A/N: I was so stoked to see how many people enjoyed the ending of the last chapter. I was smiling with every review/follow/favorite. This chapter is still kind of fluffy. I don't know why I have been writing saccharine sweet stuff lately, it's just how the story flows for me. For all those looking for more angst or more between Jane and Maura, I promise it will be there soon. This chapter is mostly Maura. Enjoy.

As Maura finished reading the note, she felt her heart swell and tears start to stream down her face. She thought she had scared Jane away. She was so worried that her tendency to speak whatever she thought had chased away the first person she ever felt a true connection with. The thought never crossed her mind that Jane had simply been called away to do her job. She smiled when she realized that while she attempted to sleep, Jane was out in the city, keeping not only her, but also all of Boston safe.

Maura walked inside her house and closed the door. She found a vase and marveled at the beauty of the single flower. She took a big gulp of the coffee and although it was a simple black coffee, it's warmth spread throughout her body because she knew it was delivered by Jane. She took out her phone and called Jane. After two rings, Jane picked up the phone. "Hey there."

Maura could tell how tired Jane was by her voice. "I'm so sorry. Did I wake you?"

"No, I just got home. But I was very close to crashing."

"I won't keep you then. I just wanted to say that the coffee was definitely needed this morning and the flower is beautiful." Maura smiled as she spoke to the cop.

"Not as beautiful as you." Jane cringed at how cheesy she sounded. After talking to Maura for hours last night, Jane knew she wanted to pursue Maura. It was new territory for her and she really didn't want to mess it up. She was always rough around the edges but was a romantic at heart.

Maura smiled hearing Jane's words but then felt bad for keeping her from her sleep. "You need to get your rest, Officer. It's very important to get the proper amount of sleep. Hopefully, I will talk to you later today after you are well rested."

"You definitely will. Have a great day Maura."

"Sweet dreams, Jane."

Maura hung up the phone and sighed. No one had ever done anything for Maura quite like the simple gesture from Jane. She felt closer to Jane than she had ever felt to anyone and she had only known the woman for a few days. As she took another sip of her coffee, Maura looked at the clock and realized that although the delivery had made her morning, it was making her very late. She grabbed her coffee, her book, and her car keys and ran out so that she could make it on time.


The typical third year of medical is filled with different clinical rotations so that the future doctors were able to get practical experience in a variety of fields of medicine. In the fall, Maura had completed clinicals in a variety of fields. But for the first time, Maura was very excited for her clinical. Due to her high standing, all out dedication to her studies, and family connections, Maura had the opportunity to do a clinical internship in the office of the Chief Medical Examiner for Massachusetts. To make sure she was prepared, Maura had spent hours reading texts on forensic pathology, anatomy, and criminology as well as enrolling in an extra pathology class, something unheard of for most third years. But Maura had been fascinated in her Gross Anatomy class her first year and the thought of not having to deal with live patients was very attractive to Maura.

Maura arrived right on time at the Boston Police Department, which housed the office of the Chief Medical Examiner. She couldn't help but think of Jane as she passed a few uniformed police officers outside of the station. She continued up the stairs through the front door. Maura headed past the café towards the elevators, when she heard a wolf whistle behind her. Maura was used to being ogled by men and women, she just didn't expect it at the police station. She tried to shake it off, but then she heard what sounded like a young man behind her.

"Hey babe, did you come to file a missing persons report for the man of your dreams? Because I'm right here."

Before Maura could turn around and look at who had uttered the horrible pick-up line, she heard an authoritative male voice. "Gentlemen, I know you are new to this line of work but you need to learn to act like officers of the law and respect the citizens of this city. I would hate to have to talk to your superiors."

Maura turned around to see an older gentleman with grey hair and a grey beard, dressed in a suit and tie standing there and three young uniformed officers with shocked looks on their faces. The young officer that Maura theorized was the mouthpiece of the group quickly spoke up. "We're sorry Detective. I promise it won't happen again."

"See that it doesn't. Now apologize to the young lady Officer Thomas."

The officer stepped up to Maura and looked up at her with a sheepish look on his face. "Ma'am, I am very sorry for my offensive words. I hope you won't hold it against the fine men and women of the Boston Police Department."

When Maura heard his words her thoughts went immediately to Jane and she smiled. "Thank you Officer Thomas and know that I have the greatest respect for the police of this city." Having his apology accepted, Officer Thomas hurried off before he could anger the detective more.

The detective turned to Maura, "Miss, I hope that Officer Thomas didn't offend you. Sometimes the new officers forget that they represent the city."

Maura smiled. "Not at all Detective. I am very fond of the Boston Police Department."

"Well that's good to know. So how can I help one of BPD's biggest fans?" The detective smiled as he said this. Maura noticed that his smile was very comforting.

"I am starting a clinical internship with the Chief Medical Examiner today. I was just heading down to their office. My name is Maura Isles." Maura extended her hand to the detective.

"I guess I will be seeing a lot more of you then. Detective Vince Korsak. I work in Homicide and deal with the ME a lot. You will love Dr. Williams. She's great. Well, I don't want you to be late, so I'll let you go. But if you ever need anything, you can find me upstairs in Homicide. You can also stop by the café. My wife works there and she would love to help with anything. She's raised three kids and has dealt with everything. At least stop by for lunch. Just ask for Angela and tell her Vince sent you."

"It has definitely been a pleasure, Detective Korsak. I look forward to seeing you around." Maura smiled and headed toward the elevators. She rode the elevator down to the morgue. As she stepped off the elevator, Maura looked at her watch. She noticed she was right on time. She preferred to be early but was glad that she had met the friendly detective upstairs. Maura walked into the autopsy room where she had been instructed to meet with the ME.

As Maura walked up to the metal autopsy table, she noticed another person standing there. She knew that this person was not the ME because the ME was a female and this was a male. Maura was confused at who this other person was because she was under the impression that she was doing her internship with the Chief Medical Examiner. Maura walked up to the table, her heals clicking on the tile floor. Just before she got to the table, the man spoke without turning around to look at her.

"Apparently being on time is not as important to some people as it is to others. We have an important job down here and I hope in the future you are more timely." The man spun around and eyed Maura. "We also dress appropriately down here. Your flashy dresses and heels will get you nowhere in the morgue."

Maura was taken aback. She really was excited for this internship and she had already made a bad impression. "I am so sorry, sir. I did bring scrubs and more appropriate shoes to wear for any autopsies…"

The man cut Maura off. "Standing here telling me about it is just wasting my time as well as yours. There is a locker room through there. Please hurry as you have already wasted enough time."

Maura hurried to change into her scrubs. She was upset that she had already messed up in the first minutes. The man outside really seemed to dislike her and Maura wondered if she would be able to last the entire internship with him. Although she was upset, part of Maura was still excited because she would get to assist in her first autopsy. She finished getting ready and hurried back out to meet the boorish man. "I guess we are finally ready. This is how I expect you to arrive from now on. Act like a professional. My name is Dr. Pike. You will address me as such. I am the assistant to Dr. Williams, the Chief Medical Examiner. She is currently out at a crime scene. When she is out, I am in charge. I assume you must be Maura Isles. I don't know how you got an internship here but I don't have time for your sub-par skills. Now let's put you to work."


Maura thought she was going to really enjoy this internship. She had expected to assist in autopsies and the practice of forensic pathology. But all she had done all morning was "busy work". She had filed paperwork, organized the autopsy room, and been at Dr. Pike's beckon call. She was more than relieved when Dr. Pike informed her that she was now allowed to take an hour for lunch. Maura didn't want to risk being late again, so she decided to just grab lunch at the café upstairs.

Maura rode the elevator up and walked into the café. She stood near the counter, debating what she was going to order, when a surly, older man spoke out. "Look lady, I don't have all day. Are you going to order something or not?"

Maura stared at the balding man and was on the verge of tears. She weakly answered the man, trying to hold back her tears. "Just a hot tea, please." The surly man grumbled and brought Maura a tea. She paid for the tea and sat at a table. Maura put her face in her hands and started to cry. She had been so excited for this internship but after a horrible morning with Dr. Pike yelling at her and now the surly man in the café, she didn't think she could take the rest of the afternoon, let alone the rest of the internship. Maura couldn't hold back her tears.

As she sat with her head in her hands, sobbing, Maura felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw a woman that looked like the mom Maura always wished she had. She had kind eyes and when she spoke, Maura could hear the compassion in her voice. "Hey sweetie. Are you ok?"

Maura felt an instant connection with this woman. And the truth was she wasn't ok. "I thought today was going to be great but so far it has just been horrible." Maura didn't know why she felt comfortable talking with this woman but she continued. "I was going to start my dream internship in the medical examiner's office today, but I got here and the assistant ME has done nothing but yell at me and then I came up here to eat and the guy behind the counter yelled at me." As Maura said this more tears streamed down her face. Suddenly, Maura was caught off guard when the woman pulled her into a hug. Maura was never really hugged as a child, but this hug from a stranger was so comforting that Maura didn't mind.

The woman pulled away and looked at Maura. She handed her a tissue before she spoke. "No one likes Dr. Pike here. He somehow was able to do his residency here. All of the Homicide detectives hate dealing with him. Truth is he isn't very good. And don't worry about Stanley over there. He's grumpy most of the time but he really does have a good heart. So what's your name, sweetie?"

"M-maura I-isles." Maura said sniffling.

"Well, Maura, my name is Angela and you should really pity me. I have to work with Stanley everyday." Angela smiled.

"Angela. You must be Detective Korsak's wife." Maura smiled, realizing that the two nicest people she had met today were husband and wife.

"Oh, you've met Vince, have you?"

"Yes, this morning he stepped in when some young officers made some inappropriate comments. He actually told me to come up here and find you if I needed anything. It seems that your family is destined to protect me."

"That man is such a sweetheart. Well, if it's my destiny to protect you, then let me start by getting you something to eat." Before Maura could say something, Angela ran off and returned a few minutes later with a large salad and a peanut butter and fluff sandwich. "I figured you like to eat healthy but whenever my kids were having a bad day, I would make them a peanut butter and fluff sandwich and it made everything better. So I brought you both. Alright sweetie, you enjoy and I'll come check on you in a little bit." With that Angela gave Maura a squeeze around her shoulders and went back to the counter. Maura knew she should eat the salad but decided to try the sandwich. As she bit into it, she immediately felt better. Maura looked up towards Angela and saw the woman smile at her. As Maura ate, Angela would stop by every now and then to check on her. As she finished her lunch, Maura looked at her watch and noticed that her lunch hour was almost up. She stood up and walked over to the counter. Angela walked over to her.

"Angela, I want to thank you so much for being so kind to me. You and your husband are very kind people and it has made this day much better. And the sandwich definitely made me feel better. I think I can now face an afternoon stuck in the morgue with Dr. Pike."

"Anytime sweetheart. You remind me of one of my own kids. And I don't think you have to worry too much about Pike this afternoon. It looks like Dr. Williams is back. That's her over by the coffee." Maura looked over and saw a very well dressed woman in her late 40's. "Would you like me to introduce you?"

Maura thought about it and realized that she would much rather meet The ME without Dr. Pike around. "That would be great, Angela. Thank you."

Angela grabbed Maura's arm and pulled her over to Dr. Williams. "Good afternoon, Dr. Williams."

"Good afternoon, Angela. How many times have I told you to please call me Melinda?" Dr. Williams turned around and smiled at the women. "Now who is this with you?"

"This is Maura Isles. I believe she began an internship with you this morning."

Maura extended her hand. "It is such a pleasure to finally meet you, Dr. Williams."

Dr. Williams shook Maura's outstretched hand. "The pleasure is mine, Maura. Your academic record is quite spectacular." Dr. Williams looked down at what Maura was wearing. "I see you are ready to assist me with the autopsy this afternoon. But you don't need to wear scrubs unless we are actually working on a body."

Maura looked embarrassed. "Oh. Dr. Pike informed me that I was required to wear my scrubs at all times."

Dr. Williams groaned. "I do apologize leaving you with him this morning. From now on I will let you tag-a-long to crime scenes with me. I shouldn't say this about a fellow doctor but I wouldn't wish Dr. Pike on my worst enemy. Unfortunately, I was sort of forced to take him on as my assistant. So Maura, are you ready for your first autopsy?"

Maura smiled her biggest smile of the day. "Absolutely Dr. Williams." Maura turned back to Angela. "Angela, I can't thank you enough for today. You and your husband have been so kind to me today. If I don't see you before, I will definitely see you tomorrow for lunch."

"Anytime sweetie." Angela said before pulling Maura into a hug. "Now go do your autopsy and don't let Pike get you down."

Maura smiled before heading towards the elevator with Dr. Williams.

A/N 2: I wanted to do Maura's first autopsy but this was already my longest chapter and this seemed like a good point to stop. Hope you enjoyed.