Disclaimer: I don't own, I rent.

A/N: Just wanted to say thanks so much for all the reviews, guys, they really mean the world to me. Y'all rock. :)

Chapter Ten
"Take Me Home Tonight"

When Friday evening finally came, Jane couldn't be more excited. As much as her family drove her crazy at times, she couldn't wait to see them all again. She'd never gone near this long without seeing them and it was definitely starting to get to her.

She quickly glanced around her room, checking to see if she had forgotten anything. Satisfied, she zipped her suitcase shut, grabbed her keys from her desk and headed downstairs.

"You're late."

"It's 6:02!"

"You said you would be here at six."

Jane rolled her eyes at the blonde, shooting her a smile. "Sorry, Maur. I'm here now. You ready?"

"I was ready two minutes ago, Jane," Maura replied, grinning at her friend. "Come on, I got us a cab."

The cab ride to Penn Station was quiet, other than their driver muttering incessantly about whatever was playing on the radio. Jane kept stealing glances at her companion throughout the ride, but Maura was always focused on the city around her, a slight smile on her face.

"Happy to be going home?" Jane asked her finally.

"Not really. Home is…well, you know how home is. I will spend most of the week alone. I'll probably only see my aunt and uncle on Thursday. I'm happy you're travelling with me, though."

Maura smiled, but Jane could see that it didn't quite reach her eyes. She reached over and placed a hand on the blonde's forearm, squeezing it slightly.

"Do you really think I'm going to let you spend the week alone?"

"You're not?"

"Of course not. You're always saying you wish you knew what it was like to have a family like mine, so I offer mine up to you. You can come hang out with us. Hell, you can stay with us if you want. But you won't be lonely. I'll make sure of that."

As Jane finished her speech, the cab pulled up in front of the train station and Jane grabbed their bags from the trunk and followed Maura inside.

- R & I -

The train was mostly silent, Jane had fallen asleep within minutes and Maura was left to occupy herself for the remainder of the ride. She had brought a book to keep herself company, but she found she couldn't seem to concentrate. She let out a sigh and glanced out the window.

Maura hadn't been back to Boston since she graduated from BCU three and a half years ago. Every major holiday since had either been spent in Europe or in New York with her aunt and uncle. At first, she wasn't even going to go. Thanksgiving was just another day in her family; none of them really cared if they were together anyway.

But she had let it slip to Jane that she was supposed to go back to Boston for the holiday and the brunette had suggested they travel home together. Jane looked so excited at the prospect, she could seem to say no to her.

And now she had an open invitation to spend as much time with her friend and her family as she wanted, which she was both happy and sad about.

Maura loved to listen to Jane talk about her family, she could tell how much they loved each other, it reminded her of what it was like before her parents died. Holidays were always her favorite time of year, she would bake cookies with her dad and they would always make a pact to not tell her mom just how much of the dough they ate, or how more frosting ended up in their mouths than on the cookies.

Her mom would always come home from work and they would all curl up on the couch together and watch a movie, then her mom would tuck her in and read her a story. They always had the best days together.

Maura wiped a tear from her eye and gave a quick glance in Jane's direction. Here eyes were still closed and a small smile was evident on her lips.

She looks so peaceful.

Maura couldn't help but smile when she looked at Jane. Four months ago, she never would have thought she would be sitting here, completely in love with her best friend. She never even would have thought she would have a best friend.

She gentle reached over and gave Jane a small shake, waking her from her nap.

"Jane, wake up. We're almost there."

Jane's eyes fluttered open and she sat up straight, stretching her arms above her head and let out a yawn. Maura tried not to stare at the small line of skin at Jane's waist where her shirt had ridden up while she slept.

The train rolled to a stop and the girls stood up, Jane once again grabbing both of their bags.

"I could carry that myself, you know. I'm not totally helpless."

Jane smirked back at her over her shoulder and saw the blonde smiling at her. "Can't you just let me do something nice for you?"

Maura smiled again, shaking her head and followed Jane out of the train. The two stepped out onto the platform and Maura shivered at the chilly Boston air. Even in her wool coat, the sudden cold startled her.

"JANE!"

Jane and Maura both whipped their heads around at the sound and when Jane saw the source, she dropped their bags and sped off in that direction.

"Jess! Sam!"

Maura watched as Jane hugged the two girls and the three of them began all talking at once, saying things like 'I missed you' and 'it's so good to see you'. They looked so excited to see each other; Maura couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy in her chest. Jane hadn't mentioned her friends would be coming to pick them up.

After a moment, Jane came back over toward Maura, Jess and Sam in tow.

"Maura! This is Jess and that's Sam," she said, pointing to each girl. "Guys, this is Maura."

Maura stiffened as the two girls pulled her into a hug, trying not to feel quite so awkward. Hugging Jane was one thing, she was used to that by now, but she had barely known these girls for thirty seconds.

"It's so nice to finally meet you, Maura, Jane has told us so much about you!"

"It's nice to meet you guys, too."

"So what are you guys doing here? Not that I'm not happy to see you, but I thought my dad was coming?" Jane asked them.

"We called him this morning and told him we'd take care of it," Sam answered her. "Come on, let's get out of here."

Jane grabbed their bags from the ground with one hand and placed the other at the small of Maura's back, leading her toward the parking lot. She quickly tossed the bags in the trunk, then opened the door to the backseat and held it open for Maura.

"After you, m'lady."

Maura grinned back at her and slid into the car, Jane following her. When all four were settled in the car, Jess looked over her shoulder from the drivers seat and asked, "So, where to?"

"My house" Jane replied quickly, before Maura had a chance to speak. Turning to her, she smiled. "I want you to meet my family, crazy as they are. They're going to love you."

Maura just nodded in response, giving her a slight smile. How could she be so sure? Most people didn't like her. Why would Jane's family be any different?

As if Jane could read her mind, she leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Stop worrying. It will be fine, I promise."

Jane took her hand and gave it a squeeze and Maura desperately tried to calm her heart when Jane didn't pull away.

She's holding my hand. She is holding my hand right now and she is sitting ridiculously close to me and she smells so good and she is smiling at me and she wants me to meet her family. I can't handle this. This is too much. She's so close. And so beautiful.

Luckily, the car came to a stop and she was able to put a few feet of distance between herself and Jane. Am I imagining things or has she been touching me a lot lately?

She tried not to dwell on it; surely she was overthinking things.

Jane isn't in love with you. Don't try and convince yourself there is something there when there clearly isn't.

"Janie, you're home!"

Maura watched as the woman she assumed to be Jane's mother ran down the front steps and engulfed Jane in a hug. "Hi, Ma."

"I haven't seen you in three months and all I get is a hi? I missed you, Jane!"

"I missed you too, Ma, but I talk to you nearly everyday."

"And you must be Maura," she said, turning to hug the blonde next.

I guess there will be lots of hugging today.

"You're just as beautiful as Jane said you were."

Maura blushed a bit at the comment, but smiled, "Thank you Mrs. Rizzoli, it's so nice to finally be meeting you."

"Oh please, dear, call me Angela. Now come inside girls, it's freezing out here. I'll make us all some hot cocoa and you two can tell us all about New York while we wait for the boys to get back."

Jess and Sam eagerly followed Angela into the house and Jane turned to Maura before following as well.

"See, told you she would love you."

Maura smiled at her and Jane motioned for her to walk up the steps. Once again, Maura felt Jane place a hand at the small of her back, giving her a slight push toward the front door.

Well, this week will certainly be interesting.

- R & I -

A/N: I don't know why, but I had a very hard time with this chapter, I hope it isn't too awful as a result. Let me know what you guys think!