a/n: no money, don't own any characters except the ones I made up etc


Maura pulled up to the crime scene, hands gripping the wheel until her knuckles turned white. She put the car in park and took deep, calming breaths, preparing for her first case without Jane. Frankie had filled her in on the workings of the homicide unit since Korsak and Jane left, but hearing about new people and actually having to meet and talk to new people were two very different things. Maura took a final deep breath, composing herself into Dr. Isles, Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Once outside, the familiar scene of police cruisers and officers in uniform eased the nerves forming in the doctor's stomach. The officer manning the crime scene tipped her hat in hello. "Welcome back, Dr. Isles."

Maura smiled and nodded her greeting, slipping under the tape with ease. It was unusual doing this by herself, without Jane by her side to offer a sarcastic remark or converse about their lives. However, when Maura reached the body, a sense of calm washed over her and she found herself immediately kneeling next to the body, assessing the injuries and directing her team.

Someone to Maura's left let out a faint cough and the doctor turned, hazel eyes meeting wide, bright blue ones. Maura gave the woman a look up and down, examining red hair pulled into a ponytail and a bright blue blouse paired with darker pants and blazer. Maura's gaze fell on the badge and gun attached to the woman's hip, realizing this must be the new detective Frankie was raving about. Apparently she was fearless like Jane and had the natural ability to read people. Her gift came in handy when interrogating subjects, but it was hard to keep secrets when she turned her powers onto members of the homicide team. She was not one to let her coworkers escape scrutiny and allowed no one to hide their feelings. According to Frankie, it forced them to talk more openly and had resulted in a relatively easy transition.

Standing Maura took off her glove, offered her hand to shake and said, "I'm so sorry, I must have seemed so rude. Dr. Maura Isles, Chief Medical Examiner of the Commonwealth"

The red-head gave her a wide grin and shook her offered hand. "I figured, Kent could never order people around like that" she let out a laugh that sounded more like a twinkle. "I've heard so much about you, and clearly every word of it is true. I'm Detective Emma George, newly appointed Boston homicide. I look forward to working with you, Dr. Isles."

Maura smiled in response. "I look forward to working with you too." Maura couldn't place her finger on why, but she felt comfortable around this young detective. There was an air of innocence around her that was rarely found in those she worked with. She couldn't help but wonder if this was what Jane was like as a detective fresh out of the drug unit, tackling homicide without fear or hesitation. Before Hoyt, Doyle, Alice Sands, before nightmares and just barely escaping death too many times to count, before sleepless nights and endless stressful days. Some of the worries that had been clawing at Maura ever since she started driving back to Boston were lifted at the red-head's easy smile and calming eyes.

George quirked an eyebrow. "So what do we got, doc?"

At that, Maura began her description of the wounds, growing more and more comfortable with every passing second. Maybe, just maybe, she could do this without Jane.


Maura was back in her happy place, her morgue. Of course, she had to reorganize everything as Kent changed her perfected system, but now she was happily performing the autopsy. While she loved Paris and the much needed break, she had missed this. Missed being a voice for the dead and helping bring peace to their loved ones. She loved writing, she truly did. But she also loved being the chief medical examiner and she didn't ever want to give that up. Before Paris, she was tired. Tired of stalkers and death and all of the responsibilities that came with the job. The atmosphere around her had changed and she found herself fighting for air. Paris brought love and light and the ability to breathe again and a reminder of all the beautiful things life had to offer. Maura had to remember in the future to take more vacation days and look for the beauty in the world around her. There was also Jane. Her best friend had been exhausted, running on an empty tank but Paris allowed her to lighten and become the eager person she used to be. The only difference was Maura wanted to return to her life in Boston, while Jane ran 450 miles away.

"Hey doc, got anything new?" a voice interrupted her thoughts. Maura looked up to find Detective George standing in front of her bouncing on the balls of her toes. Something Maura had learned about this detective is that she rarely ever stopped moving.

"I'm just about to start the Y-incision and waiting on some results from the lab, so nothing of interest yet."

"Mind if I watch? I want to see as much of the process as possible. We're stuck upstairs so there's nothing to do but wait" Emma asked, hope lining her voice.

Maura nodded her agreement, Jane did it all the time so what was the harm? At that, Emma hopped up onto the empty autopsy table, eyes trained on the motion of Maura's hands starting the incision.

"Hey, Dr. Isles, can I ask you something?"

"Maura, please. We're going to spending too much time together for formalities"

The young detective nodded. "Then call me Emma."

"Alright, Emma. What's your question?"

"What was Detective Rizzoli like?" Maura's actions stalled as she inhaled sharply. The red-head, seeing the effects of her question, rushed to explain, "It's just, I've heard so many stories and she's like a legend for women detectives in BPD. She inspired me to go for the homicide unit and I just wish I had the opportunity to meet her. You guys were the famous crime solving duo, so I just wanted to know what she was like" Emma finished her ramblings and shifted uncomfortably on the table.

She watched as Maura got a far off look in her eyes, one the detective picked up on immediately. The doctor's voice was breathy and full of emotion as she began, "She is all you imagined. Fearless to the point of stupidity. Wicked smart with the sharpest wit of anyone I've ever met. Intense dedication to this city and protecting the people in it, no matter the costs" hazel eyes locked with blue ones, "and underneath her hard and badass exterior she has a heart of gold and loyalty like you can't even imagine. She is all the legend says and more. She's everything"

Maura startled herself with the depth of her confession and felt a blush creeping up, visible above her dark scrubs. Awkward and exposed, Maura focused her attention back on the body on her table. Something she could control and understand and use to forget the feelings she just unloaded onto a stranger. Frankie wasn't kidding about Emma's gift, it was incredible and left her feeling vulnerable.

Emma studied the doctor as she rushed to continue working on the autopsy. But she didn't miss the way Maura's hand trembled slightly or the blush creeping its way up her neck. She didn't miss the way Maura had stared dreamily behind Emma's head before making eye contact or the utter admiration and love woven into the words she spoke. And Dr. Maura Isles was not someone who lied, so every word she stated Emma believed to be true. Emma knew then that Maura Isles was totally in love with Jane Rizzoli. Yet, somehow the detective was in Quantico and and the medical examiner was here in Boston.

"Does she know?" By the way Maura's shoulders tensed and her eyes watered, Emma knew the doctor understood what she was referring to.

Maura looked up and Emma saw the emotions there, plain as day. Something, she assumed, most people rarely got a glimpse of from the always composed and sometimes icy medical examiner. Maura gave a faint shake of the head and Emma let out a low whistle.

"Man, you've got it bad." Maura placed her scalpel on the table next to her and nodded, a deep sigh escaping her lips. "When did you realize you loved her?"

"Oh, just an ordinary day in Paris. She ate a macaron in front of me and suddenly all I could think about was kissing and loving her. Ridiculous right?" Maura said with a laugh full of cynicism and lost hope.

Emma saw the vulnerability in the older woman's eyes and aggressively shook her head. "It might be because I'm young and naive, but love is never ridiculous. You should tell her" the young woman urged with conviction.

Maura let out yet another sigh. "Maybe one day when I work up the nerve."

The young detective hopped off the autopsy table with a click of her tongue. "Better hurry, don't want any guy- or girl- in Quantico making a move and stealing your girl."

With that final statement, the red-head breezed out of the morgue and left Maura open mouthed and stunned

"What the hell just happened?" she couldn't help but ask to an empty autopsy room and the dead body on her table.


a/n: don't worry, Emma is just a friend/good detective, nothing more will happen other than friendship. I know this was a Maura-centric chapter, the next one will focus slightly more on Jane.

I live for reviews :)