AN: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Finals were this week, maybe some of you know what that's like. I really packed this chapter. Hope you like it.

Chapter 24

Saturday, October 18th

"This wouldn't have fucking happened if we stayed in Texas were we belonged!" I stood up and began walking down a New York City street. Every infected that came into my path was immediately decapitated with the anger and sadness which took over me. When my eyes became too watery to see, I stopped and dropped to my knees in the middle of the street for all infected to see.

"Arizona!" Callie came running after me snatching my jacket before tugging me onto my feet. "Get your ass up and back in the store!" She shoved me into the nearby store where our group was currently taking cover. She continued to shove me past our friends and into an empty dressing room. When the door was closed, she turned around and pulled me into her grasp. "I know you're hurt, but…" I wiggled my way out of her arms.

I stepped really close to Callie's face and gritted my teeth. After a few heavy breaths, I whispered and hissed through my teeth. "You don't understand."

"I do understand."

"No. We wouldn't be in this situation right now if it wasn't for Burke insisting we come up here and do our 'duty'."

"You know Owen was on board too."

"No. He wasn't on board. Owen told me he wasn't. We were all happy where we were, but Burke had to prove some sort of point or…something!" I let the grit between my teeth go.

"Calm down."

"I swear, I'll beat every ounce of cocky out of that man." My shoulders stiffened as I raised my weapon.

"Don't. Arizona…"

"Not only is our target dead, but another one of us is gone! One of our best group members has disappeared!"

"You couldn't help that his wife was dead Arizona and we'll find…"

"You don't understand Calliope." I sat down on a wooden bench and held my head in my hands. "The President, he offered me something if I completed this mission."

Callie's facial expressions changed as she sat beside me. "What was he going to give you?"

"He said whatever I wanted, he would get it. I told him there was only one thing I really wanted."

"And you wanted…?"

"I told him I wanted my mom to have a house by herself and no matter what, she would have access to any supplies she needed. She was going to be taken care of."

"Well I'm sure he'll be able to do something for you. We didn't come all this way for nothing."

"We did though! The President's wife is dead and now Owen's missing."

"We'll find Owen or he'll probably find us. Don't worry about that."

"My mom's not going to get that house because we didn't bring back his wife."

"Hey," Callie wrapped her arm around my shoulder, "we completed the task. Grant said to find his wife and we did. The fact that she's dead isn't our fault."

I hung my head even lower until Callie placed her palm under my chin and lifted it up so our noses touched. She moved her nose up until our lips met. When she pulled back, she placed both hands on my cheeks. "Your mother doesn't need a huge house and piles of outdated food to make her happy. You alone are enough to make a person feel safe, comforted, …loved. As long as she has you with her during this time, I know she's happy."

I turned away to wipe a few stray tears. "What about my dad? Huh? What about Tim? You don't think she needs them to be happy?"

"Arizona, don't turn things around like that. I know she misses them, but she still has you, her strong and beautiful daughter. I also know she would do anything to have all of you guys in her arms again."

She paused for a long time which I then looked up.

"I'm sorry that your dad isn't here."

"It's…no, don't beat yourself up over this again."

We both paused before gathering ourselves and standing up. "I'll still beat Burke's ass." I gripped my gun.

Callie let out a slight laugh of relief. "Please, don't." She maneuvered her hands under my arms and around my waist. When our bodies pressed together, I leaned in until our lips met filling the room with silence as they slowly moved together. Callie's hands slid further down, gliding over the ammo stuffed in my back pockets until she reached my ass. Her hands filled with jean as her gripped tightened. I felt my feet become unsteady before I realized it, she was lifting me up. My back began to slide up against the wall.

I pulled back from our embrace. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Okay, let's go see what our plan is."

"I'm hoping a quick search for Owen and then a trip back to the hotel…where there's a steaming shower."

"Sounds like an ideal plan." We clasped our hands together before walking to the group who was waiting in the middle of the store. "So, what are we going to do you guys?"

No one responded as I looked into many unsure faces. Avery scratched his head then turned to face the window.

I looked to Preston. "Burke, what's the plan?"

He continued to sit on a crate with his hands in front of his lips, as if he was actually thinking.

"Great, our fucking captain doesn't even know what to do! Burke, you better get your ass up or I'll…" I lifted the butt of my gun in his direction. I cocked it back, but was stopped my Mark grabbing the gun when I tried to move it forward.

When it was decided everyone was clueless, I stepped up into the middle. "This is what we're going to do. We're going to stop at every corner, every store, every road, everything and anything we stopped by during our time up here. We leave signs for Owen telling him we went home. We'll come up every few weeks to check up. Understood?" Everybody nodded and patted my shoulder as they gathered our supplies. I glanced over to a sluggish Burke and muttered under my breath, "Pathetic."

"Agreed." I looked over to find Teddy standing next to me.

"Teddy, I'm so sorry…"

"It's okay. We're going to find him. He's not a Preston Burke."

I grinned slightly as Teddy gathered the rest of her things and walked outside.

Sunday, October 19th

Once we went through the security guys at the gate, we all moved slowly into the President's hideaway house and were escorted into his office-looking area then seated on the couches. Not much longer until Grant himself walked into the room and stood in the middle of our group looking around confused.

Burke was standing in the back and began to speak. "Sir, we… when we got there…"

I stood up. "Sir, when we finally came across one of the stores your wife was last seen at, we discovered her body in the back with you service men surrounding her. It looked like she died from the virus and the men…well they handled it."

His face turned from confused to sad to pained in less than five seconds. Fitz covered his mouth with one and hand as he walked around in circles. He dug his fingers through his hair and held his arms above his head.

"She's dead?" He asked.

"Yes sir. We brought the details on her location, but left the body. One of our own was lost and we plan on going back to look for him. We can retrieve her body then. It's whatever you want us to do."

"Owen Hunt? Oh my…" He continued to drag his hands over his face. It was difficult seeing our country's leader at his weakest. "I'm so sorry that you lost him." He began to look at us in the eyes individually.

"It's okay. We left directions and supplies for him."

"Well…thank you." He took an extremely deep breath, raising his chest then slowly letting it fall. "Thank you so much Amarillo. You guys are amazing and if you don't mind, I'd like to keep you around."

We all looked around and agreed we would stay for the time being. Who was really going to turn down the President and a hotel with hot water?

The group began to limp out of the office then separated to go different ways. I reached for Callie's hand and smiled to myself before looking up to her face which displayed a similar grin.

"Arizona, wait." Callie and I turned around to Grant. "You two, please stay for a second."

We looked to each other surprised, but took our seats on the couch again. "Arizona, I want you to know that I've already set your mother up in a very nice house just across the hill. It's stocked with water and fruit. The water still runs hot and I'm sure there's a fireplace in there with wood stocked to the ceiling. There's an extra room if you two would like to join her."

"Wha… Sir, you didn't have to. I know we didn't bring your wife back."

"It's okay, Robbins, you did what I asked. Thank you. And it's already done, your mother is waiting there. Would you like for the guys to show you the way?"

I looked to Callie then the ready men in black suits. "That would be great, sir." I reached my hand out in front of Grant. We returned the hand and we shook with gratitude. I couldn't believe he had already given me what I wanted.

We were taken through a field of overgrown grass which led to a small white house placed at the top of a hill. I ran up to the door and knocked furiously.

"Well who keeps…" My mom froze as she opened the door. "Arizona!" She wrapped her arms around me until I no longer could breathe, but I didn't mind. This pain, it was a welcoming pain. "My baby, I was so worried about you."

"I was worried about you too mom." I stepped back and looked inside the door. "They put you in a nice place?"

"Oh Arizona Robbins, get in here." My mom yanked me inside. "And Callie…" She opened her arms and welcomed Callie into an embraced much like the one I received. "I missed you too dear."

Callie hugged my mom tightly to her. "I missed you too, Barbra."

"Come in, they set up a room for you two upstairs." I looked around and noticed it had more room on the inside that it would seem. "And don't worry; my room is on the other side of the floor so you guys will have some privacy. I know you girls don't want to be stuck in a little house with an old lady like me, but it would make me so happy if you stayed."

I stopped in my tracks and turned to my mother. "Of course we'll stay will you mom. I wouldn't want it any other way." I gave her another hug.

"Oh, and Mr. Grant left a surprise for you upstairs."

"Really? What is it?"

"I'll let you find it. Callie, could you give me a hand with the clothes outside?"

"Um…sure." Callie gave me a quick kiss on the lips then trotted outside, but not before stopping at the door and letting a grin flash across her face.

I turned around and gradually went up the stairs, making sure to check out my surroundings. At the top was a bedroom to the right with the bathroom next to it. There was a closet next to the bathroom and two more doors down the hallway. I walked down the hall and noticed one room was another bathroom. That's good. Guess there wasn't one downstairs. I opened the door at the end and saw Callie and mine's belongings. Don't' have to worry about that. On the bed was a small envelope next to a small box.

I opened the envelope to find a hand-written letter from Grant.

Arizona,

I've placed your mother in this nice home as you requested upon the favor you completed for me. You don't have to worry about food, clothes, hot water, or any other supply from now on. I greatly appreciate what you have done for me if you are indeed reading this note. However, your mother informed me of something you truly wanted besides her well-being. Barbra informed me that you and Miss Torres are engaged and recently lost the ring. Luckily for you, the couple who lived in this house left their valuables behind and my team confiscated them when they first placed me here. In this box is an engagement ring we found. I couldn't think of a more deserving person or couple. Also, I sent the group of soldiers who watch our back walls to Seattle; they're now looking for your father and have orders not to halt action until he is found. I hope this truly makes up for what I have put you through.

Sincerely and with thanks,

Fitz

P.S. Olivia could be a great wedding planner if you wanted her to be.

I ran my fingers over the fancy signature the President put at the bottom of the page then moved to the box. There was soft velvet that surrounded the outside which made me curious about the inside. I slid my index finger into the box and opened it up to find a diamond ring glistening in the light from the window.

"Oh my…" I closed the box quickly and stuck it in my pocket along with the letter. I left the room and went out back to find Callie helping my mom fold clothes. I snuck around some shirts that were hung on the line then wrapped my arms around Callie's waist.

"Hmm, hey." She smiled and leaned in to lay a soft peck on my lips. "What was left up there?"

"What?"

"Fitz left something for you, what was it?"

"Oh, just a letter thanking me and…stuff." I tried to cover my guilty face with a smile. Callie gave me a weird look then turned back to hanging and folding clothes. I looked up to my mom and saw her give me a knowing look. She must have seen what was left in the room from Grant.

I pressed my lips to Callie's neck the moved them closer to her ear. "Calliope, you should really come check out this room." I began to tug on her arm while wiggling my eyebrows up and down.

"Arizona…" She looked to my mom. "Don't you think it's a little much to be messing around in your mom's house?"

"Come on." I tugged her harder. As we left the yard, I looked back to see my mom shaking her head while giving me a glare.

Once inside, I tried to guide Callie to the room upstairs but tripped on a rug placed in the middle of the living room. We tumbled together and both laid on our backs and laughed.

I looked over to Callie. "I swear that rug wasn't here before."

"Uh huh." She rolled over and positioned herself on top of me, her hand came up to my face and brushed stray hairs away. As she leaned down, I closed my eyes in anticipation of a kiss, but I was surprised when her lips pressed to my collarbone. She pulled the top of my shirt down and moved her lips over the ridge of my bra. My hips arched up but where pushed back down with a hand gripped to my side only to be followed my Callie's hips pressing on mine.

"Mmm, what's in your pocket?" She pressed her hips harder on my pocket and started to reach inside.

I grabbed her hand and repositioned it on my side. "Nothing you need to know about." I wrapped my arms around her neck and pressed my lips to hers.

The front door slung open and a sweaty Karev walked. "Robbins! Robbins?!"

"Down here!" I yelled from the ground.

He walked over just in time to see Callie roll off me and take a seat on the floor.

"Sorry, was I…"

"Yes, you were. This is the second time you've interrupted a personal moment. What do you want?" I pushed myself off the ground and strode up to Alex.

"The group of men Grant sent out to Seattle to find your dad….they're on the way back."

I stood motionless.

"Wait, Grant sent men to look for your dad?" Callie joined our circle.

A million ideas ran through my mind so I began to spit questions out at Alex. "Did they find him? Is he dead? Is he alive? What do they know?"

"Calm down Robbins. You know as much as I do."

"Karev! You come and interrupt me to tell me this?!"

"I was ordered from Grant to come and inform you. He doesn't have any information either, except that they're coming back and it might be a week or two before they get here."

"How can they tell him they're coming back but can't say whether or not they found my dad?"

"I have no clue Robbins."

Before anybody said anything else, I looked around to make no one was listening in. "Listen, don't tell my mom anything. You tell Grant and everyone to make sure this information is kept away from her. I don't want her hopes getting high. Got it?"

Alex nodded in response.

"Good, now go tell them." I motioned my hand for him to leave then turned my body away from my fiancé and covered my face with my hands.

"Arizona…I can …I mean…is there anything you want me to do?" She fiddled with her hands giving me my space.

"No. I'm fine." I turned back around and offered Callie a smile and quick kiss before I ran after Karev.

Thursday, November 20th

I stood there in front of the President shaking my head in disappointment. "You said it would be two weeks, Grant." My temper was rising.

"Seattle is on the other side of the country, I'm sure it's going to take them a while"

"It's been over a month!" I took a step closer only to notice the men in suites step up. "I'm sorry, it's just…they didn't say anything? They didn't mention if they found him or not?"

"Arizona, sit down." We sat on his couch. "I understand you're incredibly nervous and…scared. Whatever the circumstances are, I want you to know we did what we could and if there's anything else I can do to see that your family is well taken care of, let me know."

"What about Hunt? We still haven't found him."

"I know." His voice softens and he looks out the window. "I hope we find him."

"He'll probably find us before we find him." We both laughed together only to offer each other a sad smile.

"I'll see if we can find them."

"Thank you, sir."

Friday, November 28th

The President held a Thanksgiving dinner for all of us yesterday which occupied three different rooms. No one really had anything to say; we were all waiting for better news. The top of the east coast was clear including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The soldiers were mainly cleaning up debris and moving people into bigger camps. There, they would have more room, so more families would have a house of some sort and not a tent. Though there were multiple families in one house, it was better than the cold hard ground.

I was still pissed that no one had made an effort to contact the group who went after my dad. My mom was clueless as to why I had been so upset, and Callie wanted to tell her, but I wouldn't let her. Teddy Derek, and Mark had traveled up to New York again so they missed out on the stupid dinner. So many things were going on and I had no idea where my place was anymore.

I postponed my proposal until the Seattle group returned. Callie had only met my dad once or twice before because he was so busy at the base. I wanted him to see that she was the girl I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. A smile came to my face at the thought and I turned to that very girl lying next to me on our bed with a book glued to her face.

A knock came to the door. I got up to answer it, motioning for Callie to stay.

"Karev? You know, you're always interrupting somebody…" The look on his face made me shake. I could see fear and concern.

"What? What is it?"

"You need to come down." With that he left.

I looked back to Callie.

"Go, I'll be right behind you."

I slipped on some flip flops and wrapped a robe around me.

Down in the lobby, there were three soldiers standing with President Grant. I looked around thinking they were from Seattle, but there was no sign of my dad.

"Arizona, join us." Grant pushed me forward into the huddle of soldiers. "Something's occurred." He nodded for the soldier to speak.

"We're from the clean-up team in New York…"

"Oh god, is it Teddy or Derek or…?" I looked around before I would hear anymore.

The soldier grabbed my arm to get my attention again. "No, we haven't run into your men up there yet. I'm sure they're doing fine."

"Okay then, what's this about?"

"We're working on transporting the survivors from Texas, and we were told to move the Amarillo camp first," he nudges his head towards the President "as ordered, but there's a problem. A tornado came a few days ago and we've lost all reception and communication with them. We've also lost contact with Dallas. Two of the soldiers met us at our meeting point and told us they wouldn't be able to make a second trip, they would be helping the camp members and…"

"And…" I crossed my arms to defend myself from all the horrible news I was receiving.

"They said the last group we moved up was the last guaranteed group. They barely made it out their selves."

Jackson moved into the room along with April from the dining area. "What does that mean?"

I moved my attention from Jackson back to the soldier.

"It means they don't know if they'll be any survivors to move. We stopped here on our way because we're not sure if we should even go wait for them to bring another group, being we lost communication and all."

Bailey spoke up from a place where I couldn't see her. "Tornado season is in October."

"True, but this one must have struck late."

My mind wonders to all the people and families we had become friends with down there. Texas had become a second home for us, and when something destroys your home, it destroys you."

Hours passed and everyone was still debating on what to do with the whole situation. Callie and I sat on a couch by ourselves.

"We knew a lot of those people Calliope."

"I know." She rubbed her hand up and down my back as I leaned over and looked at the rug beneath my feet.

"That could have been us; we could have still been at the hotel."

"I know." Her toned changed only to be more sympathetic.

"What are we gonna do?"

"I don't…what do you want to do?"

I turned to hold both of Callie's hands and stared deep into her dark brown eyes. "I want to go to Texas. That place has done so much for us and we've done so much for them, I just can't sit here while they're going through hell down there."

She just nods and lets me continue.

"I have so much on my mind right now; I just don't know what to do first."

"What is your heart telling you to do?"

"It's telling me to go to Texas above everything else, that's what I feel like I need to do."

"You want me to go with you?"

I thought about it for a moment. If there was a tornado, who knows what could have gotten thrown around and pushed into the camps. I knew it was best for her safety to stay here, and it would give my mother some company while I'm gone.

"Calliope, I…"

The President walked in quickly. "Arizona…" He focused his stern glare on me and I knew exactly what was going on. Callie and I jumped up and followed him and his men down a hallway. "The soldiers from Seattle are at the gate and so is your group from New York. They didn't want to let them in without my approval of course, but I don't have any information. I hope you don't mind that I tag along?"

"Not at all, sir."

I squeezed Callie's hand as the gate to the second surrounding wall began to unlock. The camouflage pants of soldiers peaked through and my heart picked up. They either had my father or they didn't which was enough pressure to make me focus my stare to the ground in front of me. I only looked up when the sound of their polished black boots were right in front of me.

Tell me what you thought! I'll have another chapter up soon! You won't have to wait forever, I promise.