The Party Starts...
Chapter 45
Opening the front door, Callie saw her sister and Teddy Standing there. "About time, what was you doing?" Aria asked, stepping in the front door, seeing Arizona zipping up her pants. "Never mind, I see what you were doing." She winked at Arizona. "You knew we were on our way and you still couldn't keep it in your pants?"
"I could. That one over there.." Callie said pointing behind her back at her fiancé. "Is a different story."
"Jesus, Zo. Can you go a day without it?" Teddy asked, walking through the foyer of the house. She knew Arizona had a very high sexual appetite since Callie, but damn.
"It's not my fault I have the hottest and most sexiest girl on the west coast, in the nation actually but that's besides the point. She is soon to be my wife. Have you not seen that sexy Latina standing my the door?" She pointed out.
"Thank you, Z." Aria smiled.
"In your dreams." Arizona laughed. "You're cute.. pretty even Aria. But you don't even hold a candle to your sister." She shrugged.
Blushing at her fiancés admission, "Back at ya babe." Callie said.
Blowing Callie a kiss, "Okay, I'm going to run upstairs and take a quick shower, before I get all dolled up. Calliope.. can I see you for a few minutes upstairs?"
"Sure.." She said, walking towards the stairs.
"Oh, no you don't." Teddy said, pulling Callie back by the arm.
"We need to get this show on the road. We have plans, reservations and places to be, so no. Take a cold shower, Arizona because Callie's going to get ready on the spare room with Aria."
"That's right. Now, You two need to say goodbye now because you won't see each other until the wedding.." Aria said.
"What? No." Callie protested.
"Why won't I see her before the wedding?" Arizona asked.
"Because, were partying tonight, and tomorrow is the day before the wedding so, you aren't suppose to see each other.
"No. I'm going to sleep with Calliope in my arms tonight whether you all like it or not."
"Um no you're not. Now, I'll give you one more chance to give her a goodbye kiss if you don't take it, I will drag your ass upstairs myself." Teddy said, stepping up to her best friend, trying her best to intimidate her.
"Fine." She huffed, walking towards Callie as she did the same. Leaning her head on her lovers, "I'm going to miss you, baby." She whispered to Callie, placing her hands on the Latinas hips.
"I'm going to miss you too, so much, Ari." She whispered. "I hope you have a good time tonight, and enjoy your strippers.. if Teddy actually pulls through for you." She laughed. "..but not too much." She said, kissing pink lips.
"I dont want strippers, especially if it upsets you Calliope. I only want you."
"I really don't care. It's all harmless fun. I just want you to have a good time."
"I want you to have a good time too, but not to good of a time without me."
"I won't." Callie whispered. "I'll just drown myself in alcohol." She laughed. "Am I pitiful if I say I'm already missing you?"
"Nope because I'm already missing you. I'm sad that we can't spend the night together." She said, leaning in and giving Callie another slow kiss. "I love you, Calliope." She said, cupping her face.
"I love you too baby." She gave her a sad smile and one more kiss to last for a while.
"I will see you tomorrow even if I have to hog tie Teddy up to do it." Arizona laughed, pitching Teddy tied to a chair. "Call me when you get in tonight?" Arizona asked.
"I will." She said, taking her hand in hers. "Go get ready babe." She said, placing a kiss on her hand. "Love?"
"Love." Arizona said before walking upstairs to get ready for her party.
An hour later, both girls were dressed to kill with dark smoky eyes and tight dresses for a fun night on the town. Aria and Teddy had arranged for taxi's to pick them up ten minutes apart so neither woman would see the other. After a lot of complaining on Arizona's part, Teddy finally stuffed her in the cab and headed to their first destination.
"So, what's in store for us Teddy?" Arizona asked as the cab drove through the city of Seattle.
"Well, we are going to Joes to have a few drinks."
"Joes?" She asked, "I thought this was a bachelorette party. You know, where you go and do things that you don't normally do? We go to Joes all the time. How is this night suppose to be fun?"
"Will you please just relax and enjoy it." Teddy said, as the cab pulled up to the bar.
"Okay!" Arizona huffed, getting out of the car after her friend and walking towards the door of Joes.
"Wait." Teddy said, grabbing her arm.
"What?"
"Let's wait out here, we are a few minutes early." Teddy said, checking the time on her phone waiting for a silent text from Aria.
"Why can't we go on in?"
"Because we have a set schedule we have to follow and we are a few minutes early." Teddy said, standing on the wet streets of Seattle. Her and Aria had put a lot of planning into tonight and she hoped both women will have a blast.
"I miss Calliope." She said, standing next to the brick wall of Joes. "Why can't I see her anymore before the wedding Teds?" She pouted.
"Because, absence makes the heart grow founder, now buck up."
"But.."
"I get it okay. I hate being away from Henry too, but I love hanging out with my friends also. So please don't become that person who is out with her other friends and all you do is complain that you miss your fiancé. Even if you don't mean anything by saying it.. it hurts, because those people act like we're not good enough to hang around. Also, Because no one likes a whiner. We're all here for you and to celebrate you, so please.." Teddy said, placing her arm around Arizona's shoulder. "Please have fun with us."
"I.. I've acted like that before?" She asked turning toward her friend, in kind of a shock. "I have haven't I? That's why you said that isn't it?" She thought about the times she's been with Teddy without Callie and couldn't really remember if she was like that with her, but then she wondered why would she say that if she hadn't. "Have I treated you like that before, Teddy?"
"No, I just don't want you to whine and complain in front of everyone here, trying to have a good time with you." She said, looking away from her friend.
"I did. I can tell in your eyes." She said, feeling really bad about it, even if she didn't recall ever doing it. "Look at me Teddy." She said, tugging on her friends arm.
"What, Zo?"
"I'm sorry, if I've ever made you feel like that. You know you are my best friend and I love you so much, right?"
"Yes, I do."
"I never meant to make you feel like that and don't try to say I didn't, I know you better than anyone Teds. I can see it in your eyes that I did. I always cherish our time together. You're my sister." She said, hugging her friend.
"It has only happened a few times a long time ago, but I've ignored it and it doesn't really bother me, because we've been through so much together. And you finally found someone who makes you happy. I love you and I love her almost as much." She winked. "I just want you to have a good time tonight, so no moping okay?"
"Kay." She nodded. "But I still don't see why we couldn't have out parties together." She shrugged.
"Would you just sit back and enjoy the ride." She laughed.
"Okay.. okay. So tell me whose coming with us?" She asked, not knowing how they were going to split their group of friends up.
"Well." Teddy said, looking down at her phone noticing that Aria texted that they were about five minutes away from their destination. "Let's go on in and see." She said, opening the door for her friend to walk through first.
Walking downstairs to the bar, they noticed the lights were turned off except for a few beer signs behind the bar. "Uhh.. Teddy?" Arizona said, scanning over the empty bar. "This isn't the greatest way to finish my last days as a single lady. An empty dark bar?" She said, looking around, seeing Joe behind the bar drying glasses.
"Joe?" Teddy said, giving him the cue.
Seeing Joe flick the switch to turn the lights on, Arizona looked around at all the twinkling strands of lights that were hanging throughout the establishment. Just as she turned to face towards the back of the bar looking at all the lights the door swings open and all of their closest friends pop out from behind the wooden door. "Surprise!" Was echoed through out the room.
"Teddy?" Arizona said, when she seen everyone walking into the room. "What did you do?" She laughed as all her friends came up to hug her.
"I'm throwing you a bachelorette party."
"But.. Everyone's here." She said looking around, seeing every one from Addison and Karev to Bailey and Ben standing before her. "What about Callie? She won't have anyone at her party.."
"Did someone say... Callie?" Aria said, walking through the door with a huge smile on her face.
Turning at her soon to be sister in laws voice, "Calliope!" Arizona exclaimed, when she saw her fiancé descend the steps behind her younger sister. "What are you..." She said, looking at her fiancé. "Whoa.." She said, scanning her eyes up long tanned legs taking in the site of the short white and black laced dress that hugged her lovers body. "You look... super stunning, Calliope." She said, looking he over again. "Super.. Wow." She said, meeting brown eyes. "Gorgeous."
"Thank you." Callie blushed. "And so do you, Arizona." She said, scanning her eyes down Her fiancés deliciously tight Charcoal gray sleeveless dress that highlighted her body. "You look exquisite."
"You don't act so surprised to see me." She said, walking up to the brunette and giving her a small kiss, not paying any attention to their friends mingling around them.
"I missed you, so I may have refused to get ready until Aria let me see you again." She said, placing her hands in Arizona's hips. "I broke her." She laughed.
"Aria!" Teddy exclaimed. "I knew she would get it out of you." Teddy said, throwing up her hands.
"What? I was scared she'd hurt me, she's freakishly strong. She should break bones for a living instead of saving babies." Aria said, motioning for a round of drinks for everyone.
"Okay, well, let's get this party started shall we?" Teddy said, taking the two bottles of tequila from Joe.
"Yes, let's have a few shots, then all of us ladies are going out for a night on the town that you'll never forget." Aria said, pouring a bunch of shots in the glasses Joe left on the table. "Okay, everyone." She said to the twenty some people that gathered. "We only have this bar the ourselves for the next twenty minutes so before the regulars start pouring in, so let's toast this night to these two beautiful ladies, and say good by to your girls, guys because we are headed out to paint the town red." She said, lifting her shot glass up in the air as everyone took a glass and did the same.
"To Arizona and Callie. To love and laughter and to happily ever after." Teddy said, cheering the couple before everyone took a shot.
"Thank you, Teddy." Arizona said, pulling her in for a hug and a quick peck of the cheek.
"You're welcome."
"Thanks Teds." Callie said, standing behind her fiancé.
"Welcome." She winked.
"So, we're all going out together?" Arizona questioned.
"Yeah." Teddy smiled. "Had you going didn't we?" She laughed. "You guys have the same friends and we couldn't make them choose only one of you to go out with, so we decided it would only be fair to have it together, but you're not going to be all over each other, cause tonight your semi single ladies. And by semi I mean, you're not going to be hanging all over each other and kissing and snuggling. We're going to party and have a blast. Deal?" She looked towards Callie, knowing she would be the one to be all over the blonde all night.
"So if we act like 'friends' we can party together?" The brunette questioned. She would just about agree to anything they offered to see what Teddy had in store for her fiancé especially after Aria let some details slip. "Deal." Callie smiled.
"Ooo it's like secret lovers, eye fucking each other from afar." Arizona pipped in, looking at Teddy with hooded eyes. Taking the now almost empty bottle of tequila off the table and taking a mouthful before handing it to Callie. "I like it." She laughed, clapping her hands.
"Wait." Callie said, looking towards her sister and Teddy. "When do we have to start acting like friends? Because I want to do something to her that is not really friend appropriate right now."
"And what would that be, Calliope." The blonde beamed. The affects of her earlier alcohol consumption mixed with the shots now we're making her feel so relaxed and flirty.
"Well." She said, stepping up closer to the blonde. "I would love to rip that smoking hot dress that I've never seen before, off your body. But since I have to control myself, I'll just settle for a little kiss." She said leaning in a lightly pecking pink lips.
"Okay, then. Now that we know you can control yourself." Aria said to her sister, looking at her watch. "What do we say we get this party started?" Aria yelled. "Alright girls, let's load them up." She said, stoping near the exit and waiting for everyone else to catch up. "Okay ladies, prepare for a night of fun." She said walking out the door.
"How are we going?" Callie asked, once they made it out on the streets. Looking around for their transportation for the night.
Looking down the street, Teddy saw the lights of the bus "We are going in that!" She pointed at the big party bus that came into view.
"What is that?" Arizona questioned, as the large bus pulled up to them.
"That my friend is our freaking party bus for the night." Teddy smile as the bus stopped and opened its door.
"A party bus?" Arizona questioned. "Tell me this thing has a stripper pole?" She asked her friend, getting a nod in return.
"Yes!" Callie exclaimed as the group of friend climbed aboard after the door opened.
"Awesome." Arizona laughed as everyone enter. "Have fun, babe." She whispered in Callie's ear as they were getting on the bus after everyone else. "Love you."
"You too sweets. Love you." She turned and said, before taking a seat in between Aria and Addison.
Popping the champagne after everyone was seated, Aria poured everyone a glass of the bubbly liquid. "We have two destinations tonight. First we are going to feed you bunch of yahoos and then we are going to party at La Dux." She said, holding her glass up. "To a night of fun."
"La Dux?" Arizona asked, not remembering hearing that name of a club before.
"Yeah, you'll love it." Teddy said, taking a drink of her champagne. "It's.. new. Great club." She grinned.
"Okay, you want to do the gifts now? Because we have about thirty minutes until we make our destination for dinner." Aria asked the girls.
"We get presents?" Arizona asked. "If I knew this I would have got married a years ago." She said holding out her hands. "Sorry honey." She shrugged her shoulders when she caught Callie's glance.
"Yes.." Aria laughed, placing a 'Bride to be' Sash on Arizona and then her sister as Teddy handed out all the guest a tot bag that read 'Team Bride' on the front. Then handing one to Callie and Arizona that read 'Mrs.' "Okay we wanted everyone to know we were all together tonight so we got y'all a little something to wear. She motioned for everyone to open the bags, revealing a black or pink jacket.
"These are so awesome you guys." Callie laughed, turning her black jacket around to show her fiancé that back that said 'Bride' in rhinestones as Arizona turned her pink one around showing her that hers said the same while their friends jackets said 'Brides Entourage'.
"Thank you, guys, this is hilarious. I love them." Arizona said, taking a drink of her champagne as the bus traveled down the road to their destination.
"Here." Meredith said, handing over a gift bag to Callie. "Open this." She smiled as Cristina started to snicker. "It's from me and Cristina. We hope you throughly enjoy." She laughed.
"Wait.. Before you open it Cal." Aria said, stopping her sister from opening the gift at first. "Arizona come sit with her." She waved her over to sit next to her fiancé. "These gifts are for the both of you can open them together." She said as Arizona sat next to her sister.
"Open it, Calliope." Arizona said, trying to peek in the bag. Watching her fiancé pull out the tissue paper to get to the gifts.
"Ben Wa Balls." Callie smiled, pulling the first package out of the bag.
"Oh yes." Addison smiled. "Those have been my best friend as times." She laughed as Callie pulled a tube out of the bag.
Taking the tube from Callie, "Make me come, strawberry cl..." Arizona stopped herself, her face turning beet red. "Oh my god." She looked up seeing Meredith and Cristina in a fit of giggles.
"What is it?" Bailey asked, pouring herself another glass of the sparkling bubbly.
"It's clit sensitizer gel." Cristina smiled, holding then tube up.
"Is that what you used earlier before Teddy and Aria showed up?" Callie laughed at Arizona, seeing that she was embarrassed.
"Shut up." Arizona said, taking the tube and throwing it in the bag. "Keep it up, Calliope and I'll put on you and watch you squirm all evening." She whispered.
"If that means you'll touch me.. have at it baby." She whispered in her ear before placing a kiss on the blondes temple then pulled the last gift of nipple lip balm out.
A few hours later they were back in the bus with full bellies and the music pumping on their way to their last destination for the night. Arizona was no pain as well as anyone else for that matter. She had been eyeing the stripper pole in the middle of the bus all evening debating giving it a try. Now with more alcohol flowing through her veins made she became a little braver giving her the last push she needed to tackle the metal rod. Turning the music to a better beat, she sauntered offer to the pole seeing while Callie was in mid conversation with Lexie and April. Grabbing the pole with both her hands she started swaying her hips with the beat of the music getting Callie's attention as everyone around stepped back and took a seat for the show. Twirling around the pole Arizona never took her eyes off Callie as she danced with the music, surprising everyone including herself with her limber moves. Finally the music came to an end and she slid down the pole out of breath.
Standing up, Callie helped her fiancé back up on her feet. "That was hot, baby." She said, giving her a kiss.
"I'm really hot." She said, fanning herself.
"Come on, let's set you down." The brunette said, siting her down next to her. "Let's get you some water, sweetie."
"No, I'm fine. Water will kill my buzz."
"River girl is well on her way." Cristina laughed, holding her aching stomach. "I'm sticking by her side the rest of the night. Give me that jacket." She said, reaching over and stealing Aprils jacket from her and throwing her black on in return. "I'm team Arizona tonight." She said, pulling out her bottle of tequila she had hid. Trading places with Lexie, she took the seat next the the blonde bride to be.
"Crissssstinaaa..." Arizona slurred when she felt her sit next to her, draping her arm over the woman's shoulder. "Cristinaaa." She said, in a deeper voice. "Ya know, if you say it nuff times you sounds weird, but then again so does Ariiiizonnaaa." She said, mumbling her words.
"Yeah." The Korean laughed, opening the bottle and handing it to the blonde.
"Ohh yum.." Arizona said, accepting the bottle from her friend and taking a drink.
"Cristina!" Callie scolded. "Don't you think she's had enough for a while? I'd like her to remember this day." She said as the bus pulled into the parking lot of Lu Dux.
"Hey. We're partying it up as her last days of a single woman," Cristina said, draping her arm around Arizona's shoulder.
"Yeah Teddy! Callie! Whatever your name is now." Arizona mumbled.
"You are drinking this before you go any further." Callie said, opening her a bottle of water. "Drink it." She said, handing it to her fiancé.
After drink the water Callie demanded, Arizona and the group made their way inside the night club and took their reserved seats around the stage. After sitting down, a few women came and took their drink order, some in the group ordered cocktails with the blonde guest of honor had the privilege of ordering a sprite to sober herself up a little, because if she didn't stop herself now, tomorrow wasn't going to be pretty for her. Teddy an Aria handed each on the group some one dollar bills have a have little fun with.
"Ya know.. I never knew how much fun it could be to come and watch women strip." Meredith said to Callie after they watched a few dancers.
"Yeah, me neither." Callie laughed, watching Bailey try to stuff a few dollar bills into a women's g-string. "It's different."
"Watch Bailey hesitate on slipping the bills near her vagina." Meredith laughed as her friend acted like the women was the pelage. "That's a weird word."
"What is?"
"Vagina. Say it."
"Vagina." Callie said. "Vaginaa."
"It's weird right? Sing it. Vagiiinaaaa..." Meredith sang. "Va-va vagina."
"Va.. Va.. Vaggginnnaa..." Callie sang along as they watched the next dancer work her pole.
"I think it's pretty." She sighed, taking a drink of her mixed drink. "Arizona's is pretty.. So pretty." She sighed, recollecting her face almost buried between her fiancés thighs earlier this evening. "Oh god, I miss sex." She whined.
"Miss it?"
"Yeah, Arizona had this bright idea of not having sex this last month before the wedding. And it's been so hard, you wouldn't believe the number of cold showers I've had to take and even then it's not really satisfying. Because the things she can do with her tongue or hands.. Ahh." She breathed. "I have to stop thinking about it... Damn it!" she pouted, crossing her legs.
"Okay.. We're getting too deep in this conversation." Meredith laughed.
Seeing the announcer walk on stage, Callie couldn't hide her grin because if Aria had been telling the truth, Arizona was about to get a big surprise and she couldn't wait to see what the blonde would do. Hearing her ask for the two brides to be to come to the stage and take the seats they had placed on the stage, they two made their way up.
Seeing Callie be instructed to keep her hands on her lap, Arizona watched as the music began and and the stripper did her job, rubbing and grinding her chest and butt on her fiancé. All Arizona could do is laugh as her fiancé bit her bottom lip to stifle her grin, knowing that Callie had never experienced a female stripper before. To be honest Arizona was the only one who could actually see the brunette was a little uncomfortable which made the blonde laugh more, but soon after she was being blind folded and instructed not to touch as the next dancer began their dance on her.
"Wait.. why do I have to be blindfolded?"
"Because, I have a little surprise in store for you, sugar." The woman said, bopping Arizona on the nose with her index finger.
"I love surprises." She grinned, which made Callie laugh uncontrollably because her fiancé was oblivious to what was about to happen.
Callie watched on while Arizona's surprise walked out behind the curtains as the music began to blair. Arizona couldn't wipe the smile off her face with every touch or feel the dancer was giving her, but she could tell something wasn't quiet right. The dance was nice, but it would be better if she could see and if she was being honest, Callie's lap dance she gave her back at Meredith's Halloween party was so much better, but she enjoyed it no less. Meanwhile Callie couldn't help but laugh hysterically with all their other friends as the dancer straddled Arizona's lap and began to slowly pulled down the blondes blindfold.
Feeling her blindfold slowly being pulled down, Arizona looked up to see an oiled up tight six pack stomach in her face. Seeing the man wearing nothing but a g-sting bumping and grinding on her, she thought thatTeddy was trying to pull one over on her, she decided to flip the cards and thoroughly enjoy the dance she was getting whether it be a man or woman. Pulling bills from her hiding spot in her bra, much to everyone else's desecration, she began stuffing his underwear with the one dollar bills encouraging him on. Adding in a smack on his ass cheeks that swayed in her face. By the time her bills ran out and the song began to die down, she teased the man to show her his goods. He kept pulling at his thong like he was going to show her his package, but he denied her every time she got close enough. Taking an offered fifty Aria handed her, Arizona waved the bill in front of the man as he swayed his body in front of her face to get her to stick the cash in, but she refused and pointed at his bulge to get him to show it off. Causing her friends and everyone else around the stage to hoot and holler until he finally conceded and got close enough to the blondes face and motioned for Arizona to take a peak. Pulling at the waist of the band, she leaned forward and took a peak and the bundle hiding under the thin material causing everyone to bust out laughing at her surprised face. Proud of herself that she just took a peek at the mans junk for the first time in her life, she slide the fifty in the front of his barely there underwear before covering her reddened face and laughing into her hands. Finally the music stopped and the man pulled her up and gave her a hug for being such a good sport of the little prank her friends pulled on her before her and Callie joined hands and left the stage just as the bar keep was calling last call.
"Oh wow.." She said, taking a deep breath, plopping down on the seat before her.
"Oh god Zo. That was hilarious." Teddy laughed, giving her a high five. "How was your first peek of a man.
"Let's just say, I'm so glad I'm marrying this lady." She said, wrapping her arms around Callie's left arm and laying her head on the upper arm as the room began to spin. "That... thing..." She said, trying to find a word for it. "..is the stuff nightmares are made of." She said, causing everyone to burst out laughing again.
A few minutes later they all were loading back on the bus to return home, Arizona needing a lot of help to make it inside before she fell and hurt herself. "Hi." Callie said, taking a seat next to the blonde on the bus. "My names, Callie-ope." She squinted her eyes not thinking that sounded right, but she wasn't quiet sure. "Whas your name?" She asked, flipping a small pieces of the girls blonde hair behind her shoulder before leaning closer and invading her space.
"Hi." She giggled. She felt her cheeks blush when she looked into the chocolate brown eyes. "I'm Arizona."
"Ahh.. like the battleship." She nodded.
"Ahh.. Nope, like the state." She laughed, smelling the strong stench of Alcohol on the women's breath.
"So you come here often?" She asked, licking her lips. She tried to take her eyes away from the delicious pink lips before her. She couldn't break her gaze because wanted to feel then, taste them, become one with them.
"Um.. Nope. I've never comed here before." She laughed at her own joke.
"You're funny." The brunette chuckled.
"You're pretty." The blonde replied, leaning her head towards the brunettes that was buried in her neck.
"Can I kiss you?" She whispered.
"I'm not to sure how my fiancé would feel about that, but I really want to say yes." The blonde replied.
"Oh you have a fiancé?"
"Yeah. Does that matter?"
"I'm sure mine wouldn't feel to keen on me kissing another woman either." She said, hiding her face into the side of the blondes neck. "But I really want you." She whispered. Finally making her move, she crashed their lips together forceful and sloppily. Tongues collided against each other in the battle for dominance.
Giving up the fight, Arizona pulled Callie close to her as she gently laid back on the bench, pulling her fiancé on top of her as she let her explore her mouth. Roaming her hands up and down the Latinas body, forgetting about the other eight people on the bus.
Seeing her drunk friends laying in the seat, making out, Teddy let them have their fun until the little moans and pants turned into heavy moaning and pleads. Watching Arizona wrapped her legs around Callie's waist locking her in place and inching the Latinas dress up further and further up her legs.
"Alright you too, keep it clean." Teddy said, smacking her best friends leg. Knowing if she didn't interfere now, they would be no breaking them up when things went further.
"Suck it, Teddy." Arizona groaned as Callie pulled away breaking their make out session.
"Guess what?" Callie whispered, hovering over top of the blonde. "You saw a penis." She giggled.
"Oh god... It was so scary, Calliope." She laughed. "Hopefully my first and last."
"It better be, because after tomorrow the only junk you can look at is mine." The brunette winked while trying to get off her fiancé. But she couldn't find enough strength to do so. "I think I'm drunk." Callie whispered to her fiancé as she collapsed back onto her.
"Me too." The blonde bursted into a little fit of giggles along with fiancé. "Let's go night night. I'm so sleepy." She yawned hugging Callie close as the bus started its trek back home.