Sixteen year old Roman Smith sat on the fire escape outside her window hugging her knees to herself. In her file it clearly states she has mental issues, trouble connecting, low self-esteem, she is classified as hard to place. She had been placed in several different foster homes, each time sent back due too violent actions and or behavior. Which is why it through her so that she had been adopted the day before. No one had told her much about her new guardians, all except that it was two women. Roman was conflicted about her new situation. On one hand she was happy to be getting out of this hell hole Boston called a group home. But then she knew in a few weeks she'd be right back on to fire escape, starring out at the world that pushed her away her whole life. She watched as all the other kids played out in the play yard.

'They all look so happy, when in reality they're weeping on the inside.' She thought to herself as she let out a sigh.

"Hey freak! Why don't you come down here and play a little ball!" said a rather large idiotic boy with a big nose and bad acne. Roman rolled her eyes and climbed back in to through the window. These guys are not worth her time. And besides, the nuns said that her new guardians would be there to pick her up shortly.

….

"Jane will you please be careful!"

"Maura I got this just watch the road."

"I shouldn't have to watch the road. You should have let me drive."

"Maura, I hate it when you drive"

"Yes well I hate it when you undress and drive!" said Maura Isles as her partner Jane Rizzoli as she pulled her shirt over her head. Maura grabbed the wheel, swerving the car just before it could clip a Toyota corolla.

"Maura I told you I got it!"

"We will be dead before we even get there."

Jane sat back in the driver's seat. Maura and Jane had been together for four years, they had been talking about adopting for a while. When they saw Romans file, Jane and Maura could see this was a troubled kid. But, maybe they could change that. Lots of people have given up on this girl, they weren't going to be like them.

"Maura…"

"Yes babe"

"Are we doing the right thing?"

Maura stared at her girlfriend. "It's kind of too late for this Jane"

"I know, I know I'm just wondering if you're sure you're ready for this. I mean, this is a huge deal, we aren't just getting a puppy or another tortes, we are on our way to go get out new daughter. "

'….yeah I know Jane, we agreed to take on this challenge no matter what it brings us. I know that this is a big step but I'm confident we can handle it. "Maura said grabbing Jane's hand and giving it a tight squeeze.

"God I hope your right Maura…"

Jane and Maura sucked in a nervous breath as they pulled up in front of the group home.

"You ready." Asked Jane.

"Let's go get her."

They stepped out of the car upon seeing Sister Winifred Callahan standing at the top step.

"Oh great…" mumbled Jane underneath her breath before plastering on a wide, cheesy smile.

"I was wondering when you would show up here Jane Clementine Rizzoli" said the sister with her signature sneer that seemed to pop out whenever the raven haired women was around.

"Hello sister, sorry we're late, we got a little lost."

"What does that matter, Roman has been waiting for twenty minutes for her new guardians to show themselves. And here you both are, late as I prophesized."

Maura glanced in Jane's direction to see that the brunette's fake smile was slowly chipping away, her grip on her fists becoming tighter.

"May we see her now?" Maura interjected. Trying to stop Jane from doing something she would regret.

"I suppose that would be adequate." With that the Sister turned on her heels and sauntered back in to the building. Maura turned to Jane about ready to tell her off when Jane cut her off, pointing her finger at Maura.

"Don't say a word. Not one word Maura." Jane walked up the stairs, Maura following close behind. When they got in the doors they were met with the sight of an average height lanky skinny girl. Chin length, choppy dirty blond hair. Ice blue eyes, pale skin. She wore a pair of black skinny jeans, a dark purple tank, and a dark blue hooded jacket. A pair of grey high tops on her feet. She carried on her shoulder a navy green duffle bag. In the other hand she carried what appeared to be a black brief case.

"Roman Smith meet Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles. Your new guardians."

When Roman took her first look at her new guardians they were definitely not what she expected. They looked completely different from each other. One thing was for sure, they were nothing like Roman herself.

Maura was the first to step forward extending her hand.

"Hello Roman, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Maura Isles and this is Jane." Jane stepped forward smiling.

"How you doing kiddo?"

Roman did not take Maura's offered hand however. She did not speak, not out of disrespect. But out of shyness. She was not use to people being so gentle and polite with her. She kept up those concrete walls for a reason. When her hand was not taken, Maura slowly brought her hand back. Jane patted her pack and nodded whispering words like 'its ok' and 'give it time'. Everyone fell silent for a few long, agonizing moments. No one knew what to say next. Finally Jane, with her hands firmly in her pockets said, "So, you ready to get out of here?" At this Roman only nodded.

"Great! Let's…let's get outta here huh?" Jane said as Roman walked past them toward the door. She walked out in to the sun light, the children watching for the top windows didn't go unnoticed. Roman closed her eyes and let out a breath. Time to put on the game face. Jane placed a hand on Romans shoulder, startling her. Roman jumped away from Jane's touch sucking in a breath as if ice was just poured down her back. Rather than dig too deep in to a situation, Jane simply smiled.

"Can I take your bag for you? Maybe put it in the trunk?" Jane said.

Roman shook her head and opened her mouth, but quickly shut it.

"Ok…ok let's just get home ok…" Jane opened Romans door for her. She through her bag in the car and quickly climbed in after it. Maura got in the driver's seat. The whole ride back to Maura's house was dead silent. Both Maura and Jane stole glances at each other and at the back seat. Roman just stared out the window. Watching as the houses and apartment building's went on by.

When they got to the house Roman's eyes widened a little. 'Such a huge house.' She thought as she got out of the car. Roman was so busy surveying every detail of the women's home that she didn't notice Angela Rizzoli running straight over to her. She was suddenly enveloped in a bear hug by a women she didn't even know. All the memories of her abuse by her parents and foster parents flooded in to her mind. When her father would beat her with a belt and wrap it around her neck choking her when she was eight. How her mother would lock her in the hall closet for days. When her first foster parent would touch her in places he shouldn't have. How she would be held down by strong arms until she bruised. With all of these memories buzzing around in her head, Roman became overwhelmed. So much so that she let out a bone chilling scream at the top of her lungs. Angela Rizzoli was forcibly pulled away from Roman and forced a few steps back.

"Ma back it up! Leave her alone!" said Jane holding her mother back away from the teen. Roman started shaking really badly and hyperventilating. She started pulling at her own hair and paced back and forth. When she finally calmed down and was hoisted back in to reality, she stared at her new guardians, her faced flushed red and she crooked out, "I'm sorr-…..sorry." tears ran down Romans cheeks. She was so embarrassed and ashamed by her outburst.

"Its ok dear, it's perfectly ok." Maura said stepping closer to Roman, not getting to close, knowing how it feels not wanting to be touched. Jane pulled Angela aside and whispered to her, "Ma what the hell?! We told you this girl was very sensitive and we had to be couscous with her!"

Angela stared at her daughter. "I know. I'm sorry I just couldn't help it… Jane what could have happened to her to make her feel like she had to scream like that."

'I don't know Ma, her records are sealed. Ma, Maura and I have to go and get Roman situated ok. I'll call you tomorrow. Alright?"

Angela nodded and walked back in to Maura's guest house.

…

Roman stepped in to the house and gazed upon its beauty. Everything looked so beautiful, so sleek, so well decorated. Everything from the marvelous kitchen to the wonderful ebony wood piano. She would have to remember to take pictures before she was sent back.

"Well, welcome home kid" said Jane. Her voice broke Roman out of her trance. She looked at Jane and Maura who had been watching her like a hawk. She nodded a little and barely smiled. There was an awkward silence that filled the air, so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"Would you like to be shown to your room?" asked Maura. Accepting a nod from Roman, Maura lead the way to what used to be the guest room. She pushed open the door and allowed Roman to walk inside. Roman let out a shaky breath as she stood in the middle of the room. Feeling too uncomfortable to put her bags down. Maura saw this, and walked in to the room sitting herself on the bed.

"Roman…"

Roman looked over at one of her adoptive mothers.

"This is your home now." Maura looked around. "This is your room now. You are allowed to express yourself here." Maura's words echoed in Romans mind. No one had ever said those words to her. She had never seen so much compassion in someone's eyes. It was all so overwhelming. All she could do was nod vigorously as she sat her bag on the floor along with her brief case. Maura smiled and got up.

"Dinner will be ready in an hour ok."

Roman nodded again. Maura smiled one last time before existing the room. She walked in to the kitchen to see Jane opening a beer.

"Hey how she doing?" Jane asked.

"She appears very nervous, and closed off."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from her file. She is a very troubled kid."

Maura sighed and wrapped her arms around Jane from behind, resting her head on Jane's back. Jane smiled and leaned in to Maura's touch.

"I really want her to feel at home here." Whispered Maura.

"I know Maur it just takes time." Jane said as she rubbed her hand over Maura's around her waist.

Roman spent the hour looking around the room. It was so much bigger than her room back at the group home. She sat on the queen size bed and pulled the brief case on to her lap. She opened it and pulled out an old, wore down sketch book. Some artist pencils and a huge eraser. Drawling was one of the only things she was good at. No one knew however. No one ever took the time to notice.

"Roman? Sweetie? Dinners ready." Came Maura's voice from the dining room. Roman became startled the minute Maura's voice met her ears. She quickly put the sketch book away and stuck the brief case under the bed. She ran her hands through her hair and she walked out in to the dining room. She was met with the smell of home cooked Italian spaghetti and meat balls, a faint smell of garlic bread in the oven. She walked further in to where Jane and Maura were bickering over where they should set the plates. Maura saying the Roman should sit at the head of the table that way she was in-between both Maura and Jane. Jane saying she didn't give a hoot, saying it wasn't important. Roman cleared her throat, making Maura and Jane instantly stopped there bickering and looked up smiling.

"Hey Roman! You ah…you hungry?" said Jane walking over to Roman. Out of force of habit, Roman stepped back. This made Jane stop her advance and run her hand through her hair.

"…yes…" Roman squeaked out. Jane smiled. 'At least she's talking.'

….

Dinner went well. Roman did not speak much. The only things she said was 'yes.' And 'nothing much'. Roman went back in to her new room and pulled out her duffle bag, searching for her pj's. When she retrieved them she peeled off her jacket revealing puffy, white scars all down her arms and shoulders. Little did she know that Jane had walked past her door only to stop and do a double take when she saw Romans arms? Before Roman could notice Jane walked back to her and Maura's bedroom. Jane read all through that girls file, she knew that the girl was troubled. But that still didn't prepare her for what she saw. As she entered the room Maura could see the concern with a hint of fear on her lovers face.

"Jane? Honey, what's wrong?" Maura crossed the room to where Jane sat on the bed she sat down next to Jane and rubbed circles on her back.

"I was walking past Romans room and I saw her take off her jacket. She has scars all over her arms and shoulders Maur…."

At hears this Maura wrapped her arms around Jane's shoulders and pulled her in to her chest and kissed Jane's forehead.

"She will be ok Jane, she is with us now. She is safe with us. "

….

Roman laid in her bed, under the covers with her hands folded behind her head. She stared up at the ceiling thinking about her life. 'After all the pain and sadness people caused me and I caused in return, why is it that I am now here in this amazing house, with two new Guardians? They seem nice and thoughtful….but… I can't help but think that I won't be here in a week or two. 'The door knob on Romans door turned and Maura and Jane entered the room. Roman instantly pulled her arms under the covers, away from preying eyes.

"Hey…you all ready for bed huh?" asked Jane sitting on the edge of the bed. Maura doing the same, leaning forward on her arm. Having her hand come to rest on the opposite side of Romans legs. Roman nodded slowly.

"Well, we are right down the hall if you need anything. Our door is always open. Ok?"

Roman nodded once again. "Ok. Good night sweet heart." Jane was unsure if she should give her new daughter a kiss on the forehead or not. So she just reached over giving her hand a gentle squeeze. She got up and maneuvered herself to lean on the door frame. Maura scooted closer to the teen and smiled softly.

"Good night Roman." Maura mimicked Jane's actions and got up. Before they both exited the room, Roman cleared her throat and said loud and clear,

"Good night…"

Maura and Jane smiled to themselves as they slowly exited there teenagers room and walked back to their room.

Roman stared up at the ceiling and breathed deep.

"Come little children I'll take thee away…..in to a land of enchantment…come little children…. The time has come to play…..here in my garden of shadows…." Roman softly sang to herself as she drifted off to sleep.

Once situated, Jane climbed in to bed next to Maura, wrapping her arm around her waist and placing a gentle kiss on the nape of her lover's neck. Maura sighed and turned to face Jane. Jane smiled and kissed Maura on the lips. Maura happily returned the kiss, but before things could get to heated she pulled away, smirking.

"Good night Jane." She smirked and gave a peck to Jane's nose. Jane chuckled and rolled her eyes.

"Good night Mrs. Tease." Still Jane coiled herself around Maura, kissing her lightly on the cheek before they both drifted off to sleep.