Maura enjoys lunch with Jane, Cailin and Hope when her love returns freshly showered and looking decently rested. It might be the best lunch she's ever had. It was clear Cailin was still upset with Hope. It was also clear that Jane was uncomfortable with the praise being heaped on her by the duo. But it was her people and it was mostly perfect. After, Jane sends Maura home for a rest and with the promise of returning with dinner. Maura has every intention of going home. Of napping and playing with the dogs. That is until she's parking her car in the BPD guest parking lot.

A call to Kent is all it takes. He greets her in the lobby, signing her in as a guest and escorts her to autopsy. It's strange to walk these halls again. Stranger still to feel a sense of dread about it. Work had always been a refuge. The one place she could depend on logic to reign. These rooms and hallways usually brought Maura a sense of calm. Maura follows Kent in to the viewing room, though it isn't strictly procedure. The man says nothing, merely drawing back the sheet to reveal Paddy's corpse.

'Have you finished your exam?' Maura asks, her voice trembling.

'Yes,' Kent says, 'the man, I mean, Paddy… I mean, your father died of complications from a-'

Maura cuts him off with a hand, 'I meant, can I approach. Will I disrupt the evidence?'

'Oh,' Kent says sheepishly, 'we have what we need. You can do whatever you need to.'

Kent steps back, giving her space. Maura moves forward. The man's eyes were open, not yet having been stitched closed. His skin was pale, his cheeks more sunken than when she had seen him in California. She was looking at a man with perhaps weeks left were it not for the gun shot. Maura cleared her throat, 'I don't believe in talking to the dead. Their bodies provide clues that we can use to talk for them but I've never felt the need to…' Maura trails off. She isn't sure who she's talking to. Kent or Paddy. Judging from the wide eyed look on Kent's face he isn't either.

Maura leans forward speaking more directly to the man who had fathered her, 'I don't believe in an afterlife, in spirits or souls. I believe your consciousness is gone, never to be again. Your body will decay in time, your atoms rejoining the cosmos. Nothing is ever created or destroyed, simply remade. But you believed. You believed in an afterlife, in a heaven and hell, in God.' Maura hesitates, feeling foolish. 'So it is my respect for your belief that has me standing here talking to a corpse like a superstitious fool rather than as a woman of science. You….' Maura takes a breath, feeling emotional. 'You did well Paddy. You saved Cailin. You bought Jane the time she needed. For that, I will always be grateful.' Maura cleared the lump in her throat, wiping her tears aside, 'I can't pretend to understand you or the choices you've made but I don't regret who I am and I wouldn't, couldn't be that without you.'

Maura takes a big inhale, looking around at the room she was in, 'Do you recognise this room? This is where it all started for us. Well for me, anyways. This is where we met, where you came to see Colin, where you told me you were my father. I suppose it's fitting that this is where we say goodbye as well.'

Maura pressed a kiss to her fingertips then pressed those fingers to his cheek. 'Goodbye Paddy Doyle.' Then in a softer voice, 'goodbye father.' Maura turned and exited quickly, leaving a very surprised Kent in her wake.

She nearly collides with Agent Dean in her hurry. Strong arms come up to catch her. 'Doctor Isles? Are you alright?'

'I'm fine, thank you,' Maura says stepping away quickly.

Dean glances over her shoulder. 'Oh,' Dean says, 'I'm very sorry for your loss. You father was….'

Maura shook her head, 'you can stop. I don't need your platitudes.'

Dean frowns, 'of course, I simply meant… I got to know Paddy and I… well I… respected the man in spite of his career.' Maura ground her teeth but didn't bother to answer. 'How's the recruit doing? And Jane?'

'Noemi is recovering well and Jane is fine,' Maura says, barely containing her own roiling emotions.

Dean nodded, 'that's good. Just as a friendly warning, Jane is going to have a lot to answer for when she returns to DC.'

'Excuse you,' Maura anger evident in her surprise. Dean takes a step backwards.

'Not from me,' Dean says holding up his hands, 'I just mean. She took a recruit with her on a rescue mission for a case she wasn't assigned to, helped a person of interest who was under surveillance escape from that surveillance, wound up at a scene where a mob boss was after denying any knowledge of that mob boss, and then got her recruit shot.'

Maura practically sees red. Only the arrival of Kent at her side stops Maura from acting rashly. 'Jane did not get a recruit shot nor did she have any knowledge of Paddy being there.'

Dean shrugged, 'it doesn't matter what the truth is. It's abut the optics. It's hard to sell that Jane knew nothing.'

'It's about the optics,' Maura repeats numbly, more to herself than to Dean, a plan already forming in her mind. She pushes past the agent.

'Doctor Isles?' Dean calls after her. Maura ignores him.

Kent is hot on her heels, 'what're you going to do Maura?'

Maura pulls out her phone. 'I'm going to call the only optic expert I know: my mother.'

'Right,' Kent says as they wait for the elevator to arrive at the correct floor. He holds the door open for her but remains behind. 'I'm sorry about…' he trails off before clearing his voice, 'if there's anything I can do….' Kent blushes then almost mutters, 'I consider you a friend and I would be happy to….'

'Thank you Kent,' Maura says with a smile. She nods once in recognition of his words before turning and exiting the building. Back in her car, Maura hits the call button.

'Maura, dear,' Constance answers on the third ring, 'how are you doing? Hope has kept me informed of the situation. Is everything alright?'

'No,' Maura says fiddling with her keys, 'it would seem we have an optics problem. The FBI is planning on hanging her out to dry for Paddy's escape and her job with the academy is on the line as a recruit was injured. This is entirely my fault mother, I made Jane come to Boston. I put her on that plane.'

'Maura,' Constance says with a hint of rebuke, 'you know this isn't your fault. It's that awful man who kidnapped your sister's fault.'

'Jane wouldn't have come if I hadn't asked,' Maura replies hotly, even though she knows her mother is telling the truth.

'That may or may not be true,' Constance reasons, 'after all she's thrown herself in the line of fire for absolute strangers before. It's in her nature to protect.'

Maura lets out a breath, knowing that was true. Jane was always going to go after Cailin. Maura just made it happen faster. 'What do I do?'

'You get the public on her side, my dear,' Constance says simply as if it ought to be obvious. 'For the last twelve weeks your name has been everywhere, in every show, on every newspaper. You use that social currency to Jane's advantage. Have a public press conference. Thank the heroes who saved your sister. Force the FBI to recognise her valour. They can't act against America's favourite Federal Agent.'

Maura shuddered, 'you really think that will be enough?'

Constance considers the question, 'you said you had an optics problem. That the FBI is painting the story. So you take away the brush. You paint the public perception. What happens behind closed doors is another story entirely but its one that I can handle.

'You can?' Maura asks skeptically.

'Absolutely,' Constance assures her, 'after all, Jane is family.'

Maura's eyes grow wet at that, 'she is.'

'Good,' Constance says and Maura can hear her smile, 'am I correct in assuming Thanksgiving will be in Boston this year?'

'We haven't talked about it but probably,' Maura admits.

'Good, I've already changed my flights. I'll see you on Wednesday my dear.' Constance pauses a moment, 'I love you Maura.'

'I-' Maura is caught off guard. Things had been better with her mother in recent years but an unsolicited I love you was still disarming. She clears her throat, 'I love you too Mother. Thank you for your help.'

'Anytime dear,' Constance says, 'Ta-ta!'

In that moment, Maura is certain of two things: the first is that her mother's plan was the best they had. The second is that Jane would hate it.


Cailin is discharged right around the time visiting hours are over so Jane promises to drive Cailin and Hope home. Jane goes to check on Noemi and Aarna finding the pair fast asleep. Aarna is bent forward, her head laying beside Noemi's thigh, their hands locked at an odd angle. Someone, Lola probably, had draped a blanket over Aarna's back. Jane resolves to send the girl home at some point tomorrow for rest in a real bed but she knows better than to try tonight. Jane finds Lola in the surgical waiting room, reading what appeared to be a bible in the corner. She tucked it away quickly and Jane didn't press her on it. Jane offers Lola a ride and a place to stay. Lola accepts the ride, giving Jane the address of the hotel she had booked nearby. Jane leaves a note for Aarna with the nurse, including phone numbers and addresses if she or Noemi needed anything.

There's a moment when Jane introduces the women that Jane realises that she might have erred. Cailin is babbling an apology, tears welling. Hope is rubbing Cailin's back and refusing to meet Lola's eyes. And then Lola swoops them both in to a hug, reassuring them that it wasn't their fault and that Noemi was indeed okay. It's an emotionally charged car ride but not uncomfortable. Jane promises to swing by and pick Lola up with breakfast when they get to the hotel. Lola nods, says goodbye and hurries out of the November cold. Hope makes a similarly quick exit, promising to bring lunch tomorrow for the group. Jane grabs Cailin by the wrist before she can exit.

'Jane? Did you need something?' Cailin asks raising an eyebrow.

'Yeah,' Jane says letting go, 'we didn't really get a chance to talk but I just wanted to say I'm really glad you're safe. I was worried about you.'

'Yeah,' Cailin says looking down at her feet, 'well thanks for coming to get me.'

'Always,' Jane says with a smile, 'you're my sister too, you know.'

Cailin smiles at Jane, 'one day even officially, huh?'

'Probably,' Jane says with a wide grin, 'but listen. It might be hard for the next few days. Being kidnapped is… traumatising. Maura and I know that better than anyone. So if you need anything, anything at all….' Jane trails off.

'You'll be the third person I call,' Cailin promises.

'Third? I'm your third?' Jane says in mock offence, lightening the mood.

'Well my mom is first,' Cailin says with a blush, 'and Maura's the second. So yeah.'

'Alright,' Jane says with an annoyed huff. 'I guess I can cope with third. Besides if you call Maura I'm probably going to know about it which really makes me second too.'

'Sure Jane,' Cailin says with a grin, 'and thanks for the heads up. I figured it would be rough but I appreciate it. Good night Jane.'

'Night Cailin,' Jane says with a small wave.

Then Jane headed to Maura. To the dogs. To home. Jane knew as soon as she entered, Maura had made them dinner. She comes in to the kitchen to see a dinner laid out, a few candles lit and some music playing softly. Maura is waiting by the island for her. 'Hey you,' Jane murmurs approaching and wrapping herself around Maura.

'Hello love,' Maura responds, returning Jane's hug eagerly. 'I'm sure you're exhausted but I was hoping you'd join me for dinner. I have something I need to discuss with you.'

'Sure Maura,' Jane says pulling back to press a kiss to Maura's lips. 'I'd do anything for you,' Jane smiles broadly.

'I would do anything for you,' Maura whispers in reply, her eyes trained on Jane's collar bone, 'which is why we need to talk.'

'Oh,' Jane says with a frown, 'is this a 'we should talk' talk?'

Maura finally meets her eyes, confusion in her eyes, 'doesn't that describe all requested conversations?'

Jane chuckles, 'no a 'we should talk' talk is when there's a problem in the relationship and one of us, in this case you, brings it up to the other, me, to correct the problem. Or to break up.'

'You think I'm breaking up with you?' Maura asks her face horrified.

'No,' Jane says reassuringly, rubbing her hands over Maura's arms, 'I figure you're going to bring up something that I do that annoys you. Or you know… a pet peeve. Or something equally miserable. So let me just say right now, I'm sorry and I promise to do better.'

'I have no complaints about you or our relationship at the moment.' Maura says with a frown, 'I do wish you would change your toilet paper direction. And I hate it when you leave your socks everywhere. Especially when you complain about never being able to find a matching pair. But none of these are unknowns.'

'First of all, you're wrong about the toilet paper,' Jane says, 'and second you are correct, I do already know these complaints. Can we go sit and eat? I'm starving.'

'Certainly,' Maura says gesturing to the table. 'If you go over the top, the toilet paper is less impacted by gravity and therefore less likely to touch the floor and be contaminated.'

'Yes but if you go under, the toilet paper rolls more easy, making for faster use,' Jane counters. Its an old fight and they could have it even while dishing themselves up.

'We are talking about an infinitesimal time difference, bordering on negligible,' Maura retorts, 'where as the bacterial count of toilet paper which has come in to contact with the floor versus that which hasn't is quite significant.'

'So you've said. Just don't use the pieces that touch the floor Maur.' Jane replies, taking her first bite with a moan, 'mmmmmmgh this is good.'

'Thank you,' Maura says with a smile, 'and you could always take .2 seconds longer in the bathroom.'

'I'm guessing,' Jane says her mouth full, 'this isn't what you wanted to talk about?'

'No,' Maura says when she had finished chewing. 'I went to say goodbye to Paddy today.'

'What?' Jane exclaimed, dropping her fork, 'why would you go alone. I woulda gone with you. You shouldn't have to do these things alone.'

Maura set her own fork down and put a hand on Jane's. She squeezed reassuringly, 'I know you would have gone with me. I just… this was something I had to do alone.'

'Oh,' Jane says turning her hand over to intertwine their fingers. 'I can understand that,' Jane says softly, 'how'd it go.'

'I'm uncertain.' Maura offers, 'I do not believe talking to the dead provides any measurable results beyond catharsis but I'll admit to feeling better for saying goodbye.'

'That's good,' Jane says rubbing her thumb over Maura's hand, 'that's all that matters.'

'While I was at BPD I ran in to agent Dean,' Maura says. 'He seemed to imply you are in considerable trouble. Did the Director Wilson say anything to you?'

Jane sighed, 'well he wasn't happy. A recruit was shot Maura. Sure she's a recruit for the FBI, not exactly your normal student, but she's still the academy's responsibility and for her to be shot in the presence of her instructor isn't a good look. He doesn't exactly have to spell it out for me.'

Maura frowned, 'spell what out, exactly?'

'That I've lost my job,' Jane says her voice absent any emotion.

'But you love your job,' Maura says sadly, 'and you're good at it.'

'Sure, I do,' Jane says with a sigh. 'But just like when Susie was framed and you were implicated. I'm the one implicated.'

'So you agree its an optics problem,' Maura asks, too casually. 'That's what Dean seemed to imply. It didn't matter what the truth was, what mattered was how it appeared.'

'Well,' Jane says nibbling her cheek, 'yeah. An FBI instructor and her recruit show up at the place a mob boss is, with a person who was under surveillance. The mob boss and the recruit get shot and the boss and another civilian dies. And then the FBI doesn't even get the collar. It goes to BPD. Not a great look.'

'We reframe the narrative,' Maura offers. 'A heroic FBI instructor and her recruit rescue a kidnapped woman, bringing in both a kidnapper and one of the FBI's most wanted.'

'I didn't bring in Paddy at all,' Jane says feeling defensive. 'I made my choice Maura. I chose to go after Cailin. Maybe I'd do some things differently. Maybe I'd leave Noemi behind. But I would still be here in Boston. I'd still show up and Paddy would still be there. If that means I play the FBI's scapegoat so be it.'

'So you intend to allow them to pin this all on you,' Maura asks her voice hard and angry sounding.

'What's the alternative?' Jane asks, pulling her hand away from Maura. 'Someone takes the fall for this Maura. I'd rather it was me.'

'Why must someone take the blame? You saved my sister. How is that a bad thing?' Maura pushes back.

'It's not, Maura. We did save your sister but everything else went pretty poorly.'

'I disagree and I won't allow you to lay down and just take this,' Maura says angrily.

'What would you have me do?' Jane asks angrily, 'you don't think I want to keep my job? You think I want to lose my career?'

'Do you?' Maura shoots back.

'No!' Jane says angrily. 'Of course I don't.'

'Good,' Maura says looking suddenly quite pleased. 'Because I have a plan that would allow you to keep it and to keep Noemi out of trouble as well. But you aren't going to like it.'

Jane frowned, 'I'm listening.'

'Tomorrow morning,' Maura began, 'I will hold a press conference and thank the brave agents and police officers who rescued my kidnapped sister. I will provide the press with Cailin's statement of thanks and with your photographs. The FBI can hardly scapegoat you if all of America is cheering you on.'

'You're serious,' Jane asks. She doesn't need Maura to answer. She can see it written all over Maura's face. 'No. No way. I'm not going to go be some kind of glory hound. I didn't do this for America. I did it for you.' Jane pushes back away from the table. Needing the space.

'I know. And I'm doing this for you Jane,' Maura replies quietly, her eyes turned down looking at her plate. 'I won't let them make you take the fall, not when I can change it. Not when I can help you.'

'Well I don't want this,' Jane says angrily. 'I don't want some dog and pony show.'

'Even if it saves your job? Noemi's future career?' Maura speaks quietly, still refusing to meets Jane's eyes.

Jane hesitates, 'Noemi is fine. She got hurt. They wouldn't scapegoat an injured agent.'

'But she's not an agent yet,' Maura replies, 'and if things are as bad as you imply then what will it say about her career that it started on such poor footing? What department would take her? But if you're both America's sweet hearts, Noemi could have her pick of the nation.'

'So thank Noemi. Why do you have to include me too?' Jane asks even though she knows the answer.

'Because I love you. And I won't see you hurt because of me,' Maura says looking up at Jane. Her eyes are somewhat wet but the look on her face sincere.

'Maura,' Jane whines. She really didn't want to do this.

'Because Cailin doesn't want too see you lose your job for her. Because Hope doesn't want Paddy to ruin your career,' Maura continues softly. 'Because Aarna wants other recruits to experience your knowledge too. Because Korsack wants you to continue passing on all of his knowledge to every future suit so they know how to treat local your mother and brothers don't want to see you lose a job you love and return to casework.'

Jane gulps feeling guilty, 'you all want me to do this?'

'None of us want you to fall on your sword, no,' Maura affirms.

Jane sighs sitting back in her chair, 'and I suppose you're going to do it no matter what I say.'

Maura frowns, 'I don't know what I'll do if you refuse. I don't like the idea of going behind your back. Truthfully, I'm hoping you won't make me decide.'

Jane frowns, she picks up her fork and pushes the zucchini around on her plate. 'Fine,' Jane says at last. 'Do what you have to. But don't expect me to be happy about it. And you had better not use the word hero.'

Maura smiles brightly at Jane, her dimple showing. 'No? But you are my hero Jane.' She blinks at Jane, her lashes fluttering in a way that makes Jane's face grow hot.

'Well, that's… thats fine.' Jane is flustered, 'I like being your hero. Just yours. Not America's.'

'Perhaps then,' Maura says in a sultry tone, 'you wouldn't mind coming upstairs and showing me some of those heroic moves.' Jane is about to agree when her stomach growls. Maura laughs, her eyes twinkling in the candlelight, 'after we finish eating of course.' And Jane grins back feeling grateful for Maura for a multitude of reasons.

The press conference is predictably horrible the next morning. Jane does her best to stay out of sight of nosy reporters and Maura, true to her word, refrains from using the word hero. That is until she stepped out of the lime light, found Jane's hiding spot and whispers it into the shell of Jane's ear in a sultry tone that brings back all of Jane's memories of the night before. Jane couldn't stand being America's hero but being Maura's? That she could do. Happily. For the rest of her life.