#like callie who is desperate to connect with her mom and needs to know what happened but shauna won’t let her in

[saskiavanderbeek]

oh how quickly we’ve gone from shauna saying “she’s obsessed with my baby, tai!” to shauna’s baby actually being obsessed with her (it’s been 25 years)

( https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdJ8yyNP/ )

[jilyandbambi]

With the Teen Timeline's focus on Shauna's postpartum depression/grief and the Adult Timeline showing how desperate Callie is to know about that part of her mom's life + Callie--for all that Shauna keeps her at a distance--being shown to be the only person who can get Shauna to open up and speak on her trauma, however briefly (thinking of the heart to heart they had in s2, that scene where they're sitting on the hood of the minivan), and now the Necklace Incident in this most recent episode

I have a feeling that we're building up to Shauna telling Callie about losing Wilderness Baby, about giving birth in the cabin, hallucinating that he lived, how the other girls' trying to mourn him only made things worse.

Callie already knows about her brother, ofc, but what she longs for and needs is to hear her mother's story from Shauna herself, and I feel like Shauna's fit about the necklace will make Callie dig her heels in more. The necklace is obviously connected to Jackie and Shauna's role as Butcher, but Shauna is (understandably) not ready to go there yet. So telling her daughter about the first child she never got to know would be a fair compromise for Shauna. As she said at the end of their minivan convo, "Can that be enough for now?"

[lunawish]

i think there is something exceptionally powerful about the fact that callie chose to keep quinn in her full name. her name's "callie quinn adams foster" not "callie quinn jacob adams foster" and it's just so empowering tbh.

let's think about it. callie's spent at best 8 years with donald jacob as a present parental figure and then 7 years going from home to home until she was taken in by the fosters. half of the time she spent with the name callie jacob was her being powerless, scared, and insecure. she's spent half of that time (her most formative years mind you) dealing with trauma after trauma after trauma. the jacob name at the time of her changing her last name symbolized a past she does not want to relive ever again. she never wants to feel that powerless, that weak again.

let's not also mention the fact how donald, in the eyes of a scared, traumatized teenager didn't fight for her and jude. yes he needed to get his shit together but the fact she felt abandoned does not change. he didn't go looking for callie and jude, even if it was a 'hey i need to get my stuff together but im gonna get you' would've made a huge difference.

robert quinn, during the short time he's known callie has done do much more than donald had. he's desperately tried to make up for lost time, do what he could to support her in ways that almost felt like what her moms were doing for her. yes she's got into shit, yes he's felt frustrated and annoyed by it (just like her moms) but at the end he stood by her and tried to work through the problems (just like her moms!!) him signing the abandonment papers was nothing like donald (from a teenager's perspective i must strongly emphasize) who didn't even really bother try and it just confimed callie's internalized theory that he didn't want her.

robert, stef, and lena all made her feel wanted. but ultimately the adams foster felt like home — the quinns did not. not in the same way. the feeling of home is a connection she could never quite explain. robert's her dad, stef and lena are her moms but most importantly stef and lena's family is her home... her family too. she feels safe in their house. she feels safe knowing that every person in that family is her ride or die — robert's? not so much.

anyways i can prolly write a whole essay on this but tldr; her name is something she's proud of and it's a reminder of her having people in her corner but most importantly, it reminds her that she'll always have a home.

[travisismylaurapalmer]

Shauna Misty and Callie a Trauma trifecta

A analysis I guess

I think was makes Shauna her own type of of ceazy is that she had a bodily experience having a child and no control over what to do about the baby was probably going to die given a lack of access to proper food and vitamins and what she could do other than a unsafe abortion

So she has this baby but a having a baby can change your body there's always a chance of postpartum depression all while she's in puberty this fundamentally alters her sense of self while in the woods with water that might be toxic itself and that's not counting the weird attitude Lottie has about her child

So I think because of this Shauna's particular desire for control which at first is wanting not be as attached to Jackie despite the homoerotic bestie thing going on and I think her fucking Jeff is part of that control and desire

But when they've been in the forest for a while and she has all these experiences her desire for control becomes a reclamation of will sorta like a mom who feels like she doesn't have control over her life so she's puts her emotions on her children or deals with them in a way that isn't healthy for her kids

This becomes ego because she attaches herself worth to being antler queen when she becomes an adult it turns into maintaining a normal life and in turn she is perturbed Misty's openly creepy vibe

I mention misty because she is of all the girls the most seemlingy neglected at home and her crazy is born partially out of loneliness and I wouldn argue comphet as well her other psychological issues

Mistys comphet is obsessive she wants to heal and take over canon homosexual coach Ben but Shauna started sleeping with him got through a need to be connected to Jackie sexualy (classic comphet story line lmaoand have something over Jackie so control but more importantly comphet expressed differently

I don't think Shauna hates Jeff but I definitely think she's not the most helpful and she lives life with him out of a comphet obligation she loves him in a way but her rejection of him is more like nuanced she for whatever ended in up with him instead of the other yjs who have jobs or are addicted and to unstable to be consistently somewhere

Now that we have that I want to talk about misty and Shauna's relationship to the men that are or seem to be related to them via yj history and/or are obsessed or super fans of the yjs

When misty and Walter start to hang and be hetero misty she gets with him to make the Adam tracks are covered up so again not ideal for a romance but she's not quite fond persay she's very frank about his vibe being weird she doesn't shy away from getting away from him if she doesn't like what he's doing and she kicks him out her house but important to note here misty has a job and a place and occasionally goes on dates to achieve some sort of hetero passingness(like subconsciously) she doesn't need a man and when she senses Walter trying to isolate her she kicks him out she is fairly independent

So Adam meets Shauna after they crash into each other and then he happens to work at the car shop that's weird he doesn't know her like her husband doesn't and they don't have history so she feels less stuck in the Jackie of it all and then she finds out he has some yj stuff and she stabs him which is a choice that reads as she hasn't managed to deal with having a more normal reaction to a situation

I think Callie is closer to misty behaviorally she's probably spent a lot of her childhood bullied in school like misty she can get away with going out to late because her mom is doing fuck all so similar neglect she's quietly vicious but just as misty is desperate for the yjs affection so is Callie for her mother she unlike her mother can't hide her unabased chaos and nature like misty

When adult Shauna sees misty she seems somone who is more free who is a weird lady she sees young misty desperate and hungry but prepared for violence she's everything Shauna doesn't want to be and wants to be and to some extent more like Callie but

And this isn't to say Callie's isn't like her mom she's got a pretty quick inclination to help cover up the murder and she makes it worse and she drugs misty to talk to Lottie which is as misty says apple tree

But what I find the most interesting is that I don't think misty is particularly obsessed with Shauna like she tells about Ben being maybe alive and she baby-sits for Shauna but I would argue she's got a way more like romantic fruity vibe with nat which makes her rant at misty in the car where she's like why do you do anything and lists things related to nat even weirder to me

Like the way nat just shows up with a gun in misty house and she's so focused on nat that the guy says he's leaving and nat knowing misty messed with her car and going with her the way nat's seemlingy whatever about misty suddenly running into hotel room when nats about to do a shit ton of coke the way misty calls nat specifically her best Friend I will say the Ben thing is weird and Shauna saying that is like valid

My point is misty is not particularly interested in the wilderness as a agenda and she has relationship with nat that is specifically has a complicated like queer dependent romantic undertone so Shauna why you do bla bla is kinda self centered and silly and implies that misty lives revolves around the yjs which it does not

Misty is a woman who likes to look at murders and works and maybe kills people at a nursing home she existed before the gang started talking to her again and she will after to because Shauna life in a way revolves around Jackie she assumes that other people lives revolve around her she assumes misty doesn't do anything else

When you add in that Jeff is the way more emotionally competent when it comes to Callie and he's the one with job is creates any interesting position for Shauna and brings me back to my point Shauna's desire for control is related to how she has been burndened with becoming pregnant

While misty makes choices that make other peoples life worse but not from a desire to fit in she's just normal enough to get buy where as Shauna as saught so much control over how she is perceived for better or for worse I can see how hiding it from Callie is fair thing to do she represses her needs and desires

[calzona-ga]

SPOILER ALERT: The story includes details about the April 1 episode of Grey’s Anatomy.

After a string of intense and heavy episodes marked by tragedy, including the deaths of DeLuca as well as Bailey’s mom, Grey’s Anatomy delivered a hopeful one-hour tonight. The biggest development came at the very end, when Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) was taken off the ventilator and was able to breathe on her own. She was “helped” by two old friends who tragically died nine years ago, her sister Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) and Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) who visited her on the beach and made the case why she needed to fight to live.

While Leigh’s return was revealed in the promo at the end of last episode, Dane’s appearance was kept a surprise as his Mark joined Meredith and Lexie on the beach. As the trio chatted, Mark shared that he talks to his daughter Sofia, as well as her moms, Callie and Arizona, all the time. Mark and Lexie also showed a lot of affection towards each other, and when Meredith asked if the two were still together, Mark said, “On your beach it looks like we are.”

While Meredith kept saying how much she loves it on the beach, Lexie and Mark talked about what they miss about being alive and urged her to choose life. “Don’t waste one single minute,” Mark said in their final conversation before Meredith was taken out of the coma, possibly ending the season-long beach motif, conceived by showrunner Krista Vernoff, which also featured visits from Patrick Dempsey’s  Derek Shepherd and T.R. Knight’s George O’Malley.

Elsewhere in the episode, there were positive developments all-around. The two main medical cases had happy endings, including one where the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial faced a Sophie’s Choice situation with one ventilator left and a mother and her daughter both in desperate need to be intubated. Teddy was on the mend, Owen and Koracick almost reconciled. And, along with Meredith’s successful reentry after she was taken off the machine, Winston proposes to Maggie at the end of the episode, and she said yes.

In an interview with Deadline, Dane spoke about how his Grey’s return came about. He took us behind the scenes of filming the beach scenes with Pompeo and Leigh, shared his take on Mark and Lexie’s relationship status and the duo’s pivotal role in giving Meredith strength to cling onto life when she is taken off the ventilator. He also discussed the remarkable longevity of Grey’s Anatomy and his return to production on his current series, HBO’s Euphoria.

DEADLINE: When and how did you get approached about returning to Grey’s Anatomy?

DANE: I was in Shanghai, filming a movie, a Chinese production for that market, a historical piece, and Krista reached out to me and said, hey, I’d like to talk to you about something, let me know when you have some time. I said well, I’m in Shanghai, China right now, let’s talk right when I get back. I don’t remember the timeline, I know I was in Shanghai in August. She explained to me what was happening in the story, and she said, we want to put Mark Sloan on the beach with Lexie Grey.

DEADLINE: What was your reaction? Did you like the idea?

DANE: Yeah, I thought it was a great idea. I thought it made sense, considering the circumstances.

DEADLINE: What do you mean?

DANE: I mean, if you’re ever going to bring Mark Sloan back, I guess with Meredith in a coma, it’s a good way for her to see him. So, it wasn’t a tough sell, and it made sense.

DEADLINE: Tell me about the filming of your scenes. You got to spend time with Ellen and Chyler, the crew. How was it going back into character, revisiting your past and reuniting with old friends?

DANE: It was like I’d never left. It was a great day at the beach. It was great to see some of the familiar faces and same crew members, and we didn’t skip a beat. I love those people. I spent a significant portion of my life with those people, I’d do just about anything for them.

DEADLINE: What did you, Ellen and Chyler chat about in-between takes?

DANE: Masks, Covid. I hadn’t seen Chyler in a while, but Ellen I stay in contact with, and just, how are the kids? Kids are good. Small talk. There wasn’t a lot of time in-between takes because of the protocols and how we had to set it up. So, once we got going, it was almost like a runaway train.

DEADLINE: And it was easy to go back into character?

DANE: Yeah. I mean, look, I created Mark Sloan. It was not that difficult for me to get back into character.

DEADLINE: What did you think about Mark and Lexie playing such an important role in giving Meredith a will to live and a reason to fight as she soon thereafter started to breathe on her own?

DANE: Well, Mark Sloan and Lexie Grey are embedded in the DNA of that show, and also literally, Lexie and Meredith share the same DNA. So, I think there’s a connectivity there and reminding her that, gone but not forgotten, we’re always around if you need us, and it’s too early for you to stay on the beach.

DEADLINE: And there was something comforting, I’m sure, in you reassuring fans that Mark is OK…

DANE: Sure. Absolutely. You see that everybody’s okay and happy; it allows you to want to come back for something.

DEADLINE: .. And that Mark also is watching over his daughter.

DANE: Yeah, whether she’s listening to me or not. You always have somebody looking over you. I lost my father at a very early age, and I feel like he’s watching over me in some capacity.

DEADLINE: When Meredith asked whether Mark and Lexie were together, you said “On your beach, we are”. What do you make of that, does it mean that they’re happily together in our imagination?

DANE: I didn’t dig too deep into that. I sort of took it as like, not in your imagination but the way you’re seeing it in your subconsciousness, wherever you are right now, whatever state of being you’re existing in this coma, fever dream, whatever it is, I guess that’s (Meredith’s) projection of perfection. Mark and Lexie are together forever, and I’m sure Mark and Lexie aren’t too bummed about it either.

DEADLINE: What is your vision of Mark and Lexie, how you think that their story continues in the afterlife?

DANE: Mark would’ve found Lexie. He would’ve found her eventually.

DEADLINE: Since you left Grey’s Anatomy, you did one successful series, The Last Ship, which ran for five seasons, and now you are on a second successful series, Euphoria. Meanwhile, Grey’s Anatomy is still going. How do explain the longevity of that show which continues to be going strong 17 seasons in?

DANE: Well, I think there’s a lot of factors but at its core it’s just a great show. People connect with the characters on that show. It seemed to have found a whole new generation of viewership. Shows typically will grow up with a generation, an audience, and eventually that audience will either outgrow that show or move onto something else. But with Grey’s, there’s always been an alchemy in that cast, a dynamic, a chemistry which keeps people showing up. The writing’s good. Krista, Shonda (Rhimes), Betsy (Beers) and now Debbie Allen’s exec producing the show. They’re so good at understanding the tone of that show and finding characters that people will invest in, and what that translates to is season 17.

DEADLINE: Is there anything you miss about Grey’s?

DANE: Well, I’ve maintained contact with a lot of the cast members. An answer somebody would give you, had they not, would’ve been I missed the people, but I’m still friends with all of them. So, there wasn’t really anything to miss.

DEADLINE: Are you going back into production on Euphoria soon?

DANE: In mid-April. We’re actually started now on Season 2. I think I don’t start shooting for a couple weeks, but we are. I’m sure we’re going to get this out as soon as we can. We’ve set a pretty high bar. I’m very proud of that show, everybody involved is very proud of that show.

[riverdalepoet]

I’ve Got You  part 2

Word Count: 2236

Warnings: depictions of violence, abuse, and injuries.

Tag List: @romanticgumchewer   @serpentlullaby     @chipster-21  @lilhemmo

A/N:  @hugharekillianmelou was such a great help in making the edits of Callie’s brusies.  Lou truly is an editing genius.  In this chapter,  we find out a little about Sweet Pea and Calloway’s past.

 Leave your comments!!!! This story is on wattpad and Ao3.  Message me if you want to be added to the tag list. 

Chapter 1

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                 When Sweet Pea was through with them, Lonnie and Madden were tossed out back.  Hog Eye handed him a bar towel to wipe his bloody hands on. He had managed to take his shirt off in the heat of the fight. Sweets never enjoyed the constraints of any fabric against his straining muscles.  FP tossed it to him as he made his way over.  “Feel better?” he asked clapping a hand to his shoulder.

                 He shrugged nonchalantly, but his crooked grin gave him away making the former Serpent King laugh.  “Loads. They had it coming.”

                “Sweets!” Toni shouted from the top of the stairs.  He turned on the spot tensing instantly from the intensity in her voice.  “Get up here!”

                 FP motioned for him to go. He wrangled his shirt haphazardly over his head, taking the steps two at a time.  He heard the screams from the other side of the door along with the gentle shushing from Toni.  “PLEASE! Just let me go!”

                 He raced in, grabbing her thrashing arms and holding them firmly over her head.  “Callie, come on…” Toni was at a loss.  “Pea, she just woke up like this.  If she doesn’t calm down, she’ll pop those stitches.”

                Calloway fought against his hold desperately, eyes wild and nostrils flared. ���Look at me, Callie,” he pleaded as Toni tried to still her legs kicking under him. He grunted with effort surprised at the fight left in her despite her injuries.

                 “No!” she cried out.  “I don’t want this.  I didn’t ask for this!”  Sweet Pea and Toni exchanged a grim look.  They recalled Dr. Ellis’ suspicions- terrified that he might have been right.  Sweet Pea knew that what Toni said was true.  If Callie didn’t snap out of this and quick, she’d be in worse shape than she started out in.

                “Calloway Camden, look at me right now!” he raised his voice using a little more force to restrain her arms. Slowly, she stopped her frantic movements.  Her eyes finally stilled on his face.  “Pea,” she choked out.  Sweet Pea released his grip on her arms, moving his palms to the bed on either side of her face.

                 “I’m right here.”  Nothing could have prepared him for the leap in his chest when her breaths started to hitch.  He scrambled to hold her, pulling her securely into his side and rubbing soothing circles on her arm.  Toni remained stock still at the foot of the bed, watching the scene with awe.  She couldn’t remember ever seeing Sweet Pea this compassionate.

                 “They hurt me, Sweet Pea.  They hurt me, and I thought they’d never stop,” she sobbed breaking his heart in the process.  He gently brushed his aching knuckles along the soft lines of her cheek.

                 “I know, angel.  I’m so sorry.  You’re safe now.  You’re here with me,” he murmured.  Her hands gripped his forearms as if at any moment he’d be gone again.  Callie flinched when Toni reached out a hand to pat her leg.  “Hey, it’s just Toni.  Do you trust me?” She nodded weakly.  “Good. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you again, Callie, I swear.”

                 Her gaze shifted to Toni and her eyes widened with embarrassment. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-“.

                 Toni held up her hand in reply and smiled. “Don’t sweat it.  I’m gonna go, though.  See you guys tomorrow.  Callie smiled at her and Sweet Pea followed suit.  The girl still wrapped in his arms was sinking deeper into the warmth of his chest.  He dragged his hands lazily up the length of her arm until she was almost out.  “I’ve missed you,” she mumbled falling back to sleep.

                 Sweet Pea smiled pressing his chin softly into her the crown of her head. “I’ve missed you too.”  The sweet smell of her shampoo took him back to the first time they met a little over ten years ago.

                Southside Elementary sucked. Sweet Pea hated the lunches, the library, and most importantly, the older boys that pushed him around at recess. His dad told him to suck it up and use his fists if he needed to but they never gave him a fighting chance. He learned that if he hid, they would find someone else to tease and he would be in the clear.

                 As soon as Mrs. Singer’s second-grade class made it outside, he made a dash for the safety of the blue slide.  He crouched down at the mouth of the slide and snuck further behind it walking backward until he bumped into something. “OW!” a small voice called out.

                 He whirled around ears burning bright red to see who had called out.  A tiny girl about his age with blonde hair and bright blue eyes stared back at him with a timid expression mirrored on her face.  “I- I’m sorry.  I was just-“

                “Hiding from the big kids, yeah, I know. You’re Sweet Pea, right?  I’m Calloway, but you can call me Callie.” she finished for him, wiping her nose on the sleeve of her dress.  Her arms reached to yank him against the curve as some other kids ran by.  He shuffled to her, clutching her arm in fear.

                 “Do they pick on you too?” he asked after the coast was clear.  After looking at her, he realized she was in his class.  She sat in the back and didn’t talk to anyone, but always doodled on her papers.

                 “No, but I saw them with you yesterday.  They shouldn’t be so mean.” The crinkle in her forehead made him giggle. It was the same look his mom made when she was mad.  Right as he opened his mouth to thank her, he saw the older boys approach them.

                 “Well if it isn’t Sweetie Pie…” they taunted. Sweet Pea cowered against the slide.

                 “His name is Sweet Pea,” Callie answered for him, rising to her feet.  Sweet Pea tried with all his might to keep her from going toe to toe with them. When he realized there was no stopping her, his hands gripped her shoulders, hiding behind her.

                 “Who asked you?  You letting little girls fight for you,” the oldest boy hissed out.

                 “I’m not all that littler than you.  My mommy told me if someone is being mean to stop them. His name is Sweet Pea and you need to leave him alone.”  Sweet Pea could not believe that she was standing up for him.

                 The group of boys tried to worm their way around her to get to Pea, but she wasn’t having any of it.  When one of them shoved her, she brought a sharp knee to his stomach sending him to the ground.  The others scampered off looking back at her with wide eyes.  Sweet Pea giggled at the sight of them running away looking as frightened as he did just yesterday.  There, with his face hidden safely in her hair, he knew that the quiet girl who went out of her comfort zone to defend him would be his best friend.

                 When she stirred slightly in her sleep, he adjusted his position to make himself comfortable. In that moment with the smell of strawberries soothing him the same way it did when he was seven, he followed her lead slipping right off to sleep.  

                 The morning came far too early for Callie. The sun streaming through the curtains woke her, and she moved to stretch like she always did before remembering what that would feel like to her battered body.  She felt fingers twirling the ends of her hair and jumped slightly. “Shhh, it’s just me,” Sweet Pea’s sleepy voice whispered in her ear.  She instantly relaxed back into the bed before turning to face him.

                 “You didn’t have to sleep on top of the covers, I’m sorry.” She lifted a fist to rub her eye, but Pea reached out to stop her before it connected with the bruises that painted her skin.  The light of day did nothing to fade the violent blues and reds that covered her and the very sight of them made Sweet Pea want to hit something again.

                 “Don’t be, you know I’m hot-natured. Hey princess, we gotta take you to Dr. Ellis today.  You up for it?” Her face scrunched up at him before she remembered her ankle.  The doctor had it bound up tightly to keep it in place, but the compression wasn’t doing much to lighten the throbbing.

                 “Yeah, can we get it over with?” He nodded, moving to get up from the bed. She rolled gently to her side finding the right way to stand without causing too much pain.

                 His hands helped her to her feet and she offered a simple smile in return.  “Whatever you want.  I’ve got your bag right here.  If you want to get ready in the bathroom, I can wait right here.  Just please yell if you need me.”  Callie thanked him shyly. As she limped her way to the bathroom, she could feel Sweet Pea’s worried eyes following her every move. From what she remembered of his protectiveness, he hadn't changed one bit.

                 After she was ready, Pea took his turn before he came out in his usual jeans and flannel.  He reached his hand out to lift her from where she sunk back into the bed. He went to lift her up in his arms and chuckled when she protested.  “Callie, how do you think I got you up here?  You really want to try going down the stairs on your own?”

                 Callie sighed giving into his hold on her and letting go of her argument.  “Okay, okay. Let’s just go.”  As they reached the bottom step, Callie looked at all the Serpents sleeping soundly on the cots cramped together.  She looked pointedly at Fangs and Toni, tears welling up in her eyes.  Sweet Pea followed her stare and squeezed her slightly.  “What are we gonna do, Pea?”

                 He turned heading for the door before answering her quietly, “We’re gonna make it work, Cal, we always do.”  When he didn’t turn for his bike, Callie questioned where they were going.  “Well FP just got back from seeing Jughead, so he offered us the truck while you were in the bathroom.”

                “Where’s Jughead?” Callie questioned as Sweets sat her on the bench seat.  “I thought he’d be here.”

                 “Penny Peabody and the Ghoulies left him for dead. He’s in bad shape.” Sweet Pea started the truck and merged onto Highway 14 towards uptown.  Callie looked out the window tracing the bruises on her arms. The Ghoulies hurt more than just her last night and that made her feel so much worse.

                 The drive to the clinic wasn’t long and soon she was being carried in the back door straight into an examination room.  Dr. Ellis prodded and poked until he was satisfied, ultimately deciding against surgery.  Once she was put into a stronger cast, the doctor started listing off instructions.  “Alrighty, Callie.  You’re gonna be on these crutches for the next six weeks and then we’ll see where that ankle is at, okay?”

                 She nodded noticing Sweet Pea typing notes quickly into his phone from the corner of her eye. “I’m gonna give you some meds for the pain, but make sure to eat something when you take them.  Otherwise, you’ll get sick.  Now those stitches and bruises… let’s see you back in a week. If you need me before then, Sweet Pea…”

                 Sweet Pea shoved his phone in his pocket and rose from the chair to shake the doctor’s hand.  “I’ve got your number.  Thank you, man, for everything.”  Once Dr. Ellis was out of the room, Sweet Pea slumped against Callie’s shoulder. “Thank God, I just knew he would want you to have surgery for that food,” he moaned.

                 She swung her legs against the table, examining the blue cast and testing her balance on the crutches that the nurse brought for her.  “Sweet Pea…”

                 His eyes snapped up immediately to her face and her bottom lip that was trapped between her teeth.  “What is it?”  Despite the years, he knew by her tone of voice that she was on the verge of tears.

                 “I’m clumsy enough on my own two feet.  How am I supposed to get around with these?” She pouted when he laughed at her question and indignant expression.  She felt helpless and as much as she was grateful for Sweet Pea, she hated having to depend on anyone.

 A warm hand landed on the small of her back as she hobbled towards the truck. Every few steps, she stumbled and Sweet Pea would reach to steady her every time. Looking at her in the direct sunlight made him feel horrible.  Her face, always so sweet and trusting, had one black eye, a bruised cheek from being slapped, and a pitifully split lip.  Her neck bore the proof of the rough way she was handled- choked and slung around.  Her arms had a jagged cut, no doubt from Malachi’s knife, and finger- shaped bruises at her elbows and forearms.  Her long legs- one in a cast and stitched up and the other with scrapes and burn marks- looked heartbreakingly frail.  As his eyes swept over every injury, he vowed to himself to get revenge on whoever put her through this and never allow it to happen again.   “I’ve got you, angel.  Don’t worry about that.”

[1nkweaver]

PICK N OPAL!!! 1- What happens when your character doesn't get what they want? 2- How well can this character resist their emotions and impulses? 3- If the character were to come face to face with their darkest fears in a nightmare, what would they see? 4-Do they prefer sweet, salty, sour, meaty, spicy, or neutral tastes? 5- whats their feelings on the groups their with lately?

1- What happens when your character doesn't get what they want?

Opal: It really depends on what it is tbh. Opal will either let it go immediately, or he’ll keep pushing subtly, or he’ll have a “do it yourself” attitude to it. If it’s some kind of divine plan thing, he’s -going- to make it happen, that’s the long and short of it.

Pick: He probably just whines really XD but if he’s not getting what he wants because his opinion or thought process is like being put down then he’ll get aggressive. He really buts heads with people on moral issues and developing plans because I think he thinks that you should always debate every possibility.

2- How well can this character resist their emotions and impulses?

Opal is stoic as fuuuuuck man...it’s hard to really feel like he -has- impulses, but I definitely want him to almost be like -TOO- in control of his emotions. Yknow, like seeing your church get destroyed with your people inside it and seemingly not reacting super duper hard, just kinda...staring at it. (Yeah Baughn, that’s basically what he did when that happened do you feel bad?)

Pick is very emotional on the other hand. He tries so desperately to think about what would Anders do because he always felt Anders was smart, but Anders almost always acted on his feelings, and he instilled that in Pick a bit. Pick thinks first with his gut, then with his heart, and last with his brain- but he uses all three. Goblin nature in my mind is to be very id driven, so he very often just -goes- with his instincts and feelings, he doesn’t question them bc he feels that’s the truest part of himself.

3- If the character were to come face to face with their darkest fears in a nightmare, what would they see?

Opal dreams of building something, and while those things have been destroyed before and he’s had to start over, there has always been a sense of rebuilding. Opal’s worst nightmare would be that sense of total defeat- he’s dying, his friends are dying around him, and everything he built is being destroyed in one fell swoop. It’s kind of dramatic but Opal doesn’t really think about things on a personal level, his worst nightmare is being there for the end of the world.

Pick’s nightmare is a lot more real and personal. He’d be back in a place he was before. A place with music, and laughter, and a lot of voices...and he’s looking at it while either standing over a corpse, or looking out from between bars.

4-Do they prefer sweet, salty, sour, meaty, spicy, or neutral tastes?

Opal definitely has a sweet tooth- I remember in waterdeep he had the equivalent of fish and chips and he found it..interesting but strange. I must imagine he loves things like custard and candied apples and the like, probably caramel too, things of that nature would really make him feel happy.

Pick eats a lot of things so he has a really expanded palette, I mean the guy will eat garbage. I think it’s partially goblin instinct to like salty and meaty things, like gamey raw meat and stuff like that. But I also personally think that now, especially with the gourmand feat, that he has a real big love for spicy. Not necessarily spicy hot (though he’d love that) but spicy flavorful, like with indian food and the like. Just really powerful flavors.

5- whats their feelings on the groups their with lately?

The Opal of Waterdeep has developed very slowly, I last left off with a month long timeskip while we rebuilt trollskull manor. He thinks that he can help them, but he needs their help too, and he’s been learning their secrets and keeping his close. I remember I wrote out a whole speech for Opal because he believes he got one of the characters backstories figured out, and meant to confront them about it. 

Opal of Avisten is a little bit different- he’s older, wiser, but more grizzled and lives in a more dangerous uncivilized world. It was his plan to actually assemble the party itself, he gathered these people and chose them individually for a reason. They are his people, they are his flock. I hate to use the religious allegory but Opal sees himself as the “jesus” figure and all of the rest of the party are his “apostles”. Maybe they’ll listen to him, maybe they’ll betray him. But they’re all integral to each other and they all have something that Opal needs to do for them, and they will do something in return for Opal. Deep down they are good people, flawed people, but they need each other. As Ida would say they are twisted.

Picks ideas on the party are...complicated, a lot now, like a lot. Let’s break it down:

Jin- The first person he met, didn’t think much of him at all. A very typical roguish type- talks a lot, not a lot of wit, good with his fingers, a himbo. They’re fast “friends” but Pick really wants a rivalry. Jin is proving to be more than what he appeared, smart, multifaceted. Pick still thinks he’s “better” but he thinks Jin is also necessary. The first person Pick would call a friend. Jins sexual advances make Pick confused and uncomfortable. Pick wishes that Jin would be more real- he saw Jin having his nightmare and associates strongly with him. Pick wants to be able to “hash it out like dudes” but Pick is not one for heavy drinking or drugs or sex. He’s not about to bond and tell sad backstory over getting drunk, which he thinks is the main way that it would come out of Jin. He kinda also wants to see Jin angry, because he thinks that Jin is closing that off too. He thinks Jin is being friendly but he isn’t being “real” with him, which is ironic because Jin is very “down to earth, says it like it is” kind of dude...but he’s not -really- doing it. He’s not being -really real- with Pick right now, which is fine, it’s not the time for it. But can they just have a real conversation? Please? 

Kai- Technically the second person that Pick met after Jin. Strange, youthful nature, naive, good heart. The kind of person you call kid and ruffle up his hair. A tiefling- weird, foreign, strange. The thing Pick honestly doesn’t understand at this point is why the fuck does everyone baby this kid. Yeah he gets scared but that’s a good thing- and hello don’t know if you realized it but Kai is stronger than most of you. Where Pick sees others trying to protect Kai’s innocence, Pick sees someone that needs to be seriously trained if he’s staying in this group. Stop babying him and show him how to properly use his sword. Don’t keep him away from things that give him fear, show him how to kill his fears. Pick doesn’t consider Kai a friend, but he considers Kai the “goodest” person of the group. Pick sees Kai as someone who by every right should turn to evil and is choosing to do good, instead of someone who was just born good and did what was expected of him.

Aspasia- Strange, strange woman. Strong, obviously- but out of place. Why is she here? Why is she connecting with these people. There is a mind behind that muscle that is being ignored- and god Aspasia is literally always thinking about other things. Pick initially thought Callie and Aspasia were lovers- he’s still not really sure? But apparently Sia also is loosy goosy with Jin, he doesn’t understand their friendship at all. Pick and Aspasia haven’t spoken but he feels an unspoken energy between them. Their desire to fight, and OOC I know if they talked their goals would align more strongly than anyone else’s in the group so far. Pick thinks Aspasia needs to speak the fuck up with her words more than her muscles as of late because she’s not talking.

Ida- The absolute largest conflict of interest all in one person. Ida both reflects things that Pick severely, severely hates in this world, while at the same time being the one that most accurately reflects Anders as a person, the person Pick respects the most. This has led to a very very difficult understanding of Ida in Pick’s eyes. Pick hates Ida, he hates that she’s so nice, self sacrificing, puts herself down, acts like the mom, and he hates clerics. He doesnt’ think she deserves to be lied to however. He may hate a lot of the things that Ida represents, but not a single person in the party has Picks -respect- besides her. Pick was going up that hill, and everyone could have yelled at him to turn back and he would not have, the only person that could (and did) convince him in that moment was Ida. Pick will argue with any member of this party but in the end he will do what -Ida- says to do. That’s what she deserves. Not his kindness, not his love or admiration or friendship, but his respect. He’s respecting her because she right now is the closest thing to Anders. And damn if Pick hates that.

Callie- Quiet, curious, Callie. Pick thought her and Aspasia were lovers, he’s still not really sure, but their inseparable nature reminds him of him and Anders- he would never get in between them. Except...for the fact that for whatever reason he fancies Callie. It might be just because she’s someone he can literally talk eye to eye with, but there’s more than that. He appreciates that she doesn’t have to talk a lot, he finds her care for animals endearing even if he’s afraid of horses, and her abilities in combat are varied. Her use of magic frightens him, but she’s hard to read. He does straight up find Callie cute, attractive. In a way that he hopes isn’t creepy he likes...holding her hand and stuff? He thinks she’s very soft, he sees a kind of...goblin nature inside of her? Kinda like a little flame of passion that she keeps really really well hidden- but her understanding of nature, her “going off alone” ness..very goblin like and that draws him to her, and then she doesn’t have a goblins (admitedly, freakish) outward appearance. He likes her a lot, he’s sad that she seems to pull away so often, he blames himself..? Wants to find a way to get through to her. Now that Callie has a wolf Picks childhood dream of being an Outrider was reawakened.

Siril: Big man. Pick does not understand why the hell Siril is here at all. He is by far probably the most out of place person in the group in Picks first impressions, but he’s sticking around. He has been wanting to have an actual just good old getting to know you talk one on one with Siril since the very beginning just based on the fact that he’s interesting! Pick has never seen a Firbolg before, they’re so -different- as people and Pick is totally okay with that! He wants to talk about it! He thought maybe on that watch that they had together last game they’d finally talk but it seems that they most likely spent it in silence. Seeing Siril go from really aggressive to Jin to almost warming up to him, as well as warming up to Sia...hurt Pick a little. Not necessarily as jealousy, but perhaps something similar. Pick thought they had a lot in common, they were the new guys to the group and in Picks opinion he thought they were really the “freaks”. They’re the weird races, and he just feels like he’s...missed out on a shot. He thinks Siril doesn’t really find him interesting and he really can’t place a finger on it but ever since he came to the party Pick wants to impress Siril. That’s why he gave him space when it was clear he was annoyed, that’s why he went along and did as much work on the murder case as he could, it’s why he -went- with Siril to see the widow and gave her all his gold. It’s why when Pick was asked by Siril if he was a good person Pick gave him a truthful answer of “you are useful” because truth is what Pick gives to people that he feels are deserving of a harsh answer. He thought they’d talk more since then and they really haven’t, and Pick wonders if all that time trying to impress Siril was for naught, he really doesn’t have the emotional maturity to figure out why he’s feeling what he’s feeling, but he just has those base feelings. Does he “like” Siril, is he “attracted?” He doesn’t know how to process that, but he had an instinctual desire to impress him, to be seen as useful or interesting to him, and seeing him bond with other people that Pick wasn’t expecting him to (ie, not me, the other “freak”) he feels...hurt by it.

[oddcoupler222]

oh why hello haley quinn i was wondering if you could talk about your WIPs for BECHLOE, CALZONA AND HOLLSTEIN!!!!!!! ~boom BUH-BYE

i……. but…. this is… you are asking me for so much?! fine. fine! fine.

bechloe - sing me a song/i’ll sing it back to you

set somewhat during the first movie, but a twist in that it’s a soulmate au, where you can hear the song your soulmate has stuck in their head.

excerpt:

The first time Beca had the whole soulmate thing explainedto her, she was four years old.

It all started because she fell asleep one night with thetune of a song she’d never heard before in her head when her mom tucked her in.And when she hummed the melody the next day, it was easily overlooked. But aweek later, when the song only came in louder, it started to become annoying.Because all she wanted to do was play with her stuffed animals, but the stupid thing wouldn’t leave her head.

And when she complained to her mom and dad about it, becausenear, far, wherever you are, I believethat the heart does go on wouldn’t go away even when she sang along to her ownfavorite song – the theme to Animaniacs – they had exchanged a loaded lookbefore sitting her down, to tell her the basics that every parent had toexplain to their child at some point:

About how everyone in the world had a soulmate, and thatwhen your soulmate had a song stuck in their head, you could hear it in yours,too.

About how it didn’t happen with every song they heard, only the ones they really couldn’t stoplistening to, ones that they were focused on.

About how people usually didn’t start connecting on thatlevel with their soulmate until they were decently older than four, but itseemed like Beca’s connection was pretty strong.

About how the stronger a connection you shared, the clearerand louder you heard the songs.

And about how – no,Beca, you can’t turn it off, and stop calling everything stupid.

calzona - once upon a time

fairytale au, in which Callie’s dad and Arizona’s dad are kings of neighboring countries, that had been regularly at war with one another, until there was a prophecy that brought them together. Predicting the union of the countries that would bring prosperity to both nations, which results in Callie becoming betrothed to Tim.

Growing up, Arizona and Callie meet a handful of times and never really get along, and tensions come to a head when Callie and Tim are supposed to get married very soon and Tim disappears. While he’s presumed dead, Arizona doesn’t believe it, and she sets out on a mission to find him… and Callie is just so infuriating (and might just have more to her than Arizona gave her credit for) when she refuses to stay behind.

excerpt:

Callie hated that her mother had given her the pointed look, an order in and of itself, to walk Arizona around the grounds while her belongings were settled in her room after her travels. As if the other princess didn’t know her own way around the grounds by this point after her visits over the years.

Still, she bit back a sigh as they walked by the ponds, always just a bit off-kilter with the blonde, and determined to remain cordial.

“How are your… exploits?”she asked, and regretted it as soon as she saw the slow smile spread overArizona’s face. Realizing her error, she backtracked quickly, “I – no, how wasyour travel here? I imagine it was uncomfortable, being in the back of thecarriage for so long with no one for company.”

All right, she would belying slightly if she said that the image didn’t amuse her.

“Oh, I wouldn’t say I hadno one for company. And I’m not exactly sore from sitting in the back of thecarriage,” she added, mischief growing in those bright blue eyes.

Her cheeks burned in embarrassment as she huffed out a breath and ignored the flip-flopping of her stomach, “You can never just give the expected answer.”

“That’s funny, becauseyou are exactly what I expect of you,” Arizona shot back, and it was just so easy for her to rile her up.

“What is that supposed tomean?”

“It means… you’reenamored with my brother when you’ve never even met him. The idea of a prince.The idea of some special prophecy. The first time we ever met, you wereinterested in exactly what a polite little princess was taught to be interestedin –”

“Despite what you thinkyou know of me, which is apparently a lot, you know nothing!” She knew nothingof the dreams Callie had for herself. Regardless of whether or not they mattered.

“Of course not. You won’t grow up to be the queen of akingdom. Married to a king, who holds all of the real power, and reducing youto spending your time with the children and hostess duties,” Arizona scoffed,rolling her eyes at Callie.

Who crossed her arms, jawin the air, “And you will be alone. Not betrothed to anyone.”

“At least I can think formyself, and have a future that isn’t in place just because some stupid prophecysaid it would be so before I was even born.”

“You know what I think? Ithink you’re jealous of your brother.”

“For getting to marryyou?”

“For being the prophecy!For being the warrior child, the courageous leader, and the crown who bringsabout harmony.”

(… leading to a rather undignified scuffle that lands them both in the lake)

hollstein – my godthey were roommates

in which Laura, a journalist caught up in investigating an alarmingly shady senator, posts a desperately in need roommate want ad. and Carmilla answers (unbeknownst to Laura, under extreme pressure from her foster mother to spy on that annoying journalist before she digs too deep)

excerpt:

She didn’t return fromthe newspaper office until nearly midnight, and when she did, she hesitatedoutside of the door for a few seconds. God, pleaselet this Carmilla girl not be a thief - just because she was desperate at the moment didn’t mean she was not having doubts about living with a woman who didn’t even want a tour of the apartment she was going to rent before moving in on a day’s notice.

Please let her belongings still be here – alongwith a magical rent check.

With a deep breath, shetried to hope for the best, and pushed open the door.

Honey brown eyes dartedaround the darkened living room, managing to adjust enough that she saw thather tv and blu-ray player were still there. So, that was a good sign. With asigh of relief, she stepped in and closed the door, turning the lock behind heras she walked in, toward the kitchen.

The light had been lefton, and her package of cookies was left on the counter. As she entered thekitchen, she looked around for the woman in question who must have taken outthe cookies, before she cleared her throat, “Carmilla?”

“Does anyone else have akey?” came the husky voice from behind her, and she jumped, trying to calm herracing heart as she turned to face her.

The leather jacket from this morning wasgone now and her jeans were unbuttoned. And unzipped, revealing rather sheerblack lace underwear and Laura’s face burned as her stomach twisted and she ranher eyes back up. Up, over a button-up flannel shirt was completely unbuttonedand open, revealing a black bra underneath.

Not that Laurapurposefully looked for very long.

Averting her eyes, shelooked up at the ceiling, flustered, “Uh, what?”

Carmilla lifted aneyebrow as a sly smirk slid onto her face, but she made no attempt to coverherself up, “You called out for me like someone else could be in here; doesanyone else have a key?”

Right. She’d forgottenthat in the face of the half-dressed admittedly ridiculously attractive womanwalking around, “Oh. No. Well, yes. LaFontaine and Perry – my friends fromearlier? They have one, but they won’t, uh, come over without warning oranything. It’s for emergencies,” she could feel herself blushing, because who walked around barely covered wherethey lived with someone they just met?

Carmilla nodded beforeshe slinked closer, walking so close to Laura that she could practically feelher body heat, and she shivered in response. Then took a step back as Carmillareached around her for a cookie, “You seem surprised to see me; I told you Iwas moving in today.”

“You’re totally welcomehere! I mean, obviously, I gave you the key. I just… um…” I just expected you to be a thief and to come back to see you having stolenfrom me rather than see you walking around nearly naked. She licked herlips, also reaching over to the cookies on the counter and taking a few – shemissed dinner. Shaking her head, she finished with, “Anyway, how was yourmove?”

Carmilla quirked aneyebrow at her, “It was fine and dandy, cupcake.”

“Um, good. That’s good. I– Oh my god!” she cut herself off with a choked scream, eyes widening, becausesomething lithe and dark definitely just moved in the darkness behind Carmilla.In a move that was all instinct, she reached for the closest solid thing shecould find – the lid to a pan for the stove – and held it in front of her,“There’s something over there! Did you leave the door open when you were movingin – there it is again!”

The thing moved so fastit was practically a blur, and it darted right toward them, making Laura jump.Her roommate chuckled, a sound that was low and husky, but Laura’s attentionwas focused on the animal that came to a stop at Carmilla’s feet.

It – it was a cat?

Forehead crinkled inconfusion, Laura lowered the pan lid slightly. It was definitely not one of themost attractive cats she’d ever seen. Really, maybe the opposite. The animalhad a few blotches on its body where fur was sparse or clunky. And while itdidn’t look… dirty, it was somehowstill unkempt. The cat’s tail was just a nub, and if Laura didn’t know anybetter, she would think that this cat was glaringat her. Maybe that was just how it looked at people?

And, she was no expert oncats – her dad wasn’t big on any animals being in his pristinely cleaned home –but it just seemed bigger than mostcats she’d seen.

By the way it started towind in and out of Carmilla’s feet, it dawned on her, “Is this your cat?”

Her new roommate gave herthe tiniest smirk, before she dipped to run her hand over the cat’s head, “Youcatch on quick, cutie. You didn’t say pets weren’t welcome.”

Laura was still stuck onthe fact that this girl didn’t see it fit to inform her that she had a freakingcat before moving in with her! “What if I was allergic?”

“Are you?” Carmillaasked, but didn’t seem to care too much about the answer.

Which made her frown asshe admitted, “Well, no.”

“Great.”

Could she really do this?The question hit her like a ton of bricks – could she really, really deal withthis strange, apparently inconsiderate woman, as her roommate for the next six months?

“She doesn’t claw atfurniture, she’s trained to use her litter box, and she hardly sheds. We stillon?” Carmilla asked in a low drawl, almost sounding bored.

And Laura managed to takeher gaze away from the cat in question – still winding in between Carmilla’slegs like rubbing her cheeks on those unbuttoned jeans was all she wanted to doin life – only to see the check Carmilla slid out of her back pocket.

The check was nearlyglowing, beckoning at her. With a deep breath, Laura closed her eyes for amoment and took the jump, “Yeah. We’re still on.”

She reached out for thecheck, feeling like she was the one who just signed an agreement withoutreading the fine print as she took the paper between her fingers and tugged.

Carmilla let the checkslide from her fingertips easily, as she murmured, “Pleasure doing business withyou.”

The word pleasure rolled off of her tongue in away that made Laura imagine dark, whispered promises in silken sheets. Shegulped.

“Right,” the word cameout on a hoarse breath, as she clutched at the check in her hand – itsimultaneously felt like her salvation and like it was the beginning of a long,uncertain path.

Carmilla shot her a wink,before reaching out for a handful of Laura’s cookies and turning with a flourishto head back to her room, and she was followed by that… cat. She stared afterher, still trying to register… What did thatmean? That wink?

Shaking her head, shelooked properly at the check, and sighed. Well, maybe Carmilla’s firstimpression seemed to be discourteous, immodest, and perhaps inappropriatelyflirty, but she paid in an accurate and timely manner.

She reached down for somemore cookies with a sigh, only to come into contact with an empty package. What?!She spun around to double check, and sure enough – empty. And she just boughtthese yesterday!

And – wait a second… wasthat her shirt Carmilla had been wearing? Er, kind of wearing?

[ficdirectory]

Disuphere (An AU Fosters family fic) Chapter 44

CHAPTER 44

THEN

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Home: 1 year, 7 months and 29 days

Over the next day or two, Jesus laid low.  Mariana dropped his blanket off at some point.  And Jesus cared, but he also didn’t.  By now, Mom was back at work and Mama was going solo with Frankie.  Jude was at a friend’s house.  But Mariana, Callie and Brandon were around somewhere.

By now, Frankie had begged to be relocated and was lounging on the couch like a queen or something, watching endless cartoons on Netflix.

“Buddy!” Frankie shouted, with attitude.  “Come sign my orange cast right now!”

Jesus stayed put.  He knew better.  He totally knew better.  He was not about to get too close.  The last thing he wanted was Frankie getting hurt because of him.

Listening, kind of, Jesus could hear Mariana, lightly reprimanding Frankie, “That’s not how we talk to our buddies, is it?”

“Yes,” Frankie pouted.

It was a distraction listening to them, and a needed one.  Today was seriously messing with his head, and there was nothing he could really do about it.  Therapy wasn’t til tomorrow and by tomorrow it would be too late.  Talking about it wouldn’t matter.  Usually, he could talk to Moms, but he had pissed Lena off so much she didn’t even wanna talk to him, probably.  Plus, she and Mom were so busy with Frankie…

Jesus hated more than anything that there was just nothing he could do.  He hated feeling powerless.  He had to do something.  Had to be able to go somewhere to deal with this by himself.  It was his fault, anyway.

With everybody busy, Jesus found himself drawn back to the basement door.  He opened it.  Closed it.  Started down the stairs.  It wasn’t the same, because most of it was renovated, but he checked out the alcove under the stairs, where they stored everything that didn’t have a home - old VHS tapes of shows Moms recorded off TV in the ‘80’s.  Wrapping paper.  Containers of stuff.  

Jesus wedged himself in, as far back as he could fit, away from the open closet door.  He was all the way back under the stairs, his back against concrete.  Bare feet on the floor.  It was almost the same.  And no one would come looking for him.

Instead, Jesus’s reality had flipped.  He didn’t need to talk to Mariana in his head.  Or Mom.  Or Brandon.  They were all here with him.

(“Jacob?” he tried.  “It’s me.  You there, bro?  Stay alive.”)

Jesus said the last part in his head over and over, but Jacob didn’t say anything back.  Maybe they weren’t connected anymore.  Maybe Jacob, wherever he was now, forgot all about him.  Maybe that was better.

Distantly, over his own voice, Jesus could hear his sibs arguing upstairs.

“He’s down there again.”  Brandon.  Unconcerned.

“Who’s down where?” Callie.  Confused.

“Jesus.  In the basement,” Brandon said like Callie was a child.

“Why don’t you go get him, then?” Callie shot back.  “Seriously.  Moms said to help.”

“I got him last time,” Brandon exclaimed, indignant.  “I helped enough!  One of you can go.”

“Wait.  When was he down there?”  Mariana.  She sounded afraid.

“A couple days ago, after Frankie got home,” Jesus could practically hear Brandon shrugging.

“Did you tell Moms?” Mariana pressed.

“No,  I didn’t tell Moms.  They’ve been a little busy.  I took care of it.”  Brandon again.  Still offended.

“It’s bad when he does that, Brandon.  Moms needed to know.  It means he’s triggered,” Mariana in a hushed voice.

(“I’m triggered right now,” Jesus thought distantly, over his own repetition.  He was stuck in a loop.  Couldn’t stop.  Moms should know.  But Moms wanted him out of the way.  And he was.)

“Well, I’m sorry, I can’t keep track of all twelve thousand of Jesus’s triggers and know which ones require Moms to intervene…”

The door above him opened.  Bare feet on the stairs not boots.

“Jesus?” Mariana called.

Their basement was big.  There were a lot of places to check. Jesus wasn’t sure if he was talking loud or not.  Maybe she could hear him.  Find him.  But maybe not.

Bare feet on the stairs.  Not boots.  Door closed.  Light off.

Jesus tried harder. (Jacob, where are you?)

Time got away.  Melted.  Jesus sat perfectly still.  Used to the dark and the cold.  It was the same and it wasn’t.  Concentrating was never his strongest thing, but Jesus tried.  Tried to imagine Jacob’s face.  To hear his voice.  But he wasn’t saying anything.

Probably pissed.  Jesus would be pissed too.  It made sense.  Still, he missed him.  Still, he thought Jacob would be there, if Jesus just found the right spot.  (The House had been torn down, so this was as close as Jesus could get.)  He kept trying.  Repeating.

“Jesus?”

Not Jacob.  A girl.  Callie.

The closet door was opening and she was crawling in, flashlight in hand.  It hurt his eyes but he just stared.  Just kept saying it, in case Jacob could hear, and just not answer.

“Hey.  It’s Callie.  You don’t have to stay down here, you know?  You can come upstairs.”

“Stayalivestayalivestayalivestayalive,” Jesus repeated, desperate.

Callie listened.  Then: “Stay alive?”

Jesus blinked.  Stopped the frantic repetition.  Jacob hadn’t heard him, but someone had.  “Yeah.”

“What are you doing down here?” she asked, concerned but not freaked out.

Jesus couldn’t talk about Jacob, so he told the other thing he knew to be true:  “I’m in the way.”

“Who said?” Callie wondered.

“Mama.  She tripped over me.  Fell.”

“Okay, well I’m pretty sure she meant don’t be underfoot, not come down here and recreate the worst years of your life.”  She said it without flinching.  Without talking around it, but still honestly.

He met her gaze.

“The crying…” he admitted, looking away.

Callie was quiet.  Then she said: “Wanna come out of there?  We could go somewhere?  Talk?” she offered.

“Like where?  It’s not like we can drive…”

“Front porch?”

“Yeah,” Jesus nodded.  “But could we maybe just sit?”

Callie raised her eyebrows.  “Can I bring my guitar?”

Jesus nodded.  “Sure.”

She led the way, extending her hand behind her:  “Let’s get out of here.”

Hesitating for only a minute, Jesus took it, and followed.

[inexcon]

RSI Comm-Link: StarWatch: Fundraiser Ruckus

Send Your Tips to StarWatch!

On your mark, get set … woah! What a weekend for the StarWatch team, as yours truly was front and center for what has to be the biggest celebrity scandal of the year. You might’ve heard about the aftermath elsewhere — a broken hand, a delayed blockbuster, a supposedly scratched 600i, and the arrest of a Senator’s son — but no one can drop the delicious details of the exciting events quite like me, Callie C.

That’s right, StarWatchers, there’s no need for tipsters to tell the tale of what went down at Landry Caballero’s star-studded benefit on Saturday night, because I was one of the many A1 attendees at her charity soirée in Prime. Because of my primo access to all that occurred, we’re dedicating today’s entire show to giving you exclusive insight into the events that left the UEE abuzz. But first, let’s set the scene with a little backstory.

Landry Caballero’s fabulous fundraiser was in support of her new charity Life Under Foot, which aims to raise credits “to study and support the sustainability of Tohil III’s living islands.” Landry, the star of such action-packed blockbusters as Fulcrum Force and The Reaper Files, first became obsessed with the the large botanical biomasses that dot the ocean world of Tohil III last year, while vacationing at an ultra-exclusive resort built on one of these “living islands.” According to Landry, the trip to Tohil III was an eye-opener for her in many regards, and was also where she first met her current heartthrob — Croshaw Jumpers’ bad boy Haruto Effinger.

At the fundraiser, Landry and I spoke about her profound passion for Tohil III’s truly unique ecosystem, and the lack of government funding to research its sustainability. Right as she was describing how standing barefoot on the massive, sturdy plants made her feel connected to these incredible organisms, shouts coming from the event’s entrance drew our attention.

It was none other than Rowen Haskel and a cadre of sycophantic friends. There had been much speculation about whether or not Rowen would show up, one of the many reasons I eagerly attended the fundraiser. Lucky for us all, I was right by Landry’s side when the spectacle kicked off.

For those who don’t know, Landry and Rowen have been spec feuding for a while. It all started following last year’s semi-finals match between the Jumpers and the Ferron Lancers when Rowen, who is the youngest son of Ferron Senator Turson Haskel and a part owner of the Lancers, accused Haruto Effinger of cheating during one of the game’s key plays. The allegation didn’t sit well with Landry, who quickly jumped to her boyfriend’s defense, and the two have been publicly bickering with increasing disdain ever since.

The feud turned personal two weeks ago when Rowen lambasted Landry’s upcoming Life Under Foot fundraiser as “shockingly out of touch” and “the perfect charity for those who care more about plants than people.” Rowen even went as far as to urge anyone who was considering supporting Landry’s foundation to instead put that money towards a “real” cause. Then he listed numerous Ferron-based nonprofits that help people in the struggling system.

The war of words between Landry and Rowen culminated in a bet over the outcome of last week’s Jumpers and Lancers game, with the loser promising to make a donation to the charity of the winner’s choosing. When the Jumpers — backed by what I’m told was an incredible performance from Haruto Effinger — won the match, Landry requested that Rowen’s charitable donation obviously go to Life Under Foot. To no one’s surprise, he refused to follow through on the payout.

So, when Rowen crashed the fundraiser, I knew something juicy would occur. I followed Landry and Haruto to where Rowen and his crew, who if I’m being honest all looked pretty lit, were raising a ruckus. Rowen demanded entry, but refused to purchase a ticket. I even heard Rowen say that he “was there to make a real donation and not pay for the event’s food and booze budget.”

Haruto and Rowen exchanged a flurry of words that I dare not repeat with my mother watching. Hey, Mom! Landry, desperate to not have her party turn into the debacle that it clearly already was, tried to get a handle on the sitch. She told Rowen that if he donated to her charity right then and there that she would let them into the event.

Rowen opened his mobi, hit a few buttons and then showed Landry the screen. A smirk spread across his face. He’d donated exactly one credit to the cause.

I have never seen Landry so livid outside of that incredible final fight in Fulcrum Force, when she finally avenges her brother’s death. Haruto even had to hold her back as she screamed for security to escort Rowen and his friends from the event. Meanwhile, Rowen called to the gathering crowd that they were all witnesses to the promise that he’d be let in if he made a donation. It … was … pandemonium.

Finally, event security separated the groups and moved Rowen and his crew toward his shiny new Origin 600i. Landry followed, exchanging words with Rowen the entire time. Right as Rowen got to his ship, he turned back and said something that I couldn’t hear. But, whatever it was, it launched Landry into orbit.

She rushed Rowen and hit him so hard that I saw stars. Guess all the hand-to-hand combat training for her starring roles paid off. The punch sent Rowen reeling backwards. He slammed into his 600i and slumped to the ground.

Rowen’s crew quickly pulled him to his feet. Strangely, Rowen didn’t acknowledge the punch at all. Instead, he inspected his ship and yelled after Landry, who was being rushed away by Haruto, that she would pay for scratching the custom paint job. At this point, security quickly ushered everyone else inside, while Rowen’s 600i lifted off in a hurry.

Now, I was ready and raring to file a report right then and there. I tried tracking down Landry for a comment, but she couldn’t be found. When she also didn’t appear on stage during the fundraiser’s keynote address, I knew something was seriously wrong. So when the word came down that our beautiful brawler had broken her hand, I wasn’t surprised.

Word is that they healed her up right quick, but she still needs to take it easy for the next few days. That’s delayed the filming of a key action scene for her latest vid, Deathwatch. No word on when filming will resume, but from what I hear, the vid’s producers are none too happy about Landry’s actions on many fronts.

News of Landry’s injury is nothing compared to the trouble Rowen now finds himself in. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I wasn’t present to see his attempt at revenge, but his actions have garnered the most press coming out of this entire event.

After lifting off, Rowen and his crew never left the vicinity. Instead, they apparently stayed and searched the landing pad for Haruto’s Nox. At that point, Rowen’s 600i moved into position over the landing pad, the ship’s door opened and he proceeded to relieve himself onto Haruto’s bike below. Guess we’re seeing an all new downside to flying an open-canopy ship.

What doesn’t this story have, right? All it needs is the arrest of a disgraced public figure and I’ve got celebrity scandal Bingo. Well, thankfully, this is the incident that keeps on giving.

As we all know, hovering over landing pads to target parked ships is a big ol’ no-no. I guess the local air traffic controller was aware of the incident and quickly dispatched the police in case more than recycled booze rained down from Rowen’s 600i. If his ship would’ve blasted off the second Rowen was done, then he probably would’ve gotten away free and clear. Unfortunately, his pilot accidentally engaged the automated landing system. Instead of escaping into atmosphere, Rowen’s 600i came to a rest on the landing pad next to the Nox.

The police arrived on the scene right then and there. According to witnesses, Rowen didn’t even have a chance to make himself decent before the cops swarmed his ship. Ooops!

We need to take a quick commercial break, but when StarWatch returns, crime correspondent Nash Toulouse will join me to discuss the possible legal fallout from this entire event. From the lewd conduct charges to the possibility that Rowen could accuse Landry of assault, Nash will be our brave guide through the legal morass. Don’t go anywhere. StarWatch will be back in a flash!

http://bit.ly/2yY7xVQ

[sad-ch1ld]

via RSI Comm-Link

Send Your Tips to StarWatch!

On your mark, get set … woah! What a weekend for the StarWatch team, as yours truly was front and center for what has to be the biggest celebrity scandal of the year. You might’ve heard about the aftermath elsewhere — a broken hand, a delayed blockbuster, a supposedly scratched 600i, and the arrest of a Senator’s son — but no one can drop the delicious details of the exciting events quite like me, Callie C.

That’s right, StarWatchers, there’s no need for tipsters to tell the tale of what went down at Landry Caballero’s star-studded benefit on Saturday night, because I was one of the many A1 attendees at her charity soirée in Prime. Because of my primo access to all that occurred, we’re dedicating today’s entire show to giving you exclusive insight into the events that left the UEE abuzz. But first, let’s set the scene with a little backstory.

Landry Caballero’s fabulous fundraiser was in support of her new charity Life Under Foot, which aims to raise credits “to study and support the sustainability of Tohil III’s living islands.” Landry, the star of such action-packed blockbusters as Fulcrum Force and The Reaper Files, first became obsessed with the the large botanical biomasses that dot the ocean world of Tohil III last year, while vacationing at an ultra-exclusive resort built on one of these “living islands.” According to Landry, the trip to Tohil III was an eye-opener for her in many regards, and was also where she first met her current heartthrob — Croshaw Jumpers’ bad boy Haruto Effinger.

At the fundraiser, Landry and I spoke about her profound passion for Tohil III’s truly unique ecosystem, and the lack of government funding to research its sustainability. Right as she was describing how standing barefoot on the massive, sturdy plants made her feel connected to these incredible organisms, shouts coming from the event’s entrance drew our attention.

It was none other than Rowen Haskel and a cadre of sycophantic friends. There had been much speculation about whether or not Rowen would show up, one of the many reasons I eagerly attended the fundraiser. Lucky for us all, I was right by Landry’s side when the spectacle kicked off.

For those who don’t know, Landry and Rowen have been spec feuding for a while. It all started following last year’s semi-finals match between the Jumpers and the Ferron Lancers when Rowen, who is the youngest son of Ferron Senator Turson Haskel and a part owner of the Lancers, accused Haruto Effinger of cheating during one of the game’s key plays. The allegation didn’t sit well with Landry, who quickly jumped to her boyfriend’s defense, and the two have been publicly bickering with increasing disdain ever since.

The feud turned personal two weeks ago when Rowen lambasted Landry’s upcoming Life Under Foot fundraiser as “shockingly out of touch” and “the perfect charity for those who care more about plants than people.” Rowen even went as far as to urge anyone who was considering supporting Landry’s foundation to instead put that money towards a “real” cause. Then he listed numerous Ferron-based nonprofits that help people in the struggling system.

The war of words between Landry and Rowen culminated in a bet over the outcome of last week’s Jumpers and Lancers game, with the loser promising to make a donation to the charity of the winner’s choosing. When the Jumpers — backed by what I’m told was an incredible performance from Haruto Effinger — won the match, Landry requested that Rowen’s charitable donation obviously go to Life Under Foot. To no one’s surprise, he refused to follow through on the payout.

So, when Rowen crashed the fundraiser, I knew something juicy would occur. I followed Landry and Haruto to where Rowen and his crew, who if I’m being honest all looked pretty lit, were raising a ruckus. Rowen demanded entry, but refused to purchase a ticket. I even heard Rowen say that he “was there to make a real donation and not pay for the event’s food and booze budget.”

Haruto and Rowen exchanged a flurry of words that I dare not repeat with my mother watching. Hey, Mom! Landry, desperate to not have her party turn into the debacle that it clearly already was, tried to get a handle on the sitch. She told Rowen that if he donated to her charity right then and there that she would let them into the event.

Rowen opened his mobi, hit a few buttons and then showed Landry the screen. A smirk spread across his face. He’d donated exactly one credit to the cause.

I have never seen Landry so livid outside of that incredible final fight in Fulcrum Force, when she finally avenges her brother’s death. Haruto even had to hold her back as she screamed for security to escort Rowen and his friends from the event. Meanwhile, Rowen called to the gathering crowd that they were all witnesses to the promise that he’d be let in if he made a donation. It … was … pandemonium.

Finally, event security separated the groups and moved Rowen and his crew toward his shiny new Origin 600i. Landry followed, exchanging words with Rowen the entire time. Right as Rowen got to his ship, he turned back and said something that I couldn’t hear. But, whatever it was, it launched Landry into orbit.

She rushed Rowen and hit him so hard that I saw stars. Guess all the hand-to-hand combat training for her starring roles paid off. The punch sent Rowen reeling backwards. He slammed into his 600i and slumped to the ground.

Rowen’s crew quickly pulled him to his feet. Strangely, Rowen didn’t acknowledge the punch at all. Instead, he inspected his ship and yelled after Landry, who was being rushed away by Haruto, that she would pay for scratching the custom paint job. At this point, security quickly ushered everyone else inside, while Rowen’s 600i lifted off in a hurry.

Now, I was ready and raring to file a report right then and there. I tried tracking down Landry for a comment, but she couldn’t be found. When she also didn’t appear on stage during the fundraiser’s keynote address, I knew something was seriously wrong. So when the word came down that our beautiful brawler had broken her hand, I wasn’t surprised.

Word is that they healed her up right quick, but she still needs to take it easy for the next few days. That’s delayed the filming of a key action scene for her latest vid, Deathwatch. No word on when filming will resume, but from what I hear, the vid’s producers are none too happy about Landry’s actions on many fronts.

News of Landry’s injury is nothing compared to the trouble Rowen now finds himself in. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I wasn’t present to see his attempt at revenge, but his actions have garnered the most press coming out of this entire event.

After lifting off, Rowen and his crew never left the vicinity. Instead, they apparently stayed and searched the landing pad for Haruto’s Nox. At that point, Rowen’s 600i moved into position over the landing pad, the ship’s door opened and he proceeded to relieve himself onto Haruto’s bike below. Guess we’re seeing an all new downside to flying an open-canopy ship.

What doesn’t this story have, right? All it needs is the arrest of a disgraced public figure and I’ve got celebrity scandal Bingo. Well, thankfully, this is the incident that keeps on giving.

As we all know, hovering over landing pads to target parked ships is a big ol’ no-no. I guess the local air traffic controller was aware of the incident and quickly dispatched the police in case more than recycled booze rained down from Rowen’s 600i. If his ship would’ve blasted off the second Rowen was done, then he probably would’ve gotten away free and clear. Unfortunately, his pilot accidentally engaged the automated landing system. Instead of escaping into atmosphere, Rowen’s 600i came to a rest on the landing pad next to the Nox.

The police arrived on the scene right then and there. According to witnesses, Rowen didn’t even have a chance to make himself decent before the cops swarmed his ship. Ooops!

We need to take a quick commercial break, but when StarWatch returns, crime correspondent Nash Toulouse will join me to discuss the possible legal fallout from this entire event. From the lewd conduct charges to the possibility that Rowen could accuse Landry of assault, Nash will be our brave guide through the legal morass. Don’t go anywhere. StarWatch will be back in a flash!

[starcitizenprivateer]

via RSI Comm-Link

Send Your Tips to StarWatch!

On your mark, get set … woah! What a weekend for the StarWatch team, as yours truly was front and center for what has to be the biggest celebrity scandal of the year. You might’ve heard about the aftermath elsewhere — a broken hand, a delayed blockbuster, a supposedly scratched 600i, and the arrest of a Senator’s son — but no one can drop the delicious details of the exciting events quite like me, Callie C.

That’s right, StarWatchers, there’s no need for tipsters to tell the tale of what went down at Landry Caballero’s star-studded benefit on Saturday night, because I was one of the many A1 attendees at her charity soirée in Prime. Because of my primo access to all that occurred, we’re dedicating today’s entire show to giving you exclusive insight into the events that left the UEE abuzz. But first, let’s set the scene with a little backstory.

Landry Caballero’s fabulous fundraiser was in support of her new charity Life Under Foot, which aims to raise credits “to study and support the sustainability of Tohil III’s living islands.” Landry, the star of such action-packed blockbusters as Fulcrum Force and The Reaper Files, first became obsessed with the the large botanical biomasses that dot the ocean world of Tohil III last year, while vacationing at an ultra-exclusive resort built on one of these “living islands.” According to Landry, the trip to Tohil III was an eye-opener for her in many regards, and was also where she first met her current heartthrob — Croshaw Jumpers’ bad boy Haruto Effinger.

At the fundraiser, Landry and I spoke about her profound passion for Tohil III’s truly unique ecosystem, and the lack of government funding to research its sustainability. Right as she was describing how standing barefoot on the massive, sturdy plants made her feel connected to these incredible organisms, shouts coming from the event’s entrance drew our attention.

It was none other than Rowen Haskel and a cadre of sycophantic friends. There had been much speculation about whether or not Rowen would show up, one of the many reasons I eagerly attended the fundraiser. Lucky for us all, I was right by Landry’s side when the spectacle kicked off.

For those who don’t know, Landry and Rowen have been spec feuding for a while. It all started following last year’s semi-finals match between the Jumpers and the Ferron Lancers when Rowen, who is the youngest son of Ferron Senator Turson Haskel and a part owner of the Lancers, accused Haruto Effinger of cheating during one of the game’s key plays. The allegation didn���t sit well with Landry, who quickly jumped to her boyfriend’s defense, and the two have been publicly bickering with increasing disdain ever since.

The feud turned personal two weeks ago when Rowen lambasted Landry’s upcoming Life Under Foot fundraiser as “shockingly out of touch” and “the perfect charity for those who care more about plants than people.” Rowen even went as far as to urge anyone who was considering supporting Landry’s foundation to instead put that money towards a “real” cause. Then he listed numerous Ferron-based nonprofits that help people in the struggling system.

The war of words between Landry and Rowen culminated in a bet over the outcome of last week’s Jumpers and Lancers game, with the loser promising to make a donation to the charity of the winner’s choosing. When the Jumpers — backed by what I’m told was an incredible performance from Haruto Effinger — won the match, Landry requested that Rowen’s charitable donation obviously go to Life Under Foot. To no one’s surprise, he refused to follow through on the payout.

So, when Rowen crashed the fundraiser, I knew something juicy would occur. I followed Landry and Haruto to where Rowen and his crew, who if I’m being honest all looked pretty lit, were raising a ruckus. Rowen demanded entry, but refused to purchase a ticket. I even heard Rowen say that he “was there to make a real donation and not pay for the event’s food and booze budget.”

Haruto and Rowen exchanged a flurry of words that I dare not repeat with my mother watching. Hey, Mom! Landry, desperate to not have her party turn into the debacle that it clearly already was, tried to get a handle on the sitch. She told Rowen that if he donated to her charity right then and there that she would let them into the event.

Rowen opened his mobi, hit a few buttons and then showed Landry the screen. A smirk spread across his face. He’d donated exactly one credit to the cause.

I have never seen Landry so livid outside of that incredible final fight in Fulcrum Force, when she finally avenges her brother’s death. Haruto even had to hold her back as she screamed for security to escort Rowen and his friends from the event. Meanwhile, Rowen called to the gathering crowd that they were all witnesses to the promise that he’d be let in if he made a donation. It … was … pandemonium.

Finally, event security separated the groups and moved Rowen and his crew toward his shiny new Origin 600i. Landry followed, exchanging words with Rowen the entire time. Right as Rowen got to his ship, he turned back and said something that I couldn’t hear. But, whatever it was, it launched Landry into orbit.

She rushed Rowen and hit him so hard that I saw stars. Guess all the hand-to-hand combat training for her starring roles paid off. The punch sent Rowen reeling backwards. He slammed into his 600i and slumped to the ground.

Rowen’s crew quickly pulled him to his feet. Strangely, Rowen didn’t acknowledge the punch at all. Instead, he inspected his ship and yelled after Landry, who was being rushed away by Haruto, that she would pay for scratching the custom paint job. At this point, security quickly ushered everyone else inside, while Rowen’s 600i lifted off in a hurry.

Now, I was ready and raring to file a report right then and there. I tried tracking down Landry for a comment, but she couldn’t be found. When she also didn’t appear on stage during the fundraiser’s keynote address, I knew something was seriously wrong. So when the word came down that our beautiful brawler had broken her hand, I wasn’t surprised.

Word is that they healed her up right quick, but she still needs to take it easy for the next few days. That’s delayed the filming of a key action scene for her latest vid, Deathwatch. No word on when filming will resume, but from what I hear, the vid’s producers are none too happy about Landry’s actions on many fronts.

News of Landry’s injury is nothing compared to the trouble Rowen now finds himself in. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I wasn’t present to see his attempt at revenge, but his actions have garnered the most press coming out of this entire event.

After lifting off, Rowen and his crew never left the vicinity. Instead, they apparently stayed and searched the landing pad for Haruto’s Nox. At that point, Rowen’s 600i moved into position over the landing pad, the ship’s door opened and he proceeded to relieve himself onto Haruto’s bike below. Guess we’re seeing an all new downside to flying an open-canopy ship.

What doesn’t this story have, right? All it needs is the arrest of a disgraced public figure and I’ve got celebrity scandal Bingo. Well, thankfully, this is the incident that keeps on giving.

As we all know, hovering over landing pads to target parked ships is a big ol’ no-no. I guess the local air traffic controller was aware of the incident and quickly dispatched the police in case more than recycled booze rained down from Rowen’s 600i. If his ship would’ve blasted off the second Rowen was done, then he probably would’ve gotten away free and clear. Unfortunately, his pilot accidentally engaged the automated landing system. Instead of escaping into atmosphere, Rowen’s 600i came to a rest on the landing pad next to the Nox.

The police arrived on the scene right then and there. According to witnesses, Rowen didn’t even have a chance to make himself decent before the cops swarmed his ship. Ooops!

We need to take a quick commercial break, but when StarWatch returns, crime correspondent Nash Toulouse will join me to discuss the possible legal fallout from this entire event. From the lewd conduct charges to the possibility that Rowen could accuse Landry of assault, Nash will be our brave guide through the legal morass. Don’t go anywhere. StarWatch will be back in a flash!

[nellie-elizabeth]

Grey's Anatomy: Leave It Inside (13x22)

Ugh. Minnick is kind of the worst again. Which bums me out. But I liked a lot of the other stuff going on here!

Cons:

So, Minnick spends this episode being really sanctimonious and up in everybody's business. Which I guess is how she was at the start of the season, but this time around I feel like she doesn't have as much of a point, so she comes across really super obnoxious. A little boy named Liam shows up at the hospital asking for help. Turns out his parents won't allow him to have surgery or any other kind of intervention because of their faith. Alex and Stephanie really want to help the kid, but they can't. Minnick is snippy and uptight about the whole thing, refusing to consider Alex and Stephanie's point of view, and saying things like "who taught you to talk to a patient like that?" when Stephanie is a bit cold to the sick boy's mother. She just annoyed the heck out of me. We see in the end that Eliza and Arizona finally have sex, and while I was rooting for these crazy kids initially, now I feel sort of weird about it. Eliza seems like kind of a bad person, and I don't really get why Arizona is so into her.

Maggie didn't annoy me in this episode, and somehow that slightly annoyed me? Apparently she's decided to support Meredith and Nathan's relationship now, since she sees that it might be serious. But the thing is, where did this come from? If somebody were to watch this episode by itself, they wouldn't even really know that Maggie had a thing for Riggs. We were forced to sit through so much whining and drama with this whole thing, and now we're just done with it? I guess I'm glad... but I'm also confused.

DeLuca tries to confess his feelings to Jo in this episode, but she shuts him down pretty quickly. Mercifully, this didn't take too much time away from the episode, but my complaint still must be lodged. I just don't care about these two. They are about as bland as characters get on this show. And if something is going to happen between Jo and Alex, are we going to get that going? This is just a nothing of a plot development, and I'm sick of it. DeLuca could do better, even if he is boring as all hell.

Pros:

Before we get to the two main patient stories, one more little subplot thing:

During a resident review, Minnick says that Ben is very good and reliable, but he plays it too safe. Richard takes this to heart and begins questioning Ben about his work as a resident. It seems this talk galvanizes Ben to want to up his game, so hopefully we'll see how that plays out. I'll admit this plot thread wasn't super impacting, because we hadn't really seen Ben "playing it safe" and so therefore the stakes are pretty nonexistent. However, the resident review scene with Bailey, Minnick, and Richard was Minnick's only shining moment in the whole episode. I liked seeing this balance, where Webber was included and his input was valuable, but he also listened to what Eliza said and took it to heart. And I'd like to do some more stuff with Ben. He's almost always been a background character, except when he's making terrible mistakes and causing problems for Bailey.

As is often the case on Grey's Anatomy, each of our patient stories connects to stuff going on in the doctors' personal lives.

Liam is the sick kid who shows up at the hospital alone and scared. He lies and says he doesn't have parents, and wants help with his pain. He has a tumor, but his parents show up and demand that he be released, since their religion doesn't allow surgery. Alex is furious when the kid goes home, but when Liam shows up again unattended, Alex and Stephanie work together to make a lie, saying that Liam was seizing and they had to rush him in for emergency surgery. Minnick is suspicious of this, but Liam's life is saved. Stephanie confronts Liam's father, and ends up throwing her chart at the wall in anger. This leads Minnick to suspend her for her inappropriate behavior. Meanwhile, we learn through subtle coded conversation that Liam's mom actually helped him to get to the hospital, going against her purported faith and her husband's wishes, all to save her son. Alex ends the episode by making a mysterious phone call, saying he needs help finding someone.

Okay. Lots to unpack. I gathered that something strange was going on with Liam from the beginning, but I did like the twist that the mother was going against the husband the whole time. This is obviously a really sticky ethical issue, but for me the choice was clear from the moment the little boy lied about having parents because he was so desperate to be saved. He may be a child, but he doesn't want to die and he's not old enough to make an informed decision about letting his faith do the healing. The consent of a minor thing has to go both ways, doesn't it? If he can't consent to surgery on his own, how can he consent to dying because his parents won't help him?

Alex actually played a big-ish role in this episode, which is something we haven't seen in quite some time, so I was happy to see that. Obviously his attachment to kids makes him super endearing, and I liked the fact that he made sure to shield Stephanie as best as possible from the consequences of his illegal deception. There's this pretty intense moment when some of the other doctors figure out what he did, and Liam's dad is threatening to sue the hospital and all that, and someone says "you could go to jail," and Alex responds, angry, "I'd go to jail for this one." Damn!

Meanwhile, we see the continued splintering of Stephanie's confidence and competence. For a while now, since her boyfriend died, she's started to seem more and more nihilistic and negative about her job. In this episode, she is able to help save a child's life, and she even gets a grateful hug from the adorable little Liam. But by the rules of her profession, she's not supposed to save this kid's life. It's enough to shake anybody's faith in the system. There's been a really lovely and delicate examination of Stephanie's character throughout the last season or so. It's subtle, it sticks to the background, and then it comes out in this explosion of anger and makes so much sense. I've said before that I'm happy for this actress for going on to bigger and better things, but I'm really going to miss Stephanie next season. She became one of my favorites.

The other patient of the week is Holly, a woman with an inoperable heart tumor who is making the most of her last year of life by having a lot of casual sex and not worrying about leaving life behind. Maggie insists that she might be able to fix the tumor, but Holly has done this dance in the past, and she knows that they can't really help her, and she'll end up having to reassure her doctors that she's okay and they did the best they can. Despite this, Maggie convinces her to give it a shot and... well, they might have bought her a bit more time? But Maggie was wrong, and Holly was right. Meanwhile, Holly's one-night stand from the night before is sort of in puppy-love with her, and keeps hanging out at the hospital until Meredith has to let him down easy for Holly.

I said that Maggie wasn't annoying this week, and that's not entirely true, since I did think her insistence on the heart surgery was a bit obnoxious. However, I like the fact that it didn't work. She tried, she failed, but she didn't kill the girl or anything. It was a bit humbling, and a lot more realistic than the idea that Maggie could succeed where so many before her had failed.

Also, Holly was kind of hilarious and awesome. Her attitude about life, sex, and death was refreshing, and I like the fact that there was no twist where she ended up falling apart. It sucks that she's going to die, but at the same time, she knows what's up. She's made her own peace with it, and even a whole group of doctors trying to tell her how she should feel doesn't stop her from doing whatever she wants. Poor Cory, her awkward one-night-stand dude. There was this sort of tragicomic element to it, where the guy just could not grasp that Holly was done with him, but at the same time, if Holly hadn't been dying, maybe there could have been more there.

Maggie, Meredith, and April are all amused and rather delighted by Holly, which I found awesome. As the episode ends, all of these women are galvanized to move forward with their relationships, in one way or another. Maggie wants to go out and get laid, and April expresses her desire to have some fun as well, although she says that she doesn't want a boyfriend. Meredith, in the meantime, makes an important gesture too.

Earlier in the episode, we see Meredith taking out the giant tumor drawing hanging in her bedroom, as a symbol of moving on from Derek. She chickens out on having Riggs over to spend the night, but then makes the heartbreaking decision to put her and Derek's marriage post-it note away in a drawer. Later when she sees Riggs as he leaves the hospital, she reaches out and holds his hand. In this moment, she decides to celebrate and cherish the time she had with Derek, but not let it hold her back from ever being happy again. Her hesitation with Riggs came from a lot of different places, but now that the Maggie issue seems resolved, she can focus on making a decision for herself.

I like Riggs. I like Meredith. I like them together. I really wish I could believe that Owen's sister wasn't about to show up in a shocking twist that we all saw coming from a mile away, and ruin their tenuous grasp on happiness. But hey. Until it actually happens, I can pretend it won't, right?

That's where I'll wrap this one up. A fine episode, for the most part. Minnick is starting to really piss me off now. I try and try to be as supportive as I can, for Arizona's sake, but at this point I just really miss Callie.

8/10