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Angela had come back into the room once the honey blonde doctor had left. She wished and prayed to the high heavens that her daughter would get better and back to her normal self soon.
Her heart broke once she laid eyes on Jane. She was turned on her side, away from the door and unmoving.
"Janie?" she asked as she went around the bed to get a better look at her daughter. No response. "Jane? Honey? Do you need anything?" She looked at her daughter, who was trying her hardest to contain her emotions.
"No ma, thank you. Can you please just leave me alone for a little while?" She pleaded while looking at her mother with pain filled eyes.
Going against her better judgment, Angela gave into her request. "Alright baby. I'll be right outside if you need anything. I love you Jane and I'll be here for you for whatever you need."
"I love you too ma," came Jane's reply.
Two days went by, with Jane's health slowly improving. She'd been examined by the neurologist and it had been determined that she was well enough to be discharged in that regard. Her ribs were still in the healing process and she would be having difficulties with those in the coming weeks until they were completely healed. What concerned doctors was the shape her hands were in.
Post op x-rays and tests had been taken and there were signs that further surgery may be necessary. Still, her hands still needed rest and time to heal before any physical testing could be done and so there was not much else that could be done at that point but wait. This last detail was what frustrated Jane the most. She'd been forced to stay in bed for the duration of her stay. The fact that she was unable to use her hands angered her to the point where her patience and manners had run out. She was impatient and rude to nurses who came in to administer medication and help her with tasks like getting fed and going to the restroom. She didn't have a say in the matter; there was absolutely nothing she could do about it since she couldn't do a thing with her hands.
Four days in, she was sitting up on the bed while a nurse attempted to feed her lunch. Angela had run out to go home and take a shower and bring back clothes so that she could stay a few more days.
"Miss Rizzoli, if you could please just –"
"It's detective!" Jane snarled.
"My apologies, detective. If you could please just try to eat a little more…" the nurse tried again.
"I'm not hungry! How many times do I have to tell you that?!" She yelled back at the poor woman.
A knock at the door interrupted her outburst. Her attention went to the door as Dr. Isles stepped in.
"What's going on here?" She asked lightly, looking between Jane and the nurse.
"Detective Rizzoli is refusing to eat. I was just trying to explain to her how important it is that she gets food in her system," the nurse explained.
Maura looked over at Jane with a quizzical look. "Not hungry?" she asked softly.
Jane looked at her briefly before looking down at her lap. "No," she replied back.
Maura turned her attention to the nurse. "Go check on your other patients; I'll stay with her."
"Yes doctor," the nurse replied instantly, relieved.
Jane looked up at the doctor, about to protest. "Don't you have somewhere more important to be?" she asked the blonde.
Maura's hazel green eyes looked into chocolate brown orbs. "I'm exactly where I need to be right now," she replied easily. She took the few steps over to the food tray and looked over its contents. "Salisbury steak, rice, boiled zucchini and a salad… doesn't look very appetizing. Then again, I don't think hospital cafeteria food ever does," she said conversationally.
"No, it never is," Jane replied.
"I take it this isn't your first time?"
"You've seen my files doctor; this isn't my first rodeo."
"I have," Maura replied. "This is your fourth hospitalization in five years. That's quite the record you have going." She picked up Jane's eating utensils and began cutting up her food in small bites. "I'm sure the nurse went over why it is that you need to eat, detective. I assure you that while this isn't the most appetizing, it is certainly better than getting nutrients through a feeding tube."
Jane made a face instantly.
"What's your favorite restaurant meal?" Maura asked as she continued cutting.
"There are a lot of places I like, but a cheddar burger with extra pickles and some fries from the Dirty Robber is something I'm really craving," Jane replied instantly, wishing that were in front of her instead.
"I'll tell you what," Maura began. "You eat this today, and though I don't condone unhealthy eating, I'll personally make sure that you have your cheddar burger with extra pickles and fries from the Dirty Robber for lunch tomorrow. How does that sound?" Maura looked at Jane to gauge her reaction.
"Why would you do that?" Jane replied. "You're a surgeon; surely you have better things to do than to play delivery woman for your patients."
Maura laughed softly. Jane was caught in complete awe in the way her doctor's eyes lit up and shone with humor as she looked back at her.
"While I do have a busy surgical schedule, I also preoccupy myself with patient care. If I were relegated to a hospital bed for days, I know I'd like to at least be able to enjoy my meals," Maura replied easily, smiling back at Jane.
Jane thought for a few moments, not able to keep her eyes off the blonde doctor. There was something about her… the laughter, the way her dimples showed and her eyes shone bright when she smiled that captivated the raven haired woman. "You've got a deal doctor," Jane said with a nod of her head.
"Great!" Maura responded. She turned her attention back to the food. She took a piece of meat and brought it to Jane's mouth. "Open up, detective," Maura stated as she held the fork expectantly.
Jane made a face before reluctantly taking the proffered piece of meat in her mouth. She hated feeling like a child that needed to be fed. Looking at Maura, she found no malice or judgment in her features; quite the opposite. She decided she liked this woman.
"It's Jane," she stated. "A doctor such as you who has taken time out of their busy schedule to sit here with me and feed me can call me Jane."
Maura smiled as she speared another piece of meat with some rice and brought it to Jane's lips. "Jane it is," she replied. "Any person as brave, perseverant and selfless as you can call me Maura."