AN: Sorry guys, the weekend went haywire...

Since everyone was still emotionally unstable and very fragile, Korsak and Frost are the only that left for the night. Jane and Maura shared the detective's childhood bedroom, as the Rizzoli boys shared theirs. Cavanaugh was informed of the previous night's disturbing incident and happily granted Jane two weeks extended vacation. Luckily Maura had already arranged vacation time so it worked out just fine.

There were myriad of things to discuss that morning; however, the starting point was the real problem. Everyone was walking on eggshells unsure what to say to the other. Healed wounds had been opened, wounds non-existent had been formed. But they couldn't play the avoidance game forever; things had to be said sooner rather than later.

''Will you ever forgive us'', Angela asked her children after breakfast.

''It's not your fault'', Jane spoke. She knew the question was directed more to her than anyone else.

''Still..''

''I would suggest trying to move on from here'', Jane said dismissively. She was ready to go to her place and see what awaited her there.

The detectives had made absolutely no progress with the evidence they collected from where Jane was being held. It all just summed up to everything they already knew. After speaking with her bank and a few computer geniuses, it was painfully clear that Maura wasn't getting her money. There was one thing left for Jane to do. The only way she was to find Gabriella was if she went to South Africa. But that was a stupid thought. Where would she start? Who would she go to? Who would she say she was looking for? It was an absolute dead end, and it made her cry. She knew she would carry that guilt for eternity.

The whole while Jane had been in her apartment searching for all clues – she found none. Gaby had basically been living at Maura's the whole time. Everything was just the way she had left it, except for a few dirty dishes. It was infuriating and there was not a damn thing she could do about it. She wanted to go to Maura's place, but part of her felt that her best friend needed a little bit of space. She also was unsure how they were to proceed from where they stood. So after the momentary headache, Jane slipped into her bed at 4pm and fell asleep.

Maura was cleaning out her place rigorously. She took all the belongings Gaby had been using and tied them in a bag throwing them in her basement incase they were ever needed. She suddenly became so infuriated with how the woman had used her. The seemingly meaningless words her mother had spoken were suddenly laden with meaning. Maura also wanted Jane, but she felt the brunette needed her space too.

21 day marked the end of Jane and Maura's vacation period. 21 days had passed smoothly, given the circumstances. Maura did not inform her mother of what had happened, she dreaded the ''I told you so'' standard speech. Besides, there wasn't anything Constance could do about it. The Rizzoli's had gone down memory lane to the period the twins were born, searching for any clues they could find - nothing was available on paper. One weekend Maura and Jane flew to Chicago where Jane obtained permission from the police unit there to put her face on the newspaper and request anyone who knew her to come forward.

That is what eventually worked. People who went to school with Gaby and worked with her called in. Maura met with as many as could trying to gain some sort of indication into where the thief-trio could be. All they got was that Gabriella never shared personal stuff- period. It was another dead end, and Maura had begged Jane to make it the last of their hunting expedition. She was emotionally drained and quite frankly felt it wasn't worth it. Jane eventually agreed and they laid it all to rest. All this running around had prevented Maura and Jane from truly focusing on their friendship/relationship. Things were not exactly tense, they just were stagnant. And before they knew it, it was time to go back to work.

Word hadn't spread further than was necessary about what had transpired, so work was relatively normal.

''Have you seen Jane?'', Maura asked as she stepped into the bullpen.

''She left about half an hour ago. Said she'd text you'', Frost said with a pleasant smile.

''Thank you Barry. Have a good evening'', she smiled at Korsak as well, and made her way out. It was the end of the day on their fifth day back at work. She became slightly worried when Jane didn't pick up after three attempts. Quickly, she hurried to Jane's apartment.

''Jane'', she knocked hurriedly when she got to the door.

''Come in its opened'', the brunette called out.

Maura gently led herself in. She was a little afraid of what she would be met with. Her fears her swiftly banished when she spotted Jane running around in the kitchen, presumably trying to put a meal together.

''What is all this?'', Maura waved her hand to the eating area that was set up for two.

''Made dinner for us'', Jane simply replied.

''But you never told me. What if I had not showed up?'' The blonde curiously questioned.

''I had a gut feeling you'd show up''

''Ah, the intestines again'', she teased.

''Indeed. Come, sit'', Jane directed Maura to sit down as she poured her a glass of wine.

''So what's the occasion?''

''Do I need an occasion to make you dinner?''

''Certainly not, however this looks well planned and thought out. I'm led to believe it's not innocent''

''Guilty'', Jane smiled at the knowing doctor. ''Let's just eat. I want to talk to you when we're done''

Maura did not protest. They sat and ate comfortably. They talked about their week at work, and little bits of useless things that had been happening to them. After their meal Jane cleared the dishes and they migrated to the couch.

''I know you've told me to stop apologizing, but I feel I need to say it one more time – I'm so sorry for everything that happened. If there was a single thing I could do to make it all disappear I would. But I can't, and its making me really mad with myself and everything else around me''

''I understand Jane''. Maura had learned the art of agreeing with Jane as much as she could over the past three weeks. Whenever she tried making Jane believe otherwise, the detective would get defensive and often angry. Maura had no desire for any of that – ever.

''I am starting something from Monday'', Jane said shyly.

''Starting what Jane?'', Maura was getting a little scared, her detective could be really unpredictable at times.

Jane took a deep breath in, hoping Maura wouldn't find it silly. ''I'm going to see a therapist''

Of all the things, Maura had not imagined that to be one of them. The detective often just spoke to her family of friends about whatever was bothering her. Maura was at a loss, so Jane explained further. ''I don't know who to talk to Maura. The thing is, I can talk to you about my family problems, and I can talk to my family about some other issues. But I need to combine everything. There are so many things I can't say to you or my friends or my family, and I think it's going to drive me insane if I don't do something about it''

Maura was quiet for a moment, deciding what best to say, and what best to leave out. ''I want to ask something. And if you tell me I promise not to question you again''

''Go ahead'', Jane braced herself.

''As a best friend, I know I have failed you. The only way I can at least try to fix that is if I have some understanding of the most crucial points I missed''

''What do you mean?'', Jane was quick to ask. She hated it when Maura blamed herself for anything.

''Can you just give me an undetailed list of what you wish to discuss with your therapist'', Jane was about to say no already. ''Jane hold on. I just want you to highlight the topics you intend on discussing with him thats all. You don't have to give me the why's or explanations''

Jane thought for a long moment then looked back up to Maura, ''you won't ask me more questions?''

''Promise''

''I want to talk about…'', Jane marked off each point with her fingers, ''….how I feel about having a twin sister who I will never see again, how I felt when I was away from you guys, how I feel about our friendship, …'', she stopped herself. She couldn't go on.

''Jane. Talk to me, please''

''It's us Maur. When I decided to make dinner for us, my plan was to ask you if we can start over. But I don't even have the balls to do that now. I want us to be the way we were before. I want to be your best friend again. And I feel like I don't even know how, and every day it seems like you are slipping away and I'm so scared'', Jane cried.

Maura moved to bring her body closer to Jane, leaving no room between them at all. ''I want all of that too Jane. Its not something you can do alone, it's a friendship, we need to do it together. Ok?''

''Ok'', Jane nodded.

''How about I go to therapy too. And maybe after sometime we could have sessions together?''

Maura proposed this hoping Jane would agree, and she did. So beginning Monday, they started seeing a shrink. They had separate sessions with the same doctor. To their amazement, things changed significantly. They worked their way into being the best friends they were before. There was no more walking on egg shells and utter guilt. They slowly learned to talk to each other about everything, and to trust one another.

As things slowly became normal, they resumed their usual sleepovers. It began non-physical. They slept on their sides of the bed and woke up just there. As the days progressed however, they became inseparable once again. They were either at Jane's apartment or Maura's house at any given time outside work. And in the mornings when they woke, they were more often than not, spooning. Neither addressed it, they had travelled a long journey to get to where they were and neither was wishing to spoil it.

One day Jane got home from work late, to find Maura fast asleep on her couch. It looked so inviting so the detective joined her. About two hours since Jane had fallen asleep, Maura stirred a little, only to find herself pressed into another body. It was Jane's she knew, and she melted right into it. Her movements must have woken the brunette, who murmured into her ear, ''Did I wake you?''

''No, did I wake you?''

''Maybe'', Jane said sleepily.

''What time did you get here?''

''Donno. What time is it?''

Maura lifted herself a little bit and spotted the digits on her oven, it read 1:07am. When she went to lie back down, Jane tugged her to turn and soon they were face to face, Jane now fully awake.

''Hey you'', the brunette smiled.

''Hello Jane'', Maura replied sweetly.

''Would it be so wrong if I kissed you right now?''

''No'', Maura said breathlessly. Permission granted, Jane leaned in and kissed her for the first time. It was everything she dreamt it would be. Maura responded equally and the kiss fast became heated.

''Jane. Stop.'', Maura shouted from nowhere.

Jane was full on panic now. She wished she hadn't started this. ''Maur, I'm so-''

''No, no. Its ok. I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking'' Jane was about to make a move to stand, feeling utterly embarrassed. ''Don't stop Jane, please'', Maura pleaded. It had been déjà vu like no man's business. Maura couldn't believe how it was just the exact way Gaby had kissed her the first time. Jane had even used the same sentence. She knew she had to mention this to Jane, they had a no secret policy. But now was just not the time. They both wanted each other and talk about Gabriella would sure turn things sour.

So Maura pulled Jane back into her, ''Kiss me Jane, and don't stop, please''. Jane resumed from where she had left off. They kissed and kissed, compensating for the time wasted. And when kissing became inadequate, they lost their clothing items one by one. The couch wasn't where Jane wanted to do it, so she lifted Maura to her bedroom, where they made passionate love for the first time. It helped that they trusted each other again, and had forgiven one other as well. The images of Maura and Gaby hurt Jane to think about, but they hurt Maura even more.

They had made love a total of five times, and Jane was fighting herself massively. They never talked about the sex after it had happened. It happened and they both seemed satisfied, but Jane in particular had a few things to say about it. It was embarrassing and she didn't know how to say it. To make matters worse, they were finished with therapy and she had no idea who to talk to. Maura knew though. She knew what Jane's fears were, and she knew the brunette was not going to say anything, so she had to.

On Friday right before lunch, Maura had flowers delivered to Jane. It was a simply bouquet, something that wouldn't make Jane want to throw up. Attached to it was a card. Boy was Jane glad there was no one in the bullpen at that moment. Everyone had stepped out for lunch and she was just about to. She smelled the flowers and carefully placed them on her desk, plucking the card out. It wasn't the normal little card that came with a flower delivery, but instead a proper hallmark card. The front read, Be Mine. Jane chuckled to herself. She was already Maura's. Didn't the blonde know. The inside was hand written

The progress we have made is remarkable Jane. What happened was awful, but things happen for a reason. I wouldn't wish for a rewind, but I am glad we have grown from it. There may be two of you in the world, but there is only ONE Jane Rizzoli. I failed you by not recognizing it wasn't you. And I lost your trust, but I am pleased we have rebuilt that again, and made it even stronger than before. We promised each other to talk about everything, but you have been withholding something from me Jane. I was quiet because I didn't want to force it out of you, but I have to address it when it starts to become a problem.

I would never compare you to her Jane. I know that is what is bothering you. Making love to you is phenomenal. You treat me like the most precious thing on earth. You are so gentle, and warm, and loving, and attentive. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love sex with you. And I am not interested in ever doing it with anyone else ever again. What happened, happened. She was just like any other sexual partner, so you need to stop thinking about it. It's you that I love, only you Jane.

This period marks the beginning of our life together. Years later we will have a story to tell. I am asking you to be mine Jane Rizzoli. Will you be my girlfriend, my partner, and the only love of my life?

Dinner tonight? Please come to get me at 7pm.

I love you Jane

Maura.

Jane was blushing and crying and smiling all at the same time. Her first thought was to tell Maura to filter what she put down on paper. But other than that she was ecstatic. Her dreams were all finally coming true.

That night she picked Maura up, and they had their first date. It was mostly just like their usual meals together, except this time they could fully express their love with no reserve

Life is full of uncertainties, shit happens – for reasons, and for no reasons. What Jane and Maura learnt from the trying period in their life was trust. The two built a bond so strong even they couldn't believe it. They talked about everything, they believed and trusted in the other. When one was weak, the other was strong. Gabriella could have easily torn them apart, but they stood strong and held their ground. Problems arose from time to time, but it wasn't anything they couldn't fix. Eventually they married and started their family, Gaby and Jorge became nothing more than a distant memory.

THE END...

AN: How do I thank you guys. It's so marvellous to write and get a response. Honestly, thank you for the encouragement and advice. Sorry I had to wrap this up so swiftly like that. I am going to be extremely busy till after Christmas, so I had the option of leaving you hanging for THAT long, or patching things together this way. I hate stories with no closure, and I hate waiting forever for an update, then I have to re-read the last two chapters to remember what the story was even about to begin with (no offence to anyone, please. I know life can be unexpectedly busy).

For those reading Do We Belong, that's wrapping up in a couple of days too.

And for those that are interested in what I have to say, I have one last fic in mind. It's a longer AU that I will begin to post beginning of January.