While Jane lost consciousness, the other Mechs of her Company were a little bit more on the sunny side. For having a better chance to hide their Mechs, the Kurita soldiers had turned the reactors of their Mechs down and by jump-starting them, the reactors of a Marauder, a Warhammer and a Panther died on them. Losing a quarter of their strength – including two heavy Mechs – was a bad stroke to their confidence but as highly trained members of the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery they didn't waste a thought on retreat. Far more because their opponents were merely mercenary scum. This scum was well trained although and worked well in combining their weapons fire to finish off one target after the next. The arrival of Frosts Company all of a sudden was another bad surprise to the proud Combine pilots. Without any waste of breath, the newcomers send their greetings along the ones from the remaining ones from Jane's company and this was for the Kurita soldiers the moment to withdraw. Leaving behind the three Mechs with the cold reactors, the damaged Banshee and a heavily damaged modified Cicada.
A beeping sound was the first thing Jane registered, after this; her nose told her that she registered the typical smell of a sick bay. Her eyes were the only ones that denied her their service. As much as she tried, they refused to open. Shortly before she drifted back to unconsciousness her nose picked up the faint smell of sandalwood, a smell that was forever connected in her brain to a certain doctor and a faint smile crawled on her lips. Next thing that awoke her was a burning headache. As much as she tried, there was no chance to suppress the groan that came out.
"Jane? Jane can you hear me?" a familiar voice near her ear and again the smell of sandalwood kicked Jane into full consciousness.
"Urrrggh." Was not really a convincing answer, but it seemed that the bearer of the voice was okay with it. At least she sounded much more relieved than before.
"Jane, don't try to open your eyes. We are trying to reduce the intake of information for you. You had a severe concussion and were out for five days." Shocked to the bone Jane tried to rise but a soft hand held her back.
"Don't move! Everything is fine! Even not believing this is a good idea, I will give you the numbers as Frost and Frankie told me to do. Though where to start? First, your Company, except you and Stinger, are all fine. Stinger is dead; the head of his Mech got a full load of the PPC and the large laser from the Banshee. Sergeant Wilcox had a mild concussion and a broken left arm. The rest of your people came away with a couple of bruises. Frost people didn't get anything by that encounter." Jane gave her a small nod to show her that she was following. As much as she was sorry for losing Stinger, she was extremely glad that there were not more people lost. "Furthermore – Frost is in command of the Razors, Frankie is backing him up. Major Bradley is now in command of the operation. Your Mech – even I don't understand why it is so important to tell you now – is repairable but will need another couple of days in the shop." Jane's hand went seeking above her blanket until she found another hand, registering that as familiar as it was, this hand seemed thinner, more fragile as she remembered.
"What did we gain for the beating we got?" Jane was finally able to ask, even her voice sounded strangely weak.
With a sigh and an eye roll, Maura continued. "I am really impressed about the way Frankie predicted this questions."
"He knows me to well." Jane gave her a weak smile.
"What you got for a trade is four enemy Mechs. A Marauder, which only needs minimal maintenance on its reactor to be active, again, a Panther with some needs for repairs in the cockpit – the pilot tried to damage as much as possible before he ejected – and a Warhammer. The Warhammer is a variant as Frost told me, whatever this means. The reactor of this Warhammer is dead but the one from the Cicada is completely fine so they will swap them. Finally, there is this Banshee, there are major repairs needed but the most parts are not available. Overall, the three new machines are ready today or tomorrow, yours in three days, The Banshee will need a week in the shop as soon as the parts are here. At least Frost told me so. You on the other side will not be ready in three days to make this clear without you to need to ask."
Jane gave her a nod only to groan about the headache. The next thing she felt was a needle injecting some painkillers into her system.
"What about you?" Jane fought to stay awake against the best efforts of her meds to drown her.
"I am fine Jane, sleep!" was the no convincing answer.
When Jane came back the next time, the first she heard was the laughing voice of a child. For a heartbeat, Jane wondered whose child it was until realization hit her.
"Hey champ, what are you doing here?" With a lot of effort, Jane opened her eyes. Taking in the view around her, she saw that she was still in sickbay but that she was the only occupant in the room – except for little Will and his mother. With much delight, the little boy tried to crawl onto the bed to Jane and his mother had much work to do to hold him back.
"Hey, it's okay, I can take it!" Jane gave a smile towards them and very carefully, Maura let Will crawl on Jane's chest. With a contempt sigh, he made himself comfortable and was asleep the next second. Maura only could shake her head and both women smiled. Jane took a short inventory on the other woman and knew that something was terribly not okay with her. Therefore, the moment she was able, she took Maura's hand and looked her in the eyes.
"Though, after this long time of avoiding me, why don't you start to tell me what is wrong with you? And don't you dare to tell me you are fine!" Jane's voice sounded stronger than she really felt.
Pain showed in Maura's eyes and she moved her face to the side. She although tried to retrieve her hand but Jane was not willing to let her go and so she stayed.
"Maura – please." Jane said softly.
"I am pregnant Jane, again and again from HIM. In addition, I really do not know what to do, I am three months in now and I don't want to have the child but on the other side, I cannot abort it, I… I don't know what to do." Maura's voice sounded lost, frightened and distant.
"First, this child is YOURS not HIS! You got me? So whatever you decide to do, it is what YOU think is the best. NO ONE, you got me? NO ONE is allowed to tell you what you HAVE to do. You will do what YOU decide to do!" Jane's voice was determined, leaving no space to discuss her arguments. Her eyes straight looking into Maura's. "But what decision you will ever make, be assured that I will support you! If you decide that you will keep it, I will help you any way you allow me, if you decide to abort it, I will help you to find a place to do so and be there with you holding your hand! You got me? It is YOUR decision and nobody else has a say into this and whatever you do, I will be at your side!" Jane did not flinch and surely was not willing to waver.
After some deep breaths, Maura nod. "Thank you!" was all she could say.
"Always!" Jane replied.
It took Jane another five days to return to desk duty and while she was still trying to take in the reports of the time she was out, her office was a constant landing spot for her people. Whoever was able to stop by did so, starting with Frankie and Frost until her last pilot had stopped by 'only for a coffee'. At the end of her day, Jane walked to her cabin and when she entered, she saw something beautiful. Lying on the bed were Maura and Will, cuddle together, both a peaceful smile on their faces, both deep asleep. Jane sat down on the bed, taking in the sight and a lone tear started its way down her cheek. Not sure why she was crying, Jane swept the tear away and thought about leaving when Maura awoke.
"Jane!" her face showed a happy smile and her hand took one of Jane's. "Why didn't you call? I would have made sure that you could lie dawn to get some rest. You surely need some!"
"Na, I'm good and the view I got when I came in was worth it!" With a wink Jane looked at the only clad in her undies doctor, making her blush like a teenager.
"You know something Doctor?" Jane asked and when Maura shook her head no, Jane grinned and continued, "I need a lot of attention because of my condition – I'm ill, you remember?" When a little panic showed on the face of the doctor, Jane told her "So I think a full cuddling by my 'girlfriend' and my favorite little boy is the best medical care!"
Maura shook her head and smiled "You are unbelievable Jane!"
"I hope so!" was Jane's answer while lying down on the small bed, drawing Maura and Will in her arms.