get whatever bozo is on guard tonight to bring some aspirin, I’m all for it. ”
The other woman shifted on the bed. “Scientific evidence on massage therapy is limited, but it dates back hundreds of years, references to massage appear in writings from ancient China, Japan, India, Arab nations, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Did you know in Greece…”
Jane turned back over to look suspiciously at Maura, “You have Google mouth, what’s the matter? If it makes you uncomfortable, whatever, let’s go see what’s on TV.”
Before Jane could move, Maura continued, “It’s just that traditionally the recipient gets the most benefit from skin-to-skin contact. Some believe it has to do with the release of skin oils and…” Maura trailed off again as Jane shot her a quizzical look.
“Are you saying you want me to take my shirt off? Christ Maura it’s not like I’m a prude.” To prove her point Jane quickly stripped her plain tshirt over her head and threw it to the side.
Maura struggled not to stare at the brunette’s breasts, now only encased in a black cotton bra. She resolutely looked the gorgeous woman in the eyes. Jane moved back onto her stomach and gestured for Maura to get on with it.
Contemplating the best approach the light haired woman paused uncertainly at Jane’s side. “It would be best if I…” she gestured at the olive-skinned woman’s back.
Jane laughed. “I’m not a blushing virgin here Maura, I’ve had massages before, although they usually have a happy ending,” She laughed again and the doctor blushed. “Get on with it then, you promised me one Swedish massage, and I think you owe me after I did that stupid Pilates routine with you.”
Maura straddled the other woman’s slim hips, moved the long mane dark hair to the side, and began to rub her hands over the detective’s stiff muscles. “Pilates is not stupid, it increases strength and flexibility.” She continued with her gliding strokes, switching to kneading after a few minutes. Jane groaned underneath her.
Maura’s hand caught on Jane’s bra strap, snapping it against her skin. “Sorry,” the ME said, drawing back.
Calmed by Maura’s ministrations Jane mumbled. “Don’t worry about it; just undo it, not like you can see anything.” The doctor attempted to keep her breathing under control as she deftly unhooked the garment and shifted the straps down Jane’s arms. As she continued her massage, she admired the dark-haired woman’s physique. With her head resting on her hands and her deep breathing, the detective looked almost tranquil. Years of running and strength training had clearly done well by Jane, her muscles flexed attractively under her tanned skin. As she switched up her strokes and the woman underneath her shifted into a deeper level of relaxation Maura was lulled into a peaceful state, and, without thinking, she leaned down to kiss the back of Jane’s neck. When she didn’t respond to the light touch, Maura continued a line of kisses down the detective’s neck, following the ridges of her spine. Jane finally reacted when the doctor ran her tongue between one of grooves of her spine, with a moan. Maura pulled back with a gasp and took her weight off Jane in an effort to leave the room, but before she could move Jane flipped over and grabbed the other woman’s hips holding her in place. The two women now lay in the middle of the bed, Jane uncaring that her bra was doing a poor job of maintaining her modesty was stretched out on her back with Maura straddling her stomach.
“Wait, don’t go Maura.”
Refusing to meet the detective’s eyes, the doctor mumbled, “I’m sorry, I misread the signs, I do that, I’ll just go.” She made another attempt to leave but Jane pulled her back down so the lighter-haired woman’s weight was now resting on her.
In a husky voice, Jane asked “What signs? The signs that I wanted to do this?” Jane sat up to kiss the right side of the ME’s neck. “And this?” She kissed the left side. “And this?” The detective pushed the other woman’s hair out of her face and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “You didn’t misread anything.” With that statement, Jane leaned in to kiss the other woman thoroughly.
Maura moaned and leaned into the kiss, letting Jane’s tongue gain entrance to her mouth. Reaching her hands up she attempted to tug the detective’s bra the rest of the way off. Breaking the kiss, Jane stripped the offending garment off, and began laying kisses along the doctor’s neck and tugging at her shirt. “Off.” She demanded. Maura complied, detaching herself from the other woman. Jane removed the shirt, tossing it carelessly to the side, leaning in to suck a pert nipple through the thin cotton of the ME’s bra.
Maura leaned back, moaning loudly. “Wait, Jane, Ohhhh god,” she moaned as Jane switched breasts, giving the other nipple similar attention all the while running her hands up and down the pale skin of the woman’s back, pausing at her ass. Pulling the doctor down hard onto her lap, the detective massaged the flesh in her hands. The dark-haired woman pulled back and began lightly nipping Maura’s neck while attempting to unhook her bra. Regaining a measure of sanity, the doctor pushed Jane slightly away. Panting heavily, she asked, “What are we doing?”
Ignoring the ME, Jane undid her bra. In a husky voice, the detective responded, “What does it look like? Now you wanna help me get this thing off?”
Maura shifted to allow the piece of clothing to be stripped off. Focusing was hard when the flushed, olive-skinned detective was trying to seduce her, but she did her best. “Jane? I don’t want to mess up what we have.”
“Yeah, that’s not gonna happen; we’ve just found a better way to spend our time.”With that, Jane leaned in to suck on the now uncovered nipples. Maura groaned, bringing her hands to tangle in the mass of dark hair. When the detective started using her hand to tweak the other nipple, the doctor pulled the other woman up to kiss her hungrily.
Keys jangled in the lock as Frost unlocked the door to the apartment. As he entered the foyer, he turned to the man behind him. “I wonder if Rizzoli has gagged the Doc yet.”
Korsak laughed and followed Frost into the kitchen to set down the bags of take-out. “We could only be so lucky, she’ll probably just take out all of her frustration on us, which is why” he continued, gesturing at the food, “we brought her favorite.”
“Whatever Korsak, I’m going to go find them.” He walked down the narrow hallway, and hearing noise from the open bedroom door, he started to yell Jane’s name only to be frozen by the sight in front of him.
No matter how much Vince ragged on him about his ‘girly’ tendencies, Barry was very much into women, and though the display involved his partner who he thought of almost as family and the Medical Examiner he was equal parts in awe of and terrified of, it was still a scene straight out of the videos he kept in his closet. Paralyzed, he couldn’t help but gape, the doc was kissing his partner while running her hands up and down her back. For her part, Jane was grasping the doctor’s ass and arching upwards. Stuck mute by the picture their skin made pressed together, he could just see the side of their breasts rubbing together, he watched in awe. He was just about to say something or retreat to open and slam a door loudly, as Jane reached her hand upwards to massage Maura’s breast, when he heard heavy footsteps behind him.
“What the hell’s taking so long Frost, the food is getting cold and you know how much Jane hate’s cold Kung Pao.” Korsak stopped short, almost running over the younger detective. He was about to curse the man out when he too was captured by the sight in the bedroom.
Upon hearing the commotion, Jane pulled away from Maura and whipped her head towards the door. Her eyes closed, the doctor groaned at the loss of contact. When Jane saw who it was, she tugged Maura closer and dragged a sheet around their bodies in a belated attempt at modesty.
“What the frickin hell Frost? Don’t you knock?”
“I… the door… I just,” the detective stuttered. Backing slowly out of the doorway, Frost bumped into Korsak.
Chuckling to himself, the older detective quipped, “Now we see how you ladies are spending your time, having a little fun while we do all the work.”
Jane shot him a death glare, as Maura, now aware of the situation, hid her face in the detective’s neck. “Floor show’s over assholes. Leave.” The two men turned and headed towards the kitchen.
“Oh my god Jane. That might have been more mortifying than the time I mixed up copper chloride dihydroxide and dicopper chloride trihydroxide at the middle school science fair.”
Pulling the other woman back so she could look her in the eyes, Jane chuckled. “I can kill them both and get away with it.” Maura looked aghast but before she could say anything Jane continued. “I think the best bet here though is to beat them at their own game.”
The doctor looked confused. Instead of explaining, Jane glanced toward the open door before turning back to Maura. She leaned in to run her tongue over the lighter-haired woman’s clavicle before biting down on the base of her neck. “What? Stop, Jaaane.” The last was said in a moan as the other woman half-heartedly pushed at her partner. The brunette ran her tongue over pale skin to soothe it before biting down again. Throwing the sheet, she had used to cover them off, the detective slipped her hand down the front of the woman on top of her, pausing at the seam of her yoga pants. Shamelessly the doctor pushed down onto the tortuous hand. “Please.” Her voice had grown increasingly louder, forgetting their audience a room away.
Obligingly, the dark-haired woman ran her fingers firmly over the seam. Moving her mouth to the pale skin of the doctor’s ear, she whispered, “When they leave, I’m going fuck you until you forget the periodic table.” With that statement, Jane pushed two fingers roughly upwards, attempting to fuck the other woman through two layers of fabric. Lost in the moment, Maura shuddered and groaned loudly.
Smiling, Jane abruptly pulled away and lifted Maura off her, placing her on the bed. Standing up, the detective looked down onto the thoroughly flushed, and now whimpering doctor. Casually she quipped, “I’m going to go grab some food, see you in a few?”
Maura just stared at her, and, laughing, she left the room to see if Frost and Korsak had left any food.