Disclaimer: I do not own Rizzoli & Isles or any of the characters.

TRIGGER WARNING: Self Harm & mentions of abuse. This story is pretty dark. So be warned! Also very Out of Character Maura.

A/N: Thank you for all your reviews/follows. I apologise for the delay, I have had a mega case of writer's block. In any case, thanks for sticking with me! Here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy it and I would love to hear your thoughts!Please be aware that this chapter in particular has a very graphic description of domestic abuse towards the end. If this is a trigger for you, maybe consider skipping the italics section of this chapter.

Maura's internal body clock woke her just as the sun began to seep through the curtains. She gently rubbed her eyes as she attempted to get up and out of bed. She sighs contentedly, looking forward to relishing the rare opportunity now presented to her to watch her detective peacefully sleep without fear of being caught. However, she was met with disappointment as she rolled over only to find the other side of the bed empty. She is even more disappointed as she blindly reaches over and pats the sheets, noting their coolness under her fingers. So Jane has been out of bed for a while. She thinks to herself, worried that she had scared off the brunette. Surely that could be the only explanation for she knew that Jane would never willingly wake prior to her alarm. The Doctor fully peels her eyes open now as she looks to the bedside table to see what the time was. She almost jumps out of her skin when she sees the time. She makes to get out of bed and ready for work, mentally calculating just how late she is going to be. Before she can get out of bed however, a husky voice halts her movements.

"Not so fast Doctor." Jane rasps as she enters the room. "You need to return to bed this instant."

Maura can't help but smile at the sound of her best friend's voice. She swivels and obeys Jane's gentle order, noticing the tray in Jane's arms as she does so. "What are you doing Jane?" She inquires, a genuine smile plastered on her face.

"I've made you breakfast my dear Doctor. I think breakfast in bed is in order." Jane moves toward the bed and motions for Maura to sit on the bed with her legs flat so she can deposit the tray onto the blonde's lap.

Maura submits to the silent request not so silently. "Jane, it is highly unsanitary to consume food or beverages in the bedroom. Even following rigorous cleaning methods, which I of course always undertake regardless, there are often always macromolecules of food present between bedding and on the floor. Left unattended, it will attract Blattaria into the bedroom and we all know how repulsive that would be." Maura took a breath from her gentle rant, fulling intending to explain her previous statements in a simpler manner. Jane however, surprisingly beat her to the punch.

"Eating in bed leads to crumbs which leads to Cockroaches. Got it." Jane giggled quietly at her friends shocked face. "I do listen to you, you know? In any case, just live a little Maur, I will personally help you clean up what will no doubt be a filthy guest bedroom afterwards if you would like." Jane gently teased as she softly deposited the tray onto Maura's ready lap.

Maura's initial qualms were squashed and she couldn't help but smiled happily as she took in the tray in front of her. Jane had made her yogurt atop with berries, a bowl of oats, half a grapefruit and a cup of coffee. She had decorated the tray with a single red tulip. Maura wondered momentarily if Jane understood that the meaning of the red tulip was often associated with true love. She quickly decided that Jane had likely just picked whichever flower it was from the garden that she first encountered. In any case, she was chuffed by the thought and love that had clearly gone in to the breakfast that was before her.

The M.E. wrapped both hands around the coffee cup and was about to bring it to her face for closer inspection before a pertinent thought hit her. "Jane it is 9:30am!" She gasped as she placed the coffee cup back on the tray and motioned for the detective to remove the tray from her lap so she could exit the bed. "Jane, we are late for work!"

"It's ok Maur." She sat beside the Doctor on the bed and placated the blonde by rubbing her thumb along her bicep as she quietly spoke. "I hope you don't mind but after the day we had yesterday I thought we could both use a day off." Jane suddenly felt self -conscious, annoyed at herself for making decisions on Maura's behalf without consulting her. Unable to bring herself to meet her friend's eyes for fear of meeting with disappointment, she sheepishly watched her hands as she thumbed over her scars. "I just… I'm sorry it was probably a stupid idea. And I… I didn't mean to make decisions on your behalf Maur. I just don't want to see you hurt. I just wanted to do something nice and I've gone and stuffed it all up. I'm sorry. I'll leave if you want so that you can get ready for work." Jane however, made no motion to move and instead continued her nervous chattering, not noticing the bemused smile that graced the honey-blonde's lips. "I have the day all planned though Maur. I have activities planned for us. I thought maybe if we both get out and do some nice things together that it could do the world of good for both of us but I fully understand if you don't want to." The brunette took a deep breath in order to prevent herself from continuing to embarrass herself. She was pleasantly surprised when she felt the most gentle of lips upon her cheek.

"Thank you Jane." She uttered softly, reverentially. "This is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. You always make me feel loved Jane."

The brunette jolted her head up to meet her friend's gaze. "You are loved Maur. More than you could possibly know."

Jane's words hung heavily in the air. Both women were too afraid to say or do anything that could complicate their relationship at this delicate point in time. They gazed carefully at each other, as if both making sure the other would not run. As if promising to each other through their eyes alone they would stay the distance. It was penetrating yet far from uncomfortable. Maura was the first to break the stare as she looked down once more upon the platter and brought the coffee to her lips.

"Mmm. Did you use the La Pavoni?" the Doctor asked, half in shock, half in awe.

"If you mean that gold contraption in your kitchen that looks like one of your mother's art pieces and requires an engineering degree to operate, then yes I did. Mark that off my bucket list."

Maura eats her breakfast in silence, simply enjoying the spread that Jane has made for her. She realises just how much Jane has done for her. She didn't think it possible, but somehow she continues to fall more and more in love with the detective. She knows then and there that she wants to share everything with Jane. Her thoughts, her feelings, her fears. She knows that Jane must have some burning questions about Brian that she is too thoughtful to ask without express permission to do so. Wiping her face and delicately placing the tray on the floor beside the bed, Maura addresses Jane. "You can ask me anything you want Jane."

Jane the blonde for a moment and Maura can see the serious, contemplative look on her friend's face. The silence extends for a beat too long and Maura wonders if Jane will break it at all. "One thing that I understand about cases of domestic violence cases is how hard it is for the woman to leave. Sometimes because she cannot physically get away from him or because she is fearful of the outcome of attempting to escape the abuse, sometimes because she is too afraid of being left alone and no doubt many other reasons. " Jane turned towards the Doctor, takes her hands and looks at her seriously. "I want you to understand that I see how brave you have been Maur. Many women never leave out of fear and that is completely understandable, it doesn't make them weak by any means – quite the opposite in fact. However, a woman who has been brave enough to leave in spite of the overwhelming fear associated with doing so is nothing short of a warrior in my eyes. You are a strong woman Maura. You are incredible. I've always known it but now… Now I respect you even more if that is possible and I think you are so courageous, so accomplished, so very powerful. And those are only the top of the iceberg of the reasons why you are so very loved."

For the first time in a very long time, Maura actually believed the kind words that Jane had directed at her. And for the first time in an age, tears did not flow from her eyes. Instead, her smile lit up the room. She wordlessly thanked Jane for her kind words with a slight nod of her head before she sighed happily and rested her head on the detective's shoulder. In response, Jane gently put her head atop of the blonde's.

"I do have one question, if you don't mind answering it of course." Jane said as she gently twirled the M.E.'s hair. She felt Maura nod against her shoulder. "How and when did you leave him?"

Maura took a deep breath before wrapping her arm around Jane's midsection, wanting as much tactile connection with her friend as she could get to comfort her through the retelling of the scariest night of her life.

"I thought I was pregnant…"

23 year old Maura Isles stared at the test in disbelief. Sitting on the closed toilet lid, she eyed the piece of plastic as if by doing so she could somehow turn back the hands of time. Her lips trembled, tears prickled her eyes and her hands shook. "No. Please god no." She wailed as she allowed her tears to fall. Positive. What a horrible word for this outcome. Maura knew that once Brian found out the results would be anything but positive.

Maura sat on the toilet for god knows how long simply contemplating how her life was about to change. She was so stuck in her own head that she failed to hear the door downstairs slam. She was likewise too distracted to hear Brian yell for a beer, or to hear his footsteps heavy on the stairs. The creak of the door opening pulled her out of her reverie and she lunged for the bin, placing the test in it just as the door swung open and slammed against the wall. The blonde jumped in shock and before she knew it, Brian was in front of her. He was angry again. Nay, he was positively enraged.

He took in her appearance and narrowed his eyes. "What are you hiding from me Maura?" He sneered as he roughly grabbed her arm, squeezing so hard Maura thought he might break a bone somehow.

"Please Brian, you are hurting me." She whimpered, trying desperately to break free from his grip.

He practically growled as he ripped his arm backward, roughly pulling Maura's arm and her whole body along with it. She was yanked up so quickly that she lost orientation and stumbled, her body falling to the floor as Brian's grip remained ever strong on her arm. He pulled her along the tiles as he moved closer to the toilet.

"Let's see what you are hiding." He spat as he lifted the toilet lid. Seeing it empty save for the water at the bottom of the bowl, he turned back to Maura. "WHAT IS IT YOU WORTHLESS BITCH? WHAT ARE YOU HIDING FROM ME?!" He shouted, again pulling painfully on her arm. She remained silent, knowing from experience that even though he had directly asked her a question, her voice at this time would only cause him to become more irate.

Maura whimpered as Brian reached for the bin. Again, she tried in vain to scamper away from him. Knowing what he would find, her free hand gently came to rest on her stomach. Sure enough, it did not take him long to find the offending item. Maura prematurely sighed in relief as he let his grip fall from her arm. He was silently staring at the stick and Maura thought that maybe she had read him wrong. Maybe he would be happy that she was carrying his child. He soon shattered her hopes however, as anger took over his sharp features once more.

"You're pregnant?" He growled, the danger evident in his voice and in his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I don't understand how it happened. I've been on the pill." She softly whispered as she stared at the floor, hoping to somehow placate him with her words and her outward display of submission. She was beyond scared at this point. Her arm was aching, her knees were pained from being on the tiles for an extended period of time. She had never been more scared in her life. She said a silent prayer to a god she didn't believe in that he would somehow save her from this situation all the while knowing full well that her entreaty would not be answered.

"You will be sorry." He threateningly promised as he made his way over to the prone blonde crouching on the floor. His hand fisted her hair and she cried out in pain as she was lifted to her feet by her hair. Her eyes met his, pleading for mercy that would never be granted. He stared back at her before pulling his free hand back as far as possible.

"I gave you specific instructions that you were not to fall pregnant Maura. You are pathetic. You stupid girl." What scared Maura the most was the calm manner in which he spoke the words. She failed to register what his free hand was doing until she felt it connect with her stomach. She screamed, her body trying to crumble to the floor as she was steadfastly held up by the fist in her hair.

"Please Brian. Please let me go. Please don't hurt the baby." She somehow managed to speak between the sobs and trying to catch her breath that had been taken so forcefully from her. She urgently clawed at the hand in her hair, trying to break free from its grip as so watched his hand reel back once more. Her head shook frantically, her eyes bulging in fear as she pleaded for him not to hurt her baby. Her plea fell on deaf ears and she soon felt his fist collide with her abdomen again and again once more. She coughed and spluttered, trying to regain her breath.

Suddenly, Maura was dropping to the floor as the hand intertwined in her hair was finally released. The tiles pressed coldly against her cheek, quickly being warmed by her salty tears. She gingerly covered her stomach with her hands before urgently rolling over and vomiting. Being thoroughly distracted by the pain radiating from her abdomen through to her whole body, Maura again failed to see the limb hurtling violently towards her. A sickening crunch reverberated off the bathroom walls as Brian's foot made its intended connection. The blonde was knocked on to her back, her breathing labored, the overwhelming pain evident in her usually soft features. Brian leaned over her menacingly, appraising her state. Seemingly satisfied, he made his way to the door. "I'm heading out for a while. This had better be cleaned up by the time I am home."

Maura lay on the hard tiles, arms resting uselessly over her stomach waiting to hear the front door slam before she dare move. She allowed an extra ten minutes or so before she dared to move. She cried out, instantly regretting her movements. However, she knew she had to get out of there. She needed to leave for good. For her baby's sake, if there still was a baby. She managed to crawl to the bathroom door, pain radiating through her body which each slight movement. With each motion, each shot of indescribable pain, she told herself she was doing this for her child.

Twenty minutes later, she had managed to crawl down the stairs. Now she didn't know what to do. She knew that Brian was likely at his friend's house just around the corner. If she called an ambulance the sirens would alert him to her plan. However, she wasn't sure she would be able to drive. She sat leaning against the wall for a moment as the severity of the event hit her. She realised that he had never been anywhere near this violent before and a fresh wave of tears started steadily flowing down her pale cheeks. This gave her all the motivation she needed to leave. She had hidden a bag of clothes in her car a couple of weeks ago, just in case, and she was now very pleased with her forethought.

The blonde shakily rose to her feet, crying as the red hot pain hit her again. She clenched her jaw as an overwhelming sense of determination settled in. One foot in front of the other, she slowly walked to the garage. The pain was excruciating, but her strong and determined mind allowed her to push through it and she endeavored to suffer in silence. Getting into the car was a different story. She once again cried out as a sharp stabbing pain spread through her abdomen as she bent down to get into the car. She kept telling herself that she could do this, that she needed to do this, and before she knew it she had reached the nearest hospital.

Maura paused her retelling as she could feel Jane shaking. She slowly pulled back to look at the detective.

Jane was sitting stock still, her hands balled into fists so tight that they were becoming painful, her whole body was shaking with pure rage. "What is his last name Maura?" She questioned through clenched teeth.

Maura was starting to become alarmed. She understood on the most basic level that Jane would never hurt her and yet she had never seen her friend so angry. It scared her deeply, especially after rehashing the details of that horrific night. She remained silent, partly because she was stunned into silence and party because she did not want Jane to get in trouble for hurting her former abuser.

Without looking at Maura, Jane clenched her fists even tighter. "What. Is. His. Last. Name?" She questioned once more, spitting out each word. When she was again met with silence, she finally looked towards the Doctor. Seeing her friend's panicked expression, Jane softened. She immediately unclenched her fists and slowly reached her hand out in front of the M.E., offering it to her if she wanted it. Maura took a moment, allowed the rational part of her brain to catch up and realise that she was here with Jane and that Jane would never hurt her. Silently, she took the offered hand and pulled it in to her body. "Please don't do that again Jane. I can't handle you that angry. Please…" She whispered.

Jane hated herself in that moment. Hated that she had scared Maura. But even more, she hated Brian. She knew without a doubt that when the time was right she would deal him the hand he really deserved, no matter the cost to her. She leaned her body into the blonde's. "I'm so sorry Maur. I just… I need to find him and give him what he truly deserves. Please tell me his last name?"

"Why? So you can kill him Jane?" Maura asked exasperatedly. "What would I do without my best friend Jane? What would I do with you in prison? What purpose would that serve?"

"He can't get away with this Maura, he needs to pay for what he did to you." Jane replied, much calmer this time, as she gently traced lines across Maura's stomach with her long fingers. "I'm going to make him pay. I promise you that much."

"Please Jane… Please leave this alone. I am begging you!"

Sensing that she was causing Maura more distress, Jane conceded. "Okay Maur, I'll let it go for now." They sat in silence for a minute, allowing themselves to fully calm before Maura spoke again.

"Thankfully I wasn't pregnant. It was a false positive. However, I had two cracked ribs and severe contusions to my abdomen and brachium – my upper arm." Maura explained as Jane continued her soft touches.

"Where did you go Maur?"

"I had a substantial trust bestowed upon me by my parents when I graduated high school so I bought a house. I finished my degree and then moved on." Maura explained.

"Have you soon him since then?" Jane asked; her hand stilling as she looked up at her best friend.

"No I haven't seen him since then, but he still managed to find a way to haunt me by constantly harassing and threatening me via phone. I took out a restraining order on him and he hasn't contacted me since."

"Well that's at least something. Would you promise me something though Maur?"

"Anything." Maura replied without missing a beat.

"Please promise me that if he ever does contact you again or you see him somewhere that you will tell me straight away." Jane requested; her gaze piercing and serious.

"I promise." Again they shared an intense, silent moment. "Now, please tell me what our plans are for our day off?"

A/N – Please don't hate me! I apologise for the intensity of this chapter but I felt it needed to be written in order to ascertain the exact type of person Brian is. It will be important for later chapters and I want you to hate him as he is the villain of this story after all. But don't worry – the next chapter will be a lot lighter. I have a specific plan for this story and I promise that Brian will be given his just deserts when the time is right.