DISCLAIMER:: not mine. belongs to abc studios and shonda.
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How did we get here
When I used to know you so well
How did we get here
Well, I think I know
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Bree Hanley had grown up in a household where the ability to read people was the difference between the life she had led and the life Chloe had led. She could almost always tell what someone was thinking by looking into their eyes and reading the miniscule movements that would normally go unnoticed. It was an art that had taken over a decade to perfect but had served her well. It didn't hurt that she was naturally empathetic.
Growing up in an abusive household, if nothing else, taught you to let nothing go unnoticed. Every movement was a possible indicator, a gauge, of how angry your abuser is at that particular moment. You learn to study patterns, behaviors and associate them with emotions. If he doesn't come downstairs for dinner, he tends to be moody, and that is more likely to end in an act of violence. If you're not prone to pick up the habits of your abuser, as many who are abused become abusers themselves, then reading their patterns is crucial to survival, to the maintenance of one's sanity. Without that knowledge, that skill, you become consumed by your role as the victim.
Bree knew her greatest asset was this ability. It led people to believe she was all knowing, when really she just paid strict attention to the details others miss.
For example, Bree knew her sister would be at Erica Hahn's. She also knew that she and Arizona would find Callie Torres in the arms of Erica Hahn. She had read it all in the eyes of Danielle Troy.
She didn't fail to notice Danielle Troy's attraction to Arizona either. As she followed them around the halls of Bayside General, she couldn't help feeling like a third wheel. Danielle was wrapped up in Arizona and Arizona was not openly opposing Danielle's advances, though she didn't appear particularly interested either. She was relieved when Arizona finally said that they should be on their way.
The bus ride was interesting to say the least. While mostly convenient, the San Francisco transit system is not without its flaws. At the less touristy stops, the wait between pickups was generally no less than a half hour and once the bus arrived it was usually standing room only. Although it did have the perk of rope pulls that allowed you to signal the driver to stop at any location where there might not be a designated stop, traffic permitting of course.
Riding a bus down a steep hill while standing because she gave Arizona the last free seat was not how she pictured spending her day, but there was something oddly comforting about it. She was doing what she wanted to do, for once. It felt good, liberating.
Once the disembarked the bus, it was a three block walk to the house of one Erica Hahn, as per Danielle Troy's instructions.
Arizona had been unusually quiet throughout their trek across the city, obviously deep in thought.
"Bree?"
Bree looked up as they were rounding the first corner.
"Callie left me to be with Erica. I know that. She helped your sister escape because she wanted to run." Arizona walked slower until she stopped completely. "What am I doing here? Whether she left me because she was scared of commitment, or because she wanted to be with Erica is regardless. She wanted to leave. I shouldn't be here right? I'm just here to get my heart broken."
Bree stepped in front of Arizona and grabbed her shoulders softly. "You do crazy, inexplicable things when you love someone."
Arizona contemplated Bree for a moment, letting her words sink in. She had no doubt her words rang true in regards to herself, but then weren't they also true for Callie?
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Before they had even answered the door, Callie and Erica were freaking out.
"Are you expecting anyone?" Callie turned to Erica with worry written on her face.
Erica just shook her head.
"Elizabeth, go upstairs." Callie stepped protectively in front of the girl as if their intruders could see through walls.
The girl looked about to argue, but one of Erica's signature ice queen glares and she grabbed her gift and headed for the stairs.
The knock came again.
"Don't worry Cal. It's probably just some door to door salesman trying to sell me carpet cleaning services or a newspaper subscription or something." Erica squeezed Callie's shoulder as she strolled past her and out of the kitchen. Callie heard her steps in the foyer as she headed for the front door.
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Arizona looked up at the large three story Victorian before her and felt her stomach drop. It was a beautiful house, grand, fit for a surgeon of Erica's caliber. What did she have to offer Callie? Certainly not this.
"Love, devotion, attention."
Arizona wasn't surprised at Bree's words. She'd gotten used to the woman reading her mind. She nodded and started up to the front door.
She grabbed the old fashioned brass door knocker and thumped it loudly against the wooden door. The sound echoed through the old house.
Silence ensued. No one answered and Arizona heard no sounds from inside. After nearly a minute, she turned from the door.
"Well obviously no one's home."
Bree placed a soft hand over Arizona's mouth and held her index finger of her free hand in front of her lips.
Arizona strained to listen and then she heard it. The sound of feet on stairs. It was faint, but it was there. Someone was home.
Arizona stepped back up to the door and knocked again. This time there was a reaction from the occupants of the house. She heard muffled voices and then footsteps coming her way. She squared her shoulders and prepared to face the infamously evil Dr. Hahn.
Arizona had never gotten an opportunity to meet Erica Hahn in person; she had resigned before Arizona even set foot in Seattle Grace. But she had heard the rumors about the ice queen. She knew Hahn hadn't been a crowd favorite. She was described as cold, harsh, and an array of other not so nice adjectives. Callie had kept no pictures of her, if she had ever had any, so all Arizona had for reference were a few professional photos from the covers of various medical journals and articles. Pictures that looked intimidating and serious, that supported the rumors. She was prepared to face that Erica Hahn.
But she wasn't prepared for who opened the door. Before her was a blonde woman pushing forty. She was taller than average but not exceptionally so. She had a trim figure, pretty face, and blue eyes a few shades off from Arizona's own. She was dressed casually in jeans and a blouse. And she smiled at Arizona without one hint of coldness.
"Can I help you?"
Arizona was frozen. Where did this woman get off being polite? Arizona was the perky one, the nice one. She was the one people liked. She was the social butterfly. She had come here prepared for war, not civility. All her earlier questions came rushing back. What was she doing here? The woman at the door was waiting for an answer, but Arizona could think of nothing to say.
Suddenly Bree stepped forward, as if on cue to rescue Arizona from embarrassing herself. "Dr. Hahn I presume."
Erica's eyes darkened with suspicion. "Yes, and you are?"
Bree smiled. "My name is Bree Hanley and I'd really like to see my sister now."
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Callie had stayed in the kitchen to put the untouched birthday away. She heard Erica to speaking to whomever was on the front steps, but she was already calmed down, her fears abated by Erica's reassuring squeeze. When she heard Erica close the door a minute later, she went out to see who had knocked.
As she stepped into the foyer, her heart stopped. Standing next to Erica was Arizona, who, Callie noted, didn't look particularly happy.
The younger blonde caught Callie's gaze and froze. Arizona looked as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing and Callie was sure she looked the same. She sure felt that way. Was Arizona really standing there, next to Erica?
"Calliope." Arizona sounded on the verge of tears, whether from anger or sorrow, Callie couldn't tell.
"Calliope?" Erica raised an eyebrow and turned to look at Callie.
Callie frowned. Talk about being put on the spot. "Um, hi, Arizona."
"Arizona?" Erica looked at the younger blonde. "Arizona?" Erica turned on Callie, anger starting to flush on her cheeks.
Callie couldn't focus on Erica; she was too engrossed in her wordless conversation with Arizona.
The older blonde came over to Callie, standing next to her until she had no choice but to glance at her. "Cal, tell me you didn't call her." Erica put a hand on Callie's shoulder.
Arizona took a step forward. "Calliope, tell me you didn't sleep with her."
"I… I…" Callie looked between Arizona and Erica.
"Bree?" Elizabeth said from the top of the stairs, drawing everyone's eyes to her.
Callie looked back over Arizona's shoulder as a woman she hadn't noticed before stepped forward. She was beautiful, with a young face, full lips and doe eyes. Callie didn't even know who she was and yet she immediately liked her.
"Hello Chloe."
Elizabeth smiled and took the stairs two at a time. When she hit the ground, she ran forward. Just as she was about to launch herself into her older sister's arms, she stopped, a pained look crossing her face. Then, she went down.