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. Be safe. Be healthy. Be kind to yourself.

AN: Thank you to everyone who has commented, followed, etc. the story. I love knowing that people are reading it and enjoying it. Thank you for taking this journey with me. If you want to chat about the story, directions, Grey's or life in general feel free to send me a message. I don't bite often and am more than willing to chat. Many thanks to INeedYourGrace for the beta help – she is terrific.
Anyway, Enjoy!

Chapter Six

"Arizona," Callie called after seeing Arizona walk down the hall. "Hey Arizona!"

"What Callie?" Arizona snipped. They hadn't talked in over a week – not since Arizona called Callie mid-breakdown. Truthfully, Arizona had been avoiding Callie. She wasn't sure where they stood and she wasn't sure she was ready find out or figure it out. Arizona never would have guessed that Callie's words to her all those years ago before they even dated would still be relevant so frequently between them – "it's a big hospital, lots of places to hide."

"Are you okay?" Callie asked softly once she had caught up with Arizona.

"I'm fine, Callie, not that it matters to you. What do you need? I'm busy."

"Umm. Okay. Can we talk sometime, please? We need to talk about Sofia…" Callie had really hoped that they wouldn't return to this standoffish adversarial-type of relationship. Her hopes had been naïve apparently.

"Yeah. Sure. Fine. Are we done?"

"So lunch today? Noon in the cafeteria?"

"Sure Callie." Arizona said while she was already walking away. Arizona had hoped to get out of the situation and conversation by vagueness. It had become her go to with Callie. Somewhere along the line it seemed that Callie had stopped pushing her for real answers, not that she was any better with Callie. Arizona wasn't even sure if the vagueness as avoidance had started before or after their separation. In any case, Callie was especially insistent today and Arizona knew there was no getting out it anymore.

Callie got to the cafeteria early and brought her laptop with lots of charts to update. She wasn't even sure if Arizona would remember and show up; Arizona had blown her off before. Callie was willing to sit in the cafeteria and work until supper hoping to catch Arizona, though.

"I have a surgery in 30 minutes. What's up with Sofia?" Arizona asked as she sat down obviously uncomfortable.

"Here. I got this for you." Callie said and handed over a sprinkled donut. Arizona eyed the gift suspiciously. There talks were often brisk and Arizona wasn't looking to make friends with her ex again – it hadn't work out well the first time. "It isn't a trick, just a peace offering."

"Thank you." Arizona said as she lifted the treat to her mouth. She wasn't willing to tell Callie, or even admit to herself, how many donuts she had had over the past week.

"I got this email from your parents last night. I thought you said you had talked to them. This cannot continue, Arizona." Callie handed her phone to Arizona for her to read the email.

Callie,
Thank you for the pictures of Sofia. It was very nice to see Arizona in a few of them. Does Arizona get to see her daughter more often? You have no right to keep them apart….

Arizona stopped reading. She didn't want to know what her mom had written to Callie. She knew what it would say. "Callie…" Arizona looked up at her as she handed the phone back as she tried to figure out what to say. Arizona saw pain and fear in Callie's eyes, not the anger and distance she had expected. Arizona knew that Callie tried so hard to be a good mom and to be criticized about her parenting skills by Arizona's mother – Sofia's only real grandmother – must hurt.

"I'm sorry Callie. I'll talk to them again. I haven't said those things about you. I pr-" Arizona caught herself, what would a promise mean to her ex-wife. Arizona knew they had both said hurtful things about each other, not saying anything about Callie's parenting skills to her parents didn't fix that. Arizona had cheated on Callie – what good was a promise about what Arizona did or didn't say.

"She's right." Arizona's head snapped up to meet Callie's eyes again. It was short. It wasn't mad or rambling Callie. Callie had resigned herself to this failure. Arizona hadn't been expecting this.

"What do you mean?"

"You don't see Sofia enough, Arizona. She misses you. I'm tired of covering for you. There has got to be a better way."

"What do you want from me Callie? I love her. I do. She is my daughter."

"Then act like her mother Arizona. Let's split custody like we had planned."

"Callie…"

"Oh that's right you are choosing to live in a drunken frat house without space for your daughter, in an environment that you told me you didn't want to raise her in."

"Callie…"

"I just want you to make her a priority Arizona. I mean, when was the last time you spent any time with her? When you were staying at the house?"

Arizona looked down. She couldn't even argue with Callie. Her schedule had been busy – she was a fellow and she was still trying to ensure Alex didn't destroy her department. But, she had also been avoiding Callie, which inadvertently caused her to skip out on Sofia as well.

"Are you done Arizona? I mean you have nothing tying you to Sofia anymore. I know you'll always love her…or whatever. But if you don't want to be in anymore, I won't make you. I can't make you. Could you tell me though? I need to know what to tell her to protect her. Sofia is growing up and she is catching on that her Mama isn't around. She asked me if her Mama was with Daddy a few days ago Arizona. She's so little and she's already lost so much. I'm so scared that you are going to walk away from her and not look back."

"God. Callie. What the hell? Sofia is my daughter. I love her." Arizona yelled and got up. "I've got surgery." Arizona stormed off.

"But that isn't an answer…" Callie said to herself. She knew Arizona ran when she didn't see another option. Callie had the short-sighted idea of freeing Arizona so they wouldn't be stuck. She didn't want to be with someone out of obligation and she didn't want Arizona to feel like she needed to stay with Sofia out of obligation. But what was she supposed to tell Sofia – Mama will see her soon, Mama will be gone for awhile. Mama still loves her?

"Where does Callie get off asking if I don't want Sofia anymore? She is my daughter. Of course, I want her. Of course, I love her. Callie kicked me out. SHE removed me from SOFIA's life. It wasn't me. How can she think that? She was the one that needed to be free. She didn't want to be stuck. And now she just assumes that I think I'm 'stuck' with Sofia. I'd never give that little girl up. Everything is always Callie's choice and now she is blaming me for those choices."

Arizona's livid rant had carried on for near half an hour. April wasn't even sure that Arizona even remembered they were in her house baking cookies. Arizona seemed to be raging herself out moving from straight out anger to contemplative regret.

"I liked the direction we were going 3 weeks ago. I loved living in the same house as Sofia. I loved getting to see her every single day and feel like I was an important part of her life. I liked being with Callie. I wasn't stuck. I had an escape option; I could have left at any time. But I chose to stay. I chose to be with them. But according to Callie we can't be together because it started because of a tragedy."

Arizona faltered at the mention of that night. She still had trouble consciously, though her subconscious was a different inconvenient story, recalling that it even happened to herself let alone mentioning it out loud.

"Sure, I only came home with her initially because I had been at-attacked. But I stayed for her. I stayed for Sofia. I stayed. I would have loved to come home earlier, but she was the one who didn't miss me. She was the one who didn't want me. How is this my fault?"

April looked up from the batter she was preparing, "Do you want Callie back?"

Arizona hesitated – that was the question wasn't it? Could they start over?

"I-I. Yes." Arizona decided. She always wanted Callie. She needed Callie. Lately they had been like fire and ice, but when their spark caught nothing could stop them.

"I don't think you are really mad at Callie. I know you are, but I think you're really mad that you lost another opportunity to be a family with Callie – she pointed out your collective weaknesses and won't let either of you fall into the easy and painful traps you've been circling for years."

April thought a minute. The great part of her relationship with Arizona was that they could say anything to each other without judgment or offense. April knew what she wanted to say next could push the boundaries of their relationship, but she also knew that Arizona wasn't talking to anyone else about her problems with Callie. If April didn't say anything to Arizona, no one would.

"Maybe you should try proving to Callie that your desire to be together has nothing to do with trauma or tragedy. I see trauma every day – people say and do things that they never would have otherwise, but it doesn't mean those things are true or lasting. Callie wants her space, instead of pursuing her, you could work on yourself. Be more involved with Sofia. Improve your own life so that you are a person that Callie would want to date."

"How am I supposed to be more involved with Sofia when I live with Alex? There are too many people and it isn't my home. I don't like having Sofia there, especially not overnight."

"It isn't your home, Arizona. Callie's house isn't your home. I love you, but you can't live here. You should get your own place and make a room for Sofia. Split custody like Callie wants. Be the mother you want to be and that Sofia deserves. Improve your relationship with Sofia, not to impress Callie but because you love her. Make Sofia your priority, not Callie. You never know you might end up with both."