Author's notes: thank you very much for all the reviews, I really appreciated them. As promised, this story is finished and yet not really. Looking forward to reading your reviews for the sequel.

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Maura

The sound of suitcases rolling on the floor was getting mixed into the brouhaha of travelers and a voice on a microphone - from time to time – accompanied by a jingle that asked for someone. Standing alone in the middle of the crowd, Maura felt lost; invisible. Her heart beating loud and fast in her chest since she had left home an hour earlier.

"We only live once."

Her mother's words echoed in her head as she swallowed hard. She wasn't panicking but still felt a tad nervous. Because of the circumstances. Clutched to her suitcase, she remained still; observing people coming and going.

Once she had finally driven back to her house after a whole night spent at the hotel with her mother – a night made of talks and confessions – she had sat on her couch for long hours, staring blankly in front of her as if an invisible point would bring her to take the right decision. She knew what she wanted – from Jane, from the whole world – but finding the courage to abandon herself to it was hard. Yet all of a sudden, she had stood up and headed to her bedroom to pack.

She hadn't tried to reach her friend; not even a phone call. After all, Jane had made it clear that it would depend on the airport, whether she would be there or not.

Besides, she had seen on television how the BPD had finally managed to arrest the serial killer who had terrorized Boston underground world. The detective had probably been busy, closing the case before a well-deserved vacation out of the city.

For the thousandth time already, Maura checked her cell phone and with a shaking hand, grabbed her flight tickets. The check-in would close in twenty minutes. Something was wrong. Jane was never late. One could reproach many things to the brunette but certainly not a lack of punctuality.

Until now.

What if she had changed her mind? A bit defeated, the medical examiner let the thoughts she had tried to ignore finally kick in. Jane had given her three days but that was before the blonde had run away and literally disappeared from her life for the next forty-eight hours. Perhaps her uncertainty had pushed her friend to abandon the idea of a potential relationship.

Maura bit her lower lip. If it was the case then it was all her fault, in the end.

Slightly desperate, she observed the crowd of travelers and remembered the last scene of Love Actually. They had watched it – with Jane – a few months earlier and suddenly, she had the feeling to be plunged in it. People were hugging, crying. Saying goodbye, throwing themselves in each other's arms. A whole life made of strong, unique feelings.

While she remained alone and anxious among it.

The announcement for her flight pierced through the microphone in the terminal. Again. Disarmed, she looked at the attendants a few feet away. What was she supposed to do? If Jane didn't show up, would she go back home or choose to disappear for a while and head to the Cyclades Islands as planned?

"Maura!"

Of course, she recognized the voice. And as she turned around – obvious that people were now observing them since Jane had literally shouted out her name – she saw the brunette run to her; a suitcase in hand.

"I... I got stuck.. In traffic."

The detective was breathless – slightly red – and on the verge to pass out. But she was there and all of a sudden, this was the only thing Maura focused on. What were they supposed to do, now? Jane looked at her feet for a few seconds and shook her head before plunging her eyes in the blonde's. She seemed a tad sorry; almost guilty.

"About Charlie, I... We br-..."

The end of her sentence vanished in the brouhaha of the airport as Maura put a finger on Jane's lips.

"I don't mind."

The honey blonde's whisper brushed the detective's lips before dying in a long, awaited kiss. Relieved – happy – Maura finally let go of her suitcase and passed her arms around Jane's neck as she deepened the embrace.

She didn't care about Charlie; didn't want to know what had happened or not happened. If the brunette was there then it meant that the rest of the world could disappear and they would be fine with it.

They didn't need anyone else to be happy.

She broke the kiss only to plunge her face in the depths of Jane's neck; holding her tight, too afraid she might vanish before her eyes.

"I missed you so much..."

…

Jane

Salad bowl in hand, she furtively cast a glance at the kitchen – the living-room to make sure that nobody was around – before planting a kiss on Maura's lips. The blonde replied by a smile and without a word, headed out to the patio of her house.

They had come back from Greece a couple of days ago – relaxed, suntanned and happy. In love; even if nobody but themselves knew it. Their first vacations as a couple had been perfect, following a disturbing logic; the evidence they were made for each other. Doubts had finally flown away, replaced by a thousand dreams.

The detective abandoned the salad bowl by the beers; grabbed a bottle. Everyone had managed to come for the annual barbecue her mother organized at the end of the summer. September was right around the corner and temperatures had finally cooled down a bit. The city wasn't suffocating anymore but perfect for a late-night walk by the streets.

"With this motorbike, you can definitely go to California."

Angela scoffed at Frost's suggestion and vehemently shook her head at Frankie; hands on her hips as if to highlight her disapproval even more.

"Don't even dare to go that far on this evil machine!"

Of course, Korsak decided to join the conversation. Abandoning the barbecue for a minute, he turned around and lost himself in mechanical details.

Leaned against the table where the buffet was settled, Jane smiled; observing the scene in silence, beer in hand. These people were her family, the ones she could count on whenever she needed it.

Quietly, Maura stopped by her side and let her fingers caress the brunette's ones before holding her hand tightly. Nobody was paying attention to them, too focused as they were on the potential risks of a travel to the West Coast.

"Maura and I are a couple."

All of a sudden, the motorbike debate stopped and everyone turned around to look at them. They were still holding hands, smiling peacefully.

Jane nodded to herself. Yes, these people were her family. And if life was a game, then she had taken her chances. She turned her head around and planted a soft kiss on Maura's lips.

She had taken her chances only to win.

To be continued...