Callie whipped around. "ADDISON!" Death glare.

"What? I'm joking Cal, calm down, Arizona knows I'm joking." The blonde shuffled awkwardly, she had only met the redhead a handful of times, during Sloane Sloan's visit and a brief exchange after Callie's accident. If she thought Callie was protective, feisty and outspoken, well she'd met her match in Dr Montgomery… and whilst Addison was no saint (adultery is adultery), she felt like she'd been let off lightly with that comment. It could have been much worse.

Despite the mischief, Callie pulled her friend in for a tight hug. "What are you doing here?"

"Well you didn't fly to California so I thought I'd come here to see you." They had planned to squeeze in a meal during Callie's time at the (to quote Arizona) 'sporting science thingy' but obviously plans changed. The thought that her friend missed her so much that she'd visit Seattle just to see her made Callie feel warm and fuzzy. The very fact she would travel all the way from Calif-

"That… aaaaand I have a consult with Dr Herman."

Humpf, not so warm and fuzzy now.

Arizona managed to keep her face mutual. Great, Nicole teased her relentlessly about…everything… and she knew Addison wasn't done with her yet. Addison focused on Callie. "We'll catch up for lunch though, right?" She didn't wait for her friend to respond as her attention turned to Arizona. "Great, so Dr Robbins, can you lead the way?"

She was about to nod when Callie's pager sounded, she grabbed it and the other two waited for the details. "Crap, Bailey, says Catherine wants to see me. Wish me luck?"

Her girlfriend refrained from bringing her in for a supportive embrace but did place a reassuring hand on her forearm. "You don't need it; you went all badass on her last time. You. Are. Amazing." Their eyes lingered and their small smiles mirrored each other's for the briefest of moments. If Addison wasn't there, Arizona would have walked her to Catherine's office but you know, the world renowned, glamorous redhead in heels to die for was staring right at them. Callie managed to snap out of the intimate exchange.

Eyes on Arizona, warm smile. "Thank you, see you soon."

Eyes to Addison, warning smile. "Play nice."

Eyes back to Arizona, on autopilot, forgetting they had an audience. "I love you."

Oh no…

At the realisation of what she'd said (although come on, it was hardly a secret), Callie quickly got the hell out of there, leaving two uncomfortable surgeons behind. She had no idea where the 'screwing my friend' comment came from, but knowing Addison Forbes Montgomery, she was fishing and didn't actually know they were back together (and screwing).

Arizona didn't know whether to be relieved or slightly aggravated that Addison clearly knew of their reconciliation, as if she could read her mind, the redhead spoke up and shrugged. "Bailey let it slip." She silently nodded, if she wasn't so damn happy at that fact she might be a bit more pissed off that Callie ditched her but erugh, she could never stay mad at her.

They walked in somewhat awkward silence but still managed small talk regarding the patient Addison was there to offer consult on. The three best women's healthcare related medical professionals in the country in one room was historic and highly irregular. Arizona wondered if this case would end up 'article worthy' because if Nicole needed a consult, you know it wasn't run of the mill. They made it to Arizona's office, where Herman was hauled up, she opened the door. "Nicole, Dr Montgom-"

Before she could finish Addison turned, a gentle smile offering reassurance. "Please, it's Addison." She placed her hand on Arizona's shoulder and gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm a little protective of Torres, I saw how she was treated by some of the interns in her early residency days and you know, Dr Hahn, but she's a big girl now, I'll stop being all mama bear." The blonde let out a discreet sigh of relief, Addison's words were clearly genuine. Focus changed to the no-nonsense surgeon seated behind the desk. "So, Amy Rochdale and twins Paul and Harry-"

At that point, who cared about the patients? If the blonde's complicated personal life was being addressed, Herman wanted in. "You're just pulling her leg right Monty? Her right one anyway…"

Arizona rolled her eyes; she wondered how long Herman had wanted to use that one for.

"What can I say Nicole, I'm an amazing world-renowned surgeon, but I can taunt with the best of them." She winked at the blonde. "Especially if it's something I take great pleasure in."

Herman's voice was blunt but with a hint of provocation. "Oh me too, teasing Robbins is fun, I highly recommend it to all fellows-"

Her voice depicted hurt but her face was more telling, she was okay with being at the butt end of some light banter. She made her a rod for her own back with some of it anyway. "Great, two against one." She folded her arms and exhaled an exaggerated sigh in mock frustration.

"She might have a messed-up love life but she's the second best foetal surgeon I've ever seen. The first always stood in front of me when I looked in a mirror, go figure." Whilst her colleagues enjoyed the light back and forth, Arizona was triggered.

Messed up love life!? Oh hell no!

Arizona's stern voice stopped both in their tracks. "Okay one, I do not have a messed-up love life, I am with the love of my life, with our daughter. Two, I mastered a speciality in six months that would have taken you at least a year to complete. Three, I will be marrying that love of my life next year. Four, I learnt to be a surgeon again after surviving a frickin' plane crash AND leg amputation and five… erm… I'm amazing in bed, just ask Callie." Dimples.

The blank looks she received didn't make her faulter, she was Arizona frickin' Robbins! It was Herman's highly amused laughter at broke the silence. "God Robbins, never change. This is why I picked you. Smart and dramatic. We'll pick this up again after work with some drinks, invite that woman of yours, I need to check out point five." Now that made Arizona question her rant, because Nicole will 100% be asking Callie.

Addison quirked an eyebrow. "Married next year?"

She blushed, yeah okay maybe it wasn't the best time to rant but here we are. "Erm, well, engaged by the end of this one anyway." She met the redhead's eye. "I love her Addison; I will never break her heart again or give her cause to distrust me. Without her in my life I-"

A voice feigning sickness interrupted Arizona's impromptu declaration. "Yuck. A put together and drama-free Robbins is boring." She gestured to the pair to take a seat in front of her. "So about my patients…"

xxxxxxxxxx

Be badass, be badass, be badass, be badass… nope, be calm, be calm, be calm… nope, just don't be sick, don't be sick, don't be- oh my god I'm gonna be sick, don't worry about being badass or calm, just don't be sick!

After some concentrated breaths, Callie approached Catherine's office and knocked on the door. Once she received the 'come in', she duly did. "Hi, Dr Avery, you wanted to see me?"

"Dr Torres, come in."

Catherine's self-appointed office was nicer than the boardroom, not as cold or empty. Her credentials covered the rear wall, regardless of what you thought about the woman, she was highly qualified. She sat down, a picture of Catherine and Richard was just in her focus, seeing his face soothed her nerves.

"I'll cut to the chase. The Seahawks and the Mariners accepted your terms with some conditions, mainly round travel, which I'm sure is of no surprise." It wasn't to either of them. "They've accepted you want to carry on three days at Grey Sloan. I did tell them that if they want you to travel all across America it's unlikely you'd be able to work at the hospital at all, but logistics on how we'd manage your time really wasn't their concern. They were more than happy for you to train your own team, have offices close by or within the hospital and even have you for only one day a week each, despite their request for two. However. they would not waive their requirement to travel." She straightened up with a pointed look. "So, we need to work out how we fit their needs around yours and Grey Sloan's if it's something you want to do."

Callie nodded, she didn't really take in what offer was on the table, because she had already decided. "Whilst I appreciate their trust and faith in my abilities, I'm going to have to turn them both down. I'm thankful, so thankful that you would give me the opportunity to work with them as well as remain the head of department here, but it's not for me. I've had time to think about it and other opportunities have developed since our initial discussions and erm yeah. I'm sorry, I know it would have been great for the hospital, but my priorities have changed.

It was Catherine's turn to nod, her face unreadable. "Are you sure about this?"

"I am."

She slowly and silently leant forward. "What's your plan then, Dr Torres?"

"Continue here as head of orthopaedics, an attending and continue teach and further my cartlidge research. We're near human testing stage and this has the potential to revolutionise hip and knee replacements, long term treatment, a reduction in cost so more people can afford it and- and-" Callie's excitement was getting the better of her.

Head back in the game Torres.

"Plus Owen and I have this amazing opportuning with the US Army's veterans' group in Chicago, and I really want to make great strides with that. With those four things, I think I'm able to juggle having a fulfilling professional and personal life, the latter being extremely important." Like last time, her priorities, conditions and reasoning were laid out. "I- I want more kids and I love teaching, it's what I was born to do, and I don't want to give any of that up. So that's my plan, and I hope the hospital will help me achieve it."

A silence hung, Catherine was stoic which made Callie shift a bit, but she wasn't angry, so it almost felt like… a win? "I appreciate your honesty Dr Torres, yes it would have been great publicity for the hospital, in addition to financial perks, but I'm more than happy that you're remaining here. With the involvement of the US Army as well, that will get the hospital positive press and no doubt additional funding from both Government and charitable donations."

Yeah, not the reason but I guess if that's a secondary benefit then it doesn't hurt?

She stood up from behind her desk, silently concluding their conversation. She needlessly straightened out some paperwork and waited for Callie to follow suit. "Thank you again Dr Torres. I'll let the Seahawks and Mariners know."

Callie had to make sure her jaw was firm, to say she was surprised at how smoothly that had gone would be an understatement. If she hadn't concentrated on the task, she was sure her mouth would have gaped opened with shock. She was sure she'd need a Power Point presentation or her flashcards or something to get Catherine to be happy with her decision. She offered silence thanks and made her way to the door, the sound of her name being called made her stop.

"Oh and Dr Torres. I'm pleased you'll be sticking around."

To Callie, the smile she received felt freeing. "Me too."

xxxxxxxxxx

'Walk tall Torres', words she had repeated to herself over the years, she knew Mark would be proud of her decision to put herself and happiness first. It was times like this she missed him the most. In the past she would find him, tell him about a kick ass thing she'd done and he'd 'right on Torres!' and give her a hug and/or a high five. He was both her silent and vocal support at what was once SGMW. And she knows, she knows with everything, that if he had survived (and Teddy hadn't taken a sabbatical so soon after the crash) then everything that happened between her and Arizona wouldn't have.

He was the rock, the magnet, the glue, he had no filter, he was honest, he was a good guy, he was family. For some reason she found comfort in that, maybe because it reaffirmed that she and Arizona were meant to be, they just sucked at communicating and being honest with each other. There are aspects you must work on in a relationship, grow into, adapt to (like err, communicating) and then there are things that can't be controlled, taught or leant… like love, chemistry, fulfilment and happiness. You either have that or you don't, and if you don't, you're fighting a losing battle.

But Callie and Arizona? Yeah, they had all that and more.

Mark would have seen their post-crash behaviour in an instant and nipped it in the bud quick sharp. She could just hear him now.

'Robbins, stop sulking and get your ass out of bed. You've got tiny humans to save!'

'Torres, listen to your wife, she's been through an unimaginable trauma, be there as she needs you.'

'Robbins I swear to god I'll give you all of Sofia's night feeds if you don't tell your wife what you're thinking. And stop being an ass, you're better than that, leave being a smart, sexy ass to me.'

'Torres, I survived a plane crash, so you need to take Sofia tonight so I can ask Lexie to marry me and have hot engagement sex.'

Well okay, that last one was more about him using his survival as a bargaining tool, but you don't get the serious without the charm with Mark Sloan. Also FYI, in this little fantasy of Callie's, Little Grey also survived that fateful night.

After some rueful, but humbling, thoughts she found herself outside Arizona's office. With no sight of any of the three, she sent off a quick text.

Callie: Hey, how was the teasing?

She checked the time, 10:00am, too early for lunch with Addison.

Oh yeah, Addison, if she wasn't fishing then how in the hell did she know about her and Arizona-

Ping

Arizona: Relentless, Calliope they really ganged up on me. I need a cuddle

Callie: Well I'm told I give great cuddles

Arizona: You do, on-call room?

Callie: Cuddling only Arizona, I'm still tired form this morning

Arizona: Okay Dr Torres…

We'll see about that.

Callie: I mean it! Are you free now?

Arizona: I have an hour, Addison and Nicole want me on their case too. On-call room 3?

Callie: Sounds great, I'll see you in 10?

Arizona: I'll see you in 5

xxxxxxxxxx

Seven minutes later (her father would kill her for poor time keeping) they found their selves in the said on-call room, Arizona locking the door as she entered. She made her way to the bed Callie was perched on and sat down next to her. "So, how did it go?"

Callie was blunt. "The Seahawks and Mariners wanted me to travel with them, it was non-negotiable. When there was a clash, it would be decided on a case-by-case basis who got my services that day. Constant travel was a requirement, so I told Catherine I wasn't interested." She took Arizona's hand in hers. "After your visit to the support group and my conversation with Owen, I decided to focus on that instead. I didn't want to give up teaching, my research or time with you and Sof. I know this project with Owen will require dedication but the majority of it will be navigated around us. There may be the odd trip to Chicago but we can take Sof to the Field Museum, Museum of Science, Lincoln Park Zoo and everything else the city has to offer."

"Are- are you sure Callie? Be honest with me."

As she locked her brown eyes with blue, the sincerity in her words made both surgeons feel slightly vulnerable. "I am Arizona, 100%." She leant in and gave her a gentle peck on the lips. "It's you and our family first, everything else is secondary. Plus, Tom said he'd be happy to attend as well. Although he can hang with Owen, all and any free time is just for me and my girls."

Arizona didn't let her withdraw too far, she pulled her girlfriend in for a hug, everything she said sounded perfect. She didn't want Callie to give up anything professionally, she was too good, her work would bring so much hope and joy to so many people. But she couldn't deny it, with this revelation and Callie's vehement decision, she felt all of her insecurities lift. "If you're happy Calliope then so I am, it all sounds amazing, I'm so proud of you."

"I am." Here we go… "I want more kids Arizona, I want them as soon as you're ready." Her tone sobered somewhat. "I know I rushed you last time, and I don't want to pressure you, but I want to extend our family. Ideally I don't want to wait four, five, six years or whatever, but I do want you to be ready. Would you- are- are you okay with that? Did you have a specific timeframe in mind?"

Arizona had been giving this topic thought, she was 100% certain she'd be marrying Callie next year and didn't want to wait around either. She had been ready when they were going to opt for the surrogacy route last time, that hadn't changed. She wanted to extend their family. "What would you say to a year after we're married?"

Callie's eyes widened; she wasn't expecting that. The speed in which her smile formed completely and utterly confirmed she felt the same. Her voice was gentle. "It's perfect, that's what I was thinking too."

They shared that cuddle (remember, the reason they were actually there in the first place?), both holding onto each other, feeling the commitment and love pulse through their intertwined bodies. Arizona leant back and decided to tease, she was getting impatient with the promise she received not long ago. "You know, after you make an honest woman out of me first of course."

"I still haven't proposed?"

"No, you haven't."

"Oh, well luckily the jewellers said the ring should be ready in a couple of weeks so-"

Her head snapped; voice softened. "Are you- are you serious?"

"Yeah, well your mum and dad gave me their blessing. Well I think your mum did, she couldn't stop crying. I did hear her say something like 'grandkids' and 'new hat' but yeah, got their permission". Her smile could light up the sky.

Arizona could feel her eyes start to sting. "So… you'll be proposing soon?"

Callie wiped away her own tears before taking a deep breath. "I know some people may think it's too early, it's only been a few months, but I don't think it is. I love you, I've always loved you. I never stopped. We've talked more in these past few months than we ever did between the crash and our divorce. I'm so happy and I just want to be your wife again, want you to be my wife again. It doesn't matter what I refer to you as, it always comes back to 'my wife' and, I want that, I want that so much Arizona."

She pulled her in for a soft, yet passionate kiss. It was delicate, their lips perfectly aligning. "I've always thought of you as my wife too. I want that Calliope, and I can't wait to say yes." Not a second after, blue eye's darkened, she threw herself at the brunette and wasted no time in loosening Callie's scrub pants as she attacked her lips. Before her hand could get anywhere near close to its desired destination, Callie's phone had the audacity to stop her in her tracks. She sat back and huffed. "Great, just as I was about to get some."

Callie poked Arizona in her ribs, resulting in a quiet yelp. "No you weren't, I told you cuddling only." She recognised the number as local only, she swiped to answer. "Hello?"

"Hi Dr Torres, it's Detective Gibson, we have some good news, is this a good time?"

The shock was clearly visibly on her face because Arizona sat up in a flash. "Hi Detective, sure, give me a second, Arizona's here, I'm just gonna put you on loudspeaker."

A few moments after she'd done just that, he continued. "I just wanted to let you know that Simon accepted our counter proposals. He appeared before the judge today and was sentenced to three years and six months behind bars and fined $8,000 for his attack on you. I know you told the DA you didn't want to attend any court proceedings, so I'm just calling to let you know he's in prison where he belongs, it's over."

With that news and those two words, the simmering stress she had held back for months come rushing to the surface erupting as relief. She knew she was lucky in some respects; she hadn't suffered nightmares or have long lasting physical injuries. If you look at what she gained from the incident however then, well, you can kinda understand the mixed emotions. The ordeal had ultimately resulted in her getting her family back.

She hadn't forgotten waking up on the kitchen floor, being scared where Sofia was, the throbbing temple, blurred vision and pain. Dragging herself up, calling Meredith for help, the fear that he had done more to her… but with Arizona and Sofia by her side, she hadn't lived in fear.

She spoke through the tears. "Thank you, Detective, if you ever need a hip or knee replacement or anything bone related-"

Arizona leant in. "Or foetus related!"

"-it'll be on the house." They smiled the goofiest of grins at each other.

"Haha, I will bear both in mind. I wish you both the best for the future, take care."

It was over.

Callie looked at Arizona. "It's over?"

Arizona looked at Callie. "It's over."

They sat there for a while, Callie's head eventually coming to rest on Arizona's lap, the blonde idly running her fingers through soft raven hair. They didn't speak, content with just being in each other's company. Arizona took the time to process everything that happened since that night months ago. She remembered going on autopilot, threatening their friends to stay with Callie on a shift rotation basis, being desperate for her to move in once discharged and you know, trashing an attending's lounge. It all seemed so long ago. They had their serious talks, their dates, their family days, she survived Carlos (twice) and she was an Owen's breath away from strangling a man unconscious right on his desk.

Zero regrets with that one.

She felt her girlfriend shuffle as she sat up, sleepy Callie Torres was hot. "So…" Arizona flashed her a ridiculously cute smile. "Can we have celebratory 'it's over' and 'my engagement-ring-will-be-ready-soon' sex?" My god if those eyelashes didn't flutter too.

She received a playful nudge in return. "You can have a 'I'm-sorry-Herman-and-Addie-teased-you-relentlessly' cuddle, I told you Robbins."

She laughed, accepting defeat. Sexy time could wait anyway, she just wanted Callie in her arms.

"Deal."