A/N: So, I got the idea for this while watching Dane Cook 'Breaking and Entering' and it's just that one part where the friend is like: *breathes heavily* and Dane's like: "I don't know what that means, but I'm doing it" xD I decided to write more fluff. Short chapter tonight, though...

Danny, Lindsay, and Lucy Messer are owned by CSI:NY. Not me

RaiN: Glad I could make your night! I smiled while writing that conversation myself, I could just see Izzy leaning over a counter and talking to him. She's not one to say cutesy, romantic stuff, so I had to put 'I think you're cool' on it xD I loved writing the part where Chachi knocks down Tommy. I could just see a Rottweiler knocking him down! And you spelled immensely correctly! Yay! I'm happy you enjoyed it :)


There will finally come one moment

When one man and one woman

Get everything that they've been waiting for

I'll take you in my arms again

Feel your skin against my skin

Let the sheet fall slowly to the floor

'Til nothing comes between us anymore

John Michael Montgomery — 'Til Nothing Comes Between Us


What Frankie did to deserve Isabella, he didn't know. She was beautiful, she was smart, she was funny, she wasn't scared to act goofy or say what was on her mind. His mother adored her, she knew what the job entailed. Yet, even with her faults and flaws, she still found something in life to enjoy. She was the type to slip and fall on her ass, but laugh at her own clumsiness, rather than be embarrassed that she fell.

"You look dead on your feet," he commented, pushing her glasses onto her face. She smiled sleepily at him and kissed his cheek.

"Thanks," she replied. "And I'm technically sitting down. I'm not really on my feet." He had to admit, he preferred her glasses. They just seemed to complete her entire face.

"Smartass," he teased. He caressed the ruts of her rib-cage, feeling her nuzzle his neck. "We both got tomorrow off, right?" She shrugged, stifling a yawn.

"I get two days off every nine," she replied. "You?" He nodded.

"Yeah," he agreed. "Which means a bit more time." She opened her mouth to say something, but her yawn took over her petite body.

"Sorry," she apologized after she rubbed the waterline of her eyes. "I've been running on fumes since four am." He gently laid her head on his chest, breathing in the scent of her hair. Poor thing.

"You've been a cop too long," he informed her. She submitted a chuckle and took a deep breath.

"Next week, I have to go back to New York for a few days," she told him. She moved her face up to see him and he saw the uncertainty in her blue gaze.

"What for?" he asked before it occurred to him. The holidays.

"Thanksgiving," she replied. "And my stepdad's getting out of prison." That was what was bugging her. Her abusive stepfather was being released.

"Is it a good idea for you to go?" he queried, watching as she was slowly withdrawing. She shrugged, brushing her hair out of her face.

"Mom says he's changed, but I don't know," she answered. "It's something I'll have to see for myself." His lips touched her forehead before kissing her.

"You're still one of the bravest women I know," he informed her. "Don't let him talk down to you, alright?" She nodded, returning his kiss.

"I promise," she whispered.


God, Isabella missed him. The four days she took off of work to be in New York for Thanksgiving were the longest days of her life. His words echoed in her mind.

Don't let him talk down to you, alright?

His faith in her left her throat thick. She examined her reflection in the mirror of her childhood bedroom as she pulled her hair into a ponytail. Her purple cashmere sweater-dress hugged every curve of her body, from her shoulders to her hips. Isabella was about to see some of her old friends from the NYPD and she was excited. Mitch was being released from Sing Sing tonight, which chilled her to the bone.

The sound of her phone beeping on the dresser caught her attention and she picked it up.

"Zuko," she sighed.

"Where are you?" she heard Jane ask. "You were supposed to be at work an hour ago!" Isabella tilted her head in confusion.

"Jane, I'm in New York," she explained. "Didn't anyone tell you?" There was a frustrated growl over the phone.

"No, no one did," she replied. "That would explain everything, though." Isabella had left Chachi with Tommy and she missed her canine. Tommy called her nightly to tell her how Chachi was doing and it was easy to see that her boyfriend's brother was fond of the Rottweiler.

"I'll be back in Boston in about two days, so you guys can live without me 'til then," she informed her friend. Jane had found out about the abuse on her file, after the complaint had been launched.

"So, I saw your file the other day," Jane had said. Isabella raised her eyebrow in confusion.

"I have nothing to hide on my file," she replied. Except for hospital records and complaints...

"Your stepfather's being released from prison in a few days," Jane said. Her dark eyes were burning with curiosity and sympathy. Isabella hated that combination. It annoyed her to no end.

"Yeah, he is," she responded, trying to keep her voice light. Don't bring up the abuse, please!

"Are you doing alright?" Jane asked. It was clear that the older detective was trying to look out for her. Isabella liked Jane Rizzoli. The two were very similar and had gotten along famously since the night at the Dirty Robber.

"I'm fine," Isabella insisted. "If I wasn't, I wouldn't lie about it." She knew Jane knew about the abuse.

"He assaulted you," she stated matter-of-factly. Isabella hesitated before answering.

"Yeah, he did," she admitted. "Aggravated domestic assault on an officer got him ten years."

"That wasn't the first time, was it?" Jane asked. Isabella closed her eyes and shook her head.

"No," she finally said. "But I don't like talking about it." Jane squeezed the younger woman's shoulder.

"No one ever does," she said. "But you know we're here for you."

Isabella smoothed out her sweater over her black jeans and she slid her feet into a pair of black flats. Her black leather jacket was zipped all the way up and she was finished getting ready. It was exciting to have lunch with the Messers. She hadn't seen Lindsay since the hospital, and hadn't seen little Lucy for a year.

"Hey, Iz, Danny's here!" Teagan hollered up the stairs. Isabella chuckled and slid her purse over her arm. It was time to go.