Glazed Feelings

Part 7

Rizzoli and Isles are the property of TNT and Tess Gerritson. I am only borrowing them for a little fun. Please review.

Korsak helped Maura out of the car. They were they had found a parking spot upon their return to Jane's apartment. The odd side of the street had been plowed and the snow removed by city workers. Maura looked up toward Jane's window of her apartment. A soft glow came from the window suggesting Frost had kept the lighting low and was still watching over Jane. Korsak helped Maura with the two bags she brought. Maura had loved seeing Bass. The tortoise had listened as Maura spoke of Jane's illness and Maura offered an apology for not being around. Maura took a deep breath and looked at the night sky. Stars sparkled back at her as she set herself for caring for Jane and getting their relationship back on track.

"Hey, you okay?" Vince was worried about Maura. He could tell she was still angry and stressed, but she wouldn't talk to him.

"Yes, I just need to get back to Jane." Vince picked up the bags and they booth started up.

Upstairs Jane relaxed on the couch inside the blanket that Maura had pulled earlier from the closet. Frost finished lighting the last candle. "Okay, that should do it." Frost looked around the apartment. Small glass crystals hung from the ceiling, candles were set around the apartment causing the light to be reflected throughout the crystals. On the Coffee Table sat an Italian crème Cake with Happy Birthday Maura written across it, chocolate covered strawberries sat on plate nearby with jasmine flowers surrounding them, a bottle of Champaign, and soft soulful jazz played in the background. Several gifts were piled next to the table from friends and family, plus one special gift from Jane. In the kitchen on the stove sat Lasagna, a hot loaf of garlic French bread, and salad. Vince and Maura had been gone for about an hour and a half. Marissa had helped Frost get things ready. She loved seeing Jane in love and cared for because she had seen the alternate and it was not good. Marissa had gone back to her apartment with assurances from Jane she would call on her if needed.

"She is still going to kill you Jane!" Frost's voice echoed across the apartment. Jane nodded and closed her eyes. "Hey, you okay?" Jane nodded again. Frost walked over and placed a hand on her forehead. "Time for more medicine Jane." Frost quickly helped Jane take her next dosage and bathed her brow. The sound of a key in the lock brought Jane back from the haze where she had been drifting.

Jane didn't have the energy to rise, so she sat up the best she could while Frost went to the door and opened it. Maura stepped inside and her mouth dropped open. Frost quickly took the bags Maura brought and set them inside the bedroom checking everything there. He then grabbed Vince's arm and ushered him out of the apartment.

"Jane can fix this one." Frost mumbled as he and Vince headed to the car.

"Happy Birthday Maura!" Jane said softly, her eyes alight with the mischief she had caused now. Maura couldn't believe it. It was like she had stepped into a wonderland.

"Jane, how did you? Jane I swear if you wore yourself out." Jane shook her head.

"Nope, Marissa and Frost helped me. They knew the plan days in advance. Not all those phone calls were about Eric." Maura took her coat off and moved to where Jane sat on the couch. "I know that we have been apart for a while. I had planned a big birthday party for you this year and then the shooting happened. Your birthday came and went, but I made sure you had a good day. I had the guys take you out, ma agreed to spend time with you along with Frankie and Tommy, and I made sure with Crowe's help that Detective Ainsley's case was given to another examiner." The afore mentioned detective had joined the force just a month after the shooting and had taken glee in harassing Maura. The strained relations between Jane and Maura hadn't allowed the medical examiner to ask for Jane's help or her teams. Jane had noticed and made it her personal mission to shut Ainsley up. The team had rallied around Jane and made sure the medical examiner was protected, especially after one particular bad incident. Jane had gone to Cavanaugh on the quiet and explained what Ainsley was doing. Lt. Cavanaugh had made sure retribution was clear and hard on the detective; however, Jane was now his new hated person. She took his razzing with no trouble. She had been built of thicker skin, but she would not let her friend suffer his barbs and lances. "I could never forget you Maura." Maura felt tears come to her eyes and slide down her cheeks. Just then Jane's stomach decided to announce its hunger with a loud growl.

"I think we better feed you. Then how about we save this and move to the bed for rest. We will talk more in the morning." Maura said holding Jane's hand while gazing into her eyes.

"Yeah, I will agree. "Maura picked up the cake and strawberries taking them to the kitchen and covering them. She set them in the refrigerator and then pulled two plates down for her and Jane. She filled the plates and took them into the other room. She gathered up the Champaign and placed it in the refrigerator, but pulled two cans of green tea ginger ale and a bottle of water for Jane. She returned to the living room where the two ladies ate in silence. The warmth of the moment was all they needed.

"Hey, can I have a little more?" Jane asked, her appetite returning after being absent for so long. Maura brought Jane a little more and then relaxed back into the couch. Dinner finished and candles blown out Maura helped Jane rise and go to the bedroom. Jane leaned against the door as Maura entered ahead of her and gasped. The room was strewn with rose petals across the floor and bed, the bathroom door stood open with steam rising from the tub where a bath had been drawn. Maura turned to look at Jane her hand covering her mouth. "You will always be my girl, even if you hate me Maura." It was more than Maura could take the damn of emotion burst as she fell to the floor. Jane lurched forward grabbing her cushioning her fall. They landed in a pile with Jane on the bottom and Maura covering her. Deep sobs escaped from the woman who had been so strong for so long. "Shhh, it is okay. We are together Maura. Everything is going to be fine." They laid there for half an hour until Maura cried herself out.

"I was so wrong. I hurt you so badly when you had really done nothing wrong. How can you even stand to look at me Jane?" Maura's quivering voice clouded with tears asked.

"Because I love you Maura. I love you. I'm not without blame. I made you doubt me, distrust me, and I hid from you so we couldn't work things out. But I am here." Jane wiped Maura's tears away. "Maur, you have to forgive yourself. We all make mistakes. It's not the mistakes that we need to concern each other with, it's what you do after you make them that counts. True love and caring make a person try to right the wrong even if there is no way they can." Jane held Maura as the months of pain, loneliness, and hurt fell away. Maura quieted to the point that Jane thought she had fallen asleep. "Babe, you awake? Can we get off the floor? I was kind of looking forward to a bath." Maura nodded and rose off of Jane. She then pulled Jane up and helped her into the bath. She turned to leave, but Jane caught her hand. "Uh uh, undress and get in here. I wouldn't want to drown." Maura looked like she was about to protest. "Uh uh, been there and done that. Just need you." Maura sighed and undressed. She slipped into the tub behind Jane. The tub was lukewarm now, but the feeling of comfort from Jane's body against hers wiped away any other discomforts. Maura bathed Jane and herself. They then relaxed together for a short while.

"Jane, I think we need to get out and dressed. Did Frost give you your medicine earlier?" Maura inquired as she ran the sponge over Jane's arm.

"Yeah, he gave me my meds. Said if I didn't take them you would kick his butt in kick boxing next week. You know you have him scared of you. He says you're fierce like a momma bear." Jane snickered while Maura smiled.

"Okay, let's get out time for bed." Maura helped Jane get out, towel off, and dress for bed. She made a quick flip of the top cover sending the rose petals fluttering to the floor. The medical examiner then tucked Jane into bed and joined her on the other side. She blew out the last of the candles and snuggled into Jane. "You are quite the romantic, detective." Maura said as she felt her body relax and sleep begin to take hold.

"Nah, you just inspire me Doctor. You just inspire me to be a better person for you." Jane kissed Maura pulling her in tighter. Her eyes opened one last time taking in the room around them making sure they were protected and then glancing down at the doctor cuddled into her. "I love you Maura, good night."

"Good night Jane. Oh and Jane?" Maura called softly.

"Yes?" Jane answered.

"I'll kick your butt later." Maura said as she finally gave into sleep. Sleep finally came to the two ladies, a healing sleep where the worries of yesterday fell away and the hopes of tomorrow rose up again. Jane dreamed only of Maura that night and Maura dreamed only of Jane.

This is not the end. After all, what would a good story be if there weren't some minor twists and turns? Not to mention, Jane is still sick.