The Time Traveler's Wife

Chapter 1:

Normal

Angela Rizzoli had a wonderful singing voice.

Jane remembered this specifically from her childhood, even before she'd started randomly travelling back to see the woman.

"Join in, Janie," her mother called back to the six year old, all dark brown eyes and silky brown hair. Janie could only dream of having such lovely hair – her own was curly and wilder than a lion's mane.

Janie sang along with her mother, but it wasn't long before she hated the way her voice conflicted with her mother's. Her own voice was high and reedy, cracking on certain notes and ringing off key. Eventually she huffed. "I can't sing!"

"Sure you can," her mother assured her.

"Pa said I can't carry a note in a basket," Janie grumbled sadly, crossing her arms.

"Janie, your Pa was kidding," sighed Angela, and Janie could practically see her making a mental note to whack her husband later.

"I wish I could sing like you, Mama," sighed Janie sadly.

"But you're not supposed to sing like me. You're supposed to sing like you."

Janie supposed that made sense, but she didn't have time to dwell as her vision was suddenly filled with bright headlights. She saw her mother's eyes widen in the rearview mirror. Neither Rizzoli made a sound, bodies tense and still. Her mother actually seemed calm as she began violently turning the wheel, trying to avoid the skidding semi. The harsh braking jolted Janie foreword and her head collided with the front seat, drawing blood.

Then they were spinning, and the front of their car collided with the semi, and she heard the squealing and crunching and impact and she closed her eyes –

When she opened them, Janie was back home. And her Pa was there, and her Mama, and….

And Janie. Janie was there. She could see herself, cuddled up against her mother while the older Rizzoli sang. Her father sat at the piano, accompanying his wife's voice.

Janie was there, but she was also here, in the hallway. She knew she was alive because her head still ached and the slightly chill air cooled her naked skin and where were her clothes –

She was suddenly warm and tingly, and immediately after she found herself standing naked in the snow, watching as a semi collided with her mother's Taurus.

"Mama!" she cried. "Mama!"

She started to rush forward, but a hand grabbed her. "Janie!" a deep, husky voice commanded, and Janie turned. "Janie, there's nothing you can do," said a tall, lean, curly haired woman as she knelt before the girl.

"But my Mama-"

"Listen to me, Janie, I haven't got much time. Just now, you were in the car, spinning. And then you were suddenly at home, and it was two weeks ago, and you watched as your parents were making wonderful music, while you listened. You watched yourself. And then you were back here. Right?"

Janie nodded, dazed. She was scared and she felt sick and even though it was cold and she was naked she was still sweating –

"You travelled, Janie. You time travelled, just like I did to come and see you. I'm you, when you're all grown up. I know you don't understand now but you will, someday. But I just don't want you to worry. Okay? You're going to be fine, kid."

And then a blanket was being wrapped around her, and a kiss was planted firmly on her forehead.

"I have to go. But I'll see you again, I'm sure," said the tall version of herself with a wink. And then, the pair of slacks and the button down fell, empty and lifeless, to the ground, as Jane disappeared.

And little Janie was left alone.

"Dammit," groaned Jane as she appeared back in the evidence basement. "Korsak is totally gonna punch me." She gathered her clothes from the floor and hurriedly pulled them back on in case anyone decided to drop in. She then grabbed the file she'd been looking for and headed back up to the bull pen.

"Jesus, it took you long enough," said Korsak, sounding surprised but not annoyed, thank God.

"You have no idea," sighed Jane, slumping in her seat. Behind her she heard "Hello, I'm Maura Isles, the new medical examiner. I have the results from an autopsy..?"

"Yes, our lead detective Rizzoli can help you with that," said Korsak's voice. Jane groaned, then heaved herself to her feet. She turned to see an extraordinarily beautiful woman. Maura Isles reeked of class and sophistication. She had perfectly coiffed hair, wore a dress that probably cost more than Jane's entire wardrobe combined, and a pair of impossibly high heels. Not only that, but she held herself with a poise Jane could never hope to achieve.

However, the woman reacted with something not quite akin to poise when she saw the detective. "Jane?" she all but screeched at the detective.

"Uh…. Yea?" Jane asked, confused. "Do I know you?" She didn't mean to sound rude, but travelling always made her sick and cranky.

Maura was unruffled. "Yes! Well…you will. I mean… no. No you don't know me. But I know you."

Jane frowned. Was this woman insane?

"I'm sorry," giggled Maura. "You told me this would happen, and that when it did I should act normal, but… but I'm not really acting normal, am I?"

"No," Jane couldn't help but chuckle. "But that's okay. Normal's overrated, anyhow."

Maura smiled brightly. "Listen, um… would you… would you want to have dinner with me tonight? I could explain everything, then…"

"I don't know…" said Jane uncertainly. She was still a bit worried that perhaps this woman was unstable.

"Jane, you and I have been planning this dinner for ages."

"We have?"

"Yes. At the Dirty Robber. It's your favorite."

"Yes… it is," agreed Jane, baffled.

"So…. What do you say, Detective?" Maura's eyes were hopeful, and Jane found herself unable to say no.

"Yea… okay. Yea, sure." Maura's eyes all but turned into small golden suns at her answer, and Jane felt an equally golden glow inside her stomach at the sight.

"Excellent! I'll meet you there at 7?"

"Sure."

"Okay!" Maura smiled and wandered off, obviously forgetting to deliver the results. That was all right. Jane would get them tonight…. At dinner.

How strange.

"Janie's got a daaate, Janie's got a daaate…." Sang Korsak under his breath.

Jane chucked her pen at him.

Later that night, Jane put on her best pants and a nice, deep purple v-neck. She never really went to dinner with other human beings, and she was kind of…. Well, excited.

Unfortunately, it was when she was brushing her teeth in preparation that she felt warm and tingly all over.

"Shit," she opined, before her tooth brush clattered to the floor, next to her empty v-neck and slacks.