"Hey, Jane." Cailin stepped inside and gave Jane a quick hug. "Sorry for just stopping by like this. I texted and called Maura, but she didn't answer. You okay? You look kinda flustered."

"I'm good. We were just, uh, watching a movie."

Cailin walked past Jane, dropping her bag by the door as she headed to a chair in the living room. "Hey Sis. You look tired," she said as she sat down.

"Cailin! This is a… nice surprise," Maura greeted her sister.

Jane closed and locked the front door and dropped back onto the couch beside Maura. Maura instinctively leaned into her side, keeping the blanket over her legs. Jane pulled it over hers as well, so that their bare thighs were pressed against each other. Maura's skin burned into Jane and she worked hard not to convey anything she was feeling with her facial expression.

"Hope I didn't interrupt anything," Cailin said. "I'm trying to figure out what to do about Adam and I just had to talk to someone. I couldn't think of anyone better than the two of you."

"Who's Adam?" Jane asked.

"Her future boyfriend," Maura said. "What happened?"

"He's one of my best friends, but I really like him," Cailin explained to Jane. "He's just all over the place, super hard to read, and he sucks at communicating." Cailin rolled her eyes. "It's like there are non-stop mixed signals."

Jane and Maura both turned to glance at each other before quickly looking back to Cailin. And both Jane and Maura wondered why they'd been compelled to look at each other while Cailin rambled on about her boy troubles.

"Don't play games," Jane advised. "Just tell him. Be direct in your communication and demand the same from him."

"Jane's right," Maura added. "You should tell him exactly how you feel about him. If he doesn't reciprocate your feelings, he doesn't deserve you anyway."

"You're a catch, Cailin," Jane said. "Don't let him waste your time. There are a million other guys out there who would line up to date you."

"Thanks, you guys." Cailin beamed. "I just like him so much, so it's scary to let him know that, knowing how much it could change our friendship. But if I don't tell him, it's just sitting there between us unsaid. And that might be worse."

Maura squeezed Jane's thigh under the blanket, then stood. "I'll make us all some tea."

"I'll help," Cailin said, standing with her sister. Then she noticed the way Maura was dressed. "Wow. Guess I was interrupting something."

"It's just a shirt," Maura exclaimed, confused. "You're both being so weird."

"Mmhmm. I should go and let you two get back to your movie." Cailin did air quotes when she said the word 'movie.'

"It's late," Jane said quickly, before Maura could think or say anything else. "You should stay. Take the guest room."

"You're not sleeping in there?" Cailin asked, a sly smile forming.

"She never stays in the guest room," Maura said, setting three mugs out on the counter.

"I knew it," Cailin laughed. "I'm going to bed. You two don't have too much fun."

Jane was in silent thought until Maura came back to the couch and handed her a mug of chamomile. She didn't even grimace as she took a sip. Maura had been making her drink it at night for a while and she'd gotten used to the taste. She sat against the arm of the couch and pulled her knees up to her chest. Maura sat cross-legged facing her, her legs pressing into the tops of Jane's feet.

"Cailin thinks there's something going on between us," Jane finally said.

Maura looked thoughtful for a moment, then made eye contact with Jane. "Isn't there?"

Jane caught the little smile on Maura's face and it enabled her to tell the truth. "I feel like there is."

"I think there always has been, Jane."

"Are you guessing, Dr. Isles?" Jane grinned.

"No. I fell in love with you the first time I saw you. I know it to be true."

"Because that was such a flattering introduction," Jane laughed.

"You intrigued me from the beginning. It took me a long time to discern what the feelings meant and even longer to decide what to do about it. I was afraid I'd lose you and I couldn't let that happen. You're the most important person in my life and the most intimate relationship I've ever had." Maura's voice was steady, matter-of-fact, exuding confidence.

"What made you feel sure enough to say all this now?" Jane's voice wavered a bit.

"I realized I trust you to take care of me and protect our relationship, no matter what."

Jane felt a sudden rush of emotion and couldn't speak. She set her mug on the table behind the couch and took Maura's hands in hers.

"I love you," Jane whispered before she got completely lost in Maura's warm hazel eyes.

"I know."

Maura's smile turned Jane into a puddle of melted vanilla ice cream, but also strengthened her. "Did you just Han Solo me? Really?"

"I know you like him." Maura shrugged.

Jane laughed. "But I'm Han. You're obviously Leia."

"Because you think I need rescuing?" Maura's smile faded, if only a little.

"No." Jane squeezed Maura's hands tighter. "Because you've saved my life in all the ways that matter."

Maura tugged her hands away gently, pushed Jane's legs apart to make room, then got up on her knees and settled between them. Jane instinctively rested her hands on Maura's hips, pulling her even closer. Maura slid her hands into Jane's wild mass of curls, still damp from the shower she'd taken before dinner, and kissed her lips, lightly at first, but quickly deepening their connection.

Jane didn't miss a beat. She'd wanted this for so long. Maura had been biding her time, shutting down any relationships that threatened to get too serious, confident in the eventuality of Jane being her next (and final) awesome person. Jane had hoped for this, but never expected it to happen. The world felt right with Maura's body in her hands, Maura's mouth on hers, Maura's hands tangled in her hair. Everything suddenly made perfect sense. Jane wanted everything with Maura and she didn't want to wait another second to have it all.

But Cailin was upstairs in the guest room. And her mom was steps away in the guest house. Jane pulled away slightly, catching her breath. She barely managed to get the words out. "Let's go up to your room."

Maura didn't want to put any distance between them. Now that she was touching Jane, kissing Jane, she didn't ever want to stop. But Jane always was the sensible one and there were a lot of things she wanted to do with Jane that shouldn't have an audience. Maura reluctantly took her hands back from Jane's head and stood, hoping the spell hadn't been broken, hoping Jane was as in this with her as she had been longing for. She held out her hand to Jane.

Jane took Maura's hand and stood, reading her eyes. Maura needed confirmation. Reassurance. Jane kissed her lips, then her cheek, then her forehead. She led Maura to the stairs still holding her hand, then let go and nudged Maura to go up. Jane placed her hands on either side of Maura's waist and followed her up the stairs, never breaking the contact. Jane was ready to give Maura everything she needed.

A/N: Ending the chapter there was a creative choice, but don't be discouraged. More is coming. Reviews might help ;)