"What was that back there?" Jane asked, gesturing back to the room.

"Just...helping out a friend," Rachel smirked as she turned Jane's words from earlier around on her.

"Well, I really owe you one," Jane said, rubbing the back of her neck.

Rachel just smiled and disappeared with the unwanted breakfast tray.

...

Three days had passed and Maura was more than ready to go home. She felt much stronger, passed all of the cognitive tests with flying colors and her wound had begun to heal nicely.

Dr. Parker had cleared her to be released in the afternoon and she was excited to never have to see him again. Jane had been free to go the night they arrived but she spent all of her free time at the hospital visiting Maura which meant that Dr. Parker was always around to "check on her". Maura couldn't stand it and she hated herself for that. If Jane was to start seeing Dr. Parker, she would be supportive but she wouldn't be happy about it. Same with any other relationship Jane has had since Maura has known her.

She hated Agent Dean, and it was not just because he crashed their undercover operation and it caused Jane to shoot her father which caused one of the worst fights she and Jane had ever had. She loathed Casey because he acted like Jane was an object that was there solely for his enjoyment whenever he pleased and then Maura would have to wipe Jane's tears when he'd undoubtedly leave her. There were a few others here and there but none of them were ever good enough for Jane as far as Maura was concerned.

Maura secretly wondered if Jane had felt that way about any of the men she has dated. She had no other choice, she knew she couldn't pursue a romantic relationship with Jane because it was too risky. She had accepted the fact that she would have to settle for Jane's friendship because having her in her life only as her best friend was better than not having her in her life at all.

Maura couldn't stop her racing thoughts. For the last 3 days she's had nothing but time to sit and think while she healed. She had thought a lot about her relationship with the Detective and even though it would be difficult, she knew she would have to push it all away again once she got home. She wanted things to be exactly as they were before she went into the hospital, so she had to get her mind right before then.

She decided to make better use of her time. She got up and started straightening up her room, making sure not to overdo it. Jane would be there to pick her up and take her home shortly and the least she could do was repack the overnight, turned 3 night stay, bag that Angela had brought her. She folded all of her clothes and placed them in the bag perfectly. She cleaned up any wrappers or soda cans that Jane had left the night before and made up her bed even though she knew Rachel would be in to change her linens at some point. Just as she finished up, Rachel entered the room holding a small bowl.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Isles," Rachel said as she looked around and admired Maura's work.

"Keeping busy, I see?"

"I felt like I had to do something or else I might have gone crazy waiting for Jane to arrive!"

"You sure are excited to see her, aren't you?" Rachel asked, giving Maura a sly smile.

"I am always excited to see Jane but today, she gets to bring me home!"

"I bet she does..." Rachel said under her breath.

"I'm sorry?" Maura asked with a genuine look of confusion on her face.

"I brought you this," Rachel rebounded quickly.

"I figured you might want one more helping of the rice pudding since it was the only thing you seemed to actually like from the cafeteria," she said with a chuckle.

"Thank you, Rachel, that's very thoughtful of you. You've been so kind to Jane and I. I don't know how we could ever repay you!"

"Oh, I appreciate that but there's no need! I'm just doing my job, Dr. Isles!"

"Please, call me Maura," she said with a bright smile. The kind where she flashed her dimples and melted the heart of anyone who was lucky enough to receive one.

Rachel suddenly understood why Jane was over the moon for this woman. Even though she almost got run over and suffered a head injury, she looked like she was about to strut down a Paris runway. She was gorgeous but her features were kind and approachable. She didn't make Rachel feel less than just because she undoubtedly had more money than Rachel could ever dream of.

"Ok, Dr. Maura. Honestly, just knowing that you feel better is enough for me!"

"I do, thank you!"

Rachel set the rice pudding on the tray by Maura's bed and turned to leave. Just before she reached the door, she turned around.

"Actually Dr. Isl...Maura. There is one thing you could do for me!"