Author's Note: This first chapter is meant to set the groundwork for the rest of the story…sooooo, it's a heavier than the rest will be. I have about 6 six chapters planned. I would like to thank my awesome beta who happens to be my awesome wife.

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Maura had sworn she was okay several times in the last few minutes, but Jane knew otherwise. It wasn't every day you found out you had a half-brother who had been killed after spending his life hacking computers and stealing peoples' life savings as well as a biological father responsible for the death of at least twelve people. Dr. Isles' bottomless pit of science facts was not helping either. While Jane was able to see Maura for the amazing person she was, Maura's lack of self-esteem led her to see herself as part of a scientific equation. She shared DNA with the two men she had just learned about. Therefore there was a chance according to some study or another that showed she had the potential to be a criminal as well. Ever doubting herself, this did not add up well.

"Look, Maura, other than some tiny little code in your body, you share nothing with those men. You are a good person. You prove it to everyone around you every day. They aren't your family, they just share a little biology with you." Jane was wishing she knew a little more about biology so she could argue with Maura. She knew her best friend needed facts instead of her reassurances. Jane was street smart and knew she did her job well, but in this case that wasn't enough. She wanted to reassure Maura. She wanted Maura to see herself as she did. A faint smile came across Jane's face as she thought, then again I wouldn't mind seeing Maura the way she sees herself in the shower each morning. Jane looked down and shook her head. So not appropriate right now.

"Jane, that tiny code that you are referring to determines almost everything about us. Sure, science is not conclusive as to just how much is predisposed based on our DNA and how much is brought about by our environment and experiences, but there is no denying that DNA plays a large part in who we are and how we behave."

"So I take it you subscribe to the nature side of the argument?" As soon as the question came out Jane wished it hadn't. While she had meant it as a random, flippant comment, she knew that Maura would never let it pass as such. Maura never let anything pass without conducting an analysis first. If Maura were to pry much into the comment she would realize that it was not truly random at all. A little over two months ago, Jane had finally come to terms with her true self after a lengthy debate in her head about nature versus nurture. She was a lesbian. Of course, she had yet to tell anyone and planned on keeping it that way for as long as possible. After all of the years of teasing and assumptions based on her profession, she wasn't looking forward to admitting the assumptions had been true all along. The worst part was after knowingly being gay for only two months she had broken the cardinal rule of lesbianism…she had fallen for a straight girl.

Jane was flipping through all this information in her mind when Maura finally answered, "Nature side of what argument?"

"I was just teasing you that if you believe DNA controls who we are, I'm guessing on the whole nature versus nurture gay argument, you believe in nature."

Maura thought for a second, recalling several sources of data no doubt, "while studies are still somewhat inconclusive as to the exact…" Maura continued with several different studies with differing findings. Jane's thoughts trailed off as she watched Maura's lips moving. I'm feeling a bit like a wild animal out in nature right now. I just want to pounce and kiss those lips and… "Jane are you listening to me?"

Jane looked up sheepishly and realized that while Maura was talking, her gaze had drifted down and she was now staring straight towards Maura's cleavage, which was well outlined by her designer dress. "Yeah, sorry, I guess I'm just a little tired."

"Do you want me to leave? It's safe for me to go home now since half of my family is dead and the other half is out there sending a message through homicide to every killer in Boston to stay away from me."

"Maura they are not your family. You are placing far too much emphasis on blood. Family means so much more than that."

"I know. I have parents, but…" Maura trailed off and looked down. Jane realized she was starting to cry.

"Maura what is it?"

"I have two families and neither one cares about me the way that yours cares about you."

Maura's words were breaking Jane's heart, causing her to lose track of her boundaries as she responded, "Maura, you have to know that we all love you like you are in our family so you can't argue that case." In a much quieter voice not meant to be heard Jane added, "Maybe someday we could even put you through the official ceremony to make you a Rizzoli. I know I would like to."

Jane failed to calculate just how close Maura's ears were at the time. Jane knew as soon as Maura's head lifted that she had heard. The smile on her face took away any regret Jane otherwise would have had for speaking her thoughts out loud.

"You do treat me well, Jane, and so does your family. I do think of them as family. I'm sorry I implied otherwise. I don't want to show a lack of gratitude."

Jane smiled back, "Don't worry, I know you're just upset." She couldn't help but think how nice it was to tell Maura she loved her even if she couldn't express exactly what she meant by it.

It amazed Jane how quickly this comment cheered up Maura. It seemed to be exactly what she needed at that moment. "Jane, what's the ceremony you mentioned? Is that some sort of Rizzoli thing?"

Well Maura, I meant that perhaps someday you and I could get married and then you would officially be in the family. "It's not just a Rizzoli thing, although I'm sure my family would put their own spin on it."

"So you've never done this ceremony?" Maura asked.

Jane was beginning to get nervous. She was running out of ways to dodge the truth. "Um none of us kids, no. We haven't found anyone to go through it with us." Internally Jane was beginning to panic. She could think of no way to shift this conversation, and Maura was so interested that she knew it would be hard to divert her. She was afraid she was going to have to come up with some ceremony to induct Maura into the family. Every image that came to mind was similar to a fraternity hazing…ones that involved Maura in her underwear of course.

"Whatever this ceremony is, I would love to go through it." Maura had enjoyed a few glasses of wine that evening so she was getting a bit bolder than normal.

"I don't think we're quite at that stage yet…dear." Jane emphasized the dear hoping Maura would drop it before she had to tell her best friend, who was a straight woman, that she had suggested they fall in love and get married.

In her attempt to deflect the situation, Jane had just unknowingly created a new one. Maura's eyes were hurt and tears began flowing once again.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so forward. Of course we're not at that point. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I can't believe I just implied you would want me as a sister."

Jane's face expressed her confusion, until she heard the last part and realized how she had just turned down the doctor's request to be an assumed member of the family. "No Maura, no. That's not what I meant at all." She once again found herself embracing the crying woman. Maura's face was burrowed into Jane's chest. Had she not been in so much pain, Jane realized she would thoroughly be enjoying this position.

"I was so inappropriate, Jane. Please forgive me for my rudeness."

There may have been a way to avoid the next admission, but in the heat of the moment, Jane could not come up with it. She couldn't stand seeing Maura upset and had to fix it as quickly as possible.

"Maura, I…you weren't the inappropriate one, I was. The ceremony comment was a joke and it was an inappropriate one on my part."

Still with tear-filled eyes, Maura looked up at Jane. "I don't understand Jane. There's no official joining the family ceremony?"

Jane got a nervous half smile, "Oh there is an official ceremony. It's even legal in Massachusetts." Maura seemed a bit calmer, but was clearly waiting for an explanation. Jane took in a very deep breath before saying, softer, "I was making a marriage joke."

Maura got a look of relief on her face and smiled, "now I understand. No, I don't believe I am at the point of marrying either of your brothers." She finished with a chuckle, but was surprised to see that Jane didn't chuckle with her as she mentioned marrying Tommy or Frankie.

"That wasn't the joke Maura. I was referring to myself, not my brothers." Jane wasn't sure why she felt the compulsion to tell Maura this, but she had to make it clear that her brothers were off limits.

Maura's face got a more serious look on it as she realized exactly how delicate of a situation she was dealing with. Her expression was serious, but soft and loving at the same time. She opened her mouth a few times as if to speak, but closed it each time not knowing how to respond.

Jane beat her to it. "You don't have to say anything. It was just a silly joke." Jane tried to give a fake laugh, but it was obvious to them both just how fake it was. Maura knew how to read Jane's expressions. She wasn't going to be able to hide that she had just made an honest admission.

"Jane, I'm not sure how to proceed."

Jane could feel herself blushing. The thought of running into her bedroom and jumping under the bed crossed her mind more than a few times in the next couple of moments. "Maura I was just joking. There's no need to analyze it. It was just a joke. I love men. We both know that. Yay men."

"I don't think that's true Jane. Based on your previous encounters with men and your hesitancy to commit to them or even to sleep with them, I would deduce that you are not all that interested in a physical or emotional relationship with a man."

"I've slept with men." This was the only point in Maura's statement that she could argue and she was going to use it. If she'd had the unfortunate experience of sleeping with men in the past, it might as well come in handy for something.

"Yes, but I usually had to persuade you. Remember Jorge?"

"I try not to."

Maura's face suddenly lit up.

"Oh Jane, I'm so sorry that I pushed you into dating men. I in no way meant to offend you or imply that you needed to be in a heterosexual relationship. There are so many studies that show homosexuality is perfectly natural and some that indicate it may even be the next step in human evolution. Please forgive me if I ever made you feel uncomfortable or discriminated against in any way."

Jane found herself in a very familiar situation. Maura was trying to make a point and was doing so with a lengthy explanation backed by science. For a split second, Jane considered lying, but she had to admit the idea of Maura not only knowing, but also being supportive, was too much of a draw.

"Maura, what you're trying to say is, you're fine with me being gay."

Maura smiled as though pleased with herself for expressing something in a way Jane could understand it. Her social awkwardness often led her to feel the need to explain herself more than once. "Yes that's exactly what I mean."

Maura's acceptance meant a lot to Jane, but she couldn't help but wonder if Maura had stopped to consider that Jane had implied something else as well. She didn't want to give Maura the chance to bring it up.

"I'm pretty tired, maybe we should head to bed. You're welcome to stay the night, but I'll understand if you don't want to considering I just told you I like going to bed with women."

Maura couldn't help but consider that Jane had implied that she, Maura Isles, might be the object of Jane's metaphorical eye. She had always found Jane attractive and enjoyed their interactions. She had also always considered herself very open minded when it came to sexuality. She, like all of her liberal friends growing up, had experimented back in college. It had turned out that her lack of social skills were just as apparent in the gay world as they were in the straight world. She had long since given up the notion that she would find someone to spend the rest of her life with once she met Jane. Their emotional bond was enough to keep her happy. Sure she had dated men on the side, but that was to take care of her physical needs. She had dated some women for the same reason although she had never mentioned them to Jane. She knew it would lead to nothing and wasn't sure how the brunette would react. Goodness, Maura, now even your thoughts are rambling. Jane, on the other hand, was becoming more and more concerned at Maura's silence. Maura decided for tonight, she would simply joke back.

"I will stay the night. Although once we're married, we're going to have to discuss how many WOMEN you go to bed with." She gave Jane a very seductive wink and passed the stunned woman to enter the bedroom.

Crap she did hear that part.