A/N: I guess I'm continuing this, at least for as long as it keeps diverting my brain from its proper functions. I can't promise updates, a compelling plot, or anything like that. But I can tell you that 1) Rizzles is inevitable in my mind, so although I don't know how or when it will happen, it probably will. 2) I have no interest in Casey. He appears in this chapter, and makes Maura worry, but that doesn't mean you should. He's dead weight as far as I'm concerned.

"It's not unusual to experience fatigue during the first trimester." Maura shut the light in her office, then closed the venetian blinds for privacy. "That's a result of increased progesterone, and it should subside, along with morning sickness, by the start of the second trimester. Have you experienced nausea?"

Getting no answer, Maura turned to see that Jane had fallen asleep almost as soon as her head hit the throw pillow on Maura's office sofa. Her left arm dangled off the side, knuckles resting on the floor. Maura draped a decorative throw over Jane and figuratively patted herself on the back for a correct diagnosis. It's not every day she gets to practice medicine on living patients; episodes like this help keep her sharp.

Of course Maura had said yes, on two conditions. First, that Jane would allow Maura to take care of her. Jane had a tendency to put her loved ones first, and her work second, leaving her own health and safety at a distant third. If Maura was going to care for this baby, she would need to care for its mother as well. At least, that's how she sold it to Jane. She neglected to delineate all that this entailed, from moving Jane into her house, making sure she ate enough fruits and vegetables, and taking her to doctor's appointments, among other things. Jane would surely resist some of that, but the baby was Maura's legitimate 'ace in the sleeve' (was that the right figure of speech, she wondered?) that she could use to win these sorts of arguments, when they came along.

Second, that Maura would have legal rights to the child, that she would be the baby's (other) mother and be able to make decisions in case of emergency. And past experience had shown that Maura and Jane had more than their fair share of emergencies. Jane agreed to this immediately. She obviously trusted Maura and knew that Maura would always act in the child's best interests. Jane's worst fear was that something would happen to her, and the baby would get lost in a custody battle between her family and Casey. If Jane and Maura shared custody, Jane could be sure that her baby would have a stable and loving home, even if she weren't there to provide it.

Maura was anxious to get started on this new project. Sitting at her computer, she began a list.

- Prenatal vitamins (folic acid)

- Make OB appointment

- Find out how far along we are

(Maura smiled at her unconscious use of 'we'; already this felt right.)

- Call Harold [Maura's lawyer] about custody

(Maura paused before writing the next item.)

- Tell Casey

Suddenly the blood drained from Maura's face. Of course they had to tell Casey. Jane had to tell Casey. How would he respond? Biologically, this was his child, not Maura's. What if he wanted to parent it? What if he wanted to get back together with Jane?

Maura shook her head, admonishing herself for all the 'what ifs' that raced through her mind. It's not prudent to make assumptions. Jane would need to tell Casey and solicit his reaction. Once they knew his intentions, they could design the proper protocol to create a happy and healthy family… of metaphorical elephants. Maura glanced at Jane, lightly snoring, and smiled.

Maura tried not to worry, eight days later, when Jane's dinner with Casey went late. She planted herself on the sofa and opened up 'What to Expect When You're Expecting,' but her mind kept wandering to what might be going on at the Dirty Robber. It was a welcome relief when Jane let herself in the front door, tossed her keys in a decorative receptacle placed in the entryway for precisely that purpose, and lay down, feet in Maura's lap.

Their routine had developed over the last week. Maura would cook a healthy dinner for them both. Jane would grumble about greens, but eat it anyway. After dinner, they would relax on the sofa. A little wiggle of Jane's toes served as a tacit request for a foot rub, and Maura would happily oblige. Jane was getting better at asking for these comforts, and at receiving them without feelings of embarrassment or indebtedness.

It usually didn't take long for Jane to fall asleep, and Maura hated to wake her. Instead, she made a habit of curling up with her on the sofa, their heads at opposite ends, sharing a blanket. It was somewhat uncomfortable for both, yes, but even when one woman woke in the night, a knee in her back or needing to straighten a leg without kicking the other in the face, neither preferred to retreat to the solitude of a bedroom. As long as she's here, this is where I'll stay.

Tonight was only a slight hiccup in their routine, while Jane had the dreaded talk with Casey. But now she was home and their routine could resume. Maura removed Jane's boots and began ministrations on the aching flexor hallucis longus. She waited impatiently for her debriefing.

Jane just sighed, frowned, shook her head slightly, and looked toward the ceiling, as if answers lay there. "At first he said he should 'do the right thing,'" she said derisively. "Marry me." Maura said nothing, just looked warily out the corner of her eye. "Like I'm some sort of punishment. I told him I didn't want that; we broke up for a reason. That I don't want anything from him, but I thought he should know."

She swallowed away the possibility of tears. "He didn't even seem interested in the baby. He said he never wanted to be a father. He thought I was the same way. He actually got angry at me, like I was trying to get pregnant, to trap him or something. I kept telling him I didn't want anything from him, but he wouldn't listen."

Maura moved on to the anterior and posterior tibial muscles in the ankle, her thumbs digging into inflamed muscle tissue with what she hoped was just the right amount of pressure.

Jane sighed, remembering what happened next. "I puked. I made it to the restroom in time, but my quick exit shut him up." She chuckled. "When I came back to the table, I told him I would send him papers he could sign to give up custody. And all responsibility. He said he'd do it."

Maura's hands rested a moment, one thumb nestled in the curl of Jane's toes. "I'm sorry, Jane."

"Why? It's what we wanted, isn't it?"

"I'm sorry things didn't work out between you. I know you had feelings for him." Her thumbs pressed gently but decisively into the plantar interosseus muscles on the sole of Jane's foot. This was a rare ticklish spot on Jane.

"Yeah." When Maura didn't say anything, Jane tried to explain. "I think I just didn't know him very well. I mean, I remembered what he was like in high school, but people change. And while he was away I imagined he was a better man than he really is. I think the military changed him. He's hard. Rigid. I don't want a man in my life who thinks he can order me around. That's bullshit." Jane adjusted the pillow under her head and switched the crossing of her feet, signaling that she was done thinking about Casey.

Maura took the hint and reached to the floor, picking up a shopping bag and handing it to Jane. "I have some things for you." She was diligent in attending to the other foot while Jane unpacked the bag.

Jane pulled out a toothbrush, dental floss, mouthwash, and a little elastic contraption with a button. One eyebrow raised. "Gee, Maur, how romantic. This is just what I've always wanted."

Maura smiled wryly at the obvious sarcasm. "You're more prone to gingivitis during pregnancy, so it's important to keep up with proper dental care. And that is a waistband extender for your pants. It's discreet enough to hide under your belt, and having a little extra room may help with the nausea." Maura smiled grandly. She was so proud of herself for being able to help like this.

Jane laughed at seeing Maura so pleased with herself, and started to get up. "Thanks, Maur. I think I'll go brush my teeth right now!" Feigned enthusiasm, of course. She paused in the doorway, trying to think of how to phrase one last request.

"Maura?" The blonde turned around on the couch to see Jane's uncertain pause. She smiled warmly, trying to communicate that Jane needn't worry about asking too much. "Your couch is plenty comfortable and all, but… a bed might be better for my back…"

Maura tried (and failed) to cover her disappointment by standing and smoothing out her dress. "Oh, of course. I'll make sure the guest room is ready for you."

"Well, I guess that would be ok, but… I mean, I don't want to put you out…"

"It's no trouble, really."

"I was just…" Jane huffed a big breath, looked at her feet, and said what she really meant. "I thought we could both sleep in your room. If there's room." Eye contact now. "I like knowing you're there."

Maura's smile returned. "There's room."