AN: ok I'm in agony writing this in bed at 7.30 pm, I hurt people. Be kind.

December 18th

They had left the party last night with barely a drop of alcohol in their systems, so Jane couldn't put a finger on why her skull felt three sizes too small for her brain that morning. With her knees tucked to her chest and duvet thoroughly wrapped around her it was only when she squeezed it tighter with no resistance she realised Maura wasn't there with her.

She tried to call out but a croak in her voice just made an indecipherable sound, she let out a small groan at an embarrassingly high pitch. Something wasn't quite right, and just why couldn't she get warm? Maybe Maura had opened the window. Instead of trying to call again she fumbled for her phone.

[Why is it freezing in here?]

A few minutes later Maura walked into the room with a tray laden with several items. Looking to the mass of bedding she tried to find Jane. There was a small opening, just large enough so as not to cover mere nose and mouth. With a fingertip she gently stroked the skin at the bridge of her nose, dark hazel eyes opened.

"How are you feeling sweetie?"

"I would normally take this time to make a witty comparison, but all I can come up with is, crap. I feel like crap."

Maura nodded knowingly. "You were burning up when I woke this morning. I've been putting together some things for you. First of all, honey tea for your throat. Some decongestion and pain killers. A banana, don't look at me like that, your throat hurts and this isn't going to scratch it. And a hot water bottle, to help you get comfy."

"You got me all this because I was running a fever?"

"Always best to meet it head on, no need to suffer in silence."

"Well it's worked for thirty years,"

"First of all, you have me, so I won't let you. And second knowing you like I do, you may have suffered, but it definitely wasn't in silence."

The crinkle of Jane's eyebrows told her she was smiling under all the bedding.

"Now drink up before it gets cold. I've already called into work for you."

Jane wanted to roll her eyes at all the fuss, but she had grown used to Maura taking care of her when she was sick. Truthfully, she was the only one she actually wanted to.

About an hour and a steaming shower later Jane had managed to make it downstairs, but her duvet had followed. Hiding under it on the sofa she tucked in all the edges to ward off any encroaching drafts. Maura couldn't understand why she didn't want to just stay in bed, surely it would be more comfortable. Reading the news on her tablet she looked up with a smile when Angela walked extremely quietly into the kitchen.

"How's she feeling?" It was practically a whisper,

"In her words, like crap. Why are we whispering?"

Angela looked over to the sofa, almost hiding behind the bemused doctor.

"Jane gets very tetchy when she's sick,"

Maura nodded, "I remember, but that still doesn't explain why you're hiding from her."

"She doesn't like me 'mothering' her at the best of times. When she gets sick? Oh boy. But ever since you two became friends, long before you got what you have now, she rarely did around you. She lets you take care of her."

There was a brief flash of hurt across the elder Rizzoli's face, Maura caught it and placed a hand on her arm.

"I don't give her a choice, it doesn't mean she likes it." They shared a knowing smile before a deep croaky voice shocked them.

"Don't think I can't hear you two in there conspiring. I'm sick, not deaf."

The doctor went to the fridge and pulled out two bottles of water then walked over to the Jane burrito on the couch.

"You need to keep hydrated Jane, you can take some more pain killers in two hours."

"Wait, you're not staying with me? Where are you going?"

She put her hands on her hips and looked down, "Sweetie, it's a bug, not the Black Death. You'll live without me for a little while."

"But..."

"Try and get some more sleep too. We'll be back soon."

"We?"

"Yes, Angela and I need to finish our Christmas preparations."

Taking advantage of the fact that Jane couldn't see Angela's questioning face Maura picked up her purse and coat before ushering them both out the door.

"Maura, I've got everything, I thought you had to."

"I've bought it all yes, I've not wrapped it all."

"So what are we doing?"

"We are going to enjoy some ridiculously over priced coffee until Jane cracks and asks us both to come back. She might be a grown up now, but she's still a big girl when she's sick."

"Maura darling, you are getting good at this!"

The blonde shrugged with a smile before they climbed into the car.

Jane snuggled into the duvet, sneaking a hand out to try and grab the TV remotes. There had to be something good to entertain her for a small while. Jo was sat on the other side of the sofa and saw her patting the sofa trying to locate the remote. The small terrier jumped up and tried to pounce on her, unable to recognise that the strange 'animal' moving around was in fact her owner's hand.

"Jo what the, what are you doing?"

Sucking her hand back safely under the duvet, small paws tried to dig it back out again. In the excitement Jane heard a tell tale clatter that told her the tv remotes were now on the floor. She dropped her head back and groaned, and then winced at the pain in her throat. She did her best to glare at the dog, who offered her a lopsided look in return.

"Fine. No tv then. Maybe I should try and get some sleep instead."

Allowing herself to fall to the side, albeit slowly, she got comfortable and rearranged the duvet as best she could. Tucking her hands under her chin she felt an ominously familiar sensation.

"I do not need to pee. I do not, need to pee."

Checking the time on her phone, noticing that it was devoid of messages but that they had been gone for several hours. They decided that it was perhaps time to go home. Making one quick to go order at the counter the two made their way home.

Silently entering the kitchen Maura put the kettle onto boil to make some more tea for Jane. Angela tiptoed into the living room to check on her daughter.

"Um Maura honey, Jane's not here."

"What? She must be upstairs,"

"I don't think so. Does it seem a little too quiet?"

"Jo Friday, Jane must have took her out."

The back door slipped shut with a barely perceptible click, but the excited scampering of small paws gave away her return. Two sets of stern eyes turned to her.

"I needed to pee,"

"Outside?"

"Well no, I needed to pee, then Jo needed to, so I took her. I really didn't expect you two back already."

"There had better be more than just your pyjamas on under that coat Jane,"

The detective ran a hand through her hair looking everywhere but at Maura,

"Jane you are sick! Going out in this weather without proper attire is just going to make it worse. Get upstairs now and run a bath."

Without a word the brunette slunk away and up the stairs. At the sound of the boiler starting up for the hot water Maura nodded, satisfied for the moment.

"Ok, just how did you do that Maura? Jane would always back chat and argue then I would have to take her tv privileges away. Even then she would still have an attitude."

"There are certain privileges she has now that she didn't then, and I am not above taking them away at back chat. Especially when she's sick. Call it an incentive to get better."

For someone so seemingly brazen, even Angela had a blush creeping up her neck.