Disclaimer: I do not own The Fosters nor am I making any money off of this.

Summary: Callie Jacob did what she had to do to make sure that her little brother, Jude, got the best that he deserved. She made sure that they were no longer a package deal. After that she was just swallowed up by the worst the system had to offer until she landed with the Fosters.

Author's Note: This is my first try at writing something for the Foster fandom. That being said, my grasp of the actual series is limited – I work nights, so me seeing an episode in order is hit and miss. That being said, I've seen episodes 1,2 and 7. Not a great track record, but this idea for an AU fic has just formed, so you guys get to suffer with my madness. I hope this doesn't turn out to badly.


Stef Foster resisted the urge to sigh to herself as she towel dried her blonde hair. She was not particularly excited about the fact that she had had to go from her work uniform to a shower to a pair of jeans and a blouse. That being said, she was of the general opinion that when you were expecting company, you needed to be completely dressed and presentable.

Sliding socks onto her bare feet and then slipping on a pair of shoes, she pulled her hair back into a loose ponytail and made her way downstairs. Her partner, Lena Adams, was just finishing loading the dish washer and gave her a quick smile. Despite what Stef imagined was going to be a pretty miserable situation, she felt her mouth stretching into a grin.

"Where are the kids?" Stef asked as she wrapped her arms around the woman she loved. Lena leaned back into her embrace and took a deep breath before responding.

"Brandon took them to Mike's for the night. I figured that it would be best if the twins didn't have to see Bill; you know how they get." Lena's voice was soft; her hands rubbing Stef's arms even softer to counterpoint the parental instinct that wanted their kids close.

Stef nodded, clearly remembering the last time Bill had shown up relatively unannounced. Despite the fact that he was originally the one to place their twins, Jesus and Mariana, with them none of their children cared for the man. When they had first arrived, the twins had been terrified that every time that Bill showed up he was there to take them away. Their oldest son, Brandon, had picked up on this fear and become very hostile towards the man. The fear had stayed with all three of the Foster children and no one had been able to dispel it. Even now, it was easier to remove the children from the situation than it was to spend the next week calming everyone down.

The knock on the front door startled both women and they exchanged glances before they moved to answer it. They both paused, exchanging glances before Stef tried to shake off the feeling of foreboding that had made the house almost horror-movie still.

"What's the worst that could happen?" Stef joked to her wife. Lena offered an unsure smile as Stef opened the door. "Bill, how are you?"

Bill Rivas gave the two women a tired smile, his kind features unusually strained as he stood on the porch, the setting sun at his back and a thick folder clutched in his hands. "I'm looking to resolve a long day. How is everyone here? Am I going to scare the kids?"

Stef shook her head as she and Lena moved out of the way, motioning for the man to step inside. "Everyone is fine. The kids went to Mike's for the night so we won't have to throw you under the kitchen table to avoid them."

"Bill, would this long day have anything to do with why you asked to speak to us?" Lena asked as they moved into the kitchen. The dark skinned woman pulled coffee mugs down and set about filling cups for everyone as Bill and Stef took seats at the table. Bill placed the folder on the table before accepting the cup with a smile.

"Unfortunately it does. I am trying to find an emergency placement for a foster child." Bill said as he fidgeted. He hated to spring this on two people that he respected and considered friends. He hated even more that he was disrupting the routine of a family with children that actively disliked him.

"Emergency placement?" Lena asked, her tone seeping into concern as she took a seat next to Stef, her hands tightening reflexively around her coffee cup. "For who?"

"A fifteen-year-old girl." Bill started before Stef interrupted him.

"Our certification is expired, Bill," Stef reminded the man. "It has been for almost six months."

"I know," Bill agreed with a nod. "But in this case the state is willing to make an exception because you were foster parents at one point and it would only take a day class to get you the re-cert."

Both Stef and Lena were stunned at the idea that the Child Protective Services of California was willing to grant an exception on being a certified foster parent – an almost unheard of act. The two women exchanged a look, talking silently. If CPS was making an exception then there had to have been a serious problem with either the child or the child's previous placement.

"What are you saying here?" Stef asked carefully, hazel eyes narrowing as she slipped into what Lena and the kids affectionately called cop mode. "And please, use very exact words so that there are no misunderstandings anywhere."

"I need an emergency placement for a fifteen-year-old girl," Bill began. "That the system has failed at every turn. You came to mind for the placement was because your house has no male authority figures."

"What's the deal with male authority figures?" Lena asked as she reached for the folder. Bill slid it across the table carefully, as if the contents were particularly precious.

"She's always been in a foster home with a strong male authority figure." Bill said as he considered his coffee cup. "It really wouldn't be more than a few weeks, just until a more permanent solution can be found."

"Where is she?" Stef asked. She was well aware that Bill wouldn't leave a child, no matter the age, in the car. Especially not by themselves.

"Caroline is with her at the hospital," Bill said with a sigh, his brown eyes sad. "She'll be released by tomorrow afternoon."

"She's at the hospital?" Lena asked, her breath hitching slightly. "For what?"

"Broken ribs," Bill explained as he rubbed his face. The women exchanged looks before coming to a decision.

"What time should we be at the hospital tomorrow?" Stef asked, running a hand through her hair.

"About one o'clock," Bill exhaled, before glancing at Stef. "Are you going to be off or do we need to do it at a different time?"

"Next week is my short week," Stef responded. "One o'clock will be fine."

Bill stood up with the women and carried his cup to the sink before they led him out. He was about to step off the porch when Stef spoke up for the last time.

"What's her name?"

"Callie," Bill glanced back at the two women briefly. "Callie Jacob."


Feedback and constructive criticism welcome