A/N: Here is the 2nd story of "Lupus Amicitia" series… for newly arriving readers, is best to read "Lupus Amicitia" first to get the entire story overview perspective. An "alternative universe" (A/U in the fan fiction world) from the established storyline(s) of Tess Gerrisan's novels and the TNT series of "Rizzoli & Isles."
No copyright infringement intended- only "claims of ownership" is my written stories based upon an established storyline. Nothing being earned money or anything- only having fun the world established by Tess, Janet Tamero, and everyone else both in front & behind the cameras at TNT, Warner Bros. and any other companies involved in producing such a wonderful TV series.
Setting: "Lupus Amicitia: Act II" starts before Season One of "Rizzoli & Isles" and Detective Jane Rizzoli is about to start in the Homicide Unit while Dr. Maura Isles has recently been appointed as the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. For those familiar with the "Rizzoli and Isles" storyline… buckle up!
Prologue
Boston Police Department Headquarters building
Dr. Maura Isles slowly sank down into a desk chair in the large office assigned to the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She had just finished touring all of the various labs, the autopsy room, and all of the various storage areas assigned to both her's and the police department's jurisdiction in the basement floor of the Boston PD HQ building with her predecessor and one of the senior criminalists. Despite all of her preparation, she felt a little overwhelmed taking everything in, but the doctor simply dismissed it all as what some people would describe to as: "first day jitters." Plus, she would have far more people here than she had at her previous position as an assistant medical examiner.
That, and to FINALLY not have to deal with Dr. Pike on a near daily basis! Maura seriously believed they actually wasted far more time "rearranging" the lab to their own specific tastes whenever the respected M.E. would be on duty than actually getting everything accomplished properly. Maura sometimes believed it was a sheer miracle that things could actually get accomplished, given the general state of "human chaos" that she usually saw.
Sighing, the newly appointed CME reached for her designer purse/convertible satchel for her billfold. She recalled a café on the ground level floor near the main entrance of the building. A cup of coffee or a yogurt sounded wonderful in settling down her gastrointestinal nerves. The purse accidentally fell over, several items spilling out upon the desk's surface. Any frustration Maura may have felt quickly evaporated as she noticed the few plasticized photographs of her wolf friend- "Vuk." *
The doctor's smile only brightened as her fingers plucked up a couple of the pictures and sat back into her desk chair, not minding the inadequate support for once as she contemplated the midnight-black wolf. While all of the photos she had taken of Vuk were wonderful, capturing the essence of its spirit and demeanor of that particular moment of time, these two within her hands were the most favorite.
The photo in her right hand was of when she had actively sought out the wolf on her own.
**Maura slowly knelt down beside the tree nearest her as she caught her first glimpse of the black wolf. Approximately 50 yards away, the handsome sleek furred wolf threw its head back, eyes closed as a low, soulful howl sounded. Maura allowed her eyes to drift closed for several minutes, simply allowing the eerie yet beautiful melody to absorb in her mind. Wild, yet familiar, lonely with longing to belong; yet enduring since time began.
* As if some ancient sound of nature, * Maura's thoughts concluded as she opened her eyes and gradually worked her way nearer to the wolf's position as unnoticed as possible.
Pausing behind a large tree trunk, Maura waited for the several moments of silence to end with another howl. Using the howl's sound to cover her own rustling, the doctor fished her camera from her bag and inched closer.
Maura managed to snap a few photos before the wolf suddenly realized it was no longer alone. She slowly left her concealed position and stood in full view of the large black wolf, 20 to 25 yards separating them. In spite of all the uncertainty welling up in her, Maura was surprised to feel a sense of calm settling in as she took a few steps forward.
She slowly moved to place her camera back into the bag; earnestly hoping her movements appeared as non-threatening as possible. The human eyes and wolf eyes never left each other's steady, unwavering focus as the distance separating them diminished.
Maura noticed subtle movements ripple through the wolf's body as its rigid posture increased in tension. She momentarily lost her footing when she abruptly halted her steps. Quickly regaining her balance and preventing herself from falling completely, Maura suddenly found herself inspired by an idea from her research.
Maura forced herself to inhale deeply as she remained in her relaxed yoga position on a lower elevation than the wolf. Hopefully by placing herself in an inferior position, thereby acknowledging its strength, perhaps the wolf would relax and potentially accept her. It has to be on the wolf's terms, Maura kept reminding herself within her mind. I'll have to remain patient.
Pulling in another deep breath, Maura returned her gaze back to the wolf. The wolf returned its focus back upon her, its eyes gentler this time. Though retaining a measure of focus, the wolf's head tilted slightly to its left and shifted its weight in what appeared a slightly nervous alternating from various paws.
I must remain patient, Maura mentally reminded herself once more as she inhaled deeply, allowing her eyes to drift closed.
Uncertain of how long the duration, let alone the wolf's final decision would be, Maura decided to engage into a meditation that enabled her retain awareness of her surroundings. Maybe the wolf would be able to sense her demeanor and patience and gradually earn its trust. **
Maura sighed, softly, as she turned to regard the photo in her opposite hand. While the resolution was not as good due to it being taken with the "latest cellular phone with a camera" at the time, the scientist would not give it up for anything. It was taken the morning after she had been reunited with her wolf friend nearly seven years ago. Vuk was laying upon its back, facing towards the camera with its left paw elevated towards Maura. The wolf's mouth was wide open- displaying her fierce teeth in what appeared to be both a roar and wide smile. The twinkle in Vuk's eyes eliminated any indication the wolf was about to attack, only displaying its loyal friendship and the joy.
For reasons the doctor had yet to determine, Vuk had disappeared for at least three weeks, and Maura had resigned herself to the reality of her wolf friend being gone, likely deceased. She had gone to Westgate Park where she and the wolf first met and she could no longer hold back the tears. When she finally garnered enough courage to say her goodbyes to Vuk, she was suddenly surprised of the wolf's arrival, on the spot where they often watched the sunsets at Westgate.
The emotional roller coaster- sadness to the sudden sheer joy of seeing Vuk- along with all of the tears and sobs had caused the doctor to succumb to exhaustion. The next thing Maura knew was awakening to the early morning sunlight, curled up against the soft, thick midnight furred body of the wolf. The scientist was only somewhat surprised to discover that she had slept the entire night in the outdoors and could only presume Vuk did the same. Or possibly it maintained vigil over Maura, like the animal had done following her emotional fallout of her assault by three thugs in which the wolf had come to her rescue. ***
That morning, following their reunion, both Maura and Vuk were full of nervous energy but the young doctor was not inclined to run nor was the wolf exhibiting any indications of wanting to run. However, the animal was rumbling various growls in a restless type of behavior. In an uncharacteristic behavior for Maura, she lunged at the wolf and threw her entire body upon the animal. Next thing she knew, she and Vuk were rolling around and wrestling with the wolf kicking and snapping with its teeth. The wolf even bit Maura's hands, wrists, and arms. However, Vuk's teeth never punctured her skin or drew any blood. In fact, if the scientist ever emitted any cries or sounds of pain or discomfort, which were rare, the wolf would actually decrease the intensity of its "rough housing."
So now, in addition to their routine runs and what some people commonly referred to as "hanging out," Maura and Vuk would occasionally dabble into wrestling. The scientist believed it benefited the wolf more due to her studies of how wolves often physically sparred in fighting other members of the pack. It was likely the animals' primary method of settling differences and emotional upheaval as well as to literally fighting. Maura considered it was also how wolves maintained their individual skills in hunting and taking down their prey for food.
The chime of the nearby elevators brought the new Chief Medical Examiner out of her recollections. Maura sighed as she sat forward and gathered up the remaining photos and various other items that had spilled from her purse. Might as well get up to the lobby café and see what was available before any potentially decreased levels of blood sugar led to other potential distractions.
Maura entered the Division One Café and was immediately drawn to the refrigerated display shelves where several flavors of yogurt, packaged sandwiches, and salads were set out. In the background she detected some murmurings, complaining of the long line and quality of the coffee. Thankfully all of the items in the cooled shelves appeared to be prepared and packaged elsewhere and surface wise appeared to meet proper health and sanitary standards.
Probably would be prudent to have some sample lettuce tested by the lab prior to consumption. The M.E. surmised as she chose the best quality looking salad and a yogurt cup with the longest distance expiration date. She noticed some bottled water and was about to make her selection when the voices caught her attention.
"Really? Two dollars for a day old donut and some bad coffee?" The woman certainly had a very peculiar sense of fashion- knee high boots with 3-inch heels, fishnet stockings, mini skirt, and a faux mink hooded coat. Her raven brown hair, unruly and wavy hastily thrown up in the back and large hoop earrings adorning her ears.
"…c'mon, I'll get you after my shift," the prostitute's voice nearly bordered desperation.
The grumpy man behind the counter guffawed in a mocking tone. "Huh! Ya think you'll make that much?"
Without a second thought, Maura hastily set her selections aside and quickly opened her purse.
"…your crap coffee gives you an ulcer and you die of psoriasis!" The hooker practically snarled. The man angrily jerked his rolled up shirtsleeve down as Maura gently pushed herself ahead in the line.
"Do you mind?" The prostitute angrily exclaimed as the doctor's glove covered hand with money clasped in the fingers tapped her arm. "You can get your non fat latte in a minute, all right?"
"No," Maura quickly spoke before her common social fear overwhelmed her. "It-It's for you! And given the Vitamin D deficiency likely from, uh…" Maura averted her eyes from the intense dark eyes studying her in near shock and transfixion. She certainly was not used to such intense scrutiny. "…um, from your 'night work.'" Maura forced herself to smile as she hoped her knowledge would benefit another person. "You're better off with some plain yogurt and some leafy greens."
The woman could only stare at her and the glove-covered hand still holding out the cash for several long moments. "I have my lice under control," her low husky and gruff voice retorted, "thank-you! But Stanley here," the hooker turned, pointing a finger at the grouchy man, "has psoriasis!"
"Psoriasis is not contagious, it's a genetic disease." The doctor quickly clarified the common misperception.
"What about rudeness, is that genetic too?" The woman's retort and something about her eyes struck something familiar to the doctor.
"I was simply trying to be nice," Maura replied, failing to conceal the hurt in her voice completely.
"Well not every hooker has a heart of gold, all right sister?" The prostitute spoke in a lower voice before turning her attention back to the grouch named Stanley.
Maura quickly pondered the woman's words, doubting she would ever truly understand her implication. Perhaps this is what's referred to as: Sarcasm, the scientist contemplated, suddenly deciding to try.
"Well, apparently not… sister!" She added a subtle body jerk while imitating the hooker's inflection on the word: sister.
The prostitute suddenly turned back; staring at Maura for several long moments in surprise before simply huffing an exasperated sigh and skulked out of the building.
Stanley muttered numerous insulting comments regarding the hooker as the doctor returned to her place in line and retrieved the items she desired. As she considered her selections, Maura looked back towards the building's main doors and quickly made up her mind without entirely considering all of the possible outcomes.
Thankfully, Dr. Isles did not have to walk very far to find the "woman of the night." The prostitute fortuitously happened to be sitting on a nearby bench seething and also deep in thought while chewing on a thumbnail. "Chewing on finger nails is not only unsanitary, but can also damage the teeth." Maura spoke up as she neared the bench, slightly startling the hooker out of her reverie.
Huffing a sigh, the woman slightly rolled her eyes or crossed them in annoyance. "You just can't help yourself, can you?"
Maura chuckled as she offered a large take out cup of coffee to the woman. "I guess so," she simply answered, taking a seat on the remaining bench space.
The prostitute lightly moaned appreciatively as she took a long gulp of coffee. Not entirely sure what to say, Maura simply nudged the brown paper bag across the small bench space separating them. "Here," the doctor quietly spoke, "you need this as well."
Deep brown eyes glanced briefly at the bag sitting next to her before returning her attention back on the M.E. Those strangely familiar brown eyes sent internal tremors throughout her being. Maura slowly breathed deeply and conjured up images of Vuk in her mind. Somehow, thoughts of her wolf friend had given the shy doctor strength. Over the past five to seven years, her therapist remarked and complimented her patient's improvement in adapting, fitting in to social settings and professional ones as well.
Vuk gave me that rare and special gem with her friendship, Maura often thought whenever she was in session. Maura also adapted a subtle habit of fidgeting with her hands and dressed accordingly so the signs of altercaria- rash and hives of her omitting various truthful details of her "improvement" would not show.
The sounds of rustling paper interrupted the scientist's thoughts and she smiled to see the prostitute had picked up the bag and was in the process of unrolling the top. The hooker's facial expression became a mix of annoyance and a slight smile appeared out of the corner of her mouth that somehow spread to her eyes as she looked in to the contents. Her hand swiftly reached inside and plucked out a chocolate glazed donut with sprinkles of superficial coloring wrapped in delicatessen paper.
"What?" The hooker asked with her mouth full of her over generous bite from the confection. "No lecture on how this greasy sugar or whatever else that 'Stanila the Hun' puts in his food is gonna have some health issue or cause some vitamin defi-whatever it is?" ****
Maura simply tilted her head slightly, recalling how Vuk did the same whenever she would speak to the animal. "My first attempt wasn't well received… well, none of my attempts in helping people in that aspect are well received." She nodded to the bag still sitting in the woman's lap. "So, I theorized another approach in helping others and this is my first test of the hypothesis."
The prostitute snorted at the doctor's scientific verbiage as she crumpled up the empty deli wrapper and opened the bag wider to remove the remaining contents. The woman huffed a sigh, yet Maura could not discern if it was of annoyance or of humor laced with sarcasm. Perhaps it was a combination of both.
Her intense dark brown eyes left the yogurt cup and packaged green salad in addition to a couple of packaged sandwiches and a bottle of water and moved to the C.M.E. The emotions Maura saw in her eyes were even more mysterious and left the rational mind of the scientist ever more puzzled. This was not the expected reaction she had anticipated, as much as she struggled to retain an objective mindset.
"I'm sorry," Maura flustered, realizing she had missed whatever the hooker had said. "What was it you said?"
"Um," the woman hesitated, speaking in a softer tone with all acerbic tones completely vanished. "Why? Why are you doing this? I mean, I'm not really a very reputable type of person, ya know?"
Maura could only shrug. "Why not?"
She could not help the chuckle at the woman's facial expression in response. She quickly held up a hand. "I'm not laughing at you," Maura spoke in a rapid tone. "I have an unusual sense of humor."
The prostitute mumbled something indistinctly as she took another sip from her coffee in an attempt to hide or possibly disguise it. The doctor decided not to pursue it and she waited for the woman to return her attention.
"So why, why not?"
Dr. Isles could only shrug. "Given how government legislation attempts to eliminate impoverished conditions, and even personally seeing extreme conditions of privation in developing countries myself seem to have very little effect overall…
"Well, all I can do is what I can," Maura simply added. "Why should I expect everyone to do something or have some belief if I don't do it myself?"
The hooker's eyes only stared back and the doctor breathed deeply.
"Mainly, overall I wanted to."
The woman appeared to be slightly annoyed at the M.E's statement. "So, what do you want in return?"
Maura simply smiled as she gently touched the woman's shoulder briefly, however without a disposable glove. Her fingers graced some of the hooker's hair and despite the oily, unkempt condition; the doctor felt the familiarity in the softness. Images of both Vuk and the police officer she had assisted along with the paramedics those several years ago crossed her mind. Officer… Rizzoli, that was her name, Maura thought. Why do I keep remembering that?
Returning her attention to the present, Maura simply rubbed the other woman's shoulder briefly before rising from the bench. "I do not expect anything," Maura finally spoke. "And, you have already given me what I wanted."
The medical examiner started walking back in the direction for the Boston Police Department Headquarters building before the prostitute could respond or ask what she meant.
* Vuk- the Serbian word for wolf. Sasha Alexander/Maura Isles both speaking the Serbian language- portrayed in Season 3, episode 8.
** Excerpts from Chapter 6 of "Lupus Amicitia." **
* "An ancient sound of the Earth" * –Jamie Dutcher from a documentary titled: "Living With Wolves" released through The Discovery Channel. Highly recommend it! Released on DVD with 2 documentaries titled: "Living With Wolves" and "Wolves At Our Door." Jim and Jamie Dutcher also published a book under the same title: "Wolves At Our Door" and recommend it too. But they lived among just wolves…. not werewolves!
***Chapters 3 & 4 of "Lupus Amicitia." ***
**** Jane calls Stanley "Stanila the Hun" in Episode 3 of Season 2 ****