AN: I know it's been a while but I've had writer's block thanks to Shonda once again. I decided that my readers needed a break from the show's drama and they could come here. I know I'm taking a while for this story but I want the moment they get together to be special. Calzona is so endgame, just give me some time. Be patient and enjoy!

Anger and hatred. That was all Arizona could see as she looked at the bruising that lined Callie's ribcage. Whoever did this to her best friend, would pay. She would not allow them near her. The anger took over her senses, she had realized when Callie was trying to say something. She shook her head, she had to focus on the brunette. That was all that mattered, she could get revenge on whoever did this later but for now, her best friend needed to be taken care of.

The blonde couldn't help the question that escaped her mouth, "Did you get in a fight with someone?" She frowned, seeing her best friend hurt was something she had never expected. She knew Callie was a lover not a fighter, except for the confrontation with Meredith Grey many years back. The ortho surgeon had changed a lot since then.

Callie shook her head and looked up at the ceiling, as if the answers were written up there. She didn't know how to say it. What she was about to say would probably anger Arizona even more, she looked back at the blonde and saw the concerned expression on her face. She had to tell her, whether or not anyone got hurt.

"I love Erica, so much. You have to understand that before I say what I'm about to say." Taking a deep breath in before she continued, her eyes remained on the blonde's. "I didn't get in a fight. It was just that, when I proposed to her she told me that you and I couldn't hang out or talk anymore." She shook her head and kept her eyes on her friend. "I wouldn't stop and she found out. The first time it was a warning, just a slap."

Arizona's expression dropped, the reason Callie was hurt was because of her. Because they talked, when Erica had warned them both not to speak to the other. "But the night I spent the night here, it was a beating. Over and over. That was the reason I wasn't at work the next day. I could barely move."

She saw the tears forming in the blue eyes she was staring into and shook her head. "Arizona, it wasn't your fault. I was warned and I wanted to see you. I won't stop talking to my best friend just because I'm engaged. " Callie shook her head. "I love her and I love my best friend. I can't chose, I won't so this is what happens."

A tear rolled down Arizona's cheek before she spoke as she gently traced the bruise on Callie's ribcage. "This isn't worth you being hurt. You deserve better, I won't let her hurt you. You have to call the police."

At those words, the brunette shook her head in disagreement. "I can't Arizona. There's more to it than that. When she left me and you got her back. I realized that I could never lose her. She's been so good to me. You know she has every right to get mad about me seeing you. I cheated on her with you before. Have you forgotten?"

More tears down the blonde's face fell. "I wouldn't forget that night." The thoughts of the night overwhelmed her, it was an amazing night but that was the last night they were together. She missed being with Callie, but she was Erica's, not hers. "She doesn't trust me and you're being hurt. The problem is me Calliope, if I leave you alone you'll be safe." She looked down.

Callie placed a gentle hand on her arm and squeezed it gently, making Arizona look up. "The week you didn't talk to me was enough to make me realize, I can't live without you Arizona. I mean, you've always been here for me and I need you. For when I need to cry, you're here for me every time. You make me smile when I'm upset. Every time I needed sex, you were here." She took a step closer and looked at Arizona. "You're an amazing friend, and you're worth whatever happens."

Friend. That was the reminder that the blonde needed from the woman in front of her, speaking to her about feelings. Everything they did was just what friends did, nothing more. She shouldn't be upset about them not being together. Arizona was the one that said that all they could be was sex and friends, nothing serious. Realizing that she was losing Callie, made her want the chance to be serious with her.

Arizona had only been in love once, in her whole life. She was a teenager and she fell in love with someone that had hurt her, after that she had to distance herself from everyone she got involved with. She would just sleep with them and then leave.

With Callie, things were always different. She had known that from the start. The first night they had slept together, Callie's arms were wrapped around her. She normally hated that, but with her it felt so warm and right. She had never felt that way with anyone else. The way that she felt when the brunette and she touched, from the first time until now, it made her whole skin tingle. It wasn't with arousal, it was filled with care and hope. It scared her at first, but now she knew that Callie wouldn't hurt her. She would be there for her when she needed her.

"I know you love her but if she does this, you deserve better Callie." Arizona said, giving her a serious look. She put her hand on the bruise, she felt the electricity of the touch that was still there. It was always there, between them. She could see that Callie felt it too by her reaction to the touch, it wasn't one of pain.

It took a moment for Callie to respond but she shook her head. "It's more difficult than that Arizona." She backed away and went into the kitchen.

"I know how much you love her, Cal but is this all worth it?" She went to the freezer and took out an ice pack. She walked over to Callie and placed it over her ribcage, pulling her close as she pulled away from the cold contact. She looked into her eyes. "You'd be sad for a while after you left her but you could be happy, with someone who doesn't hurt you."

The brunette looked into her eyes and shook her head, her eyes tearing up. "She went years without hurting me Arizona. Years, three years without laying a hand on me. What if the next person starts out that way and does exactly what she did? How can I trust anyone?"

Arizona took a moment to think the question over, "You can trust me. I won't let anyone hurt you again but you can't stay with Erica. You have to be safe." She moved a little closer, their faces were inches from the others.

"If I leave her, neither of us are safe Arizona." She warned, fear was evident in her deep, brown eyes. Arizona knew that whatever Erica had done to her, was much more than just this bruise. If Callie didn't leave her, she would lose her best friend.