A/N: This idea just wouldn't leave me.
I don't own the fosters, unfortunately.
July, 2010.
"Look at me." She demands, gripping onto his shoulders with a force that turns her knuckles white. "Hey, Jude. Look at me."
He tries to keep his gaze focused on the ground, but she pulls his chin up with her thumb. "It's going to be okay, understand?" Her voice is firm and steady, like it always is in tough situations, and he doesn't understand how she can be so strong. They're supposed to be a package deal; that was the promise. They're supposed to be together until they find their forever home, that was the plan. He sniffs and shakes his head. "I'll write you letters every day, okay?"
He nods his head gently and, as much as he tries to avoid it, as much as he tries to be strong like his sister, the tears come anyway. "I don't wanna leave you, Cal."
"They're a good family, Jude. I know I said that we would always be together but...I just couldn't forgive myself if I watched you let them go."
He takes her hands and stiffs away the tears. "I dont understand why they can't take both of us."
"I know, baby. It sucks and I'm sad too, but I promised you that i'd do everything in my power to keep you safe."
He sighs. "You promised that you'd do everything in your power to keep us together."
Callie bends down so they are at eye level and she wipes a tear away from his cheek. "Your safety comes before everything else, Jude. Just...be safe for me, okay?"
"Promise me, Cal." He whispers.
"What?"
"Promise you'll take care of yourself. Promise that you'll always write. Promise."
She smiles and nods her head, not a doubt in the world. "I promise. And Jude?"
They're waiting now, warming up the engine with all of his things in the trunk of the car, they want to take him home, away from here, away from her. "Yeah?"
"Come find me when you can."
They take him by the hand and lead him to the car.