../ For The Love Of Maia ..

Summary: A woman by the name of Sara Rutledge arrives, causing Diana great concern. But is she who she claims to be?

Warning: This story is loosely based on spoilers/rumours that are floating about regarding Season 3. If you don't want to know, might be best not to read!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my precious 4400 DVDs. Upsetting as that may be.

Now all that's over, on with the story!

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Chapter One

'Hello? I'm sorry I'm late. '

Diana Skouris juggled her keyes, a bag of takeout, a present for Maia she had picked up and what felt like a billion files and she skillfully closed the door with her boot heel and set the lock with her pinky finger.

'Maia? Mrs. Hillbrut?'

She dumped the files on the couch as Maia's teacher came out of the kicthen to get her coat.

'Hi, Ms. Skouris. I've left all your messages on the pad by the phone, and theres a couple of Maia's quizzes on her desk if you want to look over them.'

'Thankyou. I'll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight.'

Diana showed her out and then ventured into the kitchen, finding Maia at the table, writing intently.

'Hi, baby.' Diana planted a kiss on her daughters head before beginning to unpack the takeout containers.

'What are you writing there?'

'A report.'

'For Mrs. Hillbrut?'

'Yes.'

Sensing Maia wasn't going to be a well of information, she left her to it and began getting out plates and cutlery.

'There, I finished!' Maia exclaimed suddenly

'Now I won't have anymore homework till next week.'

Maia closed her book and replaced her pen in her pencil case. Jumping off the stool, she reached over and gave her mother a big hug.

'Hi, Mommy.'

Diana smiled. 'You're certainly in a good mood.'

Maia grinned. 'You should have a look at my quizzes. You'll see.'

The two sat down and began dinner.

'Hey, Maia. When you're done with dinner you can show me your tests and then I've got a suprise for you!'

Maia sat upexcitedly. 'Cool!'

Diana smiled to herself at Maia's rapid adaption to the current English pop words.

'I brought you The Lion King on DVD. Every child needs to watch it atleast once. It's a classic.'

Maia began to eat quickly, wanting to show her mom her tests and check out the DVD. She soon finished her dinner, and after putting her dishes in the sink, went to get the quizzes from her room. Diana was beginning to clear the dishes into the dishwasher when she heard a knock at the door. She hurried over and, peering through the spyhole, saw a smartly dressed lady, maybe in her mid fifties. She opened the door and was greeted with a shy 'Hello there, dear. Does Maia Rutledge live here?'

Diana found herself instantly on guard, but doubted the lady could prove very harmful.

'She does. May I ask who you are?'

'My name is Sara. Sara Rutledge.'

'I'm sorry...Rutedge?'

'That's right. I'm sorry, of course, I have confused you. I am...Maia's younger sister. That is, younger in the broadest sense of the word.'

Diana started. 'What?...Why didn't?...How...?'

Sara held up her hand.

'I'm sorry to spring this on you so suddenly, I realise this would be quite a shock. It's just, well- of course, I would really like to meet her.'

Diana took a deep, shaky breath, trying to digest the information she had just been dumped with.

'I don't...I'm not sure that it's a very good idea.'

Sara frowned. 'I'm sorry, I don't understand?'

'Maia, she's, well - she's only just starting to fully adjust and settle in to her new life. I think finding out she has a sister would undo all that.'

'And you think I will take her away from you.'

It was a statement, not a question. Diana blanched, she certainly had been thinking that but wasn't sure it was an appropriate concern to voice.

'Look, I'm sure you are doing a wonderful job, it's just, well, I'm the only family she has left.'

Diana was on guard again.

'She has me.'

'And i'm sure you are doing a wonderful job as a substitute mother.'

Diana bristled at the word 'substitute.'

'Now hang on a seccond...'

'I apologise, I didn't mean that to sound harsh. We don't need to make any decisions straight away. I don't want to intrude. How about...could I leave you my number, and maybe I could come back another day, once you've had a chance to think. I could maybe bring some old photos, of Maia and our parents.'

Diana sighed. 'I guess that's reasonable enough.'

She took the paper Sara handed her with a contact number and, after bidding her farewell, closed the door slowly. She leant against it, trying to process the events of the last few minutes, but looked up as Maia came back into the room, quizzes in hand.

'She came, didn't she. I knew she was coming. You kept her from me.'

Upset, Maias voice was rising.

'How could you do that?'

She turned on her heel and fled into her room.

'Maia...wait.'

Diana called after her, but the only response was the slamming of Maia's bedroom door.

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Please R&R, the next chapter will be up asap!