"Yo Kate," Jane yelled as she ran into the locker room. "You have any pre-wrap?" Jane rushed towards her best friend. She was late and had ten minutes to throw her gear on before warm ups. Which means her and Katie needed to warm up in less than five minutes.
"Yeah," Katie laughed. "Why are you so late?"
"My Ma cornered me when I was coming out of the house. She yelled at me for not telling her about the game. I tried to dodge her, but she was too good. So now I'm late and I have to get dressed. Jane pulled her clothes off and quickly pulled her game jersey and warm-up sweats on. She looped the pre-wrap around her hand and started to french braid her hair as the pair walked towards the tunnel.
Kate picked up a ball and waited for Jane to put the pre-wrap on. "Ready?" She watched Jane nod and set her feet. "Yo calm down. Deep breath," Katie laughed.
She was right, Jane thought. She took a deep breath to calm her heart rate. "Okay go," Jane allowed herself to focus on their juggling. She took deep, even breaths as she watched the ball come off her foot. She tuned out the crowd and received the ball again. She caught the ball and looked at her best friend. They were short on time. The pair lined up and realized the rookies were right beside them.
Jane hadn't noticed that the two rookies had been warming up next to them. She smiled at the two and counted down. "Three… two… one," Jane counted down. On one all four sprinted to the other side of the field. All four laughed as the rest of the team came filing out of the locker room for warm ups.
Jane spotted the team doctor standing at the edge of the tunnel. Her face covered in a worried expression. Maura heard what her mother had said outside. Jane smiled in Maura's direction and nodded her head, a silent 'I'm okay' spoken between the two. Maura nodded her head and turned to head back into the tunnel.
They joined the rest of the team on the bench and grabbed some water before they began warm-ups. She stood by her coach, "you were late today Rizzoli."
"I was," Jane confirmed. She couldn't lie, everyone saw her walk in ten minutes ago.
"I have to fine you five hundred dollars," he spoke quietly so no one else could hear.
"I understand," Jane nodded. "I had some personal issues to attend to. It won't happen again," Jane excused herself to join her team.
"Rizzoli?" Her coach yelled after her. "You're forgetting something."
Jane turned towards him with a questioning look. "What?"
"You're the captain," he smiled as he tossed her the captain's armband.
Jane smiled brightly at her coach. She was the captain and she was going to lead this team to another championship.
Jane received a pass from Katie at midfield, she pulled the defender to the left just enough to slide the ball to Brooke who was making her run to the 18'. The play they practiced a hundred times during practice. The defenders were in the perfect position for Brooke to slide it into the top corner.
They were tied with less than ten minutes to play. They needed this goal, and Jane had all of the confidence in Brooke. She stalled with the ball for a couple seconds, allowing Brooke some time to get closer to the space by the 18'. She released the ball just as Brooke approached the spot. They were both on the same page. Brooke one timed the ball and they both watched the ball soar into the left top corner of the goal.
"Yeah!" Brooke yelled as she jumped on Jane's back to celebrate. "I scored!"
"Nice goal rookie," Katie patted her back.
"I told you it would work," Jane laughed as she dropped Brooke back onto her feet. "I'm just glad you picked up what I was putting down."
"You weren't exactly subtle," Brooke laughed. The three walked back towards their half.
"We're not holding back, push forward. Let's get a safety goal in the next five minutes," Jane strategized. "The Red Stars have no chance."
"You got it captain," Katie smiled and relayed the plan to her line and behind her.
The Red Stars restarted the game. Their midfielder lifted the ball through the air, hoping to slide the ball behind the forwards. Jane had already anticipated the move. She took a few steps back to follow the ball. She timed her jump perfectly, her head made perfect contact and the ball flew towards Brooke's feet. The exact moment she landed and a Red Star's head collided with hers.
"Fuck," Jane screamed as she dropped to the ground. She grasped her head as she rolled on the ground. Her ability to comprehend her surroundings was non existent. She closed her eyes, hoping the pain in her head would stop. The whistle from the referee alerted her that that medical team was definitely coming on the field.
She adjusted herself so she was flat on her back. Her hands were still clutching her head. Until she felt her girlfriends hands on top of hers. "Jane?" Maura was kneeling beside her. "What hurts?"
"My head," Jane whispered. "And sounds, and light," she winced. "It's a concussion," Jane diagnosed herself. She's had three of these before. Only one from soccer, the other two were from her brothers being idiots. But, this was definitely the same.
"Yeah, sounds like it," Maura confirmed. "Do you think you can walk?"
"I guess," Jane opened her eyes and winced. She was pulled to a standing position by the training staff and escorted from the sidelines, back through the locker room, and into Maura's office.
"I got it guys," Maura looked to the two trainers. "Thank you," she watched them nod and close her door. She dimmed the lights and sat Jane on the table.
"You can open your eyes," Maura whispered. "I'm going to run some tests and then I'll let you rest. No sleeping," Maura demanded.
"Okay," Jane whispered. After Maura ran through the concussion protocol tests and Jane lay down on the table and rested her mind. She placed a towel under her head and held her hand as she wrote up her report. "Maur?" Jane spoke.
"Shh, you don't have to talk," Maura whispered. "Once the game is over and everything I have to do is done, I'll drive you home."
Jane nodded her head and winced at the movement. "Can you call Ma?" Jane whispered. "Tell her I'm okay."
"Sure," Maura smiled. Even with the fight she had with her mother today, Jane still wanted her involved. Maura pulled out her phone and pulled up Angela's contact. "Angela?" Maura spoke softly into the phone. "Yes she's fine. It's definitely a concussion. We're going to do a CT scan to make sure it's not a bleed or anything." Maura nodded into the phone. "She's resting in my office. We'll stop by when she's feeling better. Probably a couple of days," Maura rolled her eyes. Angela can be a lot sometimes. The reason Jane hasn't rekindled her relationship with her mother full force. They've been attending every sunday dinner they could and Jane has been calling her mother every week. But there's no more stopping by the house, until today that is.
Jane didn't invite her family to the game today. She didn't want her family there for their first home game. She hasn't had her family at a game, since that one time her college team played in Connecticut. Jane felt it was bad luck to have her family. So she just didn't mention it. "No, we won't be attending Sunday dinner tomorrow. Jane needs her rest. Yes she will call you when she feels up to it. Goodbye Angela."
Maura returned to her chair beside the brunette and rejoined their hands. "My head hurts Maur," Jane whined. "It really hurts."
"I know, we'll rest on the couch at home soon. Maybe we'll rest in the bathtub. You stink," Maura smiled up at her girlfriend.
There was a light knock on the door, "come in."
"Hey," Katie spoke softly. "How is she?"
"I'm not asleep. You can ask me," Jane opened one of her eyes and looked at her friend.
"I know you're not asleep. But you're going to tell me you're fine and I want the real answer," Katie whispered back.
"She has a mild concussion," Maura started. "She should be better by next week."
"You called Angela?" Katie spoke to Maura.
"I just got off the phone with her. I told her we weren't going to make it for dinner tomorrow. She didn't like that very much," Maura winced. She's been trying to convince Jane to get more involved with her mother. It's been six months since her mother walked out on her for the second time. Jane has been slow to open up to her mom ever since.
"Okay good," Katie whispered. "I'll call you tomorrow Jane," Katie closed the door quietly.
"Let's go get a picture of your head," Maura brushed the hair out of Jane's eyes. "Come on," she urged Jane to sit up.
"My head hurts," Jane winced as she sat up and opened her eyes.
"I know. The sooner we get that picture of your head, the sooner we can get you home," Maura pulled the brunette to a standing position. "Are you dizzy?"
"A bit," Jane winced again.
The pair walked in the direction of the CT machine. Jane's eyes closed as she was led through the bright hallway by Maura. She felt Maura urge her to sit on the table and lay down. She's been through this before. After a quick scan of her brain she felt Maura nudge her shoulder to sit up. "All done," Maura whispered. "Let's get you home."
Maura led Jane back to her office so she could collect some of her paperwork so she could work from home tomorrow. "Sit here, I'm going to go get your stuff from your locker," Maura pointed to her desk chair. The lights were still dimmed for Jane's benefit. "I'll be right back," Maura watched the brunette nod and left the room.
She walked into the locker room. She thought all the players would have left already. Turns out they're all still celebrating the first win of the season. She walked over to Jane's locker and began packing up her bag. She grabbed the extra set of clothes Jane wore to the stadium and her sneakers.
"Dr. Isles?" Brooke walked up to Maura timidly.
"Yes Brooke?" Maura turned to look at the rookie.
"How's Jane?" Brooke shifted her weight. "I know you're not allowed to tell me what happened. I just wanted to know if she was okay."
"She's probably going to be out for a week. We still have to wait for imaging," Maura explained. "I better get back to her."
"Oh, of course. Tell her I'm thinking about her?" Brooke asked.
"Of course," Maura smiled as she took Jane's belongings and walked towards her office. She opened the door softly and found Jane's eyes closed.
"No sleeping," Maura reminded. She watched the brunette open her eyes to meet hers. Jane's eyes were glassy and tired. "Out of the uniform," Maura lifted Janes shirt over her head and replaced it with the brunette's sweatshirt. She pulled the cleats and socks off Jane's feet, followed by her shorts. Jane found the sweats and sneakers on her feet in minutes. "Let's get you out of here," Maura pulled her bag and Jane's over her shoulder and led the pair towards her car.
"I have to put my uniform back," Jane whispered.
"It's taken care of. I texted Katie. Everyone is still in the locker room, celebrating," Jane nodded her head as she sat in the passenger seat of Maura's car. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the headrest.
Maura got in the driver's seat and started the car, but not before she turned off the radio. It was going to be a silent ride home.
The car pulled into the driveway and Maura rested her hand on the brunette's knee. She got out of the car and collected the bags in the backseat. Throwing the bags over her shoulder, she pulled the passenger side door open and tugged at Jane. "Let's get you in the bath," Maura tugged at the brunette again.
Jane nodded her head slightly and winced as she opened her eyes to look at the blonde. She slowly climbed out of the car and took the blonde's hand so she could be led into the house. "My head hurts Maur," she whispered.
"I know Babe," Maura unlocked the door and placed the two bags in the foyer. She expertly led Jane to the bathroom without turning any lights on. "Sit," Maura instructed as she pointed to the toilet. Maura went to turn on the bedroom light and left the bathroom door closed, allowing a slight golden hue to enter the bathroom. She lit a couple of candles around the bathtub and turned the water on.
Maura sprinkled some epsom salts and a bit of lavender oil into the water. Once Maura was satisfied with the temperature and height of the water she walked back to the brunette. "Ready?" Maura watched the brunette nod. Maura started with Jane's sweatshirt and pulled Jane to a standing position so she could pull off her pants.
Jane stepped out of the pants and pulled the blonde closer against her chest. She rested her head against the blonde's neck. Jane rested her hands on Maura's back and let the tears leak onto her dress.
Maura felt the tears running from Jane's eyes and pulled her closer. "You'll be okay," Maura consoled. "Let's get you into the tub and then into bed," Maura pulled Jane's head off of her shoulder and wiped her tears. Jane released her girlfriend and walked towards the bathtub. She settled herself into the warm water.
"You're not getting in?" Jane frowned.
"I'm going to clean the kitchen and grab my paperwork. I'll be back to check on you," Maura left the bathroom.
Jane soaked her sore muscles in the bathtub and closed her eyes, willing the pounding in her head to stop. She knows it could be worse. She could be nauseous and throw up. She could have passed out. She wanted to be really angry, because that's how she felt; However, her head hurt too much. Being angry took too much energy from her that she did not currently have.
It was an accident, Jane knew that deep down. It was the first game of the season and she couldn't even withstand all ninety minutes of the game. Now she'd be benched until her concussion symptoms resolved. It could be a couple days or a couple of weeks.
This is something she couldn't even lie to Maura about. She would see right through her. At the tail end of her rib injury, Jane lied to Maura about them feeling better. Even if sometimes she would twist the wrong way and end up with a bit of pain. If Maura found out that she lied about a head injury, Jane was sure she'd be living in her brother's closet. Even Jane knew, you never lie about head injuries.
Jane inhaled deeply as she felt the cool air from the bedroom combine with the warmth of the bathroom. "Jane?" Maura silently sneaked into the bathroom to check on her. "No sleeping."
"I'm not sleeping," Jane peaked an eye open to look at the blonde. "I'm not sleeping I promise."
"I got the official results of your CT scan, it's negative. Are you ready for bed?" Maura sat on the edge of the tub and ran her fingers through the brunette's hair.
"Yeah that's good," Jane smiled up at the blonde and stood to get out of the blissful water. The blonde wrapped a towel around her and helped her step out of the tub.
"Brush your teeth," Maura nodded towards the sink. "I'll grab you some PJs."
"No PJs," Jane pleaded as she pulled the toothbrush to her mouth. "Please?"
"Jane," Maura sighed. "It's not that I don't love you naked. But, I don't want you tempted to have sex."
"No sex," Jane whispered as she rinsed her mouth of the toothpaste. "I sleep better when we're skin against skin," Jane explained. "Please?" She puffed her lower lip out and sighed.
"Fine," Maura conceded. "She led the naked brunette to the bedroom and covered her up.
"Where are you going?" Jane lifted her head up.
"I'm going to drain the tub and blow out the candles," Maura laughed as she left the injured brunette in bed. "I'll be right back." She walked back into the room and stripped off her clothes. She sat under the covers and watched the brunette crossover the middle of the bed and rest her head on the blonde's lap.
"Hmph," Jane grumbled as she realized her head was on the blonde's lap and not her chest.
"I have to finish some paperwork," Maura looked down at Jane. She brushed her hands through Jane's hair. "Sleep my love, I'll wake you up in an hour." Maura continued to run her fingers through Jane's hair, effectively lulling her to sleep.
Maura pulled a folder from her bag by the bed and continued stroking the brunette's hair. Maura occasionally released Jane's hair in order to make some notes, but she always returned her hand. She brushed her fingers through Jane's hair more forcefully as she bent to whisper in her ear. "Jane," she whispered. "Open your eyes for me," Maura's hand moved from Jane's hair to her cheek. She was being stubborn.
Jane adjusted her position and buried her head further into the blonde's lap. "Hmmmm," Jane moaned into the blonde's lap.
"Open your beautiful brown eyes," Maura encouraged as she lightly pulled the brunette out of her slumber.
"Maur," Jane whispered as she nuzzled herself closer to the blonde.
"How's your head?" Maura questioned as she continued to rub Jane's cheek.
"It hurts still," Jane whispered as she felt Maura wiggle down and come face to face to her. "But it's getting better."
"Good," Maura leaned in to kiss the brunette. "Any nausea? Ringing in the ears? Blurry vision?" Maura listed.
"No. No. and No." Jane pulled Maura close and rested her head on the blonde's shoulder. "I just want to go to sleep," Jane reached across her girlfriend to take her hand.
Maura smiled as he felt Jane pull their entwined hands to rest on her stomach. "Then sleep my love," she smirked at the brunette asleep in her arms.