It was not unexpected when Dr. Hunt didn't come back from his vacation. Ever since Cristina left, Owen had thrown himself into the Wounded Warrior Project and it was common knowledge that he was being considered for a position at the VA Hospital. His "vacation" was actually a trip to D.C. to interview for the job.
It was unusual that the Board would meet so quickly to begin searching for a new Chief of Staff, yet here they were going over CVs of potential candidates in the conference room.
"Arizona, here's one from Johns Hopkins… Any chance you know...uh, Rebecca Bernard?" Avery asks.
Arizona looks up and then down rather quickly, not making eye contact with Callie. "Well, actually yes, I do. She was a 5th year when I was there. I thought she was Chief at Good Samaritan in LA… Did she submit…?"
"No, she didn't submit one, but our Recruiter pulled it and says that she is looking to leave LA and wants to relocate to Seattle", Avery explains.
Arizona knows that everyone is looking at her, so she stands and walks over to Avery to look at the CV. 'We would be lucky to get her," Arizona states simply as she flips through the documents.
Bailey jumps up and grabs the folder and exclaims, "great, let's have HR contact her and set up a meeting." Everyone looks around and nods as Bailey passes the folder around the table.
"Anyone else have one for us to call?", Avery asks. Callie hands a folder to Meredith and Derrick, they look and nod ok. Everyone continues to chat and trade folders, no one notices that Arizona grabs her phone and steps out of the room. She sends a text to Kepner
Arizona: Where R U
Kepner: home, y? Board meeting over?
Arizona: Not yet. Can you meet for breakfast?
Kepner: 7:30, your place?
Arizona: Perfect!
"Mmm, this quiche is amazing," April Kepner exclaims as she looks up at Arizona. She's been making small talk since they sat down, waiting for Arizona to open up and tell her what's going on. Arizona looks up from her coffee, spots a couple of nurses from the hospital and smiles tightly.
"April, I am freaking out a little, I know one of the candidates that they are interviewing for Chief of Staff." She was going to confess the whole thing, but doesn't want to risk anyone from the hospital overhearing her, this was a bad idea she thinks to herself. Yes, April is her friend but she would probably just tell Avery and that would be all kinds of awkward. And it happened years ago, Dr Bernard probably won't even remember her.
April drops her fork, "What do you mean, 'know'?
Arizona cuts her off, "I barely knew her, but Rebecca is an amazing doctor and it would be amazing to have her here, but I haven't seen her since she left Boston for LA…I was a 3rd year during her 5th year, so I don't even know if she would remember me, but I definitely remember her." Arizona rambles excitedly. "I was in such awe of her, she was brilliant, beautiful and so determined." she continues.
April can't believe how Arizona's whole demeanor has changed during this declaration. On the one hand it's so great to see her friend happy for a change, but she understands why Arizona is so tentative about seeing this woman again. She and Callie are in such a weird place, a place that they have been carefully navigating and they both know that while they are not together they are also not single. But maybe this is just what they need to help them get to the next stage of their relationship. April says none of this to her friend. But she is sure that there is more to this story.
She just smiles, "well it would be great to have some new energy, Owen has been so tense since Cristina left and the Wounded Warrior Project is the only thing that interests him right now, so Avery has had to step up and help, which means he's not getting many surgeries right now, which has been nice since that also means he's been home more and now that we're only a few months away from being parents..." April stops talking. Arizona is not listening and is reading something on her tablet.
April reaches over and snatches the tablet. "Is this her?" April looks impressed. "She's beautiful and so accomplished. Why is she moving to Seattle? Is she single?"
Grabbing her tablet back Arizona states simply, "I have no idea… Why would you ask that?".
April smiles and says sweetly, "Because I know you Dr. Robbins."
The rest of the day is a blur as she is still working on Dr Herman's service and still struggling to keep up with the Fetal Surgeon fellowship. At least she finally got through her first procedure.
After Callie's bombshell last month, deciding to move out was the only choice Arizona felt she could make to preserve her own sanity. Besides how Callie honestly thought they would continue to live together after that is beyond her comprehension. Arizona felt so close to Callie after the trial separation, but apparently they were in completely different places, hell, different planets actually.
The decision to move into the hotel was difficult, but Arizona is finally focused and feeling more confident about this new specialty. And Sophia has adjusted really well, it has been easier in some ways since Arizona rarely has to go to the house and only sees Callie at the hospital.
Dr. Herman stops Arizona at the nurses desk, "did I hear correctly that Dr Rebecca Bernard is interviewing for Chief?"
Arizona pauses for a moment to consider Dr Herman 's question and without looking up from her chart she dismissively states, "I'm sorry Dr. but the board has not released a list of candidates so I am not able to discuss any potential candidates for Chief." Smiling as she turns quickly away, Arizona is amazed at how good it felt to push back on her for a change.
"Well Dr. Robbins, I suppose that I deserved that," Dr Herman adds.
At this Arizona turns to face her and Dr. Herman continues "I am quite pleased that you have regained your focus and now that Dr. Madden has left the program, I expect you to flourish." She states this with a slight smile and turns to walk away.
Arizona calls out after her "How do you know Dr Bernard?"
Stopping and turning slightly to respond, "Professionally, of course, I'm a fetal surgeon, I work wherever I am needed," she replied a bit too brusquely and stalks off.
Hmm, Arizona turns back to her chart, writes one last note and sets it down.
She walks off considering this odd exchange. Is it possible that Dr Herman's a lesbian? How do I not know this about her?
Reeling from the possibilities Arizona walks right past the lab and Callie calls out to her. "Hey, Arizona… psst, Arizona" she waves her into the lab and shuts the door. "I just spoke to Bailey and your friend Dr Bernard is coming in for first round of interviews."
"Callie, she is not my friend. I barely knew her in Med School." Arizona says a bit defensively, then quickly decides to change the subject and adds "Do you think Dr. Herman's a lesbian?"
Taken aback by this question, Callie pauses, then she freaks out "What? Why would you ask me that, I have terrible gaydar. You'd know before me, you've been working closely with her for months now... oh no, did you tell her we broke up? Did she make a move on you?"
Reaching out to touch Callie's shoulder to calm her down. "No, gross Callie, she is my mentor, she didn't make a move… but she did ask me about Dr Bernard with an odd look on her face, which made me realize that I don't know anything about her personal life. Don't you think its odd that I've worked closely with someone for months and know nothing about her personal life?"
"Well, what have you told her about your personal life?" Callie asks.
"Nothing. I guess we are so focused on this fellowship, we don't actually talk to each other or know each other", the blonde considers this point as she makes it and then adds, "which again is why it was odd that she asked me about Dr. Bernard."
As Arizona talks Callie picks up her tablet and Googles Dr Herman. "She literally has no personal life on her biography pages, frustrated Callie hands the tablet to Arizona.
Arizona looks at it a moment, then starts typing CALLIOPE TORRES "Wait, what do you have on your biography page?" she asks.
Callie grabs it from her, "Me? What about yours?"
Suddenly they stop and look at each other. "I ..." Arizona states quietly not making eye contact.
"Have you?" she asks Callie
"No, I haven't updated it in months. Well, I see that you have updated yours…" Callie says softly as she looks up.
"Well, just to note the fellowship…? Arizona states carefully and looks questioningly at Callie.
"Yes, of course", Callie says as she wipes away the tears that are falling softly down her face "I should update mine to reflect the Project," she states and then glances up nervously, not wanting to say anything more.
They look at each other, neither wanting to go there, but obviously both thinking about it. It's been over a month and they've barely told anyone. Callie told Meredith, who of course told Derek.
Arizona told Karev and threatened him not to tell Wilson, because once the interns know, its all over the hospital.
Arizona can't take it, so she turns abruptly and leaves. Down the hall she ducks into a supply room and shudders for a moment as the tears fall. Suddenly the door opens and April walks in.
"What was that about? I saw you talking with Callie, are you okay?"
"She did this. She gave up on us and now she wants to stand there and look broken? That is not how this works, after all that we've been through, she doesn't get to do that anymore. I refuse to do this anymore. I refuse to feel broken." Arizona states defiantly turning around to face April and wiping the tears from her face.
"Good for you" April says softly and gently puts both her hands on Arizona's crossed arms.
Although Hunt finally turned in his resignation and the search is officially underway for his replacement. Arizona begged off being involved in the first round of interviews due to the fellowship, but the first candidates are being interviewed this week and she purposely did not open the email with the list of names. She hasn't thought any more about Rebecca Bernard. And Arizona needs to stay focused on what is right here in front of her. As difficult as it was at first, she has to admit that with Callie focused on her work with the veterans she is much easier to be around. Not to mention how weird it is to see her and Meredith together all the time, but Sofia is doing well and adores Zola, Zola is all she talks about unless she's talking about baby Bailey. The other night she even asked if she could have a little brother. I wonder if she's asked Callie that question? It's not like I'm going to ask Callie if she did. Looking at her watch she realizes that its time to head back to the hospital. Taking her breaks in her hotel room across the street keeps her off everyone's radar and has really helped her focus and stay on track.
She no sooner walks in the door when she hears , "Dr. Robbins… Hey, Dr Robbins." Arizona stops and turns around. "Yes, Dr. Karev?" she says carefully, still pissed with him, but proud too because she knows it wasn't easy for him to stand up to her. If he's going to take her place, he needed to step away from her. "Are you available to consult today? The Marsdens are bringing Jeremy in today and I'd like your opinion on his progress? " Karev stops talking when he realizes that Arizona is not listening and he follows her line of sight to see a smoking hot petite brunette walking across the lobby. She slows down as she spies Arizona, then smiles as she approaches and lightly touches the blonde's arm, "Arizona?"
Alex stands there with his mouth open. Arizona greets Rebecca with a light hug and reaches a finger up to shut Alex's mouth. "Rebecca, I thought I recognized your name on the candidate list for Chief", Arizona manages to respond casually, though her brain is exploding from the exchange. Oh my god, she remembers me! She trembles slightly as Rebecca pulls away and Dr Webber approaches them. Arizona smoothly turns to Dr Webber and introduces Rebecca to him and they excuse themselves, leaving Arizona and Alex standing there alone.
"You're so screwed", Alex says as he walks off.
On rounds in the NICU, Karev walks over to Arizona and whispers in her ear, "I know you've slept with her".
She turns and punches him the arm, "Shut it." she says and walks off.
Later as she's leaving she turns and grabs his lab coat and shoves him into the supply room, "you don't know what you're talking about…" she says as she jabs him in the chest.
"Dude, I know that look. I've seen that look. All I'm saying is if, and I mean a big IF, you somehow managed to not sleep with her, then that was the look of unfinished business." He knocks her hands away.
"Hell look how hot she is now, I can't imagine her in med school. Jeez, how could you not sleep with her?" He continues to explain and rationalize to her, and truth be told Alex probably really wants it to be true, because he and Jo are so happy. It sucks seeing Arizona like this, she deserves to be happy and she and Callie have never been able to maintain happy, but then until Jo Wilson, neither could he.