XXXXXXXXXX

NYC, that night

Jane had just finished unpacking in Alex Cabot's spare bedroom. She glanced at her phone hoping there was a text from Maura and half hoping there wasn't one. There wasn't one, and then she felt kind of sad. She was debating whether or not she should call Maura when a voice startled her.

"Call her. Let her know you made it."

Jane considered what she said, and took a seat on the bed. "I'll cal her later."

Alex crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame. "Don't leave her sitting at home, worrying about you. I've been there and it's selfish."

"Selfish?"

Alex came in and sat down next to her. "While you and Olivia are trying to protect Maura and me, you are actually hurting us by cutting us out of your life." Alex looked down. "And that doesn't work."

Jane looked at her. "Witness Protection?"

"Yes, and when I think about all the time we wasted before Witness Protection..." Her phone buzzed. "Liv?" Alex motioned that she would be back as she went down the hall.

Jane dialed Maura. "Hey Maura. I just called to let you know I made it here."

"Thank you for calling me. I was beginning to worry."

"Maura, I love you and I want this whole thing done with so we can get back to our life."

"Soon Jane. Soon."

XXXXXXXXXX

2 Weeks Later

Alex, Olivia and Jane were sitting in a bar, the same bar Alex had been shot in front of all those years ago, having drinks. So far, the task force had made little headway on identifying Hoyt's apprentices, and Jane was beyond discouraged. She missed her family, missed the routine of BPD and most of all, she missed Maura. They had talked on the phone as much as possible, but it wasn't the same as seeing her every day.

Alex had been nothing but gracious with her home, but the tension between her and Olivia had made for some uncomfortable moments for Jane. Like right now, in this bar. Alex and Olivia were having a heated argument, and Jane wanted to melt into the bar stool. She was lost thinking about Maura when the sudden scratching of the bar stool across the floor caught her attention.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Olivia." She nodded at Jane. "Jane."

Jane looked across to Olivia. "What was that all about?"

Olivia sighed. "She just found out I slept with my old college professor. The one I was briefly engaged to as a teenager."

Jane scrunched up her face. "How does that work?"

"Well, we've both fallen into and out of bed with others since we got together all those years ago. A couple of times we've each had relationships that looked to be pretty permanent."

"Permanent?"

Olivia shrugged. "Alex got engaged and then slept with one of her underlings, ending said engagement. I had an almost year long relationship with a man from IA and then a roll in the hay with my old professor. And of course, falling in and out of bed with each other."

"And that works for you?"

Olivia shook her head. "No. Neither one of us."

"So why...?"

Olivia sighed. "I wanted to protect her, then she got shot and then went away and then back. It changed her and I got hurt by that, then we were apart, yadda, yadda, yadda. Now, with Noah, he must come first. And I can't protect them both." She took a drink of beer. "I have a ring, ya know?"

"How long have you had that?"

"Nine years."

"Nine years? Christ." She leaned in as she pulled the label off her beer bottle. "I have a ring. For Maura. As soon as it's safe, I am going to ask her."

Olivia chuckled to herself. "Piece of advice? Don't wait for nine years. Even if you know you're endgame." Olivia finished her beer and stood up. "Why don't you invite Maura this weekend? We can go on a double date."

"You going to ask Alex to marry you?"

"If you want a ride to Alex's place, come now, or find your own way."

XXXXXXXXXX

Friday, BPD

"Maura?"

Maura Isles looked up from her paperwork to find Angela Rizzoli standing in front of her with an insulated bag.

"Angela. What a nice surprise."

"I brought some of my lasagna for you to take to Jane. All you have to do is heat and serve." She placed the bag on Maura's desk. "There should be enough for four."

Maura stood and took the bag. "Thank you. So Jane told you I am going to visit?" Realizing what she had said, she hurried to add, "To try and help with the case."

"I know. Janie told me it's slow going. I hope you can help." She turned to leave, remembered what Fr. Bick had said and turned back. "Maura, try to get Janie to go do something fun, ok?"

Maura smiled at Angela and replied, "I'll try, but you know Jane."

Angela nodded. "And I know she listens to you, Maura."

XXXXXXXXXX

Alex Cabot's Brownstone

Maura found a parking space close to the address Jane had given her, and was just getting out of the car when Jane appeared. They hugged and kissed, on the cheek as Jane took Maura's bags from her.

"I have something for you, from your mother." She held up the insulated bag.

Jane became animated. "Is that Ma's lasagna?"

Maura nodded. "Heat and serve, enough for four."

They made their way into the brownstone, and Jane turned to face Maura as soon as the door shut. She backed the blonde up against the door and began kissing her, hands wandering all over. As they broke apart, Jane whispered, "I've missed you."

Maura looked up and smiled. "I'm here for the next 48 hours." She kissed Jane again. "And your mother wants me to make sure you do something fun."

Jane waggled her eyebrows. "I know something we can do."

"Jane!"