Cont.
Mark's POV
I'm outside Arizona's firm now. Callie met me here. We've both been calling her, to no answer. There's a lot of law enforcement out here. It's not the most comfortable situation for me to be in. I'm just here for Callie and here for Arizona. Luckily their focus is all on this building in front of us. I've only gotten the gist of the situation. I found out through ya know my backdoor channels in the city that there were shots fired by her office. I informed Callie of the situation. This city is mine and I tend to know what is going on. I've been keeping a communication line going for the last two hours, trying to find out more information myself. I just know Arizona is okay. She has to be. Not that it is solely opinion, but she's one of the more important people in the building. Again not my opinion, a fact. She's a partner. With status comes care; care for your life. I can only hope that most people in there are just fine too. No reports of inside deaths yet. I can now see lines of people exiting the building. I'm keeping an eye out for Arizona. Lord knows Callie is.
Arizona's POV
The police have arrived. They took control of the situation. The security guards now have to follow their lead. We're still in this room. To be on the safe side, we're all going to be evacuated. Me, last. I know for sure some floors have already been cleared. I have to wait for everyone.
I can make out that the police are near this room. They're telling the guards outside the room to leave.
They're banging in the doors now.
One officer screams out, "Weapons on the floor! Hands up and behind your heads, as we enter this room!" The guards do as told.
The next instruction is "Police! Open up." It seems to be the police. The camera stationed outside the door picks them up. The image is thrown onto a tv in the front of the room. The head guard is the one to open the door.
As the door opens, the other men in uniform guide us out. Walking in a single file line with my hands raised is yet another surreal moment. This is all happening, happening to me. Happening to my staff. Happening to the guards' even if this is their job. They didn't sign up for this. Nobody in this space did. I'm all thoughts and no talk when walking out. It's quite a spectacle. Being lead outside reveals to be something I've only ever heard about and seen in movies up to this point in life. I'm in the middle of a circle of men and women. There are scores of cops, their cars, and then civilians and their phones. The media has made it out here too. I usually see them outside of court but almost never outside my workplace. They haven't approached me yet, that's the only positive in this situation. A few of my coworkers have stayed behind.
The police that we followed outside have dispersed. I'm still in the middle of the guards but the circle is less dense now. Sadly familiar but even more frightening sound comes through. More frightening because it sounds a hell of a lot closer this time. A guard falls as I turn in his direction. I don't get a clear view of him as I'm pulled in the opposite direction. More shots ring out. I can see now that a man has engaged with the police. A few more shots and he too has fallen. An EMT worker rushes in.
Mark's POV
As we see this gun-wielding idiot fire shots into where we can assume Arizona is, Callie tries to take off. To what? To Help? How does she figure she would help? Throw her body atop Arizona's? There are more experienced people in this crowd who are more equipped to do so. Plus, If anything should happen to her I'm as good as dead; that's if Arizona isn't by the end of this day. Also, I'm simply not standing by and watching her do this. I have to physically restrain her from taking off. What I can't stop her from doing is using all her lung capacity to yelp, "Arizona!" Her midsection tightens as she squawks. When she breathes again she goes back to it. Arizona has been whisked away. Like I said, more experienced people. I have an idea of how to help. I need to get in contact with the guards but only after I get Callie out of here. Being at the scene isn't helping either of us.
Arizona's POV
I am pushed into an SUV. With a car in front of me and one behind, we're on the move. My fucking head hurts. If I had been taken out it'll be less work than the days I have ahead of me. Why is this happening? We're doing good, the case is well on its way. This makes absolutely no sense.
I am made to be on the phone. It's a call from Mark. Is Calliope alright,?
"Arizona?" He's confirming that he's now speaking with me.
"Yeah, it's Arizona. Are you okay? Is Callie?"
"We should be asking you that question. We are okay. Me more than Callie."
"Can you put her on?" I hear the shuffle of the phone being passed between them.
"This is all insane Arizona! You damn near killed! How do you know they won't try this again? You're not made of metal, you know? Where are they even taking you?." She wastes no time.
"I know and I agree, but it'll all be over soon. In a few days when Little's home free."
"So the trial is still on? You're still planning on working on this case!? Isn't that the reason you're in this mess in the first place?"
"I wouldn't say that's the reason. Besides, if we stop now, they win Cal." The injuries, both physical and not, would be in vain.
She exhales loudly, "I just don't think it's worth it. I'd be more comfortable if you drop it. I need you safe and I need you to stay alive."
"I'm being careful, promise."
"You've said that before." Callie cuts what was already going to be a short call, even shorter. "I um- I'll talk to you later. Please do be careful Arizona. I love you."
"I love..." The connection is cut off. Her worries are valid, so are her anger and confusion. I have no answers for her as I'm confused myself. I just know that this will end up going our way. I can't possibly even think that the bloodshed we've all experienced today is worth it though. That being said. I am a lawyer. I worked hard to be here. I have to see my career through; no matter the direction I'm taken in. If I stop now, this all would have been for nothing.
The car stops and I'm guided out. Looks like I'm staying in a hotel room tonight. For how long? I don't know. Next thing's next. I need to send out a message to my employees. I'm certain the building has been cleared but there's no way their minds are. I can imagine that Human Resources will suggest time off and counseling. We would be on the same page. I hope Mark understands that he needs to stick by Callie, at least for a couple more days.
"What's the situation on Callie's security?" I pose the question to the head guard. I would also need to know about my team's personal security. I can't be too sure of anything right now.