**WARNING - CONTAINS THE SUBJECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE**

Thanks for all of your recent reviews. They are awesome. This chapter was a little hard to write, and I would like to stress that the first part of this chapter goes into more detail than before. Please, if you do not feel comfortable reading it, scroll past. I do not wish to cause any hurt or reminders to any of my readers who may have experienced any form of violence. It is not my intention. The entire first paragraph is in bold italic, and it is here that you should avoid if you wish to.

My aim is also not to go into any more graphic detail for the time being. I will, however, put a warning at the top of the chapter should it contain anything I'm unsure about. Yes, this fic is based on DV but I do not want to make it the only subject.

Flashbacks in bold italic.

I own nothing. All characters/storylines belong to Shonda. I'm simply 'borrowing' them.

Chapter Five

Cold. It was the only way to describe how she felt. Her body numb and void of any feeling or emotion, she not longer cared. To her left, shards of glass which once resembled a champagne flute, and to her right, her torn 'badass' tee that now looked like nothing more than an old rag. Snorting to herself, that word that had been emblazoned across her breast's earlier now meant nothing. She was nothing. She would always be nothing. If only her parents could see her now. How embarrassed and disgusted they would be. Calliope Torres, Domestic Violence victim. She had been raised to be the person who people could come to if they had problems, and now, she lay face down on the floor while her whole life flashed before her. She was the problem. She would always be the problem. Turning herself over, she felt the cool air hit her stomach. Her bare, bruised stomach. She had always looked after her body. She had always worked out, and ate the right things, and now, it lay beaten and battered on a cold hardwood floor in what used to be her apartment. No longer just hers, no longer her safe haven. It hadn't been her safe haven for quite some time, and the longer she spent here, the more she never wanted to step foot in it ever again. Bringing her tanned hand up to her face, she pressed lightly on her lip. Hissing as the pain shot through her face, she found blood. Deep red blood. Blood wasn't an issue for her, she was a world class Orthopaedic surgeon, but seeing her own blood covered hands, it bothered her. It bothered her more than she ever could have imagined. Callie Torres didn't take beatings. She didn't allow negative people into her life, let alone her home. That changed. That changed the day Suzanne Marshall walked into her place of work. She had been very confident and forward, and that was something Callie liked. Now, she hated it. She hated her. She hated herself. She hated her life. Hearing the shower shut off, the bruised and broken body on the floor froze. Glancing down, she felt like she wasn't in her own body. A bystander watching and laughing. "You disgust me. You make me sick." Harsh words played over in her mind and as she caught sight of the woman she once loved, her eyes closed. "Get this shit cleaned up you fucking tramp." Bracing herself for what was to come, Callie held her breath. A swift, hard kick to the ribs and she was gone. She no longer felt anything. She didn't care how much it hurt. She didn't care how much the pain coursed through her entire body, causing her eyes to water. She wanted to die, and she wanted to die now. "If you think you can fuck blondes while I'm busy working, then this will continue. I will not have a whore for a fiancé. Get the fuck up, NOW!" Suzanne's words flicking a switch inside Callie's mind, she lifted her aching body from the floor, left arm gripping onto the couch, and her right resting on the coffee table. "Blonde." She murmured only loud enough for herself to know that she was still here. Images of Arizona Robbins flashing before her eyes, she done as she was told. Bending to pick up the glass she had apparently broken, she winced at the pain. I'm alive. Closing her eyes as she repeated the action several times, the only thought in her mind was a certain blue eyed woman. She had to get out. She had to get out of her apartment and she had to see Arizona. She was kind and she was calm. Feeling hands connect with the back of her neck, her face was suddenly being pushed full force into the wall. Callie whimpered. She didn't cry. She couldn't cry. Crying only prolonged the fighting. Her tears, non existent, just like her body was of any feeling. Her body sliding down the wall, it slumped as it once again met the floor. Callie Torres had survived another evening of kicks and punches. She had survived, but she was barely hanging on.

Startled from her sleep, Callie found a cold sweat forming over her body. A mess of blonde hair standing in the doorway of the guest bedroom she was occupying, she shot up. "I'I-m sorry. Did I wake you?"

"Are you okay? I could hear you down the hall?" Arizona furrowed her brow. Her heart was breaking for the woman who looked so small in her guest bed. She had lay awake for almost twenty minutes listening to Callie's whimpers. Her own ears unable to take anymore of the painful sound, she had to do something.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. I didn't know I was even making a sound." Brown eyes dropped their gaze to the corner of the blanket in tanned hands. "I'm okay. Go back to bed."

"I can stay?" The words left Arizona's mouth before she had even had time to process what she was saying. "I mean, if you need someone, I can be that someone?"

"No, you have to go back to work tomorrow. I have taken up enough of your time, the last thing you need is for me to take away your sleep too." Red lips gave a fake smile as Callie looked back up to meet the baby blues staring back at her. They were soft, and they were beautiful. She could spend forever looking into those eyes, but if she didn't sort herself out soon, she would never get the chance to.

"Callie, I'm not due in until midday, I can stay if you want?" The blonde moved closer into the guest bedroom and took a seat on the edge of the bed. "It's really no problem."

"I just, I had a dream, or a nightmare. More of a flashback really." Callie shrugged. "I'm sure I'll be okay though, but thank you."

"You look like you have just stared death in the face, I cannot leave you in this state."

"Yeah, I kind of did." The brunette scoffed. "Maybe you can stay just a little while, but then you have to go back to bed. You need to sleep."

"Okay. What do you need?" Arizona questioned as she shuffled back further onto the bed, blonde curls meeting the headboard.

"Um, I-" Callie shook her head.

"Callie?"

"I, um, c-could you h-hold me?" Brown eyes closed as she thought about her question. She wasn't worried about having another woman's arms wrapped around her, but she didn't want to put the blonde on the spot.

"Of course. Come on, settle back down." Arizona smiled as she slipped under the covers. "I-Is this okay? It's just a little cold."

"Yeah." The brunette sighed as she turned in the bed. Her back now to the other woman, she instantly felt calm in her presence.

"Are you sure this is what you want? If you feel uncomfortable at any point, just say the word, okay?"

"Okay."

"I'm going to hug you now, Cal." Arizona stated as she settled down on her side behind the brunette. She wanted to be sure that Callie knew she was in control here. She wanted nothing more than to hold her, and show her how it felt to be held, but she wouldn't do it if Callie was uncomfortable. Placing her arm around a toned waist, Arizona was careful not to touch the bruised area around Callie's lower ribs. "Is this okay?"

"Mm." The brunette mumbled as she felt her entire body melt back into the blonde. Never had she felt such safety, and never had she felt so secure. If this is what it felt like to be held by Arizona Robbins, then this could become a regular thing. The warmth radiating from the other woman was immense, and Callie liked it.

Settling her own head down when she was satisfied that Callie was okay, Arizona let a small sigh flow through the room. She had felt the instant reaction of calm hit her when she wrapped her arm around the brunettes waist, and she knew that Callie was okay. Not wanting to disturb the other woman, she lay still and continued to keep her tight grip on the bruised body in front of her. Noticing how the brunettes breathing had evened out, Arizona smiled to herself. How can anyone refuse to hold this woman? She feels amazing. Closing her eyes, she too felt sleep take over, and right now, she didn't care if she was in her own bed or not. Callie needed her, and that was all that mattered.

Slowly waking from what she believed to be the most peaceful night sleep she had experienced in a long time, Callie opened her eyes. She hadn't moved from her position during the past nine hours, and now, her ribs ached. Not wanting to remove herself from the embrace of the woman pressed into her back, she decided that she would grin and bear it. Every emotion, hitting her like a tonne of bricks, she lay as still as possible. It was nice. It was nice to have someone hold her, and show her that it was okay to do so. She was telling the truth when she told Arizona that she wasn't scared of her, because she really wasn't, but she also knew that the idea of dating someone else was a little unnerving. Unnerving and exciting all at the same time. She had always wanted someone who could love her, with the capacity to be loved in return, and she truly believed that Suzanne was the one to do that. Never in her wildest dreams did she think that she would become a victim of spousal abuse, and never did she think that she would now be waking up with an amazingly supportive 'friend' next to her. She would stick to the word friend for the foreseeable. Arizona hadn't yet experienced Callie Torres in full, so the brunette wouldn't get her hopes up.

Yes, she would love nothing more than a fresh new relationship with a woman she felt an intense connection with, but she wouldn't push the blonde, and she wouldn't push herself. Not until she knew she was truly ready. It wasn't about the sex, or the intimacy, not really. It was about the friendship that came with a genuine, happy relationship. Sure, if they dated and things went further, they would fight. Every couple did, but there is a big difference between raised voices and raised hands and Callie was slowly beginning to realise that.

Feeling movement behind her, she closed her eyes and pretended to still be sleeping. The hand which had rested against her stomach for the entire night beginning to shift, Callie's first instinct was to grab a hold of it, but she couldn't. She couldn't because she wasn't sure Arizona wanted her to. She had already stayed longer than they had agreed, and although Callie was completely fine with that, she wasn't sure Arizona was. Feeling the bed move beside her, she knew Arizona was about to leave. She was about to leave, and Callie didn't want her to. Get a grip of yourself, Callie. She's not your minder. Turning to find the blonde awkwardly and slowly trying to remove herself from the bed, Callie frowned. "Where are you going?"

"Oh." Blue eyes widened. "I, uh, I wasn't supposed to stay the night. You asked me not to." Arizona stated as she stood frozen at the side of the bed, her hand holding onto the end table for a little stability. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have fallen asleep."

Sitting up, Callie pulled the cover up to her shoulders and shrugged. "It's okay." She could see the worried look on Arizona's face, and it broke her heart. "I-It was nice."

"Good. I'm happy it settled you." The blonde nodded as she made her way to the door. Checking the time, it was almost 9am. She had a little time before she had to get ready for her shift. "Coffee?"

"Coffee would be nice, but, um, I can make it." Callie removed herself from the bed and pulled on an oversized hoodie. "I'll just use the bathroom and then I'll do it."

"Callie, I can make coffee. Just relax. Take your time." Arizona smiled as she stopped the brunette in her tracks. "Please."

"Oh, okay. It's just, I had to make the coffee at home." Tanned shoulders shrugged. "And the breakfast, and do the laundry, and empty the trash, and make dinner. As well as work a wonderful eighty hours a week at the hospital."

"Yeah, well you aren't at home. You are here, and here, we share duties. So, today I'm making the coffee, and the breakfast." The blonde stated. "Now, go do something with that hair, it's freaking wild."

Callie's heart rate increased dramatically at the playful tone of the blondes voice. She never had playful. She had serious, and demanding. She wasn't even looked at in the morning. She was talked to, and ordered about, but that is where it ended. The attacks never happened in the morning, and that was the one time she looked forward to most. Evenings was when it all happened. Evenings, when she had an entire night to endure the vile words, and the pathetic hands of her ex. She wasn't even strong. Callie was much stronger, but Callie was raised to not hurt other people. Shame Suzanne wasn't raised the same. Or maybe she was. Callie had never met the redheads parents, and they were never spoken about. Maybe they disowned her when they seen what a horrible person she was. Laughing to herself, Arizona turned in the hallway and raised an eyebrow.

It was the first time she had heard Callie truly laugh. Her stomach in knots, she found it incredibly sexy. "Um, what's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing. Sorry, I was just thinking." The brunette waved her hand in front of her and slipped into the bathroom.

Continuing her way down into the kitchen, Arizona smiled. She had spent the entire night in a beautiful woman's bed. Well, it was her bed, but still. There was nothing sexual about it, and that was okay. It was just nice to know that Callie felt safe with her around. Putting on a pot of fresh coffee, she began fumbling around in the kitchen for the ingredients to make pancakes. What are you doing, Arizona. You don't freaking cook. Groaning, she checked the items on the kitchen counter and got to work.

After a couple of minutes, Callie came strolling down the hallway, hair up in a messy bun. Leaning against the doorframe that led to the kitchen, she chuckled. Arizona was covered in various ingredients, and feeling the urge to step forward into the blondes personal space, she did. "You, um-" Bringing her hand up to a pale cheek, she ran her thumb along and smiled. "You have flour on your face."

Closing her eyes as the brunettes soft thumb ran along her skin, she felt a bolt of electricity course through her entire body. Never had she felt such a touch from another woman, and right now, she never wanted to again. Not from anyone but Callie. From that moment, she knew there was a connection. A connection she had been searching for her entire life. Realising she was still stood in the same position, she opened her eyes to find dark brown orbs staring back at her, with a beautiful smile to match.

"Thank you for staying with me last night." Leaning forward, Callie pressed a light kiss to the same cheek she had seconds before touched. "It meant a lot."

Feeling her knees ready to buckle beneath her, she grabbed onto the edge of the kitchen counter and gave herself a minute to process what had just happened. "Y-You are welcome."

Having checked the cupboards earlier in the day, Callie found everything she needed for dinner. Now, sitting patiently in the living room, she heard a key turn in the lock. Checking the time, the blonde was right on schedule. Stepping through the door and placing her purse on a nearby table, Arizona took a deep breath. "Something smells amazing."

"Oh, it's just a lasagne." Callie smiled. "How was it at the hospital?"

"Manic. I think your floor is falling apart." The blonde laughed as she made her way further inside her apartment and kicked off her shoes. "Wine?"

Pulling two bottles from a bag she was holding, she held one of them up. "I, um, I hope you don't mind, but I figured you were a red kind of girl."

"You did?" Callie's eyes lit up at the small but lovely gesture.

"Yeah. You don't have to drink it, it was just a suggestion." Arizona mumbled. She didn't want Callie to think that she was forcing her choice on her. It wasn't about that. She did genuinely think that the brunette was more of a red wine girl though.

"Red, and that particular one is my favourite." The brunette stood from her spot and moved closer to the blonde. "Thank you. This should go perfect with dinner."

"Oh, thank god. I thought i'd messed up for a minute." Arizona placed her palm over her chest and breathed a sigh of relief. "Phew."

Pulling their dinner out of the oven, Callie smiled as the hot air hit her, followed by the scent of various herbs. Plating up, she continued to stare at Arizona out of the corner of her eye. She was beautiful, and she would spend all day looking at her given half the chance. "Shit!"

Turning suddenly, Arizona found Callie holding her hand. "What did you do?"

"Burnt it." Callie sighed. "Typical, huh? I manage to almost get rid of my bruises, and now I go and burn myself."

"Here." The blonde stated as she moved the other woman towards the sink. Running her hand up her forearm, before holding onto her wrist, she ran the cold water and placed Callie's hand underneath it. "It should be okay."

Arizona's perfume attacking her senses, Callie closed her eyes. It was becoming harder to be around this woman in a friendly capacity, and if she didn't watch herself, she could ruin everything. First she had woken up with her arms wrapped around her, and now she was standing with her body almost pressed against her while she tended to her burn. It felt good, really good, but if Callie didn't move away soon, she would kiss Arizona. She would kiss Arizona and potentially ruin their new friendship. "Looks good." Pulling her hand from the soft pale one, she cleared her throat and moved back towards their dinner. Finishing the salad, she offered a plate to Arizona before sitting down to eat.

"Oh god. This is amazing." Arizona moaned.

Hearing the moans coming from the woman in front of her, Callie held her breath. How can someone enjoying their food be so freaking hot? Swallowing the mouthful of lasagne she had been chewing forever, the brunette smiled. "Glad you like it."

"Like it? I love it." Arizona gave a small smile before shovelling some more into her mouth. Enjoying every bite, she swallowed and cleared her throat. "I, um, I was wondering if you wanted to watch a movie tonight?"

"Yeah. I'd like that." Callie stated as she placed her cutlery down. Standing from her seat, she moved around the other side of the kitchen counter and began cleaning up. Joined by Arizona, she could get used to sharing this space. Working in sync to get the kitchen tidied up as soon as possible, it was like they had known each other forever.

Finished and ready to settle down, Arizona took a seat on the couch and pulled down a blanket that had been resting over the back. Pulling her feet up beside her, she got comfortable and watched as Callie made her way over to join her. Baby blues staring up at the women stood awkwardly in front of her, she frowned. "Everything okay?"

"C-Could I share this blanket with you?"

"Um, sure. I can get another if you'd like this one?" Arizona threw it from her legs and shifted in her seat.

"No, I want to share this one." Callie stated.

"Okay." The blonde furrowed her brow. "I-It's not very big."

"So I'll sit next to you, if that would be okay?"

"Of course it would." Placing her arm along the back of the couch, she waited for Callie to sit down beside her. Hesitating, she shifted her arm slightly and thought about placing it around the brunette. Unsure of how Callie would feel about it, she dropped it ever so slightly and found that the other woman hadn't even flinched. Holding her breath, she gently placed her arm around her shoulders and waited for any sort of response.

The response she received shocked her. Leaning into Arizona's side, Callie too pulled her legs up beside her and placed her left arm around the blondes waist. Closing her eyes at the unexpected, but very welcome contact, Arizona took a minute to herself before she got a little more comfortable. Satisfied that the other woman was okay with her arm being around her, she pulled the blanket up over them and settled down. Tonight had been a big step for Callie, and the blonde was happy for her. It didn't matter that she wanted to be with the brunette. All that mattered was that Callie was happy to be with Arizona, and she was becoming more confident in herself. That was the most important thing, and the blonde was looking forward to spending the evening with the other woman snuggled against her. Glancing down, blue eyes met brown. "You don't do this."

"Do what?" Callie questioned.

"Snuggle." Arizona smiled.

"No, I don't." Brown curls shook. "But since you held me last night, it's all I've wanted to do. You give the best hugs, Arizona."

"And you are the ideal person to hug." Blue eyes softened as she took in the beautiful features of the woman curled up against her. "You look really beautiful tonight."

"Thank you." A slight blush appeared on a much less bruised face. Sighing as she placed her head against Arizona's chest, Callie knew that things could, and would get better. Listening to the blondes heart beat against her, Callie had never felt so content in her life.

"Are you okay?" Arizona questioned as she ran the palm of her hand up and down a tanned upper arm.

"I will be."

Thanks for reading, guys. Keep the reviews coming. They've been extremely helpful.