FLUFF! It's all fluff. It's so fluffy you could make a pillow. I'm just letting you know that I have tortured these two plenty and it's time they had a break from my insanity! So don't expect angst and anger. It's a journey back to love. Don't you just love the sound of that? Anyhoo….

I don't own Rizzoli & Isles. I am not making any money from this venture.

I play with the characters and they tell me what to write. I wish people understood that more. Writers have an idea about where they are going and the characters choose the path. Unless you're averse to sunny days in Italy, there are no triggers… Enjoy!

In Case You Didn't Know

1.

A stunningly beautiful woman guided her small scooter along the winding cobblestone pathway from her spacious villa. The small road was a little steep, but she was well practiced at traversing the way. She turned into the large piazza at the end of the road and parked the scooter beside the retaining wall. Several shops and a cafe lined the edges of the court which was centered by the stereotypical fountain. She waved with a smile at the woman who was manning the flower cart. Even with her two baskets she realized that she would need to make a few trips to the market today because of the upcoming festivities in her home this evening.

After she removed her helmet, she pulled her delicate legs through the step opening placing her feet on the solid stone. Her shoes were simple and yet elegant slip ons that accentuated the line of her white capris. Her light blue button up was smartly tucked in. Like always, it was crisp, clean and sleeveless. Since she wasn't afraid to show off her toned arms, she always chose to go sans sleeves. For an exclamation point to the elegance of her ensemble she sported a simple printed scarf tied loosely around her neck. She was the picture of the perfect Italian woman with the exception of the red blond hair which was tied smartly behind her head.

The sun shone perfectly in the cloudless sky. The end of the piazza overlooked the vistas of the Mediterranean. If one chose to look, the view was so clear that you could almost make out the curvature of the earth. The woman pulled her canvas bag out of her basket and walked into the nearest shop. "Caio, Bernardo!"

A large man wearing a white t-shirt and white apron turned and blessed her with a warm greeting. "Hello, Ms. Isebella. How are you today?"

She took a deep breath taking in the scent of freshly baked bread. "Molto bene, oggi! Grazie! Are you practicing your English today?"

The man was tall with dark curly hair. His waist was beginning to show the fruits of his profession. "Every day that I see you I must recall to practice the English."

"It's the best way to learn." She smiled at him again and then glanced around the shop. "What do you have for me today?"

"For your party I have fresh focaccia. I will have later some loaves of Pane Tuscano. I want it to be caldo e fresco for you. I will also have your tarts ready then. I will have for you this, how you say this nel pomeriggio?"

"In the afternoon. Your English is coming along very nicely! I'll take the focaccia now and if you have some pizza bianca I'll have that as well."

"Quanti…..umm how many do you want of each?"

"Quattro focaccia and I'll need sette o otto of the Pane Tuscano. If you can do eight I'll take them all. Hai del burro fresco?"

"Si. I have fresh butter agiato ieri. Yesterday?"

"Very good! Yes. I'll take half of a kilo please and five of the pizza bianca."

"Do you want this to be on your bill today?"

"If you can add it all up I will pay you in full nel pomeriggio when I pick it up. Grazie mille! Bernardo. You are un regalo."

He smiled sweetly. "You are the gift, Ms. Isebella. Your beauty and love bring joy to the village."

"Aw! Bernardo! Dare il mio amore to Francesca. How is she doing?" The woman's days at her villa were filled with reading, relaxing and gardening. She was becoming an expert in herbal treatments. Her past had led her here. Her many years of education studying indigenous peoples and medicines of the ancient cultures gave her a deep interest in the study of plant medicine. It wasn't the same medicine she had many degrees in, but it was the medicine she was learning. She found, much to her scientific surprise, that the tinctures and potions actually worked. They were not as strong or concentrated as traditional drugs, but they could often take care of issues when stronger meds were not warranted.

"Better today. The cough is tanta better. The medicinale you gave her did wonders."

"I'm learning a great deal about new herbal remedies. I'm pleased it helped her!." Hazel eyes perused the rest of the shop as she picked out a few more items for her bag. "I think that's all for today. I hope I didn't run you out of product."

"I have an oven in the back, Ms. I'll be…..okay!" His laugh filled the room with warmth.

The women smiled broadly. "Bene! I'll see you this afternoon."

Bernardo dipped his head. "I look forward to it."

She stepped out into the bright sun and breathed in the salted air. She loved it here. The people were kind and helpful. The climate was perfect for her. It was never cold here on the coast and the slight humidity from the sea kept her skin moist and supple. She was mostly happy. She had many friends that she entertained every few months. This was a night when she would entertain. Wine and food would be abundant in the open air of her large patio. She would play music over the system. They would dance and laugh. It would be almost perfect. Almost. She sighed.

Three years she had been here in the small village she now called home. It was a far cry from her harried years in Boston. She had made plans to buy a small property in Maine and write her novels, but that hadn't panned out for her. When she had chosen to stay in Europe, she knew she couldn't go back. There was nothing left for her in the US anyway. She loved the culture of the countries here. She loved the feel of it. It hugged her when she felt sad. It gave her amazing food when she was hungry. It gave her fashion when she needed to feel elegant again. If she needed to see the stars all she had to do was walk to the couch on her patio and gaze up. All of these things softened the sadness that relentlessly resided in her heart.

When she had decided not to return to the States she opted for a name change as well. She didn't want to be found. She wanted to be lost to the world and everyone she had known. With her money and connections it wasn't likely that she would be located. She had buried her assets and her money so deeply only someone with connections and determination would ever find her. She thought that it was also likely that no one was actually looking for her. Her mother knew where she was and she was likely the only one who cared. She felt safe in that fact in this small hamlet. She also felt alone at times. The times were fewer than they had been, but they did visit her often in the night invading her dreams.

She bounced out of the bakery and proceeded to the flower cart. She didn't need flowers due to the fact that her garden was a treasure trove of plants, but the woman who owned the cart was the most delicious flower arranger she had ever met. Rose was from California. She was the flower of the flowers. Just talking to her made the blonde sad sometimes. She missed somethings about 'home'. "Rose, mi amica! How are you today?"

"I'm doing well, Isebella. Molto bene! I see you've been to see Bernardo. How is Francesca?" The village was small so gossip was plentiful.

"He says that she's doing much better. The cough is better and that's what we want. Can I still expect you today for my arrangements?"

"Of course! I wouldn't miss the chance to hang out with you."

"I hope you can stay for dinner as well. It will be nice. Bring a suit to swim if you like."

"I'm not sure that I can stay very late. The kids and all."

"Bring them! You can all stay over. I think that David and Peter are bringing Leo. The more the merrier you know! I guess if you want you can bring Anna if you like." She giggled with a wink at the sarcasm. Anna was Rose's lovely wife.

Rosa laughed. "She would be upset if I left her home. Of course she might like a night to herself without the kids. I'll think about it. No, promises. But I'll see you around two for the flowers. Do I need to bring anything from my cart or are you all set?"

"I think I'm set, but bring something if you think it will add to the theme. There really isn't a theme other than summer!" Sunflowers were the actual theme, but summer was close enough.

"I will!" Another woman walked up to purchase a bouquet. Rosa turned to help her and spoke to Isebella over her shoulder. "I'll see you soon!"

"Very good." She turned from the cart and walked slowly over to the small cafe. She smelled the rich aroma of the espresso wafting gently in the air. She couldn't pass up her favorite beverage, next to a good glass of Bordeaux. She sat at the table outside facing the beauty of the water. She picked her phone out of her bag and navigated to her books collection. She chose her current reading and was happy to see that it opened to where she had left off. Sometimes her tablet and her phone didn't see eye to eye about her bookmarks.

The waitress came to her table with a small cup and saucer. They knew her well enough to have her order ready almost as soon as she sat down. She thanked the woman and pulled the cup up to her lips just as she did, her eyes caught a glimpse of thick black hair. Her heart skipped a beat and her body reacted with a rise of flesh on her arms. The wicked curls floated untamed in the breeze and were attached to a person whose body she would recognize even if she were blind. It was obvious to her that there was still no taming the wild hair anymore that one could tame the wild woman.

The woman's skin was the perfect shade of olive tan. The Italian sun obviously loved her. Her toned legs flowed out from her shorts, long and lean. Her mother used to say that she was all legs. Isebella preferred to think that she was all warm, brown eyes and courage and the legs were just decoration.

Her heart began to thrum as she went slightly light headed. The woman was facing away from her and appeared to be looking out at the water. She had her hands in her pockets while she stood calmly as if waiting for something to happen. Isebella was sure that the woman was waiting patiently for her to happen. Now it was up to her if she wanted to happen or not. She was a moth to flame when it came to the tall brunette. She was going to happen by instinct even if her mind screamed no.

Her legs were shaky, but she stood anyway. She left her satchel and coffee behind her and approached the woman. She didn't speak as she quietly stood next to her. The dark haired woman didn't speak or look at her, but there was a contented smile on her lips.

"Ciao, Isebella. Mi chiamo, Jane."

Maura shook her head. "I think I remember. How did you find me?"

The taller woman spoke with a deep, and warmingly familiar rasp in her voice all the while avoiding the question. "I'll be honest, you didn't make it easy."

"I actually meant for it to be impossible." She tried to keep the irritation out of her voice, but she doubted that she succeeded. Maura wasn't all that surprised that Jane had found her. She wasn't sure if she was pleased or annoyed. If she were honest it was a little bit of both.

"Maura…..Isebella, you should know by now, that when it comes to you there is nothing that is impossible for me. Well, there was one thing and I think I have that conquered now." Jane turned her deep brown eyes on the woman she felt she had loved for a lifetime. "You never told me your name."

"Jane, stop." She sighed. "Fine, since you're here, please call me Isebella. We don't want to confuse my friends.

"It's a beautiful name. It suits you." The taller woman smiled outwardly while grinning internally to herself. This simple phrase insinuated that she was going to meet Maura's friends.

Maura blushed deeply. This woman beside her could still turn her world upside down and sideways with a simple grin. "Thank you."

"You always have been one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen." Maura listened for it , but there was no ulterior motive evident in her voice. She was telling the truth.

Maura pushed the compliment aside although it warmed her heart for many reasons. This woman could get under her skin very easily. "Why are you here, Jane?"

"Wow. That's kind of a long answer. For one the normal reasons I think. I wanted to see you. I missed you. I miss you a lot. More than I thought one person could miss another. I wanted to tell you how sorry I was that I…left…I guess is the word I'm looking for, although abandoned would be a better choice. I didn't ….I have so much to say. There is a lot to unpack in why I'm here, if you'll allow it that is." She was quiet for a moment. The other women seemed to be waiting for more. She sighed. She didn't really want to go into things when being in her presence was so fresh. "When I left Paris, I wanted with everything I am to ask you to come with me, but I knew that you couldn't. You would have…you might have said yes and that would have been the worst thing that could have happened to you….for you. I realize now that I stole that choice from you."

Maura shook her head. "No. I could have asked, Jane. You didn't take my choice because I felt as if there was only one choice for me. For us."

Jane nodded her head. "You're right. Then there was my relationship, or dalliance let's say, with Cam. I had to let that play out for whatever reason. It wasn't long before he realized that I was…emotionally unavailable. He was right. I was. I had to figure out why."

Maura squinted and glanced up at the taller woman. "And did you."

Jane looked at her toes. "I did."

"And?" Maura glanced quickly sideways at the tall woman beside her. She never really took her eyes off of the water. It felt as if looking at Jane would cause her to melt.

A soft smile came to sit on Jane's lips. She would tell the smaller woman at some point if it was appropriate, but this was not the time. Nothing was a given here. She was taking a leap at a dream, but the time wasn't right. Not yet. "This isn't the place to talk about that right now. Just being here is like a dream come true for me. I would like it if we could spend a little time together just talking and catching up. If you can make time that is. I don't want to intrude on your life although just by showing up I certainly am. You choose a time and a day and I'll be there. When you're ready, Isebella. Right now can we sit, have a coffee and just look at the sea?" She wanted to sit in the world with this human just soaking in who she was. Jane was less of a person without Maura. She wanted to be truly whole again. She had worked at healing from the violence of her past to get to this moment. Hoyt, Doyle and much of the violence she had been a part of, were in her past now. They no longer invaded her sleep or her waking thoughts. Without them she finally felt as if there was room for more. Without them having residence in her mind, there was room for life.

Maura looked at the woman in the white shirt. She wasn't sure that she knew this human. She was calm, but that peace accentuated her strength. She had the same aura of authority that she had always had, but it was laced with something else she couldn't put her finger on. Something both intense and serene had settled on her. This was a new Jane. She suddenly is overwhelmed with the feeling that it's possible to like this different woman very much.

Maura reached out to place her hand on the other woman's arm. "Yes. Let's sit."

The two sat in amiable silence for several minutes. They let the water lead their thoughts in different directions. Maura set her coffee aside. "I need to go, Jane. I have a party later this evening. Not a party party, you know. Just dinner with friends. Dancing. The kids will likely swim. It's just…."

Jane held up a hand. "I understand. You're having friends over for dinner and you need to get home. It's okay. Go, go. I'll be around. My number is the same if you want to… I.. well you know. If you don't that's okay, too." She wasn't sure she meant it, but she had to for Maura. If the honey blond didn't want to talk to her again, she had to find a way to be okay with that.

Maura was quiet for a moment. She was going to take a leap of faith. "Would you like to join us?"

Jane was honestly surprised. She almost said she didn't want to intrude, but the fact was that she did. "Isebella, I would love to. Thank you."

Maura's head tipped in the typical Maura fashion. "Jane, you're still my friend. I would love you to meet my new friends here."

The bronzed woman smiled broadly. "What time? What shall I bring? Where is your house?"

"When the sun is setting, show up. Bring yourself. I have a feeling that you already know where I live." She grinned at her friend.

Jane nodded with a large grin. "You caught me. I do know where you live although I have not seen it. Of all that I did to find you, THAT would have crossed a line even for me."

Once again the blond asked to know the mystery. "Please, tell me how you found me."

Jane looked at her as if she thought the blonde already knew the answer. She shrugged. "I looked for you. You know at the Bureau we have our ways. Really, your name gave it away. Isebella … Rizzoli? Really?" She laughed heartily. "That was very sneaky though. If it were anyone else they never would have thought of it. It took me a while. Let's just say that I resorted to asking a few of the experts in counter intelligence for ideas on locating people. They gave me tips. I did all the work."

"How long?" Maura looked back out at the deep blue water.

"How long have I known or how long did it take?" Maura didn't answer her. "Fine. Four months."

Maura was surprised. "You've known where I was for four months? Why didn't you come sooner?" There was a lot here that she didn't understand.

The untame hair on Jane's head blew back from her face showing possible guilt, but mostly surrender. "No, Maura. I found you in four months. I've known where you are for two years, eight months and twelve days."

The other woman sat in shocked silence. This entire time she thought that no one knew where she was. The one person she had both tried to hide from, and desperately wanted to find her, knew where she had been all along.

Jane felt the tension rise in the body of the woman beside her. She turned to face her. "Don't be angry with me, please. When I found you, my immediate reaction in the moment was to come and bring you home, beg for you to come home, but that would have been so unfair and wrong to even ask of you. Look, I told you that I that I had a lot of work to do and I knew it then. I'm sure that you knew, too. If I had tried come to get you or tried to guilt you into coming back, I would have splattered my toxic bullshit all over you. You have been through enough of that, Isebella. You have been through enough. My life put you through hell, Mau…Isebella. I did that to you. Your life had already been a train wreck filled with me. Then I ripped you apart. I could see it when I decided to leave. I was so callous."

"You were never. It was never you.… I never thought…." Maura stopped talking. The words were coming out, but oddly for her, she couldn't make the thoughts behave enough to make a coherent sentence. "I need to think, Jane. I need to process this. You knew where I was and you never said…anything. You never tried to…all this time. Why?"

"Because, you didn't want me to find you, Isebella. When it all came down to it, I needed to respect that. I searched for you out of my own selfish desires. I never thought about you. It was the same as when I jumped off that fucking bridge. I didn't think of anyone but myself. I found you because I wanted to; not because you wanted to be found. Talk about things that needed to be worked out. My ego was the biggest. Even being here now is my need talking, but I missed you and I… I just couldn't go through another day of missing you." She looked down at her watch. "Look, I have a lot to say and I'm sure that you have even more questions, but you still need to get going. I'll be up to your join party, if I'm still invited that is."

"Yes. Yes, of course you are. Please, do come." The smaller woman stood from her chair. "I'll see you soon."

Jane stood and pulled the woman into a brisk hug. "I wouldn't miss it, Isebella. I'll see you soon." She watched as Maura picked up her bag and walked to her Vespa. She watched her until she was out of sight. She prayed that she was doing the right thing. It wasn't her intention to upset her friend's life. She just wanted their friendship back. She hoped that she was in a place to do that without putting them in the unhealthy place they had been before.

She turned to the flower stand. The woman there was watching her intently. Jane ambled over to the cart and perused the selection. "You're Jane."

The brunette looked up from the flowers to the woman who managed them. "Yes."

"Thought so. She only ever mentioned anyone from her past life once. I think it was by accident. I can't tell you how I knew it was you, but the way she looks at you, you couldn't be anyone else."

Jane smiled broadly at the other woman. "That was all very confusing."

Rose gave a hearty laugh. "Sorry. She said your name once with such…love and pain. Purely by accident. I can't even tell you what we were talking about at the time. She said something about her friend 'Jane' and it was like all of the power left her body. She never talked about it or you again." Rose watched for any reaction from the tall beauty. She saw what she expected to see. Brown eyes dropped ever so slightly.

"Yes, I'm sure. I wasn't very…I did some really dumbass things when it came to her. Let's just leave it at that."

Rose tipped her head. "Are you in love with her?"

Jane laughed. "Am I that transparent?"

Rose tipped her head. "To those who can see, you're so transparent you are almost invisible."

Jane nodded the affirmative. Of course her love for the woman was written all over her. "The good thing is that she doesn't know."

Rose smile gently at her. "Oh, she knows. She just doesn't want to believe it for fear of losing herself again."

Jane's brows pulled in. "Are you a therapist or something?"

"Nah. I'm Rose by the way. I just sell flowers and watch people. She's a wonderful woman. She has a kind heart and her kindness outshines her brilliance. She was serious and reserved when she first arrived. I know she was a doctor before. A very good one I'm sure. She grows flowers now. She's happy and content. I still see sadness when she looks at me and my wife. I am sure that she loves you, she just doesn't know how to reconcile it yet."

"Well, I hope I've changed in ways that will let her love me without fear. I hope. If not, I have come to accept that we may only come out as friends in the long run." She stopped. The woman at the cart had pulled secrets from her much like a bartender. "You sure talk a lot for a flower lady."

"I normally just chat with people, but Isebella, I care about her. She's a friend. A real friend. Did she invite you up tonight?"

"She did. I'll need some of these flowers and a decent bottle of wine. What do you suggest?"

"The theme for the evening is sunflowers. Here take these," She placed a large bundle of sunflowers in her arms, "and the shop next to the cafe will have a good bottle for you. I'll be there with my wife and kids. I wasn't going to go, but I can't miss this."

Jane got slightly irritated that her personal life could be put on display. "It's not a circus you know."

"No, mi amica. Not to watch. For the support or maybe just for the friendship." She glanced at the woman one more time. "Lie parlare l'italiano?"

Jane smiled. "Si. Ma ho bisogno di pratica."

"Molto bene! You will get practice tonight."

"Grazie, Rose. See you tonight." Jane smiled at the other woman. She was both nervous and excited at the thought of spending time with the woman who had so captured her heart what seemed like a lifetime ago. She laughed at her thoughts. It had been a lifetime. Their lives were nothing like the past and she was desperate to know if this life would accept her dreams.