Title: Song for Marcella

Rating: T

Pairing: Jane/Maura

Spoilers: Some references from many S1 and S2 episodes up to and including, "My Own Worst Enemy." The story is kind of AU from there.

Disclaimer: Don't own 'em. If I did, they'd be married and hanging out on Showtime;)

A/N: Okay, this is truly the end of the road. Thank you all for your support! I can't wait to do this again. 55angel55, you are the best beta ever. Love ya, baby. I hope everyone enjoys this little nugget- the story ends much the same way as it began.

Epilogue

If you can stand by me like yesterday,
I´ll find the strength to carry on,
So let your spirit shine along the way,
And our day will surely come.

-from Song for Marcella, by Bik McFarlane

"Two shots of Jameson's, please." Jane quickly added the two drinks to their usual Dirty Robber order. The server nodded and walked away.

"Whiskey, Jane?" Maura's eyes lit up in amusement from across the booth. "Remember what happened the last time I drank whiskey with you?"

"You mean when you sobbed all over my shoulder and told me you loved me for the first time? How could I forget. It was a week ago, Maura." Jane said teasingly and gave her girlfriend a wink.

"Jane, I was very emotional. I needed your support." She said, smiling.

"I know, I know, I was just teasing. That was one of the best nights of my life."

"Oh, your charm is relentless." Maura mused.

"Yep. That's why you love me. So, how was lunch with Bobby?" Jane inquired.

"It was good. He is a fascinating man. He talked a lot about his father, and his early upbringing in Belfast. We also found out that we are both allergic to bee stings. It's an allergy often thought to be genetically inherited. Apparently, our grandfather had the allergy, too. I have never had a bee sting, but if I get one, the sting site will most likely swell uncontrollably and I could break out into a rash. It could also get very itchy and weepy." She finished, pulling a face.

Jane commented. "Hm. That sucks." Jane continued, considering this new information about her girlfriend. "But, how 'bout that," she mused. "Could there actually be a flaw in your otherwise impeccable body? Good thing it's so minor." Jane said, and smirked as she sipped the beer the server had recently set down in front of them.

Maura rolled her eyes, and picked up one shot glass. Jane picked up the other one and swirled the amber liquid.

"So. What should we toast to?" Jane asked.

Maura chewed her lip thoughtfully, contemplating her glass. "How about we toast to brave Irish hungerstrikers, a well solved case, and new beginnings." Maura emphasized the last item with a gentle lift of her eyebrows.

The meaning wasn't lost on Jane, and she smiled, dimples and all. "I'll drink to that."

Maura clinked her glass against Jane's and they both downed their shots in one gulp.

"Whew." Jane said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, "that stung a little."

Maura, dignified as ever, gave a slight wince, and daintily sipped her white wine to cool the burn in her throat.

After a few moments of recovery, Maura spoke. "Did you know Siobhan Murphy was in court today?"

"Yeah," Jane answered. "Frost went to the hearing. She was found guilty on two counts of first degree murder, two counts of conspiracy to commit a crime, and one count of extortion. Even with her plea agreement, the woman is going away for a long time."

"Bobby is quite devastated. He still plans to visit her." Maura looked away wistfully.

"What?" Jane inquired, curious as to Maura's expression.

"It's just so sad. He loves her so much and won't leave her, even though she'll be in prison for the rest of their natural lives. It's tragic, really."

"Yeah, it's sad." Jane agreed. "But, he's a good man. And, you can't help who you love, no more than you can help who your family is." Jane gave Maura a meaningful look, and Maura nodded at her.

"Speaking of family," Jane continued, "Paddy call you yet?"

"No, not yet. It's very possible I may never hear from him."

"Aw, c'mon Maura. Doyle may be a lot of things, but he is a man of his word. He's also your father."

"Jane, he is not my father." Maura corrected, "We may meet for coffee, but he's still just the sperm donor."

"You're right, I'm sorry." Jane paused and studied her girlfriend quietly for a moment. "It's good you're giving him a chance, Maur. Although, do you know he called me mouthy? Can you believe that?"

Maura laughed at Jane's affronted tone of voice. "Well, you can do some marvelous things with your mouth, so, I would have to say that I agree." Maura winked at Jane, and brought her wine glass to her lips.

"Maura!" Jane said, playful exasperation coloring her tone.

"What? You are an amazing lover, Jane. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that. " Maura said, with a bit of awe.

Jane blushed furiously as she studied her beer bottle, picking at the label. So many things were easy about this new road they were on. But the seemless transition to intimacy still often caught one or both of them by surprise now and again.

"You're pretty good, too." Jane said shyly. "Incredible in fact." Jane raised her eyes to meet Maura's. Now it was the ME's turn to blush. "It's a wonder that we manage to get any work done." Jane said, her voice low and seductive.

"Yesterday in the morgue was just a fluke, Jane. I will definitely help us minimize our distractions in the future." Maura said in earnest. "I have had sexual relationships with colleagues in the past, and it's worked out just fine. Statistically speaking, we will have a greater chance of success if we arrange a schedule and-"

Jane's warm-glow bubble popped, and her face fell, as she took in Maura's words. Jane sighed. "Maura, please don't googlemouth our relationship to death." She leaned closer to the ME, so their faces were just inches apart over the table. "And I," Jane began talking out of the side of her mouth, "I don't think I need to tell you this, but what we have going on here," she emphasized by gesturing between them, "is so much more than a sexual relationship."

"I know, Jane." Maura said enthusiastically. "I just wanted to assure you that I can do this." Maura smiled, and continued, "After all, I am a very good catch." Maura finished, all charm and sweetness.

"Oh trust me, I know." Jane said, smiling brightly at her love. She leaned back in her seat again, a raked her eyes over Maura. "Auto mechanics, yoga instructors, predatory lesbians, FBI agents, cocky sergeants…they all can't hold a candle to you." Jane said.

Maura matched her smile. "I am pretty remarkable."

"That you are." Jane laughed, "and modest, too."

Maura laughed with her, and then sobered as she fixed Jane with a serious look. "And you, Jane, are a phenomenal woman." She paused, making sure that Jane heard her. "I feel very fortunate to be your lover."

Jane was tickled at Maura's words. They were just so Maura. "Well, honey, I hate to tell you this, but it's not hard to be phenomenal with your track record."

At Maura's confused look, Jane continued and waved her beer around to emphasize her point. "I mean, first of all, I don't have a criminal record. That in itself makes me the best catch you've had in a long time."

Maura narrowed her eyes at Jane, in a mock scowl. "Not funny, Jane."

"I know, I'm sorry, that was just too easy." Jane said with a mirth that quickly turned serious. "Hey," she said, "How are you doing with that by the way?"

"With what?" Maura asked perplexed at the new direction of the conversation.

"You know, the whole Ian thing?" Jane asked.

Maura looked at Jane quizzically again, before she seriously considered the question. "Ian was...is…a very important part of my life, Jane. He opened me up to love, and showed me that someone could love me in return. "

Jane listened patiently, willing her heart not to deflate on the spot. She felt Maura had something to say, and wanted to let her share it.

"But," Maura paused before continuing, "He also showed me that I deserved more. Much more than he could give. I never knew what it meant to love someone, I mean, really and truly love someone, until you came sauntering into my life and into my heart like you owned it."

Jane felt a lump form in her throat, as Maura forged on. "And you do Jane," she said, and reached her hands across the table to clasp the brunette's. "You are the most wonderful, beautiful, brilliant person I have ever known." Maura's eyes became teary. "I am honored that you picked me and that we've made it here, to a relationship that means everything to me."

Jane blinked back her own tears, and cleared her throat. "You sure are getting better at the sweet talk, Dr. Isles." Jane wanted nothing more than to reach across the table a kiss her girlfriend to within an inch of her sanity. But they being were discreet, and still navigating the public affection thing. Instead, she did the next best thing.

"C'mon." Jane said, and squeezed Maura's hands, "let's get out of here."

Maura nodded, and stood up. Jane dropped some bills on the table and helped Maura with her coat. They exited the warmth of the bar and were met with the chill of a brisk Boston evening. They clasped their hands together and began to stroll at a leisurely pace down the sidewalk to Maura's car. Maura moved to clutch Jane's arm with both of hers, rested her cheek against Jane's shoulder, and peered up at her.

Maura studied the much beloved profile she'd come to know so well, and her breath momentarily clutched in her chest. "I love you, Jane," she said sweetly, as her brain came back to present.

Jane smiled, delighted by this newer, gushier side of Maura. "I love you, too, Maur." Jane said and kissed Maura's temple.

Maura squeezed Jane's arm, and then started giggling.

"What," Jane asked, looking down at Maura with affection.

"Nothing," Maura said, and giggled again. "Just… You're my Captain Janetastic." She said and broke out into a full-on laugh, "Remember?" she said.

"Mmm, yeah." Jane said.

"I like the sound of that. I think I might use it more often." Maura said, and considered the term. "Maybe I'll reserve it for more intimate situations," she added in faux seduction and waggled her eyebrows, laughing at the horrified look on Jane's face.

"Oh please don't," Jane responded, not hiding her amusement. She smiled brightly and held her girlfriend tighter against her, as they blissfully walked further into the night.

FIN

A/N: Thanks again! Reviews are like Maura's peep toes- they warm the soul. :)