Authors Note: I know a lot of people (myself included) have probably thought I have given up on this fic. I haven't I just… couldn't find my Calzona muse. She went on vacation midway through writing this chapter and when she came back I swear she isn't the same. I'm so sorry for the wait. I hope it was worth it. I tried to make this one a little longer, but alas its quality not quantity that matters.

Again, I'm super sorry.

XXX Magically Challenged XXX

Chapter 7

The Seattle wind hit them the moment they exited the studio, a wash of chills that left trails of goosebumps up Callies' arms despite the hoody she still wore. She made a mental note to try and make it home while the daylight still remained, and take a shower, the feint smell of her perfume the only part of her that felt fresh. She shuddered as the cold air snuck in the opening of her hoody and danced a path down her spine. Pulling her sleeves down over her hands and gripping the material in tight fists she allowed herself a moment to suck in a deep breath, expelling it in one elongated yawn that was a certainty of her exhaustion. She felt the warm gaze of the blonde who stood on the sidewalk, resting her weight on her cane, eyes narrowing from the lingering pain she felt where the socket connected with her flesh, one arm crooked around her middle holding her jacket closed. Stepping towards her, Callie allowed her arm to snake through the gap between Arizonas arm and stomach, linking their arms together.

'I can make it around the corner Callie', the blonde stated defensively, her stomach straddling the lines of excitement and annoyance at this action. Looking over to meet the Latinas gaze she suddenly felt her annoyance slip away as she noticed Callies eyes divert to the floor nervously.

'Oh, I know. I'm um, I'm not holding onto you because I don't think you can do it, I'm actually in need of a little support myself,' she admitted, her voice wavering as she allowed a little bit of herself to come undone, her head shaking slowly as she mentally berated herself for allowing her weakness to show. She cleared her throat and glanced back up into those surprised blue eyes '… I'm a bit unsteady; it's been a rough kind of week.'

Nodding slowly, Arizona began to move forward one step at a time, the cane tapping out their pace like a metronome. She offered a small smile to the Latina, biting her lip as her mind flickered back to the vision she saw earlier. A small form curled up on the hardwood, alone, desperate, shaking in despair. She felt her heart pick up pace, beating so loud it almost drowned out the surrounding everyday sounds of the city. Generally she would welcome this feeling, but today she just wanted to allow her ears the pleasure of normalcy, the whirring of rushing cars, the idle chatter of the rest of Seattle's' inhabitants and the velvet tones of a certain caramel skinned woman who felt good pressed up against her side. She swallowed and opened her mouth 'Is that why you were asleep in the studio when I came this morning?'.

'You saw that huh?', her head dropping as they came to the end of the street and rounded the corner. Her stomach bottomed out, shame creeping up on her in a flush of prickly heat that stung her cheeks and caused tears to burn in her eyes.

'No,' Arizona quickly countered, pulling the Latinas arm closer and squeezing gently '… I think I should probably let you know that I didn't see you crying either,' she claimed passively, not really wanting to add insult to injury but also wanting (without being forthright and saying it), to let Callie know it was a subject she could talk about with her. She watched as those dark brown eyes closed, her full mocha lips meeting in what had to possibly be the saddest smile Arizonas heart had ever witnessed, she began again ' I'm sorry this has all been about me; I forgot to ask if you were okay'.

Tilting her head slightly, to try and capture Callies attention she watched the Latinas face move through a range of expressions, she saw the truth on her face, saw how her chocolate brown eyes closed over to reveal lids darkened with lack of comfortable sleep, soft sighing breaths escape her as her shoulders shook and her resolve threatened to fall apart. Arizona felt her chest tighten at the sight of her this way, and she felt the urge to pause in their step and take Callie into her arms and soothe her. She was quickly moved from this thought as she watched Callie straighten up and sniff sharply, her tone dropping as she pursed her mouth and nodded in a way that would have suggested her certainty.

'I'm okay…. I uh, I'm okay' she let her arm drop from the blondes hold, and took a step away the air separating them suddenly filled with the thick tension they had left behind at the studio. She cleared her throat and averted her gaze as she clicked her tongue and announced their arrival.

Looking at the building before them Arizona noticed they had stopped at an end lot, retro fitted diner, cracked beige paint covered its expanse. Two small ficus plants sit on either side of the entrance, the only green in a city of amber, they held her gaze longer than they probably should have.

'So this is it?' she mumbled rather than asked, stepping towards the door and waiting for any sign of confirmation from the Latina, a shrug or a grunt, instead the silence that had been lingering a few steps behind them had caught up and was pushing its disgruntled self into the spotlight. Callie nodded and moved towards the door, holding it open and gaze still trained to the floor she guided Arizona in. They made their way silently to a booth and slid into the seats opposite each other, Callie still avoiding eye contact as she shakily brought her hands onto the table and flattened her palms against the cool surface. Arizona watched as the Latina took a few deep breaths expelling them slowly, her gaze never lifting. They were approached by a young girl no older than seventeen, carrying a notepad, pen tucked behind her ear, her cotton candy coloured hair pulled into a bun held in place with another pen carefully speared through the centre.

'Can I get you both a drink?' she asked, eyes expectant as she stood, hand on her hip, the other thumbing the page in front of her that contained more doodles than orders.

Turning her head, Callie spoke although her voice was so soft and reserved Arizona was surprised that the waitress heard it over the loud popping of her bubble gum 'I'll have a coffee please, make that two…thank you'. She watched as the young girl nodded and began to push her breath into a bubble as she walked away from the table and over to the counter.

Arizona took this an opportunity to reach across the table, head ducked as she tried to force some kind of resolve between them. She was completely unaware as to what had Callie so, distant but she knew that she couldn't just sit there and let her withdraw, not when the Latina had been so gung-ho about her making headway. She offered a small smile, walking her own hand across the table slowly, but Callie's eyes widened and she pulled her hands back to her chest, and then dropped them to her lap.

'Why do you do that… pull away ?' Arizona asked, the words leaving her mouth before she could truly think them over but the moment they kissed the air she felt her chest lighten. Watching Callie look up at her with a questioning look she knew she hadn't yet overstepped her mark and so she continued '…I mean you talk to me about opening up and you make it so easy for me to open up to you but act like it's completely impossible for you to do the same'.

Callie shook her head, blowing a breath between her pursed lips as her shoulders lifted and fell in a shrug that truly held all the feelings she was encompassing at the moment. She looked at the blonde before her and felt heaviness in her heart. Inwardly cursing herself she found her mind working overtime searching for an excuse, her heart pounding in her ears as she blinked back tears and her voice became shaky '…I don't mean to'. It wasn't much of an explanation but it was all she could offer, it was all she had. She balled her fists in her lap and closed her eyes as she felt another wave of panic fall over her as the blonde continued.

'You shut down completely, it's hard to watch. I get it, and I won't push you but you look exhausted Callie and you're sleeping on a dance-floor…' her voice filled with concern and worry caused Callie to sink lower in her seat, her fists unfurling as she wrapped her arms around herself protectively. Arizona noticed this and her voice dropped to a whisper as she voiced a thought that had begun floating around her mind 'Callie… Do you have somewhere else to go?'. She watched the Latina finally lift her head and meet her stare, her expression somewhere between lost and disbelief as she nodded slowly.

'I have a house, Arizona I'm just…' she swallowed her words momentarily, allowing her brain the chance to catch up with how fast her revelations were leaving her mouth. She wasn't entirely sure why but it was like the blonde had pulled the plug and now all her issue were gushing forth out into the open, spilling down the streets until she couldn't help but feel like she was knee deep in the life she had been trying to so hard to forget. Sighing she began again '… it's not home. I'm afraid to be there alone'. This admittance fell in an almost whisper that took Arizonas' breath away, she smiled sadly, her eyes pleading for the Latina to continue '… I don't know why I'm telling you this but I'm afraid and so I sleep at the studio because that's where I feel… levelled,… just centred. I know it sounds ridiculous, and I know it looked ridiculous. I mean, a grown woman sleeping on a dance-floor, it's just…I don't have… I just need… to be somewhere I feel safe'.

The truth can feel like a weight has been lifted, in some people the truth really does set them free, but in others the truth can overpower you, it can leave you feeling lost and afraid. In some people the truth isn't as wonderful as it's made out to be, it's hard and it's painful, and in Callie's case it brought about more questions than answers, and she didn't have time to work through her issues, she didn't have it in her to work through that part of her life. So she danced, and she would bury herself in her work and her passion because she was afraid that by falling prey to the truth she would lose herself again, lose what she had waited so long to find. Yet here she sat confronting that part of her life she had tried so hard to sway away from, each pirouette she had spun away had finally caught up with her. She watched as the blondes' mouth formed a perfect 'o', her eyes softening as she allowed her words to sink in.

'Oh'

She shook her head, hands clasping around the warm mug the waitress placed in front of her, silently thanking her with a grateful nod of her head. Turning back to the blonde she sighed, 'I don't mean to shut down, I just … I haven't had someone who actually cared in my life for a long time. I don't have any friends' she admitted, these words falling from her lips in a haze of resentment and sadness '… not anymore'.

Arizona watched as the Latina came undone, as her mouth moved slowly and words fell into the open. A warmth of understanding washing over her, as she realised just how close Callies words had hit to home. She knew exactly how this loneliness felt, how people you thought would remain in your life just started to fade away one day. She had come to the conclusion shortly after her accident that just like when you step into a puddle, friendship comes in ripples, and they start off close around you, but eventually get pushed further and further away until a stillness surrounds you, and you begin to wonder if you'll ever feel the turbulence of life again. She smiled, her mouth upturning in the corner as she shrugged her shoulders and playfulness found her voice.

'I thought you didn't like lying?' she asked, tilting her head to the side and shaking it slowly. Callie's brows furrowed and her nose crinkled at this comment. Her head shaking slowly and quick and she countered almost immediately.

'I don't'

'Then you are going to have to take that last statement back,' Arizona smiled, her hand slipping across the table, caramel covered by the softest of opaques. Callie flinched slightly at the action, warmth encompassing her hand, as she turned her hand over and their palms flattened against each other's '… because I'm pretty sure we are friends'

'We are?' the Latina questioned, her voice wavering with a hope she didn't too often express. She felt her nerves persuading her body to relinquish control. Her stomach bordering nausea and fear at the expectations that come along with the responsibility of friendship. It had been so long since Callie had found herself in a position to call anyone a true friend, having let all tethers of her life unwind shortly after Addison's exit, but she felt something in this moment. Sat in a bustling diner, across the table from a stranger who was changing her life one sentence at a time, one acceptance at a time, she knew the face of the world was changing and more than anything it filled her with a sense of… something as close to happiness as she could feel.

Watching the widening of Callies eyes, hearing the hopefulness in her voice, Arizona let a small breath escape her. She was still trying to figure out what exactly was happening with herself. She hadn't quite expected to take to the Latina as she had, she hadn't expected her path to lead her to a dance studio, she hadn't wished on any passing stars for a new friend, and she most certainly hadn't even imagined in her wildest dreams that she would be helping someone else through any kind of issue. And yet, in the lightest touch she almost felt herself drowning in an uncontrollable need to get closer.

She nodded a confirmation to the Latina and curled her fingers supportively around the hand below her, smiling as she felt a slight pressure around her own hand, where Callie had decided to commit to the hold. It happened so suddenly, and so naturally that neither felt anything else but comfort and while brown held blue, their peripheral vision blurring like a slow-motion splash of modern art; they allowed themselves a moment of togetherness in a world so content on making them feel alone.

They ordered their meals, hands still clasped in the centre of the table, neither letting the hold loosen until presented with their dishes and the challenge of one handed dining. They ate in a relative silence, each focused on enjoying their food, and the company and neither wanting to be the first to break what had become a very comfortable silence. Glances were stolen over the fizzing of gas bubbles in glasses containing clear liquids the ordered to accompany their meals and soon the plates before them reached a satisfying emptiness and the waitress was signalled in a lifted hand gesture.

Before they were approached, Callie took a fleeting glance at the blonde and felt a light laugh bypass her lips. Looking at her questioningly the blonde shrugged her shoulders in an unspoken question, urging the Latina to explain herself.

Callie sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and smiled before opening her mouth to speak 'So being that we are friends,' she began, small giggles still finding their way into the air '… I think I should tell you that you have some sauce, right… there' she lifted her hand and gestured in the direction of a deep red morsel that was clinging to the corner of Arizonas' lips. A dark flush invaded the blondes' cheeks and her eyes widened in embarrassment. Lifting her napkin to her face, Arizona began to wipe furiously at her mouth, but the small stain resisted.

'Ugh, gone?' she asked, slightly annoyed that the Latina had allowed her to go the entire sitting without so much as a visual clue to the offending morsel sitting proudly in the gentle crease of her lips.

'No,' Callie laughed softly, her own hand reaching for a napkin that she gripped softly and inched across the table to dab gently at the blondes mouth '… here let me'.

She allowed her slightly shaking hand to complete its task before it dropped slowly back to the table, supporting her as she tilted her head to the side, eyes narrowing at the gentle sprinkling of almost invisible freckles that danced across the blonde nose. Her breath caught on the precipice of her mouth as she allowed herself a moment to get lost in the hidden beauty Arizona exuded.

'Thank you' Arizona whispered her breathing heavy and a heat flushing over her as she noticed the Latinas darkening pupils. Shifting slightly in her seat she allowed her teeth to sink into her bottom lip, as their reverie was interrupted by the waitress placing a brown leather book on the table in front of them. Arizonas eyes broke contact, turned towards her jacket and she quickly fished out her purse and placed a gathering of notes in the leather book and returned it to the hand of the waitress.

'Arizona I can get that', Callie spoke, shaking her head as she pulled her own purse from the confines of her hoody and fished between the large group of notes she carried around with her.

'No its fine I got it…' the blonde stated, holding her hand out in front of her palm facing Callie in a stop motion. But the Latina was persistent; she pulled out some notes and held them across the table.

'Please let me at least split it' she begged, looking up at the blonde who was shaking her head in refusal.

'Callie its fine, besides I was going to ask for a favour and it's kind of big'

'How big are we talking here?' Callies' eyes widened, as she waved her hand in the air to catch the attention of the waitress again. Slipping the tip into the hand of the young server and smiling her thanks, Callie began to get to her feet. Slipping free of the booth and offering her hand to help the blonde to her feet. Arizona accept, gripping her cane, and gently using Callie to support herself she slid from the table and they began to exit. Arizona chewed nervously on her lip as she allowed her next words to free fall from her mouth.

'A little bigger than a messy office, let's just say I'm going to owe you more than my cleaning and coffee services' she closed her eyes tight and her request fell into the open on a quick breath '… could you come home with me?'

'Wow, that's the quickest offer I've ever had' the Latina giggled, swinging her hips into the blonde gently. Noticing the tension and nervousness of the blonde and deciding she would try and lighten the mood. Smiling to herself as she noticed Arizona rolling her eyes and starting again.

'I meant, could you come back to my place while I talk to Tim?' Callie paused, one hand raised she pulled the door to the diner open and they stepped out onto the even busier streets She threw the blonde a look of uncertainty but not quite ready to let go, she continued '… I left him in a really awkward situation and I need to fix things'.

'What do you need me for?' Callie asked, a hint of genuine concern slipping out with her question. She felt Arizonas hand snake under her arm, linking them together as they manoeuvred the streets and headed back towards the studio.

'Backup… support' the blonde smiled, tightening her hold on the Latinas arm, as she smiled cheekily. She knew that when she allowed the corners of her mouth to truly uplift there would be a definite showing of dimples, her cheeks would hollow in the centres and apparently it was one of her many charms, she decided she would need to delve into her arsenal in order to get Callie on board. So she took a breath and pleaded with her eyes, her lips stretching and corners of her mouth reaching heights they had long forgotten.

'I'm pretty sure with a face like that you could wrap him around your finger Arizona. Just bat those baby blues at him and you'll be fine, I'm sure' Callie scoffed, leaning into the blonde playfully. Arizona sighed and momentarily forgot where she was, she paused in her steps and turned to face Callie head on, her hands slipping to her sides as the throngs of people darted around them.

'It's just easier with you.' Her tone was desperate and filled with a need Callie hadn't heard before, not from the blonde. She felt her words dissipate on the light breeze, her mouth hanging open at the revelation 'I mean, you just, you get it. You understand and …he's my brother but he is trying to parent me and I can't… I need to try do this my way… please'.

Callie watched as the blondes gaze fell to the floor, the flood of sadness that swept over her taking away all memory of the dimples that had graced Arizonas' porcelain cheeks. She felt an ache in her stomach and although her head was telling her that doing this, getting herself involved would be a bad idea, there was something inside of her that was causing a nodding action. Reaching out for the blondes hand, she interlocked their fingers and gave her a reassuring squeeze before agreeing in a barely audible whisper.

'Ok, I'm in'.

They made their way back to the studio, each lost in contemplation about what would happen once they reached Arizonas place. Callie mentally berating herself for choosing to get involved, and Arizona thanking her lucky stars that the Latina had agreed to accompany her. They walked across the parking lot and paused in front of Callies' car, the Latina fumbled in the pockets of her oversized hoody and retrieved the key. Deactivating the alarm, she walked to the drivers' side and pulled the door open, motioning with her head for the blonde to mirror her actions on the other side. Arizona stood stationary and watched as she Latina made a move to get into the car.

'You're going to drive?' she quizzed, pulling the passenger side door open and lowering her head to meet the Latinas gaze. Callie pulled her door closed and leaned across the seat.

'You want to walk another two miles?' she asked the blonde, eyes wide as she waited for the shake of head she expected, before smiling '… well then get in'

'Callie?' Arizonas' voice wavered as she stepped a little closer to the car and assessed the situation. The seat being lower than she was used to, she was so used to having someone support her. Tim helped her into their car now without so much as a second thought; it was less awkward that way. If they just pretended it was routine, especially since Arizona hated asking for help. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes tight, here she was trying to convince her brother she didn't need help, and yet in this moment, under this circumstance that was exactly what she needed. She muttered under her breath about the harsh reality reminding her of her predicament, and then looked back to the Latina.

'Yeah?'

'Could you help me… Tim normally lifts me in' she admitted sheepishly, swaying slowly as she tried not to look as disappointed in herself as she felt right now. She waited for the Latina to quickly exit the car and make her way around to the passenger side, but was surprised to see that Callie made no effort to move, and Arizona wondered momentarily if she hadn't quite heard her plea. Her worry was dismissed when Callie began to speak.

'Well,' she started reaching around and buckling herself in, her gaze completely avoiding the image of the blonde to her side '…today is about showing him you are capable so… give it try, you don't have to be graceful about it Arizona, it's not an audition for swan lake, just get in.' she stated, her tone light as if this was just a normal occurrence. One thing Callie knew was that if she made a huge deal out of it, stared, watched too closely than Arizona would never do it, there was too much pressure involved with held gazes, too much expectation from both parties and so she waited patiently. She checked the mirrors', although they didn't need to be adjusted she fiddled with them absentmindedly.

Arizona allowed a breath to pass her lips, surprise filling her at the thought that Callie wasn't going to help her, and for a moment she felt a little angry that the Latina made no move to get up out of her seat, and so she shuffled forward. Pivoting slowly in an even paced rocking motion until she faced away from the car and then she lowered herself albeit not gracefully into the car. Her hands trembling as short staggered breaths escaped her nervous pursed lips. She felt a slight jolt, as her knees bent 90 degrees and her bottom found the safety of her seat and she then swung her legs in cautiously and let go of a sigh of relief.

'Let's go' Callie smiled, nodding as the blonde reached for her belt and pulled it across her body.

'Thank you' she whispered, listening intently for the reassuring click that told her she was secured. She pressed her hands in her lap and drummed her fingers in a rhythmic nervousness on her thighs.

'What for?' Callie asked, as she revved the engine and began to pull out of the car park.

'For making things seem normal'.

Smiling Callie nodded her head lightly. 'I think normal is overrated but knowing our capabilities and our possibilities is always something worth exploring'. She glanced quickly over at where the blonde now sat pondering her words, her brows furrowed in deep consideration of the Latinas words. The car filled with a silence as they made their way out onto the main stretch of road.

'What about our inabilities?' Arizona breathed, her worrying tone overshadowed by a heart-warming giggle that escaped Callies lips '… What?' she asked, a little annoyed that the Latina didn't seem to be taking this seriously. She knew that they were at different stages in their recovery, different stages in their emotional and psychological acceptance of their situations but she had thought Callie was a little more understanding than this. She heard the giggle give way to a sigh and felt a warmth find her thigh. Glancing down she saw Callies hand resting there, her fingers giving a gentle squeeze that brought Arizonas gaze upwards and with the softest of smiles Callie spoke words that Arizona knew she would never be able to shake from her mind.

'Arizona… we can do anything if we just try'.

It was there in her smile; no longer hidden it was on display for all to see. The wonderous warmth of hope, of endless possibility. No boundaries, no restrictions just life, in its most pure and basic form. Smiling Arizona bit down on her lip and nodded her acceptance, before turning to look out of the window where the sun was peeking through the clouds, a small reminder that no matter how bleak things may seem, if you wait, and have patience, if you just ride out the storm then it will all be worth it.

Turning back to the Latina, she reached for the caramel hand covering the gear stick and covered it with her own, lips parting slightly at the warmth she found in this motion. Her stomach somersaulting and heart racing she allowed her mind to wonder as a smile became fixed on her face. In this moment she was happy, she was hopeful and she was closer than she had ever been to feeling like herself again, and she had to admit she was beginning to feel like with Callie at her side, she could ride out the toughest of any storms.