**WARNING - CONTAINS THE SUBJECT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE**
Sorry for the delay in updating, guys. I decided to have the weekend to myself and treat myself to a new tattoo. Thanks for all of your recent reviews, follows, favourites and PMs. It's very awesome of you all.
Chapter seven is up. Enjoy.
Chapter Seven
Sat nervously on her bed, Callie took deep breaths and waited for the anxiety in her stomach to settle. Tonight was a big night for her, and although she wanted nothing more than to enjoy a beautiful dinner with a beautiful blonde, she couldn't keep the feeling of fear at bay. She saved me, and she kissed me, and now I'm a nervous wreck. What if she decides she doesn't want this? What if she decides she can't be with me? Callie wouldn't blame the other woman if that were the case, she knew she was damaged, but at the same time, she was desperate to show Arizona that she wasn't as damaged as she appeared. No, she was strong, and she knew in time she could get over the worry of Suzanne. She just had to make a start, now.
Having spent the afternoon down at the courthouse, the women had returned home with a temporary restraining order in place. Callie knew that Suzanne would hit the roof, but so far, nothing had come of it. The redhead had stayed away, and she hoped that it would be the case for the foreseeable future. Expecting to find her ex banging down the door, she had locked them both in, afraid to leave the apartment again for the rest of the day.
Now, she was sat pulling at her fingers in a beautiful black dress. Hair flowing, and dark smokey eye makeup, she was pleased with her appearance. Unable to remember the last time she had worn a dress, or even applied a little makeup for such an occasion, she removed herself from the soft mattress she had sat on for almost thirty minutes and checked herself over in the mirror.
I look pretty good. Why didn't she ever see that? Why didn't she ever tell me I looked pretty, or hot? Realising that she was once again thinking about her ex, she busied herself by fidgeting around her dresser. Lining up the bottles of perfume she had thrown into a bag the day she left her apartment, she wondered which one to select. Another thing she hadn't done in some time... choosing perfume for the benefit of another woman.
Satisfied with her choice, she applied a light amount and once again took a seat on the bed. Hearing footsteps coming down the hall, she held her breath. She's changed her mind. She is backtracking. Way to go, Torres. You messed up before it even began.
"Callie?"
Clearing her throat, she sighed. "Yeah?"
"Are you almost done? I mean, take your time but we have a reservation for 7:30 and we have quite a drive ahead of us."
Oh thank God. She's not cancelling. "Yeah, just a minute. I'll be out now."
"Okay, no problem. I'll wait in the kitchen for you."
"Sure." Callie enthusiastically replied. "That's great."
Slipping on a pair of killer black heels, she felt good. She hadn't worn heels in what felt like forever, and the second her feet slipped into them, she felt like a completely different person. Don't trip! Closing her eyes and trying to centre herself, she took a few deep breaths and made her way to the door. Picking up her purse that sat on the dresser, she quickly double checked her appearance and smiled. Let's do this.
Stood against the kitchen counter, Arizona tapped away on her cell phone screen. Checking the directions she would need for her date, she nodded in agreement with herself, and listened as the sound of heels hitting hardwood became louder. Closing her eyes for a moment, she tried to withhold the excitement building inside of her before turning around. Don't fuck this up, Robbins. She's hot, you know that. Just turn around and tell her she looks nice. Not too much, and do not look at her too pervy.
Turning to face the other woman, Arizona gasped. "Holy crap!" Swallowing hard, she shook her head and continued to stare at the brunette in front of her.
"W-what? It's too much isn't it? Too slutty?" Callie panicked. "Give me five minutes, I'll just change."
"Woah, no! Don't change. Please don't change. Y-You look amazing." Arizona smiled. Shit! When did I get so freaking lucky?
"I do?"
"Hell yeah. Callie, you look stunning." The blonde stepped closer to her date. Placing a light kiss on deep red lips, she sighed. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't resist."
Smiling back, Callie felt her heart beating out of her chest. Stood in a royal blue low cut dress which fell just above the knee, Arizona too looked stunning. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you." Arizona shrugged. "Should um, should we head off?"
"Sure. Let's go."
"So I figured you like Italian? Can't go wrong with a little pasta." Arizona shrugged as she held open her car door.
"Yes, Italian sounds good to me." Callie removed herself from the vehicle and straightened herself out. "Thank you."
"No problem. Let's get inside. I'm starving." The blonde smiled as she took Callie by the hand and crossed the street to her favourite out of town restaurant. "Is this okay?"
"Sure it is." The Ortho surgeon loved that Arizona was a hand holder. "It's nice."
"It is?"
"Yeah." Callie responded. "I'm a hand holder too. Well, I was."
"But she wasn't." Blue eyes glistened. "You deserve to have your hand held, Cal."
"Yeah, and for the rest of the night, there will be no mention of Suzanne. I don't want her name ruining anything."
"Fine by me." Arizona smiled. The bell above the door signalling the couple's arrival caught the attention of the water, and as both women slipped off their jackets, they were taken from them and shown to their table.
Feeling an immense amount of calm settle in her, Callie smiled and took a seat. Staring into the baby blues she could get lost in forever, the brunette couldn't believe how easy it seemed with Arizona. Nothing was forced. Not the conversation, the affection, the friendship, nothing.
"So, Calliope, huh?"
"Y-Yes." Callie gave a slight nod. "How did you know?"
"Well, it's on your lab coat. It's Greek, right?" Blue eyes squinted as they glanced over the wine menu.
"Correct."
"It's beautiful." Arizona smiled. "You should use it more often."
"Yeah, I don't think so." Tanned shoulders shrugged. "It wasn't exactly popular in school."
"No? Lucky we ain't in school then." The blonde threw her date a wink. "Would you like wine? Or something else?"
"Wine would be nice. I'll just have whatever you are having."
"Um, no you won't." Blonde curls shook. "You will have whatever you want."
"Y-You're sure?" Callie questioned.
"Of course. Knock yourself out." Arizona handed the brunette a wine menu and settled back in her seat. "You okay?"
"Sure. I'm great." Callie flashed her megawatt smile. "So, what's good here?"
"Oh, everything is good here, Calliope." Pink lips curled into a smile. "Everything."
Hearing her full name falling from the blonde lips gave Callie an intense butterfly feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her father had always used her full name, and Suzanne, when she was trying to apologise for a smack, but neither of them made it sound so freaking good. Amazingly good. Maybe she could get used to it? The way it rolled off of Arizona's tongue was like nothing she had ever heard before. "It is?"
"Oh yeah."
The conversation came easy throughout the night, and Callie had enjoyed hearing about Arizona's family, and military values. It seemed important to the blonde. Noticing how the other woman would light up when she spoke about her family was cute, and although Callie wasn't on good terms with her own right now, she knew that over time, things would get better. Now, finishing dinner, Callie knew that she could make this a regular thing. She had enjoyed herself more than she ever had, and she kind of didn't want it to end. Brought out of her thoughts by Arizona's voice, the brunette smiled.
"So, what do you enjoy, Callie?"
"Me? Oh, I'm pretty easy to please." The brunette shrugged. "A quiet night in is good enough for me. It's not that I don't like going out, I do, I just like to spend time with my significant other whenever I can. It's important to me. You know, taking time out of my day, or evening, and sitting down with a nice dinner. Talking over what we have both done that day. Settle down with a blanket. I'm not that exciting."
Her stomach performing somersaults, Arizona knew she could easily spend her life with the woman in front of her. She knew she deserved to be loved, and she hoped that one day, Callie would allow her to do just that. Never had she felt like this about anyone else, not even her ex. Sure, she had loved her a great deal, but she didn't get the same feeling as when she was around Calliope Torres. Something was different, and it was something she liked. Smiling back at the woman sat opposite her, Arizona stared into the deep brown orbs she could never get bored of seeing. "Sounds like the perfect night."
"You think? You don't think that it's boring? Most people want to go out with friends and other couples, and I mean, yeah, I'm up for that, but not like every other night. I guess it's just not something I'm used to, but I could get used to it, i-if it's what you enjoy doing."
"No, it sounds perfect to me. It's kind of what I'd always enjoyed too, but then my ex always wanted to be out. She used to say she was showing me off." Arizona laughed. "I think she just didn't like being alone with me, I don't know."
"How could anyone not want to be alone with you?" Callie scoffed. "That's just ridiculous."
"I guess people get into a routine. She was always socialising through college, and wanting to be out at the latest party, and that was fine, but sometimes I just wanted to kick back and watch some crappy TV. You know, forget about everything else and relax."
"Yeah, that's what I've loved about being at your apartment. You don't force anything. You just go with whatever. The fact that you sat watching movies with me night after night was just lovely, and I know you were probably just doing it because I wasn't feeling up to going out, but to me, it was lovely." Callie smiled.
"Not at all. I love leaving the hospital and locking the door when I get home. Knowing that I don't have to go back out in that wonderful Seattle rain and I can throw some comfortable clothes on, it's awesome, and it's nice that I have someone to do that with."
"Yeah?" The brunette threw her date her million dollar smile.
"Yeah." Arizona agreed. "And that smile, Calliope, Jeez!"
Feeling a blush work it's way to her cheeks, the brunette dropped her gaze. She wasn't used to compliments being throw at her. Other things, yes, but never compliments. She really has to stop saying my name like that.
"Hey, you don't have to be embarrassed." A pale hand reached across the table and took a hold of the other woman's. "You have the most amazing smile."
"T-Thanks."
"I should be thanking you. I'm the one who gets to see it everyday." Blue eyes gazed at the sight in front. "You enjoying yourself?"
"I am. A lot." Callie gave a slight nod as she finished her glass of wine.
"So, we can either grab desert here, or I'm pretty sure I have a tonne of ice cream at home."
"Oh, ice cream at home sounds perfect." The brunette smiled. "Really perfect."
Pulling up outside Arizona's apartment block, Callie felt like she had been royally treated tonight. Not once had Arizona asked her about her past, and although she would happily divulge that information, she knew that it could wait. Never had she had doors being held open for her, or her seat pulled out at dinner, but tonight she had, and tonight, she figured that her life was changing, for the better. Slipping out of the passenger seat of the blondes car, Callie took the pale hand that was offered to her, and held on tight. "Thank you for the most perfect date, Arizona."
"Perfect date for the perfect woman." Pale shoulders shrugged. "You are beautiful, Calliope."
Oh God, there she goes again. I swear she will kill me with that voice one day. Smiling, the brunette pulled the other woman towards her and pressed a light kiss to her pink lips. "So are you."
Hand in hand, they entered the apartment block and waited patiently for the elevator. Callie's mind in overdrive because of the woman stood next to her, and Arizona nervously shifting her weight from side to side, she sighed as the doors opened. Control yourself Robbins. She isn't ready for anything else right now. Leading Callie into the elevator, she refused to loosen her grip on the tanned hand in her own, and leant back against the wall. "I've had a really great night."
"Me too." Callie smiled as she ran her fingers through her hair. "But the night isn't over yet."
"Um, it isn't?" Arizona furrowed her brow.
"Nope. You promised me ice cream, right?"
"Oh, yeah of course." The blonde nodded. Watching the elevator doors open, she tugged on Callie's hand and lead them out. "Let's go get that ice cream."
Reaching her apartment door, Arizona stopped them both in the middle of the hall. Her door unlocked and slightly open, she frowned, and looked back at Callie. "Stay here."
"What? Why?" Callie questioned with a confused look on her face. "What's goi-" Eyes widening, she swallowed hard. "Oh!"
"It's okay. You stay here, I'll go alone."
"No you won't. There could be a crazed murderer in there." Callie shot back. "We go in together."
Kicking the door open a little more with her foot, Arizona peered inside. "Oh, you have got to be fucking joking."
"Hi, ladies."
"What are you doing inside my apartment? And why do you have a cup of freaking coffee in your hand?" Arizona demanded as she stepped further inside.
"Oh, I thought since we could all be friends, you know, you wouldn't mind me helping myself."
"Get your ass off of my couch, and leave. You know you shouldn't be here, right?" The blonde scoffed, tightening her grip slightly on Callie's hand.
"Oh, the piece of paper I received? Yeah like means anything." Suzanne laughed. "Like that could keep me away."
"I'm calling the police." Arizona pulled out her cell with her free hand. Her purse falling to the floor.
"Oh you needn't bother. I won't be staying long." The redhead smiled. "Callie, if you could just grab your things, we can leave Arizona to enjoy the rest of her evening."
"She isn't going anywhere with you." Blonde curls shook.
"Sure she is, right Cal?" Green eyes switched their gaze to the terrified brunette standing slightly behind Arizona.
"Uh, I-" Callie shook her head. "No, I'm not."
Standing from her seat, Suzanne moved closer to the couple. "You look beautiful, Callie. Really beautiful. Let's just go home, and we will work all of this mess out."
"No, I'm not going back with you." The brunette stated. "We are done, Suzanne. Please leave."
"She took you on a date?" The redhead scoffed. Switching her gaze to Arizona, Suzanne continued. "Callie doesn't usually do dates. She can never keep her eyes off other women."
"Oh really?" Arizona laughed. "Funny that, because she didn't take her eyes off of me all night. Clearly you have been doing something wrong."
Seeing the anger course through the other woman's body, Arizona moved Callie's body completely behind hers and blocked her from Suzanne's view. "I think you should leave now. Don't bother coming back, because next time, I really will call the police. That protection order was put in place for a reason. I suggest you stick to it."
"Oh yeah? Why, what are you going to do?" The redhead stood, fists clenched.
"You really don't want to know. Get out of my apartment now, and leave Calliope alone." Arizona demanded as she too stepped closer to Suzanne. "Please."
"Calliope, huh?" Pale lips curled into a smile. "Do you scream that when she is going down on you?"
Releasing her grip on Callie's hand, Arizona was only centimetres from Suzanne's face. "I won't tell you again… you watch your mouth. You disgust me, and I swear, if you don't leave now, this will go a whole different way."
"Relax, I'm going." Suzanne threw up her hands. "Callie, please think about it. Please think about coming home. I love you, and I will wait for you to have your fun with this one. Just please, think about it." Picking up her purse, the redhead made her way towards the door. Glancing back, she watched the shaking body of the brunette. "You know that I love you."
Hearing the door click shut, Callie released the breath she had been holding for some time. She had gotten used to holding her breath. It usually lessened the pain when she was on the floor taking a beating. "How did she get in here?"
"Looks like she picked the lock. I can't double lock it from outside. Only inside. I'm so sorry." Arizona shook her head. "Are you okay?"
"Y-Yes." Callie nodded. "You are amazing, Arizona."
"Why? I only asked her to leave." The blonde furrowed her brow. "It was no big deal."
"No, you protected me. No one has ever protected me from her, but you did."
"And I will continue to do so. She's no good for you, Calliope. She is no good for anyone." Arizona spoke the truth, and Callie knew she was right. "I will call the police in the morning. Give them a heads up about not following the rules of the order."
"I knew she wouldn't pay any attention to that order. I knew it." Callie began pacing the floor. "She will keep coming back, Arizona."
Kicking off her shoes, Arizona moved towards the door and locked it. Moving back into the kitchen, she pulled out a tub of ice cream, and took two spoons from the drawer. "Come on. She is not going to ruin my date with the most beautiful woman in the world."
Smiling, Callie once again felt a blush approach. Just go with it, Torres. She's hot, you're hot. Push through. Joining the blonde on the couch, Callie lifted her feet up onto the coffee table. "Is this okay?"
"Sure it is. Sit how you like. Do I really look like I care?" Pale shoulders shrugged. Callie's dress riding up mid thigh, blue eyes closed and refused to stare. Holy shit! Never in my life have I seen legs like that. Biting down on her own bottom lip, Arizona shook her head and tried to remove the thoughts she was having. Opening her eyes, she found the brunette extremely close to her. "I-Is, um, is everything okay?"
"Yes." Red lips were only centimetres from pink. "I was wondering if I could thank you for my amazing date?"
Swallowing hard, Arizona's body instantly responded by her licking her lips. Desperate to taste the brunettes lips, she couldn't think straight. Any other time, she would have ripped off the other woman's clothes and showed her exactly what Arizona Robbins was like, but now wasn't that time. Callie didn't need sex, she needed respect, and trust. "I, uh-"
"Relax, Arizona. I've told you, I'm not fragile." Callie placed her hand on the other woman's stomach. "I would really like to kiss you now."
Gaining a small nod from the blonde beside her, Callie leaned in as close as she possibly could and pressed her lips to the soft pink of Arizona's. A low moan falling from her own lips, Callie felt her entire body respond to the smell of Arizona's perfume. She was everywhere, and nowhere all at the same time. Deepening her kiss, Callie dropped her hand from Arizona's stomach and placed it on her thigh, covered by her dress. Fingers grazing lightly across the soft material, the brunette could hear and feel Arizona's heart beating fast and hard. Tongue dipping slightly into her mouth, Arizona too let out a low moan.
Her head was spinning and her body was responding. Unsure of what to do, she placed her hand on Callie's knee and ran her tongue along the roof of the brunettes mouth. She couldn't stop herself from tasting the beautiful woman hovering over her, and as much as she knew she needed to, her body simply wouldn't allow it. It felt too good, and too right. Fingers gently ghosting under the black material barely covering a beautiful, soft tanned thigh, she placed the palm of her hand against the toned muscle and squeezed gently. Lips removing themselves, the blonde let out a frustrated sigh. "Calliope, I."
"It's okay." The brunette smiled. "We should stop, right?"
"We should." Arizona agreed.
"I'm sorry, I just, I wanted to kiss you, and then I couldn't help myself." Brown eyes dropped their gaze to the tanned hand that had somehow managed to slip under the silky material covering Arizona's beautiful body.
"Hey." The blonde placed her hand Callie's chin and met her eyes. "Don't ever apologise for wanting this. Ever. I just think we should take it slow. I want you to trust me, and truly want whatever it is that you want."
"I know, and I already do, but I get it. It's too soon, right?"
"I can't give you an answer to that, Calliope. Only you know what you feel. Just maybe give it a little more time, you know, until you know you are sure."
"Yeah, you're right." Callie gave a nod in agreement. "God, you must think I'm some sort of slut now."
"Woah, no." Blonde curls shook. "I'd never think that. You have to know that I want you too, Callie. I really do, but waiting a little longer won't do any harm, right?"
"I swear I wasn't just trying that on because I felt like it. I really do have a lot of feelings for you, Arizona."
"I know you do." Blue eyes softened as the blonde smiled.
"I just, I guess tonight had just been so amazing, and no one has ever treated me like you do, so I just got caught up in the moment."
"You don't have to explain yourself. You really don't." Arizona stated. "Just know that I want you too, and when the time is right, we will both know."
Both women pulling their hands away, reluctantly, the sat back in their seats and sighed. Arizona had never felt such soft skin beneath her fingertips and although she wanted nothing more than to explore that beautiful body a little more, she knew she had done the right thing. She only hoped that Callie truly understood her reasons for stopping whatever they almost started, and right now, having the brunette sat next to her was more than she had ever hoped only weeks ago.
"Ice cream?" A pale hand held out a spoon.
"Yes. Ice cream."
Thanks for reading, guys. I look forward to reading your reviews.