Hi guys! Sorry about the delay. We've been having blizzards and my internet was down for almost a week!

Maura flinched when cold hands touched her. She shot up in bed and grabbed the hands in front of her face. After years of serial killers and murderous boyfriends, the doctor's nerves were on high alert. The wrists that she grabbed managed to maneuver out of her grasp, and they fell down on top on her. The motion of being pinned down was never something she particularly enjoyed. But these, more than ever, they were not welcomed.

...Don't worry, I'm not going to kill you. Nah. Rape you? Maybe….

...Not even the genius Dr. Isles could keep up with me…

...I'm dying. I think I want to take you and Dr. Isles with me…

...I was going to honor you, just like mother - who gave me life…

A strangled noise came from the Maura, causing Jane to jump off in fright. She screwed her eyes shut in pain as she pawed at the scar on her neck. Jane rolled off of her and landed on the bed. Maura jumped slightly when lips touched her ear.

"Hey," Jane whispered, "It's ok. You just stole my pillow and I wanted it back."

Jane. It's just Jane.

Maura flushed, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. She took deep calming breaths, trying to dispel the residual panic. You're okay, you're okay. Warm hands rubbed her shoulders and the raspy voice she'd grown to love murmured words of comfort. After a few tense moments, Jane's toes made contact with Maura's leg, making her blush for an entirely different reason. "Good Lord, you're freezing!" She tossed the aforementioned pillow to Jane and returned to her side of the bed, cringing at the cold sheets. She hadn't meant to fall asleep on that side, but she always seemed to gravitate there. She looked up at Jane, who was busy undressing.

She really is quite the specimen. Her children will be so beautiful.

Suddenly, the detective turned and saw Maura gazing at her. She blushed and shook her head, unused to being caught. "False alarm? You're usually not back from a scene that quickly."

"Nah. Tough one, you'll see it when you come back. Korsak sent me home til 8, said I looked like shit."

"You do not look like feces, I promise you."

A sharp laugh burst from Jane and she took a moment to gather herself. Her case of the giggles spread to Maura, and soon they were both out of breath from laughing at the terrible joke. Jane put her pajamas on, to her best friend's chagrin, and slipped under the sheets. Maura burrowed deeper into the duvet, unable to find a warm spot. After a moment, Jane explained her vague answer from earlier.

"Uh, there was a scene with kids. I just wasn't expecting that.".

"Does one ever expect a murder?" Maura's muffled voice came from the blanket.

"Four kids, under 10. Poisoned. "

"Did Pike confirm that?" Maura chided lightly. She never missed an opportunity to scold Jane, even in jest. It was why their bond was so strong. They certainly had been through their fair share of trials and tribulations.

"No, he didn't. But, it feels like it. Korsak thought so, too. Hey...thanks for makin' me laugh, I needed that."

Maura smiled with her eyes closed. "You're welcome. Now go to sleep."

"Hey, Maura?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks for keeping my side of the bed warm."

"Well, technically speaking, it is all my bed. But you're welcome. Unfortunately, it's left 'my' side ice cold."

"Mau-ra," Jane grunted. "Just come over here, I'm not going to make you freeze to death over there." Jane scooted her torso closer to the edge of the mattress, making a little pocket for the blonde to nestle herself into.

"Actually, the temperature in here is roughly sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit, significantly higher than the freezing point for-" The factual spew was interrupted by a quiet snore. Jane had fallen asleep, mouth open and wild hair splayed over both pillows. Maura couldn't help but smile softly at the picture her friend created. She rolled to her side and easily fit into the body next to her. With a pleasant sigh, she closed her eyes and tried, for the third time that night, to fall asleep.

…

...

"So what are you going to do today?" Jane asked in between bites of fried egg.

"I'm not sure yet. It's been quite a while since I've had so much free time. Perhaps a nice jog?" Maura slowly sipped her coffee. "Maybe some beach yoga or a movie?"

"Only you would go running on your vacation." Jane rolled her eyes. "Plus, it's like fifty degrees out. And, you hate theater butter."

"It's processed margarine, Jane. It's not good for the body, plus they bleach it. It's actually gray," Maura said with a shudder, as she buttered two pieces of toast and set them in front of Jane.

"Okay, fine. Thanks for saving my life with butter, Dr. Isles," the detective conceded. "What time is it?"

She shook her head in amusement. "You have immaculate vision, Jane. I don't know why you insist I check for you."

Grumbling something unintelligible, Jane stuffed the toast into her mouth and stood quickly. Hands grabbed her keys off the wall hook and, with a quick wave goodbye, she was out the door.

Maura smiled at the dopey detective. No matter how tough or brash she acted on the streets, Jane Rizzoli would always be a lanky, adorable creature in her eyes. Not many were privileged enough to witness the side of her that Maura was privy to. So, she was grateful for the moments like this that they shared; it kept them both rooted. So much had happened to them and each and every time they came out ahead.

If you had told a younger Maura that she would be where she was today, her reaction would have been to ask if you were ill. Here she was, with a makeshift family that loved her, a house full of love and life, and a working relationship with those around her. It wasn't a 5.0 GPA in high school, four years of medical school at the top of her class, seven years on rotation at some of the best hospitals in the country, or scoring a perfect on the American Board of Pathology exam, that made her who she was today. It was simply being happy, healthy, and loved. Granted, the years of experience had helped shape her adult life, but it wasn't until she'd met the Rizzoli clan, that she'd truly lived.