A/N: Hey guys! I know it's been forever since I updated this story (or any story), but I'm back and ready to write! I want to say thank you to anyone who has read and commented in my absence. I appreciate it so much. I plan to be regularly updating all my fics from now on until they are complete. I also have a new Criminal Minds (Jemily) fic called My Cure that's set in the current season. I hope you guys like this chapter, as things are so much better for Maura and Jane. I'd be eternally grateful for any reviews!
The lamp was still on in Maura's room and she had fallen asleep sitting up, with a notebook in her lap. The bedroom felt strangely uninviting. Jane didn't want to wake Maura, but she'd come too far to leave. She lifted the notebook off of Maura, taking extra care not to look at what was written there. The last thing she needed was for Maura to wake up and think Jane was invading her privacy. She hesitated before doing anything else because she wasn't sure exactly what to do. She reached for the lamp, deciding to just turn it off and go to the guest room.
"Jane?" Maura asked suddenly, voice hoarse.
"I'm sorry, Maur, I didn't mean to wake you. I'll just go to the other room and..."
"No. It's okay. Stay with me."
Jane hesitated for a minute, but then removed her shoes and got into Maura's bed. Maura reached up and turned off the lamp, then settled down on her side, facing away from Jane.
"Maur?" Jane whispered.
"No," Maura answered quickly. "Not now."
—
The next morning when Jane woke up, Maura wasn't in the room. She weighed her options carefully before deciding to go look for her friend. Maura stood in the kitchen, whisking something, with a boring lecture playing on her iPad. Her hair was wet and she wore a light blue silk robe thing. Her cheeks were a little flushed, whether from a hot shower or pregnancy glow, Jane wasn't sure. She was sure, on the other hand, that Maura looked beautiful. Happy, even.
"Hey, Maur." Jane's signature rasp was more prominent than usual, likely from lack of sleep.
"Jane," Maura smiled. "I'm glad you're awake. I'm making you an omelet."
"Is it made out of kale?"
"No, it's made out of eggs and cheese and bell peppers and ham."
"Seriously? Are you feeling alright?"
"Yes, Jane, I'm fine. I'm feeling better than I have in weeks."
"Well, you definitely look good."
"I look well, you mean."
"No, Maura. I mean you look good." Jane blushed, but tried to hide it by walking over to her friend. Maura stopped whisking and turned to Jane and they wrapped their arms around each other. Jane rested her chin on top of Maura's head, something she loved to do, but rarely got to because of Maura's typical footwear choices. Nothing about this hug was typical. It lasted at least twice as long as any other they'd shared and Jane was hyperaware of the very thin silk that separated her from Maura's bare skin.
"I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am," Jane started.
"No, don't," Maura murmured into tangled black curls. "I already know. You don't have to say anything else."
"I do, though. I need you to know that I'm in this with you. Every day, every night, every step of the way. I love you so much and I'm here for you, whatever you need."
"I know that you love me, but when you say you're in this, what do you mean?" Maura pulled back from the hug, but kept her hands gripping Jane's forearms.
"That I'll be here for you. Whatever you decide to do, I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere." Jane wasn't sure what the right answer was here.
"I'm keeping the baby."
"Good. Then I'll be here for that."
"For what? How exactly are you going to be here?" Maura was still looking for the answer she wanted.
"Whatever it is you need, Maura. I will be and do whatever you need."
"What about what I want?" Maura bit her lip.
"Sure." Jane shrugged. "Within reason. Of course I will give you what you want. Like pickles, ice cream, an actual, real burger..."
Maura reached her hands up and put them on either side of Jane's head, gently pulling her down until their foreheads touched. "You will never fully understand me."
"I understand you better than anyone."
"That's what I'm afraid of," Maura whispered.
