A/N: I love that many of you are enjoying this as much as I am. I can't wait to finish it for you...
"Let me put the water on for tea and I'll be right back," Arizona says as they enter the condo.
Callie nods and takes a moment to admire the room, its bright yet comfortable, just like Arizona. Then spotting photos on wall, she wanders over to look at them. There's one of Sofia that she hasn't seen before and then she notices one of herself and Sofia that she hasn't seen before. "When were these taken?" She asks the blonde.
"From their last visit, Mom sent them to me." Arizona replies glancing up and beaming a smile in Callie's direction.
"Can you send it to me? I love it," Callie says turning around to face the blonde and noticing the smile, it's the one that the blonde reserves for her family, it makes her eyes crinkle, which is giving her little crows feet, Callie thinks idly.
Agreeing to send her a copy of it, Arizona adds, "It's one of my favorites, you both practically have the same expression."
"Oh my gosh, you're right. She's totally my mini me in this photo." Callie says laughing and enjoying the exchange.
Walking back into the room, Arizona hands her a cup of tea and gestures to the couch for her to sit down.
Sitting down, Callie suddenly realizes how long of a day the blonde has had. "How are you doing? I just realized that you've been up since early this morning. Do you need anything?" Callie asks.
"Now that you mention it, I'm going to go grab my crutches and get more comfortable." Arizona replies.
"Oh, let me. Where are they?" Callie asks.
"If you don't mind, they are in my bathroom." Arizona replies to Callie's surprise.
Walking into the bedroom, Callie realizes that the blonde must be pretty tired to let her help. Then walking past the bed, Callie spots a familiar photo on the table beside the bed. It's one of the last family photos that they took together. Then remembering what she's doing, Callie steps into the bathroom and grabs the crutches and heads back out to the living room.
"Here you go." She says as she returns to the room. "Oh, I'm sorry..." Callie says as she realizes the blonde has already removed her prosthesis and she has some swelling.
Kneeling in front of the blonde, Callie quickly examines her stump and it's tender to the touch.
"Let me get you some ice, that looks painful." She says moving quickly back to the kitchen. She easily finds the ice pack in the freezer and heads back to the couch. "Here this should help." She says applying it to the area.
"Ah, yeah. I should have known that I was pushing too hard today." Arizona says wincing as the cold contacts her skin.
Sitting right down beside her, Callie lays her arm across the back of the couch without thinking she gently kneads the blonde's shoulder where she carries her stress. Then realizing what she's doing, she smiles embarrassed.
"It's okay. It feels nice." Arizona says sinking into the contact.
"Here, turn a little and I'll get that knot that you always have that's so tight." Callie says and the blonde turns to give her access.
"Hmm," Arizona can't help but moan at the feel of Callie working the knot out of her neck and shoulder.
After a few minutes, Arizona reaches up and stops Callie's hands. "I didn't invite you up here so you could wait on me," she says softly. "But thank you, it's been awhile since..." her voice trails off as she decides not to say anything further.
"It's been a while for me too." Callie says removing her hands and taking Arizona's and holding them. "But why did you invite me up here?"
Smiling nervously, the blonde takes a breath and stares at their hands.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. I-I-I miss you and this thing with Tori was weird and I just wanted you to know that there's nothing in the past or the future with her. I dated one of her exes and then she dated one of mine, but that's where it ends, she and I never even hung out or anything else. Okay?" Arizona asks checking in with the brunette.
"Okay, thank you for explaining that. I couldn't help but wonder, she's very attractive." Callie replies.
"That she is, charming too. I'm sure that you noticed." Arizona adds.
Suddenly realizing that they are still holding hands, Callie slowly lets go of the blonde's hands and picks up her tea and takes a sip. "Oh, I do like this tea." She says, taking another sip or two. Then sitting it back down, she leans over to check her leg again. "This looks better, you should probably ice it again before you go to bed." Callie advises.
Yawning, Arizona quickly covers her mouth and Callie smiles.
"Speaking of which, I should get out here and let you do that," the brunette adds.
"Okay," the blonde says a little sadness in her voice.
Callie hears it and it makes her sad, she catches herself about to reach out again.
"Uh don't get up. I can let myself out." Callie says as she takes one more sip of her tea. Then remembering that Arizona is on crutches, she takes her cup to the kitchen. "Can I do anything for you before I leave?" She asks thoughtfully.
"You've done too much already Calliope, thank you." Arizona says pulling herself up on the crutches.
"Would it help if I just take you tea and the ice pack and set it on the bedside table for you?" She asks.
Smiling at the brunette's thoughtfulness, Arizona nods and Callie quickly grabs them and takes them into the other room.
Walking back into the living room, she is surprised to see the blonde leaning against the couch waiting for her.
"Sorry, I just worry about you and I wish..." Callie trails off, she shouldn't complete that sentence, she knows better.
Standing up, Arizona reaches over and takes her hand. "Don't worry about me, I'm really good," she says strongly.
"I know, it's just what I do, you know?" Callie admits a little nervously.
"Thank you," Arizona says softly, so many things want to pour out her, that she bites her lip to hold them back.
Callie notices it and almost leans in to kiss her, then catches herself and awkwardly turns around to find her purse and then picking it up she nervously says, "I-I should probably go now."
Closing her eyes for a moment, Arizona collects herself and pushes off the couch to follow the Latina to the door.
"Calliope," she says softly and the brunette turns around. Lightly, Arizona brushes her lips across the brunette's cheek and says, "Thank you again."
"Uh, you're welcome." Callie stammers, then adds "Good Night Arizona," and she slips out the door.
Down in her car, it takes the brunette a moment to collect herself. They haven't spent that kind of time together in a while and she is surprised to find herself tingling at the interaction. It's been awhile since she's reacted like that to Arizona's touch and it's a stark contrast to how her current girlfriend makes her feel. Suddenly remembering that she was supposed to call her after the dinner, Callie pulls her phone out of her purse and notes that she has three missed calls and a text. Setting the phone up to link to the car, Callie returns the call and puts the car into drive.
"Hey, where have you been?" Penny asks when she answers.
"Oh I just gave Arizona a ride home and we were talking." Callie replies.
"Why did she need a ride home?" Penny asks.
"It doesn't really matter, she did and it was on my way. Sorry that I didn't let you know, but we don't have plans tonight." Callie points out.
"No, but I thought since you didn't have Sofia maybe I could come over." She asks softly.
"Oh," Callie replies, how had that not even occurred to her? she wonders.
Then the brunette adds, "Well, it's kind of late and I have an early day tomorrow..."
"Okay, okay. I get it. You know Callie, we've been seeing each other for a few months now and we've yet to really spend time together." Penny points out.
"We just spent last weekend together," Callie counters.
"Come on Callie, you know what I mean. Sleeping in the same bed after a night of dancing is great and all, but are you not attracted to me? You seem like you are, but you then you always stop short of us really... connecting." Penny replies.
Waiting a moment as she tries to think of a response, Callie considers how to respond.
"Callie?" Penny repeats her name.
"I'm still here, I'm just, this isn't a good time for this conversation. Can we talk about this tomorrow?" Callie asks her.
"Whatever." Penny says hanging up.
"Perfect," Callie says out loud to herself.