Over the next two weeks Jane and Maura spent more time together than usual. More soft, lingering touches, smiles and laughs were shared between the two women. Ever so often they would catch the other staring and both wonder to themselves if they had a chance with the other.

Both women were aware that the dynamic of their friendship was changing but neither had taken the step to voice their real feelings. Most of the time those thoughts usually came to a screeching halt, literally, as baby Noelle would quickly realize the attention was not on her.

As the days went by Jane and Maura had finally settled into a routine with Noelle. Feedings, diaper changes, naps, and story time were split between the two. Playtime was always done together. Bathing was also a two person job. As with any baby, Noelle loved to kick her feet and splash. There wasn't a single night that Jane nor Maura left the bathroom with dry clothes. Who knew such a tiny person could be so exhausting.

With each passing day both women made the conscious decision to sit down together at the end of everyday with a glass of wine and beer and just be. With a nearly one year old running the show everything was always moving, always fast paced, hectic even. So when Noelle would go down for the night the women would use the stillness to settle them.

Sometimes they would sit together and watch the fire, listen to the crackle of the wood as it burned or some nights, like tonight, they would talk while the TV played low in the background.

Jane took a sip of her beer and looked over at Maura.

"So, Christmas is coming quickly. Have you thought of what you want Santa to bring you?"

Maura chuckled. "Jane, you know I don't believe in an imaginary being that brings gifts to children and can travel the entire world in a single night."

Jane put her now empty beer down on the coffee table and turned to face Maura more fully.

"Oh C'mon Maur, just humor me. Besides, Santa can travel the entire world in one night! It's called magic. Your Nanny never told you magical stories about Santa? Ma used to tell us all kinds of stories as kids. I remember one year Tommy was super bad and ma told him about Krampus. After that Tommy was on his best behavior. Actually, every year me or Frankie would hide under his bed and scratch at his mattress. It would scare him so badly that he wouldn't give a lick of trouble which meant less yelling from ma and more time to play outside."

Maura out right laughed at this. "Jane! That's horrible!" She remarked as she gave her a playful slap before standing and making her way into the kitchen to pour herself another glass of wine and grab another beer for Jane.

She handed the beer to Jane before sitting again. "To answer your question…" Maura's voice trailed off.

"What is it Maur?"

"I'm not sure if I want to tell you because you'll just laugh at me."

"Oh, come on Maur! I would not laugh at you. I would never do that."

Maura looked at Jane and raised an eyebrow as if to say really?

"Ok, there was that one time."

Maura tilted her head.

"OK, a few times. Maybe more than a few. I won't laugh, OK? I promise."

"Most people want a dog or a cat for a pet. I want a tortoise. That's what I've always wanted."

Jane stared at Maura blankly. "A what?"

Maura pulled out her phone and googled before passing her phone to Jane.

"Oh," Jane said as she looked at the photo.

"You want a turtle. Look how little it is."

Maura laughed.

"What's so funny?" Jane asked.

"First, do not insult these magnificent creatures by calling them turtles. Second,Tortoises don't stay that little. That's just a baby. The particular kind of tortoise I want, the Aldabra Tortoise, can reach up to five hundred and fifty pounds and they can live up to one hundred and fifty years."

Jane tried, she tried hard to not laugh, but it still came bubbling out.

"See! That's why I didn't want to tell you!" Maura says, giving a pouty look.

Jane held up her hand as she tried to stop laughing. "Sorry Maur, but that isn't a pet. That's a dinosaur. Hey though, if you want a dinosaur, a dinosaur you will get. Why, though? What's so special about them?'

Maura shrugged. "I just find them interesting. You know, some people may love dolphins, or giraffes, or zebras. I love tortoises."

Maura took her phone back from Jane and glanced down at the time.

"We should probably get to bed. It's going to be a long day tomorrow. I still don't know how I feel about letting a stranger hold Noelle though."

"It's not a stranger, Maur. It's Santa. Besides, it's going to be just long enough for a picture and we can't back out on TJ. He's so excited. So is Tommy of course. He's been getting an awful lot of free babysitting," Jane said as she chuckled.

"You wouldn't trade it," Maura said matter of factly but with a soft smile.

"You're right. I wouldn't." Both women sat there for a moment longer just looking at each other before Jane finally stood and stretched. "I'll tell you something else you're right about," she said as she picked up her empty bottles and Maura's glass.

"Oh? What might that be?"

"That we need to get to bed," Jane remarked with a grin as she tossed her bottles in the recycling bin and rinsed Maura's wine glass before setting it in the dishwasher. "You know I never knew that such a small person could be so tiring."

Maura chuckled as she turned off the TV and shut out the lights and followed Jane up the stairs. They checked in on Noelle before heading off to their rooms for the night. As Maura opened her bedroom door she heard Jane call out to her.

"Hey Maur?"

"Yeah Jane?"

"So you know, I wasn't really laughing at you. I think it's cute that you like turtles so much."

Maura snorted but forced her best stern voice. "It's a tortoise Jane."

"I know but I like seeing you all flustered," Jane remarked with a laugh. "Goodnight Maur."

"Goodnight Jane," Maura said with a smile as they both disappeared into their bedrooms.

The next morning, Tommy dropped off TJ early in the morning, along with a dozen donuts. TJ, Jane, and Tommy devoured the donuts while Maura opted for some fruit. Afterwards, Tommy left to go do some more Christmas shopping with Lydia while they were kid free.

Jane and Maura tag teamed getting Noelle up, fed, bathed, and ready for the day while also getting ready themselves. Within an hour they were out the door.

"We're going to go see Santa now?" TJ asked excitedly.

"Not yet buddy. We have a couple other things we are going to do first," Jane replied as she looked at him in the rear view mirror. She watched as his lower lip slowly started to quiver, and his face reddened, a sure sign a tantrum was coming.

Sure enough. "I wanna go see Santa!" TJ screeched, his shrill whine echoing inside the car before beginning to scream loudly. Noelle, hearing TJ scream, decided that was her cue to scream as well.

Jane pulled off the road into a gas station and parked before turning in her seat to face TJ while Maura turned and put a pacifier in Noelle's mouth.

"TJ, has your daddy ever told you who Krampus is?"

Maura gasped as she whipped her head back around and stared at Jane.. "Jane, no! He's five years old."

Jane shrugged and grinned while Maura turned back around to look at TJ.

"TJ, we are headed to do some very fun things but if you can't behave we can just turn around and go back home. It's your choice. So what is it going to be? Fun or go home and not do anything at all?"

TJ grew quiet for a moment before responding. "Fun."

Maura nodded. "That's a good choice. Remember that choice OK? No more tantrums or we will go home. Do you understand?"

"Yes ma'am," TJ said quietly. Who knew Tommy of all people was teaching his kid manners like yes ma'am and no ma'am, Jane thought to herself. She took a mental note to give Tommy kudos for that later.

She glanced over at Maura and smiled. She was impressed. Maura had handled that like a parenting pro without losing her temper or so much as raising her voice. God, it made her love her that much more if it was possible. She mouthed "thank you," before pulling back out on the road.

Their first stop was at Ice-Capades Ice skating rink. When TJ realized what they were doing he quickly got over any remnants of his earlier tantrum.

"Are you going to skate?" He asks Jane and Maura excitedly.

Jane looked at Maura hesitantly. Sure she had been ice skating before but that was years ago. Jane wouldn't admit it out loud but she wasn't very good at it then and was probably worse at it now.

"Um, how about you and Aunt Maura skate first? Someone has to stay with Noelle," Jane replied with a smile. TJ looked up at Maura with a huge smile.

"You hear that Aunt Maura? We get to go first!"

Maura chuckled and looked at Jane. "I can stay with Noelle if you want to skate with TJ first, Jane. Really, I don't mind."

"Nah, that's alright Maur, you two go ahead."

"Okay, well that settles it then. Come on TJ, let's go rent our skates."

Jane watched as Maura and TJ walked off. She found a place out of the wind for her and Noelle to sit while still being able to see the rink.

A short while later Maura and TJ returned with three pairs of skates and Maura's sister Cailin.

"Jane, look who we ran into in line," Maura says sitting down next to the brunette.

"Hey Cailin. It's good to see you," Jane says as she stands to give her a hug.

"It's good to see you too Jane. Who is this little one," Cailin asks as she bends down to look at Noelle in the stroller.

"This is Noelle, Maura and I are uh, are watching her for a bit. For a friend," Jane says a bit nervously.

Cailin looked up from her crouched position. "Relax Jane, Maura kinda filled me in on the situation."

"Oh, okay," Jane remarks as she sits back down. Maura takes the extra pair of skates and hands them to Jane.

"Lace up, we are going skating," Maura says with a smile as she turns to help TJ with his skates.

"Wha, uh Maur, I told you I'm going to sit here with Noelle."

Maura shook her head and grinned.

"No you're not, Cailin offered to sit with her while you, me and TJ skate."

Crap! Jane thought to herself. "Maur, it's been a really long time since I've been on skates. It won't be very fun if I break something." TJ found this to be funny as he giggled.

"It's okay. Aunt Maura is a doctor. She could fix you, and I can hold your hand so you don't fall," he remarked with a huge smile, his little Rizzoli dimples on full display.

"Please Aunt Jane." He begged, his big brown eyes boring into her. Jane could feel her resolve crumbling.

"Yes, please Jane. It will be fun. I'll help you," Maura added as she and TJ began to beg in unison. Jane looked over to Cailin who laughed and shrugged.

"Alright, alright. You two win, I'll skate with you but for what it's worth, you two don't play fair. You know I can't say no to either of you."

TJ giggled as Maura held up her hand to him for a high-five. A few minutes later the three of them were laced up and headed for the ice. Maura stepped out first and then helped TJ before offering her free hand to Jane.

Jane sighed as she stepped on the ice and her inner voice shouted. Don't fall Rizzoli! This is going to be a disaster she thought as she held onto Maura's hand and the wall for support.

"Maur, why don't I just move around the wall for a bit. You go ahead and take TJ around a few times." Maura didn't have time to protest as TJ began to pull her farther onto the ice.

Jane slowly made her way around the ice watching Maura and TJ as they would pass. She couldn't help but smile like a fool at the way the two giggled each time around.

It wasn't long before TJ spotted Angela off to the side sitting with Cailin.

"Nona!" He yelled, with a huge toothy smile before tugging Maura towards the exit.

Maura helped TJ over to Angela before returning to the ice. She gracefully moved towards Jane.

"It looks like it's just the two of us now. Are you ready to let go of the wall and actually skate?"

Jane chewed her bottom lip, she really wanted to skate with Maura but she didn't want to make a fool of herself either. It wasn't until Maura had grabbed her hand and smiled at her that she finally relented and let the other woman guide them away from the wall.

They made small circles at first until Jane felt her confidence boost.

"See? You can skate," Maura said as they picked up a little speed.

"You know, when I was little, and I swear if you tell anyone I said this I will deny it," Jane warned before continuing. "When I was younger I wanted to be an Olympic ice skater."

Maura's eyes grew wide with this information. How did she go this long without knowing this? "Why didn't you?" Maura asked as she stopped and stood in front of Jane. The sudden stop caused Jane to slide before her feet slipped out from under her.

Maura on instinct grabbed for the brunette which only sent them both tumbling to the hard ice. Jane landed with a humph, as Maura fell on top of her.

Both women broke into laughter. "That's why!" Jane said in between laughs. Maura buried her face in Jane's chest to muffle her laughs.

As the realization of their positioning hit them the laughter began to die. Maura lifted her head and gazed down at the woman beneath her.

Jane gazed back as the movement and sounds surrounding them began to fade like time itself had stopped and it was just the two of them. She watched Maura's eyes look deeply into hers before glancing to her lips and then back up again. Jane was awestruck as she looked at the blonde.

The afternoon sun was casting an almost angelic grow around the other woman. Jane reached up and tucked a few strands of hair back behind Maura's ear. She allowed her fingers to brush a flushed cheek and swallowed hard as she watched Maura's eyes close briefly at her touch.

The moment was quickly shattered by Cailin's voice. "I know you two are having a moment but unless you're planning to stay down there all afternoon there's two kids here that are beginning to get cranky. My guess is they're hungry."

Maura's face flushed an even deeper crimson at her sister's words. Jane cleared her throat and laughed awkwardly as Maura moved off of her and she was able to sit upright.

"First of all, for your information, we were not having a moment," Jane said sarcastically. "Secondly, they're kids, they are bottomless pits."

Maura snorted at this as she stood up. "You're one to talk," she said with a smile as she offered her hand to Jane.

"Oh so you got jokes too I see," Jane said with a smile of her own as she not so gracefully got to her feet with Maura's help.

"Sometimes." Maura replied as they made their way off the ice.

"Are you stalking us ma?" Jane asks as she sits down on the bench and begins to unlace her skates.

"Tommy told me you should be here. I wanted to let you know that the guy that was going to play S-a-n-t-a called and said he was sick. Korsack is going to do it. He told me to let you two know so you knew why he was missing from the BPD f-l-o-a-t."

TJ had just started Kindergarten this year and soon all this spelling wasn't going to work.

"Oh thank God!" Maura said, as she tied her shoes before taking a fussy Noelle from Cailin.

"Maura, You're a doctor. I know you didn't just say "Oh thank God", that someone is sick." Jane shook her head and chuckled.

"Of course not! I'm just glad I don't have to worry about a stranger handling Noelle."

"Maur, you do remember you were a stranger to her when you found her right?" Cailin asked sarcastically as she grinned.

"No one asked you," Maura piped back as she poked her sister in the ribs.

"What's she talking about Maura?" Angela pipes in. The elder Rizzoli had known something was up; she just couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Cailin threw her hand to her mouth in an oops motion.

"Sorry."

Jane shook her head as she pushed Noelle's empty stroller towards the eating area and everyone else filed behind.

"When we were working on the nativity at BPD, Maura and I had gone inside for a few minutes and when we went back out someone had left her in the manger. There was a note saying they were someone from our past and could we take care of her for a little while. They said they will be back and that they will explain then."

Angela's eyes widened. "Jane Clementine Rizzoli, you need to turn that baby over to the authorities. You're going to get yourself arrested."

"Don't be so dramatic ma. See, that's why I didn't tell you. It's not like we don't have a letter of consent from the mother. I can't just turn her over. Not when I've seen what the system does to kids. No thank you. Me and Maura are going to wait it out and see if she shows back up. I do think I have a name. It's Natalie Brookswell. Neither Maura and I have been able to place who she is or how we know her though. With all the people we've met over the years though that's not surprising."

Angela looked over at the baby that Maura had placed back in the stroller so she could feed her some baby food. "Do you think she's in danger? I mean, why would a mother just take off like that?"

"We don't know ma. It's a possibility. They've done some digging for me at the station but so far all that has turned up is the mother's name. She hadn't signed the note. It just said NB. Look, we can talk about this later. TJ is hungry and we have to hurry if we're going to get to the meeting place for the p-a-r-a-d-e. I'm going to go get us some food."

Lunch was enjoyed by all before they made their way to the meeting spot for the BPD float in the Christmas parade. Jane had to park down the road, tons of cars already lined up awaiting the parade.

When they reached the float, Riley greeted her old partner with a hug. "Hey Rizzoli, we are glad you could make it. You know, you may be gone but you are always going to be part of the BPD family."

"Hey! Doctor Isles!" Jane looked up as she heard a familiar voice calling out to Maura.

"Damn it. Who told MacDreamy he could come?" Jane asked under her breath so Maura couldn't hear.

"Mac who?" Riley looked at Jane, clearly confused.

Jane put on a fake smile as the doctor approached. Why the hell was Maura waving at him with so much damn excitement?

"Dr. Whitman, it's good to see you," Jane said, tipping her head towards the doctor.

Maura stood on her tip toes and kissed him on the cheek. "How's things been Jack?"

"Great thanks to you. You helped me bust that case wide open. I would have never figured it out without you." The doctor took Maura by the hand, leading her away from the gathered crowd.

Jane looked towards Riley, making a gagging motion with her finger.

Riley started to say something else but Jane shushed her.

Maura and the doctor had moved far enough away Jane couldn't hear the full conversation, only bits and pieces. She saw her laughing about something before playfully slapping his arm. It was obvious that Jane was so green Riley was sure at any time green lava may burst from the top of her head.

"You know Rizzoli, why don't you quit being a chicken shit and just tell her you want to be with her? She's not a mind reader. Do you expect her to wait around forever because you're scared to move?"

"Shhhhh!" Jane said again, trying her damndest to listen into the distant conversation.

"I know you didn't just shush me a second time. You don't like to be shushed, Jane! Why would I?"

"Wait, you like my sister? I knew it! Mom owes me twenty bucks!" Jane quickly turned and glared at Cailin who was being way too loud for her liking. That look was all it took for Cailin and Riley to put up their hands in surrender.

Jane turned her attention back to Maura and Jack. A date, he definitely said something about a date. She smiled when she saw Maura shake her head from side to side. Tomorrow. Now he's asking about tomorrow. "Jesus doc, give it up," Jane muttered under her breath. Yes. Now she's shaking her head yes. Jane felt her heart sink. "Damn it," she muttered.

Jane felt a hand on her shoulder. "Seriously Jane. You can't be mad at anyone but yourself. As my mother used to say, shit or get off the pot. Get over whatever in the hell it is that's holding you back before she does find someone else, " Riley said. "If that makes you mad I'm sorry but you're my best friend. I'm being real with you."

Suddenly, TJ came barreling up to Jane full speed, nearly knocking her over as he wrapped himself around her leg.

"Wow buddy! Slow down! Where's the fire?"

"Sorry but Aunt Janie, Nona said we are going to ride on the Christmas float!"

Despite her quickly souring mood, Jane couldn't help but smile at a child's Christmas joy.

"We sure are buddy. Also, let me show you something." Jane picked up TJ and hoisted him up on her shoulders so he could see high above the crowd.

"Who do you see?"

It took TJ a minute before he took notice. "Santa! It's Santa!"

Jane put him back down and smiled. "It just so happens that me and Aunt Maura are very good friends with Santa. I bet if you ask very nicely, he may agree to come over to mine and Maura's house for some hot chocolate after the parade."

The little boy's eyes lit up. "Really? Do you think so?"

Jane nodded.

"Cool!" He exclaimed before running back towards Angela. "Nona! Nona!"

"It's the best part of everything isn't it?" Jane looked up to see that Maura was back.

Is she seriously standing there smiling like nothing just happened?

"Yeah," Jane said as she turned away.

Maura walked up and put a hand on Jane's shoulder. "Hey, are you OK?"

Maura Isles was far from stupid. She knew Jane was upset. What she couldn't understand was why. Through the years Maura had thrown Jane so many hints that she was interested and Jane ignored every one. Yet anytime Maura showed even the slightest interest in anyone else Jane acted so,well, jealous. It always left Maura so confused.

"Jane…" Maura didn't get to finish her thought as a voice rang out across the group via megaphone.

"OK! Everyone in your places. The parade will begin in five minutes."

They didn't get to speak further as there was a frenzy of activity in preparation for the start of the parade. For a three mile radius the BPD gang rode through the streets of Boston, singing Christmas Carols, waving, throwing candy to the kids in the crowd.

Jane yelled Merry Christmas until her throat was sore and waved until she thought her hand may fall off, helping baby Noelle wave as well. They were almost to the end of the route when a young girl in the crowd caught her eye. It was like a light bulb went off in her head, the missing piece of the puzzle falling into place.

"Oh my God! Maura! That's her!"

"What Jane?" Maura looked over at Jane confused.

"Natalie. That's Natalie Brookswell! I remember now," Jane said before thrusting Noelle into Maura's arms. "I gotta go talk to her!" Jane had taken off in such a fast frenzy Maura hadn't heard her though.

Not knowing what in the hell was going on herself, Riley didn't give it a second thought as she sailed off the float , running to catch up with her old partner, gun drawn which of course sent a panic through the crowd.

"Natalie! Stop!" Riley heard Jane yell. Up ahead, she could see a young blonde running at full speed.

They pursued her for a bit before Jane stopped, very winded.

"Damn it! I'm out of shape. I'm not used to doing this anymore."

"Who is it Jane? Do I need to keep going?"

Jane shook her head no as she struggled to catch her breath. It was only then she noticed the gun Riley was wielding. "Why the hell do you have your gun drawn?"

"Um, because you just flew off a float in the middle of a Christmas parade like you were in pursuit of a serial killer?"

"I said it was the baby's mother. At least, I think I did. Shit. I don't know. It all happened so fast."

"Are you two good?" Riley looked up to see two approaching uniformed officers.

"Yeah. We're good. Tell them it was a false alarm. Sorry."

"So who is she?" Riley asks, as she returns her gun to it's holster.

"Her roommate was murdered. They were involved in some sex trafficking activity. Natalie was damn near killed herself. She was shot but Maura saved her."

Jane smiled as she remembered that day and how proud Maura had been to save a "living" patient. Maybe that was the start of her changing the trajectory of her career.

"After everything was said and done, I got her a full ride scholarship through BPD because she got involved in all that shit just trying to put herself through school. She was a good kid. She just made some bad choices that damn near got her killed."

"Well, why did she run just now if she's a good kid? I think you were a cop long enough to know good kids don't run from the cops Jane."

"I don't know Ry. I don't know how all this fits together OK? All I know is a baby was dropped in my lap."

"Do you remember the guy that shot her? His name I mean? Is it possible he's out?"

"No. Not a chance. He's doing life for the other murder, no parole, for killing the roommate. I mean, if you can still check into it, just in case. I don't think so though."

"Well, even if he's behind bars that still doesn't mean he doesn't have connections on the outside. I think we'll put a black and white outside of your and Maura's house. Just in case that baby is in some kind of danger and I'll do some digging and see what I can find out OK? In the meantime, we should probably get back to everyone else before they send out a search party. Oh, and Jane?"

"Yeah?"

"Like I said, be prepared. You know, for whatever may come out. With her running, she may be involved in something illegal."

"Or maybe you scared the shit out of her coming at her with a gun like that. She was shot, you know." All of a sudden Jane's eyes went big as realization hit her.

"That's it. PTSD, fight or flight. She wasn't running because you're a cop Riley. She was running because you pulled a gun on her."

"Oh. Shit. Well, I didn't know. All we knew was we heard you yell something as you went flying off the float like you were in some kind of action movie." Riley chuckled. "We'll figure it all out but seriously, let's get back."

It was a long walk before they finally caught up with the now parked float. The moment Maura saw Jane she glared at her.

"What the hell was that Jane? You could have gotten hurt! You're not a cop anymore so why are you going off acting like a modern day Dirty Harry?!"

Despite still being upset with Maura for earlier events, Jane burst out laughing.

"Dirty Harry? Really? That could quite possibly be the best compliment I have ever received."

Maura, despite being upset herself, shook her head as she laughed.

"Jane!" She playfully hit Jane on the arm before raring back again and giving her a good wallop.

"Ow! Damn Maura. That hurt."

"Good. Don't ever scare me like that again. Who were you chasing anyway?"

"I saw Natalie Brookswell. I remember who she is now."

Jane took the moment to explain, jogging Maura's memory.

"Oh, yes. I remember that. Actually, I'm not sure how I forgot that," Maura said with a smile. It was definitely one of her proud moments. Right up there with when she had saved Jane's brother Frankie's life.

"So, why do you think she ran?"

"I could be wrong but I think she ran because Riley had a gun pulled. She was shot so it makes sense that she probably has PTSD from that. Or she is running because she doesn't want to see me yet, or, and I refuse to believe this one, she's doing something illegal. She was a good kid. She didn't make the best choices but she wasn't a criminal."

"Well technically, her actions were…"

Jane grinned as she put her finger up to Maura's mouth.

"That falls under a bad choice Dr. Google. I didn't arrest her for it then and I wouldn't arrest her for it now, if I was still a cop that is. She was a scared kid. Riley is going to dig into it for us, in the meantime, what do you say we get out of here? Santa is coming over to join me for some hot chocolate."

"Wait, Santa's coming? To our house?"

Jane nods. "Yep."

"For hot chocolate? With you?"

Jane nods. "Yep."

Jane grins at Maura before walking over and retrieving TJ who was waiting with Angela. "We got him ma. Thanks."

"Janie, what…"

"I'll call and explain tomorrow ma," Jane called over her shoulder.

As they walked towards the car, Maura was still stuck on Santa.

"So, when you say Santa, you mean Korsack right?" She whispered loud enough for Jane to hear, but not TJ.

Jane just grinned as she threw her arm around Maura, her other hand holding tight to TJ.

"Jane?"

Crickets.

"Jane?"

Sure. She'd tell Maura Santa was coming for hot chocolate with TJ and yes, it was Korsack. For now though, Maura was jealous and she absolutely loved it.