AN: Ok, so this chapter didn't turn out as I planned. I got a little carried away with a scene that was supposed to be like a quarter of a chapter and it turned into a full chapter…oh well.

"I-I need…I need your help. P-please."

I squinted at the dark beauty, battling my urge to turn away as well as my urge to embrace her and never let go. My hands trembled as I fidgeted with my keys, trying to decide what to do. She looked so lost and defeated. Some part of me knew she wouldn't physically hurt me, but every part of me knew that she held great power to inflict emotional pain. A few minutes passed of tense silence, her standing vulnerable in front of me while I debated my choices. Finally succumbing to the ache in my chest that begged to be near her, I motioned to the passenger side, "Get in."

Callie nodded curtly, strode to the door and flopped in. I stiffly slipped in beside her, observing her from the corner of my eye. She sat stoically, shaking slightly with cold and exhaustion. When I started the engine, she glanced around disinterestedly, calmly stating, "This is a terrible car."

The bluntness and inappropriateness of the comment caused me to bark a uncontrolled, but genuine laugh, releasing a little bit of tension, "Yes, it is."

Sporting a small grin, she rubbed her arms, encouraging some warmth to return, "What happened to the other one? The nice one I dropped you off at…that night." Her gaze drifted out the window at the mention of our first date.

Keeping my voice level and devoid of emotion, I shrugged, "It wasn't mine, I conjured it as we walked up, then got rid of it after you left…" Seeing her shoot me an amused smirk, I added, "Teddy gave me this one when I…after you…a few months ago." I gripped the steering wheel tighter as memories of that time flooded my senses. Flashes of pain and loneliness caused my breath to hitch and ripples of anger to wash over me.

"Oh…who's Teddy?" Callie asked, apparently not catering to my want to keep emotional distance. However, she did notice my jaw set and a shadow pass over my face. "I'm not prying or gathering information to use against you, if that's what you're thinking. I'm simply taking this chance to know you, the you without the mask. I don't want to let a good opportunity slip by…" Despite the conviction in her words, she turned back to stare out the window, giving me mental space to consider her implied proposition.

"I guess she was the equivalent of a best friend when I was an angel, then she was assigned to my case when I fell." I answered carefully, afraid of somehow lowering my walls too much and opening myself up to more hurt, but unable to ignore her request.

"Why did you fall?" Callie boldly asked in a compassionate tone.

I whipped my head to glare at her, "That's not up for discussion."

Callie nodded with a cool expression, "Was it because O'Malley killed your brother?"

Growling, my foot pressed harder on the accelerator, making the tin can car lurch, "What part of 'that's not up for discussion' did you not understand?"

"I understood it fine. I told you…I want to know you. Anger or grief?" Callie pressed.

Unsure of what she meant and still seething and uncomfortable with the line of questioning, I spat, "What are you talking about?"

"Well, if you fell because of your brother it was either because you were overcome with grief and hopelessness, or consumed by anger…which was it?"

My nostrils flared as I muttered, "Anger."

Callie slowly nodded, "I figured." She indelicately snorted a laugh when I shot her an offended glare. "Now you."

Again, baffled by her brief statements, I asked, "Now me, what?"

"Ask me what you want to know. There has to be something that you want me to tell you now that our true identities are out in the open." She locked eyes with my stunned ones, before waving her hand, gesturing for me to speak.

I paused, unsure if I wanted to go down this road. It was dangerous territory. The more personal we made this, the less likely I'll be able to resist. Which she probably knows, which is why she's doing it. However, curiosity is gnawing at me enough to put my fears and reservations on the back burner. "Where did you really get your car?"

Callie seemed surprised at my question, but quickly recovered, "My dad did rebuild it. But, he didn't give it to me. I took it after he was killed by my mom."

My eyes widened, "Your mom killed your dad?"

She swallowed and nodded, "Yeah, remember I told you my dad was human and my mom was a siren? Well, she wasn't the gentle, compassionate siren that I am-" Hearing me scoff, she defended herself, "Hey, I'm famous for a reason. I have many human qualities that other sirens are not capable of, and that makes me a rock star at my job. I can be dark, mysterious and irresistible, but I can also be light, charming, and flirty…Anyway, she wanted me to follow strictly in her footsteps. However, my dad found me and tried to sway me to leave the UnderWorld… Let's just say, mom didn't like that…"

"Who's Addison?" Might as well continue with this rapid fire, merciless interrogation of each other.

"My other half in the UnderWorld. Also, a siren crossbreed. But, she's half demon." Callie answered quickly and sincerely.

"Like the other half of a couple?" She lied about her name and who she was, maybe they were involved.

Callie smirked softly, "No way. We would kill each other. We just keep each other safe and sane." I remained silent as we pulled onto a single lane road that led back to a small cottage. When I cut the engine in front of the house, Callie peered out the window in confusion, "Um, where are we? I thought we were going to your place?"

I unfastened my seat belt and turn to her, taking her in as I vaguely answered, "A safe house I set up…Why do you look like that?" I asked brusquely, gesturing to her less than stellar appearance.

"I've been running from the UnderWorld who think I flipped, and running from warriors from the OverWorld who want to protect you…You're really loved up there…and, I was…uh…I was keeping bounty hunters away from you." She flashed me a nervous smile and bolted from the car.

I furrowed my brows as I jumped from the car and slammed the door, "What? You were what?"

She whirled around, her eyes flashing, "I was protecting you! Ok? I kept an eye on you and intercepted any attack intended for you. And, I would do every second of it again, but I'm tired, ok? I'm exhausted and I just need one night of sleep with someone I trust…" She trailed off, sucking in a breath.

"You trust me?" I couldn't help but question.

She thought about it for a moment, "Well, I trust that you won't try to kill me or call anyone that will, other wise you would have done it already." She shrugged casually, "And, yes…I trust you."

After staring at her for a few moments, taking in her worn features and desperate, but steely eyes, I stalked past her and unlocked the door. We shuffled into the living room, Callie instantly collapsing on the shabby sofa, with a deep sigh. I walked to the mantel and paused, searching the flames that flickered in the fireplace. Gathering my courage, I managed to whisper, "Four months."

Despite how quietly I uttered the words, Callie heard, "Four months?"

I slowly turned to face her, keeping my eyes on the floor until the last second, when I darted them up to meet hers, "I haven't seen you in four months. You left, saying you wanted to be with me, then nothing. Why? And, why did you come back now?" I needed answers.

Callie sighed and leaned forward on her knees. "I wanted to see you. But, I needed to know that you wanted to see me. I needed you to figure out what you really wanted, before we could be anything or I could see you…"

Tears sprung to my eyes as I became angry again, "But, I had no way to contact you! I was waiting for you to come to me!"

Callie sprung to her feet, "All you had to do was call for me! I would have been there in a second!"

I scoffed mirthlessly, furiously wiping a stray tear, "I called for you. Every night, I called for you, Callie."

Her face softened, and her voice lowered, "I know…but, you didn't mean it. Your pain called…you called because you missed me, not because you were ready to let me in your life…you've been working so hard to earn your wings back…that's what you chose and you can't have both. I'm happy, though. For you, I'm happy you're going after what you want…" Her voice cracked slightly, hinting to her inner turmoil.

Unable to say what my heart screamed, I settled for a quiet, "Yeah, it's what I want…you should get some rest."

Callie swallowed, "You're right…I'll just, um, take a shower first, if that's ok…"

Turning sharply away from her, pinching the bridge of my nose, I nodded unevenly. The room stayed quiet for a minute before footsteps padded down the hall toward the bathroom. When I heard the door shut, I groaned in frustration and decided that I'd turn in as well. I moved swiftly to the bedroom, pausing briefly outside the bathroom door, listening to the shower run. Knowing she was in there, naked and wet, caused my mouth to go dry and a strong shiver to roll through my body. I also knew that that was not an option right now, so I forced myself to continue on my original path. Closing the door behind me, I strode over to my bed and flopped down heavily. Heaving a sigh, I finally let the tumultuous emotions within me flow freely. I allowed the anger to singe my insides, the love to soothe the burn, the pain to shred my heart, and the hope to stitch it back. Foolishly hoping that unrestrained emotions would wear themselves out and grant me peace, I lay motionless, save the soft sobs shuddering from my body.

Hearing the tap turn off in the bathroom, I jumped up, wiped my eyes and went to the dresser. I stripped my clothes down to my panties and pulled on a loose t-shirt. Then, I slipped into bed, hoping that if she thought I was asleep she'd let it go for tonight. Focusing on slowing my breathing, I listened as she finished and exited the bathroom. I could hear her soft footsteps walk to the living room, circle it, and head down the hall. I tensed as the footsteps stopped outside my door and remained quiet for several seconds before the hinges creaked gently. I relaxed my face and summoned all my strength to not look at her. No sound broke the silent stand off, but I could feel her eyes on me, taking in every single aspect of my being. Finally, she began to retreat, whispering, "You're not fooling anyone…" and shut the door with a soft thud. Not a truer statement has been spoken.

A little over an hour later, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. There was no way I could sleep with her in the other room, also awake. Somehow, I could feel the waves of anxiety and contemplation coming from her, mixing with my own, causing uncontainable thoughts and emotions. She was there. In my house. We were near each other for the first time in four months. What do I do with that? What do I want to do with that? As I wondered this for the eighty seventh time, a faint rustle from the hall caught my attention. A few seconds later, Callie's dark silhouette appeared in my doorway.

Propping myself up on my elbows, way beyond pretending to sleep, I peered curiously at her. As she shifted her weight, bringing her slightly more into the room, her face came into view. I cocked my head and furrowed my brows. Her expression looked nothing like I expected. I expected her to come in with charm or sex appeal or confidence…But, this Callie was defeated and sullen. "Callie…what's wrong?"

Her eyes came up to meet mine, flashing with desperation, "I need to feel safe. I haven't felt safe in…a while. The last time was laying in your arms….please…I-I-" The words stuck on her lips, unable to betray her moment of vulnerability.

Studying her for another moment, I swallowed hard and shuffled to my left, creating room for her. Watching her gratefully trudge to the right side of the bed, I held up the cover, offering her space next to me. Hesitating for a second, searching my eyes for permission or doubt, she lowered herself down to the warm sheets. I let the blanket flutter down on top of us, debating my next move. Feeling her exhaustion and fear, I made up my mind and slowly slid over, tentatively wrapping an arm around her mid-section and aligning my body against hers. Immediately, she flipped to face me and burrowed her face in my neck and chest, fisting my shirt in her hands. On instinct, I pulled her closer and intertwined our legs, smiling when I felt her body instantly begin to relax.

Several minutes later, a simmering panic started to seize my heart. I was holding her. This was not the plan. The plan was to forget Callie and focus on earning my wings. Then, the plan was to temporarily shelter her. Now, she's in my bed. This doesn't change the plan. I'm still going to be an angel, but now the issue is more complicated. I don't want to lead her on…but, is it really leading her on, if I want it, too? Am I leading us both on?

"Thank you, Arizona. I know that this doesn't change anything, but thank you." Came a tender mumble from under my chin.

She knew how conflicted I was. She knew what I wanted and what my goals were. And, she accepted them. "You're welcome, Callie."