Bonus Update!
Arizona was so proud of herself. She had finally learned to perfect Lasagna. She had been looking over several recipes all day, and found the perfect one. Sure, it was a basic dish, but she was still proud that she had made it. The cheese was a bright golden color, and the edges were slightly browned, and the smell...oh, it was fantastic. She couldn't wait for Carina to taste it. Carina couldn't make fun of her Italian cooking anymore, seeing that she had tried to make chicken parmigiano the night before and it was...well, nasty, no other word. And Arizona had been bragging that entire day about how good a cook she was. But tonight, she would redeem herself. She was adding tomatoes to the salad, when she heard the front door unlock. She quickly picked up her Lasagna masterpiece and headed to the front of the house.
"Ta da!" she shouted, and held the scrumptious dish right under Carina's nose when she entered.
But Carina didn't smile. She didn't even look at her. Carina looked down at the dish, and then walked past Arizona. Arizona slowly turned, wondering what she had done. She quietly watched as Carina removed her coat and ran a hand through her wet locks of hair. Carina stood with her back facing Arizona.
Arizona stared down at her dish, then back up to Carina. "Carina? I didn't think it was that bad," she tried to joke.
Finally Carina turned around to face her. She could see that Carina's eyes were red. "Arizona...I, damnit!" Carina shouted as she used her palms to rub her face.
"Carina, what's wrong? You are scaring me here.."
"I did something….that…well, I'll probably regret. No, I KNOW I will regret. Just please find it in your heart to forgive me. Please," Carina said, walking closer to Arizona. "I'm so, so sorry Arizona..".
Arizona started to get a cold chill creeping through her body. She stared at Carina's face, and realized something really bad had happened.
"What do you want me to forgive you for?" Arizona whispered, setting the lasagna on the nearby coffee table.
Carina exhaled. God, Arizona looked so small and fragile standing there looking at the dinner that she had prepared for her. Carina exhaled again and rushed out her explanation, as if to lessen the blow. "Ms. Torres...she, ugh, she offered me an opportunity to open my own Italian Bistro…I…."
Arizona tried to smile, but she figured there was more that Carina wasn't telling her. Why would Callie offer that...especially to Carina? "Well, that's good. It's what you've been waiting on. I'm happy for you."
"Damnit!" Carina sharply exhaled again, while kicking the nearby flower pot over. The sudden move and loud crash caused Arizona to jump, but she said nothing, waiting on Carina to disclose why she was so upset.
"She...the only way I can have the offer is if I make you leave my house...tonight," Carina whispered, staring down at the ground.
Arizona couldn't believe what she was hearing. Not again.
This can't be happening.
No way this could be happening.
"And you said yes…" Arizona whispered, staring down at her perfect dinner creation, sitting atop the coffee table. She felt Carina sliding closer to her.
"Yes," Carina quietly whispered back. Immediately, as if on cue, tears sprang to the surface of Arizona's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. At that moment she hated her life. She hated that people had this power over her. They could just use her and toss her out. Callie, her father, and now Carina. The pain of her existence started to really hit her hard. She moved around Carina and walked towards the bedroom. She really was all alone. She tried her best to calm her breathing, but it was painful keeping it in.
"Damn it!" she heard Carina say from the living room. Carina walked into the bedroom and tried to hug Arizona, but she pushed Carina off and walked briskly around the bedroom to pack.
Carina continued to follow. "I'm so, so sorry Arizona. I'm sorry, I can't tell you how much!" she said, as she watched Arizona pile her few belongings in her tattered duffel bag. Arizona couldn't stop shaking. She hated feeling vulnerable in front of people who she felt had wronged her. She was tired of being wronged.
Carina tried to grab her again, but Arizona pushed her off. "Don't touch me! Just leave me alone, okay," she huffed out, and stomped out of Carina's bedroom. Carina chased behind her and tried to grab Arizona again before she exited.
"Let go of me!" Arizona screamed, while Carina pulled her in for a bear hug. "No, get off me!"
Carina wouldn't release her. She kept trying to whisper her apology in Arizona's ear, but Arizona didn't want to hear it. She was tired. Tired of people, their lies, manipulations and cruelty. She was done with them all. She finally shoved Carina as hard as she could, and that broke her bear hug.
Arizona flung open the front door and immediately froze. Leaning against a black Escalade was Callie. Callie was dressed in her signature black Armani suit. She was holding an umbrella while the rain poured around her.
Carina slowly closed the door and leaned her forehead against it. She hated herself in that moment. She was sending Arizona right back to Callie, which was something Arizona had fought so hard to escape.
"Damn!" Carina said again, as she kicked the door and then walked downstairs.
Arizona hated that Callie was seeing her like this. All broken and alone again. Maybe Callie was as heartless as everyone around her told her to be. The rain was freezing and falling in large fat droplets. Arizona's hair was already matted to her face and neck. She picked up her two bags and walked down the steps of Carina's house. When she reached the sidewalk, she turned to the left right past Callie.
"Arizona, get in the car. It's freezing," Callie said, opening the backseat door. Her heart had skipped a beat seeing her step out of the house. Arizona was more beautiful than she remembered. Standing there in a pair of worn out jeans and a simple blue hoodie, Arizona looked exquisite. Every bit of what her dreams are made of. Damn. Callie thought, she needed to pull everything together!
Arizona ignored Callie and kept walking.
Callie slammed the car door and stalked after her. She grabbed Arizona's arm and pulled her back towards her and under the umbrella.
"Let go of me!" Arizona screamed at Callie, pushing her, causing her to drop the umbrella, while Callie gripped both of her arms.
"Get in the car! We can talk in there," Callie shouted at Arizona, while pulling her backwards.
The rain was unforgiving around them, drenching them to their bones.
"Let go! I fucking hate you!" Arizona shouted, pushing Callie as hard as she could. But Callie was stronger than her and wouldn't release her arm.
"Where are you going to go, huh? Where? Arizona, get in the car and I'll put you up anywhere you want. Just get in…." please. Callie said.
"I don't want anything from you! And I don't owe you anything! Now let me go!" Arizona shouted, pulling her whole body away from Callie, but Callie gripped Arizona tighter. She jerked Arizona towards her again, and Arizona almost lost her balance. The rain was stinging her eyes and she was already starting to shiver. But she absolutely refused to go anywhere with Callie.
"Get your hands off me!" Arizona shouted with vengeance. "I'm not your plaything anymore. Let go!" Callie stared intently into Arizona's eyes. Arizona really wanted her to leave her alone. Well, damn, Callie wasn't about to beg her. She won't beg - that's not her thing.
With that Arizona pushed again, picked up her bags and walked briskly in the harsh rain. Callie watched her, and felt a panic set around her heart. She felt like someone was holding her heart in their hand shaking it wildly around her ribcage. She shivered and furiously wiped at her face. She's Callie Torres. She won't cry over a woman. She just needs to breathe through this.
One breath.
Two breath.
"I'M SORRY! Callie shouted, shivering at her own words, the third breath never coming to her lungs. She's Callie freaking Torres. She never apologised to anyone. When she was a kid, she once broke her father's priced watch for which her father pelted her hands with a stick, but she just stood there, holding out her hand, holding back her tears. She didn't say sorry. Even when she was a noone she never apologised. And now here she was, at the top of the F & B business world, owner of unending chains of restaurants and clubs, having every possible luxury at her feet — begging for forgiveness.
Arizona halted mid-stride and turned around to look at Callie's face. Callie took a couple of long strides forward and cupped her face "God…I have missed you", she whispered, inhaling the smell that was truly Arizona.
Arizona held her breath and waited, waited for Callie to continue. To see if Callie had it in her to admit what she wanted to hear.
"I am sorry ok. I'm sorry for hurting you so much" Callie added as she took another step forward and invaded Arizona's personal space. Which was…a bad move, because with all her might, Arizona pushed her again.
"You are sorry? You are sorry? You think that's what I want to hear? That you are freaking sorry? Arizona shouted as she continue to briskly walk away again.
"I am trying to apologise here…I have never done this before…please let me" Callie said as she matched Arizona's pace, following her with the same intensity.
Arizona stopped again and pointed a finger at Callie "No I don't have to let you do anything. You do what you want to do. You just screwed me over again. Deliberately. And if that's your way of saying sorry then SCREW YOU. AND screw your sorry!". As she finished, Arizona added more speed to her pace and walked as fast as she can.
Callie pulled Arizona again to face her, holding her close again. Being this close to Arizona was screwing up her thought process. She wasn't supposed to beg. She wasn't supposed to apologise. She didn't plan any of this.
"Arizona, you have nowhere to go," Callie whispered to her.
"Then I'd rather be out on the streets than to be in your bed even one more night," Arizona spat at Callie, breathing quickly through her nose.
That felt like a kick to Callie's gut. Arizona really hated her that much? She stared down into Arizona's face to see if there was any part of her hesitating. But nothing.
Callie's mind told her to let it go. Here she was standing out in the rain having a shouting match with Arizona, something she NEVER would have done for Penny, or any other woman for that matter...yet, here she was. Making a fool of herself. She didn't meant anything to Arizona. She was just a cash cheque for her. A means to end their family's debt.
Callie noticed Arizona shivering as the rain had molded her clothes to her body. Fuck her, Arizona could leave in the freezing cold rain and be alone. Why should she care? Callie released her grip from Arizona and turned to walk back to her car.
Arizona quickly picked up her bags and stomped off down the street and turned out of sight.
Callie got into the car and wiped the water from her face. "We can go back, Alex".
They started to make the drive home when Callie shouted "Damn it!" She didn't want to let Arizona go without knowing she'd be safe. Goddamn this girl! Callie had figured getting Arizona to go with her might be a stretch, but she didn't realize Arizona would refuse the way she did. Arizona had downright rejected her. Now, she felt like an idiot for having Carina make Arizona leave. As much as she disliked Carina, she would rather Arizona be in Carina's house safe and warm, then out on the streets alone and freezing.
"Turn back around, Alex. I need to find her," Callie said, whispering the last part more to herself.
Arizona didn't know where the hell she was going. Her body was so cold, but she kept walking until she came across a park and sat down on the covered benches. The cold wind and rain were whipping her hair around her face. She was freezing, but couldn't force herself to budge. So far all of the people in her life had used her. Her father had taken away her childhood. She spent every day after school and weekends working in his failed businesses. So many friends' birthday parties, prom and many other events she had missed because of him and his constant need for success at any cost. She lowered herself to ensure that no harm would come to them, and he repays her by attacking her character and kicking her out of the apartment. The apartment that as of late, Callie had paid for. And her one friend...Carina. She thought they were close. Even though she wasn't able to pay half of the rent yet, she did all of the household chores...yet here she was with nowhere to stay because she didn't own anything of her own. And Callie... There was no way in hell she was going anywhere with Callie. Even if she wanted to, she just couldn't do that to herself again.
Arizona had a few bucks on her and hailed a cab to the only place she had left to go. She was doing what she prayed she wouldn't have to do again. But she really had no option.
"Hello, is Mr. Shepherd there?" Arizona asked, when she pressed the intercom button. Her fingers felt frozen trying to hold the button down.
"Yes, may I ask who's calling?"
"Arizona Robbins." After a few moments, the gate opened and Arizona walked through. When she reached the front door, Derek opened it with a big smile, which quickly faded into a frown.
"Arizona?"
"I'm so sorry to bother you so late at night," Arizona chattered through her teeth, dripping water all over Derek's polished floor.
"Nonsense, come in. My God, you're freezing." He quickly barked orders at different people to bring some towels and a blanket.
"I want you to explain this to me later, but right now, we need to get you warm," Derek said, leading her upstairs. When they reached a large bathroom, he turned the faucet on. "I'll step out, but please get in and get yourself warm. You're skin is ice cold. The water is on warm instead of hot, so you can adjust better." He turned to walk out.
Arizona removed her clothes, which took a while since her fingers felt like they were frozen. When she stepped in the tub, the water was painful. But she forced her body down under the warm liquid. She coughed and then sneezed. Fuck. Her body was already aching and her eyes were watery. She stayed submerged under the water for a few more minutes before shakily standing up and wrapping herself in a robe.
She slowly opened the door and walked out. The young man who had handed her the bag full of money that day, was waiting for her in the hall.
"Ms. Robbins, if you would please follow me, I'll show you to your room," he said.
"Oh. Thank you. And just Arizona," she said, as she walked closely behind him.
It was a large guest room, beautifully decorated. The heat filled Arizona's nostrils when she walked in. The young man turned on the light, showed her the bowl of soup waiting for her on a cart and a pair of T-shirt and track pants as change of clothes. He was about to exit when she called out to him.
"Um, thank you...?"
"Charles. And you're welcome," he said as he left.
Arizona grabbed the oversized T-shirt and track pants, quickly slipped into it. She felt like shit. Her whole head felt like someone had hit her several times with a baseball bat. Her nose was burning and her chest felt tight. She gingerly drank the soup, if only to warm her chest that felt congested.
She wanted to go find Derek and tell him thanks, but her body was so tired, she could hardly think. She pulled back the covers of the bed and got in. The sheets were so warm and comfortable. Within a few seconds, Arizona was asleep.
After a while, Arizona saw a small light shine into her room as someone placed a tray on the nightstand beside her. Her nose was stopped up, but she was sure it was food. She rolled back over and nodded off to sleep again.
Later that night, Arizona woke up gasping for air. She felt like she couldn't breathe. Her whole body was shaking. She tried to get up from the bed, but knocked over the lamp and tray that sat on the nightstand. They hit the floor with a loud crash, spilling food everywhere. Damn It! 'I'm more trouble than I'm worth,' Arizona thought, trying to clean up the mess.
A few seconds later she heard footsteps coming down the hall. Shit. As soon as Derek entered, she tried to apologize. "I'm so sorry, I was—," Arizona tried to get out, before Derek shushed her.
"I have my doctor coming over to examine you," he said, helping her up from the floor and back into the bed. "I've been checking on you while you were asleep, and your breathing is really labored and you're running a temperature."
Arizona could barely listen to what he was saying. Her head was exploding. She laid back down and he pulled the covers around her. After a few more minutes, Charles escorted another man into the room. He was an older man with a bag. He took her temperature and held the cold part of the stethoscope to her chest. Arizona started fading in and out as Derek and the other man talked. That was the last thing she remembered before she fell back into a deep sleep.
Callie was furious and...hurt.
"Turn down here," she said to Alex. It was now three in the Goddamn morning and they were still searching for Arizona. She was still soaking wet but the cold was nothing compared to the heat of her anger. Callie cursed herself. She should have just followed Arizona. It was freezing outside, and she only had a flimsy little jacket on since Arizona had refused to take any of the clothing she had bought for her. She got desperate and went to Arizona'sparent's house.
Callie had knocked on the door several times. She could see them pacing back and forth through the light in the peephole and she could hear them frantically discussing something. No doubt, whether or not to open the door for her. But then, finally, Arizona's father had answered.
"Yes?" he said.
"I'm looking for Arizona, is she here?" Callie had asked.
"No."
"Do you know where she is?"
"No."
Callie narrowed her eyes at Daniel. Her next question was going to be, 'Do you care where she is?', but Callie didn't have time to argue with him.
"If you see her, tell her to call me. She has the number."
Daniel just stared at her and then tried to close the door. Callie couldn't resist any longer. She stopped the door with her hand and leaned close to him. "You will tell her to call me or…," she threatened.
Daniel nodded slightly, "I'll tell her to call if I see her."
"Thank you," Callie said, and removed her hand from the door.
But now she and Alex were still driving around in the rain looking for her. Carina had gotten in her truck to look as well, but she had not called to give Callie any good news. Damn it.
By four-thirty in the morning, they pulled back up to Callie's house. She needed to get into some dry clothes and get her head straight. She quickly went to her bedroom and changed into a pair of jeans and a red sweater. She didn't want to waste any time and get back on searching again as soon as possible. When she came down, she saw Mark standing there with a worried look on his face.
Callie's heart dropped. "What?" she asked.
Mark hesitated, then said, "Hey Callie, look, don't hate me okay? But...I know where she got the money from, and I know where she probably is right now."
Callie wanted to punch Mark in his face. Why he hadn't told her earlier would be another conversation at another time, but right now she needed to get to Arizona. "Where is she?" Callie asked, burning a hole through Mark.
"She, uh, well the day she brought the money to you, she had called me earlier asking for Derek Shepherd's address. So, I figure that's the only person she could have gotten it from. I would have told you earlier if—"
Callie turned and walked away from him. She didn't want to hear. Mark had known all this time where Arizona was and hadn't told her! Callie felt betrayed. Derek Shepherd...what the? How does he even know Arizona? She herself hadn't had a good word with Derek since….since Meredith. Callie marched upstairs to her office, pulled the bag from a small safe and quickly returned downstairs.
She walked out of the door without saying another word to Mark.
When Callie finally pulled up to Derek's gate, they quickly let her enter. Years of knowing this man had its own privileges. As soon as she parked she walked up to the door and was greeted by Derek.
"Hey Callie," Derek said, extending his hand.
"Derek," Callie said, shaking the man's hand. "I believe this belongs to you," she said, handing Derek the black duffel bag.
"Hmm, I can't take this…" Derek said, looking at the bag.
"Is she here?" Callie asked, scanning behind Derek.
"Yes, she is. I'll tell her you're here," Derek said, turning to walk upstairs. Callie wanted to follow him, but this was Derek's house, and she would try her best not to be disrespectful. No matter how pissed off she was.
Arizona was awake, but still she felt a bit weak. Her eyelids felt heavy. But whatever the doctor had given her had made her feel much better.
"Arizona?" she heard Derek say as he entered. "Good, glad to see you awake. Are you alright?"
"Yes," Arizona croaked out. "Thank you."
"You're very welcome. I need to let you know that Callie is downstairs and she wants to see you."
Arizona quickly woke from her haze. "No! I mean, no, I don't want to see her."
Derek nodded his head and left the room.
Callie waited patiently as Derek came back downstairs.
"Callie, she doesn't want any company at the moment. But if you come back later, perhaps-"
"Derek, you and I both know I'm not leaving here until I speak with her."
Derek narrowed his eyes at Callie. He didn't want to get in the middle of this quarrel or whatever it was, but he also wanted to respect Arizona's wishes. She had come to him for help.
"I understand you're concerned Callie, but causing a scene in my house won't make this situation better for her."
Callie stepped around Derek and started heading towards the stairs. Charles approached from the side blocking Callie's path.
"Sorry mam, Mr. Shepherd asked you to come back," Charles said.
"Derek, I have a lot of respect for you, but I'm about to drop this kid and head upstairs anyway. Now if you don't want him hurt, I suggest you tell him to move," Callie said, just a few inches from Charles's face.
Derek exhaled. He really didn't want Arizona to be more stressed out right now.
Derek could easily call another of his bodyguards, and blow this whole situation out of proportion. But he knew that Callie wasn't thinking rationally. And that she probably would break Charles' nose. Derek didn't know every detail about Callie and Arizona's strange relationship, but he did know that there were more feelings involved than either one was letting on. He stared at the back of Callie's body, which was tense. He had always liked Callie. Much more than Callie's father. Callie had an honesty within her and she never dabbled in anything harmful or illegal. Derek respected that. He wished his own sister could be more like Callie. But Amelia was sneaky and unreliable. Two traits that neither Derek nor Callie possessed.
Callie saw the emotional turmoil on Derek's face and came back to face him, "What if this was Meredith?"
"Callie…" Derek warned
"No, tell me. What if this was Meredith? Wouldn't you want to at least be able to see her?" Callie asked trying to keep her emotions in check but Derek and she go way back, and she knew he will catch it.
"Me and you Callie, we used to be friends. Good friends…it's like after Meredith…"
"It's like after Meredith…we couldn't face each other anymore.." Callie finished it for Derek.
"Why? Why do you think I don't want to start anything with Arizona? It's because I don't want her to end up like Meredith…" Callie said, throwing her arms in the air, exasperated, remembering the time she attended Meredith's funeral.
"Torres…it was an accident…" Derek's response was immediate.
"No. It wasn't. You and I both know that there were people after you. People who wanted to hurt you. People who took it out on Meredith instead because she was your weakness. It's why you gave up that world…took yourself out of the business" Callie was panting. She was already getting restless with every moment that went by without seeing Arizona.
Derek closed his eyes. Meredith had died in a car accident. It was an open and shut case with the police. There was no evidence of any foul playing. But Callie was right, he had stayed awake nights after nights wondering whether his lifestyle was the reason behind her demise. At the end of the day, he knew it was just an accident but their life was as such that it was impossible not to think otherwise. He could understand where Callie was coming from.
"Charles, let Ms. Torres pass," Derek said. Callie moved forward, barely giving Charles a second to move out of the way. Derek followed behind. "I would like to give her a heads up, Callie. So she won't think I am betraying her."
Callie stopped when they reached the top of the stairs. "Alright," she said as Derek moved ahead of her and entered a room at the end of the hallway.
Arizona looked up to see Derek come in. "Is she gone?" she asked.
"No. Actually, Callie is right outside the door. She wants to make sure you're okay, Arizona. She was very insistent. I'll stay in the room if you want. So is it alright to let her in?"
Arizona really didn't want to see Callie. Not now. Not when she felt and looked so weak. To fight Callie, she needed all of her strength. But she didn't want Derek to go through so much trouble just because of her. So she nodded her head.
Derek walked to the door and let Callie into the room.
Immediately Callie was concerned. Arizona looked so frail. She wanted to scoop Arizona up and put her in her car and take her to her house. Where she belonged. Her big, blue eyes looked weak and less expressive than they normally were. And although the room was pretty toasty, Arizona was shivering.
Arizona watched as Callie scanned over her body. And then she turned to Derek.
"Has a doctor seen her?"
"Yes, my family doctor came. He diagnosed it as a slight case of pneumonia, but he gave her some antibiotics, and already she's doing much better."
"This is much better?" Callie accused. "I want my doctor to see her," she said, looking back down at Arizona.
"Callie, I assure you, my physician is one of the best. She's already feeling better."
Callie tore her gaze away from Arizona and glanced at Derek. "I need to speak to her alone."
Derek looked back at Arizona and she slowly nodded her head. Derek walked out and closed the door behind him.
Callie went ahead and tried to sit down on the bed but a glare from Arizona and she settled on the nearby chair instead. "So, how are you feeling?"
"I'm alright," Arizona answered. She took in Callie's appearance. She seemed tired. Her eyes were a darker brown and she had small dark circles underneath them.
"So basically, you'd rather get pneumonia than come back with me?"
"Callie, I have no reason to be with you now. You have the money. So just leave me alone."
"Actually, I don't. I gave it back to Derek. What are you going to do when you leave here?" Callie asked, wanting so bad to pull those covers back and get in bed with her.
"That's not my problem. What you do with your money doesn't concern me. And what I do in my life should not concern you" Arizona's voice was steady and cold and sliced right through Callie's heart. She felt the pain around her chest again. God, will it ever stop.
Callie exhaled. "I'd like you to come stay in my house, with me."
Arizona shook her head. "Callie, you just don't get it, do you? You treated me like shit! Like I was nothing. I even gave you multiple chances to explain your actions, and you refused. And instead, you called me...you made me feel so low. I felt worse the last night I spent with you, more than the first night I spent with you. And I don't ever want to feel that way again. And then on top of that, you get my friend to kick me out when you KNEW I had nowhere to go. Why would you do that to me?" Arizona asked, staring at Callie with hurt in her eyes.
Callie had no answer. Well, none that she actually wanted to divulge to her. "Arizona, I know I've made some decisions that you don't understand, but I have my reasons for making them."
Arizona scoffed. "If that's all you have, then please leave."
"Arizona," Callie whispered, but Arizona rolled over onto her side, facing away from Callie.
Callie got up from the chair, turned off her light and walked out.
When she reached her house, Mark was sitting by the door. Callie ignored him and marched upstairs to her office. Mark followed.
"So, is she okay, Callie?" Mark asked, shutting the office door behind him.
Callie glanced up at him and narrowed her eyes. "And what was your reasoning for not telling me?"
"Callie...I just wanted her to be okay."
"You have a job and you weren't fucking doing it!" Callie growled at him.
"You know what, if being a decent human being is not a part of my job, then screw this, I quit!" Mark shouted back.
Both stood there staring each other down.
Mark finally relaxed and loosened his tie. "Damn, Callie. I've known you since we were little kids still wanting to be on the right side of the law. Over the years, I've never questioned you. And we've done some pretty shady shit, and hurt a lot of people, but I never minded because I felt like they deserved it. Hell, I even enjoyed it sometimes. But Callie, Arizona doesn't deserve this. I mean, you really thought you could take away all of her options, and she'd come back to you with arms wide open? It doesn't work that way. I know you're so used to getting what you want, and to have someone throw that all back in your face is new to you, but that's no reason to hurt someone who hasn't done anything wrong. Callie. I...look, she was sad and miserable. I knew what she was planning to do, and a part of me wanted her to. This whole thing with her has gone way too far."
Callie sat down at her desk. "I'm your friend Mark and I was miserable looking for her and you stayed mum?"
"You don't even realize that you love her, do you?" Mark asked, shaking his head.
"Mark, you don't know anything about our relationship. Love? For the record, love and relationship don't work in our line of business."
"How so? I have a wife that I love and three beautiful children, so explain to me that nonsense logic again that debars you from feeling, I don't know….like a human?"
Mark knew he was crossing many lines but he knew it was necessary or Callie would destroy her own life with her own hands.
Callie wasn't expecting….that. She has some perfect set of rules and emotions don't fit in there. It's how she has succeeded in all these years.
Mark could see Callie closing off. He knew her too well to know that she's internally rationalising and talking herself out of admitting her feelings. So, he crossed his heart and added,
"Right...you couldn't possibly love her. That's why you were parading her around as your girlfriend a few weeks ago. Spending every other night at your loft, or driving around in the rain at four am searching for her. Because you don't love her, right?" Mark retorted sarcastically.
"Mark!" Callie warned.
Mark shook his head. He knew there was no further getting through to Callie, because she would never admit that Mark was right about something like this, even if she knew it was true. Callie would lock it deep down inside and try to ignore it for the rest of her life. "Yeah, I'm done Callie," Mark said as he walked out.
AN 1 - thoughts? This chapter was already scheduled for posting today but the last chapter was delayed owing to some glitch at FF hence you guys are having back to back updates. Let me know how you guys feel about this one?
AN 2 - Callie is trying but damn the woman doesn't know how to.
AN 3 - I usually don't like to share spoilers but some of the asks on Tumblr are so crazy that I can't even post them so I'm declaring it here - Derek is a gentleman in this fic. There are no ulterior motives involved. The only bad folks in the fic are the women…