AN:Apparently the new ipad update hates me. I had wanted to wait to upload, but here we are. I plan on making this a real advent event with a chapter each day, now as someone who works six days a week this is going to be hard, so if anyone would like to work on this with me please get in touch!

30th November

Christmas time had always been a big deal in the Rizzoli household, and yet on the other end of the spectrum, mostly dismissed by the Isles. In the time she had known Jane and her family, Maura had developed a deep love for the holiday. She theorized it was to make up for lost time in her childhood. Whilst the idea of "waiting for Santa" was ludicrous to an adult, the build up to the holiday imbued her with a childlike wonder all the same.

This year was to be the first Christmas that she and Jane would share after they had officially began dating earlier in the spring. The holiday had felt wonderful spending it with a dear friend and their family. She could only begin to imagine how their relationship would affect this time of year, and she was determined for it to be spectacular.

Her joy in finding the perfect gift for each family member had grown knowing that whatever she chose would be received greatfully and with love. She had grown out of the fear that it would be inappropriately 'too much' as she didn't deem herself family. Time with the Rizzoli clan had weened that out of her. Better yet she was now free to acquire what ever overtly decadent or unnecessary luxury she wished to bestow upon Jane, and know in her heart that it was just right.

However what she had come to enjoy with Jane was something that wasn't supposed to be shared with family. The grand gestures of familial and unconditional love would be saved for the actual day, supported by mountains of food and laughter. No what she wanted to share with Jane was for the two alone, and as she filled out the shipping information earlier in the week, Maura knew the build up to this holiday was going to be unforgettable.

It had been late in the afternoon on a cold and gloomy Saturday when the doorbell rang, startling Jo Friday into a barking frenzy. Jane had been lounging on the sofa lightly dozing before being jolted awake by the small dog.

"Geeze Jo, it's just the damn door!"

She groaned quietly at the small ache in her back before making her way to answer the door. Rubbing her eyes the opened door revealed a courier with a fairly large box.

"Afternoon, I have a package for a Miss Isles,"

"She's not here right now, but can I sign for it?"

"Not a problem, if you just put your name right there, ok, thanks!"

The overly chipper, well in Jane's opinion anyway, handed her the box before strutting away to their van. Without a second thought she placed the box on the breakfast island and returned to the now wide awake terrier on the sofa.

"I wonder what she's bought now. Who knew Christmas would be such a big deal for her. I suppose that's our fault really huh."

She received a small bark with an enthused tail wag. Smiling the detective stood tall and stretched out her back before picking up her phone and shooting off a text.

-"Package just arrived for you, I thought you'd finished your Xmas shopping? X"

A few moments later a buzz indicated a new message.

-"Christmas presents, yes. This is something else. And don't you dare open it Jane! X"

Fixing a cup of coffee Jane eyed the package. It was too large to be just one item, and if Maura had finished her shopping. Curiosity was building, but she fought the urge to open it. Maybe the sender info would be more revealing, after all she was a detective with a potentially 'suspect' package. Maura would still be pissed if she started digging, and yet, her thought process was halted by the ringing of her phone.

"I haven't touched it I swear!"

Maura had to pull the phone from her ear at the volume of the declaration,

"Well hello to you to Jane," she laughed down the line,

"Oh, um, yeah, hi."

"So, you haven't opened it, but you must have thought about it for a response like that,"

"I'm a detective Maura, I'm paid to be curious, nosey, and sometimes brash."

The doctor had to smile at her logic. "And the city of Boston thanks you for it, however in this case I must insist that you desist."

"Oh you insist? From all the way across town in your office, while I'm here with a pair of scissors."

Dropping the playful tone it was time to play hardball. "Jane, that package contains some sensitive items that, you may be privy to, and very likely to enjoy. However if that box shows so much as a mark, no matter how small, I will send it back and you will get nothing."

"What are you going to get CSU down here and check it over?" Jane snorted at the thought.

"One mark on that box Jane and it goes right back in the mail,"

"Ok, ok, I get it. You know I'm just yanking your chain. How goes things over there anyway? Think you'll be home on time?"

"Just a few reports to finish, shouldn't be more than a few hours."

"Want me to sort out some dinner? Ma brought around some meatballs and marina this morning, something about making too much. Maybe a salad and some garlic bread?"

"Sounds wonderful, I'll text you when I leave."

"No problem, I'll see you soon."

-

A few hours later Jane was plating the pair's dinner as Maura seated herself at the table.

"Thank you Jane, it looks wonderful,"

"I'd be thanking Ma, she's the one who makes these bad boys from scratch. Why she still manages to over do the recipe I don't know."

"Well I'll be sure to pass on our thanks when I see her. Speaking of your mother, did you and your brothers ever have advent calendars when you were growing up?"

Speaking around half a meatball the detective nodded. "Sure we did, it was the only month of the year we could tell you exactly what day it was."

"Do you still have one each year? I know it's mostly for children, but I never had one, and I would quite like to have one."

"Really? I don't suppose though that the health conscious Miss Isles would have partaken in a morsel of chocolate every day. I don't really buy them anymore, but twenty four days of advent, twenty four beers in a crate. Coincidence? I think not!"

"Not all advent calendars have to be chocolate Jane! Some burn candles, others have more intricate ones with small toys or gifts."

"I totally remember freaking out over a Lego one a few years ago, Ma wouldn't buy it for me. It's not really the same when you buy them for yourself. Did you want me to get one for you? I know it's late but the store should have some left."

"Oh no need Jane, I have already purchased one for us that should be more than satisfactory." The blonde smiled as she pierced a generous amount of salad on her fork.

"Us? I haven't seen any in the pantry,"

"Oh it's not a chocolate one," with a coy smile she wordlessly continued her dinner.

Jane nodded mildly confused. She knew that look but couldn't place how it would pertain to their discussion.

After they had finished eating and cleared away their dishes Maura brought the box to the coffee table before she sat next to Jane.

"Soooo, what's in the box?"

"It's our advent calendar," Maura's grin was infectious.

Jane leaned up from her lounging position, "Maura it's huge! What the hell could be in there?"

"Why don't you open it and see."

Reverently, or as much as one can fighting tape on cardboard, Jane opened the box in front of the two. Sure enough there were twenty four boxes nestled in a larger one. All black with small gold inlaid numbers. There was a plain envelope sat on top of the collected boxes. Pulling out the paper inside she read the letter quietly before the silence was permitted with what could only be described as a squeak,

"You got us a 'sex' advent calendar?"

Maura lifted the box as she spoke, "Yes Jane, yes I did. And you'll have to wait till tomorrow to open it."

The sashay in her hips as she walked away was deliberate. Jane was all of a sudden very, very thirsty.