Grey's Anatomy - Choices (11/23)
Title: Choices
Chapter 11/23
Authors: Faith & Kye
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: NC-17
Story Summary: Post-6x17 "Push" -- Arizona prefers chickens to children, and Callie isn't okay with that. Heartbroken and lonely, the two women try unsuccessfully to move on with their lives, only to find they really are made for eachother.
Chapter Summary: Callie escapes Arizona's forced lockdown, and an unexpected visitor shows up in Seattle.
Disclaimer: 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.
Previous Chapters
A/N: This chapter was originally longer than War and Peace, so I've split it into two separate parts to spare you all having your eyes fall out of your head by the midway point. The second portion will be posted fairly soon, once I get around to finishing the editing process.
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“This is a bad idea,” Mark whispered in a low voice as his eyes skimmed the hospital hallway. He was holding onto his unsteady best friend as she paused for a moment to catch her breath. “You’ve only been home for three days. This is a bad idea.”
Callie grimaced from her spot leaning against the wall. “Would you stop being so dramatic? I'm fine.”
Mark turned to her with a deepening frown. “Yeah, ‘cause you look it.” He glanced back down the hall. “Robbins is gonna have my balls if she finds out I helped you escape.”
Callie managed a tired smile. “You say that like it's a bad thing.”
“It is,” Mark stated bluntly. “She’s terrifying when she’s angry.”
Callie fixed Mark with an incredulous stare. “Arizona? Terrifying? Have you even met her? She wears wheelie shoes and is known for being overly perky.”
Mark shrugged. “I’ve seen her yell once or twice. It didn’t look pleasant for the other person. Plus, she’s super protective of you, and I have zero doubt she’d put me in the hospital if she thought I was endangering your life.”
He tightened his hold on Callie’s arm when she wobbled a little. “This is a very bad idea,” he repeated. “Why did you need to come into work anyway?”
“Not here to work,” Callie replied absently as she winced through another jolt of pain. Damn, she should've taken those pain pills before she left, but they just left her feeling so...bleh.
Callie shifted her focus to the door immediately on her right.
Room 312.
Only four more to go. She could do this.
“Just stop whining and help me,” she ordered as she reached out for Mark. “If Arizona catches us, I'll just tell her I pinched you really hard until you said yes.”
Mark gave her a blank look. “But you really did.”
“I know,” Callie shot back. “So I won't be lying when I say it.”
Mark slowly lead Callie toward her destination. “Robbins said the kid was doing fine, and she’s discharging her in a few days. You really don’t need to check up on her.”
“I want to,” Callie pointed out with a grunt.
“But you don’t have to,” Mark repeated, this time with more emphasis.
“But I want to,” she growled menacingly in return.
“But -” Mark was interrupted this time when Cristina Yang suddenly appeared in front of them.
From out of thin air.
“What are you doing?” she barked at Callie, both hands on her hips. “You’re supposed to be at home. Resting. Not walking around.”
Callie narrowed her eyes at the other woman. “I haven't even seen you in like a week.”
“I was trying to give you your space to...heal.” Cristina paused as she waved a hand at her roommate. “Last time I checked, walking was not healing. You are not healing!”
Callie's eyes widened and she glanced back over her shoulder. “Would you keep your voice down?” she hissed in a scolding whisper. “Someone might hear you.”
Cristina smirked. She pointed a finger at the other brunette. “You mean 'someone' as in Robbins. She doesn't know you're here, does she?”
Callie leaned toward her possibly former friend. “If you so much as think about-”
Yang laughed at the menacing glare Callie was attempting to level her with. “I can't believe you two are terrified of her.
“Don’t. Say. A word,” Callie threatened, still pointing a finger in Cristina’s face.
“She’s in surgery, relax. Stay clear of the OR floor and you’ll be fine.” Yang still looked amused. “Wusses.”
Mark tugged on Callie’s arm when Cristina did an about-face and walked back to the nearby admin desk. “Let’s keep moving.” He knew Callie better than anyone - when she was in pain, she got ornery. And when she got ornery…well, violence and bad things usually ensued.
Callie kept glaring at her roommate as she allowed Mark to pull her down the hallway. She lifted her hand, pointing two fingers at Yang before aiming them into her own eyes, and then back again.
“You're not gonna have any friends left before long,” Mark grumbled as they continued to walk.
“Less talking,” Callie snapped. “More supporting.” She leaned heavily against the man's body.
Mark groaned.
***
“Home, Daddy?”
Nathan looked down at his little girl as she lay in the over-sized hospital bed. “Not today, baby,” he told her softly as he reached down to ruffle a hand through her hair.
“Someone told me there's a little girl who likes chocolate ice cream in here,” Callie's voice suddenly cut in as she stepped through the doorway to Room 316. She looked at Nathan curiously. “Have you seen her?”
Anna went from looking sullen to perky in an instant. “Callie!” she squealed in delight.
Nathan looked up with a smile on his face. “Dr. Torres,” he exclaimed, jumping from his seat. “We didn’t expect to see you for another few days. Dr. Robbins told us you were at home resting.”
“She’s supposed to be,” Sloan pointed out.
Callie ignored him as she smiled at the other man. “I'm feeling much better now,” she lied. It took everything she had not to grimace in pain as she began to walk over to the bed. She turned her attention to Anna as her smile brightened. “How 'bout that ice cream?”
Anna squealed and clapped her little hands.
Callie laughed softly at the look of pure joy on the little girl's face.
God. She wanted one so badly. Someday, at least.
The brunette's gaze traveled up the little girl's arm where various tubes were protruding from her flesh. Her smile faltered as she released a little sigh. She could sort of understand where Arizona was coming from. It wasn't easy seeing sweet little Anna like this. She couldn't imagine how hard it was on her partner to see so many kids day in and day out. A lot of them much, much worse off than this one.
So yeah. She got it. She really did.
Callie swallowed back, shaking those thoughts from her head. “How about I send Mark to the cafeteria for that ice cream?”
Mark frowned from his spot in the doorway. “Hey. I'm a world class plastic surgeon.” He puffed his chest out a little. “Not your errand boy.”
Callie turned to him with a perfectly arched brow.
Mark sighed. “I'll be back in ten minutes.” He turned and left the room.
Nathan watched the exchange with an amused smirk. “You’re the alpha female around these parts, that’s for sure,” he chuckled. “One look from you and his tail was between his legs.”
“Mark’s kind of a big pushover. He’s a good guy,” Callie added with a slight laugh as she gratefully sank into the other chair next to Anna’s bed.
Nathan retook his seat on the other side. “How long have you two been together?” It was an innocent question.
Callie's eyes widened in surprise. “Oh boy,” she mused with a soft chuckle. She flashed a glance at Anna, but the little girl had long ago lost interest. Instead, she had turned her attention to one of the large picture books on the table next to her.
“We're not a couple,” Callie finally answered. “We had...have a sort of...complicated relationship.” She looked away awkwardly.
Nathan's brow furrowed as he crossed his arms over his chest. He thought about it for a moment before the realization suddenly hit him full-on. “Oh.” His eyes widened as he briefly stole a look at his daughter to make sure she was preoccupied. “I see.”
“Yeah,” Callie sighed again. She paused for a moment. “I'm kind of gay now, actually.”
Nathan jerked his attention back to the surgeon. His brow nearly shot right off his forehead.
“Have been for a while,” Callie went on absently, staring at the bed with a far-off look in her eyes. “And I'm kind of in love with Arizona. Dr. Robbins,” she explained with a vague gesture of her hand. “But it turns out that she doesn't want kids of our own, and I do. So, we disagreed and argued for a little while, then we had break up se-” She stopped abruptly, her gaze shifting back to little Anna. “-uh, did other stuff,” she quickly corrected. “And now it seems like no matter how hard we try, we just can't seem to break it off completely.”
God, that felt good. It was nice to be able to vent to someone besides Mark for a change. Not that he wasn't a really good listener and an even better friend, but it just felt good to be able to say it out loud to someone other than him.
Or anyone else that was connected to this hospital in any way.
For a long moment after, there was nothing but silence.
Finally, Nathan sat back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. “That’s…complicated indeed.” He glanced up at Callie and smiled. “You’ve been holding that in for a while, huh?”
Callie blushed, realizing her outburst was a bit sudden. And more than likely, a little misplaced. “Understatement of the year. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“No, it’s okay,” Nathan interjected with a wave of his hand. “I don’t mind. You donated bone marrow to my daughter, I don’t mind if you need someone to vent to.” He tilted his head to the side. “She really doesn’t want kids? I didn’t get that vibe from her. She’s great with Anna. And I would have thought being a pediatrician-”
“I know!” Callie suddenly shouted.
Nathan and even Anna jumped a little.
“Sorry,” the brunette offered in response. “But you're like the hundredth person to say that. It's like everyone’s first reaction. I know it was mine.” She sighed heavily as she reached up to brush her right hand back through her hair.
“I just don't get it.” She dropped her head back against the chair and stared at the ceiling. “She really is amazing with these kids.” Her smile softened. “Amazing."
Nathan nodded, his gaze drifting back to his daughter, who was now picking at one of her stuffed dogs. “I didn’t think I wanted kids for most of my life,” he said after a beat. “Couldn’t picture myself being able to take care of them. Didn’t think they’d fit in with my plans. And then…I met Elena.” A nostalgic smile spread across his face. “Now…I can’t imagine my life without Anna. I miss her mother more than anything, but I can’t even dream of not having my little girl in my life. She changed everything for me.”
His looked back at Dr. Torres. “Maybe Dr. Robbins will come around. Some people who say they don’t want kids just couldn’t imagine having them until they meet the right person. The idea just takes some getting used to, but…you said it yourself, she’s great with them, and obviously cares enough to save their lives on a daily basis. I think she’ll come around.”
Callie took a moment to digest the man's words. Her focus drifted away as she chewed on her bottom lip.
She hoped like hell that he was right.
***
“In a cup,” Mark Sloan was repeating to the lunch lady. “Not a cone. She’s two, and more of it will end up on the kid than in her if you put it on a cone.” He leaned forward against the counter, eyeing the woman who clearly spoke zero english. “Comprende?”
The lunch lady rolled her eyes and grabbed the cone back from Dr. Sloan, going back to dig out a plastic cup instead.
Sighing as if the delay was keeping him from a life-saving surgery, Mark turned around to scan the cafeteria.
He jumped when Arizona suddenly popped up next to him.
“Mark,” she stated in a surprised tone. She wore her usual dark blue scrubs, her hair up in a messy ponytail, with her hands shoved into her lab coat pockets. “What are you doing here? Did Callie send you for work files? Because I specifically told her not to.”
She looked genuinely happy and her usual bouncy self at first, but when Mark only replied with fearful silence and tried to look around for an escape route, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be keeping an eye on Calliope.”
“I'm here to...” Mark waved his hand through the air, stalling as he shot the other blonde his best and brightest smile.
It would have worked had Arizona not been a lesbian. Or so he convinced himself.
“To check up on a...” He glanced around the room, desperate for any viable ideas. “I'm here to check up on a patient,” Mark finally settled on with much more confidence. He leaned casually back against the counter. “A patient that is mine. Absolutely nothing to do with Torres.” He shook his head firmly.
“Ice cream!” The lunch lady suddenly slammed a cup onto the counter behind him.
Mark jumped a little before turning to shoot the woman a glare. He placed money on the counter before snatching up the ice cream.
Arizona eyed the frozen treat with doubt. “Since when do you have patients that require chocolately frozen goodness? That's usually my forte.”
Mark cleared his throat awkwardly. “Uh, that’s….w-who I’m…here to…” He screwed up his face in concentration. “Uh…the girl!”
His hand suddenly shot up into the air in triumph, pointing a finger at Arizona. “The little girl! That’s who Callie wanted to see. Sent me to see.” Mark’s eyes widened at his slip.
Arizona’s calm and cheerful demeanor vanished almost instantly. “What?”
Mark swallowed.
Fuck.
Arizona got right up in his face, looking dangerous. More dangerous than a kid-friendly surgeon in Heeleys should. “Where. Is. She.” Her voice was eerily calm and controlled.
“Who?” Mark’s voice came out sounding a lot less manly than he would have liked. He swallowed back and cleared his throat to try again. “You mean Torres?” He quickly recovered as his smirk slid easily back into place. “At home. In bed.” He tilted his head towards the other blonde. “Right where I'm sure you left her feeling plenty better.”
Arizona reached up with her right hand to pinch Mark in the arm.
Hard.
And then she twisted.
“Ow!” the plastic surgeon cried out.
“You're lying,” Arizona shot back as her eyes once again narrowed at him. “I don't like being lied to.”
“I am not!”
Arizona twisted her fingers again.
“Alright!” Mark caved. “Jesus!” He lifted a defensive hand at the hard glare he was receiving. “I tried to talk her out of it,” he reasoned as he took a subtle step away from Arizona.
“Well, you obviously didn’t do a good enough job!” Arizona snapped, smacking him in the gut. “You’re supposed to be babysitting! You’re like the neighborhood teenager that gets duct taped to a tree by the kids he’s watching while they light the house on fire!”
Mark recoiled, looking offended. “Hey! I’ll have you know that I was a very good babysitter back in my day. I was really popular. Especially with the moms.”
Arizona just smacked him again until he backed up into the counter. “She’s supposed to be on bedrest! As in resting in bed. You’re a physician, why am I explaining this concept to you?”
For good measure, she hit him again. “Where?”
“'Where' what?” Mark groaned. He really hated women sometimes.
Especially if said women were currently in the middle of a crazy-ass lesbian relationship, and pulling him unwillingly into the middle of it.
Well, mostly unwillingly.
‘Cause still...
Hot.
“Where's Calliope?” Arizona narrowed her eyes at him once again. She pointed a finger in his face. “And don't you dare lie to me.”
Mark released a heavy sigh.
On the one hand, he could still lie to Arizona and risk her finding out. And then she would probably...'God-only-knows-what' him for it later.
On the other, he could sell out his best friend and completely bypass the whole 'bodily harm' factor.
“She's in Anna's room,” Mark relented after a moment. He shoved the ice cream into the blonde's hands, grumbling the whole time under his breath, then turned and quickly headed off in the opposite direction.
Arizona still had enough metaphorical steam coming out of her ears to melt the ice cream, but she turned and stalked off to find Callie.
***
Nathan and the woman in question were laughing about something one of them said when Anna suddenly perked up. “Ice cream!”
Callie started to smile at the little girl’s enthusiasm, until the voice from the doorway turned out not to be Mark’s.
“A little birdie told me someone in three-sixteen was waiting for a delivery,” Arizona grinned at Anna. She walked into the room, not looking at Callie right away, and handed over the ice cream to the little girl.
She could feel the brunette squirm in the chair next to her, but she was standing to Callie’s outside and was therefore blocking any possible escape route.
Not that she was worried. Callie could run, but Arizona would catch her sooner rather than later if she tried.
“Hey Nathan,” she added to the girl’s father. “Glad to see she’s feeling better this afternoon.” They’d already talked about Anna’s condition a few hours prior.
Nathan flashed her a smile and then glanced at Callie, because she suddenly looked…afraid.
“Calliope,” Arizona said sweetly, resting a hand on the woman’s shoulder. She squeezed it a little harder than usual, and though she produced a smile because Anna was watching them, it was forced and definitely irritated. “What exactly do you think you’re doing out of the house?”
Her blue eyes bore down into deep brown ones.
Callie swallowed back nervously. She glanced at Nathan.
“Hey!” Arizona barked, making Callie snap back to attention.
She suddenly found herself feeling a little...
Turned on.
Inappropriate much?
But, seriously. Arizona was just so...hot when she got all bossy.
But also terrifying. Still very...terrifying.
Callie swallowed back once more. “I...I wanted to see Anna,” she finally replied as she raised a hand to point at the little girl. “I w-was worried about...her.” She shrunk back in her chair.
Those blue eyes might've been the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen, but right in that moment, they were burning a hole straight through her.
“Don’t pull the ‘sick child’ card on me,” Arizona replied instantly. “I invented it. I know when it’s being abused. You are supposed to be resting. I’m worried about you up and walking around when you’re supposed to be kept off of your feet.”
A little part of her couldn’t help but smile just a tiny bit despite her annoyance. Because Callie looked kind of cute when she was acting all guilty and nervous.
Arizona glanced over at Nathan. “I’m sorry, but I’m gonna have to steal her for just a minute.” She grabbed a fistful of the brunette’s jacket and hauled her up from the chair, though she was more gentle when she helped Callie hobble out into the hallway.
Callie sighed, cause she knew it was her ass on the line.
“Arizona, I-”
“Shut it!” Arizona snapped as she released the jacket in her grasp before gently - as gently as one could - shoving Callie against the nearest wall. “What were you thinking?” she snapped again.
Callie's eyes were wide and fearful. “I...I just couldn't stand being in that bed for one more second!” she whined.
“I don't care, Calliope,” Arizona shot back as she poked a finger into the other woman's chest. “You've been in that bed for the last three days for a reason. A little rest won't kill you.”
Callie's brow furrowed. “I know.” She swallowed back and then shook her head slightly. “I...I just can't stand being there,” she mumbled as her gaze drifted from Arizona's. “Not without you."
Arizona tried not to let it get to her, but those words made her anger bubble deflate just a little bit.
A little.
“Callie,” she sighed, her expression softening. “You need to rest. Walking around when you’re still in pain might exacerbate the injury, and I don’t want there to be any lasting nerve damage.”
“Hey, Dr. Peters said that I’m gonna be fine,” Callie replied, furrowing her brow at Arizona. “Don’t worry about me. No nerve damage. It’s getting better.”
Arizona grit her teeth and glanced away. “You still shouldn’t be here,” she repeated, though this time there was a lot less anger in her voice. “I don’t want to take the chance of something happening to you.”
Callie smiled as she reached out to place her hand on the curve of the blonde's neck. “Hey,” she called softly as she squeezed her fingers just a little. “Look at me, Zona.”
It took a moment, but the blonde surgeon finally complied.
“Nothing is gonna happen to me,” Callie said softly, gazing right back into perfect, clear blue eyes. She felt that familiar tug in her chest once more. “I can promise you right now that I'm never gonna get sick, or hurt, and I'll never, ever die.” Her smile widened.
Arizona couldn't hold back a short laugh. “No, you can't.”
“I know,” Callie said. Her smile softened once again. “But I'd say anything to make you happy.”
And with that, Arizona felt her initial freak-out anger drain away completely. “You are without a doubt the most stubborn woman I have ever met.” But she smiled none the less. “And I’m completely crazy about you.”
With a sigh, she pulled her cell phone out of her lab coat pocket. “Doesn’t mean I’m not calling you a cab,” the blonde added, already dialing.
Callie reached out and closed the device, making Arizona look back up at her. “Lunch first?” she asked hopefully.
Arizona looked skeptical, but the idea was kind of inviting. She’d had a crappy day thus far on the surgical front. “We eat in the cafeteria, and you sit while I gather the food.”
Callie pouted. “Is that my punishment?”
Arizona laughed.
“What?” Callie sighed again as Arizona looped an arm through hers, turning them around. “Cafeteria food should be considered cruel and unusual punishment.”
Arizona couldn't wipe the smirk from her face as they slowly shuffled down the hall.
***
“Why can't I have fries?” Callie pouted as she looked down at the soup and celery sticks on her tray, before casting a wistful glance over at the blonde's.
“Because,” Arizona piped up from her spot across the table. “I want you to start eating less grease, and more green.”
Callie frowned. “My soup's not green.”
“But it has green in it,” the blonde pointed out as she placed a ketchup-covered fry into her mouth.
“Hey,” Callie protested. “How come you get the grease?”
Arizona smiled and waggled the fry between her fingers in the air. “I didn't just have bone marrow sucked out of my hip. My body's not working overtime to recover.” She dipped it into the mound of ketchup on her plate. “So I can have all the grease I want.”
Callie grumbled.
This really sucked.
Arizona made a show of eating the fry with a moan of appreciation. “Mmm. Yum. Deep-fried deliciousness.”
“You’re evil,” Callie stated with another pout, clearly unimpressed and mopey.
“Just a concerned citizen,” Arizona chuckled, taking a drink from her juice box. “You know you love it.”
Callie grumbled again and took a reluctant bite of her celery stick.
Arizona beamed at her and sat back in her chair. “As much as I’m gonna kick your ass if you do this again before you’re actually supposed to be back on duty, it’s really nice to see you. Been kinda slow and boring around here the last few days without you.”
“You just miss the on-call room sex,” Callie pointed out with a devilish grin.
Arizona blushed. “Now who’s evil?”
Callie kept her smirk as she dropped the food back onto her plate before slowly leaning across the table, resting against her elbows. “I'm just stating the obvious,” she husked in a low, very sexy voice.
Arizona swallowed back as she gazed across the short distance into dark brown eyes.
“I've missed it, too,” Callie went on in that same husky whisper. “Especially that last time,” she added as the image came flooding back into her mind. She glimpsed down at Arizona's lips, licking her own. “You've never tasted so hot.”
Arizona’s skin flushed and she released a nervous giggle, glancing down at her plate with a goofy grin on her face.
Oh yeah. Callie was gonna get her in so much trouble if she kept talking like that.
Her eyes flickered back up to find the other woman still grinning at her with that smoldering look in her own. “You are so lucky you’re crippled right now, Torres,” Arizona replied in a low murmur.
“I told you once before, Robbins,” Callie shot right back as she leaned just a bit further across the table. “I can have quite an imagination when I need to.” Her gaze once again flickered down to Arizona's lips.
How she wanted to kiss them.
Arizona made a sound somewhere between a whimper and a groan. “Believe me, I know you do.”
She reached up to brush a loose strand of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail behind her ear, her mind absolutely racing. They really, really needed to stop with the sexy, because…it usually lead to nakedness, or sometimes just kissing. Which was technically bad, considering they were supposed to be weening themselves off of eachother, even if it was a slow-going process.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a fake break up,” Arizona stated after a moment. Her eyes briefly flashed back up to meet Callie’s and she smiled weakly. “I’ve never, ever wanted to jump an ex’s bones in the middle of a public place before. But just looking at your makes me want to…”
Do a whole mess of things. None of which were appropriate in the work place.
Arizona gulped.
Callie groaned softly. “Oh, Zona. I passed that point a long time ago.” She winced a little. For once, it wasn't the physical kind of pain she was feeling. “I don't know why I can't stop myself,” she added a bit tentatively. There was another pause, before she sighed in defeat. “Well, yeah, I do.” Callie smiled just slightly. “I can't seem to stop thinking about doing wicked, wicked things to your hot...” She paused as she glanced down. “...hot body, that’s why.”
Arizona’s blush deepened, but that didn’t stop her from giving Callie a quick once-over of her own. “Right back atcha,” she sighed longingly.
Yeah. Fake break up indeed.
“C’mon.” After a moment of tense, silent, and longing stares, Arizona rose to her feet. She helped Callie out of her chair and slipped an arm around her waist.
Callie grinned at the slightly shorter woman. “Supply closet, you dirty woman?”
Arizona nudged her playfully in the side. “No, gutter brain. I’m putting you in a cab and sending you home. Your bed rest consists of actual resting, not getting all sweaty and rolling around.”
Callie groaned as she wiggled a little in the other woman's grasp. “The sweating and rolling around sounds more fun.”
“Yes,” Arizona mused. “Fun for a moment, but then there's the 'not-so-fun' excruciating pain that follows.”
Callie pouted as she was lead out of the cafeteria.
She was being sent home to 'rest', when all she really wanted to do was take Arizona against that wall, and...
Callie groaned again.
Perfect.
This day was turning out to be just...
Perfect.
Arizona laughed, not at Callie’s frustration, but at the cute look on her face as she pouted. “Oh come on, a few more days and you’ll be just-”
“Dr. Robbins!” Jackson Avery came barreling down the hallway, skidding to a stop in front of Arizona and Callie. “The Fredrickson’s baby is showing some signs of distress and her heart keeps slowing. Dr. Altman wanted me to page you when you were out of the Collin’s girl’s surgery, which we didn’t know you were until about five minutes ago.”
Arizona sighed and rubbed a hand across her forehead. This was just turning into one of those days. “Dammit. Okay, I’ll scrub in. Be there in five.”
As Avery nodded and raced off again, Arizona stopped with Callie near the admin desk. She helped her lean against the counter, and then pointed a stern finger in her face. “Call a cab. Go home. Don’t make me find you still here in two hours, or you’ll be getting even less sex than you are right now. Got it?”
Callie's brow furrowed. “How can you have less sex than none?”
Arizona smacked her in the shoulder.
“Hey!” the brunette instantly protested. “There are laws against abusing the crippled.” She frowned. “I think.”
“Go home, Calliope,” Arizona warned again as she began to walk backward down the hall. Her blue eyes narrowed on her ex-girlfriend. “I'm calling there in half an hour. You’d better answer.” She turned around, picking up her pace as she headed for the elevator.
Callie pushed herself off the desk as she watched her former lover jog away. “You have surgery! You can't call!”
Arizona stopped dead in her tracks to turn back and level another glare in Callie's direction. “You. Home. Now.”
Callie swallowed back from the intensity in those dark blue eyes.
Once again, cue inappropriate...turned-on-ness.
Dammit.
“I'm calling in twenty-eight minutes!” Arizona called over her shoulder.
Callie's eyes widened as she pushed herself away the desk and headed for the door.
…just until Arizona was around the corner and out of sight, and then she abruptly backtracked and returned to her spot against the desk.
Cristina, having just arrived to use the computer, looked up at her. “I thought Robocop was escorting you home at gunpoint.”
Callie had started to pick through the various charts lying there in a big stack. “I’m bored. I need to find a cool case to occupy myself first.”
“Well, you can’t have the good ones,” Yang snapped, stealing the one Callie had just picked up. She glanced at it and then abruptly handed it back. “Kidney stones. Boring. All yours.”
“Just ‘cause it's not heart-related doesn't make it boring,” Callie shot back as she opened a different file and began to browse through it. “You're seriously scary about that these days, by the way.”
Yang looked up from her stack of files. “As opposed to...?” she trailed off with a slight tilt of her head.
Callie looked up. “Good point. You’re always scary.”
“Excuse me, ma’am, I'm looking for Dr. Torres?”
Callie whirled around, staring at the strange man that had suddenly appeared next to the desk. “That would be me. Can I help you?”
The man took a long moment to take in her appearance from head to toe. He straightened his back and then cleared his throat before running a hand down the front of his Marine Dress Blue uniform.
Callie's smile faltered a little as she watched him. She had a feeling that she wasn't gonna like this.
Not even a little.
Cristina looked from the military guy, to Callie, then back again. “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer Dr. Hunt or Dr. Altman?”
Valid question, these days.
The man spared Cristina a glance, then looked back at Callie. “My apologies for interrupting. My name is Daniel Robbins. I came here looking for my daughter Arizona, but was told she’s unavailable right now. A Dr. Miranda Bailey told me to ask for you, instead.”
Callie gulped, suddenly feeling her extremities go numb.
She was going to kill Bailey. Who she could just picture finding this whole situation completely hilarious, and a total punishment for her on-going relationship issues with Arizona at work.
Colonel Robbins held out his hand to shake Callie’s, his piercing blue eyes never wavering or even blinking as he waited for her to take it.
Callie glanced over at her roommate.
Cristina smirked right back at her as she crossed her arms and leaned against the desk.
Callie narrowed her eyes, shooting her a glare before turning an instant smile toward Colonel Robbins. She reached out to accept his hand. “It's very nice to meet you, Colonel.”
Daniel gave a firm shake. “Likewise, ma'am.”
Callie's eyes widened once more as her hand was released from the man's grasp. She shook it and then flexed her fingers before dropping it back to her side.
“My boyfriend's in the Army,” Cristina suddenly piped up from her spot behind the desk. She smiled as the Colonel turned his attention in her direction. “Owen Hunt. Do you know him?”
Colonel Robbins still stood perfectly straight, his hands folded behind his back. “No, ma'am,” he answered plainly. “I do not.”
Yang's brow slowly raised up as she turned to look at the other surgeon. She smirked again.
“The Marines are a branch of the Navy,” the Colonel pointed out. “Not the Army, ma’am. Common mistake.”
“Sorry,” Cristina mused. “That’s why they keep calling me a civilian, I guess.”
Callie took the opportunity of Papa Robbins talking with Yang to scan him over herself. He was older, in his late sixties from what very little Arizona had said, but as a Marine he was still in the best possible shape a human being could be in. It made him look younger, though Callie could definitely see how he commanded respect just by looking at him.
Yikes. No wonder her girlfriend was reduced to tears on a regular basis when it came to her father.
Colonel Robbins returned his attention to Callie. “I understand you’re seeing my daughter, Dr. Torres.” He smiled slightly at the sudden look of fearful panic on Callie’s face. “She’s sent her mother and I photos over the last year, that’s why I recognized you. I simply wanted to introduce myself, I don’t wish to take up more of your time. I’m sure you’re a very busy woman. Would you be able to tell me when Arizona will be finished for the day?”
Callie's eyes remained a little wide. “Uhh,” she stuttered. “D'umm...”
Cristina rolled her eyes before turning to the Colonel. “Dr. Robbins is in surgery, and probably will be for another two or three hours. She has two more procedures scheduled after that, so...” She trailed off with a shrug.
Daniel cleared his throat once again. “I see.” He cut his eyes back toward Callie. “In that case, may I buy you lunch?”
Callie's eyes widened even more.
“I don’t bite,” he added with a bit of a twinkle in his eye. “Despite what stories Arizona has been telling.”
“I like him,” Cristina chuckled.
Callie was still having trouble speaking. “Uh, y-you don’t have t-to, I mean, sir, thank you, sir…”
“She’s supposed to be on bed rest,” Cristina interrupted for Callie’s own sake. “She had minor surgery and she’s supposed to be at home taking it easy. Dr. Robbins got a little mad when she found out she’d snuck over here to steal patient charts out of boredom.”
Callie shot another glare at her ex-friend. “I didn't steal anything,” she shot back, scowling at Crisitna. “I came to check on the little girl who's life I just saved with my super cool bone marrow.” She smirked a little in triumph.
Daniel smiled. “That's quite noble, Dr. Torres,” he said. “I've served with many brave men who might not have done the same.”
Callie blushed, her smile widening just a little.
She was kinda starting to like Colonel Daniel Robbins.
“I don’t want to get you in any trouble,” he added after a brief pause. “Can I at least offer you a ride home? Cab fare in Seattle is atrociously expensive.”
Callie’s eyes widened a bit. “Really? I mean, I don’t want you going out of your way or anything. I live just down the street, I can walk.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” the Colonel replied, “and it doesn’t seem like you should be walking anywhere right now. My car is waiting downstairs.”
Yang watched as he guided Callie by the shoulder to start down the hallway. She smirked and shook her head, then returned to her chart.
This was gonna be good.
---
Chapter 11/23
Authors: Faith & Kye
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: NC-17
Story Summary: Post-6x17 "Push" -- Arizona prefers chickens to children, and Callie isn't okay with that. Heartbroken and lonely, the two women try unsuccessfully to move on with their lives, only to find they really are made for eachother.
Chapter Summary: Callie escapes Arizona's forced lockdown, and an unexpected visitor shows up in Seattle.
Disclaimer: 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.
Previous Chapters
A/N: This chapter was originally longer than War and Peace, so I've split it into two separate parts to spare you all having your eyes fall out of your head by the midway point. The second portion will be posted fairly soon, once I get around to finishing the editing process.
---
“This is a bad idea,” Mark whispered in a low voice as his eyes skimmed the hospital hallway. He was holding onto his unsteady best friend as she paused for a moment to catch her breath. “You’ve only been home for three days. This is a bad idea.”
Callie grimaced from her spot leaning against the wall. “Would you stop being so dramatic? I'm fine.”
Mark turned to her with a deepening frown. “Yeah, ‘cause you look it.” He glanced back down the hall. “Robbins is gonna have my balls if she finds out I helped you escape.”
Callie managed a tired smile. “You say that like it's a bad thing.”
“It is,” Mark stated bluntly. “She’s terrifying when she’s angry.”
Callie fixed Mark with an incredulous stare. “Arizona? Terrifying? Have you even met her? She wears wheelie shoes and is known for being overly perky.”
Mark shrugged. “I’ve seen her yell once or twice. It didn’t look pleasant for the other person. Plus, she’s super protective of you, and I have zero doubt she’d put me in the hospital if she thought I was endangering your life.”
He tightened his hold on Callie’s arm when she wobbled a little. “This is a very bad idea,” he repeated. “Why did you need to come into work anyway?”
“Not here to work,” Callie replied absently as she winced through another jolt of pain. Damn, she should've taken those pain pills before she left, but they just left her feeling so...bleh.
Callie shifted her focus to the door immediately on her right.
Room 312.
Only four more to go. She could do this.
“Just stop whining and help me,” she ordered as she reached out for Mark. “If Arizona catches us, I'll just tell her I pinched you really hard until you said yes.”
Mark gave her a blank look. “But you really did.”
“I know,” Callie shot back. “So I won't be lying when I say it.”
Mark slowly lead Callie toward her destination. “Robbins said the kid was doing fine, and she’s discharging her in a few days. You really don’t need to check up on her.”
“I want to,” Callie pointed out with a grunt.
“But you don’t have to,” Mark repeated, this time with more emphasis.
“But I want to,” she growled menacingly in return.
“But -” Mark was interrupted this time when Cristina Yang suddenly appeared in front of them.
From out of thin air.
“What are you doing?” she barked at Callie, both hands on her hips. “You’re supposed to be at home. Resting. Not walking around.”
Callie narrowed her eyes at the other woman. “I haven't even seen you in like a week.”
“I was trying to give you your space to...heal.” Cristina paused as she waved a hand at her roommate. “Last time I checked, walking was not healing. You are not healing!”
Callie's eyes widened and she glanced back over her shoulder. “Would you keep your voice down?” she hissed in a scolding whisper. “Someone might hear you.”
Cristina smirked. She pointed a finger at the other brunette. “You mean 'someone' as in Robbins. She doesn't know you're here, does she?”
Callie leaned toward her possibly former friend. “If you so much as think about-”
Yang laughed at the menacing glare Callie was attempting to level her with. “I can't believe you two are terrified of her.
“Don’t. Say. A word,” Callie threatened, still pointing a finger in Cristina’s face.
“She’s in surgery, relax. Stay clear of the OR floor and you’ll be fine.” Yang still looked amused. “Wusses.”
Mark tugged on Callie’s arm when Cristina did an about-face and walked back to the nearby admin desk. “Let’s keep moving.” He knew Callie better than anyone - when she was in pain, she got ornery. And when she got ornery…well, violence and bad things usually ensued.
Callie kept glaring at her roommate as she allowed Mark to pull her down the hallway. She lifted her hand, pointing two fingers at Yang before aiming them into her own eyes, and then back again.
“You're not gonna have any friends left before long,” Mark grumbled as they continued to walk.
“Less talking,” Callie snapped. “More supporting.” She leaned heavily against the man's body.
Mark groaned.
***
“Home, Daddy?”
Nathan looked down at his little girl as she lay in the over-sized hospital bed. “Not today, baby,” he told her softly as he reached down to ruffle a hand through her hair.
“Someone told me there's a little girl who likes chocolate ice cream in here,” Callie's voice suddenly cut in as she stepped through the doorway to Room 316. She looked at Nathan curiously. “Have you seen her?”
Anna went from looking sullen to perky in an instant. “Callie!” she squealed in delight.
Nathan looked up with a smile on his face. “Dr. Torres,” he exclaimed, jumping from his seat. “We didn’t expect to see you for another few days. Dr. Robbins told us you were at home resting.”
“She’s supposed to be,” Sloan pointed out.
Callie ignored him as she smiled at the other man. “I'm feeling much better now,” she lied. It took everything she had not to grimace in pain as she began to walk over to the bed. She turned her attention to Anna as her smile brightened. “How 'bout that ice cream?”
Anna squealed and clapped her little hands.
Callie laughed softly at the look of pure joy on the little girl's face.
God. She wanted one so badly. Someday, at least.
The brunette's gaze traveled up the little girl's arm where various tubes were protruding from her flesh. Her smile faltered as she released a little sigh. She could sort of understand where Arizona was coming from. It wasn't easy seeing sweet little Anna like this. She couldn't imagine how hard it was on her partner to see so many kids day in and day out. A lot of them much, much worse off than this one.
So yeah. She got it. She really did.
Callie swallowed back, shaking those thoughts from her head. “How about I send Mark to the cafeteria for that ice cream?”
Mark frowned from his spot in the doorway. “Hey. I'm a world class plastic surgeon.” He puffed his chest out a little. “Not your errand boy.”
Callie turned to him with a perfectly arched brow.
Mark sighed. “I'll be back in ten minutes.” He turned and left the room.
Nathan watched the exchange with an amused smirk. “You’re the alpha female around these parts, that’s for sure,” he chuckled. “One look from you and his tail was between his legs.”
“Mark’s kind of a big pushover. He’s a good guy,” Callie added with a slight laugh as she gratefully sank into the other chair next to Anna’s bed.
Nathan retook his seat on the other side. “How long have you two been together?” It was an innocent question.
Callie's eyes widened in surprise. “Oh boy,” she mused with a soft chuckle. She flashed a glance at Anna, but the little girl had long ago lost interest. Instead, she had turned her attention to one of the large picture books on the table next to her.
“We're not a couple,” Callie finally answered. “We had...have a sort of...complicated relationship.” She looked away awkwardly.
Nathan's brow furrowed as he crossed his arms over his chest. He thought about it for a moment before the realization suddenly hit him full-on. “Oh.” His eyes widened as he briefly stole a look at his daughter to make sure she was preoccupied. “I see.”
“Yeah,” Callie sighed again. She paused for a moment. “I'm kind of gay now, actually.”
Nathan jerked his attention back to the surgeon. His brow nearly shot right off his forehead.
“Have been for a while,” Callie went on absently, staring at the bed with a far-off look in her eyes. “And I'm kind of in love with Arizona. Dr. Robbins,” she explained with a vague gesture of her hand. “But it turns out that she doesn't want kids of our own, and I do. So, we disagreed and argued for a little while, then we had break up se-” She stopped abruptly, her gaze shifting back to little Anna. “-uh, did other stuff,” she quickly corrected. “And now it seems like no matter how hard we try, we just can't seem to break it off completely.”
God, that felt good. It was nice to be able to vent to someone besides Mark for a change. Not that he wasn't a really good listener and an even better friend, but it just felt good to be able to say it out loud to someone other than him.
Or anyone else that was connected to this hospital in any way.
For a long moment after, there was nothing but silence.
Finally, Nathan sat back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. “That’s…complicated indeed.” He glanced up at Callie and smiled. “You’ve been holding that in for a while, huh?”
Callie blushed, realizing her outburst was a bit sudden. And more than likely, a little misplaced. “Understatement of the year. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-”
“No, it’s okay,” Nathan interjected with a wave of his hand. “I don’t mind. You donated bone marrow to my daughter, I don’t mind if you need someone to vent to.” He tilted his head to the side. “She really doesn’t want kids? I didn’t get that vibe from her. She’s great with Anna. And I would have thought being a pediatrician-”
“I know!” Callie suddenly shouted.
Nathan and even Anna jumped a little.
“Sorry,” the brunette offered in response. “But you're like the hundredth person to say that. It's like everyone’s first reaction. I know it was mine.” She sighed heavily as she reached up to brush her right hand back through her hair.
“I just don't get it.” She dropped her head back against the chair and stared at the ceiling. “She really is amazing with these kids.” Her smile softened. “Amazing."
Nathan nodded, his gaze drifting back to his daughter, who was now picking at one of her stuffed dogs. “I didn’t think I wanted kids for most of my life,” he said after a beat. “Couldn’t picture myself being able to take care of them. Didn’t think they’d fit in with my plans. And then…I met Elena.” A nostalgic smile spread across his face. “Now…I can’t imagine my life without Anna. I miss her mother more than anything, but I can’t even dream of not having my little girl in my life. She changed everything for me.”
His looked back at Dr. Torres. “Maybe Dr. Robbins will come around. Some people who say they don’t want kids just couldn’t imagine having them until they meet the right person. The idea just takes some getting used to, but…you said it yourself, she’s great with them, and obviously cares enough to save their lives on a daily basis. I think she’ll come around.”
Callie took a moment to digest the man's words. Her focus drifted away as she chewed on her bottom lip.
She hoped like hell that he was right.
***
“In a cup,” Mark Sloan was repeating to the lunch lady. “Not a cone. She’s two, and more of it will end up on the kid than in her if you put it on a cone.” He leaned forward against the counter, eyeing the woman who clearly spoke zero english. “Comprende?”
The lunch lady rolled her eyes and grabbed the cone back from Dr. Sloan, going back to dig out a plastic cup instead.
Sighing as if the delay was keeping him from a life-saving surgery, Mark turned around to scan the cafeteria.
He jumped when Arizona suddenly popped up next to him.
“Mark,” she stated in a surprised tone. She wore her usual dark blue scrubs, her hair up in a messy ponytail, with her hands shoved into her lab coat pockets. “What are you doing here? Did Callie send you for work files? Because I specifically told her not to.”
She looked genuinely happy and her usual bouncy self at first, but when Mark only replied with fearful silence and tried to look around for an escape route, she narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be keeping an eye on Calliope.”
“I'm here to...” Mark waved his hand through the air, stalling as he shot the other blonde his best and brightest smile.
It would have worked had Arizona not been a lesbian. Or so he convinced himself.
“To check up on a...” He glanced around the room, desperate for any viable ideas. “I'm here to check up on a patient,” Mark finally settled on with much more confidence. He leaned casually back against the counter. “A patient that is mine. Absolutely nothing to do with Torres.” He shook his head firmly.
“Ice cream!” The lunch lady suddenly slammed a cup onto the counter behind him.
Mark jumped a little before turning to shoot the woman a glare. He placed money on the counter before snatching up the ice cream.
Arizona eyed the frozen treat with doubt. “Since when do you have patients that require chocolately frozen goodness? That's usually my forte.”
Mark cleared his throat awkwardly. “Uh, that’s….w-who I’m…here to…” He screwed up his face in concentration. “Uh…the girl!”
His hand suddenly shot up into the air in triumph, pointing a finger at Arizona. “The little girl! That’s who Callie wanted to see. Sent me to see.” Mark’s eyes widened at his slip.
Arizona’s calm and cheerful demeanor vanished almost instantly. “What?”
Mark swallowed.
Fuck.
Arizona got right up in his face, looking dangerous. More dangerous than a kid-friendly surgeon in Heeleys should. “Where. Is. She.” Her voice was eerily calm and controlled.
“Who?” Mark’s voice came out sounding a lot less manly than he would have liked. He swallowed back and cleared his throat to try again. “You mean Torres?” He quickly recovered as his smirk slid easily back into place. “At home. In bed.” He tilted his head towards the other blonde. “Right where I'm sure you left her feeling plenty better.”
Arizona reached up with her right hand to pinch Mark in the arm.
Hard.
And then she twisted.
“Ow!” the plastic surgeon cried out.
“You're lying,” Arizona shot back as her eyes once again narrowed at him. “I don't like being lied to.”
“I am not!”
Arizona twisted her fingers again.
“Alright!” Mark caved. “Jesus!” He lifted a defensive hand at the hard glare he was receiving. “I tried to talk her out of it,” he reasoned as he took a subtle step away from Arizona.
“Well, you obviously didn’t do a good enough job!” Arizona snapped, smacking him in the gut. “You’re supposed to be babysitting! You’re like the neighborhood teenager that gets duct taped to a tree by the kids he’s watching while they light the house on fire!”
Mark recoiled, looking offended. “Hey! I’ll have you know that I was a very good babysitter back in my day. I was really popular. Especially with the moms.”
Arizona just smacked him again until he backed up into the counter. “She’s supposed to be on bedrest! As in resting in bed. You’re a physician, why am I explaining this concept to you?”
For good measure, she hit him again. “Where?”
“'Where' what?” Mark groaned. He really hated women sometimes.
Especially if said women were currently in the middle of a crazy-ass lesbian relationship, and pulling him unwillingly into the middle of it.
Well, mostly unwillingly.
‘Cause still...
Hot.
“Where's Calliope?” Arizona narrowed her eyes at him once again. She pointed a finger in his face. “And don't you dare lie to me.”
Mark released a heavy sigh.
On the one hand, he could still lie to Arizona and risk her finding out. And then she would probably...'God-only-knows-what' him for it later.
On the other, he could sell out his best friend and completely bypass the whole 'bodily harm' factor.
“She's in Anna's room,” Mark relented after a moment. He shoved the ice cream into the blonde's hands, grumbling the whole time under his breath, then turned and quickly headed off in the opposite direction.
Arizona still had enough metaphorical steam coming out of her ears to melt the ice cream, but she turned and stalked off to find Callie.
***
Nathan and the woman in question were laughing about something one of them said when Anna suddenly perked up. “Ice cream!”
Callie started to smile at the little girl’s enthusiasm, until the voice from the doorway turned out not to be Mark’s.
“A little birdie told me someone in three-sixteen was waiting for a delivery,” Arizona grinned at Anna. She walked into the room, not looking at Callie right away, and handed over the ice cream to the little girl.
She could feel the brunette squirm in the chair next to her, but she was standing to Callie’s outside and was therefore blocking any possible escape route.
Not that she was worried. Callie could run, but Arizona would catch her sooner rather than later if she tried.
“Hey Nathan,” she added to the girl’s father. “Glad to see she’s feeling better this afternoon.” They’d already talked about Anna’s condition a few hours prior.
Nathan flashed her a smile and then glanced at Callie, because she suddenly looked…afraid.
“Calliope,” Arizona said sweetly, resting a hand on the woman’s shoulder. She squeezed it a little harder than usual, and though she produced a smile because Anna was watching them, it was forced and definitely irritated. “What exactly do you think you’re doing out of the house?”
Her blue eyes bore down into deep brown ones.
Callie swallowed back nervously. She glanced at Nathan.
“Hey!” Arizona barked, making Callie snap back to attention.
She suddenly found herself feeling a little...
Turned on.
Inappropriate much?
But, seriously. Arizona was just so...hot when she got all bossy.
But also terrifying. Still very...terrifying.
Callie swallowed back once more. “I...I wanted to see Anna,” she finally replied as she raised a hand to point at the little girl. “I w-was worried about...her.” She shrunk back in her chair.
Those blue eyes might've been the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen, but right in that moment, they were burning a hole straight through her.
“Don’t pull the ‘sick child’ card on me,” Arizona replied instantly. “I invented it. I know when it’s being abused. You are supposed to be resting. I’m worried about you up and walking around when you’re supposed to be kept off of your feet.”
A little part of her couldn’t help but smile just a tiny bit despite her annoyance. Because Callie looked kind of cute when she was acting all guilty and nervous.
Arizona glanced over at Nathan. “I’m sorry, but I’m gonna have to steal her for just a minute.” She grabbed a fistful of the brunette’s jacket and hauled her up from the chair, though she was more gentle when she helped Callie hobble out into the hallway.
Callie sighed, cause she knew it was her ass on the line.
“Arizona, I-”
“Shut it!” Arizona snapped as she released the jacket in her grasp before gently - as gently as one could - shoving Callie against the nearest wall. “What were you thinking?” she snapped again.
Callie's eyes were wide and fearful. “I...I just couldn't stand being in that bed for one more second!” she whined.
“I don't care, Calliope,” Arizona shot back as she poked a finger into the other woman's chest. “You've been in that bed for the last three days for a reason. A little rest won't kill you.”
Callie's brow furrowed. “I know.” She swallowed back and then shook her head slightly. “I...I just can't stand being there,” she mumbled as her gaze drifted from Arizona's. “Not without you."
Arizona tried not to let it get to her, but those words made her anger bubble deflate just a little bit.
A little.
“Callie,” she sighed, her expression softening. “You need to rest. Walking around when you’re still in pain might exacerbate the injury, and I don’t want there to be any lasting nerve damage.”
“Hey, Dr. Peters said that I’m gonna be fine,” Callie replied, furrowing her brow at Arizona. “Don’t worry about me. No nerve damage. It’s getting better.”
Arizona grit her teeth and glanced away. “You still shouldn’t be here,” she repeated, though this time there was a lot less anger in her voice. “I don’t want to take the chance of something happening to you.”
Callie smiled as she reached out to place her hand on the curve of the blonde's neck. “Hey,” she called softly as she squeezed her fingers just a little. “Look at me, Zona.”
It took a moment, but the blonde surgeon finally complied.
“Nothing is gonna happen to me,” Callie said softly, gazing right back into perfect, clear blue eyes. She felt that familiar tug in her chest once more. “I can promise you right now that I'm never gonna get sick, or hurt, and I'll never, ever die.” Her smile widened.
Arizona couldn't hold back a short laugh. “No, you can't.”
“I know,” Callie said. Her smile softened once again. “But I'd say anything to make you happy.”
And with that, Arizona felt her initial freak-out anger drain away completely. “You are without a doubt the most stubborn woman I have ever met.” But she smiled none the less. “And I’m completely crazy about you.”
With a sigh, she pulled her cell phone out of her lab coat pocket. “Doesn’t mean I’m not calling you a cab,” the blonde added, already dialing.
Callie reached out and closed the device, making Arizona look back up at her. “Lunch first?” she asked hopefully.
Arizona looked skeptical, but the idea was kind of inviting. She’d had a crappy day thus far on the surgical front. “We eat in the cafeteria, and you sit while I gather the food.”
Callie pouted. “Is that my punishment?”
Arizona laughed.
“What?” Callie sighed again as Arizona looped an arm through hers, turning them around. “Cafeteria food should be considered cruel and unusual punishment.”
Arizona couldn't wipe the smirk from her face as they slowly shuffled down the hall.
***
“Why can't I have fries?” Callie pouted as she looked down at the soup and celery sticks on her tray, before casting a wistful glance over at the blonde's.
“Because,” Arizona piped up from her spot across the table. “I want you to start eating less grease, and more green.”
Callie frowned. “My soup's not green.”
“But it has green in it,” the blonde pointed out as she placed a ketchup-covered fry into her mouth.
“Hey,” Callie protested. “How come you get the grease?”
Arizona smiled and waggled the fry between her fingers in the air. “I didn't just have bone marrow sucked out of my hip. My body's not working overtime to recover.” She dipped it into the mound of ketchup on her plate. “So I can have all the grease I want.”
Callie grumbled.
This really sucked.
Arizona made a show of eating the fry with a moan of appreciation. “Mmm. Yum. Deep-fried deliciousness.”
“You’re evil,” Callie stated with another pout, clearly unimpressed and mopey.
“Just a concerned citizen,” Arizona chuckled, taking a drink from her juice box. “You know you love it.”
Callie grumbled again and took a reluctant bite of her celery stick.
Arizona beamed at her and sat back in her chair. “As much as I’m gonna kick your ass if you do this again before you’re actually supposed to be back on duty, it’s really nice to see you. Been kinda slow and boring around here the last few days without you.”
“You just miss the on-call room sex,” Callie pointed out with a devilish grin.
Arizona blushed. “Now who’s evil?”
Callie kept her smirk as she dropped the food back onto her plate before slowly leaning across the table, resting against her elbows. “I'm just stating the obvious,” she husked in a low, very sexy voice.
Arizona swallowed back as she gazed across the short distance into dark brown eyes.
“I've missed it, too,” Callie went on in that same husky whisper. “Especially that last time,” she added as the image came flooding back into her mind. She glimpsed down at Arizona's lips, licking her own. “You've never tasted so hot.”
Arizona’s skin flushed and she released a nervous giggle, glancing down at her plate with a goofy grin on her face.
Oh yeah. Callie was gonna get her in so much trouble if she kept talking like that.
Her eyes flickered back up to find the other woman still grinning at her with that smoldering look in her own. “You are so lucky you’re crippled right now, Torres,” Arizona replied in a low murmur.
“I told you once before, Robbins,” Callie shot right back as she leaned just a bit further across the table. “I can have quite an imagination when I need to.” Her gaze once again flickered down to Arizona's lips.
How she wanted to kiss them.
Arizona made a sound somewhere between a whimper and a groan. “Believe me, I know you do.”
She reached up to brush a loose strand of hair that had fallen out of her ponytail behind her ear, her mind absolutely racing. They really, really needed to stop with the sexy, because…it usually lead to nakedness, or sometimes just kissing. Which was technically bad, considering they were supposed to be weening themselves off of eachother, even if it was a slow-going process.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that this is a fake break up,” Arizona stated after a moment. Her eyes briefly flashed back up to meet Callie’s and she smiled weakly. “I’ve never, ever wanted to jump an ex’s bones in the middle of a public place before. But just looking at your makes me want to…”
Do a whole mess of things. None of which were appropriate in the work place.
Arizona gulped.
Callie groaned softly. “Oh, Zona. I passed that point a long time ago.” She winced a little. For once, it wasn't the physical kind of pain she was feeling. “I don't know why I can't stop myself,” she added a bit tentatively. There was another pause, before she sighed in defeat. “Well, yeah, I do.” Callie smiled just slightly. “I can't seem to stop thinking about doing wicked, wicked things to your hot...” She paused as she glanced down. “...hot body, that’s why.”
Arizona’s blush deepened, but that didn’t stop her from giving Callie a quick once-over of her own. “Right back atcha,” she sighed longingly.
Yeah. Fake break up indeed.
“C’mon.” After a moment of tense, silent, and longing stares, Arizona rose to her feet. She helped Callie out of her chair and slipped an arm around her waist.
Callie grinned at the slightly shorter woman. “Supply closet, you dirty woman?”
Arizona nudged her playfully in the side. “No, gutter brain. I’m putting you in a cab and sending you home. Your bed rest consists of actual resting, not getting all sweaty and rolling around.”
Callie groaned as she wiggled a little in the other woman's grasp. “The sweating and rolling around sounds more fun.”
“Yes,” Arizona mused. “Fun for a moment, but then there's the 'not-so-fun' excruciating pain that follows.”
Callie pouted as she was lead out of the cafeteria.
She was being sent home to 'rest', when all she really wanted to do was take Arizona against that wall, and...
Callie groaned again.
Perfect.
This day was turning out to be just...
Perfect.
Arizona laughed, not at Callie’s frustration, but at the cute look on her face as she pouted. “Oh come on, a few more days and you’ll be just-”
“Dr. Robbins!” Jackson Avery came barreling down the hallway, skidding to a stop in front of Arizona and Callie. “The Fredrickson’s baby is showing some signs of distress and her heart keeps slowing. Dr. Altman wanted me to page you when you were out of the Collin’s girl’s surgery, which we didn’t know you were until about five minutes ago.”
Arizona sighed and rubbed a hand across her forehead. This was just turning into one of those days. “Dammit. Okay, I’ll scrub in. Be there in five.”
As Avery nodded and raced off again, Arizona stopped with Callie near the admin desk. She helped her lean against the counter, and then pointed a stern finger in her face. “Call a cab. Go home. Don’t make me find you still here in two hours, or you’ll be getting even less sex than you are right now. Got it?”
Callie's brow furrowed. “How can you have less sex than none?”
Arizona smacked her in the shoulder.
“Hey!” the brunette instantly protested. “There are laws against abusing the crippled.” She frowned. “I think.”
“Go home, Calliope,” Arizona warned again as she began to walk backward down the hall. Her blue eyes narrowed on her ex-girlfriend. “I'm calling there in half an hour. You’d better answer.” She turned around, picking up her pace as she headed for the elevator.
Callie pushed herself off the desk as she watched her former lover jog away. “You have surgery! You can't call!”
Arizona stopped dead in her tracks to turn back and level another glare in Callie's direction. “You. Home. Now.”
Callie swallowed back from the intensity in those dark blue eyes.
Once again, cue inappropriate...turned-on-ness.
Dammit.
“I'm calling in twenty-eight minutes!” Arizona called over her shoulder.
Callie's eyes widened as she pushed herself away the desk and headed for the door.
…just until Arizona was around the corner and out of sight, and then she abruptly backtracked and returned to her spot against the desk.
Cristina, having just arrived to use the computer, looked up at her. “I thought Robocop was escorting you home at gunpoint.”
Callie had started to pick through the various charts lying there in a big stack. “I’m bored. I need to find a cool case to occupy myself first.”
“Well, you can’t have the good ones,” Yang snapped, stealing the one Callie had just picked up. She glanced at it and then abruptly handed it back. “Kidney stones. Boring. All yours.”
“Just ‘cause it's not heart-related doesn't make it boring,” Callie shot back as she opened a different file and began to browse through it. “You're seriously scary about that these days, by the way.”
Yang looked up from her stack of files. “As opposed to...?” she trailed off with a slight tilt of her head.
Callie looked up. “Good point. You’re always scary.”
“Excuse me, ma’am, I'm looking for Dr. Torres?”
Callie whirled around, staring at the strange man that had suddenly appeared next to the desk. “That would be me. Can I help you?”
The man took a long moment to take in her appearance from head to toe. He straightened his back and then cleared his throat before running a hand down the front of his Marine Dress Blue uniform.
Callie's smile faltered a little as she watched him. She had a feeling that she wasn't gonna like this.
Not even a little.
Cristina looked from the military guy, to Callie, then back again. “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer Dr. Hunt or Dr. Altman?”
Valid question, these days.
The man spared Cristina a glance, then looked back at Callie. “My apologies for interrupting. My name is Daniel Robbins. I came here looking for my daughter Arizona, but was told she’s unavailable right now. A Dr. Miranda Bailey told me to ask for you, instead.”
Callie gulped, suddenly feeling her extremities go numb.
She was going to kill Bailey. Who she could just picture finding this whole situation completely hilarious, and a total punishment for her on-going relationship issues with Arizona at work.
Colonel Robbins held out his hand to shake Callie’s, his piercing blue eyes never wavering or even blinking as he waited for her to take it.
Callie glanced over at her roommate.
Cristina smirked right back at her as she crossed her arms and leaned against the desk.
Callie narrowed her eyes, shooting her a glare before turning an instant smile toward Colonel Robbins. She reached out to accept his hand. “It's very nice to meet you, Colonel.”
Daniel gave a firm shake. “Likewise, ma'am.”
Callie's eyes widened once more as her hand was released from the man's grasp. She shook it and then flexed her fingers before dropping it back to her side.
“My boyfriend's in the Army,” Cristina suddenly piped up from her spot behind the desk. She smiled as the Colonel turned his attention in her direction. “Owen Hunt. Do you know him?”
Colonel Robbins still stood perfectly straight, his hands folded behind his back. “No, ma'am,” he answered plainly. “I do not.”
Yang's brow slowly raised up as she turned to look at the other surgeon. She smirked again.
“The Marines are a branch of the Navy,” the Colonel pointed out. “Not the Army, ma’am. Common mistake.”
“Sorry,” Cristina mused. “That’s why they keep calling me a civilian, I guess.”
Callie took the opportunity of Papa Robbins talking with Yang to scan him over herself. He was older, in his late sixties from what very little Arizona had said, but as a Marine he was still in the best possible shape a human being could be in. It made him look younger, though Callie could definitely see how he commanded respect just by looking at him.
Yikes. No wonder her girlfriend was reduced to tears on a regular basis when it came to her father.
Colonel Robbins returned his attention to Callie. “I understand you’re seeing my daughter, Dr. Torres.” He smiled slightly at the sudden look of fearful panic on Callie’s face. “She’s sent her mother and I photos over the last year, that’s why I recognized you. I simply wanted to introduce myself, I don’t wish to take up more of your time. I’m sure you’re a very busy woman. Would you be able to tell me when Arizona will be finished for the day?”
Callie's eyes remained a little wide. “Uhh,” she stuttered. “D'umm...”
Cristina rolled her eyes before turning to the Colonel. “Dr. Robbins is in surgery, and probably will be for another two or three hours. She has two more procedures scheduled after that, so...” She trailed off with a shrug.
Daniel cleared his throat once again. “I see.” He cut his eyes back toward Callie. “In that case, may I buy you lunch?”
Callie's eyes widened even more.
“I don’t bite,” he added with a bit of a twinkle in his eye. “Despite what stories Arizona has been telling.”
“I like him,” Cristina chuckled.
Callie was still having trouble speaking. “Uh, y-you don’t have t-to, I mean, sir, thank you, sir…”
“She’s supposed to be on bed rest,” Cristina interrupted for Callie’s own sake. “She had minor surgery and she’s supposed to be at home taking it easy. Dr. Robbins got a little mad when she found out she’d snuck over here to steal patient charts out of boredom.”
Callie shot another glare at her ex-friend. “I didn't steal anything,” she shot back, scowling at Crisitna. “I came to check on the little girl who's life I just saved with my super cool bone marrow.” She smirked a little in triumph.
Daniel smiled. “That's quite noble, Dr. Torres,” he said. “I've served with many brave men who might not have done the same.”
Callie blushed, her smile widening just a little.
She was kinda starting to like Colonel Daniel Robbins.
“I don’t want to get you in any trouble,” he added after a brief pause. “Can I at least offer you a ride home? Cab fare in Seattle is atrociously expensive.”
Callie’s eyes widened a bit. “Really? I mean, I don’t want you going out of your way or anything. I live just down the street, I can walk.”
“It’s no trouble at all,” the Colonel replied, “and it doesn’t seem like you should be walking anywhere right now. My car is waiting downstairs.”
Yang watched as he guided Callie by the shoulder to start down the hallway. She smirked and shook her head, then returned to her chart.
This was gonna be good.
---