An exhausted Maura sighed as the automobile puttered to a stop. The dapper old driver hopped out and offered his hand, which she took, and gracefully stepped down. The 1917 yellow Monroe Roadster was the newest addition to the collection her father had started and he was eager to send her about town.

The house in front of her, if you would call it a house, was intimidating to guests and staff alike. Old power radiated from the massive stone structure. Maura had long grown weary of its intimidation and instead regarded the building with wary, though not fearful, eyes.

After a few moments of pondering she mustered up the energy to approach the door. Under the cream brick archway a maid waited to welcome her home.

Another quiet sigh escaped her lips, this one filled with disappointment and very little surprise.

"May I take your coat, Miss Isles?" the maid asked politely with a Southern twang. She nervously avoided eye contact with the doctor.

"No, it is quite alright. I can find my own way from here, thank you."

"Mr. and Mrs. Isles will not be returning until tomorrow evening. If you need anything…" The maid's voice fell on deaf ears as Maura traced the familiar steps to her bedroom. She was not surprised by her parents' absence, though it still stung. The house felt larger and more lonesome without them.

As a young child she had been sought after for friendships and relationship ties, all to boost the importance of those using her. She understood; it was human nature after all. Her family carried heavy influence worldwide and often hosted dinner parties for foreign dignitaries and heads of state. The social pressures were immense for such a young child but she adapted quickly and acted many years older than she ever was.

She released the previous day's tension in her shoulders as she sat primly on the edge of her bed. Her mother had remembered to set out her favorite quilt, a sea blue one that was well worn.

Alone again and still in her crumpled travel clothes, she curled up and drifted off into a deep, dream-filled sleep.


Jane wrapped her father's jacket around her thin frame; the chilly Boston autumn was just beginning and the leaves were starting to turn. It was her favorite time year but even that would fail to lighten her mood. She was preoccupied to say the least.

The night she returned home she would likely never forget. Jane had always been able to contain her emotions, even when her pop died. But Frankie was her baby brother and he followed her around like a pup. She was the reason he became a detective. That influence was the reason he was dead.

Jane walked up the familiar street with her life's possessions in two suitcases. Her eyes briefly scanned her surroundings before she turned up an alley and headed for her destination. The shadows slid off the buildings and alley cats screeched from their lookouts. She approached a worn, wooden door and knocked heavily. There was chaos sounding in background. A few minutes later it creaked open.

"Oh, Janie." Her mother pulled her in for a seemingly endless embrace. Fat teardrops rolled down her face and settled on her tattered shawl.

"Hey, ma. It's nice to see you, too."

"Come in, come in."

The young woman was ushered in to the dimly lit hallway. She followed her mother up the stairs and into their apartment. 'It's good to be home,' she thought, as she settled in.

Together they wept and mourned the young Frankie until the wee hours of the morning. Jane's mother, Angela, was heartbroken. She fell asleep in her daughter's lap, being cradled the way she had so frequently clutched Frankie as a child.

It had been a month since then and Jane was aching for work. Though the Association was supposed to make easier on women in police work, Jane had found herself practically laughed out of the precinct. She scowled at the memory.

The lieutenant, a man by the name of Korsak was a jovial fellow. He had kind eyes and a round stature. He escorted her through the station, making small talk the entire time. Regardless, she heard the cutting remarks from the other officers and had no doubt that he heard them too. Not for the first time she wished she were a man. Yes, there was still hazing, but she would have had an equal opportunity to prove her worth.

Korsak surprised her that day, an occurrence that she noted because it happened rarely. After leading her into his office he abruptly turned on his heel and barked orders to the gaping young men. They immediately got to work as the door was shut.

'Now this is a man I could respect,' Jane thought before tuning into the old detective.

"Lazy bastards, ain't got nothin better to do than gawk," he muttered as he sat down at a cluttered desk.

He sighed and continued.

"Look, Jane, I'll level with ya. The old boys in Chicago told me great things about you. You had the best record on the force. Incredible. I'd love to hire you on the up-and-up as a detective but I can't. You heard what those fellas were sayin. I need efficiency, not distractions. Now, I got a position as a secretary I know you don't want, but it's either that or you partner with my man Barrold Frost. He works for me on the contracted cases I don't trust will be handled properly by the lads out there. What do you think?"

Jane was unable to respond. On one hand, she was frustrated. She knew she could do a better job than any of the men in precinct and she knew that fact didn't matter. Out of pride alone she was close to declining. On the other hand, his honesty and demeanor were likeable traits. She knew she could trust him. His offer was also a close second to her dream.

Her silence was understood.

"Well, get in contact with Frost. You can have a couple days to mull over it."

He handed Jane a piece of paper with an address scrawled on it before showing her the door. The officers icily ignored her as she exited the building, blaming her for the reprimanding.

Jane initially scoffed at the idea, thinking that no ordinary man would be willing to partner up with a woman. She was about to find out that it was true; Barrold Frost was no ordinary man.


There was a knock at the front door of his apartment. Frost had been phoned by Korsak to let him know a potential partner would be stopping by.

"You better thank me for this one Frost. She's the best you're gonna find," the old man warned.

Frost was unsure whether that was a compliment to the stranger or a dig at him. He'd have to find out.

He opened the door to a tall woman. She stood with confidence in her manly attire, like she was used to the garb. Her eyes were strikingly dark and analytical. He doubted much was lost on them and approved that she didn't bat an eyelash at the color of his skin. No, she merely soaked it in as she observed everything else around her.

"Detective Frost? I'm Jane Rizzoli. Korsak sent me."

"Come in. Can I get ya anything?"

"No. Thanks."

He could tell she was unsure of what to say or do next. He pointed to a worn couch and told her to make herself comfortable. He noticed her eyes dart around the room, once again boosting his confidence in this potential partner. Frost had met countless others that never seem to fit the bill. He knew Korsak was growing weary but when he talked to him earlier, the lieutenant sounded confident about this candidate. He could understand why.

He saw Jane's eyes come to rest on the table before her. It was filled with disorganized case files and promising leads. Before she could formulate a query, Frost was answering her unspoken questions.

"Korsak knows my father from back in the day. He offered me a chance when no one else would, taught me everything I know. He's a good man and a great judge of character." Frost flashed his brilliant grin.

"What kind of cases do you work?" Jane asked, ignoring his cocky boast. The kid was cute, she'd give him that much.

"Oh, a little bit of everything. Mainly the victims overlooked by high society – the poor, blacks, women of the night. The cases Korsak doesn't trust to the bulls down at the station. We go more unnoticed."

"We?"

"Yea, Susie and I. I was fortunate she was the product of one of my first cases. She's a smart one and I'd trust her with my life. We don't always play by the rules, Jane, and we're not expected to. It's a good job, though, despite the risks."

The black eyes were again filled with questions but he noticed restraint on the woman's face.

"How about we go get a drink. I'm thirsty." Frost gave an easy smile and walked toward the door. "The first is on me."


Hey, guys! I failed to mention this in the first chapter but obviously I don't own the characters in any way. I hope you guys enjoy it and feel free to review it! That'd be rad!

Happy new year!