Author's Note: Okay, here it is, the final chapter! Thank you for sticking with me until the end. I know it has been quite the struggle. Thank you for all of the reviews, the favorites, the story alerts. You guys are so awesome! That support means way more to me than you could possibly ever imagine. I'm absolutely touched that you guys have been so receptive to my first Rizzoli & Isles story. Seriously, THANK YOU! :)

I would like to make it known that I do not own, nor do I have any affiliation with anyone that does, Rizzoli & Isles. Also, this chapter, like most of the other chapters, is unedited. I just finished writing this and I wanted to post it before bed. But, in all honesty, this story wrote itself. Everything I had planned, aside from Jane reading The Notebook, did not happen...especially in Maura's chapters. That girl basically just took over my hands and made me type everything out. Crazy. So, yeah, I hope you read the story (after the embarrassingly long author's note) and enjoy it! Maybe drop me a line or two in the reviews?

XOXO,

Nanny

PS. The full title to the story, not that it matters, is "The Things We Do for Love." Also, mothers generally know what's best for their children. ;)

Jane had carried Maura all the way to her car. Surprisingly, no one had spotted the two as they made their way to where the car was parked. As Jane set Maura down and started to head to her own vehicle, Maura insisted that she ride with her. They were going to the same place after all, and, if Maura was honest, she did not intend for the detective to leave her house that night. Jane had agreed almost too readily for her liking. She was eager to get to Maura's as well. The women had quickly gotten into their respective seats and were on their way to Maura's house.

The drive was actually fairly silent, as both women were mentally going over the events in the office. They were weighing the pros and cons of what had happened, trying to form words to use in the discussion that was coming up fast.

Maura was absolutely sure that she wanted to pursue a romantic relationship with Jane Rizzoli. She was also sure that it would work out in the end. That was why she had kissed Jane in her office, or at least that is what she told herself was the reason. She could not, would not, contemplate a relationship with Jane that would not work. She could not bear even the thought of having Jane leave her, abandon her. So she had to think that a relationship between them, one that extended beyond just best friendship, would work out. It had to.

Jane, on the other hand, was confused. She loved Maura. She was sure of that now. Her mother had practically hit her over the head with the evidence, and Jane knew there was a lot of it. She would even admit that she was in love with Maura. The way the medical examiner's mere presence seemed to brighten her mood was a clear indicator of that. And she was definitely in love with Maura's lips. She always stared at them, she knew this. Frost had even called her on it. Then when Maura was kissing her, she just about went crazy. Those lips, the same ones she had stared at for so long, were on her own. And they felt so soft, so smooth, so nice, so…Maura. So, of course, Jane loved Maura. She just didn't know if love was enough. She wasn't sure a romantic relationship between them would work out, and she didn't like that she wasn't sure. She didn't want Maura to walk out on her. She couldn't let Maura walk out on her. Maybe it would be better if they said the kiss was a mistake, hurt for a little while, and went back to being best friends. No one would be seriously hurt in that scenario. That would be the best thing to do, for the both of them. Despite knowing this, believing this to be true, Jane couldn't help her desire to do what she felt was right. She always did. She led with her heart, not her head. And her heart said it belonged to Maura Isles.

Maura pulled up into her driveway and parked the car. The moment of truth was upon them. They got out of the car and walked to the front door. They paused just before going inside. They both knew that the moment they did, everything changed. They would have to talk, rationalize, and reason the best possible route to pursue.

Jane took a deep breath and opened the door. It was time. Maura smiled as she followed Jane into her house. Jane had made the first move. Jane was ready. That reassured Maura of her decision. Now all they had to do was talk about it.

"So," Jane said, breaking the silence that had suddenly seemed to have gone on for too long, "about what happened. I think we need to talk."

"I agree," Maura said, walking further into the house as Jane shut the door behind them.

The two made their way into the living room, where Jane saw the fort. A look of surprise, amusement, and confusion graced her face as she took in the sight before her. A fort, an amalgamation of blankets, sheets, and chairs, was in the middle of Maura's impeccable living room.

"Maura, what is that?" Jane asked, despite knowing exactly what it was, having built quite a few in her childhood.

"Oh," Maura said in answer, having forgotten about the fort taking up space in her living room. "I built, that is to say, I tried to build you a fort, like the ones you played in when you were a child. "

Jane laughed, "I can see that, Maura. But, why?"

To show you that I can take care of you, Jane, Maura thought. My animalistic instincts took over. What you are looking at is a nest. Jane, I built you a nest because I love you.

Of course, Maura knew she could not voice her thoughts aloud, not before she and Jane sat down to have a serious talk about the progression of their relationship. Instead, she answered, "I thought it would be fun. It is just something to take your mind off of everything that's happened this week. I made you spaghetti and meatballs too. Your mother helped."

And Ma thought I was crazy for reading for Maura, Jane thought. This is unbelievable. Maura is so nice. I can't not love her now.

"Can we play in it?" Jane asked, not caring that she sounded really childish.

Maura rolled her eyes, something she picked up from the detective in front of her, "Jane, we need to talk first. We can play later, okay?"

"Fine," Jane grumbled, although she was happy that Maura was willing to talk with her about the new developments in their relationship. "Let's sit."

Both women did just that, carefully going around the fort to sit on the sofa. Comfortably seated, Maura on one side of the sofa and Jane sprawled out on the other side, her legs in Maura's lap, feet dangling off the end. They were silent for a moment, wondering how to start the conversation they desperately needed to start.

Maura was first to speak, "I think that we should pursue a romantic relationship, Jane. We clearly hold affection for one another that transcends that of best friends. Even though I lack a lot of experience with friendships, I can clearly see that."

"You're right," Jane said, knowing full well that Maura was almost always right, "but what about that thing you said."

"What thing?" Maura asked, her forehead scrunching in confusion.

"I'm not your type, remember?" Jane grinned weakly, her insecurity evident in her eyes.

"You're not," Maura said simply.

"Then why should we hook up, Maur?" Jane asked, trying to mask the hurt she suddenly felt. She was confused.

"Let me clarify," the doctor said, not liking the look of sadness that overtook the detective's face. "Jane, you are not my type. You are everything I should not like, everything I was raised not to like. You are irrational, emotional, bossy, overprotective, unwilling to try new things, reckless, obstinate, messy, and sometimes just plainly very irresponsible. You lack fashion sense, or if you do possess it, you do not use it."

"That makes me feel so much better," Jane said, her voice betraying her sarcasm, her defense.

"Yet I am incredible attracted to you," Maura continued. "I have been for quite a while. I realized that recently, after I built the fort, actually. I love that you are emotional. You have helped me become more emotional as well and not so drawn into reason alone. Your irrationality has helped show me that reason is not everything. Sometimes when it feels right, it means it is right. I adore that you are overprotective. You try to protect everyone. You protect me. When I did not have friends, you were there. You were my friend. When I was kidnapped, you were there, ready to do whatever you had to do to keep me safe."

Jane shrugged at the last comment Maura had made. Of course she would do anything to keep Maura safe. That was just who she was.

Maura was not finished yet, "Your unwillingness to go out of your comfort zone is endearing, most of the time. And when I do get you to try something new, I feel a great sense of accomplishment. The rest, the rest I still love because those are your characteristics. Those are the things that make you who you are, the person that I love. So, no, Jane, you are not my type. However, you are the only one I can honestly say is perfect for me. And I know that you know I don't say that lightly."

Jane smiled then. Everything she had planned to say to Maura, everything she wanted to argue, disappeared. The only thing she was thinking about was the beautiful woman in front of her, and how they would be perfect together.

"I know," Jane said, finally. "I feel the same way about you."

It was Maura's turn to smile as relief coursed through her body. She had just confessed her love, and Jane had not rejected her. Things were going well, and Maura was very thankful.

"So," she began, her tone questioning, "does that mean we are—?"

"Dating?" Jane asked with a laugh. "Only if you want to. You do want to, right?"

"Of course," Maura said, leaning closer to Jane. "I would love to date you, Jane."

"Good," Jane said, closing the small gap between her and Maura. They were kissing again. This time it was certain. There was no worry. No confusion. They were together.

After a time, and neither knew how long of a time it had been, they broke apart, breathless.

"Wow," Maura gasped, "that was amazing."

"Yeah," Jane agreed, equally out of breath. "Makes me regret not doing it sooner."

"We have more than enough time to make up for that," Maura said, a smile on her face.

"But first," Jane said, glancing sideways at the fort only an arm's length away, "can we play now?"

Maura sighed, feigning disappointment, "I suppose, if you really want to."

"I do!" Jane said, getting up and racing around to the entrance as quickly as possible.

Maura followed. She secretly wanted to play in the fort too. After she and Angela had built it, she had spent all night in there, thinking about Jane and analyzing her feelings for the woman. It was very comfortable, however she did not see how one could play in such a thing.

"Oh my God!" Jane gasped. "Maura, did you know that Bass is in here?"

Maura crouched down next to Jane, at the entrance of the fort, and spied her tortoise. She giggled, "No, I didn't. Hmm, he wasn't in there this morning. I guess he sneaked in after I left."

"Well," Jane said, gesturing to the reptile, "can we move him? And by 'we' , I really mean 'you.'"

"He looks rather cozy, Jane," Maura said. "I would hate to disturb him."

"Okay," Jane grunted. "But we play in the fort in the morning, tortoise or no tortoise, deal?"

"Whatever you say," Maura said. "But for now, why don't we go to my room to play?"

"What would we play in your room?" Jane asked before realization struck her. "Oooohhh."

Maura smiled, "Yes, Jane, that. But if you aren't ready for that, we can wait. This is new territory for us."

"Yeah, like, super new territory," Jane said. "Let's wait, okay? I mean, I want it to be special and it being second to playing in the fort isn't all that special. But we could snuggle?"

Laughing, Maura stood up, offering her hand to Jane, "I never took you for a snuggle person."

Jane took Maura's hand, "I'm full of surprises."

"I know," Maura said, leading Jane to her bedroom, bypassing the guest bedroom. "That's another thing I love about you, Jane. You're unpredictable."

The two entered Maura's room, and quickly set about their nightly routines. They had done this enough times to know how to work around each other. In no time at all, they were all dressed and ready for bed. They both lay down in the bed, and instead of settling at opposite sides, they curled up next to each other. It was the way they had woken up on numerous occasions, wrapped up in one another, only this time they began their night that way.

With Maura wrapped in her arms, drifting off to sleep, Jane knew everything was going to be fine. No matter how uncertain the rest of her life proved to be, Jane knew one thing for sure. Yes, she could be in love with Maura. She was in love with Maura, and Maura loved her too. Smiling, Jane joined the doctor in sleep.