Jane glared at the small cluster of men sitting on the curb in front of her and Maura's house. Movers. Jane couldn't believe Maura hired movers. Jane wasn't some wealthy bum who couldn't lift her own boxes. Jane lifted a box with a grunt of effort and walked towards the house.

Inside Maura was sitting on the couch, sorting through boxes of photos. Jane set the box by the door and then flopped on the cushion next to her. 'Come on Maur. You have to help me.'

Maura glanced at the darker haired woman, then glanced at the box she had dropped. 'Jane, I have helped you move mattresses, couches, and boxes over the course of our friendship and do you know what happens every time?' Jane shook her head, her wild hair whipping about her face. 'One or both of us ends up sore the next day from over taxation.'

'Yeah but Maura that's part of the moving charm.' Jane replied a slight whine in her voice.

'No. I am not going to do it again.' Maura replied steadily ignoring Jane's unspoken question.

'But I have so much stuff. How does a person even accumulate so much crap after their apartment burns down?' Jane whined.

'Which is why I have hired movers. To move all of your stuff for you.'

'Movers are for rich people,' Jane whined.

'I am a rich person,' Maura replied steadily, 'and I hired those movers for the day not by the box. Whether they get paid to move your stuff or paid to sit on the curb is up to you.' Maura went back to sorting her photos. Jane chewed thoughtfully on her lip.

'Do I have to tip them for doing something I could do?' Jane asked.

Maura smiled, knowing she had won, 'no Jane. Gratuity was included but you might consider thanking them after being so grumpy about it.'

Jane stood and walked away grumbling. She returned in a moment, leaving the door open as the men filed in carrying furniture and boxes. Jane returned to her seat and turned on the TV, flipping until she found the sports channel. 'I could get used to rich people moving.' Maura laughed and Jane smiled, happy to feel at home.


The Monday after their move felt comfortable and familiar. Jane woke to the soft meditations of Maura's yoga. They worked together to make breakfast and coffee. Their actions quiet and complimentary, neither of them needing to say much to work in sync. It made Jane happy. The kitchen was different and in a rare moment of nostalgia Jane could admit she missed her mother's presence, dishing up gossip with a side of eggs. But Jane was happy. Happy that Maura had moved with her. Happy that this, at least, was a familiar routine. It gave Jane confidence that Quantico would work.

'Jane,' Maura spoke, 'I was thinking.'

'What's new about that?' Jane asked, the rebuttal automatic.

Maura chuckled. 'I was thinking that Bass is happy at the zoo. And that Jo Friday is happy to be with her original family.'

Jane nodded along, 'yeah I think so. Seems that way anyways.'

Maura nodded, 'I don't want to take Bass away from the zoo. The children love him and he's teaching them so much.'

'Okay,' Jane said, not entirely sure where this conversation was going, 'then we'll just have to visit him often when we're back in Boston.'

'Yes we will,' Maura smiled at the we in that statement, 'but I was thinking it could be kind of nice to have a pet here too.'

Jane sat up a little straighter, studying Maura over her coffee cup. The blonde was feigning casualness but Jane could see the tension in her. Maura wanted this and Jane was inclined to give Maura what she wanted... after some teasing. 'Like another turtle Maur?'

'Tortise,' Maura replied automatically, 'but I was thinking something more like a dog. You and Jo Friday got along well.'

Jane had loved Jo Friday but she had a reputation to maintain, 'Jo was the exception, not the rule.'

Maura set her coffee cup down, sensing a weak point in Jane's argument. 'So don't you think you could find another exception? After all there are hundreds of dogs out there.'

Jane sighed and pretended to think it over. 'I could be persuaded, on one condition.'

'What's that?' Maura asked, her excitement bubbling over

'We can't name this dog after some obscure scientist who moonlighted as a grave robber to learn about human anatomy or something.'

'There are plenty of medical examiners who have been instrumental in the field while working with ethically sourced cadavers Jane,' Maura replied teasingly.

'No.' Jane replied quickly, 'no morticians. No scientists. It has to be something cool. Like Babe Ruth or Dom DiMaggio.'

Maura laughed, 'you want to name a quadripedal animal after famous baseball players? Are you going to teach it to swing a bat too?'

'Air Bud did it,' Jane muttered darkly.

'Who?' Maura asked.

'Famous baseball playing dog,' Jane explained.

Maura raised an eyebrow at her. Jane just shrugged. 'Fine, no science names and no baseball names,' Maura replied evenly.

'So like Spot or something bland?' Jane asked.

'If it has spots, then maybe.'

Jane smiled at the mental image of a spotless dog being called spot. 'What about sox?'

'No baseball Jane.' Maura answered.

'It has a double meaning Maura.'

'No.'

'But the pup could have socks,' Jane grinned, 'and it would totally fit.'

'No.' Jane huffed, amused but pretending to be angry.

'So you'll go with me to the shelter later today?' Maura asked, looking at Jane with wide eyes and a hopeful smile.

Jane grinned, 'yeah, I will Maura. My last class is over at 4.'

Maura bounced from her seat and kissed Jane's cheek, 'perfect! Have a great day at work Jane!' Maura disappeared up the stairs, likely headed for her office. Jane rinsed their cups and headed to work, smiling even through the morning traffic. Quantico was working out great.