**WARNING - CONTAINS THE SUBJECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE**
Thanks so much for all of your recent reviews. They mean a lot.
I own nothing. All characters/storylines belong to Shonda. I'm simply 'borrowing' them.
Chapter Six
Standing in the bathroom of Arizona's apartment, Callie applied a little light makeup. She had spent the past three weeks living with the blonde, and today, she was going back to work. Her bruises had disappeared, and although she still felt the occasional ache in her ribs, she was feeling good. She was feeling good because she had a blonde blue eyed beauty in her life who made her feel like she mattered. Like she was important. Although they had both kept their hands to themselves, Callie's self control was really beginning to wear thin.
She couldn't complain. Arizona had been nothing but respectful towards her, and although they had come close to kissing three nights ago, both women had stopped it before it escalated. They had stopped it before their blossoming friendship ground to a halt. Yes, they would still be friends if they were dating, but it wasn't the same. Seeing each other in a different light would change everything. Both women worried to take that leap, they had simply refrained from letting things go too far.
Satisfied that she looked like the Callie her friends at the hospital recognised, she made her way out of the bathroom and down the hall into the kitchen. Finding Arizona already waiting at the kitchen counter, she smiled. "I'm ready."
"You sure?" The blonde raised an eyebrow.
"Yep. Let's go." Callie stated as she moved towards the front door.
Following behind, Arizona caught sight of the most amazing ass in the world. Jeez, I have to ask her on a date soon. Clearing her throat, Arizona broke their silence. "By the way, you look great."
"Thanks."
Seeing the smile appear on the brunettes face, Arizona felt all kinds of emotions. Today was the first time she had seen her full beautiful smile, and she promised herself, it wouldn't be the last. She had to show Callie what she meant to her, and she had to do it soon. She couldn't wait any longer, it was becoming too hard. Walking behind her, Arizona couldn't believe how amazing Callie looked. The past three weeks had been spent lounging around and Arizona had seen the brunette in nothing but sweats and jumpers. She knew Callie was beautiful, it was obvious to anyone with eyes, but now, her beauty was magnified with the tight skinny jeans hugging her hips and the low cut deep purple blouse accentuating her cleavage. HOT!
Pulling herself from her own thoughts, Arizona stepped into the elevator and hit the button that would take them to the ground floor of her apartment block. "So, you all set for today?"
"I am. I'm excited to get back to work. It's the one place I know I can be great." Callie smiled.
"You are great outside of work too, Callie." Arizona stated as they hit the ground floor.
"Yeah, but outside of work, I'm also Callie Torres the victim."
"Hey, that's not true." Blonde curls shook. "It is going to be weird seeing you at the hospital though. We've barely worked together, yet we've been living together for three weeks."
"I know, right?" The brunette laughed. "It will be nice to see some of the guys. Surprisingly, I've missed Cristina Yang."
"Yeah we've not really had much contact. I'm sure that will change. I've heard she's um, different?" Blue eyes narrowed.
"Yes, very different. Great though." Tanned shoulders shrugged. "So, I-I haven't heard anything from her. Not since the messages."
"That's good. Do you think maybe she has taken the hint?"
"Oh, god no. She will be waiting." Callie sighed. "Maybe i'll avoid walking the streets alone for now, huh?"
"Yeah, maybe thats a good idea. You know, just until things settle down." The blonde agreed.
Taking a seat on a bench outside the hospital, Callie smiled. It was the same bench Arizona occupied several weeks back when they were meeting for Joe's. She liked that there were things beginning to remind her of the beautiful blonde, and the thought of that happening more often left her feeling hopeful for the future. Sure, they hadn't even been out on a date yet, and Arizona may decide that she doesn't want a relationship with her, but she had to try. She had to try for herself.
She was feeling great. Euphoric almost. Being back at the hospital had given her a sense of belonging. Her friends were here, and she knew that no matter what happened, she would have them. That had been confirmed today when she returned had to work. The smell of the place send a buzz through her body, and as she left the elevator on the Ortho floor, she knew she was home. Her love for bones was the one constant in her life, and she knew that it would always be that way.
Sipping on her coffee, name scribbled down the side, she appreciated the sun hitting her face. It was nice, and it was welcome. Arizona had offered to take her out a number of times, but it never felt like the right time. Now, being back at Seattle Grace, she couldn't wait to catch up and have drinks with her friends. The friends she had been banned from spending time with. The friends she had built relationships with for the past five years. Knowing that the blonde would never stop her from socialising left her feeling a little excited. Yes, she'd had a terrible couple of years, but now, that was about to change. It was about to change, and she was about to go back to her old self.
Badass Calliope Torres. Badass and happy. Feeling her cell buzz in her lab coat pocket, she snaked her hand inside, pulled it out, and smiled.
Hi, Callie. Are you busy tonight? - A x
Nope. Just kicking back with my awesome roommate if she isn't busy. - C x
Oh, shame. :( - A x
I could change my plans? - C x
Awesome. Meet me at the nurses station. I have something I want to run by you. - A x
My station, or yours? - C x
Yours? - A x
On my way - C x
Dropping her cell back into her pocket, Callie stood and straightened out her lab coat. She wanted to look as good as possible in her blue scrubs and white coat. It was important to her. She had always looked good, until she didn't.
Turning to make her way back inside, the brunette was stopped in her tracks. Smack bang into the body in front of her. Brushing herself down, she apologised. "I'm sorry, I should have been watching where I wa-"
"Yeah you should have!" Deep red nails dug into her wrist and tightened their grip. "I guess you are still a disappointment."
Swallowing hard, Callie couldn't even bring herself to look up. She knew that voice, and she knew that touch. Her body instantly responding by freezing on the spot. Closing her eyes and taking a few breaths, the brunette told herself that it was okay. Suzanne couldn't hurt her here, not in front of the hospital.
"Take your h-hands off of me." Callie's voice small and unconvincing. "Please."
"Oh, I see you still have manners." Suzanne laughed as she began dragging the brunette out of sight. Reaching an alcove around the back of the building, Callie felt the back of her head connect with the concrete wall. Hands gripping under her chin, she looked down at the woman who was once again restricting her airflow.
"Please, Suzanne. Just leave me alone."
"Leave you alone? You left me, Callie." the red head scoffed. "I knew I would find you eventually."
"Why do you want me? You treat me like crap, so why are you here?"
"Because I love you." The other woman's features softened. "I love you like she never could. She won't have you. I won't allow it."
"Who?" Brown eyes narrowed.
"Arizona. I know you are living with her. Really convenient, huh? First I find you in a bar with her, and now you are living together. You must really think I'm stupid."
Feeling Suzanne loosen her grip a little, Callie scuffled free. Gaining a smack for her efforts, she walked around the corner and quickly made her way to the entrance. Turning back, she found her ex stood in the same spot, hands on her hips. Fuck that was close. Knowing the other woman was unlikely to lay off anytime soon, she knew she had to do something. She had to protect herself, and she had to protect Arizona.
Heading inside, the warm sensation of blood dripping down her lip caused her to stop. Fucking bitch. Holding her hand to her face, she quickly made her way to the elevator and paged Arizona to an on call room on the Ortho floor.
Reaching her department, she found the peds surgeon waiting outside for her. "Um, what's going on?" Arizona furrowed her brow.
"In here." A tanned hand turned the handle to the room. Both women stepping inside, Callie locked the door behind her. "Suzanne. She was just here."
"What?" Removing the brunettes hand from her face, Arizona gasped. "She hit you?"
"Yeah, well I'm not sure she meant it, I was trying to get away from her."
"Callie, you really have to stop making excuses for her. Whether she meant it or not, she shouldn't be here. She shouldn't be anywhere near you. You have to do something."
"I know." Callie agreed. "Will you help me?"
"Of course I'll help you. You know that." Pink lips curled into a smile. "What do you need?"
"First I need to get cleaned up. I'll just say I tripped if anyone asks."
"You know you shouldn't be lying for her, but I get it. People here don't need to know what is going on." Arizona gave a small nod in agreement. "Sit."
Taking a seat on the nearby bed, Callie sighed as she looked down at her bloodied hand. "This has to stop."
"I know." Arizona brought her hand up to the face in front of her and smiled. "I can't take her ruining this beautiful face any longer."
"You don't have to be nice to me just because I'm hurt. My face hasn't been the same for a long time. Some days I can't bare to even look at myself."
"Well then, it's a good job I look at it." A pale thumb ran across the other woman's cheekbone. "You deserve so much more than this."
Leaning into the blondes touch, Callie felt her body respond in a way that it hadn't in some time. Arizona Robbins was amazing, and one day, she hoped that she could call her hers.
Pulling herself from her thoughts, Callie cleared her throat. "So, um, you said you wanted to run something by me?"
"Yeah, um, it was nothing important."
"Arizona, you sent me a message asking me if I was busy tonight, it was obviously important enough for you to ask to meet?" Callie gave a sad smile. "Oh, I know what this is about."
"Y-You do?" Blue eyes squinted.
"Yeah, it's fine." The brunette sighed. "Just because I've had a run in with Suzanne doesn't mean you have to avoid it."
"Huh?"
"You want me to move out." Tanned shoulders shrugged. "I get it. I know I've overstayed my welcome. I just, can I have a couple of days to-"
Cut off by pink lips pressing against her own, Callie's breath hitched as she closed her eyes. Melting into the kiss, the brunettes head was spinning. Feeling the blonde pull back, brown eyes opened. "I'm sorry, you were rambling and I needed you to stop."
"I, uh, I-" Brown curls shook. "God."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." Arizona stepped back and held up her hands. "I'm so sorry."
"No, y-you should have definitely done that."
"I-I should?"
"Yes." Callie smiled. "Definitely."
"I wasn't going to ask you to move out, Callie. I, um, I was going to ask you if I could take you to dinner?"
"Dinner." The brunettes words came out as more of a statement than a question.
"Yeah, but you don't have to. It's totally fine if you aren't ready for that yet."
"When? Because you know, I'm busy most nights. My social life is off the scale right now."
Laughing, Arizona liked the playful side of Callie. It was something she hadn't seen before from her. "Well, when you have time to fit me into your schedule, let me know."
"Oh, I'm free." Callie smiled. "I can always be free to dine with you."
"Awesome." A dimpled smile appeared. "Tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow would be great." Callie removed herself from the bed. "I guess we should get back to work.
That smile, and those freaking dimples. I swear she could stop hearts with those dimples. My heart.
Later that evening, Callie sat on the couch, blanket pulled up to her neck, waiting for Arizona to return home. They had originally planned to walk home together, but the blonde had been called into an emergency surgery. Cristina had walked back with Callie, and although she had questioned the brunette as to why she wanted someone to walk her home, she didn't push. That was what Callie liked about her, she didn't get too involved in other people's lives.
Door double bolted, Callie was now comfortable and relaxed after her not so great first day back. It had been slow at the hospital and with no surgeries booked in until the end of the week, she was able to finish on time.
Now, unable to move from her spot, the fear of not being able to get comfortable again should she shift, she hadn't even bothered to start dinner. Eyes fluttering closed every once in a while, she liked this. She liked the idea of not being punished if she didn't get to work as soon as she returned home. The idea of being in a relaxed environment with a beautiful woman was working wonders on her confidence, and now, all she had to do was rid Suzanne from her life and she could truly start living again. She hated that she couldn't walk the streets alone, and she hated that she couldn't come and go from the apartment as she pleased. A restraining order was what she had to do, and to do that, she would need Arizona by her side.
Heading the key turn in the lock, Callie shot up from her seat and moved towards the door. "Arizona, is it you?"
"Yeah, it's me." Callie breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of the blondes voice. Unlocked the two internal bolts, she tugged on the handle and met the most beautiful eyes.
"Hi."
"Hi, Callie."Arizona smiled as she stepped through the door. "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to be sure no one could get in. I'm a little on edge from today." Tanned shoulders shrugged as she moved back to the blanket on the couch. Her spot still warm.
"Okay." The blonde sighed. "No dinner?"
Brown eyes shooting up to meet blue, A panicked look washed over Callie's face. "Um, I'm sorry, I just wanted to sit for a little while before I got started. I-I'll get it prepared now."
Arizona had never seen a person move so quick. Realising what she had done, she quickly tried to diffuse the situation. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it like that."
"No, it's okay, I'll just get the vegetables cut, a-and th-then-" Cut off by her own thoughts, the brunettes body began to shake. "Y-You've been working late and I should have thought, I mean I should have had it ready for you when you got home. I-I'm sorry, please don't-"
"Hey, it's okay." Arizona stepped closer. "I'm not going to hurt you, Callie."
Her body wracked with sobs, the brunette stopped what she was doing and held onto the kitchen counter tight. She knew this would happen. She knew she would eventually scare Arizona away. Sure, the other woman was telling her it was okay, but really, she knew deep down that it wasn't. Why would she want to date someone as fucked up as me. Closing her eyes, she let the tears fall until the subsided.
Arizona stood watching, unsure of what to do. Do I talk to her? Do I hold her? No, Robbins.. Don't go anywhere near her. You will freak her out, ass! Sighing, she pulled herself up onto a kitchen stool and thought about what to say next. Watching as Callie made her way down the hall, she stood. "Callie, wait."
Turning back, the brunette have the other woman a sad smile. Stood with her shoulders slumped, she felt like a fool.
"C-Can I come closer?" The blonde slowly made her way through the living room and to the entrance to the hall. "I'm not going to hurt you, I promise."
"Okay." Callie gave a slight nod.
Stepping into Callie's personal space, Arizona held out her hands and waited for the other woman to take a hold of them. Feeling her skin against her own, she felt a little more confident. Her heart beating a little faster than before, she smiled. "Callie, I'm not her. I'll never be her. I would never, ever hurt you. You know that right?" Gaining a nod from the brunette, Arizona continued. "I shouldn't have said that back there. I just wasn't thinking. I just mean had you not eaten. I didn't and I don't expect you to have dinner ready. That's not who I am. I'm not expecting you to do anything for me. You being here is enough for me. What I will do though, is I will show you how life should be lived. I'll take you to movies, and shows, and for picnics. I'll run you a bath when you are feeling unwell, or even just because I want to run you one, and I'll hold you hair when you vomit. I'll cook you dinner, or maybe just order takeout, I'm not great at cooking." Blonde curls shook. "We will vacation, and go to dinner, just because we can. We'll take road trips and visit places you've always wanted to visit, and we will do all of that, because that's what people do. That's the kind of person I am. Please don't be afraid of me, Cal-"
Arizona was cut off by plump red lips. Soft, beautiful full lips. The warmth of Callie's mouth sent a bolt of electricity coursing through the blondes entire body. Her pulse pounding in her ears, she reciprocated. Gently running her tongue along the other woman's bottom lip, Arizona smiled as she was granted the access she so desperately wanted, and needed. Tongues duelling for dominance and teeth nipping at lips, Callie let out a low moan. Only separating when their bodies begged for air, both women pulled back and gasped.
"T-That was-" Arizona smiled.
"Amazing, and so very very needed." Callie placed her hands on the peds surgeons hips. "C-Can you help me?"
Trying hard to focus on the other woman's words, Arizona furrowed her brow. "Help you?"
"I need to get rid of Suzanne. I need to get rid of her, because I'll be damned if she does anything to hurt you."
"Yes, I'll help, but she won't hurt me, Callie."
"I don't want to take that chance." The brunette shook her head. "I can't bare the thought of you being in any danger."
Smiling, Arizona pressed a light kiss to swollen red lips. "We will fix it. Restraining order?"
"Yes." Callie sighed. "I don't know how much good it will do, but I have to do something."
"Let's look into it." Arizona suggested. Gaining a nod from the other woman, she felt a little relief for the situation.
"Being here with you, like this, it's amazing. You are the breath of fresh air I've needed for so long. I have to work this out. I have to do it, for us." The brunette stated.
"You have no idea how much I've wanted to hear that. How much I've wanted to kiss you, like that." Blue eyes closed. "You are something else, Callie, and I really want to be with you, like this."
"I do too." Callie sighed. "Please just give me a little time to get used to this though, yeah?"
"Of course." Arizona nodded. "Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm not scared of you. You have to know that. That before, I just had a moment of panic, and I guess with what happened today, I was just on edge more than I thought. When the time comes, Arizona, you know, when we are dating or whatever, please don't worry about me. Don't tiptoe around me. Just be you. Be the person who I am quickly not wanting to spend a minute without."
"Y-You mean that? About not wanting to be without me?" Blue eyes glistened.
"I do. I do because you have done, and been more to me than she ever had. You make me feel like myself again, and I know, I know things won't be perfect, but I cannot and I will not wait for her to ruin it all. You mean a lot to me, Arizona. A lot."
"Wow, you certainly keep your emotions hidden." The blonde laughed. "But I like that about you. You're mysterious. Mysterious and hot."
"I'm hot? I've not heard that one before."
"Seriously? She never told you that you're hot?"
Dark curls shook as the two of them made their way down the hall and into the living room.
"Wow, so she's blind as well as stupid. Nice combination." Arizona flashed her dimples. Not wanting to talk about Suzanne for a moment longer, she threw a suggestion into the mix. "So… Chinese?"
"God, yes. Chinese sounds good. Movie?"
"Definitely a movie."
Thanks for reading, guys. I look forward to reading your reviews. Next…..The date!