Inside the amazing complex that is Fenway Park Jane was chatting with some of Frankie's fellow officers. As proud Bostonians, most of them were avid Red Sox fans, so it was an understatement to say they were all enjoying and having a great time. There was enough food and beer to feed a small town, and as the day dusked, the enthusiasm of everyone showed little wear.

"Yo Rizzoli, you must have done something very good huh?" One of Frankie's peer almost knocked Jane's beer out her hand with the friendly yet strong pat on her back.

"Seems the Queen of the Dead had a heart after all." Another one added jokingly to the heat of the conversation.

It was no secret Maura had orchestrated the whole thing. Jane was still trying to convince herself this was real and not a dream.

When Maura had picked her up earlier, she had used her bossy tone to take her to her party. All too soon Jane had recognized the route they were taking lead to none other than Fenway itself. She had covered her mouth as her eyes nearly bulged out of excitement when they arrived to the stadium.

"Maura Dorthea Isles! What in the world did you do?"

This wasn't season time, so no games were scheduled, and yet, the place wasn't entirely empty. She recognized many of the cars parked outside.

"Your birthday party, what does it look like?" Maura stated, as if throwing a birthday party to your best friend in a stadium was the most casual thing in the world.

"You booked freaking Fenway for me!" Jane was ecstatic. She didn't know whether to jump around, tackle Maura with a gigantic hug or just burst into the baseball park.

Refraining from actually tackling Maura to the ground, she hugged her tightly. She didn't need to say anything and Maura could read from her expression everything Jane wanted to say. Inside they found friends and co-workers gathered, of course, around the food stations. All welcoming her and cheering as soon as she had stepped inside.

"We're not...I mean she's not..." Jane knew what they were implying. Suddenly she stopped trying to convince people she and Maura were not an item. They could think whatever they wanted to. They had been so close to kissing earlier that day, had it not been for Jo Friday, that Jane was finally thinking it could actually be possible for her and Maura to be together. She actually wanted to stand there with Maura by her side, proudly showing her off to everyone as her...girlfriend? Partner? The term didn't matter. Finally Jane just nodded with a shy smile. "She's truly amazing."

Another officer elbowed Frankie. "I'd sure want a sister in law like that."

Frankie blinked twice at the implication.

"Are you crazy man?" Another officer interjected. "I'd want a girlfriend like that. But here it seems Detective Rizzoli beat us all."

Jane couldn't help but shake her head amused and just laugh at the comments, she figured that it would be better to keep herself busy with her beer instead of getting into details about the relationship she still didn't have with Maura. Sooner or later the guys' conversation would drift to another topic, she had hanged with the boys' club enough to know that.

Still, she met with her brother's questioning sight. Jane flustered and shrugged her shoulders with a slightly guilty look on her face. Frankie nodding his head amused and giving her a thumbs up.

"What ya saying McBride. You already got a woman of your own!"

"Aye, one damn fine lady she is." McBride raised his beer: "To all damn fine ladies!"

Jane, Frankie and the rest of the officers tapped their beers together cheerily. Across the field, Maura's gaze met Jane's. Maura was chatting with Lt. Cavanaugh and her mother. Secretly she treasured these little exchanges between them.

She tapped her fingers anxiously to her leg. As time went by, she realized she wanted to be alone with Maura. She wanted to set things clear with her. She didn't want to wait any longer to tell her how she really felt about her.

"Man, I've been coming to Fenway since my old man brought me for my first game when I was six. I never thought I would actually get to step on the field!"

To Jane's relief McBride finally got them off topic. They would keep on talking baseball for a long while.

Angela was munching some celery sticks. Sharing the bowl with Maura, they both looked pretty pleased with themselves as they observed the different groups of people, sharing laughs and enjoying the food.

"Thank you Angela, I couldn't possibly have done this without your help."

"Sure you would, dear. Janie is so reluctant about celebrating her birthday, I'm thrilled I could be able to help you. I wish I could make her listen to me as she listens to you."

"Oh, Angela, I don't..."

Angela took Maura's hands in her own. "You are a daughter to me, you know that."

"Thank you, I... "

"I don't mean to pry, but did everything go well this morning?"

Maura nodded. "It was difficult. I don't think either of us have healed from everything that happened. But we are getting there."

"Yeah, Janie was a little on her nerves yesterday. I could tell. She even was looking for her old jersey."

"Oh?" Maura asked intrigued.

"Jane always has this need to prove she is tougher than anyone. Faster, stronger than her brothers at first, then her classmates, and now cops. She will cut her arm off before admitting she's afraid. But I knew that going to... where you two went today, was something that required all her strength, and that's probably was why she was looking for her jersey. It gives her some sort of reassurance...or luck. Jane tends to wear it when she's home and has something important on her mind."

"I'm sorry she didn't find it. I'm sure it'll turn up."

"It's fine, you were with her. I'm sure that was more than enough for her."

A couple more hours passed and eventually all the guests bidded the Jane and her family goodbye.

At last, only Jane's close circle remained. Frost, Korsak, Frankie, Tommy and her mother all gathered around her. Oddly overwhelmed by the emotion, Jane bit her thumb anxiously. She knew everyone was expecting her to say something. But right this moment, only one thought was on her mind. "Where's Maura?"

"She said she would be right back. It seemed as if she had forgotten something, but I can't figure out what, everything was ready and everyone left already!" Angela exclaimed worried.

It was odd, Jane mused, but still she couldn't leave her friends there to look for Maura. She would surely show up in any minute.

"Thanks guys, it really was an amazing day. This birthday has exceeded any expectations I could ever have. Maura's great...but where is she?" Jane couldn't hide her annoyance anymore.

"Maybe it is time to wrap things up," Frost intervened. "Come on Frankie, take your Ma home. I mean, its obvious Jane's gonna dump us any minute to go find Maura."

"What, why?"

"Yeah, let's go..." Korsak pushed Frankie while Frost whispered something to Jane.

"You sure it's alright?" Angela was more than confused.

Jane nodded, trying to reassure her mother. "Yeah Ma, it's alright. Thanks for everything, I know you put in a lot of effort to prepare this with Maura. Listen, I kinda want to hang out a little more here in the field, but by myself, ok Ma?"

"Okay Janie." Pulling Jane into a hug, Angela kissed her daughter twice. "Don't stay up too late."

"Yes Ma!" Jane answered in an exaggerated childish voice.

"Come on Tommy, hug your sister and let's get moving!"

Jane waved her family goodbye and swaggered around the field impatiently. Frost had told her to stay. She knew it had something to do with Maura, when suddenly the lights of the field shifted from dazzling luminous, to more subtle ones.

"Jane."

She heard Maura's sweet voice behind her and turned around to meet her. She couldn't hold the inquiring smile when she saw Maura wearing a slightly oversized Red Sox jersey over the blue outfit Maura had worn for the day. Jane walked towards her, slightly mesmerized.

"Maur? What... is this?" She asked, tugging a little at the jersey. "You look great though. Is that my jersey? Where'd you find it?"

"I... I've had it."

Jane looked at Maura disconcerted, which Maura decided to ignore, taking Janes' hand and led her so they would be be standing up exactly over home base.

"I have something important I want to tell you."

"Okay..." Janes mind was suddenly hazy, but also confident as she felt Maura's fingers intertwining with hers.

"Jane. One year ago my life changed. I have given considerable thought to what we lived and I can only be sorry that it took me a life threatening moment like that to realize that my feelings for you are more powerful than what I pretend them to be."

Jane tried to open her mouth to speak, but Maura gently placed her fingers over the brunette's lips.

"Please let me get all out or I'll never will."

Jane gently took Maura's fingers with hers and pressed them to her lips lightly before pulling her hand down and let her go on.

"Okay."

"You are the most amazing person I've ever met, and while I think of our friendship very highly, it doesn't stop there. You make me feel like a teenager with a Brobdingnagian cru-"

Jane almost choked to the word and holding on to Maura's arm tightly had to interrupt her. "Is that contagious? I can't even repeat it, but that sounds awful."

Maura gave Jane one of the special looks she earned for interrupting her and continued.

"Brobdingnagian. It means, huge, immense, colossal. Brobdingnag is the fictional land in Jonathan Swift's novel Gulliver's Travels."

Jane laughed relieved and looked at Maura apologetically. "I'm sorry, I get it now, please go on."

"As I was saying you make me feel like a teenager with a ...big crush and lately everything just seems to always revolve around you. I find myself wanting to make you smile, protect you, take care of you when you're hurt. For me there is no better feeling than waking up next to you when you sleep over. I love everything about you, even your abrasive unapologetic manners, because underneath that toughness there is a warm loving soul. Because I know you Jane, I know your kind and gentle soul." At Jane's slight are-you-kidding-me-I'm-a-badass-cop look, she continued explaining herself. "I've seen you, when you talk to families, trying to give them some comfort, even though we both know its almost impossible to give any kind of comfort, but yet you are gentle with them. You empathize with the victims, and that gives you another kind of strength, which many cops miss to have. I worry sick about you when you put on a bulletproof vest, or when you go around chasing suspects, because I know you're risking your life, but I also understand that's who you are. And I also know that you didn't want anyone worrying like that for you, but I'm sorry it's a little too late for that." Maura took a deep breath before taking the plunge. "I guess what I'm saying is that, I can't be just friends with you anymore. I want…" Maura looked into Jane's eyes before continuing.

She didn't get much chance to continue, because she felt Jane's hands slipping from hers and sliding to her waist pulling her closer than they had ever been.

"Yes," her voice came out in a low deep breath against her lips before meeting the blonde's in a soft kiss. With their lips pressed against each other, feeling the warm air from Maur's respiration, Jane broke the kiss for a second to repeat "Yes" before kissing Maura again. She was sure she could feeling Maura's lips curving into smile under hers.

"I want to be with you,and marry you and live with you for the rest of my life."

"Oh Jane!" Maura exploded in a lovely laugh. "Don't you think that's a bit fast?" She tightened her arms around the taller woman and buried her face in the curve of her neck.

"Don't you want to?" Jane felt euphoric. All the feelings she had contained for so long, she didn't have to hold back anymore.

"Yes...but..."

"But what Maura? We practically live together, you know me at my worst and at my best. And I know you at your best and your best, because, honestly there is no wrong with you."

Maura smiled sweetly and cupping Jane's cheek, brought her closer back to kiss her again.

"Does that mean we are not going to date? See if we are compatible? Sexually compatible? Don't I get a ring at least?" Maura teased wide-smiling.

"Is that a yes?" Jane moved in closer again to kiss her again.

Maura felt a knot in her throat as she nodded, trying to contain the overwhelming emotions in her. A small nightly shower started falling, but neither women moved from their places.

Maura and Jane stayed there, in each other's arms, with their eyes smiling to each other, exchanging short, sweet kisses, which seemed they just couldn't get enough of. They kept at it for a while, until Jane noticed Maura's arms were getting cold.

"Maur! You're freezing! Why didn't you tell me?" Concerned, she started rubbing the doctor's arms.

"I didn't want to stop." Maura pouted a bit.

Taking her jacket off, Jane passed it over Maura's shoulder's.

"Let's go home."

"Thank you, for improving my fantasy." Jane finished her sentence softly pecking Maura's lips.

"Well, I did ask if I was invited." Maura placed a hand on Jane's cheek.

"I can't believe you are wearing my Red Sox jersey. No wonder I couldn't find it."

Maura pouted again, slightly embarrassed. "I've treasuring it for a while know. I probably look ridiculous with it."

Jane played with the soft honey blond curls. "It's perfect. You're gorgeous, but why would you have it?"

"It smells like you... I... I've been using it as my sleeping outfit. Makes me feel like you're with me."

"Really Maur? Ohmygawd... come here." Jane bear hugged the smaller woman. "You are so weird, I love it." Jane reconsidered she was finally able to speak her heart now. "I love you."

Maura fixed her eyes on Jane's, sealing her "I love you too, Jane" with another soft kiss.

The ride back to Maura's place was short and smooth. Once inside, the looked at each other awkwardly. The only thing Jane could think of was kissing Maura again, but she wasn't sure how to start.

Sensing Jane's hesitation, Maura stepped closer to her and holding her hand dearly, led her to her bedroom.

"We will be more comfortable here. Can I get you anything?" Maura finally broke the silence as Jane sat on her usual side of Maura's bed.

Grabbing Maura's hand again she shook her head. "No, only you."

Maura laid next to Jane facing to the ceiling.

Jane rolled to her side and traced her finger along the almost invisible narrow scar under Maura's jaw.

"This... it's his right?"

Maura felt Jane tense while asking the question. Barely moving her lips she muttered. "Hoyt's scalpel, yes."

"I'm sorry Maur. We never got talk about that night. I'm so sorry."

"Jane you saved me."

"I put you there. He..." Jane rolled her fists. "He... he was going to make me watch. He knew. That bastard knew me better than anyone else."

Maura closed her eyes pushing away Hoyt's images from her mind, trying to focus only on Jane's scent.

"At the moment I couldn't make sense what had gotten into me when he dared touch you Maur. I friggin' flipped. All I knew at the moment is that he'd have to get over my dead body to hurt you."

Maura caressed Jane's fingers still softly stroking the almost invisible scar on her throat. "I know. You killed him to save me, but Jane you're wrong. This," she said taking Jane's index finger and tracing her own scar. "This is not his. Nothing about me is his and he didn't know you better than anyone else. That's my spot."

Jane managed a smile at Maura's statement. Indeed she was the one who knew her better than anyone else.

"You have no idea how much it meant to me that you were with me this morning. The more I think about it, I guess you have rubbed off on me in some ways, I realize that nothing would be the same if something in my past was altered. If I had to live again, I'd do the exact same choices and go to every single experience so I could get to this moment. Now. With you. I wouldn't risk any changes if it meant not being with you. I really think we have this deep natural affinity for each other."

"That was my definition for soulmate. I can't believe you remembered."

"What can I say, I am trained to remember lots of things."

"And I don't regret anything either. I believe its a principle of Chaos Theory called the Butterfly Effect. Change one thing change everything. I wouldn't risk finally being with my soulmate either."

"Hoyt forced himself into my life, whether I liked it or not, to the point of making me impossible to live my birthdays without thinking about him as well, but you Maura Isles, changed that. By being my friend, my colleague, my LLBFF, my soulmate, my...everything. This day isn't the day I killed Hoyt anymore. This day is the day I found you, and that is a day I want to remember for the rest of my life. Today is a day I want to celebrate for every year now on".

Maura leaned closer to kiss Jane softly, their lips slowly dancing with each other, while Jane's hands caressed Maura's back up and down. Their exchange of kisses rapidly escalated to faster demanding kisses. Maura found herself fervently kissing Jane's neck and exploring Jane's sides under the shirt at the time Jane tangled her fingers in Maura's hair.

The heat exploded between them, Jane ached for more contact with Maura's skin. She was nipping and kissing at every inch of exposed flesh, at times returning to Maura's mouth, but then trailing kisses down her jawline and neck.

Maura rolled on her back, making Jane shift all her weight over her.

"Jane..."

Jane heard Maura call her name in a tone she had never heard before. An addicting mixture of pleasure and earnest supplication. Jane wanted to hear her name called like that more times. She needed to hear it. Right this moment knew she wanted to bring Maura as much pleasure as she could.

Not that Maura wasn't bringing pleasure to her as well. Maura's hands were working wonders on her back, her fingers digging at her skin, while kissing furiously. Jane sucked on Maura's lip, then letting her tongue meet Maura's. The air turned hot and Maura felt the familiar excitement between her legs. The passion in Jane's kisses and the way she was touching her excited her beyond madness.

Jane stopped for a second, and Maura looked at her tenderly.

"What's wrong?"

Jane's husky voice was extremely agitated. "I don't know what to do."

"Sure you do," Maura's voice emanated a sensuality Jane couldn't possibly resist. "You are doing just fine."

Pulling down the collar of Jane's shirt, Maura brought her close to kiss her again, breaking it just to enough to say: "And Jane, you can do anything you want." Before kissing her with enough passion to bruise their lips in the process.

Maura's kisses fueled Jane's desire and pulled Maura up with her as they kept kissing. Jane's eyes shined with hunger. Raising Maura's arms up she helped her out of her clothes, revealing only a nude bra. Jane looked at Maura feverishly and with one quick movement she got rid of her shirt, launching herself forward to capture Maura's lips again. As they kissed, Jane cupped one of Maura's breasts, earning a moan of delight from the blonde. Jane brushed with her thumb the hardened nipple over the fabric, deepening the kiss. Maura's fingers reached for the clasp of Jane's bra and in one deft move, unhooked it. Aching for more contact with her lover, Maura reached back and unclasped her own bra, letting Jane take it off from her.

Jane's world stopped for a few seconds as she marveled at the vision in front of her. In front of her, sweaty and half naked laid the woman that made her heart beat in a frenzy.

Maura linked one of her hands with Jane's bringing her closer. She reached for Jane's ear, whispering "Love me, Jane," before nibbling her earlobe sending fire through all of Jane's body.

"So.. this changes everything. How are we going to do this?" Jane tilted her head, and played with Maura's curls, covering them both with the white bed sheet.

"I don't think there are many changes involved." Maura stated matter of factly.

"Really, don't you think these," she pointed at her then at Maura repeating it back and forth several times with her index, "...us... changes things?"

"No. Not really."

"Our dynamics... at work?"

"No. The way I see it, we'll go to work as always, do our jobs, and the only difference is that you can't date anyone."

"That also means you can't flirt over dead bodies."

"Not even with you?" Maura asked playfully.

"Especially not with me!"

Maura laughed and leaned in to kiss her softly.

"See, nothing's changed. At the end of the day, we just come back home together, but instead of sleepovers we have mind blowing sex."

"Ohmygod," Jane took the nearest pillow and buried her face in it. "You did not just say that." Her voice was muffled by the pillow, but still loud enough for Maura to hear.

Maura laughed more and poked the pillow.

"See? There are hardly any changes at all."

Maura poked the pillow repeatedly. "Jane. Jane. Jane." Softly calling her name.

Jane slowly lifted the pillow to reveal her eyes shut. She opened one just barely, meeting Maura's bright eyes and her contagious smile.

"Happy birthday, Jane."

Author's Notes:

There it goes. I hope you all liked it. I didn't want to push the story to the M rating, so I hope the fluff worked.

Once again, thanks you for all the reviews and PMs, they really kept me focused on writing and continuing the story to its end.