Sorry this is so short and a little slow but I wanted to get something posted I hope you are all still hanging with me...I think things are about to pick up.

School was in full swing much to Frankie's dismay. He couldn't wait until graduation when he would be done with school…no one knew it yet but college wasn't exactly on his to do list. He was hoping to keep that on the down low as long as possible. He knew Maura was off to the best medical school in the country most likely but that just wasn't for him. Everyone would make a big deal about that and he didn't want to deal with that at the moment. He was just going to keep his head down and finish high school and figure things out then.

"Geeze Janie I am coming relax," Frankie said trying to shrug off his sister's excited grip.

"We are here," she said proudly standing in the front porch of a rundown rancher.

"Umm where," Frankie asked confused?

"Home," Jane said proudly.

"Home? Like home to the cockroach and black mold that will slowly eat away at my insides."

"Shut up Frankie it does not have black mold…this place just needs a little TLC and we can really make it ours. I know it is not the Ritz but it is ours and it is….quiet."

Frankie didn't know what to say. Sure the place looked like a dump but Jane was right a little TLC and this little place really had potential. He knew his sister was doing everything she could to get him out of that house and that toxic environment.

"If I don't say it enough Janie…you're the best big sister ever," Frankie said giving her a hug. "So let's get in there and see how many cockroaches I'll be sharing my room with," he joked heading inside.

It was a good thing they were both kids of a plumber as new pipes and fixtures were needed around the house. The electrical was in good shape and the place just needed a good cleaning and paint before it was move in ready.

"Hey whatcha doing," Jane said bouncing next to Maura when she entered the bakery?

"Umm was going to get a cup of coffee….that is if you haven't consumed it all, how many have you had today," Maura asked with a chuckle never seeing Jane this amped up before.

"Want to come to a paint party?"

"Umm what is a paint party? I have never been to one it sounds fun."

"Well, don't get your hopes up it isn't actually any fun at all. See, I got this two bedroom place down by the harbor and it needs some TLC….basically a good cleaning and painting. Frankie, Frost and I are going to be working on it all weekend…I provide the supplies food and drinks and hopefully a little fun too."

"I'd be happy to help. It is impressive you have been able to secure a place already."

"Eh don't get too excited until you see the place….but it is in a safe area has four walls, a roof and no yelling."

"You're an amazing sister Jane. Frankie is very lucky to have you."

"Eh it's not a big deal."

"It's a very big deal. Text me the address and I will be by around 4."

"Thanks Maur you're a pretty great friend too. Here coffee on the house," Jane said handing her a to go cup.

"Thanks Jane."

Maura parked her car when her GPS said she had arrived. Jane certainly wasn't lying when she said the house needed some love. However, Jane also wasn't lying when she said it was in a nice area as the other surrounding houses looked well kept and cute. She couldn't help but smile as she heard some music playing and as she stood on the front porch she heard the banter of the three occupants.

"I so can rap," Frankie defended.

"Bro you have never been more white then you are in this very moment," Frost said laughing.

"Seriously I have more skillz than you yo," Jane laughed flashing a fake gangsta sign.

Frankie tossed a rag at Jane's head but as she was across the room it fizzled out and landed on the floor. All eyes turned to the giggles at the front door.

"Hey Maur you made it," Jane said with a smile.

"Come on in join the party," Frankie said walking over to the rag he previously tossed at Jane now tossing it at Maura with a little more success.

"Not even going to let me put my stuff down…man you're such a slave driver."

"Really Frankie didn't anyone teach you any manners," Frost said in a very proper voice. "Let the lady in show her around your humble abode."

"Ohh the grand tour huh well we are standing in the living room dining room combo, right over there is the kitchen, back there are the two bedrooms and hall bathroom and that's the tour."

Jane rolled her eyes.

"You two bozo's keep working in here and I will show her what needs to be done…try not to make it worse than it already is."

Jane guided Maura into the kitchen.

"Frankie and I already changed out the pipes in here and the bathroom so we are good with the running water. We are going to clean first and then paint."

"It's impressive that you can change out pipes…If I tried doing that this place would be under water," Maura chuckled.

"Plumbers kids," Jane shrugged. "Anyway I have the boys working on the living room, kitchen and dining room what do you say we tackle the two bedrooms?"

"Sounds good…do you already have paint colors picked out?"

"No, I was probably just going to do white or something."

"What? No, no you have to have colors….let me pick them out please…please please please," Maura begged gripping onto Jane hand causing Jane to flinch noticeably in pain.

Maura jumped back slightly first shocked than alarmed as the flash of pain across Jane's face. Jane quickly shook her head trying to cut Maura's worry off.

"It's nothing…it's just about to rain and an old injury makes my hand sensitive. Maybe renting a place by the water wasn't the smartest choice….although that will be nothing compared to the harsh Boston winters," Jane said trying to deflect.

Maura stood there a moment trying to decide if she should drop it, for now she was going to.

"So can I pick out colors for you," she asked again?

"Sure, you can tell me about you color plans as we start cleaning."

Maura told Jane all about the ideas she had for the space that would make it a warm and cozy home. The girls got through the two rooms in no time and went to check on the boys who hadn't made much progress. They got caught up in multiple spitball fights and wrestling matches to really get much accomplished. Jane blasted some music and they all rocked out as they finished off the cleaning duties for the day.

"I don't know about you but I am spent," Frankie said throwing the last paper towel out and plopping on the floor. "Man I wish we had chairs right now."

"I'm too tired to care," Frost said also laying on the floor.

"What are you a bunch of girls," Jane asked laughing?

"If that means I don't have to move than yes I am a girl," Frankie shot back.

"All right girls lay there…Maura and I are running to the paint store to get samples. Try and order a pizza before we get back," Jane said toss some money on the floor near Frankie.

Maura looked like a kid in a candy grabbing all different paint samples. Jane just stood back with a smile on her face watching her friend bounce from section to section.

"You going to leave some samples for other people," Jane joked after a while knowing if she didn't put a stop to this Maura might be here all night.

"Ohh yeah right sorry," Maura blushed slightly.

"No, it's cool your cute so excited. I just want to get back and make sure the boys have actually moved and ordered pizza because I am starving."

"Call them and tell them to have the pizza delivered to the boat…we could all stay there tonight and then head back to the house tomorrow."

"You don't want to stay at the house."

"Jane, you have no furniture."

"Right…you're so smart."

Jane called the boys and agreed to all meet at the boat to stay for the night. Frankie just picked up pizza on the way over knowing it would be faster that way as he was already starving. The group had a great night together laughed and joking as a ball game was on in the background. Since the Sox already clinched their playoff the sports nuts weren't glued to the TV.

"All right so boys in that room and girls down here," Jane suggested as it was getting late.

"Cool," both Frost and Frankie agreed heading to their bunk for the night.

Maura stood frozen.

"Maura you coming?"

"Oh yeah just going o the bathroom first I will be there in a minute."

Just when she thought she pushed all her lingering crush like feelings deep inside she was now being asked to spend the night with her. This was going to get interesting.