OKAY, this is my first RandI fic... so be gentle if I don't get the characters just right. And I'm making this a multi-chap mostly just to make it easier on me, because I'm like obsessive with finishing things quickly and I don't have the time to write the whole thing all at once. ;)

Jane had come down to the autopsy lab to get test results from Maura, but froze when she walked in to find the medical examiner crouched down beside her desk. And was that a t-shirt she was wearing?

"Maura, what are you doing?"

The blonde looked up at her with intelligent, hazel eyes. "I'm feeding Bass, what does it look like?"

Jane couldn't help laughing at Maura's confused expression. "But why is he on your shirt?"

"Oh." Maura looked down at herself and then smiled fondly at the tortoise resting on the floor beside her. "It's Bass' birthday."

"I didn't know turtles celebrated birthdays."

"Tortoise, Jane. And this one does."

"Sooo, what do you and the birthday boy have planned for today then?"

"Well, first he's getting his shell waxed-"

"Okay!" Jane cut her off quickly before she could start spouting turtle facts. "Anything fun on the list?"

"Why, Jane? Would you like to join us? And yes, I was planning on having a little party at home; I was actually about to go invite you and the guys."