A/N: Made some choices here. Definitely decided to have Panda call Amanda mommy for a multitude of reasons but mostly because a lot of kids in that age range will publically call their foster parents by mom and dad as an act of normalcy. Or so the internet says, and the internet never lies. Obviously there are always exceptions to the rule. I also realise I'm taking the Panda/Maura/social work/foster care thing outside of it's normal lanes. I don't really have an excuse for that other than the more people a foster kid has advocating and caring for them the better. So... yeah.

Maura woke wrapped up in a very naked, very soundly asleep, Jane. Her body was deliciously sore, her hair messy from bodily fluids and sleep, their bed smelling like sex. In other words, a perfect morning. Maura lay in the perfection of it all for as long as she dared. Jane would wake soon and while Maura was not opposed to continuing their previous evening's activities, she was ravenous. Actually, ravenous. Good sex required calories. And hydration. Both of which she was seriously lacking. It was a problem she could remedy once she extracted herself from Jane and with help from modern technology she wouldn't even have to get dressed to do it. That made Maura smile. After all, she had a few hours before she was supposed to meet up with Panda. There was plenty of time for breakfast and sex.

Maura showered quickly, keeping it simple since she had every intention of needing another shower before her meeting. She slipped in to her bathrobe and checked her order status on door dash. Omlettes, french toast, enough breakfast meat to keep even Jane from complaining, and coffee were all on their way. Maura had instructed the delivery person to leave it at the door and had tipped in app, generously. A knock let her know when it arrived. Maura wasted no time setting it up, trusting the smell of bacon to beckon Jane from her sleep.

As if on cue, a gravelly voice spoke behind her, 'is that bacon? Thank God! I'm starving!'

Maura whirled to smile at Jane. She was gorgeous, just standing in the doorway, stretching. Every glorious and perfect muscle on display. Her hair stuck up on one side, strands of hair plastered to the other side of her face, caught in some combined mess of Maura's fluids and Jane's drool. It made Maura blush thinking about it. 'It is,' Maura replied, her heart racing from just looking.

Jane sauntered forward, her hips swaying, her breasts bouncing and Maura's mouth goes dry. Jane smirks and reaches around Maura's dumbfounded person to grab some bacon off the plate. 'Mmmm,' Jane said, her eyes closing in pleasure. Maura's brain helpfully supplies her with all the other delicious sounds that sweet mouth can make. Her blush deepens. Jane's eyes pop open and her grin is nothing short of devilish, 'good morning Maura.' Jane emphasises saying her name, sounding for all the world like her tongue is curling around the R in her name just as skilfully as it had around her clitoris last night. Maura's never orgasmed from someone saying her name before but she supposes there's a first time for everything and then Jane is laughing and Maura doesn't even bother to try suppressing the shudder that courses through her. Jane arches one perfect eyebrow, grin set perfectly on her chin. 'Are we eating first?' Maura is about to decline. Is about to say they can always eat it cold. Hell, they could even go out and buy a whole second meal if it meant sex with Jane right now. Unfortunately, her stomach chose that exact moment to rumble loudly. It, at least, was hungrier than it was aroused. The sound startled a laugh out of Jane. When she stopped, she pressed a kiss to Maura's cheek, 'I'll cover up. Start without me, okay?'

Maura watches her leave. Just as her back side has almost disappeared from sight Maura calls, 'don't get too covered up.'

Jane's head pops back through the bathroom doorway, she smiles at Maura, 'yes ma'am.' She sends a mock salute to Maura and disappears again.

Maura sits down hard and breathless. Maura wasn't the religious type but Lord Almighty did Maura need help controlling herself when it came to Jane's naked form. Maura choked on her coffee when Jane returned, wet and in only a towel. They did not end up finishing breakfast after all. In fact, they took long enough with each other that Maura had to hurry to make it to lunch on time.

Panda was standing on a bench outside of the restaurant next to two very harassed looking women that Maura recognised as Nia Williams and Amanda Stephens. It was Amanda that put a hand on Panda's shoulder to keep her from darting in to the street when she saw Maura walking up to them. It did nothing to keep her from bouncing on her feet and yelling out her name.

'Doctor Isles!' Panda called, waving frantically.

Maura grinned and waved back. She sped up but only because she wanted to make it easier on the very pregnant Mrs. Stephens, certainly not because she was excited to see Panda. When she made it to the same side of sidewalk, Maura watched as Panda broke free and ran for Maura. Nia was the one to run after Panda but she did not stop the girl. Maura dropped to a kid-sized crouch and opened her arms to catch the girl in a hug. 'Panda cub!' she called.

Panda slammed in to her. Maura was grateful she had opted for a smaller heel today. 'Doctor Isles! You're here!' Her hands held tight on to Maura, almost painfully so.

'Hello sweetie,' Maura murmured, holding back. 'It's so good to see you.'

Ms. Williams smiled down at them, 'thank you for coming Doctor Isles, I'm glad you had time for us today.'

Maura smiled back up at the woman, 'of course Ms. Williams. It's my pleasure.'

Amanda Stephens approached in a panting waddle. Her eyes twinkled when she spoke, 'it's nice to finally meet you in person Doctor Isles.'

Maura made to let go of Panda but the girl tightened her arms, refusing to release Maura. Maura smiled up at Mrs. Stephens, 'it's wonderful to meet you as well Mrs. Stephens, thank you for taking care of my friend Panda here and for making the drive all the way to Baltimore to meet with me.' Maura decided it was probably best to just scoop the girl up and carry her inside. So she did.

'Oh we've been having a grand time,' Mrs. Stephens said, 'I've learned so very much about Panda bears. And after lunch today we are going to stop by the zoo in DC to see them.'

'I get to see real life Panda bears Doctor Isles,' Panda said leaning back to meet Maura's eyes now that the danger of being put down had passed.

'Well,' Maura said, her eyes twinkling, 'aren't you a lucky girl?'

Panda nodded enthusiastically, 'Mommy says I get to go because I've been very good.'

Amanda beamed at that, 'you've been wonderful dear.'

The last of Maura's reservations crumbled. Panda really was in good hands with someone she felt safe enough to call 'mommy.' She smiled at Amanda. 'I'm sure it will be very meaningful for both you.'

'You could come too! Mommy said I could invite you,' Panda said it proudly.

'Why thank you,' Maura said with a smile to both Panda and Amanda who was holding open the restaurant door. 'But I'm afraid I can't join you today. Panda's face immediately shifted in to a pout. 'Maybe I could join you next time?'

'Do you remember what we talked about Panda?' Amanda asked softly as Nia spoke with the hostess, 'Doctor Isles is working very hard with her book and she may not have time to join us today.'

Panda let out the biggest sigh a six year old diaphragm could and said, 'I remember. She has to do a lot of talking to a lot of people.'

Maura laughed because wasn't that the truth, 'yes. Yes I do.'

The hostess brought them to a relatively isolated booth in the back of the restaurant, setting down menus and taking their drink orders. Panda was convinced to leave Maura's lap only after Maura offered to colour with the crayons the hostess left behind.

'Panda, sweetie,' Amanda asked peering over the table at the colouring sheet to read the kids menu, 'would you prefer pizza or nuggets?'

Panda thought about it, 'I want what Doctor Isles is having.' Maura feels her cheek colouring because she had definitely been eyeing something green and healthy and absolutely not kid friendly.

'Why don't we ask Doctor Isles what she's having first?' Amanda asks patiently, 'then you can decide if you'd like what she's having too.'

'Doctor Isles would you rather have pizza or chicken nuggets?' Panda asks dutifully.

Amanda and Nia both hide their laughter behind their menus.

Maura smiles, 'I think pizza sounds perfect, thank you Panda.'

Panda grins at Maura, 'we'll have pizza Mommy.'

Amanda made a face at Maura that clearly was meant to convey an apology. Maura just smiled and waved a hand in dismissal. A high carb meal wasn't exactly a problem for her, considering her evening plans. Maura let Panda order the pizza and asked the waitress for a small salad as well.

'Doctor Isles?' Panda asked when the waitress left with their orders, 'do you have any kids?'

'Not yet,' Maura replied steadily.

'Are you pregnant like mommy?' Panda asked again.

'No I'm not,' Maura replied.

'Are you going to get pregnant like mommy?'

Maura's cheeks heated slightly, 'it's not likely.'

'Oh,' Panda said, 'don't you want kids?'

Maura felt as though she were teetering on a tight rope. They were pretty outside normal doctor-patient relations. 'I don't know. Perhaps one day.'

'Do you have a husband?' Panda asked.

Maura looked at Nia. She wasn't sure how to answer. Nia smiled and gave a go on hand wave. 'No but I have a girlfriend. Her name is Jane.'

Panda was quiet for a minute. 'Is she nice like you?'

Maura smiled, 'she's very nice.'

'That's good.' Panda nodded sagely as she coloured in a red stripe on her rainbow. 'Are you going to marry her? Will she be your husband?'

'I haven't asked her yet but yes I would like to marry her,' Maura smiled as she spoke, 'and if she says yes then she'd be my wife.'

'So you would both be wifes?' Panda asked, switching to a green crayon.

'That's right. I would be her wife and she would be mine,' Maura replied colouring in the blue stripe.

'How long have you two been dating?' Amanda asked kindly.

Maura smiled at the woman, 'we've been friends for almost a decade-' a glance at Panda made Maura clarify, 'that's almost ten years but we only recently discovered our feelings for one another.'

Amanda grinned at her, 'there's nothing like being with your best friend forever.'

'No, no there's not,' Maura replied.

'Can Jane come to the zoo with us the next time we go to see the pandas?' Panda asked.

Maura looked between the other adults at the table. Amanda nodded encouragingly. Nia nodded as well, a small smile playing on her face, 'what you and the Stephens arrange after this meeting is totally up to you provided that neither one of you is left alone with Panda without proper background checks and finger printing.'

Amanda smiled at Panda who looked somewhat confused, 'that means that we can always ask Jane and Maura to join us but they might not always be able to come.' Panda nodded at that and finished with her yellow stripe. Their rainbow was definitely not in the correct order for the light spectrum. Maura tried to ignore that.

'I am traveling until Thanksgiving but perhaps around Christmas time we could all go see the Christmas lights at the zoo. I'm sure Jane would love that,' Maura said encouragingly to Panda.

Panda paused holding her orange crayon, 'and do you think Jane will like me too?'

Maura put her hand softly on Panda's arm and replied, 'absolutely. Jane loves ALL Pandas.'

That made Panda giggle. The girl was quick to resume colouring.

The waitress brought their food and Panda made a big show of copying Doctor Isles exactly. Even eating her pizza with a fork and knife. When Maura saw that Panda was struggling and getting frustrated with the knife, Maura switched to eating with her hands. After all, it was easier to wash her hands than to rebuild a broken six year olds spirits. They let Panda take the lead, steering the conversation through an endless round of animal facts. Maura was pleasantly surprised to find Amanda knew a surprising amount about elephants. Nia took longer but Panda eventually got her to talk about Penguins.

'What about you Doctor Isles?' Panda asked, her lips ringed in tomato sauce, her eyes glittering brightly, 'what's your favourite animal?'

Maura took a napkin and wiped softly at her lips, watching Panda hurry to do the same. It was cute how much Panda wanted to mimic her. 'I love a lot of animals. I rode horses when I was younger. I owned a pet tortoise named Bass too. He lives at the Boston zoo now with his mate Susie.'

Panda pouted. 'So you don't like pandas?'

Maura smiled warmly at the little girl, 'I love pandas. I don't think I have a favourite animal. They're all too amazing.'

'Me neither,' Panda said with a grin.

When their plates had been cleared, Nia pulled out her notebook. 'Panda, the reason I brought us all here today was to talk.'

Panda looked at Nia's notebook and frowned. 'You want me to tell you more about my old family.'

Nia sighed and put her notebook away, 'yes. Anything you can tell us that might help us find them.' Panda looked at the wall. Maura was certain she was ready to cry.

'It's okay baby,' Amanda murmured, 'it's okay. We're here. We're all here.'

'What if I don't remember anything?' Panda asked, still looking at the wall. 'What if I can't help you?'

'Then you'll still be our special Panda cub,' Maura said gently.

'I tried Doctor Isles,' Panda said, turning and throwing herself in to Maura's arms. 'I really tried to remember. I tried to remember names or places. Anything. But mostly I was left at home when they went out. He never wanted me to go with them.'

Maura held the little girl, rubbing soft circles on her back. Together, the three of them managed to piece together enough information to confirm what Nia already knew. That Isabella Russo had been neglected, attention starved, and left behind. She had, had no formal schooling and most of what she knew she had learned through observation or television. That hurt Maura's heart. Panda was so incredibly intelligent, her mind hungry to learn, she was just waiting for someone to come along and teach her. Mia Russo had not held a job outside of the home for as long as Panda could recall. It wasn't altogether new information. It certainly didn't lead Nia to the boys or their mother. It wasn't even enough to find Vincent Russo. Still, Maura was proud because Panda was helping. She was scared but she was still helping.

Maura said goodbye, holding Panda tightly and making her promise to send lots of photos from the zoo. To Maura's surprise, even Amanda hugged her goodbye. There was a kinship there, a mutual alliance forged in protecting this little girl. Maura walked the five blocks back to the hotel feeling torn. She was sad that Panda had been hurt so much for so long, she was sad that she couldn't do more for Panda, and she was so grateful for people like Nia and Amanda who were doing the handwork. She was grateful Panda had a good foster home. It was too early to say if the Stephens would be her forever home but it was a good place to start.

She slipped quietly in to the hotel lobby and up the stairs to her room. She found Jane asleep on their bed. Maura smiled, disrobing as quietly as possible. A nap with Jane sounded like just the thing to settle her emotions. Maura slipped in behind Jane, wrapping her arms around Jane's lean frame. Maura smiled when Jane let out a deep breath, nestling in to Maura's front. Maybe, just maybe, they were all where they belonged right now.


Paddy lay in his bunk, the mid afternoon sun streaming in through the cell doors, lost in one of his favourite daydreams. Maura was three, wearing a bright pink tutu. She would do a little spin, making her skirts flutter around her like the wings of a butterfly and in between each spin she'd giggle in delight. She'd look up at him with big hazel eyes and a big toothy grin and say, 'look at me Dada! Look at me!' And Paddy would. He'd watch her twirl in circles for as long as she wanted, his eyes drinking her in. At his side, Hope held his hand, smiling at the pair of them. Her stomach was round with another baby on the way. They were a family. Happy. Normal. Safe.

Paddy did not have many regrets in life. He was a hard man who had lead a hard life. He had lied, cheated, and killed to stay alive. If he had any regrets all of them were connected to his family. His Hope, his Maura, his Colin. All of them were for the life he never had, the home he could never give. Paddy had known, since the day Hope had told him she was pregnant, that there would be a forever ache in his heart but Paddy could never see how to outrun it. Destiny, he mused, would never have allowed it. He was a mobsters son. His course in life was written in blood. Maybe it was written in Colin's too. Maybe they were both running from fate. But Maura? She was Hope's through and through and Paddy had done his best to stay out of her way and out of her life. Out of all of their lives. Not that he was perfect. Heavens no. He was only human and love was a powerful mistress. He never could quite leave Hope behind even if his stomach ached every time he saw her, knowing he'd lied, hidden Maura away. He'd done everything in his power to make sure her dreams came true. He helped her finish her degree, helped her to start her clinic, helped her to expand it when it went well. Colin had found him and try as Paddy might, he was too much like his father for his own good. And Maura… Maura was his pride and joy. He'd watched her grow from afar, delighted in who she was and loathing who he couldn't be for her. She was the centre of his world and he did everything he could to keep her safe.

Now he was old. Older than a mobster had any right to be and he was dying in a way no respectable mobster wanted. He could cope with both of those things except his family was in danger. He still had loyal friends in Boston. Friends who couldn't ferret out who was asking questions about Maura or why. Only that they were. It was concerning. After all, most of what any civilised folk wanted to know was readily found on the internet. No, the people asking about his baby girl had more nefarious purposes. Worse, they were smart enough to keep quiet about it. That really concerned him. Paddy had heard all sorts of threats through the grapevine. Angry parolee's cursing Maura for putting them away, ex boyfriends with a grudge to bear, even a few frustrated high society types who had been out smarted, out bid or out witted by his baby girl. The drunken angry mutterers rarely worried him. Most forgot about it once they sobered up, the rest forgot when Paddy reminded them whose daughter she was. It was the ones who didn't mutter that he paid attention to. They were the ones looking to cause real trouble.

Paddy rolled in his bunk, real trouble was brewing. That much was clear. Paddy's problem was, at least at the moment, he was too far away to do a damn thing about it. That wouldn't do. Not at all. Paddy might be a bastard, a cold hearted murderous man but this was his family and he would protect them with every resource he had available, down to his last cent, his last breath. He'd call in every favour, burn down every bridge, cross every line if it meant keeping Hope and Maura safe. Paddy sighed. He could think of no other way. It was time to ask Agent Dean for a favour. It was time to go home, to Boston, where he belonged.