Sorry for the long delay but I went on a cruise and was sick afterwards :-( But now I'm back again and I really hope you are still with me. Hope to update the next chapter soon and forgive me for the ending of this chapter *lol* Love you guys...you rock! And by the way... thanks for your suggestions. I tried to put some of them into action!
Rizzoli and Isles still don't belong to me but they surely belong to my life :-)
Jane sat on the driver's seat and dropped her head on the steering wheel. Her fingernails dug into the leather. Maura put on the seat belt and waited for the departure. She frowned and stared at her friend worriedly.
"Are you okay, Jane?"
"No, not really. I'm sorry for being such a jerk, Maura. I'm terribly tired and my head is killing me. And I'm scared...I'm really scared. I could have lost you, Maura. I don't know if I can protect you. I can't lose you!"stuttered Jane.
Twisted with pain, Maura turned to her friend and put a hand on her back.
"You will not lose me, Jane. Can you hear me? I'm not going anywhere. Whoever is behind it, has no chance. You are my safe harbor."
Jane turned and looked at Maura smiling.
"Safe haven, Maura but it was close. How do you do that?"
"How do I do what?" Maura asked, confused.
"You were shot, you've lost a lot of blood, were closer to death than to life and you still look like a supermodel. However, I'm looking like a zombie. You are incredibly strong, Maura. I'll protect you with my life. I promise you. I should have been with you earlier that morning. I'm sorry, Maur."
"Stop it, Jane. It's not your fault. And now take me home, please. I reluctantly admit it but I'm in pain," Maura confessed.
Jane leaned over and kissed Maura's cheek. She didn't know what happened to her. Jane was not the cuddly type, and she hated to be hugged but she couldn't get enough of Maura's physical closeness. She remained for a few seconds and then started the engine. Jane drove the car through the city traffic. She cursed every red light and banged repeatedly on the steering wheel. Her voice and the familiar sounds seemed to calm Maura. After a few minutes the lovely pathologist was asleep. During the rush hour it took almost an hour until they finally turned into the street. Jane parked the car directly in front of the apartment block.
"Hey Maura, wake up. We are finally home," Jane whispered.
Startled, the blonde winced. She stared at the dark-haired cop with wide eyes. Maura looked confused and disoriented.
"What? Where? Um ... "
"We are at my house. Come, I'll take you to bed. You are tired to death. Oh shit, sorry for this bad expression," Jane said dejectedly and slapped her forehead.
"Please Jane, stop the excuses. You really behave in a strange fashion. Are you okay?"
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. Come on Doc, I'll take you in and Ma can mother you. She'll love to spoil you."
When Jane opened the passenger door, Angela was just leaving the house. She smiled softly when she saw her two girls. In her hands she held a bag and let it down on the sidewalk.
"Hey, you two. What are you waiting for Jane? Maura belongs to bed immediately. I cooked a chicken soup. It is in the refrigerator. Make sure that the girl eats," said Angela and helped Maura to get out.
Jane stared at her mother in surprise.
"What are you doing? Where are you going, Ma?"
"Frankie called and told me everything. Your apartment is a doll's house, Jane. It's much too small and Maura needs to rest. I'm going over to Frankies and stay there," Angela said and grabbed her bag.
That was really strange. Angela freely left the home of her daughter? Usually it was not so easy to get rid of Angela. Has something happened? Because of her new feelings, Jane would have liked to have her mother around. Maura knew why Angela left the apartment. She needed time alone with Jane and Angela knew it. Her sudden move was due to the conversation of the two women erlier this day.
"You can stay here, Ma. There is enough space for all of us and I can pull out the couch," Jane said anxiously.
Jane also behaved strangely. It was unusual that she asked her mother to stay. Maura was confused. Was she the reason why both women behaved so weird? Of course she was the reason. Angela wanted to give them space and Jane was obviously afraid to be alone with her. Had Maura scared her best friend off with her candor? She has been looking back and forth between the two women for a while already.
"May I go up now? I can barely stand," said Maura embarrassed.
"Take good care of Maura, Janie. I'll call you later," Angela said briefly and kissed her two girls on the forehead.
"See you later, Ma. I love you," said the dark-haired, smiling gently.
"I love you too. Take care, you two."
"Thanks for everything, Angela," Maura whispered, barely audible.
"For my two girls nothing but the best," Angela cried as she got into the car and drove away.
"That was weird," admitted Jane and shook her head.
Jane took the bag out of the trunk and hung it over her shoulder. She grabbed Maura at the hips and helped her into the house. They walked slowly up the stairs until they reached the apartment. Jane unlocked the door and led Maura to the couch. Excited Joe Friday jumped between the two women, back and forth. Jane tried to calm the dog and patted her head. As soon Jane had been kneeling on the floor, Joe jumped on her lap.
"Yeah, good girl. But now you have to be very careful and loving. Aunt Maura is very weak and tired, "Jane told the dog in a calm tone, and disguised her voice.
Maura watched the scene and smiled contentedly. Jane could be incredibly affectionate. She treated her little dog, like a little kid and that made Maura's heart melt. Outwardly, Jane was the tough cop but in the inside she was devoted and tender. Maura hated to interrupt the scene.
"Um, Jane? Could you give me my pain killers and antibiotics? Then I'll be fine and you can go to work, "the young pathologist said uncertainly.
Jane got to her feet and rummaged for the drugs. After a few seconds she'd got everything and got a glass of water.
"I'm going nowhere today, Maura. Frost and Korsak come by later and we work from here. There's nothing else to do at the moment. Still missing reports and results," said Jane and handed Maura the pills.
"Pike? Is the boy's report not ready yet? You can tell me the truth, Jane."
"There's nothing to say. The report is not available yet. That idiot is driving the guys crazy. But you have to concentrate on your recovery," Jane said carefully, trying to avoid the topic Doyle.
"You are hiding something, Jane. What is it? You are acting weird and you are trying to avoid me. I can withstand the truth."
"I don't know the truth, Maura. We are completely groping in the dark", Jane lied in order not to worry her best friend.
Maura swallowed her pills and let her head fall back exhausted. It didn't make sense to force Jane to tell more about the investigation.
"I want to lie down. Can you help me? Due to the wound, I can barely lift my arm. Maybe you can help me to put on my pajamas?" Maura asked nervously.
"Sure, I'll take your bag," Jane said shortly, and felt immediately uneasy.
When they entered the bedroom, the two women knew that the next step would be a big challenge.