Sorry for the delay.. Had a set back with my post surgical shoulder! Hope y'all enjoy!

Chapter 10

Maura had finally gotten Jane through the papers, she had to sign. She was now headed to her house, with Jane at her side. She didn't try for conversation, but she did sneak a few glances at Jane, as they rode in silence. She watched Jane's nervous habit of rubbing her hands together and running her fingers over her scars. Her friend was so strong and she admired her so much. She wanted to calm her and reached over to lay her hand on top of Jane's. She could feel her friend staring at her and waited for the red light to look back into Jane's face.

"Maura, thank you. I don't know what I would have done without you today."

Maura squeezed her hand and had to look away, as the light turned green.

"Jane, sweetie, please don't feel like you have to thank me."

"But Maura, I do. People don't always stick with me or want to help me, but you never even gave it a second thought. That needs and deserves a thank you."

"Jane, like I told you earlier today; I will always be here for you. You can't get rid of me."

The two friends let that be enough. Jane didn't realize how hard she was clinging to Maura's hand and Maura wasn't going to tell her. She knew Jane needed this and she would gladly be her lifeline, right now. The rest of the ride was in complete silence.

Maura pulled up in front of her home and waited for the garage door to open. She pulled her car inside and cut the motor off. She had had to drive most of the way with one hand. She didn't want to pull her hand away from Jane. She turned towards Jane now and looked at their hands, twined together.

"Jane, I'm here. I will always be here. Come on, let's go inside."

Maura let Jane be the first one to break their contact. She unlocked the door and disarmed her security system. She removed her jacket and hung it on the coat rack. Moving through her kitchen, she went about her normal routine. She poured herself a glass of wine, as she did for Jane. She added the pill to Jane's drink. She knew one glass and the pill together would relax Jane and hopefully allow for some needed rest. She handed Jane the glass and headed back to her bedroom to change.

Maura felt better when she had her silk pajamas on. She headed back through her kitchen, looking for Jane. She did not find her where she had left her. Instead, she was sitting in the living room with her glass drained. Maura knew drinking the spiked liquid that quickly would surely help Jane to relax.

"Jane, I have some pajamas if you would like to change."

"Why are you my friend, Maura?"

Maura was taken aback by Jane's question. She had to tell herself that her friend was definitely not herself and she just needed to answer honestly. She came to sit down beside Jane and studied the woman.

Jane could feel Maura staring at her. She turned her gaze and looked back at her beautiful friend.

"Maura, please answer me."

"Jane, why on earth are you asking me that?"

"I just find it strange that two people, so different, can be so close. I have never really had a friend like you, Maura."

"Whoa, Jane, what does that mean? Like me?"

"You know what that means. Look at you, Maura. You're rich, you're beautiful, you could have any friend in the world. So why are you slumming with someone like me? Plain Jane, nothing special, never has never will."

"Jane, seriously, you cannot possibly see yourself that way. You are such a good person. Although you like to hide with your sarcasm and attitude, you have a huge heart. I never have to guess if you will be there for me because you always are. You put others needs before your own. You are so strong, Jane. The things you've been through, people can only imagine, but to you it's your life. I admire you so much, Jane. I really can't imagine what my life would be like without you in it. Who would not want you as a friend, that's a better question."

Jane felt so strange. She knew this had been one hell of a long day, but she felt totally wasted. She just needed to lie down. Her head ended up in Maura's lap but she was too tired to even care.

Maura was so glad to see the pill and the wine had helped Jane to relax. She didn't want her to be up all night. Maura looked down at her friend and saw that her eyes were closed. She ran her hand down Jane's arm and ended up brushing her hair out of her face. She ran her hand through Jane's unruly curls and just tried to relax, herself. Jane's voice actually startled her.

"I'm glad you don't know what I hide inside me everyday, Maura. I hope you never have to go through that feeling."

Oh God, so Jane did know. Maura didn't want Jane to think she was ignoring her statement. "What feeling, sweetie?"

Maura waited in the silence of her living room. She didn't know how to address Jane's answer. Whenever it came, she had to decide what she was going to say to her friend. Jane may not even realize or remember what she said, but she still wanted to respond. She was still running her hand through Jane's hair when her answer finally came.

"To know your mother hates you. I wish I knew what I had done to her, but I have no clue. That is a devastation to a child, Maura. To never have the closeness of your mother. So many nights, I cried myself to sleep. Not knowing why Ma never gave me hugs or told me that she loved me. Even as I got older and things happened, I never got anything from her. Just hate. Why, Maura? Am I that bad?"

Maura leaned over and hugged her friend close. This was not what she was expecting. She thought Jane knew the secret but clearly she did not. Maura didn't know which one was better. Knowing or not knowing.

"Jane, there is nothing bad about you. Nothing. I will do whatever I can to help you."

Maura never received a reply, she knew Jane was asleep. And she sat, once again, in total awe of her friend.

Well, I had this written & then we had the very touching scene from Maura the other night. I didn't think I needed to change anything because this was where the story was going all along. Sasha did a great job the other night! I love their dynamic together! Anyway, let me know!