I am so so so sorry for the delay!

Chapter 6

Arizona was bouncing off the walls, everyone could see how excited she was about Callie's year long tour almost ending. With just a month to go, even Cristina was a teeny bit excited about Callie coming back because she really missed their random dance outs in their underwear. Though no one had spoken about living arrangements, everyone assumed that Callie would be moving in with Arizona.

Mark was the next person who was just as excited as Arizona was. He was already planning a huge party for Callie the weekend she was back, actually more like the second they was back and getting all her close friends to be free for that occasion.

"So how many more days to go Robbins?" Mark asked as he leaned on the counter next to the blonde.

"28 days and counting!" She couldn't keep the smile from emerging.

"Fantastic! I've already pre-ordered red wine, white whine, tequila, whisky, vodka, rum… What else do you think we need?" He clapped his hands with enthusiasm and was sporting a very broad grin.

"Geez Mark, you're not trying to get everyone roaring drink now are you?"

That was this morning.

13 hours later, Arizona was still bouncing off the walls. But not as much. Her shift was just about the end when a kid came in coughing up blood all over the place. April Kepner had been the first one at the ambulance bay and had diagnosed him. She was scrubbing in when she suddenly stopped and took a moment to look into the OR. She thought about how his parents were anxiously waiting outside for good news. This thought brought her to how she has been anxiously waiting for Callie to arrive back to Seattle, back home, back into her arms safe and sound.

"Dr Robbins, we're ready to go?" April looked as if she knew she was interrupting some deep thoughts.

"Thanks Dr Kepner." She tied the knots around her scrup cap tighter and set off. A small smile beneath her scrub mask. She had a good feeling this kid was definitely going to make it.

After Arizona's 5 hour long successful surgery all she wanted to do was take a hot bath and sleep in her own bed. She dropped her bag on the floor, put up her coat as she usually did and went straight to the mail room to pick up her mail. Her heart soared as she saw the familiar handwriting on a yellow envelope.

She dropped her letters on her coffeetable, making sure Callie's letter sat at the top of the pile that were most likely bills. She made herself a cup of tea. It had become a routine that she would come home from a long day at work to find a letter from her loved one that she enjoyed reading over a cup of tea. Today was no different. Except, maybe this would be the last letter Callie would write, seeing as she was coming back home to Arizona soon.

She sat down on her red couch and opened the letter.

"Lex can you get some beer for me from the fridge?" Mark was sitting down watching a super exciting football game when rushed knocks were heard on his door.

"Mark get your lazy ass off of the couch and get the door!"

"I'm going, I'm going! Geez. Women."

"I heard that Marcus Sloan."

"So who is it?" Lexie came back into the living room holding a bottle of beer when she realised it was Arizona.

Except something was wrong. Really wrong. Arizona was wearing nothing but a tank top and shorts. She looked like she was freezing but what convinced Lexie that something was wrong was the fact that her eyes were red from probably too much crying and she was visibly shaking.

Knowing that Arizona wanted to talk to Mark, Lexie politely excused herself and went to Meredith's. She knew that when Callie had left, Mark had found himself suddenly close friends with Arizona. He wasn't friends with Arizona just because Callie was his best friend anymore.

"Blondie?" He asked softly as Lexie closed the door to their apartment.

Arizona's mouth moved, but no words could come out.

Mark was quick to step forward to catch the blond as her legs seemed to just give way at that moment.

"Arizona you're an icicle! Did u run all the way here in nothing but shorts and a tank top?" Mark exclaimed until he thought about why Arizona would be so upset.

"Oh god did something happen to Callie? Arizona. Answer me!"

Arizona had to find the strength to put a few words together because she could see that Mark was starting to panic.

"S-She's… f-fine… fine Mark."

He pulled back from their embrace and looked worriedly in her eyes. "Then why on earth did you run all the way here if she's alright?"

His question seemed to push her over the edge as she started bawling right away.

"Uhm uhm I'm sorry for whatever it is I said that upset you!" he quickly apologized. He then decided he better shut up and wait for her to calm down before saying anything.

It felt like a few hours before the crying subdued. Mark was stroking her head and was so patient and gentle with Arizona.

Arizona suddenly stood up and a few more tears escaped but she was no longer bawling her eyes out.

Mark stood up next to her and decided maybe he could ask her again, but before he got a chance to, Arizona spoke.

"She's not coming back Mark." Arizona's words were clear but Mark's brain took a while to process.

"She's not coming back." She repeated. "She apologized and gave me no god damn reason why!"

Mark was speechless. The Callie he knew wouldn't do this to her family. The Callie he knew wanted to rush back to Seattle as soon as she could. He didn't understand what had changed her mind.

What was Callie thinking? Was she going to continue her tour? Was she affected so badly by what she's seen over there that she doesn't want to come back?

There were so many questions in Mark's head but only one question lingered in Arizona's mind.

Had Callie stopped loving her?

I know it's annoyingly shorter than usual but i just wanted to get this out there.