"Well Janie I think you're going to regret that pretty quick, I think our doctor here might just have busted your arm!"
"Meh, she's a doctor. She can fix it."
Their time in the hospital was gracefully short, while shaken and bruised Maura had been checked over and discharged quickly. She sat in the waiting room curled under Jane's jacket flanked by both the Rizzoli children. She tried not to but each time the brunette moved her left arm she winced, earning a quiet 'sorry' after each one.
"Maur you've said sorry like a hundred times already. I told you before, it's alright."
She reached her right arm around trembling shoulders bringing her close, leaning carefully she pressed her lips to the crown of unruly blonde hair beneath her.
"We'll get out of here soon, go back to my place. Tidy you up a little, I bet this mess of hair is killing you."
She received a small giggle and a sniff for her efforts,
"I know right, I mean damn Maura, I don't even think I can recognise you under that beehive."
A brief swat on her chest as she gently jostled her friend, glassy eyes looked up at her with a small smile for what felt like the first time.
"Everything is going to be alright, I called Korsak while you were being seen. Him and an old buddy of his are at your place now fixing you up a new door,"
"Which you broke might I add," a tiny finger poked the detective's chest.
"You hear that Frankie! I think she's better already."
A voice calling Jane stopped them all, fresh fears filled Maura's eyes as she held to her hand. A soft smile was made to reassure her,
"It's ok, they're going to fix me up and then we can get out of here."
It didn't take long, she wasn't surprised to learn that her left fore arm was indeed broken. Six weeks of desk work would drive her insane, but it didn't matter. Maura was safe and relatively unharmed, and now no doubt headed for some serious street cred at the BPD for putting the infamous detective out of commission for a while. Fresh plaster encased her arm as she returned to the waiting room.
"Well that was relatively painless, come on its time to go home."
She offered her hand to the doctor who took it with no hesitation, interlocking their fingers they followed as Frankie led them to his car.
The sun was beginning to lower into late afternoon when they arrived outside Jane's apartment.
"Hey Frankie, take my car keys and give them to Ma would you? You know she's going to go crazy when she hears about today, this way she can take my car and bring it over."
"You want her to break down your door? Tell you what I'll pick up your car and take her home, you could probably do with a few hours before she bares down on you!"
They both looked to the curled up and softly sleeping form attached to Jane's right arm. Handing the key over she flashed him a knowing look, perhaps an overbearing Rizzoli mother was something Maura could do without right now.
"Tell her to come by for breakfast, that might hold her over for a little while." Untangling her arm she cradled the blondes cheek, "Hey sweetie, it's time to wake up, we're home."
Climbing out the car she walked around to open the door for the sleepy bundle,
"It's ok, I got you,"
For the second time that day Maura took her hand, stepping from the car they made the small climb to the waiting apartment. Opening the door Jane gestured for her to enter, she nodded meekly before crossing the thresh hold and heading for the sofa.
Tucking a leg under herself she drew the jacket closer around her shoulders. Crossing the room the detective sat close, raising her arm to let the tangle of blonde rest her head against her shoulder. Maura reached for the plaster cast in Jane's lap, inspecting it as best she could.
"Does it hurt?" Her voice was barely her own, still raspy.
Jane buried her spare hand under the mess of hair at her side, gently stroking the soft skin on the doctor's neck. She wanted to be flippant or sarcastic but she doubted that she would take the comment in the humour she meant. Maura hadn't looked up to speak, still cradling the heavy arm.
"No, it's ok. Maybe in a few hours when the pain meds they gave me wear off. Are you sure you don't want to use my bathroom? Some of your overnight stuff is still here."
She shook her head, this time looking up into the caring face above, "Can we just sit? Just for a little while."
Leaning over she brought Maura's head to her lips once more. "Whatever you need, you let me know ok,"
Reclining on the sofa she brought her boots up to rest on the coffee table, her cast arm still in the doctors hands. She was flexing her fingers, each one in turn, Jane doubted there was any real medical reason for the touch but let her carry on regardless. Both had melded into each other, without a word said they sat in their own silent bubble. Breathing even and slow they let the days events wash over them and away, taking comfort in each other's embrace they dozed.
The light buzzing of her cell on her waist woke Jane from her daze, Maura on her hip had not stirred, her head lay on the brunette's chest. Pulling the phone out of the pocket her eyes strained at the bright light in the now pitch black apartment.
[Hey Jane, Ma is raising hell, I think you should call her before she completely flips!]
Smiling to herself she keyed in the number,
"Oh my God Jane! Are you alright? What happened? Is Maura alright? Do you need me to come by? Why didn't you call?"
Wincing she held the phone a good three inches from her ear, if she kept this up she was like to burst an eardrum.
"Ma will you calm down! My whole block can hear you. We're fine, I just thought Maura could do with a rest after everything before she goes home."
"The house looked like a swat team trashed it! Are you sure you're ok?"
"Just some bumps and bruises Ma, nothing to worry about. I don't know how Maura will react when she comes back, that bastard really did a number on the place."
She heard the scoff in her mothers voice, "Don't you worry Sergeant Korsak stayed and helped me tidy up as best we could."
"Thanks Ma, that's great, I know Maura will be really grateful too."
"You look after her Janie, she's going to need you."
Running fingers throughout the tangles she smiled, "You got it Ma, I'll see you for breakfast ok. G'night"
She could feel murmurs against her chest as her charge began to wake. Reaching as far as she could to flip on a side lamp she smiled.
"Hey sleepyhead, how're you feeling?"
She groaned as she stretched out, she hadn't meant to fall asleep and definitely not for that long. Sitting up she puffed at the hair in her face before turning to her human pillow. Her stomach protested loudly before she could speak.
"Hungry, and dirty." She scrunched up her face at the smile above her.
"Well then would m'lady like a shower or should I draw a bath?"
Maura's face lit up at the second suggestion, a soak to ease her aching muscles and mind would be the perfect prescription.
"Alrighty, and for dinner?"
She stood helping her up,
"Something cheesy and horrifically fattening."
Bringing a hand to her chest she feigned shock, "Doctor Isles, a perfect specimen of eating right and exercise wants pizza?"
A small shove pushed her a step back with a shy smile.
"Ladies choice!"
She couldn't help but laugh, she had never seen her look so small before in the aftermath. But she truly was stronger than she looked, it would take a little time but Jane was awed by the resilience she saw.
"Well then m'lady your tub awaits." A dramatic bow and flourish of her hand towards the bathroom.