Hey everyone I'm really sorry it took so long I've been so busy with school and haven't had much inspiration for the story that I haven't been able to type but fear not here is 11 and 12 should be soon to follow. I promised two chapters over break and I will do my best to deliver. Unfortunately because of not typing and uploading on the schedule I have I do not believe I'll finish LS by the end of the year but I don't plan on being longer than January. That being said thank you for being patient, please review and let me know how you think and as always enjoy.

Chapter 11: A Change in Direction

Tears weld up in Maura's eyes as she hugged her wife for the first time in over a year. Jane was still panicking and unsure of what was happening. She was gripping Maura's arm tightly because it felt safe and familiar. Everything else around her was completely foreign and unknown, including the woman on the other side of her wearing scrubs. Jane knew what the place was called where she was at but she couldn't remember how to say it. She didn't know how it had happened but all of a sudden her brain came alive and she had been able to open her eyes. After that instant she panicked and shot up which was when Maura had wrapped her arms around Jane.

"I'm going to get the doctor I'll be right back," the nurse said quickly to Maura before she hastily walked out of the room.

The second the nurse was gone Maura pulled away from Jane slightly so she could look Jane in the eye. She could see that moving away from Jane had caused her to become scared but a second later when she realized Maura wasn't leaving she relaxed slightly. Maura searched Jane's eyes for something but there was nothing besides Jane's frantic expression. She wasn't sure how Jane would react to being kissed by her but Maura did anyway since it had been so long since she had last kissed Jane. To Maura's relief Jane didn't pull away but she wasn't really kissing Maura back either.

"Jane sweetheart do you remember me?" Maura asked running a hand through Jane's hair.

Jane only nodded. She wasn't sure if she was going to be able to talk. Jane had no idea how long she had been where she was but she felt it had been awhile.

"You remember my name don't you?"

Jane nodded again. Yes of course I remember Maura how could I forget? Damnit Jane say something! Jane looked up at Maura and tried to force herself to speak.

"M…Ma-Maura," she managed to say. "I-I-I…wha…"

Jane shook her head. The words she wanted to say wouldn't form like she had forgotten how to speak. Shit, shit, shit I can't talk… What the hell happened to me? I don't remember what happened…! Maura what do I do? She looked back at Maura expectantly like Maura could actually read her mind. Jane saw that what Maura had just heard had upset her but Maura was doing everything she could to hold back tears. Jane's lip quivered as she felt like she would cry. It was then she felt Maura's arms back around her.

"It's alright Jane don't be upset," Maura tried soothing Jane. "You just woke up it will take time for you to recover. You're alright I promise. Don't strain yourself I'm sorry Jane I don't know what I expected. The important thing is that you're awake now. You've come back to us."

"Detective Rizzoli they weren't kidding you're awake."

Maura glanced at the person who had just spoken. It had been Jane's doctor, Dr. Raymond. He had a stunned look on his face but he was happy to see Jane was finally awake and responsive.

"Jane honey this is Dr. Raymond he's been the one treating you since you've been here," Maura told Jane.

Jane only nodded unable to bring herself to try to speak again. She had no clue who he was but she trusted Maura. Nothing really made sense right now except for her which left Jane with no other option.

"I take it she's unable to speak?" Dr. Raymond asked.

"I don't think she can get the words out," Maura replied kissing the top of Jane's head.

"Understand that she experienced serious head trauma from the attack," he explained. "With her having been in a coma for long we'd expect nothing less than her having to go through physical therapy as well as speech therapy. I have no doubt she'll regain the ability to speak, walk even hold a gun again. It's just going to take time and patience."

"I understand," Maura said before looking at Jane. "We both understand."

Jane and Maura had always had a close connection to each other which allowed Jane at least to be able to read Maura perfectly. Apparently while Jane was injured Maura had become rather good at reading people herself because she was reading Jane like she read a book. If you can read me? Who attacked me? Jane thought once again wishing Maura could read minds.

"Jane I'm not going to start you right off on therapy," Dr. Raymond told her. "I want to let you adjust to everything and once you've done that we'll get you started. You're in good hands alright?"

Again Jane nodded. She honestly just wanted to leave the hospital. It scared her and made her uncomfortable. None of it was familiar and that was all she wanted familiarity. All she had was Maura at this point and even though she would have to leave eventually. Jane didn't know how she knew or why but it was there.

"Dr. Isles I do want to talk to you alone for a moment if I may."

"Of course, sure," Maura said with a moment of hesitation. "Jane I'll be right back."

When Jane started to protest her doctor spoke up, "We'll be out in the hall Jane you can see us through the window. I'll only be a minute or so." It didn't do much for Jane's discomfort of being alone, but she let go of Maura and leaned back into the bed that at some point had been moved so she could sit up some. She watched as the doctor led Maura out of the room. As he said they stopped just outside of the room so Jane could still see them. She just wished that she could hear what he was saying. Oh God what if it's something bad…? Fuck Jane Rizzoli what did you do to yourself? Jane closed her eyes as another thought passed through her mind. What did you do to Maura? Her eyes opened, found Maura standing outside of the room nodded and focused there. I didn't do anything to Maura… Jane thought. I was hurt and I've been in a coma… That's what the doctor said. Maura is fine I didn't do anything to her. She of course knew she was wrong somewhere in her mind she knew that she had left Maura alone for a long period of time. Undoubtedly that was what she did to Maura. It was nothing physical but it was emotional and with Maura that was always worse.

XXXXX

Dr. Isles stood in front of Dr. Raymond and listened to him explain what would need to be done during Jane's recovery along with how long he assumed it would take for Jane to recover if not completely than to a normal standard of life.

"I want to run some scans tomorrow on her to look at her brain activity and see if there is anything we should be concerned about," he has stated. "I don't believe there will be anything major but that is solely based on observation which you of all people know is not completely reliable."

"Of course," Maura nodded. "I'll make sure to be here."

"After we run all of our normal tests we do for a patients like Jane we'll start thinking about starting her in therapy," he said.

"How long do you think she'll have to go through the therapy?" Maura asked.

"For the physical therapy I would estimate anywhere from six months to a year because of the injuries she sustained and because of her prolonged time bedridden," he explained. "As for the speech therapy if she's already able to try and speak but she isn't able to form sentences and words anywhere from four months to 9 months. It all depends on her and her brain."

"I understand," Maura said.

"Dr. Isles I'm saying this as a friend your wife is a fighter, you've always said that and now I believe it even more," he told her. "She'll probably be walking in three months and speaking like normal in one."

"That begs my next question," Maura said. "When can she come home?"

Dr. Raymond sucked in a breath of air and held it for a moment before tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling and exhale. He brought his head down, glancing momentarily at Jane who was staring intently at her heart monitor, before looking back at Maura.

"If she starts being able to stand with some type of assistance, canes or something, then as long as she has someone watching after her she can go home within the next few weeks," he finally replied. "Just as long as you make sure she gets to her sessions."

"That won't be a problem," Maura said with a smile. "If that's all I'd like to get back to Jane. I think she's planning her escape."

"Does she have a tendency to try and leave?" Dr. Raymond laughed.

"You have no idea," Maura chuckled. "She was slightly drunk once and got into a fight and had to be admitted and she escaped. She called me laughing like an idiot because she thinks escaping from the hospital is a life time achievement. Keep an eye on her."

Dr. Raymond laughed again as Maura started back into the room. It seemed like her very presence in the room caused Jane to break concentration on whatever had her attention and direct it towards Maura. It could have just been Jane heard her coming in but Maura felt like it was more of Jane's cop sense pulling her towards something that was off about the room. That was how Jane caught someone trying to sneak up on her when she had headphones in she literally felt someone behind her. Maura also assumed it was because Jane felt something familiar around her. Now Maura didn't put much into that theory because it was guessing and she disliked guessing with a passion, but it was Jane and most of the time Jane just knew. Maura didn't think that would ever change.

"I don't have to guess to know that you want to hear what Dr. Raymond said."

Jane couldn't help the smile that broke across her face. That's bullshit you just guessed. She knew that even though it was a guess and that Maura wouldn't consider it a guess Jane had to admit that Maura could probably get away with it if she had just asked it as a question. Jane really did want to know what he said though so she wasn't going to do anything that might burst Maura's bubble.

"Dr. Raymond was informing me that he wants to run some scans on your brain tomorrow. He was also telling me how long recovery is going to take."

Jane rested her head on her pillow and continued to watch Maura, who was getting a chair so she could sit next to the bed. When she was seated Jane reached out for Maura's hand. Maura gave Jane her left hand so they could face each other. Jane found herself playing with the ring on Maura's finger. She twisted it around taking in every detail. Jane knew it was Maura's wedding ring, but when she looked at her own finger there wasn't one there. Hospital procedures Maura probably has it… Jane thought.

"Jane it's not going to fix itself in a week your recovery is going to take time. Dr. Raymond said that once you are able to stand and walk with assistance you can come home as long as someone is looking after you."

Jane wished she could remember how to talk. She really wanted to say something to Maura but she couldn't. Jane didn't even think she could hold a pencil or spell anything. She just sat there playing with the ring avoiding eye contact. How long is therapy Maura? Five months? Two years? And where is my ring?

"Honey I have your ring. It's at home with your badge."

Jane nodded and stopped playing with Maura's ring. She wasn't sure what else she could do. All she wanted to do was get started in therapy and get back to normal. She also wanted someone to tell her what had happened to her and how long she had been in a coma.

"Just rest Jane tomorrow is going to be a long day."

XXXXX

The next day…

Maura hadn't been lying when she had said it was going to be a long day, not that she could lie anyway, but it was a very long day. First thing in the morning Maura got there and then Jane was taken into some room with some machine which made really loud noises to scan something. Then she was taken somewhere else for another set of tests and things before being taken back to her room. Maura left at this point but she said she would be back soon. Jane just sat there staring at the ceiling thinking about everything that had been going on and trying to remember what had happened to her. Can I have like a book or something? I can fucking read thank you very much. Jane thought.

XXXXX

Maura stood down the hall from the room Jane was in with Korsak, Frost and Jane's family. Cavanaugh unfortunately had work he had to do and couldn't be there to see Jane with the others. Maura had called Korsak, Frost and Angela last night to tell them Jane had come out of her coma yesterday. She would have called earlier but she for one didn't want to stress Jane out more and she also wanted some time alone with Jane. Everyone had understood and had agreed to come after Jane was done getting scans done. She was just now telling them the condition Jane was in.

"She has trouble talking," Maura continued. "She knows what she wants to say and how to say it she just can't get it out easily and she refuses to try especially with me. I feel like it's because she's embarrassed by it."

"Will that change?" Angela asked.

"With therapy," Maura nodded. "She needs a lot of therapy after what happened and she's going to be in it for a while but the doctor seems to believe she'll recover enough to return to active duty. However it may be awhile before she gets to that."

"Jane isn't going to let some bastard take being a homicide detective from her, she'll give it up on her own terms," Frankie said.

"That's another thing," Maura said. "Dr. Raymond thinks that Jane may have amnesia. It's only a theory at this point but whenever someone says something to her about the incident the way she reacts makes it seem like she doesn't remember what happened to her. Or who did it to her."

There was a collective groan from the three detectives as it settled in that there best chance at finally closing the Boston Ripper case may not even remember what went on that day.

"Fuck," Korsak scowled. "Fuck she was our only chance unless we find Zach who is completely in the wind."

"Come on Korsak you know that she could still get her memory back," Frost reminded him. "The case is as cold and the dead fridge you know that. He's just as gone as Zach."

"What if that's because he thinks Jane is dead?" Korsak asked. "The official report was that she was injured in a car wreck but no one ever released if she made it or not."

"Guys, can we just forget about the Ripper for right now?" Frankie asked. "We're here to see Jane not close a case."

Frankie was right and they all knew it. Korsak and Frost shut up about the case and followed the Rizzoli's and Maura into Jane's room. When they entered Jane was sitting there her gaze on the ceiling. She didn't seem to notice them come in. Maura went over to Jane's side and put a hand on her shoulder. Jane looked over at Maura before noticing everyone else in the room. Her face noticeably lit up and she smiled when she saw her family and her closet friends there. She hadn't seen them, according to what the doctor said, in over a year.

"They all wanted to see you," Maura told Jane kissing her cheek. "You remember all of them?"

Jane nodded, bit her bottom lip and waved slightly. She was scared to have all of them there at once. She wouldn't talk to Maura even though Maura had tried to get her too. Now she was getting worried because she didn't know what they would say to her. Happy to see all of you but you're getting the silent treatment… Jane thought.

"Jane thank God I've been so worried," Angela exclaimed moving over to Jane and giving her a huge hug. "I'm not going to live long enough to see my grandchildren if you keep getting hurt like this Jane. The stress will kill me one day."

Jane looked over at Maura and raised an eyebrow. Maura apparently understood that Jane was meaning the grandkids part and shrugged. Jane smiled slightly at her mom and hugged her before Angela moved away. Seriously though I wake up from a coma and the first thing on your mind is grandchildren? Jane didn't have much time to think about anything else because both Tommy and Frankie had their arms around her, something they rarely did.

"It's good to have you back Jane," Tommy said grinning.

"Yeah now ma can stop bothering Tommy and me about having kids," Frankie teased. "Really Jane it's really good to see you again."

'It's good to see you guys too,' Jane thought.

Next it was Korsak. He came over and hugged Jane, again a rarity, then patted her shoulder offering one of his smiles.

"Get back on your feet soon Janie I don't think I can stand working with this guy on my own much longer," he joked. "It's not the same without you around."

Jane reached up and squeezed Korsak's arm before moving away, his arm sliding out of her hand. Frost came up to her last hugging her and offering up one of his trademark smiles. Jane couldn't help but smile back at him. She had really missed Frost.

"Hey Rizzoli," he said. "You look like shit. I'm glad you're awake Jane, it's been a hard year without you."

'Wish I had been there Frost…' she thought.

The group stayed for about an hour just talking to Jane and not expecting any replies back. Eventually one by one they had to leave, eventually leaving only Maura and Jane in the room. They sat there in silence for a long time just holding each other's hand.

"Are you ready to start speech therapy in a few days Jane?" Maura asked.

Jane nodded as she pulled Maura's hand to her face just holding it there.

"And physical therapy in a couple weeks?"

Again Jane nodded. This time Maura leaned over and kissed Jane. Maura had thought waiting for Jane to wake up had been tough but the worst was yet to come. Jane had to recover now and that would put a huge strain on her while she tried to remember what had happened to her. It was a long road that they had ahead of them.

XXXXX

3 weeks later…

"You're doing good Jane just a little farther," Jane's physical therapist Carter encouraged her.

"T-this is i-im-impossible," Jane stuttered.

In the past three weeks she had made great improvement in her speech. She was now able to speak but with a noticeable stutter that her speech therapist Audrey said would take some time and work to do away with completely. Jane didn't care how long it took she just wanted to get rid of the stutter. It took her ten times longer to say things that would normally take five seconds. That wasn't what was hard for her though. Physical therapy was killing her. She could never get her legs to hold her weight and at the beginning her hands barely worked.

"You of all people should know nothing is impossible," Carter said. "I didn't even think impossible was in your vocabulary."

"I-is n-n-now," Jane said.

"One more step," Carter told her. "Put your right foot in front of the left foot."

Jane struggled to get her foot forward as she supported herself on the bars to her sides. Walking in a straight line was the biggest struggle for her right now and with her arms being weak it made it even harder for her to do it. Just as she got her right foot where it needed to be and she was moving her right hand forward to keep her balanced her legs gave out from under her and she fell forward, face first into the ground. Carter jumped up and was at her side in an instant.

"S-son o-of a b-b-bi-bitch," Jane grumbled into the floor. "T-t-th-that h-h-hurt…"

"You alright Janie?" Carter asked smiling as he helped her roll onto her back.

Jane just glared at him as he sat there laughing. He wasn't laugh at her because she fell he never did that he was always very supportive and encouraging. Carter was just laughing at the look she was giving him. She had it on her face every time she fell.

"I think that's enough walking for today. Let's get you on the bike."

Jane just flipped him the bird as he got behind her and lifted her to her feet and continued to support her. Oh yes therapy is going just fine. Jane thought sarcastically.