AN: Sorry for the late-ish update, things are hectic here. The heat's insane!
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It contains some original writing that I've been working on for a while =)
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Enjoy,
Chapter 12: Don't Look Now
[General POV]
Graduation is a few weeks from now. Everyone is buzzing with excitement, the three girls included. Everywhere there are mentions of who is going to be the Valedictorian of their graduating class and Callie's name has popped up once or twice amongst others. The weather has become quite warm because of the nearing season, and everyone is showing off themselves with suitable attires.
Even Arizona, who looks about 8 months along, is caught in a tank top and short-shorts. Callie holds Arizona's hand as they walk down the mall of the college. The sun shines brightly and the relish the moment despite people still staring at them. They have gotten used to the attention and the whispers, and they know that most people are happy for them. There is always the occasional homophobe who makes a cruel comment, but they brush the hatred off their shoulders and go on with their day.
They are going to meet up with Lucy and Alex for lunch today.
The restaurant they're going to, Joe's, is located just off of campus. Arizona and Callie walk in hand and hand into the restaurant to see Alex and Lucy sitting at a table near the window. Through their excitement they fail to realize that the restaurant is empty except for them. The two young women head towards their friends and join them at their table.
"Hi!" Arizona chirps happily, clearly showing that today is not one of those moody days for her.
Callie smiles and nods in recognition to Alex and Lucy, taking a seat beside Arizona.
It is not waiter that comes to take their order, but rather the store owner himself. Joe, a burly man whose stature is often intimidating, is actually a genuinely nice man who has a heart of gold. He absolutely adores the kids that walk into his restaurant and enjoys talking to them. He is known for his big smile and deep hearty laugh.
Today however, Joe is not smiling; he is wringing his hands as he approaches them.
"What can I get you today?" he stumbles, trying to keep his façade of normalness.
Callie raises her eyebrow at his unusualness, but dismisses it almost instantaneously when Arizona starts talking.
"Hi Joe! How's Walter?"
"Good," he says, barely a whisper
Alex chuckles and says, "That's great to hear. Now, I'm starving! Can I get something to eat?"
"Oh course," Joe says, relaxing a bit at his friend's playful demands. "How's the baby?"
Arizona's eyes light up, "The baby is kick–"
"Okay, so I want a cheeseburger with fries and an extra-large soft drink," Alex quickly answers, interrupting Arizona's answer.
Lucy punches Alex on the shoulder. "You're so fat," she says teasingly.
The others order and surprisingly soon after, Joe returns with their food. His eyes are pleading forgiveness for a crime that the group is unaware of. He walks off to stand behind the counter, pretending to skim through his cash register. Silently in his head, he keeps repeating to himself, "I'm so sorry."
His head perks up when the laughter from the table stops. Looking over he notices that the drug has taken effect. Eyeing at the door, he notices Erica Hahn walk in. It is the clicking of her heels that catch his attention.
"You've done well," the shrill voice calls out.
Joe brings his vision away from the horrible woman, but that doesn't stop her from talking. He hates her so much, he hates that she's making him do this to his friends.
"Walter is fine, he'll be home waiting for you today," she continues, "I must say, he was very…bad on our little excursion. He might have a few scrapes and bruises from the trip."
Joe flinches at the new information he has just received and he looks at his friends who are still fast asleep. Erica signals for people to come in and two men, Bob and Phil, come in and carry Arizona away. They place her in the back of a black van and they get in behind her. Erica laughs and tosses a signed empty check on the table.
"Something for your trouble," she says before leaving and getting into the van as well.
Joe picks up the check and rips it up angrily. After moping around for an hour, he goes to his friends and tries to wake them up to no avail. He gives a frustrated cry and notices Alex stirring. He grabs Alex by the shoulder and shakes him vigorously.
"Alex! Alex! Wake up!"
A muffled groan escaped the younger man's mouth. "…What happened?" he asks.
He darts his eyes around, noticing that Arizona is gone.
Alex shakes Callie and Lucy, "Wake up! Arizona's gone!"
He turns to Joe, who is looking sheepish at the moment. Alex grabs his friend by the collar and throws the larger man against the wall.
"Where is she?" he barks, frightened for the loss of his sister.
Joe tries to breathe, but it is hard as the young man has his arm against his chest. He gestures for Alex to loosen his grip. Alex acknowledges it and complies, secretly not wanting to hurt his friend.
"Erica Hahn," he says, "She took Walter, and threatened to hurt him. She also threatened to arrest me for the interference of government projects. I'm sorry! I didn't want to do this, but they were going to hurt Walter…She promised not to hurt Arizona! I swear!"
Alex lets go completely and turns to Callie and Lucy. He gives them a worried look, hoping for the best of the situation. Erica just needs the baby and once it is born, Arizona becomes disposable. What will become of her then? That question rings through all their minds as they make their way out of the restaurant to look for Arizona.
"Sorry Joe," Callie says as she leaves, "Sorry that you were pulled into this. Tell Walter that I'm truly sorry."
AN: Yeah, Alex thinks of Arizona as a sister…aw cute. Maybe he and Lucy will become the baby's godparents if they find Arizona.
