A/N: To be honest, I don't really like this chapter and found it difficult to write, hence the avoidance of doing so and delay. This chapter alternates between both viewpoints, sorry if this causes any confusion, but I don't think it should :) ... if anyone out there is a GLEE fan, I've just begun my first Glee fic, you can find the first chapter on my profile, I'd love to hear what you guys think! :) Anyway, I'm sorry that this chapter is probably less than what you were expecting but hopefully I'll come out of my Brand New Eyes funk soon :)

We sat in the kitchen as Callie prepared food for us both, a simple dish of spaghetti Bolognese; I couldn't help the subtle smile that appeared on my lips at the domesticity of the scene. In just a short time, Callie had taken greater strides than I could have ever hoped of someone who was so reluctant to begin with, it made me feel a little more confident about the question I wanted to ask, a question I had been sitting on since my arrival.

I sucked in a deep breath of courage as she placed a full plate of pasta in front of me, "Callie?"

"Mmm?" She responded through a mouthful of minced beef.

"I have something, I need to ask you- a-and feel free to say no, no pressure or anything I just figured I'd ask seeing as how-"

"Arizona!" She interrupted. "You're rambling."

"Right." I shook my head in search of clarity. "It's just, I kind of need a date for my best friend's wedding and I was wondering if maybe you'd like to come with me?" I spat the words out like I had limited time, forgetting entirely about the concept of needing oxygen, I held my breath still as I awaited an answer.

I tried to avoid looking at her, silently berating myself for how my eyes bore into her. She had momentarily stiffened, fork mid-air.

"Uhm." She began, nothing overly positive ever began with an 'uhm' so I chose to help her out.

"You know what, it's ok, forget I said anything, it was stupid just, just forget it." I couldn't hide my disappointment but I had to be patient, this was all new to Callie and my father always said patience pays. In all honesty I'm not exactly sure what I was hoping to come of all this, clearly a long lasting relationship wasn't on the cards, even just attempting to have a vacation fling was proving to be less impulse and pleasure and more hard work and waiting.

She looked at me, genuinely apologetic. "Arizona," she began in barely a whisper, I shook my head, silently insinuating there was no need for explanation but she continued anyway. "I just, I can't."

I was barely listening to her, instead paying more attention to the silent debate carrying on in my head, part of me just wanted to be forbearing, give her the time she needed to adjust to what she was going through, but another part of me wanted to run for the hills like I do every time I encounter a newborn. Although the second option seemed more appealing and certainly easier, there was something about Callie that made me want to stay, a feeling that was reinforced when she placed her hand over mine, willing me to look up and meet her gaze.

"I am really very sorry, I'm just not there yet." Her voice was laced with sadness and I knew I had to just give her a little bit of time, after all, coming to terms with who you are is difficult enough when you're a teenager, but to have to re-evaluate everything you thought you knew about yourself, in your 30s, well, that's just a head-fuck waiting to happen.

I smiled as warmly as I could and squeezed her hand in mine. "I understand, it's no big deal."

I knew my slightly feigned acceptance and understanding wasn't altogether believable but she seemed willing to overlook it in favour of frivolous conversation.

To say Arizona's question had caught me off guard would be the understatement of the friggin' century, she completely blindsided me, my first instinct was to respond with a 'yes', thankfully my mouthful of food had prevented an impulsive response, giving me enough time to process the situation.

I had remembered Arizona mention a friend of hers getting married, assuming she didn't have multiple friends getting married in New York right now, I knew the invitation was most likely to Henry's wedding and I simply couldn't say yes. I hadn't even worked out what I felt for him, if I even felt anything for him anymore. Arizona had me in such a tailspin of emotion I had completely allowed the rest of my world to disappear for a time, it was exhilarating.

I didn't want her to think I wasn't truly interested, that she was just an experiment or that I was ashamed, that wasn't the case, but I had come here with a very different purpose, never could I have ever anticipated what had happened between myself and the gorgeous blonde sitting to my left, but the realisation was that it's happening and until now, I had avoiding dealing with it, it being my feelings, head on.

I could see the change in her demeanour after my decline of her offer and felt guilty but I just couldn't falter, I hadn't seen Henry since that day in Macy's and that didn't go down very well, god knows how I would feel watching him marry someone else. She didn't stay long after dinner, making an excuse to leave, something about being up in the morning to go looking at flower arrangements. She didn't even attempt to give me our customary goodbye kiss. I was more bothered by this than I had thought I would have been. I liked Arizona more than I had expected to. It was ridiculous, this whole situation was insane, I didn't really believe anything serious would come of all this, Arizona and I were just having fun, but if anything, it's made me realise the time has come to address my demons, face what I came here to do.

Pulling out my phone before I lost my nerve I typed and sent a quick text to Henry.

We need to talk. Soon!

Barely had I sent it when I received a reply.

[1 new message: Henry]

We can meet in the morning for coffee, I'll text you later with the address.

With that, I threw my phone onto the cushioned chair opposite my bed before falling backwards, placing my hand over my eyes, what would I even say to him?