hey, friends. happy monday! la lisboa and i are really excited by all the follows this story has gotten, but please remember to leave a review to let us know what you think. it really helps us keep going, and we love hearing predictions and reactions to our work - even if it's just a quick note to say you liked it! that said, please enjoy this - it's one of my personal favorite chapters! and remember to check out la lisboa's page, because this is her story, too.

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It had been ten long years and some months since the worst night of her life. She remembered that night as though it were yesterday: the chill of a September night in Boston, the rustling of the autumn leaves. And then there were the other sounds, of gunshots and screams. And the pain and the blood. It was the night that everything had changed.

She remembered it as though it were yesterday, but the proof that it had been more than ten years ago was currently snuggling next to her on the couch. Her only reason to live; the only reason she hadn't killed herself for real after being torn away from Jane and everything else she had ever known.

"Mommy?"

Maura smiled. She would never get tired of hearing that name. "Yes, Phoebe?"

"Will you tell me again why we can't tell anyone who we are?" Phoebe asked, her voice soft and childlike.

Maura sighed and ran a hand through Phoebe's soft blonde curls, working up the courage to speak. It's a story she'd told many times before, but it never got any easier.

"Some time ago, not long before you were born," Maura began, "there was a very bad man and his gang who were out to get another bad man and his gang. In Boston, where we're from, there are a few Irish crime families who are all enemies of each other."

Phoebe nodded into Maura's shoulder so her mother knew she was following along.

"One of the bosses of those families is a man named Patrick, or Paddy, Doyle. He is my biological father. And because of that, another crime boss started to go after me, because he knew that Paddy would be very upset if anything happened to me."

Phoebe tapped her mother's arm. "Tell me about your friend, Mommy," she said.

Maura smiled sadly, pressing a kiss to the top of Phoebe's head. "I had a wonderful friend, Phoebe. She was the love of my life, actually. She was a detective, and she protected me like no one else could. One night, we went out to dinner, and when we were leaving, the accident happened. It was dark, and I had no idea what was going on. One minute, I was holding Jane's hand, and the next, I was on the ground. I couldn't breathe."

Maura absentmindedly rubbed her chest, right below her clavicle. "When I woke up, I was in the hospital. There were strange men in suits surrounding my bed, and they told me that I had a price on my head. I would have to change my name and move away from Boston without telling anyone."

"Even Jane?" Phoebe asked, though she knew the answer.

"Even Jane," Maura replied. Phoebe squeezed her hand comfortingly.

"And if that weren't enough…" Phoebe prompted.

"And if that weren't enough, I was pregnant," Maura whispered.

"With me," Phoebe said, a note of pride in her voice.

"Yes, with you," Maura answered indulgently. "With my little light."

Phoebe fell silent and Maura stroked her daughter's arm. "I'm really going to miss you when you leave tomorrow," Maura said.

"I'm going to miss you, too," Phoebe whispered, suddenly sounding a lot younger than ten.

Maura pulled her daughter into a tight hug. "Are you sure you have everything? Do you have your-"

"I have clothes, toiletries, books, stationery, stamps, medicine, bedding, rain gear, cold weather wear, a flashlight, my laundry sack, and everything else I could possibly need," Phoebe replied with slight attitude. This was the fifth time they'd gone over the packing list, and each time Phoebe had tried to assure her mother that she had everything she required. Maura knew she was pestering, but she couldn't help but worry.

"Let's go over the rules, then," she said. She shifted so she was looking at Phoebe, who was chewing on her lip.

"Okay," Phoebe sighed quietly.

"Okay," Maura repeated. "You cannot reveal our location. You may say that we live in Maine, if someone asks, but you may not specify our city or address. Understood?"

Phoebe nodded.

"You should avoid having your picture taken at all cost. If there is a group photo, stick to the back."

"Okay," Phoebe said. She was shy, anyway, so Maura knew that rule didn't bother her as much.

"No personal information. Do not share details of our life or our family."

"I know."

Maura caught the dejected tone in her daughter's voice. "Phoebe," Maura placated. "This isn't just about keeping me safe - it's keeping you safe, too. There are bad people out there."

"I know that," Phoebe said. "But there are good people too, aren't there? And you are always so disappointed when I can't make friends, but how can I make friends if I can't tell them anything about myself?"

Maura frowned. "Just...be careful, okay? I trust you."

Phoebe smiled and threw her arms around her mother. "You're the best, Mommy!"

Maura smiled back "I love you, darling girl."

"I love you too, Mom."

Maura kissed the top of her daughter's head gently, then tugged Phoebe back to look at her. "Just to be safe, what's your name?"

Phoebe grimaced. "Phoebe Callahan."

"And what's mine?"

"Lily Callahan."

Maura smiled brightly. "Very good!"

Phoebe loosened her grip on her mother's waist, but reached a hand out to her. Maura grasped it, smoothing her thumb across the back of Phoebe's palm.

"Mommy?"

"Yes, my darling?"

Phoebe chewed on her lip for a second before saying what was on her mind. "Do you think I'll ever get to meet Jane?"

Maura frowned. "Phoebe…"

"It's just that, I know you're my mother," Phoebe said. "But if I was supposed to have two, it doesn't seem fair that I don't even know her."

"What don't you know that you'd like to?" Maura asked.

"You mean, you'd tell me about her? Anything I wanted to know?"

Maura nodded. "Of course! Why wouldn't I?"

Phoebe shrugged sheepishly. "I suppose I never asked because...well, because I didn't want to hurt your feelings."

"That's very generous of you, Phoebe," Maura smiled gently. "But I'm fine. Ask me anything."

Phoebe thought for a moment. "What did she look like?"

Maura's face was wistful. "She had long, dark curls, and big brown eyes; amazing cheekbones. She was tall and lean, and she was tough. She commanded a presence when she walked into the room."

"What things did she like to do?"

"She loved baseball," Maura answered. "She played field hockey when she was a little older than you...she loved soccer, too. But she also liked to box, and she was a fairly avid reader."

"Like me?" Phoebe asked excitedly.

Maura laughed lightly. "Well, perhaps not quite as voracious as you. But she also loved her job very much, and spent most of her time solving crimes to keep the people of Boston - and us - safe."

"Do you think…" Phoebe stopped speaking, not daring to look up at her mother.

"Do I think what, Phoebe?"

Phoebe stared at her hands. "Do you think she would've liked me?"

Maura pulled Phoebe closer in to her side, nuzzling her hair lightly. "I know she would have," Maura affirmed. "She would have loved you, Phoebe."

"Oh," Phoebe answered. "Okay." She leaned her head on Maura's shoulder. "Mommy?"

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Do you think I'll ever have a friend like Jane?"

Maura pressed her lips to her daughter's hair. "I hope, so very much, that you will have a friend like Jane."

"Do you miss her?" Phoebe asked, looking up into her mother's face.

"More than I can say," Maura murmured.

"I'm sorry," Phoebe said.

Maura shook her head. "It's not something you have to worry about, Phoebe. But you can help," she said.

"Really?"

Maura nodded. "It won't be a waste if we stay safe. The only reason we're not with Jane right now is because it's safer for all of us. So if you want to make me feel better? Please, be careful."

Phoebe nodded solemnly. "Okay, Mommy. I promise."

Maura kissed her daughter's forehead. "What's our motto?"

"Be safe, be smart, I love you," Phoebe repeated in unison with her mother. "I will, Mom."

"I know," Maura answered, resting her cheek on top of Phoebe's head. "I know."