Soft skin, red lips, so kissable.

It was incredibly loud in the bar the girls had ended up in, the music was some awful drone of a turned up bass with no real melody to it. Callie was enjoying herself, she had made the decision she was going to. Her day had sucked and a brief text conversation with Tony before she came out had only added to her shitty day.

So there she was, in less clothes than she would usually ever wear to a bar, her fake ID unquestioned by the guy behind the bar saw a drink in her hand as she was out on the dance floor, giving way to the relaxing influence of the alcohol and her determination to dance the night away.

Bella moved from the bar with a drink in her hand, the black dress clinging to her figure and flowing past her legs as she walked the periphery of the dance floor. Her lips wrapped around the tiny straw as her dark eyes moved from one person to the next, taking mental notes of the scene unfolding before her.... the couples who had just met and due to alcohol would undoubtedly end up participating in a walk of shame... the bros, standing off to the side, kind of sort of moving to the music but really it was more of a douchey spasm... the desperate men, pathetically grinding on some side piece that they'd obviously paid top dollar for only to end the night with an STD. This was Vegas, baby.

Then her eyes fell on Callie, attempting to dance her troubles away while wearing next to nothing. Bella bit down on the straw and her bottom lip. Something Ally said was echoing through her mind. 'You can't even take care of yourself.'

There was a slight snarl in Bella's lip, not one of anger so much as determination. A sort of fuck you, you don't know me, defiance that burned deep within her. Tell her she couldn't do something and she'd prove that she could. It's how she ended up in wrestling to being with. Show her a lack of faith and she'll show you someone more determined than ever.

She saw all the eyes watching Callie. Men. Women. Old. Young. Vultures. Without much thought she was moving towards the blonde who just days ago she'd tormented on social media. But why was she drawn to her in this moment? Was it a need to protect her from the swirling predators? Was it her own desire? Or was it just curiosity? Agreeing to hangout tonight, on what was undoubtedly a shit night based on everything Bella had heard, took guts. And Bella admired guts more than anything.

She was nearly on top of Callie at this point. She stepped to her left, cutting off a drunken bachelor party attendee who was hoping Callie would end up back in his room. The man was about to protest but Bella shot his a glare over her shoulder that quickly let him know that even in his drunken state she was a little more crazy than he could handle.

Then she smiled sweetly and slid in next to Callie, leaning in to raise her voice over thumping music.

"Having fun?"

Callie was in her own world, whilst Bella had watched and deciphered almost everyone in the room, she was the complete opposite. Unaware even of the approach that Bella had cut off, only finally looking up from her drink when she heard her voice carrying over the music.

Why she had agreed to come out with someone who so effectively pushed her buttons didn’t make sense, but today had been a day of things not making sense. She had gone from a relaxed morning coffee date to sitting in a parking lot in the middle of the strip, making a promise that she wasn’t sure had been reciprocated.

But if there was one thing they knew how to do in her family, it was drink. And that’s what she had been doing from the moment they got to the bar, drinks, shots whatever was on offer. And because of that, even thought she heard Bella, it took her a minute to register the words before she grinned.

“Yeah, actually!” She wasn’t great at hiding her emotions at the best of times so she wasn’t about to tonight. An easy smile on her lips as she leaned in close to Bella, saving her voice a little but not having to shout as much.

“I know you said this was a bad idea but, I’m really glad you decided you didn’t care.” She took a sip of her drink, not needed but enjoyed all the same. “Are you having fun?”

Bella smiled in response and nodded, her body moving to the music as if on autopilot but not missing a single beat.

"I am. Can't come to Vegas without partying your ass off a time or two, right?!"

She laughed at her own response. The question was rhetorical. Then a thought struck her, causing her face to scrunch up a little. It was an odd thought for her because let's be honest, normally Bella doesn't put much thought into anything she does... she just does.

She gently pushed aside a few locks of Callie's blonde hair, moving them away from her ear. As if they'd be in the way of whatever Bella was about to say.

"I just realized I don't even know you... like, at all. I'm out there judging you and talking shit and I have no idea what you are beyond your job."

She sipped her drink and continued vocalizing her train of thought.

"Sure, I know more now but honestly the details just make all the more confusing. Besides, I don't want to know who you are in relation to Ally. Like, tell me about you without ever mentioning your sister, or any family members for that matter. Who is, Callie Taylor Morrow... possibly Savell if Julian adopts you?"

Bella grinned at that last part, she was pretty sure Julian wasn't adopting Callie but then again crazier things have happened in this business.

Callie leaned in to hear her better, slightly hesitant after the change in Bella’s expression but relieved almost immediately when she spoke. She was intrigued by Bella’s questions. It was true she really didn’t know Callie.

Not many people did, even Tony only knew bits and pieces. Constantly trying so hard to handle her delicately and protect her from his world that he wasn’t fully immersed in hers. The only difference being most people didn’t notice. So it surprised her that of all people, Bella did.

Her own expression switched to one of amused disgust as she shook her head vehemently. “God that would be weird, which is on track for Julian, honestly!” She smiled against her own joke. Taking a pause and pushing the tip of her tongue under her top lip, something she did when she was deep in thought.

“What do you wanna know?” Nothing that related to her more famous relatives, she got that much. But they were out dancing and having fun; a lot of the fun facts about me that Callie could tell would ruin the vibe and she had already done enough of that lately. Even so she closed the distance between them more, so she could talk more directly into Bella’s ear.

“I grew up travelling around, being a Traveller is a pretty transient lifestyle so, I didn’t go to school past being ten.” She leaned back a little, her eyes flicking to Bella’s face as she offered an awkward smile. “Just another Romany girl wanting more out of like than a mean drunk of a husband and a caravan to clean ten times a day, really.”

Bella laughed at the response, nearly spitting out a little of her drink in the process but she caught herself, raising a hand to her mouth to catch any unintentional dribble that may have escaped. Bella's first instinct was to bring up Tony and an earlier conversation she'd had about the possibility of Tony ending up as a fat, smelly drunk... but she wisely avoided that subject as it would've been a major buzzkill as the literal elephant in the room.

Honestly, Bella wasn't big on the whole 'girl power' movement but in this moment, fuck Tony.

Bella returned the lean, getting closer to Callie's ear as their bodies pressed together, still moving to the beat of the droning music.

"Must feel like you're cleaning a caravan some days though, I mean with the kids and all. I dunno how you do it, managing their schedules, running yourself ragged and still looking like a California dime in every pic you pos..."

Bella caught herself. Work, the twins... Bella was breaking the rule she'd set. Who was Callie without mentioning family. She bit down on her lip and nodded a bit of silent apology before elaborating on her question.

"Okay then, what does Romany girl want out life if not a caravan to clean? You're here in Vegas. What now?"

The near spittake response from Bella drew a laugh from Callie, she feigned protecting herself from any potential splash zone, one hand up like a barrier before she dropped it with a slight nod.

“Child rearing is what we’re raised for really, without breaking the rules, a certain person I won’t name? She had a whole different upbringing but not me…” she trailed off for a moment, as if talking about her childhood wasn’t something she did.

She quickly shook that off, she was having fun and she didn’t feel like dragging the mood down. Bella actually seemed kinda cool when they weren’t at odds online. Thinking about that though, made her think about Tony. And she didn’t want to do that either so she knocked back the rest of her drink before answering Bella again.

“I don’t know… I wanted to be a singer, ever since I was old enough to do it. But that’s just one of those dumb kid dreams you know? For now I’m just trying to figure out what life is, if it’s not the caravan.”

The face she made when she said that made it clear, glad for Callie at least, her life was never gonna be the caravan.

It was in that moment, Callie knew she was in trouble. Bella's expression became one of dogged determination as she grabbed Callie by the wrist and led her towards the exit. It wasn't rough but she also wasn't taking no for an answer.

"Come with me."

She maneuvered Callie through the throng of sweaty, grinding bodies as if she were a bodyguard, keeping herself between Callie and any smelly threats. As they cleared the crowd Bella glanced back at her with a warm smile, still guiding her by her hand.

"Just trust me on this, okay?"

Out on the strip, Bella paused to look from her left to her fight, still grasping Callie's wrist, only a little looser than she had earlier.

"This way..."

Down the strip they went and right in the door of a local karaoke bar. Through the crowd and right up to the DJ, Bella led Callie, finally letting go of Callie's wrist once they'd arrived at their destination.

Bella glanced at the queue of performers names the DJ had on the list, there was going to be a long wait. Not one to be deterred she went into full flirt mode. Leaning in to the DJ she laughed too hard at his jokes and ran her hand along his shoulder and talked way too close to his ear. Then, after a few moments she spun back to Callie, gripping her by her shoulders.

"Great, you're next. What song do you wanna sing?"

Callie wasn’t given even a second to protest, Bella’s grip on her as she lead her through the crowd the only thing that helped her stay on balance, with no idea what was happening or where they were going. It briefly occurred to her that this could be a stupid idea.

And she just as quickly decided she didn’t care. Everyone else had gotten to be stupid today, it was her turn. Once they were outside she finally had a second to return the smile Bella had given her before.

“Wait where are we-“ nope they were off again, it was only when they walked into the karaoke bar and realised what was happening, which wasn’t quite enough time to protest.

“WHAT?!” Next wasn’t what she expected to hear, which led to a round of shots… and then several more. The rest of the night was a blur.

The next thing she knew it was 6:30 in the morning and the twins were in her room, jumping up and down on her bed.

“Who’s that?!” Josh pointed at the bed next to her, Callie slowly sat up, realising she was wearing one of the shirts she slept in and her underwear… and not much else.

Which might have been the weirdest thing to happen that morning if it wasn’t for the fact that who that was, was Bella. Also in one of her sleep shirts and not much else.

“ALLY!” Ouch. Yelling for her sister to come get the menaces was a bad idea, hand to her head she laid back against the pillows with a groan. “.. what the fuck?”

Bella was dreaming that she was on a sinking cruise ship. The bouncing up and down, the people screaming. The kids screaming? She heard kids but she didn't see any. Then she heard a very distinct voice call out...

"ALLY!"

Bella's head shot up off the pillow, followed by a string of drool. She was awake, but the bed was still bouncing like the cruise ship had been and there were still people screaming. Little people. Pointing at her. Wondering who she was. At the same time she was wondering where she was. Then she peeked under the sheets and wondered who's clothes she was wearing.

Finally her gaze fell to her left and landed on Callie who was staring up towards the ceiling. So many thoughts rushed through her hangover-laden head but the only one she could manage to vocalize was...

"Is this hell?"

“Yes.” Callie groaned, finally sitting back up and grabbing one of the twins, dragging them down onto the bed with another groan. “Josh.. take your sister and go ask to see mums wedding photos” She gently pushed them off the bed, only for Marie to shuffle off jostling the bed even more before the pair scrambled out of the room, shouting and pushing each other as they went.

“I must have died, I feel like I died.” Her words descended into a quiet mumble as she laid back down on the bed, finally turning her head to look at Bella. “how did we get here? Do you remember?”

Bella squinted as if somehow that would help jog her memory... or maybe she was just squinting because the presence of light hurt eyes.

"I remember karaoke... or the threat of karaoke... did you sing?"

Bella tried to prop herself up on one hand using her elbow to support her weight but it was a fail as she crashed back onto the bed, her attempt to appear perky and upbeat failing miserably.

She began looking in her general vicinity for her phone, hoping that would help piece together a trail of clues as to how they ended up there but she had no idea where her phone was. Turns out yelling, "Siri! Where the fuck are you?!" doesn't work. In fact it just hurt her head more.

"Ow. What time is it?"

Callie laughed at the failed attempt to prop herself up, which caused her to flinch and hold her head. Laughter was out of the question apparently.

“Shh…” she held a finger near Bella’s mouth with a frown that was mostly from the hangover quickly taking over. “Why are you yelling?”

Reaching over and grabbed her phone from the nightstand and blinked at it with a confused face.

“It’s before 7.” And she couldn’t give a more precise time than that, blurry eyes unable to make out the actual numbers fully.

"BEFORE SE..." She adjusted her tone, both because it hurt her own head and because Callie had asked nicely. "...before seven?"

She squinted over at the blonde lying next to her. "How the fuck do you still look hot right now? You're not human. That's not normal."

She groaned while pulling the covers up over her face. "Don't look at me. I'm ugly."

She laid there in silence for a moment, until...

"Your sheets smell amazing by the way, what fabric softener do you use?"

She paused for another beat.

"Also, did we do sex?"

She tried so hard not to laugh again, squinting against the light as she pushed her hair out of her face. Looking at Bella with a quizzical expression.

“You look cute, shut up.” That was it the hiding under the sheets broke her and she started laughing, fake crying as she did, holding her head.

“Oh, I make it, like it’s a few things.” Why she was able to cognitively answer that, but not much else wasn’t a mystery. Cleaning was the one thing she always knew!

“No… I… I feel like we’d remember?
And know? Also I’m still wearing my underwear from last night so…” they hadn’t she was reasonably sure and besides, if neither of them remembered it then they couldn’t say they did have sex.

“Oh… I need to text Tony.” She said that a lot quieter, his reply to her messages before she went out were showing unread on her screen.

I love you too…

“Breakfast, we need breakfast, pancakes?” She wasn’t going to deal with that right now. Her stomach was becoming a very vocal demon, demanding to be fed and she threw her hands over it as it rumbled, her face turning bright red from embarrassment.

Maybe it was the mention of Tony's name or perhaps it was the imaginary shield provided by the covers she was hiding under but Bella felt the need to share something, not out of spite or meanness but out of a responsibility to her... friend? Sure, friend. Let's go with friend.

"Tony kissed me last night."

She let it hang there for a second, wondering if hands were about to wrap around her throat from over the sheets.

"I didn't kiss him back. It was all so... sudden. Like he was angry and upset and then he just grabbed me and kissed me... and then he was gone."

For the first time in a long time, Bella's voice dipped down to an almost child-like tone, completely lacking her usual bravado which was likely fueled by her never ending supply of crazy.

"I'm sorry."

Callie sat quietly for a long moment, she put her phone down on the dresser. Pulling her knees up to her chest she rested her chin there for a moment.

“Did you want to kiss him back?” She wasn’t aggressive or even angry, her tone if anything was shaky, like she had almost been expecting it.

Why did she wanna know that? Of all the things to care about, whether or not Bella had wanted to kiss him wasn’t really the issue.

After a few more moments of silence she shifted, pulling the sheet back from Bella’s face as she looked down at her, the upset of the betrayal was obvious in her eyes but there was something else there too.

"Honestly?"

Bella looked up at her with vulnerable eyes, almost doe-like.

"I one hundred percent wanted to, right up until that moment. Then the second he did it, everything changed."

She managed to hold Callie's gaze even though she wanted to look down. It was important to her that Callie knew she was speaking the truth.

"It was like after he did it, I saw him for the first time. Angry and conflicted and sad. I'm not saying I was the cause of all that. I know he has -a lot- going on, but I also don't want to be someone who contributes to that emotional storm. I think he and I connect in a lot of ways but I think we're worlds apart in others. So right now? I just want him to be okay... and I don't want to add to the noise."

She bit her bottom lip while looking up at Callie. She felt vulnerable but she dealt with it. There was more she wanted to say but Callie hadn't asked more. Her question had been simple. In that moment did Bella want to kiss Tony? And Bella had answered.

“Okay.” She kept her eyes on Bella, her breathing was a little heavier than before. She wanted to know more, she wanted to ask… but there was two ways this could go and she was terrified of both of them.

“Anything else? Did… has, anything else happened between the two of you?” She leaned in just a little closer, she could smell Bella’s perfume she was that close to her.

“Is that why we kissed? Cause you felt bad, or guilty? Evening the score thanks to tequila and karaoke or?” She may as well ask all of it. She didn’t want anyone’s pity, she didn’t want to be someone’s second choice either.

Right now she felt like both of those were the case. And it hurt a hell of a lot more than the headache pounding in her head.

Bella's complexion went pure white and then flush red, the blood flowing to her cheeks. She wanted to pull the covers back over her head but Callie had a kung fu like grip on them, preventing her from doing so.

"W...we... kissed?"

Bella's eyes scanned back and forth as tried to piece the memories together. This only brought more questions. Rapid fire questions.

"Did you kiss me or did I kiss you?"

"Was there tongue?"

"Was it good?"

Bella immediately covered her mouth in fear of morning breath.

"Oh my god, did I have bad breath?!"

Tony had absolutely left her mind at this point, forgetting entirely that Callie had questioned if he and Bella had ever gone any further.

Callie couldn’t help but laugh a little at Bella, as much as she felt hurt, wounded pride, by the whole situation. Her blushing and then flurry of questions amused her.

“You don’t remember..?” She shifted, getting comfortable but she didn’t let go of the sheets.

“It was for luck, you said… and then it was a lot more than for luck, unless you kiss for luck with tongue every time?” It was Callie’s turn to blush a little now. Bella had kissed her do luck, they had lingered.. and then really kissed. She remembered that as clear as a photograph.

“I thought it was good but apparently not good enough to remember!” Her faux hurt hid the real one underneath. Bella had avoided the question that mattered…

Did they only kiss as some, evening the score type thing. She wasn’t going to ask again, feeling like no answer was the answer.

Bella's jaw dropped a bit, her eyes continuing to scan in search of the memories... and then she smiled. A smile that lit up her entire face and for a moment the cloud of the hangover had completely cleared.

Seeing Callie blush helped restore some of Bella's confidence as she reached across and took both of Callie's hands in hers. Bella's dark eyes danced as she spoke.

"I remember now. You looked nervous and adorable and I knew that I'd come on strong and that... believe it or not..."

She rolled her eyes at herself for a moment.

"..I can be A LOT sometimes."

Bella smiled from ear too ear.

"So did I kiss you out of guilt? A little but only because I felt guilty putting on the spot like I did. It was like somewhere deep down inside I knew you'd sing amazing and I sort of wanted to show you off to the world, like my own little star."

The smile lingered and then faded.

"But you're not my star. You're not mine at all... and neither is or was Tony."

Now her eyes fell.

"Tony and I never did anything more than that one solitary kiss he surprised me with. We never even came close. I promise you he was respectful of your relationship save for that one moment."

Bella drew a deep breath.

"But our kiss had nothing to do with that. Our kiss was just me in the moment with you. Literally everything else faded away. I only wish I had been sober enough to savor it more, because right now I miss that moment."

Callie’s expression changed when it became clear that Bella remembered, something about the idea of her not remembering upset her more than it should. But she didn’t dwell on the thought, too transfixed by what Bella was saying.

“You? A lot? I don’t believe it!” Her tone was playful and soft, as soon as Bella’s face had dropped she hated it, there was a light in her eyes when she was happy that was all consuming.

She caught Bella’s chin with her thumb, lifting her head to catch her gaze. She wasn’t entirely sure what she was doing, her head still throbbed and memories of last night were trickling back in and she understood. She missed that moment now.

“This isn’t about Tony.” She repeated the words, she wanted to be clear. Clear headed and honest before she leaned down, kissing Bella softly.

The kiss was so soft and sweet, only lasting a second or two at most, but a sober and intentional kiss that had nothing to do with anyone but the two of them.

As their lips parted Bella stared speechless in Callie's direction. There was a wealth of emotion washing over her and in the moment she wasn't sure how to process it without actually crying, which was not a cool look and she was trying to remain cool.

She needed to say something. The last thing she wanted to do was leave Callie hanging. She wasn't sure why she cared so much but she did. Don't screw this up. You can't screw this up. That's when the words just came out...

"Who's Tony?"

She smiled weakly in response to Callie and did her best to hold it together.

Callie didn’t say anything in response, instead she leaned done and wrapped her arms around Bella, bringing her in tight for a hug. She didn’t let go either, squeezing her firmly but not too hard, moving one hand to gently stroke her back as she let out a small sigh.

“You can’t carry everything alone forever you know…” her tone wasn’t demanding, she wasn’t going to force Bella to talk about anything. She just held her like that, offering her a genuine and warm comfort with no expectations attached.

Bella wrapped her arms around Callie, holding her close. It was a real hug. A good hug. The kind that you know when you feel it. She exhaled and let all her troubles wash away for that moment. Then, in true Bella fashion she said...

"I still can't believe I kissed the help."

Callie screamed and tackled her down to the bed, holding her there in the hug but now using her hands to tickle her, feigning absolute indignation as she did.

“You take that back!”

Bella squealed, her BJJ training proving useless under the dreaded tickle assault.

"Oh my god!" She tried to breathe. "OH MY GOD!!"

She wiggled and squirmed but let's be honest, she was kind of okay being in this position, save for the tickling part.

"Okay!!! STAHP!!!! I take it back!! I completely believe I kissed the help because the help is sexy AF!!"

Callie went on for a few more seconds before she finally stopped, her own breathing staggered and heavy as she laughed, collapsing back onto the bed next to Bella.

“Do you remember what happened to that one lady in the help?” She grinned wickedly, turning her head to look at Bella once more.

“I bet Ally is sitting downstairs waiting to accost you when you leave… I’m so not saving you from that!”

Bella lay there, trying to catch her breath while laughing next to Callie, until she spun to face her blonde haired accoster.

"Wait. What?! You'd seriously leave me to walk down there and face her alone?!"

Bella's mind was racing.

"What would I even say?!"

She transitioned into some sort of deep voice that she mistakenly thought sounded professional.

"Oh hey, Ally. I just wanted to make sure Callie got home safely since I'm clearly a responsible young woman. Also we did not do sex. Have a good day."

Callie dissolved into near uncontrollable laughter, her hands wrapping around her stomach and holding it with a small groan.

“Stopppp! I can’t take it.” Even as she said that she was laughing, eventually she relaxed and just laid there on the bed staring up at the ceiling with a smirk.

“She’d probably prefer if we did have sex, then she’d have her way and chase you off next week.” Callie huffed with a slight annoyance.

“Her and Julian got married yesterday so she should be in a good mood, you might get by with just a show thrown at you!”

Bella reached out and held Callie's hand as she lay there next to her.

"I'm pretty stubborn. It's not that easy to chase me off. Unless of course you're the one to do it. Not gonna where I'm not wanted. Basically what I'm saying is, you're the one that matters. She's just noise. Even if that noise is well intended."

Callie’s hand squeezed Bella’s gently as she smiled, watching her quietly for a moment.

“And nosey. And holler than thou.” She added a couple of things to the list about the noise before squeezing her hand again.

“The only place I’m gonna chase you is to the kitchen for breakfast.” Something occurred to her suddenly and she smiled. An easy content smile, turning her head all the way to fully look at Bella now.

“I’m glad you’re here, that you didn’t listen to yourself. Turns out this? Not such a bad idea.”

Bella smiled brightly at that.

"Me too."

She sat up and swished around her mouth.

"Is it okay if borrow a toothbrush before you go downstairs though? I don't need Julian cutting a promo on me about my dragon breath!"

Bella smiled brightly and drew a deep breath before leaning in so the tip of her nose was resting against Callie's as their eyes met.

"Thank you, for real. For being so much cooler than I could've possibly imagined you'd be. You're awesome."

Callie looked up at her with a smile, wrinkling her nose so that their noses rubbed together.

“You’re welcome! Now let’s get you that toothbrush… you need it!”

She smirked, before pressing her lips together to stifle a laugh.

Bella stole a quick kiss, bad breath and all before jumping up and following Callie to wherever they were headed. She looked down at the bed clothes.

"This is cute. Can I keep it?"

“That’s uh…” she hesitated for a second and chewed her bottom lip. “That’s Tony’s shirt.” The awkwardness of the statement hung between them for a moment before she grabbed her by the hand and headed out into the hall.

“Uh… where’s your mum? And Julian?” The twins were sitting in front of the TV, snack plates in front of them and also still in their PJs.

Josh looked up, he stared at Bella wordlessly before he finally shrugged and Marie rolled her eyes.

“She said you didn’t need your day off after all! When are we going swimming?”

Shaking her head and letting go of Bella’s hand to go fetch her phone she muttered under her breath something about murdering them both.

Bella blinked and looked down at the mention of who the shirt belonged to. Somehow it felt like she was breaking up the same relationship from the other side and she didn't feel great about that. Her body language changed a bit but she tried to put on a smile for the kids but mostly just faded into the background while Callie addressed them.

Bella just sort of stood there and folded her arms while Callie headed off. Halfway between lost and afraid to move, in case motion set the kids off.

Callie came back into the room with a groan. Holding her phone up with annoyance.

“They’re not answering… sorry.” She turned to Bella, an apologetic smile on her face as she pointed to her wards.

“You can stay and hang out if you want… but looks like I’m working today after all.“

She hesitated between starting to get the kids ready and seeing what Bella wanted to do, now that she was standing still she could feel something shifted. What it was she wasn’t quite sure.

"Yeah..." Bella pointed towards the door and then back towards Callie's room. "...no."

She was stumbling over her words.

"I mean of course. I should let you do you thing. Swimming and all that."

She pointed in a random direction now.

"I'll just get my clothes and call an Uber."

Suddenly she felt like she couldn't get out of there fast enough. Her head was spinning. Part way because of the hangover and the rest of the way because she was confused.

“Okay.” She nodded quickly, she could see that everything was shifting and she wanted to talk… but she couldn’t.

Partially because of the twins and partially because lately anytime she tried to talk things through, it went south.

“Call me later? Or text me? We can uh.” She glanced back at the kids and then back to Bella with a small smile. “We’ll talk.”

Bella smiled and nodded. She wasn't trying to make things harder on Callie. So instead she gave a thumbs up. A thumbs up?! Yes, a thumbs up. The dreaded thumbs up and she immediately felt stupid for doing so.

"Right..." She glanced at her own thumb, horrified, and lowered it. "We'll talk later. When you're free. Uh..."

Her eyes went to the kids and she suddenly felt the need to concoct an explanation for what they'd seen.

"Thanks again, Callie... for letting me sleepover. I... uh... "

She scratched at her head.

"...I'm sure my place has been properly fumigated and that there are no more... er... dragons."

With that she took off towards Callie's room, quickly changed into her dress, left Tony's clothes behind and beat a hasty retreat!