The Blind Sight Chapter 1, a grey's anatomy fanfic

Just me trying to tackle Calzona in my own words. Love them and I hope all who read, enjoy.

Arizona sat in her pickup truck hidden by the shady trees that lined the front of her home. She knew she wanted this home the moment she had spotted it. The moment the realtor opened up her mouth and said it was the American dream home. That's all Arizona wanted was the American dream. Sure, her dream was a little different than most women. Hers wasn't 2.5 kids and a husband to provide for her. Hers was a partner, a wife who shared her ideals in life.

She sighed and finished off a can of beer tossing it in her backseat. It fell in line with her current décor of half smudged out cigars and tools.

She had found her mate, but her mate altered her view of her American dream. She was 6 months pregnant. Despite her pregnant state, she was the most gorgeous creature Arizona had ever laid eyes on. Taller than her, dark brown eyes, coal black hair that fell to her shoulders, a smile that could light up a room and legs that went on for days. They met when Arizona was headed off for her first tour in Iraq, they wrote, called, fell in love and when she came back she raised the child as if she were own. Sofia, the baby's name was Sofia. She was 2 years old.

Arizona's blue eyes lifted into the sky as a burst of orange and red light shot up into the air, sending intense specks of colors in all directions. She closed her eyes and gripped the steering wheel, her back teeth jutted forward, nearly grinding with the front. The explosions were too real, too close. It had been many years since she was dishonorably discharged due to a bullet to the leg, but sometimes she could still smell the fresh blood in the air. Sometimes, she could smell the fresh scent of gun powder, hear the screams of men, see them begging to whatever god they believed in.

Following her breathing exercises, she slowly inhaled and exhaled until the world was back into focus. Until she was Arizona again in her truck after a long day's work, until she could see the children in the street laughing and playing, until she could smell the scent of over cooked meat and barbeque sauce.

She cracked open another beer and drank heavily from it, her eyes landing on the pile of mail beside her. A red note this time.

She read the title out loud before ripping the envelope in two.

Somewhere, some suit decided it would be okay to boot a veteran from their home. Some asshole thought it was business as usual to take away her American dream. The very same dream she had nearly given her life to protect.

She slammed the steering wheel again, and again. The last time so hard, her blonde hair shifted forward out of her loose ponytail and hung like limp strings in her line of vision. She was sweating, she was always fucking sweating.

She swiped at her forehead with the back of her arm and cursed.

She had did what any veteran did, used her skills learned in the Army to get a job. She learned how to build homes from top to bottom, that included wiring, framing, you name it she could do it. She found a construction company in desperate need for a female quota and it stuck. It was a living. A hard one, but she didn't mind the work. The work was never the problem; it was the god damn pay. She complained incessantly about it but she was met with a bullshit promotion to keep her calm that was all title and no payoff.

She killed off the last of the beer.

It was the pressure, it was always the pressure. Rising, rising, rising until it was up to her fucking earlobes and all she could do was kick and flail until it eventually took her under. Some nights she wanted to crawl into her wife's arms and cry until her head ached, but that simply wasn't an option. She was the leader of this family. The leader never cracked, never complained, never cried. The leader had to be strong; the leader had to make sure they survived.

She opened up the door to her truck and made a mental note to see about the loud squeak it caused whenever it was entered. She swallowed her doubt as she rounded the truck, by the time she made it up the drive she had already mentally prepared herself for the next route she'd have to take to keep her family secure.

She nudged a ball out of her path.

She could swing an extra shift.

The blonde deftly evaded a downed bicycle.

She could pick up a part time job. Old Jim always said he needed a helping hand in the fields.

Arizona could breathe again, all of a sudden the collar on her t-shirt didn't seem so tight, and the weight on her shoulders lessened.

What little weight she had remaining dissipated when she saw her beauty in the kitchen window. She was staring out into the night, a small smile on her face as those magnificent brown eyes shared amazement with the fireworks in the sky and their child playing with the neighborhood children across the street.

Arizona stuffed her hands in her pockets and shifted out of sight.

Calliope told her she was crazy when she told her she liked to watch her. She even referred to her as a stalker, with that slight accent she still carried from her descendants. It slipped out from time to time. Especially in the bedroom.

She liked to watch her doing small things. Folding clothes, ironing, cooking. Sometimes she'd just pull up a chair and watch her. Arizona wasn't one for art. She wasn't fancy, or learned in certain things. But she knew what she was watching was a masterpiece. She could analyze it for hours. Like that Langdon guy in those novels Calliope read out loud to her.

Even with life kicking her in the ass repeatedly, Callie always stood beside her. When they couldn't cover Sofia under her military benefits, when the dreams became too real and scared her into waking, when they faced foreclosure the first time, and then the second; she was always there.

Arizona's smile broadened as she snuck into through their front door.

Her rock.

Calliope hummed softly as she stirred up her 'secret' sauce for the grilled chicken cooking away outside. Her neighbor's thought it was the best barbeque sauce in the world, but really it was something from the store revved up with a few choice ingredients of her own and some fresh vegetables.

She dabbed a pinky in and tasted her creation. It wasn't half bad.

Most women didn't like the type of life she had chosen. Most women wouldn't be satisfied with the stay at home mom status. Calliope however felt as if she was born to play the role. True, things could get dull but she always found a new project to be a part of to help others around her. She was head of the PTA, at the top of the phone tree, she coached the little league softball team and it wasn't a Sunday that went by that she wasn't organizing the fellowship eating for church.

Calliope's face darkened just a moment as she added just a pinch more salt to her recipe.

They had found a home here and though it took time to gain the trust and tolerance of those around them as a same sex couple, eventually people came around. Now there were still idiots, you can find them anywhere, but most of the town had accepted them for who they were. Honest people trying to endure just like them. The pastor always looked for Arizona come Sunday, but Arizona believed there was no God and well, Callie didn't have the heart to tell him. So she always found an excuse. She's feeling ill or, she's got an extra shift. The pastor wasn't the only one she had to make excuses for anymore either.

Her eyes settled on Sofia in the yard. She gave a little wave, reassuring her, paranoid her thoughts had somehow escaped her mind and fluttered out the window for all to see.

She worried about Arizona. Callie knew her wife was a loner by nature, but lately things had begun to slip. It was the little things she had noticed first. First she would be an hour late, then the kisses goodbye stopped, then the sex…lessened. Her attention to Sofia was slowly beginning to wan; she was late to her science fair. She had won first place. Then she no showed her school play. Then there was the alcohol. Her partner was a drinker, the armed forces saw to that but it had recently increased. Bottles hidden under cabinets all over the house. The scariest stash she found was a garbage bag full of cans behind her old military gear.

Tired eyes shifted as she lifted the grill brush from the drawer and placed it on the counter beside her.

She was afraid she was losing her again. Like the time the dreams got too real. Like the nights they used to wake her from dreaming.

The spark was fading from those crystal blue eyes that reached out to her in a sea full of strangers. That was there for her, that didn't bypass her baggage, but instead stopped and added it to her own. She didn't want to forget that woman, she couldn't forget that woman. But she was afraid she would.

A brilliant blue lit up the sky, followed by a loud whistle and an explosion, next was a round of applause. It wasn't the screech that shook her it was the arms around her waist. She smiled and soon settled into them, as soft warm lips found the side of her neck.

"Arizona." She said playfully, biting her lip as the kisses continued further down her shoulder.

"How'd you know it was me?" The blonde said, still not pausing from her current work on neck and jaw line.

"What other person's crazy enough to sneak into my house unannounced?"

The brunette turned and pressed her lips against her partners. A slow, sweet moan escaping her lips as her eyes closed tightly. She felt strong arms pull her in closer; she felt her lover's soft fleshy tongue enter her mouth. She slowed the kiss and backed away briefly, looking the blonde in her eyes. Then she remembered.

"I love you." She whispered into Arizona's ear, kissing it softly. "I love you so very much."

Arizona's arms gripped her tighter. "I love you too." She replied her voice also a scant whisper.

They rocked together in time slowly to some distant song that only they could hear. Whispering about their love as if it was a secret only they could know. As if mentioning it only in private would protect it from any harm from the outside world.

"Remember our first 4th of July?" Callie said dipping into her lovers shoulder; her nose pressed against her shoulder. She inhaled and enjoyed her scent. She smelled of fresh linen and sweat. She gripped her tighter and felt the muscles she had built from her job. She wasn't rippled with them, but she was solid, hardened just enough so that her frame could support her tough schedule.

"I do." Arizona replied settling into the soft, curvaceous frame she had grown accustom to. She even let her hands slip further past her waist to grip the supple behind hidden under dark denim pedal pushers. Her actions elicited a giggle. "You had long hair then, way past your shoulders. We had sparklers and way too much wine to be handling a child."

Calliope sighed. "We were so young." She kissed the shoulder she leaned into. "When did you get so old?"

"Hey." Arizona pulled back to give Calliope a gentle kiss to the cheek. "I'm pretty sure it was around the time you did."

After a light swat with a dish rag, Arizona moved over to the secret sauce and dipped her finger inside. "Ever going to tell me what's in this stuff?"

"If I did, I'd have to kill you." The brunette finished with a wink. Her expression instantly shifted into concern. She stuttered at first but decided some things just couldn't wait. "Got a call from the bank."

Arizona's jovial mood quickly turned south. "Really? What did they want? Looking for a bail out?" She laughed, it was forced. So forced even she didn't believe it. "Sure as hell ain't going to find it here."

"Can you be serious for a moment?"

"Serious?" Arizona smacked the tiled counter. She had a temper. A very bad one. But she was working on that. "I'm serious every goddamn day of my life Calliope. I don't ever get to smile; I've got so many fucking worries I…"

She saw the look on her wife's face. The one she never enjoyed putting there. The one that made her hate herself.

"I got it Calliope. I can handle this."

"Arizona you don't have to do everything alo-"

Arizona turned to her, and wrapped her hands into her own. She mustered up another smile. This time it did the trick because the concern in Calliope's eyes lightened. "No since in both of us worrying right? I've got it all figured out, now you just leave it to me."

"The last time-"

"Do you trust me baby?" Arizona pleaded with her eyes, begged her to give her the entire burden. She couldn't sleep at night knowing she had the love of her life ripping her hair out over something neither could change.

"With my life." And she meant that statement. Meant it so sincerely her eyes nearly brimmed with tears just thinking about a situation, a time, a place where she could even imagine her life without Arizona. Imagine a world where she hadn't given her, her most ultimate confidence.

"Well there you go." A confident smirk, a hand that quickly wiped away a fallen tear. She knew just what to do then. A tug, a grip, a heated kiss that made even her own knees nearly go limp. All these years. All these years and she still had that effect on her.

"Gross."

Both heads turned to spot a small framed child in their back doorway. It was Sofia; her arm's brimming over with fireworks, some even hanging from her pockets. She was in the seventh grade headed to 8th and was already concerned with her high school GPA.

"Shouldn't you two get a room?"

"How about we own all the rooms in this house?" Arizona said her hands going up to her hips.

"You make a pretty good point." She shook the fireworks at her mother. "Wanna' blow stuff up now?"

The blonde clutched her chest. "Oh I thought you'd never ask."

Without hesitation the two were nearly out the door but were halted by a stern voice from behind.

"Hold it you two."

Both slowly turned but it was a single index finger that extended and beckoned one near. The child gave the fireworks to her mother and trudged over to her momma.

"Yeah mom."

"Not yeah, yes."

"Yes mom."

"You got your inhaler?"

"It's upstairs-"

The finger swiftly pointed to the stairs and didn't budge until the young lady made her way back down, medicine in hand. Calliope pulled her in and kissed the top of her head. "Be careful okay; don't get too wild out there. And don't ever let me catch you playing again without it."

After a quick nod and a boost with a playful swat to the behind, she was out the door, nearly dragging her mother with her.

Once outside Sofia was already setting up a row of rockets, working inward out alongside her mother. She knew she wasn't birthed from her mother, in fact everything about her screamed her momma. Everyone from the bums to the deacon said the same exact thing. She was the spitting image of her momma. From the nearly coal black hair, to the shape of her nose and even the way she walked. She wanted just once for someone to say that she reminded her of her mother.

She watched her mother's sturdy hands dig into the earth, blonde wisps falling in front of her face.

She was tough. Her momma was tough, but baking cookies and being the top volunteer at the church fundraisers a full year running wasn't her idea of hard-hitting. She wanted to command the respect of men like her mother did. She wanted to be like those female action heroes you saw on film, who did no harm but took no crap from anyone around them. Her mother was good at nearly everything, she said she learned to adapt, it's what the military trained her to do.

Her mother lit two sparklers and they quickly ignited each end of the rockets and stepped back, waiting for their big display.

Then they jumped right out of their sockets and leapt into the air, climbing and climbing until they reached their limit and then busted overhead. The small girl raised her arms upwards and danced under the spectacle of light. Dazzling shades of every color of the rainbow stood stark against the blackened sky. They had let out the best display on the block yet, and everyone stopped to see it, some even applauded.

Some of the kids from her school came over, she shared her fireworks, and her momma would kill her if she didn't. Some of the kids were nasty to her, but most of them accepted her family for what it was. She was known for her smarts, not her mothers, which she thought was pretty neat. She didn't want her family on display like some freak show, but she found that most people had a way of just accepting things the longer there around it. When they get to meet the people behind the curtains, it's a lot harder to grimace at the oddity.

Calliope with an army of burgers and hotdogs quickly set them down and anyone in reach dove in and half the block crowded in once she set out her grilled chicken, complete with sauce. They didn't have much but she didn't have a stingy bone in her body. It was in her nature, and most other's she reckoned to share and be kind to one another. It was what the lord taught them on Sunday. She always had to tell the 'Feed the Multitudes' story from the bible. Arizona always retorted that Jesus didn't have a light bill.

After everyone had had their fill, and countless grumbles of wishing to have two mommies, Calliope sent them all home with a cupcake. Two for the chubby kid who told her they should get married and made Arizona shoot a mean look at him and even send a few pop rocks at his feet as he scurried up the road.

Calliope checked the time and gestured towards the backdoor. Sofia turned towards her momma like a deer caught in headlights.

"Just one more hour." She raced towards her mother and folded her hands neatly in. "Please." She added dragging out the word for affect.

"It's already ten o'clock. You know what tomorrow is."

"Do we have to go to grandmas?"

"Abuelita."

Sofia tried her best to conceal her eye roll. "Abuelita. Do we have to? She's old and angry all the time. And her house is freezing and it's so far-"

"Mind your mother."

That tone she could never beg her way out of came from Arizona Robbins. When Arizona Robbins told you to move, you had better damn well move.

"But mom." She'd risk it, just for the night.

"That was an order soldier, not a request." She caught fierce blue eyes and headed for the back door.

Calliope couldn't contain her laugher because soon after that crooked frown on Arizona's face was beaming again and her head was turned in conversation to one of the men she worked with on the job. She always gestured when she talked. You'd swear she was speaking sign language. She had a tendency to drink when she got in too deep into a conversation. Calliope wasn't happy about the cooler and chairs that appeared when the discussion veered from political to downright rabble rousing.

As Calliope cleared up the front yard, she heard beer can after beer can. Just tonight she repeated over and over in her head. She'd make sure to touch on this amongst other topics as soon as the event subsided.

"And what do we say when we see Abuelita?" Callie said brushing through Sofia's hair.

"Abuela estan bueno verte."

Calliope's hands expertly navigated the girls scalp, giving her one long thick braid in no time at all. She chuckled and placed her chin on her daughter's shoulder. "Try not to sound like you're being held at gun point okay sweetie?"

"Why do I always have to speak Spanish around her?"

"Because your grandmother is very, very proud of her heritage. When I was a little girl, she made me practice it every day." She lifted up and gestured towards the bed; Sofia shuffled to the top of it but refused to go under the covers.

Calliope grunted just a bit after getting up from her stooped position and sat on the edge of her bed nearest Sophia. "She made me do it, so I wouldn't forget who I was."

"I don't like Spanish all that well."

Calliope's forehead creased in concern. "Why not?"

"I don't like the things grandma says about mom in Spanish."

The brunette lifted up slightly to put her daughter under the covers, tucking in the blanket slightly at her sides.

"You're getting too big to be tucked in." She beat back the bottom of the blanket slightly then sighed. "Old enough to know that some people don't agree with your mother and I's lifestyle."

"Well I'm like mom, I hate her too."

This statement earned her a stern look, which she cowered under for just a moment before gentle words followed.

"Sofia, people fear what they do not understand. If it disrupts people's ideas of normalcy, sometimes they meet it with aggression instead of acceptance. Your grandmother…" She shook her head slightly. "…is just one of those people. She hates the fact that your mother and I are together, but do we turn around and hate her too? If so, where does that get us mija?"

"I guess we'd be just like her…" She mumbled. "…only way less fat."

Calliope couldn't stifle her laughter if she tried. "You treat others with respect, even when they don't show you the same."

"I know, still sucks."

"I'm not going to sugar coat it Sofia. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it takes a lot but it is possible." Her hand darted out and stroked the side of the young woman's face. "She loves you. She loves Arizona too and vice versa; they just have a really bad way of showing it." A few tickles to her daughters side were added for good measure. "And mind your language."

"Where's mom at, still outside?"

"She should be in a little later to check on you." Callie stood from the bed and turned off the lights. She watched Sofia settle in bed as more lights from fireworks outside sent shockwaves of color through the blinds, making for the briefest moment a kaleidoscope effect in the room.

"No waiting up, I mean it. Straight to bed."

"Has dad called?"

An innocent question. So innocent in fact it felt out of place with their recent discussion of lifestyles and strange tangled stories of misconstrued affection.

"He." A beat to gather her thoughts. "He hasn't called, but you'll be the first to know."

A reassuring smile and a quick kiss before heading back downstairs. When did he ever call? She didn't want to demonize him; she wanted Sofia to know him. To love him. She had loved him once upon a time. She wanted him around, she didn't want him to be so scarce but eventually his appearances had become scanter and scanter.

Another worry added to the list that seemed to be ever growing.

A violent explosion outside caused her to jump just a little. After regaining her composure she made her way down the stairs and to the front door. Outside Arizona sat, still going on about the 'man'.

She stopped in the door way to catch the full scope of the crowd that formed. It wasn't exactly a mob, but ten of her co-workers had gathered raising their beers in unison as her and two other men spoke about cut hours and unfair wages.

A man stood his eyes glazed over, his neck and hands still grubby from the shift he had earlier. His baseball cap covered a bald spot on his head, and he looked as if he hadn't bothered with dental hygiene for some time.

"These construction workers, what come up with a good idea. They used a giant rat to protest the entire build site."

"A giant rat?" One of the other men surrounding him questioned.

"Rat was 'sposed to represent something..." He sipped his beer. "…I can't remember it but if you give me to the mornin' I'd swear I had a point in there somewhere."

The crowd around him laughed and Arizona raised her drink in his direction. "That point being don't mess with Bobby, he'll bring ratatouille down on you."

"He's a regular pied piper!" Another shouted as the crowd joined in the merriment.

"Laugh all you want, but, they got those wages lifted."

"They aren't going to raise anything." Arizona said rising up and tossing her empty can to the side. "They'll work us to the bone because they can. They know the economy is in a down turn, they know there's competition in every job market and we don't have a choice but to put up or shut up. Well I say I am just about fed the fuck up, with shutting up."

Murmurs amongst the crowd only fueled her rant. "We know those sorry sacks of crap in the government aren't going to do a damn thing for you." She pointed to the ground beneath her. "They make more money off of you down there than up here. Least down there they don't have to worry about supplementing your income."

Another drink and she was recharged, she felt like spitting some hellfire and brimstone tonight. "Second class citizens you and I. I gave a part of my life, damn near my leg for this country and you know what it did for me."

"Not a damn thing." Lester chimed in.

"That's right. Not a single flying fuck was given when I had to-"

"Arizona." A soft voice called next to her. A firm arm wrapped around her waist. "You out here starting a revolution or an angry mob?" A quick smile to all in attendance backed up her light hearted comment.

Blue eyes tried to silently communicate, as they often did but were evaded.

"Show's over boys, I'm sending you all to bed."

Some laughed others shifted to grab up their discarded cans or chairs. Arizona said her goodbyes, but when her eyes found Calliope's again, there was something more there just beneath the glint of alcohol, there was anger in them as well.

Once inside, Arizona turned on the lights and shut the door.

"What was that?"

"That was me diffusing the situation before you got those men too riled up." She crossed the room and rubbed Arizona's shoulders lightly.

Arizona slid from her embrace. "I don't need you coming around putting me to bed like I'm a child Calliope."

"I was just trying to-"

"You were just interrupting me." The shorter woman walked to the other side of the room near the stairs. "As usual."

"Excuse me what was that?" Calliope threw her hands up in frustration and crossed the room. "Is this how it's going to be now? Are we going back down that road?"

Arizona froze, paused for just a moment then turned back towards her wife. "And just what exactly are you suggesting?"

"I'm saying are we going to do this again? Am I going to have to start keeping up appearances for the drinking?"

Arizona was never affected by words. They never hurt her. Sticks and stones and all that jazz. But that stung just a bit.

"I had one beer Calliope; you're going to crucify me over one god damn beer."

"Do not use that tone with me. And you didn't have one beer, you had several not to mention whatever you drank before you came home."

"I-"

"I could smell it on your breath Arizona." Calliope looked away. "Taste it on your lips."

Silence. Harsh uncomfortable silence. A loud stream of black cat explosions cut through it like a hot knife through butter.

Arizona stepped closer, her eyes narrowed. "Who are you to judge me? Judge yet ye be judged right?" She scoffed, undoing the ponytail on head and loosening the knot it formed.

"Do not throw bible verses at me to defend your actions."

"I am an adult; I can do whatever the hell I want to do."

"I thought I could trust you right?" More crackling of fireworks could be heard in the distance. "How can I trust you when every day here lately is like you're slipping backwards? The dreams baby, the drinking…I know you had some dark times but…"

"Oh bullshit Calliope." Arizona fired back her temper getting the best of her. "Always playing the victim while mean while…" She gestured towards her chest. "…every day it feels like someone has my enter life in between a vice and I am stuck in the middle in complete and utter pain. I can't even yell, because I'd feel like my screams would be an inconvenience for you."

Calliope was staggered by her comments. This is how the truth came out between them. They could never be cordial; they could never sit down and discuss the issues. There were times when they did but years had gone by and communication was still their one true weakness.

"So what are you going to do now? Bottle it all up just to guzzle it all down? Huh?" She stepped closer to her wife, feeling the sting of tears that had yet to fall. "You going to numb yourself? You going to drink it all away until you're nothing but a shell?"

She stepped even closer and tugged on the bottom of the blonde's shirt. "We'll I'm not going to live with my father again."

The sting from early, now felt like an open wound. Her father. Arizona hated her father, he was a drunk and he died a drunk. He was verbally abusive and just plain horrible. Is that how she saw her?

"Well I'm twice the father Sofia ever had." She spat back. If she wanted ugly she'd give her ugly.

She whimpered. Sat on the couch and covered her eyes. She was sobbing. Arizona swallowed thickly. That was a low blow. Regret flooded through her body, compelled her forward, made her sink to her knees in front of her.

"I'm sorry." Arizona said her voice cracking with emotion. "I should know better than to…Sofia could have…"

No reply. Her apology was met with more tears.

"I can't do this anymore." Calliope finally managed and it felt like a weight had been lifted from her chest. Saucer sized brown eye's met Arizona's. Arizona watched as beautiful brown melded into the red tint from tears, her sadness reminded her of autumn. "I don't want to fight." A strong hand reached out and grasped her wife's. "I don't want to lose you."

Her rock. Arizona was so fragile at times it seemed she'd float away with the breeze. She may try to be the tough one, but the really strong people in this world are the ones that are completely unafraid to bear themselves for the world to see. Arizona may have gotten an award for bravery, but Calliope deserved it more.

"Im sorry I called you my father." She shook her head, her hand growing tighter around her partners. "You're nothing like him."

"I had no right to-mock your life and your choices as an individual and you're right…" The blonde smiled sadly. "Maybe it's time I get a meeting setup. It's been awhile."

She lifted up and wrapped her arms around Calliope instantly, Calliope sniffled against her shirt.

"I'd be so incredibly lost without you." She kissed the top of her nose. "Please forgive me."

"Arizona." She whispered in reply. "I can never not forgive you."

After a moment of gentle embrace, Calliope stood offering her hand to the blonde to help her rise.

"We're going to talk about this tomorrow Arizona. Everything. This can't keep happening. All our resolutions shouldn't come from this place." A quick sigh sent two tears over the edge and down her cheeks.

A quick kiss for comfort from Arizona ended the brunette's sudden surge of emotion. "Everything. I promise."

A warm embrace, just like in the kitchen. Tighter this time, longer. The shaky connection restored. It was up to both of them the duration of it.

"I'm headed to bed." Calliope said breaking the hug to begin her walk upstairs. "Sophia was looking for you."

Arizona watched her ascend and paced for a moment. She couldn't keep doing this. No more circles. No more cracking. Leaders never cracked. She soon followed behind and stopped by her daughter's room peeking inside. She was already sleeping, normally she waited up but this time the day's events had taken its toll.

She crept into the room and re-tightened the protective tuck Calliope had already created. She sighed and kissed her daughters forehead then took a seat on the edge of the bed.

"I know you're sleeping." She laughed. "So I guess this is only for my headspace." She scratched her head and lowered her voice to just below a whisper. "I love you kiddo. I love you. And I'm…I'm sorry things changed there for a moment. It won't happen again. I'm here to protect you, from everything. From anything…"

She stood and exited the door her own eyes finally succumbing to her sentiment. "…even myself."

An explosion jolted Arizona from her slumber. She froze, shaken, sweating. Not the dreams again, not tonight when things were so delicate. Another explosion. Damn guys didn't know when to quit. The third lit up her entire room. Worry set in. Two screams in the dark. She felt a cold foot tap her side. That was here queue to exit and investigate. She cursed and peeled back the covers.

She crept down the hall and checked on Sofia. Soft snores rising and falling from her covers. She smiled and continued downstairs. The first glimpse of fire she saw was the glint on the glass patio doors. She shook her head. Damn bad ass kids had to be up to no good probably set something ablaze. No way was she playing fireman tonight, not with the dull ache of alcohol setting in.

She stretched and padded across the room, her bare feet making a dull noise as they connected with wooden floors. Another scream, blood curdling this time. So close to her backdoor the hairs on the back of her neck rose. She became more alert; her body adapting to the fear, completely disregarding the after effects of the alcohol she had partaken in.

Arizona finally made it to the glass doors and slid them open. It was hot out, nothing new there. A staunch breeze lifted the bottoms of her pajama pants for a moment, but they quickly fell back into place. She tossed her hair over her shoulder and spotted Bobby, sprawled out on her lawn. Guess she wasn't the only one who was heading into hangover territory.

She stepped out into the yard and that's when the full effect of the fire hit her, more heat and a barn in the distance engulfed in flames.

"Holy shit."

Fire department had to be on their way. No way she was going near that inferno. Her focused shifted back to Bobby.

"Bobby." She called out and noticed that his body moved at the mention of his name. "You know I have to charge you 1 nights rent." She stated in jest, all the while continuing her path to him. She had almost forgotten about the yelling, until another one just over her fence was heard.

She got closer to her co-worker but noticed he was wet, or covered in some type of liquid. Probably vomit; he was a known binge drinker. Even took pride in it. Drink till you drop he always said. Her pace slowed however we she noticed his movements had changed. He was all limbs at this point.

She shook her head. She hoped the poor bastard hadn't gone and poisoned himself.

She stopped in her tracks when she caught a familiar scent over the smell of the lawn and the burning hay that began wafting in her direction. She shivered. Metallic, raw, earthy.

"Blood." She said to herself. That's what Bobby was covered in. Her pace quickened and she was over to him in an instant. Something had jammed his leg into the ground. Speared to the earth, he was caught, thus the flailing. It looked like someone had jammed the leg of one of their lawn chairs into him.

"Fuck." She began pulling at it. "Who did this to you?"

No response, just more thrashing and a groan.

She gave it another tug and heard it rip from his flesh, the momentum caused her to fall backwards into the dirt. She tried to stand to dust herself off but before she could Bobby was on top of her, his full weight crashing in. Instinct kicked in, she used the piece of metal removed from his leg to hold him out of range.

"Jesus fucking Christ Bbby!"

She used all her strength to put it under his neck and tried to force him backwards. "What the hell has gotten-"

She was about to ask what the hell had gotten into him, but her eyes were distracted by his current state. His eyes were white now, fully white. This wasn't no alcohol poison. Her line of sight shifted to his neck which had a huge chunk of flesh torn from it. So much flesh, she could see right down to the bone. She yelled his name again and instead of coming to, he just kept coming after her, his teeth snapping at her face.

She managed to get a knee up and thrust upwards, using the chair leg to push him off and backwards. She shifted the leg to her right hand and watched as he thrashed about in the dirt and was back up on his feet in no time flat.

He charged her, she evaded. Now her back was to the patio, his towards her fence.

"Now listen up Bobby, I think you're in shock. We need to get you to a hospital."

He let out a carnal scream, a scream that temporarily brought her back to the battlefield.

She trudged through a village in full gear. If you found any survivors they said, take care of it. By take care, they meant put them out of their misery. She was just following orders when she saw a child laying on his back, he reached for. He wanted help. She hesitated. One of her squad members took out his tactical knife and stabbed the kid in the throat. He let out the same sound before he died.

When she finally came too Bobby was on her again she swung at him to keep him back, he took the blow with ease and surged forward again. This time she used her temple kick, the one that made her infamous in boot camp and tried to knock his head right off his shoulders. He stumbled, she ran for the patio.

She was nearly inside when she suddenly fell forward, her face and jaw hitting the earth causing her to be momentarily stunned. Her head was fuzzy, she heard more screams. Her eyes finally regained focus and all she saw was Bobby leaping down towards her. His face was twisted into a wicked snarl, those white eyes dead set on attack.

Arizona had one choice, and that was to defend herself. She moved slightly on her back and drove the back of chair leg into the earth, she used both hands to prop it into place and just as Bobby fell upon her, his head was impaled by the metal. It went clean through his eyeball and right out the back of his head. She tried to scream, but the terror was too real. She counted, she breathed. This was no dream.

Half her white tank top was no drenched in blood, and Bobby, Bobby wasn't moving any more. He was dead. She buried her hands in her scalp and took in a few more ragged breaths, spinning in a slow circle. Her head was churning a mile a minute, but something was wrong. Too many screams too much chaos for a small neighborhood.

After giving herself a moment to breath, she knew it was time for her family to get the hell out of dodge. She turned towards the back patio and saw Sofia standing in the door way. Her eyes were wide; there were tears on her cheeks. Arizona ran towards her, scooped her up and closed the glass doors behind them. For good measure she flung the bookshelf over it, making a makeshift barricade.

She knelt and grabbed either side of Sophia's face.

"How much of that did you see?"

Her skin was pale, which was odd because she had inherited her mother's rich, brown skin tone.

"Talk to me baby. Please." She begged. "How much of that did you see?"

Then she noticed her child eyes were locked on her blood soaked shirt. She didn't have a rational explanation. What do you say to a child to comfort them when you're covered in blood? Wasn't in no parenting book she had ever read.

"What is going on out there?" Calliope said finishing the bow on her robe as she eyed Arizona and Sofia. She spotted the blood and panicked. "Arizona are you okay?!" Her voice was raised, frantic. She rushed over and checked her wife's body. "Was it a dream?"

Arizona solemnly shook her head. "No dream sweetheart."

"The blood-"

"Isn't mine."

"What happened…" She noticed Sofia's state and immediately went into comfort mode. The young girl nearly dissolved in her arms.

Fierce blue eyes on hers made her cover Sophia's ears. "What's going on?"

"Bobby tried to attack me outside. I-" She swallowed thickly. "I did what I had to do."

"He's dead." Sofia said from her mother's shoulder. "Mom killed him."

Silence again broken by another cry.

"We have got to get out of here."

"Shouldn't we stick around, hear what the police have to say."

"We can't afford it, hear those screams. Now have you heard one single damn siren? Folks are getting out of gone. We need to do the same."

"Arizona-"

"Calliope." Her tone was harsh, but she had to get her wife on board. "We are packing what we can and getting Sofia out of here right this second."

Arizona scuttled to a desk draw in the living room and pulled out a gun. She loaded it with ease. Shoved the rest of the ammunition into her wife's robe. She held it in her direction.

"I don't want that."

"Take it Calliope."

"I don't want to."

"Calliope take the god damn gun!"

She exhaled deeply and pressed it into her partner's palm. "Bobby came at me with no mercy. If anyone else gets in we have to be prepared. I need you to go upstairs with Sophia and pack one outfit for us all. Then down to the kitchen again to gather what food and water we have. I have to leave you for a second."

Her wife shook her head, pleaded with her not to separate from them. She focused her eyes on her; she had to get her to understand. "I have a rifle in the basement and some gear I want to collect. We may need it."

She adjusted the gun in her wife's hand. "You remember what I taught you right. You got two seconds to aim, one to fire."

Arizona gripped the side of her face. "Don't hesitate baby, I don't give a rats ass who it is. Even me. If I'm not myself. Fire. Understood."

A quick nod and she and Sophia were up the stairs. She needed something to keep them busy for now. She headed for the basement and began tossing old boxes aside. Her rifle was in its case. She took it out, examined it. Loaded it, cradled it on her shoulder. She found an old crate piled with some of her fatigues. She discarded her bloody tank top and stepped into them. This uniform still held clout, may need it to get them out of a tough spot. She found her old pack too, her tactical knife and boots.

Once dressed she took a seat and began to sob. She brought her hand up to her mouth and bit her knuckle to contain her feelings.

Not now she had to remind herself. Not fucking now, not fucking ever. Seal the cracks, get them to safety. She closed her eyes and saw his. White and hungry. She was scared shitless. Nobody could know that but her and the small basement walls. No time for feeling sorry for herself or Bobby. It was time to move.

With her pack slung over her shoulder she rushed to Callie who was shoving canned goods and water bottles into a duffle bag. Her and Sophia were now dressed accordingly.

"That's all we can fit for now."

"Do what you can." Arizona peeked out the window. Her truck was there. Their ticket to freedom. She spotted one of Callie's friends running frantically down the street, her nightgown was ripped and bloody, her breasts were exposed. She almost opened the door to flag her inside for safety but two children mauled her before she could even make it to cover. They lay into her, biting her and ripping off flesh, chewing it and spitting out the parts they couldn't digest.

Arizona gasped. She counted, breathed. She had to keep her composure.

The kids cleared out, but the woman in the street began to twitch. She shuttered violently, as if she were having a seizure, then immediately halted. Then just like that, she was back on her feet. Same white eyes searching for something to destroy. Or someone, Arizona wasn't sure yet.

Callie's friend had found her next victim. A teenage blonde wondering through the streets bewildered. She sunk right into him, this time Arizona counted.

He twitched.

Seizure.

All movement ceased. She assumed this was death.

Movement.

He was up again, running like a mad man down the street.

She had seen what she needed to see. It was time to get moving.

"Sofia, Calliope." She harshly whispered. They rounded the kitchen corner and stood before her, both teary eyed and somber.

"Calliope we have to go outside and get to the truck."

"Fine, can't we just-"

Arizona didn't waste time with a reply. She simply shook her head. Sofia gripped onto her mother's side.

"Give me the bag."

Calliope handed over their supplies.

"Listen to me Calliope. You cannot walk to the truck. You've got to run." Her tone was earnest. Her tone was firm. "You cannot freeze no matter what you see, or hear. Do not stop running until you are in the truck. Once you're inside, start it. On my signal, drive."

Calliope nodded but noticed one person was missing out of the getaway plan. "W-w-what about you." She shifted closer. "I am not leaving without you!"

"Lower your voice." Arizona thundered back but quickly softened. "You trust me?"

No response, just shaky breaths and a tightening grip on her daughters hand.

Arizona repeated herself. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes but-"

"Then you've got to know there isn't a damn thing that will keep me from you." She looked at Sofia. "Either of you."

She smiled but knew it was false and offered little guarantee. "I'm right behind you."

Calliope picked up Sofia. She was old enough to run herself, but she was afraid she might freeze up with whatever is out there. And that was the scariest part about this entire ordeal. Calliope had no idea what was happening.

Arizona pressed her truck keys into her wife's hand.

"You got your gun, you got the keys. Inside, start the truck."

Arizona gave them all a moment to breath then opened their front door. Calliope darted past her as she dropped to one knee and aimed.

Calliope was all adrenaline as she took her first step, the second was more sure. There was a fire, more yelling something moving out of the corner of her eye. Then she heard a snarl, something was jumping at her. She heard a loud shot, and then saw the things head explode into tiny bits and pieces.

Keep running she told herself. Inside, start the truck. She quickened her steps.

Another groan, another shot, another fallen body. She gasped. Halted. It was the preacher.

"Calliope!"

Her name brought her out of her stupor, she was halfway there.

Two this time, one fell no doubt by Arizona's hand. But no second shot was fired. The thing continued its chase until she heard another thunderous shot. It connected but the body still hobbled towards her, the second one mowed it down. She was at the truck now, fumbling for the key. She cursed a rarity but somehow in this moment seemed appropriate. Sofia screamed, another fallen body.

She finally found the right key and swung the door open, and nearly threw Sophia inside. She sat behind the steering wheel after locking the door.

She was inside. Panic took hold, she forgot the second step. She just began rocking back and forth, her eyes wild.

"Mommy!"

She continued to rock, her face drained of color.

Sofia ripped the keys from her hand, leaned over to the front of the truck then sparked the ignition. She huddled back in the back seat and covered her eyes. There was so much blood, so many noises. She wanted to be back in her room now. Back under the covers. Out of this nightmare.

The truck had started; it was time for Arizona to make her move. With both bags strapped around her securely she ran, rifle at the ready towards the truck. She signaled for Calliope to begin moving, she was met with the truck still idling in the same position. More were attracted to the gun fire, they needed to move or else they might get over run. She tried to signal again, but as she neared she saw Calliope was in shock.

She heard them behind her. On her heels now. One misstep and she was certainly a goner. Or a goner with a soon to be revival.

"Open the door!"

No response.

"Calliope open the door!"

Finally at the truck she threw the door open and hopped inside. It was too late, one was already on her and blocking her from shutting the door. She struggled with one, and used her legs to ward off another.

"Calliope you gotta' move!"

Calliope was lost. Everything was flying through her head. Her life as a child, her mother's eyes, her father's smirk, child birth, her first meeting with Arizona. She glanced over to her right and saw Arizona struggling with a creature. Her mouth was moving, she was shouting but Callie couldn't hear a word she was saying. She did note the desperation in the blonde's eyes. The spit that flew from her mouth. Another explosion jolted her and all of the sounds and happening came flooding back to her at once. She had missed the signal.

Then she heard Arizona shouting, the world went from slow motion to normal speed at an alarming rate. She heard her name. She heard the word move, and then floored it.

Arizona was jolted by the sudden take off but managed to stay in the truck. The only problem was they still had an access passenger with them. It was Georgina from the town's nursery. She was once a sweet old lady, with a tangent for gossip. Now she was a sneering beast, her teeth so close to Arizona's face she could feel the heat coming from her mouth. Smell the scent of fresh blood on her lips. Arizona struggled with her, then finally brought the rifle true and blew her brains out the back of her head. She kicked the body backwards and closed the door, her ears ringing from the shot.

She tasted blood in her mouth. The countdown began as they flew down the street. She aimed the gun right under her neck.

Calliope looked over and tried to move it, she used her free hand to block her.

"Mommy no!" Sofia yelled from the back seat.

"Arizona, please stop! What are you doing?!" Callie managed behind a veil of tears.

Arizona tightened her finger on the trigger, still mindful of the bumps along the road.

She felt Calliope brake. She didn't even turn to her when she spoke. "Don't stop!"

Her heart fluttered, was it nerves or a sign of her transition into whatever the hell they had just encountered.

She blinked. No changes. Scrambled to check her eyes in the strained lighting of her passenger mirror. The same worry stricken blue flashed back at her. No changes, she was okay. They were okay.

"Stop the truck."

Calliope slid to a halt.

"On the count of three we change positions okay."

After a slow count the two women exchanged position and they were back on the road again. Sofia had crawled up front and buried herself in between the two, she was shaking, whimpering. So was Calliope. Arizona left hers in the inside, but her knuckles were nearly drained of all coloring from how hard she gripped the steering wheel. She raced for the town's major bridge. Traffic was backed up for miles. No way were they going to get through that. She saw what used to be a human drag someone from their car; she immediately shifted into reverse and headed in the opposite direction.

Things were too chaotic now. They needed time to adapt, to adjust. They needed cover. They needed daylight. Too many things could be lurking in the dark. Human and non-human alike.

She thought of the only location she knew of that had a lack of population. It seems that's what those things liked, more people to rip apart. So she'd do the exact opposite, wait it out for a moment. Wait for things to settle.

Arizona slowly backed into some deep brush near the old Augustine farm, which had been long abandoned. Not a soul ventured this way saved for a few teenagers daring each other to head inside the old farmhouse. Legend has it, it was haunted. Turns out they had more to fear than ghosts now.

She hopped out the truck and used her knife to strip down some branches. She covered the truck as best she could and even took a moment to admire her camouflage technique. Nothing would see them. If they did, she'd be at the ready to haul ass as quickly as possible. Once back inside the truck she locked the doors and turned on the radio, mindful to rotate her key all the way back as not to use any battery and have them stranded.

Calliope watched her wife work, kept her eyes on her the entire time. She didn't exhale until she was back inside the truck. She looked over at her and scooped her in for a hug. The family huddled together in silence until the radio sputtered and a voice was heard over the emergency station.

By mandate and executive order, evacuation is in full effect for the following counties…

They listed out the counties one by one, seemed like damn near the entire state according to Arizona.

For those of you listening, if you do not have a vehicle to evacuate please remain indoors. Lock all doors and remain in place for immediate rescue…

Arizona shook her head. If anyone remained in doors, they were as good as dead if they were waiting on a rescue party. Or so she told herself. She stood behind her option to leave.

As of right now we are awaiting further order as to what exactly has occurred. We do know that people are being attacked. If you see any person or person acting violently or suspiciously…please do not make contact…avoid all such individuals…this broadcast will repeat until further updates are provided…may god bless us all...

Calliope turned down the radio and rubbed her palms across her face. She didn't realize how much her head was hurting until she sat still. It was throbbing unbearably at this point. She rubbed the bridge of her nose.

"Why did you kill Bobby mom?"

Arizona's teeth clenched again. Kill was such a heavy word. She hated that it fell from her innocent daughters lips. Her grip on the steering wheel was back and tighter than ever. She didn't have an answer for that, none at the moment gentle enough to soothe a child.

"He isn't dead kiddo. He's just play acting." Calliope interjected. She tried to sound jovial, she failed miserably but it was her honest attempt to intervene. She knew that Arizona was in no state to talk about killing, not since the war and especially not here. She knew because her beloved wife had seen things, done things she knew for sure she wasn't proud of. Killing Bobby, no matter what the situation was just another ill-fated deed on her list.

"You're lying! I saw the blood…" Sophia gasped the memory still so fresh and vivid in her mind. She had indeed seen the blood. She saw Bobby leap into the air, saw the makeshift weapon push out his eyeball. Saw the explosion of blood in the air like their fireworks display. Only there was only one color. A dull dusty red that seemed nearly black under the cruel patio lightning.

"I saw the blood! He's dead! You killed Bobby! Why? What's he ever done to you?" She was crying now, big thick crocodile tears that moistened the front of her shirt.

Calliope tried to quiet her down, tried to keep her calm. The child must be going into shock; She just kept repeating it over and over again. She saw Arizona's jaw tense.

Arizona tried to focus on anything. Their next plan, their next move. Ration count. Exit strategy. Gas. She was only on half a tank. Each time she tried to focus Sofia's voice came back into her ears. Claims of murders and lies and she felt for an instant how she felt under the yellowed lamp officials had pointed at her face. They were shouting the exact opposite however. She hadn't killed anyone, hadn't seen anything.

It was too much. She lost it.

Her hand connected with the steering wheel causing both her wife and daughter to snap to attention instantaneously.

"You're right. I killed him. You're a smart girl, so I'm not going to mince words." Tight lipped she turned to her child. "He is dead, dead as a door knob and this time, he isn't coming back. This isn't play acting and this…" She gestured around them. "…this isn't a game young lady. Bobby was trying to kill me."

"Arizona." Calliope warned.

She shrugged off the caution. "Bobby was trying to do to me what those things were trying to do to you and your mother. So I killed him, you're exactly right. I jammed that metal…" She bit her lip and pushed her hand forward. "…right through his skull. Want to know why, because we are in a different world than yesterday. Hell, not even yesterday…just a few hours ago. In this world, it is kill or be killed. I will kill the entire population of this town if it keeps us safe. I'll kill anyone who gets in our way because there sure as hell isn't anyway I'm going to let your mother or yourself turn into one of those things. Do you hear me?"

Sophia was used to her mother yelling, but not like this. Not so close, not with those eyes. She kept searching them for her mother but she was gone. Someone else was in there now, she didn't like them. They were mean. They hurt her feelings.

She whimpered and shifted closer to Calliope, far out of the reach of Arizona.

Arizona watched her scoot away. Her heart broke just a little. No cracks. A hand settled on her shoulder and squeezed. A simple gesture that told her so much. It told her that she'd sleep it off; she was just a kid and needed more time to adjust. It told her that she was loved.

Sofia cried herself to sleep.

It was Calliope who spoke over the low fizzle of the radio.

"What now?"

"Rest. We take turns keeping watch. A few hours of sleep will do us some good. In the morning we look for an exit. We need to get out of this town, as quickly and as soon as we can."

"And how do we go about doing that?" Calliope responded her tone a little darker than before.

"I don't know."

"And what do we do for food? Oh god, where are we going to go? What about my mother…we have to go get her Arizona."

The blonde couldn't respond they were in no shape for a search and rescue with few rations, barely any ammunition and a child.

"And everyone else in town?" Calliope sniffled. "Is everyone dead?"

"Baby, I'm not sure."

"Is this our life now? Running? Where will we live…where will we go?"

Arizona shifted forward again. "I saw Georgina get eaten alive by two of those things, she was gutted, ripped to shreds and then she popped right back up. Started acting like one of them. This disease, this whatever is catching. It can be spread, passed from one person to another."

"That why you put that gun to your head?"

"I had blood in my mouth, wasn't sure if it was mine or hers." She drummed her fingers against the steering wheel. "Had to be sure."

Calliope covered her mouth to hide her horror. She was so close to death, and it was all her fault.

"Point is, things may not be getting better. In fact I'd bet against better for worse. We have to get prepared, we have to adjust." She exhaled slowly, evenly. "So I need you to let it all out…now. While Sofia is sleeping. We can't afford any mores slip up's like the truck. I need you to start reacting. Our main goals are Sophia and survival. Whenever you feel doubt, fear, just think of her."

"And you." She whimpered. "I could have lost you back there...I could have…" She cried, but managed to keep it as quiet as possible.

Arizona angled as best she could to hold her, get her near to her. She shushed her, let her weep as long as she needed. As she did she spoke softly, stroking her hair as her eyes remained alert to their environment.

"You are strong Calliope. Together we can overcome any obstacle, even this. We fought your parents, the world…we can take on anything." She engulfed both into her arms and watched as Calliope's tears turned to even breathing as she fell asleep.

"Nothing is going to hurt you. Either of you. I would give my own life for you and I know…" She blinked back tears. "…I know I have lived certain times in my life where I've taken you both for granted. That will never happen again." She tightened her grip on them both. "Ever."

She cradled them through the night and never once bothered to wake Calliope. She was used to restless nights, accustomed to little to no sleep. She'd survive. They'd survive. That's all she had to keep telling herself.