A/N: This was inspired by the wonderful song "All We Do" by the band "Oh Wonder". I would recommend listening to it because it sets the mood wonderfully for this.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters nor the original plot line. I'm just an author, who wants to find their voice by delving deeper into the beautiful character minds.

You were exhausted, but relaxing in the usual softness and warmth of your sheets was impossible. Everything was cold, every position uncomfortable. You were restless. The last days had filled you with terrible anxiousness and fear. Fear for her because you'd almost lost her. Again.

You owed your growing distress to a teenage girl, a foolish teenage girl. At times you really couldn't grasp human nature, this side of the irrational impulsiveness everyone, but principally the young, tended to lose themselves in. It caused so much unnecessary pain. Why not let rationality and reason shape ones life? It had worked for you, given you the right direction, brought you here.

You just couldn't understand why and that made you incredibly desperate and angry. Angry because this had endangered the most important thing in your life. Your best friend. Jane. Because she didn't care. Didn't care about you or her family, when she tried to save all these lost souls. Why did she also have to be led by these treacherous motives?

It wasn't healthy. And now Jane had learned this the hard way. She had lost her baby. Her unborn baby. Sadness fills you and your vision starts to become blurry, tears slowly forming in your eyes. Because you had known how much the possibility of getting to be a mother had meant to her. How she secretly couldn't wait to meet this little creature growing inside of her, her own little person. How excited and proud she was. How happy. You saw it in the way this special little twinkle would make her eyes light up everyday. You saw it in the way she would cautiously and protectively hold her tummy in situations of stress. You saw it in the open way she went to Angela for support, for the first time in her life.

Yet today, that twinkle had forever disappeared, Angela hadn't come to the hospital when Jane had been released and scarred hands were incessantly wrung together, avoiding the flat of her stomach completely. As if it didn't even exist.

A lone tear falls onto your white pillow. You study the way the drop slowly gets drawn into the fabric, forming a dark spot on your otherwise flawless pillow. It reminds you of Jane's eyes today, how dull and lifeless they appeared, as if her happiness had been sucked into the depths of her soul with the sole purpose of never being able to be found again.

Time wouldn't heal this, no. You shudder. The overwhelming hopelessness and your own incapability of knowing how to help make you cry harder. You don't know how to fix her after today, don't know how to find the lost happiness in her firmly sealed and protected soul.

You had wanted that child, too. You would've given everything for it. For Jane. Because her happiness was your happiness and that was the actual root of the matter. Your will to self-sacrifice anything and everything for Jane, regardless of consequences, had made you realise that you couldn't stay with Jack. It was the reason to why you broke things off with him as soon as you got the news of the lost baby. You couldn't give him and his daughter the attention they needed, since Jane needed you and she needed you now.

Despite that, you don't know how to be the unwavering anchor she needs right now, since you, yourself, are devastated and somewhat paralysed after the tragedy. You haven't encountered pain or disappointment like this ever before, not even Hoyt could reach this level of pain, this level of feeling of loss.

You had tried everything immediately, but even after looking at countless reports, studies and files about depression after miscarriage, you found nothing. Nothing to give you an idea of what you were going to deal with. The uneasiness at the thought of confronting her about what happened intensified, when she hadn't said a single word to you after leaving the hospital. It had scared you, terrified you of what was yet to come.

That's why an unexpected call at two in the morning makes you wide awake and alert. When you answer the phone, she is crying. It's heart breaking. "I lost the baby, Maur. I lost it.. fuck." She keeps on sobbing and whimpering and you have not the slightest idea of what to say. But you have to, you need to save her. Swallowing hard, you try. "Jane. I'm so unbelievably sorry, Sweetie.. it was a terrible, terrible accident. Nobody could know, that something so tragic would happen. But you.. you also saved Tasha, Jane. You gave her a new chance at life. You, Jane Rizzoli, did that and that's worth something."

"But it's not enough, Maura." The harsh whisper makes a cold shiver run down your back.

"I killed my child because of this damn job! It was mine and.. I wanted it so much.. so, so much. It would've been the only truly good thing I'd accomplish in my life. The baby was my purpose, my future." Her crying decreases slowly, her words becoming clearer, but her voice is still raw, portraying powerful anguish and regret.

"I don't believe that, Jane. You still have your job, people to look out for. You still have your family to look out for. You have me.. and we all need you, Jane. I need you." She stays silent, the only extinguishable sound being her still erratic breathing. It unnerves you, you hate when she shuts you out. "Jane.. talk to me. Where are you? Please don't give up." You try your best at staying calm and reasonable, try to hide the increasing desperation and worry. You had to be the strong one now.

She doesn't answer at first. Through the phone you can hear heavy rain and a car go by. She's not at home. "Please answer me. I need you to be safe." You need her to be safe, here with you, in your arms, but you don't say that. That would be foolish.

"I'm at your door.. I didn't know where else to go, sorry. I don't know how long I've sat here, but I'm starting to get cold. It's raining." You get out of bed at once, throw on your robe and run down the stairs. When your yank open the door, you're met with a shivering dark figure. Jane. Hastily you push her inside, over to the couch, before going to the kitchen making tea.

"Wait, Maura. I think it would be better to get out of these wet clothes first. Don't want to get too sick, yeah?" She seems lost, shivering and barely being able to hold herself up. Since when was Jane the person to use the logical approach? Why was it, that you lose all your sense of logic and reason, as soon as Jane was in acute need of something? Had she changed you so much, that you just happen to forget the most important trait that shaped the otherwise outstanding Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Maura Isles? You discard the thought, that kind of thinking brought you nowhere now and wasn't your priority, Jane was.

"Yes, of course. Maybe it would be best to take a warm shower? Or a bath?" She nods her head almost imperceptibly. The thought of making tea thrown out of the window, you help her upstairs into the bathroom. Steam starts to fill the room as she gets into the shower. She sighs. You get her a towel and dry clothes and you're just about to leave her to go downstairs, when a vulnerable plea stops you. "Maura, wait. Could you.. could you stay with me? I don't want to be alone right now.. I just can't take this confining loneliness." The confession breaks you heart because you know how hard it is for Jane to ask for help or comfort. To show weakness. That's why you don't hesitate with sitting down on the toilet seat right next to the shower. You stay there without talking, without questioning her sudden openness. You hope that it's enough.

When the calming sound of falling water ceases and she steps out, you turn away, unable to meet her eyes. You don't want her to see your fear and worry, don't want her to stop trusting you with this. You hear the rustling of cloth and fabric before you become aware of her standing in front of you. When your eyes do meet, you're met with unreserved pain and hurt. It takes your breath away. She looks so small and fragile. You've never met this Jane before, never thought somebody looking so broken could exist.

She starts crying again, tears relentlessly running down her beautiful face. She doesn't care to brush them away, to hide them. It's her way of telling you, that she has given up, that she's stopped fighting. You don't want to believe that, so you slowly get up and tentatively brush the wet tears away. You force her meet your gaze to make her see that you are still there, still fighting for her. That you're not giving up. You fingers continue to caress her soft skin, trying to calm her down, trying to make her feel your love.

Slowly she wraps her arms around your shoulders, leaning into you, finally putting all her weight on you, all her pain. You return her embrace, pressing into her. She sobs. "Hey, it's going to be okay, Jane. I'm here. Always. And I won't let you go, I promise." She whimpers, but doesn't let go. You move to nuzzle into the warm skin of her neck, she feels and smells so good. She feels like home. She's your safe haven and that's why you have to save her. She's your everything. You can't let her break.

You don't know how long you stand there, merely basking in each others warmth and comfort. When you feel her press a soft kiss on your hair, you surrender, tightening your hold. She starts moving her hands up and down your back, you shiver at her touch. She has stopped crying, the tears have eventually dried and for the first time these passed days, you believe that you can fix her.

You feel hope. When you step back slightly, she tries to stop you and that makes a warm feeling settle in your heart. She doesn't reject you anymore, no, instead she wants to be close to you and embrace the strength and love you so readily give her.

When you eventually do let go of her, you muster her, noticing the way she has lost weight, the way the dark rings under her eyes have become black. She really doesn't look good. You need to take care of her now. "Do you want to eat something? Drink something?"

"No thanks.. I just want to go to bed now. Haven't really slept these past days.. I'm really exhausted." You see the tight look in her eyes when she mentions that she hasn't slept and you can only guess how excruciating these last days have been for her. You know, that it's going to be an arduous path to get back your Jane, but that doesn't unsettle you, no, you owe it to her. You accept the challenge, knowing she would do the same thing for you, knowing she has done it already.

As soon as you both settle into the soft sheets of your bed, she turns towards you and waits for you to do the same. When you finally face each other, she starts speaking. "Thank you, Maur. Thank you for everything. I know these last days have been hard and.. I'm sorry for being such an ignorant ass. For shutting you out. You didn't deserve that.. I'm sorry." The words are spoken so sweetly, so sincerely, that you can't stop a lone tear leaking from your moist eyes.

"Shh.. come here." She tucks you into her chest, her hand lazily running through you hair. You feel so safe, so protected by her and her warmth. Your head starts to spin, making you utter the words that had been locked down in your chest for so long. "I love you." It's quiet, tentative, asking for her to understand how important she is to you. She pulls back and the look in her eyes says it all. Pain and despair have made way for love and adoration, making her chocolate brown orbs shine brightly.

Her eyes move over your face, following the elegant curve of your nose until they reach your lips. She eyes them carefully, throughly. Your heart skips a beat. She seems to hesitate, to consider possibilities. Then she moves in slowly, trying to gauge your response. Waiting for you to protest, to make her stop. But you stay still, anticipating, not knowing what to make of this sudden change of direction, this sudden change of atmosphere. You close your eyes the moment her lips touch yours. The sensation it causes is peculiar at least. It doesn't exude grand romantic feelings or hasted confessions. It's comforting and reassuring, a gesture of trust. Slow and deliberate, no doubt defiling the message it bears. It feels good and strong.

She ends the kiss, but stays close. You feel a small smile spreading on her lips, as they are still resting on yours. You keep your eyes closed and lose yourself in this wonderfully satisfying feeling of connection. You twitch slightly, when you feel her lips ghost over your eyelids, your forehead, your cheeks, down to your nose, planting teasing kisses right on its tip.

She leans back slightly and the loss of her heat makes you open your eyes. She rests her head in her hand, surveying you yet again. "Say something." Her voice is an excited but shy whisper, that fills your body with childish giddiness. You chuckle because, really, this must be the most bizarre and wonderful situation you've ever encountered with her. "What are we doing?" The question comes out harsher and louder than intended, but it brings you both back to reality, making a light frown crosses Jane's face.

"I don't know, Maur. I think.. I just wanted to show you how much I love you, how much you mean to me.. it felt right.. I mean there's nothing wrong with kissing your best friend once, right?" The forced chuckle and uneasy grin irritate you. "So you just 'experiment' with me and your love for me? I can't believe this, Jane.. That's a terrible excuse! Because it really didn't feel like an experiment to me." Frustrated you move away from her, turning over, willing your eyes to stay dry this time.

"What do you want from me, Maura? You can't pretend for something to be there when it's not! I mean, it was just a kiss. Nothing more, nothing less. What do you want to hear from me? That I enjoyed it? That I want more?" The venom in her voice actually hurts, poisoning your heart, taunting you, mocking you. You turn back, locking her in an intense gaze. Offence is the best defence, so they say.

"Yes, actually I do. I mean seriously, don't you notice that our friendship isn't something you would call normal? The countless sleepovers, touches, the eye contact. The rumours at work, that even Korsak and Cavanaugh divulge on? The fact, that we've been the most important person in each others life for so many years now? The fact, that I'm pretty much your mother's second daughter? Come on, Jane. You can't deny that."

She breaks the gaze, hiding her face in her hands. She lets out a frustrated sigh. "I can't do this now, Maura. It was a mistake coming here. I mean, I came here for comfort from my best friend, not for far fetched accusations that make me angry." She gets up and that makes you even more furious. "Jane Clementine Rizzoli, don't you dare leave now. Don't you dare run from me now!" You get up as well, coming to stand in front of her. You tone is low and daring.

She builds herself up before you, her eyes dangerously black now. "I'm not running, I'm just exiting a pointless conversation that will make me unnecessarily angry. There's a difference, you know? Just let me go and have a goodnights sleep. What's wrong with that?" You see the wicked challenge in her fiery gaze, taunting you yet again. You know you've lost the fight, if you don't use your last chance.

Calmly you approach her. "There's nothing wrong with that, Jane." You can already see the well known look of triumph in her eyes. "But I just mean, I don't think there's anything wrong with addressing the turn our friendship took tonight. I.. I actually welcomed it. I've known for sometime now. I need you and you're my happiness.. that's why I broke things off with Jack, when we got the news of the miscarriage. I knew, that I had to take care of you now. And I wanted that."

The colour of her eyes changes, now portraying worry and compassion. "What? Why didn't you tell me, Maura? I'm so sorry.. I knew he was different. He was good for you.. and I just messed that up for you, again, didn't I? Gosh, I'm so stupid!" You notice her stance slightly slumping, the fire and anger slowly leaving. She wasn't running anymore.

"No, Jane, it was my choice. I chose you over him. It couldn't have worked out with him, I recognised that. You're much more important to me, you give me so much more. I wouldn't have risked our friendship for him. I choose you, Jane."

Her features turn blank, her eyes are frighteningly empty. You regret your words instantly, realising you had cornered her once again. "It's okay, really. I mean, I would've raised your child with you.. I would've left him then at the latest. Don't you understand how much you and your life mean to me?"

You almost don't hear her response, it's muffled and very quiet. "I do, Maura.. and it scares me because.. because it's the same for me." She pauses, trying desperately to find the right words. "It's always been like this.. when I realised I was pregnant, I knew I couldn't face it alone. And I chose you.. I chose you over Casey to take care of my child. It seemed to be the right decision and.. you know I didn't even think about it twice? My gut just told me.. yeah."

The admission almost makes your burst with love for the woman stood across from you. How could somebody like her not see, how special she was? "Come here." You lock her in a tight embrace once more and she surrenders willingly, all thoughts of leaving seemingly out of question. You kiss her on the forehead and she just tightens her hold. "I love you, too." When you lean back to look at her, you can see the relief finally relaxing her features. She looks so beautiful.

You don't think twice when you lean in. Your mouth is immediately welcomed, lips moving together in a passionate dance. She sighs into your mouth and her hands wind up in your hair. She pulls you down, always closer, as if she can't get enough of you. It causes you to whimper, not from pain, but from redeeming release. She traps your bottom lip, lightly sucking. The slight move of dominance thrills you. When you break apart shortly, she grins. You haven't seen her this happy in a long time. But she is quick to reunite your lips, this time being a bit more daring, a bit more forceful. She runs her tongue over you bottom lip, silently asking for entrance. You tease her by keeping your lips closed, but she doesn't dwell on it for very long before making her way up your delicate jaw bone to your ear. She bites your earlobe playfully, making you gasp. Powerful sensations travel down your body, gathering between your thighs. It makes you delirious, the want and need for her is slowly but surely taking over your senses. You yank her lips back down to yours, finally sneaking your tongue into her mouth. Her taste is divine.

The longer you kiss, the more you need to touch her. To feel her. So you pull away, breathing hard. "Let's take this to bed." She instantly complies, picking you up and carrying you the few steps towards the bed, before throwing you down gently. You gasp. "That was unexpected. But now come here, I need to feel you." Instead of the expected affirmation she falters. You can't help but let doubts flood your mind. Were you too wanting, too fast?

"I can't believe this is really happening. I never thought I'd get to be with you this way. This is like taunting dream.. what is if it's not real? What happens if I wake up tomorrow morning in my bed, alone and hurting?" She comes closer, until she's hovering over you, a vulnerable look clouding her beautiful brown eyes. "Please tell me, that this is real." You kiss her then because it is the realest thing you can think of to prove to her that this is most definitely real.

It's the most wonderful kiss you've ever shared with anyone. Not because of the softness of her lips, or the expert way of how they move against yours, no. It's the significance of the kiss, that makes you fall harder than you ever have. The unfathomable love that connects you to her, the promise of never being left alone, the guarantee of never ending protection and safety, that makes the kiss so special.

After you break apart, you take things much more slowly, much more deliberately. This isn't an act of want but of love. An assurance to Jane, that you were forever fighting for her with your love and an assurance to you, that she would never give up, whatever might come.

When you're both eventually shed of your clothes, you move back to the bed. She moves on top of you and you moan at the awareness of feeling her skin on yours. She silences you by bringing you into another passionate kiss, caressing your mouth with her tongue. You want intensifies quickly and you start to move against her. She understands and places her strong thigh between yours, making your moan at the pressure against your centre.

You move against each other in fluid waves, every contact bringing you closer to the edge. But Jane's attention wanders to other sensitive parts of your body. Tenderly, yet somewhat hesitantly, she lets her hand caress the underside of your left breast. Your nipple hardens right away, making it ache with wanted touch. "Please, Jane." She looks at you teasingly, before taking it in her mouth. You moan at the sensation. "Oh, that feels so good, Jane. Don't stop." She laughs against your erected skin, before repeating her actions on the other one.

With time, though, you get impatient. The need for her to fully release you becoming unbearable. "I need you now, Jane. Please stop teasing." And to show her how much you need her, you take one of her exploring hands and push it between your thighs. She gasps at the wetness she finds there. Unbelievingly she looks at you. "You're so wet, Maur. Fuck." You lift your hips, trying to feel the friction you so desperately need. "Yes, Jane. All for you. Please.." Finally, she starts moving her fingers up and down through your wetness. Her touch is unreal. You know you're already close. "More." When her fingers settle at your entrance, you almost explode with want. She slides in and you're gone. Gone into another unearthly stratosphere. "Oh my god, you feel so good. You're so tight.. fuck, Maura." It doesn't take long until you feel the familiar clenching and white heat.

When your climax finally hits you, you connect your lips to silence the long drawn out moan. You disappear into spheres you haven't visited before, seeing countless stars and lights. The first thing you become aware of, after returning to earth, is her soft smile. When your eyes connect, hers are filled with wonder and pride. She leans down to kiss you once more and it's filled with love and adoration. "You're so beautiful, Maura. I love you."

You beam at her, turning her over. "I love you, too. And now, I'm going to show you how much." Her face is full of trust, when you make your way down her lean body. You stop at her gunshot scar. Lovingly, you caress it, the heat of the moment gone. "You're a hero Jane, a true hero. Nobody has the right to tell you differently. But most importantly, you are my hero." You kiss the scar, trying to convey all your love in it. She brushes through your hair, tugging lightly to bring you back up.

"You're wonderful and I'll always protect you, keep you safe. Promise." With that you let your hand wander over her stomach down to the apex of her thighs. She whimpers. The sound spurs you on and you don't hesitate to delve into liquid heat. She moans, slightly opening her legs. You can't believe that she wants you this much. "Uh.. please, Maura. I want.. I want you.. oh my god, fuck!"

As soon as you enter her, you feel her muscles tense deliciously around your fingers. She feels warm and velvety, you never want to leave again. Her response is exhilarating, her hips pushing you deeper inside. It doesn't take long and you have her on the edge. You move down to her breast and suck her inviting nipple. One more thrust and she's flying. Her hips are shaking uncontrollably and her breathing is intermitted by ceaseless moans and whimpers. It's a truly breathtaking sight.

When she recovers, she covered in a thin sheen of sweat and her cheeks are tinged with a gorgeous blush. You kiss her once, before settling against her. She wraps you in her arms protectively. You feel whole, at home.

"Wow.. that was.. magnificent, wonderful, breathtaking, glorious? I don't have a word for what you made me feel.. you just took my breath away." She mumbles into your ear, making you laugh. "Yes, who would've thought that we'd finally figure it out.. I'm so glad to be here with you right now. And I'm so relieved that you came to me tonight. We'll find a way, somehow. I know that it'll take time, but most importantly we're in this together."

She sighs. "Yeah, somehow.. do you really want to go through this with me?" Her uncertainty, even after all you had just shown her, told her through your caresses, surprises you. "Of course, Jane. Always." You turn to her and try to kiss all the lingering doubt away.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

And with that you finally settle for long needed sleep. You fall asleep in her arms. You know you made the right choice. You loved her. Starting now, you were going to fix her and she was going to fix you. For good.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Thanks for reading.

A.