Here's another plot bunny of a drabble that wouldn't leave me alone before I wrote it down. Just some soft Jeller, Jane worrying over our favorite Grumpchkin, who's a little worse for wear.

Thanks again for take2intotheshower for the beta.

I'm tagging this for the blindspothiatusproject BSPromptChallenge, and namely L- Love.

Worse for Wear

"Another long and difficult day done."

That was the thought that first entered Jane's brain as she unlocked the door to their apartment and brushed her hand lightly up and down Kurt's arm as he shuffled past her to go in.

A quiet groan slipped past his lips as he removed his jacket and hung it in the closet. Jane reined in her instinct to go help him, forcing herself to give him some space instead, despite the pain visible on Kurt's face.

Once again, it seemed that Murphy's Law had won the day. Another suspect had decided he didn't want to go to prison, deciding to fight his way out. He had eventually ended up in the hospital with a gunshot wound, but not before he had managed to break two of Kurt's fingers and to bruise or fracture a couple of his ribs.

She watched as he gingerly made his way into the kitchen to get himself a drink. His movements were measured, cautious. He had to resort to using his left hand as the splinted fingers in his right made it difficult to use it.

Coming up behind Kurt, Jane cautiously ran her hand up and down his back, taking in his weary complexion and the deep lines on his face, evidence of the day. "Do you want to eat something?" She asked gently. "We could order in."

Kurt shook his head. "No, thanks. I'm pretty tired, I should probably go to bed."

She leaned in closer, kissing his cheek. "Okay. I'll empty the dryer, and I'll be right there."

Kurt was sitting on the bed as Jane entered; she could see the exhaustion in him, in his body language. He sat there, tired-eyed and slightly slumped, no doubt going over everything that had happened today. She laid her hand on his shoulder, startling him.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."

He shook his head, evidently regretting the movement as he hissed sharply before speaking. "It's okay. I just zoned out for a minute."

Running her hand over his shoulders, she felt the tension in his trembling muscles even through the fabric. She noticed Kurt close his eyes as she kept up the caresses.

Leaning in, she touched her lips to a cut on his temple. "Take off your shirt and lie down. I'll see if I can loosen some of the knots in your shoulders."

Kurt didn't say anything, his eyes shining with love and gratitude as they met hers.

Grunting, he fumbled with the buttons, his discomfort evident to Jane.

"Here, let me help," she said, moving his injured hand to the side, starting to unbutton the shirt.

Kurt gave a tired sigh. "Jane, you don't have to –."

"Yes, I do," she murmured softly. Unfastening the last button, she smiled at him as she pulled one side of the garment over his uninjured side.

He grimaced at the strain of movement as she carefully slid the shirt off him.

Her breath caught in her throat, as she looked at him sitting there, dressed only in his jeans. But this time the reason wasn't lust or desire, but sadness.

Biting her lip, she reached out, running her fingers lightly over the still darkening bruises that covered his side and his torso.

Moisture lined her eyelids as she traced her index finger over a particularly angry looking contusion.

"Oh, Kurt…."

Taking her hand, he brushed his thumb against her knuckles, giving her a loving smile and gazing at her.

"Hey. …This isn't your fault."

Her heart melted at his tender tone. God, she loved him so much.

She cupped his cheek, feeling the stubble against her palm as he closed his eyes and leaned into her touch.

"Come on, lie down."

He grabbed his pillow and gingerly sought out a comfortable position. "Jane, I'm – "

"Fine," she finished for him, shaking her head. "I know. Which is why you're favoring your left as you walk, and grimacing at the slightest movement." She ran her hand through his hair and down to the nape of his neck. "At least let me try to loosen your shoulders a little before you go to sleep. It'll be easier for you to breathe sitting up, but your shoulders might not like sleeping like that." Smiling, Jane saw him close his eyes as she brushed her fingers up and down his neck soothingly. "I still need to get the cold pack for your ribs, but let me do this first. Please?"

"Mmhh, okay," he mumbled.

Jane slid her hands to Kurt's left shoulder and started massaging it lightly, only to be met with a low, miserable groan from him.

"Oh, damn. Why do you always find the sore muscles?"

She hummed in reply. "Because I can see how tense you are."

"Point taken."

She was careful not to put too much pressure into her movements, so that she wouldn't aggravate his battered ribs. She kept massaging the muscles, feeling him slowly relax under her touch. A hum escaped him as Jane felt the tension melt away under her touch. A few minutes later she was satisfied that she'd loosened the worst knots so that he'd be more comfortable.

"Okay, there we go. Now I'm going to get that cold pack for your ribs… Kurt?"

Jane smiled: he had fallen asleep. His face was finally relaxed, the tension gone and his breathing was calm.

Not having the heart to wake him to get him under the covers, she took a throw blanket from the chair and tenderly draped it over him before kissing his cheek.

She'd get the cold pack for him later. For now, she'd let him sleep.