"I don't know Mer, this was only our second date, I offered to cook, there wasn't an issue, he was nice, normal, safe… I-I just don't know."

Callie and Meredith were in the car, Grey Sloan their destination. Amelia hadn't hesitated when Meredith told her what happened, she took the kids. With the kids were safe, their mothers were now on a mission. The conversation was back and forth, the general & orthopaedic surgeons trying to piece together what happened. With one not even at the scene, and the other coming out of unconsciousness, it might prove difficult.

"Well, I needed the key to get in, so the lock wasn't broken, all windows were securely shut, no evidence of any liquid or items on the floor to indicate you slipped or tripped… so unless you fainted" this time there was slight hesitation, "…you were probably attacked in some way. I'm so sorry Callie." She kept her eyes on the road but offered the occasional glance over to her friend, trying to help her remember what had happened by ruling out possibilities.

"I'm sure they'll do some tests. I want you, Bailey or Owen to do the examination." It wasn't a question or request. One thing she had noticed is that whilst her top had been ripped, her trousers remained on and her belt still fastened tight. She was sure they'll do a complete examination, but she was confident it had 'just' been a beating, and not something further.

"I'll make sure of it; do you remember anything else?"

"I'm trying Mer I- I really am, but I'm starting to think it could only be Simon. I- I don't think I could sustain al- all these injuries with a sim- simple fall, it wasn't like it was from a great height."

"You said he was nice, normal and safe, you really don't remember him seeing red at anything?"

I don't know Mer, I said I was trying. I'm not being awkward and omitting things to suit a narrative or solve a case, I genuinely can't remember what happened. What would we have talked about? Second date stuff… So what? My job? My childhood? What I'd been up to since our last date? I would have no doubt mentioned Sofia. None of that is trigger worthy though surely? Did I burn the dinner? Did I say something offensive? Did I refuse to do something he wanted?

"No, I just have to hope it comes back, I- I remember everything that happened during the day - dropped Sofia at school, completed rounds, two routine surgeries an- and continued with my Veterans project until I left."

"Well that's good, so it's just the part from getting home until calling me?"

"Pretty much yeah…"

Devastating silence.

She didn't want to admit it, she didn't want to appear weak, but she was coming to the conclusion her date had indeed attacked her in some way. She quickly resented herself.

'Weak'? No abuse survivor is weak, they're brave and courageous Torres! Facts are facts. You have to stop thinking you have something to be ashamed of, you don't have the option of feeling sorry for yourself. You. Have. A. Daughter. If this man is in any way, shape or form abusive, you have to do everything you can to stop him from doing it to someone else. Judging from your injuries, this is not a one off action that will be regretted later.

"Erm, Mer, Arizona…"

"I haven't called her, Sofia is the priority and as long as she's not impacted, it's best not to concern her until we can speak to her face-to-face."

"Okay, thanks Mer", she offered a weak smile.

After a few moments, Grey Sloan comes into sight. Meredith didn't want to drop Callie off at the entrance and make her walk in alone or make her walk the long distance after she parked. Whilst this day could not be viewed as 'lucky', there was perhaps some divine intervention. Again, facts are facts, if Mark was here they would have tag teamed, so it was only right that at that specific time, at that specific spot, Cristina Yang had been walking slightly ahead when Meredith approached. Mark definitely had something to do with that twist of fate, and he'd take credit too if he could.

"CRISTINA"

She turned, not amused, she wasn't in the road, why was Meredith yelling?

"WHAT?"

Meredith pulled up, got out the car and summarised the situation, she was hoping Cristina would park her car whilst her and Callie made the short walk to the entrance.

"Of course, go."

Like Meredith earlier, Cristina didn't hesitate. The village always came through.

In pain, and using Meredith as support, Callie made her way to the hospital entrance. They both scanned the ER to see if anyone they knew was about but apart from some nurses (who were knee-deep in patient care) it was fairly quiet. They could sneak into an exam room.

Exam room 2 was closest, but it was there they encountered not only another colleague, but another friend, Teddy. Teddy was a good friend but arguably closer to Arizona, and the ever one-step-ahead cardio attending knew immediately that would put her in a tight spot. Whatever she took away from this next interaction, Arizona will beg her for details. But that didn't matter for now. What had happened to Callie and how could she help.

"Grey, Torres, wh- what happened?!"

"She got beaten quite bad, I haven't had the chance to do an exam so she needs to be fully checked out. Can you page Bailey? And keep this between us please." Meredith entered with Callie and shut the door behind them.

This 'without hesitating' thing was rife tonight, Teddy was on her way to the Chief's office, pager in hand, before Meredith could finish her sentence.

A mix of comfortable and uncomfortable silence filled the room. It was comfortable because the occupiers were close friends, but uncomfortable due to the circumstances. Callie had sat herself on the exam table with some assistance. The adrenaline was falling, the wincing was back and a headache was threatening. Meredith did consider starting the exam herself but didn't want steps to be missed, she knew Bailey would insist she took over Callie's care so she would let her have full rein. She took this time to text Amelia; a CT would be required and she wanted the best on it. Amelia would need some time to sort out childcare, but it would be swiftly offered no doubt by the first person she'd ask, it always was. Village.

After what seemed like… she didn't even know, Bailey came rushing through the door, deer in headlights, panicked expression, slightly out of breath and concerned at the scene in front of her. Meredith spoke up first.

"I'm going to find Arizona, I'll be right back, I won't leave the hospital."

Callie gave an understanding nod as she left, but her head was firmly faced down. Meredith acknowledged Cristina, Teddy and Owen who were lingering as she walked out. She assumed the former two had updated Owen on what had happened. He was covering the pit so may have seen Cristine running in a few moments before. She had slight concern at how quickly Cristina had returned after giving her her car… she decided to expect a parking ticket or a call from her insurance company, but she didn't care.

Back in the room, it was Bailey & Torres. Residents together, both former chief residents, attendings together and both heads/former heads of their respective departments. Callie was great at a lot of things, a mind-blowing amount of things, but paperwork, no. She would never be chief of surgery, but she could change the world, and she was.

Bailey was hesitant, she could see Callie had sustained a lot of damage to her face, bruises were slowly coming to the surface. All she got from Altman was 'Callie' 'Attacked' 'Exam Room 2', she didn't know her state but was happy she wasn't in the OR or trauma centre.

"Torres, wha-what happened?"

How many times? I know these people care, they're my friends, my village, but I just don't know. Can someone just give me an exam, gather some evidence, clean me up and let me go home?

"I-I don't know."

There was a long silence, no one knew how long for.

It was abruptly ended when the door flew open, it alerted the Chief, but not Callie. Head still down. The appearance of the blonde surgeon before them was either going to be the best person who could have appeared, or the worst. There was no in-between, not between these two, the two she had personally declared wives.

Softly, "Calliope…"