A/N - this is it - the final chapter. I didn't say there wasn't going to be a date ;) and MegaFae suggested I wrote a one off piece to do with the 24 hours, because it was never my intent to follow with this chapter. The way I wanted this whole chapter to work, really meant it wasn't something I could add in, without a big change in my mindset. So, I will be writing the 24 hours separately... Around my other stories.

Thanks again to Honorcpt and CrackdownDraco who both helped enormously with beta services and general help. Any mistakes are mine.

I'm posting this using my iPad, so there might be some formatting issues that I miss when I post. I will be checking it once I get to a computer properly.

Thank you to everyone who has supported this story in whatever guise. I would PM reviewers individually, but with the lack of computer and time, I'm afraid I can only offer this general thank you.

I hope the ending does the story justice. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this piece.

Still don't own nuffink.


Chapter four

Jane gently tugged on the plain white cuffs of her shirt, lining them up so she could insert the cufflinks. White gold, a simple replica of the Boston PD emblem, handcrafted by someone god only knows where, a recent present from Maura. In fact, the entire outfit was because of Maura and while Jane had initially protested, she couldn't help but smile as she dressed. She would never admit it out loud, but the Armani tuxedo suit, that had been specially tailored for Jane, paired with the silk shirt and Jimmy Choo heels was something else. She even felt comfortable in the shoes, and that in itself was a miracle.

She had already applied the lightest of make up. Maura had insisted Jane looked best with as natural look as possible, and who was she to argue. Jane couldn't help the smile that tugged at her face. God damn if I'm not already whipped.

Jane knew that Maura always liked the way the white of a shirt or top would stand out against her olive colored skin, and she was also completely aware that the choice of shirt had been no accident, and not just because it was the standard for an outfit such as this.

Her smile widened as Maura walked in, her dress already on. A bright blue, hugging her figure tightly. She stepped right up to Jane, invading her personal space, a predatory grin of her own adorning her features. With a very slow and deliberate turn, Maura's back was now facing Jane, as a hand came up and Maura carefully pulled her hair away from her neck and shoulders.

"Zip me up please."

Jane knew full well Maura could zip herself up, but Maura's voice was low and teasing, and so Jane grabbed the zipper with intense care, before slowly pulling it up, watching as each tooth bit into the next one, covering the delicate skin.

"I much prefer the unzipping part."

Jane had deliberately leaned in, her voice a gravelly whisper against Maura's right ear, making her shiver. It took all of Jane's self control not to capture the lobe of Maura's ear in her teeth and nibble it slightly, before kissing down to a spot she knew drove Maura wild. Maura then stepped away, throwing a look over her shoulder as she glided out of the bedroom.

"I don't want to smudge my lipstick, so don't get any ideas..."

Maura waited until she was at the door, before her last word was ground out in a husky drawl. "Detective!"

"God dammit." Jane growled under her breath, as she pulled the jacket off its hanger, before carefully putting it on. She knew that Maura had even allowed for the tailoring to accommodate her firearm should she need it, although tonight, the gun was staying firmly locked up in the safe. With one final look, Jane headed out the door to join Maura. The car that was taking them was already waiting outside.


Jane watched, with narrowing eyes as once again Ulrika took Maura's attention away from them. She abruptly turned to face the bar in the quiet part of the club, signalling she wanted a refill. A beer swiftly arrived in front of her, and with a quick nod of thanks, Jane took a pull of the cold liquid.

"Something wrong?"

Ulrika's voice pulled Maura back to the conversation at hand, a frown crossing her face.

"Nothing is wrong. Listen, can we finish this up another time."

Ulrika looked slightly surprised, but simply nodded, before putting a hand out to rest lightly on Maura's forearm. "Yeah sure. Look, I'm sorry I dragged you away, I know you had come in to relax, not to deal with work, but I felt you needed to know as soon as I knew what was happening."

Maura allowed herself to smile, "And I appreciate it, but there is nothing we can do about it tonight, so if you'll excuse me."

Maura was moving the second the last syllable fell from her lips. She suddenly realized she had lost sight of Jane, so she moved towards the bar, getting the woman's attention who was serving as she neared.

"Did you see where Jane went?" Maura didn't mess around, wanting to track Jane down as quickly as possible before Jane's mood worsened and it all got blown out of proportion.

"Sure, main area." The short cropped blonde bartender nodded towards the main door leading out of the room, and Maura quickly made her way out.

As she stepped in to the main club, the music pulsed around her, vibrating up through her feet. Fortunately, Jane's height made it easier for Maura to pick her out in the crowd, and as Maura approached, she saw Jane was dancing with a very nice looking brunette, who was far too close to Jane's body than Maura was comfortable with.

As Maura moved in, pushing through the throng of people without heed to whom she was pushing out of the way, her eyes narrowed, and her mouth tightened as she saw the brunette move a hand, taking possession of Jane's ass.

"You mind if I cut in?"

Maura had to shout to be heard, and as annoyed as she was feeling, her manners still instilled in her the need to be polite and not just rip Jane out of the other womans arms.

Jane meanwhile patently ignored Maura, so the other woman just smirked as she looked at Maura. "Yeah, I do mind."

Maura didn't give it a second thought as she pushed her body between them, "Tough."

"Hey, who in the hell do you think you are?" The brunette yelled, anger flashing in her eyes. Maura simply turned, her face neutral and composed.

"I'm the girlfriend and the club owner; so I suggest you step away." At the last words, ground out in a warning tone, Maura allowed her eyes to constrict and harden.

"For gods sake, I give up. Fucking drama queens." The brunette threw up her arms in disgust before moving across the dance floor, already eyeing up her next target.

Maura allowed Jane to pull her closer, although her body was still tense. "We need to talk."

Jane snorted, and shook her head slightly. "Do we?"

"Yes, we do."

"Fine!" Jane huffed, showing in no uncertain terms she was anything but, however she allowed Maura to guide them towards the private office Maura had decided to have on the premises. Once there, she locked the door behind them, before turning back to face Jane.

"You want to explain to me what the hell all that was about?"

Jane's laugh was anything but a happy one as she sank down into the sofa. It was like the ones in the VIP rooms. Black leather, large, and it was comfortable, but right now, it felt like Jane was sitting on bricks. "We were supposed to be here for us, and you go off with your ex within minutes of arriving. That's what this is about."

Maura stood in the middle of the room, her eyes incredulous. "Jane, you know full well, she is not my ex! She's an old friend who deserves a little more courtesy than you're displaying right now. And for your information, she was telling me she's leaving to go back home to France. That we need to find a new manager."

Jane's eyes showed surprise, as she stood up slowly. "And she couldn't tell you this with a phone call? Or via email? Hell, by text even? She had to wait to see you?" Jane moved in menacingly closer, her eyes darkening, and Maura swallowed hard.

"Yes, because she only knew for certain minutes before we arrived. It's some kind of family venture she wants to be involved with, although she's promised not to move until we have her replacement... Besides, I wasn't the one practically fucking another woman out there on the dance floor."

Despite her attempts to remain angry, Maura was finding it increasingly difficult to keep a coherent thought in her head. Jane's hair was tousled, her eyes still dark and threatening, and it was fuelling Maura in a completely different direction.

Jane made a noise, and Maura knew it was increasing frustration of her own that caused it, so decided to use that to her advantage. She stepped in closer to Jane, grasping the lapels of her jacket tightly, bunching them up in her hands. She then pushed the jacket off, her movements fast and needy.

"I was not fucking another woman." Jane's words were slow and deliberate, as her eyes raked over Maura's body, visibly undressing her with her eyes. Without a second thought, she tugged at the hands of Maura's pulling them together roughly. Both gave out a gasp as their bodies collided. Lips crashed together, and then Maura's lips parted, inviting Jane in.

Not needing another invitation, Jane's tongue began to explore, followed by her hands, her whole attitude one of brazen need. If there was one thing Jane knew, it was how good she was in bed. How she could get Maura to react by a simple touch. Now was no different as fingertips began to roam. It seemed as if the path they took was random, but it was far from that, each movement, each caress was deliberate on Jane's part, and Maura knew she was about to be completely decimated.

At that moment, Maura found the strength needed to push Jane away from her body. Spying the clutch bag she had arrived with on the floor, she quickly grabbed it before heading back to the door. Jane spun around, shocked into submission.

"You can't leave..." Jane almost shouted as Maura quickly unlocked the door. She then turned around to face Jane.

"Oh...I can."

"Not like this."

Maura could hear the trembling emotion in Jane's voice, so she turned and closed the distance between them. Gently she leaned in, giving Jane a chaste kiss on the lips, licking her own afterwards. Jane watched the movement of her tongue, transfixed. Maura's right index finger then moved, lightly grazing the skin as she traced the outline of Jane's jawline, continuing on down her neck, and resting it against the prominent collar bone poking out from the now rumpled silk. Warm dark olive against cool, smooth white, a delicious combination that Maura fought to ignore.

"Yes, I can leave." Maura looked up from where she had been staring intently at the spot her finger lay, feeling the slight vibrations of Jane's body underneath her fingertip. "And when you come down from whatever funk you have got yourself into, you'll know where to find me."

Without another word, Maura then left, not even looking back as Jane stood stock still, trying to process what the hell had just happened. One minute they were heading towards hot, hot... hell who was she kidding, it was going to be steaming hot total monkey sex... then...

...then nothing.

By the time she had shaken herself out of the reverie she was in, she ran out into the main club, eyes scanning the crowd, desperately trying to see if Maura was anywhere to be seen. Her eyes darted towards the exit doors, and she pushed her way through the crowds to the bouncer there.

"Jane." The woman greeted Jane, having got to know her over the recent months.

"Hey." Jane was still distracted, and didn't waste time with pleasantries. "You see Maura at all?"

"Yeah, the car pulled up and she left a few minutes ago."

Jane pulled a hand through her hair, before punching the air in front of her. "Fuck!"

She then turned around, and walked back to the office, picking up her discarded jacket, before using the phone to call herself a taxi. She knew she was in for a mountain of grovelling when she got home.

As the taxi pulled up in front of Maura's house, Jane knew Maura wasn't far ahead of her, having spotted the town car they had used earlier in the day leaving the street, knowing it had been on standby at the club for their return. She quickly pulled out some money from her pants pocket, grateful she'd thought about grabbing some from the petty cash she knew Maura had in her office, since she had come out without her own wallet.

Carefully she got out, and taking a deep breath, Jane watched it misting against the colder fall night air when she exhaled, before she walked up to the front door. Opening it slowly, grateful for once Maura hadn't locked it, she could see lights were on, so knew that while she was in some shit, it wasn't so bad that Maura had walked in, turned lights off as she stomped through to the bedroom, before pointedly locking the bedroom door on Jane. That had only happened once after a particularly difficult case where they hadn't agreed on procedure, and ultimately Maura had been proven correct. Jane wasn't keen to repeat that moment in their relationship.

"Maura?" Jane was tentative as she walked into the kitchen area, wincing as she saw Maura throwing back a shot of liquor, and she then spotted the opened premium bottle of vodka they kept in the freezer, condensation forming against the glass bottle, and some droplets running down to pool at the base on the kitchen counter.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Maura finally spoke up as she poured another shot, blinking before knocking that back, giving a little shiver as the alcohol hurtled down her throat. "I know you sometimes find it difficult that I've had other women as lovers, and that you have gotten better with it..."

As Maura spoke, Jane's eyes narrowed. She didn't want to fight anymore, but Maura's words were making her feel aggrieved anew. Maura then pushed off the counter she was leaning against, leaving the glass there.

"I have told you so many times, and I will tell you again..." Maura allowed her eyes to drift over Jane's body, showing just how turned on she was, before they came back up and met Jane's own brown orbs, pupils dilating, her breathing becoming increasingly ragged. "Sex with my ex's was good..." Maura reached up, and in a repeat of the earlier scene in the office, she bunched the jacket lapels in her hands, pulling them together hard and fast. Her breath ghosted across Jane's lips, which parted slightly involuntarily. Both could smell the hint of alcohol on each other.

"Sex was good... But with you..." Maura then moved in, and nipped at the base of Jane's neck, causing Jane to catch her breath. She then moved back to her previous position, "Sex with you is so much better, they can't even come close."

Jane didn't waste any more time, as she moved a hand to cup the back of Maura's neck, and none to gently, pulled them into a fierce kiss.

"I'm sorry. God, I'm so fucking sorry." Jane virtually panted as she broke from the kiss, feeling Maura's hands move, and she began to pull the shirt up, out of the waistband of Jane's pants before opening the buttons on Jane's shirt urgently. Their entire bodies were humming with need and desire.

"You have no idea how lucky you are for saying that. Anything less than an apology and you would be saying hello to the sofa, possibly for more than tonight... As it is... You get a reprieve." Maura said, as she began to kiss down the flesh she was exposing, before she came to where Jane's bra was covering very prominent nipples. She didn't waste any more time, and quickly removed the jacket and shirt in one movement, before she also quickly removed the bra.

"You're mine Jane. As much as I'm yours. No one else gets either of us. No one!" And with that declaration, Maura pulled a nipple into her mouth, sucking, while her hand palmed the other one. Jane's hold on Maura's neck tightened, as she pushed her in, needing the contact. Maura broke away, her mouth finding the other nipple, as her hand moved position. Jane groaned at the change in sensation.

"Do you want me?" Maura's eyes looked up, her tongue maintaining contact the entire time on Jane's skin as she moved with deliberate care, snaking further down. Her hands were already beginning to unbutton the pants, and pull on the zipper.

Jane was so overwhelmed by what Maura was doing, she was mute, her legs weak under her. It was taking all her energy not to collapse on the kitchen floor.

"Hmm, if I knew this was all it took to shut you up, I would have done it years ago." Maura teased, and it was enough to get Jane to react.

"Oh I want you." Jane finally moved, her hands grabbing Maura's pulling them away. "And we are going to take this into the bedroom."

Without another word, they both moved, snatching kisses as they stumbled to the bedroom, ensuring they locked the door before they allowed themselves to go further.

Jane watched as Maura began to move in closer, as she then finally pulled down the zipper on Jane's pants, followed swiftly by the articles of clothing that were in her way.

"Time for the unzipping part." Jane then growled, as she stopped Maura in her tracks, reaching around Maura's waist, to swing her around so Jane's front was now pressing into the back of the smaller woman.

Maura shivered as Jane began to slow process of removing the dress she had been wearing, hearing the hitch in Jane's breathing as she realized the dress had a built in bra, so Maura wasn't wearing one at all. Somehow, that little detail obviously wasn't spotted earlier in the evening and for a split second, it was enough to unravel Jane a little more.

Jane then gently pushed Maura onto the bed, as she hovered above her, desire obvious.

"Why don't you show me how much you want me. You know I want you, but now you've got to show me..."

Jane's words were teasing, as her fingers began to trace a trail across Maura's exposed skin. The one thing Maura had discovered very early on in their relationship was how vocal Jane was in bed. For someone who found it virtually impossible to vocalize her feelings outside of the confines of the bedroom, Maura found it even more of a turn on.

What also fascinated Maura was that despite Jane having crude language that she often employed outside the bedroom, it wasn't specific dirty talk that she would spew in the heat of the moment, but rather what she was thinking there and then, totally unfiltered. It was the only time Jane truly ever let go. In fact, Jane lost just about all her inhibitions, and Maura knew tonight was going to be no exception. It was the first time that had happened when Maura had fully realized the depth of trust and love Jane had for her; for their relationship.
Jane had later admitted she had never before been so open - with anyone. Not even family.

A hand swept across a breast brusquely, before Jane's mouth latched on, as the hand moved down, and now it was Maura's turn to moan as probing fingers hit wetness as they continued their descent.

Maura finally leaned up and forward and kissed Jane, swallowing her helpless moan as Jane's fingers began a slow, relentless pressure that conspired with the taste of her mouth and the sight of her deep brown heavy-lidded eyes to overwhelm Maura's senses.

This was the moment Maura was undone completely. The orgasm was earth shattering that, as always left her helpless in Jane's arms, as Jane resumed the role of the protector. Something Maura could never tire of, but she also knew when she was recovered, Jane would allow the roles to be reversed, and Maura always reveled in the feeling of protecting Jane as she would finally come down from her own journey that Maura would send her on.

Eventually, once they both collapsed back into bed, breaths coming in short gasps, they felt as one. Conjoined in a way that was soul shattering. A feeling of satisfaction and contentment that was bone deep, as sleep finally claimed both women.


Jane shifted position, and the movement was enough to finally drag her out of the sleep she had been enjoying. She was suddenly very aware of the body pressed up against her own, skin against skin. The next sensation that registered was the soft movement of fingertips through her hair, careful as they also went to untangle any knots that they met. Then memories of the night before, at least those that occurred once they got back home drifted into her head. Her eyes fluttered open, and she couldn't help the smile that crept onto her face.

Maura looked down at Jane, already in a sitting position, the sheet haphazardly across her knees, but, as Jane had learned very quickly, Maura's unashamed nature meant her chest was bare, and on full display. Maura's smile had a dreamy quality about it, and Jane allowed her eyes to close again.

"Happy anniversary." Maura then whispered, her ministrations in Jane's hair continuing.

Jane's eyes opened again, as her smile widened. "Hmm, who would have thought a year ago today..."

"You gave me those twenty four hours I asked for." Maura finished the sentence, before leaning down to languidly kiss Jane. She slowly pulled back, to retain her previous position.

"Best decision I ever made." Jane replied as she deliberately pulled herself up, also not bothering to bring the sheet up to cover herself. This was something that had changed since being with Maura. Jane had always been slightly embarrassed the morning after with men, and would use something to cover as much of herself as she could. With Maura, she didn't feel the need to hide - behind anything. She also didn't flinch or bat hands away if Maura fiddled with her hair in the morning like she used to. If anything, she now loved the sensation.

Jane twisted around, and pulled open the drawer on the bedside cabinet that was hers. She reached in, before turning back to Maura, her fist closed around whatever she had retrieved from there.

"You know I'm not one for great big sentimental gestures..." Jane leaned in, and with her free hand, she pushed a loose lock of hair away from Maura's cheek, tucking it behind her ear, before kissing the exposed area. "And I never thought I would find someone who understands me like you do. Who puts up with my shit..."

Pausing, Jane and Maura laughed lightly, both fully aware Jane was partly alluding to the events from the night before.

"Yeah, god was I the biggest jerk ever last night. Honestly, I was just so overwhelmed we have been together, that you could love me... plain Jane." Jane watched as Maura lifted fingers to her lips, trying not to interrupt knowing Jane needed to say whatever she wanted to.

"I let my insecurity get the better of me, and I can't tell you how sorry I am. I just find it incredible someone like you, who has the biggest heart of anyone I know, loves me."

Jane suddenly smirked, "And make up sex is pretty fucking incredible..."

Jane watched as Maura attempted to plaster a look of disdain on her face, failing miserably. "Anyway, before this gets too sappy for me, Maura, will you do me the honor and marry me?"

Jane slowly uncurled her fingers to reveal a ring that was nestled in the palm of her hand. It was a gold band, with classically set diamonds, the largest in the centre, two either side, both slightly smaller than the one next to it the further from the center. "This was my one grandmothers ring, and I know you can't wear anything too much because of work. I was hop..."

Jane didn't get any further as lips hit hers in a fevered kiss. Finally, Maura pulled away, fingers toying with the ring that was still in the palm of Jane's hand. "Yes..." Maura's answer came out in a slightly breathless rush. "A thousand times yes." She then felt a tear roll down her cheek as Jane reached out, and with a reverence that was breathtaking, placed the ring on Maura's finger.

"Girls, breakfast!"

Angela's shrill voice cut through the moment, sending them both into a fit of giggles.

Jane then scowled. "Really? What the hell? She's supposed to be at her apartment!" Since Jane had moved in with Maura, Angela had taken residence in Jane's old apartment, even after complaining about it. Jane tensed the more she thought about her mother's intrusion, again.

"Hush, you know she knew this was a special day for us, and you can't be surprised she wanted to make us breakfast knowing we've taken some time off work."

Jane growled as she stood up, hauling some shorts on that were by the bed, before walking across to grab her robe off the hook on the bedroom door. She then flipped open the lock, as she took the robe down. Pulling it on, she began to tie it, as she looked back across at Maura. Pointing a finger, she grasped the door handle. "Fine, but you're telling her we're engaged. And so help me god, she is returning the keys for this place before we're married!"

Without waiting for an answer, Jane turned the handle, opened the door, and strolled out to meet her Mother. Maura was getting her own robe on, and could already hear them bickering in the background, words becoming increasingly louder by the second.

"Ma! I don't care! You do not question why my shirt, jacket and bra were on the floor in here! Jesus Christ! Have you no mercy?" Jane then practically yelled. "If you really want to, I can give you a blow by blow account of how Maura palmed my tit while..."

Jane was obviously cut off somehow mid tirade.

Smiling, Maura took pleasure knowing that while so much had changed over the year, some things were destined to forever remain the same. Taking a deep breath, she walked out the bedroom, ready to play referee between the two women.

Maura entered the kitchen to find Angela brandishing a spatula, waving it dangerously in front of her body, in a staring contest with Jane. Maura did catch the tail end of the conversation.

"...less of your cheek. Despite your age I can still put you over my knee and give you a good spanking."

"I think that's my job now." Maura quipped up as she headed to the coffee machine.

"Maura!" Jane was bright red in seconds. She turned back to face her Mother, whose face had broken out into a massive smirk.

"She... we... that doesn't happen Ma before you get any ideas."

"I'll leave it in your obviously capable hands then Maura." Angela just grinned some more, revelling in Jane's embarrassment.

Jane sidled up to Maura who was now casually leaning against the kitchen worktop, sipping her coffee.

"Don't stand there with that smug look." Jane whispered as she got her own coffee.

Maura's grin simply widened. "Consider it payback for your display at Merch last night."

Jane watched slack jawed as Maura pushed herself off the counters edge, heading to help Angela with breakfast.

"Guess I asked for that one." Jane muttered under her breath, before bracing herself for Angela and her reaction once she spotted the ring which was... yep... going to happen in...

3...

2...

1...

Later, as they snuggled up on the sofa, Jane and Maura both agreed the squeal Angela emitted when she saw the ring on Maura's finger could have been heard all the way down in New York.

The End.


A/N - as mentioned, there will be a one shot about the 24 hours... It's in the very early stages of writing at the moment. It hasn't even been to my helpers.

Again thank you for following this story. It's been a blast for me. It certainly helped me get back to writing.