A/N: First of all….my sincere apologies for my lengthy absence. Not given up on this story, and will carry on until the end as long as people are still interested. I have been…as they say in my neck of the woods…proper poorly again. So had no concentration to sit and write, even though I wanted to! I HAVE been reading though, and there are some amazing stories out there, and some great new writers. Wonderful to see the boards live and kicking

Secondly…it's good to be back. But, please be patient with me. Not quite up to speed yet so might not be posting as often as I'd like….but am getting there! Missed y'all

Hope you still enjoy this story!

Callie smiled as she stood in the open doorway of Daniels room, and watched as Arizona fussed over the last few things she unpacked from his case. The man himself was already sitting in the comfy armchair, ramrod straight as he stared out of the window. He seemed relaxed, and somehow, peaceful. They had arrived at the small private nursing home a little over two hours ago, especially set up and run for veterans, they had walked in midway through some sort of singalong of some military classics. Instantly Daniel had started to join in, pulling himself free of Arizonas arm, shrugging further away as she went to join him in the entertainment lounge. The two women had then stood and watched in amazement as the Colonel had struck up a conversation with two of the fellow residents, laughing at one of them. Callie had watched as Arizona visibly relaxed next to her, she had taken the blondes hand and given a small wink as the nurses went to fetch Daniel back to them so they could settle him in his room

Arizona had taken a deep breath as the nurse had brightly told her dad, "This is your home now Daniel" Exhaling loudly as her dad merely grunted, nodded, and found the armchair.

The nurse had patted Arizonas arm as she walked out, telling her. "He just needs to settle in at his own pace. And he seems better than most. It looks good Ms Robbins. Looks real good. Why don't you just unpack the one little case, leave the rest for us…then you and Ms Torres should head on out and just, enjoy the day! Best not to visit too often the first few weeks, stops them thinking they are only here for a visit…but uh, guess that won't be too much of a hardship, what with Wimbledon just around the corner?"

Arizona had merely grinned and nodded, but Callie had smiled brightly as she replied. "It is indeed, and we are both more than ready. WE had a little holiday after Paris, so we were fully relaxed before we got back into training mode"

"You'll be heading for London soon then huh?" The nurse enquired excitedly. "I'd love to go to London, and I just love watching Wimbledon. Always get some strawberries in ready…don't like cream though…much rather have champagne!" she chuckled

Callies eyebrow sneaked up as she caught Arizonas eye and saw the blonde smirk a fraction. "Me to" Callie winked

"Just, do me a favour" the nurse husked as she finally went to leave

Callie looked at her and shrugged her shoulders. "Hmm?"

"Wipe the smirk off the face of that smug ass bitch Hahn. Can't STAND the woman!" the nurse laughed as she heard Arizona whisper. "Sing it!"

That had been about fifteen minutes ago now, and the small case was empty. Arizona looked up at Callie and sighed before jamming her hands in her pocket and whispering. "We're all done here"

Callie stepped into the room and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. "It's the right thing to do Arizona, you know it is. So, come on…let's leave him to rest and settle. We can ring later, see how he is doing. Ok?"

"Ok" Arizona whispered with small nod of her head. She sniffed lightly and looked at the ceiling, as if to stop the small tear that escaped the corner of her right eye. "Ok" she said again as she quickly wiped it away and gave Callie a small smile. She turned to face her dad, pulling her hands free and wiping them on her jeans before crouching down next to him, her hand resting on his arm. "Daddy" she said softly. "Daddy, it's time for me to go now. Daddy?"

Daniel turned his faded blue eyes to her and nodded. "Dismissed soldier" he said softly.

Arizona gave a small laugh and gently bent to kiss his cheek before standing up, and instantly wrapping her arms around Callie, allowing the brunette to slowly walk her out of the home and towards their car. As Callie opened the passenger door for the blonde, she hesitated and kissed the tan cheek before mumbling. "Thank you Callie. This, this was the right thing to do"

Callie smiled and nodded as she squeezed the pale shoulder before stepping back and closing the door, racing around to the drivers seat and climbing in, instantly reaching for Arizonas hand and bringing it up to her mouth to carefully kiss the knuckle of each finger. "It was. He'll be happy there baby. And you? Finally, you get to live the life you have always deserved!"

Arizona gave a slow smile before giggling and nodding. "Yup, as the future Wimbledon Champion, it is about time I started to enjoy the finer things in life!"

"Oh!? Oh really? Future Wimbledon Champion you say huh? Well, maybe one year sweetie, but, so not this year. Sorry!"

"Wanna bet?" Arizona grinned mischievously as Callie laughed and put the car into gear.

[xx]

"I could get used to this type of travel" Arizona sighed as she happily sank back into the plush seat of the Webbers private jet.

"Mmmmm" Callie smirked as, seeing the small sign switch off, she quickly unbuckled her seat belt and crawled across to the blonde. "Me to" she husked into the younger womans ear. "Has, all-sorts of hidden benefits!" She wiggled her eyebrows before leaning in and planting a hard kiss on the soft pink lips she loved so much

"Benefits you say?" Arizona smirked as she slowly let her hands come to rest on Callies hips, and gently coaxed the brunette closer. "Such as?"

"Well…."Callie pretended to think. "More leg room!" She chuckled as she brought her hand down and hit the recliner on Arizonas chair, sending both of them backwards a little, pushing their bodies even closer. "The seats are wider" she murmured as she brought herself up to straddle Arizonas lap. "And they have so much inflight entertainment, you just need to…press a button" she playfully stuck her tongue out as she cupped the blondes breasts and used her thumbs to push against suddenly erect nipples. "See?" she whispered as Arizona groaned and closed her eyes, sighing as Callie began to gently rub her thumbs in slow, easy circles over her now extremely tight and sensitive boobs

"Callie!" Arizona husked, "ugh, God!" she gasped as the brunette casually licked up her neck to the back of her ear

Callie smirked as she tugged the soft earlobes into her mouth and playfully nibbled, her smirk widening as she heard and felt the blondes response. She reached down and reclined the chair further, then brought her hand up to slowly push at the edge of her girls T-shirt, gracefully snaking under the hem, and tickling her way across the taut bare stomach muscles now twitching beneath her fingertips. Planting light kisses along a pale jaw line, Callie finally brought their lips together, her tongue instantly seeking, and gaining entrance to the warm mouth she craved. Her other hand snaked under the other womans T-shirt to, gracefully ghosting across her hip before her fingers tightened into the soft skin of her lovers hi[s and tugged her closer to her

Arizona moaned softly as Callie edged closer still, with another sigh she allowed her hands to come up and bury themselves in soft dark locks, holding Callie in place as she allowed her lips and tongue to weave her own magic on the now, very obviously aroused Latina…..

"Ms Torres, Ms Robbins, would you like your…..oh! Uh! Uhm….."

Callie hastily sat up and climbed off the blonde, breathing heavily as she slowly turned to look at the very flustered flight attendant now hovering just inside the doorway and slowly backing away, grimacing a fraction as her shoulder collided with the door frame. "Leah" Callie smiled as sweetly as her frustration would allow her. "We're sorry" She glanced sideways and noticed Arizona adjusting her seat back to upright before looking back at the younger woman "What were you saying?"

"I uh" Leah gave a slight whine and looked at the ceiling taking a steadying breath. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt, I should have used the intercom, I normally always use the intercom, but the Webbers don't normally do uh, I don't normally interrupt them doing, ah, I ah…."

Callie held up her hands and took a small step forward. "Breathe Leah, just breathe. It's ok. We're sorry, we got…carried away. We are excited to be on our way to London, and travelling in style no less. And we, no….I….I got carried away. So, I'm sorry for, shocking you. It won't happen again. Now, what was it you came in to ask?"

Leah licked her lips and nodded. "I was wondering if you wanted me to serve you a light meal now, and another light meal just before we arrive in the UK? Or would you prefer waiting a little while, and I will serve a bigger meal half way through the flight?"

"Uhm, well…..I could eat now? Arizona? I mean, not that I could eat Arizona now, well I could but, oh….you didn't need to know that, I uh" this time it was Callies turn to blush and looked flustered as Leahs eyes widened and Arizona chuckled.

"A light meal now would be wonderful, thank you Leah" Arizona smiled sweetly as she reached for Callies hand and tugged the blushing brunette back a step. "Ms Torres and I had breakfast at a ridiculously early time in order to catch the flight and neither of us were hungry at that time, so it was a bowl of cereal each and luke warm coffee! Oooh. Coffee! Do you have any fresh coffee?"

Leah nodded and smiled brightly. "Already brewing, big pot! Gotta supply the pilots to. Wouldn't want them falling asleep at the controls now would we?" she giggled perkily

Callie gritted her teeth and faked a return smile as Arizona merely covered her mouth to hide the smirk. "Great!" Callie said enthusiastically. "Coffee, and brunch. Then uh, Ms Robbins and I will need some privacy….."

"Oh, yeah…yes of course "Leah nodded quickly and started to blush again

"We have a long flight" Callie explained as she felt Arizonas hand tighten and saw her still trying to hide her smirk. "And we have been awake since the butt crack of dawn. We need to rest so we don't get hit too badly with jet lag, half the bonus of private jets" Callie finished her explanation and smiled sweetly.

"Right, yes, rest. Of course" Leah nodded before exiting the cabin and rushing back to her small galley area to set up a light meal for her two guests and the flight crew

Arizona was still chuckling as Callie dropped back down in her own seat across the way from her. "I'm never gonna join the damn club" the brunette sulked and stared balefully at the chuckling blonde

"Wait? What?" Arizona stopped giggling and narrowed her eyes. "You mean to tell me you travel like this whenever you can, and you aint a member of that club yet?"

"Nope!" Callie sighed. "And if Leah keeps popping in and out I never will be!"

"We can always barricade the door" Arizona winked and chuckled. "But, you, the great Calliope Torres, haven't joined the Mile High Club yet! Wow! How is that possible?"

Callie sighed. "Cos I never cared enough about anyone to ask them to travel with me. I was never, that committed. I used to like flying on my own, gave me space"

"Even with Mark?" Arizona asked softly

"Ah Mark" Callie gave a sad smile. "Yes, I flew with Mark a lot. But, he had his own plane and a pilots licence, and he took his flying very, VERY seriously. So he wouldn't have left the flight deck to help me gain my membership" She pursed her lips and gave a low chuckle. "Though I'm pretty sure I heard rumours about him and two of the more….easy members of the tour, and a flight to India for a photo shoot. Before we got together I may add" She sighed and sadly shook her head. "I never got to ask him if it was true, and I always meant to"

"He was quite the Man-whore huh?" Arizona laughed gently as she extended her foot to lightly tap the brunette

Callie laughed as she nodded. "Oh yeah. Hell yeah. But it meant he was, gifted, yeah, gifted. "She gave a slow smirk. "Taught me a few things, which I am happily sharing"

"Yay Mark!" the blonde laughed and fist bumped with Callie, looking up as Leah once again hesitated in the doorway, a tray loaded with food precariously balanced. "Let me help you there" she said as she quickly stood, reaching for the tray as Callie quickly cleared the table, watching the attendant dash hastily back to the galley.

"This looks great Leah, thank you" Callie said as the attendant stepped back in carrying another tray, laden with the coffee and placed it on the table.

"Ok. Just uhm buzz me if you need anything else, or when you're done so I can come in and clear up, give you some room" Leah quickly glanced around the table, and, satisfied she had brought everything in headed off to serve the crew before they got cranky, or crankier

Callie and Arizona were both hungrier than they realised, and in less than thirty minutes had cleared their plates and emptied the coffee pot. "Should we buzz her back in, or just leave the stuff here?" Arizona asked, belching slightly as she sat back in her seat.

Callie raised an eyebrow and shook her head as the blonde did another little belch. "Seriously?" she chuckled

"Sorry" Arizona winced, "I guess I was a bit of a pig huh?"

Callie just chuckled again before reaching for the intercom. "We buzz her in" she told the blonde, "otherwise I think she will be pacing all the way to London worrying about the dishes being in our way,

No sooner had Callie pressed the button than Leah was in the cabin and stacking away the mess. "Was everythong, uh thing, everthing ok?" she asked brightly as she grabbed the last of the coffee cups away

"It was great, thank you" Arizona smiled back, watching as Callie stood to help the shorter woman manoeuvre the somewhat top heavy tray towards the door.

Callie held the door open as Leah wobbled through, pausing as she heard the younger woman whisper. "Uh Miss Torres, you know, if you and Ms Robbins want to….rest. Uhm. Then you could use the bed!"

Callies eyebrows shot up and she stood and waited until Leah had put down the tray and walked back to the doorway. "The bed?" she asked slowly

"Uh huh" Leah nodded. "King size. Already made up"

Callie looked down the cabin, towards the bathroom and the large bar, the TV seating area with the two big sofas. "I don't uhm, I don't see a bedroom, or a bed"

Leah giggled and walked passed her. Opening a small panel on the side of the largest sofa, she pressed two buttons and watched as the two sofas began to move. Callie stepped closer and Arizonas jaw dropped as the soft whir of the machinery brought the two sofas together and locked them together

"You said made up" Callie muttered as she looked at the huge bed

"Oh yeah!" Leah giggled as she pulled off the scattered cushions before pressing another button

Arizona laughed as the low ceiling from above the bar started to tip down at an angle, and from nowhere, a mattress slid down the chute it created, landing perfectly on the bed. "Oh wow! I feel like I'm in a James Bond movie" she giggled delightedly as she watched Leah move to the lowered ceiling and pull down several pillows, all covered in the same silk as the sheets and duvet cover.

"Is two each enough, or would you prefer extra?" Leah asked as she plumped the pillows up before dropping them on the bed. Callie was opening and closing her mouth and Arizona was still giggling to. "I'll put extra on, just in case" the attendant muttered to herself as she fluffed up another few pillows and put them against the headboard that had slid up from the floor just after the two halves of the sofa had locked together. She pressed another button and watched as the ceiling locked back into place. Then she sighed and shook her head as she muttered. "Anyone would think they hadn't seen a bed before" She straightened up and cleared her throat loudly, making sure she had both womens attention. "I'll uhm, I'll leave you alone now. Just buzz me if you need anything. If not, I will beep through to you about two hours before we reach London, give you both time to freshen up before we land"

"Thank you Leah" Arizona said as she stood and walked over to the bed, before sitting down on the edge and happily bouncing up and down

"Yes, thank you Leah" Callie husked at the attendant walked passed her, but her eyes never left the giggling blonde as she happily flopped back against the evidently comfy mattress

"Uhm, Miss Torres?"

"Uh huh?" the brunette gave a small shake of her head before peeling her eyes off her girl and looking at Leah

"About, errrrh, earlier…."

"Ah, yeah" Callie gave a small grimace and went to apologise, but laughed instead as Leah leaned in to whisper. "I don't blame you for getting carried away. You're a very lucky lady"

Callie nodded and looked at the younger woman. "Oh I know, believe me. I know"

Leah nodded back and whispered. "I hope you enjoy your….flight" she turned to the door, stopping to lower the cabin lights a fraction before leaving the two lovers alone.

Callie walked over and sat on the bed next to Arizona, just in time to hear the blonde mutter. "Wonder what THIS button does" before she reached a pale hand out and clicked the top button. Both women smiled as the cabin was filled with soft jazz music, slow and sensual. Hypnotic. Callie stood and pulled Arizona to her feet. "Dance with me" she husked pulling the smaller woman tightly against her and already starting to sway softly to the beat

Arizona wrapped her arms tightly around the Latina and rested her head on a strong shoulder.

Callie smiled dreamily. "Have I told you today how much I love you? Adore you? Worship you?" she sighed as the blonde pulled them closer still and turned to nuzzle into the crook of her neck and panted a soft kiss "Arizona" Callie whispered

"I love you to" came the soft reply as the blonde pushed her hands under the back of Callies top and let her finger tips ghost over the soft warm skin beneath, smirking as she felt Callie shudder in response. "I want to make love to you Calliope, right now"

"You do huh?" Callie smiled as she lowered her head to kiss the blonde

"I do" Arizona smiled back, before surprising both of them by roughly shoving Callie backwards, and quickly jumping up to straddle her as they both fell back against the bed. "I really….REALLY do"

"Uhmmmmmmmmmm" was all Callie managed before Arizona pounced. "Best. Flight. EVER" was all she manged to gasp out two hours later, before more or less passing out in her lovers arms

[xx]

Leah woke them, as promised, with enough time for them both to shower. Regrettably separately as the shower was beyond tiny, much to Callies annoyance. At her height she could barely fit under the shower head alone, let alone with Arizona, and it had made her chuckle to herself to wonder how Richard or Adele would have manged. She had stopped mid giggle though as the idea of her friends possibly enjoying their flights in the same way her and Arizona just had, made her shudder despite the warm water.

By the time both of them were showered and dressed, Leah had covered the table in more edible goodies and another pot of fresh coffee. "Yup, "Arizona had sighed contentedly, "definitely could get used to this kinda travelling

Callie had grinned as she reached over to take her hand before gently kissing the back of it and winking.

Quickly Leah had cleared away the table, pressed several buttons which saw the mattress being dragged back up into the ceiling and the sofas separating back to their original positions and in no time seemed to be telling them both to buckle up safely as they were coming in to land

"Thank you Leah" Callie said as the two women stepped off the plane a little while later.

"It was an honour" the attendant smiled brightly. "And…good luck in the tournament"

"Who are you saying that to?" Arizona chuckled good naturedly.

"Both of you" was the quick reply. "You're gonna win the doubles right? And beat the smirks of Hahn and Stevens again?"

"Diplomatic answer" Callie grinned

Leah smiled and nodded. "I'll be cheering you both on, no matter what match you are playing in. Just please…don't let that dreadful Hahn women win…don't let her win anything!"

Callie and Arizona both laughed and gave her quick hugs before walking towards the min airport building and making their way through customs. They were met by security who escorted them through the main building and towards their waiting car, but just as they thought they had managed to sneak in, a barrage of flashbulbs started to go off and both women were momentarily dazzled. But it was the questions thrown at them that rocked Callie and Arizona the most.

"Will you be thinking of Mark Sloan more than ever during this tournament?"

"Does Wimbledon mean more because of Sloan?"

"Does Wimbledon bring back memories and nightmares of your crash?"

"Did you think 12 months after nearly dying you'd be back to defend your title?"

Callies head was spinning, with the flashbulbs and barrage of questions, she felt dizzy and could feel herself starting to panic. Suddenly she felt Arizonas hand tighten on hers and pull her closer as she heard the blonde stridently tell the press. "We've just landed and have no comment right now. But I will say that Mark Sloan is never far from Ms Torres mind and heart, and I would ask you to respect her feelings and her privacy, especially during the next few weeks. Thank you"

The security guards finally managed to get them into their waiting car and escorted it out of the car park and held the press back as it drove off into the London traffic

"Wow" Callie finally breathed out. "I, I wasn't expecting that"

"You ok?" Arizona asked softly, still holding her hand tightly

"Yeah, I think so" The brunette nodded. "It's just….has it really been a year ya know?"

Arizona smiled and moved closer to the Latina to gently kiss her cheek. "Been a crazy year huh. Lot's happened to you, for you. When I think of how different things could be…"

"Don't" Callie said quickly. "Don't"

"I might never have met you" Arizona whispered as she reached for Callies other hand and turned the woman to face her. "I met never have met you, had the chance to get to know you as the remarkable woman you are, the amazing tennis player you are….the kind and gentle human being you are…I might never have had the chance to know you as my friend, and my lover …..Calliope Iphigenia Torres, I love you so much, SO… SO much. To think, to think how close I came to never…"

Callie reached up and gently placed a finger over perfect pink lips. "Shh now baby. I. I…" She sighed and gave a small shake of her head. "I don't know why I was spared that day. I thought maybe my Guardian Angel was there to save me but I don't know why, or how I survived! I don't know how the belt snapped…how I got thrown clear. The speed we were travelling, that should have killed me, I should have died as soon as I hit the tarmac, but I hit a bush…there was a handful of bushes on that road, and I get thrown clear and land in one of them. How? I don't know or understand it, but I don't dwell on it anymore. I did, for a while after the accident, especially the first few weeks after coming to, knowing Mark was dead, hearing them tell me I might never walk again…might never be…ME again. I thought about it day and night. But then, I realised, so many coincidences, so many miracles? I shouldn't question it, I should accept, and be grateful and offer my gratitude to the heavens. And I did. I DO, especially now I have you in my life as well! Arizona, for…for whatever reason I was meant to live, I knew that as I started fighting to walk again, to get back on the courts again. I knew, there was a reason I was meant to live. And now, sitting here, looking at you, hearing you say you love me, knowing how my heart is full of love for you. NOW, I finally begin to understand. I was meant to live Arizona, because I was always meant to meet you, always meant to love you. And I do Arizona. I do. I love you, in a way I have never loved anyone before. Arizona, I lived, for you, and I will always, live my life for you….with you….because of you. You make me feel alive in a way I can't describe, but I know that I lived…for you, for us"

"Oh, Callie" Arizona pulled her closer still and gently kissed the tears from the corner of Callies eyes before lowering her lips to Callies mouth and slowly, softly kissing her. "I love you to, you big soppy romantic"

Callie chuckled and hugged the blonde tightly before whispering. "Not that soppy, when the tournament starts…your ass is mine!"

Arizona giggled as she pulled back a fraction. "Awe sweetie, my ass is already yours….whenever you want it"

Callie winked and lowered her hand a fraction to lightly pat the blondes butt. "You bet it is, but you know that's not what I meant"

"Ah, you're thinking you're gonna beat me again huh?" the blonde smirked and sat back a fraction.

"Not thinkin' it darlin'…I know it" the brunette smirked confidently

"Oh yeah?"

"Uh huh"

Arizona nodded a fraction and grinned. "Care to put a bet on that?

"Thought you'd never ask" Callie grinned back. "Now….what did you have in mind?"