HEY guys!! I know that I didn't do my other story, and please don't hate me for it. But I just got REALLY lazy. I swear I will do it…I just need a change of plots every now and again, so I decided to start on this one. Umm…it's not gonna be long…I'm gonna do short chapter instalments. So yeah, I hope u enjoy it. Ciao.

Amy sat in her rocking chair bouncing a young girl in her lap. She smiled at the delightful bursts of laugher and first of giggles that came from the child. Her name was Mara and, and Amy had just recently rescued her form a home life that would have made a P.O.W cringe.

"Aah-mee," the child squealed ( she couldn't quite pronounce Amy) as she was being tickled. Amy laughed and kissed Mara's snub nose.

"Maa-raa," she mimicked, and laughed as Mara pouted, and then stuck her tongue out.

Amy was a woman who had been cast from a different stone. She had a beauty that was all her own, but her true beauty lay deep within her, beneath the beauty of the skin. She was about 5, 6 and had a complexion of face and body that was milk-pale. Her eyes were dark blue, and wide-spaced giving her an innocent, naïve look that was at odds to the expression within them. Her mouth was wide, with just a hint of an overbite. Her hair was so black that it was almost blue, and people often asked her if she had dyed her hair a dark blue, and Amy always laughed at the question, imagining herself with bright blue hair. It was cut to just below her shoulder blades. She had grown it out since high school, and she liked to wear it a bit longer than usual.

Amy was a Child and Youth Caregiver, and she often wondered where the jump from doctor to this had happened.

She stared down at Mara, who was now busily sucking her thumb looking worried, and Amy laughed softly.

Mara glanced up at her and smiled, revealing crooked teeth. Amy laughed again, and then held Mara up.

"What are you worried about darling?" she asked, rubbing Mara's nose with her own. "You don't ever need to worry about anything again. From now on, you're going to be the happiest baby in the world."

Mara cooed, and Amy laughed and hugged her to her chest. The look in the child's eyes now was very different from what it had been. She remembered when she had first gotten Mara out, the look of pure panic and pain in her eyes. The helpless look of fear.

Amy shuddered as she remembered Mara's father, a man who didn't understand the beauty and innocence of children, and who had represented everything ugly and evil in the world.

Amy remembered the bruises on Mara's pale face and body. She remembered the dark handprints and fingernail marks. She also remembered how Mara had hated being touched, and had absolutely hated men in general. Amy didn't exactly blame her. She was almost at that stage herself.

There was a brisk knock at the door and both Amy and Mara jumped. Amy set her down and ran to the door, peeking through the eye-hole.

"Brendan," she said happily, and flung open the door, a big smile on her face. Brendan had finished university with her and he was like a brother that she could always depend on. He was a lawyer, and with his help, Amy hadn't ever had to let a child through a bad life just because the parents could afford high priced lawyers that found loopholes in the system.

Brendan smiled at her and held out his arms, "Come and give daddy a big hug," he hollered, and Amy burst out laughing.

"Maybe some other time," she said, and walked to where Mara was sitting on the carpet. She picked her up, and sat down looking at him expectantly.

"Well," she asked him. "Did you do the back-ground check on the Riley's?"

He nodded at her while making monkey faces at Mara who was laughing joyously.

"Is everything good then?" Amy asked him, her voice growing softer.

He straightened up, his face growing serious.

"Yeah," he said. "They're perfect, just what she needs."

Amy nodded, and glanced downwards at Mara who was still looking at Brendan, expecting him to make a stupid face any second.

Amy stood up. "Let me put Mara to bed," she said quietly. "I'll be right back, and we can talk more."

She got up and carried Mara upstairs, and put her to bed, tucking her in with loving words. Mara tried to grab at her hair, and Amy nipped her hands, softly sinking her teeth into Mara's knuckles. Amy kissed the top of Mara's head, and then tucked the covers around her.

"Good night sweetheart," she murmured. "Tomorrow's a big day for you. Tomorrow's the day that you get to meet your new mummy and daddy."

Mara smiled sleepily, and then sighed sinking into her covers. Amy stood up and shook her head. No matter what, the doctors seemed to be right about the child. She did have a mental deficiency. She wasn't like a normal child of 5, and Amy was worried that the deficiency would stick and Mara would never be able to live a normal life.

She walked out of the room, and softly clicked on the night light, before closing the door behind her.

She walked out to where Brendan was sitting on the couch, and stood next to him.

"Do you want something to drink," she asked him.

"No, thank you" he replied, and stood up and put his arms around her. "How many times have I told you Amy, not to get attached to them?"

Amy nodded, looking down at the floor, and was surprised to feel a silent tear slip out and slide down her face. Brendan tipped her head up and gently kissed the tear away.

"Poor baby," he murmured, and hugged her to him, gently sliding his hands up and down her back. "You're not cut out for this are you?"

Amy swallowed, and pulled back. "I'm sorry," she murmured. "I'm just really tired today, and I feel worn out."

"Well, I'm not here just to tell you about the Riley's. We have a problem." He paused, "A really big problem."

Amy looked at him, frightened by the look on his face.

"What?" she asked wearily, not sure how much more she could handle today.

"Mara's father, he got out. He's out of jail."

That's it for now. I know it's kind of slow, but I'll get it started soon. Exams coming up in a week, and I happen to have math and chemistry exam on the same day. Arent I the luckiest gal in the world. Anyway, read and review. Please. Oh an btw, this is a Amy and Zoicite story. Umm….is that it? Yeah I think. Anyway, please review, tell me what u think. Allllllrighty toodles baby cakes!