My first full out story for season two. Unlike my one shots, this one isn't focused around the first episode, but there will probably be allusions to it in here. I see a lot of stories where Maura takes care of Jane. I was ready for Jane to take care of Maura, and this is my take on that. I'm going to post this one as I write it, so reviews would be GREATLY appreciated.

The characters aren't mine. They belong to Tess, TNT, and other important people.

"Maura!" Jane pounded on the doctor's front door. "Maura, open the door!" Her voice rang out through the quiet neighborhood. At 11:30 at night, most people were peacefully shut away for the evening, and the sound of someone yelling and pounding on a door was an abrupt and unwelcome intrusion on a neighborhood that valued its harmony and solitude.

The doorknob rattling made Jane stop pounding. Slowly, the front door swung open, and a very disheveled and pale Maura Isles appeared. The annoyance on her face was evident even through her red, puffy eyes and flushed cheeks. "Jane," she hissed, "what do you think you're doing? It's 11:30 at night. You'll wake up the entire neighborhood."

"Let me in," came the hoarse reply as Jane's hand shot out to catch hold of the door.

"Fine." Maura stepped back, wrapping a hand around the front of her robe while the other found its way into a side pocket. "Why are you here, Jane?"

"You," Jane shot back as she closed and locked the front door, "don't come to work for four days, don't answer the phone, and don't tell me what's going on, and then you ask me why I'm here? I'm here because you had surgery and didn't bother to tell me." She glanced down Maura's small frame. "Should you even be out of bed?"

"First of all," the doctor hobbled over to the sofa and gingerly took a seat, "it was emergency surgery. I wasn't prepared and told the only person I had time to tell."

"Korsak. I mean, really? Korsak?" Jane walked over to the sofa and dropped her overnight bag by the side as she stood looking down at her best friend.

"You were in the field, and he was who was available. I asked him to tell you. I assume he did not." Maura gently leaned back against the sofa cushions, closing her eyes and breathing lightly.

"He's been out for three days. He told me this afternoon when I saw him. But, really, you couldn't call or something?"

"I've been unconscious most of the past four days, Jane. The pain medication is fairly strong. In fact, it has just worn off, which is the only reason I heard you pounding on my door." She cracked an eye to give Jane her best dirty look. "You're lucky my neighbors didn't call the police for the disturbance you made."

"I am the police," Jane shot back, crossing her arms. "Maura," her voice grew gentler, "what happened?"

"My appendix ruptured unexpectedly. I thought it was indigestion, but, apparently, I was wrong." She sighed, winced, and grabbed at her side.

"You must feel bad. You never admit when you're wrong." Jane dropped down to kneel in front of the doctor. "I took tomorrow and Monday off so I could be here to help you. I figured if you've missed that much work you probably were feeling pretty crappy." She reached out to take Maura's hand. "What can I do to help?"

"Thank you, Jane. That's very thoughtful of you." Maura opened her eyes again. "I honestly don't know. My body is sore. I'm fighting an infection. I should eat something so I can take my medication, and it hurts to walk." She sighed. "I sound whiney. I'm sorry."

"Hey, you're allowed." With her usual grace, Jane stood. "When was the last time you took a bath?"

"Do I smell?" The horrified look on Maura's face was enough to make Jane chuckle.

"No. You never smell. Well, you never smell bad anyway. But, I figure a bath would help with your aches. Tell you what, why don't you stay here and lay on couch, and I'll run you a bath. While you're soaking, I'll make you something light to eat so you can take your meds, and, then, we'll get you to bed. How does that sound?"

Maura gave a very weak smile. "Wonderful."

"Good. Now, don't go anywhere. I'll be back soon."

Thank you for reading. Please feed me my coffee and gummy bears. ;-) (PS, I'm on twitter. Look me up! adm_hawthorne)