CH 3: A Patch and A Punishment

Maura excused herself for the table as gracefully and as quickly as possible before heading directly for the bathroom. She wasn't sure what hurt her the most; that Jane was so cryptic when asking Maura to do her this favor or the fact that she had found out from Frankie about a trip that Jane never bothered to invite her to.

Maura was always inviting Jane to events and parties. She never really thought twice about it. Sure, Jane wasn't the most graceful of guests at the places Maura would bring her to but Maura didn't mind. Jane was Maura's best friend and boy could she fill out a dress! Maura enjoyed watching the eyes fall on the pair as they entered restaurants and galleries together. She felt a sense of pride when introducing her to former colleagues and old friends of the family.

As far as Maura knew Jane seemed to feel the same way. She was always inviting Maura to have drinks and hang out with the guys at the Dirty Robber and any opportunity to snag Sox tix she always bought one for Maura to join her.

So why know? Why was Jane keeping distance? Maybe Jane just wanted space? Maybe she really didn't like Maura? What could it be?

What did I do? Maura thought as she looked into the mirror watching tears fall from her eyes. No! No, this isn't my fault. Jane is being secretive for no good reason! To me! Her best friend! I'll find out wha-

Just then, a loud commotion coming from the dining room interrupted her Mini Maura Pity Party. Hearing a yelp coming from her supposed 'Best Friend', Maura quickly checked herself in the mirror to make sure there wasn't any mascara running as she dabbed the rest of her tears away from her cheeks. Exiting the bathroom and walking into the dining area, she saw Jane cupping her hand around her right eye, Frankie in a wild fit of laughter and Angela running from the kitchen back to the dining room with a cloth filled with ice cubes.

"Here sweetie put this on your eye it will keep the swelling down." Angela nurtured.

"C'mon Ma I'll be fine!" Jane looked over at Maura with her only currently functioning eye. "Maura tell her I'll be fine!"

"Jane, how could I possibly make an assumption that you will be fine if I don't have any evidence to go on?"

Jane raised her eyebrow at Maura "Really?"

Maura walked over to Jane and hesitantly removed Jane's hand from holding it around her eye, revealing how red and puffy it was.

Maura began to speak "Jane how-"

"Frankie threw an olive at my freaking damn eye!"

"Jane language" Maura whispered as she lifted Jane's chin slightly to get a better angle and more light on the eye.

"Yeah yeah! Look I'm fine!" Jane swatted Maura's hand away from her face. What was going on with Jane? She was angry, restless, and somewhat violent since she never laid a hand on Maura

At this moment Maura was so angry with Jane's disrespectful attitude she felt that she had no choice but to make Jane feel as foolish as she did.

"Actually you're not fine!" Maura shouted, causing Angela and Frankie to stop their bickering and watch the Dr. and Detective.

"What do you mean I'm not fine?"

"You …you cant allow direct sunlight onto that eye for 24 hours without risking further injury to your eye."

"Frankie you could've blinded your sister did you hear that?" Angela scolded as her hand swung to meet the back of Frankie's head.

"Ow Ma!" Frankie yelled.

Jane turned and looked at Maura with one eye. "So what are you saying Dr. Isle? I have to wear a patch like I'm a pirate?"

Maura couldn't lie but she knew between telling Jane she couldn't allow direct sunlight into her eye (In Maura's mind she justified that as directly looking into the sun which is never recommended) and now the idea of having Jane wear a patch (which would serve Jane right) she was skating on thin ice. So before she could analyze anything further, Maura blurted out "Yes, well that's only if you want to."

"Well I don't but I would like to be able to see out of both eyes again, someday." Jane surrendered to Maura's "expertise" and within the hour the Doctor and Detective were in Maura's kitchen fitting Jane for a patch and a punishment.