I am continually blown away by y'all's support and reviews and dang-a-lang. I wish there was a way for me to show you how much it means to me to know that someone else is enjoying reading this story as much as I am enjoying delving into it. Y'all are the best. No, but seriously. Love.

Maura slipped into her favorite cashmere sweater and a pair of white jeans. They slid easily up and over her curves, or lack there of these days. Once dressed, she pressed a finger to her lips, still swollen with want after Jane left to stall Angela so she could finish getting ready. Jane loved her. And it wasn't a phase or a mistake. It couldn't be a mistake. The way Maura was feeling couldn't possibly be wrong. Because all she wanted to do was tell Jane again, to see the brunette's chocolatey eyes light up in delight, in relief, to shine with love and understanding. God. She wanted Jane. She was aching for the touch of the other woman. She needed to see the detective, to feel her, to be reminded that the past fifteen minutes hadn't been a dream.

Jane said she loved her. Maura had not been able to spot any body language cues which pointed to the contrary. And she'd responded to Jane kind. And Jane loved her. Maura wanted to weep. She wanted to jump up and down. She laughed aloud simply from the happiness bubbling up inside her.

She'd been on a roller coaster of emotion for the entire day. Jane had gone in early for a case, leaving Maura to wake up alone and disoriented without the detective's warmth cradling her. Jane had been working nonstop lately, and Maura had found it difficult being separated from Jane for so many hours a day. She missed her job, her work. She'd always found such satisfaction in helping to close a case, in acting as the voice for those who'd lost their's prematurely. But, more than that, she missed seeing Jane whenever she wanted to. She missed hearing the detective's identifiable tread walking down the morgue hallway, grabbing a quick bite up in the café, heading out on a call together. She missed Jane nearly every moment of every day in a way that she'd never missed anyone else. She'd always been independent, but she found herself relying on Jane's sarcastic optimism, on her buried kindness, her silliness, her strength. It was scary how reliant she'd become on the detective's presence.

That morning, she'd been too tired after getting ready for the day to do much of anything. She'd nearly pounded her head into a wall when she realized that she couldn't make out the smaller print in a new medical journal she'd received. After Angela and Frankie arrived, she'd gone upstairs and showered and, while brushing her hair, she'd discovered that it had begun coming out in clumps. She knew there was a very high percent chance of it occurring within the first month or so after treatment, but it still came as a bit of a shock. She'd always been somewhat vain about her golden curls. And the thought of losing it made her feel like curling up into a ball and hiding under several blankets until it grew back. It was a hyperbolic reaction, but she hadn't been able to shut it down. She'd been sitting, feeling sorry for herself for perhaps the first time since her diagnosis, which made her feel even more upset, when she heard Jane bounding up the stairs.

She had wanted nothing more than for the floor to swallow her whole before Jane came in. It was such a ridiculous thing to be upset about. She was afraid Jane would laugh at her or not understand or, worst of all, pity her. She wouldn't have been able to stand it if she'd looked up to see pity in those big brown eyes. But it hadn't been pity. It had been love, and Jane had even said it. Over and over again, until Maura finally felt like she'd heard it. Like it was real. It might actually be happening.

She hurried through the rest of her quick routine, even going so far as to dab on a bit of lip gloss. She smiled when she realized it was for Jane's pleasure as much as for her own. Then she practically skipped to the stairs, headache all but forgotten for the time being. Taking the steps carefully, hand gripping the railing tightly, she beamed when she caught site of Jane lounging at the kitchen entrance, surreptitiously looking over her shoulder every couple of seconds, all while waving her mother's chattering off. When Jane caught her eye, the brunette tried for her signature smirk, but her face lit up in excitement instead. Maura smiled shyly back.

"Hi," Jane whispered, approaching her and squeezing her hand quickly before dropping it.

"Hi," Maura matched Jane's tone, following the brunette into the dining room, where everyone else was getting situated.

Seargent Korsak and Detective Frost were there, sitting in their normal seats. Korsak on the end, Barry in the middle, and Frankie next to him with Tommy across from his brother.

"Hey Maura."

"Dr. Isles."

"Doc," they all said in unison, nodding and smiling at her in turn.

She smiled back at them, extremely aware of Jane standing at her back, one hand nearly resting on her hip. She could feel the energy rolling off the detective, the heat. It was exhilarating.

Jane stepped around Maura and gallantly pulled the doctor's chair out for her across from Vince. Maura slid into gratefully. The high from her encounter with Jane hadn't worn off, but her body was desperately trying to remind her that she might have been overdoing it a bit in her excitement. She tried to ignore the jello-like feeling that had settled in her legs. (Jane's term, not hers.) Instead, asking the men about their respective days. Angela bustled in not too much longer, steaming dish in hand, which she set next to Maura and took the spot at the head of the table. At first, the matriarch had attempted to make Maura sit at the head of the table. It was her house after all. But the doctor had quietly and firmly insisted that this was Rizzoli family dinner, and, as such, Angela should take the spot. She'd also found herself more comfortable when she was seated next to Jane, but had deigned not to inform Angela of that reason.

Dishes were passed and conversation flowed easily around the room. Sunday dinners had been a tradition for years, although the faces had changed somewhat. Tommy had been absent for awhile during his stint in prison, but he was back now, sipping his soda and joking with his older siblings. Frank Sr. was no longer a fixture at the table. He had been conspicuously absent for several months as his children and ex-wife attempted to come to terms with his abandonment of the family. But, he was the merest flicker of memory now, never acknowledged, and hardly ever thought of at all.

Vince Korsak had been coming to dinner nearly every week ever since Hoyt happened for the first time. Jane may not have wanted to be partners with the man anymore after he'd seen her in such a weakened state, but she had no qualms about considering him an honorary family member, and neither did her mother. Maura gazed fondly at the older gentleman. He was a good man. A solid, dependable, caring man. She felt lucky to know him.

Barry Frost was the newest addition, but even he had been attending these family get togethers for well over a year. It always took Jane awhile to warm up to people; her tough exterior could be difficult to break through. So, Barry had had his work cut out for him, but he'd come through. Maura realized that she'd gotten caught staring at him in thought and she returned his understanding smile with one of her own. He was the perfect partner for Jane. Cool to her fiery, intelligent, logical, and willing to learn. In many ways, Maura pondered, she and Detective Frost were quite a bit alike. She was not displeased to realize it.

Maura nearly jumped when she felt Jane's touch on her thigh. "Where'd you go?" the detective whispered, leaning over so she could murmur in Maura's ear. Her voice tickled and the blonde had to hold back a gasp.

She shook her head to dislodge the sudden desire coursing through her veins. She could feel herself blushing, the blood rushing to fill the capillaries in her cheeks. "No where," she answered. "I'm right here," and she reached a hand under the table to thread Jane's long finger hand into her own.

"Love you," the detective said so softly, Maura thought she might have imagined it. Jane's family was sitting right there; what if they overheard? She wasn't sure that the detective would be alright with them learning about their relationship simply because they'd reached the 'I love you' stage. Although she herself didn't care one way or another if they found out anymore. It would be quite a bit easier if she was allowed to hold Jane's hand in public, or touch her arm gently in a gesture that was more than platonic.

Maura turned her head to try and catch Jane's eye to determine whether or not she'd heard correctly, but the brunette had already looked away, teasing Frankie about some mishap at work. The moment was gone, but Maura was left behind, tingling. She'd never felt this way during a relationship before: like she might take flight at any moment, as though Jane was the only thing tethering her to solid ground, like she might stop breathing if the other woman were to disappear for longer than a moment, like she could hardly breathe when Jane so much as looked at her.

"Maura, honey." The ME snapped her head around to look at Angela, and nearly groaned at the sudden pounding at the base of her skull. Sudden movements were to be avoided at all costs. "Are you alright?" Angela asked, seeing her face turn pale, and Maura felt Jane's hand on her leg, a questioning touch.

"I'm fine, Angela, thank you." She abhorred that question. "What were you going to say?"

"Well, I was just wondering if your parents might be visiting soon?"

"M-my parents?" The doctor was thrown by the question, but the older woman was nodding enthusiastically.

"I was thinking maybe we ought to invite them for Thanksgiving..."

"Thanksgiving is a month away, Ma," Jane groaned.

"But, you want to make sure they don't make other plans," the mother was looking hopefully at her children. "I'm sure they would want to spend the holiday here, with you, if they, that is, if they kne-"

"Ma," Jane barked out, silencing her mother.

Maura wanted to sink into her chair. It was wonderful that the detective was sticking up for her, protecting her, but it was horrifying at the same time because she knew that Jane actually agreed with her mother on this topic. Maura still refused to call her parents, to inform that she was ill, that it was not good news. She had lived her entire life aching for her parents' attention, but now that there was the opportunity for it, she didn't want it. Not when it wasn't pleasant information to share. Not when they might descend on Boston in a hurry, making her flustered and ill at ease, or worse, something she didn't want to contemplate but knew was a distinct possibility, they might not come at all. It may not be important enough to warrant their attention. She was unsure, and therefore unwilling to risk it. They didn't need to know. Not yet. She'd only undergone one cycle so far.

Jane had insisted when the chemotherapy treatments began that she get in touch with Constance and her father, but Maura had refused then and she continued to do so, although the detective had not brought it up quite so forcefully again. Instead, the brunette slipped in random statements and suggestions every once in awhile, urging Maura to call them, but the medical examiner didn't want to, and so the call was never made.

To hear Jane defending her now sent a rush of embarrassment tempered by warmth through her system. It was love, she now knew, love that caused Jane to protect her, even from Angela Rizzoli. Love that made her forgo her own opinions and desires simply to see that Maura was well looked after. Love. Maura had never understood it before, but she felt that she might be able to. Now that Jane loved her. She might be able to.

"I'm going to get dessert. Anybody need anything?" Jane asked the table, sounding slightly flustered.

Everyone shook their heads, avoiding her hard eyed gaze. Angela's lips were pursed in unhappiness, but she didn't speak.

"Maur, need anything?" Jane asked specifically, leaning closer so her breast was pushed into Maura's shoulder. The medical examiner's breath caught in her chest.

"N-No," she managed. She caught Angela's eye and blushed slightly.

"Alright," Jane paused, half raised from her sitting position. Maura looked sideways at her and watched as Jane swept her gaze around the table. Korsak had just made a joke at Barry's expense and all of the boys were laughing, but Angela was still watching the two of them. The matriarch cocked her head to the side when Jane's eyes passed over her. Jane paused there for a moment and the two women stared at each other. Maura was confused, especially when she saw Jane give her mother a half smile and a shrug.

"Alright then," the detective said, seeming to come back to herself. She looked once more at her mother, and then leaned over and pressed her lips softly to Maura's cheek, bringing their conjoined hands from beneath the table before letting go.

Maura nearly stopped breathing. What was Jane doing? There was a pause from the teasing conversation going on across the table. Maura could feel the men's eyes on the two of them. She didn't look though, because Jane wasn't. The brunette was holding her gaze seriously. And Maura understood. Jane loved her. And she loved Jane. And so it did not matter if the rest of the family knew about their relationship. It hardly mattered if they cared at all. Because the two of them were in love. And this was Jane's way of showing her, of promising her...so many many things. Jane, who was flighty and unsure and usually hesitant to commit, was committing to her, to Maura, with this one simple act. The blonde felt her heart swell with pride at her detective. Her detective. Yes.

So, when Jane squeezed her fingers once more before letting go and heading for the kitchen, Maura felt herself blushing, even though the conversation had resumed as if nothing had happened. Maura looked up to find Angela Rizzoli watching her. She gave the matriarch a hesitant smile, but was rewarded only with a blank look before the older woman stood abruptly, and without a word, set her path for the kitchen, following her daughter's footsteps.

Maura slumped slightly in her chair. The doctor had never experienced a romantic partner's coming out, and therefore was not the proper judge of such things, but she couldn't help feeling rejected at Mrs. Rizzoli's blank look. She looked over at Tommy, and grimaced. He, too, did not appear overly enthused. She thought he'd gotten over his crush on her, but perhaps he hadn't.

"Tommy," she said softly, but all four of them looked over at her. She blushed again. "I-I'm -" she was going to say that she was sorry, offer an apology, until she realized that she didn't have anything to apologize for. She had been polite to Tommy. She'd explained to him already that she did not entertain any romantic feelings. And it was not entirely her fault that she'd only finally figured out her emotions for Jane and that Jane just happened to be his older sister. So, she paused. And was surprised when Frankie grinned at her.

He slapped his brother on the back. "We're happy for you guys, aren't we Tommy?"

Tommy paused, seeming to consider, and then his body shifted slightly, his back straightened imperceptibly, and his facial muscles relaxed. Maura wanted to heave a sigh of relief. "Sure, we are."

Frost and Vince were smiling as well, and Maura gave them all a tremulous grin. "Well, it's still relatively new," she explained.

"Just...how new?" Frankie inquired slyly.

Maura pondered how to answer the question. One day? A month?

But he seemed to take her silence for offense, because he was quick to add, "Just, I mean, relatively, cause we, well, we, and some of the other guys, not just us, we might have bet-" Frost elbowed him in the side and Frankie stopped speaking with an oomph.

Maura's eyes widened. Bet? They had bet on her and Jane? About what? "About what?" she repeated aloud.

Barry rolled his eyes, "Great," he muttered. "She's gonna tell Jane you idiot," he growled at Frankie.

"So what," Frankie gestured, "She would have anyway."

Maura was looking confusedly between the two men. "You bet on us?" Us. That sounded wonderful.

"Well," Barry rubbed the back of his neck.

They were uncomfortable. "You know gambling has been a popular form of stress relief for centuries," she began.

Frost jumped in to cut her off before she could begin the history of gambling. "We bet on when you two would get together, like together together," he emphasized. "And on when you'd come clean, an-and stuff like that."

"Oh," Maura didn't know how to respond. Jane would probably be upset. She usually was when she found out the guys were thinking too much about her personal life, but Maura didn't really mind. It simply meant they were interested, that they cared. At least, she knew that the four in front of her cared. They would never do anything to intentionally hurt Jane. She wondered idly if that care extended as completely to her.

"But nothing too serious or anything, and only a few people. Not any douchebags or idiots or whatever," Frankie looked nervous, too.

"Well, I-" And then the thought occurred to her. They'd bet on them, on her and Jane, before they knew about the relationship. So that meant... "How did you know?"

"What?" Frost stared at her.

"You must have known, or at least seen something that we, that Jane and I missed. Did we miss it?"

Vince reached across and patted her on the hand in a fatherly gesture, "Sometimes we miss the stuff that's right in front of us."

"Yes, I-I suppose," Maura looked back down at her plate in confusion. How long had she missed it? There must have been signs. None of the men were specifically trained in body language analysis. So it must have been fairly obvious. Not that they were unintelligent, just that Maura was aware of her IQ score, of her genius level status. She didn't brag; it was simply a fact. She could feel her headache building. So whatever must have happened between her and Jane while they were still only friends must have been easy enough for nearly anyone to spot. "Angela," she breathed, looking fearfully toward the kitchen.

"I think she knew," Frankie mused, following her gaze. "At least, subconsciously or whatever. We did. And she isn't blind."

"No," Maura agreed softly.

"Maura."

The medical examiner looked at Tommy, squinting slightly. His face was blurrier than it had been a moment before. "She won't care. At least, I don't think she won't," he looked dubiously at his brother. "I mean she still loves me, and I went to prison! So..." he trailed off.

"Right," Maura said softly again. "Okay." They all lapsed into silence, looking thoughtfully over at each other. She wanted to go to the kitchen, to follow Jane and her mother, to determine whether or not she had just had a hand in driving a wedge between the daughter and mother duo. She didn't think so. Angela was a mother first, whatever her church taught her or her conservative values inherited from her parents and the society that raised her said. She was a mother first. Maura simply needed to trust in that bond. A bond she hadn't had much positive experience with, true, but over the past few years, Angela had become a bit of a surrogate mother for the doctor. And even after the warehouse, after Paddy Doyle, and the fight, Angela had accepted her, had told her she loved her. So she would continue to love Jane no matter what, not even this, because she was Jane's mother and Angela Rizzoli was a mother to her core. Maura began to practice her deep breathing techniques inherited from her years of yoga. She wasn't going to be able to completely relax until Jane returned, unscathed from the kitchen.

Jane took her time getting the dessert out of the fridge. Homemade banana creme pie. She removed the cover slowly, waiting, and yup, there it was, the telltale click of her mother's shoes on the hardwood floor. "Ma," she said calmly, facing away from her mother.

Angela didn't speak for a moment and Jane wondered what sort of talking to she was in for. It had honestly been a near spontaneous thing. Maura's perfect cheek had been there, simply asking to be kissed, and Maura loved her, so who cared. Jane hadn't really thought it all through. She'd let her gut lead. She laughed silently to herself. Maura hated it when Jane credited her gut. An organ couldn't be logical, couldn't make decisions.

"What is so funny?" her mother's sharp words cut through her daydreams.

Jane sighed. Shit. "Ma," she turned around, ready for whatever battle was about to take place. Instead, she was greeted with the image of her mother, hands on hips, a wide grin splitting her features. "Ma?" It was a question this time.

"Oh, Janie!" And the squeal nearly caused her to go deaf right then and there. Her mother stepped forward and swept her up into a hug. Jane couldn't have escaped the tidal wave force if she'd tried. "When were you going to tell us?" Her mother finally let go and took a step back. The older woman was practically bouncing in her place, her hands clasped together in joy, a light shining in her eye that Jane had never seen.

"Jesus, you're more excited than I am," Jane grumbled, unsure how to respond to her mother's enthusiasm. This had not been a projected scenario.

"Oh shut up," Angela quipped, and Jane's jaw nearly dropped. "You love her!"

Now how did Angela know that? It'd just been a kiss on the cheek.

"I wasn't sure when you started sleeping over every night," Jane threw up her hands. Of course her mother knew about that. "Since you drove separately and tried to pretend like it wasn't happening. But with the diagnosis, and oh, Janie. You know I've always been afraid you wouldn't find someone. You're so difficult and hard to get to know. I pretty much gave up on making you suitable, but I'm just so happy for you. Both of you."

"Well, uh, thanks...I guess." Jane thought there might have been a compliment in there somewhere. Maybe.

"And you're just glowing! Both of you. Like lovebirds," Angela clapped her hands together delightedly.

Jane groaned. "Ma, jesus. It's pretty new okay. We've been taking it slow." Jane reached forward and took her mother by the elbows, "So, just, calm down, alright?"

The shorter woman pouted slightly. "I just can tell you're so happy, even with," she waved her hands in the air, "the stuff that's going on. And all I want is for you to be happy, baby."

"I'm happy, Ma. Okay? This is me being happy," Jane smiled at her mother.

Angela put a hand on her daughter's cheek for a moment. "And a doctor, too!" She yelped, jumping back into motion.

"And there we go again," Jane muttered, watching the older woman whisk around the kitchen collecting dessert plates and forks, chattering on all the while.

"Well, you just have to tell me everything of course! When did you two make it official?" Jane rolled her eyes at the air quotes. "Does anyone else know? Of course you'd tell the family first right? You've moved in officially already right? I mean, you've practically been living here since the two of you got over your little...hmmm..spat. Maura just looks so happy. I haven't seen her glow like that, well, ever, I don't think. Not even when that Ian fellow was in town. You know, I never did like him. When's the wedding? A fall wedding? It would be so lovely. And, oh you two are going to have such wonderful babies! Adopted or surrogate or whatever you choos-"

"Ma!" Jane had had enough. "Can you just - just slow down for a minute okay. I mean jesus!" Jane ran a hand through her curls in agitation. Babies. Marriage. Jesus. "We've got other things to deal with right now. I mean Maura is-i-i-is sick. Like really sick. And it might not seem like it right now, tonight, but she is. Everyday. And until she gets better, there won't be any talk of weddings or-o-or children or anything! Okay?!" Jane didn't realize how loud she'd gotten until she stopped and could hear the echo reverberate in the sudden silence.

She attempted to rearrange her features into a properly contrite expression. "I'm sorry, Ma. Okay? I'm sorry. It's just a lot to deal with, and we're trying to take it one step at a time."

"Of course. Of course, sweetheart. I'm so sorry."

Jane looked up in surprise. Her mother didn't apologize. Not ever. But Angela was smiling sadly at her. "I'm just happy for both of you. Is it alright that I'm happy?"

"Sure. Yeah. Of course, Ma. Just don't, like, break out in song or whatever," Jane tried to joke. Angela pulled her into a tight hug, rubbing her back gently.

"Alright, Janie. Alright."

Her mother finished getting the dessert things together and headed back into the dining room, leaving Jane alone with her thoughts. The detective turned to face the sink, and mindlessly turned on the hot water, dribbled some dish soap onto the available scrubby and started washing the pans used to make dinner. She hated doing dishes. It used to be that Maura would clean up after dinner, insisting that Angela not lift a finger seeing as how she had cooked. But now, it had fallen on Jane. Usually, she'd rope the guys into doing it, until Angela griped that they'd probably drop a plate or start a soap fight, in which case Jane would find herself up to her elbows in scalding, greasy dishwater. She hated cleaning.

But right now, she needed the mindless task, needed something to keep her from thinking about all the things her mother had just said, all the things Jane hadn't even thought about yet but were now vying for her attention. First thing was first. They had to get Maura well again. They had to get her past this. And they would. Jane would. She was adamant that a tumor wouldn't be the one thing that brought Dr. Maura Dorothea Isles to her knees. Not while she was on duty. So Jane scrubbed pots and pans, over and over and over, until even Maura would have been amazed at their cleanliness. And she didn't hear the shouts of laughter echoing from the dining room, and she didn't notice when her mother brought in the rest of the dishes and set them in the sink beside her. She didn't hear the dinner party move into the living room, or the game getting turned on. She stared grimly at her angry red hands, ignoring the pain of the burning hot water, and she focused instead on how they would beat Maura's tumor to the ground. How they would wipe it out of existence. How it would be as if it had never disrupted their lives in the first place, never made Maura's beautiful hazel eyes blur or her perfect blonde curls fall out, never flipped them all upside down and inside out trying to defeat something that didn't even have a brain. She scrubbed and she fought until she reached into the suds and came up empty handed.

Sighing, she drained the water then leaned her arms against the counter and leaned over, breathing deeply, trying to relax her tense muscles. Sounds began to filter in. The highlights of the game now being replaying on ESPN, the sound of her mother saying good night to someone: Vince, Frankie's deep voice emanating from the living room, Tommy's laugh. She glanced at the clock. Shit. It'd gotten late and she hadn't even noticed. She had to work bright and early in the morning.

Jane walked quietly into the living room, and took in the view of her family spread out on all the furniture. Tommy and Frankie were sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table like little kids, Frost was in the armchair and her mother was on one end of the couch. Maura was on the other. They were all focused on the game, and as she watched, Tommy leaned over and socked his older brother on the arm. Frankie punched him back good naturedly. Jane nearly laughed at the sight. It was home. She felt a pair of eyes on her and looked up to find Maura watching her under a heavy lidded gaze. The medical examiner was curled up under a blanket looking absolutely adorable, and almost perfectly content. She reached one arm out from her warm nest and held it lazily in the air, a gesture for Jane to approach.

The brunette stepped around the couch and scooted up next to Maura, lifting up the blanket so she could cuddle closer. Maura switched directions so she was leaning mostly on Jane, her blonde curls fanning out over the taller woman's shoulder and chest. No one commented on the closeness. Jane almost laughed with relief. They honestly didn't care.

"Tired?" Jane whispered for Maura's ears alone.

She felt the doctor nod.

"Bed?" the brunette asked.

Maura shook her head no. "Alright?" And it was let's stay up with the family please, i'm so comfortable, don't make me move, hold me, you okay? you were in the kitchen an awfully long time. your mother, i think she approves? she loves you. i love you. i love you. i love you.

"Yes. Alright."