A/N: This is it, the very last chapter. A little bit of sexy times, somewhere in the middle. Not graphic though.

Chapter 36

The day after Jane's ordeal was kind of a strange one.

Maura had gotten up earlier than normal that morning; she had run through her routine quietly, not wanting to wake Jane up yet.

She just wanted some time alone, to process, and to think. Maura knew about the kind of dangers they were faced with every day, especially Jane. However knowing of the risks of the job, didn't make it any easier when something did happen. Yet Maura kept a level head, knowing that what had occurred a few months ago and what had occurred yesterday were not the norm; they were the exception. An odd set of circumstances had brought Jane into a life threatening situation, not once, but twice in the course of only three months time. However this still wasn't what worried Maura. What worried her was that yesterday could be another confirmation for Jane to give up on her career, to give up on part of herself; her passion. And as odd as it might seem to an outsider, having Jane lose such a big part of herself, scared her more than anything else.

However, Maura also knew, that whatever Jane's decision would end up being, she would support it completely.

Yes, it would be an adjustment, but it wouldn't change 'them', or the love they have for each other. They would figure it out, together.

Maura had made herself some coffee and sat down on the couch, flipping on the TV to watch the morning news. She felt a little bad even thinking it, but right now she was actually thankful that Jane and Angela were still not on the best of terms; for the only reason that she would not be able to deal with the interference of the overbearing woman at the moment.

The next segment on TV caught her attention. Apparently the story about Jane's efforts with the robbery had been picked up by the local news, and footage of yesterday's events were now shown on TV, as well as a picture of Jane. Maura listened intently for a few moments while the anchor rehashed the details.

"Please, turn that off," said a still sleep filled voice behind her.

Maura reached for the remote and changed the channel, muting it. She turned around and looked into Jane's face, searching for the answers to her questions.

"Not yet," Jane said, knowing that look on the doctor's face, "give me some time, okay?"

Maura nodded and directed her attention back to the TV.

A few minutes later Jane was leaning heavily on the counter, slowly sipping her own cup of coffee.

When she was finished, she walked over to the couch, where Maura was still sitting. The doctor seemed to be watching some kind of documentary.

Jane sat herself down next to her, grabbed her hand, leaned her head back on the couch and closed her eyes.

They spent most of the morning like this in silence, with Jane thinking and Maura waiting.

When the afternoon arrived and Jane continued her silence, Maura decided to try again.

"Jane?"

"Hm?" the response came slowly, like she'd been miles away, lost in thought. She had not even noticed that the doctor had been staring at her for the last ten minutes or so.

"Are you okay?" Maura was examining her, concern clearly evident in her eyes, "you haven't really said anything all day."

Jane blinked a few times, trying to clear her mind, trying to come back to the present.

"I'm sorry, Maur. I've just been thinking."

"You want to talk about it?" The doctor asked softly, hoping for a yes, "tell me what's going on in your head."

Jane reached out her arm and put it around Maura's shoulder, pulling her closer to her. "Yesterday…" she started, "…in the morning, I was convinced quitting the force was the right thing to do for me. I had pretty much made my decision Maura. I was ready to leave, to move on and do something else. I was almost…happy about it. But then…," she paused, running a hand through her hair. "When I saw what was going on, when I saw all those people in danger,... I just acted. There was no way I was not going to try and help."

Jane tilted her head to the side and looked intently in sincere hazel eyes, "And I realized then and today, that it doesn't matter if I quit my job; I'm always going to be a cop. I'm always going to want to help people. But at that moment, yesterday, when I reached for my gun, and it wasn't there, it hit me. Without my badge, without my gun, I can't really help anyone the way I want to. I couldn't provide families with closure anymore, I couldn't get any perps off the street."

She closed her eyes for a moment, "Maura, I've been so scared, for so long," it was still hard to admit what she perceived as a weakness. "I just got so lost in the negative, and in my own pain, that I couldn't see all the good we've accomplished anymore. I lost track of why I wanted to do this work. But now I know, there's no other job for me. Because this is it; I'm always going to be a cop, a detective, and I want to be."

Maura had been completely silent throughout Jane's monologue, she had just listened. And now, when the brunette had stopped talking, she wasn't really sure what to say in response, too many different emotions running through her. One more overwhelming than the other. She was relieved that Jane was still mostly in one piece after another harrowing experience. Relieved that Jane wouldn't quit her job and give up something that was so very vital to who she was as a person. Maura also felt pride. She was proud because the detective had overcome so much these past few months, and grown a lot emotionally as well.

But the strongest emotion, the one she decided to focus on for now was love. They've gone through so much together as a couple, it had been a dark storm at times. But in the end, they had come out stronger than ever. Their relationship had deepened, their love for each other grown tremendously. So instead of using words, Maura expressed her love for Jane in the best way she knew how.

She got up from the couch and reached out her hand to Jane, and when she got a hold of it, she lead the woman with her to the bedroom. Their bedroom; since she could not, neither did she want to, imagine Jane ever moving out again.

Maura confidently but gently guided Jane backwards into the room. When the brunette's legs hit the edge of the bed Maura pushed on her shoulders to sit her down on the mattress. She grabbed the bottom of Jane's shirt and lifted it over her dark curls, dropping it behind them on the floor. With a quick and practiced motion, she unhooked Jane's bra; the woman's torso now completely bare.

Maura dipped her head down and captured Jane's lips in a slow, burning, passionate kiss. Her hands wandering over heated skin, caressing, rubbing, teasing.

It wasn't very often when Jane let herself be completely controlled by Maura, but right now, she let the doctor take the lead. Giving herself over to the other woman completely, instinctively knowing what Maura was trying to convey with her actions.

Jane reached around Maura and slowly pulled down the zipper of her dress, smiling, when hazel eyes met her own; because her hand was actually cooperating with her intention.

The dress fell down the blonde's body to her feet; she stepped out of it and pushed it to the side. It only took a few moments before the rest of their clothing was taken off as well.

Jane guided Maura down and onto her lap, she slid her arms around her waist, bringing them even closer together. Then she leaned forward and brought her lips to Maura's.

She felt the doctor's hand on her face, before it tangled in her hair, pulling her deeper into the kiss.

With the fire between them growing stronger, Maura pushed the detective further up onto the bed, until she laid down on her back.

For a moment, she held herself up and off of the detective, not an inch of their skin touching; their eyes locked in an intense gaze.

And when Maura finally lowered herself onto Jane, their bodies melting into one, they both gasped at the contact.

Jane moaned and put her head back, exposing her throat and neck. Maura kissed along the smooth skin, to her jaw, until their lips and tongues met again and battled in a sensual duel.

Gently their hands reached in between their bodies, searching for, and finding exactly what they were looking for.

They panted as their hips moved against their fingers together, moaning and sighing in their passion.

Then suddenly they were there, shuddering and crying out their joined pleasure.

For long moments after, they just lay there, trying to catch their breaths. Just enjoying the feel of each other's body against their own.

Both of them appreciating the complete comfort they felt in each other's presence.

That Sunday night, it was the first time in over a month that there would be another Rizzoli family dinner.

Everyone was set to arrive in about an hour, Jane had even included Korsak and Frost tonight. Since they really were a part of the extended family as well.

Maura and her had been cooking together for most of the afternoon, and now with everything ready, all that was left to do was wait.

Jane was looking in the fridge, trying to decide if she wanted to have a beer so early, when she felt two arms wrap around her waist. She let herself relax into the embrace for a moment, then closed the fridge and turned around. "Hey," she said, smiling, looking down into beautiful hazel eyes.

"Hey yourself," Maura smiled back at her.

Jane lowered her head and placed a gentle kiss on Maura's lips, "I feel kind of strange tonight," she reluctantly admitted.

"Strange, why?"

Jane traced her fingers down Maura's face, while thinking for a moment. "I guess I feel like it's the first time I'm fully aware again. Like I was in a fog, and now I'm not." She dropped her hand, "sounds silly, I know."

Maura grabbed onto Jane's hand, "nothing you say will ever sound silly to me, Jane."

They locked eyes for a moment, then Jane smiled slyly at her.

"What?" Maura asked with a puzzled expression on her face. "You got that look, like you're up to something."

"I was actually thinking, that I kind of like being here with you."

Maura tilted her head, trying to figure out the direction the conversation was going in. And then it hit her, and her lips turned up into a smile as well. "I like having you here," she said.

"So maybe I should stay?" Jane asked, her voice had taken on a serious tone.

"I think you should definitely stay." Maura replied, just as earnest in her response.

"Always?"

"Yes. Always."

…

"Wait, we are talking about me moving in here, right?"

Maura laughed, "yes, Jane."

"Okay, just making sure."

And they sealed the decision with a kiss. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves for a while, but kept their passion down, knowing they didn't have time for things to escalate at the moment.

It was actually not that much later when a knock on the back door interrupted them.

Angela was outside, patiently waiting for the door to open.

"Hey, Ma." Jane said, letting her mother in.

…

An awkward silence overcame them for a moment, neither woman knowing exactly what to say.

"I saw you on the news this week," was the first thing Angela finally said.

"Oh," Jane said, not knowing exactly what to expect. Her mother's usual response was always to yell about how dangerous her job was, and although she was used to it, she wasn't sure if she could handle it.

"I…I'm really proud of you, Jane."

"Wait…what?" That was definitely not the response the brunette had been expecting. "You are proud of me?" her voice conveyed her shock.

Angela looked straight into her daughters eyes, "I am, Jane. So very proud. I know I've never told you before, I don't even know why really. I worry about you and Frankie, in your jobs. But that doesn't mean I'm not proud of what you do every day. I'm so sorry, Jane. For the pain I caused you, and Maura."

"Ma," Jane said, her voice laden with emotion.

"I love you kid. And I just want you happy."

"I love you too, Ma."

The next thing was very un-Jane like when she gave her mother a hug voluntarily. It was still short, but it meant a lot to Angela.

"Are we going to be okay?" Angela asked, looking at her daughter, nothing but sincerity in her face.

"Yea, ma. We are going to be okay. I forgive you. But we have to figure out some boundaries that work for both of us. Because this, what happened between us, it can't happen again. I need you, Ma. But you have got to take a step back sometimes."

"I know, that's why I decided to find my own place and move out of the guest house." Angela said, surprising both Jane and Maura.

"Angela, you don't have to do that." Maura interjected.

"No, actually I do. I just need to find a place for myself."

Jane bit her lip, "I think I know a place you can stay. That is if you don't mind staying in a 'crappy little apartment'."

"Whose crappy little apartment?" Angela asked, looking at her daughter, eyebrow raised, recognizing the phrase she had used herself on occasion.

"Mine, actually. It's going to be available, well, now actually. Maura and I decided to move in together."

"I thought you already lived here." Angela said, trying for a joke.

"Well, we made it official today." Jane smiled at her mother, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood, "so if you want my place, it's yours."

"Deal." Angela reached out her hand and Jane shook it. Then they both laughed at the formality and oddity of the situation.

Maura still looked at little unsure so Angela tried to reassure her, "Maura, I really enjoyed your company and I loved staying with you in the guest house. But I never planned on staying here for the rest of my life. It was always supposed to be temporary, until I got back on my feet. You girls need your privacy and I need to move on with my life as well."

Maura finally nodded, seeing and agreeing with Angela's reasoning.

The older italian woman's tone turned conspiratorially next, "I actually have a date next friday."

"This is going to be good." Jane rolled her eyes playfully, but her tone was kind and she was actually genuinely interested.

Angela bumped her daughter's shoulder in jest, then started telling them the details of her male suitor.

It wasn't long after, when Frankie and Tommy showed up within minutes of each other. Followed by Korsak and lastly Frost.

They all took a seat at the table, enjoying good conversation and food.

When dinner was done, everyone moved towards the living room with a drink in hand, watching the game on TV. Jane had stayed behind in the kitchen, sitting on one of the chairs, playing with the label of her beer.

She was letting the events of the last few months pass her by, her ordeal with Roy, the pain and darkness in the aftermath. She flexed her hand, and looked at it. The scars were still visible, they always would be, but the pain was almost completely gone now. She wondered if part of the problems with her hand, had been caused by her own doubts and fears. By the reluctance and insecurity she had felt when thinking of returning to her job. Or had it just been slow healing? She guessed she would never really know for sure. But all that mattered now, was that she could use her hand again; she was able to go back to work.

"You okay," she heard whispered close to her ear, two hands resting lightly on her shoulders.

Jane turned around in her seat and unexpectedly captured Maura's lips with her own. Surprised, but willing, Maura let herself get lost in the kiss. Until the cat calls started coming from the living room, and they broke apart, smiling.

"I'm actually…good." Jane said, giving Maura the delayed response to her question. And for the first time in what felt like a very long time, she really meant it.

A/N: Okay, that's it. The end to my story. I may or may not post an epilogue, but I'm 95% sure, it doesn't need it.

I had a very specific reason for wanting to write this story, mainly the complete and utter lack of consequences when anything happens to either Jane and Maura on the show. It's usually treated like a joke, with no aftermath whatsoever. It annoyed me, since trauma in any shape or form should not be a joking matter. So this was my attempt to 'fix' that. I tried to stay realistic, I did my best. And I hope you have enjoyed taking the ride with me.

Special thank you to Honorcpt, who in her own words, does lunatics very well. I concur.

And a thank you to Krazyhippo66, who I apparently share one crazy ass muse with. ;)

If you've been one of my regular reviewers, I cannot thank you enough. A lot of times your kind words, pushed this story onward. I looked forward to them every time I posted a chapter, and I truly appreciated them a lot. And if you've just been quietly reading until now, let me know what you thought about the story, no matter if it's today, or one year from today. I am always grateful for feedback.

Now lastly, I started on a new Rizzoli and Isles story. I'm about half way done with it, so hopefully the first chapter will go up sometime next week. It's a post 2x15 story, but with a twist, and a twist, oh and a twist. ;) I also posted a little one shot/poem/drabble thingy the other day. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but read it, if you wish.

In the end. If you remember nothing else. Remember this. OoglieBooglie is the cookie monster. ;p

So feed me one more time? ;) (Yes, it still means review)