Home Is Where The Heart Is
I've always loved the idea of Maura having a daughter and a whole other life before the beginning of Rizzoli & Isles and throughout the whole of the show. I'd get ideas pop into my head and those ideas didn't end at the end of the show. I thought it was about time to get those ideas out there and a rewrite of our favourite show. All of favourite storylines and scenes will still be in this story, just with a few other extras from my ideas. I hope you all enjoy. There will also be a short prequel of Maura and Tori's life before the show. Disclaimer: all characters and storylines are the property of Tess Gerritsen and TNT, except Tori and the storylines of my own that I add.
Chapter 1
Forensic Pathologist Maura Isles and her 4 year old daughter Tori had been back in Boston for almost 2 years. The honey blond Doctor had accomplished herself as the Chief Medical Examiner of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and worked with the Boston Police Department as the Medical Examiner who helped the Homicide Department prove murder.
It had been almost 3 weeks since Maura had met the dark haired Detective Jane Rizzoli again. The taller woman had joined the Homicide Division and was working alongside the Medical Examiner. It had been over a year since the pair had met in the Police Cafe whilst Jane was undercover for the Drug Unit. The pair had seen each other in passing in the building but nothing that would constitute a professional working relationship until Jane had joined the Homicide Division. The pair had been working hard to solve their current case and Maura was working in her office, waiting for some results to come in when Jane arrived in the lab.
''Hey, Doc'' The darked hair woman greeted Maura. ''Got those results, yet?''
Maura looked up from her laptop and shook her head. ''Not yet, Susie's dealing with it. I'll let you know when they're ready.''
Jane simply nodded as she observed the Medical Examiner. ''Do you know how long? Maura, we're on a tight schedule. I can't keep our suspect for that much longer, with nothing'' She said as she walked closer to the honey blond woman.
''I'll try and get Susie to speed the results up'' Maura replied as she closed her laptop before walking over to the glass window to try and get Susie's attention.
''Thank you, Maura'' Jane said before she looked at her watch to see the time. ''Do you want to grab some lunch whilst we wait for the results?'' Jane offered as she thanked the other woman. ''I promise I won't bite your head off like last time. I'll even pay'' She chuckled, remembering their first encounter in the police cafe the day they'd first met.
Maura thought to herself for a second, just as Susie walked into her office. ''Yes, Doctor Isles?'' The Asian woman questioned.
''Yes. Susie, could you try and chase those results please. Detective Rizzoli here, can't keep her suspect much longer'' Maura replied.
''I'll try Doctor Isles'' Susie replied.
''Thank you Susie. Could you call me when they come in? I'll going to grab some lunch with Jane, I won't be long'' Maura smiled as she watched Susie leave her office to go chase up the results.
''I'll just go grab my jacket and I'll see you in reception in say..'' Jane thought to herself for a moment. ''5 minutes?''
''It sounds okay. I'll see you shortly, Jane'' Maura replied as Jane walked to the elevator.
A little over 5 minutes later, and Maura emerged from the elevator into the lobby where she saw Jane waiting and smiled as she walked over to her.
''Hey. So you wanna grab some lunch here or go somewhere else?'' Jane asked.
''I don't mind Jane. It would be nice to have a change of scenery though and a different menu for a change. Anywhere you suggest?'' Maura replied as she went into her bag to retrieve her car keys.
''We could head to The Dirty Robber. Its a really nice place Maura, you would know if you'd come for a drink with us when we've asked'' Jane replied ''They make a mean burger and fries''
''As much as I do appreciate the offer Jane, I just haven't really got the time for after work drinks'' Maura replied ''If you haven't already noticed, I'm not that good with people''
''You're fine, Maura. Everyone needs some friends and you look like you could do with some too. I don't know what happened before you came to Boston, but we're not a bad bunch. Really'' Jane replied ''Should we go now?''
Maura nodded and preceeded to leave the station, Jane following alongside her. They walked to her car and she opened the door. ''Forgive the mess, I didn't have enough time to tidy it after I dropped Victoria at Pre-school, this morning''
Jane nodded and got into the passenger seat. ''You know where you're going right?''
''I might not have been there with you before Jane but I did grow up here, well for part of my childhood anyway. And I did go to college at BCU, so I know where The Dirty Robber is'' Maura chuckled in reply to the darked haired Detective as she turned on the engine and began to drive to their intended destination.
A little over 10 minutes later and they arrived at The Dirty Robber and parked outside. The two women walked inside where they were greeted by the owner. ''Afternoon Jane'' he smiled ''And who might this be?''
''This is the Medical Examiner for BPD. Maura, this is John. John, this is Maura'' Jane replied as she sat down at a table and watched as Maura did too.
''Nice to meet you Maura'' John replied ''The usual Jane?''
Jane chuckled. ''Do you really need to ask that question?''
''Double cheeseburger and extra fries and pickles, got it.'' he smiled before turning to Maura. ''And what can I get you Maura?''
Maura looked around the bar and thought to herself for a moment as she looked at Jane. ''Have you got anything..'' she paused as she bit her lip briefly ''any healthy food?''
''I can do you a club salad''
''That's perfect, thank you'' Maura replied as the man walked away to place the owner.
''I'll bring your drinks over shortly, Jane'' he said from across the bar area.
''So..'' Jane hesitated as she got comfortable at the table and observed the other woman ''You got a kid?'' It wasn't much a question but a statement.
Maura nodded. ''Yes'' she replied, short and sweet.
''You never said anything..''
''I try to keep my personal life seperate from my professional working life, that's all. And plus we haven't really spoken, other than about work'' Maura spoke softly.
''I get that but you have a daughter, Maura. If that was me, I'd be shouting it from the rooftops that I have a kid''
Maura gave Jane a look. ''Okay, okay maybe not from the rooftops but I'd at least tell my work colleagues. But I can understand why you didn't, this job is a lot sometimes'' Jane replied, just as John came over with the drinks.
''I'm sorry, Maura. I forgot to ask what you'd like to drink'' He said as he placed Jane's beer in front of her. ''I know you're on the job, but one can't hurt. On the house, of course. Gotta look out for my fellow officers, right''
Jane smiled as she picked up the bottle ''John is a retired BPD officer'' she told Maura.
Maura nodded ''A sparkling water would go down a treat, please''
''I'll bring it right over'' he replied
''Thank you'' Maura smiled as Jane took a swig of her beer.
''Really, Maura I understand why you didn't say anything. It's not asif, I've made it easy for you to talk to me. I wasn't exactly the friendliest person the first time we met''
''You were undercover, Jane. It's perfectly fine. Don't worry. We're making up for it now, even if I do know what you and the fellow Detectives call me behind my back'' Maura said as John came back over with their food and Maura's sparkling water. ''I'm used to people calling me names. Behind my back, to my face. It's fine''
Jane choked on her drink. ''You heard that, huh? Look, I'm sorry Maura. I never meant to upset you''
''You didn't upset me, Jane. Its quite alright, like I said I'm used to people calling me names and judging me'' Maura replied as she took a sip of her drink. ''It's actually why, I wanted to work with dead people. Well that's part of the reason. Dead people don't judge me, and I can help them and tell their story''
''Still I'm sorry, Maura. I'll tell the guys to knock it off. You're one of us''
''Thank you, Jane. This is nice, I'm sorry I haven't been able to come for after work drinks with you. Its just with Victoria and work, things have been a little hectic'' Maura spoke softly.
''You don't have a Nanny?'' Jane asked before she took a bite of her burger, she didn't wanna make assumptions and pry further into Maura's life. She hadn't seen a wedding ring so she didn't think she was married. If she was, it wouldn't have been any of her business anyway.
''I have a Nanny, yes but I try to let her go home for 6:30. I try to drop Victoria at pre-school in the mornings and Alyssa picks her up for me and takes her home. I guess I just like to be home to spend some time with Victoria before her bedtime''
''I can get that. As much as I hate to admit it, I love how my Ma was there when I was growing up. Even if she is overbearing at times'' Jane smiled. ''We should do this more often. When you can, that is''
''I'd like that, Jane'' Maura smiled ''You're right, everyone needs a friend. Well one that isn't your Nanny or your daughter''
''You really do, Maura. As much as I can imagine how fun your daughter is, you need friends your own age'' Jane replied
Maura nodded, just as her phone began to ring and the caller ID indicated that it was Susie. ''Hello Susie'' she paused for a moment as she listened to what the other woman had to say. ''Yes thank you, we're be right there''
''The results are back?'' Jane asked with a mouthful of fries
''Jane'' Maura gave Jane a look as she picked up her bag from beside her. ''Didn't your mother ever tell you not to talk with your mouth full?''
Jane simply nodded as she ushered John to come over. She swallowed what food she had in her mouth and turned to John as he got to the table. ''Can we take these to go please?''
''Of course, Jane. Give me one minute and I'll be right back'' he replied ''It was nice to meet you Maura, hopefully we'll see you around here again soon''
Jane and Maura emerged from the elevator and walked over to the lab as Susie walked over with the results. ''Thank you Susie'' Maura said and Jane nodded in appreciation.
''Yes thank you, Susie'' Jane said as she looked to Maura ''So..''
''It looks like the DNA found on our victim is definitely from our suspect, there's no doubt. Winston James is definitely the killer'' Maura sighed
''Yes! We got him. Thank you, Maura'' Jane replied before turning to Susie ''Thank you'' she said as she rushed to the elevator with the results in hand. ''I'll see you up there, Maura. Right?'' she shouted back as she walked into the elevator.
Maura simply nodded and preceeded to walk into her office, where she placed her bag on the chair before retrieving her purse and then she walked over to the elevator and pressed the up button. She decided to go to the police cafe and get some drinks for Jane and Korsak before going back up to the department.
''Just what I needed, thank you Doctor Isles'' Korsak thanked the honey blond as she placed the drink in front of him on his table
''Jane still questioning the killer?'' Maura asked as she placed Jane drink at her desk.
''We've all the evidence, we need. She just needs to get his side for the paperwork before we process him'' Korsak replied ''Maura?''
Maura turned to him ''Yes, Detective?''
''Jane mentioned your daughter'' Korsak smiled ''And I just want you to know, that you don't need to worry about going for drinks after work. The offer is always there, but we understand you won't always be able to attend''
''Thanks Vince, I'm sorry I never told you. Given I've been working with you and this department for almost 2 years now. It's just I try to keep my personal life and my professional life seperate. You understand, right? It's just with the nature of this job, I know I'm not an Officer but I'd hate to put my daughter in danger''
''You don't need to explain yourself, Maura. I completely understand, it's fine. I was the exact same with my ex wife and my step-son. Even now, after a year since the divorce I'd hate for them to be in danger because of my choice of occupation'' Korsak sympathised.
It was at that moment, that Jane walked into the squadroom. ''This mine?'' She asked as she walked to her desk and picked up the drink. Maura nodded, ''Thank you, Maura''
''So you caught him. So I can now prepare the body to go to the custody of the family, ready for the funeral?'' Maura asked.
''Well the paperwork is filled and he's being processed as we speak, I don't see why not? Right Vince.''
''Of course, we got him. There's nothing more for us to do. You two, get out of here early. Go home. Maura pick your daughter up from school, spend some time with her''
''Are you sure, Detective Korsak?'' Maura asked as Jane picked up her jacket from behind her seat and grabbed her gun from inside the draw of her desk.
''I'm sure. Go home, ladies. Do whatever you when you're not here'' Korsak smiled.
Maura looked at Jane before looking back at Korsak. ''Thank you, Vince. I'll see you tomorrow''
The two women walked towards the elevator and Maura turned to Jane ''Jane? I don't know what you're gonna do when you leave here, but would you by any chance like to meet Victoria? Whenever I have the chance to pick her up from school, I like to take her to the park. Would you like to join us?''
''Of course, I'd like to meet her Maura. I'd like that. We're friends now, right?'' Jane replied as they walked into the elevator and waited for Maura to reply.
''Yeah, I think so Jane. I'd like to think of us as friends'' Maura smiled as she pressed the down button.
''Well I'd really like to be Victoria's friend too, if that's at all possible, that is? I'd understand if you weren't comfortable with that''
''No, I'd like that Jane'' Maura smiled as the elevator opened to the lab. ''I'll just grab my bag and I'll meet you back upstairs?'' she asked as she left the elevator.
''I can wait here with you, Maura. It's not a problem'' Jane replied as she left elevator.
''Very well'' Maura smiled as she walked over to her office to collect her bag ''I'll be just a moment''
Jane nodded and watched the honey blond, she wouldn't ever admit it but there was something about the other woman that intrigued her. She thought she was beautiful and had ever since there first encounter a year earlier. She was pulled from her train of thought by Maura's voice ''Ready?''
''Hmm?'' Jane questioned ''Oh yes''
''I'll just sign out and let Susie know I'm leaving early'' Maura smiled
''Okay'' Jane nodded ''I'll be waiting..''