Author's note: I wrote this a while back in one hit and then sort of rejected it because I felt it was a bit short and lacked details and started another story instead which is still ongoing. I wasn't sure I would put this out there especially with a similar subject matter. Probably best to read the whole thing before giving feedback.

It's a story with a realistic edge, don't expect a miracle cure, but also don't expect our heroine to sit around feeling sorry for herself. This is mostly a story about how life goes on after something bad happens and not like it generally does in Hollywood. Check out the reviews for other readers opinions.

Just a gentle reminder that if you post a question anonymously, I can't respond so sign in if you do want answers to questions.

I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Rizzoli & Isles nor any of the characters from the show. I am writing this purely for entertainment, not profit.

Consequences

Prologue

The ER doctor raised his eyes to a colleague. "Get two units of blood in her first. We'll X-ray here then we'll need an OR, and get those cops to wait outside the double doors like everyone else."

"They seem pretty determined to stay; it's a little hard to persuade them."

"Then tell them to stay out of our way until we have anything to tell them. Do we have a name?"

"Jane Rizzoli, Detective. Single gunshot wound to the left chest. Entry wound under left armpit, no exit wound. She was conscious at the scene to begin with and mentioned she couldn't feel her arms or legs, hence the back board."

"Detective Rizzoli, can you hear me?" The doctor spoke loudly, but received a barely audible response. "You're in the ER. We're going to X-ray you then you'll be going to surgery. Can you squeeze my hand?"

"Yeah," Jane's muffled response was about all she could manage. She didn't know which hand she was supposed to squeeze so she did both.

The doctor patted her shoulder. "Well done, detective." Turning to the nurse who was recording on the chart, he shook his head to indicate there had been no response. "Check the reflexes in the feet for me. Something's not right."

"Reflexes are negative, doctor," an intern reported back straight away.

The portable X-ray machine was swung into place and the prints were up on the screen in no time.

"Dammit," the doctor muttered. "Page ortho and neuro, she has parts of the bullet in her spine."

The neuro guy got there first. He looked up at the X-rays without even registering the patient's presence. "Looks like the bullet has fragmented into C6 and C7. She's going to need surgery, is Benedict on his way?"

"Right behind you. We'll get her on the table first then MRI tomorrow to see if the cord is damaged. Looks like it must have bounced off a rib. The cardio-thoracic team are waiting in theatre for the lung damage, but that doesn't look so bad."

"Let's get her in theater now; we'll deal with the consequences later."

Chapter 1

Earlier that day.

Maura looked up from her newspaper at her partner as she went straight for the coffee machine. She had given Jane a lecture before about making time for a proper breakfast, but knew she would be ignored. To be honest, Jane seemed to get away with a lot of bad habits without any negative consequences where her health was concerned. Perhaps it was all the running, Jane ran pretty much every day, they both did and that seemed to be sufficient for her lover to avoid putting on weight despite Angela's attempts to overfeed anyone she cooked for. How had Jane grown up eating cannoli and never put on a pound or two?

"Don't give me a hard time." Jane's morning voice was husky and just a little sexy as far as Maura was concerned. "If I hadn't been up half the night 'entertaining' you, I would have been able to get up earlier for breakfast. As it is I'm late for the stakeout with Frost already."

"Well that should leave you most of the day to eat and drink." Maura smiled up at her.

Jane scowled and grumbled in return which made Maura smile even more. "I made you lunch, it's in the refrigerator."

Jane quirked an eyebrow. They had been living together for two months now and this was the first time Maura had made her lunch. She took out the box filled with a salad and grabbed her mug of coffee. Walking over to where Maura was sat, Jane lowered her head and kissed her.

"Thanks for lunch, I'll see you later tonight," Jane gave her a quick squeeze.

"Take care, honey. Have a good day."