Puzzle Pieces - 2/?

"Jane, I thought I told you to wait…"

Maura had returned, changed, to find Jane sitting on the end of the bed, a look of helpless frustration on her face, with her hand and forearm poking out the sleeve of her T-shirt, and her elbow locked in to her side. She glared darkly at Maura and made a go at wiggling her arm, presumably out of the sleeve, but only succeeded in wincing in pain.

"Ow." She mouthed at Maura. The glare melted out of her eyes, replaced with a pleading look.

Maura smiled and shook her head as she quickly crossed the floor to where Jane was still attempting to move, in one direction or another, and stilled her with a gentle hand.

"Jane Rizzoli," She began, as she pulled the hem of Jane's t-shirt upward, pulling carefully over her elbow, "You are the most stubborn.. " The T-shirt came up over Jane's head in one motion and Maura paused at the arched eyebrow that met her. She nodded. "You're right, Angela. Fine-" Now only Jane's left arm was in the t-shirt and she gently tugged it free. "-you are the second most stubborn person I know."

"Being able to dress- undress myself isn't exactly shooting for the stars Maura." The sullen look was back. Maura ignored it as she took a quick inventory of the bruising on Jane's abdomen. The deep purple, red and in some places, almost totally black were the remnants of a brutal war on Jane's body.

And the casualties.

Tears instantly pricked her eyes, and Maura tore her gaze away from the area, blinking quickly to banish them, chiding herself for the emotion. When she looked back into Jane's eyes she found them deep, searching... Maura knew she was intently watching the expressions play out on her face.

For a moment it looked like Jane was about to speak, but changed her mind. Maura gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"They're looking better." She said finally. Jane nodded slowly, and Maura moved around behind her so Jane could unclasp and remove her bra while preserving her modesty. Maura handed the sleeping shirt over to Jane. "Slide your arms in and I'll help get it over your head."

Once Jane was completely dressed into her correct sleeping attire, Maura pulled the covers back on the right side of the bed, gesturing for Jane to let her help her get settled. Jane shook her head.

"I got it." She rasped. "The least I can do is earn my sleep."

Maura's mouth twitched up in a smile. "Okay, I'm going to get the rest of your medication for tonight, I'll be right back."

At the island in her kitchen Maura paused, her fingers sliding across the cool granite benchtop. Jane's deteriorating mood and signs of imminent withdrawal had not been lost on the Medical Examiner. With the family there in the afternoon, Jane had been distracted enough by the noise and the activity and her need to make them believe she was okay, that the reality of the situation had barely enough time to settle.

Reaching over to the bag of packets and bottles Jane had been sent home with from the hospital, Maura began arranging Jane's night time medication.

Now, it was settling. And every time she looked in the mirror, every time she had to ask for help, goodness every time she moved, she was reminded.

Maura knew it was scaring her, she knew it.

But she would keep her distance, until the time came.

Returning to the guest room Maura found that Jane had managed successfully to slide herself under the covers, despite leaning slightly awkwardly against the pillows. She switched off the main light in the room, allowing only the illumination of the bedside lamp, then moved, slowly, around to her side of the bed which in turn gave Jane more time to get herself comfortable. Maura pretended not to see the pain flit across her face as Jane moved her upper body into a more natural sleeping position.

"Here-" Maura said, reaching down. Jane uncurled her fingers to accept the pharmacy about to be deposited into her palm. "Here, these are the anitbiotics-" She dropped two tablets into Jane's hand, "-This-" Another, blue tablet "-Is the muscle relaxant, and this –" Half of a cream coloured tablet followed. "This is the painkiller."

"Wow, I could open my own drugstore." Jane muttered. She tossed the tablets into her mouth, reaching for the glass of water in Maura's hand before taking a sip and passing it back. "Thanks."

"If the pain gets too bad during the night," Maura continued, "you can take the other half. Here-" She placed the small bowl on the bedside table and the glass beside it. "I'll leave them here."

Jane's eyes moved from the bowl to the glass and back again, then flicked forward, fixing somewhere through Maura onto the wall behind. A thought came unbidden to Maura's mind and she mulled over it for a few moments, before taking a step closer to the bed.

"Hey.." Reaching down, she rested her hand on Jane's shoulder, tracing the line of the duvet with her thumb. "Do you want me to stay?"

Slowly, dark eyes turned up and met hers, and Maura was instantly taken aback by the raw pain that burned behind them. She pursed her lips and tilted her head. "Jane.." She breathed,

Jane sharply looked away and Maura immediately regretted that last utterance. She took a shaky breath and closed her eyes. Jane hated to be viewed as a victim. She hated pity.

"It's okay." The husk of Jane's voice was more pronounced with the added sadness that laced her words. "I'll be fine Maur- thanks."

It occurred to Maura, that she could just ignore Jane. She could make up some medical reason it was more appropriate for her to stay. She knew how much Jane was struggling, and knew Jane knew she could see. But even still, her fear of vulnerability was a powerful wall to break. And unless invited, Maura would have no chance of getting past it.

"Okay." Maura smiled softly and leant down to brush a lock of hair behind Jane's ear. Her heart warmed a fraction when she caught the ghost of a smile reflected on her friend's face. She lightly brushed the skin over Jane's temple. "I'll be upstairs if you need me. Any time at all." Maura rested her hand on top of Jane's head and switched off the bedside light.

"Goodnight Jane."

At the entrance to the door she was stopped by the sound of her name. Maura rested her fingers on the door frame and turned into the darkness.

"Mmm?"

"Thank you.."

The word sounded… lost… to Maura, like it was coming from the middle of a vast snowfield in the heart of a blizzard. She imagined that would be very much how Jane was feeling.

For what felt like the millionth time that night, Maura closed her eyes and took a shallow breath to calm herself, before stepping out into the hallway. There, with the door to the guestroom partially closed so light spilled only a short way into the area her best friend was now resting, she finally allowed her tears to fall.