Hello Everyone And Welcome Back!

Yes, I know, I know. I've taken way too long to update this story. Writing have been like pulling teeth. I have a terrible block but finally I could finish at least, this update. In this chapter things get a bit emotional but well, I won't spoil anything. lso, thank for the suggestions, those helped a lot and also there a more things to come during the vacations. Hope you still interested in this story. Thanks guys, Love you all 3 3 3

Please, let me know your thought of the chapter and the story. Any questions, suggestion, comment or review is very welcome and appreciated
If there's any grammatical error, please let me know!

Thank you so much for all the support you have been giving me, I wouldn't be able to do this without you guys! Really, thanks VERY much!

B. M. Adams
Xoxo...

Disclaimer: I do not own anything from R&I, just the plot and OCs


Megan's POV

August/16/2010

"Megan, are you aware that we're just leaving for two weeks not moving out" Jane complained when she came inside my room and looked at my suitcase, which to her according, was way too big for just two weeks.

I laughed "Jane, this is just the bare and necessary for two weeks" I justified "And I just finished" I said, zipping up the zipper of the case.

She just stood there and throwing her hands to the air "You know what. You're old enough to know what to pack but you're the one carrying with all this" she said.

"Yes, ma'am" I said and laughed at her exaggerated mannerism towards my totally acceptable suitcase sizes.

I finished packing my suitcase and needed to finish my carry on with my personal stuff. I grabbed the small suitcase from the closet. When I opened it fund a few things I had left before I went with Maura to my house after I just moved in with them. At the top of the carry on there was a blanket, one that I had had since I can remember. "Appy" I named it, because when I was a kid I couldn't pronounce the "H" sound. Some birthday and greeting cards rested at top of a metal box that was at the bottom. I looked at it quizzically, not remembering what was inside of it. Curiously I opened it and inside a saw a few pictures. I grabbed them and started to with them a look. Many things were evoked by those pieces of paper, Happiness, sadness, emptiness…Hurt. I tried to fight the tear that threated to fall from my eyes but not even all my might could stop them. One lonely tear fell down my cheek at the sight of the pictures. Some pictures were of my alone as a little kid, some with my family, and some from our favorite trips… all painful at some level.

Leaving the pictures and putting everything inside the box again I noticed that I had zoned out for a while. Rapidly I finished packing my things up and brought my suitcases downstairs. Luckily just a few pieces of luggage were down. Probably juts Jane's a Lucas'. I left everything down there and went to the kitchen and started to prepare a cup of tea for myself. Pulled my phone out of my pocket and leaned against the counter waiting for the kettle to boil. I was just looking at the news when I heard people coming down the stairs followed by a horrified Jane. "I can't believe this" Jane exclaimed incredulously "There're two of you!" she finished horrified, referring to Maura and Mine's suitcases.

Maura laughed "Just the bare and necessary Jane" she excused us. I came laughing out of the kitchen. I came out of the kitchen shortly after with the steaming cup of tea in my mug, obviously laughing.

"I'm, under any means, helping you two carry those monster suitcases" Jane stated while Maura and I laughed.

Jane went back to the upper floor to help the kids and meanwhile Maura and I when to the kitchen and just sat on the breakfast bar, waiting for the rest to come down and make our way to the airport. Not long after we were all in the SUV and going towards it. Both kids were very excited, laughing, jumping and talking nonstop about how awesome this vacation was going to be. Even though Lily wasn't so excited about the 3 plus hours of flight.

"Ok, kids. Were about to check in, please, I need you to stay calm and quiet" Jane warned and started to pass the passports to the lady at the counter and to place the suitcases on top of the scale.

I noticed how the brow of the woman at the counter furrowed and started to looked quizzically at all of the passports, mostly, comparing them to mine. She, then, stood up from her chair with my passport and another one. Both Jane and Maura were equally confused. I actually knew what all was about. A few minutes after, she came back with our passports and another man was following her, his face was way too serious and almost looked angry.

"Ok, before you ask. She's our foster daughter, here are all the papers you need" Maura said bitterly, placing the court order and the travel permit, as well as Trish approval on top the counter with disdain. The man started to scrutinize the documents, he took his time, reading every line and looking for every sign of falsification. As much as I wanted to not be visible affected by the scene, I couldn't help to feel like a dog, needing a thousand papers to even leave the state. I couldn't help but to feel like a convict, having to have documentation to proof I wasn't leaving the state without permission like if I was a dangerous prisoner. This was another burden the system puts on you, the fact that you don't have control over your life for you feel like you are a piece of furniture that is and will be place wherever they want you to be placed.

I kept my train of thoughts until I felt a hand on my back, rubbing circles "Whatever you're thinking, is not true" I heard someone whispering in my ear. I looked up and found it was Jane. I quizzically looked at her and she just smiled and my and pecked my head.

"Ok, everything is in order" he said dryly and returned the paper to Maura. She grabbed then and placed them again inside the folder. The women finished the check in process and finally, after like 20 minutes, let us continue with our journey. The story repeated itself at the security check point before getting to our door, people scanning every letter in every paper. I wasn't actually very much aware why this was weighing so much on my.

After waiting for approximately 30 I need to take a walk and be alone for a little while "I'm going to the restroom" I announced and stood up from the bench where we were all sitting. I walk to the nearest toilette and simply splashed some water on my face. I was still very confused about why I was feeling so down. Looking at the reflection in the mirror and not even caring about the people going in and out of the place I could just stare at the image of myself on the mirror looking at the bag under my eyes. Lately sleeping had been something hard to do. Since they told us where we were going many memories had been resurging. That beach held many memories that I had even thought about until now. Staring at the face in the glass I decide to, yet again, parked those thoughts aside and go back to the rest of the Rizzoli-Isles'.

They were all sitting, Jane was reading a book with Lily on her lap, Lucas was on his Ds with Maura by his side probably playing an educative game Maura approves, and she was checking her email on her laptop. I slowly just sat on the chair next to Maura and just stared to check on my phone, as if nothing was happening. With the corner of my eye could see the look both Jane and Maura shared. They obviously knew something was going on but didn't say anything.

We were called to board the plane and instantly we all went to the line. When we were about to show our boarding passes and our passports once again they told us to showed them every single document and permit. This was getting really frustrating. The frustration was, I think, pretty obvious on my face. Aggressively I took my passport and boarding ticket from the airline staff and walked through the bridge towards the aircraft.

"I know is frustrating, but soon enough it will end" Maura whispered in my ear. She left my thinking "what did she meant?" I said to myself.

Shaking the thoughts of my head I kept on going and looked for my sit. Finding it I placed my carry on the upper compartment and my backpack on the floor, under the chair in front.

"Honey, if you like we can change sit, you'll be dealing with Lily and her not so much excitement to flight" Jane spoke.

I smiled "Don't worry, Jane. I think I can handle it"

She chuckled "If you need help, kick the sit, I'm in front of you"

"Loud and clear" I laughed too and looked at the girl on the floor "You want to go by the window?" I offered but the girl just shook her head. I sat on my sit and Lily followed me. I helped her with her sit belt and also, I noticed how tensed and scared she looked.

"Lily, meet Mr. Bear" I smiled pulling my old, loved friend teddy bear from my bag. "Someone told me that you don't actually love flights. Is that true?" I asked

The girl nodded but giggled slightly "you know, when since I was around 12 years old I hated to flight, but as long as Mr. Bear was with me flying was that bad and well, I think he will help you too" I said handing the teddy bear to the girl. She grabbed it hugged the toy "Thanks Meggie" the girl whispered barely audible.

The girl kept on getting increasingly nervous as the take-off got closer. Every noise made her jump "Why flying scares you, Lily? I asked her.

Lily shrugged "Too noisy" she said on a shy and really soft voice. Truth was the girl wasn't a big fan of noises. Let along the buzzing and the sharp sounds a plane makes.

"I think I have a solution" I, once again looked in my bag for my headphones and Ipod. "I think this can help you with that" I said placing the headphones on her head and played some classical music to try to relax the tense girl.

The girl visibly relax and looked at me "Is it better now?" I asked her separating the headphone from her ear. The girl shy nodded and hugged the bear tightly. "Good to know." I said, placing the earpiece again on her ear, she remained really quiet but calm until the plane started taxying towards the head of the airstrip. She then, just grabbed my hand and squished her eyes close. I held onto her hand while the plane sped up through the airstrip and while the plane reached our cruising height. Not much after I decided to stand up and go to the toilette but before I could do so Lily looked at me pleading.

"Don't go" she pleaded whispering.

"I'll be back in two minutes, just go to toilette" I said. The girl just let go of my hand and went back to hug the teddy in her arms.

I started towards down the aisle towards the line of people waiting to use the toilette and when I got to the line I noticed Jane behind me.

"Hey, Jane" I said, somehow knowing what she was going to say,

"Hey, kid. You ok?" she asked.

I nodded "pretty good, yes" I answered her.

She sighed "I just wanted to thank you for being so sweet with Lily. We really appreciated" she said heartfeltly "You know, it's the first time she doesn't end up crying. The headphones idea was really smart" she stated

"I'm glad I could help" I simply said, smiling shyly.

She smiled and kissed my temple "my sweetheart" she said and I couldn't help but to smile at the comment. "Hey, your next" she said, referring to the person that just got out of the bathroom, let it free for me to go inside.

"You know, they say "Age before beauty" I joked and moving myself to the side to give Jane space to move to the cubicle.

She widely opened her eyes "excuse me!" she said offended "Did you just called my old?"

"Basically. Go ahead, grandma!" I laughed.

She playfully slapped me in my arm "You're dead" she said.

I winked at her and got inside the other cubicle. Getting out of it I went directly to my sit. Going back to it I noticed a bit of turbulence coming. The plane was moving a bit more the usual. As if I was predicting it, the pilot announced turbulence zoned ahead of us and the "fasten your sit belt" sign turned on. Nobody likes turbulence but I knew someone specially wouldn't like it. I rapidly walked to my sit and again, as if I could predict the future the girl was again, tense and really nervous, her eyes red and about to cry.

I sat and fastened my sit belt "I don't like turbulence either, and you know what always helped me is to concentrate really, really hard on the music I was listening to, can you do that?" I advised the little girl, in an attempt to ease her fear. Lily just nodded her head and squishing her eyes, hugging the teddy bear against her upper body.

Fortunately, the turbulence didn't lasting long and neither the flight. We landed in Miami and soon were out of the airport, carrying our luggage towards our rental. We load everything on the SUV and head up to Maura's parents' beach house. The drive took at least 2 hours but finally, around 4 pm we arrived to the house. A big, Victorian-styled house; perfectly neatly organized front yard and also painted perfectly. It indeed, looked like Maura's parents' house. I looked down the road and as I spotted the house at the end of the street the yearning on my face was probably evident. The smell of the salty air and the freshly mowed lawns, the chirping of the birds and the squawk of the seagulls; everything was just bringing too many memories.

"Ok, troops. Go and chose rooms" Jane announced followed by Lily and Lucas running upstairs. I kept on standing in the middle of the entrance looking around at the surroundings, complete zoned out.

"Megan… Megan!" Jane called my, bringing me out of my memories.

"Yeah?" I said.

"You're coming in or would you like to bring you the tent" she joked.

I chuckled "Yes, that'd be nice" referring to the tent she offered me. Be both laughed and we came inside the house and just as the exterior, the inside was beautifully and sublimely decorated. I decide to stop daydreaming and help to unload the ton of stuff we had on the SUV. When everything was out of the car Maura showed me the bedroom that would be mine for the next 2 weeks. The room pretty classy, and mostly soft and cream colors but really nicely set up. The view was amazing, it was the same view I remembered.

"Well, I hope you like it" Maura said smiling.

"It's really nice" I said, not taking my eyes off of the window view.

"I'm glad" she said giving me a sideway hug. I smile at her we just enjoy the sight for a few seconds "Why don't you and I go to do some grocery shopping" she asked me.

I looked at her "Sure" I said. We went down stair and notified Jane that we will be going to do some shopping. Maura grabbed the keys and we both hit the road again towards the supermarket.

While we finished our quick run in the grocery store Maura had the idea to do something special for dessert, so she send me to looked for the ingredients to make a healthy upside-down pineapple cake. After I picked up everything on the list Maura gave me for the cake I find her at the register, already placing the items on the band. "Oh! There you are" she said when I approached and placed the items on the band.

"Hello, good evening, Ladies" the checkout girl said politely. Both Maura and I returned the gesture. "And may I say that I love your hair color. I believe it runs in the family" she smiled at us.

I remained frozen but felt Maura's eyes on me. When I looked at her I saw the smiled on her face "Yes, we are a lot alike" she said somehow proudly. She then looked at me and placed rounded me with her arm, giving me a light squish.

We finished packing and paying for the things we bought and went to the car, we load everything in the trunk and jumped in it. "I have to say that I'm pretty honored that the cashier thought that someone as gorgeous as you could resemble me" she said looking at me. I remained silent, not knowing what to say, I just smiled shyly, feeling my cheeks blushing and diverted my gaze towards the windshield.

"Can say the same" I commented smiling at her but not meeting her eyes.

"And I thought you'd like this" she said. I retuned my gaze towards her and looked at a package of sour gummy worms on her hand. I was pretty puzzle as to why could have she know that I love sour gummy worm. Since I've been living with them I'm pretty sure I haven't eat them.

"Don't be that surprise, I know you're not a fan of sweets and you love gummies" she said sure about her worlds "I just put two and two together" she laughed "Jane's not the only detective in the family" she smirked and winked at me.

I smiled back and grabbed the bag from her hand "Thanks Maura" I said truthfully. I wasn't actually thanking her for the actual bag of candy but for the attention and level of detail she always paid to me and everyone for that matter. After all the details and gestures some people might think that I should get used to it but it is still really surprising that they actually pay attention to those little facts.

"You don't need to thank me; that is my job as your mother" she answered just as if she had known what I was thinking.

Again, I shyly smiled "anyway, thanks you" I repeated looking at her eyes this time.

"Your welcome, sweetheart" she said kissing my cheek.

We arrived to the house and by the time the sun was setting. We saw Jane and the kids playing with the sand at the beach and the twilight in the sky was beautiful, a variety of tones of orange could be noticed.

Maura and I finished quickly putting what we bought "Comer with me, i want to show you something" she said and grabbed my hand leading me upstairs. We went to a little balcony that was inside the master bedroom from which we could see the sunset, the whole beach and Jane plying with the kids whose laughter could be heard from our position

"This is the best sit in the house" Maura said, standing by my side.

I smiled "I can see!" I said not taking my eyes form the horizon.

We just remained silent, simply enjoying the company and the view. How the sun appeared to be drowning in the ocean was relaxing and that couple with the sound of the crashing waves against the shore was so relaxing but also it, again, brought up many memories. I closed my eyes in order to avoid the tears in them to drop down my cheeks. I took a deep breath afterwards and regain the strength to contain my tear at bay.

"Why don't you and I go to the kitchen and make dinner together. I need some help" Maura asked. I just nodded and made my way down to the kitchen. We worked in a relative silence, just making a simple lasagna and some salad dinner.

After eating I just needed to be alone. Too much going on to actually can stand as much chat as possible we would've had. So I just excused myself and left the room, making up that I was tired because of the trip and wanted to turn in soon. They did look suspicious but let me go. We just said good night and I went up to my room, finally.


Maura's POV

After and exhausting but really rewarding day we were all in bed. The kids were pretty busted after a long day of airports, car trip and playing on the beach. Jane was on her phone checking something and I was just, as every night, was reading a book.

"Do you think Megan is ok?" Jane asked suddenly.

I took my glasses from my face and put the nook down. I sighed deeply "Well, she's been certainly even more quiet than usual" I answered.

"That too, but also she's been like distracted ever since we got here" Jane commented.

I thought for a few seconds about Jane's trains of thoughts "Even though I don't want to guess, she has been odd lately" I said.

"I don't know but I feel that it has to do with been here" Jane said, staring at the wall opposite to the bed after a few minutes of silence.

"Care to explain?" I said looking directly at her.

"My gut is telling me that this place might be bringing some memories" Jane explained "Maybe she used to come here during summer with her family. I don't know but I can see a lot of sadness in her eyes" Jane finished.

"You know I don't like to guess, but I have to hypothesize I would say that she might be affected by redemption effect" I said and noticed the questioning look on my wife's gorgeous face "Maybe this place bring her both negatives and positives event that happened in the past and those are triggering many memories that are making her long her family and her old life. All of the changes she had suffered lately might have made her think she has change for good and not for exactly for better" I explained sadly.

Jane sighed and rubbed her forehead "Anything we can do to help her?" she asked.

"If she's longing her family and life before all this happened there's not much we can do. Just keep on loving her through it and reassuring her that we'll do anything possible to make her feel better" I answered, doubtful of what to actually do to help our girl.

Jane nodded and gave me a kiss "We're surely can to do that and more" she said.

"Yes, we will" I agreed "we should sleep, tomorrow the day will be an eventful day" I finished.

"Goodnight, my love" Jane said, kissing tenderly my lips.

I said my goodnights to her and reciprocated her kiss. We both then drifted off to sleep tangled in each other's arms. After a while of being asleep I woke up the sound of a door opening followed by the squeaky noise of the wooden floor, I waited thinking it was Lily or Lucas but after a few minutes no one came inside the room and the sliding door from the terrace sounded. Slowly I untangled myself from Jane's embrace and went to the bathroom to put on my bathrobe, getting out of the room I noticed Megan's door opened and looked through the window of the room after I got inside. She was sitting in one of the chairs not moving, just sitting there, like staring at the horizon. I started to worry and went down stairs as silently as possible.

When I reached the bottom of the stair I could hear sniffling coming from the terrace and my heart couldn't help but to ache for her. I decided to leave her alone for a little bit while I make some hot chocolate for both of us. While whisking the mix I was just thinking what might have made her so upset. I grabbed both mugs and went outside. I placed the mugs in the little table between Megan's chair and the one I was about to sit at.

"Took you a while to finish those hot chocolates" she said not taking her gaze from the horizon.

I laughed softly "Perfection needs time" I answered and sat on the chair. She remained silent, never looking at anything else but the dark silhouette of the sea. Silently I sipped on the hot beverage thinking in a way to initiate a conversation. After a few more sips I decided to just asked her "So, what made you come out here at 2 in the morning?" I asked.

She just shrugged and shook her head. I looked at her side face and could just notice how her eyes were red, most likely from the tears she was strongly trying to keep inside, I sighed at her "Sweetheart, is there anything bothering you?" I decided to confront the situation directly "Since we've noticed you are like… sad" I said, worry creeping at the pit of my stomach.

The girl turned her head towards me and looked at me directly in the eyes. Hers showed a hugged amount of pain and sadness. He opened her mouth to say something but no words came out of it "You don't have to say anything you don't want to but I just want you to know that we can tell us anything, it doesn't matter what, we are here to be with you and help you through it" I said grabbing her hand in mine.

The girl looked at me and bit her lip. Clearly I could see that she was debating herself whether to tell me what was on her mind or not. Again, the girl turned her face and looked at the horizon, sighing deeply "I just... just had a dream" she said not sounding very convincing "well, more like a memory" she said after a few seconds of silence.

I quizzically looked but before I could say anything she started to speak. "I could see myself; I was a kid, maybe 7 or so. The day was really sunny, could hear the seagulls wailing. I was building a sand castle with my sister and my parents were watching us from the water. Seconds after we all were in the water all playing and splashing water. and just like that, it was all finished" she recalled "When my parents had some time to spare we use to come here I could actually feel like having a family" she said "Don't get me wrong, I didn't have it bad at all. Just that this was the only place they actually spent time with us instead of being working" she finished. Besides from sadness I could hear some anger in her voice "It's no big deal" she then said.

I couldn't help but to relate with her feelings. Knowing firsthand her feelings I felt the need to let her know that she wasn't alone in this "I understand" I said "I think you have noticed how my parents are" I softly laughed "I understand how weighting that absence can be in a kid's life" I sighed "A good quantity of the memories I can remember of my parents being both mentally and physically with me are in this house. That's why Jane and I are always trying to spend as much time as possible with each of you. I vowed myself when I was younger that I wouldn't let my kids feel like we were there for them in certain moments" I explained, the girl's eyes started to welled up again "I don't you guys to feel like we are too busy for you"

Megan remained silent just staring at my eyes "I know is not easy to talk about this but if you feel that being here is getting too hard for you, just tell us. We can go somewhere else…"

"No, Maura. I am enjoying being here. It's just that sometimes you just need a bit to feel comfortable" she interrupted me.

"Ok, I know, but we just want you to know that if you ever feel uncomfortable or upset, just let us know. We just want to be happy" I said heartfeltly.

The girl nodded "I know" she said looking back to the ocean. "Is just that…That sometimes I think back and ask myself why was work more important than us" she whispered bitterly.

Again, my heart ached for her "No, honey. It was not more important than you. Sometimes, we parents, get so caught up in trying to give you the best that we can neglect you from us" I tried to explain.

"No, Maura, don't make excuses for them. You and Jane have terribly unpredictable and busy jobs and anyway, you find time every day to be there and at least say goodnight" she angrily "They were never there" she whispered.

I then stood up from the chair and kneeled in front of her grabbing her hands "I know where you are, I know what you are feeling" I said to her looking at her straight in the eyes "I used to think the same and I how it made me feel. That feeling of being not important, forgettable and disposable. I've been there and I know from experience that is not true. Yes, you might feel like they didn't love you but that is also not true, not at all" I said "You're parents loved you, like you have no idea. The maybe had made some mistakes but that doesn't meant they didn't love you"

Her lower lip quivered "Why are you so sure?" she questioned, her voice breaking.

"Because, I'm a mother and I know how strong and incomprehensible it's a parent's love. Even though sometimes we can take things for granted just as kids do" I explained "Just as kids we can take your love and needs sometimes for granted, thinking that money and things can cover for our absences. Love can't be replaced" I finished. And just like that the tears she had been holding for a while started to fall down her cheek and through herself to my arms.

The girl rested in my arms for a good ten minutes until I spoke up "Why don't we go back to our beds and get some rest, tomorrow we have an eventful day ahead?" I asked her.

She nodded and separated herself from our embrace. "Come on, sweetie" I said standing up and grabbing her hand, leading her to her room. "Would you like to stay with you for a while?" I asked when we were at the door frame.

She shook her head no and without notices she just hugged me again "Thanks, I'll be fine" she whispered, barely audible for me to hear it.

"Goodnight, and if you need us, call us" I said giving her a kiss in the forehead. Megan nodded and went directly to her bed.

I sighed and rubbed my forehead knowing that even though all the love and support we could offer her, she had a long road ahead of herself to actually start to believe in her worth again. I went into mine room and finally let my head rest on the pillow and as soon as I did so Jane tuned herself and hugged me "Is she ok?" she asked.

I shook my head negatively "No" I simply said.

"Then, we'll help her to be ok" she said, really sure about her words.

"I know" I said, also meaning every word.

"Now, we should rest a bit more. Is still night and we have a really busy day tomorrow" She said and kissed me, lingering her lips against mine a little longer than usual "Sweet dreams, my beautiful wife" she said kept on holding me the whole time.


Just wanted to say: Thanks for reading and be still holding here with me. YOU ROCK!