Chapter Text
Maura is standing in line at the precinct cafe when a small hand tugs at the hem of her skirt. She looks down to see brown eyes staring up at her.
“Uppies.”
Maura is confused. “Uppies?”
The little girl, she can’t be much older than two, nods. “Uppies.”
Maura is a card-carrying member of MENSA. It’s not often she’s completely confused. But she’s not so arrogant as to pretend to know everything.
She’s parsing the word, hoping that will provide clarity, when the child helpfully raises her hands in the air.
“Oh, do you mean ‘up, please’?” Maura says.
The girl nods. Maura would've got there eventually, she's sure of it.
Maura lifts the girl under her armpits. She hasn’t held a toddler since her time with Medecins Sans Frontieres as a clinical doctor. But she still remembers how. Thankfully. She settles the girl on her right hip, awaiting further instruction.
The young child quickly squirms to Maura’s other side and leans to look at the cabinet food. Maura follows her line of sight. Together they gaze at the last chocolate muffin.
The young girl taps on the man’s shoulder in front of her. “Scuse me, that’s mine,” she says politely.
The man nods gravely. “Of course.”
The girl looks at Maura with wide eyes. “My name is Gia. I’m almost three.”
Maura smiles. She’s adorable. “Nice to meet you, Gia. My name is Dr. Maura Isles. I’m 35.”
Before Maura has the chance to ask about where her parents might be, the older woman behind the counter yells. “Next!”
Maura steps forward and the worker notices the child on her arm. “Oh hello Miss Gia, where’s Mama?”
“I dunno,” Gia shrugs.
The woman behind the counter tuts, already reaching for the muffin. She speaks to the honey blonde directly. “I’m Angela, this little one’s nonna. I haven’t seen you around here before.”
Maura nods. “That would be because today is my first day. I’m Dr. Maura Isles, the new Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”
At this moment, a flustered Jane Rizzoli approaches the counter. “Giovanna Lucia Rizzoli.”
Gia turns with a grin. “Mama Jane Clementine Rizzoli.” She trips over the name Clementine but she does her very best.
“Great.” Jane cringes as she turns to the patrons of the cafe, most of whom are her colleagues. “Everyone please pretend you didn’t hear that.”
A uniformed officer speaks without putting down their sandwich. “Sure thing, Clem.”
Jane mutters. “Shit.”
Gia gasps. “Ma, bad word.”
Jane looks at her child sheepishly. “Crud, sorry bub.”
“That’s ok.” Gia forgives her instantly. Jane can't help but smile at her daughter’s graciousness.
Jane catches her breath and finally notices the very beautiful woman holding her child.
She speaks directly to Gia while nodding her head to the honey-blonde. “Who’s this you’re sitting on?”
“Doctor Mo,” Gia says.
“Hello,” Maura offers softly. Maura has been watching the exchange between mother and daughter, charmed by their easy way. She’s almost mournful that she had to interrupt to answer.
Jane addresses her directly. “Apologies for this little terror. She ran away from me as soon as the elevator doors opened.” Her face takes on a wistful look. “And as I watched her go, I took a moment to daydream about sleeping in and going to the toilet unaccompanied and completing a meal without tiny hands grabbing at my plate, and well it took me a few minutes to muster up the desire to follow.”
Angela slaps her daughter’s arm. “She’s joking,” she assures.
Jane laughs. “Yea, come here bug. Let’s let Doctor Mo get back to her day.”
Jane reaches for her daughter and Gia shakes her head. “I walk now.”
“Oh, of course, my liege.”
Maura realizes that that means she needs to place Gia down and so she does just that.
Jane reaches down for Gia’s hand and Maura notices her scars for the first time.
She’s shocked to see the ones on the back of her hands have corresponding scars on her palms. It means they were pierced right through.
Gia grasps her mother's hand without a second thought.
“No more running away, 'kay?” Jane asserts.
Gia nods. "Okay."
“Nonna, my muffin.”
“Oh, of course, dear.” Angela hands Jane a brown paper bag.
Jane turns to Maura. “I hope she wasn't too much trouble. And please, let my mother get your coffee.”
Jane and Gia leave hand-in-hand, Angela shouting after them. “Jane, stop giving away coffee on my behalf. Stanley already hates me.”
Gia shouts behind her. “Bye Doctor Mo.”
“Bye Gia,” Maura says softly.