A/N I hesitated for a long time about continuing this because I'm afraid it would make it worse instead of better, but all of your amazing reviews convinced me. Thank you so much, I'm overwhelmed! I might keep it a two-shot, I might make it into something more. Let me know what you think!

"You should get some sleep," Jane says softly after Abby and I finish our drinks. "I have a guestroom but there's only a single bed in there so I'm just gonna change my own bed real quick so you can sleep in there."

"No, Jane. That's not necessary." I shake my head and put my cup down on the coffee table. I feel more at ease. I don't know why, but I trust Jane. There is something about her that makes me feel comfortable.

"Nah, it's okay." Jane waves my argument away and stands up from the side of the table where she has been sitting for the past fifteen minutes while we've been talking.

"We'll stay in the guestroom."

"No, I can fix my bed." She's already halfway into the bedroom when my strict voice stops her.

"Jane." I look into her eyes. "I insist."

Jane sighs and nods. "Okay then."

"You've been doing too much for us already." I feel Abby taking my hand and I squeeze it lovingly.

She smiles and I feel myself practically melting. Why does she affect me so much? What is it about her that makes me trust her? I haven't trusted people in years and I trust her after only meeting her a few hours ago? The shield I built around my heart is slowly breaking and it scares me. But at the same time, it's been so long since I've trusted someone. I welcome the feeling.

"It's all set up. There's a bathroom over here if you need it," she points at the other end of the hallway. "I have extra toothbrushes, I'll put them next to the sink. There's extra blankets in the closet and you can turn the heat up if you're cold."

"Thank you." I smile politely and walk into the small guestroom after Jane opens the door for us.

"Mom?" Abby looks at me with fearful eyes. "I don't have to sleep in a different bed, do I?"

I shake my head. "No, baby."

"I'll be right here if you need me," Jane's husky voice puts me at ease as she carefully interrupts our moment. "Goodnight."

"Jane," I stop her before she can walk out.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

She smiles. A crooked, half smile that makes her eyes sparkle and my stomach flutter. What is happening to me? I watch her walk out of the room and I shake my head, trying to pull myself together.

"We don't have pajamas, Mommy," Abby says quietly.

"We'll manage." I take her hand and lead us towards the bathroom where we brush our teeth. Back in the guestroom, I slide into bed without changing, pulling Abby with me. The bed is small but I know she'll spend the entire night clinging to me and I won't be sleeping anyway. Jane makes me feel safe but not safe enough to sleep.

Abby snuggles into my side, her head resting on my chest as my arms wrap tightly around the little girl. "Are you warm enough, baby?"

She nods. "Mom," she whispers quietly, "what if he finds us?"

I sigh deeply and place a kiss on top of her head. "He won't, honey. He's in prison now."

"But what if he comes out like last time?"

I know her concerns are valid and I share them, but I have to take them away. I cup her face and pull her away from my chest to look into those green eyes I love so much. "Sweetheart, do you remember what I once told you about questions that start with 'what if'?"

Abby nods and it breaks my heart to see tears in her eyes.

"There are a million 'what if's. Maybe even more. And if we ask ourselves every single one of them… We would go crazy." I brush Abby's golden hair out of her face. "He's not getting out, baby. Jane keeps us safe."

"Yeah." Abby smiles her beautiful smile and I fall for her all over again.

"And I will keep you safe." I cup her face into my hands and look deeply into her eyes. "I'm so sorry I failed you, honey. I promise I'll keep you safe from now on. I'll do anything." I lean forward and press my lips against her forehead. "Anything."

Abby's short arms wrap around my neck, squeezing tightly. "I just wanna be with you, Mom," she whispers into the crook of my neck, "just you and me. Without Dad."

I swallow my tears and kiss the side of Abby's head. "There's nothing I want more, my sweet girl," I whisper. "Just you and me."

"And a dog. Maybe."

I chuckle and pull my girl impossibly closer. She's been asking for a dog for years. "Oh you're a smart one, aren't you?" I laugh as I kiss her head.

Abby nods and pulls away to look at me, surprise and a hint of happiness showing in her eyes. I brush her hair back and smile. "What is it?"

"You laughed," she whispers.

Happy tears burn in my eyes as I realize that my daughter is right. I just laughed. Not because it was polite or because I had to, but because I felt like it. "I did."

Abby just smiles a beautiful smile. She snuggles back into my chest, wrapped up tightly in loving arms. "I love you, baby," I whisper into her hair.

"Love you too."

We stay silent for a while and I feel that Abby is trying to keep herself from falling asleep, staying awake for me. I gently rub her back. "Go to sleep, honey. It's okay."

Abby sighs. "I'm not tired."

"Oh, yes you are." I smirk and thread my hand in her golden blond hair. "Sleep. Tomorrow's a new day."

Abby closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. "You know what I want, Mom?"

"No baby. What?"

"I wanna live on a farm." Abby's lips curl up into a small smile.

"A farm?" I pull my chin away from on top of Abby's head to look at my little girl.

"Yeah." Abby nods. "'Cause it's really big, y'know? Not a real farm, but like those old farms. And then we can have a dog, and two cats."

"Two cats?" I purse my lips and smile at her.

"Yep. And also a parrot, so I can teach him words." Abby's eyes sparkle in the darkness of the room as she imagines this wonderful future for us. "And then we can live on the farm, just you and me."

I hum softly as tears burn in my eyes at the sound of my daughter's hopeful words. "And you can meet new kids, make friends and play on the farm. With the dog and the two cats."

"Yeah. And you can be a doctor again." Abby tilts her head on my chest and looks at me. "So you can save people."

I press my lips against her forehead, pulling her closer in my arms. "I want nothing more, baby."

"Just you and me," Abby whispers against me. "No Daddy."

"Just you and me." I pull my girl impossibly closer, wanting to pull her into my heart. "Sleep, honey. I'm here."

Abby nods and I finally feel her relaxing against me. "'Night, Mom."

"Goodnight, my sweet girl."

I'm grateful to feel her falling asleep in a few minutes. She needs it so desperately. I do too, but I lie awake. I lie awake for a long time, staring at the grey ceiling, the brown curtains in front of the windows, the red letters on the alarm clock next to the bed that tell me it's almost 4AM. I can't remember the last time I've had a full, peaceful night sleep. I always sleep with one eye open, ready for whatever horror is coming next.

When it's a little past 5AM, I feel myself getting restless. I'm thirsty and I have to go to the bathroom. I slowly untangle myself from Abby, praying she won't wake up without me there because I know she will panic if she does.

I shiver when my bare feet touch the cold floor and I quickly put on the warm socks Jane gave us when we first arrived. I pull the sleeves of the sweater over my hands and quickly walk to the bathroom to relieve my bladder before I head to the kitchen to get some water.

I search for a glass in the dark and a sudden sound startles me. "God," I gasp, looking up to see Jane entering the kitchen.

"I'm sorry," Jane holds up her hands. "I didn't mean to scare you."

I release my breath and lower my shoulders. "It's okay."

"Were you looking for something?"

"A glass, for some water."

Jane smiles at me and I appreciate the careful way she approaches me. She reaches for one of the cupboards above my head and I can smell her scent. It makes my stomach tingle. When she fills the glass with water and hands it to me, our hands brush together and I look into her dark eyes, seeing a sweet smile. "Thank you."

"You can't sleep?"

I shake my head.

"Is the bed uncomfortable?"

"Oh, no. That's not it."

Jane nods, showing that she understands. "Too much going on."

"Yes." I smile a small smile at her.

"Is Abby sleeping?"

"Yes, thank God."

Jane smiles and leans back against the kitchen counter. "How is she?"

I shrug and sigh deeply. "I wish I knew," I whisper. "I worry about her."

"She's gonna be okay, Maura. She's young."

"She wants to live on a farm," I whisper with a smile. I don't know why I'm so open to Jane. I don't know why, but I feel the need to show my heart to her. I feel like it would be safe with her. "A big farm, with a dog and two cats. And a parrot, so she can teach him words."

Jane smiles at me, a smile that shows care, and maybe even a kind of love. "She loves animals?"

"Oh, yes." I nod my head as I think about my little girl. "She wants to learn everything about them. She's wanted a dog for years."

"You never had one?"

I shake my head. "No. We used to have a cat, but…" I sigh deeply. "He made us give the cat away."

The tension in the room rises. Jane leans her hands on the counter behind her and looks curiously at me as she changes the subject. "I read you used to be a doctor," she says softly.

"Yes. A trauma surgeon."

"Wow, really?" Jane raises her eyebrows. "Impressive."

I feel myself blushing slightly, grateful for the lack of light in the kitchen.

"When did you stop?"

She doesn't ask why I quit my job. I'm grateful for that. She senses the line she shouldn't cross and she stays in a safe area. "Three years ago, when Abby turned seven."

Jane nods. "I bet you were an amazing surgeon."

"Why?"

Jane shrugs and averts her gaze from me. "You're calm. Intelligent. Caring."

I don't know why, but her compliment means the world to me. I haven't seen the calm, intelligent and caring woman I once was in years and yet she sees her after only a few hours. "Thank you." I take a sip of my water and fumble with the glass in my hands. "How long have you been with the police?"

"A year." Jane seems glad I found the courage to ask her questions as well. "I've been trying to work my way up from patrol officer to detective."

"I see." I'm not sure how to answer her. It's been a while since I've had a conversation with someone other than my ten-year old. "You want to be a detective?"

Jane nods. "Homicide."

"Wow. That would fit you."

She smiles at me and my stomach flutters again. "Thanks." She shifts on her feet and takes a deep breath. "Y'know… You're a tough one."

I tilt my head. "What do you mean?"

"Strong." She shrugs. "I know you think you're the opposite but you're strong as hell."

"How do you know I think the opposite?"

"The way you talk. Like you want to apologize for yourself to the world."

I just look at her, amazed by how she seems to read my feelings so well.

"You don't have to, y'know." Jane brushes her hand through her own curls. "That little girl in there," she points at the bedroom, "I know she thinks you're the strongest person in the world."

Tears well up in in my eyes as I shake my head. "How could she?" I whisper, my voice strangled with tears. "I failed her."

"Hey," Jane steps towards me but keeps her distance, "you got her out!"

"After years and years of abuse!"

"You were her rock and her safe place for all those years, Maura. That's priceless."

I shake my head. "I should've gotten her out years ago. I failed her."

"She adores you. She knows you would do anything to make her happy."

"I would."

"She knows that, Maur."

I smile at the nickname she uses for me. It sounds familiar, like we've known each other for years. "I hope so."

"I don't have any kids but if I ever would become a mother…" Jane sighs and looks down at the floor. "I'd want to be one like you."

I snap my attention towards her. Why would anyone ever want to be like me? I don't understand. "Why?"

Jane shrugs. "Because you love her more than anything. More than you love yourself."

As if to reply to Jane, we hear a crippling scream coming from the bedroom. I almost drop my glass as I put it on the kitchen counter, seeing my little girl running out of the bedroom, her green eyes wide in sheer panic. "MOM!"

"I'm here, baby!" I run towards Abby and lift her up in my arms, feeling her arms clinging almost painfully to me. "Shh, I'm here. I'm here."

She hides her face into the crook of my neck as heartbreaking sobs escape her small body. I gently rub her back as I pull her to me. "I'm here, my sweet girl. You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Abby nods. "Y-you were gone."

"I'm here." I look at Jane and smile apologetically. "Separation anxiety," I whisper.

"I understand." Jane fumbles with her hands, unsure of what to do.

"Shh, deep breaths, baby," I whisper to my daughter who is sobbing against me, fighting to keep breathing. "Deep breaths. I'm here." I close my eyes and kiss the side of Abby's head. "I love you, baby girl. I love you so much."

Abby's arms are so tightly wrapped around my neck I can barely breathe but I only pull her closer. Her fear breaks my heart. It's not natural, it's not how it's supposed to be and it's not healthy but I need her to know that I'm here and I'm not going anywhere. "You're safe, honey. You're safe here. No one is going to hurt you."

"Mommy," she whimpers against me.

I feel hot tears trickling down my cheeks at the sound of her broken whimper and I pull her tighter to me. She's almost too heavy for me to carry but I'm not letting her go. Ever. "I'm here, my sweet girl. I'm here and I love you so much. And we're going to go far away from all the pain and sadness and we'll live on a beautiful farm with dogs, and cats, and parrots…" I smile when I feel my daughter relaxing a bit more. "And we'll name the dog Hunter, like you've always wanted. And we'll live in a beautiful house where you can play and run around and do everything you've always wanted. Just you and me, baby. And we'll be so happy together."

"Happy…" Abby whispers against me, her rapid breaths slowly calming. "You and me."

"You and me."

"No daddy."

I swallow hard and close my eyes as my tears trickle down my cheeks. "No daddy." I gently pull her away from the crook of my neck, cupping her cheek so I can look into her eyes. "Just you and me on the farm."

Abby nods, looking into my eyes with shimmering green eyes. I gently wipe her tears with the back of my hand, having trouble keeping her up with only one arm. Jane sees it and carefully steps forward. She places her hand on my arm, a touch that makes me tingle. She guides us towards the couch where I sit down and take Abby in my lap. "I'm here, honey," I repeat again. "You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Jane steps towards us, holding out a glass of water for Abby. I smile a grateful smile as I take the glass. "Here, baby."

Abby takes the water, her hands shaking, her teeth clattering against the glass. She takes a sip and I feel her calming down a little more. "There you go," I whisper to her. "You're okay. You're safe."

Abby nods and hands the glass back to Jane before she rests back against my chest. I thread my hand into her hair and comfortingly rub her back, placing a kiss on her head. I'm hoping she goes back to sleep. Partly because I can continue talking to Jane, but mostly because I know how much Abby needs it.

"Uhm…" Jane shifts uncomfortably on her feet as she looks at us, "is she okay? Does she need anything?"

I look up at the woman in front of us and smile a grateful smile. "She's going to be okay."

Jane nods. "Should I uhm… Should I stay? Or go, or… Uhm…"

I think I feel butterflies in my stomach, but I'm not sure. I haven't felt like this in so long. But Jane's nervousness does something to me. It makes my stomach tingle and my lips curl up into a smile that I can't stop. I only met her a few hours ago and she's making me feel things I haven't felt in years. Is it a crush? Love? Attraction? I don't know. She fascinates me. "Stay," I whisper, barely audible, "if you want to."

Jane sighs and I see relief in her body. She wanted to stay. She sits on the other end of the couch, keeping her distance but still staying close. "You're welcome to stay here as long as you want," she whispers quietly. "If you want to."

I rest my head on top of Abby's as I look at Jane. I know we have to get back to the house at some point, but a part of me wants to stay here. "Thank you."

Abby relaxes against me and I look at her to see her eyes closing. Jane smiles, looking at Abby as well. "You two got something special," she whispers.

"She's my daughter."

"No, I mean… Beyond that."

I look at my little girl in my lap and I know that Jane is right. I kiss the top of Abby's head and close my eyes. "I'm all she has. She's all I have," I whisper, opening my eyes again to look at Jane. "We don't have anyone else."

Jane tilts her head and I see a shimmer in her dark eyes. "I don't think that's true anymore, Maura."

"You barely know me," I whisper, my voice quiet and hoarse with tears. "Yet you are so kind to us."

Jane bites her lips and raises her shoulders. "I don't know. There's something about you…"

"A weak woman that needs help?" My words come out stronger than I anticipated.

"No." Tears well up in Jane's eyes. "A beautiful, intelligent, caring woman that's been through hell and made her way out of it."

I feel Abby's breaths evening out against my chest as tears well up into my eyes. Did she just call me beautiful? I have to repeat her words in my head before I can reply. I try to find words, but I fail.

"You gotta stop thinking that you're weak, Maura," Jane whispers.

I feel a tear falling down my cheek at the sincerity of her words. "Jane…"

"No, you have to know that you're not a weak person. Okay? You're strong as hell, Maur."

There's that nickname again. I smile at the beautiful woman in front of me. "Thank you," I mumble through my tears.

"You're welcome."

I look at Abby and see that she's now fully asleep. I gently rub her back, my other hand still tangled in her golden hair. When I turn my attention back to Jane, I see a loving smile curling her fine lips.

We spend the rest of the night talking, until the sun rises again. I don't even feel my exhaustion anymore. Jane comes from a big, Italian family and she has two younger brothers. She didn't go to college but passed the police academy with flying colors. She's strong, athletic and likes baseball. She's funny, too. She makes me laugh, which in return makes her laugh. It feels like we fit together. We're some kind of match. I don't know what kind, but we're match. I hope she knows it to. But judging by the way she looks at me, listens to me, and smiles at me, I think she does.

Her beauty strikes me. Her messy black curls frame her pretty face, a face with sharp features, a sharp mouth but oh, such kind eyes. And the way her eyebrows knit together when she's saddened by something, or the way they rise when she smiles, the way she furrows them when she thinks. But her eyes get me every time. It's like they run endlessly deep and hold millions of secrets. I find myself wanting to know all of them. I want to know her.

When the early morning sun peaks through the curtains of Jane's apartment, my stomach growls and we both chuckle. "When was the last time you ate?" Jane whispers, careful not to wake Abby.

I shrug. "Some time yesterday morning, I think."

Jane purses her lips and stands up from the couch, walking to the kitchen to look through her fridge. "I uhm… I don't think I have anything in here… But I could order in? Or we could go out?"

"Ordering in would be better, I think," I answer quietly, looking at my sleeping daughter in my arms. "For Abby."

Jane nods. "I don't know if it's too early for that but I'll try."

She takes her phone and I feel Abby stirring as a ray of sunlight caresses her beautiful face. She opens her eyes and immediately finds comfort in the fact that she's still in my arms. I brush her hair back and smile at my little girl. "Good morning, baby."

Abby hums and shifts her front into mine, snuggling close. "Didn't you sleep?" she mumbles, her voice laced with sleep.

"No." I smile a dreamy smile, hearing Jane's soft voice coming from the kitchen. "But that's okay."

"Are you hurt?" Abby looks up at me, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"Oh no, baby." I cup my daughter's cheek and rub her freckles with my thumb. "I spent the night talking to Jane."

"Oh." Abby nods and shifts back into my arms. "She's nice, huh?"

"Yes." I smile to myself, resting my chin on top of Abby's head as I think about the past few hours that almost feel like they were a dream. "She is."

"Breakfast's gonna be here in an hour," Jane says as she walks back to us. "Morning, Abby."

"Morning." Abby yawns but smiles up at Jane.

"I hope you like pancakes."

"Yeah!" Abby smiles a happy smile, one that has become awfully rare the past few years. "I love pancakes."

"Great." Jane smiles. "Don't worry, I ordered fruit with it," she says to me. "And blueberry pancakes."

She already knows me so well. "Thank you." I hesitate for a while before I ask the question I've been wanting to ask for a while now. "Do you uhm… Do you mind-… Could I maybe take a shower?"

She chuckles and shakes her head, her eyes sparkling with that beautiful smile. "Of course. You don't have to be so nervous for that. You know where the bathroom is, I'll grab you some fresh towels."

"Oh, thank you." I sigh in relief. I haven't showered in days and I feel filthy and insecure. I watch Jane walking towards the bathroom to set things up and I cup Abby's cheek to look into her eyes. "I'm going to take a really quick shower, okay?"

Abby nods, hesitatingly.

"Will you be alright in here with Jane for a while?"

"I think so."

I press my lips against Abby's forehead and pull her close into my arms. "I'll be quick, I promise." I know she has to learn to be without me and maybe this is a good start to a long, long road.

"Okay." Abby squeezes me close before I kiss her cheek and stand up from the couch, heading towards the bathroom, smiling a grateful smile at Jane as I pass her.

I look into the mirror above the sink and I barely recognize myself. Hollow eyes, pale skin, frizzy hair… How Jane can possibly think I'm beautiful is a mystery to me. I pull off the sweater Jane gave to me and I notice a fresh outfit on the chair in the corner of the bathroom. I smile at the sweet gesture. She even put out underwear for me. I blush when I see a simple pair of cotton panties. They seem a little small, but at least it's clean.

I get out of my sweatpants and filthy underwear and sigh a relieved sigh as I step into the warm water of the shower. I let it fall onto my aching muscles and warm up my entire body. I take the shampoo and body wash Jane put out as well and wash every inch of myself, trying to scrub off every stain and painful memory. I quickly rinse my hair and dry off before getting dressed in a pair of jeans that is too long but a little too small around my hips and a slightly too large red sweater.

When I pull the sweater over my head and start drying the dripping bits of my wet hair, I suddenly hear Jane's muffled voice coming from the other side of the door.

"No, Ma. I don't know. Yeah, they're both here."

I know I shouldn't listen, but I can't help myself and I don't want to interrupt her by walking out of the bathroom.

"No please, don't stop by. They need rest, Ma." Jane paces through the hallway. "I know I don't know them but…" I hear her sighing and her voice softens. "They're something special, Ma. She's… She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and she's so smart and kind and the kid… That girl is a small angel, I'm sure of it."

I rest my head back against the wall, tears filling my eyes as I listen to Jane's heartfelt words.

"God Ma, stop it!" Jane growls annoyed. "Right. I'll call you later, okay?"

Before I know it, she's gone. I'm still wearing a foolish smile on my face as I open the door and head back to the living room. I see Abby's face lighting up as she sees me and she sits up on her knees on the couch, reaching out her arms for me even though I've only been away for barely fifteen minutes.

I wrap my girl in my arms and kiss the side of her head. "Hi, baby."

"I could watch TV," Abby says quietly into my shoulder. "Jane likes the same shows as me."

I chuckle. I highly doubt it, but it seems likely for Jane to be as enthusiastic as possible about a cartoon Abby likes to watch. It's been a while since she watched TV. She wasn't allowed to when he was home. The TV plays softly in the background as I hug my daughter into my arms. "You should take a shower as well, baby."

Abby shakes her head. "Yes. It's been almost a week. Come on, let's go ask Jane very kindly." I pat her bottom and lift her off the couch, taking her hand as we meet Jane in the kitchen.

"Jane?" Abby asks softly. "Can I shower too?"

"You bet you can," Jane smiles at Abby. "There's towels on the cabinet, you can use the shampoo and body wash I put out for your mom."

"Thank you." Abby smiles politely.

"Do you need any clothes?"

Abby looks at the way too large sweater and leggings she is wearing before she looks up at me. I brush her messy hair out of her face and smile. "This will do for now. We don't have any clean underwear for you here."

I take Abby to the bathroom and give her a quick kiss before I let her do her own thing, leaving her alone for a while as I walk back to Jane. She smiles at me as I enter the kitchen.

I sigh deeply and look down at my feet. "We'll have to get our stuff," I say softly. "We'll have to go back."

"You don't have to," Jane offers quietly. "You can stay as long as you want."

"I know, but Abby needs clean underwear and her clothes. It's just…" I shake my head and fumble with the sleeves of my sweater.

"The place holds too many memories," Jane finishes for me.

I simply nod.

"I'll go with you, Maura. We'll get enough stuff to last you both a couple of days, maybe weeks, I don't know. And you can come back here. Or I can help pay for a hotel. Whatever you need."

"Jane…" I swallow hard and look up at the police officer in front of me. "Why… You can't take us in for that long. Or pay for anything. I couldn't possibly ask that from you."

Jane sighs. "How about… How about we just take it one step at the time?" She shrugs and offers a hopeful smile. "We'll take it day by day. Today, we're gonna eat breakfast, get you and Abby some clean clothes, some other stuff you need… Get lunch somewhere, come back here so you can rest, make dinner, go to bed. That's it."

I smile, tears welling up in my eyes at the sincere, caring tone in Jane's voice. With the things she said to her mother on the phone in the back of my mind, I know she is sincere and honest.

"That's all we're gonna think of," Jane whispers. "And then tomorrow, we'll think of the next step. Take it day by day."

I swallow a lump in my throat and nod. I can do that. Day by day. The future scares me more than anything. "Okay."

When Abby is finished with her shower, she rushes back to me and we have breakfast together with Jane before we take her car to our house. I give her directions and the closer we get, the tighter the knot in my stomach gets.

"It's here on the left," I say softly, pointing at the road that leads up to our house. Abby is in the backseat, tired and uneasy.

When Jane drives up to the house, my throat closes up in fear. There's a car in front of the house. I recognize it. "Pete," I whisper. "He's here."

"Who?"

I shake my head and feel panic burning in my chest. "Pete. A… A friend of his."

"Should we be worried?"

"Yes. Yes, we should." My hands are trembling and I turn in my seat to look at Abby. "Can you stay in the car, baby?"

"No, Mom!" Abby panics almost immediately.

"Honey, I have to talk to Pete."

Abby shakes her head, tears forming in her eyes. "Pete hurt you last time, Mom."

He did. They teamed up on me when I asked them to change the channel on the TV to something more appropriate for Abby. Pete was drunk. He wasn't.

"I'm coming with you." Jane unbuckles her seatbelt and I feel her being on edge.

I know I can't leave Abby in here by herself so I step out of the car and take her hand as we walk to the house. Pete comes out as soon as he hears us.

"Hi, Pete," I smile politely but I know it's no use. He's been drinking and he's angry.

"You bitch!" he yells, his hands balling into fists at his sides. "You got your own husband arrested! Who fucking does that?!"

"Hey, watch your mouth yeah?" Jane says, stepping closer to him.

"Who the hell are you?"

"I'm the hell person who's with Maura and Abby now!"

Pete huffs and growls angrily. "You look like a fucking dyke. You think you can do something about that pathetic piece of shit that calls herself a woman?"

"HEY"! Jane yells at him and steps dangerously close. "You talk about her one more time and I will cut you! You hear me? I will BREAK YOU!"

I hear a loud thud as Pete hooks his fist into Jane's stomach, pushing her to the ground. He's on top of her, trying to keep her down as Jane fights back.

I hear Abby whimpering behind me and before I know what is happening, my fist lands onto his cheek, my foot planting itself in between his ribs to knock him off Jane. I kneel on top of him and my fists are pounding away, first into his chest and then onto his temple. I knock him out. I don't know how, I don't know why, but he's unconscious.

I'm panting, my eyes wide in fear. What did I just do? What just happened to me? I feel a strong hand on my arm, gently pulling me up. I look up to see Jane looking at me with equally wide eyes that show anger, fear, and a shimmer of pride.

I don't realize what I'm doing until I feel myself falling into Jane's arms. My arms wrap around her neck as I feel her strong arms around my upper body, pulling me into a safe, warm embrace. I smell her scent, a lovely mix of cotton, lavender and sweat. Her dark curls tickle my cheek as I stand on my toes to hide my face into the crook of her neck. Her arms are so strong around me, yet she is so gentle.

Tears are trickling down my cheeks because I know I am safe. I'm safe in her arms. I'm safe with her. I never, ever want to leave this embrace. It feels like home. I never want to leave this feeling. Her scent overwhelms me, her strong hold keeps me grounded, and her soft breaths against my neck are making my head spin. I'm safe. She keeps me safe. She keeps me warm. And I know it. I know it in this moment.

I'm falling in love.