AN- Sorry guys, I want to update more, I've just been swamped! Summer isn't even over! Come fall... Well I don't even want to think about come fall.. Thank you again for reading, reviewing, favoriting, PMing me. All of that means more to me then I can express! You guys are the best!
The Fosters
"Hey" Lena greeted Stef out of the conference door a little out breath "I got here as soon as I could."
Stef greeted with her a hug "Tough crowd, I am glad to see you."
Lena peered in the little window of the small conference room to see a woman whom she guessed was Jane sitting next to Mariana chatting with her. Mariana was smiling and every once in a while would let out a little laugh.
"What's going on there?" Lena asked
"While we were waiting for you, Mariana started giving Jane some fashion advice. Even undercover specialist should look good."
Lena rolled her eyes and laughed "That's our daughter"
She then saw Callie with her arms crossed over her chest glaring down at her legs.
"Oh, and that one is our fierce daughter!"
Stef nodded "Yeah, it's been a hard afternoon."
"They really both wanted me here?" Lena asked "Really?"
"They wanted to know your feelings on the matter. It's important to them."
Lena took a deep breath before pushing the door open in getting the girls to look up
"Hi mom" Mariana smiled
Jane stood up and held out her hand "Lena I am assuming?"
Lena took Jane's hand and shook it "Yes, nice to meet you."
Jane nodded "Likewise"
Lena ran her fingers though Mariana's hair before moving to Callie. She spotted a nearly full iced mocha in front of the girl. She leaned over her and snatched the drink taking a few big sips of it.
"I didn't ask for that!" Callie said quickly to defend herself "Mom, told Jane that we could have them."
Lena could tell by the tone in her voice and by her body language that Callie was clearly agitated.
"Honey, it's okay. I don't mind you having them every once in a while. I just don't want to have it all the time. I don't think your body should depend on caffeine to function
.
Lena handed it back to her, "Finish it sweetheart, I know how much you like your coffee"
Callie shrugged "I don't really want it. You can finish it."
Lena looked to Stef she was about to call this whole thing off. She didn't like how agitated Callie was.
"I need to use the restroom, before we start talking" Lena looked towards the door "And I am going to take Callie with me." She said reaching down and grabbing her daughter's arm and pulling her to her feet.
Stef nodded "Sure, it's down the hall to the right."
Lena nodded and wrapped her arm around Callie.
"I don't have to go" Callie finally said once they were in the bathroom.
"I know" Lena nodded as she ran a paper towel under warm water before moving to Callie. She ran the warm rag on the back of her neck. "I don't have to go either" She said honestly "I just wanted a minute alone with you. I was hoping to calm your body down a little" She said as she turned the girl around and began massaging her shoulders. Her daughter was so tense.
Callie sighed and allowed Lena to rub her shoulders for a minute. She wasn't going to admit it but it felt good.
"Callie, if you don't want to do this, you don't have to" Lena said softly "I will make sure that you don't'."
Callie shrugged "I don't know, I want to. Especially if it will save girls, but I keep worrying about what if he's innocent? He'll be so mad if he finds out I've been betraying him. He was one of mine and Jude's first and only friends ever in the care system."
Lena put pressure on Callie's back and ran her thumb down Callie's spine causing Callie to shudder just a little as some tension was released. "I think, I am going to get you a massage appointment this week. You're really tight. Maybe we'll have you mediate too."
Callie laughed "Really? That's what you're thinking about?"
"Your physical body is being attacked right now, I don't like it. It can make you sick." She turned Callie around and grabbed her face in her hands "Whatever you want to do is okay, with me."
Callie shrugged "Can we go back and talk this all out?"
"Can I have a hug first?" Lena asked quietly biting her lip, not sure how Callie would react to this.
Callie nodded and stepped into Lena's waiting arms.
Lena wrapped her arms around the girl tucking her under her chin and rocking her slightly as they stood there.
Callie held onto her tightly as she gathered her emotions.
The two stayed like this for a few good few minutes before Callie broke away rubbing the bridge of her nose slightly "We better go, or mom will come hunting us down."
Lena ran her thumb over Callie's forehead "I love you, slug a bug."
Callie blushed "Love you too" She said softly.
Lena grabbed the wet towel she'd placed on the sink when she started massaging her daughter's shoulders. She tossed it in the garbage before following Callie back to the room.
Stef looked up with a raised eyebrow and Lena gave her a small smile letting her know everything was alright.
She slid into a seat next to Stef who instantly grabbed her hand and leaned over "You sure?"
Lena nodded as she watched Callie slide into her original seat and take her mocha in her hands taking bigger sips of it now. "She just needed a little mama time."
Stef smiled "I know how that goes."
"Alright" Lena cleared her throat "So, I hear both of my girls wanted my opinion?"
Mariana nodded "I think Callie and I decided that we are going to do it. We want to help, but it's important to both of us to know how you feel about this. Honestly!" She added turning in her seat to look at Lena.
"Honestly, it makes me nervous" She admitted "I feel, like we are playing with fire and someone is going to get burned, and I don't want that to be my daughters"
"I understand that" Jane said sincerely "I would be worried if you weren't worried. There is risk. I won't lie about that. There is always risk."
Lena cringed this wasn't helping soothe her.
"However, I feel with Charlie's eyes set on the girls there is a greater risk, if we don't try to beat him at his own game. He wants Stef's girls. I can tell by his texts to both girls. He's already started grooming them so it's easy to swoop in and get them."
Lena's stomach dropped at the thought "My wife, is overseeing every point of this" She looked up to Jane not questioning it but demanding.
'Yes, of course"
"Good" Lena nodded "Because, there is nothing more fierce then a mama tiger. Studies prove that mothers have incredible strength when their children are in any form of danger! She's going to offer more protection then anyone else."
"I couldn't' agree with you more" Jane nodded "I wouldn't do this case without Stef. She's a big key to this picture."
Lena looked to the girls "And I want the right to call it off at any moment. I am going to have a different perspective then my wife in this case, because I am not going to be up front and center. If I see this is taking too hard of toll on my kids. I will end it. Is that clear? Because I am a mama Tiger too."
Stef patted Lena's knee as Jane nodded "You will very much have say. They are your kids too. I get that."
Lena looked to the girls "Do you have anything you want to say, concerns?"
Mariana shook her head "Jane, did a really good job telling us what we would be doing, for a while it's just texting. I think we can handle that."
Callie laughed "That's true, Mariana is the queen of texting!"
"I've seen you text too Callie" Mariana mocked glared at her. "Don't put this all on me."
"Well you are Miss. Thing for a reason" Stef said leaning over Lena and patting Mariana's leg.
"I am going to put a program on their phones" Jane explained to Lena "That every time they text him and he texts them back, that I get them and Stef gets them. We'll monitor everything that is said, we'll give them things to text him, and help them respond back if needed."
"Will they ever meet up with him?" Lena asked cautiously.
"Not, until the end, when we go to nab him. When that time comes, we will have the solid proof we need to make the arrest. They will be bugged and there will be a team of professionals."
Lena cleared her throat and looked to Stef "Including my wife?"
"She'll be around, I am not sure of where we will place her, yet but she will be around."
Lena shook her head "I don't love this idea, just so you are aware of this"
"I know" Jane agreed
"But the bigger picture mama" Mariana spoke up "Think about all the girls we will be helping"
Lena looked to Stef then to the girls. "Well, you have my feelings. I want to help the girls too, but if I feel my own girls and this is including my wife are in unnecessary danger, or it's taking a toll on them, I will stop this. Am I clear?" She asked forcefully
Mariana and Callie exchanged looks while Stef patted Lena's thigh and Jane smiled "You've got a great wife Stef, she's a keeper. I understand Lena. We'll listen to you ever step of the way as well."
Lena nodded "Good. Now may I take my children home? I think they've had enough for one day."
"I am going to need their phones for a bit" Jane said as Stef stood up "You can have them, I am going to stay here and finish up paper work. I'll bring them home with me. Sound good yes?"
Lena nodded and stood "Alright, girls let's get home."
"Girls" Jane smiled as she stood by the doorway "Thank you for this, we'll be in touch. I'll probably give you the game plan tomorrow afternoon."
"The game plan" Mariana shook her head "As if we were playing a game?"
Callie stood as well and nodded "Thank you," She handed Jane her phone and looked to Stef. "When will you be home?" She asked biting her lip.
Stef looked at the clock on the wall. "I am thinking around six for dinner, is that okay my love?"
"Oh, yes, I was just curious" She said shoving her hands in her pockets as Mariana handed Jane her phone reluctantly "How am I supposed to go all afternoon without my phone" She practically whined.
"Oh, no" Stef mocked her "A few hours without your phone, maybe you'll perish! Or maybe you'll do your homework and spend some time with your family. Killer!"
Mariana rolled her eyes as she joined Lena at the door.
Jane quickly stood in front of the way blocking the opening "One last thing, this is very important. As we work on this case, you can't say anything to anyone. Not your brothers, not your best friends, we absolutely can't risk it slipping and getting back to him. Am I clear?"
Callie looked to Lena who let out a sigh but nodded "It'll be hard to keep it from the other children in the house, but for my girls protection we will make sure we do."
"I wouldn't say anything if it I didn't feel it was super important"
Callie and Mariana exchanged a glance before Mariana nodded "We understand, we'll keep it on the down low. Callie and I haven't had an official sister secret before."
Callie sighed "And I wish this wasn't our first, I wish it was covering for something like sneaking out, or going to third base with a boy"
"Um no, never" Stef shook her finger at the two of them with a pretend glare.
Callie gave her a smirk and slid in next to Lena.
"Ah, I see how you work" Stef teased her as she poked her belly. "I got my eye on you kid!"
Callie giggled which made Lena pull her in to her arms. Callie wasn't a big giggler, so when she did it was like music to her ears. She sounded carefree, like a little girl without the weight of the world on her tiny shoulders.
"I can't tell you how much I love this kid" Lena smiled "And this one here" She said holding out her free arm to Mariana who instantly moved in to her arm. "These kids are my world" She said looking to Jane "Please, make sure you are extra cautious with them. They are more precious than gold."
Jane nodded "Absolutely! I will take care of them as if they were my own."
"I am counting on that" She nodded before she pushed the girls from the room. "Stef, we'll see you at home."
Stef winked to the girls "Bye my babies, I love you. See you soon."
The Fosters
Lena entered the girl's room before bedtime that night to find both the girls curled up on Mariana's bed the portable DVD player resting on a pillow between them.
Mariana twirling her hair around her finger absentmindedly, which she did when she was tired. While Callie rubbed the bridge of her nose. Sign her girls were exhausted.
"What are you two lovely ladies watching?" She asked as she joined them sliding in behind Callie resting her chin on her shoulder.
"Miss Congeniality" Mariana said without looking up "We're going to be under cover like this."
Lena smiled "Yeah, sort of I guess."
"Why didn't Stef come home for dinner?" Callie asked leaning back into Lena. "She said she'd be home at 6:30 and now it's ten."
"Yep, and bed time my darlings" She said leaning over Callie and turning off the DVD player getting a groan from Mariana who picked it up and put it away without an argument though.
Lena patted Callie's thigh before moving "Go hop in your own bed."
Callie sighed and did what she was told but her eyes clearly said she was cranky and not amused she didn't have an answer.
"Mom, got called on a lead" Lena explained "It's something she had to go on, she's sorry she missed being home for dinner, but when you wake up she'll be here. I promise."
Callie inhaled sharply and narrowed her eyes at Lena giving a death glare. "Don't you ever promise something like that again Lena!" She hissed causing Mariana's eyes to get big.
Lena took a deep breath and helped Mariana in under her covers and kissed the bridge of her nose. "I love you my baby girl, its okay! Mom just called not long ago she's almost done and will be home by midnight."
Mariana wrapped her arms around Lena's neck kissing her cheek. "Will you have her come in and kiss us good night?"
"OF course" Lena promised her "But you know she does that all on her own."
Mariana smiled and nodded as she rolled to her side tucking her pillow under her arm.
Lena kissed her one more time before going over to Callie who was just sitting on the bed. She pulled her up by the arm long enough to pull her blankets down.
"Crawl in" She encouraged as Callie pulled her arm away and crawled in.
"I get, that you want mom, and you're worried, but Callie you do not ever get to speak to me like that again, am I clear?"
Callie's nostrils flared as she glared at Lena but nodded "But you don't get to make promises that you can't keep! You don't know that Stef will be home when I wake up! She could get shot to death! Or ran over, or killed by a drunk driver!"
Lena grabbed Callie's hand and held it in hers firmly even as the girl was struggling to get it free she held on tighter. She knew her daughter. She knew she was nervous about this upcoming case, and this melt down was proving it. She may have to end it before it even starts.
"I just talked to her, she'll be home soon" She said bringing her hand up to her mouth and kissing Callie's fingers. "What I need from you right now, is to close your eyes." She let go of Callie's hand and placed it by her face knowing the girl would instantly start rubbing the bridge of her nose to self sooth. "Come on angel, close yours"
Callie let out a sigh "You can't promise things like that ever again! My mom promised and she didn't come home"
"I am sorry I promised you that" Lena apologized "But right now, I need you to calm your body and close your eyes."
Callie sniffed and nodded as she closed her eyes "You talked to her though?"
"Yes, she just finished up being out she's doing the paper work now. She's okay. When she gets home she'll come in here and re tuck you in."
Callie let out a grunt but rolled to her side.
Lena leaned over her and kissed her hairline. "I love you, try and sleep. You need it"
Callie's finger rubbed the bridge of her nose as she faced the wall with her eyes closed.
Lena watched her for a few minutes wondering if this was worth it? She didn't like what it was already doing to her daughter, and was this case the reason her wife wasn't home? Any more long nights like this or melt downs from her children she was calling it quits. She would not put her innocent children through this. They were already worked up and it hadn't even really started