Chapter Eighty-Five

Taking care of Jane became Maura's routine for a number of days. She woke before sunrise, and along with Trudy and the girls, prepared herbal mixes and washes for Jane's damaged body. Apart from being in the kitchen she remained at Jane's side, painstakingly cleansing each wound as well as applying herbaceous creams and wraps. It was an arduous task but one Maura would leave to no one else. Jane's stump was raw and swollen but the infection within it, much to Maura's relief, was diminishing. When she wasn't taking care of her lover's body, she was taking care of her mind by reading to her, talking and singing to her.

Although it was distressing and the circumstances sorrowful, Maura was extremely contented to have Jane with her. For the not knowing of her whereabouts, her condition or anything about her for months on end had been infinitely harder.

Barry and Vince took turns on vigilant watch. Although no one in Maura's life knew where she lived they all knew that Maura would be one of the top priorities for the multitude of guards in search of Jane. Being so far from any towns or large populace of civilisation, no news had filtered down their way. However both pirates knew it would only be a matter of time before they expanded their search parameters. It would not be long and one of them would have to travel in disguise in order to gain entry to townships. It was imperative they stayed ahead of the authorities while keeping sharp watch for them.

Jane needed to be on Hermes Isle where she belonged but it was impossible. Captain Casey Jones and his men knew the location and would not hesitate to storm the island once more. It was no longer her island, no longer her home. She had lived there so long it was second nature Barry and Vince called it her island, but Marias betrayal and the discovery of Hermes had changed everything. Jane's men and the women and children had no longer been safe after Jane, Frankie and Tommy had been captured. Therefore Barry and Vince had done what was necessary to insure the safety of Jane's people. Now it only remained to get Captain Jane back to them.

J&M

A week after Janes rescue

Maura

Jane's eyes flew open in alarm and she moaned in agony. Her body throbbed and she struggled to breathe through the spasms of pain.

Maura

Although the room was pitch and she was feverish, Jane instinctively sensed she was no longer in prison. For she lay upon a soft mattress and the air smelt of herbs and Maura. Jane gasped and sucked in her scent like it was oxygen.

"Mau..." she managed thickly, to no reply.

Jane tried to sit up but the pain was intolerable and neither of her arms would cooperate. Carefully she shifted her head to the side, for Maura's unique aroma was imprinted on the pillow on which she lay. She breathed it in greedily like a balm for her soul. It was then she heard noise, footsteps down a hallway, a soft creak, then warm candlelight poured into the room. Jane turned her head to it, finding Maura bathed in its gentle glow.

"Maura," she croaked.

Maura jumped visibly and almost dropped the candelabra.

"Jane," she breathed in awe, her heart swelling with joy.

"Maura," Jane rasped once more, tears hindering her vision as Maura rushed to her.

Falling beside the bed Maura clutched Jane's shoulders and wept openly upon her chest.

"Oh my heart, my heart," she cried. Jane's eyes were fever ridden but strong.

Hot tears brimmed over, toppling down Jane's face and together they cried. Tears of joy and tears of anguish. Tears for one another and the despair they had both endured, the months apart, the torture Jane had endured.

"Maura," Jane murmured again and again against her fragrant hair like a beautiful melody, a sacred chant.

"Be this a dream?" she murmured unbelievingly.

"No, no this is definitely no dream my sweetheart."

"My god," Jane croaked roughly, "I be havin' missed…ye so very much. How did ye find..."

"Hush darling hush," she cooed, "it matters naught right now. All that matters…is that you are alive and with me."

Tenderly Maura smoothed Jane's tangled hair back as her lips followed; showering her face with heartfelt kisses.

"How I be havin' craved yer kiss, yer touch, the vera site of ye."

"Oh god Jane I've missed you more than my words can ever say," she whispered against her mouth, "I love you…how I love you, I was…was so scared you wouldn't wake…"

Maura couldn't finish speaking, for convulsive sobs wracked her body.

"My love I will…nereleave ye. Ye kept me alive in thar Maura. All that time 't be ye, always ye I thought of."

It was agonising to have even the slightest amount of Maura's weight upon her chest, but Jane bore it readily, for having her lover so close once more outweighed the pain a hundredfold.

"I need ta hold ye," she rasped after Maura's sobs eventually quietened, "god I hav ta hold ye Maura."

"You can't. Your arms and fingers…Jane I had to break them and reset the bones for you…to regain proper movement. They're in splints, please don't move them it…it will only add to your pain."

Jane nodded not wanting to add to the heartache etched across Maura's countenance.

"How bad…be things? I hurt…evawhere."

Maura swallowed heavily and looked away.

"Bad Jane," she replied, a shudder passing through her, "your torso was…is very dam…damaged and…and your right leg…it had to be…amp…amputated."

Maura gasped fearfully as Jane turned an even paler than she already was. Her throat worked rhythmically as her jaw clenched and relaxed spasmodically.

"O…okay," she rasped as tears pooled in her eyes. Furiously she blinked them back, "I trust yer judgement Maura. I love ye."

Maura's tears fell afresh as she cupped Jane's gaunt face and kissed her lips. Jane moaned softly against her mouth, the tears she had worked on hiding, falling instead.

"I'm sorry Jane; I am so sorry my heart."

"Nay Maura nay," whispered emphatically, "ye do nay be havin' anythin' t' be sorry fer…ye did nay do this t' me. I will manage….I will learn t' walk again. I be havin' ye, ye be all I care about."

"You will always have…have me, always. I will help you walk again; I will do anything for you Jane Rizzoli, anything."

"Me brothers?" Jane enquired fearfully after Maura's renewed sobs had quietened.

Maura lifted her head from Jane's collarbone.

"I do not know," she supplied solemnly," you have been with us a week, forgive me Jane but my mind has been on nothing but you."

"Who be us?" Jane murmured.

"Barry and Vince, my maids."

"I need ta know," she whispered earnestly, "please get Barry and Vince."

Maura nodded despondently and went to the door.

"Maura?"

When Maura turned sorrowful eyes her way Jane whispered, "there be nothin' t' forgive."

J&M

Jane was shattered to learn that Frankie and Tommy had been killed. Their torture and hanging but two weeks ago was carried out as part of Captain Jane Rizzoli's punishment and punish her it did. Barry and Vince had known before they rescued her, yet had been reluctant to tell Maura until they told Jane, arguing that Maura needed to concentrate solely on her lovers care.

Maura's heart bled for her lover and she feared that her loss would hinder her healing and wreak havoc on her overtaxed mind. And for a week it did as Jane lapsed back into unconsciousness, much to Maura's dismay.

When she regained consciousness she was remote and subdued when she wasn't sleeping and Maura's heart ached fiercely for her. She longed to take away Jane's suffering but she was helpless to do so. All she could do was assuage her fever with foul tasting brews and mend her external wounds. She bore Jane's distance with as much courage and resolve as she could, knowing it wasn't her intention to hurt her. Maura knew that Jane was blaming herself for her brother's deaths and she was desperate to tell her otherwise but it wasn't the right time, the truth would fall on deaf ears. The day would come when she would be receptive to what Maura had to say, she only hoped that day would come sooner rather than later.

J&M

Three weeks after Jane's rescue

Frankie! Tommy!

"Fuck! Naaay!" Jane bellowed, "God damn ye sons o' bitches! Frankie! Tommy!"

Maura bolted upright in the rocking chair she had placed next to Jane's bed. The book she had been reading to her before she fell asleep dropped to the hardwood floor as Maura pressed to Jane's side.

"Jane! Jane wake up, darling please," she cried as Jane thrashed violently upon the bed.

Grabbing her shoulders Maura shook Jane as hard as she dared until her eyes flew open in the softly lit room. She was drenched in sweat, wild and searching and Maura bit back a sob trying to claw its way up her throat.

"Jane oh Jane," she choked out, "here Jane I'm here look at me."

Tenderly she grasped Jane's cheek, turning her face towards her own. As Jane focused on Maura, tears spilled from her chocolate eyes.

"God Maura they be dead, me brothers be dead"

Jane wept openly and desperate to console her Maura slipped her arms under Janes and sat her up. Maura held her fiercely as she sobbed, rocking her back and forth and kissing her face. Her strong pirate could no longer hold in her torment and Maura grieved with her and for her.

"Jane my heart I'm so sorry darling, I'm so sorry."

Maura held fast to Jane, loving her and comforting her the only way she knew how until she had exhausted all her tears. Slumping heavily against Maura Jane fell into her first peaceful sleep and Maura was loathe to release her. She gathered her closer still, continuing her ministrations, soaking up her presence.

J&M

Morning sun filtered softly into the room, finding Maura sound asleep beside Jane, casting its warm glow upon them. Black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice and tree sparrows were alive with song, flitting around to and fro in the shrubs outside the bedroom window. Jane laid still and quiet, soaking in the tranquillity of the early hours. Maura's breath ticked her neck faintly, the scent of her hair calming. Jane hungered to touch her and comfort her, for she had given so freely of herself.

"Ye be my perfect angel Maura," she whispered against the top of her head, "I love ye."

Maura stirred and moaned softly before opening her hazel eyes. Lifting her head they met Jane's warm ones and Jane smiled at the sleepy haze about her.

"Mornin," she gruffed affectionately.

Maura regarded her in quiet contemplation before leaning down to kiss her. Humming contentedly in the back of her throat she opened to Jane and their tongues met and danced languidly in a tender duel of exploration and reacquaintance. Maura moaned brokenly as her desire roared to life like a match to dry kindling and without conscious thought she bit Jane's bottom lip sharply. Jane groaned deeply against her mouth and Maura pulled back with a start, realising she'd drawn blood.

"Jane I…"

"Do nay apologise. I be feelin 't too."

Smiling tenderly, Maura drew her thumb across Jane's bottom lip, smearing away the spot of blood before replacing her thumb with her mouth.

"I've missed you," she whispered against her lips.

"I know love, but…"

"No…no buts darling."

Maura's eyes shone with adoration.

"Thank...thank ye fer last night…fer everythin. For takin' me in, fixin' me up," Jane returned wholeheartedly.

"Please don't thank me, my home is your home and I'll always take care of you."

Jane looked away, wetness glimmering her eyes, "I be sorry I be havin' kept ye at a distance this past week."

Carefully, Maura cupped Jane's face and brought it back to hers, "there is no need to be sorry my love; I know you've been grieving."

"Aye," she gruffed softly, ending the subject of her brothers for the time being.

"Be I well enough fer a bath an' some sun? I be havin' t' talk t' Barry an' Vince, thar be much we need t' discuss. Will ye sit wi' me while we talk?"

"Your…stump is still too raw to be submersed sweetheart, but I can find something to rest it upon up out of the water. Your arms will have to stay on the side of the tub, but together we will manage. And as for sun and talk, it can wait another day darling, especially talking. You need your rest, but yes, I will sit with you tomorrow."

Jane acquiesced without fight to Maura's wishes.

"How be I getting' 't the bath," she spoke suddenly in mild irritation, for she had forgot the loss of her leg.

Maura sat back a little in concentration, "would you mind terribly…if Barry carried you in there?"

"Nay," she barked, her pride flaring to the surface "nay not that."

"Darling there is no other way," Maura stated calmly, for she knew Jane would not take well to this.

"Well I guess I be stayin' in th' bed," she countered testily.

My proud pirate, how I adore you.

"Darling he carried you into my cottage. He carried you up here. No one thinks any less of you; you're the strongest person we know. You're the most courageous person I know. Please, don't be ashamed to admit you need help."

"God damn it love, how do ye always know what t' say t' make me do somethin' I do nay want t' do."

Maura was silent for a brief moment before speaking, "it's just until your arms heal my heart. When I take off the splints, Barry and Vince can hold you up and you can…you can hop between them. When your stump is strong enough we can fashion you a wooden leg together."

"Okay Maura. Ye be havin' a deal," Jane whispered, "I trust ye."

J&M

Jane kept her word to Maura and without hesitation Barry carried Jane into the bathroom wrapped in a blanket. Jane grimaced and clenched her jaw through the pain of being moved but would not let on how much she was still hurting. Maura however saw right through her stoic mask and went in search of Trudy to brew some more herbs. When she returned to the bathroom attached to the spare bedroom Jane was sitting pale faced upon the side of a generous claw foot bath. Maura rushed to her and kissed her sweaty forehead.

"You know you don't have to hide your pain from me, I see it."

"Aye, aye I know, jus be habit I guess."

"I've asked Trudy, my maid to make you some herbal brew to take the edge off."

"Thank ye," she coughed before shouldering some of the blanket from her body.

Maura helped remove the rest, leaving Jane to stare down at herself, at the red angry protrusion that was once her leg. Maura draped her arm over Jane's shoulders and kissed the side of her head.

"Did ye do 't?" she inquired quietly.

"No. I couldn't bring myself to. Barry and Vince did. It wasn't easy for them either."

Jane nodded, "Aye 'tis nereeasy. Will…will ye help me int' the water?"

"Of course."

Together they got her into the shallow, fragrant water. Maura placed a small wood block under her stump to avoid submersion. It was nowhere close to a full bath but Jane groaned deeply and lent her head back, for the heat felt gratifying on her broken body. When she could manage to drag her eyes open again, she caught Maura watching her, her gaze suffused with tenderness.

"My brave, strong pirate," she murmured, picking up a wash cloth.

Lovingly she cleaned her pirates healing body.

J&M

"I must be lookin' a fright t'ye," Jane murmured in contemplation much later, resting uncomfortably on freshly washed linen.

Maura lifted her head to glare at her a moment before continuing to tuck the sheet.

"Aye tis as I thought," she said to herself, Maura having to strain to catch her words.

She stopped what she was doing and moved to sit at Jane's side.

"Nothing about your physical appearance frightens me Jane, nor does it disgust me, and it never will. Don't you dare," she said heatedly.

"I could lose both me legs, both me arms, an' I wouldna care. Me body be maimed, yet I do nay care about such things. What I couldna bare is if ye couldna stand th' sight o' me anymore. If ye couldna stomach t' touch me. It tore at me relentlessly sometimes when I be imprisoned. What if ye stopped lovin' me? What if th' sight o' me made ye sick?"

Jane sucked in a sharp breath as Maura's hand grabbed her shoulder, her fingers digging in to the point of pain. Her voice was fierce, "look at me," she demanded.

Clenching her jaw in defence, Jane glanced back at her lover.

"I love you," Maura said passionately, before crossing the room to lock the door. Turning her back to it she whispered "I'll never stop. I am yours."

She watched Jane watching her as she made her way back to her side.

"If I couldn't stand the sight of you, would I do this?" she asked boldly, shrugging herself out of her dress to leave it pooled at her feet. Jane's breathing hitched and her jaw muscles bunched at the sight of Maura's nakedness. Although slimmer and lacking some of her curvaceousness, she was still the most arresting woman Jane had ever laid eyes on.

"Would I do this Jane?" she whispered fiercely.

Stepping forward she pulled back the sheet and brazenly lifted herself onto the bed and over Jane's sinewy hips, careful not to put her weight on top of her. Jane's eyes were now shadowy and dangerous, roaming her body without shame and pinpricks of excitement danced through Maura's stomach.

Hovering over her pelvis, she reached out with her right hand and softly caressed Jane's breast. Hearing her rough breath, Maura palmed the small globe more firmly, while gently rubbing the stiffening nipple between her thumb and forefinger. Unable to stop herself Jane groaned and let her head flop back on the pillow. For months and months on end her body, her mind had been tortured beyond measure. So used to pain, the opposite of it had her overcome with such acute sensation she could hardly bear it. Maura had barely touched her.

"Would I do this," Maura panted softly, "if I found you so frightening? Would I touch you this way?"

Deftly she slipped her other hand into Jane's wet folds and they moaned in unison. Maura strained to hold back; she was overcome with want for Jane, for the need to show her how much she yearned to touch her, to reunite this way. But she knew she had to temper herself, Jane wasn't yet strong enough to last the onslaught of her desire.

"I love you," she whispered as she massaged Janes clitoris, watching the sweat break out on her forehead, her corded neck muscles strain as she tilted her head back.

"Yes darling, take this pleasure."

"Maura," Jane husked out, "feels…so…good,"

"Yes my darling yes," she said triumphantly, stroking Jane franticly before slipping two of her elegant fingers deep inside. Immediately she felt Jane closing tight on her and with a couple of gentle thrusts Jane groaned low and long, her walls clenching rhythmically as Maura prolonged her orgasm as best she could.

Leaning forward to softly stab at Janes nipples with her tongue, she kissed her way down her scarred body, and settling herself between her legs, brought her crashing over another crest with her mouth.

Jane lay breathing heavily as Maura moved down beside her.

"I need t' touch ye so bad 't hurts. I long t' lose myself in ye. I love ye."

Maura softly danced a finger across Janes bottom lip, whimpering when she unexpectedly sucked the digit into her warm mouth. Her face was a picture of agony and longing.

"Please Maura."

"I want your touch more than you know, but you can't my darling, your hands…"

"Nay…but please brin' yersef o'er me, please let me please ye."

Lost to her lovers pleading, knowing she could never deny Jane anything she needed, Maura eased herself up and over her. Her warning for Jane to not overtax herself was lost on a guttural moan as Jane began stroking her fiercely. Groaning deep in her throat Jane swallowed all Maura had to offer. She tasted more exquisite than Jane remembered, so warm and inviting. She could scarcely breath as Maura ground herself more firmly against her mouth, her own desire rising painfully hearing Maura's sobs of pleasure.

"Oh Jane yesss…"

As soon as Jane probed Maura's entrance, Maura gave a strangled cry and convulsed against her.

Falling heavily beside Jane, Maura curled herself around her solid warmth as much as she could without hurting her. Together they drifted off, Maura's hand tangled in Jane's wild curls, murmurs and assurances of love whispered softly and desperately.