Summary: some things are just too difficult to forget. Those faces that appear in your mind every time you close your eyes. Liam was a long time ago, and people think Callie's OK now, but she's not OK, she's just programmed so others don't see her fear. Implied Brallie, but not the main focus.

Ok so this is set after episode 7, except Callie never told Stef and Lena about Liam, so Brandon's the only one who knows. This is a short chapter, just to introduce the story. The others will be longer, with things actually happening.

And lastly, I love reviews and hearing what others think about my work, constructive criticism welcome, but no flames please.

Callie Jacobs spent every second of her life in survival mode. She was programmed to defend herself, and more importantly her little brother. She always kept her emotions locked away in a dark corner of her mind. Rule one of survival: don't let them see the pain.

Of course she had let her guard down a few times. She wasn't a superhuman who was incapable of crying, but when she did need to let her tears fall, she made sure she was locked away, where no one would ever find out. Until now. Because she's revealed too much about herself and her past to Brandon, and she hates herself for it. She hates the sympathy in his eyes every time he looks her way.

Brandon observed Callie from where he was sat at the kitchen table. He couldn't get his head around what she had told him the earlier that day. She was such a strong person, standing tall against the war that had been her life. He had found it so strange seeing her in a moment of weakness. He watched her go about her normal daily routine. It was although this afternoon never happened. He couldn't imagine what Callie had been through with Liam. He had no idea about her other foster homes either. All he knew was that Callie's past was a dark place and something he wouldn't even wish on his worst enemy.

But Liam had been a couple of years ago. Surely that would have been enough time to accept what had happened and move on, right?

Brandon was right, it had been enough time for Callie to have finally let it go, and get settled in to life with The Fosters. She was just starting to become a regular teenager.

Until Liam had turned up again a couple of days ago. And now the terror was back, and worse than ever. Every time she took her mind off whatever it was she was doing, even for a second, Liam's face would appear in her mind and fear would run through her like a wild animal. Liam knew where Callie lived. And Callie knew what Liam was capable of.

And she was more scared now than she had ever been.

So that's chapter 1. I hope you like it and review, and I promise the next chapter will be better and longer.

xx