AN - FF was down for so long, hence the delay.
Arizona leaned her head against the bus window. This was the third and final bus before she reached her parents' apartment. She had went to Derek's house again and signed the deal for the restaurant. She would be starting her work tomorrow. Derek Shepherd is a good man. Arizona wished more people were like him. She looked out onto the street and saw a few homeless men sitting in between cracks and corners of buildings. She saw groups of middle or high school kids playing around while walking down the street. She saw the old basketball court she had walked by a million times. It was empty, most likely due to the cold. She sighed as the bus turned a familiar corner and made its way down to her street. When she finally reached the area where her apartment was located, she exited the bus and stared at the ugly brick building. It seemed like forever since she had been there.
When Arizona unlocked the door to the apartment, she instantly smelled her mother's cooking. That memorable smell made her feel all warm inside, despite it being freezing cold outside. The sudden dip in temperature was symbolic with the sadness in her life. She went inside and peeked here and there. She figured her parents had probably settled in for an early nap. Arizona quietly tiptoed to the couch. She noticed new blankets were folded up and placed at the bottom of the couch. She figured her mother had probably been sleeping out here. She did that from time to time when she wasn't getting along with Daniel. That would usually force Arizona to sleep on the hard floor. But they must have gotten over their problems if her mom was back in bed with her dad.
It felt so good to actually be back among normal people. People who didn't jet set to exotic locations. Or have cooks and housekeepers and drive in the latest cars that had been imported from overseas. Yes, the land of the normal people was where she fit in. She sat down and was about to lean her head back, when the overhead light blinded her.
"What are you doing here?" her father's voice asked. She turned around, and was about to smile until she saw the mean expression covering his face. What now?
"Hi daddy, I've missed-,"
"I asked you what are you doing here?" Daniel repeated, folding his arms across his chest.
Arizona didn't know what to make of her father's unwelcome greeting. She studied the hard lines in his face and the tiny patches of gray that settled to the right side of his head. Her father looked much older than he was. And he had a constant wrinkle in his forehead from worry and disgust. He was always one of those two things. Worried or disgusted. And right now he looked disgusted. She looked behind him, and noticed her mother joining her father's side.
"Um, I've come to move back in," Arizona said, looking from her mother to her father.
"No the hell you haven't! You're not welcome in my place," Daniel said.
Arizona stood in the middle of the floor, completely confused. Was her father joking? He never joked, but he had to be. Not welcome?
"You think people didn't tell me what you were doing with Callie Torres? How you erased our debts? Oh, I know. I know everything," he spat out, narrowing his eyes at her.
Shit. She knew people talked, but she had hoped staying out of town would have stopped any rumors spreading. But...as always, they did. "Daddy, I-," Arizona started again.
"You hear me? You're not welcome here. I don't want you in my place!"
"Daniel, don't talk to her like that!" her mom shot at him, while tying her robe around her.
"Why not? I never in a million years think you would stoop so low to clear our debts. I raised you better than that." Daniel said.
Arizona started to feel her blood boil and tears brimming on the surface of her eyes. Damn it, you better not cry, she chastised herself. Stand up!
"First off, it's not OUR debt, it was YOUR debt. But because of your bad decisions, me and mom were drug down with you. You think this is what I wanted?! To do that?! I did it for you, and this is the treatment I get? Trust me, daddy, I already feel bad enough. You don't have to add to that," Arizona shouted, letting the tears finally fall.
"Calm down, honey. Everything just happened so fast. One moment you're here, the next we hear these awful things about you living with her-," her mom said, before her father interrupted.
"No, not living with her! From what I heard, she was staying at a separate location. Since Callie Torres didn't even had the decency to let her live in her home. Because what they did was not decent."
How dare he stand there and call her names. He knew NOTHING about what she had gone through. She was sick of this. Her body was weak and she needed rest. "Daddy, you don't know what went on between us. You have no clue. But I'm tired now, and I'm going to bed," Arizona said, while picking up her bag and heading to the bathroom. But her father blocked her path.
"Oh, no you're not! I'm not having my enemy's….whatever you are….staying in my house. You aren't welcome, now leave!" he demanded.
Barbara sucked in a gasp. "Daniel, you ain't putting her out on the street like that. It's freezing out there," Barbara stated.
"This is my Goddamn apartment! My name is on the lease and she can't stay here. Street is exactly where she would be best off. She ain't no child of mine!" Daniel yelled furiously
Arizona's face was on fire with shock. She couldn't believe she was being treated like this by her father. Someone who was supposed to love her unconditionally. Not that he had ever shown her that growing up. The only reason she was even in this situation was because her love for them...or at least her mom, WAS unconditional. She did all of this for them. She could have left home, started a new life, and left Callie to do whatever to her family. And this is her treatment in the end. But she knew her father...he would put her out or call the cops. He was like Mr. Stark in more ways than one.
She couldn't even look at him anymore. Arizona turned to her mother, who was on the verge of tears herself. "Mom, I don't have anywhere to go," she whispered, pleading with her mother to overturn her father's statement. Her mother quickly looked away. The sure sign that she was going to let her husband win this battle. Arizona felt so hurt and betrayed. She stared at her mother's turned down face a few moments longer, while a tear rolled down her cheek. Arizona nodded and walked to the door to retrieve her small duffel bag. She quickly wiped at another tear and exited her parents' apartment without looking back.
Outside, the cold air hit her, stinging her face. She could see her breath every time she breathed in and out. She wrapped her coat tightly around her and started walking towards her old bus stop. She had taken that bus everywhere. To school, to the mall...back when life was less confusing and harsh.
She sat down on the cold metal bench to think. It would be getting dark soon, and she only had twenty-two dollars and eighteen cents in her purse. She had to think of something. She refused to go back to Derek. He had already shown her more generosity than she felt she deserved. She looked out at some of the stores that were starting to turn on their closed signs. Damn, it was freezing. She needed to think of something soon.
Arizona had worked all through school, so she never really hung out with anyone. Not anyone she could actually call on to stay with for a while. Yet another reason she resented her father. And her high school girlfriend had moved away a few years ago, or else she probably would have helped her out. But there was one other person. Perhaps there was one other person who could help her out of her homeless situation.
She prayed that she could still call her "friend" even after what she knew about her and the way she was treated by Callie. Arizona used the last of her money to hail a cab to Carina's house. She was thankful that she had paid attention that night to where Carina lived.
When she arrived at Carina's, she knocked on the door. She had worked on her speech in the cab about what she was going to say to her. Arizona realized she was showing up out of the blue and she didn't want to seem desperate...although she was. This was her last resort. If Carina wouldn't accept her, perhaps she could find a shelter...but the thought of that made her miserable.
When Carina answered the door, she watched the perplexed look on her face. Carina glanced around her looking down the street, and then she looked back at her again. "Arizona? What's wrong?"
"Hi, Carina. Um, I know this is going to sound strange since I haven't spoken to you in a few weeks, but, I—I...," Arizona whispered before she burst into a flood of tears and buried her face in her hands. She felt so drained. She thought she had been so brave today by leaving Callie, only to fall apart at her father's words. But at least she had refused to let Callie or her father see her cry.
"Oh dio," Carina said in her heavy Italian accent, as she ushered Arizona into her house. Carina quickly closed the door, then turned around and grabbed Arizona in a bear hug. "Sshh, what's wrong?" She asked.
Arizona didn't want to let go of Carina. She buried her face into Carina's chest and wept. Finally, someone who at least cared if she was on the street and freezing to death. Someone whom she hoped would treat her like a human being, and not some item or thing.
"Ssh...tell me what happened," Carina said, as she pulled away from Arizona and rubbed her warm hands over Arizona's frozen ones.
After a few moments, Arizona was able to calm down enough to explain to Carina what happened. She told her everything and Carina sat and listened with patience, nodding every now and then. When she was completely done, Carina pulled her close for another hug.
"You're alright now, you know. And I know what you need. A nice, hot shower," Carina said, as she grabbed Arizona's hand and led her downstairs to her apartment. She handed Arizona a towel, washcloth and one of her oversized t-shirts.
"Okay, now it's not much of a bathroom, but hey, the shower works and the toilet flushes. That's all we need, right?" Carina smiled at her. Arizona nodded in agreement. She really felt bad for Arizona. The girl was literally freezing.
Carina's bathroom was one tenth the size of Callie's, but something about that made her feel more comfortable. She thought about that first kiss they had shared on the balcony. How soft Callie's lips were, and how she had been staring back and forth from her eyes to her lips the whole time Arizona had been talking to her. She let the hot water pour over her cold body...feeling as though little needles were pricking her.
Carina stood outside the bathroom, leaning against the wall. She shoved her hands deep into her pockets, tilted her head back and sighed. Callie's words to her at her party ran over and over inside her head. Carina knew some people would think she was a fool, but there was no way in hell she could have turned Arizona away. Consequences be damned.
In a way, she was glad Arizona had come to her. The thought of her being out there on the streets, while it's dark and freezing cold...sent a shiver down her spine. Thinking about all the lowlifes who could have hurt her and how scared she would have been pissed Carina off. But...this was Callie's girl. And she had already been warned. Carina wasn't naïve. You don't mess with these guys. They don't believe in calling the police or getting the courts involved. They accused, tried and executed those they felt deserved it.
Carina heard the water shut off. She would deal with all of this later. Right now the most important thing was that Arizona was happy and safe. Right now, that was all that mattered. Something about this woman made her feel overprotective of her. Even the first day she met Arizona. She knew she was miserable at that party, and Carina wanted to see her smile. That's why she had made so many silly jokes throughout the party. Invited Arizona to her party instead. Something told her Arizona would like it more. Until Callie showed up.
When Arizona got out and dried off, she put on Carina's large shirt and pulled her jeans back on. She met Carina back out in the hallway. Carina grabbed her hand and led her to the end of the hallway.
"And you can take my bedroom," Carina said, while opening the door.
The room was not big per say but it looked clean and comfy. The queen sized bed was fluffy and draped in floral sheets, unlike Callie's dark linens. The brocade looking deewan on the side of the bed was full of cushions and the wall and curtains were decorated with fairy lights and many faux floral arrangements. There were many potted house plants around the window that made the room smell like dew and orchids.
"A little Italy, in America" she heard Carina say behind her.
"I believe in an herbal existence," Carina further said, noticing Arizona staring at the plants. Arizona burst into a laugh. She sat down on the fluffy bed and looked up at Carina.
"I can take the couch. I would feel bad kicking you out of your own room," Arizona said, but Carina wouldn't hear of it. "No, absolutely not. My momma raised me better than that," she said, winking at Arizona.
"Where's Jo…?" Arizona asked, remembering Carina's roommate's name.
"Oh, she's visiting family back on the west coast. She will be gone for the rest of the week."
That put Arizona a little more at ease. She already felt like she was imposing herself on Carina, and she would feel even worse about imposing on Jo since she really didn't know the woman.
"I just want you to know that this is just until I can get back up on my feet, I promise. Then I'll be out of your way. And I'll be working on my new restaurant first thing tomorrow morning." Arizona promised.
"Nah, don't worry about that...plus I'm sure Jo would love having you here...that girl can't cook and is over dependent on me already" Carina laughed. But then her facial expressions became serious. "But seriously, don't go to her room down the hall or sleep in her bed. Some of the guys she had brought back...have been questionable. She even tried hooking up with my brother once. I'm just saying," Carina warned.
Arizona burst out laughing again. Yes, she would be okay now. As long as she was far away from Callie, she would be fine.
Later that night, Carina had left to grab them some pizza, beer and movies to settle in for the night. Arizona felt horrible that she couldn't contribute any money to the food yet. She had to laugh at the fact that earlier that morning, she had held seventy thousand dollars, and now she was completely broke….at least till the restaurant gets going. That's the only silver lining she had right now.
During the movie, Carina kept glancing over at Arizona. Arizona's eyes were still a little puffy, and her nose had a slight red tint, but she seemed interested in the film. But Carina's mind was spinning. She had to ask Arizona. She had to know. Finally, halfway through the second film, Carina spoke up.
"So, you and Ms. Torres done for sure?" Carina asked.
"Yes," Arizona said, while still staring at the TV screen.
"Do you think she will come after me, you know, since you were her girl, and now you're back at my place?" Carina asked, taking a sip of her beer.
Arizona thought about it. Callie was so confusing to her. She ignored her at her own party, yet came to drag her away from Carina's. She cut Arizona out of her life without so much a phone call, but then tried to stop her from leaving. She really had no idea. "Honestly Carina, I don't know. I don't think Callie would hurt you though. She's….she's so confusing to me."
Carina laughed, "Gee, that's comforting."
"I'm sorry. Maybe it would be a good idea if I did go. I don't want to cause any problems for you," Arizona said, turning to Carina. That's the last thing she would want.
"Nah, don't. I'm already getting used to you sitting here on my couch," Carina winked at her. "Besides, my mom always said I didn't have a good sense. So, I'll take the chance." Arizona smiled back, but she could tell Carina wasn't so comfortable about pissing Callie off for the second time.
"Carina, what did Callie say to you that night, when she came to take me from here?" she asked. It had been bugging her for a while now.
Carina leaned back against the couch and sighed. "She said if I didn't want to know what the inside of a body bag looked like, then I better never touch you again."
Arizona's mouth dropped. "Callie said that to you?" Carina nodded and took another sip of her drink.
Arizona turned her attention back toward the movie. "I'm sure she said it to try and scare you. She's bluffing."
Carina shook her head. "See, Arizona...I know you would like to think that, but I'm not sure if she's really bluffing. Business tycoons like her are serious and I have met so many people who are afraid of Torres. There has to be some truth to it right?."
That sent a chill up Arizona's spine. She thought about the Callie who kept grabbing her ass and kissing her neck while she was staring at paintings at the museum. They way Callie had started to joke with her. The way she had carried her from the balcony to the bedroom after their intense love making. Her soft expression when Arizona woke her up the next morning. Callie wasn't all bad. She wasn't this person that Carina was making him out to be. But then again, she had seen Callie switch up her personality on her. Turn completely cold. Maybe she was capable of such things.
"I'm sure it will be alright. I don't think Callie knows where I am, and I won't be here for long," Arizona assured Carina while trying to convince herself.
Arizona noticed Carina turn back to the TV and continue sipping on his beer, but she could tell at this point that she was no longer paying attention. And Arizona wasn't either. Her mind was reeling from everything that had happened over the past two days. How quickly everything had unraveled...and she still wasn't quite sure what had happened. But it was all over with now, and she would wake up in the morning and try to get on with her life, the life she'd been living before Callie became such a significant part of it.
The next morning, Arizona stared at the blooming flowers on Carina's potted plants. She wondered how Carina even had time to keep these plants alive from the multiple jobs she's working. Maybe she should have worked multiple jobs too, and pay-off her father's debt in a decent way. Arizona continued to stare at the plants as she heard a knock on the door.
"Hey Arizona, are you decent?" she heard Carina ask through the door. Decent. There was that word again.
"Yeah," she croaked out and sat up in the bed as Carina entered.
"Coffee, dear?" Carina grinned, while handing her a cup.
Arizona smiled, "Thank you. Just what the doctor ordered."
Arizona took a small sip and glanced up at Carina. She was dressed in tan cargo pants that were a little baggy, and a blue Best Buy shirt with a black long sleeve shirt underneath. Her gorgeous long hair was still wet from a recent shower, giving her a little girl look.
"So you work at Best Buy?"
"Yep. Home theater department. It's not much, but it helps pay the bills."
Arizona nodded. "Yeah, I wasn't saying anything bad about it. Hell, it's more than what I have. So what do you do for...her?" She couldn't even say Callie's name anymore.
"Oh, well, I'm...uh, I guess you could call it a runner. I pick up things and drop them off, no questions asked. I do catering stuff whenever she throws those lavish parties. She pays really well too, it's just that there aren't always drops to be made, so that's where the part-time job comes in handy."
Arizona thought about that while she took another sip of her coffee.
"But hey, my shift ends at six and I can bring home some dinner. Do you like Thai?" Carina asked.
Arizona nodded her head. "I do. I will be running off to Shepherd Estate soon and I don't know how long I'll be there though….if I'm late, please don't wait up!"
Carina scratched her head. "Hmm, I would love to share dinner with you, Arizona. So I'll wait"
Arizona laughed at Carina's silly antics and nodded.
Arizona didn't know if that was good or bad. "Um, thanks. I'll just hop in the shower and take the bus over."
"Hey, do you want a ride? The Shepherd Estate is on my way. If you can get dressed in twenty minutes?" Carina asked, hopeful.
Arizona hopped up. "Yep," she said grabbing her bag and running to the bathroom. She quickly scrubbed, took a shower and pulled her hair into a messy, massive ponytail. She wrapped the towel around her body and ran out of the bathroom, crashing straight into Carina.
Carina grabbed her as Arizona almost lost her balance. Arizona quickly tightened her hold on the towel. When Carina released her, Arizona noticed Carina's eyes quickly drink in her appearance before settling on her neck.
"Oh wow?" Carina said, as she leaned in closer towards Arizona's neck. "Is that a…?"
Arizona touched the side of her neck and immediately knew there's a faded red hickey at the base of her neck and her left shoulder. Her constant reminder.
"Oh, it's…yeah. Yeah it is" Arizona tightened the hold on her towel, suddenly feeling shy
Carina grinned, and started laughing "you are cute when you are all flustered….."
"Shut up!" Arizona said, trying to conceal her own smile. "I am not."
Carina laughed again. Arizona swatted her on the shoulder and pushed past her to the room. She walked over to the mirror and looked at the marks. Suddenly images of Callie's grin and piercing brown eyes came back to her. She thought of the way they always looked right before Callie would bury her face into her neck. That picture seemed burned into her eyes. She shivered and quickly dressed. She would have to remember to put makeup over the hickies.
After Carina dropped her off, Arizona's day went about pretty quickly. Derek was insistent that Arizona get the staff, suppliers and chefs aligned before they get settled on location. Thankfully, this was something Arizona was confident about. She had been in the business since her teenage years. She knows first hand where to look for the best of waiting staff, kitchen workers, and where to hire the meanest of chefs and managing staff. Years of experience in hauling sea-food directly from the suppliers, to save money in her father's restaurant came in handy, in finalising the suppliers who can provide them with the freshest of catch daily. After multiple run-ins in and out of the estate to various locations and bucket load of paperwork, she was still arms deep in finalising stuff when Derek forcefully put an end to her day and sent her home.
On the bus ride, Arizona couldn't help but think of Callie. She wondered what she was doing right that moment. Was she hanging out with that girl Heather? Was there any part of Callie that missed her? Did she care?
Arizona had reached the house before Carina, so she grabbed the key from underneath the mat and let herself inside. She quickly changed out of her work-clothes and into a large grey hoodie and jeans. She came back downstairs and realized how messy the living room area was. She started picking up different plates and bottles in the living room. She quickly washed dishes and straightened the kitchen. She went back into the living room and picked up magazines, and sports equipment and put it all in their place. She emptied out ashtrays and organized the dvd's that were piled on the floor. One in particular caught her eye. When she was done cleaning, she placed the disc in the dvd player and sat down.
She was halfway through the movie when Carina entered.
"Honey, I'm home," Carina laughed as she entered the house. Shaking off her hair, she pulled off her raincoat and hung it near the door.
"Damn, it's raining hard out there. Oh, hey, you cleaned up. Nah Arizona, you didn't have to.." Carina chastised
"Hey. You alright?"
"Yeah, just wet and cold and a little drunk it seems. How was your day?" Carina asked as she fumbled her way inside
Arizona smiled up at her. "Yeah. It was great. Thank you for everything."
Carina snorted. "Nah. Don't thank me. You are wonderful."
Arizona laughed. "Why thank you Carina. Hey, I won't be getting any pay cheque soon but once I do I'll pay you back for the food."
"Arizona, stop trying so hard. Jesus babe, you've only been here for a day. Chill out. I'm not totally broke, you know. It's fine," Carina said, setting the bag of food on the coffee table.
"I know, I'm sorry. I just...I don't know, thank you though."
"You're welcome. What are you watching? Is that Dracula?Damn, that movie sucks," Carina said, sitting down.
"No it doesn't. I love this movie. I had never seen it before. I didn't realize so many stars were in this movie. And Gary Oldman is so amazing as the count," Arizona said, barely able to take her eyes from the film.
"He acted like a wuss over a girl. I mean, he's supposed to be the fucking bad ass of them all. Dracula! He should have been killing people left and right, owning it all. Not harping over some girl," Carina said, stuffing a bunch of noodles in her mouth. "That dvd is Jo's by the way. I would have never bought that. In fact all the mess you see here is her doing. The girl is a hurricane. Give me Blade or something."
For some reason Carina's assessment of the movie was unnerving for Arizona. She looked back at the screen and got chills at the way Dracula would stare at Mina. How she tried to struggle away from him in the theater, but he held her tight and she caved to his whim. This invisible power he held over her. Arizona gave a slight uncomfortable laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. I mean, I just always kinda...well, Callie…. Watching this is...nevermind. Just strange."
Carina looked at Arizona. She was picking over her food, obviously thinking about something. She placed her carton of noodles back on the table and wiped her hands on a tissue. "Did you love her?" Carina finally asked.
At first Arizona was taken aback. She immediately shook her head 'no', but then she slowly nodded and put her face into her hands.
Finally she looked back up at Carina. "I know you probably think that's loony due to the nature of our relationship. Trust me, I think that myself. I don't know, the whole thing was just crazy."
Carina nodded her head then asked, "Do you think she loved you?" Arizona shrugged. "Sometimes I thought...just maybe there was something on her side. But in the end, I guess I was wrong. I mean, there was always something in her eyes. Like she was in war mode at all times, but every now and then...I would get that small glimpse of peace. It was usually fleeting, but when I saw it, it was beautiful. I don't know. I know it sounds crazy, but that's the only way I know to explain it. And yes, I do think I'm crazy," Arizona laughed and then sighed.
"Did she ever...you know, did she ever force you?" Carina asked.
Arizona shook her head. "No."
They both sat there in silence thinking over the conversation as Bram Stoker's Dracula continued to play in the background.
"So, enough about me, why don't you have a girlfriend?" Arizona asked, picking through some cashew chicken.
"Well, I did…. up until about a week ago. She's a firefighter and she wanted me to do the whole suit and tie and get a job working at a bank or something. That is soooooo not me." Carina sighed
"But at least it's legal, and you don't have to worry about getting into trouble, Carina. Perhaps you should have listened to her."
"Yeah, but getting a job like that, it will be years before I actually start making any dough. Working for Ms. Torres, I can move up the ranks and retire in no time. I mean, my mom has been working all of her life, and I'd love to see her just sit back and relax. That would be perfect. And Torres, hell, she could retire tomorrow if she wanted to, and she would be set for life. So would her kids and grandkids."
Arizona had to admire Carina's intentions, in a way, but she couldn't imagine her going down Callie's path. She felt there was more hope for Carina than that.
"You admire her, don't you?" Arizona asked, picking up a dumpling.
"She commands so much respect and she always gets what she wants. People just do what she says."
"You know if you're nice and just ask, people will usually do what you say too," Arizona stated.
Carina shook her head and chuckled. "Oh really? If I nicely ask something I'll get it?."
Arizona shrugged, "I guess?."
"And this is the last one, Callie. It's to make sure that the bartenders at the club...Callie?" Edwards asked. She slowly waved her hand in front of Callie's face.
Callie's eyes followed Edwards' hand before they locked on her eyes. "Yes?"
"Um, I was just saying this is the last one you have to sign," Edwards sighed.
Callie leaned down, glanced over the document and then signed her name. Edwards scooped up the papers and stuffed them in her briefcase. She gave a small smile to Callie before she quickly exited.
Callie leaned back in her chair. She slowly ran her hand over the top of her desk, thinking about the time she and Arizona made love…..had sex on top of it. The light blue lingerie had hugged her pale curves. God, what was it about that girl? Callie would never admit it to anyone, but she dreamt about her. It had only been a couple days, but she kept feeling a tightening in her chest. She wanted Arizona back. She wanted to make up for the night she ruined everything. But there was an irrational part in her as well, that was angry, angry at Arizona for leaving her. And she was still trying to figure out where Arizona had gotten the money.
The day after she had left, Callie had wanted to go over to the loft. Just maybe, Arizona would be there, waiting on her like she had been for the past few weeks. But Callie knew she was gone. Arizona would not be sitting balled up on the couch reading her book or watching one of those sappy Lifetime movies. Arizona was really gone. Funny, all of the things she had worked so hard for in life...a large house, several cars, and many other material things could not make Callie happy. Nothing could cheer her up. At the end of the day, those things didn't smile back at her, they didn't have those gorgeous dimples that make Callie go weak at her knees. Those things didn't make her laugh. And those things didn't hug her back while they made love. Only one thing made Callie feel that way. She had to have Arizona back. She would figure out a way to handle Arizona and business. But something told her, eventually she would have to make a choice if Arizona were back in her life.
Callie's men had gone to her parents' house, expecting her to be there, but after a day of sitting outside of their apartment, she never came or went. So, she wasn't staying with them and Callie wondered why. She had herself traveled every nook and corner she could think of to search for Arizona but it all went in vain. Arizona didn't even have a phone on her that she could track. Callie cursed herself internally for never getting Arizona a phone. Who in bloody 2022 didn't carry a phone? Callie felt irritated….and drained.
She was pinned against the door of Carina's bedroom as Carina sucked on her pulse point. One moment she was walking towards her bedroom after saying good night, and in another, Carina had held her wrist from behind and spun her around to pin her against the door. From the way Carina's hungry mouth was trailing wet and hungry licks at her neck and her eager body was pressing her hard against the door, she could sense the urgency in Carina's actions.
As a hand trailed under her grey hoodie to trace the underside of her breast, Arizona felt dizzy. This can't be right. This didn't felt right. Carina was drunk and she was way too vulnerable.
"Carina…" Arizona said as she tried to push Carina's tall frame away. But Carina was insistent, she pulled the side of Arizona's oversized hoodie, down her shoulder and sucked on the exposed collarbone, to downwards towards her cleavage. A jean clad thigh was rubbing up and down against her heat and for a moment Arizona hesitated. Because what she was about to do might hurt Carina's sentiments.
As Carina trailed a wet path with her hungry lips to the upper side of Arizona's breast, with all her might, Arizona gently pushed Carina away.
Carina stared at her. She was still panting but it was like all the alcohol from her system had drained out.
"I.." Carina started as she took a step back, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, erasing any taste of Arizona she might have on her lips.
Arizona leaned back against the door, putting her hand behind her and stared intently into Carina's eyes. "I'm sorry", she added
"No. No I'm sorry, I shouldn't have just assumed…" Carina added, frantically searching for the right words to say to explain her actions.
"It's okay. Good night Carina!" Arizona said as she started moving towards the bedroom but Carina held her wrist again.
"I'm sorry. That was….I'm a bit….I'm sorry that wasn't me"
"I know. You're drunk."
"I'm sorry Arizona. I really am"
"Please stop apologising. You have helped me so much. I don't want you to feel guilty. You got carried away. It's okay."
Arizona closed the door behind her and leaned her head against it. She briefly wondered whether it will ever feel right with anyone who's not Callie.
Next morning as Arizona was flipping the pancakes in the kitchen, she saw Carina tiptoeing out of the living room.
"You don't want breakfast?" Arizona called out
Carina turned around and looked towards the kitchen. She was already ready in her work clothes and was about to exit for the day without having to face Arizona but it seems like she was out of luck. She gingerly made her way towards the kitchen and sat on one of the bar stools, still looking down…
"About last night…" Carina started
"Please don't apologise again…" Arizona added as she placed a plate of breakfast in front of Carina and joined her with a plate of her own.
"I'm sorry for leading you on. I'm not blind Carina. I have seen the look in your eyes..,I have seen it since the party….and I'm flattered, honestly. Because you know the worst of me and still find me attractive…"
"You're attractive!"
"Let me finish…"
Carina nodded and indicated Arizona to continue.
"You still find me attractive and for that I'm grateful. And you are very attractive yourself, gorgeous even…but I'm not there yet. I'm not ready to see other people…not yet, and you are too important of a friend for me to lose you…", Arizona quickly finished. She knew she wouldn't see any judgement in Carina's eyes. Carina was too good of a person to judge any one's choices.
Carina felt relieved. Relieved that Arizona wasn't running away after what happened last night. She was happy that they could still be friends. She silently ate her pancakes as Arizona nibbled on her own. After finishing, she cleared out the kitchen and went to the door to get started with her day. Once at the door she quickly turned around.
"Hey Arizona!" Carina called out
Arizona was about to go inside to get ready for work, she halted mid-stride and looked back at Carina.
"You know…you know it would have been hot" Carina grinned, in a playful manner.
"Yeah…yeah it would have been" Arizona smiled as she went inside.
Maybe she should call the cops, Callie thought. Police and her business don't go well but Callie could not think of any other way to look for Arizona. She was frazzled and fried and had ran out of all the options to search for Arizona. As she was thinking about where Arizona could be, Mark came in.
"Hey Callie, we found her," Mark said.
Callie immediately sat up. "Where is she?"
Mark hesitated for a second, and then said, "She's staying with that waitress, Carina."
Callie clenched her jaw.
"What do you want me to do?" Mark asked.
Callie sat for a moment thinking. She then looked up at Mark. "Bring her in."
Mark nodded his head and left the room.
"Screw you, losers. I'm about to go home to some good cooking and a sweet little lady while you're hauling kegs after kegs. Peace," Carina said, grabbing her jacket and giggling at her friend and coworker Freddie.
"Right back at ya, punk!" Freddie yelled and then laughed.
It was pouring down rain, so Carina pulled on her hood and whistled while walking to her truck. She reached into her pocket to retrieve her cell phone. She was about to dial her house phone when she halted in her tracks. Leaning up against her car were Mark and another of Callie's men. Fuck! Carina knew she was in trouble. It wasn't every day that Callie's main guy came to visit you. And it was never a good thing. She slowly started to walk toward them.
Mark was holding an umbrella and sipping a fountain drink through a straw. When he was done, he tossed it aside. "Hey Carina. I need you to come with me," he said.
Carina knew this wasn't a negotiation. She nodded her head and followed the two men to another car and got in. Neither Mark nor the other man said a word to her on the ride to wherever they were going. Carina started thinking about her mother. She thought of her wondering what happened to her daughter once these people killed her. The little bit of money Carina did send to her would stop, and she would be all alone in this world. She thought about her ex-girlfriend, Maya. She had told her to get a fucking desk job. Then she wouldn't be riding in the back of a car that might as well have been a hearse to her inevitable death.
When they reached Callie's home, Carina got out of the car and they escorted her inside. Funny, Carina had dropped several packages off at Callie's house and served as a waitress at parties, but she had never actually seen the inside past the ballroom area.
Mark guided her up stairs and into a large room. Carina saw Callie standing by the window. When Callie noticed them enter, she walked around to the front of the desk and leaned against it, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Have a seat, Ms. Deluca," Callie said.
Carina sat down in front of Callie. She didn't like being at such a disadvantage. Callie was already a tall woman, and now she was leaning over her while Carina was forced to sit.
"I guess you can probably guess why you're here, right?" Callie asked, staring at the scared face. Fear is good. Fear means Carina will succumb easily.
Carina nodded her head. "Yes, I can."
"Which is?"
"Arizona."
Callie's heart fluttered at the mention of her name. None of his men ever said her name. They said, 'she' or 'her' or even 'Ms. Robbins, but never just 'Arizona'.
"Yeah, Arizona," Callie repeated. She watched as Carina wiggled in her seat. "Did you sleep with her?"
Carina's eyes bulged out of her head as she stuttered, "N-No! Absolutely not, Ms. Torres. I haven't…there was a moment but…. I swear to God I haven't."
Callie stared down at the young woman. "You haven't slept with her, though she's staying in your house...even after I warned you? How does that work?"
Carina felt like she couldn't breathe. She glanced down at the floor praying she could talk her way out of this. "Carina?" She heard Callie say. Carina quickly looked up at her.
"Choose your words carefully," Callie warned in a low voice, glaring at Carina.
Carina licked her dry lips. "I-I, damn, Ms. Torres, she came to me and she was cold and crying and she didn't have anywhere to go. I didn't know what to do, but there's no way I could have shut my door on her. I just-I couldn't do that," Carina said. "I know you warned me, but I promise, she slept in my room and I slept on the couch downstairs. Swear to God." Carina finally took a breath and squeezed her eyes shut. She thanked the gods watching above for having Arizona put a halt to her advances last night. Because if anything would have happened, she would have been dead by now.
Callie tried not to let Carina's words affect her, but they did. She hated the thought of Arizona out in the cold and crying, turning to practically a stranger for help. Arizona should have been with her. But the wheels in Callie's head started turning. She knew of one way of getting Arizona back. Arizona wouldn't have anywhere else to turn.
Callie stood there, leaning against her desk. She glanced over to Mark who was standing silently in the corner like he always did. Everyone in the room was quiet, waiting for Callie to make a decision. In life, Callie realized everything was a chess game. And she had just figured out her next move.
This is indeed a brilliant idea to have Arizona back in her life.
"Carina, I have a proposition for you. Actually, more of an exchange. I heard through the grapevine that you want to open an Italian restaurant of your own, is that right?"
Carina opened her eyes. "Um, yes mam, I'd love to move up the ranks and earn enough to open one," she said, sweeping her eyes across the other men in the room.
"How about I make that happen for you."
Carina turned her attention back to Callie. "What? Really?"
"Yes, I can make that happen. You'll get a major pay bump and you won't have to do the shit jobs anymore. I can make all of that happen for you, but you have to do something for me," Callie said.
Damn, that meant taking care of her mom for good. No more backbreaking work for her. "Of course, Ms. Torres, anything," Carina said, too eagerly.
Callie hesitated for a moment. Then she looked at Mark who already knew her too well to have a disapproving look on his face, but Callie quickly averted her gaze and looked Carina straight in the face. "Good. You have to kick Arizona out of your house."
Hearing that was like a bucket of ice being thrown on Carina. The smile faded from her face. "What?" Carina asked.
"Tell her to leave. Tonight."
"But, where will she go?" Carina asked again.
"That's not really your concern, but she'll be with me."
"Ms. Torres, I can't do that," Carina said, lowering her head. God, she wanted so bad to be able to earn more.
"Yes you can. I'll take care of everything regarding Arizona. Plus, you don't get opportunities like this handed to you very often. And I'm sure you wouldn't want to consider the alternative," Callie said, before she walked to the door. "Let's go."
AN 1 - Again a longer chapter but I couldn't exactly think of a point to cut it. Anyways, our favourite Italian is back and she's amidst all the drama. Thoughts on how things will go from here?
AN 2 - You see how 99% of time the Robbins clan are all goodie good folks, well I was so bored of that narrative that I changed it a bit.
AN 3 - Callie desperately wants to save the damsel in distress. The problem? There's no distress. So she's creating that distress herself.