JANE'S POV

It's the day of my wedding today. I can't tell you how I feel but I'm going to try. I'll start by telling you that I'm extremely happy to be marrying Maura. I get to spend the rest of my life with her. With my best friend. Maura is the only person I have ever seen a life with. Even before we were engaged I could never imagine my life without my best friend. But it's more than that now. Now I can't imagine my life without her. She's the only one I will ever trust enough with my life. She's the first and only person I let touch my hands. My scars. No one will ever make me feel as safe and secure as she does. I feel at home with Maura Isles. I could be anywhere in the world but I know if I'm anywhere in the world with Maura, I'm home. No one has ever made me feel like that.

People are usually either scared or nervous on their wedding day. I won't lie to you. I'm feeling them both right now.

I'm scared because there is still a lot of things me and Maura need to discuss. We have both had too much going on to talk about anything that is even remotely important. I've thrown myself into planning, hopefully, the perfect wedding, while Maura has thrown herself into taking care off me. I don't know if I will be moving back into my apartment when I can actually get through a day without having to rely on Maura for anything. Or do I stay here with Maura? Do we get a new place together? I know we have a lot to talk about. And I also know we both might have to compromise on a few things.

I'm nervous because I know we have planned for our wedding night to be perfect. I'm just not 100% certain that tonight will even happen. Don't get me wrong I want it too, more than anything I want tonight to happen. And I pretty certain Maura does as well. But after falling over Bass last night...let me just put the easy way. I can't move a single muscle without my wound killing me. I wasn't even this bad when I woke up in the hospital. I know for a fact if this pain doesn't go away Maura will not let me take it far before she stops me.

I'm got so many questions running through my head, it's unbelievable. The main one is, when do we tell our families? I know I told Maura as soon as she is my wife, but...I don't know...I kinda feel like I want her to myself for a while. Just us before my family, especially, find out. Once they do things for me and Maura will get pretty hectic, very quickly.

I'm seeing my Doctor today. I want to know when I will be able to fly. That's a question that I can't ask Maura. I want to take her on a honeymoon. I've got a few destinations in mind, but I haven't chosen one just yet. I just want to be able to take her on a honeymoon. I know we have spent every day together since I've been out off hospital but it's all familiar to us both. She deserves a holiday. We both do.

I'm getting married today. Have I already told you how happy I am?

Waking up with Maura in my arms or me in Maura's arms is the best feeling in the world. If I had known it would feel this good, I would have asked Maura if we could have done this ages ago. Mind you, if I had known things between me and Maura would be this easy, would feel so right, I would have wanted to marry her ages ago. Although, somehow I don't think Maura would have agreed to be my wife back then.

Laying here, in bed, with Maura in my arms I can honestly say I have never felt so complete.

If I'm the first up between us both, trying to get out off bed without waking Maura is a very hard task to try and complete. Just like now. I want some coffee and that simple little task will probably make me wake Maura up. You see getting out off bed is the easy task...getting Maura's death grip of my tank top, isn't. Since I woke up in the hospital, I've learnt that Maura can't sleep unless she grips the bottom of my tank top or whatever top I'm sleeping in. It's new to me, new to us both. She never did that before I went in the hospital. The thing that gets me is that every time I wake up during the night, for whatever reason, her grip is still exactly the same, if not stronger, than it was when we fell asleep.

Reaching down to hold Maura's hand in my own, I try to pull her hand away. Just like every other morning her grip tightens. I try to unclasp each finger, but I'm not surprised when I can't and Maura snuggles closer to me. "You're not going anywhere." She mumbles, her voice full of sleep.

"What about my morning coffee?" I smile.

"I'll make it up you. Plus you can just have two later."

"And when will later be?"

Maura mumbles something but I can't make it out.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. What are you thinking about?"

"My coffee." I smile. Lifting my right hand from her hip I slowly run my fingers through her hair. "Can I ask you something?"

Maura lifts her head from my chest to look at me. She nods her head, "sure. Anything."

"Why the sudden death grip?" I ask, pointing to her hand that is still wrapped tightly in my tank top.

Maura looks confused for a second before she looks down at her hand. She quickly lets go and looks back up at me. "I...erm...I didn't know."

"You started the day I woke up. Every time we fell asleep your hand found it's way there and just held on. At first I just thought it was something you did while asleep. Then I noticed you started doing it before I fell asleep. Before you fell asleep." I smile softly. "Whenever I wake up, if you're not already awake, I struggle to remove your hand. You always tighten your grip when I try and move."

"I didn't even know I was doing it. I'm sorry." Maura mumbles.

"Don't be, okay? I just wanted to know why, that's all."

Maura nods. "I don't know." She tells me. "I'm going to have a shower."

I nod as I watch her climb out off bed and walk towards the en-suite. I can't help but feel like I have bought up a conversation Maura didn't want to have. For the first time since I came out off the hospital, I hear Maura lock the bathroom door behind her.

MAURA'S POV

Locking the bathroom door behind me, I lean my back against it. I don't know why I have started to grip Jane's top during the night. I can't explain it to either one off us. I wish I could. Things then might start making sense to me about all this. I knew I was doing it. I've woke up plenty of times with my hand, painfully, gripping Jane's top. I just didn't know Jane knew that I was doing it. I thought she would've mentioned it before now if she did. Obviously I was wrong.

Walking over to the shower I turn the dials to hot and wait for it to heat up. I brush my teeth and comb my hair while I wait. Climbing in the shower a few seconds later, I'm determined to figure out why I've started to grip Jane's top during the night.

JANE'S POV

Walking into the kitchen I start Maura's coffee machine before pulling my tablets from the drawer. Taking a glass off the counter I fill it with water before taking a sip. I don't want to take my tablets. Not today. Throwing the tablet packets back into the drawer, I slam it shut and turn my attention back to the coffee machine.

Sitting down at the island in the middle of Maura's kitchen, I start to read the paper what I started yesterday. I get halfway through before I close it. I can't concentrate on anything but the pain that I'm starting to think is tearing me in half. It wasn't this bad when I was in hospital and I just woke up.

Finishing my coffee, I rinse out my mug before I go and pull my tablets out of the drawer again. I know I won't be able to get through today without them. I'm just disappointed in myself for having to take them. I won't be able to enjoy today if I don't. And I want all the memories we make today to be happy ones.

Grabbing the glass of water before I change my mind, I swallow two pills before taking a sip of water. Pouring the rest of the water down the sink, I lean my hands on the edge off the counter and lower my head. The pain meds will start to kick in soon. I just hope they do before Maura gets out off the shower. I have no such luck though.

MAURA'S POV

Jane jumps slightly when I wrap my arms around her waist and rest my head against her shoulder blade. "Are you still hurting from yesterday? After tripping over Bass?"

"A little. I'm just tender." Jane says.

I can tell she is lying to me. Something in her voice gives her away. "Don't lie to me." I say sternly.

"Fine." Jane mumbles. "Yes, I hurt. A lot. But I've taken my meds and the pain will slowly disappear. Okay?"

"Do you want me to check it for you?"

Jane shakes her head. "I've just pulled my muscles. That's all."

"Tell me if the pain gets any worse. Okay, Jane?"

I hear Jane sigh before she agrees. I pull away slightly and Jane takes the opportunity to turn around to face me. She wraps her arms and my lower back and pulls me closer to her. "I'll be okay, Maur."

I nod and smile at her before I rest my head back on Jane's shoulder. "I don't want to lose you." I whisper.

"You never will. I'll always be here, in your life for as long as you want me."

"Jane...you don't understand." I tell her.

"Understand what?" Jane questions before I can continue talking.

"I can't ever lose you. I can't ever go through what I went through that day ever again. I have never been so scared off losing someone than what I was that day. I'd give up everything I own for you. For your safety, without a second thought. Every movement you make while asleep I feel. I automatically tighten my grip because I can't lose you. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I need you to be safe. I can't risk losing you, or even coming close again." A few tears sting my eyes as I fight to hold them in. I don't know how Jane will react to everything I have just told her.

Jane pulls back slightly and lifts my chin so I have to look at her. "You...will never loose me. Everything has changed for me now, Maura. I didn't have us when I shot myself. I had you in my life as my best friend but know I have you in my life as so much more than that. I'll never put my life in danger...at least not willingly, ever again. From now on every time I go to work, every time I chase a suspect, every time I draw my gun you will be the only thing I will be thinking about. All I'll know is that I'll have to get out of whatever situation I am in because I want to see my wife again. I'll want to kiss, hold and sleep another night holding my wife in my arms. I'm not alone any more. You will always come first to me from now on." Jane tells me. Slowly she leans down and places a soft kiss against my lips.

I nod as I lean my head back against Jane's shoulder. "Do you want some breakfast?" I really shouldn't have asked her that. I have never known Jane Rizzoli to turn her nose up at the offer off food.

"Sure. Pancakes?"

I nod and push away from Jane. But as I walk over to the closet Jane grabs my wrist and pulls me back to her. I can't help the little squeal that escapes when she spins me around so my back is against her front.

Jane chuckles at me. "You sit down. It's my day to spoil you." Jane says as she starts to walk us over to the island.

"Jane...let me cook. You've just taken some pain killers, they won't work unless you take it easy." I try and tell Jane. It's pointless. She acts exactly the same way I thought she would.

"No. No way, Maura. Just sit down and relax. Have a coffee or something." Jane smiles.

Finally I sit down and let Jane make a start with a breakfast. I start doing the crossword in the morning paper. Anything to stop me from jumping up and at least helping Jane with breakfast.

I've just about finished the crossword when Jane puts a plate full of pancakes in front of me. Putting the paper down on the table, I turn to find making some more coffee. "Do you seriously expect me to eat this mountain of pancakes on my own?" I ask, turning back to look at the pile of pancakes.

Jane comes up behind me and wraps her arms around my waist, resting her hands on my stomach. "Well, I did plan on helping you. But you can have them all to yourself if you don't want to share." Jane says. "I'll just have to find something else to eat." Jane whispers in my ear, before leaving a soft kiss.

I close my eyes at the double entendre. I don't know if Jane even knows what she has just said, or if it's just my mind wishing thinking. "Well..." I cough to clear my voice. "I never usually share your pancakes with anyone, but seen as you asked so nicely, you can help me."

"Thanks." Jane laughs before taking the seat opposite to me.

"How's the pain?"

"It's gone." Jane grabs her fork and knife before cutting a piece of pancake and shoving in it her mouth. After she finishes chewing she looks at me. I know she's thinking about asking me something. I can just about read every facial expression Jane has. Just the same as she can mine. But before I have the chance to ask her what's bothering her, she tells me. "Can you drive me somewhere after breakfast?"

"Sure. Where do you want me to take you?"

"Hospital." Jane whispers. She must have seen the panic on my face because before I even knew it she had leant over the island to take my hand in hers. "I just want to see the doctor. You can come with me, but I need you to stay outside in the waiting room. Okay?"

I nod. I have no idea why Jane wants to go and see her Doctor, especially when she knows I'm fully qualified to answer any of her questions, or to make sure she is healing perfectly.

"Don't worry, Maura."

...

JANE'S POV

I've been in with Doctor for past thirty minutes. "So...how's everything healing Doc?" I ask. I didn't come here for a check up, but he told me that since I was here he might as well check that everything was healing the way it's suppose to.

"What did you do?" Dr Jake Carr asked.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"You weren't in this much pain when I discharged you. What did you do?"

I looked down at the floor. "Fell over Maura's turtle." I mutter.

I hear Jake try to stifle the laugh that tries to escape. I tear my eyes from the floor up to his face fully expecting to have a go at him. Instead when I see his face I can't help but laugh. Falling over a turtle, only I could do that. It suddenly dawns on me that it was actually quite funny.

"I'm sorry." Jake chuckles.

"Don't be. It's quite funny now thinking back to it."

Jake smiles at me. "Well...you're healing is coming on perfectly. You just need to rest for a few days until the muscles you pulled are healed. Alternate putting frozen peas and a heat pad on the area and you should fine it more comfortable. And I suggest you don't fall over any more tortoises while you're at it."

I look up at him with a questioning look. "Tortoise?" I ask. The only person who corrects me about Bass is Maura. Not some Doctor.

Jake nods. "Maura told me about him."

"Maura?" I question.

"Yes. Dr Isles." Jake confirms.

"I know who Maura is. What else did Maura tell you?" I ask. I can't help the hostile tone off my voice, but he shouldn't be calling Maura anything but Dr Isles and he defiantly shouldn't have that dreamy smile on his face.

"Not much. I asked her out for a drink while you were still in your coma, in the hope off getting her out off the hospital for a few hours. It was your mothers idea. But Maura wouldn't leave you." I couldn't help but notice the disappointed look on his face. "So, I sat with her for a while. She told me about Bass and Jo Friday. She wouldn't talk about much else. She just kept asking questions about you."

"You asked Maura out? Because my mother asked you too or because you wanted too?"

"Both." Jake smiles. "So...why did you come here Jane? You have your own Doctor at home."

"She's getting married tonight." I blurt out.

"Who?" Jake looks confused.

"Maura." I say. "Maura's getting married tonight."

"She wasn't wearing a ring when she was by your bedside." Jake says disappointed.

"It's recent." I smile. "Very recent."

Jake nods. "Guess I missed my chance." He mutters.

I barely hear him but it's clear enough. I nod. "Guess you did." I can't stop my smile from growing.

"Anyway. What can I do for you?" Jake asks sitting behind his desk.

I sit up on the hospital bed and dangle my feet off the side. "Can I fly? I mean on a plane? With my wound?" I look up at him.

Jake laughs at me. "Anywhere nice?"

"Italy. Venice to be precise."

"Very nice. I see no problem for you to fly, but if you do, you really do need to take it easy. And if you experience more pain than what you are already in you, need to contact me immediately. You've got my office number and..." He finds a piece of paper on his desk and writes something down before handing it to me. "...Here's my mobile number. In case you need to reach me while I'm not here."

"Thank you." I smile as I take the piece of paper he offers me.

"Just don't overdo it. Okay? Take it easy." Jake stands up as I slide of the bed.

"Thanks Doc." I head for the door.

"Detective." Jake says.

I stop and turn around to face him. "Yea?"

"If you carry on healing at the rate you are, without any tortoises getting under you feet," he smiles, "You should be back at work sooner than we all expected. Desk duties only. Until you're hundred percent healed anyway. But I'm guessing you'd rather be on desk duties than at home."

"Damn right." I laugh.

"Enjoy your holiday."

"Honeymoon." I correct and smirk. "I'm getting married tonight."

"Congratua..." Jake starts before he puts two and two together. "You and Maura?"

I nod. "Yes."

"Wow...I guess that's why she said no to having a drink and some dinner with me."

"I think it might have had more to do with the fact that I was in a coma and she didn't know whether I was going to make it." I answer before opening the door. I notice Maura stand up as soon as I open the door. "Thank you." I say to Jake before I walk towards Maura.

"Hi." Maura whispers.

I smile. "Hey."

"You ready to go?" Maura asks me.

I nod. "Lead the way." We only take a few more steps before I hear Jake call my name. Both me and Maura turn to look at him.

"Congratulations." Jake calls out.

I'm just about to say thank you hen he turns to walk back into his office. I shrug as I start walking again, pulling open the door I hold it open for Maura.

"You told him?" Maura questions.

I don't answer until we are in the elevator, and we have it to ourselves. As soon as the door closes, leaving the elevator with just us in it, I push Maura up against the wall.

"Jane?" Maura whispers.

"Why didn't you tell me my Doc asked you out?" I growl.

"I wouldn't have gone...even if I hadn't fell in love with you. I wouldn't have gone." Maura whispers. "Wait...He told you?"

I nod. "After I told him I tripped over Bass, he corrected me about his species. We talked and he told me about asking you for drinks. But you turned him down. He looked gutted." I couldn't help but smirk.

"I wasn't going to leave you for some guy. I didn't even know if you...if you were going to make it." Maura choked out.

I close the small gap between us and capture her lips in a passionate kiss. We're both breathing heavily when we pull apart.

Maura smirks at me. "Wait...were you jealous?"

I nod before capturing her lips again, in a more passionate kiss than before. "Extremely." I smile. We both pull away when the door chimes indicating it is about to open. "One more stop then we can go home. But I need your input on this one." I say walking out off the elevator.

"Ohh, goody." Maura smiles. "Where we going?"

"Shopping."

Maura stops dead in her tracks and waits for me to look at her. "Please tell me you haven't waited until the day of our wedding to buy your dress."

"No...I've got my dress. But we do need something else first." I grab Maura's hand and pull her to start walking again. "Come on."