Characters aren't mine.
The drive home took about twenty minutes, including the stop at the pharmacy. Maura pulled up to Jane's building and cut the engine. Jane unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to open her door.
"Wait for me to get over there to help you Jane," Maura instructed.
"Babe, I'm not an invalid," Jane replied indignantly.
"I know that Jane," the doctor replied. "I just don't want anything to derail your recovery. If you cause your stitches to tear it will take longer for you to heal."
"What are your plans for me when I am healed?" Jane asked playfully.
"You will just have to wait and see," Maura smiled at Jane.
"Well, in that case, I will do whatever it takes to heal as quickly as possible," the brunette smiled back as Maura held her hand out to help her stand. Before she stood up, Jane pulled Maura down for a kiss. She then let Maura hoist her out of the car. Once standing, Maura draped Jane's arm around her shoulders. When she didn't feel the detective's weight on her she said, "Jane, sweetie, you can put lean on me. You will be able to walk easier if you do."
"I don't want to hurt you, babe."
"You won't hurt me Jane," the M.E. said. "I may be smaller than you, but that doesn't mean I'm weak."
"I didn't mean it like that Maur," Jane replied, not wanting to her Maura's feelings. "I know you're stronger than you look."
"Then let me support your body so we can get inside without the need for new stitches."
"Fine," Jane replied. Maura didn't falter with the added weight on her shoulders. She wrapped her arm around Jane's waist, causing a slight shiver to reverberate through the taller woman's body. Maura smiled when she heard Jane let out a contented sigh and then rest her head on the top of her own. She helped Jane up the front steps and, with the keys already in her hand, Maura unlocked and opened the front door without having to let go of the detective. Jane headed towards the stairs before Maura pulled her in a different direction. "Elevator," Maura answered when she noticed the confused look on Jane's face.
"Oh yeah," replied Jane. "Sorry, habit," she smiled at Maura.
"Not a problem, sweetie," the doctor smiled back. "It's why I'm here after all. To help you," she continued as they entered the elevator.
"Is that the only reason?" asked Jane, encompassing Maura in her arms as she spoke.
"Not the only reason," Maura replied. "I enjoy being in your company. Taking care of you is just an added bonus."
"You think you're gonna like taking care of me?" Jane asked earnestly. "I've been told I can be incredibly stubborn and difficult."
"I am aware of that," the blonde replied. "We have been working together for two years now Jane," she continued, "I have found ways around your stubbornness."
"Have you now?"
"Yes," Maura replied. "Well… there's the smile that I know you can't refuse," she explained with a flash of her dimples. "And now that I know how you feel about me, how my touch affects you, I have new ideas of how I can get you to comply with my instructions." Maura the lightly ran her fingertips across Jane's cheekbone. Jane leaned into the touch. She was about to lean down to kiss her when Maura stood up on the tips of her toes and captured Jane's lips in a searing kiss. Jane moaned into the kiss causing Maura to kiss her with even more passion. Just then, the elevator doors opened. Maura pulled away, leaving Jane's arm draped over her shoulder again.
As they exited the elevator, Maura wrapped her arm around the detective's waist again for support as they walked to her apartment. Jane planted a kiss in the blonde's hair and whispered, "I love you."
Maura squeezed Jane's waist gently. "I love you, too." Maura unlocked the apartment door and guided the brunette over to the couch. Jane winced as she was lowered to the couch. Maura noticed, panic evident on her face. "I'm sorry. Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, babe," Jane answered quickly, not wanting Maura to worry unnecessarily. "It only hurt as I was lowered to the couch. Now that I'm down, I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Jane smiled at her. "I won't be running any marathons anytime soon, but I'm fine. I'm bound to be a little sore, right?"
"I suppose," Maura answered. "I'm going to get our things out of the car. I'll be right back," the blonde said as she turned to leave.
"Wait," Jane said, grabbing hold of Maura's arm. "Can't you just sit with me for a minute?" she asked as she pulled the M.E. down next to her on the couch.
"It seems as though I don't have a choice," Maura giggled.
"Not really, no," Jane smiled back. She pulled Maura against her side.
"Careful, Jane," Maura started.
"I am being careful," the brunette interrupted. "I just want to hold you for a minute," she said as she kissed Maura's cheek. "But, if you'd rather not…"
Maura silenced her with a kiss. "I would love nothing more that to just relax in your arms. I just don't want to hurt you."
"How 'bout you let me tell you if I'm in pain," Jane replied. "And your getting up right now would cause me more pain than anything else."
"Well, if that's the case," Maura snuggling into Jane's side carefully, "then I'm just going to have to stay right here then. I don't want to be the cause of any of your pain."
They both relaxed into each other's hold and stayed like that as Jane surveyed the room. "Something's different," the brunette said, not quite sure what it was.
"I straightened up and brought some of my things over yesterday," Maura answered the implied question.
"You cleaned my apartment?"
"Yes. I hope that's okay."
"Yeah. It wasn't necessary though."
"Well, it was if I'm going to be staying here."
"Was it that bad?"
"That came out wrong," Maura backtracked. "It wasn't filthy or anything. I just needed to make room for some of my things. I plan on staying here until you are fully recovered."
"That's good," Jane replied. After a minute she added, "I can clear a spot for you in my closet. Ya know, if you want something a little more…permanent."
"Really?" Maura asked with a wide grin on her face. "You think you're going to want me around that much?"
"Maur," Jane replied, "I don't want you to ever leave." She then rested her head on Maura's. The blonde sighed, smiling into Jane's shoulder.
I could stay like this forever, Maura thought content to just be in Jane's arms. After a moment Jane sighed. It wasn't the pleasurable sigh as before, it sounded more like discomfort. "I'm sorry," Maura said as she shot up. "Did I hurt you?"
"No," Jane smiled at the blonde, holding onto her arm so she couldn't get up off the couch. "I think I need to eat something. My stomach is starting to ache a little."
Relieved, Maura said, "Let me get you something."
"Good luck with that," Jane laughed. "I can't remember the last time I went to the grocery store."
"That's not a problem Jane," Maura said, rising from the couch. "Your mother stocked your fridge yesterday. I think you have enough food to last at least a month, if not longer."
"I should've figured as much," Jane chuckled.
"She just wants to help in some way," Maura replied, "especially since she's not staying with you."
"I know," Jane sighed. "Reminded me to thank her next time she's here."
"Okay, but I thanked her on your behalf while she was here yesterday," Maura informed her. "What do you feel like, a light snack or a meal?"
"Probably should have a meal," Jane answered. "I haven't eaten much the past few days. Hospital food...yuck."
"How about some gnocchi?" Maura asked. "Your mother said it's your favorite."
"It is, and I would love some," Jane replied. "Get enough for you too. I doubt you've taken a break to eat."
"I'm fine Jane," Maura responded.
"We can share it, just make big plate," Jane persisted. "I don't want you to stop taking care of yourself because you're taking care of me."
"Alright, Jane," Maura gave in. She put a plate of gnocchi in the microwave to warm up. "What would you like to drink?"
"A beer?" Jane smiled already knowing the answer.
"No," Maura replied, "you cannot have alcohol while you're on pain medication."
"Fine," Jane sighed. "Water is fine then."
"Okay." The microwave beeped as Maura filled a glass with water. She retrieved the plate and grabbed two forks, then headed back to the couch. "Here you go," she said as she handed the plate to Jane.
"Thanks, babe," Jane said as she took the plate. "Now, sit. We're sharing, remember?" She patted the seat next to her. Maura complied. "That's better," Jane smirked. Maura found the remote and turned on the TV. She flipped through the channel until she found a Celtics game on. "We don't have to watch this. I know you don't like sports."
"You do," Maura said by way of explanation. She continued, "I don't care what is on the television. I just want to sit here with you."
Jane leaned over and kissed Maura on the cheek. "Thanks, babe." They sat in silence, apart from Jane's occasional remark regarding the game. When they finished their lunch, Maura placed the plate on the coffee table. Jane then laid down on the couch, resting her head on Maura's lap.
Not long after that, Maura noticed that Jane had fallen asleep. She leaned down and kissed Jane's temple. After watching her sleep for a while, Maura decided she should clean up the small mess she left in the kitchen. She slowly maneuvered out from under Jane, careful not to wake her. She picked the plate up off the coffee table and proceeded into the kitchen. She placed the plate in the sink and gathered the dishes from around the kitchen. Maura then filled the sink with water, although Jane does have a dishwasher. Best to keep busy, although I could watch her sleep all day, Maura thought, smiling over at a sleeping Jane. She is so beautiful. She looks so peaceful when she's asleep. A knock on the door jarred Maura out of her thoughts. She hurried to answer the door so it wouldn't wake Jane.
"Hello, Mrs. Rizzoli," the doctor greeted Jane's mother. "Jane's sleeping right now," she added so Angela would keep her voice down.
"I won't stay long then," Angela replied. "I just wanted to drop-off Jane's prescription."
"Thank you Mrs. Rizzoli," Maura said appreciatively. "That wasn't necessary though. I was planning on picking it up this afternoon once Jane was settled."
"It's alright," Angela replied, "I was on my way over here anyway. I brought you girls your pets, as requested."
"Oh yeah." Maura just then remembered that Jane had asked her mother to bring their pets over after she got home. "Thank you. I had forgotten about them," the M.E. admitted.
"It's okay, you've been busy. They're down in the car. Can you help me bring them up?" Angela asked.
"Of course," Maura replied. "Just let me put this down." Maura placed Jane's prescription on the kitchen counter, and then followed Angela down to her car.
"So, how's Janie doing?" Angela inquired about her daughter.
"She's doing very well," Maura answered. "She had lunch once we got home and then fell asleep watching television. She hasn't complained about pain at all. Although, knowing Jane, she wouldn't say anything even if she were in pain," she sighed, slightly frustrated.
"Yeah, she's been like that since she was little. She could be bleeding and bruised and would say 'I'm fine Ma, don't worry about it'. She's a tough one," Angela replied. She grabbed Jo's leash as Maura picked up Bass. Angela also retrieved Watson's small tank and the pet's food. They then headed back upstairs.
"It can be incredibly frustrating though," Maura replied. "Especially when I can tell that she is in pain and she refuses to take anything."
Angela could see the frustration on the doctor's face. "Is Jane not being a good patient? Because I can stay if she's too much for you to deal with."
"No," Maura replied, maybe a little too quickly judging by the look Angela gave her. She continued, "I just don't like seeing her in pain. I wish she would let me help."
Angela could tell how much Maura cared for her daughter. All she said was, "Thank you for being such a good friend to Jane. I'm glad she has someone like you to take care of her, especially now."
"It's my pleasure, Mrs. Rizzoli," Maura replied. "Jane would do the same for me."
"Well, I'm gonna go. I don't wanna wake Jane up," Angela said as she turned to leave. "Make sure she calls me when she wakes up?"
"Of course," Maura assured her. "And thank you again for taking care of Jo, Bass, and Watson for us."
"You are welcome, honey," Angela replied. She said, "Bye," as she walked out the door.
Maura left Bass to roam around the apartment while she led Jo to the kennel on the far side of the room. "Sorry Jo, I know you miss Jane, but I can't risk you hurting her by jumping on her," she told the dog as she locked her in the kennel. After she made sure the animals were all situated, she went back to finish the dishes.