Thanks for all the reviews guys. A quick note.. all the things in italics in the story are more thoughts that words spoken out loud. Please enjoy this next chapter, will post again soon.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the story and plot, the characters are not mine. No infringement intended, I am not making any money off this.

The music pounded on for hours and as more wine was poured the more that Arizona found that she lost herself among the beats, big and small she danced and enjoyed being near the amazons, particularly Calliope. She had never not taken a lover she wanted and this one was no different Callie was beautiful, challenging and Arizona had no doubt could match her in battle, match her in wit, match her in many things. She was everything Arizona wanted in a mate and after one day that scared her. She ground herself against Callie, enjoying the sensations, enjoying the thighs that inserted themselves between her legs, enjoyed the swaying hips and for a moment that's all there was. No matters of the state, no matters of being and living her rank, simply Callie, simply the sound of the drums, and a dancer, a lover who would meet her stride for stride. Callie for her own part was also lost in the sensations that Arizona brought. She reveled in the tight stomach muscles that moved under her grasp, the hips and body that danced and ground into hers. Callie had been a player in her time, one that took, without a second thought, men, women somehow it didn't matter, but tonight she wanted to bed this woman and enjoy it. Arizona turned in her arms and whispering in her ear she spoke.

"Take me home Calliope."

Callie shivered against the warm breath that met her ear. Slowly she took Arizona's hand and began to lead her off the dance floor. They were met by Erica Hahn.

"Your majesty, I am sorry to interrupt you but a messenger came to the camp, and you are needed your majesty. "

Arizona sighed, her libido going into overdrive.

"Fine. Please invite Queen Eiraina, I have a funny feeling I know what this is, and as a possible alliance we need her opinion."

Erica's jaw tensed and she stepped forward her fists clenching. Callie moved to stand in front of her but watched in shock as Arizona listened for a moment.

"NO your majesty I do not believe that is a good idea."

IN a flash Arizona had pulled her sword and landed ontop of Erica's chest, her eyes had turned to blue ice chips.

"You will not disobey my orders." Her sword was biting into Erica's neck, a slight drop of blood appearing. "NOW! Go get the amazon queen and Teddy. Do no disobey me Hahn, I am not afraid to kill you."

Getting up carefully sword still drawn Arizona watched her scamper into the night throwing a "of course your majesty over her shoulder." Turning back to Callie her eyes turned warm again.

"Come. Escort me calliope."

Callie raised an eyebrow.

"Of Course your majesty."

As they began to walk through the forest Arizona sighed and noticed her companions silence. She stopped Callie with a gentle touch on her arm.

"Calliope.."

"Yes your majesty?"

Arizona sighed.

"Calliope, I know that was a brutal show of force but I must keep some of my warlords in check, you have to understand that. I am a warlord, I am a conqueror, I am apersian. I am descended from the line of Darius, you have to understand my position, who I am. I am also a woman, with needs a woman who is capable of falling in love, a woman Calliope that is falling in love with you."

With each word she stepped closer to Callie stopping once their bodies started touching, both of their heartbeats had sped up. Callie found her voice a moment later.

"You don't even know me Arizona."

Arizona nodded.

"I know Calliope but I see you.." her hand came up and caressed the well sculpted cheek. "It's like I can see into your heart, your soul."

Callie chuckled.

"Do you say that to all the girls?"

Arizona smiled.

"No, only to you calliope."

Callie nodded at the smirk that brought out Arizona's dimples. Her fingers came up and brushed her knuckles against Arizona's cheek. Arizona's eyes closed and she leaned in wanting to kiss calliope. Callie stopped her with a finger to her lips. Arizona's eyes met chocolate brown as Calliope turned her finger into a palm that caressed her cheek. Callie moved closer her ear gently taking the lobe in her mouth, sucking it and enjoying the Persian princesses response, then releasing it she whispered.

"Do not think for a moment that I do not want you Ari, I want to take you to my bed, undress you slowly, map and treasure every curve, every pleasure point of your body until I insert my fingers into your body and bring you to a screaming climax. " Her hands caressed Arizonas body making Arizona groan at the combination of the words and Callie's hands on her side. She growled In protest and Callie chuckled softly. "However my dear, we need time, though I can see your soul and your heart too, and I want you, but I want to woo you. I want to show you I love you, share with you my heart. Learn yours, that takes time Ari. Any love worth fighting for takes time Arizona Robbins. But for now, come we must go find out what your messenger wants."

Callie pulled her close for a hug, held her for a moment before she then gently released her and together the two women moved into the darkness towards the camp that the Persian men had set up. They moved softly and swiftly from the tree to tree, Callie keeping a very close eye on Arizona as they moved. When they dropped into the camp, Arizona felt herself slightly winded. Teddy and Addison dropped out of the trees followed by the queen and her escorts a moment later. The men snapped to attention as Arizona stepped out of the trees.

"Your majesty."

"Hi boys."

Mark smiled and lead her into the command tent sharing what little information he knew. The messanger was a wiry young woman who Arizona recognized as one of the daughters of her command team. Arizona offered her some wine and watched as calliope stepped into the shadows to observe and protect.

"Your majesty, the romans have been moving into our lands, they claimed siege to the south point near the ocean. While our armies were able to defend our water attacks are weak and we lost about 100 soilders." Arizona swore softly as she listened, her eyes closing in pain, those had been some of her best soilders. Her back was to the messanger and her eyes met Callie's for a moment and Callie read the pain, She watched as Arizona put on her mask hiding the pain as she spoke turning to the young women.

"how far did they make it inland?"

The young women rose to point at the map showing Arizona the exact attack lines.

"They didn't, they are being held on the northern beach, at least as I came from there several days ago."

Eiraina who had remained silently listening spoke.

"Arizona we would like to offer some assistance. Several of our warriors are trained in underwater sabatoge as well as our allies in the sea elves, five of their largest citites are near that area, of course we need to sign an official treaty and have both parties look over them. The romans are a treat to all of us and if we can be of assistance then we might as well start now."

Arizona was leaning up against the table studying Eiraina.

"How do you propose the sabatoge."

Eiraina studied her.

"We have our ways, several of our warriors including Callie are trained specifically in that type of warfare."

Arizona chewed on her bottom lip.

"Mark?"

He glanced uneasily at the Amazon queen, no doubt they would be a powerful ally, and though he did not know the ins and outs he knew it would be a wise choice. Straightening his shoulders he nodded.

" I think the alliance would be a good choice for the Persian nation your majesty."

Erica burst in at this moment.

"We know nothing about them Sloan, we have no idea if they are trustworthy, they are a group of women sloan, what happens when all of their menstrual cycles are aligned, the entire nation turns into a bitch."

Addison stepped forward.

"You know nothing about us Hahn. Our track record speaks for itself, we've never broken and alliance and could probably kick the entire Persian nations butt. Don't you dare say we make our determinations based off of our menstrual cycle. You seem however very willing to just make that call, got a problem Persian or are you afraid that the amazon's will kick your scrawny asses? "

The entire room burst into an argument, Persians and amazons alike. Just as swords started being drawn Callie stepped in to protect Arizona while Teddy being closer to Eiraina moved into protect her.

"That's enough. Addy stand down."

Addison growled but removed her sword from Hahn's throat as she sheathed it. She stepped back knowing that she didn't want to deal with Callie's wrath, catching her eyes and seeing the deep fire in them. Hahn had her sword still drawn and growled at Callie who had moved in front of Arizona to protect her, her hand on her sword. Arizona's eyes had once more turned to ice chips.

"Stand down Hahn."

Erica growled again the entire room tense, after a moment she met her commanders eyes and very carefully brought her sword down. Arizona growled.

"Sloan, take Hahn outside, give her a hundred lashes for direct disobedience. Her rank will be stripped and she will be no longer be a general, but a captain."

Mark nodded and grabbing his fellow general led her outside in the darkness of the night. Arizona turned to Teddy.

"Teddy take notes."

Teddy walked over and sat down and grabbing a pen dipped it in ink, and together the small group of the leaders of the amazon nation, and the leaders of the Persian nation began to put together an alliance, coming to terms with that information could and could not be revealed and the terms of the alliance being broken. The treaty and alliance established was done over many days with many councils and many voices involved. Though Callie was Arizona's bodyguard they still didn't have much time alone, but callie was her constant shadow, quiet, unobtrusive but always there ready to protect, ready to serve. IN many ways Callie felt as if each pen stroke brought her closer to the blonde beauty across from her. Currently they were on day three and several of the amazon council members were arguing with the Persian warlords. The men had been given access to the council chambers but were under heavy guard while they were there. Back and forth the arguments went, as to land allotments in conquered regions, information given etc etc. Callie interjected as was necessary assessing each member of the group, observing and listening for points to bring up later. She added her points of contention, added her points of concern.

Day three had been exhausting, both Callie and Arizona felt its effects as the door soflty closed behind them. Arizona turned as the door closed and they walked into the living room. It had been the first time she had been alone with Callie since the messenger had come three days previously. She just wanted a hug, just wanted for a moment to breathe in Callie's unique scent and to just enjoy being with her. With intention she took a step close to Callie and wrapped her arms around her waist and sank into the warm strong body. Callie smiled and taking her own breathe enjoyed the blonde's closeness. Arizona turned her head and placed her ear over callie's heart and listened to the pounding of the muscles as it kept her alive. As she listened she felt the strain of the day melt away and she completely relaxed, trusting the strong arms to hold her. Callie just held her for a few moments then gently bringing her out to arms length she met the blue eyes.

"Go change into comfortable clothes, I'll be right back."

Arizona raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? And where are you going?"

Callie shrugged.

"You'll see."

Arizona groaned slighty.

"Calliope I am really quite tired."

Callie nodded and cupping her chin with her fingers softly she brought the blue eyes to her brown.

"I know. Go on a date with me Ari."

Arizona smiled, her dimples puncturing her cheek.

"You got it."

"Good, now meet me outside in 15 minutes."

Arizona nodded and slipped into the bedroom to change. Callie also changed into a longer leather skirt and a clean top, put her sword on her back strung her bow across her shoulders and bolted out the door. She stopped by the kitchen first, grabbing the essential ingrediants, and then quickly running to the stables she saddled her horse and rode back to her hut. She dismounted just as Arizona emerged. Callie smiled and walking over grabbed her hand and helped her climb up on the horse, then got up behind her. She then moved her horse into a trot and together they talked.

Arizona smiled as she reveled in the feeling of Callie at her back. She chuckled and smiled her dimples showing through. Callie caught the chuckle and looked down at her.

"What?"

"Tell me about your stupidest childhood adventure?"

Calliope smiled.

"Addy and I were about ten years old and were on a hunting training mission, with our regent at the time, who is actually Eiraina's bondmate There is a waterfall on our lands and Addy and I being Addy and I in our freetime had discovered a ledge below the surface of the water, and a surface you could scale down. So one particular day Aleao asked me and Addy to go back to the village and make a report, well the most direct way is off the side of the waterfall, back towards the temple of Artemis and into the village. The problem is the pool at the base of the waterfall isn't deep enough to support the dive." Arizona's eyes lit up as Calliope told the stories, the animation and mischeviousness in her making Arizona smile as they plodded along the path. "so Addy and I who had played on this ledge many a time, had rigged a system where we could jump, grab a rope we had set up and pull ourselves in, risky yes, but we had done it enough times with safety that we knew how to do it so well that it was the easiest way to do it. So after gaining clarification we both looked at each other and turned and ran off the edge of the falls, I grabbed the rope first then grabbed Addy and pulled her in. The last thing I heard was a gasp from Aleao and a no as she quickly ran to the edge of the falls and of course couldn't see us. Addy and I go on our merry way and make it back to the village with the message and patiently await the arrival of our instructor. She bursts into Eiraina's office tears streaming down her cheeks explaining that she ordered us to go the most direct route and that we jumped off the falls and we should send search parties, the whole time failing to notice that Addy and I are sitting in a chair in the corner. To Raina's credit she held it together, but then after a moment she burst out laughing. Aeola looked confused for a moment then demanded of the queen of the amazon nation how she thought it was funny that two of her young had passed away. Eiraina was laughing so hard her chair had tipped back and she fell out of it then with a shaky hand pointed to us sitting in the chair, both of us trying to hold it together. Aeola's face went from white to red and she grabbed both of us by the cuff of our shirts and demanded to know how we were still alive, had Eiraina not interjected I'm not sure I'd be alive today."

Arizona's sides were shaking with laughter.

"You were cruel, funny but cruel. Where is aeola now?"

Callie face immediately sobered.

"She tends the wild horses, she was injured in a battle."

Arizona saw the grimace and the pain in her voice as she spoke.

"Tell me?"

Callie struggled with her emotions her brown eyes betraying her, taking a deep breathe she struggled.

"The romans attacked the northern tribe, so our tribe sent out a small battalion of 50 warriors, both Addy and I were in that group. When we reached the northern border three of our villages were attacked. We defended them well, pushed the ragtag battalion of roman soldiers back into their own land and pushed after them. There was a small village on the border of their nation and ours, some of the amazon women lived there with their husbands, as men are not allowed in our villages. It was a small village, very prosperous,a mix in the bloodlines of roman and amazons. An abomination to the Romans, but to us, they were family. About 35 families lived there. Both the men and the women were warriors. We stayed the night in the village and pushed on towards the next hoping to track down the last of the battalion. What we didn't know is one of the families children had been taken and were being held as hostages and the family commanded to hide the soldiers. We left. A messanger was sent after us, and we ran to the village to find the romans pillaging and destroying though not killing yet. The commander had my mother by the throat and she was struggling against his grip. She was an amazon afterall. He said he would negotiate, if we would lay down our swords and willingly surrender no one would die, give them two hours to escape farther into the roman lands and no one would die. I refused, knowing that we didn't deal with terrorists. I did the only thing I could do, it is said if you cut the head off of the snake the rest f the body would follow, the men were young. So I threw my dagger caught the man in the shoulder, just enough so my mom could drive it deeper and get away. The men scattered from there. I should have killed him Ari, but I didn't I spared his life and three months later we were out on patrol, Eiraina was with us. He came back and desimated the village, brutally killing all of them, raping the children, and taking many of them captive. Addie and my families both resided there. He met us on patrol and had my little brother by the throat and Eirana by the other. I could not save both. He called me weak and said he fulfilled his promise. I knew the only way to stop him was to kill him, but it would cost either my queens or my brothers life. I hesitated and Aeola stepped in, in one move she jumped from her horse and stabbed through my little brothers stomach into the mans allowing Eiraina enough time to slip away from his dagger at her throat. Before he died he threw the dagger at me and Aeola stepped in front of it taking it right to the kneecap. She can barely walk because of my weakness. Addie and I lost both our families, if I hadn't frozen or if had just killed him in the first place, she would still be able to fight and my family. I turned into a ragin monster for a year after that. I killed without mercy, just took lives innocent or not. I tortured Romans for fun."

Her voice faded off into the distance and Arizona leaned back offering her support.

"How and why did you change?"

Callie laughed softly.

" Because it wasn't who I wanted to be. I put down my sword for two months, learned defensive arts, healed a lot in one of Artemis's mountain temples and dealt with myself. I am who I worked to be. I've learned to master myself. It works most of the time."

Arizona laughed.

"Thank you for telling me Calliope. You are a women of great courage and strength, as for the situation, its not your fault. Aealo knew the sacrifice she made and if asked I bet she would do the same again."

Callie laughed.

"As she has said over and over again."

"Then trust her word."

Arizona looked up into the brown eyes and Callie smiled and pulled her horse gently to a stop. Arizona looked around and found herself in a lush forest, against the edge of a cliff that towered above her, caves mared its face.

"Where are we?"

"I have someone you need to meet."

"Oh?"

"Promise not to freak out?"