I don't own Rizzoli and Isles, but I wish I did.
A/N: Hello readers! Thank you so much for all the follows, favorites, and wonderful reviews. I honestly appreciate the time it takes to write them. I hope you all enjoy the next installment. Sorry for any and all mistakes. On a side note, I have marked this story as T, but I'm afraid the language and humor I use at times might be a little more mature than that rating. If it is, please let me know. I don't want to mislead anyone.
"I swear. They never fucking listen!" Jane scratched through another wrong answer. There was so much red ink that the paper looked like it was bleeding.
Jane's outburst startled Maura who was busy grading her own set of papers. She placed her own stack on the coffee table before addressing the brunette.
"Jane, what's wrong?" Maura tucked a loose curl behind the Italian's ear.
Disgusted, Jane tossed her papers along with her near empty red pen on the coffee table next to Maura's.
"They're not studying. We went over this material at least five times, and they're still bombing it. Fourth period is passing just fine, but third? It's like they don't even bother studying."
It never fails. There is always one section of a class that routinely does worse than another.
"You know what the problem is?" Jane groused as she glared at the offending papers.
Maura kneaded the tight muscles of the brunette's neck. "What?" She asked apprehensively.
"This class is nearly all freshmen. If I've said it once, I'll say it again. Freshmen should NOT be allowed to take Criminology! They are too immature to handle the material and assignments. They're not in middle school anymore, and most of them won't figure that out until there's a big fat F on their transcript."
Jane was on a roll, and Maura knew it was best for the Italian to vent.
"I mean, I email their parents," Jane snatched the lukewarm beer from its spot on the side table, "I call home," she took a long pull from the bottle.
"Damn it. I offer tutoring, and still they fail." Jane set the bottle heavily down on its coaster.
Maura continued to massage her girlfriend's shoulders; Jane was at the tail end of her rant.
Releasing a deep sigh, Jane confessed, "It's just so frustrating."
The doctor leaned in and placed a delicate kiss on the Italian's temple; she knew it was safe to talk now.
"I'm sorry, Tiger. I know how hard you work." Maura's gentle smile lightened Jane's spirits a bit.
Jane snorted at the use of the petname and squeezed the doctor's hand affectionately. "Thanks, Maur. I know I shouldn't be complaining. It's not like I've been teaching for several years or anything."
Maura chuckled, "You're allowed to feel that way. I mean, I get that way, too." Maura snuggled into Jane's side, "Remember when my second period failed to do the reading I assigned before spring break, which caused them to fail their quiz? I got really angry then."
Jane chortled at the memory, "Maura, your idea of getting mad was writing a frowny face on their papers."
"Well, yes, that's true," Maura admitted, "but they still made me angry."
"Yes, your version of angry," Jane grinned and kissed the doctor softly.
Maura glanced at the clock. It read 9:50. "Why don't we go to bed? We can finish these up tomorrow."
Jane gasped, "Maura, are you actually suggesting we don't finish our work!"
Maura rolled her eyes, "Yes. As a matter of fact, I am."
The blonde patted Jane on the knee. "Let's go to bed. Tomorrow is Friday, and you have a meet on Saturday. I want you to be rested."
Slightly confused, Jane asked, "Maura, if the meet is Saturday, why do I need to feel rested tomorrow?"
"Well, I have plans for you tomorrow night that will require extra energy," the doctor purred.
In an exaggerated gesture, Jane checked her watch, "Well, what do you know, it's time for bed!"
A blur of brunette curls dashed up the stairs.
R & I R & I R & I
"I told you to put on more sunscreen, Jane." Maura gently dabbed a vinegar soaked cloth along Jane's shoulders. The brunette had a nasty sunburn.
Jane wrinkled her nose, "Gah, Maura this stinks! I smell like a potato chip."
Maura tutted the cranky brunette, "Again, if you had applied more sunscreen."
"I know, I know," Jane grumbled irritably. Ironically, Jane had applied sunscreen, but she didn't realize it was only SPF 4. She was never borrowing lotion from one of her students again.
Maura persisted as she turned to soak her cloth in vinegar again, "The vinegar soothes the burn Jane."
The Italians response consisted of few mumbled curse words.
Again, Maura dabbed the cloth across the brunette's tender skin.
"What SPF were you wearing?" Maura couldn't believe that Jane would get so badly burnt from the typical lotion she applied.
"Four…" Jane mumbled.
Maura tilted her head closer to Jane's mouth. "I'm sorry. I didn't catch that."
Jane gritted her teeth, "Four," and winced in pain as Maura touched a particularly tender spot.
"Four! Jane, the American Academy of Dermatology states that SPF 30 is the absolute minimum you should wear! Why did you wear four?" Maura exclaimed.
The brunette hated to admit when she made a mistake, but she figured she'd own up to it this time.
"Honestly, I wasn't paying attention. I just grabbed a bottle from one of my students." Jane's skin was growing increasingly uncomfortable.
Maura winced in sympathy and brushed a stray lock behind her girlfriend's ear. "I'm sorry, Jane."
"Don't feel too badly for me. I really should have paid better attention." Jane said pitifully.
Maura careful to avoid touching the brunette's burnt body leaned down and kissed the crown of Jane's head.
"Well, don't beat yourself up. I know that I've learned an important lesson from today." Maura stated as she returned to her upright position.
Shifting uncomfortably in her spot on the bed, Jane replied curiously, "What's that, Maur?"
Maura smugly replied with a gleam in her eye, "From now on, I need to attend all your meets to make sure you take care of yourself."
Jane scoffed, "Maura, I'm a grownup, I can take care of myself just fine."
Maura zinged back, "And today would be proof of that how?"
Softly, Maura added, "Besides, it would be an opportunity to spend more time together. I know you're busy when you're there, but I'd still like to be around you and help out wherever I can."
Sadly, the couple's time together had been shortened considerably since they were in the heart of track season. Many nights as of late, Jane was just too tired to do anything other than going to bed at her place.
The doctor hated those nights that they spent apart; before Jane entered her life, she slept alone just fine, but now? Maura lost sleep without the brunette in her bed. Even though they didn't touch when they slept, Maura ached for moments before falling asleep that they snuggled and held each other tight. The mornings were the same. Just knowing the Italian was sleeping next to her brought the blonde comfort.
Maura had the sneaking suspicion that Jane felt the same, but neither were ready to admit it to each other. The thought of asking the other to move in intimidated them both.
Jane sighed "You're right. Track takes up too much time. I meant it when I said I'm passing the torch to someone else next year."
Maura snorted, "Nice pun, Jane."
"Thank you," the brunette smiled smugly.
The two women shared a moment of contented silence before Maura slid off the bed, gathering the cloth and the vinegar from the bedside table.
"C'mon, potato chip. Time for bed," Maura teased and patted Jane's rear to get her attention.
Jane snorted, "Well, if you wake up in the middle of the night craving a snack, don't even think about it!"
R & I R & I R & I
"Hey, Ms. Rizzoli! Are you ok?" Natalie, a junior in Jane's fourth period, asked the sunburned brunette. Jane was moving very gingerly, and the girl felt sorry for her favorite teacher.
"Too much sun this weekend. I'm fine." Jane slowly moved across the front of the classroom from where she was standing in the hall. She needed to set up the lesson.
The cord to pull down her projector screen mocked her. She'd have to stretch to reach it.
Natalie observed Jane's dilemma and offered, "Would you like me to help you pull down the screen?'
Jane's face registered relief and gratitude. "Thank you. You're the best."
"No problem," the junior chirped. She was more than happy to help.
It's a well-known fact, that some days, teachers need a break; today was that day for Jane. Moving hurt too much, so a movie was in store for the class. Granted, she didn't feel too guilty since she required her students to answer questions pertaining to the film; afterwards, she would lead the class in a discussion. The movie would take at least two days, which gave the brunette more than enough time to recover.
Slowly, Jane took the remote from her podium and turned on the projector. Once the bell rang, Jane addressed her class, "OK, guys, today we're going to watch a film about interrogation techniques. I have a handout here that follows along with the film. Pay close attention so you don't miss any questions," Jane paused and amended her directions, "better yet, let's read though the questions first, so you know what to look for."
Over the years, Jane learned that students pay closer attention to films when they've read questions beforehand. If they don't read them together, students will miss an answer because they don't bother to read ahead.
Slowly, Jane moved to pass out the papers, but Natalie offered her help again.
"I've got it, Ms. Rizzoli." The junior took the papers and quickly passed them out to her classmates. Unlike some kids, who volunteer to help, Natalie didn't dawdle and talk to her friends in the process. There's always that one student who will use it as a chance to slow down class.
After Jane and her students reviewed the questions and Jane stressed which parts of the film to focus on, Jane flipped off the lights and pressed play on her laptop's media player.
Halfway through the class period, Maura paid Jane a visit.
"Hey," she said softly, "you feeling any better?" Maura spoke quietly to avoid distracting the class.
Jane gingerly pushed herself out of her chair; Natalie again volunteered to move it for her. Jane used the tall chair to help her keep a lookout for cell phones. It pissed her off to no end that some teenagers couldn't last a hour without using them.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little uncomfortable is all." Jane whispered, feeling her tight skin stretch under her shirt.
"Well, I brought you something." Maura held her hands behind her back.
Jane's curiosity piqued,"What, pray tell, did you bring me?"
Lo and behold, the good doctor presented the Italian with two glazed donuts.
"The PTSA brought donuts for the staff this morning. I knew you didn't have the time nor the energy to make it to the copy room to get any, so I thought I'd use it as an excuse to come see you." Maura's smile lit up the darkened room.
Jane grinned broadly; she was awfully hungry. "Two?"
Maura smiled sweetly, "I gave you mine."
After checking that none of the students were looking, Jane whispered in the blonde's ear, "Nothing says love like a glazed donut. Thanks, babe."
The doctor coyly bit her lip, "Thank me later."
Quietly, the beautiful blonde sashayed out the door, leaving a happy brunette in her wake.
R & I R & I R & I
It only took a couple of days before Jane's back peeled, and she felt like doing physical activity again. Problem was that any hope of outdoor activities was out of the question. Mother Nature gave the gift of rain for the whole week. By Thursday, the natives and Jane Rizzoli had grown restless.
"I am so sick of this weather!" Jane stomped her shoes on the mat outside the school doors and gave her umbrella one last good shake before entering the building.
Maura wasn't too thrilled either. All the humidity was wreaking havoc on her hair. Besides that, the school constantly smelled like wet dog.
"The weatherman says it should clear up by Sunday. Look on the brightside, Jane. Your meet might be canceled. That'll give us the whole weekend to relax." Maura only felt slightly guilty saying this.
"True." Jane glanced around the lobby where the students, who were waiting for the bell that released them to first period, were congregated. They looked equally grumpy.
"I know that we just had spring break two weeks ago, but I swear I could use another break," Jane groused. The couple sidestepped a pair of freshmen who were blocking the doorway into the mailroom.
"We have Easter weekend," Maura added, hoping to cheer up the irritable Italian. If anyone could handle Jane when she was in a foul mood, it was the good doctor.
Jane's expression spoke volumes. "We're helping Tommy move, remember?"
"Oh, right. Hmm…" Maura was at a loss; she had forgotten.
If truth be told, she could use a day off as well. Maybe at the least after the move, they would have a quiet Easter Monday to recuperate. It didn't hurt that they had a countywide inservice that Tuesday as well.
Jane idly fidgeted with her watch until Maura took notice and took the brunette's hand in her own.
"Hey, Maur, if we can find subs, do you want to put in for a personal day? We get two, you know."
"I'm not sure, Jane. AP tests are just around the corner and..."
Gently tugging on their joined hands, Jane interrupted the blonde before she had the chance to list all the reasons why she shouldn't take off.
"Maura. If you take one day, it won't cause your students to fail their AP exams. Be honest. How far ahead are your kids?" Jane quirked an eyebrow at the doctor.
"Well, at least a week." Maura confessed, feeling a little proud of herself in the process.
"And how often are you having study sessions?" Jane released the blonde's hand and crossed her arms smugly.
Maura bit her lip. "At least two times a week."
"So, will one day kill them?" Jane felt confident that she had won this round with the doctor.
Maura deliberated. Although teachers were guaranteed two personal days, they still had trouble convincing themselves to take them.
"No, it won't." Maura admitted reluctantly.
"Ok, then. Let's put in for subs!" Jane kissed both of the blonde's cheeks before walking into the main office where her mother was already hard at work.
Rather than interrupt her mother, Jane waited until Angela had finished speaking on the phone.
"Hey Ma," Jane leaned her hip against the gregarious woman's desk. "Would you mind putting in for Maura and me to take a personal day tomorrow?"
Angela rotated her desk chair so that she was facing her daughter. "Good morning to you, too, Jane," the older woman huffed. Angela wasn't really annoyed with her daughter, but she wouldn't mind a good morning once in awhile.
"Good morning, Maura, sweetie," Angela grinned broadly.
Maura beamed an equally bright smile, "Good morning, Angela! How are you?"
Angela shot her daughter the stink eye before responding, "I'm very well. How nice of you to ask."
Feeling utterly ignored, Jane whined, "Ok, I get it, Ma. Good morning." For good measure and to get in her mother's graces, Jane even kissed her mother on the cheek.
"Happy?' Jane groused.
"Yes, thank you," Angela chirped. "Now, what do you need, Janie?"
Rolling her eyes at her mother's use of her childhood nickname, Jane asked for the second time, "Would you mind putting in for subs for Maura and me to take a personal day tomorrow?"
"Personal day? Ooo what for?" Angela teased her daughter, knowing how easy it was to push her buttons.
"None of your business, Ma." Jane whined, but Maura amended, "We're taking the day to relax. That's all."
Sufficiently appeased (Maura could do no harm), Angela agreed, "Sure, but you know you can do this yourself now. They have it online." Angela pulled up the program on the monitor and started clicking tabs and other buttons.
The brunette smirked, "I know that, but when you do it, I get the best subs."
Maura and Angela shared a glance; they both knew Jane was right.
Click, click
"There! All done! Enjoy your day, girls!" Angela smiled affectionately at the couple. The matronly woman had never seen her daughter happier than she had these past several months with Maura. Angela thanked God everyday for putting the doctor in her daughter's life.
"Thank you, Angela!"
"Thanks, Ma!"
The two women waved as they walked off in the direction of Maura's classroom, hoping to sneak a kiss before the school day began.
R & I R & I R& I
"I feel guilty." Maura sunk deeper into her couch cushions.
"Why?" Jane lifted her head from its position in Maura's lap.
"I mean, it feels like I should going to bed because we have school tomorrow." Maura sipped her wine.
Jane shook her head. The doctor had much to learn.
"Maura, think about this. You haven't really taken any time at all this year for yourself."
"Yes, I did. There was spring break and we had the holidays…" Maura tried to defend.
"You know what I mean, Maur. We've already talked about this." The brunette shook her head in exasperation.
"We're allowed these days." Jane took the remote from the blonde's hands and changed the program to another channel.
Distracting the blonde from her current train of thought, Jane persisted, "Since we don't have anywhere to be tomorrow, what would you like to do? And don't say grading."
"I wasn't," Maura defended. The resulting smirk from the Italian led to a soft kiss shared between the two women.
Muting the tv, Jane tossed the remote on the coffee table. "What we should probably do is put plans together for Tommy's move. It's in less than two weeks."
The mere thought of the move made Jane tired.
"Oh, you're right. Has he reserved a moving van yet?" Maura tried calculating the amount of space needed for Tommy's apartment, in order that they procure the correct sized moving van. Unfortunately, Maura had never seen Tommy's apartment, and Jane wasn't being that much of a help either. She just assured the blonde that a small van would do the trick.
"What does he plan to do once he gets here, Jane? I know you mentioned that he'll stay with your mother at least short term." Maura felt the compulsion to make a list. Plans like these needed lists.
The doctor walked to the kitchen to retrieve a pencil and pad of paper. Then she busily jotted down a few necessities for the move (at least, Maura thought they were necessities. She had never moved anything before, so in this instance, she relied on the internet for suggestions).
Jane tucked her long legs under her, using her hand to prop her head up on the back of the sofa. She was completely at ease.
"I have a solution in mind." Maura offered nervously.
"Yeah? What's that, Maura?" Jane tried and failed to stifle a yawn.
Maura nervously fidgeted with the pencil she was holding. This wasn't typical Maura behavior, so Jane knew something was up with the good doctor.
"You could move in with me?" Maura said softly.
Jane, staring blankly at the blonde, said nothing.
R & I R & I R & I
Maura had toyed with this idea for weeks. Why shouldn't Jane move in? Both women were in their thirties and mature enough to know what they wanted in life. What did it matter that they'd been together less than a year? Well, it was more like eight months, but that's besides the point. Jane had infiltrated Maura's life in every way imaginable, and the doctor never wanted to know a life without the brunette in it.
The simple truth was this. When you know, you know, and Maura knew Jane was it for her. Months ago (although it felt like lifetimes) when Daniel caused all his drama, Jane and Maura had established that they never wanted anyone else.
If that was the case, why wasn't Jane saying anything?
The doctor didn't want the brunette to move in out of what many might perceive as loneliness or desperation due to their age. For years, Maura and Daniel lived in her house, but the simple truth between Maura and Daniel was that the house wasn't a home they shared. No, it was Maura's. Her art adorned the wall. Her furniture filled the house. Deep down, Maura knew Daniel wasn't for her, and her house was proof.
When Maura pictured a future with Daniel, she came up empty. Jane on the other hand held a future of hopes and dreams and times of genuine happiness. Maura felt Jane's love everyday.
For instance, Jane appreciated how much Maura loved fresh cut flowers in the house. No matter the season, Maura had a fresh arrangement on her kitchen table, a tradition her mother instilled in her from a young age; knowing how important this was to the doctor, Jane religiously bought Maura flowers the moment the others began to wilt.
There was no need to buy an extravagant bouquet; something simple like tulips were perfect for Maura. Daniel only purchased arrangements for the doctor as grand gestures on obligatory holidays. He wanted others to know how amazing he was; Jane never told anyone she did this. All that mattered to her was the smile on the blonde's face.
Jane also understood Maura's obsession with perfume. Although the doctor cared about her outward appearance, what mattered most was her scent. She prided herself on how well she smelled to others, so Jane always made a point to purchase the doctor's favorite perfume when it started to run low, even if it did cost her a pretty penny.
Maura in turn showed her love to Jane in little ways. The brunette's favorite beer was always in stock along with her snack of choice. Maura recorded any and all sports related to Boston on her DVR without being asked to. Additionally, Maura would purchase the felt tip pens that Jane loved but refused to buy for herself because they were too expensive.
Both women were madly in love with one another, so why was Jane taking so long to answer?
Maura continued to wait...
R & I R & I R & I
The Italian's mind was blowing through all the reasons why they shouldn't take this step, but her brain stopped on the biggest stumbling block of them all.
Alyson.
Jane internally snorted. Alyson. God knows what she's doing now. The brunette hardly ever thought about the woman anymore, but when she did it pissed her off. After Alyson, Jane had dated several women, but she never found someone she'd like to share an address with until she met Maura.
Jane would like to say she was completely one hundred percent over the whole shitshow that was that relationship, but a tiny part of her wanted Karma to kick the bitch in the ass. Jane still felt lingering resentment towards the woman since the emotional baggage of their relationship reared its ugly head months ago with the whole Daniel fiasco.
Alyson had tried reaching out to Jane several times over the years, but Jane simply ignored her. Try as she might to forget, Jane would always recognize her number on the caller ID. Inevitably, this would put her in a bad mood. No one likes a ghost from their past encroaching on the present.
Sometimes, the universe was an asshole; Jane would come across the woman out in public, but she chose to avoid her. Honestly, Jane didn't feel like exchanging the niceties with the woman, who selfishly broke her heart and made her feel less than she was. The brunette knew holding onto this anger and resentment wasn't healthy and didn't help her emotional recovery following the attack, but she couldn't let it go completely.
So many emotions were tied up in that year of her life.
That's the thing though. There's always that one point in your life where the shit hits the fan. Coming to a crossroads is the nicer way of putting it, but it's the same thing nevertheless. At twenty-six, Jane was dating a woman, who wouldn't acknowledge her in public but wanted all of the benefits of a relationship behind doors.This woman put her family's happiness before Jane's. It made her family happy to think that Jane and Alyson were best friends and not lovers.
That's why it was such a kick in the teeth for Jane when she was attacked. They treated Jane like family when she was in fact an outsider. Alyson never had the spine to stand up for their relationship, or to be honest, herself. The break came in the middle of Jane's recovery.
R & I R & I R & I
"That's it, Alyson! I can't do this anymore!"
Jane flung the roll of gauze across the room, knocking all the pictures off the piano. They crashed to the floor, splintering in pieces. The brunette had tried five different times unsuccessfully to wrap her wrist.
"What the hell, Jane!?" Alyson rose from her spot on the couch to inspect the damage. Broken shards of glass surrounded a once framed picture of the women at their college graduation.
Alyson retrieved the bandage from the floor and took her seat next to Jane. "What do you mean you can't do this anymore?"
Carefully, she took Jane's damaged wrist in her hand. "Here, I know you're frustrated trying to wrap it yourself, so let me help…"
"That's not what I'm talking about!" Jane ripped her hand away. The brunette hissed in pain as the movement yanked painfully on her sutures.
"This whole…" Jane sputtered, "You and me. I can't!"
"Why? I don't understand." Deep down Alyson knew what Jane was alluding to and felt sick to her stomach. She was too much of a coward to make the break herself, so she was letting Jane do it for her.
"I was nearly killed, Alyson! Killed! You're supposed love of your life was attacked, and you still call me your best friend!"
Jane was pacing so quickly that Alyson had to stop watching her. The brunette was making her dizzy.
"I thought that after all of this, you would finally have the guts to acknowledge me, but no! You're just a fucking coward!"
Alyson's pride insulted, the blonde threw back, "Don't take out your frustration on me, Jane!"
The blonde pinched the bridge of her nose. "What the hell brought this on, Jane?"
"You. Today. When we met your friend's new boyfriend. You called me your roommate!" The Italian cradled her arm to her chest to keep herself from inflicting more damage on her wound.
Alyson's face fell. She didn't even realize she had said that.
"I swear, Alyson. I'm tired of waiting. You've been promising me for five years! Five years! That you would be okay with us." Angry tears pricked the Italian's eyes.
Jane took a breath before continuing, "Baby, I know it's a hard process to admit who you are, and I would never pressure you. But the thing is, you have promised me over and over that you'd be open about us."
Alyson pushed back, "I was open! Your family, Frost, and Korsak…"
"My people! Not yours, Alyson!" Jane shouted passionately.
The words slipped out before Alyson could stop them. These words were meant to hurt.
"How could I ever get my people to accept you, Jane! You're only a cop," Alyson sneered as she pointed at Jane's wrist, "and apparently a lousy one at that!"
A punch in the gut. That's what Alyson's words felt like.
Immediately overcome with remorse, Alyson cast her eyes to the ground, "Jane, I'm sorry, I didn't mean. I...I love..." She tried reaching for the brunette.
Coldly, Jane finished Alyson's sentence, "You just love the status quo better. I'm not a dirty little secret Alyson, and I'm tired of you making me feel that way."
Jane's eyes narrowed into slits. "I'm sorry I'm such a lousy cop."
Then, the brunette stalked over to the door and nearly yanked it off its hinges.
"I'm going to Ma's. When I get back, I want you gone. We'll figure out the details tomorrow."
When Jane returned to her apartment that night, she wasn't surprised to find it empty.
R & I R & I R & I
The memory still sickened Jane.
Thankfully, Maura was in her life now. The doctor's love was slowly stripping away any lingering vestiges of Alyson's influence, but some scars still needed healing.
Can I uproot the life I've known for so long and build a new home with the amazing woman sitting across from me?
Jane looked around her living room to consider what she truly had in life. Worn, well-loved furniture mixed with newer pieces Jane hadn't bought too long ago. Family pictures adorned the walls as well as prints from her favorite artist, Wassily Kandinsky.
Some people might be surprised in the brunette's taste. Jane thought most modern art was questionable and downright weird, and she made that opinion well known when she visited art galleries and museums with Maura; however, something about the geometric lines and patterns spoke to the former officer. Her mind appreciated all the intricacies and layers of meaning found in his work. There was far more to the brunette than she let on; Maura was the only one Jane had ever let in completely.
Jane's bookcases teemed with books of all different genres: fiction, non-fiction, biographies, anything. Jane Rizzoli was a voracious reader. Most evenings before bed, reading would be her means of relaxation. After getting tucked in for the night, Jane would read her books while Maura wrote in her journal. Together they complimented one another perfectly.
The brunette's eyes came to rest on the piano in the corner; her mind was made up.
R & I R & I R & I
After what felt like an eternity for the blonde, Jane finally answered.
"OK."
"OK?" Maura wasn't sure she heard the brunette right.
Taking both of Maura's soft hands into her own, Jane smirked, "Yes, I want to live with you, but I have two conditions."
Bemused by Jane's need for stipulations, Maura humored the brunette, "And those two conditions would be?"
"I want to bring my piano and adopt a dog." Jane stated simply.
The doctor leaned in and kissed the Italian soundly.
"You've got yourself a deal." Both women's smiles lit up the room.
"Can I make a request as well?" Maura added thoughtfully.
Jane eyed the doctor suspiciously. "Yes…"
Smirking, Maura proposed, "When we move your things, we hire movers."
Maura stuck her hand out for Jane to take. "Are you in agreement?"
"Yes!" Jane took the doctor's hand and pumped it vigorously.
"Great!" Maura replied enthusiastically.
Happy with their new arrangement, the two women shared a good laugh, but Maura cut hers short when she realized one very important detail hadn't been considered.
"We should probably ask Tommy, shouldn't we?" Maura worried her bottom lip.
"Probably. But to be honest, even if he says he's not interested, I still want to move in with you."
Maura felt her heart grow two sizes bigger.
"Regardless, let's see what he says when we get down there," Maura said thoughtfully.
"Does this mean I have to wait on getting a dog?" Jane's voice had a pitiful edge.
Maura's airy laugh filled the room, "You only have to wait long enough for us to get settled; then, I promise we'll get a dog," Maura added, "or two. Dogs are social creatures after all."
"Really!? I've wanted a dog for years, but I never got one because I'm never be home to take care of it. Holy shit!"
"Jane language!" Maura interjected.
"Sorry, I'm just really excited," Jane wrapped her arms around the blonde and kissed her softly.
"My life is really falling into place with you, Maur."
Maura's shining hazel eyes filled with happy tears as she gazed lovingly at her Italian. "Jane taking the job at Boston East was the best decision of my life."
Jane warm eyes twinkled. "Yeah? Why is that?"
"It led me to you."