Returning Home

Francesca: Mmhmm, sure. I find no reason for you not to.

Francesca: Is it because these streets are filled with dirty biker people? Because I know that's my excuse

Francesca: Now that DOES sound tempting. On one condition.

Callum: Yes. That is definitely the reason.

Francesca: I'm trying not to.

Francesca: Don't you know I've been living here since I was born, sweetheart? You can make anyone a cab if you pay them enough.

Francesca: Keep talking.

Callum: You love me.

Callum: I know. Me too, mostly. But I wouldn't let most people around here drive me anywhere.

callum-st-james​:

“Hi, handsome,” Nina said, a warm smile forming on her lips at the sight of her friend. Callum was always like a breath of fresh air to her, just because she had become so comfortable around him so quickly when she first arrived in Charming. “Thank you,” she said as she sat herself down opposite him, her bag placed on the floor next to her feet and she closed her eyes as she inhaled the sweet smell of her coffee. “Charmin’ does have its perks, and this French toast is one of them,” Nina eagerly said, as she took a bite and after taking a sip from her coffee, decided it was time to address the elephant in the room. “You know I’d never dream of tellin’ you what to do but… isn’t it a little too early for you to be gettin’ back to work? You did have a concussion, Callum,” she pointed out, showing him a look. 

Callum was  glad when she sat down across from him, not too much of a discussion about it. “Charming has a few positives here and there.” He said as he took a sip of his coffee. “You know, between you, my mom and Fran, You would think I had three Mom’s. I know I had a concussion But I am doing better and I promise I am not pushing it. Only a few hours.” He said looking at her with his own directing look. Although he didn’t look to long because she could shut him down with one look.

Francesca: Are you kidding me?

Francesca: Get someone else to drive you. Hail a taxi or SOMETHING.

Francesca: Are you trying to make up for infuriating me?

Callum: Blame it on the head injury?

Callum: A can? You do know we live in the middle of nowhere.

Francesca: I know, but don't be cute with me.

Francesca: Fine, but straight home, you hear me? Are you driving? You probably shouldn't be driving.

Francesca: No, I want to.

Callum: :(

Callum: I...well how else am I supposed to get there.

Francesca: Don't be cute, okay?

Francesca: Your head's only gonna hurt MORE if you keep pushing it.

Francesca: I know you know that, Callum.

Francesca: I'll be around you?

Callum: But I am cute.

Callum: What if I only go in for a few hours.

Callum: I know. But Frannnie...

Francesca: Yeah, if you're propositioning me for sex, you know I'm not gonna do it when you're not fully recovered yet.

Francesca: Why, pray tell, are you going back to work?

Francesca: OF COURSE it's too early. You shouldn't stress yourself after what you just went through and you know it.

Callum: :(

Callum: I can't stare at the walls anymore.

Callum: I have cases that I need to handle.

Francesca: Truthfully, not at my best right now

Francesca: But leave it to you, baby, to still cal me a lady after everything.

Francesca: How are you feeling?

Callum: Well then you should definitely come over tonight.

Callum: Ill show you how much you are a lady still.

Callum: I'm going back to work today.

Callum had been out of the office for more than a week. He probably shouldn’t have been going in still, but he was tired of sitting at home and not working. He decided that he had to go in. He needed breakfast first. Callum grabbed his briefcase and todays paper heading into the cafe. He ordered coffee and some breakfast. He opened the paper and began reading before he heard someone approach his table. He pulled down the paper to look at who it was and shook his head. “Hey pretty lady. You wanna join me?” He said smiling up at Nina.

Callum: Hello lady

It took her a long time, but she had finally started thinking clearly enough that getting out her gun and shooting anybody who dared annoy her wasn’t the wisest plan of action. There was one thing that Fran hated above all else – and that’s the feeling of helplessness. Even when she was a kid, she had always done well with the things she had. She never wanted to feel helpless or that people needed to pity her just because of what she doesn’t have. In this very moment, though, Fran knew that the only thing she could do to save herself from feeling helpless was to keep moving, make sure her people were alright, make sure the people she cared for wouldn’t die. 

She and Callum go way back because after all, he was one of the few people she had actually dated and kept around. Even though they were no longer together, that sexual chemistry was still there and it was hard to let that go, especially because Fran did care for him and wanted to see him happy. She’d never quite admit it so candidly but she knew she was proving it by waiting for him to wake up right there by his hospital bed. Her mind was still moving at a hundred miles per hour when she spotted movement, causing her to stand up and gently push him back down onto the bed. 

“Easy, baby. Easy,” Fran said, her voice soothing and she could hear the relief in it as well because while it wasn’t a grave injury, it was still something to worry about. “Take it slow, alright? You’re going to be okay, Callum.” She murmured as her hand reached down to hold his tightly. “How are you feeling?” She quietly asked as her free hand reached out to the bedside table and taking the bottle of water she had just bought. “Do you want some water, baby?”

Callum didn’t want to be there, but with the way his head was screaming at him and the room was spinning, he knew there was no way he was going to be able to go anywhere else. When Fran gently push him back he didn’t fight and just let out a sigh. “How did you know I was here.” He asked her, it taking more focus then he thought it should to talk to her right now.

“My head.” He told her as he closed his briefly for a minute before opening them to look at her again. “Hi. What are you doing here?” He asked her again. “Oh, I asked you taht already.” He told her. “This sucks Fran. What happened?” He asked her. He couldn’t remember what happened. He was at the meeting and then eh was here. It was a gap and he didn’t know what. “I was drinking coffee and now here.” He told her, a bit of a panic welling up in his voice. “No no water. Just, what happened Fran...”

He was in and out of consciousness, first seeing an emt, then the inside of an ambulance. Next he saw inside the hospital, a doctor or two he recognized and then he was out again. Next it was inside an MRI machine, then out again. Each time he blacked out, he saw her. She kept telling him he needed to stay awake and he needed to do better and to live better for her. Every time he opened his eyes he was reminded she was gone again. 

He didn’t know how long it had been, but when he finally opened his eyes again he saw a different familiar face sitting in the chair next to his bed. He started to try and sit up, but he immediately fell back, dizzy and disoriented.