A/N: Okay, this is the last chapter, sorry if it seems a like a quick ending, but I kind of like it. I hope you do, too. Thank you all so much for reading, and the fantastic reviews, as you probably know, it's more fun to write when people like to read it. I'm working on a new story, so hopefully you'll see me again soon. Again, thanks for all your support.
Callie couldn't believe what was happening. This morning she couldn't have been happier, and this afternoon she couldn't be more miserable. She was completely confused, and had hurt the only person that made her really happy. She pulled in a deep breath and slowly released it.
She had been happy with Erica, only briefly, but at some point she was. It had felt familiar when she had kissed her, like it was something she'd always been doing. But, it didn't feel overwhelmingly joyful, like it did with Arizona. Still, her and Erica had always been comfortable with the other, maybe that meant something. However, Arizona made her feel like she didn't have to work so hard to be happy, and that had to mean something. The two blondes swirled around in her head until they had become one chaotic mass of golden hair. Callie squeezed her eyes shut, a magic eight ball would really come in handy right now.
It was finally the end of her shift and she was heading home. At least, her vague plan was heading home. She was so consumed with her own thoughts, that she didn't really know where she should go. Arizona shouldn't be done for a few more hours, and she thought Erica was still busy.
Callie absentmindedly stepped onto the elevator and chose the ground floor. One floor down, the doors opened and Erica entered the elevator car.
"Of course," Callie grumbled.
"I can wait, if you want," Erica offered sarcastically.
Callie sighed in exhaustion, "No, I think the damage is pretty much done already."
Erica stared at her a moment, then reached for the emergency stop button. After the car came to a halt, she turned to Callie, "So, I haven't seen you since earlier…Are we going to talk?"
Callie considered a few scathing remarks, but decided they were pointless, "I don't know what to say." Callie shrugged, and examined the floor.
"Well…" Erica began, but stopped, unsure of what she wanted to express, "I just want to say that I miss you. Seeing you, talking to you…kissing you…it all reminded me of what we had, it was good. And, I don't know if it's what you want to hear, but, I think I still might have feelings for you, I might even lo--"
"No."
"Sorry?"
"No, you will not tell me that, not today. Not today, because this morning Arizona told me she loved me and I don't want today to also be the day you tell me you love me…" Callie paused a moment, reflecting, "…She loves me…and I…with her …but with you…what the hell am I doing?" Callie had said most of the last part to herself, more than to Erica.
Erica watched her aimless gestures and introspective expression, then furrowed her brow, "I'm not sure what you're talking about."
Callie felt like a light had just been turned on, "Look, Erica, when I saw you today everything about us came back, and when we kissed all of those feelings I had for you came back, instantly. I thought that meant something, I thought I might still have those feelings." She paused, searching for her next words, then softened her voice, "But, the truth is, I did care deeply about you, you gave me a best friend and a wonderful girlfriend…my first. We had a meaningful and amazing adventure and it's something I wouldn't take back, even considering how it ended. You'll always mean a great deal to me and hold a special place in my heart, but I have moved on. I wasn't positive about that until just now, but I have. I really love her, Erica."
"Leaves?" Erica smirked.
Callie raised her eyebrows in realization, "Yeah, I think so. I'm sorry if that's hard for you to hear…Maybe… you and I were meant to be something great that…that led us to other great things."
Erica considered her, "I actually think you're right."
"Jeez, I'm not wrong often enough for you to be surprised," Callie joked nervously.
"No, I'm surprised that I agree with you, because a second ago I thought I was still in love with you…but, maybe I'm not." She saw Callie's confused and somewhat doubtful face, "I'm in love with what you were to me, the idea and the memory of us. You…you changed my life, Callie Torres, and I guess those kind of feelings never really go away, but they don't stay the same." Erica smiled graciously.
Callie pressed the emergency button to resume their travel downward, "And, you changed my life, Erica Hahn."
After gazing at one another appreciatively, Callie pulled Erica into a hug, "Thank you."
Erica smiled against her ear. It was this moment that the elevator stopped to let on another passenger.
"Arizona," Callie exclaimed as she released Erica, "We were just--"
Arizona held up her hand to silence whatever excuse she was sure was about to come out. She turned to Erica, "I just want you to know that I think this sucks and is totally unfair. You had your chance and you messed it up. You walked away from her, which, after being with her, I don't even understand how it's possible. Then you come waltzing back into her life, confusing her, hurting everyone, and messing up my chance. It sucks, and you don't deserve her."
"I know, I just--"
Arizona shushed her, then turned on Callie, "And, I want to tell you that this sucks. I've been there for you without question or hesitation, not because I have to, but because I want to. I want to be there for you, Calliope. And, for you to just push me aside because your ex comes back and wants you back, is just wrong and mean." Arizona was flushed and the hurt burned in her eyes.
Callie walked to her and held both of her hands, "I know, that's why I just finished telling Erica that I loved you too much to do anything to lose you."
Arizona quieted, and squinted into Callie's eyes, "Really?"
"Yeah, she did. I remember, because it stung.," Erica interjected.
Callie smiled softly, and moved one hand to her cheek, "You said you needed me to need you, well… I'm there."
Arizona ignored the fact that it was probably a little rude, and tugged Callie into a kiss. Callie grinned against her mouth and wrapped her arms around Arizona's waist. Just before the doors opened to the bottom floor, Arizona stepped back and looked at Erica, "I'm sorry for yelling at you."
"Thank you, but I can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing. And… I'm sorry I hit on you." Erica chuckled.
"Excuse me? You what?" Callie whirled on Erica.
Arizona laughed, "There was maybe a little flirting on her end before we were introduced."
"A little flirting?"
"Maybe I complimented her dimples…" Erica was a significant shade of pink by this point.
"Yeah…well…can't fault you there," Callie shrugged, then eyed Arizona, mocking suspicion, "Just on her end?"
Arizona rolled her eyes, and grinned widely, "Of course."
All three women were smiling when the doors opened to reveal Mark Sloan. Mark took in the sight; Callie's arm still around Arizona's waist, and Erica smiling next to them. "Well, what's going on here?"
"None of your business," Callie faked a stern voice, as the women walked straight past him.
Mark skipped a step to catch up to them, "Where are you going?"
"Home."
"Ah, then I guess I'll leave you three alone…"
Hearing his tone, and without even glancing at him, Callie scolded, "Mind out of the gutter, Mark."
Mark scoffed and turned around, "Well, at least, no one can say you don't have a type."
When they reached the parking lot, Erica turned to Callie, "Hey, do you mind if maybe I…maybe I could call you sometime?" Seeing Arizona eye her with concern, "Just to talk, I miss you as my friend, and would really enjoy calling you."
Callie glanced at Arizona, who squeezed her hand, "Actually, I would like that."
Erica smiled, "Good. Good bye, Callie. And, Dr. Robbins, it was nice to meet you…a little awkward…but, nice."
"Same here."
After they could no longer see Erica's car, the couple began to walk toward Callie's apartment, hand in hand. "So, we're okay, right?" Callie asked.
Arizona smiled, showing her dimples, "We're way more than okay."
"Excellent, because I believe you said something about having you when ever I wanted…" Callie raised a suggestive eyebrow at Arizona.
Arizona smirked, "I only said that to persuade you to choose me, the offer expired."
They had just reached the front steps, "Oh, I don't think so, missy, I'm collecting on that deal, expired or not." Callie grinned mischievously.
"Oh, yeah?" Arizona teased.
"Yeah." And, with that, Arizona sprinted up the steps with Callie close on her heels.
