Chapter Four - Stolen Moments

Sometimes the people you least expect to hurt you do.

They might not mean to and it might not be intentional, but being hurt by someone you trust, it takes your breath away; making your chest ache as your heart beats helplessly against it; your mind shuts down and leaves you feeling numb. You swallow the lump that seems to be permanently lodged in your throat and hope that the sickness in the pit of your stomach won't rise.

People hurt people everyday, and we all know it, we've all been hurt by someone, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't still sting like a bitch when it happens.

Callie was thankful that she knew the insides of the hospital like the back of her hand; living in the basement had given her plenty of time to wander the halls and find newly discovered areas she never knew existed. After reading the card that came with those hideous flowers, she had cancelled her surgery and headed back to the basement she had once called home.

Her eyes stung as she let the waterfall of tears escape down her cheeks; lifting her hand to wipe them away quickly, the sick feeling in her stomach leaving her nothing but angry.

Callie pulled her knees up to her chest and closed her eyes; gritting her teeth as her mind carelessly taunted her with images of large rough hands skimming over Erica's milky white skin.

The sound of footsteps made her open her eyes and she saw Erica coming towards her; Callie pushed herself to her feet, keeping her eyes to the floor as she tried to push past her; Erica grabbing hold of her wrist and turning her to face her; their eyes meeting, "You get to be pissed at me, you get to be hurt and you even get to be angry; but you don't get to judge me Callie," her blue eyes were swimming with emotion as she spoke calmly, "You freaked out and slept with Sloan, and you avoided me after Addison came-"

Callie sneered and pulled her arm free; her voice rising, "That was before we kissed! That was before I'd figured out that I had feelings for you!"

"Well I was freaked out after you kissed me Callie!" Erica's own voice rose as she began pacing up and down, "That's why I slept with him! I didn't know how I was feeling about you then…I was confused and scared!"

Callie had turned her body away as Erica tried to reason, "And you think I wasn't confused and scared?!" she twisted round and gestured her arms wildly.

Erica's gaze was piercing directly into Callie's own and she took a deep breath before trying again, "You said that Mark helped you realize your feelings for me?"

"Yeah he did," Callie pursed her lips and shot her a filthy look.

"So wouldn't you still be sleeping with him now, if he hadn't said anything?" Erica asked calmly as she took a step towards Callie, her blue eyes softening as brown orbs looked back. Callie let Erica close the space between them, so that they were standing facing each other, but she couldn't speak, "Yes I slept with some guy…But sleeping with him didn't help…I couldn't stop thinking about you Callie…You're all I think about."

Callie wanted to believe her, but she needed to know, "If I'm all you think about, then why hadn't you broken it off with him? Why has he sent you flowers at work?"

Erica tucked her hair behind her ear and sighed, "I didn't realize he thought we were a thing…It was just sex. I told him I didn't do relationships."

Callie felt the oxygen leave her lungs as tears rose to the surface of her eyes instantaneously; pain causing her voice to crack, "You don't do relationships?"

Erica's eyes widened in regret, "Cal that's not what I-"

Callie shook her head and stepped away from her, "Then what are we even doing together Erica?" Callie saw Erica open her mouth to answer but decided to walk away; nothing she responded with could ever erase what she'd just said.

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Callie made sure she avoided Erica for the rest of the day, she had several surgeries to keep her mind busy and she knew that Erica was working late; she'd mentioned an extensive surgery she had scheduled for the evening as they had walked into work that morning.

Callie pulled her scrub cap off as she entered the resident's locker room; heading over to the mirror to pull out all of the clips holding up her hair. She ran her fingers through her dark tresses in an attempt to comb it into order; stopping as she saw Erica's reflection behind her, "So what are we doing together Erica?"

"Shh! There are people in here," Erica retorted in a hushed voice as Callie turned to face her.

"You really don't want to be with me, do you?" Callie responded dejectedly; her sad eyes holding Erica's; she averted her gaze and looked around the locker room, noticing a couple of residents at their lockers over the far side and knew they were the reason Erica was opening her mouth but failing to find her voice, "Forget it."

Callie pushed away from the sink and past Erica; hurrying out into the busy corridor, hoping she could get lost in the madness. She only managed to get a few steps away before she felt herself being dragged into an on-call room.

The intensity of the blue eyes staring at her made Callie's resistance weaken, "Erica…"

"No just listen, okay?" Callie nodded her head, "I want to be with you Cal," drawing out the words as she kept her eyes locked onto chocolate pools, "I want to be with you in a bring my personal life to work, meet you in on-call rooms, wear a scrub cap covered with hearts and bones kind of way," Erica reached for her hand and gave her a smile, "But that terrifies me more than anything, because you're so amazing and people are going to judge us," Callie threaded her fingers through Erica's and tugged her closer, "I'm afraid that I'll freak out and mess this up," Erica studied Callie's face for a few seconds; looking for her reaction, "I really want to be with you Cal. I just need to figure out how to be, and I really want to do that."

Callie saw Erica's eyes fill will tears, which suddenly spilled down her face. Callie pulled her into her arms; letting her hands run gently up and down her back soothingly, "Erica its okay. I'm sorry; I overreacted."

"No it's not okay," Erica pulled back so that she could find Callie's eyes again, "I hurt you and nothing about that is okay Callie," she worried her bottom lip between her teeth as she ran over the thoughts running around in her mind, "Come to my place tonight; there's something I need to tell you that I think will help explain this better, please?"

Callie cupped Erica's cheeks and let the pad of her thumbs wipe away the fallen tears, "I'll be there, I promise."

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Erica rescheduled the surgery she had planned and met Callie promptly at 9pm in the hospital lobby; a worried expression covering her features and her shoulders slouched tensely. Callie had given her a small smile and lifted her hand to squeeze her shoulder, knowing that was all the comfort she could give Erica in their public location.

Callie had only ever been to Erica's apartment once; a last minute decision to go out dancing one night had led her to wait on Erica's ridiculously comfortable couch as the cardio goddess changed into something more suitable than scrubs.

Her apartment was incredibly neat, everything had its place and nothing was left lying around to suggest that it had been lived in. Despite the supreme order of Erica's apartment, nothing else suggest it was anything remotely like the professional front she wore to work. Every room was decorated to give off a homely feel, the kitchen was lined with pots and pans, the living room had a gorgeous fireplace with a marble mantle-piece; pictures, candles and other ornaments scattered preciously around and the softest carpet in the world; which made Callie want to pull off her shoes and let her toes curl against it. The bathroom was decorated with different coloured blue mosaic tiles, and sitting on the ledge next to the tub was a bright yellow rubber duck with a red heart painted on the left side of his chest, who not to mention had his very own little blue stethoscope; clearly a gift given as a joke but it made Callie smile every time she used Erica's bathroom. The only room she hadn't seen was Erica's bedroom; a thought which now made Callie blush fiercely and quickly dismiss from her one track brain; but if her bed was a comfortable as her couch Callie was pretty sure if she ever got invited into it she'd never leave.

Erica led her into the kitchen and grabbed two wine glasses, pouring them both a large glass before indicating to the couch. Callie settled into place and Erica placed her own glass on the table, "I'll be right back," muttered from her lips as she disappeared into her room, leaving Callie completely confused as to what she needed to tell her.

A few minutes later Erica reappeared, a large gray shoebox clutched in her hands, she placed it on the coffee table in front of Callie and sat down next to her on the couch, "What's that?" Callie asked as she stared at the box and then glanced at Erica, trying to figure out what was going on.

Instead of responding Erica leaned forward and pushed the lid off it, allowing Callie to see what was hidden inside. After taking a sip of her wine, Erica leaned forwards and picked something up; letting her eyes travel over it before turning it in her hands to pass to Callie, "When I said that I didn't do relationships, what I meant to say was that I haven't been in one since my divorce."

Callie took the photograph from her hands and looked down at the picture of a younger Erica wearing a white wedding dress; smiling brightly as a man dressed in a jet black tux with mousey brown hair lifted her in his arms and beamed at the camera, "You were married?" Callie couldn't keep the surprise from her voice as her eyes found Erica's, "I had no idea; you never said anything."

Erica shrugged and smiled sadly, "It's not something I tell people."

"What was his name?" Callie looked down at the photo again; studying every inch of the man Erica Hahn had once called her husband.

Erica took a long drink of her red wine, and let out a deep sigh, "His name was David Abbot."

Callie lifted her eyes back to Erica's, "Where did you meet him?"

"I was living in New York; I'd just finished med school and had been offered an internship at one of the hospitals. David was already a fourth year neurology resident when I met him. He was smart, funny, caring, and really sweet," Erica sipped at her wine and gave Callie a gentle look, "He was like the high school sweetheart that I never had; he was my first love. We got married after a year of dating; we didn't see the point in waiting when we were so madly in love," Callie watched as a sad expression crept onto Erica's face as the memory played out in her mind.

"What happened?" Callie let her finger trace the rim of her glass to keep her hands from reaching out and touching Erica; knowing that if she did the blonde may not be able to keep it together to share her past.

"We were happily married for three years, and David was the perfect husband; he understood that I worked long hours because he did too and he never talked down to me because I was an intern and still learning; he respected that I wanted to become a cardiothoracic surgeon and always gave me support," Erica drank down the last of the wine in her glass, "That was until I got offered a residency in Seattle at Seattle Presbyterian, and he got offered a fellowship in Denver…He told me that I was his wife and so I should give up my offer for him and go with him to Colorado. When I refused he got angry, I'd never seen him act like it before," Erica stood and headed into the kitchen; bringing back another bottle of wine and topping up her glass, taking another long sip before she continued, "And that's when it happened for the first time…" she averted Callie's gaze, so that her eyes wouldn't give away all the emotions she was remembering.

Callie studied the expression on Erica's face and felt completely unable to read it; she'd turned her eyes to focus on the coffee table and was clearly in deep thought, "What happened for the first time?" Callie scooted closer to Erica and placed her hand lightly on her knee, encouraging her to continue.

Erica let her eyes find Callie's as she felt the pressure of her grip against her knee; swallowing the lump in her throat; her voice coming just above a whisper, "He hit me..."

Callie felt her mouth drop open in shock as Erica's words rang in her ears, "Erica-"

Erica's eyes narrowed distressingly as the pain crept into her voice, "I remember the look in his eyes right before it happened; it was like he wasn't really seeing me, he told me I disgusted him…" she took in a deep breath; clearly trying to force the words to leave her mouth and Callie's hand covered hers instinctively; her thumb running across her soft skin, "Afterwards he was sorry; promised me it wouldn't happen again…But I'm a doctor, I see these types of cases all the time…I should have known then that he didn't mean it," Erica's voice cracked as a stream of tears escaped from her eyes; visibly embarrassed at the emotion taking over her she pulled her hand from Callie's grasp and moved away from the couch; turning her back to Callie.

Callie felt her chest constrict at the obvious pain Erica was in; her whole body ached and she felt her own eyes well with tears at the thought of some man laying a hand on the strong, confident women she'd grown to know over the last few months. Callie placed her glass on the table and pushed herself off the couch, moving behind Erica and wrapping her arms around her waist; her lips placing a lingering kiss on her shoulder, "I'm so sorry."

Erica turned in Callie's arms and let her hold her close, feeling completely safe; Callie placed a kiss on her forehead and let her brown eyes lock with blue as she tried to convey what she seemed unable to say.

"He hit me a handful of times after that…Nothing too serious," Erica murmured as Callie rested their foreheads together and let her hands run lightly up and down her back; listening intently, "He was always careful to make sure he hit me in places that I could cover up, so that no one would see," Erica moved from Callie's arms and led her back to the couch, "That was until he told me he wanted me to stop working and have a baby; I of course stupidly said no and that time when he lashed out, it got worse…"

Erica felt the left side of her face throb; her eye was swollen and blood was escaping from her nose. She wanted to lift her hand to hold her head; anything to try and ease the pain but knew that any sudden movement would cause her sore ribs to leave her short of breath.

The curtain around the bed she'd been given slid open and his eyes found hers, "Jesus Erica, what the fuck happened?"

Erica diverted her eyes away; he was the only person she'd ever completely trusted and she knew she'd fall apart if she turned to see the concerned look on his face, "I was mugged," the lie David made her swear to tell fell from her lips before her mind could think of anything else.

She felt the bed dip as he sat down; taking her hand in his and bit her lip in a desperate attempt to stop herself from crying, "Want me to call David?"

"No, He's on his way, I already called him," She tightened the grip she had on his hand; silently thanking him for making her feel the safeness she always did in his presence.

The curtain opened again as an intern appeared, and he rose from the bed to accept her x-rays; stepping to the lighting screen he removed them from the brown cover and placed them on it to get a better look at her injuries, "Your nose is broken and you've got two broken ribs E," he turned back to face her muttering 'those bastards,' "I should clean your eye up, it probably hurts like hell, right?"

Erica opened her mouth to reply but stopped as she saw David enter the ER; panic creeping into her body like a chill. He looked around frantically trying to look for her and when his eyes met hers; she knew the act would begin, "Oh God honey what happened?!" he called out coming towards them.

Erica watched him turn around at the sound of David's voice and watched as his eyes dropped from David's face to his hands; his knuckles were red and split and blood was running from some open cuts. He turned to look at her, then David and then back to her, "Erica?"

The green eyes that she's known for years were staring back at her intensely; and she knew she'd never be able to lie to him. Erica knew what he was asking and she nodded her head; wanting nothing more than for him to save her.

Erica watched green eyes fill with tears and immediately felt guilty; he'd been her best friend from the age of nine and she'd never kept a single thing from him until now. He whipped his head back as David reached them, "Everything okay?"

"You son of a bitch!" Erica felt like her life was playing in slow motion as she watched his fist connect with David's face; knocking him to the ground. David stumbled to get his breath; grunting as he was kicked in the gut; knocking him to the floor again; a couple of doctors appeared from nowhere and looped their arms through her saviour to pull him away, "If you ever come near her again you worthless bastard; I swear it'll be the last thing you ever do!"

After a few minutes he shrugged free from the tight grasps holding him back and moved back to the bed; cupping Erica's cheek gently and kissing her lightly on the forehead; repeatedly whispering, "You're safe now, I promise," as the doctors helped David off the floor and security escorted him away to a different room.

Erica closed her eyes and tightened her hold on his back as he held her; thanking whatever had helped the fear leave her body long enough in that moment to escape the hellish life she'd been trapped in.

Callie had quietly listened to Erica relay the events of the fateful day she'd managed to escape from her bully of a husband; simply holding her in her arms and was filled with guilt as she remember her earlier accusations she'd thrown out about their relationship, "I'm sorry about the way I reacted to the flowers Erica."

Erica sat up and looked at Callie, "No, don't be. You were right to be mad; but I need you to understand that I really don't have any idea how to do this. I want to be with you more than anything but I need us to take it slow Cal."

Callie sat up and reached for Erica's hands entwining their fingers, "I was rushing you before, I do that sometimes, I think I have life running on warp speed, and it doesn't work well…Look what happened when I got married to George a week after his Dad died; that was the world's worst thought out marriage," Erica smiled as she remembered Callie's wedding photographs from Vegas, "I want us to do things right Erica; I'm willing to go at any pace you want. I don't care if we're not out at work; I just want us to be together."

Erica smiled and let her eyes wander across Callie's face; drinking in everything that seemed to make her life so much better. Callie smirked sexily at her when their eyes met and Erica tugged at her hands; making Callie lean closer to her, "I really am sorry if I hurt you Cal."

Callie removed one of her hands from Erica's and lifted it to her neck; letting her fingers feather across her beautiful pale skin as she let their lips meet; her teeth running over Erica's bottom lip before her tongue followed and met Erica's in an unhurried kiss.

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Callie tapped on the door to get Cristina's attention, "Hey, mind if I come in?"

Cristina pushed herself into a higher sitting position and huffed, "Might as well come in since I can't leave; they're keeping me trapped in this hell hole of a crap room for another two weeks…With no surgeries to get my hands on, it sucks!"

Callie moved towards the bed and sat herself down into the chair, "I heard about that; but Bailey said you'd be fully recovered then and would be able to come back to work straight away, and that's good right?"

Cristina shot her a look of annoyance, "Depends if I'll actually be allowed in on cardio now. What'd you think?"

"Is this your way of asking about me and Erica?" Callie raised a questioning eyebrow and crossed her legs, "She told me you saw us that night."

"I don't need to know anything about you and Hahn and your…whatever it is. I just need to know if she'll let me in on surgeries."

Callie let out a laugh, "Of course you don't need to know, you don't share your thoughts and feelings," Cristina pursed her lips and nodded, "Erica's going to teach you, happy?"

"That's good then, because out of all of the residents here I am cardio and I'm going to be so kick ass in surgery Hahn will wish she'd been teaching me sooner," Cristina smiled smugly.

Callie shook her head and reached into the bag she'd brought with her, "I knew you'd be stuck here for the next two weeks and I know that you're missing surgery and since I can't bring them in here for you to do I got you the next closest thing," setting the box down on the table in front of Cristina and smiling playfully.

Cristina looked down at the boxed game of 'Operation,' and then back at Callie; an amused sigh escaping from her lips, "You can't be serious?"

"Hey it's still about hand and eye coordination…But I can take it back if you don't want it," Callie reached for the box.

"No!" Cristina grabbed the box; making Callie smile and shake her head. She headed towards the door; turning back around when she heard Cristina's voice, "Thank you for the attempted surgery replacement."

Callie smiled again, "You're welcome. But I only did it because we're really friends," she teased and watched Cristina's forehead crease in revulsion.

"We're roommates but we're definitely not friends Torres," Callie laughed and turned to leave, "Oh and Callie?"

Callie turned around to face her again, "What?"

"I'm happy for you and Hahn. You deserve better than George and well, you two are good together," Cristina gave a half smile and then averted her eyes.

"Wow, you talked girl," Callie teased.

Cristina narrowed her eyes as she turned back to her, "Yeah but it's only going to happen this one time, so don't get used to it Torres."

"I wouldn't dream of it Yang," Callie gave her another playful smile as she left the room; knowing that Cristina was in support of her relationship with Erica made her feel happy; it always helps when your friends approve of your partner.