Disclaimer: Don't own

A/N: Thank you to my dear reviewers! Really they make my day. Remember I'm the only one proofing these.

A/N 2: Soooo this past ep wasn't exactly what I thought/wanted it to be. It did not make me rush to my computer but it was a good subtext filled eppy. I think I will try to keep doing these short little follow ups. I am sadly back in college now so life is going to get in the way. One episode left till fall break for R&I, what are we going to do with ourselves?

So here is the next installment of "After the Camera Fades" *cue the soap opera music* If you read it review it! The reviews inspire as much as the show does.

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It had taken Jane and Maura a good hour to chase everyone out. Tommy had gotten the hint once Maura began putting the chess pieces back into their case and cleaning up the table, Angela had taken longer. Jane knew her mother could sense something was off, she lingered over a cup of hot chocolate and then again in the doorway. When the door finally clicked shut Maura let her head fall back. "Thank God!" She muttered running her fingers over her brow massaging lightly. "I thought they would never leave."

Jane stood suddenly feeling like she had worn out her welcome, "Sorry," She glanced down at her watch seeing it was going on 11, "I should get going too."

"Oh no!" Maura reached her hand out to capture Jane's wrist, "Not you. It's just…I don't see you as company." Maura blushed as the words left her mouth. She looked up at Jane and saw the sweet smile on her lips; she shrugged her shoulders "Can I stay at your place to night? After everything, I just…" She trailed off her eyes going to the battered back door.

"You don't even have to ask."

Maura stood, turning off the kitchen light and grabbed her gym bag that was laying by the door, a glance at Bass's dishes showed that he had enough food and water to last him the night.

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The ride to Jane's was quiet. Maura kept playing the phone conversation with her father over and over in her head. Her father, did she consider him that? The man she had always called her father, the one she always looked up to was a closed off man, but compared to her mother he was warm. She always admired him and had wanted to be just like him. He was so handsome, with dark black hair and piercing blue eyes. More than once when she was in her teens and even early 20's when it was just them strangers assumed they were husband and wife. Maura looked very old for her age and was the polar opposite of him in looks. She thought about her biological father, she had his features she could tell that, his mouth, his hair…She shook her head when she heard the car cut off. Looking up at Jane's apartment she smiled, even though it was small and not decorated as tastefully as she would have liked it had a homey feeling that her house didn't quite have. She was becoming to realize that it wasn't the things it the house that made it a home, it was the people.

Jane locked the door behind them and shed her jacket and her gun. She looked over at Maura watching her slip off her flats and leather coat. She was worried, her friend had been very quiet on the way to her apartment and that was not like Maura at all. "You can have the bathroom first." She offered unclipping her badge from her belt.

"Thank you." Maura whispered and headed towards Jane's bedroom. Watching her round the corner Jane pulled out her cell phone. Looking at her recent calls she stared at the "caller blocked" screen and sighed. Maura had been so scared after Doyle left; Jane had locked up the house the best she could. Both knew the chances of Doyle and his men coming back were slim but Maura was still shaken. Jane ran Maura a bath but when Jane went to leave the room the blonde had begged her to stay. So Jane sat, leaning up against the tub talking about anything but the case they were working on. It seemed to help, Maura's demeanor mellowed and as soon as they got into bed she drifted to sleep clutching Jane's hand.

When Jane entered the bedroom Maura was perched on the edge of the bed moisturizing her arms. Jane smiled at the sight; she grabbed an old t-shirt and a pair of shorts and disappeared into the bathroom. "Dr. Pike won't be back next week will he?" She called through the partially closed door.

"No, I told him his services were no longer needed at headquarters."

Jane rejoined her in the bedroom laying down and staring up at the ceiling. "I'm sure he will be disappointed."

Maura smiled shutting off the lamp next to the bed, "It did feel good to finally boss him around."

"You should, like you said you are his boss." Maura chuckled. They laid in the silence for a few minutes. "It was weird, seeing you like that."

Maura turned on her side to look at her friend, "How so?"

Jane shrugged rubbing at her palms, "I don't know, all in charge. I guess I forget that you are the chief medical examiner for the greater Boston area. It's powerful, it's so…un you."

Maura was quiet, staring off into space, "I'm just me Jane." She whispered in a small voice.

Jane sat half way up alarmed at the sound of her friend's voice, "Oh sweetie, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant."

The blonde nodded, "I know." She bit her lip, fighting back tears. "It's just- some days are hard"

Jane lay back down and took Maura's right hand in hers. Her fingers gently traced the chafe marks left on her wrist by the binds that held Maura while she was tied in the chair. She felt her blood pressure increase and mentally told herself to calm down. The thought of anyone hurting Maura, touching her, threatening her made the brunettes blood run hot, "I will you know."

"What?" Maura whispered back her eyes heavy with sleep.

"Take care of you." The blonde smiled and gently squeezed Jane's hand, linking their fingers together.

"I know."

TBC?

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