Hey everyone! (waves) long time, no see. I'm ecstatic about the winter premiere, how about y'all? I've been rewatching the show in preparation (I know – what a chore), and this little scene came up. I've got some more ideas in mind, and they started to come in order of the show but then…well, that changed so I'm going to go with my typical Quantum Leap style storytelling. Anyway, this story takes place the night of the Pilot episode.

Aftermath

Stef Foster was going to kill her son. Well she would hug him, then kill him. Lena looked sideways at her, and squeezed her knee reassuringly. The children in the backseat were completely silent, Jude's head resting on his sister's shoulder. Stef's eyes shifted to the driver's side mirror for the twentieth time, catching her son's blue eyes before they flickered down guiltily. Callie's gaze held hers for minutes before looking down at her brother. Stef could clearly read the relief and love in the teenager's face. Stef wound Lena's fingers in her own. Her partner was right. Callie had needed them. So did Jude.

Lena could read her partner's thoughts easily. She didn't resist the urge to press her lips against her partner's fingers. It had frightened her terribly to see her partner rush into the house, gun raised, knowing their son was in danger. She was trying desperately not to put the blame on Callie, but at of the back of her mind she couldn't help thinking, This never would have happened if you hadn't brought that girl home with you. Her soft heart tended to get her in trouble as a child and it did the same now. Stef had a gentle way of needling her about it, but it almost always ended with a kiss which lessened any possible sting. But this was the first time one of her more impulsive decisions had led to the possible endangerment of her family. Her fingers tightened spastically around Stef's and this time it was Stef who pulled their hands up to kiss.

"Everything's fine, love," Stef's fine contralto assured her. "Everyone is fine."

The quick glare of the headlights landed on the twins sitting quietly on the steps of their home. Lena's brow immediately furrowed in concern. The occasional star-gazing the family did, was together. It was highly unusual for them to be out like that. When they stepped out of the car, she noticed Jesús's eyes widened a little in surprise at the sight of the young boy pressed into Callie's side. Mariana looked surprised as well but the faint redness around her eyes indicated a hard cry. Stef was busy directing the Jacobs siblings into the house so Lena gently caught her daughter's chin in her hand. "What's wrong?" she asked simply, letting her eyes drift down the girl's body, looking for any physical cause of the pain she saw in her daughter's eyes.

"Nothing," Mariana muttered pulling away. It wasn't petulance but Lena knew that there was going to have to be a lot of talking and prodding to get it out of her. She sighed. Three children was a lot these days but five was a huge family. She hoped that this night was not indicative that all their children were going to have issues at the same time.

xoxoxoxoxo

The logistics of finding a place for Jude to sleep, more bedding, getting Jesús calmed down (he obviously hadn't taken his pill even though his mothers had reminded him more then once), trying to get Mariana to open up, a short lecture to Callie on the foolishness of running off, and Brandon studiously avoiding them, left both women exhausted.

Lena shimmied into a comfortable pair of pajamas as she glanced at her partner who was doing the same. "I think I'm going to try and talk to Mariana one more time."

Stef pulled her hair out from under her top, letting it fall in golden waves across her shoulders. She frowned a little as she turned to face her partner, "Would you talk to Brandon instead? I'm still so mad at him right now, it's better if I don't. I'm going to drop the hammer on that kid so hard he's going to be seeing stars for weeks."

Lena looked at her lover fondly for a moment, then stretched out her hand to her.

"What?" Stef blustered, ignoring the invitation of her lover's hand for the moment.

Lena said nothing, holding her hand out in silent supplication. Wordlessly, Stef walked over to her until their hands touched, then clasped. Lena drew her to the bed and sat beside her, letting her arms curl around her lover's shoulders. She kissed Stef's neck, and the predictable softening of her lover's neck and shoulder muscles made her grin against the perfect pulse point of her lover's heartbeat.

"He scared me," said Stef softly, all bluster gone. "He could have gotten really hurt. Maybe even dead. All because he followed that girl."

"Brandon thought he could help her," said Lena, speaking softly into her neck. "He saw how vulnerable she was, how wounded. He knew she needed help and he thought he could help her."

Stef gripped her arm and pulled her onto the bed until they were both lying on their sides, "Wonder who he gets that from?" she asked, some humor lacing her tone. Lena's eyes dropped, her own guilt resurfacing. Stef touched her chin, bringing their lips together in a soft kiss. "Are you sure Brandon isn't your biological son?" she asked predictably.

Without her permission, Lena felt her own lips curl into a small grin. It was an old joke, but one that never failed to make her smile. They lay there, enjoying the sounds of their brood settling quietly into the rhythms of bedtime when Lena spoke. "I don't think we should punish Brandon."

Stef's head turn sharply at this, the corners of her mouth turned down. "He went completely AWOL, ran after that girl and had a gun pulled on him. I think that warrants more then a slap on the wrist."

Lena entwined their fingers together, needing the comfort of her lover's touch as she formulated her thoughts. "Brandon's a good kid," she said slowly. "He's not stupid. He understands the consequences of his actions. He doesn't need punishment as an incentive to not let this happen again. He won't."

"Lena I…He…" Stef sputtered a moment as she rand her fingers through her tangled hair, "He ran away. He put himself in danger. He's lucky I haven't kicked his ass. He's lucky to be alive!"

Lena let her finger's gently stroke her partner's arm. "He knows that. He's so ashamed and guilty right now he couldn't even look us in the eyes." Stef's gaze met her own, reluctantly conflicted. "Trust me sweetheart. Please. Brandon doesn't need to be punished. You'll talk to him. I'll talk to him. It won't happen again."

Stef let the soothing feeling of her lover's fingers calm her initial protest. She didn't like it. Every instinct was calling her to rain down fire on her son's head. She couldn't allow this to happen again. Her son meant too much to her, her family meant too much to her for her to lose them. She looked at Lena, at the pleading gaze. She knew Lena needed this from her and she trusted Lean's instincts, especially in regards to Brandon. He was so much Lena's child. She knew just the right way to talk to him, to get him to understand. Stef had been raised with parents who used bluntness and humor to raise her. It had worked…for her. But she was coming to realize after having three children especially, that you couldn't apply a one-size-fits-all philosophy in rearing children. It required adaptation and in some cases, concessions. Reluctantly she nodded. "Alright," she said quietly. "I'll talk to him tomorrow. Will you talk to him tonight though?" She paused then added a little gruffly, "Make sure he's okay?"

Lena rolled her eyes. Her partner's fear may have manifested as anger with their son, but there was no doubt in her mind that before they slept, Stef would have snuck into their son's room to kiss him and reposition his covers. She needed time to cool down, but her overwhelming love for their children would not allow her to sleep until she had conveyed that to them. "Fine. Then you check-in with Mariana and see if you can figure out what's bothering her."

Stef nodded in acquiescence, a faint crinkling of her forehead still marring her expression. Lena leaned over and kissed it away. "Go," she said, shoving her lightly after she did so.

Stef nodded, as she began walking away, then spun back around after only a few steps. She reached down, looking as if she was going to say something tender then her expression changed, and she bent down to rub her nose softly against Lena's. She then dropped a kiss on her lover's lips and walked out the door.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

It only took a few moments to check on Jude and Callie. They were both sacked out in the living room. Clearly their little adventure had taken a lot out of them. Stef couldn't help but be touched when she noticed they had fallen asleep holding hands. Maybe she and Lena couldn't do a lot for them, but they could do something. They could make sure they were together again. She checked on Jesús, who was still wound up. It was obvious that Lena had been there earlier because he had a mug of coffee and his music was switched to the soothing classical variety.

"You ok buddy?" Stef asked as he twisted around in his bed, trying to get comfortable.

"Yeah," he seemed a little off and Stef prayed nothing was really wrong. One kid crisis at a time was all they could handle right now.

"Turn over," she said shortly.

Running on exhausted fumes he obediently flopped over on his stomach and she began rubbing his back, the only time he would really allow such motherly coddling. Incrementally, he began to relax until her he stared at her with heavy eyelids, tired enough to try to sleep. "G'night Mom," he slurred slightly.

"Good night, love," she gave him a quick kiss on the head and exited the room.

Mariana's room was cloaked in blackness, but Stef could see the moonlight reflected from her eyes as she stared at the ceiling. "Mariana?" Stef requested gently. Immediately the eyes shut and there was utter silence. "Mariana?" Stef said again, her voice firm.

Mariana sighed as she opened her eyes and turned her head to look at her mother. "What?" she whispered.

"Are you okay?" asked Stef as she walked towards her daughter's bed and sat on the edge. Mariana sighed, her eyes blinking suspiciously more than once. "I'm fine," she claimed.

Stef nodded like she believed the lie. "Sure. Mind if I cuddle with you awhile? I'm feeling a little upset."

This was a transparent fabrication and Mariana debated on rolling her eyes or giving a smart-alecky response. Surprising herself, she managed to choke out a small, "Sure."

Her mother curled up behind her and Mariana sighed again, feeling her mother's arms wrap themselves around her. She didn't need Ana, she had her mom – both of her moms. Mothers that loved and cared for her. Better mothers then Ana could be in a million lifetimes. But then why did she feel so sad? She choked down a sob, refusing to give into her sorrow and get her mothers involved. At first she didn't know why she was keeping Ana a secret, but now she was afraid if she told her moms about Ana, she'd get in trouble. She was sure they would be mad at her…really mad. She couldn't have that, couldn't deal with that, especially after the rawness of Ana's indifference. She needed her mothers. She need their love. Their understanding. Their steady strength and safety that she actually took for granted now. She couldn't lose that. Ever. Her mom kissed her head, and made soft noises, finally resorting to a soothing hum. Mariana let herself be held in the familiar arms, the warm embrace pushing the monsters of the day away from them all.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Predictably, Brandon was at the piano, banging lightly on the keys, the earphones he usually wore dangling from his neck. Lena gazed around his room, before landing fondly of the occupant. When he saw her, his eyes immediately flickered down, the guilt evident. Lena waited patiently for his eyes to meet hers again. With a sigh to her unvoiced command, he removed the headphones completely and trudged over to the bed. He was wearing his blue pajamas and Lena was forcibly reminded of the little boy who refused to wear any pajamas except the Superman ones. "I'm sorry," he said before she could say something. "I really am. I just wanted to help. I didn't mean for anything bad to happen."

"Oh Brandon, of course you didn't," she touched his cheek. "Your mom and I know that." He looked at her earnestly. "You just need to be more careful, " she finished quietly.

Brandon nodded eagerly, peering at her from under his eyelashes. "Mom's really mad at me," he ventured.

"I'd say that's a reasonable assessment," said Lena dryly.

"How long?" he mumbled, looking at his hands twisting in his lap.

"Until she gets the image of you being menaced by a madman with a gun out of her brain," Lena said, not mincing words. She wouldn't advocate punishment for Brandon, but she wouldn't shield him from the truth either.

Brandon winced visibly. "Fair enough," he whispered. He looked at her tentatively. "What about you?"

"It'll take me a little while too," she informed him. She watched as his whole body drooped at this response and tried to harden her heart. It was good that he felt bad. He needed to feel bad enough that it wouldn't happen again. But she was his mother, and motherly instincts could not be denied. She indicated the bed with her eyes and he sighed as he allowed her to tuck him in, knowing her need to see him safely tucked away for the night would overcome any of his teenage arguments. She sat on the side of his bed and let her hand brush through his wavy, brown hair. "You have to remember how important you are to us Brandon," she said. "I know your heart will lead you on different paths sometimes but you have to check in with your head too." This lecture was directed somewhat at herself as well and she was grateful when she saw him nod solemnly. She kissed his forehead gently. "Goodnight baby."

"Goodnight Mama," he whispered.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Stef stretched tiredly as she walked into their bedroom. Mariana's head had fallen heavy on her shoulder when she finally slept, and she hadn't the heart to remove it. She gazed fondly at her lover, her hair spilling over her pillow and her eyes shut tightly against the moonlight. Stef curled in easily behind her, letting her chin rest lightly on her shoulder.

"Brandon?" Lena murmured knowingly.

"He's fine," Stef said rolling her eyes. There was nothing she couldn't hide from this woman that wouldn't be found out eventually. Looking at the gangly teenager sleeping peacefully, she still saw her baby. She would yell at him tomorrow but tonight she had given him a kiss, in thanks that he was whole and uninjured and where he belonged.

"Mariana? Jesús?" Clearly Lena wasn't going to go fully to sleep until all her chicks had been counted and recounted.

"The twins are fine. Mariana didn't talk much but she seemed okay. Fell asleep on me like usual," Stef chuckled fondly.

"Callie and Jude?" Lena's whisper indicated that she too had checked on their foundlings and her thoughts were running in the same direction as her own.

"We'll think of something," Stef whispered back, her mind flashing back on the children's desperate hug as they found one another again. "Promise."

Lena curled into her further as she tenderly stroked one finger across her cheek. "Brady Bunch," she reminded her with a sleepy, mischievous smile.

Stef sighed, "I know." Then despite herself, she smiled into the darkness. There were worse things to be.