N: one more for the weekend. Enjoy!

Maura

I rushed down the hallway, checking my watch with every step. I was thirty minutes late for Jane's afternoon physical therapy session. I wanted to be present to cheer her on as she worked on walking out of the hospital. I came around the corner to find Jane shuffling with a cane in her hand, the fingers of the other skimmed the wall next to her. A nurse was three steps behind her just in case.

I grinned at the sight and stopped to watch. Jane had a stern look of concentration on her face. She looked up, catching me staring at her and shook her head.

"Maur, stop staring. It makes me nervous." She walked over to me, stopping a few inches away. "I did three laps today. The doctor is looking to let me go if I can find some sort of home care." She sighed, wiping away the spots of sweat forming on her forehead. "Ma and I have been fighting. She wants to temporarily move in, and I told her no way in hell. I'd rather live in Frankie's closet than have ma move in."

I smiled. "Frankie told me this morning at the scene. He was exasperated by how stubborn you both are." I laid a hand on the top of her wrist. "I might have a solution, if you're willing to hear me out."

"Anything. I love my ma, but I need my space." Jane huffed. "And I need a soft bed. These hospital beds are horrible on my bones."

I chuckled, slipping to her side to link my arm in hers. "Shall we walk and talk? Frankie said that's one of your favorite things to do."

She shrugged. "It saves time. I always seem to be in a hurry." She sighed, leaning ever so slightly into my side. "So, have you found me a big burly nurse to carry me up the stairs and make sure I eat my veggies?"

I furrowed my brow. "Maybe, if you consider my body type to be burly and large." I glanced at her. "I believe you're mobile enough to climb stairs on your own, slowly. As for the veggies, I do have plans to make sure you eat a well balanced diet that's filled with nutrient's. Angela gave me a list of items you'll actually eat." I tugged Jane to keep moving.

"Wait. You aren't suggesting I come home with you?" Jane shook her head. "Maura, that's too much. We sort of barely know each other. We're almost strangers. I can't ask you to take on the task of babysitting me. I got myself into this mess, I need to get myself out of it."

I held onto Jane, preventing her from escaping the conversation. "You're my friend, someone I care deeply for. You're far from a stranger." I smirked, looking up into her eyes. "Plus, I'm new to the city and could use someone to guide me around." I paused, turning to hold onto Jane's arms. "Don't make me beg. I'd like to do this for you. After everything you've done for me." I tilted my head down.

I heard Jane huff. "Do you have cable? If I'm going to sit on my ass, I'll need entertainment." I chuckled as she found my hands with hers. "Maura, if at anytime it gets to be too much. Kick me out. Call ma and send me home." She wrapped her fingers in mine. "I'm not the best patient and this time around, I fear the recovery is going to be rougher than the others."

I heard the fear in her voice and I almost pressed the question about her nightmares and Charles Hoyt having such a hold on her psyche. "I'm having the high speed internet and full cable package installed this evening. It'll be ready by the time you get home tonight."

Jane's eyes lit up when she heard me. "What? Did you just say home tonight?" She squeezed my hand harder. "Don't mess with me."

"I'm not. I met with Dr. Carbon downstairs, which is why I was late. He said if I could get you to agree to coming into my care, he would release you tonight." I studied her face, excitement mingling with nerves. Things between us were tense, unusual and in a way I hoped this drastic move could bring us back together. I loved Jane. I was in love with her, but had no clue how to move forward after this month long pause in our world. Where we once rushed everything, it was now back to being slow and cautious. Jane was healing and I was learning Jane. I took in a slow breath, watching the smile form on Jane's face.

"Well, lets get walking back to my room so I can pack and get the hell out of here." She pulled me to follow her as she shuffled back at a quicker pace. "Please tell me you have a shower with endless hot water? I cannot handle another day hunched over because I'm too tall for the shower."

I nodded, listening to Jane ramble on about finally being granted her freedom. I just hoped I was doing the right thing.

Jane

"You don't do small, do you Dr. Isles?" Jane leaned against the doorway into the guest bedroom. She cocked an eyebrow my way as I set her bag down. "This room is at least half the size of the house I grew up in. And that bed, I didn't know they made room sized beds."

I rolled my eyes. "The bedrooms are an appropriate size for a house like this. It's smaller than the master." I walked to the closet, opening it. "Angela brought over some of your things. I wasn't sure how particular you were about organization, so I left it." I pointed to the en suite bathroom. "Bathroom with a full shower and tub is there. I've stocked the linen closet with toiletries and towels. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to bring in a television. The only one is in the living room for now." I pointed behind her. "The kitchen you saw, the living room and the backyard. The stairs lead to the master and my office. You have free roam of the entire home. I will leave the computer in my office unlocked in case you want to email or surf the internet."

I laughed, holding my hand up to stop her. "I'll make sure to give you a five star rating, Maura." I pushed off the doorframe as she walked to me. "I still can't believe you're doing this." I paused. "Are you sure? I'm a pain in the ass." A pain in the ass with wicked nightmares that tore me from sleep and shook me long into the day.

Maura nodded as she took my elbow to guide me back into the living room. "I'm sure. Now sit. Angela made some food for us. I'll heat it up while you find something to watch." She let me go and trailed off into the kitchen.

I hobbled to the massive cloud of a couch and fell into the cushions, sighing at how it molded to my body. "What's your favorite movie?" It was a silly nervous question, but even though I was utterly comfortable with Maura, I had no clue what she liked outside of science, her job, and maybe me.

"I don't have one, Jane."

Shocked, I turned and leaned over the top of the couch. "You have to have a favorite movie! It's part of being a human! A walking breathing human has a favorite movie, favorite food, favorite sport team, favorite song, and favorite vacation spot!" I threw my hands up, wincing as the skin pulled on my right hand.

Maura smiled gracefully, filling bowls of ma's beef stew. "I enjoy French cuisine and my favorite song is too silly to share." She picked up the bowls and walked to the couch, setting a steaming one in front of me before placing a napkin and spoon next to it. "Sport team, no. Movie, no. Vacation spot, I've not taken one in a few years." Her smile turned sad when she met my eyes. "I'm boring."

I saw the sting of the comment hit deep. It reminded me of that jerk Quinn talking shit about how Maura was better off with the dead than the living. "Far from it." I searched her eyes, loving how the hazel shifted to a dark copper green. "Sit." I suddenly wanted to kiss her. Kiss her senseless until boring was the last word in her brain.

Maura let out a soft sigh. "I forgot the drinks. I'll be right back." She spun around on her heel, heading back to the kitchen. "I have a lovely pressed kale juice mixed with pineapple. It's full of vitamins and will be the perfect sweet side to the stew."

I watched her shoulders tighten. Maura was being distant. Weird. "Sounds highly disgusting and healthy, but you're the boss, doc, I have to trust you." I turned back to the television. "But I'm going to school you in the world of movies. I know just the one." I fired up the streaming service and found the one movie that always made me feel better as a kid. The Princess Bride. "Maura, after watching this one, I dare you to find another that could ever compare."

I wiggled until I was comfortable, the bowl of stew on my lap. Maura sat next to me, setting the orangish green glass of juice next to me. I half gagged when I saw it, earning a dirty look from Maura. I groaned, lifting the glass up and taking a sip. I was surprised at how good it was. I smirked at the satisfied grin on her face. "Fine, you win. It's tasty."

"One day you'll trust me." Maura's comment had as underlying tone. I let it slide, nudging her to pay attention to the movie.

"One day." I winked, throwing some humor to ease the tension. It was our first day, night, together. Things were going to be awkward. We were strangers. She was my temporary care taker, and I was struggling for my feelings for her. A new development that struck in the car ride home. Panic, fear, stupidity. All the usual things that weighed me down when I was climbing out of the ashes of a case gone sideways.

I sighed and focused on my stew. It would get better. I just needed time.

Maura

I wiped down the counters, making sure everything was back to order. Jane had gone to bed after I made her. She'd fallen asleep halfway through her dinner. She reluctantly went to bed, claiming she needed to watch the rest of the movie. I told her it would be there in the morning and she could eat pancakes and watch the rest. That earned me a blush and a patented Jane Rizzoli grin.

As soon as I covered her with a blanket, she was asleep. The day's activity taking a toll on her healing body. I left her sleeping peacefully to clean up the kitchen before heading to my room to work on unpacking more of my things. Things I left in boxes, too worried about Jane to organize my new life.

After folding the towel, I grabbed a bottle of wine and a small glass. I poured the wine, a mantra in my thoughts of how much I needed to relax. This day had been very cautious and tense. I had to relax, settle down and treat things normally. It was Angela's advice on handling her daughter. Don't put Jane in a place where she feels cornered. Let her open up first. I just didn't know how to do that.

I took a small sip of the rich Merlot, letting the alcohol warm my tongue before swallowing it. The clock over the oven told me it was close to midnight. I could work on one box of books before heading to bed. I could achieve seven hours of sleep before rising to start the day. I began to mentally plan my outfit, the day's schedule, and organize which lab reports were left to be processed.

I found my nerves edging away as I fell into old habits of a solitary life. I sighed, setting the glass into the sink. I walked down the hall, passing the guest room. Pausing for a moment with a hand on the doorknob. I frowned to myself, Jane's words that she didn't like to be smothered ringing in my ears.

I let my hand fall away from the door and continued onto the stairs. An unintentional smile gracing my lips as I remembered how it felt to be wrapped up in Jane's warmth that night she stayed over. I felt protected, warm, loved.

My foot landed on the first step, when I heard Jane moaning. Turning my head to the guest room, the moaning grew louder. Without hesitation, I rushed back to the guest room and opened the door. Jane was thrashing about in the bed, the blankets tangling her limbs. She moaned, groaned her face contorted in pain as she mumbled.

"No. No. Stay away from her. Come get me, Hoyt. I'm who you want."

I rushed to the edge of the bed, laying a hand on her thigh. "Jane, you're safe. You're fine." I didn't want to wake her up. It would be better to draw her out of the nightmare slowly, calmly.

"NO! Don't touch me you bastard!" Jane yelled, sitting straight up in the bed and swung her left hand.

I barely had time to duck, but her fist caught the edge of my jaw. The strike hurt and brought me to my feet. I backed away from the bed as Jane growled like a wild animal. Her eyes wide in the dark room.

"Don't, Hoyt. I will watch you burn."

I stumbled to the door, flicking the lights on, startling Jane out of the darkness. She covered her eyes with both of her hands, wincing from the pain of the light.

I swallowed hard as my jaw throbbed. "Jane. I'm not Hoyt." My voice shook as I spoke. I fought the tears, but was too scared to come near Jane.

Her hands fell away from her face and she looked at me. Her brown eyes wide and teary. "Oh my god, Maura." She reached for me. "I thought he was here. Grabbing me." She sputtered, a sob falling out as she covered her mouth. "I hit you."

"It's fine, Jane. You were having a bad dream." I stepped back out of the room. "I'll get you some water." I tried to smile, but the look on Jane's face was breaking my heart. I wanted to run to her, hold her. But she was crying and wouldn't look at me. Only mumbling incoherently.

I ran to the bathroom off the kitchen. I closed the door and grabbed onto the edge of the sink, trying to calm my heart down. I glanced in the mirror. An angry red welt was forming on my jaw. I would have a healthy purple bruise in the morning. A bruise I'd have a hard time lying about.

I took a few more minutes to settle down before heading to the kitchen for the glass of water. I took a deep breath and walked back to the guest bedroom.

The room was dark once more. I saw Jane sitting in the middle of the bed, breathing heavily. I went to turn on the lights when I heard her.

"Don't. Just leave them off." Her voice was raspy, broken.

"Jane. I have the water." I went to move into the room when she spoke again.

"Don't, Maura. Leave me. Please." Her voice trembled and I knew she was crying. "Please."

Against my will, I nodded in the dark and left her. Closing the door behind me as she fell into sobs.

I leaned against the closed door, tears rolling down my cheeks. My heart breaking at the sound of Jane crying. I sucked in a slow breath, wiping away the tears. I'd let her have this one night.

Tomorrow I'd start my own fight with Charles Hoyt.