Hey all. Sorry for the delay on the update. Thank you all for the kind words. I'm really happy you all have enjoyed my story so far. Hope you like this chapter.
"How much you need?" the nurse asked the phlebotomist standing outside room one.
"Central line?" she asked as the nurse nodded. She didn't want the phlebotomist to rudely awake Maura again. "10 cc's," was her response making her way to room two.
"Just an FYI, he's not in the coma anymore," the nurse said before walking over to a supply cart grabbing a handful of alcohol wipes, four 10 milliliter syringes of Normal Saline, and an empty 10 milliliter syringe.
She took a deep breath before entering the room. Remembering the incident that happened earlier in the night. The ME had gotten snippy with the nurse for checking Jane's skin for breakdown. In retaliation the nurse gave the doctor a piece of her mind about her professionalism. She sometimes couldn't help the Italian temper that ran through her veins. When she was going to go apologize she saw Maura confessing her love to the patient. The nurse decided against interrupting the heartfelt confession and waited for Maura to fall asleep. She knew that she could walk in and out of room one without waking up the doctor, avoiding this confrontation.
The nurse walked into the room and placed a hand on the shoulder of the sleeping blonde.
"Maura?" she said giving the shoulder a little shake.
"Hmm?" was the response. Maura lifted her head to see the nurse Angela smiling at her.
"Sorry to wake you but I need to draw some blood from Jane's line," she informed the doctor pointing to the purple line sticking out of Jane's left arm.
Maura was confused at first. Wondering why she needed to be woken up for her to draw blood. Then Maura looked down at her hand, still intertwined with Jane's left hand. She was right in the nurse's way.
"Oh I'm sorry," she said standing to let the nurse do her job.
"It's ok. I really didn't want to wake you but I couldn't get to the line," the nurse said still smiling.
Angela paused the IV's going into the PICC line, and disconnected one before going through the motions of pulling 10 cc's of blood from Jane's line. "Maura, I want to apologize for the rant I had last night."
"What? Why are you apologizing? If anything I owe you an apology. You have been an amazing nurse, and you were just doing your job to make sure that Jane doesn't have a hospital acquired incident. Even before I knew you were gay you maintained Jane's modesty even though she can't do it herself. Thank you for doing that," Maura poured out to the nurse.
"Thank you, that means a lot to me," the nurse said cleaning up her mess. "I'll be right back, let me give this to the lab."
Angela left and returned before Maura could take her original position. "Fair warning," the nurse started. "Radiology will be here in probably half an hour. Dr. Millan wants to see the chest X-Ray before she comes in and assesses Jane. She'll be here around the same time as yesterday. It's three now, lab came early today."
"Thank you," Maura said, sliding into the chair to take Jane's hand yet again.
Angela watched the doctor look longingly at Jane. "Maura, how far away do you live?"
"Excuse me?" the doctor replied turning her attention to the nurse.
The nurse grabbed the chair by the computer and sat down in front of Maura. She wanted Maura to see her as her equal, not her superior.
"You've been here for two days. Go home, take a shower, get some new clothes, and maybe a nap. It's three; Dr. Millan isn't going to be here until around five anyways. Radiology will be coming soon."
"I don't want to leave Jane," Maura stated, turning back to Jane giving her hand a squeeze.
Angela took Maura's other hand and held it between both her hands. "Have I given you any doubt in the care I have given to Jane?"
"No."
"You also know Jane won't wake up until the medication is discontinued."
Maura could only nod.
"Take some you time. Get cleaned up. You can give me your cell phone number and I promise to call you if anything changes."
Maura turned to look back at Jane, then at her clothes. It was the work out outfit she was wearing the morning Jane was shot; pastel green top, black spaghetti strap tank with black yoga capris. Maura let out a small chuckle thinking about that morning. They were working out on the ellipticals. Jane was wearing a purple tank top and black shorts. Maura was admiring Chuck's biceps, embarrassing Jane. Especially when Maura was verbally letting Chuck know that she liked his muscle structure. Then to further embarrass Jane, Maura purposely told him he had a wonderfully proportionate gluteus maximus.
These were not Maura's clothes. As Jane put it she always looked like she was ready to strut down the runway. That was what Maura felt comfortable with. That was also the Maura Jane knew, not the one sitting in as Jane called comfy clothes.
"You still there?" a voice asked, interrupting Maura's thinking.
"Hmm? Yes sorry. I was just thinking. I could use a shower and this," Maura pulled at her top. "This is not me. I live about ten minutes away. I'll be back before five; and you promise to call me if she gets here early or anything changes?"
"Yes."
"Ok," Maura decided. She stood up and gave Jane a kiss on the cheek whispering, "I'll be back. I'll be here when you wake up, I promise you."
She went to the window grabbing all of her belongs, and headed towards the door before she changed her mind. Angela followed her to get her number before she left, and gave Maura the number to the unit if she wanted to call.
With one last look at Jane, Maura left. After struggling to find her car Maura was home. She took a look at the clock in her kitchen it was now 3:30. She walked to the bathroom, stripping on her way. When she stepped into the shower feeling the warm water soothing the muscles in her neck and upper back tears immediately started to fall. She let the water wash away her sorrows that she's been holding since that first night in the hospital.
When she finally finished Maura walked to her closet trying to decide what she should wear. It wasn't long before she picked her usual runway outfit to return to the hospital in. She also picked out a few extra outfits to bring, and a comfy outfit. She went back to the bathroom and applied make-up and blow dried her hair.
When she was all packed up to go she walked by her spare bedroom, and stopped at the entrance. She walked inside thinking to the last time Jane spent the night. Hoyt was killing again from behind bars and Jane was scared. She walked to the dresser in the corner. Maura remembered after that night Jane would leave extra clothes there. Jane said it was in case she was too drunk to drive home. Although Maura felt it was more for another night she didn't want to be alone. She grabbed Jane a pair of comfortable clothes. Maura knew Jane would need something to go home in.
When the doctor finally sat in the car it was five. Dr. Millan was supposed to be seeing Jane at this time. She frantically opened the garage door and pealed out of her driveway back to the hospital. Her trip home took longer than she anticipated.
She arrived back on the seventh floor, pushing the red button out of breath. She ran through the hospital to get to Jane before the doctor left.
"Can I help you?"
"Dr. Maura Isles…" The doors to the ICU opened before she even finished.
"Dr. Isles, you made it back at the perfect time. Dr. Millan just arrived to the floor herself. She's in there now assessing Jane. I just stepped out to get dressing supplies," Angela said just inside the ICU.
Maura made a beeline to room one, and put her belongings back in the usual spot.
"Morning Dr. Isles," Dr. Millan greeted the other doctor with a smile. "I just finished my assessment. Her lung sounds are wicked good. Just about to see how her wounds looks."
Angela returned with the supplies for the dressing change. Again the two helped Dr. Millan with the dressing change listening to her say "looks good," after removing both.
"And labs?"
Angela left Jane's side to go to the computer. "Ahhh, Sonya? Come take a look at this."
The young doctor went to stand next to the nurse. "That can't be right."
"Want a stat lab recheck?"
"Yes."
Angela got on her hospital phone.
"What's wrong?" Maura asked trying to make her voice calm. She didn't get a response by either doctor or nurse.
"I'ma gonna check her X-Ray," the doctor told Angela, not registering the other doctor in the room just asked her a question.
"Hi it's Angela on SICU. I need a stat lab recheck on Jane Rizzoli in room one… All of them…Well look at yesterdays… Yea that's why… She has a central I don't know if there was a contamination…How long?... You know what, just send me the supplies I'll do it myself we need it now… I know… I know… I was one before I became a nurse, so yea I know what I'm doing…Yea just tube them with the stickers and I'll get it to you." The nurse hung up looking up at the doctor.
"What's wrong?" Maura asked a little more stern.
"Sorry Maura. Didn't mean to scare you, but nothing is wrong."
"How can you say nothing's wrong. Dr. Millan is freaking out and you are demanding more blood. What is wrong?" Maura didn't realize her voice had become louder.
"Come here," Angela motioned for the doctor to come to the computer. "See?"
Maura looked at the computer screen with the numbers with all of Jane's labs. "How?"
"They're all within normal limits. After only two days, every single lab is normal, when yesterday…" she pointed to the red numbers next to today's numbers. "Every lab was abnormal. So like I said nothing is wrong. We're going to check them all again to see if this is true."
There was a high pitched beep coming from the nurses' station. "Excuse me," the nurse said placing a hand on Maura's arm.
Maura was in shock again. This is not possible. It takes a lot longer than two days to recover from a gunshot wound this extensive. Maura sat down next to Jane, taking her hand. She looked at her face noticing she did have more color in her cheeks. Her mind was racing trying to figure out an explanation. She was broken out of her thoughts by Angela returning. Maura started to stand
"No you don't have to move. I can't draw from that arm. I'm going to stick Jane to get another set for the labs." She placed everything on the bedside table before going to wash her hands.
"Have you ever had a patient recover this fast?"
Angela didn't respond at first, concentrating on her current task. When she finished she told her "I've seen a patient who was in a four month coma walk out of here as if nothing happened. I've had a patient whose spine was severed at T5 and walk out of here. I've seen some amazing recoveries since I've worked here."
Angela turned and walked out of the room before Maura could ask another question. Just as soon as she was gone she was back, "Sorry just wanted to get the blood down ASAP."
"Oh. Well you still didn't answer my question."
The nurse took a deep breath. "It's not an easy question."
"Yes it is. Have you ever had a patient recover this fast? Yes or no?"
"Do you believe in the power of love?"
"I believe in science."
"Well I do too, but also more. I've witness patients recover from horrifying diagnoses faster when they are surrounded by those who love them. I've witness patients who have no family or friends, pass away the first night. I've witness patients taken off life support, but still hold on till all family members have their chance to say goodbye. It's something that can't be explained. I call it the power of love."
Maura let what the nurse say sink in.
"Any other questions?"
Maura shook her head. Angela did her last round writing down information and emptying drains. "If you need anything else just let me know, I'll still be here for a little while."
The nurse left to finish up her shift.
Maura stayed in her seat looking at Jane. Thinking about what Angela had said and all the possible scientific explanations for this fast recovery.
"Ok, let's turn off the vent and see how she does," Dr. Millan's voice snapped Maura out of her mind. She was talking to the nurse behind her
"What? How are her labs?"
"Perfect. We did the recheck and they are all normal. I've never seen such a fast recovery. We're going to see how Jane does when we turn the vent off. We'll probably be able to extubated her," the doctor said with a smile. "Ready?"
She walked over to the machine next to Jane that was currently breathing for her, and pushed a button. Maura held her breath, afraid the information was incorrect. Afraid Jane would not take a breath on her own. Maura didn't have to hold her breath for long, because Jane was breathing without the help.
"Amazing," the doctor said still in shock. She scribbled on a piece of paper before turning to the nurse in the room. "DC it."
Angela stopped one of the medications going into Jane's arm, disconnecting it and taking it off the pump. "We're going to wake her up."
"Already?" Maura asked shocked by this new information.
"Yes and we're going to extubated her," Dr. Millan said putting on a pair of gloves.
Maura placed her hands over her eyes, in disbelief of what she just saw. When she pulled her hands away the blue tube sticking out of Jane's mouth was gone. Dr. Millan was again scribbling on the piece of paper. "We'll give her point five to one milligram of Dilaudid IV every two hours PRN and one to two Percocets every four for pain PRN, when she wakes up."
She handed the piece of paper to the nurse before walking out. She was shaking her head in disbelief as she went. Angela walked over to Maura placing a hand on her arm, "She'll be ok. I'll be back tonight. I can't wait to meet her. You want me to tell her mom?"
Maura shook her head.
"Ok, she'll probably make her way in here later anyways. We're waiting for a bed to transfer Frankie to the floor."
"Where is he going to go?"
"Down the hall is to C7."
"Thank you Angela. Really you have been amazing. I still can't believe that Jane is doing so well."
Angela smiled "I can."
Maura furrowed her brow at the comment, but before she could ask Angela was out the door to give report.
It was not long before the day nurse came in. Maura rolled her eyes when she saw who it was. It was Beth from the first day. "Would you mind stepping out?"
Maura didn't say a word. She was annoyed to be kicked out by the day nurse again. She walked out of the room and turned left to go into room two.
"Hey," she said entering the room.
"Hey Dr. Isles! How is Janie doin?" Frankie asked.
Maura scanned the room looking for Mrs. Rizzoli. "Where's your mom?"
"When she found out I'll be moving to a regular floor, she took the opportunity to run home, shower and change."
"Oh. Well Jane is doing really well. They extubated her and stopped the medication keeping her in a coma."
"No shit?"
"Language…"
"Sorry. That's awesome. I hope she wakes up before I get transferred."
"Me too. Glad your doing so well, let your mom know when she gets back."
"Will do."
Maura gave Frankie a hug before going back to see his sister. Beth was at the nurse's station as Maura slipped back to her usual spot. "Come back to me Jane," Maura whispered, taking Jane's hand in hers, drawing circles around the scar; just like she had been doing for the past 48 hours.
"The tube is gone!"
Maura turned to the door to see Mrs. Rizzoli in fresh clothes.
"Ah yes. They took it out this morning. I went to Frankie's room to tell you but you went to get cleaned up.
"I'm so happy. I see you cleaned up."
"Yes, Angela convinced me to."
"You know you don't have to stay anymore," Mrs. Rizzoli informed the doctor taking a seat across from her.
"What?"
"I'm family. Frankie is going to a normal floor, so he won't need me anymore. I'll stay with Jane until she wakes up. You can go on home."
"Excuse me? I'm not leaving. I've been with Jane since she was shot. She also made me her advance directive, which means she wants me to make her medical decisions for me. I don't appreciate you coming in here telling me to leave when clearly she wanted me to be with her in case of an emergency. I'm sorry Mrs. Rizzoli but I think it's best if you leave."
Maura tried her best to keep her voice level as she talked to the woman in front of her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you two were so close," Mrs. Rizzoli stood and walked out of the room without another word or look back.
Maura was surprised at the words that just came out of her mouth. "Sorry Jane. I didn't mean to snap at your mother. I know she means well but I'm not leaving you. I know you want me here because you made me your advance directive. I'll be here when you wake up. Come back to me Jane."
Maura sat there all day except whenever Beth entered the room. Every time she walked in, she kicked Maura out. Jane did not wake up before Frankie left. She did not wake all day, which confused Maura even more.