Author: lilyme
Summary: Their relationship was still new and she was unsure of what Arizona wanted. But she was determined to not leave her alone in this.
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this story, nor do I own any rights to the television show "Grey's Anatomy". They were created by Shonda Rhimes and belong to her and the ABC network. No copyright infringement intended!All mistakes are mine.

She stood helplessly.

Watching her from afar.

Watching the woman she had been dating for half a year cry.

Or try not to.

Arizona's back was turned towards her and she was looking out the living room window.

Her shoulders were heaving and her hand was covering her face. Hiding her eyes, silencing her sobs.

Callie knew what had caused this.

The blonde had lost a patient today. A six year-old cancer patient, a girl she had treated even before coming to what was now Seattle Grace Mercy West.

Twice they had thought that they had beaten this devilish disease. And yet again it had always returned. And this time more aggressive than ever.

The parents... they had fought so desperately to save their daughter time and time again. And often times they had been near their breaking point.

It had been their little Casey who had build their courage back up each time. Never one to give up or resign. Showing no fear and handling everything the doctors had to do to her, fighting like a champ.

Until today in surgery, she lost her fight.

And it broke Arizona's heart. More than the blonde was used to.

She had to deal with death on a regular basis. Unfortunately it wasn't rare that one of her tiny humans couldn't be saved. Their conditions often too severe.

And they all hurt. But some more than others.

Callie knew that the blonde wanted space in moments like this. Wanted to be by herself. Always wanting to handle this by herself.

Often times Arizona went for a long walk, only returning in the middle of the night to a Callie who was almost worried sick by that point. But Arizona was always okay then. Giving Callie a reassuring kiss before cuddling into her arms and bringing them both to sleep.

But today seemed different.

And despite better judgement, Callie abandoned her current plan to prepare a simple dinner for them and walked over to Arizona.

Putting her hand on her arm, she felt Arizona flinch. Not shying away, but startled. She hadn't heard her approach.

Arizona turned her head to look at her and the tears fully came forth.

Callie wrapped her arms around her and guided her to the couch, seating the blonde in a way that had her resting her back against her front. She cradled her girlfriend in her embrace and let her weep freely, soothing her hands over shaking arms until Arizona grabbed one of them and entwined their fingers. For Support. Closeness.

Unbeknownst to herself, Callie had started humming softly. Comfortingly. A little instinctive melody.

The sound initially almost drowned out completely by Arizona's sobs, but after a while it was the only that could be heard.

Arizona sniffed once more, pulling Callie's arms almost impossibly tighter around her, one of her hands going up to wipe the almost dried tears.

"Thank you," the words were almost inaudible. "I needed this tonight."

"Anytime," Callie smiled softly and put a shadow of a kiss behind Arizona's ear.

And as Arizona caressed her arms, Callie was reassured in her decision to not let her girlfriend alone in this.

END