Chapter 1: The Work Party

A/N: It's November 1st, which means TIME FOR A HOLIDAY RIZZLES STORY!

In my polls on Facebook and Twitter, I asked what people were more interested in: this story or a Rizzles version of Happiest Season. A lot of people said both, but Happiest Season slightly beat out this story. Therefore, I spent time outlining both in detail, and this one ended up feeling more "right." I'm going to reassess the option of also doing Happiest Season around December 1st depending on where I am in this story and other WIPs.

Twenty-five days until Christmas
Friday, November 30
Jane

Jane stared at her reflection in the mirror, and as so often happened these days, her gaze instantly fell to her hands. She watched in the mirror as she opened and closed her hands a few times before sighing and giving them a shake.

Jane wasn't due to return to active duty until after the New Year, but it was strongly suggested that she attend the Boston Police Department's holiday party. She had spent months avoiding her colleagues after she was captured and held captive by Charles Hoyt, aka The Surgeon.

Well, most of them. Her former partner Vince Korsak had refused to let her avoid him completely. She wanted to hate him for it, but the truth was, she was grateful.

She had also met her new partner Barry Frost a few times since he was promoted to homicide two months ago, but since he hadn't been there when she was attacked, Jane found him easier to be around. Her brother Frankie, who was still a beat cop, would also be there tonight, so she would have three people to save her from the crowds.

Jane found Frankie the moment she walked in the door of the hall where the Christmas party was being held, and she was grateful when he handed her a cold beer.

"Figured you'd need this," Frankie said with a smirk.

Jane gave a humorless chuckle in return, tipping her bottle in thanks before taking a sip. Jane scanned around the room while her brother filled her in on the office gossip (that she really didn't care about). The room was large, and probably two-thirds of it was filled with tables. The other third had a dance floor. In the corner near the dance floor there was a DJ. In the opposite corner was the cash bar. Along the wall farthest from the dance floor, there was a buffet, which is exactly where Jane was planning to head next. Along the two longer walls on each side, there were a number of booths with activities for families and kids.

"Didn't expect to see you here," Korsak said as he walked up to Jane and Frankie, clapping Jane on the shoulder.

"I was informed that the optional holiday party was less than optional," Jane quipped, drawing a laugh from her former partner and her brother.

"I know how that feels," Korsak replied. "So'd I beat Frost here?"

"Nah, he's talking to Cavanaugh," Frankie said, pointing him out across the room.

"Let's see if we can save him and get food before all the good stuff is gone," Korsak said.

"Let's!" Jane agreed, already hungry.

They filled (or rather over-filled) their plates and were able to commandeer a table just to the side of the dance floor.

Jane's nerves started to settle as they ate, and everyone mostly ignored her. Although, a few people had to stop and ask how she was doing. Luckily, no one stuck around for long.

Frost brought their third round of drinks after they'd cleared their plates. Jane found that she wasn't having a terrible time as long as she was with her brother and partners.

"Look, Janie," Frankie teased. "It's you," he said, pointing to a blonde little girl twirling around the dance floor.

"She looks nothing like me," Jane said in confusion.

"No…" Frankie said, rolling his eyes. "I know she doesn't look like you. I meant how she's having the time of her life dancing alone on the dance floor. Before you became all jaded and…moody…" Frankie waved his hand vaguely in Jane's direction as he tried to find the right words, "…you loved to dance."

At that moment the little girl had twirled past their table, clearly hearing just the end of Frankie's sentence. "You love to dance too?" she asked excitedly. "Will you dance with me?"

Before Jane could think of an excuse, the little girl had grabbed Jane's hand and was attempting to pull her onto the dance floor. Jane's heart stopped. No one – not even her mother – had touched her hands other than her doctors and physical therapists since Hoyt's attack. She was worried that the little girl would notice the scars and drop her hand in disgust or ask about her scars loudly in front of everyone, but she didn't seem to even notice.

When she had Jane where she wanted her on the dance floor, the little girl took Jane's other hand in her own, creating a circle with their arms. She swung their connected arms back and forth as she jumped around in time to the music.

"Twirl me!" she said suddenly, and Jane immediately followed her instructions. The little girl was thrilled, and Jane knew that her own smile probably mirrored the child's.

When the song ended, the little girl held up her arms in the universal kid request to pick her up, and Jane did so, spinning the girl as she lifted her.

"My name is Alexis," the little girl said through her giggles when she settled on Jane's hip. "What's yours?"

"I'm Jane," Jane replied with a smile. She noticed out of the corner of her eye a woman walking towards them. Jane's brain stopped for a moment as she took in how beautiful the woman was. When her brain caught back up to her, she realized that the woman was probably Alexis's mother, and it occurred to her that she probably shouldn't have picked up a random kid without the parents' knowledge or consent.

"Mommy!" Alexis squealed as her eyes followed Jane's line of sight, and she noticed her mother walking towards them.

As soon as the woman reached them, Jane handed the little girl to her mother. "Sorry," Jane said sheepishly, but before the other woman could do more than make eye-contact with Jane, Alexis was speaking again.

"Mommy, this is my new friend, Jane," Alexis said. "Jane, this is my mommy."

The woman smiled at Jane now that she was sure that her daughter was fine. She held out her hand to shake Jane's. "Maura Isles," she offered her name.

Jane hesitated for a moment before deciding that not shaking the woman's hand would be more suspicious than her scars. She shook Maura's hand and replied, "Jane Rizzoli. It's good to meet you. Both of you," Jane added, glancing at Alexis.

"Mommy, Jane likes to dance, too," Alexis said happily.

Maura smiled at her daughter. "Yes, it looked like the two of you were having fun," she replied.

"Mommy told me I'd make lotsa new friends in Boston," Alexis told Jane smartly.

Jane chuckled, not quite knowing what Alexis was talking about, but Maura clarified her confusion.

"We just moved to Boston a few weeks ago," Maura said. "I've been appointed the new Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I don't start until after the first of the year, but I wanted to get us moved here and settled before the holidays. When I received the invitation for tonight's holiday party, it seemed like a good way to meet colleagues."

Jane heard the unsaid "but…" in Maura's tone, so she decided to help. "Oh my god, you have no idea how much everyone is looking forward to having a new ME. Pike's been filling in since Roberts retired over the summer and…" Jane paused and glanced at Alexis, deciding not to be completely honest in the kid's presence. "Well, we're looking forward to when you start," she said. She may not have been working during the past few months, but she had worked with Pike before. She had also listened to hours on end of Korsak and even Frost complaining about him.

"Oh, do you work with the ME's office?" Maura asked.

"Oooh, I love this song," Alexis interjected, wiggling in Maura's arms. "Can I dance?"

"Sure, sweetie, but this time, please ask before you talk to anyone," Maura said as she set the little girl on her feet.

"I'm not sure she heard you," Jane said with a laugh as Alexis twirled away from them. "Sorry, I picked her up. I realized after the fact that I probably shouldn't have done that."

Maura smiled at Jane. "Thank you, but it's okay. I saw her pull you onto the dance floor and hold out her arms, asking you to pick her up."

Jane nodded before returning to their previous conversation. "Anyway, I'm in homicide, and we work closely with the ME's office. If you want, I can introduce you to my partners," Jane said, pointing to where Frankie, Frost, and Korsak were still sitting at their table.

Maura glanced at Alexis again to make sure that she would still be able to see her daughter if she went with Jane. "That would be lovely," Maura replied with a smile.

Jane led Maura over to the table. After introductions, she and Maura sat with the group, but it didn't take long for them to shift from talking to the group to talking to just each other.

"I can't believe she's still going," Jane said after a while. "She has so much energy."

Maura laughed. "I know. I can't keep up with her," Maura said, shaking her head slightly. "And she definitely doesn't get it from me. I was a very shy child. I came tonight with the intention of meeting people, but it took her introducing me to you for me to even talk to anyone."

"Eh, at least you got to meet some people," Jane reasoned. "Where did you guys move from?"

"San Francisco," Maura answered. "We moved the weekend before Thanksgiving, so we haven't had time to do much yet."

Alexis came over to them at that point, and she quickly climbed into Jane's lap.

"Sweetie, you need to ask other people before you climb on them," Maura chastised her daughter lightly.

Jane wouldn't have said no anyway, but when Alexis looked up at her, her bright green eyes sparkling, there was no way Jane ever would have been able to say no. "You can sit here," Jane said, smiling down at the little girl as she wrapped her arms around her.

"Sorry, she…" Maura started, but Jane waved her off.

"It's okay, really," Jane assured Maura with a smile.

Maura

Maura watched Alexis settle in Jane's arms. She vaguely wondered if she should be concerned about a virtual stranger holding her daughter, but there was something about Jane that made Maura trust her. Plus, while Alexis had always been outgoing, even Maura was surprised by how quickly she'd taken to Jane.

Maura and Jane continued to talk for a few minutes, but Maura could see that Alexis was fading fast. Therefore, she wasn't surprised when she asked, "Can we go home, mama?"

Maura chuckled and looked at her daughter. "I suppose I should get you home and to bed," she conceded, even though she still wanted to get to know Jane better.

Alexis turned in Jane's lap. "We're gonna decorate for Christmas tomorrow!" Alexis told Jane excitedly.

"Well, that sounds fun!" Jane replied with equal enthusiasm.

"You should come help!" Alexis said. Turning to Maura, she asked, "Mommy, can Jane come help us decorate?"

Maura felt herself blush. She wasn't very good in social situations, so she really didn't know what to say. She had enjoyed getting to know Jane, but she hadn't intended to have anyone over anytime soon. Still, it was hard to quell Alexis's excitement, especially when Maura herself kind of liked the idea.

"Oh, sweetie, that sounds like a family…" Jane started.

"You could," Maura interjected. "I mean, if-if you wanted to. I know you probably already have plans, but if you're not busy, you're welcome to stop by. We're still getting settled, so it's not…I don't…we don't have much, but…" Maura was rambling now, unsure of whether she wanted Jane to accept or decline the invitation. She had actually never invited someone over on such short notice. Usually, she only had people over for pre-planned events, and even those were rare since Alexis had been born.

"Please come!" Alexis pleaded.

A smile tugged at Jane's lips as she looked at Alexis, but before she answered, she looked up at Maura. "Are you sure? Because I'd understand if you just wanted to spend the time with your family," she hedged.

Maura smiled broadly. "Alexis and I have had plenty of one-on-one time lately, I think she'd love to have someone else to entertain," she said truthfully. "Why don't you come over for lunch?"

"Alright, yeah, that'd be great," Jane agreed. "Thanks."

"Yay!" Alexis squealed, bouncing in Jane's lap as she cheered.

Both Maura and Jane chuckled at Alexis's excitement.

"Let me get your number and maybe you can text me your address?" Jane suggested, pulling her phone from her pocket.

They exchanged numbers and Maura promised to send Jane their address once Alexis was asleep.

"Say goodnight to Jane," Maura said to her daughter.

"Goodnight, Jane," Alexis said, wrapping her little arms around Jane's neck. "I can't wait to see you tomorrow!"

"Goodnight, sweetie," Jane said as she returned the hug before setting Alexis back on her feet. "Bye, Maur. See you tomorrow."

"Bye, Jane," Maura replied with a smile as she took Alexis's hand and led her to the coat check. Just before they left the hall, Maura turned to look over her shoulder. She smiled and waved when she saw that Jane was watching them leave.

When Maura text Jane later that evening, Jane replied instantly: Thanks! Also, I realize that Alexis invited me without actually asking you, so if tomorrow doesn't actually work for you guys or you want to decorate with just your family, it's no problem. We can find another time to get together.

Maura: You are more than welcome to come, but I know that Alexis made it hard to say no. Please don't feel pressured to come.

Jane: She is hard to say no to, lol, but it sounds like fun. I'll be there.

Maura: Wonderful. We're both looking forward to it.

Jane: Me too.

Maura: Thank you for tonight, Jane. Thank you for being so wonderful with Alexis, thank you for introducing me to your friends, and thank you for being so welcoming to both of us.

Jane: It was nothing.

Maura: Well, thank you anyway. See you tomorrow. Goodnight, Jane.

Jane: Goodnight, Maur.

A/N: This will be a pretty fluffy story. I really, really hope to finish it before Christmas (but we all saw how that plan went with An Isles Christmas). I expect the story to be on the shorter end of what I would consider moderate length (maybe 50-60k) with shorter chapters, but we will see.

Also, yeah, I'm totally cheating by having both of them not working so that I can fit in more holiday fun!

I'm having a hard time deciding on the rating, so it's T for now, but I might up it to M eventually.