The drive from Boston back to Quantico is long. Jane and Maura had both attempted to convince the recruits to fly with Lola but both had refused. They opted to make the drive with Jane and Maura and the dogs. Noemi, who was transitioning off of pain medication, shifted uncomfortably in the back while Aarna watched with a concerned face. Jane drives as fast as she can possibly justify, trying to get them home quickly. Maura, on the other hand, takes to stopping frequently in an attempt to keep them comfortable. The end effect being that it took them the exact same amount of time it would have if they driven normally and they were all slightly more annoyed with each other than they normally would be.

The recruits return to the academy grounds and Jane to her work finalising grades. Officially, the FBI had 'thanked' both Jane and Noemi for their service. Unofficially, Jane had a very long meeting with the director in which he fumed over her carelessness and clearly expressed that the only reason she had a job was because she had 'friends'. Jane had taken it in stride and bit her tongue. Noemi, to Jane's knowledge, received no such lecture. Similarly, Aarna's absence, as far as Jane could tell, was being explicitly ignored. Such was the intricacies of bureaucratic life. Maura, for her part, takes most of the week off, enjoying being home and walking the dogs without anyone trying to interview her. She does take a gift basket to Allyson at the clinic and begins re-familiarising herself with her case load and the progress her patients had made in the last twelve weeks.

Friday afternoon, Maura and Jane make the drive to the DC Zoo. Jane parks the car while Maura goes to pick up the tickets she had purchased online. Panda and Amanda find her first.

Panda is wearing a black puffy jacket with white fake fur and a panda hat. Her gloves are white and her face is rosy and when she sees Maura she jumps in to Maura's hands.

'Doctor Isles!' Panda cries out happily, 'Mommy said you found your sister and that my binoculars helped!'

'Panda cub!' Maura hugs the little girl close, 'they absolutely did. So much more than you know.' Maura pulls the toy binoculars out of her bag and passes them over, 'I thought you might like them back to look at the zoo lights.' Panda beams, allowing Maura to slip them on over her head.

'Where's Miss Jane?' Panda asks, looking through the wrong end of the binoculars at the crowd around them.

'Izzie has been talking about this all week long,' Amanda says with a smile.

'Izzie?' Maura asks looking at her Panda cub and then back at Amanda, her heart breaking a bit at it.

'Mommy says Panda is a good nickname but that she likes the name Izzie too. It's better than Isabella.' Panda makes a face of disgust that makes Maura chuckle.

'Would you prefer I call you Izzie?' Maura asks sincerely. She supposes the girl had to grow up from her nickname eventually.

Panda bit her lower lip thinking. Amanda, perhaps sensing Maura's sadness offered, 'perhaps Panda can be a special nickname between the two of you. What do you think Izzie?'

'Hmmm,' Panda says tapping a finger to her lip that makes Amanda grin at Maura. 'Okay. Will Miss Jane call me Panda too?'

'If you want her to,' Maura offers. 'There she is.' Maura points out Jane walking toward them. She's easy to find, having worn a pair of antlers strung up with Christmas lights. When Maura had seen it she had raised an eyebrow but Jane had simply shuffled her feet and said something about wanting Panda to like her. Now she was walking toward them with her confident gait, holding on to a handful of Christmas light necklaces, and smirking in that way that made her left dimple stand out and made Maura's heart thump faster.

'I see her!' Panda shouts before waving frantically. 'Miss Jane! Miss Jane!'

Jane to her credit grins more widely and waves in an over exaggerated way at Panda. Maura beams, her mind feeding her images of Jane doing that same thing with their children. When Jane gets to them she turns to Maura and says in her most falsely helpful tone, 'excuse me Ma'am but you aren't supposed to take the Pandas out of the exhibit.' It pulls a giggle from Panda's lips.

'It's wonderful to meet you Jane,' Amanda says holding out a hand, 'I'm Amanda Stephens.'

'Nice to meet you too,' Jane says taking the hand and shaking before passing her a necklace, 'I thought we'd join in on the festivities.'

'That was very thoughtful,' Amanda says with a grin. She slips the necklace on after turning it on and looks at Panda. 'What do you think?'

Panda beams at her, her voice full of awed sincerity, 'you look beautiful Mommy.' Panda drags out the 'u' in beautiful and makes Maura duck her head in a smile. 'What about Doctor Isles?' Panda asks expectantly.

Jane grins, 'yup, she needs one too.' Jane slips it on Maura's neck for her and then says with the same tone and exaggeration 'beautiful.' Panda giggles. 'And one for the Panda bear, if she's going to be walking around the zoo with us.' Panda ducks her head and Jane slips the necklace on her too.

'Beautiful!' Maura and Amanda both echo before bursting in to laughter.

'You need one too Miss Jane!' Panda points out.

'I do?' Jane says her eyes opened wide in surprise as she looks down at her unadorned neck. 'By golly, I do! Help me out here Panda!'

She passes the necklace to the girl and with a slight boost from Maura, Panda carefully slips the necklace on, not catching it on the antlers. Maura presses a kiss to Jane's cheek and whispers in a husky voice filled with want, 'beautiful.' Jane blushes but it doesn't stop her from pulling out more antlers.

'Anyone want antlers?' Jane says with a grin. Maura rolls her eyes, she doesn't know when Jane even had time to find these things.

Amanda takes one, fixing it to her head with a grin. Maura tilts her head, allowing Jane to put one on her as well. Jane holds a third, kid sized set, up for Panda. The girl frowns and turns to Maura, 'do Panda's have antlers?'

Maura smiles, 'usually? No. But sometimes during the holidays they'll wear silly hats too.'

Panda beams and then copies Maura, leaning her head forward to let Jane fix the antlers over her hat. 'Now,' Jane says with a grin, 'we're ready to see some lights.' She holds out her arms for Panda who, to Maura's surprise, jumps straight in to them. Jane swings the girl around and Maura honestly can't tell which one of them is making the high pitched whee sound. Then Jane sets her on the ground and the pair take off, hand in hand. Maura laughs shaking her head.

Amanda stares after them, a look of shock on her face, 'that's the fastest I have ever seen her warm up to anyone.'

'Jane has that effect,' Maura says wryly because of course Jane could win over the child with attachment issues.

Maura and Amanda ambled behind at a pace more acceptable for an almost due pregnant woman.

'We have a court date on the 27th to officially begin adoption proceedings,' Amanda says quietly, 'I was hoping you would join us.'

'Of course, I'd be happy to!' Maura says with a smile and she means it. 'Just send me the information and I'll be there.'

'We've still got a long way to go before we can officially call her ours but it's a start,' Amanda says almost dreamily.

'A very good one. She's come such a long way with you. I can't believe she lets you call her Izzie,' Maura offers.

Amanda blushes, 'I just thought she'd need to go by something other than Panda at some point. I was hoping we could reclaim her name or at least change it when we adopt her officially.'

'You're absolutely correct,' Maura says with a reassuring smile, 'she needs to be comfortable with her real name.'

Amanda smiles and they walk along in silence for a while. 'Forgive me if I am overstepping,' Amanda begins, 'but you're both so wonderful with Izzie and there's such a need. Have you considered fostering Maura?'

Maura smiles, 'it isn't overstepping. We have and I think we both want to but we need to talk some more before.'

'That's good,' Amanda says with a relieved smile, 'if our adoption goes through and with this one coming any day now, we're going to be out of it for a time. It's good to know there are other good ones out there taking care of them.' Maura smiles and squeezes Amandas forearm in reassurance. 'I'd be happy to answer any questions you both might have. It can be confusing in the beginning.'

'Thank you Amanda,' Maura says, 'believe me, you'll be the first person I call.' That makes Amanda laugh.

'Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!' Panda comes shouting running back to them with Jane just beside her, 'can I have hot chocolate?'

'You did finish your supper and it is very cold. Do you want it with sprinkles?' Amanda asks.

Panda nods and grins, 'yes please mommy.'

'I'll go with,' Jane says, 'Maura and I could use some cocoa too.'

Panda grabs Maura's hand and tugs her towards the seating area. 'Are you having fun?' Maura asks settling on to the cold bench

'Jane is fun,' Panda says with a grin, 'I like her a lot. Do you think she likes me too?'

Maura smiles at the girl, 'I think so. Jane only runs with the people she really, really loves.'

Panda nods then says sagely, 'she's fast.' Maura laughs because Panda isn't wrong. Jane could be very fast when she wanted to be.

'Your mommy says you're getting close to finishing your adoption. Are you excited about that?' Maura asks.

Panda nods before looking away, 'do you think my mama would be mad that I'm being adopted in to another family?'

Maura turns her head, resting her chin on her palm and considers the question, 'I don't think so.' Maura considers the woman she met almost four months ago. 'Your mama wanted you to be safe and happy in another family. She knew she couldn't give you those things so she gave you to me.'

Panda's eyes well with tears, 'my mama didn't want me. That's why she left me behind.'

Maura moves quickly around the table, wrapping her arm around the girl, 'I don't think that's true at all Panda cub. Your mama was scared and didn't know what else to do. She needed some help. Sometimes adults need help too. So she brought you to me and I brought you to Miss Nia and Miss Nia brought you to your mommy.'

'She could have taken me with,' Panda says sadly, her voice muffled in Maura's jacket.

'Yeah, she could have,' Maura says sadly, 'but then I wouldn't have met you and neither would Jane and you wouldn't have your Mommy either.'

'The sad would still be stuck in my belly too,' Panda says with a sniff.

'It would,' Maura says softly. 'But now you have a good home with a mommy and a daddy who love you and keep you safe. You're going to have a little sister soon too. It's okay to be happy about that Panda. It doesn't change that you have a mama and two brothers who love you too.'

'Sometimes I get scared that all the sad will come back and all the happy will go away,' Panda says quietly.

Maura kisses the space between the antlers and whispers, 'I feel that way too sometimes.' Her eyes find Jane in the hot chocolate line laughing with Amanda, her head thrown back. 'Sometimes I'm afraid the happy feeling won't last. Do you know what I do then?' Panda shakes her head. Maura takes a deep breath, 'I tell the sadness in my belly that it's wrong and then I go hug someone who loves me and I drink hot chocolate and I look at Christmas lights and I feel better.'

Panda's arms wind around her and squeeze her hard. 'I love you Doctor Isles,' Panda says quietly.

'I love you too Panda,' Maura whispers pressing another kiss to the girls head, 'and I'm so glad you found a home with your mommy and daddy.'

'I wish you could be there too,' Panda says quietly.

'Me too,' Maura says with a sad smile, 'but being an adult means I can drive to see you anytime you or I want. Okay?' Panda considers this and then nods, sniffing her acceptance.

By the time the hot chocolate arrives, Maura has managed to get Panda on to happier topics. The rest of the night is spent full of laughter and smiles. Jane gets one exceptionally good picture of Maura and Panda that Maura resolves to print and frame for both of them. Panda is all but asleep on her feet by the time they say their goodbyes and head home. The drive is quiet and pleasant, Jane holding Maura's hand tenderly. They pull in, unloading their winter gear and head inside. Maura lets the dogs out for a final bathroom break. She returns to find Jane standing at the kitchen island, a manila file in hand.

'What's that?' Maura asks walking over to stand beside Jane.

'Seeing you tonight, with Panda,' Jane starts, 'it made me want to be a family with you. I already knew it in my head but it made my heart know it too. I printed these papers off the day after I got home from Philadelphia.' Jane took a deep shaky sounding breath, 'I want to have kids with you Maura. I don't care what the process looks like. I filled out my half and I started buying and sorting clothes and toys. They're upstairs in the guest closet. So whenever we get our first placement we are ready them. I was going to start preparing the house but I knew you'd want to be included with the decorating and stuff.' Jane slides the folder over and Maura opens it with trembling fingers. Inside sitting on the very top was an application to become foster parents.

'Jane,' Maura whispers her voice shaking, 'I can't believe you did all of this.'

Jane shifts nervously from foot to foot, 'in a good way or a bad way because if it's overstepping or too much then we can take our time or if you've changed your mind and you don't want to have kids with me-'

Maura cuts her off there with a firm kiss. 'You're incredible,' Maura whispers pulling away, 'I can't wait to start this process with you.'

'Yeah?' Jane asks, her hands rubbing Maura's back, 'because I have a pen and we can start as soon as you want.'

'Tomorrow,' Maura whispers tugging gently at Jane, 'we'll start tomorrow. Tonight I just want to thank you for going on this journey with me.'

'Oh?' Jane mumbles her face turning bright red, 'tomorrows good. I'm free tonight. All yours. To do whatever. Whatever you want. You know.'

Maura hums, 'good because it's really unfair how devastatingly gorgeous you are in reindeer antlers.'

Jane's face seems to short circuit going from dimpled to dismay and freezing there. 'What?' Jane groans, 'reindeer antlers? Really Maur?'

Maura grins, 'why not?'

'You want me to leave them on while we?' Jane raises her eyebrows suggestively.

That brings a laugh from Maura, 'maybe. Why don't we go upstairs and find out.'

The antlers and most of Jane's clothes end up staying on for the first round before everything comes off for rounds two and three.


Maura and Lola sit together at the FBI graduation ceremony, cheering together when Noemi gets a special commendation and then again when both Noemi and Aarna's names are called. Jane sits on stage looking immensely proud of her fledglings. Afterwards, Maura takes Jane, Noemi, Aarna and Lola out to dinner to celebrate. Jane beams at her recruits as they exchange stories about their training, drawing out peals of laughter from Maura and Lola.

When dinner is done, Jane draws out a pair of envelopes with the recruits names on them. The table goes silent.

'Is that?' Aarna asks her face ashen.

'Your assignments,' Jane affirms, 'I haven't looked yet.'

Noemi squeezes Aarna's hand. 'It'll be okay.'

'You don't have to look at them tonight. Or right now,' Maura offers quietly.

'No,' Aarna says, 'I want to you know. Unless…' She looks at Noemi expectantly.

'I do too,' Noemi affirms. Jane passes the envelopes over.

'You go first,' Aarna nods to Noemi's envelope.

An expectant silence falls over the table as Noemi opens the envelope painstakingly slow. She pulls out the letter and reads in silence. A grin on her face. She looks at Aarna with a smile, 'I'm going to be part of the tech division in Boston!' Excitement radiating off her, Noemi urges, 'open yours!'

Jane's hand finds Maura's. Maura smiles reassuringly at her.

Aarna's hands shake as she opens her envelope, reading the letter quickly. She frowns. 'Well?' Noemi asks. Aarna hands the paper over.

Noemi reads the letter quickly, her face falling.

'Will one of you please tell us?' Lola drawls, 'the suspense is killing me.'

'I've been assigned to a field unit,' Aarna says dryly, 'in New York.'

'Shit,' Jane says sadly, 'I'm sorry Aarna. Maura and I tried. We really did.'

'I know,' Aarna says with a sad smile, 'and I thank you.'

'New York to Boston is only a few hours by car,' Maura offers with a reassuring smile.

'Yeah,' Noemi says quickly, 'we'll make it work. We'll do weekends and half way points. It'll be fine. Right Mahál?' The look on her face is so full of raw and blatant hope that Jane wants to wince when Aarna looks away sadly without answering.

'Well,' Jane says awkwardly, 'that wasn't the happy ending I was going for… so how about I buy us all the biggest chocolate cake they make, huh?'

'I'm game,' Maura says with a smile.

'Sounds perfect,' Lola adds.

'If you're buying,' Noemi adds, her tone slightly sad as she looks at Aarna. 'Mahál?'

'Yeah,' Aarna says flatly, 'sounds great.'

The rest of the evening is spent valiantly trying but failing to recover. When Aarna excuses herself to go to the bathroom, Jane takes one look at Noemi's face and decides to take matters in to her own hands. She follows the other woman, locking the door behind them before rounding on her recruit, 'what the hell are you doing Dhar?'

'What do you want Jane?' Aarna asks slumping forward over the sink.

'You're acting like it's already over. What gives? I didn't think you were the type to just roll over and give up.' Jane shoves Aarna's shoulder lightly, trying to garner a reaction. Angry Aarna was better than the monotoned person who'd eaten not even half a slice of cake with them.

'I'm processing Jane. Leave me alone,' Aarna says in that same monotone voice.

'Well stop doing it alone. Noemi is dying out there. She just wants to know you'll be okay,' Jane urges.

'Well I don't know that, do I?' Aarna whirls around to face Jane her voice laced in anger and pain.

'Yes you do,' Jane says rising to the challenge. 'You know that you two love each other. You know you want to be together. You know you'll work it out. You just have to give it a chance.'

'Oh yeah? And what do you know about it?' Aarna shouts. 'You don't know what the future holds.'

'You wanna be pissed,' Jane says hotly, 'fine. Be pissed. But don't shut her out. She deserves better than that, and so do you. Don't shoot yourself in the foot before you've even started.'

'I am not shooting myself in the foot. I'm being realistic,' Aarna retorts, 'we'll be junior agents on call all the time. Noemi will be up at all hours doing tech things I don't understand half of and I'll be in the field running myself ragged.'

'So you're just going to give up on the woman you love?' Jane challenges.

'What other choice do I have?' Aarna whispers angrily.

'I never took you to be a quitter Dhar or one to give in to fear,' Jane's voice is laced in sarcasm, 'but here you are sabotaging yourself before you've even tried.'

'I just don't want to get hurt,' Aarna whispers. The anger she'd spoken with earlier is gone, replaced with a jagged kind fear and hurt. 'I don't want to lose her and I don't see how I'll be able to keep her.'

'You know how you keep her?' Jane asks, her tone softened by the pang in her own heart, 'by talking to her. By trying. Over and over and over again.'

'Yeah,' Aarna says but her eyes are a thousand miles away. Jane tries to find another way to get through to her but a knock of the door interrupts her.

'Aarna?' Noemi calls softly, 'can we talk?'

Jane raises an eyebrow at Aarna, who nods. Jane lets the other woman in and excuses herself. Walking away, Jane wonders for the first time, if they would make it after all.