So...here we are. Last chapter. I fully admit, I procrastinated, not just because work and social interactions and Life, but because I genuinely hate ending my stories. But, I made myself chip away at it everyday, even if it was only a hundred words. And, here we are. The end, much as I wish it wasn't. But this is a perfect spot to end it, plus I really need to finish my other story (which is only three more chapters if all goes according to plan) and start my Mass Effect story (which is going to be a, pun totally not intended, massive undertaking) and focus on drawing, which I have sorely neglected for the past six months. So, I will be disappearing for a while after my other story is done, but definitely not for good. Just long enough for me to draw everything I've only had time and want to do thumbnails for, then I'll be back. Promise.

On the upside, you guys finally get the scene you've all been waiting for. You've no idea how tempted I was to continue to be a tease, but my more indulgent and...less prone to shameless teasing...side won out.

To all of you, you guys are seriously amazing human beings, and you all deserve the best for being such great people. For your support, and fantastic reviews, and the PMs that have made me smile and laugh, I cannot express my gratitude. Thank you all from the depths of my soul.

Read on!

"Now," she growled, canting her hips into her palm.

Maura's eyes went dark and she leaned back over Jane, leaving her hand pressed to her as her breath blew across her chin. "Awfully demandin' fer bein' on the bottom, aren't ye?" As she spoke, she rhythmically pressed her hand against Jane's pants and interrupted whatever remark was on the tip of her tongue.

Jane's eyes closed and her head rolled to the side, and Maura took the opportunity to slide down her body to nip at the muscle of her lower abdomen. She worked loose the laces and slid her hand inside her pants, holding there until Jane slowly rolled her eyes open. The normal chocolate of her irises was nearly swallowed by her pupil and she rasped, "Why'd you stop?"

"Just waitin' fer ye, dear." Maura leaned down and took her pants in her teeth, dragging them down her thighs with a salacious smile on her lips. Jane gasped and threw her head back, twisting her fingers through Maura's hair and pulling her close as her legs were draped over the edge of the bed.

"Land ho!"

Jane ran to the edge of the railing and peered into the distance at a tiny grey dot on the horizon. She heard the excited chatter of the sailors around her as she climbed into the lower rigging and hung haphazardly onto the ropes. It was a week after they'd taken the prize and a strong tailwind had hastened their trip even loaded down as they were. She helped the crewmen unfurl the sails, trying to get as much speed from the lackluster wind as they could so they could make landfall by that evening. She jumped down to the deck from the lower rigging and walked onto the upper deck where Frost and Maura were standing at the table and pointing at the map. "So," she said happily, "where are we putting in?"

"Dungarvan, Ireland. A large town where we should be able tae unload an' get a decent price fer everythin'." Maura looked at Jane from behind a curtain of hair, unusually loose in the breeze. "Are ye ready tae get off the ship?"

"Kind of. I can't wait to feel solid land under me, but…it's kind of grown on me." Jane shrugged and looked around the ship.

"Well, we'll dock fer several days tae unload the goods, take some shore time an' buy some goods 'fore settin' sail again. Ye'll have time tae get yer land legs again." She smiled at Jane and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear.

Jane leaned on the railing, staring out across the water toward the speck of land pensively. "What comes after this?" She asked quietly, making Maura move closer to hear the question.

"Well, generally we set sail again an' head to tae find more Brit ships-"

"Not that," Jane shook her head. "What happens with us? In a week, when you're ready to set out again, in a month when you've made port in some far off place? Where do I fit into all of this?"

Maura searched Jane's face and took her wrist, pulling her below decks, out of sight of the majority of the crew. She pressed Jane against some crates in a shadowed corner, framing her body with her hands planted against the boxes at her back. She leaned in and nuzzled her nose into her throat, pressing kisses to the skin and kneading her hip with one hand until she felt the brunette relax. "You? Ye fit in wherever ye want tae. Ye belong right beside me, but I won't be the one tae tie ye down; that has tae be yer own decision. But ye're more'n welcome tae call my ship yer own…my cabin, my bed…" She slowly worked her way up Jane's throat to her jaw and across her cheek to her lips. They just breathed against each other for a long moment, eyes finding each other in the shadows as Maura pressed closer to Jane and pulled them flush until they could feel each gentle exhalation.

"Ye kin call me yer own, if'n ye want tae." She felt Jane's breath stutter to a stop, dark eyes blinking above hers and long fingers clenching around her waist. Maura boldly nipped Jane's chin and twisted her fingers through her hair. "Think on it, sweet girl. Ye've plenty o' time." With a final peck, Maura escaped into the sun and breathed deeply the salt scented air. She turned her eyes to the dark smear of land slowly growing larger and smiled to herself.

Jane, Frost, and Maura all walked down the gangplank onto the dock early that evening, melding seamlessly into the bustle of the wharf. Jane clutched her notebook against her hip and held Maura's elbow with her free hand, taking a handful of steps to adjust to the lack of movement beneath her feet. "Is it always like this?"

"Aye, the rockin' motion sticks with ye fer a while, but it fades after a while. Trust me, dear."

The captain smiled at Jane winsomely and Frost chuckled beside them. "Don't let her fool you, the good captain feels it just the same, she's just better at hiding it."

"Now, now, dannae be givin' all o' my secrets away, Mister Frost. A woman's got tae have her mysteries."

He only rolled his eyes as they made their way away from the docks and onto the mainland. The smell of salt mingled with yeast from a nearby bakery and the sounds of screeching seabirds was replaced with the melodic chaos of an Irish market in full swing despite the hour. They dodged vendors hawking their wares and market goers haggling for better prices, weaving toward a tavern on the other side of the square.

When they walked through the door, a frazzled barmaid waved her hand at a corner table and they sat, leaning back as she set three mugs of water before them. "Dinner's lamb stew tonight, bread an' ale. Rooms are rented by the night." Her thick accent took a moment for Jane to decipher, but she nodded and the barmaid left them to themselves. The noise in the tavern allowed them to speak freely and Jane opened her notebook to a page littered with numbers and figures.

"Okay, so do we have a person to meet for the cargo we took?"

"Aye, Mister Korsak got in contact with a local merchant we've dealt with before who is…unscrupulous 'bout where his goods come from. We're tae meet him here within the hour." The barmaid returned with their meals and Frost dug in as Jane stirred the thick stew. "He's an older gentleman, an' the last time I met him, he had a well kept beard an' sported glasses. We should have enough time tae eat 'fore he gets here, so tuck in, dear."

They were just finishing their meals, sopping up the last of the broth with the hearty bread when an older man in fine clothes came through the door and made a beeline for them after a moment scanning the room. He sat perfunctorily at the remaining chair, putting his back to the room, and steepled his fingers. He made eye contact with each of them and then focused on Maura, smiling thinly over his thin rimmed glasses. "Captain Isles. Lovely to see you again."

"You as well, Mister Callahan. T'was quite a while since we last met."

"Aye, it was. What have you to sell?" Maura outlined the majority of the goods they had taken and Jane watched him nod and hum until she was done speaking. He leaned over the table and tapped a finger on the scarred wood. "Sound like quite the haul. I can sell all of it, but some will take time. For the whole load, I'll give you…two hundred gold pieces."

Maura sat back and Jane squeezed her leg once, and Maura sighed theatrically. "Ye see, Mister Callahan, that sounds lovely, really, it does-"

"You won't find a better price, Captain, I can assure you of that."

The merchant sat back smugly and Jane took over, leaning over her closed notebook. "Actually, we can. You're just the fastest way to sell everything, sir."

"And you are?"

"The Captain's…accountant." Jane smiled mirthlessly. "I keep records of the ship's expenses and income, including the cargo she takes overseas. And when we acquired this latest shipment, I made a detailed list of the cargo onboard, as well as the general prices for the goods."

"And if you knew anything about Ireland, you'd know that many of these goods are commonplace here and won't fetch much."

"Yes, but much of what we have is also unavailable in large quantities here or isn't here at all." Callahan opened his mouth and Jane rolled over his words, mouth firming in determination. "Now, we can either sell the bulk of it to you and everyone walks away content, or we can sell piece by piece to everyone in this town. Either way, we get our money, but the latter option takes more time and leaves you out of the equation. Your choice."

She sat back and stared him down fearlessly. Maura surreptitiously slipped her hand beneath the table and squeezed her leg as Jane watched Callahan, who narrowed his eyes and straightened. "You wouldn't be able to talk to enough merchants to sell everything, or for as much as I'm willing to pay."

"Maybe," Jane shrugged insouciantly, "but we'd still make out better than you."

When he didn't move, Jane made to stand from the table. She had just grabbed her notebook when the merchant's large hand covered it and drew her attention to him. "There's no need to be hasty, I'm certain we can come to an accord," he said silkily.

Jane barely withheld her eye roll as she sat back down and opened the book to the page filled with figures and estimates, tapping a section with her fingertip. "I'm sure we can. You offered two hundred gold pieces initially, right? I know that these items here alone are worth that much on the market, and even taking into account the price difference due to the regional economy, I could still sell them to a merchant for three quarters that amount and they would take it. So. Let's try again. Say… one thousand gold pieces?"

Callahan sputtered and even Frost jerked at the number, but Jane kept his gaze unflinchingly. Maura's grip on her drink tightened and her hazel eyes flicked over to Jane curiously. "Are you out of your mind, woman? That would put me out of business; there's no way I'd be able to make a profit!"

"So make a counter offer."

"Four hundred."

"Better, but not quite. Eight hundred."

"Four hundred," he repeated stubbornly.

Jane shook her head and flipped to a different page. "I can't do that. I'll tell you what, when we took the cargo onboard, there were some…delicate, items brought on. I'll sell you those if you give me eight hundred."

Callahan arched his brow disbelievingly. "And what could possibly be worth that much?"

"Muskets." The look on Callahan's face was almost enough to send Maura into a fit of laughter, and Jane ran with his shock. "Almost three dozen, brand new by the looks of them, and lead and gunpowder to supplement them. What say you?"

Callahan blinked and cleared his throat, then held out a shaky hand. "You have a deal."

Maura and Jane watched Frost walk with Callahan toward the docks to check over the cargo and turned the other way down the street. They walked side by side, weaving effortlessly through the throng of people in wordless accord. Once they had lost themselves in the busy market, Jane linked their hands and leaned in toward Maura. "Don't worry, Frost knows to only give him half of the weapons we got."

"Ye had me worried, Jane. Ye didnae tell me what ye were gon'tae do."

"I didn't know until I met him." She shrugged and they separated briefly to go around a duo arguing over some vegetables in the road. "I know merchants, and I know men. I had to wait and see how he reacted before I could do anything. Besides, we still made out better than I thought we would."

"Oh?"

"Most middle men would give about five hundred gold pieces for everything we took, including all of the weapons and munitions. He's not getting half of the gunpowder stores and muskets we took, and Frost will make sure we get all eight hundred pieces."

Maura looked over at Jane with confusion in her eyes. "Then how?..."

"You see, my dear Maura, the wonderful part about dealing with merchants? They get greedy. I said we had weapons, but I didn't tell him what weapons."

Realization dawned in Maura's eyes and she grinned, squeezing Jane's hand. "The Brown Bess…"

"And we keep the Ferguson's," Jane grinned. "I don't know about you, but those seem a little better than the Bess's. He gets a fraction of the lead and powder, and we sail away fully armed for another battle."

Maura bussed Jane's cheek with a kiss and they left the market, disappearing into the dusky shadows between the buildings lining the square. Jane broke the silence after a few minutes, looking around at the tall buildings leaning over them. "Not that I don't enjoy walking through unfamiliar towns, but do we have a destination in mind?"

"Aye."

"And…are you going to share?"

"Nope."

Jane huffed and Maura laughed quietly, leading her through the tangle of streets toward the outskirts of town. They met few people, most taking the main roads to their homes and avoiding the shadowed alcoves they strode down. Maura stopped in front of a dilapidated house somewhat isolated from the others by an untended garden and brushline, resting her hand on the wooden gate out front.

"Maura?"

She didn't answer, only opened the latch and led them up the stone walkway and around the side to the rear door. She knocked briskly on the door and they waited only a few seconds before it was opened by a small, thin woman with tired eyes and a warm, albeit wary, smile.

"Can I help you?"

Her decidedly British accent made Jane raise a brow, but Maura only stepped into the light of the room and smiled unguardedly. "Mum."

Jane gaped at the back of Maura's head as the woman gasped and yanked her into a tight embrace. "Maura, my girl! My daughter's returned!"

"Fer 'bout a week, mum." Maura's voice was thick as she tightly hugged the woman in return.

"I don't care if it's only a day, you're here now." She dragged Maura inside and Jane followed quietly, shutting the door and facing the kitchen with a contemplative expression on her face. The woman was cupping Maura's cheeks and staring up into her eyes, studying her thoroughly. "You look tired, daughter."

"No more'n ye, mum. Have ye been sleepin' at all since I last saw ye?"

She laughed a little and turned away toward a kettle on the range top. "Here and there, love. I mostly live off tea and coffee; I'm surprised my blood isn't made completely of the stuff at this point." She pulled three cups out of a cupboard and set them on the table, then poured the water into them and stirred the ground herbs into it.

She gestured at the long table for them to sit, turning her washed out blue eyes on Jane after they had settled in their chairs. "I don't mean to ignore you, dear, but I've not seen my daughter in nearly a year. I'm Hope." She held her hand out and Jane took it firmly, feeling the calluses on her palm.

"Jane, it's nice to meet you."

"I imagine it's rather confusing," Hope said with a smile, "seeing her walk up and hug a strange woman without a word to you."

"Maybe a little." Jane smiled over her cup at Maura and took a sip of the hot, sweet drink.

Maura glanced away sheepishly. "I didnae mean tae keep it from ye, sweet girl, but I couldnae be certain she would be here. Da doesnae always take you with him on his travels."

"No, he doesn't, but with the unrest in Britain recently, and how his beloved Scotland is being drawn into the fray, he felt it best we both leave for a while." Maura nodded and they turned to other topics, catching each other up on their lives from the past year and including Jane, drawing her into the conversation as Hope asked where she had come from and how she ended up traveling with Maura.

"Well, it's kind of an interesting story…" She scratched the back of her neck and looked over at Maura. "She helped me get out of a bad situation, and offered to take me away. And I haven't looked back since."

Hope's eyes were drawn in worry, but she smiled at the affectionate look Maura threw at Jane. "And here you are, hale and hearty and acclimating to sea life?"

"Yeah, it's been…interesting, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything."

"Will you be going with her when she leaves?"

"Yeah, I'll go wherever she's going." Hope watched them smile at each other, eyes flicking between their soppy smiles with interest. She hid her grin behind her cup and tilted her head back as she heard footsteps behind her.

"Da!"

Maura leapt up from the table and ran into the man's arms, nearly disappearing into the muscle of his hug. He grinned down at her, large hands framing her shoulders as he pushed her back. "Maura, my girl, ye look dandy! The sea's been treatin' ye well?" His heavy accent curled around the words in a way that clearly reminded Jane of Maura's tone, although hers was softer from the influence of Hope's own accent. He looked over the table, eyes softening as they landed on Hope and sharpening when they stopped on Jane's face. "An' who might this be?"

"Da, this is Jane." Maura pulled away and held her hand out for Jane to take, drawing her out of her chair and toward them both. "Jane, this is my da, Paddy Doyle. He's where I got all my rogueish charm from."

She winked at Jane as she held her hand out for Paddy to shake. Jane smiled over at Maura as Paddy kept a hold of her hand. "Jane, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Colonist? Yer accent is different though…"

"I lived in the colonies, yes, but my family came from Italy; my brothers and I were the first to speak English in our family." Maura stepped back and laid her hand on Jane's waist, smiling up at her reassuringly. "I left them to go with Maura."

"Tis no small feat tae leave one's family."

"No, but it was necessary." Jane's tone left no room to ask more questions, and she returned to her seat to sip at the lukewarm drink. Maura sat beside her, hand landing on her thigh beneath the table to rub across her leg soothingly.

Paddy poured himself a cup and sat beside Hope, turning the conversation away from family. "So, how long are ye stayin'?"

"We just put in this afternoon, da; we'll probably stay a week 'fore settin' out again."

"Any ideas where?"

"None yet. I've nae had a moment tae discuss it with my crew."

"A word o' caution, then; avoid the colonies fer the time bein'."

Jane sat up straighter, cup abandoned in favor of watching Paddy. "Why?"

"There's word outtae Britain that the King's sendin' soldiers over tae quiet the dissent that's popped up recently. If ye ask me, war's comin' fast." An excited gleam came into Paddy's eyes as he leaned over the table and lowered his voice. "I hope those colonists kick their arses, truth be told. Mark my words though, by the end o' the year, there'll be fightin'."

Jane briefly met Maura's eyes and then checked out of the rest of the conversation, sipping her drink and staring pensively at the tabletop. Maura got up nearly an hour later and Hope asked with a longing expression, "Won't you stay? We have spare rooms upstairs."

Maura looked over at Jane, who was still staring through the scarred wood, and nodded. "Aye, we will, mum. Jane?"

She jerked her head up and nearly upended the half full cup into her lap. "What? Sorry, what did you say?"

Maura smiled and extended her hand for Jane to take, drawing her to her feet. "Do ye care tae stay the night here? It's past dark, an' we dannae have anywhere o' import tae be on the morrow."

"What about Frost?"

"I think we kin trust Mister Frost tae keep the ship afloat fer one night."

That drew a smile from Jane and she nodded as she twined her fingers through the spaces between Maura's. "Okay."

"Wonderful," Hope said, "Follow me?" She led them upstairs into a small room at the end of a hallway, lit with a lamp that cast light across the expansive bed covered in soft looking blankets and the sparse furnishings that lined the walls. "Our room is at the other end of the hall; if you need anything, just-"

"Knock 'fore ye barge in, girl," Paddy said with a smirk. Jane's face flushed as Maura giggled and made a face somewhere between amusement and horror. "We dannae wan'tae scar ye, now do we?"

"It's too late fer that, da."

She shook her head at him and he laughed, wrapping an arm around Hope and pulling her close. "Aye, I daresay it is. Well, bear that last time in mind then, daughter, an' sleep well." He pulled Hope from the doorway and shut it behind them, leaving the two women standing in the middle of the bedroom and listening to the other couple's quiet laughter retreat down the hallway.

Jane glanced at Maura from the corner of her eye, watching the blush travel up her neck until she broke down into a gale of laughter. Maura glared over at her and Jane fended off her half-hearted smacks, eventually pinning Maura's wrists at her sides as she stared down at her with faux seriousness. "Now, is that any way to treat your lover?"

"I kin say with utmost certainty, lover," Maura's lips curled around the word seductively as her eyes danced wickedly, "that ye didnae mind me treatin' ye much more roughly on the ship." She nipped at Jane's lower lip playfully and drew her back toward the bed by her shirt, sitting delicately on the edge as Jane straddled her legs. "I'd give ye a reenactment, but I'm afraid my parents wouldnae be able tae look us in the eyes over the table in the morning. If I recall," she grasped Jane's hips and drew her roughly against her abdomen, starting a slow grind that Jane eagerly picked up on , "ye couldnae keep yer voice down, an' I ended up gaggin' ye." Jane buried her face against Maura's throat, muting a whine with her lips to her neck. Maura's laugh sent shivers down her spine, fingers likewise tripping across her shoulders and sending goose bumps racing across her skin. "Do I need tae do that again?"

"No," Jane gasped, pushing Maura onto her back with a hand to her shoulder. She kneeled over the captain like some dark goddess to be paid homage to, lifting her shirt over her head and throwing it away carelessly as Maura planted her hands on the back of her thighs to keep her close. Laying her palms flat on the bed on either side of Maura's head, Jane leaned down and pressed their lips together. She lowered herself to an elbow and carded her fingers through Maura's hair, cradling her neck as she lowered her head to her jaw, kissing down her throat to her clavicle. Maura made a needy sound when teeth bit on the thin skin and Jane reared back with a victorious expression.

"What was that about being loud?" She whispered against her lips. Maura grabbed her cheeks and kissed her hard, trying to flip their positions. Jane planted herself and locked her thighs around Maura's hips, keeping her pinned in place as she grinned against her lips. "Behave," she rasped. Maura leaned up and bit her lip, eyes flashing as the brunette pinned her shoulders. "I promise it'll be worth your while," she assured the captain, swaying her hips enticingly.

Maura's eyebrow lifted curiously and Jane grinned as she descended her torso. "First, this has to go." She plucked at the hem of her shirt and Maura obligingly let her pull the shirt over her head before scooting up the bed and laying back down. Jane settled herself on her hips again and her fingers danced along the ladder of her ribs, teasing at the underside of her breasts until she was wriggling and fighting her natural impulse to arch into the fleeting contact.

"Patience."

"I cannae be any more patient or I swear I'll go outtae my damn mind," Maura hissed, fingers twisting in the covers.

Jane's eyes danced with amusement as she tapped a finger against her lips in thought, waiting for Maura's face to twist with ire before she nodded. "Okay. I suppose you've been good."

Maura's retort was cut off when her breasts were covered with Jane's palms, fingers kneading the soft skin and occasionally skirting up to play with her nipples. She sighed in pleasure when a warm mouth covered her breast, tongue licking out across the skin to tease her nipple. Long fingers with new calluses played with the laces of her pants, flitting across her lower abdomen and blindly tracing old scars as a welcome weight settled over her thighs. "C'mon now, Jane, surely ye aren't getting' gun shy now?"

A hoarse chuckle her only answer, Maura had barely opened her eyes before she felt the fingers at her belt line dip beneath her pants and brush across her sex. Blown wide pupils watched her raptly as her pants were dragged down her legs and dropped unceremoniously beside the bed. Jane straddled her thighs again and quickly replaced her mouth around a nipple as her hand cupped Maura's sex again, loving the low moan that reached her ears from above her. She slid two fingers through her arousal and started a slow rhythm that Maura rolled her hips to, nails digging into Jane's bicep to ground herself as the pleasure mounted.

Jane covered her lips as she moaned again, grinning against her skin as Maura wrapped her legs around her waist. "Keep your voice down, Maur," she whispered, twisting her fingers teasingly and listening to the barely suppressed whimper catch in her throat. Gradually, Maura's muscles coiled and she gripped greedily at Jane's fingers, panting into her ear as her orgasm washed over her. Her arms flopped bonelessly onto the bed, chest heaving for air as Jane curled into her side and drew patterns on her slick skin, pressing random kisses to her shoulder until she turned her head and pecked her nose.

"Thank ye."

"For what?"

"Stayin'."

Jane smiled at her and cupped the back of her head as she drew her into a kiss, tangling their legs together as Maura slipped into sleep. "Always."

Jane woke up with the dawn and realized she was still tangled together with Maura. At some point during the night, they had tangled themselves further into each other beneath the blanket and the captain's head was tucked beneath her chin, warm breath washing across her breast as she slept. Jane flexed her fingers beneath Maura's body and sighed happily, watching the sunlight brighten through the window until she felt her stir.

"Mmm…mornin'." Maura's voice burred throatily as she stretched and burrowed deeper into Jane's arms, laying a lazy kiss to her throat. Jane smiled at the tousled hair tickling her skin, carding her fingers through the strands until Maura set her chin against her sternum and looked up at her. "How long've ye been awake?"

"Not long, just laying here thinking." Maura hummed and tucked her fingers beneath Jane's back, warming them in the early morning chill. "Your dad…" She scratched at Maura's back with a small sigh, staring at the ceiling in worry.

Maura watched her throat bob as she swallowed and nuzzled against her chest. "What?"

"What he said last night…about Britain sending soldiers to the colonies."

Realization dawned in Maura's eyes and she shifted onto her hands and knees to stare down at Jane. She brushed wild curls away from her face with a gentle smile, tracing her lip with her thumb. "Ye wantae go back."

"They're my brothers," Jane said, worry and determination warring for dominance in her eyes.

"Aye, an' they're important tae ye, so they're important tae me as well. We still need tae resupply, but we kin set sail within the week fer the colonies. With any luck, we'll beat the worst of the trouble an' be able tae help them."

Jane regarded her with dark, inscrutable eyes, hands splayed across Maura's back to hold her in place as she searched her eyes for a long moment. "You'd…do that for me? Go all the way back to the colonies for my brothers?" Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Why?"

Maura smiled down at her with brightly shining eyes. "Jane, I'm beginnin' tae think that I'd follow you anywhere." She kissed Jane deeply and settled against her, using her elbows to keep her upper body elevated so she could talk. "Ye could ask me tae sail fer the ends o' the world, sweet girl, an' I'd only want tae know when ye wanted tae leave."

Jane's eyes glowed in the early light of dawn and she wrapped her arms fully around Maura, drawing her against her. "Thank you," she whispered against her ear. "I just want them to be safe. No one else there matters, but they're the only family I have left."

Maura smiled against the crook of her neck and nestled closer. "Kin is important, but family is more'n blood."

"Yeah, it is." Jane squeezed Maura's waist and smiled when she felt the kiss against her shoulder. "Maura?"

"Hmm?"

"I'd follow you anywhere, you know that, right? You wouldn't have to go to the end of the earth alone; I'd be right beside you." Silence reigned as the women held each other tighter and the sun came up over the horizon.

Eventually, Maura untangled herself from Jane's grasp and sat up on the bed. Jane grinned at the view afforded to her and Maura smirked, stretching lazily to give her a better view of her breasts and flexing abdomen. "I dannae know 'bout ye, but 'tis a new day, an' we have much tae do. If we're tae leave fer the colonies anytime soon, we need tae get a move on."

Jane pouted and made a motion to grab at Maura's waist, holding her in place as her thumbs traced circles on smooth skin. "But I'm comfy, and I like the view."

Maura laid her hands over Jane's, tapping her knuckles lightly. "Well…if ye insist." She settled onto Jane's hips and let her hands wander, watching from under hooded lids as Jane's expression wavered between needy and awestruck.

Jane's hands paused on her thighs, kneading the muscles gently. "Maur…if you don't want to risk going ba-"

"Don't ye dare tae finish that sentence, Jane Rizzoli. We'll go back tae get yer brothers if we kin, an' then we'll set sail again."

"Where to?"

Maura leaned over Jane, framing her face with her hands, and the sunlight spun her hair into gold as it fell around them. She smiled down at her, eyes glinting green in the light as their noses brushed together. "Afterward? We'll go wherever the seven winds take us. Life will be our grand adventure, whether it be in the Americas or Europe, on land or on the sea. With ye at my side, we kin do anythin'."

Thank all of you, again. I wish you the best and hope you all have a wonderful week. If you ever need anything, whether it's a sound board, a place to rant, a friendly word, or a shoulder to cry on, don't hesitate to PM me. I'm always available, and will return your message as soon as I can.

~Cheyanne