Oh yes indeed! It's all about the fluff and love and eventual Rizzles, BUT first we have to fix all the crap that the finale left us with. Lots of discussion and confessions in the next couple of chapters. These two have a lot to hash over. Jane mostly. Maura some. Who KNOWS I haven't written it yet so I have NO idea what they are going to say. I never do. :)

I don't own Rizzoli & Isles. I am not making any money with this. I'm having fun so that's pay enough.

Nothing to trigger you I hope. Enjoy the ride. The fluffy, puffy a little bit angsty love ride.

In Case You Didn't Know

3.

Jane groaned at the light hitting her eyes as she rolled over in the small bed. She looked down at her bare feet which were sticking out over the end of the mattress and gave them a frown. She leaned up on her elbows and stared blankly at the stucco walls. After a few seconds a large grin plastered across her face. She had not only talked to Maura, she had been to her home and had held her in her arms. It hadn't lasted for a long while, but it had been enough to place a warmth in her heart that had been absent since Paris and likely before. She had been fading away from Maura long before she took the job at the FBI. She shook her head, erasing the thoughts before they could travel far.

As she went over the events of the previous evening she felt many things invade her soul. Love, fear, shame, surrender. She had acted so badly many times in the past when it came to Maura. The worst of all had been to leave her to return to Boston alone, come to find out not Boston after all, and take up with Agent Davies. She wasn't sure that she deserved the grace that Maura had shown her last night.

She hoped that they could talk today. Jane would tell her story and let the doctor ask whatever questions of her that came to mind. She knew that no matter what, she had to be honest and open with all of her answers. She had a lot to tell, that was a given. She had been hiding things from herself for years, who knows what she had been hiding from Maura? She knew the answer to that question. Her love for the blond was the thing she most feared and the thing she had buried the deepest.

She pulled up her cell and noted that she had no signal. "Land line it is I guess." She rolled over her side table and read the numbers from her cell. The phone at the bedside would be considered an antique in most places, but it perfectly fit the quaint room she had rented. She punched in the numbers and waited patiently for the line to ring on the other end. It rang several times with no answer. She almost placed the handset back on the cradle when a resonant male voice answered Maura's cell. "Pronto." Jane was out of sorts with the deep voice, but she had to suppress that emotion. She had let Maura go and it was her place to accept any and all consequences. There had been no sign that Maura was involved with anyone, but she had only spent one evening with her. There could still be surprises that she wasn't going to enjoy. "Hello. Is Isebella available?"

"She's in the pool for her morning swim at the moment. She asked not to be disturbed. May I tell her who called?"

Her heart dropped ever so slightly. Maura was a busy woman, no doubt. "Okay. Uh Yeah. Please let her know that Jane called. I'll try to call her later."

"Oh Jane! She wants to talk to you. Please wait."

There were some sounds in the background as Maura was called to the phone. A voice, obviously annoyed, answered the man, in words that were garbled to her ear.

Jane could finally hear the conversation. "Yes ma'am, I know you don't want to be disturbed, but it's Jane."

"Well, you should have led with that." Jane smiled at the teasing irritation in Maura's voice. She sounded like Jane did most of the time.

"Jane! Sorry about that. He didn't recognize the number."

"That makes sense. I had to use the landline in my room. My phone doesn't have any reception. I'll bet they charge me twenty five euros for the call."

"I don't doubt it. You made it back safely. Very good. How are you this morning?"

"I did make a safe drive. I went SLOOOWLY down the hill. I'm doing okay. It's late though isn't it?" She picked up her phone. "Noon. Wow."

"That's really a matter of definition and location. It's still fairly early in DC. You are suffering from the six hour time difference. It's 6am at home for you. You will experience some jet lag. Staying up later last night should have helped a small amount. Be sure to stay hydrated."

"I guess it is early for my body. I will get some water as soon as I get out of bed. Did I tell you that I was still in bed? I'm still in bed. I didn't mean to interrupt your swim. Please don't let me keep you."

"I can resume anytime. Jane, do you have plans today?" She didn't want to sound eager, but she hoped that they could spend some time talking and at least making some healing end roads. She felt that, while they may not come away as the best friends that they used to be, maybe they could come away with a better outlook on their past relationship.

"Nothing set in stone. I was planning some time walking the shores. I know there have to be interesting sights, but I haven't even crawled out of bed yet. Have I mentioned that I'm still in bed?"

Maura giggled. "Yes, you've said. How about I come pick you up and take you for brunch, lunch."

"Or I can come to you and get in your pool."

"That can happen as well. I'm sure that I have some leftovers from last night. We can throw something together for an afternoon meal."

"Your 'thrown together' is likely to be better than anything we can find. Give me an hour or so. I'll just throw something on over a suit and grab a coffee."

"Very good. Take your time. The cleaning crew is finishing up and Gregorio is trimming the hedge out front. There will be a crew later to tend the rest of the grounds. It's a busy day here at 'La Casa de Isebella'."

"Sounds like it. Do you need anything?"

"Just you. I'll see you soon." What had she just said? Well, it was out there in the universe now.

"See you soon, Isebella." She said it softly as if the new moniker were a prayer. Maura had wanted to hide, but she had just made herself completely visible to the talented detective.

Jane hung up the phone and unfurled from the bed. Her feet touched the floor and she flowed up to a standing position. She allowed her body to feel anything that needed to be dealt with in that moment. She felt a rush of emotions she wasn't quite prepared to embrace yet. She had so much to feel about Maura that it threatened to overwhelm her. She took her emotions one bit at a time today. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she stretched her long limbs to the sky. She then allowed herself to bed at the waist, touching her head to her knees. She pulled up one more time and said a thank you to herself. Whatever was out there listening, or within doing the hearing, she was grateful for this moment. She had a chance to make things right. A chance was all she had hoped for.

Maura felt her flesh rise at the sound of her second name when it fell from Jane's lips. Her body flushed with a warmth that she had certainly missed. No one else could say her name, no matter which name, and fill it with so many different emotions at one time. She heard the adoration and the love, but could she find a way to trust it? Would it be the love she wished for without knowing or just the friendship she had come to expect? She had heard this many times in Jane's voice but it wasn't romantic at that time and if it was it had never come to fruition. What would make now any different than before? Most of all, would she be able to navigate all of the pain that she had absorbed and the rejection she had neglected in the past?

A little over an hour later Jane arrived at the Casa for her day with Maura. She hoped it was a full day. Any time that Maura had for her was precious. The blond woman came practically dancing out the front wearing a bikini top and a tropical wrap around her waist. Her sunglasses almost took up her entire face. Her head was topped with a floppy hat. This woman was killing her slowly. She exuded sexy confidence that she likely didn't know she was pouring out of her. Maura in the past had used her clothing as both a barrier and a power move. Jane knew her to be a warm and loving person, but the people around her called her names like Ice Maiden and Queen of the Dead. Jane had always tried to defend her against those people, but in honesty she had felt the same way at times. Maura could shut down and shut out everything like no one she had ever met. She was practiced at self-protection. The woman, when she was The Doctor, wore designer couture like a weapon and was nothing but scientific and precise. The way she was clothed now conveyed an open and inviting person filled with life. She was a magnet.

Jane could feel the heat rising in her face as she watched Maura approach. She cleared her throat and turned her head to the side in a feigned attempt to observe the trees. She didn't want to run headlong into her feelings for the beautiful woman, but her heart wasn't paying much attention. Her heart beat faster, her body temperature rose and she was sure her eyes were dilated. Thank God for the heat and the sunglasses she was wearing or the ever observant doctor would see right through her. She was positive that her body language in some way was betraying her, but she had no idea how to not stand in complete awe of someone.

"Hey there! I brought you water. Hydration. Hydration. Hydration!" Maura held out a metal water bottle to the brunette.

Jane took it from her hands. "Come on. I'm getting ready to get in a pool of water. I'll be totally hydrated." She was sure that her dipped head conveyed to the other woman that she wasn't really serious, but the blond didn't catch the sarcasm.

As they walked through the house to the back, Maura gave her a short lecture on how hydration works in the human body. "Jane, I'm sure that you know as well as I, that hydration for the organs must be obtained by oral intake of liquids. You're not going to have any luck with pool osmosis no matter how long you're in there."

The dark haired woman grinned. She had to admit that she missed Maura's Google mouth comments. "Really? Are you sure about that? I'm willing to experiment for a couple of hours and see." She was teasing just a little and she hoped that Maura would see it for what it was. This was her attempt to return some feeling of normalcy to their relationship.

"That will only serve to achieve a higher level of dehydration. Drink this. Don't argue. I had Luca make us up a charcuterie board for your snacking pleasure. You enjoyed the olive oil and pané…um bread." She picked up the board as they continued out.

After listening to the smaller woman talk for a few minutes she noted that, when she was speaking English, there was a slight accent. Jane smiled. The new Isebella was becoming one with the country. She was almost more Italian than Jane herself. "I know pané. I won't be surprised if you fall in and out of languages. You've immersed yourself here. It's in you. Don't worry, for the most part I can understand what you're saying if you jump into Italian. If not, I'll ask." She smiled into the warmth of the sun as they stepped out.

"I am aware. I was so impressed with your communication last night. I am…..it made me.. I don't know. I'm happy that you fit in so well. Your skill level is impressive for someone who doesn't live here." Maura wanted to say that she was proud of her. She wanted to say that she was impressed with her, but it wasn't going to come out just yet. Not yet.

"I've told you before. I'm not the only Rizzoli with a beautiful mind. I practiced a lot, knowing I would be here one day if only on vacation. I don't do anything halfway." She was laughing as she was saying that. "When your mother was visiting for the first time I thought you had caught on that I understood French. I knew exactly what she was saying."

"You said it was body language." Maura gave her the trademark head tilt.

"Of course you believed me. Why would I lie?"

Maura frowned slightly. She would have to think about that one. "Well, languages aside, I have some more oil for you. Pepe macinato fresco in the grinder. The oil here is much better because it's fresh. I grow the olives myself."

"You have olive trees? That's so cool and I've never tasted anything like it. It's so rich. It's powerful. It tastes like the earth."

"I'm glad that you like it. It's a small grove, 10 trees, but I can usually get about 3-4 liters per tree per year. If I cold store the oil it can last me most of the year. I share my oil with different neighbors and they share their wine or fruit. We are abundant here when it comes to produce and friendships."

Jane slipped into the cool of the pool with a piece of bread in her mouth that had been topped with pancetta and olive spread. "Man, I could get used to this." The words slipped out before she could think about what she had said. If Maura thought anything about it she didn't react outwardly.

Maura's mind reacted immediately without her consent. *I could too, Jane. I could, too.* As soon as the thoughts invaded her mind, solid walls of protection wanted to make a grand appearance. She wasn't in fear of Jane as a person. She was afraid of her own emotions when it came to that person. A few deep breaths later she relaxed her fears, letting the growing wall to be torn down. She was safe in this place no matter who else was here. This was her world and she was the one who got to choose who could and couldn't be here. For now, Jane was welcome. If, for whatever reason, that person caused her to feel insecure she was allowed to choose herself first. If anything she had learned that she was the only person who would truly care for her. Everyone else had abandoned her, including Jane.

She watched as Maura slipped away to somewhere she was not invited. She let it go. This was difficult for both of them. They would talk and she thought it would likely be sooner than later. "Maur? You okay?"

The blond head shook off the thoughts. "Yes, Jane. I'm fine." Her thoughts deflected to another pathway. "I was just thinking that we should take a walk today. I would love for you to see the olives and visit the bees. I have beautiful hives if you would like to see them."

Jane's brow pulled in ever so slightly. Like most humans she had a fear of bees. It was unfounded, but she was only human after all. "Uuumm I'm not sure about the bees part, but I would love to walk your property and see your trees."

Maura wasn't letting this one part go for some reason. It felt as if it were almost a test of the other woman's sincerity. "I have keeper suits and they are very calm bees. I find that they are much like pets."

Jane shook her dark locks and let out a slight snicker. "Of course they are."

The blond said the other woman's name with a definite edge to her voice. "Jane, I.." Maura wasn't having any from her. She didn't have to put up with her sarcasm anymore. It was a new hill for her and she was willing to let everything die there. She had many such barriers. She was going to stand for herself even if no one else would.

The woman in the pool raised her hand in surrender before Maura could finish the thought. The last thing she wanted to do to the beautiful soul before her was fall back into her old patterns. She was better than that. "I know. I know. I trust you. I'll see your bees. I've heard that they can smell fear so I just..you know…" Jane wasn't afraid so much as cautiously curious. Who would have ever thought that a medical examiner who preferred the dead to the living would be a beekeeper?

As tough as she was, Jane still had some fears left in her life and she still used sarcasm to hide them. "There is no need to be afraid. Most honey bees are very docile unless provoked. I use smoke to calm them, but that's merely a precaution."

"Okay. Just give me a little more time here if you don't mind and I'll pop out. I'll shower and change in the pool house when I'm done, if that's okay with you."

Maura stared at the other woman through her sunglasses. She was trying to recall each line on her face. She felt as if she was purchasing each memory with her heart. There were some new lines that she was sure had come from her. "That's fine. Take your time. I've had enough sun so I'm going to go in and freshen up. I'll be back out to join you in a while."

Jane just nodded. She pulled a floatie from the side of the pool and climbed aboard. She had plenty of sunscreen, but she still needed to watch her exposure. She had been an indoor FBI agent full time until just a few weeks ago so her skin was still fair even for her.

Maura went inside leaving Jane with her thoughts as she carried hers into the living room. Why on earth had she allowed Jane back into her life? Was she IN her life? No, not really. She was visiting her life for a while. There was truly no telling what the situation was without delving headfirst into their pile of past mistakes and successes. She had to admit that the spirit that the dark eyed woman brought to her abode infused it with an undeniable energy. It was a something that she couldn't put her finger on, but it was there without a doubt. Jane brought with her an aura that embraced her. She couldn't explain it, but she felt it all the way to her well manicured toes.

She navigated the stairs into her bedroom and then to her dressing room. The doctor still loved haute couture designs. She also still had way too many pieces in her collection. There were many that she would likely never wear but she kept them anyway. She obviously hasn't learned a some things in her time here. The clothing here was different than what she had needed in Boston, so her collection had almost doubled. She didn't have the heart to part with her old clothes. Every piece told a story. Each one had a message to send to the world. Even if she didn't wear them often, she didn't want to lose that part of her history. One day she would let go of some of it, but there were other pieces that were likely to see storage at some point. "What then?" She mused. Visit them on occasion like an old diary? She didn't know. The dress that she wore to their going away party for Jane hung right next to the dress she was wearing on the day Jane shot herself. Jane was all over her closet.

She opened her wardrobe and chose an outfit conducive to an active day. G-Straw chino shorts, a plain white T shirt layered with a denim button down and tennis shoes. All accessories in place she waltzed back out to the pool area. Jane was nowhere to be seen and was likely changing in the pool house. She debated going over and then thought better of it. She chose a spot in the shade while she waited for her to emerge.

Jane floated for maybe another twenty minutes before she decided that she was done with her time in the sun. She stepped out, grabbed a towel and the bag she had brought with her as she made her way to the pool house. Normal people wouldn't really call it a pool house for the luxury it possessed. Fine decor and rich colors matched the decor of the main home. Jane felt surrounded by Maura in this place. All of it was her. The house. The pool. The land. Even the small surrounding shops and villages were all her. The scent of her hung in the air tugging at her senses. The strong agent had voluntarily ventured into the worldly embrace of the woman from whom she had run. Tears started and she stood with them for a minute. She was friends with them so she could tell them to go if she wanted to. She decided that needed them for a minute to let some of the pressure building in her release. All of this was difficult and there was more to come. One step at a time she reminded herself. One step at a time.

She found the bathroom for a rinsing shower. She dried off then quickly changed. She grabbed a towel to dry her hair. She was sans makeup today. She donned her clothing and ran a brush through her stubborn curls. It was going to take forever to dry.

Jane packed up her bag and took one look around. She memorized every piece and color in the room. She placed them all in her mental memory book so that she could take them out later and turn them in mind. She needed to remember everything about this if Maura decided she, Jane, wasn't worth the trouble or the pain. She knew it could happen. She had done the one thing to the other woman that would have done the most damage. Jane had left her behind, proving to Maura that the blond wasn't worth anyone remaining in her life. It was the damage that Jane needed to repair.

She stepped out into the Italian sun taking in the sight of the woman who was watching her. She ambled over with feigned confidence. She smiled and received a welcome smile in return. Another thing to add to her book.

Thanks for following along! I love any comments although

I'm not sure how to respond to them. I know that I am

not an expert when it comes to Italian and I did my best.

I can now say I have two brown and white dogs and

make myself understood. Of course if you happen

to use DuoLingo you will find that the Italians eat a lot

of sugar and apples. LOL! :)