Anytime you need a friend:

Chapter 9

Ed felt like someone had hauled off and punched him in the stomach. No, Callie wasn't his daughter, But he still cared about her as if she were. It's what they did for each other's children. Those that had children. He cared what happened to her. He put his hand on Spike's shoulder and squeezed it gently.

"I'm sorry. Look obviously you aren't just going to allow them to walk all over you. I caught a glimpse of them. They look like they are pretty used to saying jump and everyone shouting how high ma'am. I hate people who act like they have a sense of entitlement. And they act it. Sophie and I will help however we can. You know that. You also know that everyone else will as well." Spike nodded.

"I know that Ed and I really appreciate it. It's just- I don't know. They have money. Alot of money. They CAN give her everything but love. I can give her love. I'm not rich but I really do try my hardest to give her what I can. And I know Callie appreciate's what I give her." Ed cut him off with a mere look.

"And you do a damn good job of it. Forget Alessandra's parents. They are nothing. They are angry because they made Alessandra give Callie up, and now that they need an heir, they come sniffing around. Probably because they want to give the impression that they are the perfect family. I'd like to see them pull that off!" Spike nodded. Ed was right. Ed smiled.

"Don't worry Spike. This will all work out the way that it's meant to work out. I have absolute and complete faith that you will make it work out. Maybe what you should do is talk to Callie about it and see how she feels about seeing-" The alarm cut him off. They stood and ran out the door as one.

"TEAM ONE SUIT UP! HOT CALL! GUNSHOTS REPORTED AT 2265 ROSELAWN. 2-2-6-5 ROSELAWN. MORE INFORMATION ON THE FLY." Spike kissed Callies cheek as he ran by. The sound of slamming doors filling the air.

"Bye guys. Stay safe! Winnie? Since there's no telling when dad will be back, I'm going to go in the briefing room and settle down to do my homework. Is that ok?" She started to walk off without waiting for an answer, but Winnie cut her off and stopped her.

"Nope. No can do Callie. Your father said you are to stay in this area. You can do your homework here and keep me company. Callie nodded and settled in to do her homework with Winnie keeping a close eye on her. She knew that Spike's visitors were still on the premises despite being told to leave, and Spike has said that he did not want Callie alone with them at all. She wasn't one to question things, no matter how odd they were.

Callie only half listened to the call as the team was working. She was more interested in her homework. She heard Spike's voice alot as he was sitting in the command truck running checks and trying to help with getting eyes where they needed them. She was pulled from her thoughts by a slightly irritated voice.

"When will Michaelangelo be back? We have very important business to discuss with him. I can not believe that he would order us to leave and then leave the building as if we were nothing. He obviously doesn't remember who we are. And to leave his daughter sitting here with- with common help is disgraceful!" Eileen said. Winnie clenched her jaw and said nothing acting like they weren't there. Callie continued to listen to the call, Not bothering to bite her tongue, just waiting for the right moment.

"Hello? I asked you a question! The very least you can do is give me an answer. You don't strike me as someone who is very stupid. Ugh- How hard is it to answer a question. Hello? Are you deaf or just not smart?" Callie saw tears prick Winnie's eyes, nodded to herself and stood up just as Troy, a member of Team three, walked in to get dressed.

"You know. You are such an undeniable bitch. I don't know who you are, why you are here or why you want to see my father, but you have NO RIGHT to talk to Winnie like that. She's a lot nicer than you will ever be. She puts up with alot from visitors to this station as well as being responsible for feeding information to the teams when they are on calls. Show her some respect!" Eileen gasped and Marcus was about speak when Callie cut him off, holding up her hand to quiet him.

"I wasn't finished speaking. He will be back when the call is over. My father does a lot for the people of this city. He is in this business to save lives. Not get glory from it. If you are here to make trouble for him, I suggest that you walk right the hell out that door." She sat down, ignored them and turned around to go back to her homework. Troy came back dressed and ready for his shift, which would begin when team one got back.

"Hi Troy. How are you?" Winnie asked trying to diffuse the tension. Troy shot a glance at the couple still standing there and rolled his eyes. Old, rich and very used to getting their way. He was used to them. He came from a family that was very similar in terms of attitude and rudeness. The only differencenwas that he had managed to get away and live his life while maintaining a somewhat decent relationship with his parents. He looked back at Winnie.

"I'm good Winnie. I can't complain. I have a beautiful wife who is going to make me a daddy in 7 months. I have a house, food on my table. And alot of love. Hey Callie. You are SO busted when Spike gets back. You know he keeps telling you to watch your language." Callie stuck her tongue out at him.

"If I pin you in less than five minutes, will you tell." Troy laughed.

"Yep. Always. Don't expect me to keep secrets sweetie. You should know better by now. A young lady shouldn't swear. It makes guys not respect her. Of course there are guys who don't respect women in general. You're too sweet to swear." Callie sighed and rolled her eyes at him. Troy just laughed and pulled up a chair.

After a couple hours, Callie was falling asleep. She faintly heard Troy talking to the rest of team three and wondered when team one was going to be back. They were off shift so to speak three hours ago. But callie knew this would happen. Winnie had reported that they were still negotiating. Suddenly she heard the best words that she'd heard all day.

"Situation contained. We are heading back to the station. Loss of life, zero." She laid her head down on her arms and fell asleep at the desk, not bothering to wait up any longer. She knew Spike would wake her when he was ready to leave. But that wouldn't be for at least 2 more hours. They still had to debrief.

"Hey Winnie. Was she any trouble?" Spike asked as soon as they were done debriefing. He had worried a little leaving Callie in the same building as Alessandra's parents, but he'd had no choice. He was not about to take her into the field with him. That wasn't even an option and Callie knew it. He knew that Winnie would look after her for him though. Winnie shook her head.

"Absolutely not. She never is and you know it. Your visitors left about an hour ago. Callie kinda got into it with them. I'll let her tell you all the fascinating details. Go easy on her is my advice. Are you heading home now Spike?" Spike nodded and put Callie's bookbag on his back and hefted his bag as well. He motioned that he was going to drop the bags in his car and come back for Callie. He didn't really want to wake her.

When he came back in from the car, Winnie was digging around on the desk looking for something so he wandered off to use the bathroom before leaving to go home. Callie had woken up and was gathering her stuff while waiting on Spike to get finished in the bathroom. When he did, Winnie flagged him down.

"Spike. Your visitors left this for you. Said that you needed to look at it immediately and call them with details as to when. If you want my honest opinion Spike. They were rude, snobby and absolute jerks to boot. They did nothing the entire time that they were here after you left except treat me like I was a common servant. If Callie hadn't laid into them, I would have." Spike nodded.

"I will take care of this tomorrow. I'm off. I plan on sleeping in and relaxing, spending the day with Callie and doing some food shopping with her. I also have to talk to her as well about a couple things. Thanks Winnie. For everything you do. I know we never thank you enough."Winnie smiled and waved him away.

The next day, After Spike was sure that Callie was up and dressed and awake enough to understand what he was going to say, he went to Callie's room and sat in the desk chair to have a chat with her. Callie was sitting on the bed reading. When Spike sat down, Callie looked at him. Spike had an odd look on his face.

"Hi Dad. What's up?" Spike raised an eyebrow.

"Well Troy told me the most fascinating story last night when I got back from that call. Something about you getting into it with a couple of visitors to the station yesterday. He said you had a few choice words. I told him, 'oh no. It couldn't have been my daughter. Callie would never say those words to complete strangers.' So I'm asking you. What did you say. And if you did say those words, what were you thinking?" Callie blushed.

"They were being rude to Winnie and saying nasty things about you. I felt I had to defend you. I don't know them. But they were so rude. It's not how the Sanchezes raised me and it's not how you and grandma and grandpa are raising me. You aren't rude just because something is not going your way. Who were they anyway?" Spike felt like hitting himself in the forehead. On one hand he was glad Callie saw what they were really like. On the other though he knew she wasn't going to like what he was about to say.

"Callie Honey. While I appreciate the idea that you really felt as though you had to defend me, You should not have mouthed off to them. Those two people, are your mother's parents. So that would make them your biological grandparents on your mom's side."Callie jumped off of the bed and shreiked loudly.

"Thank God you found me first! I'd probably have to kill myself if I had to live with them. Why were they visiting you at the station? From what I heard, and yes dad I was eavesdropping, they don't like you and you don't like them very much. So why put themselves through the hassle instead of staying away?"Spike bit his lip. There was not going to be an easy way around this mess.

"They came to see me at the station yesterday because they want to take you back to the United States with them. If they do, they are leaving the day after tomorrow. They have petitioned a court for Sole legal custody. Do you know what that means?" Callie moved her hand in a so-so gesture. Spike nodded. He sat down on the bed and faced her so he could try to explain it to her.

"It means that if I don't call up an attorney and put a stop to it, they will be taking you back to the United States with them and I will not be able to see you ever again unless they agree to it. I don't want that. I have only just found you and I am not letting you out of my life without a fight! I really don't think that they are the right people to take care of you." Callie nodded enthusiastically.

"Ok. I'm going to call Clark and see if he wants to hang out today. Would it be ok if he could, that we be allowed to go to the Mall Dad?" Spike thought about it for a moment. He nodded. He even said that he would drive them. He left to give Callie privacy and went downstairs to make himself a sandwich.

While he waited to hear if Clark was coming, Spike gave a call to the family attorney. Seth McCraken was a long time family friend. He and Spike's father had grown up together, and when he had attained his license to practice Law, he said anytime that any member of the family needed legal advice, to call him and he'd help in any way if he could. Spike was sure that he could. He reached Seth's secretary and set up an appointment for that afternoon. Which meant that someone else would have to take them to the mall while he met with an attorney. He called Ed.

"Hello?"

"Ed. It's Spike. Listen. Callie wants to go to the mall and is inviting Clark. Would you or someone else be able to take them? I have a meeting with an attorney this afternoon or I would do it. I know it's your day off too." Ed yawned into the phone and Spike could hear Sophie saying something in the background.

"Sam called me asking if I wanted to go to the mall. I said no. Call him and see if he wouldn't mind. I want to spend time with my wife. If you catch my drift. I don't get many chances to spend time with my wife." Spike Laughed, said he caught it and hung up. He then picked up his phone and called Sam.

"Yeah. Hi Spike. How's it going?" Spike smiled.

"Hey Sam. Are you still planning on going to the mall? Because Callie wants to go and is inviting Clark. I'd take them but I have an appointment with an attorney this afternoon. I know it's imposing on you alot. But I wouldn't ask if I didn't have this appointment." He could hear Sam laughing on the other end.

"Absolutely. Tell Callie I will be there in 20 minutes. I'll pick her up first. The three of us will have fun. I hardly ever get to spend tim with the kid. She's a sweetie. Polite to a fault. See you when I get there." They hung up and Spike opened up the documents that Alessandra's parents had left for him.

At first glance, they seemed legit. Spike put them back in the folder so Callie wouldn't see them and get upset. He called up the stairs to let Callie know that Sam was taking them and that he had an appointment with an attorney. Callie came down and waited.

"Hey Anyone Home?" Sam poked his head in the door. He could hear Callie laughing. Spike was trying to do something. Sam walked in.

"Hey Sam! How are you doing today? Thank you for offering to take us to the mall. We have to pick up Clark at home. I told him we'd be there in like 15 minutes. Is that ok?" Sam nodded. He shot a look at Spike, raising an eyebrow and nodded his head towards Callie. Spike nodded.

"Callie honey . Would you be willing to please go upstairs and grab my wallet. I think I left it on my dresser again. You know that I am not going to get anywhere without my wallet. Thank you. And while you are at it, Please take out my white dress shirt from the closet and set it on the bed." Callie took the stairs two at a time. Spike turned to Sam.

"What is it Sam?" Sam beckoned him to follow. Sam followed him to the Window. Sam pointed through the curtains to a White van that was sitting on the side of the road, by the house across the street. Spike knew that the guy who had been staying at that house had cleared out fast. Spike's eyes widened. He turned to Sam.

"They are watching the house. I snuck over and listened in. They are documenting every move that you and Callie make. You might want to call the cops to investigate. Not SRU. But the regular cops." Spike nodded. Just then Callie came down the stairs.

"Dad. Here's your wallet. I set out your shirt, I also set out your Green tie." She handed it to him and wandered off to get a drink or water. Spike took out $200 and gave it to her when she came back. She put it in her purse and Sam and Callie left to go pick up Clark and go to the mall.

Spike glanced at the clock, and went up to take a quick shower. He needed to get cleaned up and dressed to go to the Lawyer's office. After getting dressed. He saw that he had an hour before he was expected. He grabbed his wallet, and keys, locked the door and armed the security alarm, shut the door, got in the car and left.