First, a big thank you to everyone who pointed out my glaring geographical error in the previous chapter! In my head I envisioned them hanging out anywhere from Sandwich to Chatham; Orleans to Falmouth (basically the horizontal section of land, thus excluding Provincetown), but it turns out you guys and Google can't read my mind. Haha! I've since made some updates to Chapter 7 so it makes a bit more sense.

Thank you so much to everyone who has followed, favorited, and reviewed this story. It's the longest and most reviewed story I've ever posted and I'm so thankful for everyone's support and very kind words. It's been wonderful to read everyone's reviews and it truly means a lot to me that so many of you took the time to reach out.

I've always wondered how full, lengthy conversations between our ladies would play out. So often on the show their phones ring, or Angela comes in, or there's some other random interruption. I just wanted to give them the space and the time to breath and express themselves. Thank you all for indulging my "let's have some really big life altering conversations" fanfic.

Stay safe. Stay healthy. XO

The rest of the week passed far too quickly. Maura skipped her classes, but still volunteered at Hope's clinic on Thursday. When she came home that night, she was exhausted and just wanted to go to sleep. But when she walked into her living room lit only by candles and Jane offering her a glass of wine, she suddenly wasn't so tired. A foot massage on the couch quickly led to the reason why much of their week had been spent indoors.

Maura came downstairs Saturday morning to find Jane cooking them breakfast. She stood for a moment admiring her girlfriend move about her kitchen with ease; knowing where everything was kept as if she lived there. Someday, Maura thought.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Maura said as she wrapped her arms around Jane from behind and rested her cheek between her shoulder blades.

Jane smiled at the pet name as she leaned into Maura's embrace. Since they slept together the level of affection between them had noticeably increased. Jane found herself reaching for Maura whenever she was near, constantly needing to be in contact with the other woman. The pet names were something Jane never thought she'd like, but she loved the way they rolled off of Maura's tongue.

"Hi, love. How did you sleep?"

Maura sighed contentedly into Jane's back. "Like a…log?"

Jane chuckled. "Are you asking me how you slept?"

"Is that the right expression? I slept like a log?"

Jane turned in Maura's arms and saw the questioning expression on the doctor's face. She leaned down and gave her a kiss. Maura was the most beautiful woman Jane had ever seen, but right now she was so cute Jane could hardly stand it.

"Yes," she said smiling, "like a log."

They were sitting at the dining table eating breakfast when Maura broke the comfortable silence.

"I can't believe you have to go back tomorrow."

Jane reached over and ran her fingers over Maura's hand.

"I wish I could stay."

Maura looked into the sincere brown eyes staring back and her and slipped her hand into her girlfriend's.

"I know." Maura squeezed her hand trying to keep her emotions at bay. "What…what are we doing to do?"

"Well, first," Jane put down her toast and took a quick sip of her orange juice before taking Maura's other hand in hers, "we're not going to be sad, okay? I'm going to miss you like crazy, but I'm so excited about our future together. So that's what we're going to focus on, okay? The good stuff."

Jane waited for Maura to nod in agreement.

"I've waited my whole life for this. Us. You. And I'm so happy. I just want to look forward and finally plan my life with you," Jane continued.

Maura wiped a happy tear from her cheek. She had to admit Jane's outlook was comforting and exciting.

"Focusing on the good stuff," Maura nodded forcefully.

Jane gave Maura a quick peck on the lips.

"That's my girl. Now, the best part about my job is that I finally have a consistent schedule and my weekends are always free. Depending on when you're on call or if you can get Kent or Pike to cover for you, we can see each other pretty frequently. It's less than an eight-hour drive, less than a two-hour flight. Or…we could meet in the middle."

Maura thought for a moment. "New York?"

"Yeah! Wouldn't that be fun? And Thanksgiving is just a couple weeks away, so I'll be back in Boston for sure then. And then I'll be on break for Christmas too. Then there are three-day weekends and spring break."

Maura cupped Jane's cheek, smiling at her girlfriend's near rambling.

"You seem to have given this quite a bit of thought."

"Mm-hmm. And I'm not done yet."

She kissed the tip of Maura's nose.

"The school year ends just before Memorial Day. I have a week off, then the summer session runs until the end of July. That weekend, as soon as school's out, I'm moving back to Boston and I'm going to live…"

Jane shrugged her shoulders and looked around as she tapped her finger on her chin like she was trying to come up with an answer.

Maura laughed at Jane's antics before wrapping her arms around her neck and kissing the warm skin.

"Here. You'll live here."

Jane ran her hands down Maura's arms.

"I'd love too!"

Maura peppered kisses from Jane's neck up to her lips. The slow kiss temporarily distracted them from their current conversation.

"Mmmm. I will obviously need to take your lips back to Virginia with me."

Maura smiled and kissed Jane once more.

"Now, Miss Know It All, what exactly will you be doing when you come back to Boston? Do you want to be a detective again?"

Jane thought for a moment as she held both of Maura's hands in her lap.

"I don't think so," Jane spoke slowly as she continued to gather her thoughts. "I actually really like teaching. I didn't think I would, but I really do. There's a waiting list to be transferred to the Boston Field Office that I've already added my name to. Agent Davies said they have some online classes that I could teach too. And I spoke to Sergeant Reynolds last Friday about possible teaching opportunities at the academy."

Maura listened intently as Jane told her everything she's been doing and thinking about in anticipation of her return to Boston. She was touched that Jane had spent so much time thinking about their future. Lost in her thoughts, Maura didn't realize Jane was calling her name.

"Maur?"

Maura blinked a few times to regain her focus. "I'm sorry. I know I teased you just a moment ago, but I can't believe how much thought you've put into this already. I feel so unprepared."

Jane waved her hand dismissively.

"I've been planning all of this for a few weeks, remember? I knew it was coming before you did. You've only had a couple of days."

"Are you sure about homicide? I know they haven't replaced you yet. It would be wonderful to work with you again."

Jane considered Maura's question and took a deep breath.

"Yeah. After the going away party, I kind of made my peace with it, ya know? It felt like it was time to move on. I accepted it. And to go back now," Jane ran her hand through her hair, "I…I don't want that life for us."

Confusion spread across Maura's face.

"I…I've never had someone to come home to before. I want to do that every night – come home to you. I don't want you to worry about getting a phone call that I've been shot or some serial killer has taken me hostage. And I want you to be safe too. You were always in danger because of me. I don't want that life anymore. I need you to come home to me too."

"Jane…"

"Plus, I might have already spoken to the brass about an upcoming vacant sergeant position in the cold case unit."

Maura shook her head and gave Jane a kiss.

"You amaze me," Maura breathed against Jane's lips.

Rizzoli Family Dinner turned into Rizzoli Family Lunch so Jane would have time drive back to Virginia. The best part of having lunch instead of dinner was that they could watch the Patriots game (Angela usually objected when the Patriots were the Sunday Night Football game). It almost felt like Thanksgiving – family, football, and way too much food.

"I can't wait until we can do this every Sunday again," Jane commented as she brought more dishes into the kitchen.

"We do do this every Sunday. You're just not here," Frankie teased as he dodged Jane's playful punch.

"Janie, you'll be back for good in August?" Angela asked.

"Yeah, Ma. Well, the end of July technically."

"I'm so excited!" Angela beamed as she pulled Jane into a hug.

"I know. Me too, Ma."

After dessert and once the game ended, Jane hugged Korsak and Kiki as they left, promising to see them both at Thanksgiving. She said her long goodbyes to Tommy, Frankie, Ron, and Angela before heading outside with Maura.

They interlaced their fingers as they walked to Jane's rental car. The somber feeling in the air was palpable.

"I didn't think Ma would let me leave," Jane laughed quietly.

Maura agreed, smiling sadly. She brought Jane's hand to her lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

"Do you have everything?"

Jane leaned back against the car and pulled Maura flush against her.

"Yeah, I double checked."

They stood wrapped in each other's arms; neither wanted to speak and begin their goodbye. Maura ran her fingertips down Jane's cheek before molding her lips to the taller woman's.

As the kiss ended, Jane buried her face in Maura's neck. The tears she had fought so hard against now fell freely.

"Hey," Maura said softly as she wiped away her own tears. "Good stuff only, remember?" She felt Jane nod against her neck as long arms tightened around her.

Maura ran her fingers through Jane's hair for a few minutes before she spoke again.

"Have you found any good boutiques in Virginia?"

Jane pulled away and wiped her eyes as she looked at Maura.

"Really? What are talking about?"

"Boutiques, Jane. Nice, charming shops. What about restaurants?"

Jane was utterly confused at Maura's sudden line of questioning. The smirk Maura was giving her wasn't helping.

"I have no idea. Why are you asking me this now?"

"Well, I was wondering if you had any recommendations for when I'm staying in Virginia."

Jane froze.

"Staying in…? Maura Dorthea Isles, if you do not tell me what you're talking about right now!"

Maura laughed at Jane's escalating confusion before giving her pouty lips a kiss.

"Yesterday you said the best part about your job was your schedule. Well, the best part about my job is that I'm the boss and I have a direct line to the governor. I called him on Tuesday when you were in the bullpen with Frankie. While he wasn't too keen on the idea at first, I reminded him that I did not take my full sabbatical as originally planned and that it always makes the Commonwealth – and the governor – look good when its members have worked with a prestigious agency such as the FBI."

Jane's eyes went wide.

"What? What does that mean? When?"

"Not for a while. May, June, and July of next year. I've already arranged my last day to be your last day of school. We'll come home together."

Jane kissed Maura with enthusiasm before picking her up and spinning her around several times.

"This is amazing! You're going to be in Virginia for three months?" Jane's smile stretched from ear to ear.

"Yes! I've consulted with the bureau on a number of cases over the years and they've always tried to lure me into a more permanent position, so they were very open to the idea of acquiring my services for three months. I'll be on "loan" to both the FBI and the Commonwealth of Virginia. I'll get to work closely with a few pathologists whose work I've admired and it will be a good opportunity for Kent to run the office here."

Maura couldn't contain her own smile as she watched Jane's eyes twinkle.

"You seem to have given this quite a bit of thought," Jane teased. "Wait, did you know about this when we talked yesterday?"

"No," Maura shook her head. "The governor emailed me back yesterday evening. I wanted to wait to tell you. All good stuff, right?"

Jane nodded and gathered Maura in her arms.

"All good stuff." Jane inhaled deeply, savoring the essence of her girlfriend. "Thank you."

The excitement died down as they realized it really was time to say goodbye.

Jane sighed and ran her hands down Maura's back.

"You have to tell me to go. You have to tell me or I won't go. I can't…"

Maura pulled back from their embrace and kissed Jane's cheek.

"Go. Go so you can come back to me."

Jane captured Maura's lips again in a passionate and lingering kiss.

"Two weeks?"

Maura nodded as she pressed her forehead to Jane's.

"I'll see you in two weeks. I love you."

"I love you. I love you so much."

Jane got into the car and rolled the window down. Maura leaned in and gave her one more kiss.

"Drive safely."

"I will. Bye, babe."

Maura reluctantly stepped away and watched as Jane pulled out of the driveway and away from Beacon Hill.

Jane continually checked the rear view mirror as she drove away. The image of Maura became smaller and smaller. She reminded herself that although she was driving away from Maura right now, she was actually driving towards her future. Their future. Together.

The end.