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

Thanks for all of your recent reviews, guys. They have been awesome and I'm happy that everyone seems to be enjoying the story. I know it's a slow burn, but I didn't want to push the girls into anything too soon. It's not realistic, and it's not appropriate.

Chapter 8 is up. Enjoy.

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

Chapter Eight

Stepping out of the shower, Arizona felt an immense amount of calm coursing through her body. She hadn't felt this good in a while. Since leaving her hometown, after a devastating break up, she had plodded along in the hope that one day, she could get over her ex. Right now, that was exactly what she was doing, and it felt better than she had ever thought it would. Not only was Callie Torres beautiful, she was kind and she was pretty funny. It had been almost two weeks since their first date, and things were going well. They spent every evening together, when they weren't at work, or one of them on call, and Arizona made it part of their routine to snuggle on the couch whenever they had the chance. Fire lit, and a huge fluffy throw, it was perfect.

Most days consisted of long shifts at the hospital, but they managed to have lunch together most of the time. Crappy canteen food would do as long as Arizona got the chance to sit with the beautiful brunette. Knowing that today was both of their days off, a Saturday, Arizona couldn't help the excitement building inside of her. She was spending the entire day with Callie, and she couldn't wait.

Pulling her robe tight across her body, she fastened the belt and stepped towards the door. Hearing the most beautiful voice travelling down the hallway, she smiled and quietly made her way out.

All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true, I was made for you

Leaning against the door frame which led to the kitchen, Arizona took in the sound from the woman stood in her kitchen flipping pancakes. Not only can she cook, she can sing too. Bonus! Closing her eyes, she listened to the words falling effortlessly from red lips and smiled. Callie had come a long way in the past few weeks, and although they both knew that Suzanne was lurking, just waiting to pounce, they had so far heard nothing from her. Arizona had in fact called the police the day after she got into her apartment and had informed them that the redhead was still around. They had suggested that Callie go to the station to make a complaint, and press charges, but the brunette had decided against it. Not wanting to talk about it, Arizona didn't push. She didn't feel it was her place to do so just yet.

You see the smile that's on my mouth
It's hiding the words that don't come out
And all of my friends who think that I'm blessed
They don't know my head is a mess
No, they don't know who I really am
And they don't know what
I've been through like you do
And I was made for you

Melting into the words flowing around her apartment, the blonde stepped forward into the kitchen and gently wrapped her arms around the woman with her back to her. Feeling the brunette flinch, Arizona loosened her grip slightly. "Hey, it's okay. It's just me."

Placing her own hands over the pale ones resting on her stomach, Callie relaxed. "I'm sorry, I just wasn't expecting you. I thought you were still showering."

"It's okay. I probably shouldn't have snuck up on you like that." Arizona stated as she refused to let go. "You are just full of surprises, Calliope."

"Huh?"

"That voice. It's gorgeous." The blonde ran her thumb over Callie's knuckles. "I wasn't expecting that at all."

"Oh, I just enjoy it. I didn't know you were listening."

"Yep, pretty much caught the whole thing." Leaning up on her tiptoes, Arizona placed a kiss below the brunettes ear. Removing herself from the other woman, she moved around the kitchen counter and took a seat on a nearby stool. "Smells amazing."

"Choc chip." Callie threw the blonde a wink. "Your favourite if I remember right?"

"You guessed that, huh? Whatever gave you that idea?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe the fact that it is what you request every time I ask you if you want pancakes." The brunette threw her head back laughing.

"Fair enough." Pale shoulders shrugged. "So, what would you like to do today?"

"You know what, I don't really mind. I'm happy to chill out here, or if you have things you'd like to do, we can totally head out." Callie smiled as she handed the other woman a plate of pancakes.

"Hmm, I'd love to walk in the park with you, but we can do something else if you like?"

"Nope. Park sounds good." Callie stated as she took a bite of her own pancakes. "I was thinking of ordering takeout tonight?"

"Sounds good to me." Blue eyes gazed into brown. "Whatever you like."

"I can cook if you'd prefer that?"

"No, you always cook. We have the weekend off together, so we can kick back. You know, take things slow, see how we feel in that particular moment. We may decide we want to go out, we may decide we want to stay in. No pressure."

"No pressure." Red lips curled into a smile.

"Now, I was wondering if I could get a hug with my pancakes?"

Stepping around to the other side of the counter, Callie nudged the blondes leg so she could stand comfortably between them. Placing her arms loosely around Arizona's shoulders, she smiled. "A hug, and pancakes… Jeez, I'm really spoiling you."

"Very spoilt." Wrapping her arms around the other woman's waist, Arizona took in the scent of Callie. "You okay?"

"Yeah, I would just really like to go out. I'm just, I'm not sure if she is hanging about. I mean, I'm sure she is, but she is ruining this for me. Why can't she just apologise and stay away? Or not even apologise, but leave me alone?"

"I'd say it's because she loves you and wants you back, but that's not true. I mean, she may love you, in some sort of messed up way, but that's not true love, Calliope."

"I know." Callie sighed. "It wasn't always bad you know. Well, most of it was, but when we first met, she was great. Really caring, and always wanting to spend time with me. I don't know what happened. Why she started beating me. Maybe it was me?"

Head snapping up to meet brown eyes, blonde curls shook. "No, Callie. No way. Don't do that, please. If she didn't want to be with you anymore, all she had to do was tell you. Nothing, absolutely nothing gives her the right to put her hands on you."

"But I don't understand where or why it all went wrong." Tanned shoulders shrugged. "I know what she done was wrong, and I could never, ever look at her again, but it was good, at one point."

"That's something I guess." Arizona gave an awkward smile. "But Callie, I need you to know something."

Oh God, she doesn't want to do this. I knew I was messed up, and now I'm clingy and now she doesn't want this. Removing her arms from around the blondes shoulders, Callie pulled back. Feeling Arizona grip onto her hips a little tighter she furrowed her brow. "W-What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Please don't pull away from me." Arizona smiled. "Nothing is wrong with us."

"Okay?"

"Look, I am not a violent person, like at all. I'm perky and I like butterflies, so you have to believe that I would never ever hurt you."

"I know that." Callie smiled.

"But I cannot and I will not promise that if she ever tries anything again, I won't hurt her. I know how you must feel about people being violent towards others, and I really wouldn't ever use my body to hurt someone else, but I really cannot be sure that I won't hurt her."

Smiling, Callie pressed her lips to soft pink. She too had never been a violent person, but she understood what Arizona was saying. She would protect the blonde if it was needed, so she understood. She understood that if it came to blows between the two women, she would never see the blonde as violent, just simply protective, and not protective in a Suzanne kind of way. "Okay. I get that."

"So, now that we have cleared that up, do you really want to go out?" Blue eyes stared intently.

"Yes, I really do." Callie gave a slight nod.

"Then get your hot ass ready, and we will spend the day outside. We have tomorrow to relax if we want to."

Pressing another kiss to Arizona's perfect lips, Callie smiled and agreed. "Sounds perfect."

"So, tell me a little about growing up?" Arizona questioned as they strolled through the park. The fall leaves dropping around them.

"Um, grew up in Miami. I have one sister, Aria, and she works for dad. I kind of rebelled against the whole 'you will work for my company' thing and went to med school. I'd always wanted to be a doctor. Bones are just my thing."

"Do you go home to see them much?"

"No, um, we don't speak. I speak to Aria occasionally, but mom and dad don't like it. They cut me off when I told them I like women."

"Wow, thats, um, that's a little shitty." Arizona furrowed her brow. "They don't speak to you at all?"

"No. I was going to call them when we got engaged, but stuff was already happening at that point and I couldn't allow them to be a part of my life."

"Why not?"

"Because they had already told me I was living in sin. Imagine if I'd have told them what was happening? They'd of told me I only had myself to blame. You know, the whole 'this has happened for a reason' speech."

"But maybe they could have helped you?" The blonde suggested. "Maybe they could have been there for you."

"She wouldn't allow me to contact them. She said I didn't need them in my life when I had her."

"I bet she loved that." Arizona scoffed. "Not having to worry about them showing up."

"Yeah, I kind of figured that out but at that time, I was just trying not to piss her off and give her a reason to go bat shit crazy. Not that it worked, she found a reason almost every day to blame me for something."

"God I fucking hate her." The blonde clenched her free hand into a fist. "Really hate her."

"Yeah, get in line, Robbins." Callie laughed as she tightened her grip on a pale hand.

"Let's sit." The blonde suggested as they reached the benches lining the pathway of the park.

Taking a seat next to Callie, Arizona had never felt like this about another woman. Everything just felt so right. Nothing was forced, and they could sit comfortably in silence without wondering if one of them was doubting the relationship that was quickly blossoming. She knew she could, and she would spend the rest of her life with the beautiful brunette, and right now, she wanted to hold her so much in her own bed.

Yes, they had both been desperately trying to keep their hands off of each other, but she wanted to feel the beautiful body beneath her, while her hands roamed and explored every inch of Callie Torres. She didn't want it hot and steamy, she wanted it slow and meaningful, and she knew that it would be soon. Callie was beginning to look at her differently. Her eyes would darken when she was around the blonde, and although she had told the brunette that they should take it slow, she was kind of regretting those words ever leaving her mouth. It was the right thing to do, but it only made her want Callie more.

"Talk to me, Arizona. What's on your mind?" Callie placed her hand on the blondes thigh.

Feeling the other woman's touch, Arizona closed her eyes. It felt good, and it felt like it had been magnified thousands of times. The one thing she had noticed since their first date, was how much her body responded to Callie's hands. They were strong, and they were safe. Opening her eyes to find Callie staring at her with a confused look on her face, she smiled. "I'm sorry, I was lost inside my own head."

"What were you thinking?"

Feeling a blush creep up her neck and onto her pale cheeks, she shook her head. "N-Nothing."

"Did anyone ever tell you that you're a terrible liar?" Callie laughed. "Real terrible."

"I'm really that obvious?" Blue eyes rolled playfully.

"Yeah, you are." Callie gave a nod in agreement. "So?"

"Look, I don't want you to think that I'm disgusting or pervy or anything, because I'm really not, but I-I just can't stop thinking about you."

"I can't stop thinking about you either." Callie furrowed her brow. "What's the problem with that? We like each other don't we?"

"No, I mean like really thinking about you!" Blue eyes squinted and Callie found it extremely sexy.

"Huh?" Brown eyes widened. "Oh!"

"I'm sorry, I just, I know it's not the time yet, and I'm not pressuring you, but since our date, you know when we were on the couch, I just, your hands. Your hands are amazing and those legs." Arizona bit down on her bottom lip without realising what she was doing. "Those legs are something else, Calliope."

"If it makes you feel any better, I've thought about you too." Callie smiled. "Your touch, it um, it feels right. It feels right on my skin. If that makes any sense at all."

"It does." Arizona gave a nod in agreement. "I'm not saying this to hurry you up, but I guess you should know. I don't want you to think I'm thinking about you in that way all of the time, because I'm totally not, but you are gorgeous, Callie."

"Thank you. It's nice to have someone thinking about me like that. Well, not someone, but you." Brown eyes closed momentarily. "While we are being honest, if you hadn't of stopped things that night, I'm not sure I could have."

"Really?" Blue eyes widened. "You mean you'd have gone the whole way?"

"Now I just sound like a slut." The brunette laughed. "But yeah, you just make me feel safe, and I want to experience that with you, because I know that it will be amazing, and I know it is something I've been missing in my last relationship for a long time. I just, I guess I wanted to feel normal again. You know, like someone cared about me, and wanted me."

"I do want you, Callie. So much." A pale hand came up to rest on the other woman's cheek. "Please know that."

"I know you do." The brunette smiled. "But it's too soon, right?"

"Look, what I'm saying is, when you feel the time is right for you, I am ready." Arizona stated. "But only when you are ready."

"Okay."

Glancing around the park, Arizona didn't feel right. Eyes narrowing, she focused in on the form of another woman sitting across the opposite side. Fuck! "I, um, I think we should get going. Anywhere in mind?"

"I like it here, can we sit a little longer?" Callie questioned.

"As much as I would love to, we really should move our asses."

"Why?"

"Because we have a visitor." Blue eyes fixed on the green staring back. "Come on, let's go elsewhere."

Focusing in on her ex, Callie sighed. "Was I completely stupid to think that she had gotten the message?"

"Nope. I did too, I think. It's been two weeks and we've not heard anything from her, so no, you are not stupid."

Standing from the bench and straightening herself out, Callie's eyes darkened. Anger. She felt complete anger. Pulling her leather jacket tighter across her body, she cleared her throat and began walking towards her ex. "Come on." She glanced back to find Arizona still in the same spot as before.

Quickly catching up to the brunette, Arizona took her hand in her own and stopped Callie. "What are you doing?"

"I want to speak to her."

"Just leave it, baby." A pale hand covered pink lips as Arizona gasped. "I'm sorry, I never meant to say that."

"You didn't?" The brunette furrowed her brow. "Shame, I liked it."

"You did? Then I totally meant it" Arizona smiled. "Please, Callie. Let's go."

"Nope. Come on." Dragging the other woman behind her, Callie increased her pace. Reaching her ex, she glared at her and smiled. "Suzanne, what a lovely surprise."

"Hi, Callie. It's great to see you."

"Why are you here?" Brown eyes narrowed.

"Just taking a lunch break."

"You hate the park. You always did." Callie scoffed. "Look, I really need you to understand that I don't want you around. I don't want any contact with you, and I don't want to see you. You are wasting your time. I'm happy now. Happier than I've ever been, and it's all because of Arizona, not you, so please, just leave me alone."

"Okay." Suzanne gave a nod as she sipped on her coffee.

"Okay?"

"Yeah. If that is what you want, then I will leave you alone. If you are happy, I won't bother you again. A girl had to try, right?"

"Wait, so you're saying that that's it? You'll just leave me, us alone?" Callie laughed.

"Yeah. I'm tired of chasing you. If you think she can give you something better than I can, then go for it. Be happy." Suzanne shrugged.

"Oh, she does. Trust me." The brunette smiled as she pulled Arizona in closer. "So much more."

"Good for you. Goodbye, Callie." The redhead stood from her seat and walked away from the two women stood on the pathway, mouths agape.

Turning to face Arizona, Callie's eyes widened. "D-Did you just hear that? She's done, Arizona. She actually said she was done."

The smile on Callie's face both warmed, and broke the blondes heart all at the time. "That's great." Giving the other woman an awkward smile, Arizona tried her best to keep up her own spirits. She didn't believe a word the redhead had just spoken, and she never would, but if that smile that she loved was going to be on Callie's face for the rest of the day, then she would wait before she gave her opinion. The opinion she knew was right, and the opinion that could dash all of the brunettes hopes in a second.

"Arizona, can I ask you something?"

"Of course you can, Callie. You can ask me and tell me anything. You know that."

"A-Are we girlfriend's?" Brown eyes softened.

"Well, um, I hadn't really thought about it. I mean, of course it's what I want, but I wasn't sure how you felt about using that term."

"I'd love it. I'd love to take you out to Joe's and introduce you as my girlfriend, and sit on the couch at night with my girlfriend." Tanned shoulders shrugged. "So?"

"So, we are girlfriend's." Pink lips curled into a smile. "I like it. Calliope Torres, my girlfriend."

"Okay, stop. You sound like an overexcited child."

"So? Is that a problem?" Blue eyes squinted.

"Well, when you do that thing with your eyes, then no it's not."

"What thing with my eyes?" The blonde questioned.

"That sexy squint thing you have going on. It's hot."

"It is?" Arizona smiled. "I've not heard that before."

"Well, now you have, and yes, it's extremely hot." Callie stated as she pulled Arizona closer to her. "I'm so looking forward to this relationship."

"I'm happy you feel that way."

"Me too. I think the whole 'getting to know the other person' thing is the most exciting. I know we've been living together but it's different now. It has been for the past few weeks."

"I know." Arizona smiled. "I want to know everything there is to know about you, Callie. You intrigue me, and I cannot wait to get this, us, going."

"We haven't been getting going?" Callie furrowed her brow.

"Yeah, but now that you have said what you had to, you know, to Suzanne, I'm hoping we can truly start our relationship."

"Yeah." The brunette sighed. "I cannot believe she just said that. I'm so happy that she did, but I still cannot believe it.

Hmm, me neither. Arizona decided to keep quiet. Right now, they were enjoying themselves and she wasn't about to burst the beautiful bubble they were in. "I know, right? Maybe she got the message."

"Seems like she did." Callie agreed. "So, um, you called me baby."

"I did. I-Is that okay?"

"More than okay." Red lips met pink. "Should we get back? It's getting a little cold out here now."

"Sure. I could use a warm blanket." Arizona turned and walked hand in hand with Callie. "One which you can totally share with me."

"Arizona Robbins, you are perfect." Callie flashed her megawatt smile. "Perfection."

"Oh, I can assure you I'm not, but sure, whatever you say." The blonde laughed.

"Well, right now, you are pretty perfect to me, and that's all that matters."

Making their way back to Arizona's apartment, Callie was pleased with how her day had gone. The fact that the blonde had told her how she felt increased their trust, tenfold. She knew that Arizona was the kind of person to say how she was feeling, and that was fine with her. Not only had they shared an awesome day together, she had managed to stand up to her ex fiancé and now, she felt truly free to do and say what she wanted. Nobody waiting at home to punish her, and nobody to tell her how to live her life. She felt great.

Arizona on the other hand felt completely different. Now she had told Callie that she wanted her, she couldn't get the thought of them spending the night together out of her head. Slow down, Robbins. She will tell you when she is ready. In the back of her mind, thoughts of Suzanne refused to budge. She didn't know the redhead well enough to know what she was capable of, but she wasn't stupid. She knew Suzanne would resurface at some point, so she would be sure to keep her wits about her, and at the first sign of trouble, fix it.

She couldn't bring herself to tell Callie how she felt right now. It would shatter their amazing day, but one day, in the not too distant future, she would talk to her and tell her what she truly believes. Right now, they would take it easy and enjoy each other, but Arizona would always be looking over her shoulder, and she would never completely let her guard down where the ex was concerned. She knew how women could be, and she knew how abusers could be. She would be damned if she let Suzanne ruin anymore of Callie's life, or their relationship.

Reaching the door to her apartment block, she let Callie enter first, and double checked the street before following on. Hitting the call button of the elevator, she smiled at her girlfriend and thought about how they would spend the rest of the evening. Maybe a movie, or maybe some of Callie's favourite trashy TV. Either way, she didn't care. She had Calliope Torres in her apartment, and that was good enough for her.

Thanks for reading, guys. I look forward to reading all of your reviews.

Please note that this WILL NOT be a song inspired fic. It was just something I wanted to add into this chapter. Callie is going to struggle with her feelings at times, and while she may not be able to describe those feelings completely to Arizona, the idea of her singing 'the story' kind of works.