CHARACTER RANKS:

Jane Rizzoli: Detective Lieutenant

Vince Korsak: Sergeant Detective

Barry Frost: Detective

Riley Cooper: Detective

Frankie Rizzoli: Officer

Maura Isles: Chief Medical Examiner

Susie Chang: Senior Criminalist

CHAPTER ONE

"As of today, I, Jane Rizzoli, will be taking the place of Sean Cavanaugh as your Detective Lieutenant. I've heard many great things about this division and will be getting to know each and every one of you inside and out as time progresses, whether you like it or not." This elicited nervous chuckles from a few officers, "We're all here for the same thing, and that's to bring justice to those who have fallen victim to violence… "

Maura stood with the crowd in a trance, watching the raven-haired woman speak to everyone in the department with a very serious look on her face. Her tall and lean figure stood straight, hands folded behind her, chest out, shoulders square, and her sharp eyes made contact with every occupant of the room. Not a single person dared to let their vulnerability show as the woman observed each one of them as she spoke, her confidence and power overwhelmed their senses, sending them into an anxious state.

"…If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to come visit me in my office. I have a feeling that after a month of being here, I'll end up even balder than Cavanaugh." Her pursed lips stretched into a smile, showing rows of pearly whites. The room hummed softly with laughter. Seeing the stone cold face change into a gorgeous smile seemed to ease the tension in the air.

"I'm glad that my replacement has a good sense of humour." Cavanaugh grinned at the crowd then patted Jane on the back, " They're great workers, trust me." He clapped his hands together, "I expect you guys to treat Detective Lieutenant Rizzoli with the utmost respect, just like how you treated me. She's favoured by many of our higher ranked officers for her stellar work. She's here at such a young age for a reason, people. You better get that through your heads now before you do something stupid. Now get back to work!"

After the brief applause, everyone scurried out the door to continue their duties. Jane lightly nudged Cavanaugh's arm. "You're retired, that's my job now. And stop scaring them."

"That's the last command I'll ever be giving them. You'll do an amazing job, Rizzoli." His gaze moved around the room until they settled on an individual who was busy talking to one of the detectives. He decided to call them both over. "Detective Frost! Doctor Isles!"

Jane raised a brow at the two faces that whipped in their direction upon hearing their names. She watched a fairly muscled African-American man in a suit and what looked like a fashion model, walk towards them.

"This is Barry Frost, one of our finest detectives." Cavanaugh indicated the male to her. "Detective Frost, meet Jane Rizzoli."

"Nice to officially meet you, ma'am." Frost shook her hand clumsily before letting go and scratched the back of his head.

"Likewise, Detective." She tried to ease his nervousness with a small smile. It seemed to do the trick when he visibly relaxed his shoulders.

Cavanaugh couldn't help but try and suppress the grin on his face seeing the newly appointed Lieutenant stare in veiled puzzlement at the blonde, trying to put the pieces together."And this is the Chief Medical Examiner, Doctor Maura Isles."

"It's very nice to make your acquaintance, Lieutenant." Dr. Isles smiled from ear to ear as she reached out to shake her hand. An electrical current pricked up her arm and down her spine at the contact. Oh.

"Same to you Dr. Isles." They locked eyes for a little longer than they should have. Realizing this, Jane stepped back and raised her brows. She opened her mouth to say something but closed it shut and just continued to stare in wonder for a short moment. The woman was clad in a forest green dress with matching heels and jewelry adorning her ears and neck. There was no way she liked to dissect dead bodies for a living, Jane thought.

Cavanaugh threw a knowing look at Barry, who returned it with a mischievious glint in his eyes and said, "Don't let her looks fool you, Lieutenant. She's one hell of a Coroner."

Jane cleared her throat, "I don't doubt that." She threw on her stony expression again and decided to put the conversation to a close. "I should finish settling my things in the office."

"Best of luck." He gave the two women a hug and put a hand on Barry's shoulder. "Which reminds me. Frost, I've got a few things in the lobby that I need to take to my car. You mind?"

"Of course, sir."

The two men disappeared through the doors.

"Would you like some assistance, Lieutenant?" Offered Maura. "I'm still waiting on some lab results so I've got some time on my hands right now."

"That would be wonderful." Jane motioned for her to follow her. They maneuvered their way through the different corridors until they reached the very last door at the end of the hallway. She opened the door and let the blonde walk through first, taking note of her endless road of legs and firm ass in the process. "Just hand me the files one at a time as I organize them into the cabinet." She pointed at the box on the floor, next to the bookshelf.

"With pleasure." She bent forward to retrieve them, her cleavage coming into plain view as her silky blonde hair fell in waves in front of her. Maura was more than aware of her actions and wanted to see just how affected the other woman was. There was no mistaking the initial attraction they shared upon first contact. Trying to seduce strangers to bed was nothing new to her. In fact, she was great at it.

Especially when they were this delicious.

When she handed the first file package to the brunette, she felt her body tingle at the dark stare that was sent her way. The Lieutenant sifted through the cabinet in silence, figuring out where to put the contents. The muscles of her shoulder strained against her dark dress shirt, accentuating every contour of her sculpted arms. Her fingers moved swiftly as they flipped through the folders and the spot between her legs clenched as she imagined all the things those strong hands were capable of doing.

"Next." Jane ordered and Maura shivered.

For the next fifteen minutes they repeated the process until all the documents were in their respective spots.

Silence ensued as the Lieutenant stood with her arms crossed while sitting on her desk. Her analyzing stare was cold and unsettling. But in a way, it aroused Maura. Finally she spoke, her raspy voice sweltering. "You're quite bold, Dr. Isles."

"How do you mean?" She asked innocently, through her lashes.

"You know what I mean." Jane responded gruffly.

Her words lingered in the air as they stared each other down. Maura made no attempt to mask her wandering eyes that travelled from the Lieutenant's polished boots, to the slacks that hugged her undoubtedly powerful legs, the slim waist that had the glowing badge clipped to her belt, to the dress shirt that barely covered her rippling muscles, to her slender neck and collarbone that was exposed due to having the top buttons undone.

Finally, she focused on the perfectly chiseled features of the woman before settling on her hypnotizing eyes, which had remained on her face the entire time. Maura raised a brow suggestively and smiled slowly, "My lab results should be in now. I'll see you around, Lieutenant."

With a sway of her hips she was gone.

Fuck. Jane ran a hand through her long curls trying to shake the arousal the blonde vixen had managed to stir. She had read the woman like a children's book. So damn easily.

Maybe it was because the medical examiner made it as clear as day that she was sexually interested in her and was not afraid to show it. Sirens went off in Jane's head at how wrong it was on so many levels to be involved with one of her co-workers. It wasn't professional and would already taint her reputation with the department. Images of the doctor's subtle flirtation flashed in her mind again and she clenched her fists. Just thinking about it was dangerous.

Then again… Maura Isles proved to be just that.