DISCLAIMER: I do not own Rizzoli & Isles nor any of the characters from the show. I am writing this purely for entertainment, not profit. Rizzoli and Isles are property of Tess Gerritsen and TNT.

Please find the full disclaimers in the beginning of Chapter 1.

Chapter 16

"Are the porters really necessary?" Jane rolled her eyes at Maura.

"Jane… In the past hour you already had three muscle cramps every time you were too stubborn and tried to do something you shouldn't. You are still recovering, as I am… There is absolutely no shame in using the porters – that is why they work at the airports." Maura admonished, before orienting the porter in German with their bags.

Jane had been released from the hospital early morning the day before, and they had decided that flying back to the US was their best plan to continue their recovery from home. There was nothing else left for them to do in Europe now.

They moved to the check-in counter, and since Maura had bought first class tickets for both of them, there were no lines and no waiting. They were guided to wait for boarding to begin in the comfortable lounge.

Maura opened a pill flask, and took one, handing another one to Jane.

"What is this?" Jane asked, as she popped it in her mouth and swallowed.

"The supplement the doctor asked us to take for the next month, until we build our muscle mass back…"

"Do you really believe we will need PT?" Jane whined.

"I am 100% sure we do, Jane. At least to orient our exercising in the beginning, to avoid us hurting ourselves until we can be back to our normal strength. I already found a PT who can help us both in these first few days, while I stay in DC."

Maura had decided to stay in DC for a few days, to make sure Jane completed her recovery, and in the hopes of seeing the unfolding of any UN discussions. Anyway, she had felt deeply conflicted about going back to work, now that she knew she had also committed a crime. She tried not to think about it.

Maura picked their food, and Jane was surprised to see Maura favoring meats over vegetables.

"We need protein for our bodies to have the raw material needed to replenish our muscles, Jane." Maura explained, handing a plate to Jane.

An attendant came to advise them about their flight beginning to board.

"Ouch…" Jane gasped, muscle cramps taking over her arms as she stubbornly finished pushing their carry-ons on the overhead bin of the plane.

Maura, who was already seated, pulled her to seat as well.

"I should let you suffer for your stubbornness." Maura muttered, but taking pity of Jane's obvious pain, she moved the pads of her fingers expertly over the taut muscles under Jane's skin for a few minutes until she felt them relax and saw Jane's expression soften.

"Thank you." Jane spoke quietly, rubbing her sore forearms. "How long do you think it will take for us to be back to normal?"

"If we do follow the daily PT, I am sure that in three to four weeks we should be completely recovered."

"Three to four weeks?" Jane whined, rolling her eyes.

Maura swallowed hard, and deviated her eyes to the window.

Jane furrowed her brows, and touched Maura's hand.

"Hey? What just happened?"

"Nothing." Maura replied curtly, without looking at Jane.

"Hives, Maura." Jane pointed in the overall direction of Maura's upper chest.

Maura just shook her head, and kept looking outside of the plane window.

Jane replayed the conversation inside her head, and then it hit her.

"Hey, Maura… Look at me, please." Jane rested her hand in Maura's forearm.

Maura looked at her. Jane could see the set jaw and the sad hazel eyes.

"I am just whining. I don't regret for a moment that I came to Europe with you, and that I did what I did. Okay?" Jane spoke quietly, her eyes boring into hazel ones to make sure she got her point through.

Maura didn't reply.

"Okay?" Jane insisted, squeezing Maura's forearm.

Maura just nodded.

"I am serious. Please… Can I get a smile?"

Maura gave her a fake smile.

"Hmmm… Can I get one that actually reach your beautiful hazel eyes?" Jane asked, smirking.

And that finally brought a small genuine smile to Maura's face.

(…)

Jane came from the bathroom drying her hair in a towel, and found Maura drinking from a mug of tea, standing by one of the windows of Jane's apartment, looking outside.

They had been in Boston for over two weeks, doing PT every day, and the difference was noticeable. Muscle cramps were happening now far in between. And they were slowly getting back their stamina for walking and exercising. They had just arrived from a session by the Mall, and Maura had showered first.

"The session today felt really good…" Jane mentioned, walking around the apartment to hang her towel to dry.

Maura didn't reply, seemingly lost in thought.

Jane sighed and approached her by the window.

"Earth to Maura?"

Maura turned to her.

"Sorry, I was distracted. Did you ask me something?"

"Nothing important. I just said the session today felt good… Why are you distracted? What is wrong?" Jane asked, concerned.

Jane had caught Maura lost in thought and quiet for long stretches of time since they flew back from Europe. Jane suspected Maura was grieving quietly, and Jane wanted to help, but she didn't know how to do it without risking stirring a pot.

"Nothing. I was just thinking…" Maura dismissed the concern, getting away from the window.

Jane knew that Maura would likely leave in a few days back to Boston. If she wanted to help Maura, she would need to make her talk now.

Jane followed Maura, and guided her to sit with Jane in the sofa.

"We need to talk…" Jane began.

"Sure. About what?"

Jane sighed. "I can see you have been more distracted and quieter than usual… I suspect it has to do with all that happened. Your parents, that soldier… You cannot bottle how you feel, Maura… All that happened was… well… huge… and had terrible consequences… You haven't talked about it yet… Don't… don't let it eat you from the inside out… I am right here. Talk to me. I promise you I won't judge." Jane offered, compassionately.