AN: I'm so sorry about the wait! You guys are amazing. I hope you're all able to enjoy some sunshine and find a little peace in all of this chaos. Thanks so much for all of your support and kind words. Happy reading :)
Chapter Thirty- Three
Callie
"Aha, found it." Callie yelled triumphantly as she pulled the foundation she had been searching for from a hidden inside pocket of Arizona's make-up back. She inspected the foundation in her hand, Tim was a tad darker than his sister but the color should work. She was about to zip the zipper on the pocket closed when she noticed a piece of paper caught in it.
"What's that?" Tim asked as Callie tugged the paper free.
"I'm not sure." Callie replied.
"We should totally read it." Tim replied, enthusiastically.
"No we shouldn't invade Arizona's privacy, Tim." Callie said, intent on putting it back but as the paper flopped in her hand, the gold Torres family crest on the stationary caught her eye. She carefully unfolded the letter and immediately recognized her mother's perfect cursive writing. She was torn between her curiosity and her want to protect Arizona's privacy but in the end, her curiosity won as she turned her back to Tim and began reading the letter.
Her eyes were brimmed with tears when she finished and she read it twice more to be sure she hadn't misinterpreted the letter, her heart sinking lower and lower with each word and her heart breaking further every time she read the letter through. The third time through, her tears were flowing freely and she marched over to Arizona's make-up bag and turned it upside down, emptying it of its contents as she searched every pocket, seam, nook, and cranky but no check was found.
"Callie, what's going on? What did the letter say? Are you alright?" Tim asked, attempting to comfort her but he had no idea what had been in the letter that would cause the Latina so much distress.
"Did you know about this?" Callie shouted, her anger now overtaking the hurt as she waved the letter in Tim's face.
"About what, Callie? What's going on?" Tim asked, reaching for the letter but Callie removed it from his reach.
"I need to go." Callie said, her tears turning back full force as she bolted from the barracks, leaving a confused Tim sitting there holding the foundation in his hand. He contemplated what he should do and decided it was best to go find Arizona.
Callie didn't stop as she marched to the men's barracks and barged in without so much as knocking or warning the occupants, catching George in his boxers as he changed. The intern blushed furiously but she paid no attention to him, she had one person in mind and the mostly naked intern wasn't him. She did a quick scan but didn't find Mark so she moved on, intent on checking the entertainment center for him but along the way, she found Addie instead. Not wanting to attract more attention, she nodded her head at Addie who understood the meaning before she grabbed Addie's wrist and led her away from the crowd.
"Callie, what's going on?" Addie asked, concern evident on her face at the emotional state of Callie. She didn't reply, she couldn't, so she led her red-headed friend by the hand to the bunker where she and Arizona had taken cover just a few weeks before. She didn't even know why she had thought to come here, she just knew she needed privacy and to be somewhere that Arizona wouldn't immediately find her. It would at least buy her some time to vent and process, she wasn't ready to face the blonde yet.
Once they were alone in the bunker, Callie grabbed the flash light and the small battery operated camping lamp and turned them both on, then thrust the letter into Addie's hands.
"What's this?" Addie asked, with a look of complete bewilderment.
"Just read it Ads, I can't explain it, you just have to read it." Callie replied as she began pacing. Addie read the letter through, Callie watching her carefully as she covered her mouth in shock and made eye contact with Callie as she said, "I don't understand."
"I just found that in a hidden little zipper area in Arizona's make-up bag." Callie replied, she was pacing and the only thing keeping her from ranting in Spanish was the fact that Addie seemed truly shocked which oddly calmed her. The fact that someone else was as utterly bewildered as she was helped with the rage building inside of her. She needed Addie's help to sort this out before she confronted Arizona.
"Arizona didn't tell you about this?"
"Nope but it all makes sense. They gave it to her in Miami more than a month ago, Addie and she never told me. Not one single word to me. But I should have known. She was so upset in Miami and then all of a sudden it was like she just became happy again. And then we returned here and she was clingy and always wanting to be with me and touching me, like she was afraid of losing me. And I loved that so much that I didn't want to question it too much. She told me there was something bothering her but only after I pushed her about it but she said she promised someone she wouldn't tell me. We were going to talk when we got back to base that night, she promised to tell me everything and then the bombing happened and I forgot all about it." Callie explained, trying to sort things.
"Do you think this was what she was going to tell you?"
"Why? Do you think she's hiding more?" Callie asked, panicking slightly, that thought hadn't crossed her mind before this moment.
"No, well, maybe, she could be, I suppose. I mean this is a pretty big secret to keep." Addie fumbled for the right thing to say as she saw panic cross her friend's face.
"God, she must have been so hurt and upset, no wonder she didn't want to go to my parent's house. Why didn't she tell me about this, Addie?"
"I don't know, Callie. I mean if I was in her shoes, I'd be upset, hurt, angry, and confused."
"But she should have told me. I would have been on her side. Didn't she trust me to stand up for her? Unless.."
"Unless what?"
"Unless she was planning on breaking up with me."
"What? No way. I've seen the two of you, Callie. She's completely head over heels for you, there's no way I believe that."
"The check is missing, Addie."
"So what? You think she cashed it and is biding her time? This letter says she had to give them an answer before she left Miami. She hasn't broken up with you yet, I think it's pretty clear which answer she gave them, Callie."
"Then why didn't she tell me? If she doesn't have two million dollars sitting in her bank account at this very moment then why keep this from me?"
"I'm not sure, Callie, it's something only Arizona can answer for you."
"I can't think of any other reason, Addie."
"Do you really think Arizona is the type of person to be bribed? I mean she's a surgeon, she might not be two million dollars rich but she makes her own money, a good amount. I don't know Arizona as well as you do but I don't believe for one second that she would take the money. If you have any doubts about that, maybe you shouldn't be with her." Addie said. At that, Callie's head shot up and she glared at her friend.
"So she lies to me about this and you defend her? You're supposed to be on my side, Ads."
"I am Cal, of course I am, without question. But that doesn't mean that I can't offer my opinion. In fact, you dragged me here so I could help you figure this out. I'm just saying, maybe Arizona didn't tell you because she was afraid you would jump to that very conclusion. It doesn't seem like either of you trust each other as much as you thought."
"I do trust her, I just don't understand why she didn't tell me." Callie replied.
"Then talk to her, Callie. It's the only way you will get the full story and the answers to your questions. And try to hear her out, give her a chance to explain."
"What if I can't?"
"Try. I don't think Arizona is going to be scared off by a little bit of your Spanish yelling so yell if you have to but then you need to give her a chance to explain."
"Why did she lie to me, Addie? I thought she trusted me."
"Maybe it isn't about trust at all."
"How could it not be?"
"I don't know, that's why you should talk to her, Cal."
"What if it is because she doesn't trust me?"
"Then maybe you should re-evaluate why you are together and whether or not you should be." Addie replied softly.
Arizona
"Teds, I saw the man naked, remember? I don't need to relive the visual of that." Arizona groaned in disgust as Teddy revealed her latest sexscapades adventure with Owen in far too much detail for the blonde's liking.
"Hey, I'm just saying, I am thoroughly enjoying myself."
"I'm glad, Teds, really I am so happy for you but skip the deets, ok? What will you do when you leave? Owen is on the same contract with Tim and Nick."
"We aren't official, we made no promises to each other when we started this back up. But I think if we want to, we could make it work. The Chief offered me a position as head of cardiothoracic surgery at Seattle Grace. Apparently Erica's contract isn't being renewed and Burke is opening a clinic in Switzerland."
"Oh my God, Teddy! Why did you wait so long to tell me? I'm so excited, you accepted it right?" Arizona asked, her body vibrating with excitement.
"I did, of course I did, I will be working with you full time starting May first. I wanted to take some time to relax and enjoy being a civilian for the first time in nearly ten years. I'm going to spend some time in Boston with the rents and then do a little traveling with Allison." Teddy replied with a giant smile. Arizona shrieked and threw her good arm over Teddy's shoulder and hugged her tightly.
"Oh...Allison." Arizona teased with a giant grin on her face.
"She's just a friend."
"I know but in college you so wanted her to be more. I never said anything to you then but Teddy, you definitely had a woman crush on her. And if you don't mind me saying, she is totally hot."
"I'm with Owen, sort of, and as we just discussed the fact that I am completely satisfied. Or should I go into more detail for you?"
"No, no that is totally not necessary." Arizona replied with a smile. She really didn't care who Teddy was with, she was just glad to see her looking so happy. She deserved to be happy more than anyone, Arizona thought, hugging her again.
"What was that all about?"
"I'm just so glad you're happy, Teds."
"We're both happy." Teddy said with a smile of her own. The two heard footsteps approaching and they looked up to see Tim jogging toward them.
"What's up, Tim?" Arizona asked, noting the distressed look on her brother's face. The two waited patiently for Tim to catch his breath as he reached them.
"Something is wrong with Callie." Tim said as he stood fully. He was still holding the foundation in his hand.
"What? Where is she? Is she ok?" Arizona asked, ready to run back to wherever Callie was but Tim stopped her, his expression hardened as he looked carefully at his sister.
"Arizona, she found some letter in your make-up bag and read it. I'm not sure what was in that letter that you had hidden in there but she was crying pretty hard. She yelled at me and asked me if I knew about it and then she took off." Teddy and Arizona shared a knowing look before Arizona's face turned to sheer panic.
"Oh God, oh my God, I forgot about the letter." Arizona replied, she was already walking back toward the barracks, Teddy and Tim hot on her heels.
"Arizona, did you cheat on Callie?" Tim shouted from behind her angrily. This stopped her in her tracks and she turned to face him.
"What? No! How could you even think that, Tim? I love Callie, I would never intentionally hurt her." Arizona replied before she turned and continued walking.
"Then what was in that letter?" Tim demanded, "Because whatever it was, she looked completely crushed."
"Teddy can fill you in Tim. I'm sorry, right now I have to find Callie." Arizona said before she took off running. She couldn't afford to be stopped again. She ran to the quarters where Teddy and Addison slept and pounded on the door, getting a grumpy Erica to open the door.
"Is Addison or Callie here?"
"No."
"Do you know where either of them are?"
"No, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you." Erica replied, slamming the door in her face. She was about to knock again and demand to be let in to look for them herself when she saw Mark walking by, she dropped her hand and ran over to him.
"Mark, have you seen Callie?"
"No but Derek said she barged into the men's barracks about twenty minutes ago looking for me then left just as abruptly. I was just going looking for her. Whatever it is, I swear I didn't do it Robbins."
"No, I did it, Mark. If you see her, tell her I'm looking for her." Arizona said before she took off running again. She checked the mess hall, entertainment center, conference center, and all of the computer rooms but there was no sign of her Latina. She headed back to the barracks but again, it was void of the person she needed to see most. She scribbled a note in case Callie returned, leaving it on the pillow of her bunk and made her way to the one place she hadn't checked, the place where she would wait for Callie.
Once she arrived at the shed, she paced, then paced some more as she tried to form some sort of explanation to give Callie. She knew it was time to come clean, she had to tell her the whole truth no matter what and she intended to, but she also knew Callie would be upset and it couldn't hurt to have an explanation ready. Facing a truly pissed off Callie twice in such a short succession was not something she was looking forward to but she was relieved that the truth was out. The guilt from keeping it from Callie had been weighing heavily on her for far too long. She was also worried about how hurt Callie was going to be at reading that letter. She had tried to protect her from it and that had backfired epically. Now all that was left to do was wait and hope Callie would give her a chance to give her the explanation she was rehearsing over and over.
Callie
Callie returned to the barracks well past dinner time. She had avoided coming back here as long as she could until finally Addie had threatened to find Arizona herself if Callie didn't. She still had no idea what she was going to say to Arizona and she wasn't sure she was ready to hear whatever explanation Arizona could possibly give her. As luck would have it, the blonde was nowhere in sight and Callie had no intention of seeking her out for the moment so she gathered her things to take one last shower at the latrines.
She took a long shower, letting the salt of her tears mix with the now lukewarm water. Just when she thought she had no tears left to spare, they surprised her and started another flood of emotions stirring within her. She couldn't even sort her emotions at this point, there were so many of them and that was only considering Arizona, if she added her parents into the mix, she was like an emotional time bomb waiting to explode. Returning to the barracks, she braced herself for Arizona to be waiting nervously for her but there was still no sight of the blonde. Deciding maybe a little bit of music would help clear her mind, Callie climbed up onto her bed to grab her ipod and headphones and saw a note laying on her pillow. She opened it and saw the urgency in Arizona's messy handwriting. This was the writing she used at the hospital, when it was hurried and she was in a rush, not her usual neat and controlled penmanship.
Calliope,
I know you are probably upset and have many questions for me. I will answer anything you want to know. Meet me at our spot when you're ready to talk. I'll be waiting for you for however long that takes. If you don't come by lights out, I will know that you're not ready to talk and I will try to accept that. I only hope that you will give me the chance to explain. Please meet me. I love you,
~Arizona
Callie took a deep breath. Part of her wanted an explanation, needed one. And part of her was just too hurt and exhausted to even care what the explanation was. She knew she needed to also speak with her family. She decided she would go meet Arizona but first, before pleading blue eyes could sway her decision, she opened her laptop and made some changes to her flight. Instead of flying from LA to Seattle with Arizona, she would be flying to Miami alone. No matter what Arizona's explanation was, it was time to have a serious conversation with her parents. One that could only be done in person.
Having adjusted her flight, Callie took a deep breath and set out to the shed to confront Arizona. With every step, her emotions grew, anger coming to the forefront. She didn't know what excuses Arizona would have but there was one question that mattered to her and that would be the deciding factor on if she would even allow Arizona the time to give her an explanation. She was furious by the time the shed came into view. She could see Arizona in the distance, pacing by the fence, her hand coming up to run through her hair before she stopped, looked at the watch on her wrist, and then continued her pacing. As Callie got nearer, she could see the blonde's lips were moving as if she were reciting something to herself over and over. Despite the anger, Callie felt her heart flutter. Damn it, she knew this woman had the power to completely crush her, she couldn't afford to let her emotions and hormones get the best of her now.
Arizona
Arizona paced the area by the fence near the shed. It had been thirty minutes since she had left the note on Callie's pillow. She continually ran her hand through her tangled hair. It was hard to put it in a ponytail one handed and they had been too busy packing for her to ask for Callie's help. She wanted a cigarette more than anything right now but she knew it was for the best that it wasn't even a possibility at the moment as it would only add fuel to the fire. A fire that hadn't even fully been put out yet since Callie had still been working on her anger from Arizona entering the collapsed building. For being someone who was non-religious and hadn't stepped foot in a church since her grandmother's funeral, she was spending a lot of time praying these days. Maybe the Latina was wearing off on her. She actually loved that about Callie, that she silently prayed before bed most nights, before nearly every meal, and definitely before every surgery. Even though she never heard her pray aloud, she could see her lips moving as she mouthed her prayers silently to herself.
Arizona looked at her watch, it had now been over forty-five minutes since she had left Callie the note. Her stomach was feeling queasier by the second. Maybe Callie had read the letter and decided she didn't want to see the blonde right now. Arizona couldn't blame her if that was the case, she had known all along that Callie would be furious when she found out. She just hoped that she would understand the reasons why Arizona had not immediately told her and she would eventually forgive her. And as much as she wanted to be forgiven, she hoped that this didn't completely ruin Callie's relationship with her parents when it seemed everything was finally starting to fall into place.
The sound of heavy footfalls alerted her to Callie's approach a second before she saw her. She gulped and felt butterflies and not the good kind take flight in her abdomen. The Latina looked like a raging bull and she was headed straight for Arizona. The peds surgeon forced herself to stop pacing and she stood and waited for Callie to reach her. It took all her willpower not to close her eyes and brace for impact, the Latina was approaching her as if she were about to tackle her to the ground.
"You have a lot of explaining to do, Arizona!" Callie shouted, only stopping when she was barely a few feet from the blonde.
"I know."
"Where's the check, Arizona?" Callie demanded. Arizona looked up, startled by the sudden and harshness of her words. She gave Callie a questioning look and Callie could see the genuine confusion.
"What?"
"The check, Arizona, the two million dollar check. Where. Is. It?"
"If you would just let me explain…"
"Answer the question first because your answer to that question will determine whether or not I'm listening to your explanation."
"I tore it up. On the dock, before we left when your parents met me for my answer. You can check my bank account, Callie. I never would have taken their money. I can't be bought off and though I understand why you're angry with me, I am a little hurt that you think I would do that."
"No, you don't get to be hurt in this situation, Arizona." Callie could see the hurt and confusion pass through the blonde's eyes and despite her anger, she felt bad for the accusation.
"Calliope, I would have never cashed that check. It wasn't even a consideration, not for a fraction of a second. Do you really think I would do that? Is that what kind of person you think I am?"
"I don't know, Arizona. Right now, I know you're the kind of person who lied to me for over a month so excuse me if I am a bit confused about what your motive behind that was."
"The money was never even a consideration."
"Good. Then explain why you didn't tell me, Arizona."
"I was trying to protect you."
"Protect me? By lying to me? How does that work, Arizona?"
"Just let me explain."
"You have one chance. I am giving you one chance to tell me the truth and then I am walking away from here to make some decisions and I want you to let me have the space to do that." Callie demanded.
"Ok." Arizona whispered, her heart rate speeding up. Callie was looking at her in a way she had never looked at her before. There wasn't an ounce of softness in her face.
Arizona started at the beginning with Lucia finding her outside the house waiting for Callie to gather the troops. She told her about reading the letter while Callie slept that night and needing to get some air and think after reading it. She explained how Nick caught her leaving the hotel and insisted on tagging along. Once she started talking, she couldn't stop. She told her everything as she watched for reactions from Callie. She told her about Teddy and the night club. She explained how Aria found out and confronted her. And she told her about the conversation she had with Callie's parents on the dock.
"So, when I met your parents, I thought they would demand an answer from me and I had one for them. I wanted them to have no doubts so I tore up the letter and lectured them a little, I can't remember exactly what I said in the heat of the moment but I told them I wasn't breaking up with you. I told them we were happy and I had no intention of ending this with you. I told them I would protect you, even if it meant protecting you from them. That's when they told me they had changed their minds but they had a new offer. They said they were wrong and they were trying to accept this and begged me not to tell you. They were afraid you wouldn't give them a chance if you knew. So, I agreed but with the condition that if you ever found out or asked I wouldn't lie to you and that when you returned from Afghanistan that they consider coming clean. I wanted to give them a chance to do the right thing. And I knew telling you was going to damage the fragile relationship you were already trying to repair with them. They recognized their mistake and wanted a chance to fix it, Callie. I told them I'd give them a second chance but that they wouldn't get a third. I was trying to protect you, I know I should have told you in Miami but I just didn't want to hurt you."
"Aria knows?" Callie asked.
"Yes, she and Teddy found out by accident and confronted me."
"And Nick knows?"
"I told Nick that night. I just needed someone to talk to. I planned for it to be Teddy but then Nick woke up and refused to let me go outside alone so I talked to him."
"Did Tim know?"
"No. I didn't want anyone to know, Callie. I was embarrassed and hurt and confused, I hadn't intended to tell anyone except for maybe Teddy but I knew if Tim found out that he would go ballistic. I didn't want to add to the drama."
"Who else knows?"
"Aside from your parents, Aria told Abuela and Nonna. I didn't know she was going to do that and I wasn't happy about it."
"So all of you knew about this and lied to me to protect me?" Callie asked, Arizona could see her anger returning.
"Calliope, I was wrong but yes, I wanted to protect you, even though you don't need it because you are the strongest person I know. But that makes me just want to protect you even more. I knew I was wrong in keeping this from you immediately but the more time that passed, the harder it was to tell you. I intended on telling you eventually."
"How do I trust you now?"
"I don't know but I promise you, I will never make this mistake again, Callie, please believe me."
"Do you even trust me, Arizona?"
"What? Yes, of course I do, Callie."
"Then why did you confide in three other people before me? I should have been the first person you came to. It shouldn't even have been a thought, Arizona. Don't you think I would have wanted to protect you too. Don't you trust that I would have stood up for you against them?"
"Callie, I knew you would. That was never a doubt in my mind. But I also knew that would mean you getting hurt by your parents actions."
"I had a right to know, Arizona."
"I know."
"Stop agreeing with everything I say!" Callie shouted, rounding on the blonde suddenly. Her fury was out of control and the brunette suddenly didn't trust herself to be this close to Arizona. On one hand, she understood what kind of position Arizona had been placed in and her reasoning for not wanting to tell Callie. On the other hand and the one that currently weighed more, was Callie's hurt that she had been left out of the loop. She hadn't been trusted by Arizona or her family, not even Teddy to know the truth.
"Calliope…" Arizona whispered, reaching toward Callie but the Latina stepped back.
"No, don't Calliope me and don't touch me. I can't be near you right now. I need some space and I need for you to not follow me. I need for you to just leave me alone."
"For how long?"
"I don't know, Arizona, as long as it takes." Callie replied.
"Callie, I know I was wrong. I really just wanted to protect you from being so hurt by them. You read the letter but I never wanted you to. They changed their minds, I wanted to give them the chance to do the right thing, for you."
"While I can understand that to a degree, I hate that I am just finding out about this. I hate that you were protecting them after what they did to you. Arizona, don't you think I had a right to know? I would have defended you, protected you."
"I know, I told you, didn't doubt that, Callie. I didn't want you to have to do that though. And then when they said they changed their minds, I agreed not to tell you because I wanted to protect you from feeling this way."
"You should have trusted me."
"I did, Callie, I do."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Absolutely. The question is, do you trust me?"
"I don't know."
"Calliope…"
"I'm not going to Seattle with you. At least not right away. I need to talk to my parents face to face about this. And I need some time and some space. We can talk more when I get back from Miami."
"How long will you be in Miami?"
"I'm not sure."
"Callie, are you breaking up with me?" Arizona asked. She had held her composure up to this moment and she cursed herself as her bottom lip started to quiver from the effort of holding back her unshed tears.
"I need some time and space to think, Arizona."
"What does that mean?" Arizona asked, her composure melting by the second but she refused to let herself crumble if Callie had no intention of being there to help pick up the pieces.
"I don't know, Arizona. I love you but I am just so mad and upset right now. I need to speak to my family and sort out my feelings before we can talk about what this all means for us."
"Ok." Arizona whispered, she had so much more she wanted to say as she nodded her head and squared her shoulders, mentally placing her walls back up.
"I'll see you when I get back from Miami and we will talk, ok?" Callie asked, her voice softening as Arizona's hardened.
"Have a safe trip to Miami." Arizona replied. Callie leaned in and placed a soft kiss on Arizona's cheek. Arizona closed her eyes and willed the tears to stay in place as she opened them to see Callie walking back toward the barracks. Once the curvy frame that she loved was out of sight, the dam broke and she collapsed to her knees as the sobs escaped her. She had expected Callie to be upset, furious even. She had expected yelling and maybe even the silent treatment for a while but she had never in a million years really thought the Latina would think she would take the bribe, nor had she really thought she would break up with her. Now she wasn't even sure they were together.
She wasn't sure how much time had passed before she got off the ground and went to sit in the shed. She leaned against one wall and stared off into space until the sun started to set as she watched. Hours passed and she heard the crunching of the ground as someone walked toward her. She wiped the fresh batch of tears from her eyes as she prepared herself for the intruder.
"Arizona?" She heard the soft voice of her brother call out.
"I'm in here, Tim." Arizona replied, her heart sinking. She hadn't been able to stop herself from hoping that the Latina had changed her mind and come to get her.
"Callie sent me, she's worried about you. What are you doing here?"
"I don't want to go back to the barracks and sleep in the bed next to Callie. Is she ok?"
"She's with Addison, she seemed upset but alright. Teddy said she would share her bunk with you."
"I don't want to be around Addison who probably hates me as much as Callie or Erica who is probably on cloud nine now that Callie hates me." Arizona replied. Her face and voice were flat and void of emotion.
"Callie doesn't hate you. She sent me here to check on you."
"Tim, please, don't. I don't want to talk about it, ok?"
"So, you're just going to sit out here alone all night?"
"That was the plan. I'll have plenty of time to sleep on the planes." Arizona replied without making eye contact as Tim sat down next to her.
"Care if I join you? I could message Teds and Nick and we could have one last sleep over here in the shed before we see you off tomorrow."
"I would love that. Thanks, Tim." Arizona replied as she rested her head on her brother's broad shoulder and let the tears fall.
"She will come around, trust me. She loves you, Arizona." Tim whispered. He patted Arizona's thigh affectionately and wrapped his arm around her as they reclined back and looked up at the stars. The siblings laid in comfortable silence for a while before the crunching of footsteps announced Teddy and Nick's arrival.
"Care if we join this sibling love fest?" Nick asked.
"You're gross, why did we invite him again?" Arizona asked Tim.
"Couldn't leave the stray dog out." Tim replied with a laugh as Nick kicked his foot.
"Children, all of you. I'm glad that never changes." Teddy said with a big smile as she handed Tim and Arizona each a pillow and then laid next to Arizona. Nick followed Teddy's lead and laid on the other side of Teddy, the four of them on their backs, elbows out, hands under their pillows as they stared up at the stars.
"Remember when we were kids and we would do this in the yard after catching fireflies and eating our weight in s'mores?" Tim asked.
"I miss that." Nick replied.
"What was that thing we would do that Andi started?" Tim asked.
"Steal stars." Arizona and Teddy replied in unison.
"Wanna play?" Tim asked.
"You go first." Arizona replied.
"I don't remember how it goes." Tim replied.
"I'll go." Teddy offered. "If I could steal a star, I would wish to have Andi here again. Oh and I would travel to Bali and have my very own very hot cabana boy and massage therapist attending to my every need."
"Cheating, you only get one wish." Nick said, leaning up on an elbow.
"Well we're adults now so I'm changing the rules. You get two wishes now since we're older and more practical." Teddy replied with a shrug.
"Fine, I'll go next. If I could steal a star I would wish that Phoenix here wasn't gay and for a porsche."
"You're an idiot." Arizona replied, rolling her eyes.
"Fine, you go if yours is so much better." Nick replied.
"If I could steal a star, I would wish for all of you to be safe." Arizona replied.
"And?" Teddy asked.
"For Callie to make up with her family."
"Not for her to forgive you?" Tim asked.
"Nope. Your turn, Timmy."
"If I could steal a star, I would wish for Nick not to kill me because I love his sister and for Sara and I to get to be in the same place at the same time for once."
"What?" Teddy asked, sitting straight up.
"What?" Nick echoed, sitting up just as quickly. "You and Sara? Like Sara Elizabeth, my sister, Sara? Since when?"
"Since before this tour. Nick, I wanted to tell you but I wasn't sure if it would even go anywhere but now it might be. I want it to and she does too. I hope you're ok with this."
"Seriously? For years you have been on my ass because I like Arizona and now you're dating my sister?"
"I've been on your ass because Arizona is gay, not because she's my sister, Nick."
"Hello, I'm right here guys. Nick, I'm sorry but I love Callie and I am definitely gay, that will never change. Tim, I am so happy for you." Arizona replied, throwing her arms around her brother in a tight hug around his neck.
"Thanks, Zozo but I can't breathe."
"Oh, sorry." Arizona started to pull back just as a force hit them and suddenly she was knocked out of the way as a tangle of fists and elbows rolled around the shed floor around them.
"Nick! Get off of him, now, that's an order." Teddy shouted, now standing and in full military mom mode.
"Nick, you're hurting him." Arizona shouted as she pulled Nick off her brother. Before anything could be said, Nick stormed off toward their quarters.
"Well that didn't go well." Tim replied sadly as he held a hand to his bloody lip. Arizona knelt down to inspect her brother's battered face.
"Well, if you didn't need the foundation before, you definitely do now. Maybe stick with phone calls to mom for a while instead of skyping." Arizona suggested, trying to lighten the mood.
"I'm an idiot thinking he would be ok with Sara and I being together."
"He will come around, Tim. Just give it some time." Teddy replied.
"Maybe we should try to get some sleep." Tim suggested. The three laid back down in their respective positions, each lost in their own thoughts. Arizona fell asleep with her head on Tim's chest and Teddy's head in her lap, it was comforting and familiar. She tried very hard not to think about the differences in how it felt to fall asleep next to Calliope as she closed her eyes and let sleep take her.
Callie
Callie woke up late the next morning and with a pounding headache. She had been visiting Addison when Teddy left the night before stating she wouldn't be back and Callie was welcome to take her bed if she wanted it. She figured that meant Teddy would be with Arizona so she had taken her up on her offer and slept in Teddy's bed. Now though, she was rushing to gather her things and make it to the bus transporting them to the airport because she had left her phone, thus her alarm at her bunk. She saw Arizona's things were already gone and sighed heavily. She hadn't slept well the night before. She had tossed and turned as she thought about the things she had said to Arizona, having cooled off by then. She admitted that she regretted accusing her of cashing the check and of not giving her an answer on if she was breaking up with her or not. It was true, she did need some time and some space to come to terms with her feelings and let go of the fact that the blonde had lied to her by omission but she had no intention of ending things. She had just been so mad she had wanted to make the blonde sweat a bit the night before. Her pride and anger were preventing her from seeking the blonde out to tell her those things at the moment though.
Callie made her way to the bus and looked for her favorite head of blonde hair. It took her a few moments of scanning and her heart broke a little when she saw the blonde in a tearful embrace with Tim. They were supposed to have a movie night the previous evening and that hadn't happened, she regretted that slightly as she watched on. Teddy noticed her and waved her over. She hesitated a moment but in the end, she made her way to the group of three. Blue eyes watched her carefully as she approached but didn't make contact with her own eyes.
"Callie, I'm going to miss you." Tim said, reaching over and pulling her into a warm hug.
"Me too, Tim. You stay safe and take care of yourself."
"I will."
"Can I get a hug too?" Teddy asked a bit apprehensively. Callie was still upset with everyone that knew about this check and the ultimatum her parents had given Arizona but that didn't mean she didn't care about Teddy.
"Of course."
"Take care of her." Teddy whispered into Callie's ear as the women embraced. Callie tensed at the request, right now it was all she could do to take care of herself. Teddy has some nerve she thought.
"Take care of yourself, Teddy." Callie replied, her tone a little cooler than it had been moments before. "Where's Nick?"
"We had a bit of a falling out last night." Tim replied sadly. He didn't regret anything but Nick had been his best friend always. Aside from Arizona and Teddy, Nick was the person who meant the most to him.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure you two can work it out, Tim."
"Yea, I hope so."
"Well, you two be safe, I should go get my stuff loaded up." Callie said. She looked at Arizona for a minute, pondering whether she should ask her to join but decided against it. Instead she placed a hand on her arm, ignoring the tingling sensation it sent through her body, and said, "You stay and visit with Tim and Teddy for as long as you can."
Arizona made eye contact briefly and she could see the sadness and unshed tears in her eyes that were dark and stormy looking compared to their usual brilliant blue. Her heart felt a bit heavy knowing that some of the sadness was caused by her but she was still just too upset by the entire situation to be able to comfort the blonde. Once she had dealt with her family, she would figure things out with Arizona. First, she had to put her parent's in their place. She didn't have a chance to defend Arizona before but there would be no doubt in their minds what would happen if they messed with her blonde again once she was through with them.
Callie handed off her luggage to be loaded under the bus. They were being escorted by two armored vehicles to the airport but she was still nervous about the drive there. So many things could happen on the two hour trip. Did she want to sit with Arizona? Why was everything so complicated, just twenty four hours ago, the answer to that question, well there wouldn't even have been a question. Now though, she had no idea. She did want to sit with her, she knew she was upset and worried about leaving Teddy and Tim but she also didn't want to give her the wrong idea. She meant what she said when she told her she needed some time and space. She quickly scanned the seats and saw pairs of people sitting together. Bailey and Ben, Derek and Meredith, Burke and Cristina, and to her surprise, Lexie and Mark. She saw Amelia sitting a few rows back and made her way to her.
"Will you save Arizona a seat?"
"Umm, sure but why? Don't you two want to sit together?"
"It's complicated but I know she's going to be upset and need a friend so would you save the seat next to you for her."
"Yeah, of course."
"Thanks." Callie replied as she spotted Addison and made her way two rows back and to the opposite side of the bus and plopped down next to Addie. At least she would be able to keep an eye on Arizona without having to converse with her this way.
"Still giving Arizona the cold shoulder?" Addison asked.
"I'm going to Miami from L.A. I told her I need some time and space and I need to talk to my parents." Callie replied, then added as she turned to face Addie, "Oh don't look at me like that, Montgomery."
Addison arched an eyebrow but focused back on the article she had been reading before Callie joined her. Callie fidgeted as she waited for Arizona to enter the bus. She did so just as the Chief announced that everyone had to board. Their eyes met briefly and Callie could see that she was struggling to hold back tears as their eyes met. A moment of confusion passed over Arizona's face before she dropped her gaze from Callie's and found the empty spot next to Amelia. She watched as Arizona whispered something to Amelia and they both stood, Arizona climbing in to take the window seat and Amelia sitting in the aisle. She watched Arizona wave to Teddy and Tim as the bus rumbled to life and began to take them to the airport.
Arizona
"So, if Callie isn't talking to you and is headed to Miami then where are you going to stay while you're in Seattle?"
"I guess I'll just get a hotel for now. Maybe I can find a sublet for a few weeks. I really haven't thought that far ahead. Up until yesterday I was going to be staying with Callie at her and Cristina's apartment." Arizona replied. They had reached Tokyo an hour ago and everyone was downstairs having dinner together. Amelia had noted Arizona's sadness and ordered them food and brought it back to the room for them to eat. They were sharing a room with Izzie and Maggie. The rooms had been assigned alphabetically and though they were free to switch and Callie's room only had three occupants, Arizona hadn't tried to bunk with Callie. She feared the rejection and honestly couldn't handle it right now.
"Derek built this really beautiful house for Meredith. I was going to go back to Baltimore right away but Derek has this trial he wants my help with so I'm staying in Seattle. Meredith is renting her old house to Alex, Lexie, and I since they have the dream house now. There's another bedroom if you want it. I'm sure Karev won't mind."
"That actually sounds perfect, Amelia. I would just go to Boston and spend time with my parents or back to my own apartment in Baltimore but I have this stupid shoulder injury. I wonder if they can transfer my care to Johns Hopkins."
"So you and Callie are really over?"
"I don't know, it sure seems that way to me. I'm still going to be working at Seattle Grace when I return from Malawi but right now the idea of being near her but not with her is just too much. Maybe once I return from Malawi and Teddy is here it will be easier."
"Do you want it to be over?"
"No, no I don't, of course not. But she accused me of taking that bribe and I know I lied to her and I understand her being upset but to think I'd take the money. And I expected screaming and yelling and lots of Spanish but not silence. I didn't expect to wonder if I'm her girlfriend still or not and if I am for how long."
"I'm sorry, Riz."
"It is what it is, Amy. I think I'm going to call it a night. I didn't sleep well last night."
"Ok, I'll clean up then I'm going to take a shower. Maggie and Izzie should be back by then. We bunking together?"
"Doesn't matter to me. Two beds, four women, we're all bunking with someone." Arizona replied. She was less than thrilled at the idea of sleeping in bed with someone who wasn't Callie who was sharing the room next door with Jo and Cristina. She wondered who had won the right to have a bed to themselves. Probably Callie, she thought with a smile.
They arrived at LAX just before eight the next evening. After an eleven and a half hour flight, Arizona was not looking forward to getting back on a plane even if the flight was less than two and half hours. She was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. They had an hour before they had to be to their gate to board their plane and she had yet to speak with Callie. For all she knew, she could be on her flight to Miami by now. Deciding she needed a stiff drink, Arizona made her way to one of the restaurants and ordered a white wine and a basket of fries. It may have been an odd combination but it was what she was in the mood for. She spun her finger around the rim of her wine glass and stared off into space while she waited for her fries.
"Penny for your thoughts." The voice startled her and made her heart flutter and her stomach tighten all at the same time.
"Just tired." Arizona replied. "When does your flight for Miami leave?"
"Not until morning. I'm getting ready to head to my hotel now. I just wanted to stop and see you before I leave." Callie said. She was staring at the blonde intently. It was taking everything in her not to ask the blonde to come back to the hotel with her and take a different flight in the morning. They had assigned seating on the plane but had been given the opportunity to switch seats once again. She had intended to sit with Arizona but the blonde must have assumed Callie had no intentions of doing so and had already been sitting with Amelia. She knew how much Arizona hated flying and had wanted to be there to comfort her but everytime she thought of that stupid letter she got angry all over again.
"Have a safe flight Calliope. I hope everything goes well for you in Miami." Arizona replied as she continued her circles on the rim of her glass.
"Here, this is my apartment key. Cristina knows you're staying there and is cool with it. I'll be back later in the week."
"I'm actually staying with Alex, Amelia, and Lexie. They're renting Meredith's house and there's an extra room that they offered to me until I leave for Malawi so I accepted."
"I thought we agreed you would be staying with me."
"We did, before all this. I didn't know if that was still what you wanted. I don't even know if we are still together. You said you wanted time and space so I think this is best."
"Ok." Callie replied, her heart sinking at the thought of Arizona not staying with her but she knew the blonde was right. She had asked for space and then not communicated what she meant by that. "But take the key. It's yours if you change your mind."
"I really appreciate that but I can't accept it. Not until you get back from Miami and we talk."
"Arizona…"
"Callie, please. We are both upset and exhausted and I have to go. I don't want to fight about this. We'll talk when you get back."
"Ok."
"Ok, I have to go. Be safe. I love you." Arizona replied, standing up on her tiptoes to kiss Callie on the cheek. She turned to walk away and Callie grabbed her wrist, pulling her back to her.
"I love you too. Have a safe flight, I'll see you in a few days." Callie said. She closed the distance between them, wrapping her arms around the smaller woman. Arizona nuzzled her nose into Callie's neck and breathed in her scent. She had missed that over the past few days and she was going to miss her while she was in Miami. This power the Latina had over her was terrifying and eye opening after the past few days. She had some thinking of her own to do while she gave Callie the time and space she had asked for.
"Bye." Arizona whispered with a last squeeze of Callie's hand before she turned to walk away, abandoning her wine and untouched fries.
"Arizona, wait." Callie said, stopping the blonde she closed the distance between them once again and pulled Arizona flush against her. Arizona let out a little "Oh" of surprise and Callie took the opportunity to cover Arizona's lips with her own, her tongue slipping inside the blonde's mouth and exploring enthusiastically. She fisted blonde hair between her fingers and held Arizona's lower back firmly, pressing their pelvises closer together as Arizona reciprocated. Callie smiled as Arizona moaned into the kiss and they broke apart both needing oxygen. Arizona had barely caught her breath when Callie placed a kiss on her cheek and said, "Bye."
Arizona watched her walk away until she wasn't visible anymore. She shook her head to clear it and wondered if that was an "I forgive you but I'm still mad at you kiss" or if that was a goodbye kiss. She didn't have long to ponder that thought as they called her flight to Seattle to begin boarding.
Callie
Callie entered Taberna de Torres and pressed the call button for the elevator to the top floor repeatedly. It had been a few years since she had stepped foot in here. Her Grandfather and his brother had founded this company at this very location, the first of what was now Torres Enterprises. But this one, the first hotel her family had established kept the original name. Though she speculated very little else about this building was original. It was nine stories plus the top floor offices and what had once been dark and shabby was now sleek and elegant thanks to her father, aunts, and sister's touch. The elevator doors opened and Callie smoothed her skirt one last time before she stood up straight, broadening her shoulders and pressed the tenth floor button and tapped her passcard for access.
"Calliope, I didn't know you were coming. What a wonderful surprise." Carlos said as Callie entered his office without knocking. A gentleman she recognized as her cousin, Juan sat in the seat opposite her father. Both men stood at her entrance.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, Juan but I need to speak with my father. It's urgent."
"Juan, we will continue this later."
"Yes sir. Nice to see you Callie." Juan said as he stood to leave. Callie realized she must have interrupted something important as she saw the annoyance flash across her cousin's face.
"Now, Calliope, why don't I call and make a reservation for us and we can go catch up properly over a nice meal." Carlos suggested. Callie opened her mouth to decline but decided that confronting her parents together was probably for the best.
"Only if Mami can join us. I have something important to discuss with both of you."
"I will give her a call to see if she's available." Carlos replied, already punching his wife's name into his office phone.
"Is Aria in?"
"I'm afraid she's in Milan with Jared until Monday evening." Carlos replied then converted to Spanish as his wife picked up. Callie listened as they confirmed a restaurant for lunch.
"Your mother is already on her way to that little Italian Bistro she loves so much. She is changing her reservation from one to three so we can meet her there. It's only a ten minute walk from here if you don't mind the heat."
"Sounds good." Callie replied. She had worked out an entire speech and repeated it like a mantra since the moment she found the letter. But after several days of travel and being on the outs with Arizona, she just didn't feel the same fire as she had while reading the letter. She was exhausted and a large part of her wished she had just talked to Arizona and gone back to Seattle with her. It was too late now though and she did need to have this talk with her parents, sooner rather than later.
The walk to the bistro was mostly a one sided conversation as Carlos rambled on and on about Aria and the business. She had sprung a five year plan on him that had initially not set well but he had since warmed up to her ideas and was bragging about his youngest daughter to anyone that would listen. That person presently happened to be Callie. She was grateful for her father being so distracted as she worked up the courage and nerve to organize what she wanted to say in her head as they walked.
Soon enough, they arrived at the little bistro and found Lucia who was already waiting for them at a little table in the back. She was dressed elegantly in her court clothes Callie noted as she greeted her mother. Her parents both eyed her silently, knowing that their daughter was far too quiet.
"Callita, I didn't know you were coming to Miami so soon. Why didn't you call? When did you arrive?"
"It was a last minute trip, Mami and I don't plan to stay long. I have some business with you and daddy to take care of and then I need to get back to Seattle."
"What kind of business, Mija?" Carlos asked casually as he looked over the menu. He really didn't need to look though, he always ordered the same thing no matter how many times he looked the menu over.
"The kind of business where you offered Arizona a bribe to cut me out of her life." Callie said, her voice much calmer and steadier than she had expected it to sound but the coolness in her tone was not missed by herself or her parents. Lucia looked at her husband worriedly but his eyes never left Callie's.
"She told you." Carlos replied, setting the menu down.
"Is that all you have to say for yourself, daddy?"
"What is there to say, mija? We took it back and apologized. She went back on her word. She is not the woman I thought she was." Carlos replied with a notably cooler tone.
"No, you don't get to do that. You don't get to convince my girlfriend to lie to me and then be disappointed in her when I find out. She didn't tell me by the way, her loyalty was to the two of you, not to me. I found the letter in a hidden pocket of her make-up bag by accident. So after I confronted her, she told me the truth because she had no choice."
"Where is Arizona now, Callie?" Lucia asked, sounding genuinely concerned.
"She's in Seattle. I needed some space so I came to talk with you first. I can't believe that you have done this. I thought you were really happy for me. I thought you were really trying to get to know Arizona. The thought of her knowing she wasn't welcome but still being cordial and polite to you makes me so angry and so very sad. And what's worse is you convinced her to lie to me about it. You put her in a terrible, no win situation and I didn't even get the chance to defend her or myself." Callie said, trying to keep her voice down as they were in public but finding it more and more difficult as she recalled the words of the letter.
"What can I get for you today?" The waiter appeared, ready to take their order.
"We need a moment, please." Carlos responded. He waited for the waiter to leave and then turned to Callie, "Arizona made her own decisions, Calliope. We apologized to her and we told her we made a mistake. She accepted that and chose to forgive us for your sake."
"Callie, please tell me you didn't break up with her." Lucia said, placing a hand over Callie's.
"Don't. You don't get to be the caring mom now. Not after that letter you wrote. What happened to the check?"
"She ripped it up in our faces. She ripped it up before we could even say we had changed our minds. That one, she may be little but she's feisty." Carlos said and Callie could tell that Arizona had impressed him. But his amusement at the moment just irked her.
"Why? Why couldn't you just be happy for me? You're supposed to love me no matter what. I am still your daughter. I am the same person."
"It's a sin, Calliope." Lucia replied quietly. She liked Arizona and she was trying very hard to accept this but it all boiled down to that one thing for her. She needed to explain this to Callie.
"So is eating the shrimp that daddy is about to order. And the thousands of dollars in jewelry that you're wearing, Mami. And the sex ouside of marriage that Aria is having. And so is bribing a young woman with two million dollars. Don't cast stones when you live in a glass house, Mami. You raised me to love Jesus and I know the bible as well as you. Jesus would be ashamed of you." Callie shouted before she stood, throwing her cloth napkin on her plate and exiting the building. Lucky for her, a taxi was passing by and she was able to hail it before either of her parents were able to follow her.
She took the taxi directly to her parents home. She needed to see and speak to her grandmothers before she headed back to Seattle. She felt a sudden urge to be with the blonde. She was still upset with her but she knew her anger was now directed at the correct people and she was anxious to make things right with Arizona.