AN:/ This was supposed to be two chapters, but then I decided to made only one... Thank you for all the reviews, they are alway welcome. It's always helping to see if the story is still attractive to you. And Jax helped me again so thanks! Enjoy your reading!
Flashbacks are in italic
It had been nearly six months since Arizona and Jamie started dating. Everything was good between them. Jamie was fun, she loved to go out : movie restaurants, shows... She was very active.
They had moved in together very fast; Jamie was very persuasive.
Then Arizona's mother got sick, and the young woman dropped her fellowship to go and look after her.
She spent two weeks with her mother in Boston, then when she came back to DC, that's when Jamie's behaviour changed. It began putting Arizona down…. Arizona was a little slow, she was clumsy, it took her forever to do everything, comments like that.
The abuse was verbal. Then the humiliation.
Jamie would make fun of her in front of people they barely knew. She belittled her at every opportunity, telling her she was lucky to be with a woman like her, that nobody would want her.
She also began being intrusive and controlling. She would choose Arizona clothes, she would check her mail, her phone at any time.
One day she found a text from Callie. The first one the ortho surgeon had sent Arizona since she left town, and it had been the point of no return.
« Oh, so Callie Torres is texting you now. » Jamie reproached as she saw the text.
« Yes. She just wanted to know how I was doing. That's all. » Arizona replied.
« She's asking how it is going at Hopkins. » Jamie laughed. « But you're not at Hopkins. You couldn't handle the pressure... Poor thing... »
She patted Arizona's cheek sarcastically, knowing the blonde was still on edge regarding leaving her fellowship.
« It's not funny Jamie. Give me my phone... » Arizona asked trying to take it back out of her girlfriend's hand.
« You know that Callie had to beg me to go on a date with you. » Jamie said putting Arizona down, she held the phone in the air making sure Arizona couldn't reach it, it was making the blonde nervous. « And you know what, you don't need that phone, it's too expensive, it's not like you're bringing in any money in... »
« Leave her out of it Jamie and give me my phone. » Arizona insisted.
« You want it, right so why don't you go and get it? » The brunette said, as she walked to the window and threw it outside. They were living on the 8th floor, so the phone was gone.
« Are you crazy? » Arizona asked. « I have all my friend's numbers on that phone. » Arizona yelled.
« What did you just say? » Jamie eyes became darker as she turned back and walked to Arizona. « Is that because you won't get any texts from your girlfriend Callie? » Jamie laughed as she grabbed Arizona by her throat and began to tighten her grip. « Because you know she never loved you, that's why she begged me to meet you and to erase you from her life. You disgusted her. She asked me to make sure she never saw you again. I was being a good friend, But guess what … I got stuck with the crappy girl she wanted to get the furthest away from. »
Suddenly, Jamie let go from around the blonde's swollen throat, Arizona collapsed on the floor, trying to catch her breath. Jamie was laughing hard, that was the first time she abused Arizona physically, but it certainly wouldn't be the last.
…..
When she entered the room, Bailey was not prepared for what she saw.
Callie had fallen asleep in the armchair next to Matthew's bed, she was holding the little boy carefully in her arms.
The little boy was fast asleep and was snoring peacefully.
Bailey took her phone and snapped a picture quickly, before putting the toddler back in his bed.
Feeling the loss, Callie woke up, as she stretched her body she was greeted by a smiling Miranda.
« I told you so... » the shorter woman said, smirking.
« Bailey, you are always right, and you know it. » Callie smiled. « You were right. Is such a sweet boy. He's so cute, and so chilled. »
« Yes... He is. » Bailey said. « I need to talk to you about some things, can we walk to your office? »
« Sure... » Callie replied, intrigued by her friend.
They walked together, talking about mundane things that were happening in the hospital, in an almost awkward conversation.
When they arrived in Callie's office, Bailey's expression became more serious.
« What is it Bailey, you're freaking me out... »
« Have a seat and let's talk. » Miranda said. It wasn't going to be easy for Callie and she knew it.
« Yes I know, it's my office if I want to sit I will thank you... »
« Callie, I talked with Arizona, and it's complicated. » Miranda warned her friend.
« Go on, please... » Callie replied.
« We have called the Police, with Arizona authorisation. A woman named Jamie Benedict is the person responsible for Arizona's situation. » Bailey explained.
« Jamie Benedict? » Callie knitted her brows. « I know that name... Wait... She was one of my patients... She' a soccer player if I remember well. We got to know each other briefly when I treated her knee. »
And then she remembered everything. The arranged date, her will to see Arizona moved on, her desire to feel free to flirt and date other people...
«Oh my god... It's all my fault... Oh My god... » Callie gasped, totally shocked.
« Callie, it's not your fault, but you have to be prepared. That woman had not only abused Arizona Physically, but also mentally. » Bailey continued. « She's been playing on the love Arizona was still feeling for you to mistreat her. Arizona believed that in a way, you gave her to Jamie because you wanted her to suffer, and that you wanted and knew everything that was happening to her. »
« What? No! It's …. » Callie tried to speak.
« She's been kind of brainwashed Callie. She knows there's no truth in it, but she's been told you were responsible for her situation for years, so her brain has tricked her. » Bailey said. « She wants to talk to you. She wasn't on board in the beginning but after we spoke, she has agreed to talk to you but she's not ready yet, but she's trying. She agreed to contact the police, she left her in the middle of the night to... to survive... I think something triggered her and she's ready to get away from that monster... »
« I don't understand Bailey... She wants to talk to me or not. Because I don't think I can face her. I introduced her to that woman. In a way she's right, I'm the reason their paths crossed. I was insistent. I wanted her to move on... » Callie said. « Jamie seemed to be a great girl. Active, beautiful, funny, talkative... »
« It's not your fault. Don't let that stupid idea get into your head because it will mean she's still winning... » Miranda said. « She's a toxic person, and I'm scared she won't let Arizona and Matthew go that easily... »
« Oh, Right Matthew... » Callie sighed. « Is he their... their son? »
« No. He's Tim's. » Miranda revealed. « His mother died in childbirth, so Arizona became his legal guardian. He's 16 months old and he's one of the reasons they moved back here. »
« That's so fucked up... » Callie whispered. « What can I do... I want to help them. I... »
Bursting in tears, Callie released all the pressure and anxiety she had been keeping locked away since Arizona's return.
Bailey took her in her arms and let her cry, supporting her friend, knowing this would be killing her.
« It's complicated. Everything is going to take time. She's going to need help and support. But we are going to bring her back to life. » Miranda said.
« I love her Bailey. »
« I know you do. And you are going to be strong for her, and you are going to be there. But it's going to be hard, there's still a long road ahead. »
…..
A few hours later, Arizona woke up, covered in sweat.
She had a nightmare, but she was unable to remember it fully. It was a regular thing for her. Jamie would get back home at all hours, often drunk, and every now and then with a new girl she'd used as a one-night stand. But when she came home alone, she would wake Arizona up in the most vindictive way she could, sometimes she would scream, sometimes she would hit her or throw cold water at her.
She always found new ways to abuse her girlfriend.
But right now, Arizona woke up to Callie who was silently watching her from an uncomfortable hospital chair.
Blue watery eyes were struggling when Callie smiled at her. Arizona swallowed hard and eventually smiled back.
« You are really here? » She asked childishly.
« I'm right here, by your side. I'm never letting go again. And I will never let anyone hurt you ever again. » Callie swore, her eyes glossing over with unshed tears.
« I... I... » Arizona tried to say. « I'm so tired... »
« Shhhh... » Callie whispered, approaching the bed and sitting next to Arizona. « We'll talk later, okay. Now you rest. »
« Will you stay with me for a while? » Arizona asked.
Callie nodded, she didn't hesitate and positioned herself next to Arizona on her bed carefully avoiding all the cables and her injuries. She tucked a lock of blond hair back behind her ex-girlfriend's ear and cautiously put her arm around the blonde's waist, trying to make sure that their bodies weren't touching too much as she didn't want to make Arizona feel uncomfortable.
« Is that okay ? » she finally asked.
« It's awesome... » Arizona mumbled just before falling back asleep.
...
A few hours later, Arizona woke up alone for the first time since she had been in hospital.
It took her a moment to remember everything before a wave of pain brought her back to her broken body. She inhaled heavily, trying to ease the soreness.
Then she remembered she hadn't fallen asleep alone, but right now Callie was gone. She felt relieved in a way. She was still so confused about seeing her ex-girlfriend again. Jamie's words where echoing again and again in her head : She never loved you, she gave you to me because she pitied you, she knows how you are and she knows what I have to do to make you behave, she never wanted anything to do with you ; you disgusted her, Callie is happier and free since you left, I'm the one who saved her by taking you in...
She heard those words for years, each accompanied by kicks, threats, slaps, and humiliation.
Arizona didn't really know what she was allowed to do or even to think anymore. That woman had ruined her, isolated her from her family and from her friends. She had forbidden her from having a job, she had stopped her asking for her fellowship back.
And when Matthew's fate was left in Arizona's hands, she had tried to force her into giving him up for adoption. But Arizona had managed to keep him, but Jamie's revenge had been hard and awful.
Arizona shook her head, trying to chase away all those memories she wished she never had.
Asleep on the chair in the corner of the room was a person she didn't recognize immediately. She was wearing dark blue scrubs and had long blond hair.
Not able to put a name to the person sitting in her room, Arizona began to panic. She was sure Jamie was up to something, she was sure about it. She had always managed to track her and to take her back with her. So why would it be different this time?
She tried to sit but she was in severe pain and she let out a cry before letting her body lay back. The groan woke up the sleeping woman who immediately stood up and walked to the bedside.
« Are you okay? Is everything alright ? » The woman said as she checked Arizona's vitals and then looked at her in concern. « Oh no, don't cry please... I'm going to up the pain meds, wait... »
She pushed to button and quickly Arizona's pain lessened.
« Is that better? » The woman worried as Arizona was trying to figure out whose voice it was. The room was dark and then, the newcomer approached to meet anxious blue eyes.
« Hi... » She whispered kindly, herself crying silently. « I'm sorry, I swore I wouldn't cry but God... »
« Teddy? » Arizona smiled in hope.
« Yes, I'm here! Right here... » She replied. « Callie was called for an emergency and I was available, so here I am. »
« You're not... You're not in Germany? » Arizona asked. Teddy had left Seattle Grace one year before Arizona and the two were really close at the time. »
« I was, but then I came back here. » Teddy smiled. « A lot of things have happened you know... I'm married to Owen Hunt. We have a little girl. »
« Oh... Wow... That's great... » Arizona smiled.
« Yes, it is. You know that Shepherd and Grey have two kids too... And Ca... » Teddy stopped herself.
« What? » Arizona asked.
« Nothing... Here she is... » Teddy took her phone and showed her pictures of her daughter, trying to make Arizona forget about what she almost revealed.
Amelia had explained to her she could give Arizona new information, but it was better to avoid the triggering subject of Callie for the moment.
« She's beautiful Teddy. What's her name? » Arizona asked.
« Allison. And I'm sure she would love to meet Matthew... » Teddy nodded with compassion.
« You've seen him? How is he? Is he safe? » Arizona worried.
« I saw him quickly; he was with Bailey. She's totally in love with him! » Teddy joked. « He's okay. He has some bruises and a broken arm, but he's okay, don't worry.
« Thanks... » Arizona sadly smiled. She missed her nephew like crazy and she was worried something bad would happen.
Since she had him, Jamie had always threatened to take it out on him if Arizona was not doing exactly what she wanted.
« I know you miss him, but be patient, you'll see him soon. » Teddy reassured her. « And we are going to help you, okay? Don't worry about anything, just focus on getting better and stronger, for you, and for him. »
« I... I have nothing Teddy. I have nothing. Not even a piece of clothing... I ran away when we were spending the weekend at a training camp... in the middle of the woods. I have no money, no family. I don't know where to go, what to do. She... Jamie/ she was telling me what to do, what to wear, to think... » Arizona cried. « And I am so tired, and now I can't move, and I.. sometimes I can't even speak, I am paranoid, I... »
« Arizona, you are not alone anymore. We're your friend and we love you. We will protect you and Matthew. » Teddy said. « Whenever you're discharged and ready, Owen and I have a room for you and Matthew. »
« I don't want to be a burden. » Arizona confessed.
« You will never be! We will be here, for whatever you want or whatever you need... »
…
« What is wrong with them? » Callie groaned. « Is it their job to protect people or not ? »
« Callie calm down... » Owen told his friend. « I called the police. They are sending a detective this afternoon to take Arizona's statement, and then, they will know what to do. »
« But Matthew and Arizona are here, and she could walk in whenever she wants and hurt them again... I won't let that happen! We need a guard in front of their rooms! » Callie reproached. « And now! »
« We don't even know all the story Callie. And we don't know who that woman is, and what she looks like. » Owen explained.
« I know that! That's why we have to do something. » She nervously said.
« There's always a staff member with Arizona, and I specifically asked the nurses in peds to check on the baby every thirty minutes. Plus, Bailey, Meredith and a lot of people are visiting him. »
« That's not enough... » Callie shrugged, annoyed by Owens's lack of taking the situation seriously « If something happens to one of them, I will find her, and I will make that bitch understand the real meaning of pain! »
« I know... But all we can do is wait and then we'll see...Okay? » The trauma surgeon noded.
….
Callie was back in Arizona's room where the blonde was fast asleep.
She thanked Teddy and took her place in the chair next to the bed.
Arizona was deeply asleep. A shot of med pains had been required because her leg was really sore.
Callie looked at her face that was still so bruised and swollen from the accident. If it wasn't for her curly blonde hair and piercing blue eyes she would have difficulty in recognising her ex-girlfriend..
She felt her phone vibrate in her pocket but she didn't want to check it. She wanted to enjoy the presence of the peaceful sleeping woman for a moment.
« I'm sorry it happened to you baby... » she whispered. « And I'm so sorry it happened because of that … I'm so sorry... »
« Mama! » Callie heard a voice screaming in the hallway. She would recognize that voice out of a thousand voices.
« What the hell... »
Callie came out of the room and saw her daughter running to her. « Mama » the three-year-old yelled, followed by her babysitter, as Callie took her in her arms. »
« I'm so sorry Dr Torres! » the young woman Apologized. « I tried to call you, but you didn't answer. And one of your colleagues told me you were here... I was about to leave her at the daycare, but she ran away... »
« It's okay Tess... No need to apologize. » Callie said as she put the young girl on the floor. « What did I tell you young lady ! No running in the hospital, and you have to obey Tess ! You are not allowed in the ICU Sofia! »
The little girl bent her head in shame. She knew she was in trouble.
« Is there a problem? You can't stay? » Callie asked. The babysitter was supposed to keep Sofia until dinner time.
« I have a family emergency. My father is at Seattle Pres. He had a stroke. » the young woman explained sadly.
« Oh, my god... Go, please! Be with your family! » Callie said. « I hope he's going to be okay. Let me know when you have some news! »
« Thank you Dr Torres. I will. » Tess replied before leaving.
Callie sighed, again more bad news... It was not a good day. She then turned her head to find Sofia to take her to the day care when Her heart stopped.
The little girl had entered Arizona's room and the blonde was apparently awake.
« Yes, I love Cinderella! » Sofia said as her mother re-entered slowly into the room. « And I love Pocahontas too! »
« Really, just like me. » Arizona smiled, as she raised her head to meet Callie's puzzled gaze. « Calliope You're back! »
« Mama, you know her? » the little girl asked Callie whose face suddenly became really pale.
Arizona looked back and forth between the two people in front of her, and the link was obvious.
« Oh... » She said, understanding what was going on. « So, your dream came true Callie... I'm ...I'm happy for you. »
« Arizona... » Callie whispered, noticing the icy tone. « I'm not going to lie to you, but I didn't want you to find out this way. »
« You don't need to sugar-coat it Callie. You don't owe me anything. » Arizona replied. « I just need to rest so could you please get out of my room. »
…..
« Hello there... Julie, right? » The woman blinked at the young nurses in the ER as she looked around as if she was looking for someone. « I love that name... I used to date a Julie when I was in high school... »
« I... How can I help you... »? The young woman blushed behind the admission desk.
« Well, I'm looking for a friend of mine. I don't know if she's here, but she might... » The woman looked intensely in the nurses' eyes.
« Her name is Robbins. »
« Let me check... I don't see any patient named Robbins. Wait, there's one, in peds, but it's a little boy... Matthew Robbins. »
« And there's no woman under that same name? » the woman insisted.
« Not that I can see. » The nurse replied. « But sometimes, some patients are not visible on the system. Maybe she's here but still in surgery... I'm sorry I can't give you any more information... »
« It's okay honey. You gave me more than enough. »