Author Notes: Thank you so much to each and every one of you. The response to this fic has been huge, much bigger than I anticipated. I wasn't sure where it would go, and though at times it has been a struggle, I am so glad to finally reach the end. It'll be sad to see it go, but I do have a sequel planned. I just hope you like that as much, too.

Maura walked up the stairs, one foot after the other, cautious in her pursuit. She hoped to comfort a friend, but in reality she knew she was walking into a lion's den. Maybe the lion was asleep, oblivious to the potential pray. Or maybe it was prepared, already smelling blood. The door was ajar. She didn't knock. It was already too big a risk, it was all or nothing. She had nothing left to lose.

A head of dark curls was visible above the side of the bed. Jane sobbed loudly, her shoulders shook with every gasp.

Maura rushed around the bed, crouching on the floor beside Jane. She kept her distance. Jane turned her head, her eyes red and her cheeks puffed up. Maura held her arms out and Jane fell into them. Her breathing was laboured, her chest heaved. She clung to Maura, her wet cheeks pushed against the crook of her neck.

"I'm sorry." She lifted her head up, her chin on Maura's shoulder. "I understand if you hate me."

"I don't hate you." Maura sat back slightly, her arms still tucked around Jane's waist. "Why would you think that?"

"Charlie spoke." She stared into Maura's eyes. "I can't remember the last time he said anything. He likes you. He wants you around."

"But you don't." Maura sighed. It hurt. She couldn't deny the pain in her heart. But she cared about Jane too much to just leave her there.

"No." Jane untangled herself from her and stood up. Maura stood opposite her, ready to flee. She swallowed the threat of tears. She moved to turn away, when Jane stepped forward, her fingertips ran across her cheeks, her mouth collided with Maura's. It was brief. Too brief. Maura lowered her head. "All I want is for you to be around."

She lifted her gaze, her eyes fixed on Jane's. Fresh tears skirted down her cheeks. She tried to breath, but her breath caught in her throat.

"I'm alone, Maura." She dropped onto the bed, her feet pushed against the carpet. "I've been alone for so long. It was me. Then it was me and Charlie. I don't know how to do this. I don't know how to be with you, to let you in. I don't know how to allow myself the one thing I've craved for a long time."

Maura knelt down on the floor, her hands on Jane's knees. The pain shifted, replaced with a sense of hope. She placed a hand on Jane's cheek. "I don't expect you to jump straight into marriage and children. I don't expect you to give me your heart."

Lowering her head, resting it against Maura's. Jane choked back tears. "You already have it. I hate it, I hate that I feel so out of control. It's amazing. But I hate how it makes me doubt everything, how it makes me doubt myself. You own part of me that I've never let go of before, and some days I can't breathe when I think about our future. I don't want to dwell on the past; I can't help it. I'm not good enough for you."

"There's so much I don't know," Maura said, perching on the bed beside her. She wrapped her arms around her waist. Jane clung to her, her breathing harried against her cheek. "But I want to know you. I want you to feel like you can trust me. You're good enough for me, Jane. I wouldn't be here if I didn't think we should be together. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. Maybe one day you'll feel able to explain."

"You were going to leave."

"I was upset."

"How do I do this without breaking everyone's hearts?" Jane pressed her palms against her eyes. "The thought of hurting you is too much. I don't know how to make you happy, and keep my demons away."

"One day at a time." Maura brushed a strand of hair back behind Jane's ear and cupped her cheek. She turned her face to meet her own. "However slow this needs to go, I'm here for it. If you'll just give me a chance."

"I, I can't breathe."

"If you're not ready," Maura pulled away again. She shifted across the bed, putting space between them. "I won't push you."

She stood. A wave of emotions flooded her system, too much variety to handle in one go. She gave Jane's shoulder a squeeze and turned away.

"No." Jane pulled her back onto the bed, her hands around her waist. She captured her lips, her tongue slipped between Maura's. She put her hand down beside Jane, holding herself steady. She sat down, tangling her fingers up in Jane's hair, deepening the kiss. Jane pulled back, her chest heaved with every breath. "I want to. Oh God, I want this so badly. I just hope you'll be patient with me."

She sandwiched Jane's hands between her own on Jane's lap. "As long as it takes."

x

Two weeks later

"Pass me the lettuce," Jane said, leaning over the counter.

Maura picked up the bag and handed it over. "Where's the sauces?"

"Top cupboard above the toaster, on the left." Jane emptied the bag into a bowl and tossed the dressing, leaves, pepper, onions and feta together. "Charlie used to eat ketchup straight out the bottle; I always put it out of reach now."

Maura scrunched up her face. "That's revolting."

Jane shrugged. "What can I say? He's my kid!"

"You used to do the same?"

"No!" Jane laughed. "Maybe a little when I was a toddler. My Ma left me alone at the table one day when she had to clean up after my brothers. She came back to me covered in sauce."

Maura pursed her lips; a small smile crept onto her face. She sighed. "You've never spoken about your family before."

Jane shrugged. "There's not much to say."

"I don't believe that." Jane's eyebrows tugged together. "I can see it on your face when you're hiding your pain."

Jane closed her eyes, clutching the counter. "There's a lot to say. Too much for five minutes."

Picking up a plate of burgers and sausages, Maura squeezed Jane's shoulder, trailing her hand across her arm. "Maybe another day."

"Thank you." Jane took the salad from the counter and placed it on a tray with the sauces. "The kids are very quiet out there!"

"Knowing Isabeau, she'll probably be sat on the hosepipe."

Jane laughed as they carried the food out into the yard. Maura placed the burgers and sausages beside the barbecue and opened up the lid. She laid each item one by one onto the grate; they sizzled as the fat heated up.

"Stop squirting Charlie with the hosepipe, Beau!" Maura shouted over the top of the grill.

"No!" he shouted, opening his mouth. The water splashed over his face.

Jane handed Maura a glass of wine. "I don't know if he'll ever recover from the fire."

Maura slipped a hand around her waist and placed a peck on her lips. "Thanks. Has he still not said anything more?"

"No." Jane rolled her eyes. "Typical kid that the first word he says again is no. Do you want breakfast? No. What does a duck say? No. What are you doing? No."

"He'll say more eventually."

"I hope so, now I know why Ma hated me saying no so much."

Maura glanced at the children. Isabeau ran round and round Charlie as he sprayed her with the hose. She giggled uncontrollably until she fell on the grass. Maura placed her glass on the table and took Jane's hand, pulling her back into the house.

"Where are we going?"

In the living room, Maura captured her lips, twisting her hands up in Jane's hair. Jane responded quickly, deepening the kiss. She trailed her hands down Maura's hips and across her back. Maura leant so close their bodies collided, her breath became labored.

"What was that for?" Jane chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes fixed on Maura's.

"Thank you."

"What for?"

"Talking about your family."

Jane raised an eyebrow and smirked. "If that's the reaction I get maybe I'll be more open."

"Don't joke," Maura said. "I know it's hard. I wanted you to know how much I appreciate it."

"You're making it really difficult," Jane whispered, stepping between Maura's legs, her thigh pushed against Maura's body. She leant in, her lips brushed against Maura's. "I don't normally wait this long."

"How long?"

"Same night." Maura frowned. Jane kissed her again, her lips trailed across her mouth. "It's the only way to avoid becoming attached."

"I guess I got through your wall."

"You knocked it down and built a new one behind you." Jane sighed against her mouth. She stepped back, her hand over her eyes. "My last relationship was in high school."

"Okay." Maura tugged her hand away, clutching her fingers tightly between them.

"That's all you have to say?"

"I don't care about your past," Maura said. "You could be a virgin, with no experience with anyone, and I would still love you as much as I do."

"Love?" Jane's eyes bugged.

Maura grinned. She cupped her cheek again. "Don't look so worried. Maybe not that kind of love…not yet."

"Good, cause that's way too soon." She shrugged. "But I love you the other way, too."

A loud clatter and a smash travelled in from outside. Maura looked at Jane, who looked at Maura.

"I definitely think our next date night should include Alejandro," Maura said.

"Huh?'"

Maura shook her head, chuckling. "Babysitting. He should babysit so we can make out like high schoolers without fear of interruption."

Jane's lips curved so wide they quickly reached the corners of her eyes. She gripped Maura's hand and tugged her toward the door. "There's always later, when the kids are asleep."

"We're staying over?"

Jane shrugged. "Do you want to stay over?"

She wrapped her arms around Jane's waist as they continued out into the yard. Isabeau stood by the table, the burgers scattered across the floor. Maura leaned in close to Jane. "Let's make sandwiches, it'll be quicker."