Strings

Which Way To Go

CAPTAIN ROBERTS POV

Looking around the house I searched around for any sign of forced entry along with my fellow officers. This wasn't the type of call I usually took but I had been in the area and a few rookies were with me. Figuring it was a good chance to give them a little experience I took the call. However, something about this call and house opened my eyes to something that had been on my mind for weeks. It was really no secret that I had taken an  interest in the young girl at the dinner and that was something I never did. It was her personality that caught me and the her lack of confidence in herself. She was very guarded, hurt, secretive and struggling in more ways then one. That was mainly why I over tipped her every morning for I could tell she barley had any money to her name.  The real honest truth was Stef reminded me of someone, someone that I use to know and someone that I cared for very much. But someone I no longer saw and someone that no longer wished to see me. My daughter.

"Boys check everything in here. The windows, other doors anything. I'm heading into the bedrooms.

"Sure Cap." They yelled as I made my way down the hall passing pictures of a beautiful family of three. They were an interracial couple with a young girl who appeared to be about college age. Studying the photos I entered what appeared to be her bedroom for it was covered in pink, school awards and trophies. Checking every window and closet and finding nothing out of place something on the dresser soon caught my eye. Picking up the photo to my surprise it was a picture of her with Stef Foster from the dinner and her little girl. What were the odds?

"Cap we have something here." I heard one of my officers yell as I put the picture down heading into the living room.

"Yeah what?"

"Looks like it wasn't a forced entry. Just someone put the alarm on and didn't close the door all the way."

"MM yeah. We still need to notify the owners and get the placed locked up." I said glancing around and the upper middle class home.

"Will do. It's owned by a Dana and Stewart Adams."

"Ok, lets find out where they are and notify them. " I said walking out the house along with three of my other officers. "Mike, I want you to locate them and give them a call. Also knock on a few doors asking the neighbors if they saw anything."

"Will do."

"Good and I take it you can all handle it from here and I don't need to babysit you?"

"Definitely." They all responded.

Nodding my head and walking to my car  I soon saw a familiar blonde running down the block and my guess as to who tripped the alarm was soon answered.

-------------------------

STEF POV

Grateful to have the key to the dinner I unlocked it from the back and switched on the lights. Knowing Al got here pretty early I needed to make sure I didn't sleep too long and find a place to nap even if it was just for an hour. Dropping my bag down and guitar I was so fried and tired and in desperate need of a shower. The last two days had been a whirlwind and nothing I would ever want to relieve except the time with Callie. Jumping up on the table I looked through the plastic bag seeing my tank top and pajama pants and one pair of clean underwear. But it looked liked the bras Lena had given me were long gone along with the new underwear she had given me as well.

"Fucking thieves." I said shaking my head and kicking myself for leaving that stuff in the draw carelessly. My old bra with the safety pin would have to do as well as a shower in the sink. Quickly undressing and using some toilet paper and dish soup I quickly washed my body as best as I could dunking my hair in the sink as well. This would have to do for now as I glanced at myself in the dingy mirror. The last few days I had fucked up more then anything and I had to figure out a way to make up for it. My visitations with Callie were at the mercy of a judge who hated me more then anything to begin with. I tripped the alarm at Lena's house and she was going to kill me once she found out. On top of that I needed to find a new shelter to stay in and another job. How I was supposed to do all of this was beyond me as I threw my clothes on and flip flops feeling my stomach rumble. Ignoring it I took a few crackers we used for soup and munched on them as I took the GED book out sitting at the counter with a flash light. Glancing to the little photo of Callie I kissed it softly as she remained to be my sole motivation.

-------------------------

STEF POV

"Stef?  What the fuck are you doing here?" Opening my eyes I soon looked up seeing Jenna staring at me as I had fallen asleep on my GED book.

"What?" I mumbled.

"Did you sleep here?" 

"No. I got here early and took a nap."

"Fuck yeah right. Then why do you have pajamas on?" Lifting my head up I realized I had fallen asleep longer then I wanted as I let out a sigh.

"Shit. Where's Al?"

"He's not here yet. Called me and asked me to open. You're lucky I found your blonde ass first. Did you get kicked out of the shelter?"

Rubbing my eyes I looked to the clock seeing it was opening time as I grabbed my stuff and headed to the back. The last thing I wanted to do was tell her anything that went on as I threw my jeans on and tee shirt tying my apron around my waist.

"Stef, you gonna answer me." She said following behind me.

"What?"

"You got kicked out didn't you? Why didn't you just come to my place?"

"Really? Because that worked out so well the last time?" I said shaking my head and stuffing my plastic bag in my backpack.

"Oh come on I'm not going to try to bang you again. You know the deal if you  need a place to crash you can stay with me."

"I'll be alright. I found another shelter." I lied now brushing my teeth as she leaned on the bathroom door frame.

"Damm, I'm really that bad huh? Or is your little girlfriend worried I'm gonna steal you?" she said crossing her arms.

"Jenna no one is stealing anyone. Just chill ok? Seriously. Besides what are you doing here anyway? I thought you were gonna make big money with Bobby?" I asked sarcastically braiding my hair.

"MM next week girl. He still has slots open and once I start bringing that in I'm leaving this shit hole. You should do it too."

"MMm. Sounds shady to me. I can't afford anything like that right now."

" I told you it's legit. Would I lie to you?" Looking at her through the mirror I soon turned around giving her a look.

"Yeah you would and you have Jenna." Walking passed her I threw my order pad in my pocket along with Lena's postcard and Callie's photo to get me through the day.

"Fine judge me on a few instances from our teenage years. This is not a lie and I'm just trying to help."

"Well I don't need help Jenna. The dinner is fine and I'll look for another job."

"MM suit yourself but do me a favor and don't sleep here. I got a couch and my brother doesn't give a shit. It's not an issue."

 As sincere as she sounded I knew it was a bad idea as I went to unlock the front doors ready to start the day as Captain Roberts walked in moments later.