Chapter 10: Shadows Cast

Arizona POV

I see my Calliope and I just can't believe it. I can't believeI'm hearing what I'm hearing. Wait, is Bailey saying she is crashing? I watch as they shock her lifeless body. How can this be happening. Why, why is this happening? I keep questioning over and over in my head. I feel Mark wrap his arms around me. I know I'm crying but I can't control anything anymore. I'm losing my reason for waking up in the morning, the woman who owns my heart and soul. I move to enter the Trauma room, but is blocked by Bailey, saying something about family, and not helping. I need to be with her. I need to tell her to fight, that I can't live without her, and she can have anything she wants, her job, kids...anything if she just comes back to me. Then Teddy is in front of me, describing all the injuries to Calliope, and I just can't breathe. I feel Teddy move away and Mark is there again. I still feel like this is all a dream. Then I'm in the waiting room, surrounded by all of these firefighters. Some I recognize, some I don't. Each come to me, comforting me, telling me if I need anything to call. It's been 4 hours and no one has come out to update me on Calliope's condition. As I reach my limit on patience, Meredith comes out.

"Arizona, she is stable for now. Bailey was able to control the bleeding, but not without Callie coding again. Teddy found a small tear to her Aorta and quickly repair that. Dr. Smith is just about finished setting her leg, but still has to place rods and pins into her arm. She will be in surgery a few more hours, go get some rest and I'll come get you when she is in recovery." Meredith finishes her update and squeezes my arm before walking away. I didn't know anyone was behind me until Mark spoke.

"Blondie, the Chief has notified Callie's family and they are flying in right now. They will get here by 7 tonight. The department is sending someone to pick them up at the airport. Have you called your family? It might do you some good to have someone here with you?"

"Ummm, no I..I haven't done anything. How could this happen Mark? I'm so lost right now. Why was I was so stupid? Fighting with her over this exact thing, now look at me. I'm a mess, I knew I should have just walked away," I was getting angry. Hell I was furious. How could I fall in love with a firefighter? Of all the dumbass things, after Danny died I picked up everything and tried to start a new life. Seeing his body come off the C-130 in Dover, 6 Marines carrying the flag draped coffin, I swore I would never feel like that again. I ran away from everything, trying to forget. Now here I am, holding on to someone who takes as many risks as Danny did. Fuck! I looked up to Mark with a puzzled look on his face not knowing what to do. I must have been pacing back and forth because his hands are up in a defensive manner.

"Hey, it wasn't her fault. She was on her way out, I left her to bring a guy out and the house came down, without warning. Arizona, I'm sooo sorry. I know I promised you I take care of her and I failed. I should have been with her. It should be me up there not her." Mark was wiping tears from his eyes, and I just couldn't listen to anymore. I put my arms around his neck and hugged him.

"It's not your fault Mark. It's not Calliope's either. She is going to be ok, she has to be ok. I'm going to ask her to marry me when she wakes up. I don't want to live another second without her. So she has to get better, cause we are going to have babies and chickens. Mark, do you hear me? She will make it."

I don't know where that came from. I just know that I'm not going anywhere until she wakes up. I look up to see Mark smiling from cheek to cheek. I asked him, "What is that for?'

"Well, if your getting married then I'm going to be best man, and that means a huge bachelor party! Oh hell yes Blondie, she is going to make it."

Mark hugs me and kisses me on the cheek. I lean into his ear and whisper "Mark, if she makes it, you can even have strippers, but don't go announcing just yet. I want her to say yes first." I wink at him and he grins nodding in agreement. I may not have initially cared for the man-whore, but he is starting to grow on me.

We sit down and I soon find myself drifting off to sleep on Mark's shoulder. My dreams are filled of Calliope in a beautiful wedding gown, walking towards me, when suddenly I'm shaken awake. Meredith is back, saying that Calliope is in recovery and I can go see her. I stand up and hug Meredith, thanking her so much. I turn and hug Mark, and then I'm running to see her. Before I reach the room I'm stopped by Bailey.

"Robbins, she looks real bad, but you need to go in there and talk to her. Let her know your there. She is going to have a long painful recovery. Torres is a fighter and she is in the fight of her life." Bailey grabs my hand, and continued. "You know I've known Callie for a lot of years. She doen't show her weakness to anyone, and when she wakes up, she will feel completely vulnerable. Your going to have to help her through it. Let her know it's ok to hurt and that she is surrounded by people who love her. She will try and shut you out, push you away. Don't let her Arizona, she needs you more than anybody."

I nodded at Bailey, and gave her a hug. I know this isn't going to be easy, but I'm not giving up on us, on her. As I walk into the room my breathe catches in my throat at the sight before me. Tears streaming down my face, I take the next step to the beginning of our new life.