N: this is what it is. I've been very busy trying to get my detective series completed and out to print, so this story fell to the wayside and was worked on in bits and pieces. There will be one more update before i check this one as complete. I might do another rizzles based off the movie Her, but that's down the road a bit. Read on and enjoy! I know there's no smut, but smut takes forever to write and write well...sooooo

Okay! Read on and if you want more, i have books on Amazon under Sydney Gibson that will make great back to school reads!

Maura

"You're fine. You know everyone here. They're friends. No need to be nervous." I mumbled to myself as I walked through the back entrance to the morgue. Today was my first official day back after three months of medical leave and I was petrified.

I shifted my bag in my hands, nervously fidgeting. I could do this. I could go back to work and see all of my friends, coworker's. I could go back to normal like Jane said.

I smiled at the thought of Jane. My Jane. Every time I said that, thought it, my heart would skip, and I'd grin like a fool.

I walked into the morgue and thankfully found it to be empty and clean. I moved to my office and grinned at the large bouquet of flowers sitting on the desk. They were my favorite, lilies and I knew who they were from. I set my bag down and reached for the card.

You're amazing and I love you. Jane.

I grinned, pressing the card against my heart. I wanted to run upstairs, find Jane and kiss her senseless. But I knew that would embarrass her and we were still trying to keep our relationship quiet. The entire ordeal with Holton had created enough press and unwanted attention, we didn't need to add more. I also really liked keeping things secret. It made coming home to Jane ten times better.

I sat in my chair and turned on the computer. I had a stack of files on my desk that needed to be reviewed. I'd been able to work from home as I continued to heal, but Kent had done the heavy lifting.

I let out a slow steady breath. Six months was a long time to be away from anything, let alone work. The social dynamic would be different. I was different. Would anyone notice?

My brain started dissecting at a rapid pace and I felt like I did on my very first day here, but less confident. I bit my lip, reaching for my phone when I saw a message waiting.

Maur. You're fine. Tell that big brain to settle its ass.

I chuckled. Jane really did know me through and through. And I her. Gaining my full memory of her and adding the freedom of not hiding my feelings, was incredible. Granted we had a few missteps as we adjusted to being more than friends. Jane was very nervous about public displays and intimacy.

I smirked, thinking about our first night together a few weeks ago. Jane may have called herself inexperienced, but I begged to differ. I'd never had a lover like her. I shifted in my seat as vivid memories surfaced.

"oh shoot, you're early or I'm super late." Susie Chang stood in my doorway holding a large orchid and a silly balloon of a bear dressed as a doctor. She had her usual panicked look. I watched her eyes run over my outfit. I was still very thin, but not as bad as I once was. Thanks to some healthy Italian cooking and love, I regained most of my weight and grew a dangerous love of pistachio gelato.

I stood up, smoothing out my skirt. A nervous habit of mine. "I'm early, Susie. I thought it best to get here and avoid…" I paused.

"The welcome wagon? I get it, Dr. Isles." She smiled, setting down the flower and bear on my coffee table. "I've told the staff to go easy and not barge in with welcomes. Detective Rizzoli put me in charge and to be honest, she scares me." Susie huffed, "It's great to have you back, you've been missed."

"It's good to be back." I pointed at the balloon, "Thank you and tell the staff thank you. I received many of their well wishes."

Susie suddenly rushed forward, enveloping me in an awkward embrace. "I'm really glad you're okay, Maura." She whispered around tears before letting me go and rushing out of the room. Leaving me to stand in awkward silence. A wave of anxiety struck and I began to fidget with my fingers. I turned away from the door, taking calming breathes. I could do this. People will ask about my incident and the incidents that followed. Jane warned me of this. I closed my eyes.

"You wore the outfit I laid out for you." Jane's raspy voice calmed me immediately. "I'm going to take this as a huge win." She stood behind me, laying her hands on my shoulders and squeezing. "I ran into Chang scurrying out of here like her ass was on fire."

"Language, Jane. And your selection was perfect for today. A simple blue dress long enough to cover my legs." I sighed. I was healed but the scars would take a little longer to fade and I was incredibly self-conscious of them. I leaned into her touch. "How long can I hide down here?"

"Not long. Dispatch called, there's a body in the park. They were going to call in Kent, but I told them you were back and I'd check if you wanted first dibs." Jane gently turned me around, searching my face. "You ready?"

I swallowed hard nodding. "I think so. I have to jump back in to my old routine." I twisted my fingers.

Jane covered my hands with hers. "You can do whatever you like. But the boys would love to see you. They've missed how well you wrangle me at work. Frost claims I'm unruly and Korsak straight up calls me a crab ass."

I wound my fingers in hers, "You do tend to be moody when you're tired. You came back to work faster than recommended." I glanced at her brown eyes.

Jane shrugged, "I've had worse and come back later that night. Plus I had to jump back into my old routine before I retired and forced you to retire with me." Jane brushed a piece of hair from my face. "I like our routine we had. Even the shopping."

I grinned. Jane had endured a whole week of shopping when it was revealed my entire wardrobe was destroyed. She did manage to slip in a few Red Sox t-shirts and talked me into a pair of converse. "And you were rewarded handsomely." I chuckled at the thick blush creeping up her neck.

"Um, so you want to go look at a dead body with me?" Jane peered up through her eyelashes.

I nodded slowly. She went to step away when I gripped her hand. "Wait, will you have dinner with me tonight? Our first date after our first day at work together?"

Jane grinned, "I think we've moved way past that." She winked, "I think we're supposed to have a date before we get naked."

It was my turn to blush, "Everything about us is backwards, Jane." I stepped closer, "I asked you out and I intend to follow through."

Jane kissed my cheek, "Then it's a date." She motioned for me to follow her, "Let's go. It's time to go be superheros once again." I squeezed her hand before letting it go. I knew I'd have a rough time with this first scene, but if Jane was near, I could do anything.

I'd already done it all to be with her.

XXXXX Jane

"So, is Maura good?" Frost stared at me over the top of his monitor. Our case was paused while we waiting for the lab and Maura to process the body.

I ran a hand through my hair, "Yeah. She had one tiny freak out in the car on the way back to the morgue, but recovered. She got better as her staff trickled in and said their hellos." I propped my chin up on a hand. "The woman is a force of nature. She's stronger than anyone I know."

Frost chuckled, "Because she has you. You two literally compliment each other." He leaned back in his chair, "How about you? You were freaking the hell out this morning. Have you taken the time to settle down?"

I shrugged. "Eh. It is what it is. I talked to the therapist, went to therapy with Maura and all that jazz. I think my mind and body has just adjusted to my life and the monsters I walk with." I rolled my shoulders, feeling the skin tug at my healing scars. "Plus what's two more scars?"

Frost shook his head, "Really, Jane, are you good? We haven't really talked since you came home. Talked talked."

I sighed. "I'm really good, Frost. It's really weird to say it after everything, but everything dark was thrown away the second Maura opened that car door and told me her home was mine. You know that ridiculous saying love heals all wounds or some bullshit like that? It's true. I love Maura wholly. She is literally the other half of my heart and finally having her, it fused every crack I ever carried. She loves me no matter what, even when she had amnesia, she loved me." I smiled like an idiot. "And I love her."

Frost rolled his eyes laughing, "The great Jane Rizzoli has become a marshmallow."

I grimaced before leaning across my desk so only Frost would hear me. "You would too if you ever saw Dr. Isles in nothing but her lab coat." I winked at him as his mouth gaped open.

"No. She didn't?"

I winked, "Maybe she did, maybe she did." I stood up, "I'm going to get some coffee, you want some or?"

Frost swallowed hard, shaking his head. "You're one lucky son of a bitch, Jane."

I nodded and glanced at the clock, "I am, and I have to go. I have a date."

"Yes, you do." Maura's heels clicked on the tile as she entered the bullpen. She held up a thin envelope. "I have the autopsy report and lab results. Cause of death was chemical asphyxiation from the apparent methamphetamine lab the victim's brother was running in her basement. Her lungs are filled with a strong mixture of acetone and ammonia. Susie ran the blood tox screen, you have enough to arrest the brother on involuntary manslaughter." She turned to me, her eyes lighting up. "I believe this closes the case?" She twisted her watch, "Just in time for our dinner reservations."

Frost took the envelope, waving us both off and refusing to look at Maura. I chuckled and grabbed my jacket. "I'll see you tomorrow Frost?" I turned to Maura, "Oh, remind me to pick up your lab coats from the dry cleaner, Maura."

Frost groaned and buried his head in the file. "Goodnight Jane, Dr. Isles."

I laughed when Maura walked over to Frost and pulled him into a giant hug. "Thank you so much Barry for everything you did for me and Jane." Maura blinked back tears, and whispered, "If Jane doesn't ask you to be her best man, I'm calling claim."

Frost grinned, "It's calling dibs, Maura." He leaned out of her arms, "You don't have to thank me, I did what I did because your family." He glanced at me, "And you keep Jane's crankiness to a bearable level." He waved us off, "Get out of her and have a drink for me."

I stepped next to Maura, linking my hand in hers. I no longer cared who saw us, we'd been outed an hour after I killed Holton. Cavanaugh also threatened career ending write ups if anyone dared to make an inappropriate comment. Then benefits of having your boss date your Ma, he becomes family and defends family. I looked at Maura delicately wiping tears away, "Shall we?"

She nodded, sniffling and squeezing my hand.

"Maura, I thought we were going out to a restaurant near your house. Not out of the country." I squinted out the window of the Isles family jet. "Where are you taking me?"

Maura leaned into my side. "I told you I wanted to take you somewhere important for our first date." She kissed my cheek, "It's in London."

"Only you would go back to work on a Friday. Why couldn't you wait until next week?"

"I was cleared on Thursday and it made sense. I've been very eager to get back into my routine." Maura picked up my hand. "I'm also very tired from today. The weekend will allow me to reset my schedule and get the proper rest." She ran a finger over my knuckles.

I shook my head, "So you take me to London? That's not very restful and it isn't helping my constant desire to run away and take you with me. We could go buy a castle, well maybe I could make you a sand castle. You could write your novels and I could watch you write them." I chuckled at the tiny pinch I received. I leaned forward, kissing her solidly on the lips. "I love you, I think I forgot to say that today."

Maura blushed, "I love you too, Jane." She closed her eyes. "Today wasn't as strenuous as I expected. Susie did a wonderful job wrangling, as you call it."

I laughed, "That girl is devoted to you. I think if you were a queen, she'd swear fealty to you." Maura gave me a weird look. "What? I might have started paying attention to all your weird shows and documentaries. Who knew you were such a fantasy nerd." I ran my thumb over her fingers.

"I ran out of books and medical journals to read. It was Frankie who turned me on to that show. He was watching it when it was his turn to watch over me. I got hooked and then he gave me the books." Maura raised her eyebrows. "You know I've never read a fantasy fiction novel before? It's been science, medical or biographies! The world painted in those books, incredible and stimulating."

I frowned. "Please don't ever use the phrase Frankie turned me on ever again. It grosses me out and makes me jealous."

Maura swatted my arm. "It was one innocent kiss and all it did was make me want to kiss you more." She leaned over, kissing my cheek. "And I have no desire to see him naked as much as I do with you."

I blushed, shaking my head. "I don't put out on the first date, Doctor."I squeezed her hand as the pilot came overhead. Letting us know we were about to land.

Maura winked, "I have scientific evidence that proves otherwise." She moved away, releasing my hand. "But I will honor you virtuous ways."

I groaned. Me and my stupid humor. I pouted at Maura. She only smiled and shook her head. "My hands will remain to myself until the second date." She tapped my seat belt, "Buckle in Jane, we're landing."

I groaned again, pouting even deeper. I really had shot myself in the ass. Maura cuddles and kisses were my favorite and I never wanted to go without.

"Uh, Maura. I'm not a giant history nerd like you, but why does this place seem really familiar?" I walked with Maura through elegant gardens with a massive castle surrounding us. I pulled my coat closer, shoving my hands into my pockets. I guess not putting out also meant not holding Maura's warm hand.

"This castle has been the backdrop of many films, shows, and books. Including that new show you forced us to watch when you moved in." She smiled over her scarf, then pointed to a small staircase leading up to a long stone wall. "This way."

I shrugged, "I was flipping through it, remembered your mom is best friends with Prince Phillip and I got hooked. It didn't hurt the entire cast was easy on the eyes. Plus it got me really into reading about the Queen. See, shows sometimes lead to learning, against your medical opinion." I squinted as I made out a butler standing with a silver tray. My stomach roared with hunger and I prayed he had snacks on that thing.

"Jane, my medical opinion doesn't have a thing to do with fictional shows based on reality. I just didn't like that you ate all junk food when we watched the show." She laughed as we slowly walked up the stairs. "Salt and sugar doesn't aid the healing process."

I looked at her, grabbing her elbow to help her up the stairs in her ridiculous heels. "I could say something about your heels not aiding the healing process, but I do love when you wear them." I grinned when her hazel eyes met mine. I had to look away when the urge to kiss her overwhelmed me, that's when the far turret caught my eye. Then it all clicked and I froze in my steps. "Oh my god, Maura. This isn't…"

She grinned, tugging my coat sleeve. "Windsor castle, yes it is." She motioned to the butler standing still. "There's hot chocolate and fresh scones up there. I heard your stomach growl and I know you're hungry."

I looked incredulously at my girlfriend, "I thought we were going somewhere special to you for our first date. This is Windsor castle, the Queen lives here. I half expected the creepy surgical museum, or something with weird dead things. A place where baby Maura learned to love the dead." I reached for her hand, sighing internally when her warm palm slid against mine. "Plus, how did you get us in here? And just in general tell me what the heck is going on."

Maura walked us up the rest of the stairs. She smiled at the butler, "Please set the tray over there, we won't need anything else. Thank you, Hamish." I winced when she moved away, her hands slipping from mine.

He smiled, "Of course, Dr. Isles. The prince has instructed that whatever you may need, we are at your service." He pushed up his cuff, "Everything is arranged inside for dinner when you're ready. The guest house is also prepared with your things." He bowed slightly, "Enjoy your stay Dr. Isles, Detective Rizzoli."

I stared as he walked away, still confused and slowly putting the pieces together. "When you lost your memory, was it replaced by ones from the show? Or are you secretly a princess?" I glanced at her, walking towards me with a steaming mug. "I would've been happy with a fancy vegan meal at that one place you love in Back Bay."

"That will be our fourth date." She pressed the warm mug in my hands. "I brought you here, Jane, because this is still the one place in the world where I can come when things bear down. It's my reset place, my miniature fortress of solitutde."

I laughed, winking at her. "I knew you were paying attention during that superman marathon." I sipped the chocolate, moaning at the rich warmth. "Shit, this is good."

"Langauge, Jane." She motioned for me to stand next to her at the stone wall. "It's the Queen's personal recipe, it's eighty percent pure chocolate." She leaned on the edge of the wall. "When my mother was painting the Prince's portrait, I would sit in the far corner reading whatever text I'd found that week. Then one Saturday I finished the book and quietly left the room in search of my mother's bag. I'd stuff an extra book in her bag." She tipped her chin up, the ambient light from the castle cast shadows across her face, making her stunning. "I got lost and ended up here. I was quickly mesmerized by the view, the fog clutching to the trees like they were best friends. I barely saw the peaks of churches and other castles in the far distance, and I was taken out of my reality. A reality where I was an outsider. Too smart for her classmates to understand, too strange for the teachers to want to know, too unfamiliar to gain the affection of my parents. I've always been painfully aware of how I'm a square peg trying into the round ways of the world. Out here, I found a peace within the thick fog and the height I stood over the world. I was separated and couldn't be judged. For a year, I'd spend as much time out here, dreaming. Dreaming of a time when I'd find my place and as an adult, someone to share my place with." She turned to looked at me, her hazel eyes glassy. "I came here even after I started as the Chief Medical Examiner. Trying to find my place in a new world. Then you came along, and you became my new castle in the fog."

She held out her hand, I took it stepping closer to her. "When I couldn't remember who you were, I could only picture bringing you here. You were the only thing in that new fog that made sense, Jane. Then my memories came flooding back, and I became scared. I came here to think, and the fog separated, the sun shone through and in the minute I wished you were standing next to me to see it." She turned to face me, sliding her arms around my waist. "I wanted to take you here and tell you, thank you for giving me a new world where I can be me in. I love you, Jane. I love the way you love me and accept every single oddity I am. I never want to forget you again." She leaned forward resting her head against my heart, smiling. "I love that I can make your heart do that. Skip beats before falling into a rapid heart rate."

I kissed the top of her head. My heart was racing, and I was having a hard time holding back tears. Happy tears. "You've always done that, Maura. Always will." I looked out onto the view in front of us. "This is incredible Maura, thank you for sharing it with me."

"Thank you, Jane. For everything. You're my best friend and the love of my life." Maura looked up, standing on her tip toes to kiss me softly. "I know this is a strange first date." She laid a hand against my jaw.

I chuckled, "It's perfect for us." I kissed her back just as my stomach growled in jealousy for being ignored. Maura laughed, parting from the kiss to press a hand against my stomach. "And this might be the best first date I've ever been on. Everyone else would take me to a local bar, try and booze me up, and then pull out all the stops to get into my pants." I grabbed her hands, "No ones ever given me a secret piece of themselves to hold. I'll promise to take care of you and never let you feel alone in this world, Maura."

Maura sniffled and smiled as my stomach groaned in protest. "We should go inside and eat." She stepped away, I covered her hand on my stomach.

"I agree." I leaned over her shoulder, snatching a scone and shoving it in my mouth. Earning a dirty look form Maura. I shrugged, "What? Not like the Queen is watching."

Maura cocked an eyebrow, "Actually." She nodded towards the far tower with the royal flagging flicking in the gentle breeze. She laughed when my jaw dropped open and tugged me to follow her. "Let's go inside before you embarrass me even more."

I wiped the back of my mouth with my hand, brushing away crumbs. "Oh honey, I hate to tell you but your in for a lifetime of disappointment. I'm going to do my best to embarrass you for the rest of our lives." I chuckled as I sloppily kissed the side of her cheek.

Maura leaned into me, "Then I look forward to forever."

XXX

Maura

Jane was asleep next to me, sleeping heavily on her stomach. The sheets had slid down to her waist, leaving her bare back to be exposed. I smiled, Jane's first date rule didn't last very long. It did take a bit of convincing that it was okay to indulge in extracurricular activities. The guest room was only ever used my close friends of the family and on the opposite side of the castle. We were virtually alone. I smirked at the memory of Jane putting up a small fight until I kissed the one spot on the side of her neck, all restraint went out the window.

I reached over, running my fingers over her warm skin. It was smooth, warm and even though it was littered with scars, it was perfect. Perfect because it was Jane. My Jane.

I ran my fingers over her healing scars from Holton's attack. She had two and they were spaced and angled in such a way that they reminded me of wings. Jane was my guardian angel and no one could tell me otherwise. She was the shadow of protection always hovering around me.

I leaned forward, pressing a kiss on the edge of her shoulder before resting my chin in the same spot. I owed Jane my life a thousand times over and I would spend the rest of my life proving I was worthy of her love. Worthy of her protection. After all the monsters that chased us, pushed us to the edge, we always survived and came back home to one another.

I looked across the room at my suitcase. In the far bottom corner sat a small blue velvet box. Inside that small box sat a platinum band with rubies inset. An unconventional ring for asking one to marry with, but everything about us was unconventional. I sighed, moving my hand down to Jane's lower back. I wanted to propose to her on this date, but was too frightened to follow through. Jane and I just got to the point where we were both almost fully healed. I was ten pounds away from my old weight, and could walk in heels with a minimal limp. Jane was back to normal with less nightmares than normal. I attributed that to her death grip on me when we went to bed.

I forwent my idea to ask her to marry me because it felt like I was rushing and not savoring. I'd barely had Jane like I always wanted her for years, for a month. We were still learning this new level of us and I was scared if I rushed it, it would fail.

I pressed my cheek against Jane's shoulder, "Patience, Maura. Patience."

"I'm okay if you want to take advantage of me in my sleep if you're that impatient." Jane's raspy voice made me smile. She rolled over to face me, a sleepy grin on her face. "Hey beautiful."

I blushed, tipping my chin down. "Hi."

Jane brushed hair from my face, her eyes roaming over my naked state. "You know, if I ever saw you naked back in the day, I probably would have thrown all of my sensibility out the window and either asked you out or kissed you. Risking everything." She ran a hand down my collarbone, over my breast to rest right under the swell.

I covered her hand with mine. "I had a difficult time when I saw you partially naked in my lab." I leaned forward kissing her soundly. "It's very late, go back to sleep."

"I was, until I felt your fingers roaming." Jane blinked, and scooted closer, her hand moving up to cup my breast.

I sighed, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Every time you touch my scars, it reminds me to keep living. Keep fighting. So I can come home to you." Jane kissed me deeply. "You've been thinking." She motioned to my forehead. "You have your thinking lines."

I shook my head, "It's nothing."

Jane cocked an eyebrow, "It's never nothing, but I'm too tired ask more questions." She pressed the length of her body against mine. "Whatever it is, you'll figure it out. Just as long as you're not figuring our a way to propose to me in front of the Queen in the morning."

I forced a smile, running my hands over her back. "No, not in front of the Queen." I fudged the truth.

"Good." Jane kissed me again, her hands covering my breast and squeezing. "I'd hate if you asked me to marry you first."

I went to dissect her words but was distracted by a warm hand moving further down my body.

"Oh god, Jane." I rasped the words out, feeling her smirk against my mouth.

"God Save the Queen." Jane chuckled before rolling me on my back.

I clutched to her shoulders, losing all thought under her ministrations. The last thought I had before Jane clouded my entire mind was, I wanted to marry this woman.

And I would.