Chapter 2

Maura sat on what she considered her side of the bed and tried to read the latest Journal of Medicine while Jane slept fitfully next to her. She worried whenever Jane moved because she would give a small groan as if she were in pain but she still slept. She was still curious as to what had happened to cause these injuries and she had hoped to ask her before she fell asleep but it was not to be. She could be patient, she was always patient when it came to Jane. She'd been sitting there for about three hours when her eyes started to close. She shook herself awake long enough to place the journal on the bedside table and lower herself so she was laying down on the bed and it didn't take long for her to fall asleep.

"Ouch! Shit!" Maura woke a few hours later when she heard Jane and opened her eyes. She was looking directly into Jane's eyes only inches away from hers. "I got hungry and saw this plate on the bedside table and stupidly thought I could reach over you and get it without waking you and now I'm stuck here and it's really hurts. Can you help me lay back down?" She tried to smile but it came out a grimace instead and she couldn't help but stare at Maura's lips.

Maura was still in shock to be this close to Jane and it wouldn't take much to kiss the lips that were mere inches from hers and it took everything inside her to break the spell. She licked her lips then slid out from under Jane so she could take most of Jane's weight and help her roll over. "Why didn't you wake me so I could have helped you?"

"Because I woke up and forgot for a minute that I was hurt and saw how peaceful you looked sleeping and didn't want to wake you. By the time I got to the position I was in it hurt too much to move either way. But the view more than made up for the pain. Do you know you're beautiful when you sleep? Not that you're not beautiful all of the time but when you sleep you are so peaceful and you don't have any makeup on and you are so beautiful." Jane was almost whispering as she was talking and she watched as Maura blushed. "Now can I have some food I'm starving?" She wanted to break the tension before she did something that would probably push Maura away from her.

"Thank you Jane, no one has ever said anything that sweet to me. Let me go warm this up for you." She started to get out of the bed.

Jane automatically reached for her and winced in pain and dropped her arm. "That's ok. I'm used to eating cold food especially Ma's cannoli and gnocchi." Maura took the plate from the bedside table and took a spoonful and fed it to Jane. Jane had a hard time swallowing because the gesture was something she'd always thought was very personal and shared between lovers and she'd give anything if this was the case with Maura.

Maura hadn't even thought before she moved the spoon to feed Jane but as she removed it from Jane's mouth she stared as Jane licked the spoon clean. Oh my god she is going to be the death of me. She imagined all of the other things she wanted that tongue to do to her and felt it all the way to her core. She finally broke out of her reverie when Jane cleared her throat. Maura shook her head and lifted another spoonful to Jane's mouth.

If I didn't hurt so much I would rip that plate from her hands and throw her down on the bed and have my way with her and make sure she enjoyed every minute of it. She knew she could feed herself but why not play this out until the end. She opened her mouth to receive the next spoonful never taking her eyes off of Maura's face and was pleased to see that Maura was not unaffected by this little game they were playing either. She reached up and held Maura's wrist as she started to pull the spoon out, she allowed the spoon to barely leave her mouth before she sucked it back in and licked it clean then opened her mouth just far enough for the spoon to be pulled out. She watched as Maura's eyes never left her lips and then was pleased when they turned a shade darker.

Maura cleared her throat and knew she had to do something to stop this before she jumped her best friend. "Jane…" She tried to speak but had to clear her throat again. "Will you tell me what happened tonight to cause these injuries?"

Jane laid back and let Maura continue to feed her and told her the story. "You know that case we were working on last week? The one where the woman was shot and killed by her boyfriend and then he took off?" Maura nodded remembering the bruises and broken bones covering old bruises and broken bones on the beautiful woman. "Well we got a tip as to where he was and we headed over there. We couldn't find him in the house so we were checking the grounds outside when we came upon the body of the homeowner. Frost gave us away when her threw up and the guy jumped out of the bushes and threw me to the ground and started kicking me." She stopped long enough to eat some more of the cannoli and closed her eyes in pleasure. "Did I mention this guy was a giant? He was huge. Frost jumped on his back and he made Frost look small as he was trying to hold on to the behemoth. They guy reached up behind him and swung Frost over his shoulder and slammed him to the ground. I stood up just as he swung around and he slammed his fist into my nose. Frost pulled out his gun and held it up against the guys head and that pretty much put an end to things. Cavanaugh made both of us get checked out before we could go home and of course Korsak made sure we did. So the three of us spent the last 2 hours in the emergency room."

"I know how much you love your job and I have no right to tell you how to do it but you scare me sometimes. I was hoping tonight that you had gotten hung up doing paperwork all the while worrying that it was more than that. I worry about you all of the time but you wouldn't be you if you did the job any other way. And I would never ask less of you and as I said I have no right to ask it of you. I just wanted you to know that I care about what happens to you."

"I know you care Maura and I'm sorry I scare you but I've dreamt my whole life of being a cop. Two of the most memorable days in my life were the day I graduated from the academy and the day I got my gold shield. Another day I will always remember was the day I met you. Our friendship means more to me than almost anything in my life but I won't change myself for anyone. If people can't accept me for who I am then they aren't worth having for a friend."

Maura placed a finger on her lips to stop her from saying anything else. "Jane I said I was not trying to change you. I know better than that. I knew from the first day I met you that you were a force to be reckoned with. And from that day I have admired you for all that you've accomplished and I know better than to ever try to change you. Even though I worry I never want you to change because what you do is so much a part of who you are. Now go back to sleep it's the middle of the night." Maura smiled down at her tenderly.

"Will you stay with me?" Jane looked up at her with her big puppy dog eyes and Maura knew she could not deny this woman anything.

"Always." She lay down and pulled the covers up over both of them and finally fell into a peaceful sleep.

"Damn that sun sure is bright. Aw fuck! That hurts." Jane rolled away from Maura and tried to stand up but flopped back on the bed with a groan then a yelp of pain.

"Jane I do believe I prefer the sound of the alarm to your profanity to wake me in the morning." Maura sat up and watched Jane trying to stand up. "Are you ok? Do you want some help?" She waited, knowing Jane was always reluctant to ask anyone for help but for some reason she allows Maura in where no others are allowed.

"I guess for a minute I forgot about my ribs again but that didn't last long. Can you come around to this side and give me a hand?" She asked shyly and Maura knew what it took out of Jane to ask.

Maura knelt down in front of Jane and used one finger to lift her lowered chin. "Jane you know you don't always have to be the strong one with me. I know how strong you are, you don't have to prove anything to me so don't worry about asking for my help." Maura stood up and wrapped her arm around Jane's good side and took most of her weight on her shoulder and helped Jane up from the bed. "Where are you headed?"

"The bathroom." Maura watched as she limped out of the room and down the hallway.

Maura's heart swelled with love for her strong courageous friend. But she also worried; she worried that one day Jane would not come out on the lucky side as she has in the past. She worried that she would get the call that she dreads and she didn't think she would ever recover from that. The thought of going through the rest of her life without Jane being a part of it was unfathomable. She felt she should tell Jane how she felt about her but she was afraid it would drive her away. She knows how much Jane has fought to get to where she is within the department and knew that if she were lucky enough to have Jane return her feelings Jane might look at it as a setback if she were to come out to her coworkers. She shook herself from the negative thought and went to the other bathroom and got ready for the day.

Maura was in the kitchen preparing the coffee when Jane walked in. She looked up and almost dropped the spoon she was measuring the coffee with. Jane stood there with her shirt hanging open with a forlorn look on her face. She held up the ace bandage as if it were an alien creature. "I thought I could put it on without any help but I can't do it. Will you help me?"

Maura quickly walked around the cooking island. "Oh Jane why didn't you come to me sooner?"

"Because I'm stubborn." She gave Maura a smirk. "Can you just wrap it up and I'll help you with breakfast ok?"

She spoke as she was wrapping the bandage around Jane's ribs and tried very hard to ignore the little slip of white that covered Jane breasts and was failing miserably. "So are you feeling better this morning?" She watched the rise and fall of Jane's chest and imagined what it would be like to take one of those pert nipples into her mouth. She was trying as hard as she could to not touch Jane's skin and realized it's not easy to do as you are wrapping someone's ribs. She heard Jane's breathing hitch when she did actually touch her and she bowed her head so Jane didn't see the small smile on her face.

"A little. Can I help with breakfast?" Jane gestured towards the preparations for eggs.

Maura was reluctant to say yes because she like the kitchen to herself when she was cooking but it was Jane and she liked having her close. "Of course if you're up to it." She smiled up at Jane as she finished the wrapping.

They made breakfast and worked well together as if they'd been doing it for years. "I like this." Jane said while they were getting ready to cook the eggs.

"What is it you are referring to Jane? You'll have to be a little more precise that that?" Maura decided she liked having Jane in her kitchen helping her cook.

"You and I cooking together. Usually when I'm here you cook and at my house I cook for you. Why is it we've never done this together?" Jane stopped chopping the onions for the omelet and rested her hip against the counter and faced Maura.

"I don't know about you Jane but I usually prefer to work alone when I am cooking. I don't like to share my kitchen. But you make cooking enjoyable as you do everything in life. I tried it once with someone I was dating and all we did was get in each other's way. But we work well together, almost as if we anticipate the other's moves and it makes sharing my kitchen a pleasurable experience."

"I feel the same way about my kitchen. It's my domain, the part of my house I don't like sharing but you're welcome there anytime. How much of this do you want in your eggs?" She held up the cutting board with the chopped onions and waved it under Maura's nose.

"If I had my druthers I would pour all of them in but that would over power all of the other ingredients and ruin the perfect omelet." Maura poured the eggs into the pan then reached for the salt and pepper. "Why don't you add what you think would be an appropriate amount." Maura watched as Jane reached up into one of the cupboards above them and pulled down different spices. She secretly liked the idea that Jane felt this comfortable in her kitchen and loved the confidence with which she cooked. "What are you doing Jane?"

"Secret Rizzoli recipe. But if I told you the secret what would you need me for?"

"Oh Jane I'll always need you." Maura turned her head away from Jane lest she be able to see that she meant it more that she realized. "Um…here in my kitchen that is."

Maura didn't see the quick look of hurt flit across Jane's face. Jane decided to play it safe and hide behind the joking she always used. "You trying to tell me you only love me because I can cook? Well I'll tell you, many a man has fallen at my feet for far less than my cooking." Jane turned and continued adding a dash of this and a pinch of that to make the omelet.

"Now that I would believe." Maura laughed at Jane's joking. She added the last of the vegetables and folded the sides over the middle. She expertly flipped the omelet over to seal the edges then transferred it to a large plate. "There's your food now go sit down and eat it while it's still hot." Jane looked as if she was ready to fall over.

Jane took the plate and set it aside. "Let's make yours really quick so we can eat together."

"Jane I can see that you are in pain so quit being so stubborn and go sit down. I will join you as soon as I am done." Maura looked at the determined look on Jane's face and knew she was going to have to resort to some underhanded tactics. "Please?" She smiled up at Jane and pouted.

"Oh you do not play fair Maura Isles. I will sit down but I will not eat." Jane carefully picked up her plate and headed to the table. She was glad she could sit because she was not about to tell Maura how bad she really felt. But she felt better than yesterday. Before she got comfortable she headed back out to the kitchen to add the spices then smirked at Maura. "Just wanted you to experience the Rizzoli secret recipe."

"How did you sleep I kept waking up to check on you to make sure you were ok." She smiled down at Jane as she placed her own plate on the table then went back and poured two glasses of orange juice and brought them back to the table. "Bon appétit." She said to Jane as the doorbell rang. "Who could that be at this hour?" She headed for the door and looked through the peep hole then reluctantly opened the door.

Tommy walked right in and turned towards Maura. "I thought I'd come by and see if you wanted to go out for breakfast."

"I'm sorry, Jane and I were just about to sit down to eat." She gestured towards Jane sitting at the table.

Tommy tried to tamp down his jealousy as he turned to see Jane sitting at the table in shorts and a t-shirt as if she belonged there. "Good I'll join you then." He headed for the table before Maura could stop him.

"I didn't hear Maura offer an invitation." Jane gave her brother what she hoped was a cordial smile knowing she didn't feel the least bit cordial.

"Jane we've never had to wait for invitations before and Maura's family right?" He turned to Maura hoping to see her usual smile that meant it was ok but none was forthcoming.

"Tommy this is Maura's home and you are a visitor and it would be in your best interest to act like one. Maura's not used to living like we do and you can't just come barging in. We are lucky she lets us have our weekly family dinners here. You can't treat her home as if it were your own." Jane looked at Maura and hoped she wasn't doing anything wrong. She smiled when she saw the barely perceptible nod from Maura.

"You do it!" Tommy was almost whining and it wasn't pretty.

"How long have you known Maura? What 3 months? Maybe a little more? I've known her for 6 years and we have a relationship that has earned me the right to come in and I know when to cut my losses and leave." She hoped he took the hint. "And I only use me key in emergencies. Something you and Ma do not seem to grasp the meaning of."

"Since when do you speak for Maura? Maybe she wants me to stay." He turned to Maura hopefully. "Do you want me to leave Maura?" He walked up and stood inches from her. He looked into her beautiful hazel eyes and knew he had lost this round.

"Yes Tommy I would like it if you left and in the future I would like you to not assume anything. I appreciate that this time you did knock but as you can see I am otherwise engaged this morning and you assumed that just because breakfast was already prepared that you were welcome. That is a false assumption. Now Jane and I would like to get to our breakfast before it gets cold."

"What about some chess later?" Jane had to give him credit for his perseverance but she still didn't like it.

"I don't think so. Jane needs her rest and I had planned a quiet day for the two of us."

"What's quieter than playing chess and how would it bother her?"

Oh if he only knew how much he was bothering her now and how the thought of him and Maura sitting in the dining room made her want to kill him with her bare hands or throw up which ever happened first. Through clenched teeth Jane answered for Maura. "Tommy I do believe that question was asked and answered and that your presence here is not wanted at this time." Jane got up slowly and winced and Tommy watched as Maura ran to her side and helped her

stand.

"Ok I'll call later to see if you want to do something." He turned to walk out the door but stopped when Maura called his name and turned around with a smile on his face.

"Tommy, maybe we should just put off doing anything until Jane is back on her feet and back at work?" Maura was trying to let him down easy and Jane wasn't making it easy. Tommy gave Jane a scathing look over Maura's shoulder before he turned around and left. Maura swung around and gave Jane a scathing look of her own. "What is it between the two of you? He's your brother for god's sake!" Maura said as she walked past Jane to the table to resume eating. She took a bite of the eggs and quickly raised her napkin to her mouth and spit it out. "This tastes horrible."

Jane gave her a hurt look. "You didn't like the eggs? Did I spice it up too much for your taste?" She still felt the sting of Maura's words.

Maura reached over and placed her hand on Jane's arm. "Oh no Jane it's just gotten cold since Tommy arrived. I'm sure it would have tasted great but now it's cold."

Maura melted at the smile Jane gave her. "Ah my dear doctor they have this new invention that is designed to heat up cold food it's called a Microwave. It even gives you an option as to how long you would like to cook said food. We won't need much time since they just recently turned cold." Jane stood to reach for both plates but winced in pain. Maura moved to help her. "No I got it Maura." She held up her hand so Maura would stay seated.

"Jane you need to rest and I'm supposed to be the one taking care of you not the other way around." She followed behind Jane knowing she was not getting through to the stubborn detective so she may as well follow to catch her when she falls.

Jane made it to the kitchen and placed the dishes into the microwave and set the time and started the machine. When she turned towards Maura there was no condemnation in her eyes so Jane took the time to rest. She closed her eyes and took as deep a breath as she could then muttered under her breath.

"What was that Jane I didn't hear you?" Maura took the opportunity to get closer to Jane.

"I guess I deserve it." Jane hung her head in defeat. When she heard the ding of the microwave she didn't even bother to reach for the plates because she knew it would hurt too much. "Anyone else would have said I told you so as soon as I got to the kitchen."

"I will if it will make you feel better but I'm not sure what I told you that you want to hear again." Jane looked at the bewildered look on Maura's face and didn't think she'd ever seen anything cuter.

"Never mind, can you grab the plates so we can eat?" She walked ahead of Maura and was holding Maura's chair for her when she went to sit down. Maura smiled up at her and Jane took her seat across from her and they started eating.

"Oh Jane this is delicious you are going to have to show me what spices you used so I can duplicate it. It is very pleasing to the palate." Maura had her eyes closed as she savored the taste and Jane almost stopped breathing at the look of pure joy on Maura's face. Maura opened her eyes and Jane quickly turned away.

"I'm glad you like it but I can't show you because I just threw the stuff in there. That's how I cook I just throw spices in that I think will go good together and hope it turns out right. Unless I'm using one of Ma's recipes then I follow her recipes but add a little here and there but I want my food to taste just like hers."

"Are you serious? You don't keep track of what you use?" Jane just shook her head. "Are you as good as your mother?"

"Only with a few of the dishes. There are a couple that I think taste better but don't tell Ma."

"I had no idea that you cooked." Maura had placed a hand on Jane's arm as she was speaking. "Will you cook for me?" Maura asked in almost a whisper.

Jane looked at the smile on Maura's face and knew she would do just about anything for this woman. "Of course I will. When I regain my strength I will cook you a dinner fit for a queen." She stood up and moved away from Maura because she knew she was far too close to her for her own peace of mind.

They spent most of the day just being lazy. They watched movies and a couple of Maura's documentaries. Jane fell asleep with her head on Maura's lap and Maura sat contentedly stroking her fingers through her hair. She didn't even pay attention to what was on TV, she was entranced by the peaceful look on Jane's face. She was so used to the energy that Jane exuded when she was awake so it was a rare opportunity to see her like this.

She sat like that until Jane woke about 2 hours later and looked up at Maura who was staring down at her. "What? Am I drooling or something?" She reached up and wiped her mouth in case she had.

"No you are not drooling. I'm just not used to seeing you like this, relaxed and at peace. You have great lines did you know that? I would love to have my mother paint you some day, would you allow that?" Maura's fingers were still stroking her hair.

Jane actually felt herself blushing. "Why would you want to do that?"

"Because you are a beautiful woman and I think my mother would do justice to the classic lines of your face." Maura reached down and traced her fingers along her chin. "I love this cleft in your mental protuberance. Did you know they also refer to the cleft as a superhero chin? That fits you. You have such a strong inferior maxillary bone structure and the maxilla is in perfect proportion with the rest of your facial structure." She gently ran her finger just above her upper lip