Author's Note: I really shouldn't be doing ANOTHER fic, but omg...Luann and I get to talking and things happen. So basically, this is a fic Co-written by Luann(evenmoreso on here, and sasha-alexander on tumblr). She's got some great fics going on as well, and she's top knotch at photoshop so go follow her. She came up with the idea of this fic, pretty much and she'll probably give me ideas to write, ext. I'm just the writer and I put in some ideas here and there, I suppose. ;) I do hope you enjoy, though. It's pretty different.

Disclaimer: Own nothing. D:

Borrowed Time

Chapter One

Everything was spinning, swirling, like one of those tea cup rides at Disney land. The sound was horrible. It was like hundreds of people trying to talk over one another, screaming and yelling, cars honking, alarms going off, radio static. Jane curled into herself, her arms covering her head like she was doing a tornado drill. It was all she could do to keep from throwing up.

Just when Jane thought she couldn't take it much longer, everything went silent and she hit the ground with a thud. It knocked the breath out of her, so she lay there on her side for a moment, still curled into herself as she tried to breathe and take a moment to allow her organs to catch up. Once everything seemed to stop spinning and Jane could breathe again, it was then she noted the sounds of birds chirping and children laughing in the distance.

Slowly, Jane uncurled her body and moved so that she was on her back. She felt wetness on her cheeks and realized she was still crying. Her eyes snapped open and she shot up into a sitting position as it all came crashing back down on her. Maura was dead. She was dead. Jane's breathing ratcheted up a notch and her chest tightened until she realized where she was.

Beacon Hill. Her wide eyes darted around, panic still coursing through her veins, and that was when she saw it. The large iron gates of a mansion. The Isles residence. So she hadn't been hallucinating before.

Maura is alive in this time… She thought, the panic slowly leaving her.

This time? Was she really going to believe that the angel of death had sent her back in time? To keep Maura alive? Yes. Yes she was, because if she didn't, then Maura was really gone and Jane wasn't sure if she could handle that. She didn't want to handle it. Maura needed to be alive.

Jane stood on shaky legs, looking down to realize that Maura's blood was no longer covering her white blouse and black trousers. She looked as she had that morning before she and Maura left for work. Because Maura's death hasn't happened yet… She thought grimly. Brushing herself off, Jane looked up at the large mansion and idly wondered how she was going to do this.

How was she going to keep Maura safe? She couldn't go waltzing in…

"Excuse me," A voice broke into her thoughts. Jane jumped with a start, her hand going for her gun only to find it wasn't there. She turned to see a woman staring at her oddly. "Uh…Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. Are you here for the Nanny interview as well?" She asked, sounding a little condescending.

Nanny interview…? This could work… Jane thought. It took her a moment to realize that she probably should answer the woman. "Uh, yeah. Yes. Yes I am." She said trying to sound more sure of herself than she felt.

"Right…Well, good luck, then." The woman said, before she stepped up to the gate and pressed the callbox button.

A voice suddenly spoke from the small box. "Name?"

"Fiona Parker and-" She turned to look at Jane, who stepped up.

"And Jane Ri-" She stumbled on her last name, realizing she probably shouldn't use it and quickly said the first thing that came to mind. "-chardson. Jane Richardson." She said, clearing her throat.

The voice sounded slightly static-y as it came through the speaker once more. "And do you have an appointment?"

Fiona stepped up and spoke clearly into the box. "We're here for the Nanny interview."

There was a pause before the gates began to slowly open, allowing the two woman inside. They walked the length of the long driveway, Jane admiring the large, beautifully decorated yard around the mansion, falling slightly behind Fiona.

Once they reached the large, white door, it opened before Fiona could even knock on it. A man in a suit stood in the doorway and moved aside. "Mrs. Isles is waiting in the sitting room down the hall, to your left." He said calmly.

The sitting room? Jane mentally rolled her eyes as she followed Fiona down the hall. When they rounded the corner, they came face to face with a young, Constance Isles. Jane had to hide her surprise at seeing the woman so young looking. She stood looking flawless as usual and smiled politely.

"Hello, ladies. I'm Constance Isles," She held out her hand for both woman to shake. "I take it you're here for the interview?" She asked as she subtly looked Jane and Fiona over.

Both Jane and Fiona nodded. Jane was trying to look as polite as possible, praying to God she didn't fuck this up. Constance nodded. "Lovely. Which of you is going first?" She asked.

Jane stepped back and cleared her throat. "You can go first, Fiona if you'd like." She tried to smile, hoping the other woman would take her offer.

Fiona smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Jane." She said, earnestly.

Jane nodded and looked to Constance. "Where should I wait?" She was trying hard not to fidget with her scars.

Constance nodded behind her. "Andrew will show you where to wait." She said as she moved to take her original seat.

Turning around, Jane was met with the same man who had greeted she and Fiona at the door. He nodded to her with a smile and held his hand out. "This way, Ma'am." Andrew said, motioning toward another room down the hall.

Jane refrained from asking him not to call her Ma'am, as she took a seat in one of the large, luxurious, white chairs. "I'll return to get you once Mrs. Isles is ready for you." He said as he turned to leave.

Sighing, Jane leaned back into the chair, thankful for the moment alone to gather her thoughts. It was hard to believe this was all happening. It was hard not to think about Maura…her Maura, in the future…or was it the present? She shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it. Maura from her time wasn't alive. But technically it hadn't happened yet.

And it wont! She thought vehemently. Not if I can help it.

Jane closed her eyes and focused on her breathing, focused on the lie she would need to tell Constance to get hired. This was truly why she had told Fiona she could go first, so that she could have a moment to think, to take this all in.

She had finally calmed herself down somewhat, when she felt something small poke her arm. One eye opened, catching a glimpse of dark honey blonde hair and the bottom of a dress as a little body quickly turned the corner. Jane sat up straighter, her heart rate quickening. Maura…

Jane thought about following the little girl, that most certainly had to be Maura, but didn't have time to decide when Andrew came into the room. "Mrs. Isles will see you, now." He said, hands behind his back as he led the way.

As Jane followed Andrew, her eyes searched the spacious mansion to catch a glimpse of the little girl who had tapped her on the arm before, but didn't find her.

Constance stood as Jane entered the room, nodding to Andrew to leave before she gestured to the couch across from the chair she had been sitting in. "Please, have a seat." She said in a polite voice.

Jane did as she was told, sitting up straight and trying to look proper. Constance smiled, tucking her ankles between each other. "So, what'd you say your name was?" She asked, folding her hands in her lap.

"Jane Richardson," She replied evenly.

Constance nodded. "Miss Richardson, tell me, why do you want this job? Are you qualified? What experience do you have?" One perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose as she eyed Jane.

Lie. Lie through your teeth, Jane. She thought, clearing her throat. With a fake smile plastered on her face, Jane began. "Well, I adore kids for one and I just would rather work with them than do anything else." She said, picking an invisible piece of thread from her pants suit before she continued. "I'm certified in CPR and have been a Nanny for various others, whom I will gladly get recommendations from if need be," Please don't ask me for recommendations. "I also grew up with two younger brothers and spent a lot of time watching them while my parents worked…"

"Tell me, Jane, how old are you?" Constance asked.

Jane bit the inside of her cheek before she answered. "37." She replied.

"And why are you not married with children of your own?"

Jane took a breath and tried to keep her smile. "Well, Mrs. Isles, marriage has never been for me. I'm not really interested in it. And as I said before, I adore kids, but I don't want any of my own, I'd prefer just to work with them and help them grow until some other child needs me…" Jesus, I bet she isn't buying this, how could she buy this? She groused inside her head.

Constance was silent for a moment, before she nodded. "I've interviewed a lot of nannies, most of them young with little experience, but you are just the opposite. You aren't too old or too young. Before I hire you, what do you consider as punishment for a child?" She asked calmly.

Jane considered it for a moment before she responded. "Well, I don't believe in spanking. I believe that to correct the child's behavior you talk to them and send them to time out or take away a favorite toy for a period of time. I've found that works best." She replied easily, feeling a little more comfortable now that Constance seemed intent on hiring her.

"Wonderful, you're hired, though I must say you probably wont be needing to do any form of punishment. Maura is a very well behaved child. When can you start? It'd be wonderful if you could start the sooner the better, I have a flight for Paris tonight. The company did tell you that you would be living here, did they not?" Constance asked.

The company? Panic unfurled in Jane's stomach but she squelched it down and kept up her façade. "Yes, of course they did. I can start now if you like." Jane said cheerily.

"Fantastic!" Constance beamed. "Let me get Maura so you can meet her, then I shall have Andrew show you to your room. You will be sleeping not far from Maura's room." She said as she stood and almost glided to the door and peeked up the stairs. "Oh Maura, darling!"

Jane waited with bated breath, sitting on the edge of the couch. She could hear soft footfalls as they stepped carefully down the stairs. She watched as Constance turned and Jane stood, still not seeing Maura. Constance looked beside her and noticed the same thing. "Oh come now, Maura. Don't be rude!" She said as she turned slightly to grip a tiny wrist and gently pull the little girl from behind her.

Wide hazel-green eyes stared up at Jane through thick lashes, bashfully. Jane had never seen something more adorable. Little Maura stood in a yellow sundress, which complimented her fair skin. Golden honey blonde hair cascaded down to her shoulder in light curls, a matching yellow headband pushing back her bangs. Her cheeks and nose were lightly freckled and though she wasn't smiling, Jane could see where that one dimple resided on her right cheek. She wasn't quite sure of Maura's age, but she looked to be at least 4 or 5 years old.

Kneeling down so that Jane wouldn't appear so large to Maura, She smiled warmly. "Hi, I'm Jane." Her voice was thick with emotion and she worked hard to hide it from Constance Isles who was watching curiously. Little Maura was so beautiful and it was in that moment that Jane decided that she wanted a little Maura of her own. She wanted a family with Maura, with her Maura. Future Maura.

The little girl watched her curiously, and Jane could tell that she was studying her. Constance nudged her forward slightly, making Maura look back at her before she eyed Jane again. "Hello," She finally said softly. Her voice was small and tiny and Jane's heart just about melted at the sound.

"Use your manners, Maura." Constance said with a frown.

Jane wanted to tell her to shut up, that Maura could talk to her anyway she wanted.

Maura looked back at her mother before she took a breath and fidgeted with her dress. "M-My name is Maura. It's a p-pleasure to meet you, Jane." She stammered quietly, her eyes dropping to her white sandals.

Constance smiled, satisfied. "I'll let you two get acquainted. I have to get ready. Andrew will run you to wherever you need to go to get your things and the food is always stocked in the house, if you have questions, just ask Andrew." The elder Isles said before she turned to leave. Maura went to grab at her mother's hand but at the last second retracted it, looking downtrodden.

"Maura," Jane said softly. The little girl turned her head back to face Jane and stared at her. "Maybe you'd like to show me your room?" She needed to gain the little girl's trust.

Maura looked anxious, unsure of what to do. Finally, she settled for bolting for the stairs.

"Well, this is going to be harder than I thought…"