It is the anchor in the storm,

holding fast when all else drifts away.

As Jane stepped through the door of Maura's house, the familiar scent of freshly brewed tea and something faintly floral greeted her. She barely had time to set her keys in the bowl by the door before she heard the quick patter of small feet racing across the hardwood floor.

"Jane!" Beni's high-pitched voice called out, filled with excitement.

Jane looked up just in time to see him barreling toward her, his blanket trailing behind him like a cape. She crouched down, opening her arms wide as he launched himself into her embrace.

"Hey, buddy!" Jane said, laughing as she scooped him up. "You miss me?"

Beni nodded emphatically, his tiny arms wrapping tightly around her neck. "Yeah! You were gone a long time."

Jane's heart clenched at his words. "Not that long," she said softly, her voice tinged with affection. "But I'm here now."

Maura appeared in the doorway to the living room, a soft smile on her face as she watched the reunion. "Welcome back," she said warmly. "Beni's been asking for you since he woke up."

Jane straightened, still holding Beni as he rested his head against her shoulder. "Thanks for holding down the fort, Maur. Everything okay here?"

"Everything's fine," Maura assured her. "We had a quiet morning. Beni played with his cars, and we read a couple of books. He's been very well-behaved."

"Good to hear," Jane said, her tone light. She glanced down at Beni, who was now looking at her with wide, curious eyes. "So, what's the plan, kiddo? More adventures with your cars, or do you want to help me and Maura with something?"

Beni's face lit up, his little hands patting her shoulder. "Cars!"

Maura chuckled, stepping closer. "Why don't I make us some tea while you two play for a bit? You look like you could use a moment to unwind."

Jane gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Maur. That sounds perfect."

As Maura headed toward the kitchen, Jane carried Beni into the living room, setting him down gently on the floor beside his growing collection of toys.

"Alright, buddy," Jane said, settling onto the floor beside him. "Show me what you've got."

After an hour of zooming cars across the floor and indulging in Beni's imaginative scenarios, Jane leaned back against the couch, watching as the little boy continued to play independently. His cars lined up in a careful arrangement, and his quiet focus gave Jane a rare moment to breathe.

She glanced over at Maura, who had returned from the kitchen with two steaming mugs of tea. Maura handed one to Jane, then settled beside her on the sofa, her legs tucked neatly under her.

"Thanks, Maur," Jane murmured, taking a sip. She let out a small sigh of appreciation, her body relaxing against the soft cushions.

Maura tilted her head, her curious eyes fixed on Jane. "You seem pensive. Did something happen at the precinct?"

Jane nodded, setting the mug on the coffee table. "Yeah. Frankie and Nina found out some things about Leah's dad—and the trust."

Maura's brow furrowed. "The trust?"

Jane leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees as she recounted the morning's findings. "Turns out Leah's dad was working on some high-tech energy innovation before he died. The company he worked for fired him, thinking they could claim the rights to his work. But what they didn't know was that he'd already filed for the patents—and he got them."

Maura's eyes widened slightly. "So the company didn't profit from the sale?"

"Nope," Jane said, shaking her head. "The patents meant all the profits had to go into a trust for Leah's dad. After he and Leah's mom died, the trust went to Leah. And now…"

Maura's gaze softened as her eyes flicked toward Beni. "Now it belongs to Beni."

Jane nodded grimly. "Yeah. We think that trust might be the reason Leah and Nana were killed. Somebody wanted control of the money, and Leah and Nana were in the way. Apparently this trust is passed through bloodline and not named successors."

Maura's lips pressed into a thin line, her expression troubled. "That's a very dangerous motive."

"Exactly," Jane said, her voice low. "The misspelling on his birth certificate may have been deliberate to hide Beni. What if someone is after Beni to gain the benefit from the trust? She ran a hand through her hair, glancing over at Beni. He was humming quietly to himself, blissfully unaware of the dark forces circling around him.

"Deliberate misspelling?" Maura questioned as she ran through the evidence in her mind.

"I think," Jane began carefully, "we need to try asking him about what happened. He's the only one who might've seen Leah's killer or have another clue."

Maura's posture stiffened slightly, her eyes searching Jane's face. "Jane, he's just a child. A very young child who's already been through so much trauma. Asking him to relive it might do more harm than good."

Jane exhaled sharply, nodding. "I know, Maura. I know it's a risk. But if he remembers anything—anything at all—it could be the key to catching the person who did this. We have to try."

Maura's gaze flickered to Beni, her expression softening as she watched him play. "If we do this," she said quietly, "we have to be incredibly careful. We can't push him too hard."

Jane reached out, covering Maura's hand with her own. "I wouldn't do anything to hurt him, Maura. You know that."

Maura's lips curved into a faint smile. "I do." She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Let's wait until after dinner. He's in a good mood now, and I'd rather not disrupt that."

Jane nodded, her determination tempered by Maura's steady presence. "Alright. After dinner, we'll see if he's ready to talk."

The clinking of pots and pans echoed softly in the kitchen as Maura moved gracefully between the stove and the counter, her focus on preparing a simple but comforting meal. She had opted for spaghetti with marinara sauce and a side of roasted vegetables, something quick yet nutritious.

Beni, full of energy as always, buzzed around the kitchen with his blanket trailing behind him like a cape. He paused occasionally to pick up random objects, fascinated by the way a wooden spoon or a whisk spun in his tiny hands.

"Careful, Beni," Maura said gently, glancing down at him as he inspected a set of measuring cups on the floor. "Those are for cooking, not for playing."

Beni grinned up at her, undeterred. "Dinner?" he asked, his little voice curious.

Maura crouched down, offering him a warm smile. "I'm making spaghetti. Do you like spaghetti?"

Beni nodded enthusiastically, his eyes lighting up. "Spaghetti good!"

Jane, leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed, chuckled at the exchange. "Kid's got great taste," she said, stepping into the kitchen. "Need any help, Maur?"

Maura shook her head, standing again as she stirred the sauce simmering on the stove. "I've got it under control, thank you. But you could keep an eye on Beni if you're looking for something to do."

Jane smirked, crouching down to meet Beni at eye level. "Alright, buddy. You heard Maura—let's make sure you stay out of trouble."

Beni giggled, holding up a measuring cup as if it were a prized treasure. "Look, Jane!"

Jane took it from him, pretending to examine it like a detective. "Hmm… looks like evidence to me. Maybe we should take it to the lab for analysis."

Beni's eyes widened, his giggle turning into a full laugh. "No! It's mine!"

Maura glanced over her shoulder, her lips curving into a fond smile. "I see you're keeping him entertained."

"Just doing my part," Jane replied with a grin, handing the measuring cup back to Beni.

As the scent of garlic and tomatoes filled the air, Beni began "driving" the cup across the floor, pretending it was a car. Jane grabbed a spatula from the counter, mimicking his actions as they played together.

A short while later, Maura set the table, arranging plates of steaming spaghetti and colorful roasted vegetables with her usual meticulous care. "Alright, you two," she called, her tone warm. "Dinner is ready."

Beni dropped his makeshift "car" and rushed to the table, climbing into his seat with Jane's help. His eyes lit up at the sight of the food. "Spaghetti!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands.

Jane took a seat beside him, ruffling his hair. "That's right, buddy. And trust me, Maura's cooking is the best."

Maura sat across from them, her cheeks faintly pink at the compliment. "It's just a simple meal," she said modestly.

Jane smirked, twirling some spaghetti onto her fork. "Simple, sure. But still better than anything I'd throw together."

Beni sat at the table, his face lit up with pure joy as he dug into his plate of spaghetti. His small hands clumsily maneuvered the fork, twirling it with all the focus of a serious chef—though most of the time, the pasta slipped off before it reached his mouth.

"Spaghetti!" Beni exclaimed between bites, his voice muffled as he stuffed another handful of noodles into his mouth with his fingers.

Jane leaned back in her chair, trying to hold back her laughter as she watched the scene unfold. Beni had marinara sauce smeared across his cheeks, his nose, and even his forehead. His little fingers were coated in red, and tiny splatters of sauce decorated the table around him.

"You enjoying that, buddy?" Jane asked, her voice tinged with amusement.

Beni nodded enthusiastically, his mouth full. "So good!" he said, spraying a bit of sauce in his excitement.

Maura, seated across from Jane, raised an eyebrow but couldn't suppress a smile. "Well, I think it's safe to say he likes it," she said, reaching for a napkin. "Beni, let me wipe your face."

Beni giggled, dodging Maura's hand as she leaned forward with the napkin. "No!" he squealed, grabbing another handful of spaghetti and shoving it into his mouth.

"Alright, alright," Jane interjected, her laughter spilling out as she leaned over to rescue a rogue noodle hanging from Beni's ear. "Let the kid live, Maura. He's having the time of his life."

Maura sighed, though her smile betrayed her amusement. "I don't mind the mess, Jane. But there's more sauce on him than in him at this point."

"Hey, it's all part of the experience," Jane said with a shrug, wiping her own hands before picking up her fork again. "Kid's just making memories."

Beni grinned at Jane, holding up a noodle triumphantly. "Jane, look!"

"Nice work, buddy," Jane said, giving him a playful thumbs-up.

Jane carried a giggling, sauce-covered Beni straight to the bathroom, careful to hold him at arm's length to protect herself from his sticky, noodle-covered hands. "Alright, buddy," she said, nudging the bathroom door open with her foot. "It's bath time for you."

Beni wiggled in her arms, laughing as Jane set him down on the bathroom mat. "Bath fun!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands together, which only spread more marinara sauce onto his already messy face.

"Yeah, fun for you," Jane muttered, grabbing the faucet handle and adjusting the water temperature. "But it's my workout for the day."

A moment later, Maura appeared in the doorway, holding a clean towel and a pair of fresh pajamas. She raised an eyebrow at Beni's messy state but smiled fondly.

"I see dinner was a success," she said, setting the items on the counter.

"Oh, it was a masterpiece," Jane said sarcastically, rolling her eyes as she turned back to Beni. "Alright, buddy. Clothes off. Let's get you in."

Maura knelt beside the tub, pouring in a small amount of bubble bath and swirling the water with her hand. "This will help him relax," she said softly.

Beni eagerly wriggled out of his sauce-stained clothes, needing only a little help from Jane, and hopped into the tub as soon as it was ready. He immediately began splashing, his laughter filling the small room as bubbles floated around him.

"Hey, hey, take it easy!" Jane said, shielding her face from the splash zone. "This isn't a pool party."

Maura chuckled, reaching for a small toy boat and handing it to Beni. "Here, Beni. Let's see if your boat can float through the bubbles."

As Beni became absorbed in playing with the boat and a couple of rubber ducks, Jane sat on the edge of the tub, watching him closely. She exchanged a glance with Maura, who nodded subtly, signaling her support.

"Hey, buddy," Jane said softly, her tone careful and gentle. "Can I ask you something?"

Beni looked up from the boat, his big eyes curious but trusting. "What?"

Jane hesitated for a moment, glancing at Maura again before continuing. "Do you remember when you were with Mommy?"

Beni blinked, his little hands clutching the boat tighter. "Mommy?"

"Yeah," Jane said, keeping her voice light. "When you were with her before you came to stay with us. Do you remember anything about that?"

Beni's brow furrowed slightly, and he looked down at the water, his little fingers pushing the boat in slow circles. "Mommy cried," he said softly after a moment.

Jane's chest tightened at his words, but she kept her expression calm. "She cried?"

Beni nodded, still focused on the boat. "She said, 'Stop.'"

Maura's hand rested lightly on Jane's arm, grounding her as Jane swallowed the lump in her throat. "Stop?" Jane repeated gently. "Was she talking to you, buddy?"

Beni shook his head, his curls bouncing. "No. To the big man. He was mad."

Jane leaned in slightly, her heart pounding. "The big man? What did he look like, Beni?"

Beni scrunched up his nose, thinking hard. "He was... big. And loud. Mommy told me to hide."

Jane felt Maura's hand tighten slightly on her arm, and she turned to see the concern etched on her face.

"You hid?" Jane asked, her voice steady.

Beni clung to Jane's arm, his small body trembling slightly as he nodded in response to her question. "I hide," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jane exchanged a quick glance with Maura, whose calm presence beside her was a steadying force. "That's really brave of you, buddy," Jane said gently, her hand brushing his curls. "You did a good job."

Beni seemed to relax a little at her words, his small hands fiddling with the toy boat as he sat back in the water. But after a moment, his face clouded again, his wide eyes turning toward Jane.

"Mommy got hurted," he said, his voice breaking slightly.

Jane froze, her heart twisting at the weight of his words. "She got hurt?" she asked softly, leaning in closer.

Beni nodded again, his bottom lip trembling. "The big man… Mommy said no. She cried. Then she was hurted."

Maura reached out, her voice gentle as she rested her hand on Beni's shoulder. "Beni, you're doing so well. It's okay to tell us what you remember."

For a moment, Beni seemed to be holding it together, but then his little hands tightened into fists, his whole body tensing. His voice suddenly rose in a terrified scream. "No, Matthew! No, Matthew!"

Jane and Maura both stiffened, alarm flashing between them as Beni's cries grew louder, his small frame wracked with sobs.

"Hey, hey, buddy," Jane said quickly, reaching into the tub to scoop him up, water sloshing onto the floor as she cradled his trembling body. "It's okay. You're safe. I've got you."

Beni buried his face into Jane's shoulder, his small hands gripping her shirt as if letting go would send him spiraling. "No, Matthew," he sobbed, his voice muffled and broken.

Maura grabbed a towel and draped it over Beni's damp body, her voice calm and soothing. "Shh, Beni. You're safe now. We're here. No one can hurt you."

But Beni was inconsolable, his cries echoing through the bathroom. Jane pressed her cheek against his damp curls, rocking him gently as her own heart ached.

"It's okay, buddy," Jane whispered, her voice steady despite the knot in her throat. "Matthew's not here. No one's going to hurt you. I promise."

Maura leaned closer, her hand stroking Beni's back in slow, comforting circles. "Beni, look at me," she said softly. "You're safe. Jane and I won't let anything happen to you."

After what felt like an eternity, Beni's sobs began to subside, his small body still trembling but no longer shaking uncontrollably. He clung to Jane like a lifeline, his face still buried in her shoulder.

Maura knelt beside them, her eyes meeting Jane's. "We should get him into his pajamas," she said quietly. "And let him rest."

Jane nodded, her jaw tight as she stood with Beni still in her arms. "Yeah," she said softly, her voice rough. "Rest sounds like a good idea."

Maura and Jane worked together to get Beni dried off and into a fresh pull-up and his new superhero pajamas. Though his earlier outburst had left him drained, Beni clung to Jane's hand as Maura smoothed the blankets on the bed.

"Alright, buddy," Jane said softly, guiding him toward the bed. "Time to get some rest, okay?"

Beni climbed onto the bed slowly, his bear tucked under one arm as he lay down. Jane and Maura sat on either side of him, their presence offering him the comfort he needed.

"Jane?" Beni's small voice broke the silence as his wide eyes looked up at her.

"Yeah, buddy?" Jane leaned closer, her tone gentle.

"Stay?" he whispered, his hand reaching for hers.

Jane exchanged a quick glance with Maura, who nodded. "Of course," Jane said, squeezing his hand. "We'll be right here."

It didn't take long for Beni to drift off, his breathing evening out as the weight of the day's emotions gave way to sleep. Maura carefully tucked the blanket around him, her fingers brushing his curls.