Chapter One: I've Loved You Before

I think of how you know me, no doubts no thinking twice.

When your smile can be so soothing, a familiar paradise.

When there's no one else that makes me whole, I am never needing more.

I get this feeling that I have loved you before

- Melissa Etheridge, "I've Loved You Before" from the album "The Awakening".

It had been one of those days that threatened perfection.

Waking up in her new apartment, with Maura sleeping soundly, snuggled into the crook of her arm and shoulder with a delicate arm strewn across her torso was just the beginning for Jane. A simple and yet perfect beginning to the day; every morning that started that way, was perfect as far as Jane was concerned. She wanted to wake up like that every morning for the rest of her life.

It was their one year anniversary of couple hood and they had both agreed that the only gift they required was the others company. Of course Jane had grand plans for the day that would start with a morning trip to Boston's Fine Art Museum, before heading to Fenway for the Red Sox afternoon fixture with the Oakland Athletics. Quid pro quo that she knew Maura would acquiesce to, given the fact that the blonde never seemed to get enough of expanding Jane's cultural horizons. There was also that little thing called mutual love and affection that assured Jane her plan would be welcomed.

As the former detective turned private investigator had suspected, Maura was more than willing to participate in the plans laid out over breakfast, and most importantly, coffee. The medical examiner had even accepted the need to dress to a more casual level for the sake of the afternoon part of their plans. No heels or dress, but rather black stylish designer pants, a deep red silk blouse and black leather boots.

Jane for her part compromised as well, forgoing her Cespedes jersey for one of her comfortable black pant suits that she would normally wear to work; she didn't want to dress down too much given her plans for the end of the evening. Her lack of casualness had been noted by Maura, but Jane was prepared for this, indicating that since the morning's plan included the Fine Arts Museum she didn't think it would be appropriate to rock up in jeans and a baseball jersey.

If Maura had any doubts about what she had been told she hadn't shown it and had welcomed the chance to discuss with Jane the history of American art, with the pair spending some time perusing the works in the Museum of Fine Art's Art of the America's wing. Pleasantly surprising was how attentive Jane was, more so than that, how much her love chose to actively participate in the conversation, even taking the time to ask genuine questions that lacked her usual sarcasm. Yes, even Maura felt that this was one of those days that threatened perfection.

Jane's reward for her attentiveness came at the baseball game, with Maura encouraging her love to partake in the hot dogs, peanuts and soda that added to the experience of an afternoon spent in Fenway Park. Food that would normally cause Maura to launch into a detailed diatribe regarding the lack of nutritional value; but not on this day, on this day she wanted her love to enjoy the game.

For Jane the highlight of the afternoon wasn't the food, or the result, which fortuitously went the way of the Red Sox, with a walk off single in the bottom of the ninth being the deciding factor. It hadn't even been her amazing luck to catch a home run hit by clean up hitter Yeonis Cespedes during the middle innings; no for Jane the highlight was the congratulatory kiss that Maura had planted on her, right when the cameras were on them. A beautiful moment captured in time and at home on the DVR; a moment that she knew she would probably re watch repeatedly.

They had left Fenway hand in hand late in the afternoon and found a quaint diner, which actually had suitable food options on the menu for both women. Maura had been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the salad she had ordered and continued to bite her tongue as she watched her beloved shovel down a cheeseburger and fries. Apparently watching baseball was a hunger driving force for the private investigator.

Every time their eyes met over dinner both women couldn't help but smile, the day's outings were going to end soon and while Maura lamented this briefly, she had a feeling that the evening's activities would be even more entertaining, and a lot more interactive for the pair. She couldn't help but to tease Jane with a few sultry and suggestive looks that made it very clear – you're so getting lucky tonight Rizzoli.

"While I get this feeling you're in a hurry to get home Maur, would you mind so much if we were to take a stroll through the park?" Jane's words were a combination of playful and sincere; acknowledging of the flirtation, but determined to finish the day off the right way.

"Well, we do have all night for other physical activities," a suggestive eyebrow wiggled before she continued, "So a walk in the park sounds lovely."

Jane groaned, it had been going so well, but now the medical examiner had made the age old error of acknowledging the time they should have to enjoy each others company. Somebody was going to die unceremoniously and her girlfriend was going to be called into work and neither of them would have the heart to make the homicide team work with Doctor Pyke. "What did I tell ya about not getting too far ahead of ourselves?" Her tone remained playful despite the thoughts of impending suspicious deaths bringing an early end to the evening.

"Don't be so superstitious Jane. Somebody isn't going to be murdered just because I mentioned partaking in activities later this evening." Maura couldn't help but shake her head at her girlfriend.

"You're right; they won't be murdered because you said that. They'll just be found!" Jane laughed, "Oh well, let's not dwell." She signalled for their waitress to bring the bill, which she paid, ignoring Maura's attempt to contribute. "It's on me tonight Maur."

Maura took the hand offered her when they hit the streets, walking side by side towards the park. "You know Jane; it really has been the best day."

"Mmhmm," Jane's thoughts were wandering as she looked up to see a sudden summer storm beginning to roll in, the warmth of the day was still present, but as the sun would soon be down, she hoped the rain would hold off long enough. Absently her free hand felt her pocket to double check that the culmination of their day was where it should be, and it was.

The noise and differing colours of the streets made way into a beautiful expanse of green and dying sunlight being forced away earlier by the angry storm clouds. And then, as if to make a point, the sky opened up.

"Perhaps I should have watched my tongue Jane; it isn't murder that will bring our evening to an end, but precipitation." She stopped walking when she realised that Jane had stopped and appeared to be lost in her thoughts. Turning to face her girlfriend Maura reached out and took both hands in hers, "Jane?"

For Jane it was the realisation that if she didn't make the move now, she might not find another moment that felt right to do it. So she took off her blazer, slipping the item in the pocket secretively into her hand, and then wrapped the blazer around Maura, who hadn't worn a jacket for the day. She didn't want her love to catch a cold, although by this time, the rain had done its job in flattening and soaking her love's golden locks. Hazel eyes stared back at her expectantly. "Yeah," her throat suddenly felt very dry.

"Are you alright?"

"Never better Maur, really." A smile pushed its way effervescently onto her face, "I know it's raining and we should get under cover, but, just give me a moment."

Curiosity piqued Maura nodded consent.

"I had this really big speech planned you know, all these heartfelt things I wanted to say, and now, this damned rain," Jane laughed nervously, then with as much grace as her gangly limbs would allow Jane dropped down on to one knee and held out a black felt box, opened to show an elegant platinum engagement band. "You fit so well with me Maura; I must have loved you before, in another life time – marry me?"

The moment Jane had started to speak the scientific side of Maura had shut down and her intuition had screamed at her so loudly that she couldn't ignore that she knew exactly what Jane was about to ask, before she had even asked. Yet Maura stood unintentionally holding her breath as Jane's profession of love culminated with the big question and then she stood some more, the shock of the proposal delaying the thought process in her brain. It had only been seconds, but it was seconds of silence and Jane's eyes were starting to look desperate.

Finally gaining control of her brain power Maura was about to answer, when the shrill ring of Jane's phone followed by her own broke the silence. In spite of the circumstances both women did what they always did.

"Rizzoli," Jane barked, pissed off by the interruption.

"Isles." Maura's eyes never left Jane, while she listened to the details of the call out. After both calls had ended she spoke softly, "Jane?"

"Yeah?" part of the private investigator had already begun to retreat and as such her response was a little gruff.

"Yes I'll marry you."

It had been one of those days that threatened perfection, and as far as Jane was concerned, it had delivered; rain, interruptions and all.