A/N: Sorry for the delay here. My laptop crapped out on me and I had to bang this out at work. SHHHHhh. I apologize in advance if it's too long and for any errors. I've got most of the next chapter written if you guys are still interested. Guess it will be hand written until my laptop is fixed. Thanks so SO much to those who have read and reviewed. It makes my day!

Chapter Seven

There had been a major breech to the dress code by the time Jane walked through her apartment door after freezing her ass of de-icing the car. Maura emerged from her bedroom wearing a cream colored pencil skirt, an emerald, v-necked silk blouse, and knee high boots. Boots. With heels. Jane took a moment to stare, unbelieving, unmoving. Finally, she found her friend's eyes and gestured with her hands at her choice of attire. "Really, Maura? Really? Did you hit your head in the shower and forget that you were supposed to dress casual? And warm?" Frowning and smoothing her hands over her blouse and skirt, she looked back at Jane confused. "What do you mean? This IS casual." Stuttering a little, "It's…it's off the wrack… and it doesn't sparkle." Off. The. Wrack. For the love of God. Taking a deep cleansing breath, Jane reached for Maura's hand and guided her back into the bedroom, skillfully dodging her swatting hand. "It's…it's lovely. It is. But it isn't very functional for what we've got planned today. Let's try again okay? I promise I'm not asking you to dress like a vagrant…or like me, even."

Arriving at the Rizzoli home twenty minutes late and laden down with gifts, they struggled up the sidewalk to the front door. An almost exact repeat of the previous evening, the door was jerked open before Jane's hand could reach the knob. They were greeted by a pajama clad Frankie, grinning like a fool with a sprig of mistletoe hanging from a halo on his head. "It's about time you got here sis!" Taking the shopping bags from Maura with one hand, he leaned in and waggled his eyebrows, "Pucker up Doc." Giggling, she gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Merry Christmas, Frankie." Jane just rolled her eyes and mumbled under her breath. Not missing his sister's grumbling, Frankie turned on her, pure mischief in his eyes. "What? You need a little lovin' too? Come to Papa!" Dropping the shopping bags, he threw his arms around her and planted a big, sloppy wet kiss on her cheek. "Ewww. Gross! Enough! I give...I give punk." She couldn't stifle the laughter while shoving her baby brother away.

"Janie! Maura, honey. Thank goodness you are here. Frankie's been driving us crazy all morning wanting to get into the presents." Angela appeared in the doorway ushering them all inside to where Frank Sr. was standing, crooked Santa hat on his head. After a round of bear hugs and "Merry Christmases," Angela herded everyone toward the den. "Come on, come on. We got lots to do before you head off to your hockey game. Santa has been here and left some things for you guys although you two…" she narrowed her eyes and pointed between Frankie and Jane. "…I'm not sure how good you've been. Who wants a Mimosa? Frankie, go get the pitcher of Mimosas and take that stupid hat off your head."

A sudden thought occurred to Jane, and she turned abruptly, causing Maura to crash into her. Stumbling slightly, Maura's confusion was painted all over her face. "Jane? What's wrong?" Smiling down at the off balance doctor, she placed a steadying hand under her elbow. "Nothing's wrong. I just remembered that I asked you something last night but you were already drooling on my pillow before I got an answer." Smirking a little at the narrow eyed glare, she continued before she got smacked. "Do you skate?" Not understanding the exact context of the sudden question, Maura needed more information. "Roller or ice?"

Groaning at her best friend's ability to turn even the simplest of questions into a paragraph of dialogue, Jane replied. "You figured it out. I'm starting a roller disco for Christmas. ICE, Maura. This is Boston, not Xanadu." Completely missing the roller skating reference, the doctor smiled. "Oh, yes! I'm very proficient at ice skating. Quite good actually." And there it was; the typical Isles humility. Angela's earlier comment about hockey hit Maura and her eyes grew wide but not as wide as her grin. "Oh, Jane! Are you going to let me play on your squad?" This may be the worst idea I've ever had. "It's TEAM Dorothy Hamill." Smiling a little at the obvious enthusiasm, "Let's see you skate, then we'll see if you play." Shaking her head, she guided the skating genius the rest of the way into her family den.

Maura stopped in the threshold while Jane continued on, depositing their gifts under the huge Christmas tree decorated with ornaments obviously made by the three Rizzoli children. Along the fireplace mantle, there were six lumpy stockings hung above the fire; five were well worn with each family member's name stitched across the top and a new one with the name 'Maura' written in glitter. She could feel her eyes beginning to tear and her heart rate pick up when Jane appeared in front of her with two Mimosas in hand. "Hey. You okay?" Taking the offered drink, she took a long sip and steadied her emotions. "Yes, I'm fine. Thanks for the drink." They clinked glasses and the detective took her wrist and led her to the middle of the room to have a seat on the sofa between herself and Frankie.

"Okay!" Clapping her hands together, Angela smiled. "We're gonna do stockings first." Frank Sr. seemed to appear out of nowhere handing three stockings to the 'kids' seated on the sofa then pulled Angela down into his lap with theirs in an adjacent chair. "Maura, I'm sorry yours is so chintzy. I'll have you a real one next year," Angela apologized. Her eyes on the three of them, she gestured wildly. "Now go on, open." Everyone's focus shifted to their own stocking. Assorted fruits and nuts came out first to which Jane snarked, nudging her friend, "Yay! I'll actually have something in my fridge you'll eat." Digging back in toward the bottom, rolled up, hand knitted scarves were unfurled. All were navy blue but each had an imprecise cream initial woven into the end before the knotted fringe. Maura's breathing stopped. She could hardly process the emotions she was feeling and couldn't really understand that someone would take the time to make her such a beautiful gift.

Misreading the look on her friend's face, Jane leaned in and whispered softly in her ear. "Don't worry. She really isn't that great with the yarn. It'll unravel before the Easter bunny hops into town." When watery eyes found hers, Jane knew immediately that she had been off the mark by miles. Opening her mouth to speak, her eyes locked with hazel green but she was interrupted by her mother. Her gaze unwavering, she waited until she saw Maura nod and smile slightly in acknowledgement before turning her attention back to her Ma.

"Okay, kids. There is one more gift in the toe for the three of you and you have to open them at the same time." Frankie and Jane exchanged weary glances before pulling out the small velvet jewelry box. Maura was a step behind but soon all three were holding identical gifts in their hands. Looking on with pride, Angela announced, "Okay. Open!" The sound of soft, creaking hinges filled the air.

Like synchronized swimmers, the boxes popped open in the hands of the two Rizzoli children and Maura. Aside from the doctor's tiny intake of breath, silence fell as they weighed the contents of the box. Frankie was the first to pull the medal out, dangling it in the air for a closer look. Unable to take it any longer, Angela spoke up. "So that's St. Michael, patron Saint of police officers. I just want you to be safe, you know? Quit pullin' stupid stunts." Maura felt Jane stiffen next to her at the not so subtle reference to her shooting and gently squeezed her hand without taking her eyes off of Angela. "Grow old and give me grand babies one of these days." The siblings exchanged a solemn look that went completely unnoticed by their mother."And Maura, I know you aren't Catholic but that is…" Maura finished for her, "St. Luke, patron Saint of doctors." Pleased, Angela continued. "Like I said, I know you aren't Catholic but you are family to us and hanging around these two, I figured you might could use the extra protection." The shy smile she received was thanks enough for Angela.

Trying to lighten the mood, Jane leaned over to whisper in Maura's ear again, out of her mother's earshot. "Does it count that your patients are already dead?" A sharp pinch and a reproachful "Jane!" was her answer. Laughing her throaty laugh, she continued. "Ow! You are SO violent. First bossy and now abusive. I really don't know what's gotten into you Dr. Isles but you should probably get help for that temper."

Without warning, Frank, Sr. stood, carefully repositioning Angela in the chair. "Come on Janie. It's our song." As the soft sounds of Ella Fitzgerald singing "The Christmas Song" filtered through the stereo speakers, Frank pulled Jane off the sofa and into an impromptu dance. Not to be outdone, Angela pulled Frankie up ignoring his protests and the four Rizzoli's were dancing right there in the middle of their small den.

Maura leaned back and took a sip of her Mimosa with a smile on her face, watching these people she loved interact in ways that used to be so unfamiliar to her. Watching Jane and Frank, Sr. dance, she was somewhat amazed by the fact that her long legged, tough as nails, kick ass friend was actually a very graceful dancer. Smirking to herself, she knew she would need to file this fact away and tease Jane with it later. One of the many things she was learning from Jane Rizzoli was the art of teasing.

She was startled out of her own thoughts when Frank pulled her off the sofa, the upbeat "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" taking the place of the slower song. "Come on Maura," Frank smiled and winked as he placed her drink on the coffee table. "Let's show these Yahoo's how to cut a rug." Finding Frank to be an amazing lead, she let go and allowed herself to be spun and dipped and shimmied around the room, laughing the whole time. When the song ended with both of them breathless and smiling, she impulsively reached up and placed a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you for the dance, Mr. Rizzoli." Feigning a look of disgust, "Maura, you gotta call me Frank or Pop. 'Mr. Rizzoli' is my father and he's really old."

Returning to the sofa, Maura realized that Frankie and Jane had sorted the gifts from under the tree and placed them in neat stacks next to the intended recipients. She immediately recognized the detective's haphazard wrapping on two of the boxes in her pile and smiled, reclaiming her seat. Everyone else seemed to be engrossed in their own presents but Jane just sat and watched Maura catalogue the details of her packages, running her hands over the paper without actually opening them. Leaning into her friend, "Maur, while the paper is pretty, it really is just there to hide what's inside. You know that right? The actual present?" Finding amused, chocolate eyes with her own, Maura smirked and nodded to the untouched stack on the other side of long, lean legs. "I could say the same to you Detective Rizzoli." Her smile widening, "Why don't you open the one from me that you've been trying to figure out all morning?" Rubbing her scarred hands together, Jane couldn't help the smile on her face. "That, my genius friend, is a brilliant idea!"

Reaching down with both hands, she pulled up the large, flat rectangular package. She was fairly certain it was a framed picture but of what she had no clue. Ripping the paper away, her eyes grew and she found herself momentarily speechless. The longer it took for Jane to speak, the more nervous Maura became that she had chosen unwisely and she began to chatter. "It's one of the original drafts for the design of Fenway Park commissioned by General Charles Henry Taylor in 1910. You can see that it's signed by the architect there in the corner. Did you know thaamph…" Her nervous ramble was cut off by Jane's fingers on her lips. Her eyes lifted to find shiny brown ones and the widest grin she had ever seen on her friend's face. "I love it, Maur. It's perfect. Really. Thanks."

Maura released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "I'm so glad you like it Jane." Bumping her shoulder and winking, her lanky friend leaned across her and grabbed another gift returning to her sitting position. "I don't just 'like' it, I love it. Now why don't you open this one from me?" Taking the present and giving it a small shake, the doctor couldn't place the rattle from within. Furrowing her brow slightly, she ripped the paper back and immediately laughed out loud when the body of Cavity Sam was revealed on the box top to the game Operation.

Glad that the gift was well received, Jane laughed along with her friend. "You know, I thought you might could use the practice. Those Y-incisions have been looking a little sloppy." That earned her another pinch. "Ow! Hey! Again with the violence." Maura gave Jane her best glare but couldn't hold it for long before she mirrored the detective's infectious smile.

Noticing that most presents had been opened, Maura stood and carefully navigated through the opened boxes and paper to reach the tree. She had a family gift of sorts and was a little unsure of how it would be received. While her wealth was just a means to achieving certain ends to her, she understood that it made some people uncomfortable. Lifting the last shopping bag, she turned to find four sets of curious eyes on her. "Well…" Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Her heart began to pound in her chest and she felt the sudden need to fidget. When her eyes locked on Jane's and her friend gave her that smile and a wink, her confidence was restored. "I wanted to do something for you as a family for all of the warmth and kindness you've always shown me." She circled the room, handing each Rizzoli a rectangular box wrapped flawlessly in thick gold paper and tied with wide red ribbon, ending with Jane. When warm brown eyes found hers again, she smiled and sat back down. "Thank you for inviting me to share your holiday traditions with you. I sincerely hope that you will enjoy your gifts. Please, open."

The sound of ripping paper filled the room and box lids were lifted to reveal regulation Red Sox jerseys with each Rizzoli's first initial and last name stitched across the back. "Wow, cool, Maura." Frankie bumped her shoulder and the elder Rizzoli's thanked her as well.

"Oh, well, you are welcome, yes but there is a second part of the gift in the box." Digging down into the tissue paper, envelopes were discovered. Jane leaned in and whispered. "What did you do Maura?" Grinning brightly, the doctor nudged her back. "Well Detective, why don't you do some detecting and open the envelope?"

Eight Italian feet hit the floor at once as they all shot up, eyes bulging at the Sox season tickets each held. "Holy fuck!" "Watch you language young man…Shit!" "Jesus, Mary and Joseph!" "Oh my God!" Maura was passed around and squeezed until she could no longer breathe. More 'thanks' and 'you really shouldn't haves' were offered before Frank, Angela and Frankie made hasty exits to call and brag to a laundry list of friends and family. A few enemies too. A little teary eyed, Maura turned to watch them leave and found Jane's eyes on her, a huge grin on her face.

"C-mere." Jane pulled her in and folded her arms around her, resting her chin on the top of her friend's head. "You are amazing, you know that? Wait, don't answer. You probably already do." Smiling, a sudden thought occurred to her. "How did you manage those tickets, Maur? Someone practically has to die for season tix to come available." At Maura's muffled response, Jane was sure she heard incorrectly. Pushing back a little so she could see her friend's face, "You didn't just say that you called the Mayor did you?" An affirmative head shake and Jane couldn't control the laughter. "Oh my God! You called the Mayor of Boston to scam some Sox tickets. That is priceless!"

Looking up, a little confused, Maura felt the need to explain. "I don't understand, Jane. Of course I paid for them. The Mayor wrote me a note after you were…after… the incident at headquarters and told me that if I ever needed anything, I should not hesitate to call. I wanted to give your family tickets and his office seemed to be the most logical way to obtain them so I…" Crushing her in another hug, Jane continued laughing. "You really are amazing. Thank you." Groaning a little, "Does that mean I have to vote for him next time?"

PLEASE, pretty please review and let me know what you think. I've got an idea for hockey and an appearance by the wayward Tommy. Thanks so much for reading and have a great day!