Maura was the first to wake the following morning. The arm around her waist made her a bit confused as to her surroundings at first… then she saw the head of unruly black curls and everything from the night before came rushing back. She had asked Jane to stay with her… and Jane had agreed. Now here they were, with Jane's arm wrapped around her middle and her frozen to the spot. She was pretty sure there had been space between the two when she'd fallen asleep. Had she done something in her sleep that she was not aware of to make Jane react that way? She wasn't the least bit sorry if she did; it felt wonderful to wake up like that, with Jane's arm around her. She wondered if she could do the same and not wake the brunette in the process. The cast was heavy, surely Jane would notice the weight… she decided to risk it anyway. Slowly, she inched her way over and gently placed her arm around Jane's middle. Jane mumbled incoherently for a second before relaxing once again and continued sleeping. Maura was no longer tired, but she knew that if she were to close her eyes, she could meditate, and that would get her back to sleep in no time.

Neither woman brought up the change in their sleeping arrangement later on that morning; they just went about their usual routine. Days passed and it got to the point where Jane started spending nights in Maura's bed without Maura asking her to; it was just a given. As the two got ready for bed, each would change in their own rooms and Jane would then join Maura, no questions asked. They got very comfortable with their proximity while sleeping too, with both enjoying the other's closeness and warmth. They never talked about it, there didn't seem to be a need for it. They fit perfectly with one another, they were at ease and comfortable with the situation, there was no point in ruining it by bringing anything up.

The day soon came when Maura's leg cast was to come off. Jane drove them to the hospital and waited patiently as the doctor cut through the cast, finally freeing Maura's leg. Maura immediately covered it up, embarrassed by what weeks of not being able to shave or properly clean her leg had done to it. Jane just rolled her eyes and smiled, knowing all too well what happened to a limb after being in a cast for so long. The doctor told Maura that in another two weeks or so the cast on her hand could come off and let them go.

Maura went to clean up and shower the second they got home. Jane waited around for her, nervous and anxious about the conversation she knew was going to take place soon. Maura was now able to walk around normally and wouldn't be 'needing' her anymore. Sure, the hand cast was still on, but that was hardly a reason for her to stick around. She knew that sooner or later this day would come, and she'd be forced to return home.

Maura soon made her way down the stairs and into the living room to a waiting Jane, a huge smile lighting up her face.

"You've no idea just how wonderful that shower felt. I feel like a completely different person, which I know is odd. It's just great to finally have that cast off…"

"I know what you mean. I had a similar experience when I had my cast removed for a broken femur. I mean, I don't remember them taking the cast off, I just remember really wanting it gone already."

"How'd you manage to break your femur? That's the strongest bone in your body, quite difficult to break."

"I was 4. There was an old tv in ma's room and I wanted to watch it. I climbed onto a stool which I didn't know was broken at the time to reach the controls on the tv. The stool gave and I clung onto the tv so as to not fall and ended up taking the tv with me. It landed on my leg, hence the broken femur."

"That sounds quite painful, Jane."

"It was. I'm told I didn't cry much though, which is suprising…" Jane's voice lowered at the end, almost mumbled as she looked down at her intertwined fingers.

"Jane, what's the matter? What's wrong?" Maura had a look of concern on her face.

"It's nothing Maur… it's silly really."

"We can tell each other anything, remember?"

"It's just that… well… your cast is off now. You don't need me here anymore. I was just thinking that I should get my things and go back home."

"Oh…"

"Yeah, I get it."

"No Jane, you don't. We both knew this day would come, when I didn't physically need your help anymore. But that doesn't mean that I don't want you here, or that I don't need you emotionally."

"But you're fine now… don't you want your privacy, your life back?"

"I know that I'm fine. I also know that I owe so much to you. For looking after me and taking care of me all this time and asking for nothing in return. The time that you have spent her with me has really turned this house into more than that… it's a home now, and that's thanks to you. I know that you have your own life to live as well and your own place. You'd definitely be within your right if you wanted to leave and go back to normal, but I'm not kicking you out. You can stay here as long as you'd like. I like that you've been here with me. I like spending time with you. I love it actually. I love that we've gotten so close, and that's something that I never knew I could have. The decision is yours. You can stay, or you can go; it's up to you."

"I don't know Maur, I feel like I'm invading your personal space. It's been great being here with you, and I'd love to stay bu—"

"Then stay, Jane. There's no if, ands or buts about it. I want you to stay."

"What about our sleeping arrangements?"

"Well, that too, is up to you. Would you like to continue sleeping together? Do you want to go back to the guest bedroom?"

Jane blushed. "I like sleeping with you," she quietly replied.

"I like it too. I don't want it to seem like I'm taking advantage of the situation. I first asked you to stay with me because it's true, you do make me feel safe. But as time has progressed, and I've spent more and more time together with you, something more has developed within me. I would be lying if I told you that I didn't have feelings for you."

"Maura… I"

"I know that it's probably too much too soon, but I just can't keep it in anymore. I really like you, Jane. I've never felt like this about anyone. I don't want to scare you away, but I also think that if I didn't tell you this I would be doing myself and you an injustice… I love you Jane. I love you as my best friend… but I'm also in love with you."

"How long have you felt like this?"

"It seems like a long time… since I woke up in the hospital and you had my hand in yours, you were sleeping at the time."

"I remember that night…"

"It's ok if you don't feel the same way; I'd understand. I just wanted you to be clear with how I felt… how I feel."

"No Maura, no. I do feel the same way. I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to scare you away either. I know that we may be going too fast in declaring our feelings for one another, but we can slow down. We don't have to go so fast… we can take small steps… ease into this. I've never done anything like this before… I've never felt this way about anyone before."

"Neither have I."

"So let's be new at this together, ok? We'll figure it out as we go along."

"Ok, we can do that."

Both women leaned into each other and hugged for a long time.

"I've dreamt of kissing you for so long." Maura stated.

Jane pulled back and stared into Maura's hazel eyes. After a few seconds, she slowly made her way closer to the blonde. Finding no objection, she lightly pressed her lips against Maura's. It was chaste, soft, wonderful.

"Let's go to bed, shall we? I want to hold you tonight." Jane stood and held out her hand.

"I want to sleep in your arms tonight Jane. Take me to bed."

I know I haven't said it and I apologize profusely for it. THANK YOU to everyone for your reviews, follows and favorites. They make my day, and definitely inspire me to continue writing for you all. The feedback has been great, especially with this last chapter. I hope this new one was enjoyed as well. I'd love to read what you thought of it!