Tina sat at the table in her dining room. Tests and essays were spread across the table. She was steady grading papers with a red pen. She jumped sending the red pen into the air when she heard the gentle knock at the open glass doors behind her.

"Jesus, Callie you scared me." She said settling back into her chair.

"Sorry." Callie said. She picked up the pen as she walked over to the table.

"Its after midnight, what are you doing here? You should be in bed." Tina said.

"Mom and I were talking. Here." Callie said handing Tina the red pen.

"Oh thanks." Tina said.

"She sent me to tell you that Jack was asleep with Will again." Callie said.

"I’m never going to get used to that." Tina said.

"you know it doesn’t have anything to do with you." Callie said sitting down.

"My head knows that but my heart doesn’t." Tina admitted.

"Will used to do the same thing. I’m sure mom knows how you feel." Callie said.

"He did." Tina said. Callie nodded yes as she looked over the table.

"I haven’t graded yours yet if that’s what you are looking for." Tina said.

"It wasn’t." Callie said. Tina went back to grading papers.

She felt oddly comfortable with Callie there.

"Tina?" Callie said with an unsure voice. One Tina had never heard from her. Tina had only seen her be defiant and bold.

"Yeah." She said. She looked at Callie and saw her, really saw her. In that moment she saw the little girl Lance had described to her. The brave little girl that will never show fear to anyone, but deep inside is always afraid.

"You never my question." Callie said.

"What question is that?" Tina asked.

"Will you always be there for us?" Callie asked.

Tina sat quiet and still.

"Yes." She said confidently. She didn’t know why she had said because like Bette all she wanted to do was to take the kids and put them somewhere safe, give them to someone who could protect them.

"Promise?" Callie asked.

Tina thought for a moment. How could she show Callie that she was telling the truth.