Characters aren't mine.
Jane stood there with her arms around the petite blonde's waist as she rinsed the dishes. "Are you okay, babe?" she asked after a minute.
"I'm find sweetie," Maura answered. "Why do you ask?"
"It's just…you seemed to tense up when Frankie thanked you."
"I just don't like thinking about that day."
Jane turned Maura around to face her. "Hey," she said looking into Maura's eyes, "we're all okay. I know it was bad, but we're all good, babe."
"I know Jane. It's just that…" Maura started. Tears started to well up in her eyes. Jane held her tighter but let her continue. "That was the most terrifying thing that I have ever experienced. And I'm not talking about having a gun pointed at me."
"What then? Working on Frankie?" Jane asked. "I'm sorry that I yelled at you during that. I know you were doing everything you could. I was scared too."
"I know that Jane. You were scared for your brother and I don't hold that against you. I completely understand." Maura diverted her gaze downward. "I wasn't referring to that either though."
"What then babe?" Jane asked again growing more concerned. "I love you. Talk to me."
Tears began streaming down Maura's face. "It was you, Jane. Walking out of those doors, witnessing you shoot yourself. Watching as you fell to the ground. Your blood spilling out on the pavement as I ran over to you." It all just came rushing out of her, and the tears kept falling.
Jane held Maura as tight as she could. "I'm so sorry that you had to see that."
"I had to use my hands to slow the bleeding so you wouldn't exsanguinate right there." She couldn't stop crying and she just let Jane hold her. "I almost lost you. You almost died right in front of me. I don't know what I would have done if you didn't make it."
Jane leaned back so she could look into Maura's eyes. "I am so sorry Maura. I wish you hadn't seen that. But, you understand why I did it, right?"
"I know Jane. I heard you yelling," Maura replied. "You did it for Frankie. So they could get in to him. You were unaware that the SWAT team had already made it inside. That doesn't make me hate it any less."
Jane leaned in to kiss Maura. When she pulled back she said, "I did it for you, too. So they could get you to safety."
"Please don't say that Jane. I don't want to be the reason that you almost died."
"Maura, I would die for you," Jane told her as she stared into her hazel-green eyes. "I love you, and yes, I would do it again if I had to. I could never let anything happen to you."
"Stop Jane, please," Maura pleaded. "I have been trying desperately to get those images out of my head. I don't need you refreshing them." Maura wrapped her arms tightly around her girlfriend. "I love you."
"I love you, too. And I am so sorry that I put you through that."
"I don't know what was worse, being witness to the shooting, or not knowing if you were okay," the blonde sniffled as she buried her face into Jane's shoulder, her tears had subsided slightly.
"What do you mean?" Jane asked.
"They let me ride with you in the ambulance, but when we arrived at the hospital no one would tell me anything because I'm not family," Maura replied. "I wasn't even your girlfriend at the time."
"You were in my room when I woke up."
"After your parents got there and spoke with the doctors they informed me of your status. And after they were able to see you, they let me go in," Maura told Jane." They told me I should go home. Get cleaned up and sleep, but I couldn't leave until I knew that you were okay. Until I saw those beautiful brown eyes again."
"So you stayed in your wrinkled and bloodied dress because you couldn't leave me?" Jane smiled at her, astonished.
"Yes…well I wasn't exactly thinking about my dress at that particular moment," Maura said defensively. "I was thinking about how I may never be able to tell you how much I love you. And at some point a nurse had given me scrubs to change into, although I can't recall when. Your mother talked me into changing after I got to see you. I couldn't bear to leave your room without knowing whether or not you were going to be okay."
"I love you Maura," was all Jane said.
"I love you, too," Maura replied. "Now, can we talk about something else? Please?"
"Of course. Anything you want, babe."
"We should change your bandages," Maura said as she went to get the medical supplies. "Take off your shirt," she called over her shoulder.
"Dr. Isles, always trying to get me naked," Jane teased as she began unbuttoning her shirt, letting it fall to the floor.
"Always," the doctor called out from the other room. When she returned to the living room she couldn't help but stop and admire her lover's perfectly sculpted back. Jane turned around and caught her staring.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"Oh sorry," Maura blushed. "I know this isn't the first time that I've seen you with your shirt off, but I still can't get over how beautiful you are."
Maura's words made Jane blush. "Maur."
"Well you are," Maura said. "You might as well get used to hearing me call you beautiful, because I'm certain I'll be saying it quite often," she said as she stared to peel the bandage off the detective's back.
"Remember, do it fast. Won't hurt as much," Jane reminded her.
"Oh yeah, sorry," Mura replied. She then grabbed the corner of the tape and tore it off. She cleaned and re-bandaged the wound. She moved around to stand in front of Jane and did the same for the wound on her abdomen. "I brought you out some fresh clothes to change into," Maura said pointing to the clothes on the couch. She then went to the kitchen to retrieve Jane's antibiotics. "Do you need help changing?" she asked as she filled a Jane of water.
"No, I got it," Jane replied as she started to undress the rest of the way.
"If you don't mind my asking…how?" the M.E. inquired.
"What do you mean?"
"Well…yesterday you could barely stand up without my assistance…and today, you're out walking the dog, making breakfast, and now changing your clothes without so much as needing to lean on me for support."
"Yeah…well…I may not have needed that much help yesterday," Jane admitted as she pulled on her pants.
"So…you were taking advantage of my kindness then?" Maura teased.
"No," Jane defended. "I technically didn't ask for help. You were just at my side every time I moved. And I wasn't gonna complain about the closeness…or the touching," she winked. "And I honestly did need help in the shower. I still can't quite raise my arms up without a lot of swearing following it."
"Jane," Maura said disapprovingly.
"What? I didn't swear just now," Jane replied. "I had you help me to prevent me from swearing," she said as she finished buttoning her shirt.
Maura smiled at her, kissed her, then handed her the water and pill. "Take this. I'm going to go take a shower."
"I don't get to join you?" Jane asked with a devilish grin.
"Not this time, no," Maura replied with kiss. "I don't want you to end up getting hurt again."
"What if I promise to behave myself?"
"I am not capable of making that same promise." She kissed Jane again as the phone rang. "Answer that. I will try to be quick." She then headed to the shower.
"You as such a tease Dr. Isles," Jane sighed as she looked for her phone. Checking the called ID first, she saw it was her mother calling. "Ugh." She took a breath then answered the phone. "Hi Ma."
"Janie!" Angela exclaimed. "You're up. Good. You were asleep when I stopped by yesterday."
"Yeah, I know. Maura told me," Jane replied. "Sorry I didn't call you back yesterday. I was really tired. Thanks for all the food."
"Don't mention it," Angela replied. "It's the least I could do, seeing as how I'm not the one you want there taking care of you."
"Ma," Jane sighed. "It's not that," she lied. "It's just…Maura's a doctor. She can help with the meds and bandages and stuff."
"You think I can't give you a pill and change your bandages?" her mother asked defensively.
"Ma, knock it off," Jane replied. "You know that isn't what I meant. It's the pain meds. She can adjust the dosage and stuff. Plus, if I pop a stitch, she can fix it. I thought you guys talked about this and you agreed with her?"
"I know, doesn't mean I have to like it," Angela admitted. "I'm your mother. I should be taking care of you."
"Just 'cuz you're not staying with me doesn't mean you can't come over," Jane conceded.
"You won't get mad at me?"
"No," Jane said. "Besides, when has that ever stopped you before?"
"Fine, I'll be over this afternoon."
"Great, I'll see you then."
"I love you, Janie."
"I love you, too Ma," Jane said before ending the call.
Just then, Maura emerged from the bedroom. "Who was on the phone?"
"My mother," Jane answered. "She was bitching about the fact that she's not the one taking care of me."
"Language, Jane," Maura scolded. "She just loves you."
"I know. That's why I suggested that she come over. She's gonna be here in a little while."
"I just received a phone call from my assistant asking me to come into the office, but I can stay if you'd like," Maura replied.
"No," Jane said with an appreciative smile. "Thanks, but I can handle my mother by myself. I wouldn't wanna inflict that on you."
"I wouldn't mind, sweetie," Maura replied taking Jane's hand.
"I know you wouldn't," Jane said pulling Maura into her arms. "That's part of what makes you such an amazing girlfriend." The brunette captured Maura's lips in a soft kiss.
"If you're sure."
"I'm sure, babe."
"Then I have to go," Maura said with a frown.
"Is everything okay at work?" Jane inquired.
"Everything's fine," Maura answered. "They just want my opinion on the current case. And don't bother asking what case. You're on leave. I'm not discussing work while I'm here."
"Fine," Jane sighed. "See you tonight?"
"Of course," the doctor answered. She then kissed Jane goodbye and turned to leave. Jane pulled Maura back and gave her a longer, more passionate kiss that caused a sigh to escape the blonde's lips. Jane smiled at her amazing girlfriend. "I love you, too," Maura said, gazing up at Jane. "I'll try not to take too long." She gave Jane one last quick kiss and said goodbye.
After Maura left, Jane relaxed on the couch and turned the TV on. She flipped through the channels until she found a Patriots game on. She laid down and watched the game, eventually falling asleep.