Disclaimer: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyright materials referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual.

Authors Note: Let me know what you think.

Each girl had a lover's grin plastered to her face. When they were together they didn't realize their feelings for each other. They were caught in a perfect storm of fear, hurt, love, and sex. It was as if each woman had to start over again and find her true identity. This jaded the pair. They couldn't see that underneath all of the issues they made for themselves, they had unknowingly fallen in love with each other. The same perfect storm that somehow brought them together, tore them apart. When the women were apart the feelings were merely lying dormant. However, when Erica and Callie were with other women they were still unaware of what their real feelings. They were oblivious to how unconditionally in love with each other they were, until that moment.

Truth made itself known and the two felt like they were living a dream. The three words that Erica had spent her life yearning to be told had just be spoken by the beautiful brown eyed girl that had changed her life. The three words that Callie had always wished she could hear, and believe, had just fallen from Erica's precious lips. Every year they had spent wanting and waiting for someone to tell them that they were loved, every hesitant proclamation of love, every broken promise that Callie and Erica had endured lost meaning. They found their soul mates.

Callie nodded, still beaming. "You love me." It wasn't a question.

Erica's smile told how elated she was, she nodded in time with Callie. "And you love me." Tears of pure delight slipped down both of their cheeks. They couldn't help but laugh at how absurd it was to be apart for so long.

Callie took hold of Erica's hands and said, "I don't think I've ever been happier than I am right now."

"I'm only ever this happy when I'm with you." Erica said confidently. Erica reached up to Callie's face and gently pulled her towards her. She leaned forward and rose slightly, then kissed Callie's forehead. Callie sighed contently at the loving gesture. They rested their foreheads together and closed their eyes. Each others presence was enough to make the other feel safe and calm.

A timid knock at the door turned both of their heads, the moment faded away. Neither were put off by the end of their privacy, they were secure with each other.

Who could be at the door? Callie thought. Did Erica have to be at work? Callie had the day off, but she wasn't sure about whether or not Erica did. "Are you working today?"

"Uhm, no. I don't officially start until tomorrow." They had woken up early and had spent the entire morning talking. Callie got up reluctantly and looked through the peep hole. Mark stared back at her expectantly. She opened the door half way, shielding Erica from any chance of conflict.

"What's up?" Callie asked nonchalantly. Mark squinted at her, he couldn't read her face.

"I saw you with her Callie." He wasn't one for skirting around an issue. Callie's jaw fell open, her eyes were the size of saucers.

"What're you talking about?" Callie asked as her voice slowly elevated.

"Erica." Mark stated without flinching. He was never forthcoming about his feelings for either Erica or Arizona with Callie. While he appreciated Arizona's relationship with Callie, he didn't care whether or not she left. Before Erica left he grew to genuinely enjoy her, no matter how rough around the edges she was. Therefore, when she left he felt some sort loss. Not to the extent of Callie, but he understood Callie's remorse. The emotional low that Callie went through after Erica fled the city made Mark resent Erica some. Mark held Callie very close to his heart, seeing her hurt killed him.

Erica heard her name, stood from the couch, and made her way behind the door. Callie shifted her weight. "She's back, yes."

"For how long this time?" Mark asked with venom lacing his words.

Callie tilted her head to the side and furrowed her eyebrows. "Mark."

"You looked pretty close last night."

"Please don't do this." Callie pleaded quietly.

"Callie! Why would you do this to yourself? What makes you think she won't leave you again?" Mark was raising his voice, Callie was becoming agitated. She shook her head in frustration.

"Don't be an idiot Callie-" Mark was interrupted by Erica before he could finish. In her newfound instinct to protect Callie, she stepped from behind the door in full Dr. Hahn stature. Erica had no patience for Mark Sloan, he was a main reason she had to leave Seattle. Hearing him raise his voice at Callie only made her resent him more.

She stepped in front of Callie. "Stop, Mark."

Mark's eyebrows shot up. "She's here? Seriously? Did you forget everything she put you through?"

"Okay its time for you to go." Erica said sternly.

Mark looked directly into her piercing eyes. He looked for any sign of weakness, and found one.

"Come find me when she get's boring in the sack." He shot at Erica.

Erica set her jaw and raised her chin, she refused to be intimidated. Callie drew the line at attacking Erica. He could question her own judgment all he wanted, but being vile to Erica was crossing the line. Callie pulled Erica softly into the apartment, Erica never dropped Mark's stare. Callie squared her shoulders and stepped into their line of vision and scoffed at Mark's childish behavior.

"You will not talk to her or about her, like that. Ever." Mark was about to respond when Callie slammed the door shut.

Mark took a deep breath in and let it out with a huff. He didn't know why he was being so rude, he knew that he wasn't acting like himself. He gritted his teeth and made his way into his apartment. Immediately he knew he would be doing a lot of apologizing over the next few days.

"Damnit." He had made a bad decision.

Callie turned in a huff towards Erica. Erica's hair had fallen out of its pony tail while they were asleep, it fell well past her shoulders. Sleep had ruffled her golden hair into large waves. Her eyes were pointed. Her stance was strong and unflinching. Her eyes were an angry shade of blue and her face was flushed. Callie was at a loss for words. She had never seen Erica so overtly angry.

"He's a prick." Erica growled lowly. Callie reached her arms out and pulled Erica to her. She wrapped her arms around Erica's waist and held her firmly. Their faces were inches apart.

"Don't worry about it," Callie had observed long ago that cruel words really did get to Erica, she just didn't show it. Erica tilted her head, still upset; she didn't understand.

"He won't bother you again." Callie assured her.

"I can take care of myself Callie." Erica said indignantly. Callie smirked at her stubbornness.

"I know. But, I just want to take care of you…sometimes." Callie was still smiling at the end of her statement. Erica's features settled and she nodded in silent approval. Callie giggled and hugged Erica to her, she spun them in a small circle. Erica still used the same cherry shampoo that she always had and Callie had her head buried in her hair. When she pulled away she was going to comment on the shampoo, but Erica was smiling at her. A big, unrestrained, loving smile. Callie promised herself that she would do everything she could to see that smile on Erica's face every single day.

"God your so beautiful." Callie mused. Erica blushed and turned her head with embarrassment. Callie couldn't stop thinking that everything this girl did was adorable. Suddenly, an idea popped into her head.

"Get dressed," she said with a twinkle in her eye.

"What? Why?" Erica asked in the same rushed tone Callie was using.

"Were going shopping."