I know I'm going to drive all of you crazy with the short updates... but I got this story going on in my brain and it won't let me sleep... I'm still adjusting to a new work schedule so I figure shorter updates are better than nothing right? Don't want to make everyone wait an eternity again! Thanks for reading! Thank you for all the reviews! Keep them coming!=)

Callie looked into Arizona's deep, worried blue eyes and she felt the insecurity in her voice the moment the words escaped Arizona's lips. She lifted her left hand to her neck and pulled at a small chain that until now had gone unnoticed by the blonde, wedding and engagement ring now visible.

"Of course I still love you Ari. I truly am sorry that I'm not wearing my rings, but there are actually two reasons as to why I wear them around my neck."

Seeing the rings Arizona visibly relaxed, if only momentarily as she braced herself yet again for an explanation.

"I wear them around my neck because this isn't the safest of places. This type of valuable jewelry isn't seen around here, and I needed to keep a low profile and blend in with everyone else as much as possible. Truly, that is the least important reason. The most important to me, is that I've betrayed you in such a way, that I don't feel I deserve to wear these rings. I remember that day too, you know. I remember the vows I made to you. 'You are my affinity, my life, my forever. I promise to honor and cherish you, in good times and bad, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death parts us. I love you Ari. This is my solemn vow; on this day, I give you all of myself.' I knew the moment I left that apartment that I broke the very foundation of our relationship: trust and commitment. There's something I have to tell you; come inside with me."

She took Arizona by the hand and led her into the small house. No one had actually set foot in there before, Arizona was the first person other than her herself to see the modest accommodations she now lived in.

To say that she was a bit surprised by what she saw was an understatement. Arizona knew what it meant to be a 'Torres' and after the years she'd spent with Callie, she knew her wife's taste. After arriving in Creel and taking in her surroundings, she hadn't expected Callie to be living in something resembling their home back in Seattle, but she never expected to see such a small place. Callie's house could fit in their living area back home. There was one main room; a door to what Arizona assumed was the bathroom off to the back. She could see a curtain pulled over a group of shelves that housed Callie's clothes, twin bed to the side, a small table with a couple of chairs in front of the tiny stove, fridge and sink, and that was about it. A little nightstand rested at the foot of the bed; a photo of Arizona sitting at their bench smiling and looking out towards what she knew to be the Seattle skyline was the only thing on it. They had still been dating at the time; it was one of the most memorable days of the two before their relationship had turned serious.

Callie had set about getting them something to drink. She noticed as Arizona looked around and quickly took in her surroundings, her eyes finally landing on the photo of herself. That was the only piece of 'decoration' Callie had around the house. Arizona was quiet, her eyes not deviating from the photograph. Callie walked up beside her and handed her a beer. She knew Arizona preferred wine, but she didn't have any so the beer would have to do.

"All I need to see you is to close my eyes, but I needed a photo of you. You're the last person I see when I go to sleep, and the first I see when I wake up. I know that it's nothing in comparison to having you in my arms as I go to sleep, but I needed something." Callie put her arm on Arizona's shoulder and turned her so that they were facing one another. "It's difficult to see my point of view Ari, I know, especially when you don't know the whole story, but please, whatever happens, NEVER doubt my love for you… please?"

The tears Arizona had held in since the moment she noticed the missing rings were finally released as she wrapped her arms around her estranged wife. Both women wrapped their arms around one another and just stood there, soaking in each other's presence. Arizona, knowing she had to make the first move, put her hand around Callie's upper neck and brought her in for a slow, tender kiss. It was brief, but it spoke volumes for both women as each poured their heart and soul into it. Callie pulled their lips apart and rested her forehead against Arizona's for the briefest of moments before leading her to sit beside her on the bed.

"Arizona… the reason I left, how I left is unforgiveable, I know. You trusted me with everything you had, and then some. I was at work that day. It was like any other work day really. Case after case had kept me occupied for the majority of my shift. Some labs have been ordered for one of my patients. I was running around the hospital like a chicken without a head because my services were needed everywhere it seemed. Kepner had picked up labs for me and I read them without realizing that one of them happened to be my own test results. In it I found out I was terminal…"

Arizona decided she was finally going to speak up. "Callie… that's the who-"

"No Arizona let me finish. I need to get this out. I was in a state of shock. I didn't know what to do or how to react. I transferred my patients to Hunt and left the hospital as quickly as I could. I walked around aimlessly; I didn't realize I was at our place until I stood before the bench overlooking the city. It was then that I realized that I couldn't stay. I couldn't do that to you. I know we promised, we made vows, in sickness and in health. I know how much you love me, and I know that had I stayed, you would've taken care of me, watched over me and continued to love me until my dying breath because that's what I would've done for you… but I couldn't do it. I couldn't live with myself knowing that I was putting you through so much pain knowing that it wasn't going to end well. I sat there Ari, I thought about so many things. What would happen when I couldn't operate anymore? When I couldn't take care of myself anymore and would need round the clock care? I couldn't ask for you to give up your career for however long, I couldn't and didn't want to make you put your career and your life on hold for me. It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make… and I'll never forgive myself for it."

"Calliope, I know everything. I've known about your test results for weeks."

"What? How?"

"I had seen Lucy in the cafeteria and she said your results were perfectly fine. I went to the lab and requested a copy and they gave me a copy of what they'd given you. It was then when I realized that you had been given incorrect information, and everything made sense since then. Calliope, there is nothing wrong with you. All your tests, everything was within limits; your results were mixed up with another woman's. You're not sick!"

Callie had listened intently as Arizona gave her explanation, and her face slowly started registering acknowledgement.

"I know."