Hey guys, welcome to chapter four. Sorry, this one's a bit rushed and barely pieced together. Hope you like.

Own nothing =(

'Maura? Maura, can I talk to you?'

Maura opened her eyes despite the pain in her head. She didn't even have the energy to respond properly. 'Mmm.'

Jane pushed open the door gingerly and found her best friend curled up on her bed. She looked like she had after Dennis had tried to kill her- broken, hurt and scared. It pained her to see the usually strong and collected Doctor Maura Isles in this state. It pained her even more to know that she'd partially been the cause of this.

'Maura, I'm really sorry for what I said. I.. I was a jerk.'

'Yeah, you were.'

'I know.. It was stupid, I didn't think-'

'Forget it,' the blonde woman mumbled into her pillow. 'You were just angry.'

'No, come on, I said something terrible. You can't just let that-'

'I said, forget it!'

Jane flinched. Maura had never snapped at her like that before.

'Okay.. Sorry.. You want me to go?'

'No.' Her voice was softer this time and Jane could see the tears in her eyes as she looked up. 'I want you to tell me that you'll support me no matter what. I want you to say you still love me even though I'm a pain in the ass, I want you to help me decide what to do, I want you to hold me and tell me it's all going to be okay. And I want you to stop my head hurting.'

Jane bit her lip to repress a smile at the last comment. 'If I do all of that, will you forgive me for being such a bitch?'

'We'll see.'

'Then it'd be my pleasure, Doctor Isles. Come here..' She sat on the bed and gently helped Maura sit up, guiding her into her arms. She wrapped her friend in a warm embrace and whispered gently into her ear.

'Maura Isles, I promise you that if you decide to do this for your friend, then I'm going to be there every step of the way. Whatever it is. Doctor's appointments, birthing classes, letting you break my hand when you have contractions, taking less time in the shower so you can pee when you need to, buying you jars of peanut butter to go with your mal de mer..'

Despite the exaggerated French accent Jane had put on for the last few words, the blonde woman frowned. 'My seasickness?'

'Um.. Yes.' Jane grinned. 'That's exactly what I meant... Maura, I'll support you 100%, no matter what. Everything's going to be just fine, okay? I wouldn't let you do this alone. You're my best friend, I love you and I always will. Nothing's ever going to change that. Even though you're a pain in the ass.'

Maura giggled weakly and Jane felt tears soaking her shirt. 'How's your headache now?'

'Better, thank you.'

'Good. I can't make the decision for you though, Maura. You're the one who's going to be going through it all. I can help you rationalise or whatever but I can't tell you want to do.'

'Why not? Please..'

'No. You know why? Because this is possibly the most important decision you'll ever make. You're a strong, independent woman and this, more than anything, is something you need to decide for yourself. You've made a lot of tough choices in your life, Maura, and this one isn't going to be any easier. But I know you'll make the right decision in the end.'

Maura smiled. 'Thank you Jane. I needed to hear that. You really are an amazing friend.'

'I wouldn't go that far. But if I've made you feel better at all, then I'm happy.'

'Well, you have.'

'Good.' Jane kissed her friend's head softly. 'Try and get some sleep, okay? You look exhausted. Have a think later. You've got time, Maura. You don't have to do this now. Sleep.'

Maura didn't need telling twice. She let Jane slide her under the covers and tuck her in. With the pain in her head eased and her thoughts clearer, she found herself much more comfortable. She was asleep before Jane closed the door behind her.

'Hey sweet pea, how'd it go?'

'Yeah, it was good. We're okay now.'

'That's good. I knew you'd make it up. She okay?'

'She's stressing. I calmed her down a bit. She's asleep now.'

Angela nodded and sat down on the sofa, patting the seat next to her. 'Come here, Janie.'

Jane sat down apprehensively. 'Oh God, are you going to be affectionate?'

'Maybe.' The older woman smiled. 'I just wanted to talk to you about something.'

'I hate it when you say that.'

'It's nothing to worry about, Jane.'

'I hate it when you say that too.'

Angela rolled her eyes. 'Are you going to listen to me or not?'

'Sorry Ma.'

'Okay. Look.. I know you're going to say I'm being nosy and I should stay out of your business, but I can't help noticing.. Well, you and Maura seem.. I don't know, closer.. Lately..'

Jane raised her eyebrows. 'You what?'

'Oh God, you're actually going to make me ask. Jane, is there anything going on between you and Maura?'

'Ma, what the hell?' Jane stood up. 'Why would you even ask me that?'

'Because I've seen the way you look at her.'

'What?'

'And I've seen the way she looks at you. I'm your mother, Jane. I can tell these things.'

Jane considered arguing. She considered screaming at her mother, insisting that it wasn't true, telling her it was stupid and that she should stay out of her business. But after everything they had all been through, she couldn't lie to her mother.

'Are you mad?' She asked quietly.

'Mad? Oh sweetheart, why would I be mad? Jane, I love you more than you could ever understand. You're my daughter. If she makes you happy, then I'm happy. Does she make you happy?'

Jane smiled. 'More than anything.'

'Do you love her?'

'Of course.'

'Have you told her?'

She looked down. 'No.'

Angela nodded. 'Well, I'm sure you'll tell her when you're ready.' She kissed her daughter's cheek. 'I love you, Jane.'

'Love you too, Ma. Thank you.'

'Just doing my job.'

Jane smiled as she left before collapsing onto the sofa. If today got anymore stressful, she might just end up in Maura's alcohol cabinet.