This is completely au. My stories tend to come out better that way. I will warn you that they ladies are not the same as they are on the show and Jane is a wounded vet while Maura is an actress and single mother. To a little girl. Any and all mistakes are mine and mine alone I will update when I can but since I am in bed with cracked ribs probably often. RE-WRITTEN not every single word though. Also I have to warn you now before you get to far into the story that there may be some trigger warnings later in the story both from Jane having flashbacks of the war and something that happened in Maura's past. As I said it's an au story so there are things in this that happen for a fact others that we wish would happen and things that probably never will happen.

I wanted to say that some of this story belongs to me some of it belongs to Merrill Whren. I am putting up a disclaimer so I can't be sued and hope nobody else will complain.

Nothing much had changed in ten years on the farm where Maura Isles had grown up. The faded red barn sat against a backdrop of fields newly planted with wheat and grain. A gentle breeze rustled shiny green leaves in the cottonwoods lining the creek. The peaceful picture didn't tell the whole story. Despite its appeal, she hated this place. There were to many memories here to many things that had happened Gripping her young daughter's hand, Maura squinted against the early May sun in the cloudless sky over the South Dakota prairie. A black pickup, coming down the lane, bumped across the ground and kicked up a cloud of dust as it came to a stop near the barn. When the driver emerged, she recognized her, even at a distance. Maura could not mistake the height or the curls sticking out from under the ball cap. Tightness settled around her heart, Swallowing a lump in her throat, she brushed dust from her black silk dress. She wasn't sure what she would say to Jane Rizzoli time had made them strangers?

With a very obvious limp, Jane trudged toward the barn. Her faded jeans and blue chambray shirt with the sleeves rolled up just below her scars, accentuated her tall, muscular build. She'd been at her mothers funeral this morning, among the sea of people who had come to pay their last respects, but Maura barely remembered talking to Jane. Her mind had been consumed with grief ever since she had learned her mother had died suddenly in a car accident. As Jane disappeared into the barn, Becky tugged on Mara's arm "Mom who's that?"

"Someone I used to know. She used to be a really good friend of mine." Gazing at her daughter, Mara wanted to gather Becky close but resisted the protective gesture that had become second nature in the past few weeks. A flush rose in the child's smooth olive complexion. Her complexion she got from her father about the only thing she ever got from him. Maura was worried about how people would act when they found out who her father was, so she kept it to herself. She didn't want to see the disappointment in her friends and family if they should find out that she got pregnant from a one night stand. The only person who did know the truth died years ago. Smiling at the memory of Tommy Rizzoli she ran into him the same night she found out she was pregnant he even offered to tell the world the kid was his, to make Maura feel better. The breeze ruffled her brown hair laying in natural curls around her shoulder. Maura brushed the wayward strands from Becky's cheek and wished she could easily spare her daughter the heartbreaks of life.

"What's she doing in the barn?" Becky asked. "Can we go see? Gram said there are some animals out in there."

"I'm not sure what she's doing probably working or even feeding the horses. And no we can't, we are not dressed for that, we'll check out the barn another time." Maura figured talking to Jane would come soon enough.

"But. I want to go now."

"We'll be here a few days, You can wait." Maura glanced toward the barn again just as Jane reappeared and retrieved a large sack for her pickup

"Look here she comes." Maura summoned a welcoming smile as she drew closer."Hello, Jane." Maura leaned over and carefully hugged her old friend not knowing what injuries that Jane had Maura didn't want to hurt her in anyway.

"Hi, Maura, I'm really sorry about your mom. I didn't get a chance to say more then a few words to you this morning. Had to get back to the fields, so we didn't get to stay for lunch." The comforting sound of her deep voice made the years fall away like rich soil beneath the blade of a plow. Maura always loved Jane's voice it brought her comfort though some tough times. Like when they were kids and she was afraid the first time they went swimming or the first time they camped alone under the stars. Even when everything bad happened it was Jane who helped her. Even some late night phone calls when Maura first moved.

"Thanks." Maura nodded. "There were so many people. It all seems like a blur."

"I'm sure it does." She steeped forward and held out the sack she carried. "Sarah, sent this over for your evening meal."

Was Sarah Jane's wife or partner? Knowing that it was now legal in all states for gay marriage Maura wouldn't have been surprised if Jane was married? Had Jane been with a family this morning? Maura couldn't remember. Her going off to war and subsequent return as an injured soldier were the only news her mother had ever shared. When Maura left town, Jane was seeing someone but not someone named Sarah. Maura never dared to ask about Jane's life and she couldn't bring herself to ask now. Not after what she had done. When she took the sack, their fingers brushed. The sudden contact made her pulse quicken. Shaking away the unwanted feelings, she vowed not to let her memories ruin this reunion. Besides, she shouldn't have such feelings for a women in a relationship.

"You want to come up to the house for a few minutes while I put this in the kitchen? My grandparents would love to talk to you."

Some of these will be short others longer I know but if you read my other stories you know its how I write. I am going to write all three stories just couldn't pick which one to write first.

BE honest what do you think of it as a start I promise to update soon.

As always feel free to review good or bad I can take it.