This is a terrible idea.

The words spin around Callie's head, as if begging her to see the formidable situation that could unfold before her as they wait for Stef to come back.

Sure, she'd said she was only going to grab her wallet, but for all Callie knows, the woman could be wearing a bug and all this could be some kind of police code for: "I've got them cornered, come now and arrest the girl!"

If Callie could have had it her way, then she and Jude would have been on the bus back to San Ysidro the second Stef left to retrieve her wallet. But one look at Jude's hopeful face, that current of desperation his eyes always held when he wanted something, made Callie realise that she had to do this for him. If this is the only way that she can prove to him that her distrust in cops is legitimate, that it isn't just something she's doing to release her stubbornness and rebel against authority, then she'll take her chances. But really, deep down, she can't bear the guilt that will come having to be around Jude's long, moping face for the rest of the day if she dispels his desire to talk with the cop.

She stands on the boardwalk, a state of calm seeming to overcome her exterior. Her lower back hovers over the pretty, iron fence, eyes never leaving Jude who leans against the metalwork with ease as he watches a dog walker trying to wrangle three huge Labradors. But as Jude giggles and pokes at her side, telling her excitedly to 'look over there!', Callie bites down on her lower lip hard, doing almost anything to stop the scream that threatens to push its way out her throat.

This is a terrible idea.

Jude is tugging at the sleeve of her plaid shirt now, letting out shrill giggles that almost penetrate the string of downward spiralling conspiracy theories echoing around her head.

But not quite.

The smell of sea brine mixed with food truck tacos fills her nostrils, making her feel slightly woozy, but she knows this isn't the real cause of her unease.

One look at her face must have said it all, because before she knows it, Jude's gleeful laugh has quietened and his face pales.

"Callie…" Jude says, the apprehension so clear in his eyes it pulls on Callie's heartstrings.

"I'm not mad, baby," she assures him, shaking out of her trance and squeezing his shoulder, although she can't quite look him in the eye. Even though she isn't angry with her brother, she does feel a slight twitch of annoyance that he would undermine her like this, especially considering all she'd taught him about cops in the past.

Squinting against the sun, Jude looks up at her. "She's different, you know. The way she was with me yesterday, the way she looked at me, it kind of reminded me of our Mom."

And Callie does know. She'd felt it too, when the blonde cop had woken her up on the side of the street. The tenderness of her stare and the concern in her voice was something almost foreign to Callie, and as much as it went against her instincts, it did feel nice to have someone genuinely care if she was okay – even if it was a cop.

Unable to really form words, Callie smiles at her brother, although inside, she's screaming with fear. Since when did she become infected so easily by a soft voice and friendly charm? Something must be crowding her instinct to have even allowed the woman in near proximity of her and Jude, and it scares her that her body wants to trust that Stef will do the right thing. That's why she's here, isn't she? She wouldn't have given Jude his own way if she really thought this cop was going to do them harm. Deep down, there is something in her that says this woman has good intentions. It's her head that doesn't trust the blonde, and rightly so; though Jude may believe that Stef is different, Callie has had enough encounters with cops in the past to know that trusting one is one too many, and it's a mistake she won't make again.

When Jude had asked her last night to go to the beach, Callie had, at first, paled at the idea. But the thought of escaping Lance, and leaving the uncertainty of the day before behind – cops, thieving and all – was all too tempting, and the smile on her brother's face topped it all off. They travelled across the city on the crowded bus, and not once had her mind slipped to the terrible events of yesterday or the day before, and as she waited in line for the bathroom, she almost allowed herself to feel a little more than content with how the day was proceeding – until she showed up. Now, thoughts and conspiracy theories ricochet off the walls of Callie's skull, and she's afraid that she'll have another episode like yesterday.

She can feel her palms clamming up, and, if it weren't for the grip Jude has on her hand, she knows for a fact she'd have bolted down the boardwalk by now. The longer they wait, the more time Callie has to analyse the situation and realise just how badly this could turn out. What kind of normal person is so interested in two trashy foster kids? Why is she so intent on helping them, when really, they could be gang members or criminals, for all she knows?

Callie realises that she has to make a decision before the panic completely envelops her, and looking around and catching no sight of the blonde cop, she decides to go with her head. "She's not gonna show. Come on, we can get something to drink when we get back home."

"What? I thought you said we'd wait on her?" Jude pouts, trying to pull his hand out of Callie's, but she only grips it harder.

"Jude, no. We're leaving," she says, her tone taking a sudden authoritative turn as she begins to walk back down the boardwalk, pulling Jude along with her.

Jude pulls his hand from Callie's grasp, shoving her back into the iron fence. "Well, I'm not coming!"

The pain from the collision would have been minor, but with her back still tender and achy from the kicks she'd received from Lance's metal-capped boots, she can't help but gasp at the throb that pulses through her tailbone. As she haunches over to regain her breath, she sees Jude wander off in the general direction Stef went, and sighs. "Jude…"

"No, Callie. She's nice. You can't tell me what to do all the time, you know. I'm not a baby."

His words hit her like a slap in the face, though far harder than any she'd received from angry foster parents over the years. Of course she knew that Jude would eventually grow up, that he would act out and talk back and become a teenager, and in all honesty, she wants that kind of normalcy more than anything for him. But seeing him do it now, here, in the middle of the boardwalk, is something she hadn't expected, and most definitely wasn't ready for.

Jude notices her hesitation to continue and pauses in his position, waiting for Callie to catch up to him. Studying her jerking movements and paling face, the hardened expression leaves his face and his tone becomes soft. "Why don't you trust her?"

Usually, Callie is an expert at controlling her anger. In the past, all it had taken was one wrong use of attitude, or talking back in the wrong tone of voice, and she and Jude would go a day without being fed, or spanked so hard she wouldn't be able to sit comfortably for days.

But now, all of Callie's past techniques seem to have retired to the back of her mind, and her anger seeps out at the audacity of Jude's words.

"Of course I don't trust her! How can I? We don't even know her!"

She isn't sure why she snapped at him, or why her hands have suddenly begun to tremble, but she has a pretty good feeling the blonde woman who keeps trying to dig her nose into their business is the cause of her anxiety. She can feel herself getting worked up just thinking about the plethora of alternate motives this woman could have and just how dangerous this situation could really be if she doesn't get her and Jude out of here right now.

She hates that he is challenging her, hates that he is deliberately trying to exploit her despite knowing how she feels about cops. This new rebellion he possesses makes her angry, and it doesn't even strike her to feel guilty for her harsh retaliation. She wonders if this is what it feels like to be a normal kid who fights with their siblings – the satisfaction of voicing your view on the situation in a louder than appropriate volume giving off enough of an incentive to keep on going. But the look on Jude's face, eyes wide with shock and fear, brings her back down to reality, making her to remember that they aren't 'normal' siblings. They can't afford to 'fight' or 'argue'. They are the Jacob siblings, who cling to each other for all they have, and just get on with things because in order to survive in such a harsh, unstable world, they don't have any other option.

"I'm sorry," she says with a shuddering breath. She can barely face him, too ashamed of her childish behaviour, because no matter which buttons Jude decides to press, she should be able to handle it – she is the mother figure, here, after all.

She can feel his stare on her, tickling the exposed skin on her neck as the wind whips at her hair. It makes her uncomfortable not being able to hear his thoughts, almost as uncomfortable as knowing he had to see her break down twice in less than twenty-four hours. She is the strong one – the one half of their package deal that's dependable. How can she keep up such a steady façade after this?

In Callie's mind, the cop is to blame. If she hadn't waltzed into their lives, then none of this would have happened. She would still be strong and able, not an anxious, emotional, overanalysing wreckage. Jude would still trust her, he wouldn't be so defiant of her actions that she took to keep him safe. Yes, the cop is definitely to blame. And until she's given a reason not to, Callie will continue to blame her.

"I'm sorry, too."

She looks around, and Jude is close to her. He's leaning against the delicate, iron fence, his shoulders brushing against her arms. She smiles down at him, searching for any sign of his concealment, but is only greeted with a returning grin, and she knows that they are okay for now.

But as she pushes off of the fence and levels her weight back into both her feet, preparing for the long walk back along the boardwalk, she hears Jude sigh.

"I'm not leaving, though, Cal. You can go if you want, but I'm staying here; I'm waiting for her."

At first, she thinks he is kidding – surely after everything, he wouldn't still try to stay? – but by the determination in his voice, she realises that he means it.

The idea of staying makes her lightheaded, but the idea of leaving Jude alone with the cop makes her almost sick. She has to push her insecurities aside – it's not like it's the first time she's been placed in an uncomfortable situation, right? Callie swallows thickly, biting her lip as she speaks. "If you're not leaving, then neither am I."

Jude looks up, surprise evident on his face. "Really?"

"What? You didn't think I was just gonna leave you here, did you?" Callie says, hoping to lighten the atmosphere with her humour. "You're my baby brother," she mumbles into his hair, wrapping her arms around the small boy and squeezing him tight against her.

As Callie looks out across the beach, she sees Stef walking along the boardwalk, eyes scanning the crowds looking for them. She'd be lying if she said she wasn't freaking out inside, screaming, almost, about what's about to come. But she knows that she has to do this for Jude. Maybe he's right. Maybe, the cop deserves a little more of her faith than she'd been willing to dish out before.

oOo

Stef had been watching their interaction for a moment from along the pier, not wanting to disrupt what was obviously a disagreement. She'd watched as the younger boy had pushed the girl, and frowned at the girl's reaction to what should have only been a light wince. It took everything in her not to go over there, to help the girl who was obviously struggling to catch a breath, but she managed to refrain herself, and she's glad she did.

When she'd headed back for the car, Stef had passed Mariana waiting in line for the bathroom. Her daughter had opened her mouth ready to bombard Stef with twenty questions on where on earth she'd been, but she cut her off, almost demanding the car keys, only stopping when she saw the teen's face fall.

"I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to snap. Tell Mama that I had to go do something for work, okay? I'll be back soon."

Mariana sighed, desperate to protest and get to the route of the problem. "But where were you? I've been waiting forever for you here."

Walking backwards, Stef ignored the pang of guilt that swelled in her stomach and smiled sympathetically at her daughter. "I'll explain later. Promise. I gotta go. Love you!"

She knows that she'll have trouble explaining this to her family later, but she's willing to take the consequences given the situation. Now, guilt almost forgotten, she makes her way over towards Callie and Jude, trying to pretend like she just didn't witness their fight.

As soon as the dark haired girl spots Stef in the crowd, she pulls out of the embrace with the boy and tucks him into her side, hand grazing over his lower back protectively.

The gesture between the two might seem sweet and innocent, but Stef gets the impression that it's much more than that, and to think why Callie might be so defensive of the younger boy makes her uncomfortable.

Trying her best to appear non-threatening, Stef smiles and keeps a few feet between her and the kids. "Sorry I took so long. Now, who's ready for some soda?"

Soon, they arrive at a little sit in café, one that Stef had chosen deliberately. She feared that if they'd simply bought their drinks from a food truck and sat on the beach, that would leave Callie with an escape route, and she was sure that the girl would flee at any moment if given the opportunity. Instead, they sit under a canopy on the boardwalk, shielded from the hot afternoon sun that beats down hard over the coastline.

As they wait for a server to approach, the silence that fills the table is so painful, Stef finds herself questioning whether this was the right thing to do at all. Anyone else would think she's mad for having such a fixation on these two children, but something about the girl's closed off attitude and shifty stance draws her to them as if they were one of her cases.

"Tap water is fine for us, thanks," Callie says when a Latino man with a notepad asks for their orders.

Stef has to supress the urge to sigh. She can tell by the slump in Jude's shoulders that this isn't what he really wants, and after glancing at Callie, decides to speak up. "Are you sure? How about a Coke? Or a lemonade?"

It's not just the glare that Callie shoots her way that makes her realise maybe she's stepped a little overboard, but the sudden realisation that she doesn't know these kids. Maybe they don't even like soda? Or maybe, like Lena, their mom doesn't approve of them having sugary drinks? She wouldn't blame the woman, even Stef herself shudders when she witnesses Jesus drain cans of the stuff whenever they go to watch Padre's games with her father.

She glances back over at Callie to see the teen's eyes fill with dread, as if she's contemplating what will happen if Jude chooses to take Stef up on her offer. Maybe she's so insistent on having she and her brother drink tap water because she doesn't want a reason to owe me anything? Stef thinks to herself, but dismisses the thought when the server lets out an impatient cough and Jude stumbles over his order.

"Umm, could I…could I have a lemonade?"

"Jude…" Callie warns, almost so quietly Stef has to strain to hear it, but right next to her, the younger boy does.

"Never mind – water is fine," he says, quick to overwrite his previous request.

Stef frowns, folding her hands on the table and looks towards Jude. "Really? You know, you can have the lemonade if you want?"

Again, the little boy glances up at Callie, who looks as if she might burst with rage, or fear – Stef can't quite tell. It hadn't been her mission to make Callie hate her, but so far, she was doing a really good job.

"Can I, Cal?" he almost pleads, and the voice seems to break though the older girl's stony front.

"Are you sure? I don't have any money…" she says to Stef before looking into her hands guiltily. It's the first time Stef has seen this side of her personality, and as silly as it seems, it feels like Callie admitting that she doesn't have any money is a big step forward in getting her to open up.

"Of course. Money isn't an issue here."

Releasing a breath and glancing down at Jude, smiles a little. "Okay."

The little boy is clearly pleased, and judging by her smile, Stef sees that Callie is too. "And you?" Stef asks, hopefully, but the girl's smile falls from her face and she sits up a little straighter in her seat.

"No. Water is fine."

Stef wants to protest – to insist, in fact – that the girl has something more than just a free glass of tap water, but realises that she's even lucky that Callie agreed to come and sit here in the first place; she shouldn't push her luck by insisting on something that is obviously making her uncomfortable.

"Alright. Two lemonades and a water then, please," Stef says, nodding to the man who seems to have grown a little frustrated with the group's continuous indecisiveness.

As they wait for their drinks, Stef learns that Callie and Jude are siblings. She had figured just as much, but now the information has been confirmed, she begins to pick up on their similarities, like their nearly identical cute button noses, and forest brown eyes. The purpling bruises on Callie's cheekbone aren't the only things that set the siblings apart, though; Jude's eyes boast curiousness and interest in the situation and his surroundings, where Callie's seem to be filled with nothing but agitation and dread.

"Who did that to your face?" Stef finds herself wondering aloud, and is almost as shocked as the siblings look to hear her thoughts out in the open.

But Callie quickly covers her surprise. "No one. I walked into a door." The lie rolls off her tongue so easily, as if the girl almost believes it herself – even Jude doesn't seem phased by the clearly ridiculous answer, and it causes Stef to wonder if maybe, it could be the truth. But as she scans the girl, hands fiddling with a gold, coin necklace hanging from her neck, it isn't hard to notice the bruises that bracelet her wrists. Stef swallows hard, not even wanting to imagine how they could have gotten there, and hoping that her suspicions aren't true.

Out the corner of her eye, Stef can see the girl shift uncomfortably as she looks down at the wooden table, and she realises that she's going to have a hard time prying information out of this girl.

"So, what brings you up to Mission Bay?" Stef says, almost humorously in hope to lighten the conversation a little, but her approach quickly dampens when the corners of Callie's mouth turn down.

"What? Are we corrupting your beach or something?" She lets out a breath, shaking her head a little.

"No, no," Stef says, taken aback by the teen's attitude. "It's just, San Yisidro is a little far from here, you know?"

"Well, San Ysidro isn't exactly known for its cool breezes, tranquil waters and soft sand beaches, is it?" Callie replies mockingly, tone laced with insolence. "What brings you to Mission Bay?"

Stef can almost feel herself shrinking back into her seat. If she had thought she knew sassy before, she was wrong. Mariana had her fair share of sassy moments, but her's were normally centred around her inner-diva and provoked by her tormenting brothers. This, though, was a different story. This wasn't just sass: this was survival.

"I'm here with my family," Stef says, but Callie raises an eyebrow, indicating that she already knows this information. "My wife and kids," she elaborates.

"Right," Callie says, smirking disbelievingly, "your wife."

"Well, legally we're not actually married, but we're married in our hearts, I guess," Stef says, choosing to ignore Callie's impudent attitude.

"That's basically the same thing though, right?" Jude says, causing Stef's heart to melt at the sweetness of his attitude, and uncorrupted outlook on life.

"Basically, yeah." She smiles, wishing her wife were here to see just how much potential this little boy holds.

"O-kay," Callie says, leaning back slightly in her seat, trying to seem unfazed by the moment of bonding the officer just shared with her brother, but Stef can tell just by the hollow look in her eyes that she's far from comfortable with the situation.

It isn't for the first time, that Stef wishes she could see inside the girl's head, just for a moment, so she can understand exactly what is troubling her, and what is causing her to be so cold shouldered. Just by the way she looks at her brother, Stef knows that the attitude she's displaying isn't her typical one, and Stef hopes she can get to know Callie well enough not to be faced with whatever walls she feels the need to build up around herself.

They sip on their drinks with minimal small talk, although Stef notices that Callie barely touches her glass of water. Jude chats to her nonchalantly about the comic book she had bought him yesterday, and while Stef tries her best to listen, her eyes never leave Callie. The girl is fiddling with something, as if to appear uninterested, but it's no secret that she's hanging on every word of the conversation going on around her.

As the evening air falls upon them, and the sky turns marvellous shades of orange, Stef knows that she'll have to end things soon. She has become so accustomed to Jude's constant silence-filling, jittery conversation and Callie's fearful side glares that she almost forgets that this wasn't why she came to the beach today. Her wife and children will be growing cold as the cool breeze picks up, and the siblings who sit before her have a family they need to get home to, too. It's only then that it dawns on her that neither Callie nor Jude have said a word about their parents.

Curiosity getting the better of her once again, Stef finds herself speaking her thoughts before she can stop them leaving her mouth. "Are your parents here with you?"

The silence she's met with, however, is not something she had anticipated.

Hello...

I'm a terrible person. I'm sorry for taking such a long hiatus. I unfortunately lost someone really close to me, and I guess you could say that left me somewhat uninspired. But here I am - and I hope if anyone is still reading this that it didn't disappoint.

Let me know what you think in the reviews!...Soon, Stef is going to be piecing things together and really acting on her suspicions.

Thanks for reading! - K