Sorry for any inaccuracies with the court scene but the only knowledge I have concerning trials comes from Law and Order: SVU and some Jodi Picoult books...

"Can you please explain Jude and Callie's situation to the court?"

ADA Gardner was up first for questions. It was a bench trial so there was no jury present. The judge, an older woman named Norma Patton, was presiding and would be left with the ultimate decision of whether or not Jude could return to live with the Fosters. Bill was at the stand, providing background to the court.

"I first met the Jacob's when Callie was ten and Jude was six," Bill began as he shifted in his seat, "Their mother died in a car accident and their father went to jail for driving while intoxicated as well as vehicular manslaughter. There was no family to take the siblings in at the time so they were placed in foster-care."

"What about their grandmother?" Gardner asked, turning around to face Adelaide, "Was she not capable of taking in her grandchildren?"

"We contacted her," Bill replied, "But we were told that she could not offer her home to them. She said she didn't have means to."

Gardner nodded and headed for his table, "No further questions your Honor."

Mr. Benton stood up and buttoned his suit jacket, "How many foster homes have the Jacob's been placed in over the past six years?"

"Including Stef and Lena? Eight."

"Why are they moved around so often?"

Bill scratched his head, "Uh, sometimes things just happen."

"Things?" Mr. Benton repeated, "What kind of things?"

Bill gave Callie a remorseful look before answering, "For the most case, foster parents would report to me some…detrimental behavior."

"In both kids?"

"Mainly just Callie."

Mr. Benton picked up a file off of his table and began to flip through it, "Could you please explain what happened with Jim Pearson?"

"Objection your Honor!" Gardner interrupted, "This is an examination of Miss Foster and Miss Adam's capability of taking care of Jude, not an examination of Callie Jacob."

"If she is going to be living in the same house as her brother, we need to know that his well being won't be compromised because of her reckless behavior."

Judge Patton looked between the two men, "I'll allow it. Continue."

Callie felt her palms begin to sweat from her seat in the gallery. She should have known they were going to use her stupid mistakes against her. She looked nervously at Stef, hoping to draw some confidence from the older woman. Callie reached out to take Stef's hand, gripping it in her own. She felt Stef squeeze back and felt somewhat reassured.

"Callie was arrested for vandalizing Mr. Pearson's car." Callie heard Bill reply.

"Vandalism?" Mr. Benton questioned as he paced in front of the stand, "Is this the kind of thing that happens often with Miss Jacob?"

He was beating my brother, jerk! Callie wanted to stand up and shout, but she had to remain calm. She couldn't do anything to compromise the case.

Bill shook his head, "She's a good kid. She just made a few mistakes―"

"Getting kicked out of seven foster homes and getting sent to juvie is a few mistakes?" Mr. Benton asked incredulously. He headed back to his chair with a smug look, "No further questions, your Honor."

Callie's eyes followed Mr. Benton as he walked across the floor. Her expression may have radiated confidence but internally she was quaking in her boots. Her palms were sweating profusely and she found herself frequently wiping them on her dress. She shifted her gaze to Jude who was sitting on the side of the gallery opposite the Fosters with Adelaide. He caught her eye and gave her an encouraging smile and she sent back what she hoped was an encouraging smile as well.

"So Ms. Jacob," Mr. Benton came to a stop in front of her, "Would you say you are a good sister?"

"Yes."

"You sound very sure of yourself."

The brunette tilted her head, "I took care of Jude for the past six years. I protected him."

"Protected him?" Mr. Benton repeated with an incredulous laugh, "Is that what you call causing problems with each of your foster homes?"

"I did what I had to do to make sure Jude was safe," Callie answered carefully as she sat up a bit straighter in her seat. Mr. Benton walked up to the stand and rested his arms across the ledge of it. He was very close to Callie at this point and she had to force herself to not lean away.

"Getting sent to juvie was keeping him safe?"

"I went back for him as soon as I could."

"And nearly got your foster-brother killed in the process."

"Objection your Honor!" ADA Gardner shot up from his chair.

Judge Patton held up a hand, "Sustained. Mr. Benton you are treading on thin ice."

Callie looked over at Brandon. That night could have ended very badly, but it didn't. She got Jude away from Jim and neither he nor Brandon got hurt. But they could have…She was sure Lena and Stef would have her back in juvie before morning but surprisingly they let her stay. Even more surprising, they took Jude, too.

Mr. Benton clasped his hands behind his back and gave a little shrug, "Why should Jude be allowed to live with you at all?"

"He needs me." Callie replied automatically.

The older man stopped in front of her, "Don't you mean you need him?"

Stef watched as Callie pushed around the food on her plate. The judge had called for a recess and the Fosters had found a nearby restaurant to have lunch. So far, the trial was making Callie look like nothing more than a juvenile delinquent and Adelaide as a savior. The brunette suddenly stood up and mumbled something about going to the bathroom before disappearing to the back of the restaurant.

"I think I'm going to go, too." Stef said, sharing a look with Lena before following Callie.

"How is that guy allowed to say all those things about Callie?"

Lena looked up at Brandon whose face held an angry expression. He continued, "He was being a complete jerk."'

The older woman sighed, "I know, B. It's part of his strategy."

"He's creepy," Mariana added with a little shudder, "I was freaked out just sitting where we were. I can't imagine having to sit in the stand."

Jesus swallowed the food in his mouth, "I just want this to be over with so we can get Jude and go home."

"Me, too." Lena agreed. From the moment she saw him running towards then at the courthouse, Lena wanted nothing more than to grab Jude, shove him in her purse and run home. But that would be unethical, of course.

"It's just a little while longer, and then he'll be home."

Stef pushed into the bathroom and scanned the small space. She could hear retching sounds coming from one of the stalls. Taking a quick look around to make sure they were alone, Stef locked the door behind her. She knocked on the stall Callie was in and was surprised to find it unlocked. The teen was hunched over the toilet, throwing up what little food she had eaten that day. Stef quickly knelt beside her and pulled her daughter's hair back. She rubbed circles on Callie's back as she continued to dry heave. Finally Callie sat back, falling into Stef's chest. She closed her watering eyes and took a few deep breaths.

"You okay now?" Stef murmured as she brushed a few strands of hair out of her daughter's face. Callie nodded and Stef helped her to her feet and lead her out of the stall, flushing the toilet as she did. She opened up a faucet and let Callie rinse out her mouth.

After spitting into the sink a few times, Callie turned off the water and wiped her mouth on the sleeve of her sweater, "I'm sorry."

"Callie…"

"Brandon could have died that night," the teen continued as she stared down at the porcelain sink, "He could've…and Jude."

"But they didn't," Stef interrupted gently, stooping down a bit so that she could catch Callie's eyes, "Everyone is okay."

Callie shook her head, "But what if they weren't? Jude might be better off without me if all I do is cause trouble for him."

"Come here, Love. Come sit."

Stef led Callie over to a vanity chair and pulled another one right in front of her. She took Callie's hands in her own and looked into her eyes, "Mr. Benton is a miserable old man with nothing better to do than cause trouble. He was saying all of that to get a rise out of you and make you look like a bad person but he couldn't because you are not a bad person. Jude doesn't need a woman who barely knows him and wants to make him into someone he's not. He needs his big sister. He needs you." The blonde pulled her daughter close, hand coming up to smooth her hair.

Callie rested her head on Stef's shoulder. It was so lovely to hear that she was seen as more than her file. She lifted her head momentarily to kiss Stef's cheek before returning it to its resting place, "I love you, Mama."

"Oh, Baby Girl." Stef felt tears come to her eyes at the name and she couldn't hold back the smile, "I love you, too."

Sorry it's been a millennium since I updated but boy have I been busy! I'm excited to see the character of Donald Jacob this Monday of the Fosters, it should be interesting. I have a busy month ahead of me: I'm booked for four Saturdays in a row. Yay.

I'm watching a movie about talking ninja hamsters right now if that's any indication as to how 110% done I am. And there's ANOTHER snow storm set to hit Long Island. WHY? I've already had four snow days and two delayed openings. I'm not in love with school but we're more than friends. It's complicated.

Please review! Thanks for all the reviews I've gotten! :)

-Liv