Disclaimer: Read Ch. 1

"So here we are together/ Just you and me/ Sitting side by side/ Don't know why/ With time just racing by/ But I don't want to go" - There's a Place For Us by Phil Collins

Ch. 10: Best Day Ever

Jane's POV

Ms. Martinez escorted Kris into the building where the child service's office would be. Her appearance cause the whole party to end and Kris became not the usual loveable kid I was used to. I learned and so had Maura, that Kris has this switch. She used it when she was uncomfortable or just wanted to ensure her control of the situation even though she knew that she had no control. But it didn't stop her from becoming more stoic and quiet as well as a bit stiff and serious.

I first met this Kris a year ago.

Maura, Kris and I followed Ms. Martinez to the office before she stopped and looked at Kris. "I need to interview you," she said then looked at us before back at her, "alone."

Kris nodded before Ms. Martinez walked off. She turned to us and noticed Maura's anxiety immediately as she smiled weakly, "I'll be fine."

"I'm worried," she told her.

"I know and so am I but nothing will happen. I just need to talk to her calmly and make sure that my buttons are not pushed to a point that they jeopardized the adoption," Kris answered. She looked at me as I gestured for her to go to the side. She looked at Maura and pulled her into a gentle hug before pulling away and walking with me.

We were in a quiet area when she inquired, "What's up?"

"Should someone be in the room with you," I asked her.

Kris shook her head and looked over at Maura, "I'll be fine but just stick with Maura, and this is not going to be easy for either one of us."

"I'm coming with you."

Kris shook her head, looking over at Maura. "She needs you right now. I can hold my own, I always have."

"But you have family now, Kiddo."

"Ms. Marx," Kris looked over her shoulder to see Ms. Martinez then back at me, giving a quick assuring smile. She went up to Maura and hugged her softly gave she smiled again. She then met up with Martinez and walked into the interrogation room shutting the door. I noticed Kris' smile faltered as she took in a deep breath and sat down.

I stepped over to Maura and I took her hand. She looked at me then at the window before she whispered, "I don't like this woman."

"She's a bi-witch, I mean."

Maura shook her head, "No, Jane. This is an appropriate time to use language, that woman is a bitch." I would have laughed but seeing Kris' stoic look didn't help one bit. I just hoped that she could keep her temper in check and I could do the same with mine.

Kris' POV

Ms. Martinez sat down while I took a seat on the other side. She eyed me before she placed a file down then a digital recorder. She pressed the 'on' button to the recorder as she spoke, "Case number: 5872930. Name of subject: Kris G. L. Marx." She looked up at me, "So Ms. Marx, you've been in Dr. Isles' care for a while now?"

I nodded, "Yes about eight months or so."

"Ms. Marx-"

"Kris, I prefer being called Kris."

"Ms. Marx," she continued causing me to flinch, "I like to go back into your past. Let's start with your family and your real name is not Kris correct?"

"No, it's my real name but it's actually a nickname. My full name is Krislyn Gabriel Leo Marx. I prefer Kris more."

I watched her as she peered into the file. I looked up at the window, knowing Jane and Maura were watching and smiled lightly. "You've had a rough childhood it seems," my smile dropped before I looked back at Martinez. "A drug addicted older brother who overdose on heroin and a father who became a psychotic serial killer, torturing you for about several months. Then you escaped-"

"I remember it quite well, Ms. Martinez," I snapped gripping my table slightly.

She looked at me then back at the file, "It seems you were the normal one in this family though besides your intellect." I looked down at my arms and nodded before she continued, "and yet, you are an outcast."

"How so?"

"Your family's track record answers it. Life seemed to get better when a priest took you in afterwards," she added.

I smiled softly, "Yes, Father Price." I let my smile go before I tapped onto the file, "Listen I don't understand why you need to know about my past. It should be on the file."

"It is but I wish to hear it from you," she pushed. I could feel my heart thump against my chest as I looked down, running my fingers against my scars. Ms. Martinez seemed to not notice my comfort or she notice but wanted to continue this. "You spent time with Father Price for several years until his death which was about eight months ago. How did he die by chance?"

Bang!

You'll be okay…you'll be fine. Stay here, stay with me.

I shook my head. "It says on the file," I pointed out trying to avoid the subject of Price's death.

Her eyes locked into mine before she leaned in. "Explain," she ordered.

Blood is its avatar…

I flinched at the words that ran through my mind. I released a sigh while I ran my fingers over the scar on my right hand then gently rubbing the scar on my abdomen before softly answering, "He was murdered by my father, Adrian Marx."

"Hmmm, that's a lot and you expect someone like Dr. Maura Isles to adopt you. You are an orphan from East Boston with a violent past and possible violent tendency. Don't you think someone from an area like yours would work better?"

I shook my head and chuckle, "My area is filled with great people who build off a foundation. Some come from families in the old countries. If you think that's bad then you are blind to culture and to success."

"I have others who would want you, Ms. Marx. They are willing to take an outcast like you."

"I'm not an outcast," I argued loudly.

Martinez's eyes widened as she warned me, "Careful Ms. Marx, your temper is showing." She flipped through the file, "You already look suspicious. It's possible that you are using the system to have Dr. Isles adopt you especially when she's a very prominent person."

"I would never do that."

"With a past like yours, it's evident. I bet you planned your first meeting with her."

I close my eyes trying to keep myself in check. Hold your own, Kris, I told myself. "I think we are done for today," I told her as I stood up, walking over to the door quickly.

She stood up and blocked my way to the door, "You can't leave."

I looked at her, "I believe I can and I will. I know there's a place for me where I know I have family. But have a good day, Ms. Martinez." I then walked out to see Jane holding back Maura who broke free from her grip and hugged me tightly. I patted her back gently before I took a deep breath in, reassuring myself that I was safe.

I was safe.

Maura's POV

Jane held me back the whole time, as I had to listen to that awful woman talk to Kris. Never in my life had I felt so much rage in me. I watched as Ms. Martinez eyed us and stated, "Don't think this is not over, Ms. Marx. We'll continue this on another time."

Kris ignored her but I could feel her flinch. We walked out of the officer and as I wrapped my arm around Kris' shoulder I began to argue about Martinez on Kris' case. No woman who treats Kris like should even be working with children. I wanted to have Martinez removed from Kris' case but Kris argued back, quietly stating, "Just leave it be. You're just proving that she got to you, Maura. She wants that and I'm fine."

Though Kris said that I knew it bothered her, I could see the pain in her eyes. Price's death was a sore spot that she would always have. Martinez saw Kris so differently and all with one reason: Kris came from a not so good neighborhood and grew up with little things until meeting Jane and I, escaping a violent past as well.

I glanced at Kris noticing her distant look and sighed softly.

We soon arrived back at my house with Kris stepping out of the car immediately. Jane and I followed before I noticed Kris' tired expression before she looked up and asked, "You know I'm not using you right?"

"Of course Kiddo," Jane answered.

I sat next to her, "We know she was just trying to pig you…" Kris gave a light chuckle with me giving a confused look, "What's funny?"

"It's goat Maur," Jane corrected as she rolled her eyes.

Kris chuckled again before resting against my shoulder. "I still enjoyed my birthday even though the Ice Queen burst my bubble," Kris told us.

I smiled at Kris as Jane sat next to us. Kris relaxed into both of our embraces before yawning loudly. Jane looked over at me then at Kris. She smiled and whispered, "Happy Birthday Kris."

R&I

The next day, Kris left early to go to her date with Aaron. She told me she would see me later then left the house. I was all by myself and I stared at my cell phone for what seemed to be hours. I walked up to it and slid it unlock before I noticed a napkin was underneath it, I picked it up and read it aloud, "Maura, if I can take a chance, so can you! All my love, Kris." I shook my head, let out a sigh before picking my phone up again, and dialed it.

"Hey Maur," Jane greeted me.

"Hey Jane," I smiled, "are you busy today?"

"Not today. I bet you're not busy either because Kris is out."

"It's a bit abnormal with her not here."

"Well how about we do something fun then? A carnival's in town that you might like. I bet you've been to those Frenchie ones," I heard her chuckle.

I smiled widely, "I would like that. What time will you come?"

"I'll be there in an hour and Maur?"

"Yes, Jane?"

"Please wear suitable shoes and casual clothes like jeans not a dress."

I giggled, "Of course Jane." As we ended the call, I walked to my bedroom and stopped looking into my closet then at my watch.

Oh my god, I don't have enough time!

Kris' POV

I checked my watch, sitting on the park bench patiently waiting for Aaron. I was early so I could take my time into looking around the scenic area. I checked my watch then glanced at my phone. He'll come, he asked about you so he's coming right, my mind pondered.

I shook my head and suddenly my phone buzzed. I pull it out expecting Aaron's numbers but then I noticed Maura's number. I smiled as the text message showed.

Going out w/ Jane to the carnival.

I texted back quickly.

Have fun!

You too!

I smiled to myself at the message before I looked up, watching other people walk by me. I released a sigh as placed my phone back into my pocket and resumed my waiting.

I hope he comes.

He will. Just chill.

Jane's POV

I knocked on Maura's door, patiently fiddling with my pockets of my jeans. When I heard the door open, I turned around to see Maura standing in front of me. For a moment, I didn't know what to say when I looked at her. She looked gorgeous wearing dark blue jeans and a white blouse, her hair was pulled back to reveal her beautiful freckles. I wondered if I could kiss those freckles one by one…

"Jane," I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at Maura who had a curious look, "are you okay?"

I blushed and nodded. I then noticed that Maura had a purse, "Ah no."

She lifted her purse up, "What? It's Gucci."

"And I don't care. We are going to a carnival and I'm paying for the fun because you never went to a good carnival and you can't count the one in East Boston when we first met Kris."

Maura huffed but placed the purse down on a small table before she grabbed my hand and we walked to my car.

R&I

When we first entered, I could see Maura's face become childlike. The carnival was at a park a couple of blocks from the Dirty Robber. But I wanted time with Maura alone and this would be the best thing to do. I looked at her as she spun around a couple of times looking at all the attractions and food. "So what do you want to do first, Dr. Smartypants," I inquired.

Maura looked at me, shrugging, "I'm not sure."

"Then let me be the first to suggest that," I pointed over to the rollercoaster.

"I'm not doing that."

"Oh come on, Maura. It will be really fun!"

"I'm not sure, Jane."

But I would not take no for the answer and I dragged Maura to the rollercoaster. After the first ride through (with her grabbing my hand because of the first drop), Maura wanted to go on again. We did another ride through then continued on our way with a couple more rides. Seeing the smile on Maura's face only told me one thing and that was it was going to be an amazing night for us.

We did a couple more rides then got some food with Maura having her first ever hot dog and eating it like me. She actually liked it! We then walked around while I told stories about how my family went to carnivals all the time and how Frankie and Tommy would get sick after getting on a spinning ride just after eating. I then noticed Maura's eyes wandered to another direction.

I followed her gaze and I saw what she was eyeing. I gently tugged her hand and walked over to the stand. I handed a dollar to the attendee before receiving three baseballs, I eyed my targets and through the first one hitting it. I then threw the next one, hitting it also and finally getting the final target. "We got a winner," the attendee announced, "You get a jumbo prize."

I looked over at Maura, "Go ahead and take your pick." I watched as Maura smiled at me, picked the giant plush turtle causing me to laugh gently, and inquired, "Another Bass?"

Maura nodded before hugging it gently. We resumed walking before Maura stopped me and pulled me toward her. I looked back at her as she quickly leaned up and kissed my cheek whispering into my ear, "Thank you Jane."

I felt a blush rise up to my cheeks as I held back a sarcastic remark. I kissed Maura's cheek back, whispering, "You're welcome, Maur."

We then resumed walking in a comfortable silence. I took a couple glances at Maura before I smiled widely, thinking to myself, Best day ever.

Awww, how cute! What's going to happened next? Well, I'm working on that! You know the lovely drill: Review, PM, comment, etc. I love reviews, they make me big and strong!