Title: Miami General
Author: captstarbuck
Rating: M (language and later chapters)
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. All of that belongs to Shondaland et al. I just wanted to take them out and play)
Summary: A/U. Callie Torres and Arizona Robbins are on the hit TV Series "Seattle Grace". What happens when the show ends?
Beta: As always, kudos to Lt. Stacy D'Lacy who has requested I take a vacation and write this story.
AN: This is just an idea that came out of nowhere and demanded to be written. Not sure if I should could continue it or not.
Miami General – Chapter 1Callie Torres paused briefly at the door to WandaWorld Productions. She could count on one hand the number of times she'd actually been to the main office; when she'd interviewed, when she'd been hired, when she renegotiated her contract and when Wanda had called her in to discuss the "music event". That was it. She was curious but still a little apprehensive. The last time someone had been called in they'd been written out of the show.
She readjusted her purse over her shoulder and opened the door and walked into the office.
"Hi, Kristy," she said, putting a smile on her face.
"Good morning, Ms. Torres. Wanda's still on the phone. She asked if you would wait in the conference room," the young woman said, getting up from behind her desk. "We've got fresh coffee, pastries and fruit in there."
"Oh, good, coffee," Callie said, following her into the room.
"She shouldn't be too long, so make yourself comfortable," Kristy said, leaving Callie alone in the room.
After pouring herself a cup of coffee, Callie took a seat in one of the plush chairs at the large table. She looked at the walls adorned with framed posters from Wanda's past and present shows. She smiled when she saw the one from the first year she'd joined the cast of 'Seattle Grace'. She remembered her excitement the first time she'd seen it. Seven years later, and she was still a little amazed that she was part of such an incredibly successful television show.
She heard voices through the closed door, but ignored them. It wasn't until the door opened that she paid any attention.
"Hey," said the cast member who portrayed her wife on the show.
"Good morning, Arizona," she replied.
Callie hid her surprise at the blonde's appearance. Arizona's hair had been pulled back into a messy ponytail, the clothes were rumpled and she wasn't wearing any makeup. In the four-plus years they'd been working together, Callie couldn't recall Arizona ever looking so… sloppy? Frazzled? The only time she didn't look like the consummate professional was when the script called for it. Even when Arizona was dressed casually, she was always carefully made up and impeccably dressed.
"You got the call, too?" Arizona asked, pouring herself a much need cup of coffee.
"Yeah, about an hour ago," Calle responded, sipping from the mug emblazoned with a big SG on the side. "Do you know what it's about?"
"Not a clue," Arizona answered, flopping down in a chair across from Callie.
They sat in silence, each lost in their thoughts as to why they'd been called. Callie carefully studied her co-worker. She didn't really know her that well, even after working closely for years. Arizona was a private person, rarely socializing with her castmates. Callie realized she hardly knew any more about her other than what she could read about on Wikipedia. She did know the blonde possessed a wicked sense of humor the few times when she let her guard down. She also knew that she'd become even more guarded after her good friend Teddy Altman had been written out of the show the previous year.
She noticed that Arizona was quietly and slowly shredding the paper napkin that she'd picked up with coffee. It seemed out of character for the blonde to show her nerves and Callie was mildly concerned for her. Sure, they weren't what you could call friends, but they were friendly, and something was clearly off with her.
The silence was broken when Wanda came through the door. Their boss always dominated a room with her presence and today was no exception. She smiled at both the women before taking a seat at the head of the table.
"I suppose you're both wondering why I called you in this morning."
The two women nodded, neither one wanting to speak and show how nervous they were. They'd both been in the business long enough now to know that the meeting was going to bring either really good news or really bad news.
"Relax," Wanda said, smiling. "This could be a very good meeting for both of you." She opened the folder in front of her. "So, we're getting ready to finish writing the final episodes of the Seattle Grace, including the two-hour series finale." She shuffled a few of the papers in front of her. "We've pretty much got the story arcs completed for everyone…" She smiled again. "Except for the two of you."
Despite Wanda's smile, Callie felt her stomach suddenly get queasy. "Oh, God, you're not going to break us up again are you?" she blurted. "What else is left to do? Put us through a fire or train crash?"
Arizona couldn't help but smile at Callie's sudden burst of word vomit. Even though she, herself, never spoke without carefully thinking first, she admired her co-worker's ability to speak what she felt.
"No, nothing like that," Wanda laughed. "What happens to 'Jenna' and 'Serafina' depends on the two of you."
The Latina's shoulders slumped in relief. She personally thought their characters had been through more than there fair share of heartache and disasters. She looked across the table at Arizona. The blonde seemed to share her feelings.
"So, what do you have planned?" Arizona asked in a quiet voice.
"Glad you asked," Wanda said with another wide smile. "The networks have decided that it's time for a lesbian couple to have their own show. Right now the only same-sex couples in series now are men." She took out another piece of paper. "That being said, they only want to do it with an already established, beloved, couple."
"Us?" Callie asked.
"Yes. We want to do a spinoff for your characters." Seeing the surprise on the two women's faces, she pressed on. "Let me make it clear that this will be another ensemble cast, but you two will be the stars, the main characters. We want this to be about Jenna and Serafina's life and struggles. The focus will be split evenly between their work as doctors and as a couple."
"Wow. This is all… unexpected," the Latina said.
"This is what we've spec'd out so far," she said, taking out another piece of paper. "Of course, the direction we take will depend on availability of the other actors. We haven't approached anyone yet because without you two, there's no point."
"What do you have planned?"
"We've tentatively named the new show Miami General. We'd like to have Jenna and Serafina relocated to Miami, most likely because of some crisis in Sera's family. We think there are all kinds of issues we could cover with this as part of the storyline."
"Sera's mother being a bitch, for one," Callie said with a laugh.
"Lots of good drama with that one, I agree," Wanda said, "for both of them. We'd like to finally bring in Sera's sister, as well." She smiled. "We're also thinking of bringing Addison back to the fold, either as a regular or recurring cast member." Seeing the smile on Callie's face, she turned to Arizona. "And possibly Teddy Altman." She closed the folder. "That being said, there will still be plenty of drama and not so happy moments for the two of them. For instance, we've never really developed much of a backstory for Jenna, so there may be a storyline or two revolving an ex-girlfriend."
"This is a lot to take in," Arizona finally said.
"So, as part of the plots we've got planned, I need to know if you've got any more pregnancies on the horizon, Arizona, as we'd probably write it into the storyline this time. You know how the fans were always clamoring for 'SerJen' to expand their family."
"Nope, no more pregnancies," Arizona said curtly. "No worries for you on that front."
"Okay, good to know," Wanda said.
Callie was surprised at the tone in Arizona's voice. As far as she knew, Arizona loved being a mother. She had two young children, and from what Callie remembered in some brief conversations, wanted more.
"One other thing you need to know before you make your decisions," Wanda interjected. "The show is slated to be on at ten."
Callie raised an eyebrow, wondering where this was going. Arizona's expression mirrored the Latina.
"We're no longer going to 'sanitize' the relationship. We're going to be more explicit than implicit with the two women. If you're not comfortable with that, I need to know." Before the two actresses could respond, she added, "No need to worry about it too much, okay?" She gave them a smile. "It's still network and not cable."
Callie sat back, relieved to know that her part wasn't being ended before the series ended. She was also a little intrigued, and not just a little bit excited about having a starring role in her own show – well, a co-starring role.
"This is what I want you to do. Think it over, talk it over with your agents and your families." She looked pointedly at the two women. "And then I want the two of you to meet and go over the pilot script we've developed. I want you both to really be ready to do this. It's a huge step for the network. It was one thing to have you portray a couple as part of an established show, part of an ensemble cast. It's a whole other step forward for you to headline the show."
The two women looked at one another and nodded.
"Just let us know when you're meeting, and I'll have the latest script messengered to you." She closed the folder. "Keep in mind the script's not set in stone until we know if we can get the casting completed."
"Okay, sounds good," Callie said, ready to tackle a new challenge.
"Good. I look forward to hearing from you both."
Wanda got up from the table. "You've got a week to decide, so we'll meet again a week from today." She left the two women alone.
"So, your place or mine?" Callie said, her tone light and joking as she stood up and slung her purse over her shoulder.
Arizona gave her a small smile. "Mine might be better. Kids, y'know," she said with a slight shrug of her shoulders.
"Sure. What day works best for you?"
"How about Friday? Oh, that's probably not good for you, huh? I'm sure got've plans."
"No, not really. How about evening, say about seven-thirty?"
"Sure. That'll work."
TBC?
