“Here goes nothing.” She said as she lifted a pencil with a shaking hand. “Can’t we start with the mail?” she asked hopefully, turning to fix the doctor with pleading eyes.

“No.” Maura told her simply as she opened the box containing the new phone she’d purchased after Jane’s impromptu demolition of her previous one. “You need to clear your messages before we can install the new phone.”

Jane’s heart hammered in her chest and she closed her eyes, forcing herself to focus on the task. With a final snap of the band against her wrist, she pressed play.

“Hello Jane.” It was Maura’s voice that filled the room, instantly soothing the frazzled detective. She smiled as she looked to her friend. “I didn’t want you to come home and be alone so I’m calling you before I bring you home from the hospital.” Jane’s eyes filled with tears and she spun to look to her honey haired friend who hung her head and refused to meet her gaze. “I’m so pleased you’re doing better, I know you don’t like it when I get overly emotional on you but we are all so glad you’re coming home.” There was a pause on the tape and Jane swallowed loudly, even over her own heartbeat hammering in her ears, she could hear the emotion and love in her friends message, all the things she wasn’t saying filled the room and her heart. “I missed you.” A loud beep made her jump and she pressed pause before crossing to kneel before Maura.

Wet hazel eyes danced around, trying to avoid meeting chocolate brown. Jane smiled, a single tear falling unchecked down her cheek as she leant in and wrapped her friend in a bear hug, knocking the wind from both their lungs.

“I don’t deserve you.” Jane whispered softly before getting to her feet and rubbing at her face and returning to the answering machine, leaving Maura somewhat stunned.

Maura watched as Jane went through all eighteen of her messages, taking down numbers and names. She hadn’t expected her to get through the four she’d assigned for the morning and yet Jane fought the panic that was evident, to Maura at least and dealt with every one. With every message from Maura, and there were a total of five, Jane would cross to the sofa and wrap her in an equally enthusiastic hug before returning to the machine. Maura understood why she did it, the contact and the warmth seeming to balance and calm the usually unflappable detective and giving her enough strength to continue, the reason for hugging her in particular was still a mystery to her.

With the task completed, Jane fetched them both a large mug of coffee and sat down on the sofa, propping her feet up on the coffee table and sighing heavily. She felt like she’d just run the Boston marathon twice over.

“I’m very proud of you Jane.” Maura sipped her coffee slowly. Her throat was dry and she was glad for the bitter liquid. Jane rested her head against her shoulder and sighed, the warm smell of the doctor’s cinnamon shampoo filled her nose. “You’ve done incredibly well today.”

Jane smiled, the sense of accomplishment she felt surprised her.

“Can I ask you a question?” Jane sat up as Maura hesitated, seeming to wait for her permission to vocalise the enquiry.

“Ok.” Jane’s usually husky voice seemed even more raspy than usual, the exhaustion from her emotional trial draining her basic functions.

“Why did you keep coming to hug me?” She could hear the tremor in Maura’s voice. “Not that I mind if you need to hug me.” She admitted coyly.

Jane sighed, she wasn’t sure she had the energy to answer. It had already been a long and exhausting morning and all she really wanted to do was curl up on the sofa and have a nap.

“Because.” She yawned as she settled herself down on the sofa, her long legs draping over the pristine lap of her friend and being instantly accepted by warm, unspoilt hands. “You make me feel safe.” Jane admitted, she was too tired to worry about laying her emotions bare after all, the doctor had seen the rest of her that way.

“Hugging you feels like coming home.” She mumbled as sleep consumed her, leaving Maura to grin loving down on her sleeping form.