Disclaimer: This story is an AU story. It uses character's from Grey's anatomy. I do NOT own anything. All credit goes to Shonda Rhimes.

This does happen to be one of the first stories I've written. Or at least the first one I've decided to share. Please feel free to let me know what you think!


The rhythmic click clack of the train moving on the rails can be a soothing sound for anyone that needs a break from this world's fast pace. The gentle sway of the train car can silence even the loudest thoughts and turmoil. A feeling of security and comfort is brought on by the isolation held within.

Sitting in the dining car is Callie Torres having a cup of Joe. She has shoulder length jet black hair with natural curls and large chocolate brown almond shaped eyes. She's 5'10" and her skin is a dark olive complexion showing off her Latin decent.

Normally, Callie likes to people watch when she has her coffee but today her attention has been stolen by the spectacular fall painting of the Appalachian mountains of Virginia. Being a writer she's travelled the world and has seen landscapes that most people only dream of but she can't believe that she's never seen colors as vibrant as these. The mountain sides look like a pointillism in a museum.

The dining car is more than she'd expected when she decided that she would take the train from one coast of the US to the other. The tables are a dark mahogany with a red diamond table cloth on top. The windows are adorned with sheer white curtains tied midway with golden tassels and the ceiling is white with wood trimmings and large crystal chandeliers.

Callie is currently working on a four part book series and she's just started to write the final one. However, she has writers block and hasn't been able to get past the first paragraph. Her editor had suggested a train ride to help remove any distractions that might be hindering her from getting any work done. She never thought that she would just want to kill off all her characters and be done with this project but she knows that given her contract this is not even close to an option. So far, she's been on the train for one day and hasn't made any progress with the final book. They've just stopped in Washington DC and are now headed to the next city. The train will be making several stops along the way to Seattle, WA where Callie lives.

"So much for this damn train taking my mind off of my life." Callie thinks to herself as she stares out the window. She'd been hoping that this drastic change in scenery along with the change to her routine would help keep her mind off the anniversary that was looming.

Callie turns her attention from the mountains to the people that are sitting in the quiet dining car with her. She's currently listening to music so she can freely look around without attracting too much attention.

Three tables down from her there's an older couple that are currently engaged in a game of chess. The game seems to be quite serious as each of them ponders their moves before making them. The older man seems to have the upper hand as he has a small smile on his face.

Across the table from them there is a man dressed in a business suit reading a newspaper. Looking further down the line of tables she notices a mother and her child. Callie can see the child better than the mother as he's facing her.

"He looks to be about the age that Nate would have been." Callie thinks to herself and with that thought tears start forming in her brown eyes. "Will there ever be a day that I can remember him without tears?"

Suddenly just as Callie is trying to wrangle in her emotions there's a rather large jostle from the train car causing the person walking from behind her to loose their balance and fall over onto Callie, landing in her lap.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry." The stranger says trying to detangle themselves from Callie. "I'm not used to walking on trains. I suppose it's something like walking on a ship. What do they call them? Sea legs?"

Callie still has her headphones in so she doesn't hear what the person says but just as she looks up her brown eyes lock on ocean blue eyes. Ones that are vibrant and have a sparkle of life that captivates Callie taking her breath away. The lady in front of her has short blond hair that's styled straight and appears to be a few inches shorter than Callie. She has a radiant smile thats complimented by the most adorable dimples and Callie can't bring herself to look away. Finally, she realizes that the lady is speaking so she quickly removes her headphones.

"Sorry, I didn't hear what you said." Callie says indicating the headphones in her hand.

"Hi. I was just saying I'm sorry for falling all over you." The blonde replies. "I don't seem to have my "train legs" yet."

"I'm sorry but train legs... what exactly are those?" Callie asks baffled.

"You know like sea legs, only for trains." The blonde replies. "I'm sorry, I'm being rude. My name is Arizona."

"Ah, yes I get it now." Callie replies with a small smile. "At least I know I'm not the only one stumbling around this train falling all over myself. I'm Callie." The last part she says with a finger pointing towards herself.

"Is this your first time on a train as well?" Arizona asks smiling back.

"Yup, guilty." Callie replies going to put her headphones back in but stops when the blonde starts speaking again.

"Do you mind if I sit with you? Not to be super creepy or anything but I don't know anyone else on this train and since I've already sat in your lap I figure it can't get any more awkward."

Normally Callie wouldn't even bother with an answer but there's a charisma about Arizona that is pulling her in and she wants to know more about this woman before her.

"Hey why not, you've already felt me up, I suppose enjoying a cup of coffee together would be acceptable." Callie replies with a chuckle to let the blonde know that she's only joking.

Arizona flashes her the dimpled smile again as she takes a seat and motions for coffee to be brought over.

"Where are you headed?" Arizona asks.

"Seattle, so it seems I'll have plenty of time to acquire my train legs." Callie replies with a small smirk. "What about you? Where's your drop off?"

"Hey, I'm actually headed to Seattle myself!" Arizona replies getting excited.

"Can I ask why you decided to take the train instead of say flying, or driving?" Callie asks.

"I could ask you the same thing." Arizona replies raising an eyebrow,.

"You could, but I asked you first." Callie says.

Callie can see that her question has caused Arizona discomfort so she decides to backtrack.

"If you don't want to tell me you don't have to." Callie tries to reassure the woman. "I mean feeling me up doesn't mean you have to tell me your life story or anything."

"Ok, that's the second time you've said that. To be clear, I DIDN'T feel you up!" Arizona says squinting her eyes at Callie. "I lost my footing and you just happened to cushion my fall. To answer your question though, I don't like flying and to drive from DC to Seattle by yourself is just boring. I can only entertain myself for so long."

"Good to know that falling in someone's lap isn't your normal way of introducing yourself." Callie says with a laugh.

"Funny. Don't think you are going to avoid answering the same question for me." Arizona says tilting her head to study the brunette in front of her.

"You never asked me a question though." Callie teases. She can't understand why she's finding it so easy to converse with a total stranger.

"Why did you take the train?" Arizona asks with a sigh.

"Someone told me that it helps with writers block." Callie replies with a roll of her eyes. "Not that it's worked for me but hey, I suppose it's still too early to tell."

"Writers block huh." Arizona replies. "Happen to have written anything I might know?"

"I suppose that depends on what you like to read." Callie says. "I tend to write more murder mystery but I've also done sci-fi and some drama."

"Genres don't tell me what you've written Callie." Arizona replies with a roll of the eyes.

"Alright, one of my first books was called "Secrets of the Rockies."" Callie starts off.

"Hmm, no... can't say that I've read that one." Arizona answers. What else? I'm assuming since you said one of my first, you've written others."

"Murder in Midnight Valley?" Callie lists off another book.

"Wait... Callie Torres?" Arizona asks with her mouth hanging open now.

"I take it you've read that one then." Callie replies nonchalantly.

"Yes! I've lost count how many times I've read that book." Arizona replies trying to gather her wits about her. "Wait... hold on... does this mean your writers block is about the fourth book in your latest series?"

"Going to go out on a limb and say you've read the first three then." Callie says trying to keep from rolling her eyes. "I hate to disappoint you but as it stands right now everyone is going to die."

"Callie Torres!" Arizona yelps. "Please tell me you're kidding because I will seriously loose my mind if you don't write the final book!"

"Geez calm down dimples." Callie says looking around to make sure no one has started staring at them. "In truth, that is what I want to do but I can't so, you will get your final book, don't worry. Just don't hate me to much if it's not up to par!"

"Ok, can't say anyone's ever called me dimples before, but I suppose it does fit." Arizona retorts. "Why do you want to kill everyone off?"

Callie just shrugs in answer and takes a sip of her coffee.

"Come on, you have to tell me something here." Arizona tries to probe.

"I had a plan when I started the series but now it doesn't seem to fit and I can't seem to think of something better suited." Callie replies with another shrug. "Hence the reason for my train ride. Clear the head you know? That sort of mumbo jumbo."

"I have utter faith that you'll find the right ending." Arizona replies giving her another dimpled smile. "You're a genius."

"Since you know what I do for a living, it would only seem fair that I know what you do." Callie says trying to divert the subject away from herself.

"I'm a Pediatric and Fetal Surgeon." Arizona replies proudly.

"Damn, and you call me the genius, I think that would better describe you." Callie replies impressed.

"Fine, I'll amend my previous statement." Arizona smirks at the brunette. "I'm a genius surgeon and you're a genius writer. Is that better?"

"Yeah, I don't know that I'd ever put me and genius in the same sentence, ever!" Callie replies with a scoff.

Cutting off Arizona's reply the mother and son that were eating pass by their table. Since she already has her eyes on Callie she can clearly see the sadness that passes over her expression as she watches the little boy following his mother out of the dining car. Before Callie turns her attention back to her though, it's gone.

"It was nice to meet you Arizona but I really should get going if I want to get to work on my genius." Callie states before Arizona can speak again.

"Likewise Callie, when I tell my friends I got to meet you they'll be green with envy." Arizona replies a little baffled by her sudden need to leave.

"Mhmmm." Is all that Callie replies as she gathers her things and makes her way out of the car in the opposite direction that the mother and son took.

"That was odd." Arizona thinks to herself as she turns to follow the departing Callie with her gaze. "Wait until the guys hear who I've met. I'll wait until I get there to tell them though. Can't say that I ever thought Callie Torres would be that stunningly beautiful. With any luck, I'll get to see her around though."

Arizona decides to pull out some medical journals she's brought along with her and catch up on some reading but just like Callie, the view of the mountains catches her attention and she forgets all about her journals as she watches the scenery while drinking her coffee.


Callie makes it back to her private sleeper suite and crashes down in the sitting area. Her suite is decorated with the same dark mahogany colors and along with the sitting area it has a queen size bed and a private bathroom with plenty of storage for her luggage. Not that Callie brought a whole lot with her since her trip is mainly for writing purposes.

Callie tries to halt the onslaught of memories that start to rush forward like a video of her life but she has no success. She's frozen in time, staring out the window, but seeing nothing, only the heartache that seems to be all her life can provide her with.

Finally when her memories have zapped her of all energy and emotions she realizes that it's now night and decides to get ready for bed.