CHAPTER 10

Next day Arizona worked a long shift, and Callie had back to back meetings all day long. When Arizona stepped out into the hospital parking lot she was so very happy that she had accepted Callie's offer to have Tim pick her up after work.

She walked over to the black car and was happy to see Tim's smile.

"Ms. Robbins" he said and opened the door for her.

She got in.

As Tim was waiting for traffic to pass so he could pull out into the busy Manhattan streets, he looked over his shoulder at the blonde.

"I like the new necklace" he said and winked at her.

Arizona liked Tim. He was probably the only one she knew who was as caring and protective as Callie. He had obviously known about the necklace before Callie gave it to her.

"Yeah" she breathed out "It's beautiful"

He smiled.

"And the card…" he then continued while looking straight ahead "Ms. Torres spent a whole day setting up the account and picking the font for your name. She seemed so happy" Tim babbled on about the wonders of Callie's credit card gift until he saw Arizona's face in the rearview mirror. Her turned around and looked at her.

"Oh, OH!" he then said "You…you didn't want the card?"

"No" Arizona said "I…I make my own money, Tim. I don't need her money. She's paying for enough already"

Tim put the car in reverse, backed into a parking spot, and turned off the engine.

Arizona looked at him questioningly. He took a deep breath.

"It's not about the money, Ms. Robbins" he said "It's about love. She loves you and that's why she wants you to have the card. It gives her the security of knowing that you will be safe. That you'll have what you need. That you don't have to worry. It may sound weird, but to her it's the ultimate trust. The ultimate love. People try to screw her over for money all the time. It makes her feel betrayed. With you she feels safe. Safe enough to share. She doesn't have to keep things from you in fear of you taking advantage. She knows you won't"

Arizona looked at Tim.

He shook his head.

"Ms. Robbins, take the card. Keep it in your pocket. Nobody says you have to go and buy all of 5th Avenue with it. It could simply be one of the strings on your parachute"

Arizona grabbed the heart pendant hanging around her neck and nodded slowly.

Then Tim started the engine and took her to The Mazatlán.

It was 12:30 when the blonde walked out of the elevator and into the apartment at The Mazatlán. She knew Callie would be in bed by now so she walked directly to the bedroom.

The latina was sprawled out on the bed, the covers only covering the lower part of her legs. She was wearing boy shorts and a tank top, and she looked so sweet and peaceful that Arizona could do nothing but watch her for a few minutes.

Then she went over to Callie's side of the bed and sat down next to the latina.

"Callie, baby, wake up" she said in a soft voice.

Callie stirred a bit and then sat up, startled at Arizona's presence, her dark tousled hair making her look so effortlessly sexy and adorable that Arizona didn't understand why she hadn't fallen crazily in love with Callie the very first time she met her.

"Are you okay?" Callie said sleepily.

"I get it" Arizona said "I get that it's not about the money. I'll…I'll keep the card. It'll be…a string on my parachute"

Callie tried to focus on the blonde. It took her mind a second to realize what Arizona's words were about.

Then the latina smiled "Really?"

Arizona nodded "Yes"

"That makes me very happy" the brunette said.

Arizona got up, looked down at Callie and nodded again – this time with a small smile, and then she left the side of the bed to go and shower.

As Arizona was walking into the bathroom, Callie said "Arizona?"

The blonde turned around and looked at the latina.

"It's never about the money. Okay?"

"Okay" Arizona whispered.