A/N: I know very little about basketball. Thank you Google. Also this is for sure the last chapter to this little sports series, maybe. I might want to revisit baseball once more. Since they're in the ALCS and all. Let's see when I get this up first.
Unbeta'd as usual.
A/N2: Uh, this chapter got away from me. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Not mine, show runners make them canon etc.
/zlez

Ch. 5 - Basketball - Boston Celtics.

It was the second to last day in October and the Celtics had their first game of the season. They opened at home so Jane was stoked to watch it on the big TV. Her TV now. Hers and Maura's. She had moved all of her stuff in last weekend and was settling in nicely. A cold beer in one hand and her love in the other. Maura often joined her now at all the sports she would watch but with a science journal in her lap. Sometimes she'd get really excited if they were watching hockey, science journal left on the table, unread and other times she'd be so engrossed in reading it that she would jump when Jane made a sudden movement of joy or frustration.

"Did you know the game of basketball was invented in New England? A doctor wanted an indoor activity during the long winters so he invented Basket Ball."

"Mm, fascinating Maura. Did you know they played it with a soccer ball at first. And a literal basket. They had to remove the ball by hand every time someone scored."

"I did know that!" Jane smirked as she turned her attention toward the pregame on the giant screen.

"My brothers and I used to spend so much time on the driveway playing hoops. Frankie and I still do, when we have time... Well, we used to, before they sold the house."

"You could always put up a basket in our driveway, keep the tradition alive. But no broken noses."

"I can't promise anything, Frankie was always rough because I used to beat him so bad... ly. So he got more aggressive. It made him a better player on the actual court, he played a mean defense in high school. I think he still holds the record on fouls in a single game at our old high school." Maura always liked hearing stories from their childhood, remembering every little snipped Jane gave her when she shared. The game had started but it wasn't holding Jane's attention as Maura's lovely face. Jane took a swing from her beer and turned to Maura. "I went to all his games, cheered him on so hard I almost got kicked out once. The team as a whole wasn't particularly good so they never went to any big games, but seeing him play was always big for me. Tommy never showed any interest in sports, spent more time at the principals office than at gym class." Maura looked at Jane, trying to decipher her expression.

"Have you talked to him yet?"

"No, but I was thinking of calling him tomorrow. I know he knows we're living together now and he can't stay away from Sunday dinners forever, Ma would... I don't know, guilt him into coming, making this awkward."

"Call him and invite him. Maybe he'll reconsider if it comes from you and not your mother." The game was blaring on the TV so Jane reached for the remote to lower the volume. It was an even match but she just wasn't feeling it.

"I sometimes think I didn't give him enough attention. Frankie was always the good one so I tried to corrupt him, dragging him along on crazy things, Tommy usually did such a good job on his own. Maybe I should've tried harder to be his sister. I feel disconnected from him sometimes."

"You did teach him how to play chess."

"Yeah, I did. Those two weeks were the best weeks we ever spent together. I would teach him famous moves and he actually researched some moves on his own, beating me once. I was so proud." Maura sighed, remembering her time playing chess with the youngest of the Rizzoli's, a brilliance under the bad boy image he had going on. Maybe she could do something for him. "Man, this game is boring, there's no defense and the refs are fouling everybody and their mother."

"Jane, why would they foul the player's mothers- oh, you're exaggerating, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I do that you know. Like, all the time." Maura chuckled lightly and Jane joined her and soon they were laughing, doubled over on the sofa, Jane laughing because Maura was laughing and Maura laughing because Jane was laughing. Tears were soon streaming down their faces and they were gasping for a proper breath or two. As the laughter died down Jane kissed Maura on the top of her head and started moving down, her lips the goal. They still hadn't gone all out in the bedroom department, but they felt like they were moving naturally toward it. The game all but forgotten until she heard the signal for a period break. She threw a quick eye on the screen, the Celtics were in the lead. Maybe it was time for some early celebration.

"Do you want to go take this the bedroom?" Through eyes full of desire Jane contemplated the question for all of two nanoseconds.

"Yeah, let's go. Race you." Before Jane could get up from the sofa she heard the door open. Dammit. Dammit all to hell. "Ma, what are you doing here?"

"What, can't a mother come see her daughter and her future daughter-in-law?" Maura got the full effect of the wink as it wasn't subtle and Jane let out a frustrated groan. Her mother did have the best timing in the universe of having timing. She gave her mother her annoyed face and promptly turned her head toward the TV screen. Her beer was room temperature now but she still finished it off. With a grunt she got up from the sofa only to be jerked down again.

"I'll get it for you. You stay and watch your lackluster game." Jane smiled at her, her frustration slipping.

"Thank you." Maura got up to get the beer and saw that Angela was holding bags in her hands.

"Are you expecting company?"

"I thought we'd have dinner together, the three of us."

"What do you have in mind? I've been craving some 'mean pasta' as Jane likes to put it."

"All my dishes have pasta in them so don't worry my dear." Angela got started on the food as Maura finally got the beer from the fridge. She demanded a kiss before handing it over to Jane and Jane complied, she had never been able to say no to that woman. Maura made her way back to the kitchen area and felt like she needed to have a chat with Angela, preferably when Jane was occupied, making this the perfect occasion.

"Jane is hurt that Tommy isn't accepting our relationship." Angela was startled by the admission and tried to find the right words.

"He's always been sensitive. Always going against the grain, against his siblings. Maybe it's his way of throwing a tantrum, he didn't get the pretty girl so no one can. I tried talking to him but at this point the only one that can through to him is Jane." Maura nodded, listening intently. "He'll come around but it might take him a little while."

"I hope so, this family isn't whole if he is away." Angela hugged Maura tightly, Maura feeling the love of family.

"Isn't there something else you want to talk about."

"I-I don't know what- what you're talking about?"

"So I didn't catch you looking at engagement rings yesterday?"

"I- You- What? How did you even- Yes. I've been looking."

"Don't you think you need to ask for permission first?" Maura saw Angela's eyes sparkle with mirth.

"Angela, I think you know how I feel about such arbitrary and archaic 'traditions'."

"Yes, but it's still nice to be included even though my saying isn't weighed in. Also, I heard her talking to your father a couple of days ago." Maura's eyes flickered over to where Jane was sitting so fast and then back to Angela. Was she thinking of proposing already? It was much too soon in their relationship. Then again, she had moved in less than two weeks into it so marriage wasn't so far off. It's not like they were going to City Hall tomorrow.

"She did now? Then it's only fair to ask you: May I have your daughter's hand in marriage?"

"Yes you may!"

"Hey! What are you talking about over there? Ma, why are you crying? Maura?" Both Angela and Maura had tears coming down their faces but they had smiles attached. "What just happened?"

"Oh Janie, the wedding is going to be so beautiful!" Jane did a double-take so hard she nearly dropped her beer.

"WHAT?!" Maura went over to Jane who was now standing up staring wildly at Maura.

"Jane Clementine Rizzoli, will you marry me?" Jane calmed at the presence of Maura and hearing those sweet words coming out of her mouth, Jane nearly passed out.

"Maura Dorothea Isles, will you marry me?