AN: This is one of those unfortunate rewrites. Chapter One only has small changes, so you should be okay if you don't reread the chapter. Italicized ANs are the new ones that go with the updates. Again, my apologies for this, but it helps the story flow better in my opinion.
UPDATED: 9 Dec 2015
AN: This is my first R&I fanfic, and it may not make a lot of sense at first. Normal disclaimers apply, only time you'll see it this fic. I'm a rambler, so these are liable to be any length. Any feedback is great, PM me if you want. My "About Me" is WAY WAY outta date, so ignore the majority of that. I'll try to update regularly, but college freshman classes may keep me away. The more bugged I am about it = more updates! lol Happy reading! ~ Henri Jane
Medical Examiner Maura Isles had just sat down at a table close to the counter of BPD's cafe to wait for Angela Rizzoli to bring her a mint decaf tea and a British scone when she saw a grungy woman with long dark hair and beautiful but defeated mocha eyes enter through the door, blinking rapidly. Before Maura could truly process the situation, the ragged woman was approaching the counter, eyes darting around her suspiciously. Maura initially thought that the woman was going to try to steal something, but the woman instead walked directly up to Angela. The woman leaned across the counter and gripped Angela's arm lightly. "Ma, please, I just want a few plain bagels, I'm not asking for a five-course Italian dinner with expensive wine. Ma..." The woman was begging in a broken whisper, and Maura was shocked to see tears streaming down her face.
Maura was even more surprised when the normally kind and smotheringly maternal Angela jerked back from the other woman's touch. "I don't have a daughter. Go away." Angela hissed before she turned her back on the woman. Homicide Captain Sean Cavanagh walked up in all of his authority as soon as Angela moved away. "Is everything okay here Ange?" Angela stayed turned away, but Maura could see a single tear slip silently down her cheek as the older woman shook her head. "C'mon Miss, let's get you out of here."
Captain Cavanagh took the woman roughly by the arm and began escorting her out. The woman just sobbed harder, but she didn't fight him. Sean, whom had earned Maura's deepest respect, was roughly dragging an innocent homeless woman from the precinct. Maura quickly realized that her carefully organized world was turning upside down, so she did something she'd never done before. She followed her instincts, or as her co-workers called it, her gut. Standing quickly, Maura rushed to the bar, cutting in front of Homicide Detective Barry Frost. "Sorry Barold. Angela, may I have five plain bagels to go, please. I wish to take them home with me." Maura refused to allow the hives to appear, and was mildly surprised when they didn't.
Angela nodded and gathered them up silently, handing them over with a smile of thanks that she didn't expect Maura to decipher. Maura threw down a five dollar bill and turned to stride quickly and purposefully towards the door. She remembered her manners halfway across the room. "I'll pay the rest when I come in Tuesday." It was Labor Day weekend, and the precinct had Monday off. Maura barged through the door after she was out of the cafe. Cavanagh was just coming out of an alley, so Maura waited until he had passed her into the doors of the precinct before charging down the alleyway. She was immensely grateful that she'd had to learn how to sprint in heels, silently at that, in boarding school to get away from her tormentors.
Barreling past a dumpster, Maura slowed down before turning and jogging back. Unsure of the protocol in which to approach the "home" of a homeless person, Maura again chose to follow her instincts. Knocking on the dumpster lightly, Maura heard nothing. Feeling ridiculous, she leaned over slightly and whispered into the small opening that had appeared when she wasn't looking, "I don't want to hurt you. I just want to help. My name is Maura; I work at the precinct." The small crack closed at the final statement. "No, I'm a doctor, I'm the kind that only wants to help people."
The crack remained shut, and Maura's heart sank. She'd lost her chance to help the woman, until a boy around ten years old came scrambling around the corner. "Ma, I..." He cut off abruptly and tried to get away, but Maura grabbed his shoulder just tight enough to keep him from getting away.
"Hush, I won't hurt you. I just wanted to bring your Ma some food, but she won't accept it. Will you give it to her if I promise to leave?" Maura knew that it wouldn't be eaten if she followed through, but a plan was slowly forming in her mind. "Don't touch my brother, you perv!" A girl looking to be the boy's twin came quickly toward Maura, intending to strike her, but the woman from the cafe jumped out from the somehow open dumpster and pulled her children away from Maura. "Please, no food. Just peace. Leave."
Maura shook her head. She knew that it'd be hard to do, what she was planning, but she proceeded anyway. "No, I came out here for a reason. I want to give you these, they're fresh and I haven't done anything to them. I'm working on clearing both of our peace of minds. And no, I'm not leaving here without you and your children. I'm taking you all back to my home to get you all cleaned up and give everyone a check-up."
The woman shook her head no. Two teen girls came around the corner just then, freezing at the sight before them. "Ma..." One started slowly. "Whuz goin on?" Their mother motioned the two to join her, which they did. "Who's the primp?"
Maura leaned forward slightly. "My name's Maura Isles, and I brought your family food. I want to take you all back to my house, I need to check on all of you. I'm a doctor." The two girls shook their heads. The other older girl laughed a little. "Ma not stupid, she know bettah."
Maura sighed. "I know your mother's not stupid, none of you are. I just want to help." Maura resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She reached slowly to just under her shirt, where her .357 Magnum was concealed. "You can take my pistol and keep it with you until you feel safe enough. My only request is that you never use it against me unless truly justified and that if you decide to leave, that you leave it with me. It's the only armed protection I have." Once her jacket was pulled back, Maura raised her hands slightly. "You can even remove it yourself."
AN(2): I know it was kinda short, but bare with me. You'll catch on pretty quickly. I'm gonna try not to give too much away. No beta, so offer if ya want to take up the job. I don't think there are too many mistakes, I'm kinda OCD about that kinda thing, but ya never know. R&R if you want a shout-out! I might even dedicate the next chapter to you... (wink wink, nudge nudge)