A/N

1. Legal stuff first I don't own The Fosters

2. This my first Fan Fiction so please read and review but please be constructive in reviewing.

3. I am open to any suggestions you might have as to where to take this story.

3a

Callie looked at the clock again it was just 3:19 am. She knew there was no use lying in bed any longer. Sleep was not going to come tonight, she was so tired but just wasn't sleepy. Maybe fresh air would help. She got out of bed and made her way down stairs, trying to be as quite as she could. She really didn't want to explain what she was doing up, not that she knew how to come up with a coherent explanation for any of the many jumbled thoughts she had running through her head to herself much less to one of the Fosters. The "Bad Thoughts Monster" had started creeping in more and more. She had sworn the last time, was the last time she was ever going to let them control her.

The thoughts were getting louder and louder which was making them harder to ignore. She made her way to the kitchen, and put on a pot of coffee to brew. Lena especially didn't like her drinking it, and she had highly suggested one cup was more than enough for Callie to drink. In Callie's mind that meant one cup that they saw her drink; it was something about the hotness that seems to settle Callie's stomach. Callie headed to the living room for a blanket, but saw Stef's hoodie on the back of the chair. Before she realized what she was doing she had put it on flipping the hood up, it made her feel safe. She grabbed a cup of coffee and headed out the door, paying careful attention to not letting the door slam. She found "her" spot next to the tree and tried to settle into trying to get the spinning in her to calm down.

Stef had woken up as soon as she heard the door open. She heard Callie go outside like she had every morning for the last week and like she had done every other morning Stef went to the window and began her watch. She really didn't know how to help the girl; she just sat by the tree and stared out into the dark. Even though Callie had been in their home for three months and seemed to be settling into a routine. Callie was still very much closed off to everyone except Jude, whom she would show her softer side toward him only if she thought no one was paying them any attention. Usually through looks between the two of them, soft pats or by the proximity to each other, Callie at first was never more than an arm's length away from the boy. It had been a battle to have Jude move into Jesus' room, but Jude had finally convinced Callie that Jesus could protect him long enough before Callie to arrive if she needed to. Jesus had beamed at the boy when Jude had made the statement one night as the kids were brushing their teeth. The memory made Stef smile. Jude had taken to Lena first but had slowly let the twins in to the point that Callie would let him go with either of them for a small amount of time without her.

Stef was brought out of her thoughts by hearing Lena starting to stir in bed. "Baby"? Lena called out.

"Shh right here Hun, go back to sleep its early" whispered Stef. Lena rose up on one elbow. "How many nights are you going to stubbornly sit up here and watch CallieGirl set out there, drink coffee and keep building her wall stronger?" She asked.

Stef was taken back for a moment, she had thought she had been doing the right thing by giving the girl space, supervised space but space none the less. She had been happy at first that Callie had never moved from her position at the tree night after night; she had been so scared that first night that Callie was running from them.

Lena continued when Stef didn't answer. "Baby, we have got to tear down her walls but we need help I think it's time we talked to Bill about agreeing to the plan, to have her go to therapy twice a week and her Group. She is struggling and it's breaking my heart, you saw her this afternoon" Stef listened to what Lena was saying and nodded her agreement. As she turned to the window she noticed that Callie was no longer at the tree.

FB

As soon as the kids whom was walking home from school could see that both Moms car were in the drive way they knew someone was in trouble. Both twins started arguing over who had done what, and who was busted. The Two newest additions automatically moved closer together. Brandon just wanted to hurry them along, he had piano lessons tomorrow with the Grim Reaper and he still need to perfect the piece. He was currently working on and he knew it wasn't him who was in trouble. The closer the kids got to the house they could see both Moms looking out the living room window with serious faces. This made the other four slow down even more, but didn't stop the twins from arguing. As they reached the steps Callie moved Jude in behind. As Jude got into his position they made eye contact. Yes Callie remembered her promise; it was going to be ok. Yes Jude remembered the rules run, hide, DO NOT get into the middle of anything even if Callie got hurt. Jude hooked onto the back of Callie's shirt tail holding onto it with a tight fist. As soon as Callie felt him do this she was instantly reassured, she had him.

The Moms had moved toward the entryway as the kids came through the door, they started asking about homework and plans for the rest of the afternoon. Brandon was first in the door and headed to his room taking the stairs two at a time saying he would be down at dinner he need to practice. Jesus had homework, but need a snack before he could work, so he headed to the kitchen. Mariana had no homework but had to text Lexi with the latest information on what was happening at school, she started up the stairs. As she moved up the stairs Callie moved Jude in behind Mariana placing herself between the Moms and him. Jude just followed Callie's movements and went where he was supposed to, never even changing his grip on Callie. As they made it to the stair landing

Stef called out to Callie "CallieGirl why don't you come and talk to Lena and I in the kitchen? They all knew it wasn't suggestion but that didn't help the hesitation that showed in both kids eyes with the idea of being split up.

Marianna spoke up to Jude "Great, then I can help you with your math, and you can help me pick out a color for me to paint my nails" she said as she grabbed Jude's other hand as she smiled looking at Callie with a look that she would watch him. Jude looked at Callie, who didn't see much of a choice and gave him a slight nod.

Trying to lighten the mood Lena laughingly said "homework first" to Mariana and called out to Jesus to remember dinner was going to be soon and not to spoil his appetite now. She moved calmly toward the kitchen. As Jesus come out of the kitchen, carrying 3 juice boxes and 3 oranges to take up stairs. Lena just laughed and shook her head he was such a good boy he knew Jude would never ask for anything.

Lena called over her shoulder to Callie asking if she wanted a water as she was going to get her and Stef one.

Stef tried to get the teen's eye to reassure her everything was ok but Callie wouldn't look at Stef.

But she did follow Lena mumbling a no thank you.

Callie stopped in the doorway. As she tried to figure out what was going on…Where they leaving? No Bill would already be there… She had made sure all her and Jude stuff had been tidy this morning including both beds made… She and Jude both had went to school...They didn't seem mad.

She was so lost in her thoughts she forgot Stef had moved in behind her until she placed her hand on Callie's shoulder to try and put the girl at easy. Callie automatically spun around put her back to the frame and had her fist ready to fight or cover whichever she needed to do.

Stef saw the fear and uneasiness in the girl's eyes before Callie could put her protective shield up. "Easy CallieGirl Easy" Stef said in a soft voice as she moved her hand off her shoulder but let it hover there as she guided Callie further into the room toward the nook.

Lena had seen the exchange as she turned around from the fridge with the waters. She didn't want to make the teen any more on edge than she obviously was, so she acted like nothing was wrong and brought three waters over to the table, as she did she made eye contact with Stef who was standing at the end of the nook with Callie.

It was decide that Lena would take the lead, so as Lena sat down and placed the waters on the table she patted the seat next to her and said " Come on Babe sit, we need to talk. It's ok"

Callie for her part didn't know what to do. She had promised Jude to comply and lay low he really liked it here. He had even code named Lena "coco" after the hot chocolate with marshmallows that was Callie's go-to for Jude when she needed to try and make him feel better. Though more importantly for Callie she knew that Lena loved the boy, and Stef loved Lena so she would protect and keep Jude safe. No matter what the bad thoughts tried to tell her she knew he was safe here.

Stef could see the struggle going on within the girl, there was no way she was going to sit that close to anyone, even soft Lena. So being the jokester she was, she plotted down in the seat that Lena had patted and smiled up cheeky at Lena when she started to call her out on it "What I thought this seat was mine, you did say Babe" Which got a smile out of Lena and even a little smirk out of Callie.

This interaction had given Callie an out to sit down across from the ladies. This is exactly what Stef was hoping for, getting the teen sitting and not as on edge.

For the first time since she came thru the door today Callie stole a glance into Lena's eyes to try a gauge the situation. Lena was by far the easier going of the two. However Callie was still having a hard time trusting anything that was going through her head right now. She'd been a fool before to listen to her head...damn Liam. Callie saw nothing in Lena's eyes that set off warning bells, but that was not going to put Callie totally at ease. She reminded herself not to get suckered in again and to be ready to do what she had to do if it came down to that.

Lena took a deep breath and started the conversation with Callie with "How was your day?"

"Fine" came a soft reply from Callie. Who had now became very interested in the water bottle label on the water bottle Lena had gotten for her

"How were your classes?" Lena asked

"Fine" came another reply from Callie, who didn't even look up from the label.

The Moms shared a look, pulling answers out of teenagers was usually Lena specialty but they was getting nowhere fast with this conversation and Stef was getting antsy. She had come off shift as soon as Lena had called saying that there was an issue with Callie.

Never one for not being direct Stef blurted out "Is there anything you need to tell us?" She felt Lena's hand go into hers, so she continued with a softer "You would tell us if something was bothering you or was making you feel uncomfortable, yes?"

With that question Callie's head came up, and both Moms knew they had hit on something. but as soon as the "tell" was in Callie's eyes it was gone.

Shit, Shit, Shit they know, just play cool and let tell them what they want to hear maybe they will let Jude stay was all Callie could think. She had dealt with Do-gooders before; they didn't really want the real truth, they just wanted to glossy version of the truth. "Yes" was all Callie managed to say

It was killing Lena to see the girl struggle to have a basic conversation "You never made it to any of your classes after lunch?" Lena said trying to get the girl to open up.

Callie thought the less she said the better. She was so tired! She had very few filters left and that usually got her in trouble, so she just shrugged her shoulder in agreement.

Stef said with her no nonsense voice "Eyes please" and waited on Callie to look up and focus on Stef's eyes. "You know you can't afford to skip class! Any bad reports could go to your record and to your treatment team and that could affect your parole."

Both Moms noticed Callie went on guard with the mention of her Treatment team having control. "You know we only want what is best for you, we know it's been hard learning how to live with all of us when you are used to it being just you and Jude against the world. But you're not anymore"

Stef finished squeezing Lena's hand to let her know to jump back in "We are very happy being on the same team as you two, but we need you to help us protect you two, by letting us in."

Callie nodded more forcefully hoping the Mom's would buy into the act. She would agree to go to the moon if they would just let her out of here before the Monster took over, and the bad thoughts took control.

How could she explain that she had been so overwhelmed by third period? That she thought she was going to explode and lose control. Which is something that she preferred to do in private. That was all she need was for a report to go to the Dam Treatment Team Assholes that the Juvie girl couldn't keep it together and then they would have all they need to split her and Jude up. So she had made a quick exit through the nearest door, and ran as far as she could before it got too much. She'd puked what little bit of the yogurt that was left in her stomach from where Stef had forced her to eat that morning for breakfast. The next thing she knew she was sitting in the sand crying like a baby trying to get herself under control, and the spinning in her head to die down. She really hadn't meant to take that long just needed space but time got away from her.

Callie had managed to keep her head up and pretend to look at the Moms the whole time they was speaking but it was getting to much for her to concentrate. Both Moms noticed this so Lena continued "We need you to find me when you feel the need for space at school, so when can handle it together" When she got the "I can handle it myself" look that she swore Stef had taught the girl and thought OK Mini Stef game on

"I need to know you are safe" Lena said as she put on her best puppy dog eyes on Callie. Not only did she get a nod but she also got "I'll try" out of Callie

Yes...she still had it; I wonder if they really know how much they are alike Lena thought with a chuckle.

As soon as the words left her month Callie became very interested in the water bottle label again.

Lena might be ok with that answer but with Stef even though it was the right answer it was a non answer. "Same team, same page sweets Yes?" Which hadn't been her first thought she would have voiced but with Lena squeezing her hand to remind her to keep this on a no confrontational path she had decided that was the best she could do.

If it had been left up to her she would have demanded answers to a whole slew of questions starting with where Callie had been? And had her disappearing act have anything to do with why she was hanging out in the wee hours of the morning by the tree staring off into space? Then act like nothing was bothering her when she came down from her shower to breakfast like she had slept peacefully for the 10hrs. Before Callie could answer Stef said "Eyes...and in words please"

Callie was confused she had just told them that she would try which was more than she thought she had strength for but, she owed it to Jude, she didn't break promises.

The Moms waited for Callie to get her thoughts together even though it was killing them. Lena was as worried as Stef was, but thought they wanted to tread lightly so not to break the struggling teen just her walls. Stef on the other hand thought that the only way to break the walls was to do so directly. So they had comprised they would do it directly but gently whatever that meant, mostly they was going off each other's queues.

"Same team, same page" Callie mumble after what seemed forever, but it was only a few minutes she really didn't get it most foster parents was happy with a "no bother" day and didn't want to really know anything much less want to help. So Callie did the only thing she could think of and just repeated Stef's words which seemed to be what they wanted.

"Hey CallieGirl you know we didn't jump into that water bottle right?" Stef said teasingly

This made Callie smirk a little, and Lena chuckle.

"OK, go before I change my mind and have you sit here all night with us to see if you can turn that water into wine by staring at it" Stef said.

Callie didn't have to be told twice, she was on the stairs before Stef finished her sentence.

A/N Thank you Lacorra for the edit :)