Sorry for the long wait between updates, everybody. Writer's block has got me firmly in its grasp. Hope y'all like this one. It was hard fought. Let me know what you think. Never thought I'd see 300 reviews. Keep it coming! Love!

Maura heard the sound of shuffling feet before the tired figure of Detective Jane Rizzoli shuffled into her kitchen. It was early still. Maura had been hoping Jane would sleep in a bit more, give her some more time to herself. She'd jolted awake at five am, unsure what it was that had woken her. She'd been surprised to find an arm wrapped snuggly around her waist, to feel someone else's breath ghosting across her neck. But, when she realized the body pressed tightly to her own belonged to Jane, she'd been even more surprised. Maura couldn't exactly recall the events of the previous day. It appeared hazy in her memory. She remembered waiting for Jane to return from court, taking the elevator up to homicide with the enthusiastic detective, Dean. She remembered him clearly. And then there had been a fight, hadn't there? An argument with Jane in the stairwell. After that, it was as if her brain had shut down. The chain of events appeared as a blur in her memory. She didn't know how she had ended up in her own bed, Jane wrapped snuggly around her, keeping her safe, holding her together. The doctor allowed the sensation to sink into her, taking note of Jane's breathing pattern: deep and slow, feeling the detective's heart beating. The warmth of her own skin where Jane was pressed against her, the ache that seemed to have settled in her core, begging for some type of release. Maura avoided the persistent throbbing with all her might, instead trying to focus on how protected she felt in the sleeping woman's hold, how perfect it was.

As the events of the previous day filtered in, Maura's guilt grew. She had said some terrible things to the other woman, had shouted them really. But Jane was still here, she hadn't left or run away. She had brought Maura home, had put her to bed, had spent the night. But Jane must know now. Maura had given into the pain, had allowed the syncope event to occur. It had consumed her. And Jane had been there, had witnessed it. She was well aware that the brunette would be unwilling to allow such an event to simply slip past unnoticed. Jane would be determined to discover the cause when she awoke. Maura wasn't sure if she was ready for that, for the interrogation that was looming, but with a sigh, she knew it was inevitable. That it was time.

Not wanting to wake the detective, Maura slipped gently out of the detective's grasp. Jane sighed at the loss of contact and Maura froze. But the lanky woman merely rolled over into Maura's vacated spot and pulled Maura's pillow into her. Breathing a sigh of relief, the doctor made her slow way to the master bath, feeling a bit shaky on her feet. She was obviously dehydrated, and her body craved nourishment. The pounding behind her temples had slackened somewhat from yesterday, but it was still there, ever-present.

Her normal morning routine took her a bit longer than usual, but she'd given it her normal attention to detail, insuring that she looked her absolute best for the day ahead, picking out her clothing with her normal care. She'd opted for flats that day, forgoing her normal heels, aware that her balance was still somewhat compromised, and unwilling to risk a poor step. So, when she heard the telltale sounds of an awake detective stumbling around upstairs, Maura had been ready, seated at the kitchen island, cup of tea in hand. But yet, she wouldn't have been opposed to more time. She was still attempting to get her thoughts in order.

Jane didn't say anything to the doctor when she entered the kitchen. Instead, she headed straight for the shiny coffee machine and poured herself a cup first. After several slow sips of the hot beverage, she turned to face Maura and leaned back against the counter top. Maura waited patiently. She allowed Jane's piercing gaze to wander over her figure, allowed the detective time to assess Maura's posture and appearance. When the detective dropped her brown eyed gaze, Maura relaxed slightly, knowing she'd passed some sort of silent test.

Jane still didn't speak. It was up to her then. Time to grab the bullet, or something along those lines. Maura was never very good with such idiomatic expressions.

"I have an appointment this afternoon," she began softly, pleased when Jane looked up at her. "I called in a favor with one of my acquaintances from medical school." She knew the use of the word acquaintance was not lost on the detective. Maura didn't have many 'friends' from her past, and she knew that it pained Jane to be reminded of it. The detective had always taken it so hard when she heard about how socially isolated Maura had been before they'd met. She seemed to almost take it personally. Maura honestly didn't mind. She'd resigned herself to such a life of solitude when she was quite young. But Jane had always looked a bit angry whenever she heard about some painful facet of Maura's past. And this instance was no different. Jane looked both relieved and curious, but Maura could detect a simmering anger behind her expression. No, the use of the word had not gone unnoticed by the observant detective.

Maura pressed on. "Dr. Wilde is one of the best in his field. He has won multiple awards, participated in several ground breaking trials-"

"What field?" Jane's voice was deeper than usual. Husky after a night of sleep.

Maura was spinning her ring on her finger, a nervous habit, but one which she found extremely difficult to break. "Neurology."

Jane stiffened at the word.

"The appointment is for three o'clock, at Mass Gen."

"When were you going to tell me?"

"I-" Maura couldn't lie. "I think, well, I was going to wait. Until after. Until there were some results, some type of data..." she trailed off, unsure how to read the surly expression aimed her way.

"But you're telling me now." It was a question.

"After yesterday...I...wanted you to be aware."

Jane was staring at her, and Maura couldn't meet her eye. Couldn't stand to see the disappoint in those deep brown eyes. Perhaps she should have waited until afterwards.

"You should have told me, Maura." Jane's voice didn't sound angry. Maura chanced a glance up. She was surprised to find that the detective didn't look angry either. Her lips were pulled down, her eyes hooded, her forehead wrinkled, the muscles in her cheeks taught. All were markers of sadness, exhaustion, worry. Not anger though.

"Jane."

"How did you think I wouldn't notice, Maur?" Jane sounded truly curious.

"Yesterday, I-"

"Not just yesterday," Jane looked frustrated now, but she took a step forward, towards where the doctor was sitting. "The past few days, past few weeks."

"I'm sorry," Maura whispered. And she was. She'd wanted to tell Jane, to explain her symptoms, to let the decisive detective take charge. To take care of her. It would have been the intelligent decision. She should have made an appointment earlier. Maura had acted extremely out of character. But, for perhaps the first time in her life, she had not wanted to know, had avoided the scientific approach. Had approached a situation in a completely emotional manner.

Jane was next to her now, reaching out hesitantly, covering Maura's hands with her own, stopping the incessant tick Maura had developed. "How did you think I wouldn't notice, Maur? Wouldn't worry."

"I suppose that I-I didn't think, Jane."

"Isn't that usually my job?" Maura laughed slightly at Jane's attempt at humor. Jane gave her a small smile.

"I should have told you, Jane."

"I should have asked," Jane responded. She looked at Maura solemnly, and Maura had to stifle a giggle. It was a serious moment and would have been completely inappropriate to laugh, but the look on Jane's face was too adorable.

"It's alright," Maura gave the detective a reassuring smile.

"But I saw, Maura. I knew when you were hurting and I didn't ask. It's my job to ask."

"No it isn't, Jane."

"Yes. That's what best friends do. It's my job to know, t-to take care of you."

Maura had stopped smiling now. Jane looked as if she were about to cry. Maura could count on one hand the number of times she had seen the detective's lacrimal glands activate. She didn't want this. She hadn't expected Jane to blame herself. There was no reason for it. Maura was the one who had been afraid. She hadn't wanted to know what was wrong with her because she was afraid of her hypotheses. She hadn't wanted to know because that would mean telling Jane, and she didn't want Jane to perceive her as weak or sick.

"Jane. Please. It isn't your fault. It could simply be tension headaches caused by stress or a myriad of other factors. It could be a simply fix. But whatever it is," here Maura paused and made sure she had Jane's full attention. "Whatever it is, it's my fault for refusing to seek treatment earlier. Do you understand?" Maura relaxed when Jane finally nodded.

"I'm sorry, Maura."

"Oh, Jane. I'm the one who's sorry."

Jane suddenly let go of the doctor's hands and wrapped her arms around the smaller woman. She pulled Maura into her, and the blonde didn't protest. Because she was still seated and Jane was standing, her head fell directly above the taller woman's heart. The steady beating calmed her and Maura rested her arms on Jane's middle. They stayed that way for several moments until Jane pulled away. Maura immediately missed the warmth and comfort, but, thankfully, Jane took her hands once again.

"So. Three?"

"Mhmm," Maura affirmed. "Would you, maybe if you could, that is to say-"

"Yes."

"How did you know what I was going to say?"

"I know you, Maura. And yes, I'll be happy to take you." Maura had never been more grateful for Jane than in that moment. She and the detective were very different people, but both struggled with asking for any type of assistance.

"You might be busy with work," Maura tried. She wanted Jane to take her, to hold her hand the entire time. She wanted to feel Jane's calming presence by her side, but she was loathe to take Jane away from her job. She didn't want to be a bother.

Jane seemed able to read her thoughts however, because she pulled Maura into another quick hug. "It's fine, Maur. I want to go." Maura knew that on some level, this was a lie. Jane hated hospitals. But she didn't care.

"Okay. You should go get ready then. We don't want to be late."

"Late?"

"For work, Jane."

Jane stared at her. "You aren't going to work today."

Maura stared back. "Excuse me?"

"Oh, c'mon!" Jane threw her hands up into the air. "You have got to be the most stubborn woman ever," the brunette muttered under her breath. "For Christ's sakes, Maur!"

"Language, Jane," Maura admonished. "And I am perfectly capable of working this morning."

"You were practically comatose yesterday!" Jane's voice was raising in her agitation as she turned away from the doctor and began to pace around the kitchen. "Why can't you just take the morning off? I'll come back here and pick you up at two thirty."

"That is not your decision to make," Maura said firmly.

"No. You're right. It's not. But, if you aren't going to take care of yourself then I'll have to do it for you."

"I'm a grown adult, Jane. I understand my own physical and mental limitations," Maura tracked Jane's progress around the room with her eyes.

"Do you?" Jane pointed a finger at her. "Because from what I've seen, you haven't done a very good job lately."

Both women froze, staring at one another. Jane's chest was heaving, but Maura was stock still. Maura wanted to be furious that Jane would question her, but she recognized the truth behind the detective's angry words, the pain there.

Maura was a grown woman. She could make her own decisions. Jane couldn't force her to do anything. But, "Please, Jane. I can't just sit here all morning by myself. Please." She didn't need to ask her friend's permission. But, Maura knew that if Jane wanted her to stay home, she would do it.

Jane sighed and rubbed her face tiredly. "I'm sorry, Maur. Of course if you think you want to go in, you should. It's not my place to stop you," Jane turned dejectedly and headed for the stairs. "I'll be down in just a few minutes and we can go."

"Jane," Maura said softly, pausing the brunette at the bottom of the steps. "Thank you," it was ambiguous and unclear, even to herself, what she was thanking the detective for. Wether it was for caving just now, or agreeing to take Maura to her appointment, or for sending Dean away the previous day, Maura didn't know.

The speed with which Jane was back at her side left the doctor a little breathless. Maura closed her eyes as Jane ran a hand gently down her cheek. "I just worry about you," it was whispered, so faint the doctor almost missed it. Her eyes fluttered open and met the expressive gaze of her best friend. They were so close, Maura could have leaned forward and pressed her lips to Jane's effortlessly. She could feel the ache building in her again, in her chest and her core. But she resisted and instead, brought her own hand up to cover the rough one cupping her cheek.

"Thank you," she repeated.

Jane shifted slightly, and, for a moment, Maura thought her heart had skipped a beat as Jane's lips brushed her forehead. When the detective pulled back, Maura observed a flush working its way up her neck, and she thought she recognized the emotion swirling in Jane's brown eyes. But she couldn't be certain.

"Do you promise to take it easy today?" Jane asked softly.

Maura didn't trust herself to speak. She nodded in confirmation as Jane looked at her searchingly.

The detective seemed to find whatever it was she was looking for because she gave a nod as well. "Good. But I'll be checking up on you," it wasn't a question or a request. And then she was gone and Maura fell forward several steps at the loss. She stood there, rooted to the spot, long after Jane had retreated upstairs to get ready, her hand still on her own cheek, forehead burning where Jane had kissed her.

It felt as though Maura was lighter, as though the press of gravity had decreased somewhat now that she was sure Jane didn't hate her for keeping something to herself. It was true that Jane hadn't asked her to elaborate on her symptoms, hadn't pressed the issue more than was necessary. But she had agreed to take the ME to the doctor. Had forgiven Maura her silence. And that was more than the doctor had been expecting. She felt much better knowing Jane would be there, would keep her safe. Jane had no power over physical ailments, Maura knew, and it was irrational that one person could set her mind so at ease, but, in that case, Maura was irrationally happy to have Jane by her side.

She spent the minutes waiting for the detective examining her feelings and reactions to Jane's presence as one might the results of a scientific experiment. She had always appreciated Jane's striking natural beauty. Although not exactly feminine, Jane cut a handsome figure. Her facial construction was flawless. But, recently, Maura found herself appreciating Jane in a more intimate way. Her body often reacted physically to Jane's touches and gestures, and she felt more emotionally stable while in the detective's commanding presence. The pull Jane exerted on her was more forcefully than any attraction Maura had ever experienced. Maura was well aware of the hormones and physical reactions involved in attraction, but she had also read that there might exist some deeper connection between two humans who were extremely compatible. Something that was, as of yet, unexplained by science.

When Jane reentered the kitchen, her hair still wet and untamed from the shower, and walked past Maura to refill her coffee cup, Maura caught the unique scent that was Jane. Even though the detective had showered with Maura's shampoo, the doctor could still detect Jane beneath it. In fact, she found the strange mix of her own soap and Jane's natural scent unusually pleasurable.

It wasn't until Jane repeated herself louder that Maura realized she had been staring at the brunette with a blank look on her face. "Earth to Maura," Jane said, waving her hand at the doctor. "You ready?"

Maura snapped out of her daze. "Yes," she said quickly.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Jane. Let me just get my bag," Maura stood up from her spot at the island, but was stopped again as Jane strode towards the hallway. Maura could recognize Jane's distinctive stride anywhere, the way the tall woman seemed almost to swagger as she walked. But she had never before truly appreciated the confidence with which Jane walked, how firm she appeared with her back straight, shoulders steady, the way she commanded the floor she glided across. It was a dance of both power and gracefulness.

Maura followed hesitatingly after, sliding into the jacket Jane held out for her gratefully and picking up her bag. Jane smirked at her as she held the door. And as Maura walked towards her car, she knew three things: Jane was going to insist upon driving, she felt completely at ease with allowing Jane to be in control in such a manner, and she had feelings for Jane which exceeded the limit of friendship. Strong feelings.