The Story

Love is Love

"We are together. Because I love you and you love me and none of the rest of it matters. We are together."

The Story

Created August 14, 2012

Disclaimer: This is AU. I do not own any of the characters from Grey's Anatomy; they all belong to Shonda and Co. I am merely using them for personal pleasure as well any others that may find this fiction entertaining. Continually, any situation that may have happened in another movie, show or fiction is pure coincidence; I do not intend to plagiarize another's work.

A/N I only have a vision, where this story goes is purely up to inspiration, muses and reviews.

A/N2 Thank you to each and everyone of you that has continued to stick with this story. Thank you to everyone that has posted thoughtful comments. In 10 chapters I have only received one not so great comment and even then it wasn't that horrible, just a little gruff. Each message is like a little piece of gold, and I treasure all of the comments, kudos, opinions. Please keep them coming guys they help me out.

Overview: All Callie, all Arizona, all the time. The setting is Miami, for all intense purposes the history of the Characters will slightly parallel that of the series, in such as Arizona is an Army Brat, and Callie, well she eats her hair.

Chapter Ten: "Fighter"

She felt it even before the connection, the pale fist connecting with her cheek, she didn't have time to avert the punch but she had known, she didn't grow up on the playground with a name like Arizona Robbins without having a few rough and tumbles with a few girls or boys for that matter, she was a scrapper and a damn fine one at that. But this trailer trash bitch didn't fight fair. Shaking off the blunt trauma Arizona's fists were full of the other cheerleaders' uniform spinning her and slamming her into the lifeless grey blue lockers.

"Wanna say it to my face!" She growled, her white teeth bared and her lip snarled.

"Lesbian, dirty, disgusting, a-bom-i-nation-" Izzy hissed.

That was all it took for Arizona's fuse to snap and she shoved her into the locker and drew back her arm for a power hit. With all of her might she threw her weight into it and the crack could be heard throughout the locker room. When the fog had cleared and she could see the aftermath of her damage Arizona backed up some while Izzy stood there holding her nose as the blood dripped down and pooled into her hands. As she looked up; doe eyes meeting electric blue.

"You broke my nose. You broke my nose." The shock was ebbing and flowing as realization was setting in a long with one hell of a headache. "You bitch! YOU BROKE MY NOSE!" She screamed and with a second wind she charged the smaller blond.

Standing her ground Arizona side stepped the other and gave her a little extra push into the lockers as she grabbed the back of her shirt and flung her into the metal.

"Kinda the point." She said and looked down at the other woman sitting on the ground dazed and confused.

"Fucking dyke." Izzy muttered now realizing she might be a bit safer on the ground. Arizona was about to let it go and walk away until the other blond muttered her remark, she spun so quickly it dizzied the other at the ferocity, small fist hauling her up off her ass and pinning her to the lockers once again.

"You don't learn, do you?" Arizona questioned with her fist raised yet again.

"Hey! Break it up!" The voice commanded with authority. Both women turned to see another pair of brown eyes glaring at them and coming rapidly closer. Immediately Arizona dropped her hold on Stevens and backed up, but it was too late because the fiery Latina was already between the two.

"What is the matter with you?" Her question was pointed more at Arizona rather than Izzy. She expected this kind of stuff with the tall cheerleader. She on the other hand did not expect it from Arizona.

"Callie, I can explain." She protested.

"Yea, your dyke girlfriend tried to kill me." Izzy huffed.

Callie's eyes went cold and gave the woman a death glare. "If you make one more remark I will turn my back and walk away, if anyone asks I'll say I saw you trip. Got it?" Her tone was not one to be argued with. Slinking back Izzy tried to make herself as small as possible and when Callie had returned her attention to Arizona she slipped away quietly like the coward she was.

By now the one hit Izzy had been able to get in was starting to swell and purple. Concerned, Callie brushed the blond fallen locks of hair away and inspected the area.

"We should probably get this looked at. It could be fractured." Callie's hand grazed the area ever so slightly while watching Arizona's facial expressions and seeing the hesitated wince.

"I'm fine Callie, I've had worse."

"This isn't a discussion. We are going Arizona."

Hearing the concern Arizona locked her blue gaze with the warm and apprehensive brown. "Calliope, I'm fine." Her tone was soft and even. "It's just a little bump." She tried to cajole.

"Yeah okay." Callie snorted.

Her jaw dropped at the sarcasm and she stood there mouth hanging. Eye brows pinching and she pursed her lips once she closed her mouth.

"You can make all the feigned hurt shock faces you want."

"Callie." Arizona said warningly.

"We. Are. Going."

"I'm fi-" Arizona tried to continue the protest.

"End of discussion."

Sighing deeply Arizona was deflated, the anger leaving her body, determination gone. "Fine, but I get a cookie!" She called after the already retreating brunette while hurrying to catch up to her.

Glued, that is the one word that could describe Callie's look at the moment as Arizona studied her. Her eyes would not leave the backlight displaying Arizona's x-ray of her skull. Her eyes roamed over the film display as if she were in a trance. The brunette was standing so close, her nose almost pressed to the box as her hands fidgeted, it was one sign that she was deep in thought.

"Callie." Arizona prodded from the hospital bed. No reply.

Lifting an eyebrow she let her lips purse to the side as she watched with amusement.

"Callie." She tried again and still no reply.

"Arizona Elizabeth Robbins!" That made the both of them jump as Barbara flew through the door of Arizona's room. Upon seeing her daughter sitting there conscious she didn't give it a moment's thought and hugged her tightly and then smacked her upside the head.

"Ow!" The blond rubbed the back of her head. "Mom, I have a skull injury." So Barbara did the only thing that made sense, she slapped her shoulder. "OW!"

"You're lucky that is all I did. What did I tell you about getting into fights Arizona?" Her voice held all the emotion that a mother would get from a phone call from your daughter's girlfriend saying she was taking her to the hospital.

"Mom you don't understand." Arizona began.

Barbara was already in motion to Callie and gave her a warm and welcoming hug. "How are you doing dear? Are you doing ok?" She gave her another tight hug and a kiss to the cheek. Arizona sat there staring in dismay, mouth open like a fish out of water.

"Hello? Injured over here and I get smacked in the head and shoulder and you ask Callie how she is and hug her?"

"Of course!" Barbara said simply as if the question were silly.

Slumping down in the bed Arizona looked off into the distance. This was not how this was supposed to go.

"What did the doctor say Callie?" Barbara asked while taking a glance at the x-ray herself.

"It's not bad, he said we have to wait for the orthopedic surgeon though, they will go over it with us… with you guys. I should probably go. My dad is coming home tonight and he will want to spend time with me and Aria."

Barbara nodded in understanding and took Callie's hand and gave it a big squeeze. "Thank you."

Tilting her head to the side Callie gave a lopsided smile and then it turned into an electric smile as she saw what Barbara was really saying to her. Squeezing her girlfriend's mothers' hand in return she gave her another hug and then walked over to the one in questions bedside. Rootbeer colored eyes wandered over the injury and to blue orbs studying her back. Callie's hand traveled as her eyes did over Arizona's cheek, leaning in she let her lips brush over the blonde's ear as she whispered. "Thank you." As she moved to lean back to look into Arizona's eyes she let her lips brush delicately over the others in another silent moment. "She loves you, don't be too hard on her." She chuckled and as they were having their moment the door was knocked on and then opened.

Callie stood fully and was shocked when she saw the person enter. The woman was gorgeous. She was tall, not thin, but not over weight either. Voluptuous would be the correct term. The woman was similar to Callie in the sense that she was Latina, she was tall and she had some other nice features that Callie didn't miss.

"Miss Robbins?" She looked from the chart to Arizona and Callie took a couple of steps away to give the other woman space. "I'm doctor Giamatti, I am the Orthopedic surgeon." She introduced and then took a moment to say hello to Barbara and Callie.

"So I've spoken with doctor Sykes, he explained to me the extent of your injury and I've taken a little bit to look at your x-rays, I don't think you're going to need surgery. But I am going to say that you will definitely not be able to play any contact sports." She paused for reactions.

When the three women took a cursory glance to one another it was Barbara who spoke up. "My daughter is on the cheerleading team, will that be a problem?"

"It shouldn't be too much of an issue, she just needs to be careful, and no more MMA." She gave the young blond a wink. "So if there aren't any more questions, I'll write up a prescription for any discomfort, also I would like you to schedule an appointment for a follow up visit in three weeks. I want to make sure that you are healing well."

"Thanks doc." Arizona said and smiled to the older woman.

Doctor Giamatti gave her a smile and headed out, Barbara hot on her heels with questions she didn't want her daughter hearing which left the two alone in the room again and Callie off in space once again staring at the damn picture of her skull.

"Callie, are we ok?" Arizona was beginning to worry.

"Hmm? Yea! Totally!" She smiled that megawatt smile when she looked to the blond.

"Are you sure?"

"Yea, Yea! Why wouldn't I be?" She chuckled and came to Arizona's side, giving her hand a little touch she leaned in and gave the blond a soft kiss to the temple and then gave her hand a squeeze.

"Okay." Arizona wasn't convinced.

"Call me when you get home and settled?"

"Yea." The blond was perplexed and getting lost in her own thoughts.

As Callie was leaving she saw Mrs. Robbins coming back from talking with the doctor and she stopped.

"How are you doing my girl?" Barbara could see the concern etched all over the Latina's usually soft features.

Taking a deep breath Callie finally took a moment to think about the question and as she exhaled she smiled softly. "I'm okay."

"Mhmm." Barbara gave a knowing look that she knew otherwise. "Wanna talk about it?"

"A little." Callie was lead to a couple of chairs seated in the hall next to the rooms. Grabbing a seat Barbra sat and looked to Callie encouraging her to sit as well.

"Alright, so what's going on up there?" The elder blond began to study Callie and waited with interest.

Taking a deep breath to collect her thoughts she stared off at the other rooms and their doors. "My dad. He's coming home tonight."

"Okay, and this isn't a good thing?"

"What?! No, no." she laughed nervously. "No it's great. I miss him."

"But?"

"But, now it's complicated."

"Complicated?"

"It's complicated because of Arizona."

"Oh." Barbara looked sad for the young brunette. "So your father doesn't know you like women?"

"I didn't even know I like women… a woman. Just one." Callie smiled at the thought of Arizona.

"Okay and you think that now that you know you are interested in my daughter your father is going to-"

"He isn't going to be happy. I mean I would hope he would understand, because I'm his daughter."

"Callie. Sweetheart, just because your father is coming home tonight doesn't mean you have to tell him that your interests have changed. When you are ready, when you feel it's the right time that is when you should tell him."

"But he will know. I can't hide this… I can't hide Arizona, or how I feel about her." Callie shook her head and leaned forward placing her face into her palms. Barbara simply just rubbed her back for some time as she soaked in what this girl was telling her.

The baby blue Thunderbird crept up the driveway as Callie played all of the possibilities of tonight in her head, over and over again. Also the voice of Barbara Robbins was in there somewhere too. Slowly she came to a halt and just stared at the big house staring back at her.

Leaning back into her seat she sighed and ran her fingers through her hair as she tried to just calm her nerves. She tried to tell herself to just be cool, to pretend that nothing was different. Watching the shadows through the closed curtains and the inside lights making silhouettes she leaned her head onto the steering wheel and breathed out.

"But everything is different. I'm different." She said to no one in particular. Debating she looked at her purse that had her cell phone in it. Biting her lip she thought about what she could do, and who she could talk to. Pulling it into her lap she dug around and then deftly dialed the number she had been calling forever.

"Callie!" Addison picked up on the third ring.

"Hey Addy." She leaned back into her seat once again, watching the house she just breathed.

"So I heard about the gym. Is Arizona alright?"

"Yea she will be ok, small fracture, nothing to be too worried over."

"That's good. Izzy isn't so good. I heard a broken nose."

For the first time today Callie chuckled for real. "Oh? Yea when I saw her she looked pretty banged up."

"So what's up? I'm surprised you're calling. You've been at the hospital most of the day, and your dad is home. I figured you would be doing something the Torres way tonight for dinner in honor of his return."

"We probably are. I don't know. I just-"

"You're nervous."

"I am. How- Oh never mind. Yes, I am." It was pointless, Addison knew her like the back of her hand. Just the simple exhale or lip chewing she could tell everything that was going on inside of Callie's brain.

"Because of Ari."

"Yes."

"Just don't tell him yet Cal."

"That's what Arizona's mom said."

"See, you should probably listen to her more often." She chuckled softly. "Cal, he probably is going to ask what's new with you, just omit Arizona for now. It's ok. You don't have to tell him everything."

"Thanks Addy. I'll try. You know me."

"Alright Cal, good night, text me tomorrow."

Callie ended the call and took another breath, both Barbara and Addison was right. She wasn't ready to tell him, but she wanted to. Gathering her things she got out of the car and headed into the house, she opened and closed the door softly already knowing they were in the parlor.

She moved to the entry of the doorway and watched as her father was regaling her mother and sister of another successful business adventure. As he was getting to the good part it seemed he looked up in time to catch Callie watching him and he stopped suddenly.

"Mija!" He beamed to his daughter and walked around the couch and took her into a long embrace. "You are looking well." He pulled away and looked her over.

"Hi daddy." She returned the hug and breathed in his scent. There was something about the smell of brandy, smoke of a cigar and her father's aftershave that put her to ease.

"And how is my beautiful daughter? How is school? Come sit with your mother, sister and me." He guided her to the couch. "I was just telling them about my trip with Mister Montgomery."

"Oh? How was your trip daddy?" Callie could do this, just stay away from the questions about her, school, what she has been up to… just anything remotely about her.

"Wonderful mija! Are you hungry? Should we call in or maybe go out?" He was easily distracted when his stomach called.

"Hmm, mama's chicken sounds wonderful."

"Oh Calliope, no, no I just got home. I want to spend the rest of my night with my three beautiful girls. No mess just simplicity mija."

Callie looked to her mother and sister for some help, she wasn't very hungry, could be because of the roller coaster her stomach was on. When the two offered to be of no help she looked back to her papa "Antonio's?"

"Haha! Brilliant my darling, you know your father well." Tugging her up he gave her another bone crunching hug and then looked to his two daughters and wife. "Lucia, do you think you could call in the reservations? We can all freshen up and then dinner?"

"That sounds wonderful Carlos, yes I will call." Lucia slipped off into another room her phone already in hand.

"Well that settles it then." He smiled and walked off to head up stairs. Aria did the same and Callie was left in her own world.

Lucia Torres was just like her husband, someone that commanded respect, someone you did not trifle with or cross, but when it came to her daughters she was much more forgiving. She encouraged them to chase dreams and not husbands; she expected the best of them and at the same time encouraged them to understand when life threw them a curve ball. When she walked back into the parlor she found her daughter staring blankly at a picture taken of their family from last Christmas. Stepping next to her daughter she looked at the four faces looking back at them, a feeling of pride growing in her at the faces staring back at her.

"Good looking bunch." She commented.

"Hmm, oh ha!" Callie looked from her mom to the portrait. "We do look very nice mama."

"I'd say so." She studied her daughter. She was lost, something was bothering her and she was determined to find out what.

"Callie, can we talk?"

"Of course Mama!" Callie plastered her 'I'm ok' smile on.

"Calliope, Callie." Her mother guided her to the couch and sat both down. "We haven't talked much." The matriarch tried to gather her questions as if she were speaking to a client. "Tell me, how is school going?"

"It's fine."

"Mmhm, and what extra-curricular activities have you joined this year?"

"Uhm, well I have soccer, and I.." She had to stop and think, she wasn't doing that much this year. "Just soccer."

"Princeton or Harvard will be looking very closely at your activities, outside of your studies."

"Yes mama."

"I just want the very best for you my darling." Finally her mother dropped the attorney death glare. She gave her a pat on the hands and then looked at her daughter a little more closely. Something extra was sparkling in her eyes, she knew that look all too well.

"Thanks mama."

Carlos had just come into the parlor and saw the last bit of the conversation between his wife and daughter. He loved his family more than he loved anything in this world and he would do everything to continue walking in on these moments between his children and the love of his life.

"Ladies, I apologize, but we do have reservations?"

"Oh dear, yes. Just give me a moment?" Lucia stated while getting up rather quickly, she walked toward her husband and pressing a kiss to his cheek.

"Alright my darling." He smiled and watched her walk away.

"Calliope, are you going to change?" Carlos asked wondering if his daughter would be joining them in her jeans and t-shirt.

"Oh, sorry daddy, yea." She too hustled off to get ready.

At 8:30 p.m. no matter the day of the week Antonio's was a very busy restaurant in downtown Miami. From the front of the building it looked like a quaint dinner, nothing too extravagant but it also did not look like a place that would serve you something less than subpar.

The restaurant offered dinning inside and outside. The outside portion of the restaurant was devoted to smaller groups of guests, the max being four. Each table had a table cloth and a simple candle in the center. The outside speakers played a beautiful traditional Italian melody.

Inside though was another story, it was loud and reminded Callie of Thanksgiving. The atmosphere was family oriented with the laughter of those enjoying their meals, or the clanking of plates and glasses. The sweet smell of marinara drifting around in the air, garlic and one of her most treasured scents, yeast. The fresh bread was one of the very best parts of Antonio's

Carlos, Lucia, Aria and Callie were seated somewhere near the middle of the restaurant enjoying each of their favorite dishes. Aria with something chicken, her mother of course sipping on a robust red wine while poking at her chicken parmesan. Her father and herself though were the more heavier eaters. They had both chosen the stuffed shells some were filled with only cheese, others stuffed to the brim with an Italian sausage and beef blend. Both Carlos and Callie had chosen to have part of their shells in alfredo and the other marinara.

As Callie drifted in and out of the conversation with her family her eyes unfocused and she began to daydream of taking Arizona here, and how they could have one of the private booths in the back. As the date played out in her head she began to smile, not her 'I'm ok' smile, but the one reserved for when she was truly happy, the one that people knew her would describe as her megawatt smile. This didn't go unnoticed by her father in the least.

"Calliope?" He placed his hand over hers' and didn't seem to get the response he was looking for. Clearing his throat he spoke up a little more. "Calliope."

"Arizona?" Callie said as her daydream was interrupted and her eyes focused on to shimmering blond hair seated just across the way from their table.

"Calliope? Are you on drugs?" Aria piped up.

"What?! No!" She sat up straighter and looked at the questioning eyes surrounding her.

"Arizona is over there." She gave a small hand gesture pointing in Arizona's direction and everyone turned to see who she was pointed at.

Callie excused herself and walked over to the table where she had seen her girlfriend and Barbara Robbins enjoying their dinner.

Carlos turned back to his wife and older daughter. "Like the state? What man in his right mind would allow his daughter to be named after a state?"

"Probably a hippy dear." Lucia stated flatly and took a bite of her meal.

"Most likely. So who is this Arizona girl?"

"I'm not sure." Lucia replied and took a sip of her wine.

"They go to school together." Aria said dismissively. "They hang out a lot."

"I think we should get to know this Arizona girl is hanging out with our Calliope." Carlos stated with concern. He wanted to make sure that her parents' wild ways would not be rubbing off onto his daughter.

When Callie approached the table it was Barbara who noticed first and smiled with delight as the young woman walked up. "Callie dear!" She motioned for Arizona to scoot over so that Callie could have a place to sit. Arizona of course obliged and moved more into the booth so that the brunette could take a seat. As Callie took the offered spot she gave the elder Robbins a smile in thanks and hello.

"I can't stay long, I'm here with my family but I wanted to come and check on you."

"I'm ok, same as earlier just a little loopier than I was." She smiled with a dazed look and leaned in for a small amount of comfort. Instinctively Callie put her arm around the other and snuggled in closer, though her parents didn't know and would most definitely disapprove of their relationship, Barbara Robbins could see past the social normality and acceptance. She loved her daughter unconditionally and for that Callie could feel a twinge of jealousy.

"How are you Callie?" Barbara interjected before the two little love birds could get lost.

Sitting up and less in a cuddle Callie addressed her but still kept an arm around Arizona. "So far so good."

"Good."

"Any time you need to talk I am always here." Barbara was a mother through and through, she loved offering advice and perspective.

"You guys talked?" Arizona was a little more alert now knowing there was something she didn't know.

"We did earlier." Callie said and looked into the blue eyes she seemed to get lost in.

"What about?"

"Shoot, my father looks like he is getting up. I should go. I'll tell you later?"

"Okay." Arizona was not liking there was something she didn't know, and she equally did not like the idea that Callie was going to get up.

Callie turned her head in a moment of bravery and gave the blond a small kiss on the cheek and whispered in her ear. "I miss you." Arizona just leaned in and smiled softly.

It was great that Callie got up when she did, she intercepted her father on his mission over to the Robbins' table. "Daddy!" Callie said loudly and linked her arm with his.

"Who was that Calliope?" Carlos still had his eyes on the young blond and her mother.

"That was Arizona."

"Oh. Arizona?" His curiosity was perked the moment he saw how comfortable his daughter was with the family.

"Yea, we go to school together." This was killing her not to just blurt out the reality of her situation.

"That's nice. And she is…"

"She is a cheerleader and super smart. Really funny too."

"Good, good. And her family?"

"Her dad is in the military, so is her brother."

"And her mother?"

"Uhm, I'm not sure."

"So they aren't…. liberal?"

"Daddy? What does being a Democrat have to do with Arizona?"

"I'm just protecting you. You're my baby girl and I need to make sure that you won't be exposed."

"Exposed?"

"Yes. To the wrong type of people."

"Daddy, Democrats aren't bad people. Besides, I don't know if they are."

"Well I don't know many that would give their daughter a name after a state. They seem loose."

Callie laughed loudly and gave his arm a squeeze. "Arizona isn't named after the state Daddy. And besides, it's a really pretty name."

"Not as beautiful as Calliope though." He said in slight protest. Callie laughed again and gave him a soft kiss to his cheek before she took her seat again. "I would like you to invite this Arizona girl to dinner also."

"You would?"

"Of course I would, your mother can make something and I would also like to meet her mother and father too."

"That might be a little bit difficult."

"And why is that mija?"

"Her father is in another country."

"Oh. Well then some other time, but I would still like to meet this Arizona."

Callie finally took a large bite of her food and chewed on the dinner as if it were her thoughts. "Alright. When?"

"Lucia?" Carlos looked to his wife.

"This Friday. Carlos, you'll be home right?" He nodded in confirmation. "Alright, this Friday. Invite Arizona over please Calliope."

It was settled, her parents were going to meet her girlfriend. Except they didn't know that she is Callie's girlfriend and there went Callie's appetite once again and she began to play out the entire night in her head.

A/N 3: I hope this small update entices you to continue to hang in there. I hope that this story is still taking you on the adventure you hope for. Please let me know in comments or messages your opinions and thoughts. Happy feels, sad feels, or any feels you may have. I love reading each and every one of the comments.