No Matter of Chance

By AmboDriver

Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own anything. I'm just playing around with these "If/Then" alternative versions of characters that I adore. They are owned by Shondaland, ABC, and probably a lot of other really rich folks.

A/N: I know, I know, finally, right? Sorry this took so long, but like I said, sex scenes take me forever and add to that I've been frantically studying for this pass-or-lose-my-job certification plus 2 other stories going (and a one-shot). Yeah, and a girl has to have a life, too (or so I've heard).

This one is for all of you that liked the slow burn and now want the payoff. Hope it was worth the wait. And there will be another chapter and an epilogue still, so not quite done. Although it might be a few weeks. Between Christmas, New Years, and the other 2 stories, I might not get back around to this for a bit. But hopefully after this you won't mind a little breather.

INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT NOTE: In order to follow policies, I'm posting two versions of this. The one posted here glosses over the explicit stuff and therefore hopefully fits the rating policy of this site. However, I've posted a very explicit version on my LiveJournal ( kels7200 . livejournal . com). Just copy what's in the parentheses, paste it in your browser's location bar, and delete the spaces before you hit enter. Once there, the link is at the top of my Master Fiction List under "Alternate Versions of FF Chapters". Please head over there (assuming you are at least 18) if you want the rated MA version. I didn't write this many chapters to have the story pulled for content. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Okay, now, on with the show…

Chapter 39

DID YOU READ MY NOTE ABOVE? READ IT!

Arizona's hands shook against the steering wheel as she turned off the highway. "Only a few more minutes," she said, breaking the silence that had been building for the last few hours as they drove out of Seattle and down along the coast. Arizona hadn't really factored in the long drive when she'd planned to rent a cottage on the ocean for their weekend, and she certainly hadn't thought about how the time between leaving the courthouse and making it to the cabin would just allow all the nervous tension to fester between them. "If you want to call the kids…" Arizona suggested quietly.

"Oh right," Callie answered as she dug into her purse. She pulled out her cellphone and made the call as Arizona flipped on the dome light. "Hi guys," she said after a few pleasantries with their grandmother. "Are you having fun?"

The loud chorus of affirmative screams came through clear enough for Arizona to hear.

"Good. Well you be good with Nana this weekend. Don't give her any trouble, okay?" She paused and looked over at Arizona with a smile. "Sure, Arizona can come for dinner on Monday. Okay, well, sleep tight. I'll call you tomorrow before bed, okay?" Another pause followed as Callie's eyes drifted off out the window. "Love you three. Good night." She hung up the phone and sighed quietly, her eyes not leaving the distant spot out of the car.

"They want me to come over?"

"Allegra wants you to come over," Callie corrected. "I'm glad they sound like they're having fun. I feel a little guilty leaving them this weekend."

"It was that or draw straws and either you or Owen stay with them. They'll be fine, Callie. They love spending time with their grandmother." Arizona tried to reassure her girlfriend, not only because she was speaking the truth, but because she knew Callie was using the kids as a way to express her nervousness and uncertainty. "We can always go back if you want," she offered, hoping to prod Callie out of her slight funk.

"Don't you dare," Callie said, her head whipping toward Arizona. She then laughed and shook her head. "Sorry. I know I'm sounding a little ridiculous. I'm just nervous is all."

"Me too," Arizona admitted as she shot a look over toward her girlfriend. "It's a good nervous," she quickly added when she saw a hint of apprehension in the brown eyes watching her. "Very good nervous, but nervous all the same." She reached out and took Callie's hand in hers, feeling how clammy it was. "It's okay to be nervous and even a little scared, okay?"

Callie's smile seemed a little tense. "I know."

"You sure?" Arizona asked as she let just a little smile show, hoping to push Callie to relax.

Callie looked at her for a long moment before she rolled her eyes and laughed. "Yes, I am." She then reached up and shoved playfully at Arizona's shoulder.

"Good," Arizona answered with a nod as she pulled into the driveway that would lead down to the secluded cabin. "And just in time, because we're here," she said quietly, her voice barely audible over the crunch of the tires on gravel. When the car came to a stop with the headlights illuminating the front porch, Arizona sighed quietly. "I was really hoping we'd get here before sunset. But there's always tomorrow evening."

"No one could have predicted the judge would get the flu. I swear Owen slipped the bailiff a hundred to make sure we got on Judge Randolf's docket today."

Arizona laughed as she remembered the panic all four of them had shared when they thought the divorce would be postponed until the following week. She doubted the bailiff needed a bribe to make the change. Probably just looking at the obvious sexual tension on all of their faces was enough for the poor man to fear for his life. "Owen was rather anxious to get things taken care of," she said with a laugh. "You know while you were in the restroom, right before we left, he gave me the take-care-of-her speech," she added quietly.

"He did?" Callie's laughter was louder. "What did you tell him?"

Arizona could barely suppress the smile that the memory conjured. "I told him that I'm not the man in the relationship, that we're both equals and that we can take care of each other." She then couldn't stop the laughter that bubbled out of her. "I almost told him that I definitely planned on taking amazing care of you this weekend, but I didn't want to get into a pissing match with his male ego."

Callie shook her head with a small snort of laughter. "He's not really that kind of guy, but thank you for not choosing that route." She then got quiet and stared ahead at the cabin. "We're procrastinating you know."

"Why are we doing that anyway? Don't you think we've waited long enough?" Arizona felt just a slight hit of tension in the pit of her stomach as she waited to see if Callie would jump forward or the fear and nervousness would cause her to pause, maybe even run.

Luckily, Arizona didn't have to wait more than a few seconds for Callie's smile to brighten and her eyes to twinkle as she looked over at her. "Come on, let's go."

Callie's stomach was a mixture of knots and butterflies with her heart keeping time with the flapping wings as they climbed the steps of the cabin's front porch. This is really it.

Arizona lightly grabbed her forearm as they approached the front door. "Wait here a minute," she said with an uncertain smile.

"Okay," Callie drew out hesitantly but with a touch of humor.

Arizona unlocked the door and disappeared inside, leaving Callie alone on the porch. As night was finally settling on the coast, she could hear the crickets against the backdrop of the ocean waves. She really wasn't much for nature, but the ocean had always reminded her of home and it helped calm her nerves. She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath of salt-tinged air.

"All set."

Callie jumped and let out a small yelp as Arizona came back out of the cabin. Her surprise caused her to laugh. "Sorry."

"No, I'm sorry." Arizona came over and took both of Callie's hands in her own. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"It's okay." Callie took a deep breath and then shrugged. "Nerves and all I guess."

Arizona reached up and cupped her cheek warmly. "Totally understandable. Want to go in or stay out here a bit longer?"

While Callie was nervous and maybe even a little apprehensive, there was no hesitation in her voice. "Let's go inside."

The reply brought one of those truly amazing smiles to Arizona's lips that caused her eyes to dance with joy. "Let's," she whispered as she took Callie's hand in her own and led her inside.

"Wow," was all Callie could muster as she took in the cabin's interior. It was like a fantasy you'd see on TV. The one-room cabin was filled with flickering candles and a few vases full of flowers—red roses mostly. A fire flared in the large stone fireplace. The king-sized bed, which took up much of the open space, was already turned down and Callie recognized the silk sheets on it. "Put my key to good use I see," she said with a quiet laugh as she realized Arizona must have borrowed them when she was at work. She then turned to Arizona, who wore a mildly embarrassed smile. "Arizona, it's amazing. It's like a dream. How did you manage all this?"

Arizona relaxed visibly. "I was afraid you'd think it was too corny."

"No, it's perfect," Callie said as she placed a gentle kiss on her girlfriend's forehead.

"Good. I got it all set up yesterday. The candles are flameless and on a timer so we won't have to get up to turn them off. The fireplace is gas with a remote." She moved in closer and slid her hand under Callie's blazer and along her hip. Her voice was deeper as she said, "I plan on us both being too worn out to get up tonight."

Callie felt the butterflies take renewed flight, but it was a welcome reaction. "You thought of everything."

"I've had a long time to think about it," Arizona said as she used both hands to slip the blazer from Callie's shoulders. "Too long."

The fire inside her that had been smoldering for hours—who was she kidding, for weeks—flared suddenly as Callie crashed her mouth against Arizona's. She lost herself in the force of the kiss as their tongues danced around each other frantically.

It wasn't until Arizona tore her mouth away, panting heavily, that she realized her girlfriend's fingers were trying desperately to unbutton her blouse. "What the hell?" Arizona muttered under her breath. "This shirt must have been made by a six year old sweat shop worker with fingers the size of matchsticks. I swear when we get home, I'm going through your closet and tossing any clothes I can't get you out of quickly."

Callie couldn't help but laugh as she reached up to take hold of Arizona's hands. "Take your time. My fingers are bigger than yours and I can get this top on and off. You're just rushing too much."

Arizona took a deep breath and smiled, a bright flush coming to her cheeks. When she slowed her fingers, the button easily slipped through the hole and she laughed. "Okay, so there's something to be said for patience."

"They say it's a virtue."

"Then we're about as virtuous as they come," Arizona said as she continued to concentrate on unbuttoning Callie's blouse.

Arizona's fingers brushed along Callie's skin as she slowly spread the two sides of her blouse, causing Callie to suck in a quick breath as her legs started to shake in weakness. She had to grab at Arizona's shoulders to keep her balance as Arizona slid the silk garment from her shoulders. Callie took a moment to steady her breathing, needing to calm her heart so that she could savor every moment of this. Even though part of her just wanted to throw Arizona onto the bed and have her way with her—and she knew there would be time for that later—this time she wanted to take in every moment, every sight, sound, feel and taste. She wanted her senses to be filled with Arizona and for that she needed to keep calm.

"Callie?"

"Hm?" Callie looked up into eyes that seemed to be a deeper shade of blue than normal. She smiled as Arizona's eyebrow rose in an obvious cue that it was her turn. "Oh, right," she said as she simultaneously kicked off her heels and pulled Arizona's top over her head, revealing a blue satin bra underneath.

"Brings out the color of my eyes," Arizona said as if trying to read Callie's mind. Arizona then ran a finger along Callie's shoulder until she reached the bra strap. "I'm sure you chose red because you know it's your color. It always looks amazing on you."

Callie chuckled quietly. "So, where's the cheesy line about how I'll look better out of it?"

Arizona half smiled as her hand went down to work on the waistband of Callie's slacks. "That goes without saying." She then frowned. "What the hell, Callie? Where's the zipper?"

"Left hip," Callie said through a laugh.

"Easy access clothing, Calliope. That's an order from now on," Arizona said in an exasperated tone as she finally found the zipper and began pulling it down before pushing the slacks over Callie's hips and letting them fall to the ground. Arizona took a half step back and looked up and down Callie's body, taking what felt like forever to look at every inch of her. "Damn, you are just truly stunning, you know that?"

Callie started moving toward Arizona, pushing her gently back toward the bed. "So you've said." When Arizona stopped as the back of her legs hit the bed, Callie put her hands on her shoulders and gently pushed down. Arizona obliged by sitting on the edge, a sexy smile coming to her lips. "Now," Callie continued as she knelt in front of her girlfriend, "this skirt has been driving me insane all day." She reached behind Arizona and grabbed her ass to pull her even closer to the edge. "Do you know how hard it was to pay attention in court today when all I could think about was doing this?" She started to push the skirt up Arizona's legs, slowly running her hands along the muscular thighs. She went almost painfully slow, letting her eyes drink in each inch of skin as it was revealed until finally blue panties peeked out from the gray suit skirt.

A mischievous smile came to Callie's lips as she leaned forward and placed a feather light kiss above Arizona's right knee. She then moved up further to kiss her inner thigh about halfway up. "God, Arizona," she whispered.

"Calliope," Arizona said, her voice thick with emotion and need.

Callie rose up on her knees and captured Arizona's lips with her own. She quickly ran her hands around Arizona's sides and to the back of her skirt so she could unzip it and yank it down over her hips. Callie broke the kiss for a moment and stared into Arizona's eyes. "You are so perfect," she husked out before capturing Arizona's lips once again.

Seconds turned into minutes and then time seemed to stand still as they explored each other, getting to know the little spots that brought out incredible moans and finding the moments of passion and love mixed inextricably as they brought each other to the height of desire and then back into comforting arms. Callie had never felt so many emotions assault her and it was truly overwhelming, and yet she had also never felt as totally right as she did then.

A tear slid from her clenched eyelids as she just let it all hit her. She was sharing one of the most perfect moments in her life with the woman she loved more than she had ever thought possible. She knew right then she would never share this with anyone else, ever again. It was Arizona, only Arizona, for the rest of her life, and she didn't want it any other way.

When they were both spent from the lovemaking, Callie wrapped Arizona in a strong embrace with one arm, while pulling the blanket up over them with the other. "Shh," she whispered in Arizona's ear as she kissed her on the crown of the head.

"You sure did your homework," Arizona finally said before laughing. She looked up at Callie, her eyes still slightly unfocused, and smiled. "Because, damn, that was amazing."

"Really?" Callie had been nervous before, but after experiencing Arizona's reaction, she was feeling pretty proud of herself.

Arizona rolled her eyes before tucking her head under Callie's chin. "You're a natural." Arizona fell silent then and took a deep breath.

Callie suspected what was on her mind. She tilted Arizona's head up and smiled brightly. "I'm glad, because that was incredible for me, too. Indescribably amazing," she quickly added as she leaned down to place a gentle kiss on Arizona's lips before she could say anything.

When the lingering kiss ended, Arizona let out a quiet chuckle. "You know me so well."

"Of course I do." Now that her heart rate had returned to normal, a pleasant weariness settled throughout her body. "What do you say we just lay here and rest up for a bit?"

"Did I wear you out?" Arizona's giggle was light.

"I'm not too proud to admit that you did."

"Good, because I'm worn out, too," Arizona admitted as she rolled over so that her back was against Callie. She then reached over to take Callie's left hand and wrap it around her waist. "Just a few minutes."

"Just a few?"

"We've got a lot of time to make up for," Arizona said, although her voice started to drift off at the end. It was only a few more moments before her breathing evened out and Callie could tell she had fallen asleep.

Callie gently kissed her shoulder before closing her own eyes. We do, but we have the rest of our lives to catch up. She smiled as she settled her head on the pillow with her nose buried in Arizona's hair. "I love you, Arizona Robbins," she whispered before drifting off to sleep.

TBC …