Little Earthquakes (Chapter 23)
Title: Little Earthquakes (23/?)
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: NC-17
Summary: When Arizona is attacked in the parking lot of Seattle Grace, everything changes...and her relationship with Callie is put to the test.
Content Warning
This story deals with the topic of rape and recovery. I am rating it a hard M for graphic depictions of rape, violence, and, eventually, consensual sex.
I would never write about rape frivolously, nor to titillate. There's a lot of fan fiction out there that deals with sexual assault in all manner of ways, many of them distasteful. The last thing I want to do is add to the litany of "rapefic" that traumatizes beloved characters for the sake of creating a juicy story.
At the same time, rape and sexual assault is a reality. As such, I believe it is a legitimate subject for fiction, especially when the focus is not so much on the physical act but on the psychological repercussions, the aftershocks such an event can unleash in a survivor's life.
If the frank depiction of rape and the pain of recovery (physical, emotional, and sexual) is likely to trigger or otherwise upset you, I would honestly give this story a pass. I don't plan on pulling any punches. I do plan on handling this the most respectful way I know how.
Oh…holy cow. It's a Christmas miracle!
First, I can't believe how long this story has turned out to be. Or how long I've been writing it! I never imagined when I began this story that it would turn into this. I'm not sure what I imagined, honestly. All I know is that what started out as close to canon has become totally AU, simply by virtue of me taking forever to finish this thing. Hee!
Apologies for the long hiatus. I'm planning on really focusing on this story for the rest of the month, to try and wrap it up. We're close. We were close months ago. I'm hoping I can get us there relatively quickly (relative to my track record, that shouldn't be difficult!)
I have to admit, it's hard to be away from a story for so long and come back to it. You're in a different place. For me, I've just spent the past few months inhabiting the world and characters of my recently finished novel, an erotic romance. Coming back to this story has been slightly challenging, especially considering the shift in tone, but I think I'm finding my way. This chapter was partially written before I took my break…I kept most of the beginning intact. Hopefully it reads smoothly.
To be perfectly honest, I'm intimidated. I hope I can fulfill your expectations with this continuation. I only hope that this chapter isn't the equivalent of Duke Nukem Forever (for you non-geeks…anticipated forever, ultimately disappointing).
That is, if you're still reading!
So here I go, crossing my fingers…
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
The morning Arizona was to testify, Teddy arrived at their apartment exactly an hour and a half before they were due in court. Standing at their door wearing a tentative smile that didn't reach her eyes, she looked almost as nervous as Callie felt. "Where's Arizona?"
Callie stepped aside to allow Teddy entry. "Throwing up." She winced. "On and off, all night long. I don't think she has anything left in her stomach, at this point. But she's been anxious to the point of nauseated for at least a week now. I've never seen her like this." Closing the door behind Teddy, Callie slumped against the hard surface, physically and emotionally overwhelmed by the task in front of them. "We just have to get her through today. That's all I'm focused on right now."
Tension sharpened Teddy's already angular features. "I can only imagine how she's feeling. All I have to do is sit there and I'm freaking out."
"Me, too." Callie exhaled. "I'd do anything to spare her from this. Instead, because of my stupidity, it won't even be over after today. This won't be our last time in a courtroom with that piece of shit." She stopped short, unsettled by how easily she was unburdening on Teddy. It wasn't that Callie didn't trust her, but she'd always thought of her as Arizona's confidante. Still, it felt good to give voice to her anxiety. "I know I've made things even harder for her, and I hate that."
Teddy hesitated only a moment before pulling Callie into a tight hug. When Callie stiffened in surprise, Teddy murmured, "Just go with it, Torres."
Callie chuckled, then, as she realized how good it felt to be held, tightened her arms and hugged Teddy back. The contact grounded her, allowing her to take a deep breath for the first time that morning. Embarrassed, Callie closed her eyes and whispered, "Thanks."
"You're welcome, but I needed that, too. Believe me." Teddy pulled away, appearing slightly more relaxed. She took Callie by the shoulders and gave her a stern look. "Now let's go make sure Arizona is okay."
"Good idea." Callie led Teddy to their bedroom. Once inside, she approached the bathroom door with caution, hoping that Arizona wouldn't be embarrassed by their arrival. She glanced at Teddy as she gently rapped on the door. "Arizona, baby? How are you doing?"
"Not super," came the muffled response. "Sort of wishing for death at the moment."
Callie frowned, catching Teddy's gaze. "Teddy's here."
"Hey, AZ." Teddy managed a half-hearted grin when Arizona chuckled weakly at the nickname, then rested her forehead against the doorframe. "How're you holding up?"
A rustling sound came from within the room. "You guys can come in."
Easing the door open slowly, Callie peeked inside. Her chest tightened in sympathy at the sight of Arizona on the floor, sitting with her back against the bathtub. Still damp from the shower, she wore only a camisole and panties. Her skin was sallow, her eyes dull. Despite her fierce determination to face testifying head-on, right now Arizona looked every inch the scared little girl.
Instinctively, Callie went to Arizona and knelt beside her. She brushed a lock of wet blonde hair away from Arizona's face, frowning at the clammy heat of her forehead. "Sweetheart, it's going to be all right," Callie murmured, hating how hollow the words sounded to her own ears. "You can do this. You're going to help get a monster off the streets today."
Arizona nodded, then sniffled. She stared at the floor, looking so uncharacteristically lost that Callie's heart constricted until she could barely breathe. "I'm not sure I can stand up. I'm afraid I'll pass out if I do."
Callie squeezed her eyes closed, trying and failing to hold back tears at Arizona's whispered confession. She pressed her lips to Arizona's forehead, wishing like hell that she could testify in Arizona's place. As much as she dreaded her own day in court, she would gladly suffer through that experience a million times over before wishing this on Arizona.
"We'll help you," Teddy said, breaking the heavy silence in the room. "Callie, grab her hand."
Though she was grateful that Teddy was there to coax them toward the inevitable, Callie hated to pull away from Arizona. In the end, she did so only because she knew the clock was winding down. They needed to leave for court soon. Callie grasped Arizona's wrist and gave her a gentle smile. "Ready?"
Teddy reached out with a steady hand. Arizona nodded, visibly trembling as she grabbed it. "Okay."
Callie stood slowly, she and Teddy working together to pull Arizona onto her feet. When Arizona wobbled, unsteady, they both stepped closer to support her weight. Laughing weakly, Arizona clung onto the two of them, resting her forehead against Callie's shoulder. "I'm so sorry. This is ridiculous."
"No, it isn't." Callie pressed a kiss to the top of Arizona's head, mentally running through what needed to happen before they could walk out the door. They needed to help Arizona dress, then hopefully get a little food into her belly. Dios sabe, her girl needed the strength today. "You're a doctor. You know what stress and anxiety does to the human body. That's all this is. We just need to focus on getting through the next few hours, and then you'll feel better."
"Do you have clothes laid out?" Teddy carefully detached herself from Arizona's grip, impressively resolute about moving forward. "I can go get them."
Arizona nodded. "On the bed." As soon as Teddy stepped out of the bathroom, Arizona hiccupped out a quiet sob. "This sucks."
"Yeah, it does." Callie rubbed her hand up and down Arizona's back, savoring the warmth of her skin through her thin T-shirt. "But you're a hero. That's pretty cool."
"I haven't done anything yet," Arizona mumbled. "He's not in prison." Then she stiffened slightly, just as Callie felt the words pluck at her guilty conscience.
If he didn't go to prison, Arizona would be no less a hero. But Callie would be someone who lost control and, in doing so, denied three women the closure they deserved. Three women, including the person she would do anything to save from harm.
Now wasn't the time to dwell on her regrets. Shaking her head, Callie gathered Arizona closer. "It doesn't matter. What makes you a hero is your willingness to do something that scares you to death, because you know it's the right thing to do. I'm so proud to be your partner, I can't even tell you."
Arizona pressed against her, all soft curves and warm femininity, eliciting a surge of protectiveness from deep in Callie's soul. Being in the courtroom with that animal would be torture. He'd done this. He was the reason Arizona had spent most of the night lying on the bathroom floor.
Callie wanted to murder him.
Teddy poked her head into the bathroom. "Ready to get dressed?"
"As ready as I'm going to be." Taking a deep breath, Arizona crossed the room to take the clothes Teddy offered. "Thank you."
Glad for Teddy's sudden stoicism, Callie echoed, "Yes, thank you."
"It's no problem." Teddy gestured behind her. "I'll just go wait on the couch."
Arizona stopped Teddy from leaving with a hand on her wrist. "No, stay. Please."
"You sure? Or I could make you a piece of toast." She seemed hesitant to linger there with them. "Give you some privacy."
Arizona shook her head, already pulling her thin camisole over her head. Teddy smoothly averted her eyes from her nudity, while Callie stepped in to help Arizona into the modest top the prosecutor had suggested she wear. "I'm not sure I can keep anything down. And I like having both of you here."
Impressed when her hands didn't tremble as she buttoned Arizona's shirt, Callie said, "I'll slip a snack in my purse, in case you change your mind. If you can manage it, you really should get something in your stomach. It'll help with the light-headedness."
"I know." Arizona closed her eyes, apparently content to let Callie dress her. She picked up one foot, then the other, to allow Callie to pull her slacks on. "I hope I remember what to say."
"You've rehearsed this. You'll do just fine." Pausing in their preparations, Callie stroked her thumb across Arizona's chin until she opened her eyes. "Just look at me if it gets to be too much, okay? And if you get lost or you're not sure what to say, be honest about that. Everyone there will understand that this is difficult for you. They won't judge."
"I know," Arizona whispered. They'd had this conversation more than once, but Callie was happy to rehash it a thousand times if there was any chance it would make Arizona feel better. "Have I mentioned how much I hate that asshole for putting me through this?"
"So do I." Now that Arizona was dressed, Teddy rejoined the conversation. "But what's great about today is that you finally have a chance to fight back. When you tell everyone what he did, you'll reclaim the power he stole from you. Trust me, he's the one who ought to be scared today. Not you. Today, you're in control."
Arizona managed her first genuine smile of the morning. "Thanks, Teddy."
Amazing. It was as though Callie were seeing Teddy through new eyes-and she was suddenly very glad for her presence.
#
Callie sat in the front row of the courtroom gallery, directly behind the chair where Kent Johnson sat reviewing notes on a legal pad. Teddy was to her left, a welcome barrier between her and the man she knew would be brought in shortly. Callie's insides churned in anticipation. She doubted she was even a fraction as nervous as poor Arizona. Leaving her in the conference room with Sandy had been one of the most difficult things Callie had ever had to do. If she hadn't needed to get into the courtroom before the trial resumed, nothing could have torn Callie away from Arizona's side.
"This is excruciating," Teddy murmured under her breath. "Poor Arizona."
"Yup." Resting her arm along the back of her chair, Callie glanced at a door on the far side of the room just as it swung open and a man in a suit walked inside pushing Colin Thomas in a wheelchair. A woman in a modest grey suit followed them-another attorney, no doubt there to add a female face to the defense team. The uniformed officer who flanked the small group peeled away to stand guard nearby while Colin's attorney parked his client at the far end of the defense table.
Callie's stomach turned over at the sight of Arizona's rapist dressed in his Sunday best. He was freshly shaven, clean-cut, and totally unassuming. Looking at him, it was hard to believe that he was the kind of man who would take joy in brutalizing women. His attorneys had succeeded on that front. Callie tightened her fists in her lap, watching in disgust as a woman in the front row of the gallery leaned in and murmured quietly to Colin. He smiled and chuckled as he replied.
"He makes me sick." With effort, Callie tore her gaze away from his empty eyes and insincere smile. Was that his girlfriend? Did she know what kind of man Colin was? Did she at least suspect?
Teddy turned her attention toward Callie, angling her body away from the defense table. "In total agreement."
Callie fell silent as the bailiff introduced the judge and the proceedings began. Lauren Chase had testified the day before. Today's first order of business was Arizona's testimony. When Kent Johnson called her to the stand, Callie's heart leapt into her throat. The moment Arizona had been dreading was finally here.
When the courtroom door opened and Arizona stepped inside, Callie turned and met her gaze. She managed what she hoped was a reassuring smile, mouthing I love you. Arizona tipped her head in acknowledgment. Then she threw her shoulders back, striding to the witness stand with single-minded focus. She kept her gaze locked on the bailiff as she was sworn in, and once she sat down, she spared Callie a lingering glance before turning her attention to Kent Johnson.
Kent said something that Callie managed not to hear, too distracted by trying to read the expression on Arizona's face. Then Arizona's strong voice filled the courtroom. "My name is Dr. Arizona Robbins. R-o-b-b-i-n-s. I'm a pediatric surgeon, and I work at Seattle Grace Mercy West hospital."
Callie's heart was in her throat. Arizona sounded so in control, except for a slight tremor that probably only Callie noticed. Despite her crippling anxiety, Arizona seemed poised to deliver a solid performance. Callie tried to force her body to relax, not wanting Arizona to see that she was nervous if she happened to glance her way. The first few questions were easy, but they got more difficult quickly. Schooling her facial expression, Callie concentrated on being the source of calm confidence that Arizona would surely need.
Despite Callie's attempt at stoicism, she couldn't help holding her breath when Kent asked his first challenging question. This was it.
"So you left the hospital at approximately nine o'clock that evening, then walked to your car in the east employee parking lot. Now, I know this is difficult, but could you please tell me what happened then?"
Arizona opened her mouth to answer, as she had each of the establishing questions, but then her gaze drifted toward the defense table. Callie knew what was going to happen even before she saw the panic in Arizona's eyes. Looking as frightened as Callie had ever seen her, Arizona froze.
#
He was so close. No more than fifteen feet away, Arizona guessed, not that she knew how to judge distance reliably even in the best of circumstances. And these weren't good circumstances-not at all. Just being in the same room with him made her feel as though Colin Thomas was right on top of her. Again.
Looking over at the defense table had been a mistake, one that she'd promised herself she wouldn't make. But the urge had been too strong. The knowledge that he was right there made it impossible not to satisfy her morbid curiosity.
His eyes locked with hers immediately. He didn't betray any reaction, though she could feel a smirk lurking beneath his placid expression. His gaze slid over her body, subtly, before he made eye contact again. Arizona hated how filthy he made her feel with just one look. Was he remembering what it felt like to force his way inside her? How she struggled and screamed and cried?
Shuddering, Arizona looked away from Colin Thomas only to lock eyes with a scowling brunette who sat behind him. Taken aback, Arizona realized that she was probably his girlfriend, maybe even his wife. She looked enraged-and she was currently directing all that anger at Arizona.
"Dr. Robbins. What happened when you went to your car?"
With effort, Arizona dragged her gaze back to Kent Johnson, who stared at her with a mixture of fierce determination and silent pleading. Despite his apparent confidence that Colin Thomas would be found guilty, he'd never minced words about how much he needed Arizona's help to make that happen. That meant she needed to speak. It was the whole reason she was here. Except her throat felt tight and it was hard to breathe, and now that she'd looked into Colin Thomas's eyes, she couldn't stop thinking about what she was going to have to say right in front of him. She couldn't stop feeling his presence.
Callie. Arizona sought out the comfort of her loving gaze, hoping to find the strength to push ahead. The sight of Callie-and Teddy-smiling at her from the gallery calmed her instantly. Each of them clutched the other by the hand, looking almost as scared as Arizona felt. Somehow, knowing they were trying so hard to be supportive in the face of their own discomfort helped lighten her mood. This really sucked. It would almost be funny if it weren't such a nightmare.
Exhaling, Arizona returned her focus to Kent. She just had to go back to their rehearsed answers and power through this. She had no other choice. "The light near my parking spot had gone dark. I called security on my cell phone to report it, but continued walking to my car anyway. Just as I was about to open the driver's side door so I could get in, a man tackled me from behind."
"He tackled you?"
Refusing to succumb to the temptation to look at Colin Thomas again, Arizona said, "Yes. He smashed my face and my shoulder into the window, then dragged me to the grass at the edge of the lot. He threw me down on the ground, and when I tried to get up, he punched me in the face with his fist."
"Did he say anything to you?"
Feeling like a glutton for punishment, Arizona flicked her gaze to the jury box. The only thing worse than looking at the man who raped her was staring into the faces of the men and women who would decide his fate. Later they would pass around evidence photos of her bruised and battered body, read medical reports that detailed her injuries, and review transcripts of the testimony she was giving now. She hated how exposed and vulnerable she felt in front of this group of five men and seven women-her peers.
Yet it was the encouraging nod of a young female juror that encouraged her to keep going. "He told me to shut up. Then he punched me again and pinned me down on the ground. He told me to shut up or he'd kill me."
"Did you believe him?"
"Completely."
"Then what happened?"
Arizona swallowed. This was the part she'd really been dreading. Describing a beating was one thing, but talking about how he'd molested her was another. Once again, she looked to Callie for reassurance. Callie stared back at her, the very picture of loving support. Without breaking eye contact, Arizona began to speak. "He started trying to undress me, pulling at my shirt and pants. He asked me if I knew what he was going to do to me. I was too scared to answer so I closed my eyes, but he slapped my face until I opened them again. That's when he told me he was going to 'fuck' me. He called me a slut and asked me if I liked that."
"Did you speak to him?"
"I begged him to let me go. I told him I'd called security, hoping he would leave. But he just told me he didn't plan on taking a long time." Arizona took a deep breath, then another. "That's when I realized that he had my pants unbuttoned with my zipper down. I panicked and started to struggle with him."
"How tall are you, Dr. Robbins?"
Relived to have another easy question, Arizona answered this one with confidence. "I'm five foot five."
"How tall would you estimate your attacker was?"
"I told the police I thought he was around six feet tall, give or take a couple of inches." Arizona knew that Colin Thomas six foot one-and she was trying to forget that he was still looking at her. "He was much stronger than me. He overpowered me easily. When I tried to get away, he punched me in the head, then forced me onto my stomach. I tried to scream, but he pulled my hair and shoved my face into the grass. He told me if I didn't stay quiet, he would 'make it really hurt'."
"And again, you believed him."
"By this point he'd punched me in the face and head at least four times. Hard punches. He could have killed me if he wanted to. But I was pretty sure that wasn't what he was after. He wanted to rape me. At that point, my only goal was to make it out of the situation alive." Arizona took a deep breath, trying to stave off another wave of nausea. "So I just lie there. He touched me with his fingers a little, then put his hand over my mouth and penetrated me with his penis."
"He penetrated you vaginally?"
Arizona looked down at her fingernails. Being precise was humiliating. "Yes."
"How long did the entire assault last?"
"I can't say for certain. It was so painful it felt like forever. I'd estimate no more than five or ten minutes, though."
Kent leaned against the table and folded his arms over his chest. "What happened next?"
This part had always been hard to say, even when they had only been rehearsing and Callie was holding her hand. Alone on the witness stand, she didn't know how she would get through it. Face on fire, Arizona said, "He ejaculated inside me. I thought he would leave afterward, but he just stayed on top of me. He had his hands inside my shirt and he was touching my breasts and moving his hips around. He told me he hoped he'd gotten me pregnant." She faltered as her voice broke. Shaken, her gaze flitted around the room without her permission. To Colin, who was no longer hiding his malevolence quite so well, obsidian eyes sparkling as he stared her down. Then to his female companion, who suddenly seemed unable to meet her gaze.
"Go on, Dr. Robbins."
Arizona looked again to Callie, who sat at the edge of her seat, shoulders back, chest out. The naked anxiety on her face had disappeared, replaced by anger-at Colin-and pride-which Arizona guessed was all for her. Callie had her arm around Teddy, who was hastily wiping away her tears with visibly shaking hands. Once again, the sight of her support system gave her the fortitude to keep going.
"Two of my colleagues came out to the parking lot and saw that he had me on the ground. They shouted, asking what was going on, so he pulled out of me and ran away." Arizona took a moment to exhale, aware that one of the hardest parts was now behind her-until cross-examination, at least. "My colleagues took me inside the hospital where they collected evidence and called the police."
"Were you able to give the police a detailed description of your attacker?"
Arizona looked back to the jury box, feeling almost apologetic about the answer she had to give. Kent knew that her lack of physical description to the police was an issue that would be raised by the defense, so he felt it was important that they be open and acknowledge that she hadn't gotten a good look at Colin Thomas. The DNA evidence combined with the circumstantial evidence-as far as similarities in what he'd said to each victim-made the lack of a visual identification of little importance.
Or at least that's what Kent was trying to sell to the jury.
"Like I said, the light near my car was out, so it was very dark. But I could tell that he was a Caucasian male, about six feet tall, I estimated about two-hundred pounds. He had a full head of hair and, at the time, facial stubble. His hands smelled like cigarettes." Arizona swallowed. "That was all I was able to tell the police."
"When did you learn that a DNA match had been made against the semen collected from your rape?"
"A little over two months later. Janis Martinez, the detective assigned to my case, called to tell me that they were able to match DNA from my rape to that of a rape that had just occurred in the victim's apartment. She told me that the semen they had collected from me belonged to Colin Thomas." Arizona looked at him again, deliberately. Each time she did, she felt a little less frightened and a little more pissed off. She was going to need that for this next part.
Kent picked up a remote from the table beside him and projected a large picture on the screen that had been set up beside the witness stand, angled toward the jury. Even though she told herself not to look, Arizona crumbled and snuck a quick peek just as a murmur of reaction rippled through the jury. It was a picture of her face, dirty, swollen, and battered nearly beyond recognition. She gasped along with the jury, then turned away.
"This was an extremely violent attack." Kent clicked a button on the remote, cycling through the rest of the photos from that night. Not wanting to see any more, Arizona watched the jury as they reacted to each one. They wore expressions of anger, disgust, sadness, compassion. "Dr. Robbins, can you please give us a brief description of your injuries? Physical as well as emotional."
"I was covered in abrasions and contusions, swollen and in pain, for a couple of weeks. He…he tore my vagina slightly, which required stitches and was also very painful." Infused with a sudden shot of courage mixed with pure, righteous fury, Arizona met Colin's gaze again. And refused to look away. "But the worst injuries Colin Thomas caused when he raped me are the ones I'm still dealing with today, even after my body has healed. Nightmares, panic attacks, difficulty being intimate with my partner, anxiety, loss of self-confidence, loss of trust in men. A lot of it has improved with therapy, but I'm still dealing with all of those things. It's possible I always will."
Incredibly, almost inexplicably, Colin Thomas dropped his gaze. No longer gloating, he stared at the legal pad in front of him, then picked up a pen and began writing. She couldn't tell if he was honestly taking notes, or simply doodling so he wouldn't have to look at her anymore. Either way, it felt like victory.
"Thank you, Dr. Robbins. No further questions."
The words signaled the next phase of her testimony-the part she'd been dreading the most. She had no idea what cross-examination would bring. Kent had helped her rehearse answers to questions he guessed she might be asked, but that didn't mean she would have a canned response for whatever the defense attorney might come up with. All she had was a list of dos and don'ts and the knowledge that she wasn't the one who had committed a crime.
Colin's attorney-Bob Lintz, according to Kent-stood and gave her a faux-concerned smile. "Good morning, Dr. Robbins."
"Good morning." Arizona sat up straighter. She wasn't going to lower her guard for even a moment. Not with this man.
"I know this must be very difficult for you. It's clear that you survived a very violent, very chaotic, very confusing assault." He paused as though waiting for her to answer, but Arizona stayed quiet. Kent had told her to answer direct questions and nothing more. Clearly recognizing that she wasn't going to be drawn into a casual exchange, Bob said, "Dr. Robbins, how many times did your assailant strike you in the head and face?"
"Colin Thomas struck me with force in the head and face four times."
Bob looked at the jury. "Would you say that you were dazed from these repeated blows to the head?"
"I was briefly dazed after each blow, but I was conscious throughout the attack. And aware of what was happening."
"It was dark, you were dazed and frightened, and you were almost wholly unable to provide a physical description of your rapist to the police. Is that an accurate statement?"
Arizona hesitated. "Yes."
"During the actual sexual assault, your assailant penetrated you from behind and held your face in the grass. That's what you said, isn't it?"
Cringing at having her traumatic experience repeated back to her, Arizona tried not to act rattled. "Yes."
"So the only reason you believe that Mr. Thomas raped you is because you were told that the DNA evidence supported that conclusion?"
"That's true. Yes."
Bob's smile faded. "Dr. Robbins, how much do you know about the accuracy of DNA testing?"
Kent shot to his feet. "Objection. The witness's knowledge of DNA testing is irrelevant."
The judge-a dark-skinned woman with an expression of perpetual intensity-nodded her head. "Sustained."
Bob didn't miss a beat. "Dr. Robbins, as a surgeon-a scientist-would you guess that DNA testing is 100% accurate?"
"Very few things in life are 100%."
"True." Bob inhaled to continue speaking, but Arizona cut him off.
"However, DNA is generally acknowledged to be certain in all but 1 out of 100 billion cases. It far exceeds the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' standard." Arizona paused, then said, "As I'm sure you know."
Clearly flustered, Bob faltered for a moment before he managed a response. "What I know is that DNA testing is not 100% accurate. And, frankly, I don't believe that the questionable analysis of evidence collected by your colleague can be said to reliably connect Colin Thomas to your assault."
Kent was back on his feet. "Objection. Does counsel have a question for my witness or is he just taking this opportunity to launch a one-man crusade against the indisputable accuracy of DNA testing?"
Bob sniffed. "I have no more questions for this witness, your honor."
Arizona sat stunned as Bob shuffled back to the defense table and sat down. That was it? She'd been expecting more-more degradation, more objections, more trauma. Instead, his questioning had barely grazed her. Was it really possible that she'd just gotten through this thing?
"Thank you, Dr. Robbins." The sound of the judge's voice snapped Arizona to attention. Disbelief flooded through her at the knowledge that she was done. It was over. When the bailiff approached the witness stand, it took her a moment to realize that she needed to get to her feet. He offered his arm and she took it instinctively, knowing that she would need the support.
Her legs wouldn't stop shaking. Not from fear, though. She wasn't afraid anymore. With that thought in mind, Arizona stared down Colin Thomas as she walked past the defense table. He met her eyes only briefly before turning away to whisper in his attorney's ear. Arizona actually smiled. He held no power over her anymore. None.
She was free.
#
Ten minutes later, Arizona perked up at a knock on the door of the conference room where she sat with Sandy, waiting for court to recess. Knowing it had to be Callie and Teddy, she rushed over and flung open the door with a breathless grin. Callie took one look at her face and mirrored her expression, pulling her into a tight hug.
"You were amazing," Callie murmured. She sprinkled kisses down Arizona's jaw line, briefly nuzzling her neck before drawing away with a toothy smile. "Seriously, babe, you kicked so much ass in there."
"Yeah? I thought it went pretty well, too." As much as Arizona wanted to just stare into Callie's loving eyes forever, she sensed Teddy hovering awkwardly nearby and shifted her attention to her best friend. Teddy's eyes were red and she looked as though she was merely between bouts of tears. "Hey, Theodora. You okay?"
Nodding, Teddy dissolved as she threw her arms around Arizona in a desperate embrace. "I'm so proud of you. That man is a fucking scumbag." Teddy sniffled, then stepped back and embarrassedly wiped her face. "God, I was supposed to be here to support you. Not turn into a basket case."
"Rough day?" Arizona chuckled.
Teddy rolled her eyes and continued to dry her tears. "A little, yeah."
Arizona patted her on the back. "The hard part is over."
Teddy barked a laugh, shrugging as she retreated behind Callie. "Honestly, Arizona. You were so brave-both today, and that night. At the risk of sounding stupidly trite, you really are my hero."
"Thanks." Shy under Teddy's effusive praise, Arizona moved back into Callie's waiting embrace. Closing her eyes, she soaked up the feeling of security she had been craving all day. "I'm so glad that part is done."
"God, me too." Callie gave her a gentle squeeze. "What do you say we get out of here and go have some lunch?"
Arizona's stomach growled at the mere suggestion. Apparently her nausea was gone. "I could eat."
Callie beamed. "Teddy? You hungry?"
"Sure." Teddy smiled bravely, compelling Arizona to take a step forward and take her hand.
Arizona gave Callie a subtle look, then led Teddy to the corner of the room, out of earshot. "If you need to talk…"
Pink-cheeked, Teddy nodded. "Not today. At some point, yes." She lifted her gaze and searched Arizona's face. "But only if you're up for it."
"You've always been there for me," Arizona murmured. "I'll be here for you whenever you're ready."
"I appreciate that." Teddy kissed her cheek, then said, "If you don't mind, I need to go freshen up before we leave. I'll meet you back here?"
"Take your time." Now that the difficult part was over, Arizona felt strangely complacent. Going to lunch would be great-so would going home-but, post-testimony, she didn't care as much about what she was doing-or where-as she did about how fantastic it felt to be alive. "We'll be here."
After Teddy left the room, Sandy broke away from her conversation with Callie to answer a phone call. She nodded to Arizona in apology, then walked out of the room on Teddy's heels. Just as happy to be alone with Callie, Arizona sidled up to her partner and rubbed her lower back. "Hey."
Callie grinned and pulled her into another hug. "Hey, yourself."
Arizona tucked a lock of dark hair behind Callie's ear. "Are we still going on that date tonight?"
"If you're game, I can't think of anything I'd rather do than take you out and celebrate what you just did."
Arizona shivered at the warm press of Callie's hands on her sides. "I'm feeling a lot better now. Just like you said."
Gathering her closer, Callie whispered, "Good."
Arizona raked her fingers through Callie's hair, drawing out a contented sigh. "How do you feel?"
"Glad this part is over." Callie stiffened slightly. "Bummed there's still more to come."
Sensing a crack in Callie's positive front, Arizona said, "So did today make you more or less nervous about testifying?"
Callie drew back and met her gaze. Her chin quivered. "I don't know. The same. I don't think it's possible for me to feel any more nervous."
"I know it's scary, but it won't be as bad as you think. I promise." Hoping to draw out a smile, Arizona planted a playful kiss in the center of Callie's lower lip. "It wasn't nearly as awful as I imagined it might be. Actually, it was sort of empowering."
Callie shrugged and looked at the floor. "Yeah, but it'll be different for me. I can't even imagine how hard it was to do what you just did, but at least you knew you hadn't done anything wrong. That had to help."
"Hey." Arizona gave Callie's shapely bottom a firm pinch, making her yelp. "Stop it. You didn't do anything wrong, either."
Obviously trying to suppress a smile, Callie knocked Arizona's hand away. "If I didn't do anything wrong, why am I getting pinched?"
"Because you've got a great ass."
That earned her a hearty, genuine laugh. Callie shook her head, tugging Arizona in for an extra-long hug. "I think you're better at cheering me up than I am at cheering you up."
"Not true. You were awesome this morning. And in court-every time I thought I wouldn't be able to keep going, I looked at you. Just the sight of you gave me strength." Arizona kissed Callie's earlobe, then whispered, "You didn't do anything wrong. You were acting out of love, nobody was permanently damaged, and, honestly, you were entitled to some anger, considering the circumstances."
Callie tightened her embrace. "As long as you believe that, I'm good."
"I believe that." Arizona paused. "Plus, how hot is the thought of you going ballistic on that scumbag? Defending my honor with that sexy hot-blooded Latina attitude."
Rumbling with laughter, Callie kissed Arizona's cheek. "You are feeling better, aren't you?"
Better didn't even begin to cover it. Despite her lingering worry about the verdict, Arizona was ecstatic. She had done her duty and stayed strong. Not only that, but she'd stared down the monster that still haunted her life until he looked away. Tonight she would eat a fancy French dinner and make love to a beautiful woman, before getting up tomorrow to go work with her kids at the hospital.
Wearing what she knew was a ridiculously perky grin, Arizona said, "I'm happy."
Callie didn't hesitate before breaking into her own mirroring smile. "Me, too."
And that's when inspiration struck. Suddenly Arizona knew exactly how to cheer Callie up in a major way-and hopefully convince her, once and for all, that they would make it through this trial intact. Tonight she would put her plan into action. If all went well, there would no shortage of things to celebrate.
She couldn't wait.
To be continued…