Nia Williams was waiting for them outside of the Stephen's house. Her face was grim, her jacket pulled tight against the cold and the snow. When Maura approached, Maura could read the sadness on her face. 'Maura,' Nia said, 'I'm so sorry.'

Maura nodded, pulling her jacket on tighter as if to ward out the emotions as well as the cold, 'thank you Nia. This is Aarna Dhar with the FBI.'

Aarna shook the offered gloved hand. She smiled shyly when Nia said, 'nice to meet in person Agent Dhar.' Aarna inclined her head. She and Maura had agreed that while they wouldn't claim Aarna was an FBI agent, they wouldn't correct the assumption either. It was leverage they might need.

'It's nice to meet you as well Miss Williams,' Aarna replied, 'even under such horrible circumstances.'

Nia returned the smile before turning back to Maura. 'I've prepared Mrs. Stephens but I need to lay down some rules before we go in there Maura.' Maura bristled, feeling frustrated by the slow pace of things. She took a breath then nodded her head. 'My primary job is to be Panda's advocate,' Nia spoke kindly but firmly, 'it is not to help you find your sister.' Maura had expected as much, though it still hurt to hear. 'Ordinarily, I wouldn't let the family members of a victim anywhere near the family member of a perpetrator. I am allowing you to interview Panda because it is life and death and because you have rapport with Panda that leads me to believe she trusts you and that you will not betray that trust. I am trusting you to handle this professionally Doctor Isles, with all the sensitivity and training your station has provided. If I think at any point that this conversation will cause long term distress or harm to Panda I will cut it off.'

'You've got to be kidding,' Aarna said sounding alarmed, 'a woman's life is depending on what that kid knows. You can't just cut us off. She could save Cailin's life.'

Nia's eyes flashed, anger and sympathy warring in them, Maura put a hand on Nia's forearm, 'I don't want to hurt Panda, Nia. I am a professional.'

A smile threatened to play on Nia's face, 'of that, I'm certain. I just need you to understand my role here.'

'You're the child advocate,' Maura said with her own grim smile, 'I'm grateful for that, truly.'

Aarna seemed to consider it for a moment before nodding, 'I am too. I don't want to hurt Panda. I just…'

'Really want to find Doctor Isles sister?' Nia asked, 'me too. And we'll do whatever we can to help, I just have to make my priorities clear.'

Maura nodded, 'I understand. Thank you Nia.'

'I think Agent Dhar should ask most of the questions,' Nia said, 'she's the most neutral party here but I won't stop you from jumping in Maura. Just remember, she's six. She probably already blames herself and she idolises you. Okay? Try to be gentle?'

'I agree,' Maura said, looking up at the house, wondering if she was at all prepared for this. 'Are you alright with that Aarna?'

Aarna looked up in surprise. She licked her lips nervously, wringing her hands, 'I've never interviewed a child before but I'm, uh, willing to try.'

Nia patted Aarna's arm, harbouring no grudge, 'I'll be there to help, okay? Just keep your questions simple and straightforward. If she knows something, she'll tell us. Panda wouldn't be deliberately obtuse with Doctor Isles. She won't try to trick you. She'll help us if she can.'

Aarna looked at Maura, her eyes still uncertain, Maura smiled at her reassuringly, 'it is less like interviewing a suspect and more like taking a statement from a witness. Does that help?'

Aarna nodded and then swallowed. Nia lead them to the doorway where a very pregnant Amanda Stephens let them in.

'Maura,' Amanda began, 'I'm so sorry to hear about your sister.'

Maura swallowed hard but offered a small smile for the kind woman, 'I'd like for you to join us if you're able Amanda.'

'Certainly,' Amanda replied, 'Panda is just getting dressed after her bath.

'This is Aarna Dhar with the FBI,' Maura said introducing the women, 'she'll be leading the conversation.' At that moment a black and white streak came running down the hall.

'Doctor Isles!' Came a shriek before something warm and vaguely wet collided with Maura. Aarna had jumped, hand reaching impulsively for her gun, but Maura dropped down to catch the flying hug coming her way.

'Panda Cub!' Maura said squeezing tightly, 'I'm so glad to see you.'

'Wow,' Aarna said blinking and relaxing back in to a less defensive.

'Told you,' Nia said with a grin and a wink, 'rapport.'

Amanda smiled down at the pair, 'Doctor Isles is Panda's best friend.'

'I am?' Maura asked Panda with a grin.

'Uh huh,' Panda said with a big toothless grin. She was wearing panda pyjamas that were splotches of black and white. Maura saw a hood attached that Maura would bet had some adorable rendition of panda bear ears. 'I love Doctor Isles.'

Maura's eyes got misty, 'I love you too Panda Cub.' She pulled the little girl in to another hug, taking a little comfort from the moment.

'Panda,' Amanda spoke softly and sadly, 'we need to talk with you about something very important and very sad. Can you take Doctor Isles to the couch?'

'Sure mommy,' Panda said, taking Doctor Isles by the hand and leading her down the hallway leaving the others to follow. Maura and the other adults sat on the couch while Panda stood watching. She climbed quietly in to Maura's lap, her hands reaching out to touch Maura's face. Her fingers tracked the tear marks on Maura's face. 'You sad?' She asked softly. Maura nodded, gulping in air to keep from crying at the child's softness. 'Why?' Panda asked. 'Mommy says when you're sad you should tell someone about it. She says that talking about it helps it all come out of your tummy. Then you have room for good things like hot chocolate.'

Maura smiled at Amanda. She had clearly come a long way with the little girl and Maura was grateful. 'You have a very smart Mommy Panda Cub,' Maura poked the little girls tummy playfully.

Panda giggled, then wrapped her arms around Maura's neck in a hug, 'tell Panda and mommy will make us hot chocolate.'

Maura rubbed Panda's back softly, 'my little sister is missing and I need your help to get her back Panda.'

'I has good binoculars,' Panda offers, 'I'm very good at finding.'

Maura struggled to not sob, 'I bet you are but my sister isn't lost. She was taken by someone who wants to hurt her.'

'Like my daddy hurt me?' Panda asked pulling back to look at Maura with wet eyes.

'Yes,' Maura nodded, her throat tight. How was she supposed to tell Panda what happened? 'Just like that and thats why we need your help.'

'A'Cause I know how hurt-y people think?' Panda asks.

Maura stroked the little girls hair, willing herself to come up with an answer for that. Maura decided she wouldn't tell the girl, not if she could help it. Panda didn't need to carry that guilt. 'Something like that Panda Cub. My friend Aarna over here, she has some questions she needs to ask you about your past. Will you answer her questions as best as you can?'

Panda frowned, as though she was trying to put the pieces together but she didn't quite have all the information yet, 'and that will help you find your sister?'

'Yes,' Maura whispered, trying to keep her face neutral.

'Mommy says I'm going to have a little sister,' Panda said pointing to Amanda's belly.

'You are?' Maura asked, 'that's very exciting. Little sisters are the best. They're fun and smart and so, so, so special!'

'Is that why you want to find yours?' Panda asked, 'a'cause you love her?'

'Yes,' Maura nodded, not able to stop the tears this time, 'I love my sister very, very much. Just like you will.'

'Okay,' Panda said sounding determined, 'I get my binoculars and then I answer questions.' Panda was gone in a flash, running up the stairs leaving behind four bewildered and emotional adults behind.

'You handled that well,' Nia said sounding a bit hoarse. Aarna nodded, a look of amazement on her face. Maura didn't feel deserving of their praise.

Panda jumped the last two stairs, resulting in an echoing crash that made Amanda flinch and sigh. Then Panda skidded in to the living room. She gently placed the string of a pair of toy binoculars around Maura's neck, pressing a kiss to Maura's head as she did, 'now you can look good too.'

'Thank you,' Maura whispered softly.

'So,' Aarna said clearing her throat, 'Panda do you know where Boston is?'

'Its a city is Mas-chu-tess,' Panda said turning to sit in Maura's lap while looking at Aarna. She swung her feet gently, thumping them against Maura's shins but she didn't really mind. 'Doctor Isles is from there. Is that where your sister is?' Maura nodded. Panda played with a small handful of Maura's hair, twisting it while she thought, 'what's your sister's name?'

'Cailin,' Maura said quietly, 'Cailin Martin and she's learning how to be a doctor.'

'You don't have the same last name?' Panda asked.

Maura shook her head, 'no. I was adopted and didn't find out I had a little sister until I was older.'

'You were adopted?' Panda asked, eyes open wide, 'mommy says that's what I'm going to be. What is it? Do you like it?'

Maura's eyes opened wide she looked at Amanda and Nia for help. 'It's uh… it's when someone who didn't carry you in their stomach chooses you to be their child forever.'

'So you have a mommy who carried you in her tummy?' Panda asked. Maura nodded. 'And you have a different mommy too, who loves you?' Maura nodded again. 'Just like me?'

Maura smiled, 'just like you.'

'Do you know anything else about Boston?' Aarna asked, trying to guide them back to the subject.

Panda frowned considering. 'It was very green,' Panda said, 'like bamboo. I liked Boston.'

'You've been to Boston?' Aarna asked sounding somewhat amazed. Maura was equally as surprised.

'Once,' Panda said, 'my pa had a job in the forrest. We stayed at a green cabin. It was old and yucky. Mama wanted to go home but pa said I would clean it. I had to clean the spider webs even though I hate spiders.'

'Eugh,' Aarna said making an exaggerated face, 'I hate spiders too. Do you remember anything else about where the cabin was?'

Panda thought about it. 'There was a bare foot lake we would walk to.'

'A bare foot lake?' Aarna asked confused. 'Do you mean you had to walk bare footed?'

Panda laughed, 'No it was called bare foot lake.' Maura frowned, trying to recall her knowledge of Boston. 'There was a fruit museum too.'

'A fruit museum?' Aarna asked, 'like an art museum?'

'No,' said Panda, 'I thought we were going to try different fruits but it was just a dumb old house where people used to farm. I was hungry too.'

'Do you remember the name of the town the cabin was in? Or the street name? Maybe a number on the cabin?' Aarna asked trying not to sound urgent but failing.

'No,' Panda said with a frown, 'it wasn't a real road. It was just dirt and mud.'

'Did your step father own the cabin Panda?' Maura asked, knowing it would be too easy to be true.

'No,' Panda said with a frown. 'Pa said we was lucky because we got to borrow it and borrowing means you have to give it back.'

'Do you remember who he borrowed it from?' Aarna asked, trying and failing to keep her voice light. Panda watched as every adult leaned in towards her.

Panda's eyes grew watery, 'no. I'm sorry.' Panda turned to bury her face in Maura's neck, 'I'm sorry Doctor Isles. I don't remember. I don't.'

Maura held the little girl close and made shushing sounds, 'you did great Panda Cub. You did great, baby. It's okay.'

'I'm going to call Agent Rizzoli,' Aarna said softly stepping away. Maura nodded and continued to comfort the girl in her arms who was trying so hard to be so brave.

When, at last, Panda pulled back to look at Maura her eyes were red and her face streaked in tears, 'will you be able to find your sister now? Did I help?'

'You did,' Maura said offering as big a smile as she could in the moment, 'you helped me so much. Plus I have your binoculars so I can look for her.'

Panda nodded, 'I'm sorry I don't remember more. Pa always said I was stupid.'

Maura frowned, adding one more thing to bring to account for when she met Vincent Russo, 'well your Pa is wrong. You're a very smart little girl, do you remember how big a Panda cub is when it's born?'

Panda grinned, 'the size of a pen!'

'Exactly,' Maura said with a smile, 'see? You're very, very smart!'

Panda grinned for a minute before her face fell, 'does this mean you have to leave now?'

Maura nodded, 'I'm afraid so Panda cub, I have to bring your binoculars to Boston to find my sister.' Panda nodded, yawning.

Amanda stood, holding out a hand for Panda, 'come on Panda bear, it's time for bed.'

Panda leaned in to Maura hugging her tightly. 'Goodnight Panda Cub,' Maura whispered.

'Good night Doctor Isles. I hope you find the green cabin and your sister,' Panda said with a yawn.

'Panda?' Maura asked curiously, 'is the cabin the colour green?'

Panda shook her head, 'no. Someone wrote green on the door but they didn't spell it right.'

'How did they spell it?' Maura asked, her heart thumping loudly, her fingers tingled.

'They spelled it G-R-E-E-N-E.' Panda said behind another yawn, 'isn't that funny?'

Maura stood, pressing a kiss to Panda's forehead, 'you're the smartest kid ever Panda. I hope you know that.' Maura hurried past her, finding Aarna in the kitchen talking to Jane. Maura motioned for the phone.

'Jane?' Maura said, 'the cabin owners last name is Greene with an 'e' at the end. We thought it was the colour but it was the family name.'

'You're sure?' Jane's voice said through the speaker.

'Yes,' Maura said because she was, even if she didn't have all the evidence. Maybe it was Jane in her. Maybe it is was desperation. Maybe it was just her faith in Panda. It didn't matter. Maura knew.

'Okay so I'm looking for a bare foot lake, a fruit museum, and a cabin owned by the Greene's somewhere near Boston?' Jane summarised without sounding even the least bit skeptical. Maura was grateful. Anyone else would have at least raised an eyebrow at that.

'On a dirt road,' Maura added.

'Thanks Maur,' Jane said sounding exactly like the detective Maura had known for so long, 'this really helps.'

'It does?' Maura asks anxiously.

'Yep. You coming to Boston tonight?' Jane asked, worry filling her voice, 'it's pretty ugly out there.'

'I want to be there when you bring her home. I need to see her,' Maura whispered softly.

'Flights are cancelled,' Jane said softly, 'you'll have to drive.'

'That was the plan,' Maura said softly, 'we were going to get the girls before we head out.'

'Okay,' Jane said at last, 'just be safe and stay in touch.'

'I will,' Maura whispers, 'let me know when you find her?'

'Always.' Jane's voice was strong, determined. 'Love you Maura!'

'I love you too Jane. See you soon.' Maura hung up and looked up at Aarna who smiled at her.

'Where to now Doc?' Aarna asked. Maura was struck by how grateful she was that it was Aarna with her. Some how, she was keeping them moving forward. Keeping Maura from sinking in to a hopeless cycle of despair. Maura smiled back.

'Let's get the dogs and go find out what kind of trouble our partners have made in Boston,' Maura said teasingly. Maybe they didn't have Cailin yet but for the first time that evening Maura could actually breath. They were close. Jane was close and heaven itself wouldn't be able to save Vincent Russo from the wrath of Jane Rizzoli. No one messed with their family.


Cailin shoved hard, her head spinning, trying to get the man to roll over. She took a deep breath and pushed with everything she had. The unmoving man rolled, at last. A pool of blood was collecting beneath him. She fumbled to find a pulse, trying to remember her first aid training. Her fingers slipped in blood making it hard to find the right spot. Cailin couldn't feel anything. She shifted, pressing on the man's chest, compressing it to keep his heart beating. 'You're okay,' Cailin whispered. She didn't know who this man was or why he was there helping her but Cailin knew he was shot because of her. Cailin pumped the mans chest harder, her vision growing dark from the effort. She just had to keep his heart beating.

'Stop it,' the man who kidnapped her hissed. Cailin ignored him. 'I said stop it,' the man lunged grabbing her arm and yanking her in to a standing position. Cailin cried out as pain tore through her shoulder.

'You killed him,' Cailin sobbed staring down at her would be saviour, her brain couldn't process it, wouldn't process it. 'You killed him.'

'Who is he?' her captor hissed shaking her shoulder sending arching pain through her arm and aching head. 'Why is he here?'

'She can't answer that,' a voice spoke from the other side of the door way, which was now open letting in gusts of snow and cold, 'but I can.'

Her captor yanked Cailin in front of him, pointing his gun over her shoulder at the door, 'who's there?'

Cailin watched as a hand threw something heavy through the door, a metal thunk echoing through the room. Cailin felt a sense of horror fill her as she realised what the object laying on the floor between her and the door was. An ice pick.

'Paddy Doyle?' her captor spoke, his voice cracking, 'are you fucking serious?!' He clenched her arm tighter, sending bolts of pain down to her fingers. 'What the fuck are you doing here?' Cailin could hear the panic in his voice, 'she's not one of yours.'

'He was one of mine,' the voice from the other side of the door spoke.

'I didn't know that!' Her captor yelled, 'I didn't fucking know that!'

'Seems we're at an impasse Russo,' the voice said. Cailin thought he sounded winded. 'You've killed one of mine and I really don't like that.'

'What do you want?' Cailin felt her captor, Russo, loosen his grip.

'Let the girl go,' the voice said.

Russo looked at her, almost as if he was considering it, then he grabbed her tighter, pulling her closer causing Cailin to cry out. 'I need her.'

'Why?' the voice asked, 'what's she got to do with us?'

'You know what!' Russo yelled. 'You fucking know it!'

Cailin heard the sigh echo through the room, 'Maura.'

'That's right, your precious fucking daughter is off limits but this bitch? She's fair game.' Russo said jerking Cailin around in a way that made Cailin want to vomit.

'You want to hurt Maura, Russo?' the voice asked almost taunting, 'let the girl go, you can take me instead.'

'What?' Russo whispered. He was quiet for a moment thinking, 'that doesn't make any sense.' He pulled Cailin a step back, farther from the door.

'Think about it Russo,' the voice spoke softly, 'I'm the reason Maura's off limits. If you take me out, you'll have taken away Maura's father and protector. What's a half sister compared to that?'

'Or I could shoot you both right here, right now. Sister and father.' Russo said turning the gun on Cailin. Cailin felt the cold end of the barrel press in to her temple. She felt a whimper escape her throat. Cailin had become intimately familiar with death when she needed a kidney. She'd treated it like an old friend, she didn't expect it to come to her like this though. She expected to have time to say goodbye. Time to tell her mother and Maura she loved them. She expected it to be an extended affair born of illness, not a quick explosive thing at the end of a barrel.

Laughter poured in to the room, cold and cruel. 'You think you can take me down boy? I've been outdueling people since before you were just a twinkle in your dear Ma's eyes. No. You might kill the halfling but you won't live to tell her sister about it. No, the only way you get me is if I go willingly.'

Russo fidgeted at Cailin's back, pressing the barrel harder against her temple, the cold metal warming from the heat of her skin. Cailin squeezed her eyes closed, her mother's face came to mind. God, she just wanted her mother.

'Think about it Russo, with me out of the way, there's nothing stopping you from getting to Maura.' Cailin whimpered. She didn't want to die but she didn't want to trade Maura's life for hers either. 'So?' the disembodied voice of Paddy Doyle asked.