Title: Full Circle

Author: captstarbuck

Rating: T

Pairing: Callie/Arizona

Disclaimers: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual. (I don't own any of the characters from Grey's Anatomy.

Summary: A/U and canon. This is a companion piece to my other story Resolutions 5K. The story opens between Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 that story. You might want to read that first to understand this one better. The second part takes place a year after the first part.

Beta: Many, many thanks to Stacy d'Lacy who gave me a task to write ("WRITE ANYTHING") to get me out of my Grey's canon blues.

A/N: I started this a few weeks ago, prior to all the reveals in S10E09. There is some canon but since it takes place in the future, I've taking some creative license. There's a bit of angst and quite a bit of "fluff". This story will have five chapters (the last is currently in my beta's hands).

PART I

October 16th, 2016 – Fall Funk

It had lasted one week for Arizona. One week of a post-race feel good high. That was all she got before she slipped into what had now become her annual 'fall funk'. The first time it had happened was two years ago when she and Callie were still new to their reconciliation. She'd slipped into a depressed state and hadn't known why. It had taken a few sessions with her therapist before she realized that fall brought to the surface all kinds of bad memories; the post cheating separation, the dalliance with Leah, the big blowout with Callie. Yeah, fall was the time she found herself taking a stroll down bad memory lane. No, it wasn't a stroll. It was more like she was tripping and stumbling her way down it.

She and Callie were good now, had been for over two years. They were more than good. Their marriage was stronger than it had ever been. Knowing they were better than okay now, just confused and annoyed Arizona when all the bad feelings returned again. She thought she was past all of it. Last year it hadn't been quite so bad and she'd hoped that this year she'd finally be free of her demons. She thought for sure with the accomplishment of completing the race she had finally laid it all to rest.

Sighing, the blonde handed the chart back to the nurse.

"Did you need anything else, Dr. Robbins?"

"No, Erin. I'm all set. Thanks." She shifted her weight onto to her right leg. "I'll be in my office if anyone needs me," she said, heading away from the nurses' station.

As she made her way down the hall, she spotted Leah, a group of interns behind her. The fourth-year resident looked over at Arizona and smiled. Arizona gave her a half-smile in return. The resident had been crushed when Arizona and Callie had gotten back together. Arizona had tried to let the younger woman down easily, but it had become a tangled mess. Leah had developed feelings for Arizona and Arizona wasn't feeling anything at the time. It had taken a good year for her and Leah to even look at one another and a little longer to even speak outside professional necessity.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Robbins," Leah said.

"Murphy," she replied with a nod. "Interns on a short leash today?"

"A very short leash," the resident replied with a laugh.

The interns behind Leah had enough good sense not to be offended. Four months into their internship and they were still happy they hadn't killed anyone yet.

"Well, I'll let you get back to work."

Leah stepped away from her interns and approached Arizona. "Dr. Robbins, are you doing anything for lunch?" she asked with a wistful, hopeful smile.

"Actually, yes, I am. I'm meeting my wife for lunch," Arizona said firmly as she fought the urge to roll her eyes. She couldn't believe that Leah still held out hope after three years.

"Oh, okay, then. I'll see you around, I guess," Leah said disappointedly.

As she watched the resident return to her interns, Arizona couldn't help but sigh again. Leah's periodic attempts to make them more than colleagues were not helping her bad mood. The mistakes she'd made in the past… were they ever going to stop haunting her?

Three hours later, after performing a quick appendectomy, Arizona was in the cafeteria looking for her wife. After scanning the room, she spotted Callie seated at a table with Cristina and Owen sitting opposite of her. She noticed the extra tray of food on the table and was touched by Callie's thoughtfulness. Callie did so many little things like picking up her lunch, or bringing her a cup of coffee in the middle of the day that Arizona sometimes found herself overwhelmed with her love for the woman. And she still often cursed herself after all these years that she'd almost lost it all.

Seeing Owen and Cristina, Arizona allowed herself a small self-satisfied smile. It had been a secret that she'd been instrumental in bringing the cardio surgeon back to Seattle. Cristina had left three years ago, severing all ties with her former friends and co-workers. Arizona had been persistent in her emails and phone calls, even when Cristina had refused to respond. That persistence, as well as bombarding the cardio surgeon with photos of Sofia with her friend Zola had opened the line of communications with them.

At first the younger woman had been brusque, telling Arizona to 'go fuck herself' more than once when the peds surgeon wouldn't let up. Over time, they'd actually started to talk; sporadically at first, then weekly. It was Arizona who'd convinced Cristina to mend the bridges with Meredith and Owen. For some reason, it had worked and Cristina had come back to Grey-Sloan. Their conversations had all been on the side, and no one was any wiser. Cristina had gained insight into Arizona, and the fact that Arizona was willing to keep their friendship on the 'down low' had only added to her respect of the peds surgeon.

It hadn't been one-sided, either. Cristina had proven to be a good sounding board for Arizona. Their shared experience in the woods had bonded them for life, although it had taken them time to sort it all out. Arizona found Cristina's candor and bluntness to be what she needed. There were moments that Callie's emotional way of thinking and dealing with things didn't always work best for her. And even though she finally had shared with Callie what had happened after the crash, there were times that Arizona needed to speak with someone who had actually been there.

"Hey, everybody," Arizona said softly as she sat down next to Callie.

"Roller girl," Cristina said with a smirk. "Or maybe we should call you 'runner girl'?"

"Scalpel whore," the blonde fired back.

Owen laughed out loud and Callie's eyebrows shot up in shock.

"And proud of it," Cristina retorted.

Arizona's smile quickly faded when she saw Leah enter the cafeteria, her interns still trailing after her.

"You okay?" Callie asked solicitously, her hand dropping to Arizona's lower back.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just a long day."

Sensing that Arizona was uncomfortable, Cristina quickly jumped into the conversation.

"So, what god awful costume are you putting my goddaughter into this year for Halloween?" she asked, opening her bag of chips. "It had better not be some stupid princess."

"No, she isn't doing that," Callie replied.

"Does she know yet, Callie? We're running out of time," Arizona said worriedly.

"I say put her into scrubs and cover her with fake blood," Cristina suggested.

"You're bound and determined to make her a surgeon, aren't you?" Callie queried. She pretended to be annoyed with Cristina, but secretly she was pleased with her friend's interest in Sofia.

"You bet. Sofia and Zola are going to running this hospital in twenty-five years."

"Maybe she can be a surgeon next year," Callie said. "She's going as her hero this year."

"Really? Who? Wonder Woman?" Arizona asked. "Oh, you'll dress her in something dark, so it's probably Batgirl. That won't be safe, Callie. She can't be dressed in dark clothes for trick-or-treating," Arizona rambled.

"She won't be. It's a surprise," Callie said.

"Oh, surprises, not a good thing, Cal," Cristina commented. "You should know better."

"It's a good one. I promise."

Only Cristina noticed Arizona flinch at Callie's words. Before she could say anything, the sound of pagers froze everyone at the table.

"Mine," Callie said, looking at her pager. "911 to the pit."

"Me, too," Owen said, rising from his seat. "Let's go."

Once they two surgeons had left, Cristina turned her focus back on Arizona.

"You okay, Arizona?" she asked quietly.

Cristina using her first name caused Arizona to momentarily panic.

"I'm fine," she said quickly. She poked at her salad. "You and Owen seem to be doing well."

"Yeah. Being the cool uncle to so many kids seems to be enough for him." The cardio doctor crumpled her empty bag of chips. "And I know what you're doing. Don't change the subject."

The blonde looked down, this time not quite so appreciative of Cristina's honesty.

"It's fall," she said in a quiet voice.

"And?"

"It just brings back… I can't help but think about all the crap that I've put Callie through that happened in the fall. The separation, Leah," Arizona rolled her eyes as she spoke the resident's name. "Our fight," Arizona continued. "It's just not a good time of year for me, and Leah still seems to be… I don't know… pining for me."

"Maybe you need to go see Wyatt. Maybe you need a tune-up," Cristina said as she ripped the wrapper off a candy bar.

"What?"

"When your leg is 'off' – oh bad choice of words," Cristina said, but both women smiled. "When your leg isn't working right, you take it in for a tune-up. You've been through a lot of shit over the years. Maybe your mind needs a tune-up."

Arizona nodded.

"And as for Murphy," the cardio surgeon continued, "I'll take care of that. I'll put her on my service for the next few weeks."

"You don't have to do that, Cristina."

"Yeah, well, it'll help me out. I need to see if there's any cardio talent in this year's group of interns. I'm not holding out any hope, but maybe one of them will surprise me."

Even though she knew Cristina didn't 'do' emotions and gratitude (at least not in any obvious manner), Arizona couldn't help herself. "Cristina?"

"What?" she mumbled as she stuffed the last bite of chocolate into her mouth.

"Thank you."

October 31st, 2016 – Halloween Hero

Sometimes Arizona really hated being a Department Head, and today was one of those times. She was running a little late and she knew Callie and Sofia were waiting for her.

"Sorry, sorry," she apologized as she tossed her purse and keys on the kitchen counter. "Surgery ran late and the parents had a ton of questions."

"It's okay," Callie said, kissing her wife. "We haven't changed yet."

"So tonight's the big reveal? I'm going to see what costumes you've cooked up for us?"

"Yup," Callie replied with a mischievous smile. "Your costume is on the bed. I'll be changing with Sofia. She needs a little help with hers."

"Hmmm. I don't know if I like the sound of that," Arizona commented as she hung up her coat. "Sofia still going with the super hero theme?"

"Not exactly. She's going as her hero."

"Okaaay," Arizona drawled, baffled at what Callie was saying as she made her way to the master bedroom.

"Oh, and Arizona?"

"Yes?"

"Make sure you put on the costume I left on the bed. The one in the bathroom? That's for later," Callie said.

"Later?" She looked back at her wife and was rewarded with one of Callie's lustful, yet loving, looks. It was a look that caused Arizona to immediately blush from head to toe.

Callie waited until Arizona disappeared into their bedroom before going upstairs to their daughter's room. She'd been concerned with Arizona's recent spate of the blues. Unlike the past, Arizona had opened up about what was bothering her. Despite Callie's reassurances, Arizona was still somewhat depressed. The Latina hoped that Sofia's costume would help lift her wife's spirits. And of course what she had planned for them after Sofia crashed from her sugar high was sure to help. At least that's what Callie was hoping for.

Once in Sofia's room, Callie swiftly pulled her pink t-shirt on over her long-sleeved shirt. She then handed Sofia a small, pink racing singlet which the young girl pulled on over her sweatshirt. She was wearing black shorts and sneakers. Callie pinned a number to the front and back of Sofia's shirt.

"Are you ready?" Callie asked.

"Yes, Mommy. Put it on," she ordered.

"Hold your horses, Sofia. Give me a minute."

Callie reached under the bed to retrieve the final piece of Sofia's costume. The two of them has fashioned their own version of a prosthetic leg out of cardboard and aluminum foil. Callie had screwed on a few hinges and pieces of scrap metal to make it as realistic as possible. She helped strap the homemade contraption onto Sofia's left leg.

"Do I look like Mama?" Sofia asked.

"Just like her," Callie said.

"Callie!" Arizona called out. "Are you sure about this costume?"

"I'll be right there," Callie answered. "You wait here, Sofia. We'll surprise Mama."

"Okay, Mommy."

Callie quickly trotted back down the stairs. Arizona was clad in her racing outfit. The only concession to the cooler air was she was wearing a black long sleeved shirt underneath her singlet.

"Why am I dressed in this?" Arizona asked. "And why are you wearing a 'Team Robbins' t-shirt?"

"I have to explain something," Callie said nervously.

"Go on," Arizona said, her arms crossed on her chest, her posture borderline defensive.

"First of all, you look really, really hot in those shorts." Seeing that her wife wasn't falling for the flattery, even though it was true, Callie plowed ahead. "I asked Sofia what she wanted to be for Halloween and she said she wanted to be just like her hero."

"Callie, her hero changes every week," she commented, a touch of exasperation in her voice.

"Not this time. She was adamant about who she wanted to be."

"Fine."

"Arizona, please be okay with this. Sofia really wanted to be her hero and I agreed with her."

Arizona sighed heavily, dreading what costume Sofia and Callie had dreamed up.

"Close your eyes," Callie instructed.

"Really?"

"Please? For Sofia."

"Fine," Arizona huffed, closing her eyes.

"Sofia, come on down."

Arizona waited as she heard the familiar footsteps of their daughter on the staircase. She kept her eyes closed until Callie told her to open them. What she saw instantly brought tears to her eyes. Seeing Sofia dressed up like her made her gasp.

"You don't like it, Mama?" Sofia asked, her lip trembling. "You're my hero and… and… and I wanted to be you this year."

"Oh, no, Sofia, I love it," Arizona said, wrapping her arms around Sofia and squeezing her tightly.

Callie subtly brushed away the tear at the corner of her eye.

"You two ready?" she asked.

"Ready, Mommy!" Sofia replied happily. "We need to get some treats!"

X

Somehow, over the past few years, it was Alex's house that ended up hosting the Halloween party. He didn't mind as it always got him an invite to Thanksgiving dinner either at Meredith and Derek's or Callie and Arizona's home. This year it would be at Callie's and he was looking forward to Callie's cooking and the extra large wide screen TV for the football games. Having a few rugrats running around before they went trick-or-treating was more than fair when a payoff was dinner and football at someone else's house.

He opened the door and was met with a loud "Trick-or-treat!" from the Robbins-Torres clan.

"Hey, look, it's a mini-Robbins," he said, stepping aside to let them in. "Did you run over here?"

"No. That's silly, Uncle Alex. It's too far," Sofia said, pushing her way into the house as she looked for her friend Zola.

"Really, Robbins?" Alex asked his boss. "She's you for Halloween?"

"Not my idea, Alex," she replied with an embarrassed smile.

"It was Sofia's idea," Callie explained. "Arizona is her hero and Sofia wanted to be her this year."

"Could be worse, I suppose," Alex grinned. "She could've dressed up like Yang."

"Perish the thought," Arizona said with a laugh, though emulating a dedicated surgeon and loyal friend wouldn't be all that terrible.

"Adult drinks are in the kitchen, like always," Alex said closing the door. "Meredith and Derek just got here and Bailey and Tucker are on their way."

"Alex, can you keep an eye on Sofia?" Callie asked.

"Sure, yeah, I guess so, whatever."

"Thanks."

Callie took her confused wife's hand and led her to the kitchen.

"Is something wrong, Callie?"

"Are you okay?" Callie asked earnestly.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Sofia's costume…"

"Is incredible, and I can't believe she did it," Arizona said, her smile pushing past her tears.

"It was totally her idea, Arizona. Really. I just helped her with the leg."

"Thank you." Arizona slid her arms around her wife's waist. "I'm sorry I've been… you know… "

"It's okay, Arizona. But you really need to let it go. We're more than fine. We're great."

"I love you," Arizona said, then she kissed Callie tenderly on the lips.

"I love you, too," Callie murmured back.

"And later, when we get home, I'll show you how much I love you."

"You saw your costume for later, huh?" Callie asked between kisses.

"Even better, I got a peek at yours."