Chapter 21

Dear Calliope,

I love you so much. Thank you for not being too mad that I hunted down Erica. I know that it is just making your life harder. You are so strong to deal with her on a daily basis and not do something reckless. I'm not sure I would have the same strength and self-control. I really admire and respect that about you.

Also, you may have figured this out already, but because Erica is testifying at your trial and knows who I am, I can't be with you at your trial. I wanted to come for moral support, but know that I will be waiting outside the courthouse when you win your case.

Okay, now that I've gotten the bad news out of the way, I have a proposition for you. I'm not sure whether or not you've thought about what you're going to do when you get out of jail. I'm sure you haven't, actually, because you don't want to get your hopes up. Well, I have thought about it, because let's be honest, I'm the positive one in this relationship, and I'm also Type A and really need a plan. So, my proposition: move in with me. I can practically hear your brain going into overdrive already. I can hear you saying "well, maybe I'll stay with you for a little while, until I can find some other place". Just think about it for a second. You have nowhere to go, and I'm pretty sure we're in agreement that you're not going back to the life you used to lead. I have an apartment that is way too big for just me. We used to share a tiny ass cell and had minimal fights. I miss you like crazy and don't ever want to let you out of my sight when you get out. I think these are all pretty compelling reasons why you should stop pretending you're just going to stay with me until you can get on your feet.

I know I missed visiting you last week, but I just had this insane surgery schedule. Now that the Chief has given me my job back, I think he's trying to get me to make up for lost time. I promise I will come this week. Nothing can keep me away for too long.

VVL.

Love,

Arizona

o0o0o

Dear Arizona,

I had figured that you wouldn't be able to come to my trial. I do wish you could be there, so that I have a friendly face to look at while testifying. Luckily, my dad will be there. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate public speaking? Because I absolutely detest it. I think I'm more worried about my nerves before testifying than I am for the verdict. That's how bad it is! And I can't just leave the courtroom to go throw up or anything. Okay, I'm going to stop. I'm making myself anxious just thinking about it.

Life with Sam has been…difficult, to say the least. Most of the time I just try really hard to ignore her presence and she basically reciprocates. Luckily, that's the norm in prison cells (I know that's hard for you to believe, Miss Perky), and she doesn't think it's weird that we don't acknowledge each other. I just keep waiting for word to get back to Erica who I am. Keep your fingers crossed that she never figures it out.

I'm sure by now Bennet has told you, but I managed to convince him to bring you along the next time he comes (I think he has a soft spot for us). That way we can be in the same room and actually be able to touch each other without that stupid plexiglass in the way. Because of this, I've decided to wait to give you the answer to your proposition in person.

You know one of the things I miss most about the "real world"? Cooking. I am an excellent cook, if I say so myself. I can't wait to cook. In fact, for our first date I'm going to cook my famous chicken piccata. You should feel honored; I don't make it for just anyone.

I miss you so much, and I'm trying so hard to stay positive. Seeing you this week will help.

Love,

Callie

o0o0o

Callie practically skipped down the hall (well, as easily as one can skip in shackles) next to Officer Sutton in order to get to Arizona (and Bennet) as quickly as possible. She nearly laughed as the other inmates she passed gave her weird looks. No one should be that happy unless being released.

Officer Sutton grabbed her elbow and led her through the double doors to the visitation room. Callie broke away as soon as she saw Arizona and bounded over to her. Officer Sutton didn't bother trying to stop her, and though she would deny it later, a small smile crept across her lips.

"Guess what?" Callie asked excitedly once she had come to a stop in front of a perplexed Arizona.

"What?" Arizona asked with mocking enthusiasm and wide eyes.

"Sam decided to go batshit in the showers the other day and started attacking people left, right, and center!" Callie related this story as if she were a young child who just received the world's best Christmas present.

"And this is a good thing why?"

"Because she got put in solitary!"

"Oh…Oh! Yay!" Arizona's face morphed into genuine delight. Only a few seconds later, it fell again. "Is that the only good news you have for me?"

Callie cocked her head to the side and thought for a few moments. "No, I think that's it," she replied with a coy smile.

Arizona narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, an adorable pout adorning her face. Bennet rolled his eyes from his place at the table. "If you two are quite finished, there is some…"

"Oh wait, now that you mention it, there was something else I wanted to say!"

"Oh yeah?" Arizona raised one eyebrow and began walking slowly to close the small gap between them.

"Yeah." Callie grinned as Arizona sidled up to her and began running her hands over Callie's cuffed ones. "I believe my beautiful girlfriend asked me to move in with her when all of this is over."

"I believe she did."

"Well, then my answer would be ye– " As soon as Arizona heard the beginning of the affirmative word, she pulled Callie close to her, and ran her left hand through Callie's hair. She brought Callie's head down and melded their lips together with very little hesitation. Callie moaned softly into the kiss and darted her tongue out to trace Arizona's bottom lip. When Arizona opened her mouth and allowed their tongues to mesh, Bennet cleared his throat loudly and unsubtly.

"We do actually have some business to take care of, ladies." They both had the decency to look somewhat sheepish as they took their places at the table.

"Okay, Callie, based on what Arizona found out, I investigated Erica's background and found that…" Bennet continued to talk with excruciating detail about his findings and why it meant that Callie would likely be exonerated. Of course, both of them should have been listening and excited, but Callie was much more focused on Arizona's index finger tracing light circles along the pad of her thumb and up her forearm. Callie slowly turned her head and was surprised to find Arizona staring unabashedly back at her. The blonde gave her a small smile, her gaze never faltering.

"So, anyway, I've devised quite a few questions that will hopefully make Erica crack on the stand and therefore…Are you guys listening to a word I'm saying?"

At Bennet's changed tone, both women snapped their heads round to face his steely glare.

"Sorry," Arizona murmured, cowering a bit under Bennet's authoritative presence.

"Callie, don't make me regret letting you talk me into bringing Arizona here."

"No, no of course not. We'll behave," Callie replied with a smirk, though Arizona didn't move her hand.

Bennet glanced at his watch and sighed. "Well, we're nearly out of time here anyway. The gist of what I've been saying for the last twenty minutes is that I'm pretty sure I have a plan to make Erica crack and admit her guilt on the stand. Next time I come we'll talk through all of the questions I'll ask you during your testimony. We have to solidify all the details and make sure there are absolutely no holes in your story, okay?"

Callie nodded, feeling butterflies begin to flutter around her stomach both because of her nerves and her excitement. Sensing her nerves, Bennet smiled warmly at her, before standing up. "We got this in the bag, Callie."

Callie and Arizona stood, still latched on to each other. Arizona brought her hand up to cup Callie's cheek and leaned in for a soft, sweet kiss.

"You'll be free soon, Calliope."