A/N: I changed my mind about the Mark unfriendliness and pretty much trashed any parts of the story I had written with the not cool him…I do like him for the most part, so I'll go with it. In my opinion it takes the story to a much better place, so hopefully you guys will agree!


Instead of parting ways the group ended up heading inside together. Callie had her 'chat' with Aria in her study while the three blondes kept themselves busy with Ben's cars and action figures. Erica had left a message for Callie while the crew was outside, stating something about a case and that she wouldn't be home until tomorrow. Arizona and Teddy thought something might be up when the only reaction garnered from basically being told that the third family member wasn't going to be there was an eye roll from the older Torres and a slightly wider smile from the younger Torres, but it slipped to the back of their minds when there was talk of pizza and a movie for dinner time. Ben passed out on the floor next to Arizona and Aria later that evening and the adults continued to talk for a bit before exchanging contact info and heading their separate ways and promising to hang out again soon.

x-x

A week passed by, and Arizona and Ben seized every opportunity they could to go over to the other's house. They didn't see Callie or Teddy often, as they were busy with work but Aria would sometimes tag along and play with them or sit around under the guise of helping with Arizona's renovating. Ever since talking with Callie a week ago Aria had been around more often and making an effort to have a better attitude and be more responsible. She had actually become quite fond of spending time with "Dimples and Dimples Jr.".

Unbeknownst to the other, Callie and Arizona had each been grilling Aria for more information on each other. Callie heard more about how much fun Arizona and Ben were having together as well as little tidbits about her personality; how stubborn she could be, how she was 'perky too often' and apparently couldn't cook much beyond the basics and often persuaded Aria to cook for them. She heard a bit about her work and what was happening around the house, and her favourite…that she was single, unfortunately that came with the tidbit that she was also a bit of a commitment phobe…which she tried to play off as unimportant anyway, she was in a relationship after all.

Arizona listened to stories about the eldest Torres' temper and some rather embarrassing high school stories involving the Latina being shy and something about chewing on her hair. She learned that Callie had actually been married, briefly…to a man, and that neither Aria nor Benjamin were fans of Erica, whom Arizona had had the good luck of not running into yet. Her favourite tidbit being that it was in fact Callie that gave birth to Benjamin; she may not have met Erica yet, but she knew enough to not like her so she was quite happy that Ben wasn't Erica's.

Arizona also had the fortune of making a new friend, although she probably wouldn't acknowledge said friendship verbally. Half way through the week when Arizona had mentioned finding someone to help with some electrical and plumbing work Aria took it upon herself to call her friend Mark, who had his own contracting company and would work for a great price because of his "hot chicks discount". Although initially hesitant about him coming over after hearing him being referred to as both an "ex-sex-friend" and best friend, she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. After she got over the slightly condescending compliment(?) "Not bad, Blondie." And his ego got over her turning down his pick up attempt they managed to work together quite well. They constantly bickered like an old married couple, but both were excellent at what they did and their skills complimented each other. When Ben was around they were both great at including him and finding tasks that he would be able to help with; and neither were opposed to taking breaks to play games either. When Ben wasn't around they'd share inappropriate jokes and talk about girls they'd been with, or would like to be with, each talking up their various conquests. Challenges would be exchanged when either spoke about "stealing a player batting for the other team" and playful wagers would be made about who was more charming, the time easily slipping by as they verbally sparred.

Arizona had eventually given in to showing Mark her plans and sketches for the house and was surprised to find that Mark was almost as excited as she was and quickly started rearranging his schedule and crews so he could spend more time at the Robbins house. With the long periods of time they spent working together, and Mark even spending a few nights crashing on the couch, they soon got down to what neither of them liked talking about; Mark preferring avoidance with flirting and charm and Arizona with flirting and perkiness. They briefly talked about Mark's childhood, Arizona's dead twin brother Timothy, their best friends Teddy and Aria, how and why they both found it easier just sleep around, how Arizona's one attempt at a committed relationship screwed her over…causing her to close off and have trust issues…Mark's one attempt at a committed relationship screwing him and his best friend over…and resulting in him becoming a soon to be father, and still not knowing if the mother of said child wanted anything to do with him. They bonded over their strengths as well as short comings, and easily played off of each other's mood.

Much to their joy they had discovered on their many trips to pick up and shop for supplies that between the two of them they could easily charm almost anyone, man or woman, that they came across. Their odds were even better if Ben was tagging along with them. To an outsider it would probably look like they had been friends since childhood, or married, as Teddy liked to tease them. Aria often chose to pick on them for how similar they were even though both would deny being alike and that they could be a match made in heaven under different circumstances, which resulted in a resounding "Eugh, gross!" And Callie, well…Callie just tried her best not to be jealous. She knew she had no right to be, and she could admit that she found their constant bickering amusing, she felt like…like it should be her and Arizona going to the store with Ben and having strangers gawk over their beautiful family. But she had no business thinking that, not right now anyway.

x-x

Callie had been enjoying the time she got to spend with her new friends. It warmed her heart how they all embraced her son as part of the group and even went out of their way to make him happy. It also bothered her a little, how Arizona and Teddy let Ben just crash into their world without so much as a negative ripple in their atmosphere…their ecosystem wasn't tainted, their natural resources remained intact, no inhabitants were struggling to accommodate the addition of the strange new life form that came hurdling into their world from another…the environment just quickly altered and adapted to foster and encourage growth…they let him join in whatever they were doing and indulged him when he told his stories or gushed about his toys. They didn't even lose their cool when his Torres temper showed up. They were fantastic with him. Mark even welcomed little Ben with open arms and let him play 'manly man' while they were working on Arizona's house. She'd even witnessed them contain themselves to verbally silent angry stomping when hammers collided with fingers, clearly for the sake of Ben; she'd heard them while Ben wasn't around and she was certain that either of them could give a sailor a run for their money…maybe even show up her and Aria if the situation called for it.

She didn't entirely approve of the 'Robbins-Sloan Method' involving Benny to work their charm on strangers while they went out, but she had to admit that between ruggedly handsome Mark, drop dead gorgeous Arizona, ridiculously adorable Benny and the deadly dimples of the two blondes, it would be rather impossible to deny them anything…and Ben seemed to enjoy his part, and didn't seem any worse for wear. Plus, she kind of thought it was adorable when her 3 year old son pulled his best Barney Stinson imitation. She could just picture the little blonde approaching a pretty girl and doing his best: "Haaave you met my best friend Mark?" while he puffed his chest and gestured to Mark, or, her favourite: "Haaave you met my bestest friend Zona?" (only Arizona received the honour of being the "bestest" friend) and then he'd lean back against her legs and bat his eyelashes while holding Arizona's hands around his shoulders…initially Callie had scolded Arizona and Mark for teaching him to manipulate women like that, only to find out that it was all his own doing, which resulted in a rule of no more 'How I Met Your Mother'…even though she was pretty sure they didn't stop.

Even her sister was cleaning up her act for nephew; she never came home drunk anymore, volunteered to take care of Benny (and kept track of him!) and even cooked dinner for everyone at the Robbins house, where everyone had somewhere along the line agreed to meet up every night. Yet her own girlfriend hardly spent any time with Ben, who was supposed to be their son.

She had known that Erica had reservations about having children, so when she finally conceded and they had Benjamin she had chosen to overlook that Erica had all the paperwork drawn up to make sure that, legally, Ben was only Callie's. She was ecstatic and distracted by the fact that she was holding her little boy in her arms, so she just figured it was just Erica being Erica, making sure that nothing got in the way of her career. A few months later she had tried to bring it up and all Erica had said was something about making sure that Callie had her dream and "making sure that her and Ben wouldn't be seperated" if anything ever happened. It didn't seem sincere though, it seemed more like one of Erica's digs at Callie caring more about having a kid than her, but again, Callie brushed it off.

Now, Callie had been waiting to speak to the woman that she, supposedly, lived with. She couldn't even remember the last time she saw her…it was just a new message, either a text or voicemail, each day, declaring (in true Erica Hahn fashion) that she either wouldn't be home until after Callie and Ben would be asleep or wasn't going to make it home at all. As far as Erica was concerned decisions regarding work weren't something to be discussed, they were just decisions for Erica, and Erica alone, to make. Not once had she even asked how they were, or even mentioned Ben.

To say Callie was getting mad was an understatement. So tonight, after getting another message saying Erica wouldn't be home until at least midnight, Callie sat on the couch and waited for her to get home. By now she had all but reconciled with herself that this would be the end of her and Erica's relationship. It just wasn't working, and hadn't been for a while…maybe it never had, she bitterly thought. She wasn't quite sure what her plan was, she tended to be rather impulsive, and her, Aria and Ben would all, more than likely be homeless as a result of her decision, given that it was Erica's house, but it was time to get it all out there, it finally just felt like the right time. Besides: she had new friends, there are plenty of hotels and she has savings…everything will be fine.

x-x

At 1:30 the front door finally opened to reveal a grumpy blonde woman stumbling in, oblivious to dark chocolate eyes watching her every movement, only serving to further anger the Latina. "Erica."

Blue eyes snapped up and all movement stilled "Cal…"

"We need to talk."

"Look, Cal, I'm sorry I haven't been home much – "

"Much?! Erica, I've hardly seen you for the past four weeks! That's not okay! Our son is closer with the neighbours than he is with you!"

"The neighbours? I thought Aria was – " Deciding at the glare she received that she didn't focus on the correct part of what she was told she quickly changed directions, "Callie, I'm sorry, I really am – "

"Sorry isn't enough this time, Erica. This isn't the first – "

"I'll take the day off tomorrow!"

"…what?" Erica never took a day off. Callie thought she'd be more likely to throw herself off of a cliff before willingly miss a surgery.

"…I'll spend some time with Benjamin…and you…or just Ben, if you'll be working…"

Callie was shocked. It seemed liked Erica was willing to try, so she should too, right?

"That sounds…great" she offered a small, but mostly genuine smile "I'm sure Ben would enjoy that…" She took a deep breath and gulped, 'might as well bring it up now' "…he…uh…thinks you don't like him…said something about you not thinking he was special…" She narrowed her eyes a little, studying the blonde across the room from her, trying to read her thoughts.

Erica gave a tight smile and kissed Callie's forehead "I'll talk to him tomorrow. It's fine." 'Not really an answer…'

Callie watched the other woman climb the stairs up to their bedroom. Her smile didn't really look like a happy smile, but then, when did she look happy, it just wasn't a look Erica Hahn wore.

"Night Cal"

"…night Erica"