Hello everyone, a heads up that the sections with Casey, Richard and Garrett are written somewhat behind the events of what is happening with Jane and Maura. E.g the wild weather that hit Casey and the crew setting them back a couple of days was the same weather that hit Jane's island and destroyed the cottage, hurting Maura. Jack Thatch will be back in the story but only a little and it will just be where him and his crew are before they sailed on to Havana and found Jane there. Hope I am not confusing anyone :)

And please don't read two without reading part one first!

Chapter - RecoveryFifty-One Continued

They both ate in awkward silence; Maura perched nervously on the lounge, Jane lying in bed. Neither of them initiated any eye contact until their food was eaten and then it was Jane who had looked to Maura.

"Thanks fer th' food." She said solemnly, struggling to keep awake.

"You're welcome," Maura whispered, warmed by Jane's thanks, "What did…do you want to talk to me about?"

"What be th' matter?"

Maura dreaded the question, as she knew she was unable to lie yet she couldn't possibly tell Jane of the feelings and sensations she had experienced when she had seen her unclothed. What would she think? However, Maura was not to know Jane was experiencing similar reactions when Maura had seen her naked, for she had hid them well behind a stoic appearance.

"I…I uh…would rather not say, but I will be okay." She looked at Jane willing her not to say anything else or question her answer but Jane was having none of it, even in her tired state.

"Do ye miss homeport?"

Maura sighed audibly grateful Jane hadn't suspected what was upsetting her more than missing home.

"Yes I do, very much. But why are you asking me that?"

Yes why be I askin' ye that?

"Just wanted t' know th' reason fer yer tears."

Maura was perplexed that Jane was pushing the matter and was almost ready to tell her the actual reason for her sadness simply to be able to confide in someone.

"Thank you."

"Fer what?" Jane raised a brow.

"For caring."

Jane was taken aback by Maura's reply, wondering if that had been the reason; she asked the question, because she was beginning to care. But she shoved the thought away just as quickly and lay down, covering herself up with the covers and Maura stood to cover her with the lion pelt, watching Jane's eyes open and close sluggishly. She sat down beside her, wanting to be close to her strength as she felt close to tears. Jane was the source of her dilemmas and confusing feelings yet she didn't want to be far from her right now, she needed to draw strength from her to help sort out her emotions. Even almost asleep Jane excluded stability.

"Jane?"

"Mmm…"

Maura placed her hand gently on her forehead to check for fever and while it was hot, Maura knew it wasn't from fever only Jane's normal body temperature; she was like a warm furnace. Jane was almost asleep when she surprised her.

"I be sorry."

Maura impulsively lent forward closer to Jane.

"Why?"

"For leavin' ye th' other day an' nay lettin' ye know I be goin' hunting."

Jane's gentler behavior was only confusing Maura even more, yet it warmed her all the same.

"Jane you don't have to tell me where you're going."

"Aye but I do", she rasped softly before reaching up to cup Maura's cheek with a calloused hand making her stiffen apprehensively. Jane stared at her pointedly with sleepy brown eyes and Maura felt trapped in her gaze unable to move even an inch. She began slowly stroking her thumb behind Maura's left ear and she shivered softly and lifted her hand to cover Jane's without thought, it was warm and firm under her smaller, softer one.

"I don't understand," She breathed quietly.

"Neither do I lass."

Maura just stared at her at a complete loss and watched as she fell asleep. Her grip loosened on her cheek and Maura gently placed her hand back on top her chest and was about to let go but Jane's grip tightened reflexively and before Maura knew what was happening Jane pulled her down beside her effortlessly and covered her with a heavy arm. Maura was thrilled more than shocked by the suddenness of Jane's actions and waited in anticipation for something to happen. However when nothing did happen she found herself disappointed and when she realized the fact she was hoping Jane would do more she felt terribly guilty.

"Sleep," Jane gruffed.

"I'm not tired."

"Don`t b'lieve ye."

"Jane."

But Jane didn't let up her hold on Maura and she too drifted off into a deep sleep wondering how Jane knew she was tired even before she did.