So sorry for the delay with my other fic 'How do I get the girl?'. I've been away. And while I have been away this idea came to mind and wouldn't leave. Hope you like it. Please review to keep my insecurities at bay. There will be more soon (on both fics). Tj. x

Ps. I do not own R&I, nor make profit from my words. Unfortunately.

Looking in the mirror for the first time since her altercation with Hoyt, Jane assesses the damage to her face. It's calm now. The party is over and she's at peace in the quiet of her home. Having had the time to shower and change, she leans with both hands upon her vanity space staring at the busted and angry skin on her forehead. The day's events flash by, and she sighs. Another scar. Another memory etched upon her skin. 'Let's hope it fades,' she thinks to herself. Bastard!

Thoughts of Maura near the forefront of her mind. Images of her being held against her will and the cut to her throat cause tears to prick at her eyes.

"Dammit Maur…" she whispers to no-one but herself, "…why'd you have to be there?"

Remembering the hug she'd given her friend as she's left gave her butterflies. It was powerful… healing, and disappointing when it was over.

Her mother had made such a fuss about staying to care for her, Jane had lost herself in a rant about wanting to be alone. And though it helped to remove her over anxious mother, it left no other choice but for Maura to leave too. And now, as she stares into the mirror feeling exhausted and badly bruised, she really wished she'd made Maura stay.

Her body aches from its earlier adrenalin fuelled rage, and as much as her body would love the gentle cushioning of a bed, her mind is too ratty to settle there. She wants to see Maura, just one more time before going to bed… to make sure she's okay… but it's late. Far too late for a friendly phone call. What the hell is she gonna do now?

Muttering at her predicament she leaves the bathroom, turning her back on her damaged reflection. She finds herself grabbing her phone, and can't stop herself dialling the number. She needs this, as much as she hopes Maura does. It takes a while but when she answers, her friend's voice is soft, and shaky.
"Jane, are you alright?"

"Yeah, Maur, I'm fine. I just wanted to chat with you. I hope you don't mind. I know it's late."

"No, it's fine."

"Good…" She nods her head. "Good… I guess I just wanted to see if you were okay… I mean, I let you leave and… I don't know if I should have." She winced at her neediness, hoping she'd masked it enough with her concern.

"It's fine, although to be honest I didn't really want to leave. I was hoping to spend more time with you once everyone had gone, but after your discussion with Angela, I didn't know what else to do."

"I know, I lost it..." She runs her fingers through her hair unconsciously. "… I just wanted Ma to leave, y'know? Didn't want her fussing and hovering over me… but I should have asked you to stay. I was in a fog I guess."

"It's fine. We both are, I expect."

"Yeah…" Jane sits, perched on the edge of her bed, wanting to imagine Maura doing the same. "So what you been doing since you got home? You still haven't answered my question. You been okay?"

She hears ruffling, blankets maybe.

"I took a shower the minute I got home. I could still felt him on me somehow…" She catches herself. "I'm sorry… you probably don't want to talk about it…"

"Maur, after what you've just been through, I'd be a shit of a friend if I didn't let you at least talk about it."

"I guess. I'm just cautious to speak about it as I still feel very raw. I don't know how long I was in the shower… for the first time the water actually went cold…"

The line went quiet, and Jane waited for Maura to gather her thoughts. It was taking a while.

"Sweetie, you still there? … Talk to me, Maur."

"I feel... shaken… and sore… my body's tired but my brain seems too agitated for sleep. It's frustrating."

"I know, I feel it too."

Their voices meld together in a quiet intimacy.

"Can I come over?" The request is tentative at best… uncertain… equivalent to what Jane is feeling now.

"Of course, please, I miss you. I mean, … it sounds extreme, but I miss having you near to me after this afternoon."

Jane smiles, a perfectly big grin. "Well, I'll be right over then, and I'll bring some of Ma's comfort food with me."

"Mmm, some of that cake would be delicious."

She laughs. "Okay, Maur. Sounds good. I'll be with you in twenty, okay?"

"Great. I'll see you soon."

Jane stares at the now dead phone in her hand, wondering if she'll be able to hold Maura again, hold her as she had before, full-bodied and uncaring of anyone who saw. The very thought of it got her racing to collect her things. She was suddenly looking very much forward to the rest of her evening.