Title: Back at One

Author(s): y0ungalaska & BrennaAimee

Rating: Ranging from PG to M

Disclaimer: The characters belong to Shonda Rhimes and ABC. We own nothing but our ideas.

Summary: "It's so incredible, the way things work themselves out and all emotional once you know what it's all about."

A/N: Parts of this chapter were literally written together, both co-authors on a plane. Yep, it was a trip. Same laptop and everything *OMG* lol btw WE LOVE PUERTO RICO! Just sayin.

Chapter 13

It had been two months since Arizona's incident at work. The first month Arizona had stayed home and busied herself with cleaning and other things. For a while she tried to stay in the house as much as possible, only going out when absolutely necessary. She couldn't take the looks and pity. That wasn't her. Finally with Callie's help, she grew more comfortable with going out. The girls began going out to dinner or grocery shopping together, small things that made Arizona feel normal. After a while the bruises faded, for the most part, and two weeks ago Arizona decided she was well enough to go back to work.

She felt on top of the world. Most of her wounds were healed and the ones she had left were easily covered with light make-up. The blonde was slowly getting back to her perky self. Of course, there were still hard times and weak moments. There were moments when all Arizona could think about was her husband. After everything, he still weighed heavy on her mind. He was the man she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with and sometimes, she even found herself longing to feel him beside her. The bad moments were hell, but it was the times no one else saw that had Arizona all bent out of shape. Their good times were amazing.

As hard as it was, Arizona became more independent and tried to think less about James. She really just hoped the man was OK and that he was working through his issues. She knew she had to forgive him, but that began with having to forgive herself first. It was a work in progress.

She started going to therapy and with every session, she began working through the memory of that night. She really didn't want to go, but Calliope had suggested it and it seemed like there was nothing the blonde wouldn't do for the Latina. In truth, the more she went the better she felt. Just getting her feelings and thoughts off her chest helped more than she ever thought possible. Some sessions ended in tears but when she walked out of that office, she felt lighter. As much as she didn't want to do therapy at first ,she couldn't thank Callie enough for convincing her to go. She needed someone to talk to. She didn't want to put the burden on the woman she already considered her strength.

The sessions coupled with Callie's never-ending support, Arizona found herself legitimately happier. She was finally smiling and it reached her eyes causing them to sparkle like never before. Everyone had taken notice. Even Calliope had commented telling her how she had never seen her eyes shine like that. Arizona knew she hadn't felt like this in years. She was happy, healthy, and for the first time in a long time she felt completely safe, mostly in thanks to the beautiful woman she was staying with.

Arizona soon found herself to be completely comfortable at work. The stares and glances had died down and were damn near extinct. She finally enjoyed her job again, thoroughly. She loved setting people up in homes, even more so when children were a part of the family. The kids were the main reason the job was so special, making them happy was of high importance to her.

Arizona walked back into the office to finish up some paperwork on the last house. The family consisted of two moms and three tiny humans, a beautiful family. Arizona sat down at her desk and began processing the paperwork.

"So did the family enjoy the Anderson place?" Arizona heard a voice over her shoulder.

"Yes, very much actually. They loved that all the kids would have their own rooms. The pool and play area were just icing on the cake. It was a automatic sale." She beamed.

"I'm sure it had a lot to do with the agent."

"Mark, I'm sure the house sold itself."

Mark moved around to look her in the eyes. "Maybe it did, but I believe it still had a little to do with the beauty that helped represent the place." Arizona looked up briefly and chuckled before focusing back on the papers in front of her. "Anyways, I brought your boss a new property. It was too far for any of my agents liking. It's actually close to yours and Callie's place. You may get it."

A blush flooded Arizona's face at Marks initial statement. "Maybe I will, I would love to have a couple properties closer to home." Arizona said trying to keep her blush hidden, flipping through her papers.

Mark put his arms on each side of her chair from behind. "You know, you've been glowing lately. It's an absolutely beautiful look on you. Maybe you would let me appreciate that beauty more and accompany me to dinner?"

Arizona's mind starts racing. Her initial thought was that Mark was a really gorgeous man, but then her mind immediately rushes to the fact she was still married. Could she date someone? She was thinking of filing for divorce, but she hadn't told anyone. She wasn't sure if she could actually go through with it. And then, images of a certain beautiful Latina woman began to swim through her head which confused her more than just a small bit. It was because Mark was Callie's friend, right? That had to be it, but Callie would be happy for her finally getting out there again, wouldn't she?

The blonde must have sat there a little too long with a blank stare on her face because she was brought out of her trance by Marks voice. "If you don't want to its fine, I understand. You've been through a lot and it could be kind of early to be dating. I'll get going now." Mark gave an awkward shrug and began to turn around slowly.

"Mark," Arizona stopped him by placing a soft hand upon his forearm. "I'd love to go to dinner with you. I'm sorry about that. My situation is a little complicated, but I guess you know that already." Smiling, she placed her pen down on the desk. "How does Friday night sound to you?"

"Beautiful and decisive, points for you Robbins. Friday is perfect. I'll pick you up at 7."

Arizona got off work and started on her way home. She pulled in beside Callie's car and made her way toward the house. For some reason, the house looked uncharacteristically dark. She walked in and looked to the left where they have a dry erase board that they'd leave each other little notes on, mostly if they went out while the other wasn't around or was still asleep. Calliope did it to make Arizona feel safer in the house. Although Arizona didn't want any kind of different treatment, she loved how considerate Calliope was of everything. There was no note on the board. Maybe Callie was taking a nap.

Arizona ventured toward the kitchen to fix herself a celebratory glass of wine, all of her appointments had went well after the house with the tiny humans. She pulled a glass out of the cabinet, grabbed the white wine, and poured herself a healthy glass. She'd decided to go check on Callie before starting dinner. It was weird for her to be home earlier than Arizona, but then again it was her own firm and she could come and go as she pleased. Arizona walked toward the living room, but before she got to the stairs she saw her favorite person not making noise, not moving. Arizona didn't know how to handle the situation, so she did the only plausible thing she could think of.

"Calliope?"

Callie jumped slightly when she heard her name, but never turned around.

"Are you OK?" Arizona asked walking toward her slowly. Callie held her hand out to Arizona and pulled her around the arm of the couch. Sitting the blonde down beside her, she said nothing but handed her a stack of paper. Arizona gave her a questioning look and only received a nod in response. Arizona slowly unfolded the documents and allowed her eyes to scan over the black ink.

"So, it's over?"

"It is." The Latina answered looking down at the divorce papers.

"Are you OK with that?"

"I think I am now, more than I would have been before. I have an amazing person in my life to help me through it all." Callie looked over to the blonde and smiled, hoping to convey all that she could in one action. Arizona returned the gesture.

"So is this cause for celebration?"

"I think it is." Callie looked down to where Arizona had set her glass and raised an eye brow. "Looks like you're starting the celebration without me."

"I might have had a good day at work."

"Well then why don't you tell me about it when I get back." Callie laid her hand on Arizona's leg and stood up before walking into the kitchen. When she returned, glass in hand, she resumed her position and gently tapped Arizona's thigh, asking her to continue.

"Well I had four appointments today, starting out with a lesbian family with three children. The cutest little humans I think I've ever seen, might I add, pigtails and all. That sale was pretty much automatic, it was perfect for them. I made two more sales and one lady said she was still exploring her options, but by the time I made it back to the office, she had called back stating she wanted the property. All in all, an amazing day." The blonde finished, dimples popping.

"Well then let's celebrate the best way we know how." Calliope stood up and walked over to the entertainment center turning on the surround sound stereo and blasting the music. "Dance it out."

Arizona smiled as she took a sip of her wine before setting her glass down and walking over to Calliope. Her smile only grew wider the closer she got, taking the outstretched hand that the Latina was offering.

'When I dream, all I see

Is you and me, back when we were free

Doing ghetto dances, taking crazy chances

Oh, baby,

No one else will ever love you more than me

Open up your heart and let your soul be free

To love

Remember love…"

The two women laughed and danced as the song played on. Arizona found herself being twirled around and before she knew it, Calliope had her arms wrapped around the blonde's waist and had pulled her in close as they swayed and laughed, celebrating what was possibly going to be a new beginning for the both of them.

Callie muttered something that caused Arizona to almost double over laughing and Callie quickly swayed them to the beat, moving in small circles around the living room and joined in on the laughter.

This was it. As much as she had thought about the moment when her marriage would be over, as much as she had cried over it, here she was with one of the most amazing people she had ever met. They were dancing in her living room, music on full blast and sharing a bottle of wine. Most of all, they were enjoying each other's company and in that moment, Calliope realized that maybe, just maybe everything would turn out just fine. Yes, she lost the man that she loved, not by choice, but he was lost none the less. She had witnessed something that she never thought she would ever see in her life and she'd had to fight, not only for herself, but for the woman who was now laughing hysterically in her arms.

'When people say she's so phony

It blows me away

cause they don't even know me

Where was they way back when

You was on the corners rappin'?

Oh baby,

No one else will ever love you more than me

Open up your heart and let your soul be free

To Love

Remember love…'

Love had been lost, but in that moment, she'd found the best friend she'd possibly ever had. One of the most amazing, the strongest, most loving and most considerate people she'd ever come to know. So if this was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, she was more than happy to turn the page and begin again.

Arizona watched Callie's facial expression slowly drop as they playfully spun around the living room. Being around the Latina everyday, she had easily come to learn what her expressions meant and she could tell that Callie was losing herself in thought, but her eyes never wavered from the blonde's. Arizona smiled as she locked her arms loosely around the taller woman' neck and laughed, again about the previous moment. But for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to tear her gaze away from the Latina and soon, her smile was, too, lost in the moment.

She felt something within her and although she couldn't quite make it out, it caused both of them to halt their movements and before long, the two were just standing, arms loosely wrapped around one another, eyes locked.

Arizona willed herself to step back and as she focused, she could see that there was a look in the slightly taller woman's eyes that she had never seen before. For the first time in months, she couldn't read Calliope, but what she could read was the small jolt of electricity that rapidly made its way through her body as she realized Callie's thumb had begun almost ghostly making small circles on her lower back.

Finally making her brain work, Arizona blinked once and then twice before clumsily stepping backward and relinquishing her hold on the raven haired woman. Callie watched as Arizona took a step back and noticed her stumble but before she could react to help her, the blonde had made her way over to the couch and downed the rest of her wine.

Callie, not really knowing what to do, went to sit down beside Arizona and downed her wine just as the blonde had. Neither understood what had just transpired between them. A silence had taken over the room, even with the music blaring. Both trying to think of something to say to change to subject, not that there was exactly a subject before.

"Here, I'll get us more wine." Callie popped off the couch and took Arizona's glass from her. She walked into the kitchen and sat the glasses down, her mind racing. She took the wine out and started to pour, zoning out as she did so, so lost in thought. "Mierda!" She yelled as she looked down and saw the liquid barely spilling over the rim. She picked the glass up and took a big drink, she needed it right now.

Arizona heard the Latina's exclamation and wondered what was wrong, though she couldn't pull herself to ask. Her mind was too focused on trying to work through what had just happened. Calliope walked back into the room and sat down on the couch.

"So," Arizona started with the only thing she could think of, "I have a date Friday night."

Callie's eyes widened; something that didn't go unnoticed by Arizona. But just as soon as the look appeared on her face it was gone. "Are you sure you're ready?"

"Well, Mark is a really nice guy. He knows and understands what the situation is, so…"

"Mark, Mark Sloan? My friend Mark?" Calliope tried so hard to keep her jaw from hitting the floor.

"Yeah, he came to the agency today with a property for us, that I will probably get by the way, and asked me out." Callie felt something in her gut; something she couldn't quite place but after a moment it hit her. It was jealousy. Why was she jealous? It had to be because Arizona had gotten a date so soon after everything, right? I mean, it was her being protective, as she always had; looking out for the woman in question. Not that she couldn't look out for herself, but Callie had been there to protect her and had promised to do so until she was told to stop. It had nothing to do Arizona being with someone else. Wait, why was that even a thought in her head?

"Wait, you said Mark was a nice guy, do you know Mark like I know him?"

"Calliope, that's because you're his friend, it's not the same."

"Are you telling me I don't know my best friend?" The Latina could feel herself beginning to get angry. Why was she even mad about this? Why did she even care?

"Calliope, I really wanted you to be OK with this."

"Why does it even matter how I feel about it? It's your date." Calliope said as her voice rose an octave. She stood up, walked in the kitchen, poured more wine and downed it quickly. After a few moments of standing, palms against the island, guilt immediately flooded through her. She wanted to go back into the living room with Arizona; it was like she felt a pull toward the blonde woman and no matter what, she couldn't ignore it. Realizing that she couldn't fight it, she walked back into the living room.

"Arizona, I'm sorry. I'm glad you got a date and it's going well for you. I just… I don't know."

"It's OK, Calliope." Arizona let her dimples pop at the Latina's apology. The blonde hated fighting with Callie. Arizona stood and the Latina walked over to her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Arizona arrived home from work and went to the mailbox. She pulled out the mail with the yellow notification stickers on them that told her to notify the senders of her recent change of address. After reading, the blonde looked a bit confused. She had planned to walk over next door and get her mail. She was planning on putting the house up for sale so she was going to get a post office box, but obviously Calliope had taken the initiative to change her address for her. She knew the woman at the post office very closely. She was a childhood friend, besides they had been standing in the post office having the discussion. She smiled at the gesture.

As she walked in the house she flipped through the envelopes. Unlocking the door, she made her way into the kitchen and took a seat at the island. She separated her mail from Calliope's, making sure to throw out the junk. Obviously they hadn't checked the mail in a few days because the stack was a pretty decent size. When she got to the last letter she immediately noticed the yellow sticker across it, but that wasn't what her eyes were focused on. The writing that her name and address were in belonged to James.