Note: I've decided to make this a little in-between ficlet series, where it follows where the episodes leave off. It will probably keep relatively close to the series for the first season (if I make it that far), but it will have to deviate somewhat when the beards become more commonplace and Rizzles takes over as canon.

Post Season 1, Episode 1 ("See One, Do One, Teach One")

Jane set the tank on the kitchen counter, brushing debris out of the way. She tapped softly on the glass, then regretted it when the small head pulled back into the brown and yellow shell. "Sorry," she murmured. "What do I feed him?" Louder this time, meant for Maura to hear.

"Mostly a mix of grasses, hays, with dark leafy greens on occasion. Cactus pads and fruits make tasty little treats," the doctor replied, smiling as she watched Jane watch the baby tortoise. "Here." She pulled a small container from her purse and set it the counter, removing the lid and revealing three large strawberries. She pulled open the lid of the tank and placed one berry a few inches from the tortoise. "British strawberries, the same type that Bass enjoys."

A dark eyebrow went up in disbelief. "Come on, Maura, he can't eat that. That strawberry is as big as he is."

"Just watch."

When he was sure all the activity in his tank had ceased, the little head poked out slowly, dark eyes blinking. He raised his head, lifting his nose, noticing the scent of something sweet. Clawed feet began shifting the wood chips as he lifted his shell and turned to his left. Stretching his neck, the tortoise nudged the large red fruit with his head, rocking it slightly. The movement sent him back partway into his shell, until he realized it wasn't a danger, and then he poked at it again.

"Maur, this is pitiful. Can't I cut it up for him or something?"

"He'll manage," Maura assured her, placing the container with the remaining strawberries in Jane's refrigerator.

The tortoise nosed the berry once more and then lifted himself to walk around, spying the green top but continuing on until he found the smallest end. Unconvinced it was time to eat, he instead used his front claws and head to find purchase and attempt to scale the fruit. The process was slow and painful for Jane to watch.

Jane covered her eyes with her hand. "Now he's just trying to climb it. Maura," she whined, only just refraining from stomping her foot.

Maura chuckled and patted her friend on the arm. "I'm going to use your restroom, and then we'll get started cleaning, okay?"

"Okay." Jane watched until the woman turned the corner down the hall towards the bathroom. The climbing attempt was ultimately futile, as the tortoise eventually found himself with his back feet on the ground and his front feet with nothing but air underneath them, being supported by the underbelly of his shell against the berry. Unable to watch, Jane reached in the tank, gently moved the tortoise from his precarious position half-on and half-off the strawberry to a safer location, like the bottom of the tank, and picked up the strawberry. Rummaging around for a knife that hadn't been strewn across the kitchen floor, she removed the top of the strawberry and nearly threw it away out of habit, but then remembered what Maura had said about leafy greens and thought perhaps the little guy might want it. She finished cutting up the rest of the berry into what seemed to be more tortoise-friendly pieces and scooped it all up into her hand, putting it back into the tank as slowly as she could, not wanting to disturb the tortoise by just dropping it all in.

She closed the lid softly and then watched him carefully. He had pulled into his shell when her hand came near, but he was already starting to peek out again. She hoped he'd get used to her being around and maybe wouldn't be scared if she reached in to touch him one day. She'd seen Maura rub Bass' shell and maybe this little guy would like that, too. When she was sure she wouldn't break him.

The freshly cut strawberry had a much stronger scent and the tortoise made a direct line for the pile of fruit in the center of his tank. He only nudged the pieces once, confirming what it was and the smaller size and lighter weight, before opening his mouth and reaching for it, taking a third of a piece in a bite. He munched a few times and then returned for more.

Jane grinned to herself at the red stain appearing around his mouth. "Yeah, you enjoy that strawberry, buddy. Better now that you can taste it, huh?" She was careful not to tap the glass again but peered at him all the same, fascinated by his movements. His shell was a rather beautiful pattern and she was amazed to find she could see the scales on his legs and the little rubber-band looking skin around his neck. He could really stretch his neck quite a ways when he wanted to reach for a piece of food, but was even quicker to bring it back within the safety of his shell if something startled him. His head was sort of pointed, with a nostril on either side and a more pointed mouth than she expected. More like a beak, maybe. She'd have to ask Maura.

She appreciated the gift, truly. She would keep Jo Friday and do her best to spend enough time with her, but there were certain to be cases which took up every waking hour and she'd have to ask Korsak or a neighbor to care for the little dog. Not so with this tortoise. She'd ask Maura for all the details, but if she didn't come home one night to walk him it was no big deal. She didn't have to worry so much about this little guy depending on her. It was an easy, no-stress relationship. She liked that.

Maura felt the smile cross her face even as the adoration bubbled up in her chest. She stood quietly at the end of the hall, watching the scene. Here was Jane, a trained and tough detective who hours before killed a man and injured another when they kidnapped her, who regularly chased down criminals and fought for their victims, speaking softly to a baby tortoise. And she knew the scruffy little Terrier on the couch would be well cared for and well loved, even if Jane pretended she didn't care much for the animal. She doubted if anyone except Jane's family got to see this gentler side and she felt some pride in being able to observe it herself.

"That was very kind of you, Jane."

Jane straightened and shrugged, hiding the wince when it pulled at her wounds. "He just looked so sad. I wanted to be sure he had something to eat before we left."

Maura frowned slightly. "I thought we were cleaning your apartment?"

"Ugh. Not right now." Jane made a face. "Come on. We keep saying we need to do something together outside of a crime scene, and, well, my apartment is a crime scene. So let's go get a drink, hm?"

"Okay." Maura smiled brightly at the invitation. "That sounds great. Ah, do you want to change?"

The detective glanced down at her dirty pant suit and stained shirt, two large gauze bandages visible against her skin, and then looked back up at Maura. "These are my going out clothes," she mimicked, grinning as the other woman laughed. "I'm too tired to change right now. If you can be seen with me like this, we'll go grab a drink and just relax a little. I'll burn these when I come back."

"What you wear doesn't matter to me, Jane." A dark eyebrow contested that statement and Maura faltered. "Well, that is, not when we go to someplace like the Dirty Robber."

"Ah ha. So you wouldn't let me wear this if we were going to the opening of some museum gallery or something, right?" The absolute horror that flashed across the doctor's face made Jane double over with laughter. "Right."

Maura smiled uncertainly, not sure if Jane was laughing at her.

"Come on, it's just the Dirty Robber tonight, I promise. I need a beer and I need it out of this apartment." Jane opened the front door and motioned Maura through. "Jo Friday, you be good, okay? I'll take you for a walk when I get home." The dog wagged her tail at the sound of her name and raised her head, but remained sprawled on the couch and Jane took that to mean she understood. "Good girl."

Jane fished the keys out of her pocket and shook her head. "I don't even know why I'm locking up right now." There was a sympathetic hand on her arm and Jane gave her friend a warm look. "So, tell me about the care and handling of my new pet, Maur. Do I have to water him and give him a bath or anything?"

Jane smiled, listening to the confident yet gentle voice of Dr. Maura Isles, explaining the finer points of raising an African Spurred Tortoise.