Jane could not remember ever seeing Maura look so nervous before. In that moment Jane realized the blonde was equally scared and confused and she felt a surge of protectiveness rise inside of her. Jane stood up and hobbled over to Maura and offered her a hand to help her up from behind her desk. "Come on Maura," Jane said. "Let's go get comfortable in the sitting area."

Maura felt herself appraising Jane with a wary look. Logically, Maura knew that Jane would never intentionally hurt her. The other woman had put herself between Maura and danger on many numerous occasions. That was physical danger though, and Maura knew that it was possible that the upcoming conversation would be so fraught with emotional landmines that neither woman would escape unscathed. Reluctantly, she reached out to grab Jane's hand and allowed the other woman to help her up. Maura was a little surprised at both Jane's gentle squeeze and the fact that she did not let go of Maura's hand. Instead, Jane intertwined their fingers and pulled Maura over to the sitting area.

Once they were seated on the small loveseat, Maura attempted to press herself into the far corner and pulled her legs up to her chest in a protective manner. Jane, having none of Maura's attempt to create distance between them, reached over, pulling the smaller woman to her side and draped her arm along the back of the seat and around Maura's shoulders. "Relax, we will get through this," Jane whispered into the hair atop Maura's head.

Releasing a shuddering breath, Maura looked up at Jane with eyes filled with apprehension and unshed tears. "Jane, I really don't know what happened last night," Maura began, "but I am beginning to suspect I did something to make you uncomfortable. If that is the case, then I sincerely apologize. The last thing I want to do is cause you discomfort or damage our relationship in any way. Did you know the average person has between 4 and 6 dreams per night? A dream typically lasts 5 -20 minutes. Approximately 12% of people dream only in black and white."

Sensing that Maura was about to get lost in her facts and figures, Jane placed one finger to the other woman's lips to quiet her. As Jane felt Maura's warm breath on her finger she noticed Maura's eyes briefly flutter shut as her cheeks and neck took on a flushed appearance. "Shhhh Maur, it's going to be okay. There is nothing you did or could do that will damage our fr… relationship." Jane informed the nervous woman at her side.

Jane saw a tentative smile on Maura's face and decided it was time to guide the conversation to the previous night. "Maura last night while we were in bed, something woke me up. At first, I wasn't sure what it was. Then I realized you were dreaming, making some small sounds in your sleep. I know it has been a trying ten months and thought you were having a nightmare. Before I could wake you from your dream you rolled over, threw your leg over mine and snuggled up against me. I thought that meant your dream was over and I began to fall back asleep. Then you started moving around, slowly at first, then faster with a bit more purpose. Just as I realized what was happening, I felt your body tremble and jerk and heard you say my name. Maura you had a sex dream about me."

At Jane's words, Maura felt her entire body go rigid as she broke out into a cold sweat. This was bad, so much worse than she imagined. Maura wasn't sure how her emotionally immature friend could sit here so calmly for this conversation. When it came to emotions or sex, Jane was the one who physically ran away or hid behind a wall of humor and jokes. Now in a complete role reversal, Maura was the one who felt the need to run away. As she went to get up and move away, Maura felt Jane's strong arm tighten around her, locking her in place. Then Jane reached her casted hand out to Maura and Maura felt fingers, gentle but firm, under her chin tipping her face up to Jane. Maura's eyes were so tear filled that she barely took in the calm expression on Jane's face. Then Jane's words pierced through the roaring in Maura's ears, "No running Maura. We just need to talk about it. Don't worry, we will be alright. Everything will be alright."

At Jane's words a dam broke inside of Maura. She collapsed against Jane as deep sobs overtook her body. Maura couldn't have stopped crying for anything, she was lost in a pit of desperation and confusion. For all of her intelligence, Maura could not process what had happened or the jumble of emotions she was feeling. Slowly, her sobs began to quiet and Maura once again became aware of Jane's arms around her, holding her, rubbing her back, stroking her hair. Then Maura heard Jane whispering soothingly in her ear. "Shhhh, Maur. Please don't cry. It's okay. I got you. We are going to be fine. It's okay, we will figure this out together. Shhhh, no more tears. I am not mad or upset, just a little confused. Come on Maur, stop crying."

Finally, Maura finished crying. "Jane, please let go of me," she requested her voice dull and flat.

"Alright, Maura," Jane stated, releasing her grasp on the smaller woman. "Please stay here though, we need to talk about this."

Maura jumped up and began pacing the room in front of Jane. "Talk about it! Seriously Jane, what is there to talk about? I can't even believe I did that. This is unforgivable," Maura raged at Jane.

Jane opened her mouth to reply, but before any words came out Maura interrupted, her voice quieter this time. "I took advantage of you sexually. What if that had been your injured leg, I could have really hurt you. You shouldn't want to talk to me. You shouldn't even want to be near me."

Jane held up her hands, "Woah Maura, I need you to calm down. Please sit down, if not next to me, how about the chair." Jane looked and sounded like she was trying to approach an untamed horse for the first time, afraid it would bolt away any minute.

"Fine Jane," Maura forced out as she slammed her body into the chair in the small sitting area.

Jane was quiet for a second and Maura tried to mentally brace herself for another round of emotional devastation. "Maura, you didn't take advantage of me, you were asleep. I know you hate 'what ifs' so don't go there. You didn't hurt me physically. I know I am injured, but honestly if the situation got to the point where you were hurting me, or touching me any other way I would have pushed you off of me. I know you are strong, but even injured I could have stopped you. I would have stopped you if I had figured out what was happening sooner."

Maura looked at Jane incredulously. "Jane, you shouldn't have to defend yourself from me, or ward off unwanted sexual advances. I know your first instinct is always to protect me however, in this case who protected you?"

"Maura, stop talking and listen to me," Jane interrupted. "Don't just hear the words, really listen to them. You didn't hurt me. You. Were. Asleep. As for who protects me, you do. It is always you, only you. You protect me in so many ways and you are the only one I allow to see my vulnerabilities . You are the one who I trust with my emotions, my softer side. Not only that but you swooped in on a private plane and rescued me from a Maryland hospital. You are taking care of my injuries and giving me a place to live, you brought me home. Home to you and my family. I didn't bring up your dream to shame you, to make you feel bad, or because I was looking for an apology. I wanted to talk about it because I want to understand. I want to know the reasons behind the dream. If I knew you were going to react like this, I never would have said anything. Please Maura, please calm down. We really are okay. We never have to talk about this again if it upsets you."

Maura really couldn't believe Jane was letting her off the hook like that but decided to take her friend at her word. "Jane, what exactly do you want to know? I will tell you whatever you want," Maura stated tiredly.

Jane looked at how tired and emotionally spent Maura appeared and realized that she felt much the same way. "Maura, I think we are both too tired for the rest of this conversation right now. I know originally we were going to try to watch an episode of Bridgerton before dinner, instead let's take a nap. Then we can have dinner and continue this talk," Jane suggested.

"I think that sounds like a good suggestion," Maura agreed.

Jane watched as Maura walked over to the bed and yanked down the blankets and then grabbed four extra pillows and created a barricade between the two sides of the bed. Feeling satisfied with her pillow wall, Maura climbed into the bed. Jane just shook her head and then slowly got into bed. Jane grabbed each of the pillows and one by one she tossed them onto the floor next to the bed.

"Jane," Maura exclaimed. "I think the pillow wall was a good solution to prevent any untoward behavior on my part. Why did you throw the pillows on the floor?"

"Maura, you need to stop catastrophizing this. We don't need a pillow barricade, in fact I really want to hold you right now, I would if everything didn't hurt so much" Jane stated matter of factly.

"Jane," Maura replied. "If you really think it is okay, I can hold you for now. Only if it doesn't make you uncomfortable."

Jane smiled happily as she scooted over and settled herself into Maura's arms for a much needed nap.

At first, Maura was determined to stay awake while Jane slept. She believed this to be the only way to guarantee she wouldn't embarrass herself further. However, it seemed Jane could sense Maura's intentions. "Maura," Jane gently chided. "Sleep, you need it as much as I do."

With that both women settled in for a dreamless nap, content to table the rest of the conversation for later.