Chapter 19: This is How a Heart Breaks

"Okay I think I am ready."

Jane POV:

Maura seems to like Victoria. I just haven't had a minute to talk with her about options. I don't know what it is about her but I see some aspects of myself within her.

"Jane, are you coming?" Victoria is pulling on my hand.

"Yes, I'm sorry I was thinking. Let's go."

We walk in and I go right to the triage nurse. "You need to take a seat and wait for everyone else."

I raise my badge, "I don't. We have a foster child coming from the scene of a murder who didn't feel comfortable with going in an ambulance. She needs to be seen like now I have a suspicion of physical and sexual abuse."

"Alright, do you know the preference for nurse and doctor?"

"Female please, and a single room. I don't care if it has to be private and if it does we will pay out of pocket."

"Okay I will make the accommodations. We can take her back now though. Are you her foster parents?"

"No I was an officer on scene and my girlfriend is who recommended us bring her in."

"You really care for her, I can see it. What is her name?"

"Victoria Belluscio, date of birth February 2nd, 2001."

"Oh we know Victoria, is she okay?"

"What do you mean you know her? Has she been here before?"

"I can't disclose that information but she has been here a few times."

"Can I grab her and my girlfriend?"

"Yes of course. Someone should also call her social worker Janet."

"Do you have the contact number for Janet?"

"Yes here you go." I type the number into my phone and wait for someone to answer.

"Hello"

"Hi is this Janet"

"Yes, may I ask who this is?"

"My name is Detective Jane Rizzoli, I arrived at a crime scene this afternoon and I found Victoria Belluscio. She was one to discover the body. We had some suspicion that she was being abused so myself and took her to Boston Children's Hospital. We are here now, could you come? We need to discuss some things with you that I would prefer to do in person."

"Yes of course, I will be there soon. Is Victoria okay?"

"I'm not sure we haven't been able to see the doctor yet we just got here."

"Alright thank you detective I will be there soon."

I walk towards the room with Maura and Victoria. I see Maura sitting on the hospital bed holding Victoria, she seems upset. I knock lightly before going in. "Is everything okay?"

They look up at me, Maura is the first to speak "I'm not sure. The nurses came in and gave us the johnny."

I kneel in front of Victoria, "Hey sweetie can you put this on. Don't worry I won't let anyone hurt you. I just want the doctors to make sure you are okay. Maura and I won't leave you I promise. You think you could put this on for me?"

Victoria looks at me with tears in her eyes and nods. "Okay"

Maura and I turn away while she puts it on. "Okay I have it on."

I turn back around and give her a smile. "Are you in any pain?"

"No." I can tell she is lying but I want her to trust me.

"You do know I am paid to know when people are trying to hide something. We won't be mad, we just want to make sure you are okay. I know people have pretended to care about you but we are not just pretending, we do care."

"I know Jane. I am in some pain."

"Okay can you please tell the doctor when she comes? If you can't I think Maura can help, I would but she has a medical degree that way she can translate for those of us that aren't doctors huh?" I attempt to make her smile.

We are sitting there and suddenly this feeling hits me and I wasn't sure why. I have been shot, I have been kidnapped, and I almost lost Maura to a serial killer but nothing has hurt me this bad. Thinking that someone hurt her. I feel this kinship with her. I see a face outside the door and Victoria looks over that way. "Oh that's Janet, my social worker. She probably wants to talk to you? To be honest her voice kind of annoys me so you can talk to her out there."

"Alright, do you want Maura to come with me or stay here with you?"

"She can go with you but can you stand where I can see you guys?"

"Absolutely sweetie don't worry I promise we won't leave." Maura reassures her.

Maura and I exit the room to meet Janet. "Hello I am Janet." She extends her hand.

"I am Detective Jane Rizzoli and this is Dr. Maura Isles, when was the last time you did a home visit on Victoria and her foster father? When I arrived on scene she was scared and covered in bruises. She is malnourished and was suffering sexual abuse at the hands of the foster father."

"I didn't know. He had an exemplary record when I placed Victoria with him but I haven't been able to check in because there has been other cases that needed my immediate attention." She looks scared.

"I understand that but look at that little girl. That precious little girl and tell me she didn't need you too. This could've been prevented or handled a lot better. After she is seen by the doctor she will be coming home with Maura and I. I will fill out any paperwork necessary but she is comfortable with us and feels safe with us."

"Are you sure? She doesn't have the best track record." I feel this anger boil up inside me to the point I was ready to hit her. I clenched my fist and Maura reached over to place her hand on my shoulder.

"Yes we are absolutely sure. And if she likes living with us then this can be a permanent arrangement. We both have steady jobs, Detective Rizzoli has a big family, and we have more than enough space in our current house while we are also going to start building a home as well. I will follow you to your car to get the necessary paperwork."

"Okay." Janet looked unconvinced.

Maura turns to me, "If her doctor comes in while I am gone please tell her to wait until I come back so I can understand what kind of care Victoria will need and how to best suit her in coming to live with us."

I lean in and whisper in her ear, "Call if you need backup." She smiles and walks to follow Janet.