Because I really don't know when to stop...

Maura Isles did not want to go to college. Well. That was a lie. She didn't want to go to this college. She wanted to go to Oxford. She had got in, she had lived in Europe for a lot of her childhood... Why should she have to study in LA? It wasn't as if her mother liked having her around, and they were barely in the same country – there was even a time difference! But her mother had insisted. So here she was.

Her mom hadn't even been available to help her move in. In fact, Constance was actually in LONDON! For a gallery opening or something... Maura didn't get upset about things, she was very rarely flustered or strongly emotional in any way. But really? She had dreamed of being able to study in England and now her mother was actually staying there while Maura was forced to go somewhere in the states under the pretence of being closer to home.

She even had to share a room. She groaned. Her roommate hadn't arrived yet, though. Always fair, she made sure she didn't use more than her share of the closet space, and even collected an induction leaflet and vouchers for the invisible woman. She didn't like people being late, though.

When all her boxes were unpacked, after giving her new detective novel a longing look, she went outside to the Fresher's fair that was going on in the courtyard. None of the clubs seemed very interesting... She played clarinet, and had done ballet and fencing at school, but there was no sign of a fencing group and she didn't like ballerinas. She filled out the form to audition for the orchestra, but wasn't sure that she would go. She would be fairly busy with class, and she'd come up with a reading list of her own, as well as taking French on the side of her medicine course. She wriggled rather uncomfortably in her new shirt as she saw what looked like some soccer players eyeing her up.

She was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with her. But sweaty, spotty, vulgar teenage boys? No thanks. Her mother had insisted on giving her extra money to buy a whole new wardrobe for college. It wasn't that Maura wasn't interested in fashion... But it seemed like a bit of a waste. She sighed. She looked good in the shirt. She knew she did, there was no point denying it. She saw a car pull up in front of the building her room was in. It wasn't the first car; Maura had been keeping half an eye on that area all afternoon, curious about who she was sharing with.

On closer inspection, though, Maura saw that this was a private taxi. She walked closer; getting out was a tall, dark haired girl with an angry expression and a suitcase far too big for her to carry.

"You should use two smaller bags, it's better for your spine and much easier to carry," Maura said before she could stop herself. The girl turned to glare at her.

"Thanks, Einstein!" the girl almost yelled.

"Sorry, I just-"

"Never mind," the girl said shortly."If you're not going to help, why don't you go bother someone else?"

Maura went over to help. The girl laughed sarcastically.

"I was actually telling you to leave. Don't you do hints?"

"If you carry this on your own you'll hurt yourself. I can help you."

The girl sighed. "Fine. Your choice."

Maura smiled widely. "I'm Maura Isles, pre-med. It's lovely to meet you."

The girl raised her eyebrows. "Kate Beckett. Likewise," she said. Maura ignored the sarcasm and lifted up one end of the suitcase. Kate lifted up her end.

"We're going to the top floor," she warned.

"Which room?" They were on the stairs now, Kate was actually quite impressed. This Maura was pretty strong for her size, despite her dorkiness.

"Fourth floor, room 6."

Maura groaned inwardly. Kate caught it, she was very observant.

"Wait... no?"

Maura sighed. "Yes," she said.

"You don't need to sound so miserable about it," Kate said.

"You did," Maura replied.

"Touche..." Kate said. They got to the room. Kate noticed how good Maura had been about not using extra space. They dumped the case on the floor. Since she had nothing better to do, Maura helped Kate carry up the rest of her stuff, then sat down on her bed to read. Kate stood awkwardly beside her.

"I guess your parents came and helped you move in?" she asked, kicking herself already because it sounded like she was being mean. Again.

Maura put down her book. "No, actually I arrived on my own. I'm just very efficient."

"Oh," Kate said, wishing she could think of something nicer to say. "My parents were too busy to come, too. They're lawyers."

"My mother's an artist," Maura said.

"Well, hey, at least we're in LA," Kate said, trying to be positive. "I hear there'll be some great parties."

"I wanted to go to Oxford. I'm 18, I can't drink here."

"Well, I'm 18 too. But this is college – surely..?"

"I don't break the law."

"Oh..." Kate said again. "There's the beach," she attempted.

"Beaches are statistically very dangerous. I don't want to get skin cancer."

Kate made a face. "Is there anything you don't know?"

"It's impossible to know everything," Maura said earnestly.

"And you aren't even joking," Kate said, more to herself than her companion. She tried valiantly to continue a conversation. At least Maura wasn't mean... Although that might have been more interesting."So... you said you were pre-med. I'm pre-law... but I'm also taking theatre. Have you been down to the thing to look at the clubs and stuff? They said it's here tomorrow too..."

"I was there earlier. I'm going to audition for the orchestra. There isn't a fencing society."

Kate tried not to laugh. "You... fence?"

"It's actually a very challenging sport."

"It's fighting for people who don't want to get their hands dirty!" Kate said without really thinking. "I'm going to look for kickboxing."

"They have kickboxing."

"There you go then. You have to sign up for something. You can come with me and put your name down."

"I'll be busy with class..."

"Look, Maura, you don't seem like a bad person. But I don't want to have to be nice to you all year because you have no friends. So you're going to have a social life. Got it?"

Maura frowned. "Participating in sport is healthy..."

"There you go! You can join softball too, the team here's great!"

"Kate, I don't know-"

"You run?"

"Yes, but-"

"Same thing, only you swing a stick at a ball first. You'll love it."

"No I won't. I dislike social interactions."

"That figures..."

"My therapist said I just need exposure."

"Exposure to what?"

"To people."

"In that case you have to join lots."

"I prefer books."

"Again, figures... I'm going to look at the fair. I don't imagine you want to come?"

"No, thank you."

"At least you're polite," Kate muttered as she left the room. What a weirdo...

She was tidy, though. Polite. Intelligent. She liked crime novels too. Kate was practical, she had to share with this girl for a year, she might as well make the best of it. And there was something about her... Her mother had taught her never to underestimate people, never to write people off... And while Maura was nothing like the sort of people she usually chose as friends, she was better than a lot of the heavily made up California girls that littered the campus. She was interesting.

She was also a challenge. Kate liked a challenge. Maybe she could get to know this kid. Maybe even bring her round to underage drinking... She'd already been given several flyers for first night parties, she thought she'd be able to drag Maura to one with a bit of persuasion. She sensed quite a lot of frustration under the calm exterior...

Maura opened her book and began to read, but found herself thinking about Kate. She was nice. She was just the sort of person who would do brilliantly at the social side of college. Maura found herself feeling rather jealous, but also hopeful... Perhaps she had actually made a friend...

A/N: So... what do you think? I hope you all like it, that you forgive me for messing with the characters, and that you write me a REVIEW! xx