AN: I hope this makes up for the cliff hanger.

Chapter 16

Callie's POV

Arizona looked down at the supply paper to sign it. Before the pen could touch the pad, she released it and ran after some person in a worn hoodie. Not bothering to follow her, I looked down on the paper and read the last signature.

I inhaled deeply as I read the name. "Barbra Robbins."

My mouth dropped and I looked up just in time to see Arizona's hand reach the person's shoulder. All went quite, there was no sound. I stood back as I watched her head bob in confusion at the sight of her mother's face filling in the hood. Barbra was motionless, trying to find reality in the situation. With everything still silent, Arizona reached out again and was met with the warming arms of her mother. Their backs shook as tears fell upon their face onto each other's shoulders. Sound came back as Barbra reached for me, tears filling my eyes.

"Callie…sweetheart!" Barbra took me and Arizona into her arms.

"I…" I started, but couldn't finish.

"You and Arizona both have nothing to say?" A happy smile lit up her face, trying to distract herself from crying.

Arizona's mouth kept opening and closing, no words coming out. Mrs. Robbins took her into another hug before anything came out.

"Mom…you…you're…" She still couldn't compose a sentence.

"I'm so glad you're alive baby! And you too Callie." She gave me another hug, this time I had enough focus to hug back.

I spoke up since Arizona wasn't functioning. "How long have you been here?"

She wiped the wetness from her face. "A few days after all this began. I was on my way to the shop and those things swerved me off the road. I was unconscious for a day or two before our guys came to rescue me. They were clearing the area and saw me in the car."

"Mom." Arizona finally stated with a smile. She leaned in for another hug.

"Oh, how are the rest of your friends?" Barbra asked.

"It's been rough." It was all Arizona could say.

"Tim!" I shouted. "We found Tim!"

Mrs. Robbins' face lit up with hope. "What about your father?" She looked to Arizona. Her daughter said nothing and Barbra got the hint, her face filled with depression. They both tried to ignore it and not show emotion.

"How about we help you pack your stuff and you can come stay at our hotel?" I suggested.

"That sounds delightful. Timothy is there?" I nodded and gestured for her to go first.

Arizona and I fell behind her as she showed us the way to where she was staying.

"Are you okay?" I gave my girlfriend's shoulder a pat.

"Yeah. I just…" She smiled at me and tried to keep her eyes from filling up.

"Aren't you happy?"

"Yes, I'm ecstatic."

With one more look, I knew Arizona was truly content. We had found this amazing place to take shelter and she wouldn't have to worry about protecting her friends or me. Now, she was reunited with her mother. I want to say I'm jealous because I knew my father couldn't come back and the chances of my mother being alive we similar to Arizona's father. Barbra is like a mother to me and she's always treated me like her daughter so in a way, one of my parents were safe and sound.

Arizona's POV

My mom. She was alive and well and she was here. Slowly, my world became better and I couldn't be any more excited. If someone could just find a cure for this disease, I could build my life back.

"Mom, is this all you have?" My mom had one pillow, blanket, and set of clothes. With her bag of food, it didn't seem like much. I noticed the size of her shampoo bottle was significantly smaller than the one Callie and I received. "Are they not treating you good here?"

"They are. I just don't get much since I'm all alone and I can't do much around town. All I can do is sweep and that still hurts my wrists." Her things were already packed.

"Come stay with us and I'll make sure you get more supplies. You won't have to worry about working." We began to walk down the street together, one hand around Callie's hips and one around my mom's shoulder.

"Oh honey, I've done just fine. You don't have to protect me."

"Yes I do, you're my mom." I smiled and continued to walk with my girls.

We arrived at the hotel and ran into Aria and Jo sitting on the patio.

Callie interrupted the two. "Guys! Check it out." My mom stepped forward.

"Hello girls, it's very nice to see you." My mom offered.

I stepped up with her. "This is my mom, Barbra."

Their faces seemed speechless. Finally, Jo spoke up. "It's nice to meet you."

The others came in and out, meeting my mother after they got back from their jobs. We usually try to hang out afterwards, but we've really enjoyed the privacy. Another group placed at the hotel overheard my news and came to meet their new neighbor. My mom and I waited for our soldiers to get back at eleven. That's when Owen, Teddy, and Tim's shift ended.

Alex walked in and went straight to Jo and Callie's room. Owen and Teddy followed and stopped when they saw the new member. They immediately knew who she was. We all watched as Tim entered the patio area and looked up beyond the halted soldiers.

"No." He said. "This is a dream. This isn't real, right?"

"I found her getting supplies at the tent." I stated as I stood with my mom. Tim took a few long strides then engulfed our mom into a hug then twirled her around. When she was back to her feet, Tim ran his hand over her face and down her arm, testing her existence.

"Mom. I…" He started. Tim shed a few tears of his own before sniffling them up.

"Arizona said the same thing. Don't tell me all of this is getting to your head and messing with your speech."

"It's not." He took her into another hug, this time including me. "You're here to stay?" He asked.

"Arizona insisted."

"You got a room, ma?"

"Yes. I'm next to Callie and…Jo is it?" I nodded. "Funny. I thought you and Callie would surely take the chance to sleep in the same room together." My mom tilted her head towards Callie.

"Really?" I asked sarcastically.

"No parents around to tell you what to do? Of course I thought you would do that."

"Wow. I never thought you would say something like that. I actually just saved Tim and Jo form an awkward rooming situation."

"Yeah, that's it, isn't it?" Tim began, squinting his eyes at me.

"Shut up." I glanced to Callie who had a questioning look on her face. I turned away and gave Tim a glare. He threw his hands up in defense.

Saturday, January 25th

Jo was moving out today. She and Alex had gotten close in the past two weeks and she wanted to offer my spot back with Callie. I thought things were going to be fine and I wouldn't find the need to talk to her, but I was wrong.

I had just hopped in the shower after a rough day of working out in the hot sun. The feeling of creamy soap and hot water mixing on my skin soothed my busy mind. My mom was getting more benefits on this side of town. I didn't want to point fingers, but I'd think the soldiers on that side are a little more sexist.

The snapping of the shampoo bottle in my hands brought me back to real time. As I messaged my scalp, there was a knock on the door.

"Arizona? Are you almost done?"

It's Callie. "Yeah, I'm uh…I'm finishing up." I hurried the rest of my wash as my girlfriend entered.

"I could…I could help you out." She offered.

"No uh…I'm okay. I'm almost finished." Callie didn't listen and began to pull one end of the shower curtain back. I stepped to the other end, grabbed my towel, and covered my body before stepping out on the rug. "I'm going to get dressed." I fled the bathroom. It was obvious I was trying to avoid her, but I was hoping she wouldn't notice.

Callie stormed out of the bathroom and I hoped to seem busy as I dug through my small pile of clothes.

"Is there something you want to tell me?!" It wasn't hard to figure out she was upset.

"No." I continued not to look at her.

"I think there is. You've been avoiding me ever since I dropped that bomb about moving on in our relationship. Plus, your brother won't keep his eyes off me, like he's waiting for me to discover some deep dark secret about you!"

"It's nothing."

"What's 'it'? Every time I even get close to you, you flinch. Is it me?"

"I'm not ready to move forward." I blurted.

Callie took herself back. "So it was me. I said something about moving forward and you freaked out. Oh god, am I that pushy? All this time I thought you wanted to…but you don't. I've been coming onto you and you haven't said anything. Is it me? Do you not love me anymore?" Callie was taking this too far and she sounded close to tears.

"Callie. You are taking this way out into the wrong perspective." I tried to reach for her arms but she pulled back.

"Thought you didn't want me touching you, or you touching me?"

"Callie, it's not like that. I..."

"You want to break up? Is that it?"

"NO! Would you just listen to me?!" There was a knock at my door. I looked down at myself in the white hotel towel. "Could you get that?" When Callie didn't respond, I turned to her sitting on the bed with her arms crossed. "Seriously?" I asked as I went to answer the door.

I opened it to find my mother, staring at me with my towel and wet hair. "Is this a bad time?"

"No, I mean…yeah." I sighed and took a moment to gather myself. "What do you need?"

"Well…" She started, but then motioned for me to join her outside.

"Mom, I'm in a towel."

"Just…" My mom grabbed my hand and closed the door behind us. "So I'm right next door…"

"I know this." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I can hear you guys arguing. Is everything alright?" I know she wanted to help, but I had to do this myself.

"Mom..." I shook my head. "It's an argument, I'm sure we'll work it out."

"I've had my fair share of relationship arguments. I could help."

"I think I need to fix this myself mom." Just as I was about to go back in, Jackson and April come out.

Jackson looked at me strangely. "Nice outfit Robbins." April punched him in the shoulder. Jackson's arm went around her waist as they walked off into the streets. Way to go April.

"I'm going back in mom." I reached for the knob.

My mom put in one last word. "Honey, listen. When you're having an argument, it usually means you both did something. Don't be afraid to admit you were wrong…in whatever way it may be. Don't upset yourself…just realize what you could have done differently and apologize."

I stood for a moment and let my mother's words sink in. Once she saw I found my fault, she knew her job was done. I didn't notice her leave my side after she was finished.

Derek walked up to his room and shouted to me. "Nice towel!"

"Suck it, Derek!" I went back inside. Callie had curled up in bed under the covers. I finally found some comfortable clothes to slip on. I went over to the bed and sat facing away from her.

"I'm sorry." I felt like I said it more to myself. "I'm sorry that I avoided you and didn't sit down to talk. I know I should have just told you because it would have been a lot easier." I rested my hands in my lap and waited for a response.

"You think?" I heard come from behind me on the bed. "If you wanted to break up or didn't want me to touch you, you should have told me sooner."

"Callie…"

"I get it; you probably found some girl in the camp that you want to see."

"Callie, you're the only girl I want to see…to be with. I love you. I love how loving you are and how much you care. You mean so much to me; I didn't want to take things to the next step until the right moment. I want to, but you're not like other girls I've been with. I want our first time to be different….special."

It was silent a few moments before I felt the bed move form Callie getting off. That's it. She's walking out on me. Callie stepped up next to me then sat on the bed by my side. She reached her hands out, crossing her legs under herself. I turned to face her before mimicking her position. Our hands met in the middle of us, playing with the other's fingers.

"You should have told me." I could feel her eyes on me.

"I know." I kept my eyes on our hands.

"I'm sorry too…for being so pushy. I should have noticed or something."

"It's fine. I just don't communicate well."

"Gosh, you sound like my sister." Callie said laughing.

I laughed along and met her eyes. My girlfriend dropped my hands and crawled up the bed behind me back under the covers. I followed her and tucked myself under the sheets. She rested her hand on top of my shoulder, not wanting to make me uncomfortable. I took her hand and guided it down to rest on my hip, her fingers twirling around and making patterns on my waist. I moved her hand up my side, lifting my shirt in the process.

"You're back is healed." Callie whispered.

"Yeah?" I haven't paid much attention to my back, but I was surprised it healed as fast as it did. Miranda hooked me up at the clinic with some powerful cream and it must have worked.

"Yeah. It's covered in huge pink scars, but I'm glad you're better." She let her fingers fall over my back softly. It didn't hurt, but felt weird, like she wasn't actually touching a part of me. I squirmed under her touch. "I'm sorry. Does it still hurt?"

"No, you're fine. It feels weird though." I shifted my shoulders to show how creeped out I was. We both giggled to ourselves before cuddling up.

Saturday, February 1st

It was another Saturday and another trip to the town for supplies. Callie and I have talked, but we're still at that awkward place after you have an argument with your significant other. She's given more room and I've learned to talk when something's bothering me.

Once back, I decided to go to work with Derek. There was a pipe leak in an apartment down the street. Meredith and Callie hated it because we came back smelling like sewer water. We weren't far from finishing though and the town leaders offered us a special gift for our work. We told our girlfriends goodbye and walked down the street.

Inside, we put our masks on and began welding the pipes back together in the right place.

"Derek, can I ask you something?"

"Sure." He went down a pipe checking screws.

"Was Meredith your first?"

"No. I was with Addison, remember?" He didn't seem offended by the topic so I continued.

"Have you and Meredith already…you know?" I shrugged my shoulders.

He laughed behind his mask and I could tell by his eyes that he was sporting a huge smile. "Yeah. You and Callie haven't?"

I gulped. "No." I could see him laugh harder. "Hey! Listen, I want it to be special. Plus, we haven't been together as long as you two. How long did you wait?"

"We actually met after a one night stand. There was a party the night before and we were drunk…I woke up at her place."

"Well that helps none." I worked on the next pipe.

"We went out for three months before we did it again. I did want it to be special, but if you keep waiting for the right moment, you'll never find it. Being ready is a part, but take your opportunity when it's handed to you. That's the right moment."

I sat back for a moment and tried to decipherer what he was trying to say.

"Valentines is in a couple weeks. That could be an easy window for you."

"Let's just finish this."

It was really late when we fixed the final pipe. I smelled and there was no way Callie would want me in the same bed as her. I checked my brother's room to find he wasn't there. The shower called my name and soon, I was laying my face down into his bed. I fell asleep.

Sunday, February 2nd

Callie's POV

Arizona told me she would be working late with Derek, but I woke to an empty bed. We had a talk and I agreed I was pushing her to be more physical with me. She said she wanted our first time to be special, but what did that mean? We loved each other and I wasn't going to leave soon. Was she scared to sleep with me for some reason? She's talked more, but there were still things I didn't understand.

"Have you seen Arizona?" Tim was walking out of his apartment.

"Goldilocks? Yeah, she's in there all curled up on my bed. I came in last night and found her sound asleep. I had to sleep on the floor!" He grabbed his back as he continued past me.

I knocked on the door but there was no answer. It was cracked so I let myself in anyways. Arizona was strode across the entire bed with her face deep into a pillow, one arm hanging off the bed, and one leg out of the sheets. She was so cute.

"Arizona? Are you awake?" There was no response. I sat beside her head and let my fingers fall through her hair before she slowly stirred from her slumber.

"Hey. Is it morning already?"

"Yeah, about nine?"

"I'm going to be late. Crap." Arizona made no effort to move. "I can be late for one day."

I laughed as I cupped her face poking from the pillow. "Jackson might get upset."

"He'll survive." She made me laugh again. "You're laugh is sexy." Arizona interrupted my fit and I smiled at her drowsy face.

"Thanks?" I wasn't sure on how to respond.

"Come here." She patted the bed behind her.

I climbed over and wrapped myself around my sleepy girlfriend. "I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"About what's happened to our plans. I know you wanted to attend college together and find a career."

"I did… but that wasn't the hand we were dealt. We've got to take things one day at a time now. If things get better, things get better. If we have to live in Texas the rest of our lives, we'll live in Texas."

"You don't want a better life?"

Arizona turned around in my arms. "Of course I do. I'm saying whatever life we're given, we'll make it work."

"I feel like there's something you're not saying."

She remained silent a moment. "That's all." Arizona seemed confident with her answer so I decided to trust her. I gave her glare then a peck on the lips.

Arizona pushed a piece of stray hair behind my ear before leaning in. Our kiss deepened and once we reached the point where I would back off, Arizona leaned into me more. Her hand slid under my shirt and up the side of my stomach. The tips of her fingers played with the strap of my bra.

"What are you doing?" I asked. She continued to mess around with my chest. Somehow, she managed to push me onto my back and straddle my waist. Arizona stripped out of her shirt, revealing her light pink bra. "Arizona. What. Are. You. Doing?"

She sat back, using my stomach as a seat. "I...I just…"

Arizona's POV

I had no clue what to say. I felt like I should do this. Derek said something about Valentines, but that's too clique. I wanted to do this now and I'm sure Callie wouldn't object.

Without thinking, I pushed Callie's shirt up her body and she responded by lifting hers arms. I drug my nose down her neck, leaving a trail of kisses as I went. My lips reached her breasts and Callie let out a soft moan. I took that as a signal to continue so I made my way down her stomach.

"Wait, wait, wait." Callie looked down at me with her hands clasped to my back.

"What?"

"This is your brother's bed. You don't want to move or…"

"It'll be okay." I loosened Callie's pants and threw them behind me to the floor. They flailed in the air before finally making a plopping sound. I looked behind me at the unusual noise then back to my girlfriend. A smile formed on her face before bursting out into laughter at my sudden fit to get rid of her clothes. I placed our lips together and slipped my hand beneath her to unclip her bra. We both grinned at each other, knowing that this felt right.

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There was a tickling sensation on my shoulder and sunlight beaming into my eyes. I turned my head away from the window and found a few strands of dark brown hair in my face. Callie's head laid between my shoulder and chest; the tickle came from her soft breath on my bare skin. I couldn't help but close my eyes and remember earlier this morning. The love we made was special and there was no better time or moment. It was the fact that it was in the heat of the moment that made it hot. We must have taken a small nap afterwards. I missed my shift for work and slept through breakfast.

"Mmm." She snuggled closer to my body still asleep. The heat we shared was nice and I didn't want to move. Her arm squeezed me tighter before knocking something off the bed that was beside me. I tried to look over the edge without shuffling around, but it was useless.

I managed to scoot form Callie's grasp without waking her. The sheets constricted my torso and chest as I leaned to pick the paper off the ground. Inside was a note scribbled by my brother.

Arizona,

Next time you want to get your freak on with your lady, especially in my bed, give a heads up. I left you guys a plate of pancakes on the nightstand with some syrup.

You're Welcome,

Tim

Hopefully he wasn't too pissed off. I saw the pancakes he must have fixed for breakfast or lunch sitting next to Callie's side of the bed. My eyes fell upon my beautiful girl in the process. Her nose scrunched up followed by her hand to rub at it furiously. Soon, her eyes were open and she patted the bed beside her until she saw me pulling my shirt over my head.

She smiled and stretched her arms out form the sheets. "Hey."

"Hey." I bit the bottom of my lip as she sat up and flipped her hair back through her fingers. The sun bounced off and made her dark eyes glisten.

I saw her nose scrunch again as if she smelled something. Finally, she looked to her side and saw the pancakes. "Tim?"

"Yep. He left a note on me, saying to warn him before I get freaky in his bed again."

"So he's upset?"

"I don't think so. He made us a meal, Calliope." I motioned to the plate.

After we ate, we walked out onto the patio where everyone was relaxing. My brother was talking to my mother as Callie and I joined the group, but made sure to give me a stare.

"Look who decided to show up." Jackson announced as we sat in some lounge chairs.

"You missed lunch, honey." My mom smiled innocently.

"I know ma, just needed a nap to rest up." Everyone else gave me a look. They knew there was a whole lot more than resting going on.

My brother stood up and moved to me. "Arizona, can I speak with you?"

"Yeah…" I showed Callie I was unsure before laying a soft peck on her lips.

Once we were away from the others, my brother faced me. There was something going on and he meant business.

I thought he might be upset about the thing with Callie in his bed. "I'm sorry?" I smiled because the actual thought was funny and I was nowhere near sorry for what I did to her.

He matched my smile and shook his head. "You know what you did, but that's not what I want to talk about." Tim's tone changed.

"What is it?"

"There's been an accident Arizona. Several of the troops on the outside border have been killed and we can't afford to send any out from inside the camp."

"So we're running low on soldiers?" This sounded ridiculous.

"I know it sounds crazy, but they're fighting out there and losing."

"Wha…why are you telling me this?" I had an idea but wasn't sure.

"They need more people with military background to help out. There's not enough time to train people, they need us." He put his hand over his chest. "I also talked to Avery and he's all in. He suggested Derek, but he doesn't have enough experience in my opinion."

"Wait. You want me to join the Army? Now? In the middle of this war, you want me to join?"

"Arizona…you know I wouldn't even think about asking if it wasn't important."

"Where would they put me?"

"There moving Owen, Teddy, and I to the border. I'm guessing they would move you with us." My brother scratched the back of his head.

"So I'm joining the military?" My gut turned inside out.

"I would think it's your responsibility, your duty."

I nodded in response. "Callie's going to be pissed."

"This is what you wanted though."

"I know." I slid my hands down my face as I turned back to Callie. She gave me a confused look, but I could tell she knew something was up.

Sorry this Chapter ran a little long. I couldn't stop typing and I didn't want to split it up, so you got a long chapter.

Grey's was AWESOME. Hope you were exited as I was.