Disclaimer: I obviously don't own the characters, etc. If Queen Shonda is terribly upset about my playing with them I'll gladly trade my student debt. Sound fair?

Minor Trigger Warning: This story initially focuses on an assault. The actual assault isn't described, but the after effects (injuries, etc.) are discussed. If this will bother you this may not the be the best fic for you to read.

Chapter One

Callie turned off the tv and picked up her wine glass to have another large sip. She wasn't really watching it anyway, the noise just helped her to feel less alone, like there might be more than a sleeping toddler in the house to spend the evening with. She wasn't exactly lonely when Arizona first left the house. It felt different, in many ways freeing like she hoped. But she hadn't expected the loneliness. She felt unsure of herself at every move, as though her life didn't make sense all the time.

She and Arizona had each been able to some experience professional success over the past few months apart. Her research seemed promising and Arizona's fellowship seemed to be going well. Though, Callie was never really sure what was going on with Arizona. Their conversations were always brief and usually revolved around Sofia. Even when they pretended they were fine for just a minute or two Arizona tended to give Callie mixed signals. Sometimes she seemed as though she were a second a way from begging Callie to let her come home and others as though she was over the whole notion of Callie.

The loneliness and confusion had caused this to become a nightly ritual after tucking Sofia in – a large glass of wine and a tv program she didn't actually watch in an attempt to quiet her thoughts and doubts. She tried not to drink much when she had Sofia, which was nearly every night. But one, albeit quite large, glass of wine wouldn't hurt too much. It was likely not the healthiest – physically or emotionally – routine she could develop, but she figured in light of everything it was on the better side of the options.

Callie was contemplating how they had gotten to their current relative stalemate when there was a knock at the door. It was after 11 pm and Callie hadn't been expecting anyone. She immediately checked her phone and pager to make sure she hadn't missed anything. No messages on either device, Callie got up and placed her now empty wine glass in the sink before heading to the door.

Callie opened the door to find Arizona standing on her door step. This wasn't drunk, sad, and angry Arizona that had shown up at Callie's door a few times after their break up. Arizona was a mess. Her hair was matted, there was blood on her clothes and her face, her shirt was torn, bruises were beginning to appear on her left cheek and eye and there were tears running down her face.

"Arizona, what happened?" Callie exclaimed. She quickly opened the door wider, placing her arm around Arizona's shoulders and led her into the house.

"I...I was a-attacked."

Callie sat Arizona down on the couch and immediately went into triage-mode. The wound on Arizona's head was obviously still bleeding and would require stitches.

"What do you mean you were attacked?" Callie asked as she continued to assess Arizona's injuries. Her ribs seems to be bruised, not broken, but there could be internal bleeding, and the way that Arizona was holding her arm seemed to indicate her wrist was broken, but she was hesitant to let Callie near it.

"I was walking and…a-and h-he came out of nowhere."

"Arizona"

Arizona had yet to meet Callie's eyes since she opened the door.

"Arizona…hey Arizona, honey, look at me" Callie tried to say soothingly as she knelt next to Arizona.

Arizona slowly looked up at Callie and found sympathy in her eyes and tears welling up. Callie had never seen Arizona like this. She had been cleaned up before Callie saw her after the car and plane crash. Even if they weren't together Callie still cared for Arizona and it was heartbreaking to see her hurt.

"Why are you here, Arizona? Why didn't you go to the hospital?"

"I didn't know where to go. I didn't want to go to the frat house" Arizona whimpered.

"But why here? It's late and you need a doctor." Callie gently questioned.

"I-I'm sorry. I won't wake Sofia. Oh god. Sofia. Please don't let her see me. Please, Callie. C-Could you stitch me up? Then I'll go. I know you don't have to do this, but please Callie?"

Callie couldn't help but think of the last time that Arizona plead with her about her medical care after the plane crash. It didn't go so well after that time either and they never recovered. Callie wanted to be able to give Arizona anything she wanted, especially medically. But there were too many injuries, too many possibilities for more severe damage. Especially that head wound that was still bleeding Arizona needed more attention than Callie could give with just a suture kit.

"I can't sweetie, I'm sorry. You have to go to the hospital. I can take you."

Arizona started crying all over again. "She can't see me like this, Callie please. Callie, Sofia can't see me."

"Okay. Okay. It is going to be okay, Arizona." Callie looked Arizona in the eyes as she assured her. "So I'm going to help you to the bathroom, but I don't want you to wash anything off, okay? Then, I'll go get Sofia and put her in the car. She should still be asleep. When I know she is asleep in her car seat I'll come get you and then we'll go, okay?"

"Pr-Promise she won't see me?"

Callie's eyes immediately hit the ground as her thoughts and memories overwhelmed her. Another promise. Another likely disappointment. So many things could go wrong. Sofia could wake at any point. She couldn't promise Arizona anything. Never again. But Arizona had to get to the hospital. Now. Who knows how long ago she was attacked? Did she even come straight here?

Callie settles on "It'll be okay, Arizona. Now, let's get you to the bathroom." Not a promise, at least.

Callie quickly gets Sofia settled in the car. Callie being paged in the middle of the night was not an infrequent occurrence. Sofia had been transferred to her car seat or another apartment while she slept ever since she was born. She didn't stir too much this time. Callie was infinitely grateful that one of the first board decisions was a 24 hour daycare at the hospital. The 24 hour day care made life much easier, especially for the night-time pages when she was pretty much operating as a single parent.

On her way back to the house to get Arizona, Callie saw Arizona's car. There was glass and blood all over the front seat. Callie couldn't hold back the bile that had been rising in her throat all night. She leaned over the grass and watched as her stomach contents were expelled and her utter repulsion at this whole situation was made obvious. Before she went back in she texted Jo to tell her to be waiting in the staff lot to take Sofia in to the daycare and April to set up a trauma room.

Entering the house again Callie quickly went to the bathroom to retrieve Arizona. Arizona seemed slightly more out of it when Callie reached her. Callie immediately cursed herself for not keeping a pen light in her doctor's bag for neuro checks. She couldn't tell if this was an indication of Arizona's head injury being more severe or a testament to the lack of sleep Arizona had been getting over the past few months. Luckily, Arizona had followed her instructions not to wash up or attempt any of her own doctoring. Callie had already thought through the need to report the attack to the police. She knew that would cause another disagreement and breakdown from Arizona. But it was necessary, and she was hoping who was ever in the pit that night would get to break that news to Arizona.