"Hey Jane, what's up? How ya feeling?"

"Hey Frankie. I'm doin' alright, you know how it goes. Listen, I'm calling because I need to ask for a favor… you workin' right now?"

"Nah, I'm back on nights. I don't go in until 7. Why, what's up? What do you need?"

"I need a ride."

"A ride? Ma isn't with you anymore?"

"Well technically yeah, she is. I may have kicked her out for a little while… she was getting on my nerves! Thing is, I need to go to the hospital in a while and I'd rather her not go with me. You think you can pick me up and just drop me off?" Jane wanted to cross her fingers then forgot she couldn't and frowned.

"Yeah sure Janie, I can do that. How you gonna get home though?"

"I'll take a cab or figure something out. I just need to get there."

"Is everything alright? You want me to drive over right now?"

"Nah Frankie, my appointment isn't until 4:30. I mean, whatever works for you, but not because it's an emergency. If you want to try to get some more sleep, go for it. I'm sorry for putting you out little brother but you know ma. I've had enough."

"It's alright Jane, don't worry about it. I'll be at your apartment at 3:50 and pick you up. That way we can make sure you're not late."

"Thanks Frankie! Oh! For the record… if ma asks where we're going, just follow my lead, alright? I don't want her knowing I'm going to the hospital, she would totally freak out."

"Understood Jane. I'll pick you up in a while."

"Thanks bro."

Much to Jane's dismay, Angela returned to the apartment about ten minutes after she'd ended her conversation with Frankie. Now she was definitely going to have to lie to her mother and although she knew it was necessary, she still didn't like it. Still, it would be worth it: she'd get to see Maura.

"Hey ma," she said as she walked into the living room. Angela had her hands full of grocery bags and was setting them down on the counter when Jane called out to her. "You went shopping I see. Did you get me any beer by any chance?"

"Jane! You're on narcotics! You can be having alcohol!"Angela looked at her daughter with a disapproving shake of her head.

"Ah come on ma, I was just half kidding. Listen, I know I've been a pain and that we've been having our issues lately but I was wondering if you can help me out with something."

"What do you need?" Angela asked immediately.

"Well Frankie is coming over in a little while. He's taking me out and I want to change and at least get out of these sweats and tee; have a proper bath you know?"

"Of course I can help you with that sweetheart. Let me put these groceries away and then I'll help you with that bath."

"Ok ma, thank you."

A few minutes later, Angela had followed Jane into her bedroom and picked out a pair of jeans and a tee to wear under her favorite Rex Sox jacket.

"These are a mess! Let me get these ironed for you and then we'll handle the bath," Angela said as she went in search of the ironing board and iron.

Less than an hour later, a much cleaner and freshly dressed Jane was seated on the couch waiting for Frankie to arrive. He showed up at 3:50 right on the dot.

"Jane, you ready to go?" Frankie asked as he let himself into the apartment.

"Yeah Frankie I'm all set," she said as she rose from her seat.

"Hey ma," Frankie greeted Angela with a kiss and hug hello.

"Hi Frankie. Where are you and Jane going again?" she asked the younger Rizzoli.

"We're just gonna go have some dinner ma, watch a game and then he'll bring me back," Jane answered before her brother could think of a lie to tell their mother.

"Alright you two, be careful and have a good time. Remember that she needs help Frankie!" Angela practically yelled as the two made their way out of the apartment.

"Yeah ma, we got it," Frankie replied as he rolled his eyes. "Damn Jane… all of this just for a hospital appointment you don't want her coming to. Is there something you're not telling me?" he asked with a smirk.

"Not really. She just hovers, you know how she is. And she likes to do 100 questions with Dr. Isles and I don't want to subject the poor woman to ma's interrogation."

"Dr. Isles, the hot orthopedic surgeon who operated on you?" Frankie asked with a raise of his eyebrows.

"The one and only."

"Now everything makes sense," he agreed.

"I want him monitored very carefully overnight for any sign of rejection. This particular type of joint is still in experimental phases so there isn't much data to go on. Monitor everything, but look out for signs of infection or dislocation. The position we've put him in shouldn't allow for much movement but you never know. Should you see any abnormalities or unexpected changes page me immediately, I don't care what time of day or night it is, got it?" Maura finished signing all post-op paperwork and handed the patient chart to her most trusted resident.

"Yes Dr. Isles; I'll stay with him personally and keep you updated as necessary."

"Thank you Susie," Maura replied with a smile. "Have a good rest of your day and night."

"Thank you doctor, you as well."

"Thank you," Maura replied before turning and heading in the direction of her office. It was 4:13. She was very glad that she'd be able to meet Jane right as scheduled. She made a quick stop at the attendings' locker room to change out of her scrubs and into her regular clothes and heels. She put on her white lab coat and took one final look in the mirror to asses her look before leaving the room and continuing on to her office. She was a bit surprised to see Jane standing outside her door, hands at her sides and looking at hospital signs absentmindedly.

"Jane, it's good to see you. I hope I haven't kept you waiting," Maura said with a concerned look as she glanced at her watch.

"No doc, you're right on time. My brother just dropped me off a little early; traffic wasn't as bad as we thought it would be."

"Oh, so your mother didn't come with you I see," Maura continued as she unlocked her door and motioned for Jane to enter. "Please, make yourself comfortable," Maura said to the brunette as she made her way around her desk.

Jane unabashedly admired the surgeon's outfit and toned legs, no doubt thanks to those ridiculously high heels, as she walked behind her and took a seat. She looked around briefly and saw that Maura's office was immaculately clean without a single thing out of place. The usual diploma hung on the wall to the side while the rest of the office was tastefully decorated with what Jane supposed was a modern touch.

Emboldened, Jane bit the bullet. "You look very nice today. I'd never seen you in anything other than scrubs. I mean, it's not that you don't look good in scrubs—well—I just—damnit." Jane shook her head and berated herself.

Maura chuckled at Jane's struggle evident struggle. "Don't worry Jane. I understand what you mean," Maura replied. "Thank you for the compliment. If I do say, you look quite nice yourself," Maura said as she looked straight into chocolate eyes.

"What, me?" Jane looked down at herself. "You're pulling my leg," she laughed.

"How could I be pull— oh, I get it. You're joking." Smile still in place, Maura continued. "I assure you though, you do look nice. I cannot lie."

"What, like ever?" Jane asked incredulously.

"No."

"Never, ever? Not even a white lie?" Jane asked, her eyes wide.

"Not even then. I get hives and at times may even go vasovagal."

"Vaso what?" Jane asked, perplexed.

"I faint," Maura rephrased with a look of total honesty on her face.

"Wow… that's crazy."

"Now you know, when I say something, it's the truth."

"Noted."

"So Jane, tell me, how is your pain now?" Maura asked as she rose from her chair, grabbed some gloves and went to sit next to Jane. She held out her hand and waited for Jane to do the same.

"They're still hurting, but not as bad as they were earlier today," Jane replied as she showed the doctor her hands.

Maura began to expertly remove the bandages and examined them carefully. "The scarring process is looking great so far. There are no signs of infection. Everything seems to be running as it should be. You say that the pain gets worse with cold weather right?"

"Yes, it gets to the point where my hands start throbbing." I want to try to massage them, but that hurts too."

"It's too early to try to do that Jane. Your scar is still too recent. It may do more damage than good. There is something we can do about it though. Wait here for a couple of minutes, I'll be right back."

Jane nodded her assent as Maura rose from her seat and exited the office. She returned a little over a minute later with some more bandages and other little packets that Jane couldn't make out. She put on a new pair of gloves before coming to sit once again and taking Jane's hand in hers. She had a tiny little tube which held a white cream. She very carefully applied it to and around Jane's scar on both sides of her right palm before moving over to the left and doing the same thing.

Jane felt her hands tingle and then go a little numb after a couple of minutes, all itching and some pain gone. She couldn't help but feel a tingling on her spine as well. The doctor's gentle touch had done more than help her hands. She tried her best not to blush.

"There," Maura said as she looked up with a smile. "Do you feel any difference? Are they still itching?"

"No, the itching stopped completely, and so did the throbbing. They still hurt, but not as bad… what was that?" Jane questioned in wonderment.

"Lidocaine," Maura replied. "It's a topical anesthetic. It helps with itching, burning and pain. The amount I applied to you was very small, but you do not require too much. That should last you about 3 to 4 hours hopefully. We can give it a few more minutes to allow it to dry properly before bandaging your hands once more. They need to be kept clean and bandaged for another few days to avoid infection, but once you're bandage free, you can continue to use the lidocaine for the pain. It's not a permanent solution, but at least you will have a little more comfort for the time being."

"Thank you so much Maura; that makes a world of difference!" Jane wanted to hug her. "It's a shame though, I really gotta wait until the bandages are off before I can have this on?"

"Well, no, not exactly. You can apply it just as I did now and wait until it dries to have the bandages put on again, but Jane, is there anyone in your household that knows how to bandage your hands properly?"

"Well—no, it's just me and ma right now. She doesn't know, but I'm sure that she can learn. We can youtube it or something."

"You'll do no such thing!" Maura cried out. "Listen Jane, next time this problem arises, why don't you and your mother come back? I'm sure that I can make time to see you again and explain to your mother how to properly apply the cream and bandage your hands."

"That's too much Maura, I couldn't ask you to do that—"

"Nonsense. You're my patient, and it is my duty to take care of you. It's nothing really. Your mother looks like she'd pick instruction up quite quickly."

"She would," Jane agreed.

"Right then, it's settled. As a matter of fact, let me check something." She rose from the seat once again and went to her laptop. "I have tomorrow morning open, my surgeries don't begin until the afternoon. Why don't you and your mother come by then? I can show you both then."

Jane looked a little sheepish. "Alright, we'll be here. Thank you, Maura."

Maura was already writing something down. "There's no need to thank me Jane. That's what I'm here for. This," she said as she ripped a paper off the pad and began folding it "is a prescription for lidocaine and for gabapentin. Gabapentin is a medication used for neuropathy, which is what you're experiencing right now with the pain episodes due to the cold weather. It isn't going to work immediately; it does take time to get into your system. Take it as instructed, unless you experience side effects. It will make you very drowsy so keep that in mind. I have to start you off on a small dose and work you up to a larger one so I've only prescribed enough for a couple of weeks. Shall I put it in your jacket pocket?" she asked.

"Yes, please," Jane nodded. "Thank you."

Maura quickly slipped the piece of paper into Jane's side pocket. Maura took a seat once more and a few minutes later Jane's hands were bandaged again.

Their work finished, Maura rose to her feet followed by Jane.

"Thank you again for everything Maura. This has truly made a difference. I really appreciate all you've done for me. I'll get the prescription filled and both ma and I will be here tomorrow. I'd shake your hand, but…"

"It's alright Jane. I don't mind. I assure you that it's been great knowing that I've been able to help you in some capacity."

"You have," Jane assured her. "So I'll see you tomorrow then?"

Maura nodded as she opened her office door. "I'll see you tomorrow. Wait… how are you going to get home?"

"I'm just gonna take a cab."

"I'll go downstairs and help you get one. Actually, I'm already done with my shift. Would you like me to drive you home?"

"No Maura, I couldn't ask that of you. That's pushing it."

"You're not asking Jane, I'm offering. It's no trouble at all, really."

"Thank you, I'd appreciate that," Jane said with a smile.

Maura hung up her coat, grabbed her winter coat and purse and lead them towards the employee parking lot. She helped Jane by opening the door and putting on her seat belt. The drive over to Jane's apartment was quick, conversation going easily between them. When they arrived outside her door, Maura turned off the ignition to her car and went to open Jane's door once more. She helped her up the steps and in the main entrance.

"Thank you for bringing me home," Jane said once again, trying to reiterate just how grateful she was.

"I was glad to," Maura replied with a smile. "Have a good night Jane. I'll see you in the morning."

"You too Maura. I'll see you tomorrow."

Jane was on cloud nine and didn't even realize her mother had seen her arrive with the doctor only minutes before.

A chapter at least twice as long as my usual just because you all are great! Now let me know what you think!