Thanks so much for all the reviews for the last chapter! Sorry this one's a little shorter then previous ones. I thought this was the best place to end this one though, plus...no cliffhanger hehe! I promise that sexy times will come back shortly...maybe's very shortly... ;) Thanks for reading...let me know your thoughts :)

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'Teddy, it's me. Listen we need to be quick. I've found Arizona. I know, yea, she's been right under our noses this whole time…..she's OK. You we're right, there's a door behind a wall here in the cellar. There's a keypad behind a bottle of Chateau Lafitte….its on the 2nd last rack to the right as you come down the stairs….the codes 85746.….Yea, Teddy, it was Candace and Henry all along. No, I know…. Teddy, you have to ring the police right now. Get Officer Watson….yea. Hurry Teddy, just incase she comes back. I'm staying here with her.'

She turned, pressing the button at the side of the door. Her eye's locked on her girlfriends and she smiled. 'I'll tell her Teddy. Ok, see you soon.' Hanging up she was about to walk back into the stone walled room when movement to her left caught her attention. Turning her head she was just in time to see Henry thrust something across the side of her head. As pain exploded around her, the last thing she heard was Arizona's loud scream.

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Chapter 25

'This is all your fault Henry! Everything is ruined…..everything! So much planning and within only a few days, all that careful preparation's been ruined! How did this happen?'

Henry gripped the steering wheel of the car, his foot pushing down slightly harder on the accelerator as they flew down a country lane. He tried to ignore the constant verbal abuse coming from the occupant of the seat next to him, but she was making that almost impossible.

They'd been found out. The room which had held the kidnapped reporter had been uncovered, by the girlfriend no less. From what Henry had heard of the phone call, Teddy had been told everything. Where Arizona was, who was to blame….everything!

How Callie had managed to not only figure out Arizona was still at the Hotel, but also find the exact room and use the correct code, he had no idea. Had she been following him? Following Candace? She was meant to have gone back home. Clearly that had been a cover up and she'd been doing some sleuthing of her own.

He cursed himself for arriving at the cellar just too late. If only Candace had found him 5 minutes sooner, told him Callie had left 5 minutes sooner, he could have been down in the cellar and stopped that call from ever being made. Callie could have been held in that room too. Instead all he'd been able to do was hit the teacher over the side of the head and drag her into the room. He'd glanced at the frantic blonde who'd gotten to her feet, trying desperately to reach the slumped body of her girlfriend.

He'd wanted to untie Arizona….drag her away with him, but the police were going to be on their way within minutes. He'd had to make a run for it. There was no way he could have risked dragging the blonde through the Hotel. Even if she'd been knocked out, someone was bound to have seen them. So instead, he'd taken one last look at the woman he loved and fled from the room, calling Candace to tell her it was over…..they had to make their escape now.

There'd always been a chance this would happen, though they'd hoped it wouldn't resort to fleeing town. They had more than enough money stashed away in Candace's office safe. Making it to the car, they'd fled from the Hotel, swerving into a side street briefly as a chain of police cars came bombing towards them.

Now here they were, over an hour into their journey and Candace was still having a go. 'For the last time Candace, this is not my fault' he replied coldly. 'I haven't got a fucking clue how Callie found the room.'

The Latina let out a frustrated growl. They sat in silence for a few moments, both thinking about what the hell they we're going to do now.

'We should never have started this…' Henry said with a shake of his head.

'Oh Henry, you know what, don't even bother with the regrets now. It's done. Now we have to figure out what the fuck we're going to do!'

'Well for a start we're going to have to move away….far away. Go into fucking hiding for the rest of our lives' Henry replied.

Candace nodded. 'Maybe for a little while, but I'm not done yet.'

He took his eyes off the road, furrowing his eyebrows at his wife. 'Excuse me?'

'I'm not done yet Henry.'

'Oh Candace wake up for Christ sake. It's over. We've been found out. I'm through with all this shit. I never had a fucking chance with Arizona anyway' he continued, hitting his palm off the steering wheel. 'Why did I ever let you talk me into this? You're a fucking crazy bitch Candace and I'm sick of….wh….Candace what the….'

As Candace pulled the gun out from the holster on Henry's belt, she cocked the safety off and pointed it at the policeman's head. 'If that's really how you feel Henry…..pull over!'

Henry swallowed the lump in his throat. 'C….Candace….what…..hang on a second….'

'Pull over Henry' she repeated, poking the gun into his temple.

Easing his foot off the gas, the policeman did as he was told. Eventually coming to a stop, he pulled on the handbrake. Not daring to move his head, his eye's looked towards Candace. 'Please…..I'm sorry sweetheart, I just…..everything's gone wrong, I'm venting….'

'Get out Henry.'

His heart was pounding in his chest. Lifting his shaking hand he grasped the door handle. Opening the door he pushed it further with his elbow. Slowly he turned his body, lifting himself out of the seat. Walking a few steps towards the trees, he turned, looking back at Candace, who still had the gun pointed toward him. He held up his hands. 'Candace, please don't leave me here. We….we're a team. I'll shut up, I'll do whatever you want.'

Taking off her seatbelt, Candace lifted herself into the drivers seat. Shutting the door she looked back out of the open window. 'I don't need you anymore Henry. You're just holding me back now.'

'Candace….do you know what it's like for a policeman to go to prison. Please, don't do this.'

She cocked her head to the side, looking genuinely at her husband. 'You know, you're right. I owe you more than that. You've been a decent enough husband. I can't let you suffer like that.' Lifting her hand she positioned the gun. 'Goodbye Henry.'

A fraction of a second. That's all the time Henry had to register that Candace had pulled the trigger. As the bullet exploded out of the pistols shaft, it glided swiftly through the air. A perfect aim, right between Henrys tear filled eye's.

As his body collapsed to the ground, Candace's eye's scanned over his lifeless form a few seconds longer, before she started the engine and sped away.

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'I think she's waking up. Callie, sweetie, can you hear me?'

The first thought Callie had as her mind focused on her surroundings was that her head felt as though it was about to explode. Cautiously, she began to open her eyes. As she blinked, her tongue poked out, moistening her dry lips.

'That's it sweetie, you're OK, you're in the hospital.'

The teachers eye's focused on Addison at the right of her bedside. Opening her mouth she whispered. 'Arizona….'

'She's fine Callie' came Teddy's voice at her left. 'The police have taken her into a different room to get a statement. She didn't want to leave you but it was important they heard everything as quickly as possible.'

Her head felt so heavy. What exactly had happened to her? As she closed her eyes she felt a hand on her arm. 'Stay awake Cal' Teddy told her. '…you've been out over 2 hours now.'

Forcing her eye's open she looked at her girlfriends sister. 'Henry….and Candace.'

When Teddy looked at Addison, the teacher knew straight away that they had escaped. They'd fled the scene of the crime.

'We're not sure Callie' Addison started. 'There's a few witnesses saying they saw both deputy Harris and Candace getting into a car and flying out of the garage around the side of the Hotel.'

'They'd disappeared by the time the police got here.' Teddy added.

The Latina sighed. Still, it continued. Would this nightmare ever be over? Would she ever be able to live her life with Arizona without having to look over her shoulder? Obviously not anytime soon. 'This is never going to end' she said quietly.

'Hey, it's going to be fine Callie…..they've been unmasked' Teddy told her. 'That's advantage to us now. They can only go so far before someone spots them. They've faxed photos around the airports, train stations and docks.'

'They wont get away. It's almost over sweetie….it's almost over!'

Taking her mind off the 2 homicidal runaways, Callie thought about Arizona. She was safe now. She'd found her. That's all that really mattered to her right now. The door opened and the object of her thoughts came into view. A wide smile immediately grew on her face as Arizona noticed she was awake.

'Calliope…' the blonde breathed. As she reached Callie's beside she dipped her head, placing a series of soft kisses all over the Latina's face. Neither noticed Teddy or Addison leave the room.

'Is this real?' Callie asked. 'Have I really got you back?'

Laughing slightly the blonde wiped a few tears from her cheek. 'It's real, I'm here baby. I missed you so much!'

'I missed you too.' She brought her hand up and gripped the blondes. 'I'm never letting you out of my sight again.'

Smiling, Arizona kissed the Latina's knuckles. 'I can live with that.' She lowered her head, placing it on Callie's shoulder. 'What a weekend.'

'You can say that again!' After a few moments of silence, Callie was keen to know what was going on. 'So, what's happening?'

Pulling back, the blonde contemplated what to tell her girlfriend. 'Do you know Candace and Henry got away?' Callie nodded slightly. 'Yea, well….I've just finished giving my statement. If it's alright with you I'd prefer not to go over it again just yet' she finished, looking almost pleadingly at her girlfriend. 'How about we see if I can get you discharged, then once we're home, I'll tell you everything….'

There was a knock at the door before it opened, revealing an anxious looking Addison. She came into the room, looking between the pair at the bed.

'There's been a development…' the redhead started. 'They've found Henry….' she trailed off, seeing a slight look of relief on Arizona's face.

'What about Candace?' Callie asked.

'Well, that's the thing. They found Henry's body…..at the side of the road. A bullet between his eyes.'

The room fell silent. This wasn't exactly what either of them had been expecting to hear. Callie looked at the blonde who had her eye's closed. What was Arizona feeling right now? Happy….relieved….angry….upset….? She couldn't read anything from the blank expression covering her face. ''Zona' she whispered.

The blonde opened her eye's, glancing at the questioning Latina. 'One down…' she replied.

Callie nodded. She didn't know what to say. Part of her was ecstatic. That bastard got what he deserved. His life had been taken, as cold, quick and easy as his victims. But then, where was the justice in that? Where was his payment for the crimes he had committed? He should have been made to suffer. If she'd gotten her hands on him she would have seen to it his life was a living hell. She'd of hurt him in ways a person had never been harmed before….and she'd of made it last an excruciatingly long period of time. He'd gotten off way too lightly.

'Candace obviously felt he'd served his purpose' Arizona said.

'How do you mean?'

Looking at her girlfriends dark eye's, Arizona shook her head. 'There's a lot I need to tell you. This isn't over though Callie.' She played with the teachers hand. 'Henry wasn't the real threat. It was Candace. She's the real danger…..and she's still out there.'

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'I mean it guys, you need anything….call me. No matter what time of the day or night…'

'I promise Cristina' Arizona replied gratefully. 'Thank you, for everything….' She leaned in, pulling the photographer into a tight embrace.

Coming out of the blondes embrace, Cristina squeezed Arizona's shoulder. 'It's what friends are for, and believe me, you have plenty' Moving to the door she opened it, stepping over the threshold. As she turned back to the blonde she cocked her head to the handle. 'You make sure this is locked.'

'You can count on it' Arizona told her.

Waving her friend off the blonde nodded to a man in a car, parked at the bottom of the drive before closing and locking the door. With an exhausted sigh she turned and walked back over to the couch. She let herself sink into the outstretched arms of her girlfriend who was spread out on the cushions. As she buried her face in the crook of Callie's neck, a content sigh escaped the Latina's mouth. 'You know…' Arizona started, '….not even 24 hours ago, I thought I'd never be able to do this again.' Her lips brushed against the soft skin in front of them.

Callie responded by tightening her hold on the blondes body. Her right hand rubbed softly over the blonde's back. 'You're not the only one' she replied.

Arizona heard the slight whimper laced in the teachers words. Lifting her head she saw a stray tear spill over the Latina's right eyelid. She moved her hand, brushing the tear away with her thumb. 'Hey, no tears' she told her, lowering her lips to gently press them against the Latina's. 'How's your head' she asked.

'Heavy, and a little sore' Callie replied, seeing Arizona's face twist with concern, she added '…but nothing I can't handle!'

Arizona's fingers traced over the Latina's face, stroking her cheeks and nose…..much like she had done with the picture in the paper the day before. Finally, after using all of her powers of persuasion, aswell as some help from Joe Watson, Arizona had been able to go against doctors orders and bring Callie home. The hospital understood the circumstances, but had felt it would have been safer for Callie to remain in their care for at least 24 hours after her head trauma.

Both Callie and Arizona had proved too stubborn to stay and after Joe Watson explained he would see to it himself that Callie was monitored, the doctor in charge had no other option but to release the teacher.

Since being brought up to speed on the whole situation, including the demise of a deputy he had thought very highly of, Joe had been extremely apologetic to the blonde and Latina. He had arranged to have their belongings collected from the Hotel, aswell as drive them back home himself.

After an emotional goodbye to Addison, the girls departed, Teddy driving Callie's car back home. During the journey, Callie and Arizona had fallen asleep in the back of the car, their arms wrapped firmly around one another. Making it home, Aria, Cristina and Mark had greeted them enthusiastically at the front door. They'd stayed briefly, understanding the couple's need to reconnect alone.

So here they were, alone at last, looking into each others eyes as though sharing silent words of love and thankfulness.

'I love you' Callie breathed, almost inaudibly. 'I love you so much.'

Arizona smiled and nodded. 'I know you do. That's what kept me going in that room. I knew you'd find me.' Her gaze lowered as she thought back on her time in her imprisonment.

Callie brought her own hand up, stroking it over the blondes cheek. 'There was a brief moment when I thought I'd lost you forever. I couldn't see past the fact that every other case had ended in….murder… I didn't know what I was going to do.'

Feeling herself tear up, the blonde decided a topic change was needed. She knew they had to talk about this. There were still details of the ordeal she needed to tell Callie, but right now that could wait. For 3 days their lives had been turned inside out and upside down. What they needed now was a break. 'You know what, I know this is far from over, but for right now you don't have to worry Calliope. I'm right here, we're together. I think, a nice hot bubble bath with your girlfriend would do you the world of good. What do you say?'

Smiling back at the blonde, Callie simply nodded, allowing herself to be pulled up from the couch.

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A couple hours later Callie stood looking at herself in the mirror while she brushed her teeth. Evidence of her sleepless nights lay in dark circles beneath her eyes. An image of the person behind her sleepless nights invaded her mind. Candace…

Her hand began moving more swiftly as her toothbrush worked furiously inside her mouth. Even after being enlightened by Arizona earlier, she still couldn't get her head around her ex's ridiculous conspiracy. It didn't make sense. She'd had a brief relationship with the woman when she was 17 years old. How and why did Candace get so attached to her? Why had she become obsessed?

An involuntary shiver ran up the Latina's spine as she thought about Candace following her every move for the last 10 years.

*10 years…*

She shook her head. What the hell would her life have been like if she'd stayed with her? If she'd allowed Candace to monopolise all of her time. To tell her who she could or couldn't see. To control absolutely everything she did. Just as it seems she did with Henry. The policeman. The man she was never really fond of, even from the first meeting. She wanted to feel sorry for him. It seemed obvious he had been manipulated by Candace for years. She'd twisted him into a pathetic, conniving, spineless murderer. Obviously he hadn't been as strong a person as Callie herself was at 17. He should have known better though. He was a policeman….he got himself in this.

Though it was unfair that he got off too easy, not paying for the crimes he committed, Callie felt a sense of revenge. He'd gotten what he deserved. Now she and Arizona were free from him ever trying to come between them again. The problem was….he wasn't their only problem.

The real threat was still out there. The person pulling all the strings in this timely plan was still at large. She could be anywhere right now. Making her way across the world, or even just outside their front door. The house was guarded though. There'd been at least 1 policeman assigned to sit and stakeout their house for the foreseeable future.

*Policemen…* she thought, letting out a snort.

She'd lost all faith in the law. One bent copper had already been uncovered, who's to say there wouldn't be more.

'Your teeth must be real dirty' came Arizona's voice from beyond the bathroom door.

Leaning her head over the sink, Callie spat out the foamy toothpaste before replying. 'It's the first proper clean they've had in days' she shouted back, rinsing the brush under the tap. Cupping a handful of water she brought it to her mouth, gargling away the remaining toothpaste residue. Happy enough her mouth was once again clean and fresh she headed back into the bedroom, switching off the light as she left.

The blonde lay on her side facing the approaching Latina. Propped up on her left arm, she used her right to pull back the cover for Callie to slip in beside her. As the teacher settled herself, she looked to Arizona who leaned in, capturing her lips briefly.

'Mmmm' the blonde breathed. 'Minty.'

Callie chuckled. 'I'm finally starting to fell human again. The last few days, I've just felt like…..well, a zombie really.' She held the blondes hand which lay on her stomach. 'It's nothing compared how you must have felt though…'

Removing her hand from the Latina's, Arizona stroked it upwards, finally stopping above the teachers heart. She allowed herself to get lost in the brown pools gazing back at her. A yawn crept up on her. She tried to stifle it, causing the Latina to laugh at the face she pulled.

'I think it's time we got some sleep for the first time in 3 days. Officer Watson's coming around mid-morning so we've gotta be up.'

Defeated, the blonde nodded. 'Ok.' She flopped her head onto her pillow. 'Callie?'

'Yes darlin'?'

'Will you hold me?'

With a smile the Latina lifted her arm, slipping it beneath the reporters body.' 'Try stop me…'

Holding on to one another, it wasn't long before they slipped into a content and peaceful sleep.

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