Okay, next chapter. Once again, thanks for the reviews. Once I have more consistent internet access I plan on responding to them. My access is limited right now, so I figured posting new chapters will have to suffice. I do appreciate every single review and I'm so happy you all are enjoying my story. Thanks for reading.
*insert standard disclaimer*
Maura awoke the next morning still encompassed in Jane's strong arms. She felt refreshed. She hadn't slept so soundly in a very long time. Even though her back was to Jane, she could tell by the even breathing and relaxed muscles that Jane had fallen asleep. Good. She needed her sleep as well. I hope she's not too angry with herself for falling asleep. I know she was planning on staying awake to keep me safe. I do feel safe, just like this. Maura reached for Jane's hand that was around her waist. She laced their fingers together and brought the brunette's hand up to her lips and placed a gentle kiss on the detective's knuckles. Knuckles that, the previous night, had become bone white as she listened to what David had done to her. I hope the detective's handling my case find David before Jane does. Although a part of me wants him to suffer, I don't want Jane to do anything that could get her into trouble. Maura then brought their intertwined hands to her chest and held them there. She felt Jane start to stir, tighten her arm around the blonde. Maura held Jane's hand firmly.
"Good morning," Maura heard the raspy voice of her best friend, even deeper when filled with sleep. "Did you sleep okay?"
"Yes. I actually sleep very soundly once I felt your arms around me," Maura replied. She tried to roll over to face the detective so Jane loosened her hold. "I haven't felt that safe in years Jane. The way I feel when I'm in your arms is unlike anything I've ever felt. I don't know how to thank you for everything that you've done for me and Jaiden."
"Like I said last night, no thanks are necessary. Family takes care of each other. I'm just sorry I didn't realize something was wrong sooner. Some detective I am," Jane said.
"You didn't see anything because I didn't want you to see anything," Maura said sternly. "I was ashamed of myself, ashamed that I let him do that to me."
"You have nothing to be ashamed of Maur," Jane said as she stroked the blonde's cheek. "You didn't let him do anything. He threatened your son; you did what you felt you had to. I wish you would have trusted me to help you. Even if it meant helping you run. I would have taken you and Jaiden somewhere he could never find you. Either that or I'd shoot him. I'm fine either way."
"Jane, please don't do anything that will get you into trouble. I need you," Maura whispered. "Just let the DVU handle it."
"Okay, I will," Jane assured her. "But if he comes near you before the DVU arrest him I can't be held liable for what I may do. Seeing the bruises he left on you were bad enough, but hearing what he did…the stuff that didn't leave physical marks…He's lucky I didn't hunt him down last night."
Maura sat up after a moment, worry etched on her face. "Jane…about last night…"
"Don't worry about it Maura. I get it," Jane sat up as she spoke taking Maura's hands in her own. "You were scared and confused. I was comforting. It doesn't have to mean anything. We're okay."
"Thank you, but that's not what I was going to say," Maura responded. "What I was going to say is…I meant what I said about loving you…and wanting you…but thank you for stopping me." She began rubbing the scars on Jane's palms as she continued. "I'm glad you stopped us from going any farther last night. That's not how I want us to start our relationship…I mean that is if you want us to have a relationship. I shouldn't have just assumed. I'm sorry."
"It's no secret that I'm in love with you Maura. Everyone can see it, no matter how hard I try to hide it," Jane said gazing into Maura's hazel-green eyes. "It's etched all over my face whenever we're in a room together. But I don't want you to feel like you have to be with me just because I saved you from your abusive husband."
"That's not what this is Jane. I've been in love with you for a long time. I was just afraid of what it meant; afraid of losing you if we tried to have more than what we already shared. You have always been my best friend. I can't lose that. That's why I started dating David." Maura diverted her gazed to their intertwined fingers. "I told myself that if I could be happy with someone else, then I wouldn't need to jeopardize our relationship. I did love him in the beginning, although my feelings for him were never as strong as my feelings for you. I wouldn't have married him if I didn't love him. I'm sorry I was such a coward. I knew how you felt about me, and I was still to afraid to say anything."
"I never said anything either, M," Jane replied.
"Can I just have some time…to sort through everything in my head? To process everything?" Maura asked.
"Of course Maura," Jane said as she gently squeezed Maura's hands. "This is way too soon to be making any decisions like that. You take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere. And if you decide you don't want there to be an 'us', that's fine too. You don't have to worry about losing me. That'll never happen." After a few minutes silence Jane rose from the bed. "Why don't you go take a shower while I go get your bags from the car?"
"Okay," Maura answered as she too rose from the bed. "Thank you."
"I'm going to take my keys. Don't unlock the door for anyone, okay," Jane said sternly.
"I promise," Maura replied. "After you've showered can we go get Jaiden?"
"Yes, he was worried sick about you yesterday. It'll do him good to see that you're okay," Jane said. "I'll be right back. Remember, do not open that door," she said one last time before leaving the bedroom.
"I won't," Maura called after her. She headed for the bathroom to take a shower. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and almost didn't recognize her own reflection. I can't believe I let him do this to me, she thought as she raised her hand up to the stitches on her cheek. I hate that Jane saw me like this. And Jaiden, that poor child. He witnessed so much. I'm glad that he no longer has to be around that. She climbed into the shower and proceeded to scrub the last few years off her, all the remnants of her broken marriage and horrible husband.
Jane returned with the bags and brought them into the bedroom. She placed them on the bed and began rifling through them to find something for Maura to wear. She pulled out Maura's gray yoga pants, a loose fitting top, and some undergarments. She brought them over to the bathroom door and knocked. "Hey Maur, I have some clothes for you," Jane said through the door. "Is it okay if I come in and leave them on the counter?"
"Yes," Maura called back, "that would be fine. Thank you."
Jane opened the door and walked in. She kept her eyes averted downward to give Maura her privacy. "There on the counter by the sink. Feel free to use anything in here. I forgot to grab your toothbrush, but I have a few unopened ones in the medicine cabinet."
"Thanks," Maura said again. "I shouldn't be too much longer."
"Take your time," Jane smiled.
Maura was true to her word and emerged from the bathroom in less than five minutes. She looked so much better that she did last night. The bruises were still there, but she looked refreshed.
"You look good," Jane said as Maura walked into the living room. She noticed the doctor blush so she quickly added, "I didn't mean it like that. I mean…you do look good…but what I meant to say was you look better than you did yesterday."
Maura walked up to Jane and placed her hand on the detective's bicep to stop her rambling. "I know what you mean Jane. I must have looked terrible when you found me yesterday." She rubbed her hand up and down Jane's arm as she spoke. "A good night's sleep, a shower, and fresh clothes can do wonders. I haven't slept that good in years, Jane."
"I'm glad I could help," Jane smiled back. "I'm gonna take a quick shower then we can go get Jaiden. And remember, don't…."
"Open the door for anyone. I know Jane," Maura cut her off. "I'll be fine. Go take your shower."
Jane's morning routine has always taken around twenty minutes. She showered, got dressed, brushed her teeth and hair, and was back out in the living room within fifteen this morning. She sat on the couch to pull her boots on. Maura walked over to her and placed a cup of coffee on the table in front of her. "Thank you," Jane said picking up the cup and taking a huge gulp. "Would you mind if we stop at the precinct on the way to my parents' house? I'm gonna put in for a few days off."
"Jane, you don't have to do that," Maura replied.
"I want to," Jane said to her. "I want to be here for you."
"Although I don't think it's necessary, if you feel that it is, I don't mind."
"Okay, let's go." Jane grabbed her keys off the table.
Maura tried to manage a smile, but Jane could tell it was forced. It didn't have that sparkle that Jane always loved to see. Once they made it down to Jane's car, she opened the passenger door for Maura before climbing in on the driver's side. It was a short drive to the precinct. Jane turned to Maura as she pulled up outside the building.
"I know you probably don't want anyone to see you like this, but I can't leave you out here unprotected," she said as she stroked Maura's cheek.
Maura nodded almost imperceptibly. "I know. Can we just make it quick?"
"Yeah," Jane said before climbing from the car to open Maura's door. They headed upstairs to the bullpen together. Jane guided Maura over to her desk before kneeling in front of her and saying, "I just need to talk to Cavanaugh. I'll put in for you too. You don't have to worry about anything."
Luckily, the bullpen was practically empty. Everyone must be out on cases. Jane didn't say anything about there being a case, but she must have gotten a call if Frost is on it, Maura thought as she sat there looking around the empty room. I wonder how many people already know… It was then that she saw him. Charging in the doors was the last person she wanted to see, David Lafferty, her husband. Jane was exiting Cavanaugh's office and saw the look of terror on Maura's face. She looked in the direction Maura was facing and saw him.
"Don't you fucking move!" she shouted at him.
"What the hell is going on Maura? Why are your things gone and where is Jaiden?" David shouted as he closed in on Maura.
Detective's Frost and Korsak arrived just as it all started. Jane stepped in front of David to stop him from reaching Maura. He tried to push past her but she wouldn't move. "Get out of my god damn way!" he yelled. Jane grabbed him by the wrist and pulled in behind his back. Korsak and Frost were at her side in seconds. "David Lafferty, you are under arrest for multiple counts of domestic assault." He pushed her off of him while taking a swing at Frost. Korsak had him around the torso, but was also shoved away. David closed in on Jane and his fist connected with her cheek. Frost and Korsak both grabbed him and shoved him down on the nearest desk. They held him in place as Jane slapped the cuffs on him. "And now let's add three counts of assaulting a police officer to the charges." She leaned in real close to whisper in his ear, "You're lucky this is all I'm doing to you. I should put a bullet in your head for everything you put her through." Jane backed off as Korsak and Frost hauled him towards lock-up. "Thanks you guys," she called after them.
Jane looked over at Maura who had watched the entire scene from Jane's desk. She looked terrified and relieved all at the same time. Jane quickly pulled her into an embrace as she saw tears forming in the blonde's eyes. "It's okay Maur. We got him. He won't hurt you ever again."
Maura looked up at Jane and saw the bruise forming on her cheek. "I'm so sorry. I never wanted you to get injured because of me." She lightly stroked the bruise.
"It's okay M. This just means that we can add assaulting a police officer to the charges," Jane smiled. "Actually three counts because he tried to hit Frost and Korsak too."
Maura took comfort in Jane arms again and whispered, "Can we go get Jaiden now? Please? I need to hug my son."
"Of course," Jane replied as she let her arms fall to her sides. "I got everything squared away with the Lt. He said take all the time you need."
"Thank you," Maura said taking Jane's hand.
"Maura, please stop thanking me," Jane sighed. "I told you, family takes care of each other, no thank you required."
"I guess I'm just not used to such strong family bonds," Maura replied. "Other than Jaiden, I've never really had a family that cared for one another the way yours does."
"Maura, you've been a member of my family since we first met," Jane said with a smile. "They all love you and would do anything for you. Remember that. You don't have to go through any of this alone. I'm not the only one here for you." Jane gently squeezed Maura's slightly trembling hand. "Frost and Korsak consider you family too. You have a ton of people who care about you." Jane let go of Maura's hand to write a quick note to her partners saying she would explain everything later and to thank them. She turned back to Maura and wrapped her arm around the petite woman's shoulders. "Let's go see your boy," she smiled.
I know many of you wanted Jane to kill the bastard, as did I, but she promised Maura she wouldn't. I hope I didn't disappoint you with this. I have plans for him in later chapters. Once again, thank you for reading. :)
