2:15 am, Jane sat in the living room looking at all the pictures of the victims. They hadn't found any D.N.A, no finger prance, nothing that could tie the murderer to the victims. Any direction they took lead to a dead end. Whoever this guy was, he was good, really good, to good. Jane picked up a picture of Alora West and stared at it.

"Come on, what am I missing…?" she mumbled to herself. The investigation had been going on for three weeks now. It had gotten to the point where Jane had been looking at the pictures for hours, almost praying that there was something she missed.

"Jane…" Maura's voice rang through the hallway. She entered the living room in her silk robe. Jane turned in her seat and smiled.

"Hey babe, I'm sorry, I'm just looking over some things, and I'll be to bed in a little bit." Jane said as she yawned. Maura walked up behind her girlfriend and started to massage her shoulders. Jane moaned softly the second she felt Maura's touch. Jane's head dropped so that Maura could have better access. Maura smiled, Jane had been working day and night for the past three weeks, and she deserved a break.

"You're so tense…honey you should take a break."

"I can't Maur…this guy has killed two girls. I can't find any connection between the girls, I have no D.N.A. no motive other than the guy is a psychopath!" Jane dropped her head in to her hands and groaned. Maura walked around the couch and sat next to Jane.

"It's going to be ok, we'll ketch this guy, and we always do." She said as she wrapped her arms around Jane's shoulders and rested her head on Jane's shoulder. Jane ran her hand up and down Maura's arm and sighed.

"You're right…as usual..." said Jane, this caused Maura to smile and blush. Jane smiled and kissed Maura on the cheek before the both leaned back on the couch. Maura snuggled in to Jane's neck, Jane wrapped her arm tightly around Maura's waist.

"It will be ok…it will…We are Rizzoli and Isles….We don't give in to fear. We don't back down." Jane said more to herself then to Maura. Little did they both know that their daughter was awake, fully conscious, and their house echoed. Roman thought briefly about the murders her adoptive mother had spoken of. This man, women, whoever they were, new how to kill and get away with it. This thought traveled down her brain stem and through her spinal cord like ice, burning deep in to her legs. 'Don't concern yourself. Jane and Maura always ketch there guy.' With that, she closed her eyes and slowly went to sleep.

…

"ROMAN!" yelled Charlie from down the hall way as she sprinted toward her friend. Roman smiled to herself. For this was how Charlie greeted her every morning for the past three weeks. They had become closer. Roman had felt more comfortable around Charlie and the others. She had yet to however, tell them about her personal life. What she liked, where she came from. In her mind, if she didn't mention it, she could pretend it never happened. Even if just for a little while. Charlie only gave Roman a few seconds to close her locker before she crashed herself in to Roman and embraced her in a tight hug, which at this point, Roman was more than happy to return.

"CHARLIE!" Roman yelled back and they both laughed. Pulling away from Roman, Charlie smiled and said,

"What's up chicky chick?" She asked as she handed Roman a bottle of water from the vending machine in the cafeteria. Roman took it then nodded, silently thanking her.

"Nothing, just getting ready for Mr. Johnson's class."

"EW! That guy is a weirdo! I had him last year!"

"He seems nice though."

"Sometimes he can be a little too nice. Just watch out for him ok. Ill ketch you in music. See ya!"

With that Charlie skipped off to her next class. Roman smiled. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so normal. So…happy to be her. She had a home, loving parents, a good friend, and she hadn't had a nightmare in a long time. Things were finally looking up. She herself, skipped to her first bell class. She entered the class room, the first one there. She saw Mr. Johnson sitting at his desk grading papers.

"Good morning Mr. Johnson."

He looked up from his work and smiled. "Good morning Ms. Smith, how was the journey in to our fine establishment?"

"Quite entertaining!" Roman chuckled. "And yours?"

"A little disruptive. Some air head decided to block my wife in so I had to give her a ride."

"I know what you mean, when people do that at my house, my…..mom flashes her badge and they seem more than happy to move."

"So, your mother is a cop?"

"A detective actually."

"Oh wow, isn't that something, and what does your father do?"

"Um….I actually don't have a father…my OTHER mom is a medical examiner. They met each other through work." She said as she sat in her normal seat. He nodded and smiled.

"That's great! I'm glad you have a stable support system at home." He said as he graded papers. She had become close to her math teacher as the weeks progressed.

"Thank you sir."

With one last smile, the bell rang, and the rest of the students were ushered in to the class room.

…

The day went on as usual, when Roman got to her music class, Charlie was already there. She waved at Roman to come and sit next to her, which Roman happily obeyed. Once she sat Charlie turned to her.

"So there's this big party this weekend at Henry's house, his parents are out of town, you wanna come?" Roman was taken aback by the question.

"Oh! Um….I honestly don't know…id have to talk to my parents." She stuttered out. Not only had she ever been invited to a party before. But she had no idea what her adoptive mothers would say. Jane was very protective, and Maura well...it was going to be hard to convince them. Roman was pulled out of her thoughts when her teacher spoke up.

"We will be pairing up with partners for a project. You and your partner will be picking and preforming a song in front of the class. On will play an instrument. The other vocalizing."

Charlie leaned over and whispered to Roman, "You wanna work together?" Roman just nodded.

"Do you play anything?"

Roman hesitantly nodded. Charlie smiled bid at her friend. Not knowing this about Roman.

"No way, what do you play?"

"Piano…"

"Awesome! I can't play anything so we are in luck! Ill sing if that's ok with you?"

Roman nodded and directed her attention toward the lecture over Mozart the teacher had been giving. But inside her head she was screaming. No one other than her family had seen her play. And if she had it her way NO ONE would see her play. Her piano was her gate way out of reality. It was her way of letting everything go. It scared her to let Charlie see this side of her no one was really supposed to see. This was a big deal for her. A new step that she wasn't sure she was ready to take. 'But then again my academic and creative upbringing demands that this step be taken.' She thought to herself. Whether she liked it or not this had to be done.

"So after school I'll come over to your house and we will work on it then." Said Charlie. Roman was brought out of her trance. She noticed the class had ended.

"Um…yeah that sounds good."

…..

Jane and Maura looked at the clock when they heard the door open and shut. 4:35 pm. Roman was right on time. Like she had made a point to be these last few weeks. Jane and Maura had been working late these few weeks so they set a time for Roman to be home. As Roman walked through the door, they heard her Talking to someone. Jane looked at Maura with a confused look, before walking out of the kitchen and in to the entry way. She was met with the sight of not just her daughter but another girl as well, one that she had never met before.

"Roman, sweetie who's this?" Jane asked looking at her daughter with wide eyes. Roman gulped and looked from Charlie to Jane.

"Um… Jane Rizzoli this is Charlie Phillips."

Charlie walked up to Jane and smiled, holding out her hand. "Nice to meet you Mrs. Rizzoli"

Jane hesitated for a few seconds then took ahold of Charlie's hand and smiled. "Hello Charlie, it's nice to meet you too. Maura, Babe we have company!" Jane yelled for Maura. Maura walked in to the entry way. Upon seeing Charlie, Maura smiled and took Charlie's hand.

"Hello! I'm Maura Isles it nice to meet you…?"

"Charlie. Charlie Phillips." Charlie smiled. There was an awkward silence among the four.

"Not that we don't enjoy Roman having a friend over but, why are you here?"

Roman and Charlie looked at each other. "Oh! Um, we have a music project we were gonna start today." Said Charlie. "Roman said she played the piano so…I hope that was ok?"

Jane and Maura smiled, happy that their daughter was given an opportunity to show her passion to someone other than them.

"Oh, yes of course! Please come in and make yourself at home! The piano is right through here." Jane said as she directed Charlie through the house, Roman close behind. They entered the room with the piano and Charlie smiled. Roman blushed crimson, this was usually her domain. A place that was known only to her and her family. Now, it was being visited by a complete stranger. Roman gulped as Charlie made her way to the piano. She sat her book bag down next to it before taking a seat on the end of the bench. This made Roman very nervous, she felt like her secrets were exposed and her comfort zone had been taken over, quite literally.

"Well we will leave you two to it!" said Maura as her and Jane exited the room, Jane turned around briefly and looked at Roman, giving her an 'an ok' sign. Roman nodded and Jane smiled one last time before leaving them alone. Roman felt a chill go down her back when silence filled the room. She was so wrapped up in the silence she didn't notice that Charlie had been staring at her for several minutes.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" said Roman, her voice sounding constricting.

"Um, I said are you gonna come over and play?"

"Oh…yes, yes of course…" Roman slowly walked over and sat on the other side of the bench. She noticed the piano was already open and music was laid out. The title of the song was 'I dreamed a dream.' The music for it was quite simple.

"Have you ever seen Les Miserables?" asked Charlie.

Roman thought about it, she never really watched TV. It never seemed that important. She looked at Charlie and slowly shook her head.

"Ok, well this song is from that movie and it's played on the piano, I thought maybe we could do this one. Or if you don't like it we can change it."

"No, this song is fine." Said Roman shakily. Charlie noticed that Roman's hands were trembling, hovering over the piano.

"Are you nervous?" Charlie asked. Roman saw the kindness in her friend's eyes.

"Yes, I am…I've never played in front of anyone other than my ….family before."

"Well if it makes you feel any better, I've never sang in front of anyone. Like ever."

"Really…?"

Charlie looked in to Roman's eyes and smiled. "Yeah…really."

Roman felt a huge weight lifted off her shoulders. Thankful she wasn't the only one who was nervous. With a small smile Roman looked at the music, cracked her knuckles, and started to play. The melody was slow and sweet. Roman smiled even bigger when Charlie started to sing.

I dreamed a dream in time gone by.

When hope was high and life worth living.

I dreamed that love would never die.

I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

Then I was young and unafraid.

Dreams were made and used and wasted

There was no ransom to be paid.

No song unsung, no wine untasted.

But the tigers come at night.

With their voices soft as thunder.

As they tear your hope apart.

And they turn your dream to shame.

He slept a summer by my side.

He filled my days with endless wonder.

He took my childhood in his stride.

But he was gone when autumn came.

And still I dream he'll come to me.

That we'll live the years together.

But there are dreams that cannot be.

And there are storms we cannot weather.

I had a dream my life would be.

So different from this hell I'm living.

So different now from what it seemed.

Now life has killed.

The dream I dreamed.

When the song was over Roman's face was bright red and she smiled big at her friend.

"Your voice is amazing!" Roman yelled without thinking. Charlie just laughed and hugged her. As Roman hugged back she didn't notice that Jane and Maura were standing at the door. They smiled at the sight. It had been a rocky start, but Roman was finally starting to be normal. Things were finally starting to get better.

They continued to practice the song for hours until it was about 7:30 pm. Roman walked Charlie through the kitchen where Jane and Maura were fixing dinner.

"Charlie, would you like to stay for dinner?" asked Maura as she set the table.

"Oh, thank you but I really should be getting home. Um…rain check?"

"Of course, anytime."

"Thank you Mrs. Isles. I'll see you this weekend Ro, I'll pick you up. Ok?'

"Ok…" Roman smiled. Charlie smiled and walked out the front door. Roman shut the door behind her. With her back to the door she slid down it, releasing a long breath. A long, long, long, yet happy day had accord.

Later that night as the three women sat at their dinner table conversing about their day, Jane felt the need to bring it up.

"So what's happening this weekend?" asked Jane as she took another bit of her salad. 'Shit, I forgot' thought Roman in mid chew.

"Um…just this …party Charlie invited me too…"

Both Jane and Maura stopped eating and stared at Roman. Jane dropped her fork as she finished chewing. Wondering when their daughter was going to mention this to them.

"And where is this party?" asked Jane.

"…I don't know the address, but it's at her friend Henry's house."

"Will the parents be there?"

Roman knew the answer to that question. She also knew that her parents would not allow her to attend. So she did something she had never done, never had the chance to do, and would regret.

"Yeah, his parents will be there."

Jane looked at Maura for a moment, as if they were sharing in a silent conversation.

"…may I go…" asked Roman, barely above a whisper. Jane and Maura took a few more minutes before they looked back at Roman.

"We'll see…"

After dinner was done and cleaned up, Roman went to her room. She found Joe Friday laying out on her bed. Roman chuckled tiredly as Joe's ears perked up. She collapsed down on her bed and Joe immediately attack kissed her face! She was laughing and loving on Joe Friday she didn't notice Jane walk in to her room and sit on her bed. Only when Jane pulled Joe off of her did she realize she was in the room.

"Oh, hey Jane."

"Hey…" Jane smiled as Roman scratched behind Joe's ears.

"What's up?" asked Roman seeing Jane's facial expression. Jane hesitated but then pulled out a pre-paid cell phone.

"What's this…?"

"It's a cell phone. I want to know when you arrive at the party. I want you home by eleven. Understand." Jane said before she was tackled by her daughter. Roman hugged Jane tightly and buried her face in Jane's neck.

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" Roman yelled and smiled big.

…

-That weekend-

Roman stood in front of the full length mirror in her bathroom. She decided to go casual. She wore a black tank top and a red pair of jeans. Her high tops. She put on a navy green jean jacket. Maura had bought her some make up awhile back. Now would be a good time to put it to use. She walked out of her room and down the hall way, in to the master bed room where Maura was reading a book and Jane was watching the red sox game. She knocked on the door frame.

"Hey…um…Maura"

Maura's head snapped up from her book. Upon seeing her daughter all dressed up, she smiled.

"Roman, you look beautiful!" at this Roman blushed.

"..Um… could you… help me put on makeup…I don't know how…" she said looking down. Maura's face lit up at this.

"Of course!" Maura jumped up and practically ran over to her bathroom. Jane chuckled at the sight. Maura hadn't been this excited since they found out they had successfully adopted Roman. Maura came out of there bathroom with a big box of god knows what. Roman gulped, instantly regretting the decision. But none the less she knew that if anyone could help her feel….pretty, it was Maura. Sitting on the bed, Maura went through her box, taking out eye liner and mascara, lip gloss and blush. Roman stood in the door way shuffling her feet. Not knowing if it was suitable for her break Maura's concentration or not. Only when Jane motioned for her to come in did she, so Maura could start the process.

….

6:30 pm. Charlie drove up to the Rizzoli-isles residence. She stayed parked there for a moment. Roman was new at the school. And tonight would be where she would meet all her friends in a new light. This party was where all the freaks, mutants and psychos were. She knew the people that would be there. She knew what they were all like. Roman would fit in nicely. She got out of her car was walked toward the door. She rang the doorbell. Roman answered the door and smiled warmly. When Charlie saw Roman, her face went blank. She had never seen Roman out of school attire. And she was beautiful.

"Wow….Ro, you look beautiful."

Roman blushed," thanks, you look beautiful too..." she said right before Jane ambushed them both.

"LADIES! PHOTO TIME!" she yelled as Maura came up behind both the girls and pushed them closer together. Once the pictures were taken and the embarrassment initiated, Jane told Charlie to have her back no later than eleven.

"Yes Mrs. Rizzoli I promise your daughter is in good hands."

Jane smiled and let the two girls leave.

…

The house was filled to the brim with people, loud music filled the halls. People talking and dancing. The party was so big, people were spilling out the front door. Roman stood outside the house looking at the scene, Charlie stood next to her.

"You ready!" Charlie asked with a smile. Roman stood still breathing in and out. This was nothing like she expected at all.

"….I….I have to call my m….Jane, before I go in. I told her I would."

"Ok, I'll wait."

Charlie stood there as Roman pulled out her cell phone and dialed Jane's number.

"Rizzoli."

"Jane, its Roman, I am at the party ok."

"Ok, honey have a good time. Be home by eleven ok. We love you."

Roman felt her heart give a leap. She had never heard that from her adoptive parents. Or her biological. Or anyone really. Which only made her feel guiltier about lying to Jane and Maura.

"Roman? You still there."

"…Um…yes! Sorry yeah. Ok thanks, bye..." she hung up the phone quickly and let out a shaky breath.

"…You ready…?" asked Charlie again. Roman simply nodded. With that they walked up the stairs. And in to the crowded house. Roman instantly felt her muscles tense and she hands shake. So many people in one confined space. Spread around a class room was different. This was pure madness. She was drawn out of her thought when she felt a hand wrap around hers. She looked up and saw it was Charlie. This helped her heart rate drop a little. She gave a small smile as Charlie led her through the crowded house and in to the kitchen. It was less crowded then the rest of the house. Henry was dressed all in black and had on, what looked to be lipstick and eye shadow. You would think any normal person would be weirded out by this. But Roman wasn't normal. Henry walked over and gave Charlie a bear hug.

"Charlie! You made it!"

"…choking…not breathing…" Charlie chocked out. This caused Henry to pull away instantly and back up a few steps. He saw Roman and smiled.

"Good to see you RoRo! Charlie told me you were coming! I just didn't believe it!"

"Well believe it now dip shit!" said Charlie as she gave him a friendly shove. Roman laughed at their banter.

As the party went on, Roman became more and more at ease with the crowed and people. She slowly started to make eye contact with people. Smile. Nod her head to the music. She even got her own drink in the middle over the kitchen, and someone stopped her and told her a joke. And she was awkward with the person either. In her sense this was a big accomplishment. Little did she know is was all about to come crashing down…

She excused herself from Charlie and Henry to use the restroom. With some directions from Henry she made her way up the crowded stair well and to the bathroom. When she opened the door, the sight that greeted her was not pleasant. Three teenagers, circled around what appeared to be white powder a lined in rows on a mirror, a straw at its side. Roman froze, she dropped her cup as all of those terrible and frightfully painful memories that she had been slowly forgetting flooded back in to her memory. Her skin caught fire. Her head was spinning and aching. She saw her father abusing the same drug before abusing her after. R foster parents selling the white powder then getting arrested in the middle over the night for it. Her going to the hospital for unknowingly ingesting a little too much of the white powder. She was ten, she was just doing what they were doing…Roman stumbled back and away from the sight. She didn't feel safe anymore. She didn't feel comfortable. Or happy to be at this party. She wanted out and out then. She ran down the stairs and she saw Charlie over by the radio, talking to Kendal. Roman walked up to her.

"Take me home." She said.

"What?"

"TAKE ME HOME NOW!" Roman yelled at Charlie. Charlie saw that her friend was crying and was confused. She said bye to Kendal and took Roman's hand and lead her back out the door. They had parked around the corner to avoid getting out of a tight parking spot. They walked down the street in silence. Till Charlie couldn't hold it in anymore.

"What the fuck Ro! I thought you were having fun! I mean come on what was that all about!?"

Roman didn't answer. She stopped walking and stood there. Not wanting to be near Charlie right then. Charlie looked back at her friend, now even angrier than before. There was an ally that connected her to the street she had parked the car on.

"…look, I'm going to go get the car, give you a chance to simmer down some. Ok." With that Charlie was off down the alley leaving Roman alone. Roman hugged herself, trying to calm herself down, and it started to work. But this was short lived when she heard a blood curdling scream come from the ally. She heart rate spiked in seconds.

"Charlie!" Roman took off running down the alley way. It was dark and she could barely see anything. "Charlie…Charlie come on this isn't funny…" Suddenly she felt a big strong arm come around her neck in a choke hold. She screamed and struggled for dear life. Remembering how she used to get out of these, she brought her elbow down and slammed it back on to her attacker's rib cage. She heard a male voice groan in pain, so she did this action again and again. He finally let go of her neck only to grab her jacket. Roman smoothly slipped her arms out of her jacket and took off in a sprint. She fell to the ground suddenly. She looked back briefly to see what she had tripped over. Seeing Charlie lying unconscious. She screamed again as her attacker gripped her hair and pulled her head up off the ground. She felt something stick in to her neck and then everything went black…..