**WARNING - CONTAINS THE SUBJECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE**
Thanks for all of your reviews and follows so far. They really do keep me motivated. Thanks so much.
Chapter 10 is up. Enjoy.
I own nothing. All characters/storylines belong to Shonda. I'm simply 'borrowing' them.
Chapter Ten
Can you get your things from the apartment. I need the space. Leaving town for four days tomorrow. You can get it then. - Suzanne.
Glancing down at her cell, Callie's heart had originally dropped into her stomach when she seen her ex fiancés name on her screen, but now, a wave of relief washed over her. She hadn't heard from Suzanne in almost a month, and reading the message back to herself, she felt as if the other woman was finally letting her go.
No problem. I'll collect it when I can. - C
Setting her cell down on her bed, she continued to sort through her laundry, and tidy the place up a little. Even though they were now officially together, both women had decided it would be a good idea to stay in separate beds for the time being. Although they would love nothing more than to share the same bed night after night, Callie figured it was a good idea to put a little space between them. It was unusual for a couple to live together before they had even started dating, so she didn't want to tempt fate and become too dependant on the blonde in her life. It made sense, or so she thought. Arizona took a little longer to get used to the idea, but had eventually came round to it.
Picking up her cell, she sent off a quick text before continuing with her plan for the day.
Suzanne has text. She wants my stuff out of the apartment. Will you come with me tomorrow? - C x
Of course. I'll be home in a few hours. We will talk about it then. - Arizona x
Satisfied that she had nothing to worry about, Callie moved from room to room and finished off her laundry. She hadn't thought about her ex much since seeing her at the park, and she had felt lighter for it. She knew that Arizona understood the worry she felt and she knew that her girlfriend didn't mind talking about it, but she had tried not to. Suzanne was no longer a part of her life, and she didn't want her to be a part of her relationship. Deciding that she would avoid talking about her past, she felt it was working. Sure, she woke up occasionally with night sweats, or bad dreams, but over time, she knew that would lessen and eventually disappear.
Arizona had been nothing but supportive and although she had encouraged the brunette to talk about her problems, Callie felt it was inappropriate. She didn't want their entire relationship to revolve around her past, and the sooner she let go of it, the sooner they could truly experience everything the other person had to offer, and Callie knew that was a lot.
Being with Arizona was like her entire life was starting all over again, and Callie had never imagined that would be possible four months ago. Back when she was living at home with her ex fiancé, her life had been slowly spiralling out of control. Callie Torres wasn't the kind of person to take crap from anyone. She broke bones for a living. That all changed though when Suzanne started to belittle her in front of people. Not anyone she knew, but strangers. Strangers who could judge her. They didn't know that the accusations of adultery weren't true, and they didn't know that she didn't flirt with every woman she laid eyes on. No, they would just assume that what Suzanne was saying was true. Like the guy on the street who walked past while they were arguing about Callie's 'apparent' cheating, or the waitress who took their order while Suzanne told Callie not to 'perv' at her. These people didn't mean anything to Callie, and they never would, but something about Suzanne's words left her feeling insecure, and unsure about herself. That was when it truly began. That was when it truly became horrific to even be in the same space as the redhead, but she couldn't leave. No matter how much she wanted to, she couldn't. Her body and her mind wouldn't allow her to do so, and the longer she stayed, the more she got used to the situation she had found herself in. Nothing mattered, because she didn't matter. No one would care if she told them that another woman beat her on a daily basis, so why even bother telling anyone? Why bother asking for help when Suzanne had told her time and time again that no one cared about her problems? Why bother? Why even care?
Now she had a reason to be bothered, and now she had reason to care. That reason? Arizona Robbins. She had never met anyone quite like the blonde, and being in her presence left Callie feeling like her normal self. She hadn't once been wary of Arizona, and she hadn't once worried when the beatings would start. She wasn't that kind of woman, and Callie knew that the second she had seen her. Her eyes told Callie everything she could ever want to know. Never had she raised her voice to her, and although the brunette knew that over time they would argue, she knew that it was healthy to do so. Every couple argues, and every couple has a dip in their relationship, that's just how the world works, but Callie knew that if she ever raised her voice to Arizona, she wouldn't have to cower in the corner for fear of a backhanded smack. They hurt the worst. No matter whether it was expected or not, backhanded smacks always hurt. The way the knuckles would catch on her cheekbone often caused a searing pain to course through her face, and although she had become used to them, the pain never lessened. She didn't know whether it was the fact that Suzanne knew how best to hit someone, if there was even such a thing, or just whether she got lucky every time, but she hated it. Kicks, punches, chokes, scratches and objects, she could always deal with. She would stiffen her body, and take the pain, but backhanded? Never.
Taking a seat on the kingsize guest bed she had become too familiar with, Callie lay her body back and thought about the last time she was truly happy. It had been the day she had taken a job at Seattle Grace. The idea of making new friends and slipping in and out of different circles caused an excitement to course through her body. She loved meeting new people. New people meant new personalities to contend with, and even though she was an openly bisexual woman, she wasn't the kind of person to flaunt herself around the streets of Seattle. She had been raised in a strict Catholic home, and she knew better than to put herself out there. She loved her job, and she loved the fact that she could break bones for a living, legally. Never intending to 'get a name for herself', she had stuck by her values and beliefs, and she had thrived. She had thrived so much that she had gained her own lab, and her own research was working wonders for the hospital. That was, until a certain woman entered her life and turned it upside down.
Startled from her thoughts, she heard a knock at the door. A little worry settling in, she stepped into the living room and peered through the small hole in the door. Huh? Clearing her throat she called out to the figure on the other side. "W-Who is it?"
"Delivery for a Miss Torres."
Unbolting the door, she took the beautiful arrangement of flowers from the delivery guy, and signed her name. "Thanks."
"Someone is loved, huh?"
"Um, yeah…Something like that." Callie gave an awkward smile and closed the door. I wish I was loved.
Placing the arrangement down on the kitchen worktop, she removed the sealed card that came with it and opened up the envelope.
Beautiful flowers for a beautiful woman. See you tonight, Calliope. Xx
Smiling as she brought her nose to the beautiful roses, her stomach somersaulted. I cannot believe I have this woman in my life. I swear I'm going to grow old with her. Transferring her flowers to a vase she had found under the sink, Callie placed them on the coffee table and took a seat. She was stunned. Yes, she knew Arizona was a romantic kind of girl, but she hadn't expected the flowers and she hadn't expected to feel so good when she received them. Suzanne didn't believe in flowers. Always claiming they were a waste of money, just like holidays and dinners out were.
Callie had always been the kind of woman to show the other person in her life what they meant to her, but with Suzanne, it wasn't necessary. It wasn't necessary because the redhead didn't care. Affection? What was that? Love? Never happened, and if it did, the brunette didn't feel it. Not like she knew she could with Arizona. Yes, she was falling in love with her, and it may have only been going on three months since they had even entertained the idea of them dating, but Callie knew when she felt something so hard and so deep for another person, it was hard to shake the feeling. It was quickly becoming a feeling she didn't want to shake. Arizona Robbins would be the only woman she could ever need in her life, and hell would freeze over before she ever left this woman.
Laying back in her seat, the brunette closed her eyes. She wasn't tired, and she didn't want or need to sleep, but she was calm, and she wanted to remain that way for a little longer. Besides, closing her eyes with the possibility of falling asleep meant that when she woke up up, Arizona would likely be heading home.
Waking up to find her cell phone ringing down the hallway, Callie rushed down and quickly answered it. "Hello?"
"Calliope, what's going on? Where are you?" Arizona's voice was frantic.
"Huh? I'm at home. I-I mean I'm at your place. Why?"
"Answer the door. I've been knocking. It's bolted."
"Oh crap, I'm so sorry. Coming." Ending the call, she threw her cell down on the bed and left the room.
Running down the hallway, the brunette reached the apartment door and quickly unlocked it. Swinging it open, she was almost knocked off of her feet when Arizona flew inside, arms wrapping around the brunette tight. "Oh god, thank god you are okay!"
Pulling back, Callie furrowed her brow. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"I thought something had happened. I was knocking for ten minutes and calling your name. I-I thought she had been here." The blondes voice broke as the tears rolled down her cheeks, gathering at her jawline.
"Arizona, I'm fine." Callie placed her hand on a tear stained cheek. "Please don't cry."
Callie was truly shocked by her girlfriends reaction to not being able to get inside the apartment, and as she watched the tears continue to fall, it melted her heart. "Baby, look at me."
Blue eyes locking onto brown, Arizona wiped away a stray tear. "Y-You didn't answer so I just thought the worst. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have reacted like that."
"Hey, it's okay. I was just napping. I must have fallen into a pretty deep sleep. I got your flowers."
"Did you like them?" Blue eyes softened as Arizona sniffled.
"I love them." Calle smiled. "Come on, let's get you some coffee."
Taking a seat on the a kitchen stool, Arizona sighed. She couldn't believe how she had reacted to such a thought, but it was true. The thought of Suzanne ever laying a finger on Callie ever again left Arizona feeling very anxious. She had always been a protective person, it's now she was raised, but she never imagined she would be stood in her own apartment, a blubbering mess. Slipping off her coat, the blonde took the hot cup of black liquid from her girlfriends. "Thanks."
"Are you okay? You're shaking, Arizona."
"Yeah. I'm sorry. She just makes me so angry and I'm constantly on edge. I just thought the worst. I got myself wound up, thought the worst and now I look like a freaking idiot." Arizona scoffed.
"No you don't. That just then? That just shows you care about me. So thank you."
"I know but it was a little dramatic." The blonde laughed.
"Well, I kind of like dramatic Arizona, so I don't see the problem." Callie shrugged as she stepped away from the kitchen counter and towards her girlfriend. "Have any plans for the evening?"
"No. None." Blonde curls shook. "Well, actually, I'm hoping to see this really hot woman I've been spending a lot of time with lately."
"Oh yeah?" Callie raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, but I don't know if she can make it or not." Arizona fake pouted.
"I guess I should get out of your way then, huh? Wouldn't want to intrude."
Pulling the brunette in close, Arizona attached her hands to tanned hips and smiled. "You are going nowhere." Pink lips pressing into red, both women moaned into each others mouths. Callie had never been kissed so good, and she knew that nothing could ever compare to the feeling of Arizona's lips on her own. It was something else, and it was extraordinary.
"Maybe we could grab the blanket, order takeout and discuss the plans for tomorrow. I would like to get some of my things back from my old apartment, but I cannot do it unless you are with me. I can't even bare to drive past the block anymore."
"That sounds like a plan." Arizona gave a slight nod. She knew she really needed to talk to Callie about her worries regarding Suzanne but she just looked so happy, and she couldn't break her heart like that. Arizona had met women like Suzanne many times, and although she hoped that the redhead would stick to her word, she wasn't about to hold her breath, and she wasn't about to trust a single word that came from her venomous mouth. Poison. Pure poison.
"Great. I'll get the menu, you get the blankets." Callie smiled as she sifted through the tonnes of takeout menus in the kitchen drawer. "You know you really need to sort this drawer out. No one can like this many takeout places."
"Yeah, another thing on my to do list." Arizona shrugged.
"Why? What else do you have on your to do list?" The brunette furrowed her brow.
"You." The blonde threw her girlfriend a wink as she sauntered down the hallway.
They both loved how easy their conversation came. Thirty minutes ago, Arizona was close to having a nervous breakdown, and now, she was making inappropriate comments to the new woman in her life. It was perfect, and it was exactly how the blonde imagined it would be once Callie had let herself go a little. Returning to the kitchen, she found the brunette sat on the couch with a very dirty smirk on her face. "What are you looking at me like that for?"
"I was just thinking how funny it is."
"Which?"
"That our to do lists are exactly the same. Are we really that in tune with each other?" Callie let a very mysterious grin appear on her face.
"Calliope Torres, you are going to be the death of me. I swear."
Sat outside Callie's old apartment, Arizona gripped the steering wheel tightly and grit her teeth. She hadn't been back here since the day she found her now girlfriend beaten and bruised, and truth be told, she didn't want to step foot in there ever again. Remembering the devastated look on Callie's face as she broke down the door and caught sight of the broken brunette, she closed her eyes and tried desperately to stop the tears from falling.
They had already checked for Suzanne's car, and thankfully, it was gone. Coast clear. Shutting off her engine, she glanced across to the passenger seat, Callie sat quietly, chewing on the inside of her cheek. "You ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be." Callie gave a false smile. One which Arizona recognised instantly. She knew when the brunette was truly smiling, and this wasn't one of those times. "Let's get this over and done with."
Stepping out of the car, both women met at the front and took each others hand in their own. Tightening her grip as they began walking towards the entrance, Callie felt a wave of fear wash over her. True, heart stopping fear.
"Baby, are you okay?" Arizona quietly questioned.
"Yeah, I just don't want to be here. I hate this place. It has no good memories whatsoever."
"I know, but once this is done, you never have to see this place again. We can start to live our lives, together."
"Yeah." Callie sighed as she smiled back at her girlfriend. "You're right."
Reaching the elevator, and stepping inside, Callie couldn't ever remember reaching the top floor so quickly. Holding her breath as the doors opened, she tugged on Arizona's hand, and led the blonde out into the hall.
Reaching the door of her old apartment, Callie took a deep breath and slipped her key inside the lock. The key she had hidden away. The key she never wanted to see or use again, but knew she would have to at some point, and that point had came. Now.
Pushing the door open, the familiar scent of her ex fiancés perfume hit her. Hard. Memories of the night before she left came flooding back, and she was trying her best to keep her emotions in check. To her left, the wall which her face had been slammed into, and to her right, the bedroom where the woman she once thought she loved had choked her. It was a horrible atmosphere, and it was one which she couldn't bare to experience much longer.
Stepping further inside, she noticed that the apartment had been kept immaculate. It had never been kept this clean when she was there. Callie would clean, and Suzanne would smash thing. It was never ending. Pulling the blonde in with her, she steadied herself and began weaving her way through the small living room and the kitchen. Checking for any photos or things she may want, she opened the drawers of the sideboard and began sorting through various items, mainly useless or things she didn't want to take with her. Mainly because Suzanne had bought them.
Her engagement ring still sat on the kitchen counter where she left it the night she had last been beaten, and as she caught sight of it, she picked it up and eyed it intently. "Surprised she hasn't pawned this yet."
"Shall we start packing up your things?" Arizona suggested, trying to take her mind off of the images running through it. She hated this place, and she had gotten a bad vibe from it the second she stepped through the door.
"Yeah. Let's start." Callie wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's waist and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "Thank you for being here with me."
"It's no problem." The blonde reciprocated the kiss. Callie's lips were like nothing she had ever tasted before, and she couldn't get enough. "Do you need me to do anything?"
Eyes widening, Callie had the perfect idea. "Yes, across the street, there is a coffee shop. It has the most amazing donuts."
"So?"
"So, if you run across and get us some, it will really help to make this go a lot better. I don't care what flavour, just get a box. Two coffees too, obviously."
"Callie, I don't really want to leave you here alone. What if you come across something that upsets you? I need to be here for that."
"Arizona, you will be gone for like fifteen minutes. It's literally across the street." Pulling the blonde towards the window, she pointed to the store she had in mind. "See?"
"Okay, but promise me you will just focus on the kitchen while I'm gone? Maybe you could take that waffle iron." Arizona threw her girlfriend a wink. "I do like a good waffle."
"Okay. Kitchen only. Deal. Get a big box. We can take them home with us. Maybe catch a movie tonight with them?" The brunette raised an eyebrow.
"Sure. I won't be long. If at any point you don't feel comfortable, just leave and we will come back in together."
"Arizona, I will be fine, I promise. Now go."
Watching the blonde leave her old apartment, Callie turned and began sorting through the kitchen. Most of the items in it belonged to her, but she didn't need or want them all. Picking up the waffle iron Arizona had eyed seconds before, she placed it into a box before opening a top cupboard and sorting through the rest of the items.
Hearing the sound of a flushing toilet, Callie looked up and furrowed her brow. Huh? The recognisable sound of the bathroom door clicking open down the hallway, the brunette froze. Her body unable to move, she done what she knew best, and simply froze.
"Hello, Callie!"...
Thanks for reading guys. I look forward to reading your reviews. Sorry for leaving you with a cliffhanger. Update coming soon.