Chapter 16

Maura's voice was harsh and very low but melodious nonetheless.

"Of course I'm going to…" Jane naturally answered the question like it was normal, like she always did, but then she realized from whom the voice came and her words died in her throat.

"Maura? Is it you?" she asked rapidly, raising her head from the doctor's shoulder and looking up in the beautiful limpid eyes she knew and loved so much. Jane's voice was raspy and low, emotional.

"Jane" whispered Maura.

"Oh God you're awake! Thank God…" said Jane caressing lightly Maura's face and hair, tears of joy and relief in her brown eyes.

"You're really awake" repeated the detective again with a bright smile on her face, now putting feather like kisses on Maura's forehead, cheeks, eyes, nose…she kissed her everywhere without realizing what she was doing.

"Jane" called Maura again under Jane's kisses assault.

"Yes" answered the detective still caressing the doctor face tenderly.

"Could you give me some water? My throat...is killing me"

"Oh, sorry honey…yeah, of course." Answered Jane jumping up from the chair and immediately getting some water from the bedside table. "How unmedical of you, Maura! Really? Your throat is killing you? No complicated, unutterable words? I'm worried…I should call the doctor" said Jane looking at Maura with a big smile plastered on her mouth.

Maura smiled and then, softly said: "Jane, I'm thirsty. Is this a suitable word?"

"Ok, I'll let it go for now."

Jane poured some water in a plastic glass and took it in her hand. She bended over Maura and gently asked: "Can you move your head a little?"

Maura nodded and Jane cautiously helped her raise her head to drink, tangling her hand in velvety red hair.

"Easy, I don't want to hurt you" she said again, worried.

Maura took a few small sips and then heavily rested her head on Jane's hand, closing her eyes and taking long, slow breaths.

Jane carefully untangled her hand from Maura's hair and, caressing her face lovingly said: "Honey, you need to rest now…you must be exhausted. And I should call the doctor."

"I'm exhausted. But I want to talk with you." Maura said sleepily, fighting a losing battle to stay awake.

"I want…no, I need to talk with you more then you can imagine, believe me. But I want you to get better soon. And I want you to rest. Ok? Let me call the doctor." She said caressing Maura's forehead and cheeks in the meantime.

Maura nodded and then whispered, sleep finally winning the battle: "I want you to keep that promise, Jane."

Jane closed her eyes, emotion having the best of her for a few seconds. Her heart was beating faster, her hands were sweating…she kept caressing Maura and said, her voice now emotional and intense: "Oh God Maura…I want to keep it more than you can ever know…I'm in love with you".

She looked down to see Maura sleeping peacefully. A smile graced her face, her eyes now shining with joy. Maura didn't hate her. There was a good change that she even loved her. Only the thought of it made her soul lighter and her heart burst with love and gratitude.

Jane decided to call the doctor to inform her of Maura's progress. She pushed the button and a few minutes later there was a discreet knock on the door.

Kate green appeared.

"Hi Jane…is everything ok?" she asked getting closer to the bed and looking at the monitor showing Maura's vitals.

"Hi, yes, everything is more then ok. Maura woke up a few minutes ago!" she beamed while explaining what had happened before.

"That's a great news! I told you…she's a fighter! Was she lucid?" asked the doctor smiling, genuinely happy for the patient's improvement.

"Yes, she was…she talked a little and she was thirsty. I helped her and she took a few sips of water. She was exhausted and fell asleep soon after."

"Well…that's more than normal in her condition, considering what she went through. She will be on and off in the next few hours. Don't worry. Just keep her hydrate and make sure she isn't in any pain. Ok?"

"Ok, doctor" assured Jane, watching carefully Maura's chest raise and fall while breathing.

"Good. I'm going to go but please, call me if she wakes up again. I'd like to say hi."

"Don't worry, next time I'll call you sooner."

Kate walked to the door and then turned around one last time: " Hey, Jane…why don't you rest a little while she's sleeping? We don't want you to scare her next time she wakes up, right?"

And she walked away, smiling.

Jane felt tired…very tired. The emotional rollercoaster she rode during the past few hours was taking its toll on her. Maybe sleeping wasn't a bad idea.

She walked to the bathroom and washed her face. Looking in the mirror she saw dark circles under her eyes. – It's a clear sign of lack of sleeping- would say Maura. She chuckled and returned to the bed, taking Maura's hand in hers, carefully.

"Hey honey…your idea of sleeping isn't that bad after all. I'll just close my eyes a little while you're resting, ok?"

She looked at the small cot behind her and then she looked at Maura's warm hand, her skin soft and velvety. She decided she didn't want to let go of that hand.

Jane gingerly rested her head on the mattress, next to the hand she was clasping; she kissed it and closed her eyes: "Sleep well, my love."