Another attempt at something a little different.

Jane Rizzoli is Head of Mission for Médecins Sans Frontières in Aleppo, Syria. Her base receives a new Medical Coordinator, the highly experienced, Dr Maura Isles. Together, with an incredible team, they set out to alleviate human suffering, to protect life and health, and to restore respect for human beings and their fundamental human rights in the God-forsaken city.

Disclaimer: I don't own R&I.

Warning: There will be mild swearing, details of medical trauma, and accounts of war-centred violence ahead. I'll add more specific warnings to their respective chapters when necessary.

This is a Rizzles story. Not sure about how quickly it will progress as their relationship isn't the sole focus but it will always happen whenever I write 😊

This story is about bringing an awareness to what is beyond our 4 walls...

CHAPTER 1: 'imār

"Mankind's suffering belongs to all men."
- Dr. Bernard Kouchner
(Co-founder, Médecins Sans Frontières)

Al-Quds Hospital, Jami'a al-Zayraa district, Aleppo Governorate, Syria

The dull thuds of broken stone falling away, the scraping of metal, and the shovelling of debris from yesterday's wreckage sounded heavily in the air.

Random yelling in Arabic could be discerned easily but not necessarily understood.

Grunting and panting was heard at the exertion being expended from multiple bodies working hard to clean the space. It didn't matter what colour or religion you were, or what language you spoke, everyone that occupied the buildings close to the ruins, were all labouring side-by-side so that the majority of them could all get back to their more important jobs.

Contributing to the protection of life and the alleviation of suffering out of respect for human dignity.

That's what they were there for. That was a focus of the charter and the main mission of Médecins Sans Frontières.

The local people were very grateful. Grateful that not everyone in the world had abandoned them. They were the ones left occupying their city. The ones who hadn't fled their homeland, hoping beyond hope that the destruction from the war could be repaired.

The heavy atmosphere was not uncommon and those present were silent, working to their own internal distractions.

A raspy voice broke the quiet momentarily, out of necessity.

"Guys, can you bring the supplies to the back entrance? I need to see Frankie about the structure out front before we start using it again." A tall, curly haired brunette called out to the few men around her as she thrust her spade through the rubble, clearing a path to the main entry of the hospital.

"Yeah, boss. No worries." An African American man called back as he wiped the sweat dripping from his brow.

"Thanks, Barry." The husky voice responded gratefully, losing herself to the non-existent tune of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64, once again. The memory of its soothing and emotive chords, lulling her back into a sense of purpose.

Barry chuckled as his boss started humming along to the music in her head. It was something she did often. A coping mechanism. They all had them.

His was to imagine traumatic events playing out differently. Where he could become the hero and save everyone involved. Some called it fantasy, he called it wishful thinking.

Barry Frost had arrived in Aleppo 6 months ago, full of excitement and innocent to the true nature of the work to be done in the God-forsaken city.

Within 48 hours of his arrival his innocent eyes had been tainted by an attack made on one of their mobile clinics, killing 2 MSF doctors and several patients.

The news reporters had been all over it. Their callous, detached attitudes were thoroughly despised by their team and the locals. No one gave them the time of day and they had packed up and moved their vans further into the city.

The attack had almost caused him to quit.

His father would have been so disappointed. He had been grooming his son for humanitarian work his whole life. According to Barold Frost Senior, Doctors Without Borders was the ultimate organisation for him to embark a career upon. Lucky for him he never found out that his son quit… because he hadn't.

And Barry was grateful that he hadn't.

He looked across the expanse of rubble to his boss, Jane Rizzoli. She was an excellent Head of Mission and an even better negotiator. Perceiving his first sign of anxiety and want to flee, she had sat him down and practically recited the Chantilly Principles and explained the notion of témoignage with such passion that it had moved him to tears.

It was enough to convince him to stay working in his position as Project Coordinator of medical supplies and security liaison for MSF.

It was enough to convince him to stay after 2 more horrific events and yesterday's attack…

Especially after yesterday's attack.

He felt more dedicated than ever. His dedication was sub par to Jane's. She was practically married to the organisation and he admired her for it.

His boots crunched the surface below as he walked over the uneven ground to load a wheelbarrow full of recently delivered and desperately needed medication. He pushed the full cart toward Jane and waited for a directive from her. She looks tired. He scoffed to himself. Jane always looked tired.

The jean-clad woman dropped her shovel on top of the pile of rubble she had created and wiped her hands on the black tank, leaving dusty handprints across her flat abdomen. She rolled her shoulders to try and release the tension in her trapezii muscles. What she really needed was a massage.

Jane brushed away a stray dark lock that had escaped her ponytail and gave a somewhat forced grin to her friend.

Barry knew that strained expression. His boss was stressed. At her wits end but would never actually reach an end. She would push through again and work like a dog until everything was back in order, guaranteeing their security; until everyone was as safe as possible. I wonder when she slept last?

"Thanks, Barry. Bring it right in. We gotta clean up through here anyway." Jane pushed open the door and he followed her into the large space that functioned as a supply room. It was the safest room in the building. The coolest too. God, that feels good. She sighed at the reprieve from the humidity and felt exhaustion seep into her bones. She lost herself to her memories of the day before as they stocked the narrow shelves with supplies.

The explosion had rocked their residence, only a few hundred metres from where they worked. She had woken to the thunderous sound and the immediate screams that followed. As had everyone else. They all ran out into the street in their pyjamas, no one thinking twice about what they were doing or what they were wearing, they just reacted.

The hospital was still intact but the school across the road hadn't been so lucky. They assumed it had been the target but they weren't sure. Between the opinions of the US military, the Free Syrian Army, and the U.N. security teams, it was assumed that whoever had attacked the school had to have known it would be empty at 4am. They all concluded it to be a warning, but for what? Nobody knew. None of the attacks made much sense to them.

The deafening sounds from the early hours of the morning the day prior were already forgotten as their tight-knit community gathered together to help those injured and affected by the fulmination.

Only 3 fatalities and 12 casualties from the neighbouring homes. It sounded morbid to say 'only' but the team had seen so much worse, especially where they were, on the outskirts of town; a gateway that ushered in the horrors of the war.

It was what they dealt with almost every day.

Témoignage; what they were here to attest to, every single day.

Beacon Hill, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

"Maura, you can't possibly work there!" Constance Isles exclaimed desperately over the phone, trying to convince her daughter to change her mind.

"Mother, I understand your concerns but I have been offered a position that will enable me to truly make a difference." The honey blonde paced the length of her bed, staring at the suitcase half-filled with her most essential items.

"Ethiopia is one thing but Syria?! They are bombing everything left, right, and centre over there!" The English woman's hysterical outburst had Maura cringing.

"I've already accepted the offer, Mother. I'm sorry, I really need to finish packing." She informed her in a neutral tone. She didn't have much time for emotional outbursts and tried to end the conversation quickly.

"Oh, alright." Constance huffed, knowing she wouldn't be able to change her determined daughter's mind. "I assume you've stopped over in Boston before heading out again?"

"Yes, I arrived 2 days ago. I have the house sitter arriving in the next half an hour and my flight to Aleppo is at 11:30pm this evening." Thank god I showered and changed earlier. She thought, slightly panicked at how behind schedule she was.

"Ok. Au revoir, darling. Call me when you arrive if you are able, and please stay safe." Constance's voice trembled as she bid her only child farewell.

"I will, Mother. Au revoir." Maura ended the call with a sigh and pressed the play option on her iPod. The strong, dulcet tones of Andrea Bocelli washing over the room, bringing a sense of calm to her.

As she finished packing, Maura pondered her mother's words. She knew she was just worried terribly about her but she couldn't begin to understand it.

It had been the same response for years.

Hospitals in the ghettos of United States cities. Mobile clinics in the war torn Russian Federation. Gypsy camps in France and Romania. Cambodia. Myanmar. North East Africa. Now Syria… Just to name a few.

It didn't matter where Maura was located, her mother always worried. She supposed that was a good thing. It meant she cared. It didn't mean the doctor hated it any less. It bothered her.

The knock on the door broke Maura away from her thoughts.

"Hi, Angela. It's lovely to see you again." She greeted the older woman politely.

She was very happy to have met the Italian woman just 2 days ago when she landed. The sweet lady had just finished her shift at the airport cafe and had given her a ride home.

The doctor had arrived at Logan International late in the evening on a full flight and had been unable to get a cab right away. Desperate to not have to wait in the taxi rank, she offered the older woman $100 to drop her home. Angela had no problem driving the expensively dressed woman home and had refused to accept her money. They exchanged numbers when Angela had insisted that the only payment she wanted was a chat over some coffee.

Maura would have preferred to give her $100.

One car conversation led to another and Maura discovered that the older woman needed to find a rental as her lease was just about up. The doctor also found out that she was heading to the same MSF city that Angela's daughter and son were both currently working.

If Maura believed in miracles, this would certainly be one. She had needed a house sitter desperately and this woman was in desperate need of a house.

Angela gushed over 2 of her 3 children, stating how proud yet terrified she was for them on a regular basis, especially being in the middle east. She wasn't any more settled by Maura's clinical explanations as an attempt to appease the Italian woman from her worries.

The doctor was fascinated to learn about Jane. She sounded like a superhero. Giving her whole life to MSF. She failed to see the similarities in her own life's work. There was no way that she would ever classify herself as a superhero.

"Maura, you have such a beautiful home! Are you sure you want me to stay here?" Angela asked in wonder. She couldn't believe that this would be her home for the next 12 months at least.

"Yes, of course. As long as you don't mind me using the guest house when I come back for Christmas. If you could just sign these papers, the agent will be by on Monday morning to pick them up. I need to leave in about 20 minutes. If you could drop me off at the airport, that would be wonderful."

"Sure." Angela looked over the paperwork and gasped at the amount she was about to agree to. "Maura! I'm not paying only $100 a month to live here!"

"Please, Angela. You are doing me a favour. That money will cover utilities. Please make yourself at home."

The older woman toured the house while Maura finished her packing. When it was time to leave, the blonde put her things in the back of the Italian woman's car and they left for the airport.

Angela looked across the car to the doctor and raised her eyebrows at her attire. "Are you sure you'll be comfortable travelling in that?"

Maura frowned and looked down at her outfit. She wore a comfortable navy blue dress and a modest pair of beige heels. "Yes, this is very comfortable for me to travel in."

"Ok, sweetie. Just makin' sure." Angela turned her attention back to the road and started talking about her children again.

Al-Quds Hospital, Aleppo City, (Aleppo Governorate), Syria

"Hello?!" A singsong voice called out from the hallway and Jane made herself known as she poked her head out from the storeroom, already knowing who the visitor was.

"Hey, Charlie. How did the move go?" Jane asked with a weary smile and went back to unloading another wheelbarrow full of supplies.

The tall woman's boots got closer and she leaned against the doorframe with her muscular arms crossed. She smiled back. "It went fine. Some of the kids were obviously scared but most had their parents present, so it wasn't too difficult. Hopefully it will only be until we rebuild the school and they can return."

Jane stopped in surprise at the information. "The Red Cross are gonna rebuild?! You sure you wanna represent them for that?" She shook her head and resumed working.

Charlie sighed. She knew it wasn't a smart move for the organisation but she also knew that the Syrian people would rebuild regardless. The school was a beloved institution in the city and obviously targeted because of that. "I know it seems dumb, Jay, but… what else are we gonna do if that's what they want? They deserve it." The Red Cross Representative shrugged.

"I dunno, Charlie, but you may as well paint a god damn red bullseye on the roof when you're done. They're just gonna blow it to shit again." Jane lifted the last of the supplies and grasped the handles of the wheelbarrow to retrieve another load.

"Hopefully not but we'll see what happens. We're going to be running school in building on the other side of the hospital." The short-haired woman moved out of the way and let the focussed woman pass. She followed her outside and bent over to pick up some items to help. "When's the new Medical Coordinator arriving?"

Jane smiled genuinely at this. It was an event she was very excited about and had been waiting for since last month when the last Medical Coordinator had quit. "She lands at 6:30am tomorrow! I can't wait. She's a trauma surgeon too. You should see her credentials! I just hope she's got the stomach for it." I really, really hope she's as competent in real life as she is on paper.

"Is she hot?" The muscular woman asked with a smirk.

Jane rolled her eyes. "You're hopeless."

"I know… So, is she?"

"I dunno! I just saw her CV, not her fucking dating profile. She seems incredible. They're transferring her from Ethiopia."

"Wow. It's tough there. She's probably butch like us."

Jane laughed and shoved the much more solid woman next to her. "I'm so not butch!"

Charlie looked up and down at Jane's feminine form. "True. You're too skinny to be butch, but you're still not my type." She teased.

"Thank god for that. I cry way too much to be butch." Jane chuckled. It was true. She was a big softie. It didn't matter how much devastation she saw here, it broke her heart and she often wept at the hopelessness she felt at times. Always on her own though. "Anyway, whatever she's like, I'm sure she'll be ok. She's definitely needed… Ok, that's the last of it. I'll catch you later, unless you're gonna help me unload? I could use your muscles."

"I would but I need to drive out to Bashnatrah. We're looking at partnering with Red Crescent to get water to the communities around there."

"That's great news."

"Yeah, wish me luck. I have to take Gabriel Dean with me."

"Oh, U.N. Security Council Rep?! About time they got off their asses and sent him back. He's alright. Cute too. He cares about what we're all trying to achieve here."

"Cute? Ick, you have horrible taste. Good to know he's a nice guy though… Bye, Jay."

"See ya later."

MSF Staff Residence, Aleppo City, (Aleppo Governorate), Syria

Jane begrudgingly woke to her alarm and rubbed at her face to rouse herself. Urgh, it's too god damn early. The only thing that could get her out of bed at 5:30am was usually an emergency but she was making an exception to pick up the highly sought after MSF Medical Coordinator, Dr Maura Isles.

She dressed quickly in a pair of jeans, a dark green t shirt, and hiking boots, and left her tiny room to knock on Vince Korsak's door. He opened it almost right away, dressed and ready to go. They never travelled alone, male or female. It just wasn't smart to do. She was happy when he volunteered to accompany her at the early hour.

"Mornin', Janie." The older man greeted in his usual cheerful tone but noted her haunted look. Another night of bad dreams. None were immune to the terrors that plagued them from the things they had witnessed.

"Hey, Vince. You got coffee?" Was rasped, Jane's voice even more husky from the early morning start.

He chuckled and handed her an already prepared mug and closed the door behind him. "Ian and Barry are still sleeping. A call came in last night and they were up until 2am."

Jane followed the older man down the hallway and down the stairs to the 4WD. "Ok, no worries. They deserve the sleep then." She climbed up into the Toyota Land Cruiser and started the engine.

"Ian's pretty excited about this new doctor. Says he worked with her in Ethiopia a couple of years ago."

This piqued Jane's curiosity. She had been reviewing Maura's file multiple times a day, feeling like she was too good to be true. They hardly ever got such a great match for a position and had a person so willingly come. She was very impressed with the doctor's humanitarian-focussed history but even more so that she was available so suddenly.

A perfectly sculpted eyebrow raised in interest. "Yeah?"

"Uh huh. He said she's very beautiful!" Korsak waggled his eyebrows suggestively without any seriousness.

Jane groaned and rolled her eyes. Why was she surrounded by such pervs? She was so not interested in anyone's looks out here. "God, not you too? Charlie will be all over her then." She looked across at him incredulously. "Ian really said that?!" The Australian doctor was usually very quiet and one of the few doctors that had gained her respect in the time she had been in Syria.

"Yep. She must be a looker for him to mention it." Vince had been surprised at Ian's uncharacteristic openness too.

"Yeah… Well, we could certainly do with a bit of beauty around here but I honestly don't care what she looks like as long as she can live up to half of what's on her file." She pulled up outside of the terminal and turned off the car.

"I can't believe anyone has time for a relationship with all the work we have to do." Vince commented with a shrug. He definitely wasn't interested in pursuing one. He was only here for one thing.

"Mmm, I agree but not everyone is as busy as you. I think Logistics is something that requires about 100 hours a week to coordinate! I barely slept when I was in that role in Sudan." Jane allowed herself to daydream for a moment. It would be nice to have someone to share this experience with but finding the right person seemed impossible. Finding would mean you were actually looking, Jane. "Certainly no time for a love life. God, the options are pretty limited anyway! I'd settle for a good friend."

They both chuckled at the reality in her statement.

"Hey! You've got me." He shoved her gently and she shoved him back.

"I know, but I mean a woman. Someone to talk with about whatever. Guys suck at that."

Besides Charlie and Nina, there weren't any other females that Jane spoke to. The majority of the doctors were male and the nurses were mostly Syrian and not very sociable.

"True."

They both got lost in their own reflections.

Vince reminisced over his 3 failed marriages and was happy that he hadn't begun another relationship before basing himself in Aleppo. He didn't think he could handle the heartache of another woman promising to stick with him and not follow through.

Jane thoroughly loved the idea of being with someone. She had secretly wanted the whole marriage and family deal since she was a young girl, but her passion had kept her from finding anyone that could stick with her long enough to get there. When she thought about the actual practical side of a relationship, it never seemed to work how it played out in her head. Not that she had been in a relationship in years.

Her poor mother was a bit put out by it all. Having a 39 year old single daughter, living in a war torn country without a prospective partner in sight, was a disgrace to an Italian family. It didn't help that her younger brother had followed her over, adding salt to the already open wound her mother seemed to carry.

She was happy that he had found someone though. Frankie and Nina had hit it off right away and had been dating for a few months. Jane was excited for her brother. In this line of work, when you found someone that could deal with it and love it as much as you, you held on to them tightly and didn't let go.

Jane parked their vehicle and the pair entered the airport, walking straight to the arrivals board. Jane found the flight number and checked it with her paperwork. "Her flight's landed. I guess we'll just wait here for them to clear her."

They stood off to the side and watched as people began to trickle through the exit.

The foreigners were so obvious and so few and far between. It was almost comical and Jane would have laughed if not for the serious atmosphere inside. Armed Syrian guards in military garb with fierce looks on their faces would make anyone think twice about joking around or doing anything stupid at this airport.

"You look tired, Jane."

The curly haired woman shook her head and scoffed humourlessly. "Aren't we all?" She pulled at the front of her t shirt, the collar already slightly wet from perspiration, even at the early hour.

"Yeah, but when was the last time you had time to yourself? Time to relax and unwind? Or even sleep?"

"Seriously, Vince? I can't even think about sleeping when we just pulled several dead bodies out of a bomb blast and several more that are barely scraping through in our short-staffed hospital." She scuffed her booted foot on the ragged wooden floor and folded her arms across her chest defensively, head bowed.

Vince's light blue eyes examined her guarded face. He placed a hand on her shoulder with care and sympathy. "Kiddo, I know you feel responsible but you gotta look after yourself first so you can look after others better." His hand fell away as she failed to respond. He knew she was listening at least. "Hopefully our new doc will help alleviate some of that burden from your shoulders, huh?"

She just shrugged and looked down to inspect her filthy nails, becoming absorbed in cleaning underneath them. As she futilely scratched at the dirt, she missed the tapping of shoes on the hard flooring.

Vince nudged her and nodded towards a stunning woman wearing expensive heels and what looked to be a designer dress. A navy blue number that was tight in all of the right places, accentuating a well-looked after, petite body. Several other people also noticed the impeccably dressed, golden haired beauty and stared shamelessly. Maura didn't seem to notice as she approached the duo with her suitcases rolling easily behind her.

Jane's internal reaction was an array of conflicted feelings. Surprise, annoyance, attraction, bewilderment, and admiration, all coursed through her system. She took a deep breath as the gorgeous woman reached them and gave a dimpled smile that reflected excitement at a new endeavour.

Adorable. Jane thought and smiled back genuinely. She couldn't hide her interest even if she tried. And, it wasn't even due to the woman's outward appearance. She had poured over Maura's file, completely astounded that someone could achieve so much in their 35 years of life.

She couldn't wait to find out more about the fascinating doctor.

"Ms Rizzoli?" The soft lilting voice asked with her hand out in front of her.

The brunette grasped it, surprised at the firm grip. "Yeah, it's just Jane. I'm assuming you're Dr Maura Isles, our new Medical Coordinator?" She shook the smaller hand and held it for a few moments, relishing in the softness and wondered to herself how the hell this perfect creature was able to maintain such smoothness in the midst of chaos in Northern Africa.

"Yes. Please call me Maura. I look forward to reporting to you." The doctor responded formally, relinquishing her hold on Jane's hand and held it out to Vince.

"Vince Korsak, Logistics Coordinator." He gave her a warm smile and looked down at her minimal baggage. "That all you got, doc?"

"Yes. I can't imagine I'll be needing too much here." She grinned again and Jane melted.

The brunette moved to pick up one of the modest sized suitcases and Vince grabbed the other.

"Oh, that's not necessary. I can—"

"I'm sure you can, Maura, but you just got off a 12 hour flight. It's the least we can do." Jane smiled charmingly at the smaller woman and Maura fought the butterflies the attractive grin induced.

Angela didn't tell her how beautiful her daughter was. Why would she, Maura? The doctor discretely observed the tall woman. She had a striking feminine body that was contrasted by semi-masculine attire. It suited her.

"Thank you." Maura expressed her gratitude reluctantly and followed them outside, looking around curiously as they got to their vehicle.

Jane opened the passenger door for her and held a hand out to help her up into her seat.

It was a defining moment.

The action caused Maura to frown. She knew the Head of Mission was only trying to be polite. She had no idea what the tall woman was normally like but she didn't want to be seen as some kind of incapable woman who couldn't even get herself into a 4WD. Many had made that mistake and it had changed the dynamic of her working relationship with them. She didn't enjoy condescending attitudes at all.

If the Head of Mission was anything like her mother, then Maura knew that enforcing her superiority wasn't Jane's intention, but the doctor needed to assert her independence and ability to look after herself right in this moment.

Maura ignored the hand and pulled herself into the front passenger seat with ease and raised an eyebrow at Jane. "I promise I'm more resilient than I look. This will not be my regular attire here in Aleppo nor does it define my capabilities." She informed as gently but firmly as she could.

The smile left Jane's face and she felt guilty all of a sudden. She knew better than to assume based on appearance but she had. "Sorry, doc. I didn't mean to offend you. I'm sure, considering your history with MSF, that you're more than capable. I was merely trying to be chivalrous. My mistake." She closed the door and made her way to the driver's side, giving Vince a look to be quiet. The older man fought a chuckle and got into the back of the vehicle.

Maura uncharacteristically placed her hand over the tanned one on the gear stick and patted it softly. "No offence taken at your courteous actions, Jane. I just don't want you to think of me as a liability." She aimed a small smile at the brunette and removed her hand back to her lap.

"I definitely don't think that, Maura. We're so excited to have you join us." Jane tried to ignore the tingling the doctor's touch had left on her skin as she pulled onto the main road and headed west, for the 13km drive back towards the hospital.

"Yeah, Dr Faulkner said you're the absolute best!" Vince commented cheerfully.

"Ian is a little dramatic. I'm not the best. I simply love what I do and aim to do it well." Maura stated modestly.

"I love your humility, doc, but I've read your file about 100 times. You're a dream come true!" Jane exclaimed, eyes focussed on the dilapidated road, completely missing the blush on the honey blonde's face.

Maura looked out the window and felt the rush she always felt when starting somewhere new. It was devastating scenery and she watched despondently as people moved around the ruins of their half blown up homes and buildings, trying to fill their days with something more than just surviving. Out here, that wasn't exactly possible.

There were still major sections of the city in tact but in the east, where they were located, the rebuilding was a slow moving process. Especially seeing that they were targeted regularly.

She turned back to Jane, remembering the conversation she had with Angela less than 24 hours ago. "Oh! I hope you don't think this is weird but I met your mother in Boston."

"What the—"

"I know. Such an odd coincidence. Anyway, she gave me a package to give you and your brother."

"Oh wow. Uh, how did you meet my Ma?" Jane smiled at the thought of her mother.

"She gave me a lift home from the airport. It was very sweet of her. I was tired and offered her money but she refused."

"That's my Ma, she'd do anything for anyone." Jane worried about her mother often. The older woman was currently looking after Tommy, her youngest brother, and on a single income. It had been a tough couple of years for her since her divorce.

"Yes, she's a sweetheart. She'll be housesitting for me while I'm here."

"Huh? Seriously?" The brunette looked over at the nonchalant doctor who had just told her some of the best news she had heard in a long time.

Maura made eye contact with Jane briefly, a tiny frown formed for a moment at the driver's excited tone, and then she went neutral again. "Yes, I'm serious."

"Wow, that's awesome news, hey, Janie?! She was lookin' for a place and then, bam! You guys meet and she has one." Vince chuckled and shook his head unbelieving of the circumstances.

Jane just nodded, a smile plastered to her face. She really should try and call her mother soon. It had been at least a month since they had spoken. The only interaction they had was via email and usually because her mother was frantic with worry, having heard some terrible news like the bombing just 2 days ago.

She wondered about everyone else's families and how they reacted to the news that frequented their televisions.

The brunette addressed the doctor with a change of topic. "Did you hear about the school that was blown up across the road from the hospital?"

"Yes. I had an email from the Project Coordinator for outpatient care. Nina something?"

"Nina Holiday."

"Mmhmm. She informed me of the recent attack." Maura closed her eyes briefly, fighting fatigue. She never slept well on planes and felt like she had been awake for too long.

"Tired?" Jane asked sympathetically.

"Unfortunately. I would like to try and push through the day though or I'll never sleep this evening."

"You could take a nap? That shouldn't hurt… here we are." Jane pulled up outside of a large traditional courtyard house a few hundred metres away from the hospital. "The hospital is just down the street but please don't go out alone, even from the residence here to the hospital… You're, um, sharing with me. Hope that's ok?" Why do I suddenly feel so shy? God, get over it, Rizzoli.

"Of course." Maura claimed as she picked up her purse and laptop bag. She reluctantly accepted Vince and Jane retrieving her suitcases and they passed through the number of relatively small openings in the external façade, and entered the front door.

Maura marvelled at the original architecture and tried to keep up with the pair who had walked through the ancient wonder thousands of times before, completely unaware of the doctor's distracted state. Maura ran her fingers along the natural stone and wooden doorways as they passed a few rooms. Her eyes widened like a small child's when they reached the end of the entry hallway and the house opened out just as she had expected it to.

In the middle of all of the rooms was a stunning inner courtyard with an out of commission, fractured fountain at the centre. She observed the multitude of paving stones evenly distributed over the medium-sized expanse. An outdoor setting that didn't seem to be used much. She imagined the beautiful garden that would have once been tended to and added to the beauty of the home once upon a time.

Maura was sad to see that no one had been looking after it and the only living thing remaining was a lemon tree in a terracotta pot, surrounded by weeds and a mound of dark dirt in one corner.

"Maura?"

The doctor recovered quickly from her daydream and met Jane's curious eyes. "Sorry, I— have always wanted to see inside of a traditional Islamic courtyard house. I had no idea I'd be living in one. They're the most common domestic structure in this part of the country, I don't know why I didn't think of the possibility." She concluded with excitement.

The awe present as Maura spoke, floored Jane. She didn't have a clue about the type of home she had been residing in over the past 2 years, nor did she understand any historical significance of it.

"I, uh, guess you can cross that off your bucket list then?" Jane joked softly and Maura smiled at her in agreement. "Let's get your stuff to our room and then I promise to give you the grand tour."

Mara's smile widened at the suggestion and she followed the pair around the next corner, to her shared room.

Once they arrived, the doctor sighed in repose. She was happy to finally be here.

'imār = The process of reconstruction, which is the development of both the land and the human being.

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