Sliding the key in her door, she pushed it open and slid down the back of the door, opening her egg rolls and eating them in the dark.
 Suddenly, the overheard light snapped on, causing Jane to immediately drop her food and reach for her gun.

“SURPRISE!!”

Her mother, father, Frankie and Maura called from the kitchen, waving their hands in the air and grinning. Relaxing her grip on the butt of her weapon, Jane got to her feet, shaking her head.

“I nearly shot you all!” she said with a grin, as she hugged each person in turn.

“You’re so late Jane.” Her mother scolded her gently while brushing her hair from her face. “You have such a pretty face, why don’t you tie your hair back?” She continued while scooping her hair back into a ponytail.

“Ma!” Jane pulled away quickly.

“I thought you said you couldn’t lie?” Jane confronted her friend, raising one carefully sculpted eyebrow.

“I didn’t lie!” Maura replied. It was obvious from her tone that the indignity she voiced was fake. “I told you I couldn’t go for a drink with you because I had a prior engagement.” Which was the truth; Maura had spoken to Angela Rizzoli earlier in the week and been browbeaten to attend the surprise party and sworn to secrecy at the same time.
Before Jane could continue her interrogation of her friend, Frankie wrapped her in a hug, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Happy birthday sis!” he cheered in her ear. It was obvious he’d been enjoying a few party beers before she’d gotten home.

“I thought you said to go to Mom’s!” Jane growled, pulling him out of earshot of her mother. “And where the hell are the guests??”

Frankie backed away, holding up his hands. “She found out I’d told you and had lied to me. It was going to be here the whole time.”

“Well why didn’t you tell me?”

Frankie laughed. “I only found out today. She told me to come to your apartment and pick you up; when I got here she was blowing up balloons.” Jane punched him in the arm as her father handed her a beer.