After sending Jude to Stef's house, Callie had gotten home and thankfully Jayda, her other roommate, had been home to let her in since she'd left her key back at the store in her rush to get away and was too scared to go back for it. For the next hour and a half she packed everything they owned into their two suitcases and her backpack and by six-thirty she was ready to put her plan into action. She grabbed a brown paper bag from under the sink and filled it with a few select items, taped it shut and wrote a short note on the outside for her brother. She then grabbed her backpack and the brown paper bag and headed towards the curb where Jude would soon come to meet her.

It was just a quarter to seven and Callie was standing at the curb behind a car watching the front door of the house, waiting for it to open, when she noticed a car enter their driveway. Her heart beat faster as she noticed Stef get out and head towards the front door. She never expected the woman to get home so early. So far, each time Jude had been over he'd always said that there was only Lena home and she had counted on Stef being away long enough for her to actually carry out her plan. The only thing Callie could be thankful for the darkening sky that allowed her to stay out of sight while she kept watch on the house that would hopefully be her brother's new home.

Stef had spent the whole day trying to find out whatever she could about Callie. After finishing up with the store she's once again called the mechanic in Spring Valley just to confirm that he didn't know Callie and then she went back to the station and had him looked up just to be sure. After that she'd gone back down to the street where she'd first arrested Callie and asked people there for any information on the girl but not one would speak. Stef had to admit that their loyalty to each other was far stronger than most people she knew. After failing at that route too Stef decided to call it a day and headed back home a little early, hoping to get a good night's sleep and a fresh start again tomorrow. She was determined to find this girl and help her if it was the last thing she did.

Just as Stef reached the house and was about to turn the doorknob, the door flew open and out rushed a little kid with Lena right behind.

"Whoa." Stef said, moving out of the way dramatically to make room for the whirlwind about to crash into her.

"Sorry." Jude smiled apologetically as he stopped to say hi to Stef.

"Hi, I'm Stef." Stef answered. "You must be the mystery kid that makes my wife and kids smile so much."

Jude's smile widened greatly as he glanced up at Lena, thrilled to be the reason she's happy.

"Jude, this is my wife Stef." Lena introduced.

But before the name could really register in Stef's mind, Jude was already moving on past introductions.

"I made cake." Jude announced proudly as he held up a small box that Lena had given him with his share of their treat.

"I can't wait to try it on Sunday." Stef said, her eyes gleaming. "I bet it tastes extra delicious this year."

"It does." Jude nodded. "I tasted it myself."

"I'll bet you did." Stef laughed, imagining the young boy licking up the beaters just like her own children used to do.

"I gotta go." Jude finally said, knowing that Callie would be waiting for him. "My mom said I had to be home by seven."

"Bye bud." Lena smiled affectionately. "Don't forget to ask her if you can come over on Sunday afternoon to celebrate Brandon's birthday."

"I won't." Jude called out with a wave and disappeared down the street.

Callie watched as Jude walked away and the two women closed the door behind him before she placed the brown paper bag in the center of the sidewalk and then ran and hid behind a tree in someone's yard. She kept watch as Jude walked past the four houses between Stef's house and where she usually waited for him, desperately wanting to just grab him and run but knowing, hoping, that she was doing the right thing by leaving him behind.

Jude finally reached the curb where Callie usually waited for him and looked around in confusion. It wasn't like his sister to be late. He noticed the bag on the ground and walked to it and picked it up. He was surprised to find his name written on the top.

Jude,

Take this to Lena's house and ask her to give it to Stef. I had to run away but I couldn'ttake you with me. Trust them, they will keep you safe. I'm so sorry Jude, I love you forever.

Callie.

Jude looked around in complete fear as tears began to pour down his face. He had been a parentless child since he was four years old, he'd been abused, starved and lived on the streets but he had never once felt the kind of fear he was feeling right now. Through all of that he'd always had his sister looking out for him but now, for the first time, he was completely alone.

With tears pouring down her own face, Callie watched her brother clutch the bag tightly and run back down the street towards Lena. Through blurry eyes she watched him bang furiously on their door and finally their door swing open as both women came to see what had happened. She sobbed as Jude handed Stef the bag directly and watched as Stef read the note. She saw the woman hurriedly open up the bag and pull out a note and the macaroni box and even from this distance she could see the shock on Stef's face as she began connecting all the dots. She ducked back behind the tree as Stef quickly glanced up and down the street and then pulled a still sobbing Jude into the house. And only once the door was shut behind them did Callie turn and walk away for good.