AN: Sorry for the really long wait but things got in thway. Here's the next few chapters of this story. Hope ya'll like it!

Chapter 1: Changes

Boston, Massachusetts...September 6, 2001

Kennedy stepped through the tunnel that led from the plane to the terminal with Jules following close behind. She was actually here, in Boston. Kennedy still could not believe it.

After the funeral, Jules had filed a petition to be named as Kennedy's legal guardian but the court had denied that when Kennedy's uncle had stepped forward. Because he was her mother's brother and therefore a blood relation, he was granted custody of Kennedy. Thankfully, he had agreed to allow Jules to stay with Kennedyï¾—after Kennedy explained why Jules needed to be around.

Surprisingly, her uncle had accepted the story without too many questions. So now, here they both were, in Boston. Kennedy turned to Jules and cocked her head in a silent signal to follow her. They made their way out of Logan Airport and hailed a cab.

Kennedy and Jules were met by her Uncle Garret Macy at his house and got settled in. Jules had decided to give Kennedy a few more days off from her training to adjust to life here in New England.

New school, new city, new life...and a trust fund that wouldn't kick in until she was 21. Until then, she received monthly support checks.

A few days later...

"So, Kennedy, I have to get to work but I was wondering if you wanted to come along and see what I do all day. If you want to that is, unless Ms Sternin has other plans for you today?" Garret Macy tried to engage his young grief stricken niece in some type of conversation. She'd been eerily quiet since he'd met her at the cab. It worried him because the last time he'd seen her, a year ago, she had been full of energy and asking constant questions about his job. He knew that she'd just lost her parents and he thought that maybe Lily could help her. Lily was a grief counselor who worked with him at the Medical Examiner's office, where he was the boss.

Kennedy looked up at her uncle and realized he was really trying to distract her so she smiled. Then Kennedy turned to look at Jules and saw the brief nod she gave. Jules and Garret had talked the night before and she'd agreed that Kennedy might benefit from talking with Lily.

"Ok. Sounds like a plan. I'll just grab my coat." Kennedy left the kitchen trying to be normal and upbeat but inside she was...numb, hollow. A year ago she would've been thrilled to go to work with her uncle and find out what went on in the morgue but, now, Kennedy wasn't sure she wanted to. But since her uncle had asked nicely and Jules had given her permission, Kennedy decided to make the best of it.

Kennedy and her uncle arrived at the City Morgue building at a quarter to nine and Kennedy followed him to his office. They walked inside and Kennedy sat down on a low leather couch against the wall near the door knowing that if anybody came in they wouldn't notice her right away. It gave Kennedy an advantage she preferred.

Garret Macy sat down at his desk and glanced at his young niece. Lily would be in the office soon; he'd called her yesterday after arranging things with Ms Sternin. Garret opened a file on his desk and was just starting to glance through it when Lily knocked on his open door.

"Dr. Macy?" Lily asked a bit nervously. Kennedy glanced in the direction of the lady who'd just walked in and studied her. She was pretty average looking with dark hair and pale skin. Kennedy got the impression she had a thing for her uncle.

"Yes, Lily?" Garret asked, not wanting Kennedy to know he'd set this up. He knew, from Ms Sternin, that if Kennedy even smelled set up she'd never cooperate.

"How's your niece doing?" Lily was not that good at casual. She turned when she heard someone clearing her throat behind her.

"Ask her yourself Lily." Garret said as Lily noticed Kennedy sitting on his couch. Garret smiled as he saw Kennedy sizing Lily up like an opponent in a boxing match. "Kennedy, meet Lily she's our grief counselor here. Lily, this is my niece Kennedy."

Lily walked forward and offered her hand to the young girl who stood up from the couch. Lily smiled as they shook hands. Kennedy heard the words 'grief counselor' and realized she'd been set up.

But she was saved from having to say anything by another lady who entered the office. She was tall, with jet-black hair and dark brown eyes. She was wearing tight blue jeans and black t-shirt with the words 'Slippery When Wet' superimposed over a logo for the band Bon Jovi. Kennedy smiled at the other meanings that phrase could take on as she took in the look on the lady's face. She looked...defiant yet pleading.

"Garret, uh, I need a moment..." the lady looked around and saw that the office was a bit full. "uh...nevermind. I'll tell ya later." With that the mystery lady vanished out the door before anyone could stop her and Kennedy felt a weird sense of...longing. She didn't understand it but she knew she was attracted to the lady with no name and she also knew she wanted to find out more about her.

"Uncle Garret? Who was that?" Kennedy asked as casually as she could manage after she'd turned away from Lily.

Garret turned from the empty doorway where she'd been, he couldn't believe she just left without asking whom the new face was. It wasn't like her to not ask. Garret looked at his niece and simply said, "That... was Jordan."

TBC...