A/N: I haven't forgotten about this one! It's a bit hard to write fluff when the mood is less than stellar but hey! It's actually October so this deserved an update and some closure. There might be a basketball update but don't hold your breaths for that one.

Disclaimer: Not mine, new showrunner make them canon etc.
/zlez

Ch. 4 - Soccer/Fútbol

"Soccer Jane, really? Are you that desperate for sports?" They were at Jane's crappy little apartment for a change and Maura was fixing dinner in the kitchen. Jane wanted to help but was relegated to the sofa. Someone had been spending a little bit too much time with her mother.

"There's nothing else on and I've seen all the games I have on my DVR."

"You could read a book, you know. Much more stimulating for the brain than watching TV."

"But I just found out we even have a soccer team. But 'Revolution', that's just a crappy name. At least the Red Sox, Bruins and Patriots have a certain ring to them. Their names just roll off your tongue. But New England Revolution sounds and feels wrong." Maura squinted at Jane but Jane wasn't budging. She was going to watch the game even if it drove her insane.

"Why is he crying, the other player barely touched him! I've got to tell you Maura, this is a weird sport, how is it so big in the rest of the world?"

"It's infinitely easier to play than hockey or baseball or football. Well, maybe not football but they don't show much of American Football overseas that I know of. For soccer you just need a patch of grass and a round ball. Simple. No equipment or complicated rules, just plain sports." Jane looked at Maura as if she'd grown an extra head. How did she know all this? There must be a roof to her brain capacity.

"You could play football with a ball and a patch of grass. Without rules."

"Yes, but I'm not sure they sell actual footballs all over the world. I know the International Series has increased the interest in the sport and some chains carry footballs now but mainly in the summer." Jane turned her head around just as a Revolution forward got the ball. A whistle blew and Jane was confused. Why did he blow the whistle?

"Hey, genius, why did he blow the whistle?"

"By the look of the replay I'd say he was offside. See the line officials? He's signaling offside." Jane was yet again blown away by the random facts Maura knew. How did she know the rules?

"How do you know the rules?"

"I grew up in France, it'd be sacrilegious to not know any soccer. I did play some as well, our school had a team. I liked the running but I never got the correct handling on the ball. It's trickier than it looks. Did you know a player can run up to, and over, 6 miles during an entire game? It's mostly about endurance rather than plyometrics and explosivity."

"Huh. Who knew?" Maura was nearly done with the food as the head official blew in his whistle signaling halftime. Perfect timing for some food. They settled down at the kitchen bar since Jane didn't have a proper dining table, well, she had a table but it only came out during poker nights. They ate their food, talking about how the family dinner had gone.

"Man, I thought Tommy was gonna blow a gasket, he was really upset. Frankie seemed cool with it though." Maura studied Jane's face, her brow frowning slightly at her mention of Tommy. He really had reacted poorly, stomping out and calling Jane a traitor. He nearly called Maura something but seemed to catch himself before making matters worse.

"I believe Tommy saw it as you betraying him since he had shown interest in me before we happened. Imagine how you'd feel if you made a pass at me only to have me reject you and then get into a relationship with your brother? Betrayed, hurt, angry even." Jane knew all those things but she still felt like Tommy had overreacted and been a bonehead.

"I should probably call him."

"Maybe you should, but give him some space first. You Rizzoli's need a longer cooling-off period than normal."

"How did I ever get through all my family politics before you?"

"With broken noses and fuming brothers I imagine." The game had started again in the background with a faint whistle. The score was unimportant, they weren't in the post-season and that apparently meant not trying hard enough every game.

"When you said you wanted to watch this game I looked them up, they are not very good. They don't play very good on the road but seem to do better at home. Middle-of-the-road teams are not a true representation of a New England team. But I do understand why the field looks like it looks when the Patriots are playing. I wonder what the wear and tear is on the turf, hm." Jane watched Maura muse about their crappy soccer team and Gillette Stadium, she looked absolutely adorable as she pulled up Jane's laptop to undoubtedly Google turf conditions. Jane's expression changed from dreamy to panicked when she remembered what she had pulled up on the laptop earlier in the day.

"Jane, why are you looking at rings?" Jane's panic lessened when she heard how Maura's voice was filled with hope and eternity.

"I... I have no good excuse. I love you Maura and I was looking because, maybe one day... Maybe one day I'd ask you to marry me. But I need to find the perfect ring first so it might take a while." Maura looked at Jane with love and desire so intense Jane turned the TV off. It had been an experiment but tomorrow was actual football and the Revolution weren't worth the time, for time being. She would look up the score later.

"Before you say anything more, there is one thing I want to ask you."

"Anything Maura."

"I was thinking, I know it's only been a couple of weeks but in essence years so, would you like to move in with me?" A beat passed as Jane tried to register and make sense of the words that just passed Maura's lips.

"Like- like living together? Waking up every day with you in the same bed? Listen to Jo yap at Bass? Have my mother interrupt... everything?"

"Yes. It would also include such perks as space in the closet, riding in to work together and maybe taking showers together, not that I've thought about the last one a lot..."

"You had me at 'closet space', not that I'll need much of it. Yes Maura, I'll move in with you." Maura moved to hug Jane tightly only letting go to give her a sweet kiss.

"But please, keep me from watching soccer ever again."