A/N: I AM SOOO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG. Genuinely. So I hope this was worth the wait, and yeah...Review if you like. I always love hearing from you guys.

Jane told the driver to take them back to Maura's house, knowing they'd be trapped wherever they went for the next week, and she was pretty sure she'd go mad stuck in her tiny apartment. What they found when they arrived home was a welcome stillness. Jane took a deep breath in, letting the calming silence wash over her. Light fingers guided her coat off her shoulders, and Jane helped, shrugging until the coat was in Maura's arms. The officer headed for the kitchen and grabbed the only bottle of beer, turning and watching Maura neatly pack the coats into the front closet. When the doctor was done with the task, she looked over at Jane.

"How can you possibly be drinking?" Maura asked, grimacing at the thought.

Jane smirked at her, taking an exaggerated swig.

"Because, Dr. Isles. I, unlike you, did not drink five iced teas and two rather large glasses of wine."

Maura gave her an unamused look.

"It's a nervous habit," she said calmly, taking a few steps toward Jane, who mirrored the action toward Maura.

"You yell at me for biting my nails," Jane reminded her, taking a final step and pressing their bodies together. "I don't know about you, but that doesn't seem very fair," she husked, her voice noticeably deeper.

"Who said I played fair?" Maura whispered, leaning in to close the remaining distance between them.

Jane turned her head, though, to take another drink, smirking at Maura's pout.

"Who said I did?" she teased, flopping herself away from Maura and onto the couch.

"Jane!" Maura protested.

"What can I say?" Jane laughed, "I'm a tease."

Maura rolled her eyes and yanked the officer back to her feet.

"Not you, your dress!" she explained, smoothing a wrinkle out of the dress on Jane's thigh.

The action, though unintended, sent a flood of warmth through Jane, and she felt the familiar ache in her center she seemed to always have around Maura, but for once, did not have the energy to fight it. She pulled the doctor in for a deep kiss, her hands finding a grip in Maura's locks and tightening their bodies together once more. Maura let her own hands wander, feeling the firmness of Jane's breasts before sliding them over the plane of her stomach. Jane's breath hitched, Maura biting down ever so lightly on her bottom lip before trailing her hands past Jane's waist to her back. Their tongues explored, breathing escalating as Jane's warm hands found their way from Maura's hair to her neck, cupping her face. Maura let her hands drag lower on Jane's back, deftly taking the zipper with them.

Jane immediately stiffened, knowing full well that if she moved it would be to run and never look back. And that would be the biggest mistake of her life.

"Jane?"

Jane squeezed her eyes shut and swallowed hard.

"Just…just gimme a minute," she managed to choke out, almost inaudibly.

After a moment, Maura nodded slowly, but she let the dress she was holding up fall to the floor, silky fabric flowing down the officer's tanned legs. Jane jumped, trying to cover herself. Maura laughed lightly, sinking down to the floor to pick up the dress.

"Relax," she whispered, brushing her hand lightly across Jane's arm as she stood up. "Just hanging it up."

As soon as Maura left Jane's side, the officer felt her head clear, and it was the worst feeling ever. She liked the dizzy feeling she had when Maura was near. She loved feeling just a little jittery, loved when her heart beat a little faster. It made everything better; it made her life worth…living. And in that sobering moment, she knew. She knew waiting was not an option.

Maura took a moment before reentering the living room. She stood in the bedroom doorway and watched Jane, who had her arms wrapped around her stomach self-consciously, her eyes clouded in thought. The doctor sighed; she could tell Jane wasn't sure. It seemed that she didn't want more yet, but was too scared to say anything. Maura took a final deep breath, then headed forward.

Jane caught movement out of the corner of her eye and snapped her eyes in that general direction. Maura was walking briskly toward her, masking her disappointment with a smile, a tank top and sweatpants clutched in her hand. Maura extended the clothes to Jane, who looked at them for a very long moment. Jane decided right then; she was done being afraid of the thing that could bring her nothing but happiness for the rest of her life.

She roughly pushed the offered clothes away, her arms circling around Maura's waist and pulling her into a fiery doctor dropped the clothes in shock, and when the feeling of Jane's lips on her own registered, her body relaxed into Jane, molding to fit her, curve for curve. She felt her previously heavy heart flutter, feather-light once again as she understood Jane's actions signified her compliance. Maura smiled into the kiss, giving both of them time to take in air.

The pause didn't last long, Maura pulling Jane back to her, more roughly this time. Jane responded with the same force, her hands cupping Maura's ass to pull the doctor's body tighter to her own. Maura moaned into Jane's mouth, draping her arms loosely around the officer's neck. Jane dragged her hands lower, hiking Maura off the ground and into her arms. Maura wrapped her legs tightly around Jane, loving that she for once had to tilt her head down to kiss the officer. It took every ounce of willpower Jane had to keep from dropping Maura when the doctor grinded their hips together; she instead moaned, stopping her forward progress to their room to catch her balance. She then barreled forward, carrying Maura back to their room and slamming the door shut with her foot.

Jane awoke groggily, sun shining brightly in her eyes through the open blinds. She squinted into it, but her attention was refocused when she felt Maura stir. The doctor was tucked in front of Jane, her back pressed to Jane's front. They'd woken up like that before, but it felt so much better without clothes. Maura hummed lightly, nestling herself further into Jane, and the officer draped her arm around Maura, her palm pressed against the doctor's soft stomach. She tilted her head up slightly, burying her nose in Maura's hair, taking a deep breath to inhale Maura's scent.

"Hey, beautiful," she said softly, her fingers trailing lightly up and down Maura's stomach.

Maura hummed again, focusing on the tantalizing patterns being drawn on her; it was so intimately comforting, and at the same time sending light jolts of electricity through every inch of her. She rolled over, tangling their legs together. Her fingers trailed over Jane's shoulders, up her neck and to her face, where she carefully brushed a stray lock from Jane's face. She let her fingers remain on Jane's neck as they gazed at each other.

"Morning, love," she said.

Jane gave an adorable side smile, and Maura couldn't help but pull her into a soft, lingering kiss, as if the smile would taste different from what Jane usually tasted like. They broke apart, though, when they heard a key in the front door.

"Clothes?" Jane whispered.

Maura just shrugged.

"They're kinda everywhere," she whispered back, unable to contain the mischievous smirk that spread across her face at the memory. Jane smirked back, then with a final chaste kiss, she pulled from Maura and sat up to survey the room. She found that Maura was right, their clothes strewn around the room. Too spread out to grab as footsteps approached them rapidly. Jane, instead, grabbed the sheet that had fallen to the floor, tossing it over them just as Frankie entered. He paused in the doorway, taking in what he saw, then gave them a Rizzoli grin. Jane glared at him.

"Learn to knock, little brother," she glowered.

He laughed.

"Believe me, if I had any other choice. But I thought I'd give you fair warning: Ma's battling her way to the door as we speak. You've got quite a fan base out there."

Jane groaned, her head falling heavily into her hands as she remembered yesterday evening's events. Maura chuckled next to her, propping herself up onto her elbows.

"It's not funny, Maur," Jane grumbled through her hands, letting herself flop onto her back as she let out another frustrated groan.

"Just get dressed," Frankie said with a smirk.

As soon as he was out of sight, Maura was on her feet, going for clothes in drawers instead of on the floor. She pulled on her bra and panties, then threw on a simple white long sleeve shirt. After a fair amount of digging, she found a pair of jeans and a scarf. Jane, on the other hand, had yet to move, still sprawled out across the mattress. Maura smiled down at her, loving how completely sated Jane looked when she smiled back sweetly. The doctor bent down and gave her girlfriend a gentle kiss on the forehead before heading for the door.

"Don't be too long," Maura called as the door closed behind her.

After a few more moments of rest, Jane got up. She checked herself out in the mirror to find she had some serious sex hair. She ran her fingers through it in hopes the wild curls would settle down, but after a minute of tousling hadn't changed a thing, she grumbled to herself and headed for the bathroom. She wet it down and towel dried it quickly before yanking on her dark jeans and a hunter green t-shirt. The officer took a deep breath, then rushed out into the front room.

Her mother was busy cooking, running from one end of the kitchen to the other and back. Frankie and Maura were seated at the dining room table, chatting quietly and smiling widely. A cup of coffee was sitting in front of the spot next to Maura, and Jane couldn't help but smile. She scooted in next to the doctor and took a sip from the mug.

"Did you make me coffee?" she mused in a teasingly sweet tone, a tone that matched her lovesick grin.

"Maybe," Maura said, turning her head to give Jane a lingering kiss on her cheek. "It's the least I could do," she whispered into Jane's warm skin, relishing how worked up it made the officer, before sitting up straightly once again. Jane's mother dropped a few plates of food in front of them.

"Hope you like it," she said as she strolled back to the kitchen.

"You really didn't have to, Ma," Jane mumbled sheepishly, but still reaching for the bowl of fruit salad.

"Oh, sweetheart, I did. But for purely selfish reasons."

Jane grimaced; that had been what she was afraid of.

"What do you want?" the officer grumbled, taking a rather angry bite out of her cinnamon roll.

"Just…curious is all," her mother said carefully, returning to the table.

"About?" Maura asked innocently.

"Why my daughter and her girlfriend are on every news station in Boston."

Jane unconsciously laced her fingers in Maura's, setting their hands in Maura's lap before she spoke.

"It's not like we kept it from you, Ma," she pointed out.

"I still find it strange that you two had portraits taken before you even told—"

"It's not like that," Maura tried. "I owed Angela a favor, and she needed models."

"Besides," Jane continued, squeezing Maura's hand lightly under the table, "We weren't even together yet."

"I've seen that picture, Janie. You don't expect me to believe you."

"It's true," Maura protested. "The relationship's a fairly recent thing."

She looked over shyly at Jane, who smiled reassuringly back. Maura's eyes still had fear hidden deep within them, and Jane couldn't bear it. She gave the doctor a loving kiss, her lips lingering on Maura's soft ones, but she jumped away when there was a bright flash through the window next to the front door.

Jane's head snapped to glare at the paparazzi man, whose eyes widened at the sight of angry Jane.

"I'll be right back," she glowered, roughly standing up (almost knocking over her chair) and storming toward the front door.

She thrust the door open, nearly hitting the man who had wandered up too close. She pointed an angry finger at him, her glare furious enough that he began walking backward. The huge crowd of other paparazzi followed suit, backing away from the fuming officer, until they were all squished onto the sidewalk and off of Maura's front lawn. Jane stopped her forward movement, her glare sweeping over every last person.

"Stay," she ordered roughly, the word coming out almost as a growl.

No one in the crowd dared to speak, but some opted to nod; all of them, though, were staring at her in fear, their cameras hanging forgotten around their necks.

She waited a few more moments to be sure no one would venture back up the walkway, then lowered her threatening finger before turning on her heels and walking back up the path. She closed the door less angrily, stalking back to the table. Frankie snickered, his eyes shining with amusement.

"Aren't you in enough trouble already?" Maura teased, grinning mischievously at him.

The comment shut him right the hell up, his face even flushing a light shade of pink. Jane grinned; Maura had beat her to the punch. The officer sunk back into her seat and grabbed Maura's hand once again.

"So," Angela said, clearing her throat and bringing them all back. "Do you ladies have any plans for the week?"

Jane laughed dryly.

"Hell no. I was gonna call Cavanaugh and ask for the week off, actually. I could use a nice, quiet week."

"No!" Maura nearly yelled, yanking her hand from Jane's.

They all jumped at the doctor's strong response.

"I will not be the one to enable your fear, Jane Rizzoli. You fear people seeing who you really are, and your plan was to hide away from everybody for a week. I won't have it. You are driving me to work today. You, yourself, are going to work. We are going to the symphony tomorrow, and we are most definitely going to girls night on Wednesday, reporters and press be damned," she finished firmly.

She heard how bossy it sounded, and she hoped no one would hold it against her, but this was one thing she would not budge on. Jane's eyes stayed locked on hers, a stubborn resistance flaring up in them, the same intensity burning in Maura's. After a moment though, Jane sighed and her body deflated, like she had let her pride out with the exhalation.

"Why're you always right?" she mumbled, her gaze dropping self-consciously to her lap.

Frankie looked at his watch, looking for any excuse to leave.

"Hey, Ma? Didn't you say Pop needed help with something?"

"Oh!" his mother breathed, sincere in her realization. "I'm sorry girls, we're gonna have to head out."

She stood up and rushed for the door, Frankie happy to follow. Neither Jane, nor Maura noticed. Jane was too busy staring at her fidgeting fingers that rested in her lap, and Maura was too busy staring worriedly at Jane. The front door slammed shut, leaving them in deafening silence.

"Hey," Maura coaxed, her hand instinctively falling onto Jane's thigh, rubbing it softly until Jane would look her in the eye. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Jane said unconvincingly, her eyes boring into Maura's, helplessness swimming in them.

"C'mon, Jane. It's me," Maura assured, taking both of Jane's hands in her own, clutching them to her heart.

"Maur…I'm just…I'm scared, that's all…"

"Of what?" Maura asked, pleading for Jane to let her in.

"Of losing you," Jane mumbled, unable to keep her eyes on Maura.

Maura let out a sigh of relief, knowing that that was the only worry.

"You're not gonna lose me! I swear, I'm not leaving."

"But there's always eventually. My…problems, my issues…they're needless an-and tiresome and I'll scare you away like I've scared everyone else…and I need you—"

"Jane, please," Maura begged, "Save your breath. You're perfect. You're beautiful, and I wouldn't change a thing about you. Sure, you've got some insecurities, but…that's why I'm here. Leaning on me won't make me run, Jane. It'll make me stay longer."

Jane gave a small, relieved, smile.

"You mean it?"

Maura smiled warmly, chuckling lightly and squeezing Jane's hands before letting them go.

"I love you, Jane."

"I love you, too, Maur," Jane said.

She smiled wider, and Maura pulled her in for a reverent kiss, reminding the officer her need was fully reciprocated.

"I don't think I can wait a whole week," Maura whispered sensually, her lips ghosting against Jane's as she pulled away enough to look Jane in the eye.

The doctor slid her hand in a deliberate motion up Jane's thigh, her soft fingers pulling a gasp from Jane's lips.

"If you keep doing that," Jane husked, her hand roughly grabbing Maura's wrist before it could reach its intended target. "I don't think I could wait either."

Maura's lips twitched up in a wicked grin, laughter in her eyes as she stood up.

"Oh come on. Don't tell me you've never thought about having an audience," she teased.

"You're insatiable!" Jane laughed incredulously, standing up and smoothing out her pants.

"You don't know the half of it."

It was Jane's turn to grin mischievously.

"God, I hope not," she nearly growled, walking up behind Maura and wrapping her arms tightly around her.

Maura hummed, pressing her back into Jane's chest as she felt the officer's hands rest below her navel.

"What did I do to deserve you?" Jane asked quietly, resting her chin on Maura's shoulder.

Maura placed one of her hands atop Jane's on her abdomen, the other reaching up to caress Jane's cheek.

"A lifetime of good?" she suggested.

Jane's phone buzzed and she groaned, swiping it from her pocket. She read the text, then reluctantly pulled back from Maura.

"My first day responding to 911 calls in the daylight," she stressed excitedly, "and I'm already late. Wonderful."

Maura chuckled.

"C'mon. I'll drive you."

They headed for the door, quietly lacing their fingers together as they opened the door into the sunlight. The pair walked strongly, hand in hand, to the car, ignoring the flashing cameras and chattering reporters. Maura ducked into the driver's side, and Jane was quick to sprint to the other side, not as calm without the doctor's hand in her own. She slammed the door shut and took a deep breath in, happy to be protected by tinted windows.

And then they were off.

Maura was only half conscious of the camera flashes as Jane leaned over to give her a chaste kiss goodbye before hopping out of the car and up the BPD steps. She watched her beautiful officer stop at the doors, turn back, and give her a beaming smile with a small wave. Maura felt herself blush; their entire relationship felt different, ever gesture more intimate somehow. She loved it, and couldn't seem to stop thinking about it. She truly loved Jane Rizzoli, and would more than happily spend the rest of her life with her…no, would that be too fast? Could she really feel that so quickly? God she hoped so. Because it would mean the rest of her life would be…damn near perfect.

Either way, she couldn't keep a smile off of her face the entire workday. Even when a six year old threw up on her, even when a ten year old screamed as she gave him a shot, she felt just as happy.

And her giddiness didn't go unnoticed by the nurses, either. They tried not to say anything, giving each other knowing grins behind her back. Jamie, however, couldn't keep herself from commenting.

"Someone's glowing," she teased, lightly jabbing Maura in the ribs.

"Maybe," Maura said coyly, another grin bubbling onto her face.

"You," Carol gasped, pointing an accusatory finger at the doctor. "You didn't…"

Alex gave a sly grin, rolling her desk chair up behind Maura, narrowing her eyes to examine the doctor more closely. Her eyes landed on Maura's shining eyes, her insuppressible smile, and her overall glowing nature, and the nurse's eyes widened.

"You did!" Alex exclaimed.

Maura bit her lip, trying desperately to fight back her beaming smile at the memory of her sleepless night. Her Jane.

"Did what?" Maura asked innocently, reaching for a patient file.

Jamie swiped it away, determined to keep Maura with them and away from work.

"You banged your officer!" Alex laughed.

Maura felt her cheeks flush.

"Language, Alex," she chastised, trying to change the subject.

"Fine. You made love to your officer," she drawled in an exaggeratedly sappy tone.

"Why'd I have to fall for the only girl in the world who can't lie?" Jane mused, her voice catching the attention of all four girls.

Their heads all snapped to look at the officer, who was wearing a sly grin. Carol laughed, Jamie smirked, and Alex blushed. Jane pulled a bouquet of flowers from behind her back, and the nurses 'aww's echoed through the office. Maura beamed, standing and crossing the room, only to have herself whisked off the floor and into Jane's arms. They met in a languid kiss, breaking apart only when Jane could no longer hold her off the ground.

"They're beautiful," Maura said, taking the flowers from Jane's grip. "What're they for?"

"Do I need a reason?"

"If you're you, then yes," Maura teased lightly, a smirk playing on her features.

"I felt bad that I couldn't stay for lunch," she admitted.

Maura raised her eyebrows smugly, returning back to her chair.

"Are you mad?" the officer asked timidly.

"Am I mad that my girlfriend both bought me flowers and told me about canceling lunch before lunch time? I'd say those are both very appropriate actions," Maura said matter-of-factly.

Jane rolled her eyes but laughed lightly.

"I meant, are you disappointed?"

This time, Maura took time to consider before answering. She tilted her head to the side, pursing her lips, and just when Jane was starting to worry, she broke out in a wicked grin.

"Nah. It just means that you owe me."

"Damn it," Jane breathed, feigning disappointment. "That never ends well."

She couldn't hold her serious expression, though, smiling lovingly at Maura.

"I really am sorry," she said.

"Go," Maura laughed lightly, bending slightly to smell the flowers in her lap.

Jane bit her lip, and with a final, lingering gaze, she slipped out of the doorway and to the elevators. They all waited for the elevator door to close before letting out their held breaths. Carol groaned and slumped back in her chair.

"Why can't my husband be that sweet?" she complained.

Maura smiled down at the flowers in her lap; they were a mix of all her favorites.

"Because there's only one Jane Rizzoli, girls," she teased. "And she's mine."

"Damn straight," Jamie laughed, letting her head lull back. "I wish my boyfriend was that whipped."

"I don't control Jane!" Maura protested. "She's her own person."

"Yeah. That's the scary part," Alex explained. "You don't even whip her and she's whipped! How's that fair?"

The office phone rang, Jamie and Alex lunging for it at the same time. After a brief wrestling match, Jamie managed to get the phone to her ear.

"Commonwealth of Boston Pediatric Care Facility. How can I help you?"

She listened, her brow furrowing. Alex let go, blowing a stray lock of hair from her face.

"Uhh…hang on," she said warily, placing her hand over the microphone. "Maur, there's an Angela Montenegro on line one. Says she needs to talk to you for a minute."

It was the doctor's turn to furrow her brow.

"Yeah, it's okay," she said, slightly relieved that her colleagues were of the younger generation. That is, they weren't big on news stations.

"Ange? What's up?"

"Err…well…I kinda, really, need another favor."

Maura laughed into the phone, leaning back into her desk chair.

"Sure, anything."

"You're not who I'm worried about saying yes," the artist mumbled.

"Then you should be calling Jane, then, shouldn't you?"

"Aww, can't you?"

"No! If you're worried, why should I have to be the bearer of bad news?"

"Because you're her girlfriend?" Angela suggested hopefully.

Maura laughed again, this time in disbelief.

"No, no, no. You call her. You ask her."

"I haven't even told you what the favor is!"

"Well, I'm sure you'll tell me, and I'm sure the answer will still be 'no'."

"Boston news sorta…wants to interview me on Monday."

"That's great, Ange!" Maura exclaimed.

"It would be, yeah…but they…want you and Jane there too."

Maura almost dropped the phone, her brain jolted with the new information. She searched for words, but all she could do was sit with her mouth hanging open. She felt the stares of her colleagues burning into her as she sat in silence.

"Maura?"

"Mhm?"

"You okay?"

The doctor took a deep breath.

"I don't know how on earth you're going to ask Jane," she breathed, mocking amusement in her tone.

"Maura! Please."

"Have fun," she teased, dropping the phone back into the receiver.

"You cruel bitch," Carol teased, dropping a file on Maura's desk.

"She's tough; I'm sure she can handle it."