Disclaimer: I do not own Rizzoli, nor Isles, and I'm pretty confident I own none of the other characters that may or may not pop up in later chapters. They're Tess', Janet's, TNT's and whoever elses that can lay a claim to them.

A/N: I forgot to pick up an advent calendar. This seemingly innocent oversight somehow lead to me thinking it might be cool to post a little festive ficlet every day leading up to Chrstmas... A fanfic advent calendar if you will. I've no idea if I'll manage it, but I'm going to try.

If anyone has any ideas, lines, plots etc... that they'd like to see in one of the ficlets please feel free to let me know in the reviews/comments or PM me, and I'll see what I can cobble together.

For those that are waiting on the next chapter of my story "Distance." I'm working on it. I'll have it up soonish. I promise.

...ENJOY!

On a quiet Boston street blanketed with snow, a Prius quietly pulled into a driveway.

Opening her door, Maura Isles stepped out on to a pathway very recently cleared of snow. A path lead to her front door. A grateful smile graced the honey blondes features.

Reaching back into the car she pulled out a bag of groceries and a 6 pack of beer, and started to hum "Silent Night" as she headed into the house.

Considering the late hour, Maura was expecting an empty house. Just as she cleared the doorway, and before she even had a chance to finish closing the door, a rather manic looking Jane barrelled towards her, arms flapping and hair flying in all directions.

"Close your eyes! I'm not done! It's not ready!"

Scarred hands quickly covered her eyes. "Are they closed?"

Chuckling at her dear friend, she asked "What are you up to?"

"Can't say. Now are your eyes closed or not?"

"Yes, they're closed." Warm hands withdrew from her eyes.

"Okay, gimmie the groceries." She felt the heavy bag and beer being pulled from her arms. "No peaking!"

Maura merely raised an eyebrow in what she assumed to be Jane's direction.

"Right, now wait right here. I'll be two minutes."

Maura heard the excitable woman run further into the house, then some shuffling around.

Sure enough, a few minutes later Jane was right back in front of her.

"Okay. Open your eyes."

Eyes open, she scanned the house. She took in and memorised every breathtaking detail.

Beautiful white twinkling lights and surprisingly stylish decorations now adorned her home. A gorgeous tree with a light smattering of presents beneath, stood near her living room window. A roaring fire burned in the fireplace, and a little further back from it sat a small picnic on a blanket.

"Oh! Almost forgot…" Jane ran into the kitchen and returned with two glasses, settling them down by the picnic. Inhaling the spicy scent that drifted in with her, Maura realised it was mulled wine. A happy sigh escaped from her lips as she turned adoring eyes on the woman beside her.

Before she could speak, she was interrupted.

"I take my family for granted. I complain and moan and grumble about each and every one of them. But growing up, I was never short of their love. No matter how much we fought, the screaming and shouting. We always had each other.

You told me you don't bother to put up decorations over Christmas because it's just you. It broke my heart, because it's not just you. Not anymore. You and me-" Jane's gaze bore into Maura as she slipped an arm around her waist.

"You and me, no matter what, we're family."