This is my first attempt at a Rizzoli and Isles fic. I have a general idea of where I want it to go but I'll take any suggestions you may have into consideration. Constructive criticism is very welcomed.
I don't own the show.
This story is unbeta-ed and every mistake you find is my fault... *hides in shame*
"Where are we going?" a young girl, no more than 8, asked the driver – the person she had felt forced to refer to as 'mom Louise' for the past 10 months and 23 days.
The brown haired girl stared from the window of the moving car, waiting for a reply even though she had a feeling she knew what was happening... again.
"We're just meeting some people", the woman replied with an even voice. "I'm sure you'll like them, Hope."
Green eyes watered. "You're sending me off to someone else," she stated simply. There was no need to sugar coat it. Hope knew it was bound to happen. She had been pushed from home to home ever since she was 6. Thirteen foster families had had her and thirteen families had sent her away. Fourteen now, Hope thought.
Louise had been the last one to take her in. It had also been the longest she had managed to stay with a family. Maybe it was because she was more guarded this last time, only doing as she was told, ignoring the things she liked to do, to do the ones that pleased her 'mom'. She became the child the family wanted, the good, flawless puppy they liked to showcase, but after 9 months Hope started to crack, hoping that maybe this stay would be more permanent, that they liked her after all, she started showing more of her true self, sharing the little interests she had. It hadn't pleased the Anderson's it looked like. She wasn't about to become an Anderson either as she hadn't become a Smith, a Mills or a Tate.
"You're dumping me off with a new family," Hope said, interrupting the disturbing silence. "That' why my social worker was there this week."
"Hope… you must have known it wouldn't be permanent." Louise gasped. "Not all foster parents are looking to adopt…"
"You said you were. I heard you." Hope shrugged. "You can just say you don't want me."
"I'm sorry Hope, but you aren't what me and Mick were looking after," the woman concluded.
At that Hope had to let out a chuckle. She would never be the dream child to anyone. She was about to be placed at another home for a couple of weeks, luckily months, before this family too grew tired of her and decided to dump the load on someone else. She wasn't going to take that. She could take care of herself. She didn't need anyone's protection. Hope unbuckled her seatbelt slowly and as the car cruised at a lower speed, in a swift motion, the 8 year old opened her door and jumped.
She rolled down the road for a few meters and noticed the car braking – the high pitched sound of the tires on the pavement signaling she had to start running soon or she would never escape from the life she didn't want. Her arm was hurting from the fall, but seeing Louise stepping out of the car was enough to have her running at full speed down the hill. She didn't stop running even after she was sure Louise wasn't following her. She had long lost her. Once she had made it to the park, all the trees played in her favor and ditching her ex foster mother was fairly easy, but it wasn't until she literally fell from exhaustion that she stopped. She lay on the grass of that extensive park and looking around her she smiled. She was finally free.
By the time the sun started to fade the little girl's stomach started to growl. She hadn't eaten in a few hours and she had no money with her. She had made her way into the city and was now staring longingly to the coffee shop in front of her. She would give anything to any of the sugary treats in display.
Hope knew she didn't have the money to pay for any of those, but she still was lured inside, stopping in front of the showcase with hungry eyes.
'Geez kid… you look like you haven't eaten in ages' Hope heard someone saying with a hint of amusement on their voice.
She looked up and met the eyes of a curly haired brunette. She swallowed a lump on her throat, fearing to be caught, and took a few steps back.
'Hey?' the woman frowned, Hope's nervousness giving her away. 'Are you here by yourself?' she questioned, looking around. 'How old are you? Where are your parents?'
Hope's green eyes darted to the floor. She didn't have an answer that would satisfy the woman; that much she knew. She also knew she couldn't risk being caught so she did the only thing she could to protect herself. She ran again.
Sensing something was odd about the situation, the woman took off running after the kid. Truthfully the girl was fast, but she had training and her legs were longer. She knew the streets like no one and it was only a matter of minutes until she caught Hope, grabbing her tightly against her to prevent her from either kicking her or running.
'Let me go!' Hope yelled. 'Let me go!' she cried out, tears threatening to fall. 'No! Stop it! Let go!'
'Hey!' The woman raised her voice slightly and squeezed the girl tighter against her to get her attention. 'Hey!' She turned the girl around to face her, keeping a tight grasp on the girl's flailing arms and kneeling in front of her. 'Listen to me kid… I'm not here to hurt you. I'm just trying to help out here, make sure you're ok.' She explained, calmly. 'My name is Jane. What's yours?'
'Please let me go…' Hope whimpered.
'What were you doing at the shop by yourself?' Jane pressed.
'Nothing. Can I go now?'
'Not a chance sweetheart. You tell me your address and I'll take you home to your parents myself.' Hope looked down and shook her head.
'Look… sweetie I just want to help you. Is…is everything ok at home?' Jane asked, concerned. Being a top detective made her very perceptive and capable of reading people and situations like no one else. This kid transpired a big deal to her and she wasn't about to let it go. 'Ok… you don't want to reply. Fair enough. You did run away though didn't you?'
Hope looked at Jane in the eyes for a second, before returning her gaze to the floor once more.
'You don't have to reply to that.' Jane whispered, letting go of the girl's arms and grabbing her hand instead, giving it a light squeeze in encouragement. 'I already know the answer and I'll promise you I'll help you fix it, ok?' Jane asked, with nothing but sincerity in her voice.
Hope didn't know what made her believe Jane, but she found herself nodding and walking back with Jane to wherever she was taking her.
