Chapter 26 is up guys. Thank you so much for the recent reviews. I wasn't sure how people would react to the last chapter. It was hard to write, and I feel I done it justice. So, thank you for your honest reviews.

Chapter 26:

Five weeks had passed since the couple had returned from England, and although things were beginning to get back to normal, Callie sensed a huge change in behaviour within their relationship. Something was… different, and even though she fully expected Arizona to take some time to heal, she missed the spontaneity and the unpredictable nature of their ways. She missed it, but she understood.

She understood that Arizona wasn't in the same place as before her attack. She didn't care for her appearance any longer. She didn't show public displays of affection, or randomly kiss Callie. She didn't make suggestions for spending the day with the brunette, and she hadn't been to Joe's bar since flying back to Seattle. She was distant, but Callie understood. She was distant, but Callie cared. No intimacy, no romance, and no affection, but Callie understood.

Sitting in the living room, on a Saturday morning during fall, Callie sighed as she sipped on a bittersweet coffee. She had noticed over the past weeks that Arizona would wake early, and never be in bed when she woke herself. Deciding to see if it meant anything, this morning, the brunette had woke early and removed herself from the bed. Checking the time, it was now past 10am and Arizona was still sleeping. So she doesn't want to be in bed with me of a morning? Okay, I can live with that. Removing herself from the blanket covering her legs, she placed her coffee cup in the kitchen and made her way down the hall into the bathroom.

Standing under the hot water, Callie groaned as it hit her back, releasing a little tension she had built up sitting for too long. It had been a quiet time of late, and although she still had her music to keep her company she wanted nothing more than her fiancé to be the one doing that job. She wouldn't push though. She wouldn't pressure, or push because in doing so, she would only push Arizona further away, and right now, that wasn't what either of them needed.

She had attempted to talk things out with the blonde in her life, but sensing that she was about to either clam up or cause an argument, she quickly retreated and locked her thoughts and worries away. It could wait for another time. That is what she continued to tell herself on a daily basis, and now, five weeks on, nothing had changed.

Stepping out of the shower, Callie glanced in the mirror. She looked worn. She looked worn, and the worry lines across her face had become a little more defined than the last time she checked. Pulling a face at herself, she figured that maybe a stroll through the park would do her some good. Wrapping herself up in a large fluffy towel, she quietly made her way into the bedroom. Tiptoeing around the room, she collected her underwear and clothing and as she bent down to pick up some shoes, she heard a mumbling coming from under the sheets.

"I'm sorry, what was that?" the brunette listened a little more intently.

"I said could you make any more freaking noise?" the blondes voice stern.

Shocked by the tone in her fiancés voice, Callie dropped her gaze and shuffled towards the bedroom door. "I'm sorry." Closing the door behind her, she felt the tears form as she made her way back into the bathroom.

A little over two hours later, Callie found herself wandering through the park. No idea where she was going, or why she was there, she took a seat on a nearby bench. Pulling out her cell, she opened up the message tab.

Hey, how's the hand? Any estimate on when you will be back on the drums? - C

Hey, Torres. Have to give it another six weeks or so. You and blondie good? Tell her I was asking after her. Mark.

Ah, not too bad then. Your nose okay? You back home now? You should come visit Seattle sometime. - C

I'm actually in Abbotsford, just across the border. One of the guys put me up for the week. Heading home in about 5 days. Nose is good. I still look hot! Mark.

Sure you do. Well, I'm playing tomorrow night, if you have time, drive through and come visit me. Joe's bar, down by the hospital. - C

Maybe I will. Could use a night out. Mark.

Great. I start around 8. Maybe see you there - C

Checking the time, it was a little after two. Figuring she should probably head back and grab some lunch, she stood, straightened out her jacket, and walked the short distance home. Slipping her key in the lock, she made her way inside and glanced around, looking for her fiancé. No sign. "Arizona?"

Crossing the short distance to the kitchen, she found a note on the counter.

Gone to the office for a few hours. See you tonight.

Sighing and blowing a wisp of hair out her face, the brunette removed her jacket and flung it over the stool beside her. Now she's going to work to avoid me. Great! Callie wasn't sure what she should do. She had tried speaking to Arizona, even suggesting talking with someone a little more professional but she was shot down every time. It was times like this when she regretted not having anyone in Seattle that she could turn to. Her friends were the blondes friends, and right now, she felt pretty alone.

She could use someone who would sit and drink in a bar with her while she rambled on about her worries and concerns, and although she would rather go directly to the source of those worries and concerns, she knew she couldn't. Arizona didn't want to know, and it had come to the point where Callie was starting to take it personally.

Pulling a bottle of water from the fridge, she made her way to the couch and powered on the TV. Flicking through the channels, she let out a frustrated groan at the lack of interesting programmes. Hitting the screen on her cell, she sent off a quick text message.

Shall I make dinner tonight? - C x

No I'm good. Not sure when I will be home. Don't wait up.

Okay. - C x

Callie threw her cell down beside her and closed her eyes. She wanted to hold Arizona. She wanted her to talk to her, and tell her how she was feeling. She wanted to be the one that she could cry to, or get angry with, because she loved her. She loved her so much that it hurt. It hurt because although the blonde was having a tough time, so was she, but she couldn't tell her that. She couldn't tell her that she was feeling hurt by the cold shoulder she had been receiving for the past five weeks, she couldn't tell her that she was getting the impression that her fiancé didn't want her anywhere near her. She couldn't tell her that she felt like she wasn't wanted in their home. She couldn't tell her, because Arizona was struggling, and she didn't want to talk about it.

Growing tired and frustrated at the lack of conversation with anyone but herself, Callie decided she would head down to Joe's. At least there she may find someone who wanted a random conversation. Someone who didn't know what was going on in their home. Someone who just needed a drinking buddy.

Sitting at her office desk, Arizona rubbed at her forehead. She had spent almost four hours looking at her computer screen, and yet she hadn't done a single thing. Her mind, elsewhere, and her body, wishing it was on another planet, she hit the power off button and sat back.

She had come to terms with what had happened during the festival, but she couldn't bring herself to be around anyone. She couldn't bring herself to kiss, or touch her fiancé and that hurt. Feeling like she would lash out at any minute, she had decided it was best to keep her distance. Callie had been awesome, and very understanding, but in her heart, the blonde knew she had been terrible to the other woman. I have to move past this. I have to stop him from ruining my life, and my relationship.

Standing from her seat, she grabbed her purse and made her way out of the door. Glancing around, the office was busy, and before she could get caught up in anyone else's work, she quickly made her way to the exit.

Feeling the cool air hit her skin, she felt a little relief, and as the fall sun set behind the sea of tall buildings in front of her, she squinted. Maybe I'll get myself a little liquid courage before I head home.

Strolling down the street, she found herself outside a familiar hangout. It was Joe's. She'd had plenty of good times inside this bar, and hoping it would provide her with a little relaxation, she pushed the door, and stepped inside.

It was quiet, more so than usual, and as she made her way over to the bar, she caught sight of familiar dark locks. Narrowing her eyes slightly to be sure that it was her fiancé, the other woman's laugh gave her away immediately. Why is she sitting in a bar with a guy?

Arizona knew her jealousy was pathetic. She never would've questioned it before the festival, but now that she knew Callie used to date men, she didn't like it. Ordering a white wine as Joe approached her, she continued to listen in on their conversation.

"Oh my God, I can't believe you are into my music. Where did you first hear me play?" red lips smiled as she questioned the guy sat next to her.

"Oh, way back in Miami. I lived there for a short time, but now I'm here in Seattle. My job causes me to travel a lot." the dark haired male responded.

"Well, maybe you could swing by tomorrow if you have the time. My set starts around 8. The more the merrier." Callie threw the guy a wink.

Watching on as her fiancé laughed and joked with the man beside her, Arizona felt the heat rise throughout her body. What the fuck? Snatching her drink from the bar, she took a sip and closed the distance between them.

"Um, what's going on here?" the blonde scoffed.

"Hi, Arizona. I was just chilling out. Come join us." Callie's eyes lit up at the prospect of spending the evening with her fiancé. "This is David."

"You mean, instead of waiting at home for me, your fiancé, you are sat in a bar, with him?" the hate evident in blue eyes.

"What? You were at work, and you told me you wouldn't be home until late." the brunette furrowed her brow.

"Oh so what? You thought you'd come here and have a little fun, hoping to get home before me? Where you even planning on coming home?"

Not wanting to cause a scene, or add to the argument that was about to ensue, Callie excused herself from her new friend and stepped away from the table. "Arizona, I don't see what the problem is? I was just having a drink."

"The problem is Callie, you are sat flirting with a guy in a bar while I'm at work. Did you want to get him to your penthouse hotel room and give him what he wanted before you came home? Poor little me too stupid to notice?"

Feeling the intense hurt caused by the blondes words, Callie closed her eyes and shook her head. She couldn't believe she had been accused of potentially cheating on her fiancé, when she had sat and waited for her to open up for the last five weeks. Feeling the salty tears reach her lips, she cleared her throat. "I'm not doing this. I'm going home. He's gay, Arizona."

That was it. Arizona had instantly regretted the words as they fell from her lips, but unable to control her emotions or herself, she lashed out. She lashed out at the one person who had been there for her. The one person who had put up with her silence, and the one person who had meant more to her than any other person had. She needed help, and she needed it soon. Stood, frozen to her spot, she watched as the brunette, shoulders slumped, walked out of the bar without even glancing back.

She felt awful, she truly did, but her body and her mind didn't feel like her own. Every time she looked in the mirror her skin crawled. Every time she thought about approaching Callie, something held her back, and every time she tried to pull herself out of bed, hoping for an ordinary day, her body had other ideas.

Shaking her head as she looked back at the guy sat shocked in the corner, she pushed the door and left the bar.

Sipping on her coffee, Callie sat glued to her spot at the kitchen counter. She understood that Arizona was struggling, and she had every right to be, but she had never expected her to say such things to her. Not after what they have been through the past several weeks. Sure, she was hurt and she had been left shaken and shocked by her attack, but the brunette knew she deserved better. She didn't deserve to be spoken to like dirt, and she didn't deserve to be accused of cheating.

Hearing the door open, she sighed into her coffee cup and closed her eyes. Feeling the warmth of her thick sweater and jogging bottoms, she felt herself relax a little. Unable to handle the silence any longer, she looked at Arizona, who was stood emotionless at the front door. Finding that she wasn't going to get an explanation from the blonde for the scene she had just caused, Callie removed herself from the kitchen stool and made her way down the hall.

"Callie, wait!" Arizona rushed out her words. "Please."

"I really don't want to do this, Arizona. I don't want to fight with you. If you want me to go, just say. I'm done tiptoeing around. I really am." the brunette gave her fiancé a sad smile as she turned to leave.

"No, please. I don't want to fight. I want to be with you so much, but I can't. I want to climb into bed with you and have you hold me and tell me everything is going to be okay. I want to snuggle with you and watch movies. I want to shower with you and make love to you for hours on end but I can't. I can't, because he ruined something for me. I don't know what, but he ruined something."

Brown eyes glistened as she listened to the beautiful woman truly speaking to her for the first time in a long time. Unsure of what to do, she stayed in her spot. She didn't want to do anything that would cause the blonde to shut down again.

"I miss you so much, and I want us to be normal again but I can't. My body won't allow me to. I just, what I'm trying to say is…. I'm sorry."

Giving a slight nod, Callie returned to the kitchen and placed her coffee cup down. "Come here." she held her arms out.

"Callie, I-"

"Please?" tears flowing freely, the brunette watched as her fiancé took a step closer to her.

"I, um, I don't-" Feeling strong arms wrap around her, Arizona panicked.

"This is okay, Arizona. Just this. Me holding you, it's okay." Callie whispered. "I'm not going to do anything other than hold you."

Feeling the tension disappear from the blondes body, Callie let a single tear fall. She had so much she needed to say to her fiancé, and she wasn't happy about the accusations made, but that could wait. Arizona needed her right now, and she would be there for her.

Holding Arizona tight against her body, the brunette felt her body shake in her arms. Hearing the sobs that followed caused Callie's heart to break. The blonde was finally releasing her anger and her hurt, and it was okay. It was okay, because it was what she had to do.

Feeling the blonde pull away, Callie released her grip. Looking deep into baby blues, she could see that Arizona was torn. Not wanting to keep her there any longer than the blonde wanted to be, she gave her a sad smile and moved away. Giving Arizona the space she needed.

The healing process was going to be long, and hard, on both of them, but Callie refused to let the situation beat her. If Arizona was to ask her to leave right now, she would do so. She would do it because she loved her.

Trying to lighten the mood some, the brunette glanced over to her fiancé who was sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, and a blanket draped over her. "I, um, I'm playing tomorrow."

"Yeah?" blue eyes held a hint of uncertainty in them. "That's good. I'm sure you'll bring the crowd in.".

"Why don't you come along?"

"Oh I can't. I have some things to do. I think I'll be working late." the blonde dropped her gaze to her hands which were playing with the edge of the blanket.

"Oh. Okay." Callie both sounded, and looked defeated. "I'm going to head off to bed. If that's okay."

"Sure. Goodnight."

Sipping on her glass of water, the brunette slipped off down the hallway, and as she closed the bedroom door behind her, she leant back against it, and sobbed.

Today they made progress, but after holding her fiancé for the first time in weeks, she wanted more. She wanted to cuddle her in bed and tangle their limbs together like they done every night. She wanted to wake to curls strewn across her pillow, and the blonde snuggled into her chest.

Today they made progress, but tomorrow could be a completely different story…...

Thanks for reading. Keep the reviews coming. It's always appreciated. I wouldn't say the girls are 'not getting along' or 'breaking up' but obviously Arizona is going to be feeling pretty crap. Callie too. I didn't want to rush the chapter so it was as if nothing had happened and all was fine. That's not likely to be the case.

I chose not to include a song in this chapter. The first and probably last chapter that will not include one. I didn't feel it was necessary or needed, so apologies to anyone who was going along with this fic based on its lyrics.

Next update shouldn't be too far away. Take care! X