Long chapter. I'm glad you enjoyed the resent add to the story. This is kind of a fluff chapter. Hope you all like it.
Jane heard the door of her room open. She turned to see Angela turn on a light by the sink. Her hands were full. Of what? Jane didn't know. Angela washed her hands before turning to Jane. She saw the detective watching her. "Mornin."
"Mornin. What time is it?" Jane whispered. She didn't want to wake up her bunk buddy.
"Four. I need to draw labs from your line. Then radiology will be around to take an x-ray of your chest, and then the doctor will be around. So…" Angela pointed to the woman next to Jane. "We need to wake her up."
"But she looks so peaceful. I don't think she's really slept in the two days I was asleep."
"She did to a point. She was always sitting next to you, holding your hand. She would rest her head on the mattress. I felt so bad for her, but she refused to sleep in the recliner."
Jane turned and looked at the blonde snuggled up against her. She used the arm behind Maura's head to reach around to her shoulder. She gave it a gentle shake, "Maura?"
"Hmm?" the blonde snuggled more into Jane. Not wanting to wake up or let Jane go.
Jane giggled. She shook the doctor again a little more forceful, "Maura."
"Jane?" Maura finally opened her eyes. She looked up at the woman holding her. She smiled seeing she was awake.
"Hey. The nurse says you need to move."
Maura looked and saw Angela standing next to Jane. Her eyes went wide when she realized that she was breaking the rules. "Yes. Of course, I'll get out of your way."
Maura jumped out of bed allowing the nurse to draw Jane's labs. Angela and Jane both laughed at how quickly Maura jumped out of bed. "Maura, she knew. In fact she helped me move over to make room for you."
Maura's cheeks turned red. "Oh, well I'm going to run to the bathroom," Maura said grabbing her duffle bag. She didn't want the two to see how embarrassed she was.
"Ok, be back before the doctor," Jane yelled to her as she walked out the door.
"Sleep good?" the nurse asked as she went through the process of drawing blood from Jane's line.
"I wasn't really tired. I just lied here and watched her sleep."
"So are you two together?" Angela asked. She knew before that Maura said they weren't, but was hoping they talked about everything.
"Why did Maura say we were?" Jane asked hopeful.
"No. I was asking based on what I just saw. Sorry it's not my place." Angela finished drawing blood and was heading towards the door.
"You see a lot, don't you?"
"It's my job. I pay attention to detail, and there are some details I can't help but see," Angela said before walking out of Jane's room.
Maura walked back into Jane's room not long after Angela left. She was back in one of her usual outfits. Jane smiled at the woman as she walked in.
"What?" Maura asked looking at her clothes.
"Nothing, just admiring the view," Jane replied.
Maura blushed again. Normally Jane made fun of her for the outfits, not compliment. She walked to the window putting her bag in the usual spot before sitting next to Jane again. "So how'd you sleep?"
"I didn't," Jane informed her friend.
"What? Was it because I was in your bed?" Maura asked feeling guilty.
"No. I wasn't tired. Either way I wouldn't have been able to sleep. Need I remind you I've been sleeping for two days?"
"True," Maura replied stretching. "What time do you want me to inform everyone that you're awake?"
"After the doctor comes. Maybe I'll get to go home," Jane said hopeful.
Maura laughed. "I told you. That won't be happening. Maybe you'll go to a normal floor. Then Korsak and Frost can come and see you as well."
Jane frowned at the comment. Not about still needing to stay in the hospital, but her current partner and her old partner seeing her in the hospital. She stopped being Korsak's partner because she didn't like that he saw her in such a vulnerable state. She was weak in her own eyes. She didn't want to have to change partners again. "No."
"No what?" Maura asked confused.
"I don't want them to see me here. I don't want them to see me with all these tubes coming out of me. I don't want them to see me so weak."
"Jane you're not weak," Maura took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "You are so strong. You are recovering twice as fast as the average person, and there is no scientific explanation for it."
"What do you mean?"
"You're labs were really bad the day before last. Then yesterday they were perfect. That is impossible in such a short time. You also would have been awake sooner if you didn't have an incompetent nurse during the day."
"What did the incompetent nurse do?"
"She gave you pain medicine, which you weren't supposed to get until you woke up. Also she gave you too much."
"And why didn't you stop the incompetent nurse from giving me the pain medicine?"
Maura looked at her hands. "She kept kicking me out. I never saw what she gave you or what she did. I won't leave you again Jane. The only nurse I trust is Angela."
Jane smiled, watching her friend struggle for redemption. "Yea she seems like she has a good head on her shoulders."
There was a knock at the door. A man was standing there with a big white machine behind him, "Radiology. I'm here to do a chest x-ray."
Maura stood to leave, but again was stopped by Jane not letting go of her hand. "I thought you'd never leave me again?"
"I'll have to leave when they take the picture," Maura informed her.
The radiologist sat Jane up, while Maura helped her to lean forward. He placed a slide behind her back, which Jane found very uncomfortable. He then maneuvered the machine in front of Jane to get the x-ray. He took a button from behind the machine. He nodded to Maura to follow him to the door way.
"Ok Jane take a deep breath, 3…2…1…" beep. "Ok all set."
He went back in removing the slide and taking the machine out.
"See that wasn't long and I stayed at the door," Maura informed her as she took her usual spot.
"Ok. I'll let it slide, this time," Jane pointed to Maura.
The two talked until they were interrupted by the doctor. "Morning Jane. It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Dr. Millan."
"Hey doc. So when do you think I'll be getting out of here?"
"You waste no time do you? Well probably a few more days. Mind if I take a look at you?"
"I guess not, as long as it'll help with the decision for me to leave."
Dr. Millan went through her usual assessment. Listening to her lungs and checking her reflexes. She was checking taking Jane's dressing off underneath Jane's breast; when Angela had come back with the dressing supplies.
"It looks good," she muttered as she applied a new dressing. "Let's take a look at your back."
Maura helped Jane lean forward. Jane was lost in Maura's touch as the doctor removed and replaced the dressing on her back. "All set," the doctor informed the two women.
The young doctor walked away from Jane to see the computer screen. "Labs are good and your lung is doing well. Angela let's stop the continuous Zosyn and Flagyl. We'll keep the IV Vanco Q12, pharmacy to dose. Let's start the lactobacillus and regular diet. Also I don't see a reason to keep her on the unit for another day. We'll continue her chest tube to low suction. Let's get her transfer to the floor," the doctor said to the nurse, as she scribbled. She turned her attention back to the patient. "You're the most remarkable patient I've ever had. I'll still be seeing you on the normal floor. I'm glad your awake and doing well."
Jane shook the doctor's hand, "Thank you."
"What about the foley?" Maura asked on behalf of her friend.
"I'll order at PT consult. If you're doing well moving we'll take it out then."
Dr. Millan left, handing Angela a piece of paper. The nurse walked over to Jane's IV stopping all of them, taking down the bags and disconnecting Jane from them. "You're free," she said when she disconnected the last line.
"Not exactly, I still got two tubes coming out of me."
"True, but you have at least three less," the nurse informed her. "You can order breakfast whenever."
"Thank you. What floor will I be going to?"
"Most likely down the hall to C7. Same place your brother went to. Do you need anything else? Any other questions?"
"No, thank you." Jane responded.
Angela wished them both well. She was not going to be back and knew Jane would be transferred. Jane and Maura were alone again. "Call your parents now?" Maura asked breaking the silence.
"Do you have to leave to call them?" Jane asked.
Maura scanned the room looking for a room phone. Cell phones were not allowed to be used in the ICU just like in the emergency department. "Yes."
"Then no. We'll call them when I'm moved. I don't feel like getting killed before I have the opportunity to leave the unit."
Maura laughed at her comment. She knew Jane was talking about her mother. She had already threatened Jane at least twice during her hospitalization. Jane ordered some breakfast, and only picked at the plate. "Oh god, this is awful," Jane spat the food in her mouth into a napkin. "I can make better food than this, and I can't cook."
Maura laughed at her friend. "Maybe when your transferred, and you allow me to leave your side. I'll bring in some food you actually like."
"I like the sound of that," Jane said pushing the tray away from her.
"At least eat the cereal. They can't mess that up, and their coffee can't be any worse than what we have at the precinct." Maura took Jane's coffee cup and took a sip, "I stand corrected."
Maura was trying not to choke on Jane's coffee. Jane burst into laughter holding her side as she did. "That bad?"
"Yes, I could go down to the main lobby. They have a little Star bucks stand there."
"You could, but you're not leaving yet," Jane informed her.
Maura shook her head. Their breakfast conversation was interrupted.
"Sorry to interrupt. I'm Debbie the nurse manager for this floor. I'm here to see if you need anything, and see how you're feeling after what happened yesterday."
She was not wearing scrubs, but a professional outfit. She walked over to the women shaking both of their hands.
"Thank you. I hope the proper actions were taken towards Beth," Maura replied.
"Yes we have."
"Good. So when am I getting off this unit?" Jane interjected.
"As soon as there is a bed available. Again sorry about what happened. If you need anything don't hesitate to ask," Debbie shook their hands again before exiting the room.
"So Beth was a real dumbass huh?"
"Language and yes. I think she was fired for her mistake."
"Good, so I won't have to meet her or deal with her."
"And she'll never do it to another patient again," Maura added.
The two talked all morning. Not noticing the day shift nurse come in and out checking on Jane. They however did notice a man come into the room pushing a smaller bed. "You ready?" he asked.
"For what?" Jane asked.
"I'm here to take you to C7."
"Yay," Jane said sarcastically.
Maura went to grab her belongings as the transport and a few nurses moved Jane from the ICU bed to the regular bed. Maura could've sworn she heard Jane mutter fuck as she was lifted from one bed to the other.
"You good?" the transport asked pulling up all the rails.
"As good as I'm gonna be. Let's go," Jane ordered.
Maura followed behind the two out of the room and the ICU doors. They turned left heading towards the elevators, before reaching them they turned right. As they reached the nurses' station for C7 Maura saw Frankie walking in the hallway with his parents. He was free of his chest tube, and his foley. He looked like he was ready to go home, wearing a pair of sweat pants and t-shirt. They all turned to see what was coming down the hallway so they could step aside. However they all stopped instead, and stood there staring at the patient being pushed down the hall.
"Janie?" Frankie was the first to speak.
Mrs. Rizzoli was walking towards the bed to give her daughter a hug, but was stopped by transport. "She'll be in C78. You can talk to her in there. Excuse me?"
He pushed past the three to the room that was designated for the detective. They followed the transporter to her room. Mrs. Rizzoli was walking next to Maura.
"Why didn't you call me?" Mrs. Rizzoli sternly whispered into Maura's ear.
"Talk to her," she replied, pointing to the bed in front of them.
"Oh don't worry. I will," she said stepping in front of Maura.
"Ooo, you really pissed Ma off," Frankie whispered into her ear.
"I did what Jane asked me to do," Maura whispered back to Frankie.
They reached Jane's room. There was no bed, to the left was the bathroom, and the opposing wall was a window looking out to the streets of Boston. The transport lined up the bed against the wall and two nurses where plugging in the bed, and connecting her chest tube to suction.
"I'm Katie. I'll be your nurse over here, and that is Amanda, your CNA," the woman wearing the typical blue scrubs informed Jane. She turned her attention to the other 4 people, "Would you mind stepping out until we get her settled?"
Jane's family nodded and left. Maura didn't know if she should or not, but then Jane chimed in, "Can Dr. Maura Isles stay in here please?"
The nurse was taken aback by the comment. She seemed nervous there was someone in the medical profession in the group of people. "Ah yea, sure."
Maura walked further into the room, as the CNA closed the door to the people waiting outside. She walked over to the window, out of the nursing staff's way.
"Ok Jane, I'm going to listen to your lungs, and give you a once over."
"Yea I know the deal," she muttered.
The nurse had the CNA assist with turning Jane, listening to her lungs, stomach, checking the dressing and Jane's skin.
"Looks good," the nurse told her. "You want me to send in everyone in?"
"Not yet. Give me a minute," Jane said turning to Maura.
"Ok," the nurse opened the door stepping outside. They heard her say she needed another minute, to the 3 people in the hallway.
"Ma is pissed huh?"
"You have no idea. She's not only mad about what you did, but also that I didn't call her. I didn't tell her that you were awake as well as the fact you were transferred. She's already bit my head off once. So prepare yourself," Maura warned her. She put their belongings in the closet, next to the bathroom before walking over to Jane.
"Think PT will come now, so I can push off talking to her?" Jane asked, taking her friend's hand into hers.
"I don't think so. The sooner you talk to her the better. Let's just get it over with," Maura said, giving the hand in hers a squeeze. For the third time that day, when Maura turned to walk away; Jane refused to let go of her hand.
"I have to let them in."
"No you don't."
"If I don't they'll just walk in, and your mother will be even more mad," Maura informed her.
"Ok…" Jane pouted.
"That won't work on me." Maura pulled her hand out of Jane's grasp to open the door. "She's all settled." She turned and stood on the other side of Jane's bed, in front of the window.
"Janie!" Frankie yelled.
We slowly walked over to his sister wrapping his arm around her. Jane wrapped her good arm around her brother. "Thank you," he whispered into his sister's ear before pulling away.
"You're my baby brother. I love you," she whispered back.
"Hey baby," Jane's father said placing a kiss on his daughter's head.
"Hey Pop."
"I don't know where to start," Mrs. Rizzoli said behind the two men. She was still standing next to the bathroom door.
"Alright Ma. Let me have it. How about you start with me shooting myself?" Jane suggested. "Or the fact I mad Maura my advance directive. Or there is how I made Maura wait to tell you that I was awake. You have your pick Ma."
"Ok, let start with this brilliant idea of shooting yourself. Why would you do something so stupid? You figured if you were already dead then I wouldn't kill you?"
Frankie laughed where he stood. His mother said the same thing when Maura told them about Jane's heroic act.
"No Ma! I didn't do it to make you mad. I did it to save Frankie. He was dying, so I stopped the man that was preventing the police and EMT's from going into the precinct. You always blamed me for Frankie joining the force. I know you probably blame me for him getting shot, but I did everything in my power to save him, before and after I was taken hostage."
"You didn't save him in the morgue, she did," Jane's mother pointed to the doctor standing on the other side of Jane's bed.
"With all due respect Mrs. Rizzoli. Jane had pushed me to save Frankie. Like I said before Jane pushed me to go beyond my scope of practice to save him. I was well out of my element," Maura interjected.
"It's true Ma. I was there," Frankie confirmed.
"Next issue Ma?" Jane said egging her mother on.
"Explain to me why you choose Dr. Isles to make your hospital decisions."
"You just answered that one. She's a doctor. She knows more medical knowledge than everyone in this hospital combined. She does not do anything unless she has all the facts. She would base any decision for me based on facts. You know I love you Ma, but you, Pop, and Frankie are all driven by your emotions."
"Yes we may be driven by emotions, because we love you. What is wrong with that? You don't think we would've made the best decision for you?"
"No Ma you wouldn't. If I was considered brain dead, there was no chance of me coming back, and had machines keeping me a live, what would you have done? Would you have pulled the plug?"
Jane's mother stood there thinking about what she would have done. She would not want to have to bury her only daughter. The thought of losing her made tears well up in her eyes. Mrs. Rizzoli shook her head as response.
"I would not want to be kept alive by machines. Maura cares for me too, she's my best friend," Jane turned to her best friend. "She would know the facts and statistics. Making the best decision for me. Next issue?"
"Why did you not tell me you were awake?"
"There are no phones in the ICU, and you're not allowed to use cell phones in there," Jane replied avoiding the actual question.
"She could've stepped into the hallway to call me," her mother informed the two women.
"Yes, this is true. But the fucking day nurse fucked up. She gave me too much medicine keeping me asleep. I didn't want Maura to leave me again to keep the nurses from fucking up. I know language, sorry Maura."
"Who was the night nurse?"
"Angela," Maura informed them. "She actually caught the mistake Beth made."
"She's such a nice young girl. She took good care of Frankie, and you. Maura could've left to call me."
Frankie laughed again. He remembered his mother trying to hook them up. Angela had kindly informed him that she was dating a wonderful woman.
"Ok, truth be told, I was putting off this conversation. I knew you were going to be mad at me for one Frankie getting shot, two for shooting myself, and three for making Maura my advanced directive. Any other jabs you want to give me Ma?"
Jane's mother went over to her finally giving her only daughter a hug. "No."
"Good. Now that we got that cleared up. Frankie how you feeling?"
"I'm good Janie. They took my chest tube out this morning. I'll be here one more night; then I'm going home."
"Yay. You gonna be going to your home?"
"Don't be silly Jane, he'll be coming home with us until he's well enough to go home," their mother answered for him. "As should you."
Jane rolled her eyes. When Jane moved out she would told herself that she'd never move back home. She always went home for the weekly dinner because she loved her family, but only in small bursts.
"No Ma. I'll be going to my home. You know my apartment."
"You can't take care of yourself when you go home Jane."
"I know Ma, which is why Maura has already agreed to stay with me."
"She has?" Mrs. Rizzoli taken aback.
"Yes. I have. Studies have shown that patients who are in their home environment heal faster. Than those who go to a rehab first or another home environment."
Jane smiled at Maura. She was happy that her friend's Google talk made her mother shut her mouth.
Mrs. Rizzoli opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted but a knock at the door. "Physical therapy."
"Yes, please come in. Ma we'll continue this later," Jane said.
The Rizzoli's went over to Jane, saying goodbye so PT could work with her. Maura took a seat in the corner out of the way and watch Jane stand and take a short walk. She couldn't go far because she was still connected to the wall. Jane was happy to be out of the bed and moving. When they finished Jane sat in a recliner for the rest of the day.
When dinner came around, Jane again pushed the tray away. "I thought you were going to get me some good food?"
"You won't let me leave, remember?" Maura reminded her.
"Oh yea, I forgot."
There was a knock at the door. "Hey Janie, I brought you what was left of Ma's dinna," Frankie entered holding a Tupperware container.
"Frankie you are my hero. Why didn't Ma just bring me any herself?" Jane said taking the container from her brother.
"I don't know. I think she wanted to cool down, and let you cool down. She also muttered something about you having Maura. She probably figured she'd get you some better food."
Frankie sat down on Jane's bed as she ate their mother's food.
"She won't let me leave. I think she's afraid of the nurses," Maura teased.
"Sorry, but when you left me alone yesterday the nurse nearly killed me."
"You need to let it go. Everyone makes mistakes, you know human error. I could leave now and get you food since Frankie is here. That'd be pointless since you already have food. Oh I know! I'll call Korsak or Frost."
"Don't you dare. Especially since I still have these tubes coming out of me," Jane sternly reminded her friend.
"I still haven't even told them that you're not in the unit anymore. I could just have them meet me at the elevators with food. Would you be willing to have them visit after the tubes are out? They've left me a few messages."
"Maybe. I'm up for them bringing food to the elevators. I still don't know about them seeing me here, in my lovely hospital attire. Gotta love the johnny look, with my ass hanging out," Jane said sarcastically.
"Once everything comes out, you can wear pajamas," Frankie informed her, motioning to the clothes he was wearing.
Jane forgot that he was there. She didn't even pay attention to the non-hospital attire he had on. She was too distracted by the non-hospital food she was eating.
"Oh yea. Ok Maura, they can come and see me the day the take the chest tube out. Wait do I have enough clothes?"
Maura walked over to her duffle bag. She looked inside double checking its contents. "I only brought one outfit," Maura paused thinking for a minute. "You could wear them when they take everything out. Then when Frost and Korsak finally visit, I can run to your apartment get you another outfit. Also get your apartment ready for you."
"What would you need to do to get my apartment ready?"
"Food, I'll need to bring some extra clothes to leave there. You know get it ready. Maybe get Jo and Bass from Korsak"
"Ok Maura. So Frankie when you leaving?"
"Tomorrow."
"Lucky bastard, I still have a few more days."
"I had a bulletproof vest on. You shot yourself. You're injuries were worse."
"Yea, yea. I know. Well thank you for the food, I'd like to go to bed. I haven't slept since I woke up yesterday."
"Alright sis," Frankie stood to give his big sister a hug, before leaving.
"Night bro," she responded.
"You need help getting back into bed?" Maura asked.
Jane looked at the tubes coming out of her, and the IV the nurse hooked up again for the antibiotics. "Yes, but let's wait for this to finish first before going to bed." She turned her attention back to her friend. "You going to change?"
"Yes, but I don't have to go far. You actually have a bathroom now."
"Aww, you mean you're not going to change right here?" Jane teased.
"Well I could use your help," Maura said walking over to Jane.
"Ok, what do you need?" Jane pushed the bedside table out of the way.
Maura pulled it, and pushed it against the window. She turned around in front of Jane. "Can you unzip me?"
Jane was confused by the question. "You got yourself in. Why can't you get yourself out?"
"Oh I can get myself out, but it's easier having someone else do it," Maura said over her shoulder.
Maura knelt down in front of Jane so she could have easier access to the zipper. Jane reached with her good arm for the zipper. She slowly pulled it down, stopping at her friend's waist. Maura reached around to keep the dress from completely falling as she stood up. She looked over her shoulder seductively saying "Thanks."
Jane was confused by Maura's actions. Maura left Jane lost in her thoughts to change for bed. The nurse had come back and disconnected Jane from the IV, when Maura was in the bathroom. "Where's your friend?"
"Bathroom. Can you help me back to bed?"
"Sure."
She helped Jane back into bed, staying close to the right side of the bed. Jane asked the nurse, "Can we take the foley out? I'm up and moving around."
"You want me to do it now, or in the morning?"
"Now, please."
"Ok, give me a minute. I have to grab supplies."
Kate left and Maura came out of the bathroom. "They're going to take the foley out, yay."
"One less tube," Maura said, stating the obvious.
"Maybe the chest tube will come out tomorrow."
"Not likely. First they'll disconnect you from the wall, and leave you to water seal for a day. Then when they take it out they'll keep you for another day to make sure you're doing well."
"Why must you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Rain on my parade with your Google talk."
"Sorry Jane. I was just telling you the truth so you know what to expect. Wouldn't you rather know how much longer you'll need to stay? Instead of repeatedly having your hopes up to have them crushed."
Jane thought about it for a minute before saying, "Yes."
The nurse returned with an empty syringe and a towel. She closed the door behind her. She cleaned her hands and put on a pair of gloves before walking over to Jane.
"Ok I'm going to deflate the balloon keeping the foley in, and then just pull it out. You might feel some pressure," the nurse informed the detective.
She pulled back the covers to exposing the foley coming out from Jane's bladder. She emptied the tube of urine into the bag before placing a towel between Jane's legs. She deflated the balloon pulling the foley out. "You'll need to void in about eight hours, and we'll need to measure it. I'll get you a hat," the nurse informed her before leaving.
"Yes ma'am," Jane muttered. "A hat?"
"It's not an actual hat. They put it in the toilet to measure your output," Maura answered.
"Oh. So coming to bed?" Jane asked patting the left side of the bed again.
Maura smiled at her friend, "Of course."
Jane lifted her arm for Maura to slip into the bed. She rested her head on Jane's shoulder. Jane wrapped her arm around her shoulders. Maura took a deep breath taking in Jane's scent. She turned her head up towards Jane, opening her mouth to speak. But when she looked up, Jane was already asleep. Maura turned her head back, snuggling closer to Jane before closing her eyes waiting for sleep to come.