Summary: Callie/Arizona Fic. The following could have taken place sometime within the two week-mark of their relationship. I would actually still refer to this as the "dating stage." They have gone on maybe two or three dates at this point. They have not "consummated" their relationship; they've only been to first base, come to that. Set about an hour before the dancing begins in 5x19. I have decided to use colons, instead of commas where the dialogue is concerned. It is rather provincial, I know. But, really----Punctuation is such a real drag. This story will have two chapters, so this is Ch. 1 of 2
9:14 P.M.
Dr. Torres had just brilliantly performed an invasive, five hour-Laminectomy on a very strident patient; A Mr. Frankford Thwaites, to be more specific. Mr. Thwaites was a slight man, quite diminutive indeed. It was his mouth, in addition to his spine, that proved to be the colossal problem. In all frankness, the old goat was a rambunctious motor mouth! He growled and moaned; complained and criticized, all day long, every 7 ½ minutes on the spot. Infact, Mr. Thwaites was so emphatically irritating, that Dr. O'Malley, (Who ironically enough was assigned to be Callie's Resident for the day) had taken to plugging up his ears with cotton swabs upon entering the barbarian's room. George, who had always been far too kind to disturb, simply administered generous doses of narcotics to Mr. Thwaites every hour, in dire hopes that the decrepit ratfink would pass out. Dr. Torres, however, was far too chipper to let old Frank get to her. She put up with his griping and his moaning for nearly five hours before she was able to put him under the knife, and allow the surgical floor some peace and quiet. As far as she was concerned, in that moment, there wasn't a trouble in the world. Callie felt at home in the operating room. She was exactly in her element, doing precisely the work that God put her on this Earth to do. Orthopedic surgery was more than just carpentry; it was an art form that required steady, aesthetic hands and meticulous precision. Yes, Callie's mindset was perfectly clear. Mr. Thwaites was the luckiest man in the world to have had her as his surgeon. That old cocker was a prince, if she ever knew one.
As Dr. Torres made her way out of the OR that evening, she reflected on these things. With a dazzling smile and a slight spring in her step, she began reflecting on other things as well. Callie had just begun a new romantic relationship; one that she was absolutely excited to delve into. This feeling of elation was new to her. She felt adventurous, much like her first year of high school or college or…residency, come to that. She liked this feeling, this conscious sensibility that she was experiencing. There was a certain effervescent spirit that consumed her entire body; a passionate enthusiasm she had lacked for quite some time. It was a similar energy that inspired her to join the Peace Corps before entering Medical School; a zest for life that she had often tried to conjure up in times of trouble or impediment. This had gone missing for awhile; quite a long time indeed. But, recently it had returned to her and in a way that felt almost newfound. She owed this to one person in particular; a bubbly Pediatric surgeon by the name of Arizona Robbins. Curious, though her name was, Callie found Dr. Robbins to be spectacular in every way. The two women had only been dating for two weeks to the day, but something about the circumstances felt very special to Torres. The relationship, surprisingly, came very easy, not forced or awkward in the slightest.
Arizona was a different breed of character, unlike anyone she had ever met before. Sure, she was peppy, but she was also extremely sharp and commanding. She was a conundrum, a very sexy and cool conundrum. If they had met at a different time in Callie's life, the results produced may not have been exact.
But, on this day, during this time, the happenstance was sublime. Callie's mind jumped back a bit at this point. It was far too soon to be discussing this 'new outlook on life' with anyone. She would keep it to herself for the time being. If needed, she would talk to Mark, who had been her rock through all of her recent tribulations. The two of them had grown awfully close, extremely close. This thought made Callie chuckle, as she thought about all of the circumstances that had eventually synthesized their friendship. He had come through for her and really proven to be a true friend. Despite all of her contemporary failures and disappointments, Callie felt as though she had turned over a new leaf. This new thing she had going with Robbins; well, it was definitely the start of something good. Absolutely, Callie thought.
The elevator door slid open, like a Ritchie Valens guitar riff and Callie glided happily inside. Miranda Bailey, who stood in the left corner of the lift, noticed this odd behavior but chose to ignore it for her own sake. Bailey had been assisting on many pediatric surgeries over the last three weeks, and quite frankly, the perk was starting to get to her.
Bailey:
Torres, Dr. Robbins has been looking for you
Callie:
Oh yeah? (Delightedly). [Slight pause before continuing]
Hey, how are things going for you, Bailey? In Peds?
Bailey:
It's fine! I'm fine. I can do fine anywhere.
Callie:
And, how are you and Arizo—uh, Dr. Robbins, getting along?
Miranda's brow furrowed as the elevator started to slowly move upward. She found Callie's off the cuff inquiries to be slightly incongruous. It was the way Dr. Torres asked that really got to her, as if she wanted an oral essay of some sort. Callie's eyes focused on Miranda expectantly, much like a puppy who longed for security. She refused to give into this. She was tired and did not have time to indulge Callie Torres.
Bailey:
That woman, Dr. Robbins---Pardon me. Talks! She talks a lot! She'll talk you till you're blue in the face! I mean dead, rigor mortised, 6 feet under…dead!
At this, Callie had to laugh. Bailey spoke the truth about the young Pediatric attending. She was one hell of a gal, Callie thought; Arizona was cheerful, funny, intelligent, surprisingly intimidating, and even...tricky. The corners of Calliope's mouth twisted upward into a bright, thoughtful smile. Bailey's eyes grew big as she observed this.
Bailey:
Will you get that goofy ass grin off your face? I've had it! I'm tired, I need to go home, and kiss my baby goodnight. I can't even remember the last time I put Tuck to bed!
The doors to the elevator opened and Bailey stormed out. With a slight shrug, Torres began her walk down the hall. Callie decided that once she was ready to leave the hospital in a few minutes, she would call Arizona or at least page her. As she made her way down toward her destination, she greeted Dr. Hunt as he exited the room in which Callie was to enter.
She reached the Residents Lounge just in time to catch her roommate, Christina, who was in the process of beginning her night shift. Yang gave off her infamous "dowdy-face" as became the norm within recent weeks. Callie had come to expect these moods from Christina. She hardly thought anything of it nowadays.
Christina:
Going home?
Callie:
More than likely. I might grab a drink at Joe's first
The junior Resident began to collect and prepare for the night ahead. She put on her white, lab coat over her light blue scrubs and hung her stethoscope around her neck. Christina Yang, though one of the most promising surgical Residents Callie had ever met, was a curious person, of whom, the average, warm blooded human being would have no understanding of. Christina was one who always tried to appear apathetic with regard to any of Callie's 'situations', unless they happened to directly effect the practice of medicine. But, Yang, like Mark, was a loyal friend. She understood Callie. They shared not only an apartment together, but also a common understanding of one another.
Christina: [in excruciatingly apathetic monotone]
So, how are things going with you and the Peds surgeon? I mean, not that I'm particularly interested in your love life, but you know, whatever.
Callie chuckled at Christina's nonchalant way of approaching the subject.
Callie:
Things are going well. You know, we're taking it slow, but it's really kind of…awesome!
Christina gawked at Callie's new vocabulary word.
Christina:
Awesome?
Callie:
Yeah. It feels good with her.
Christina:
Well, at least one of us is getting some
Callie became red and nervous quite suddenly.
Callie:
Now Yang, I didn't say------
Christina:
I mean can you believe Owen? He just------
Callie:
Oh my God! I'm sick of hearing about you and Hunt and all the freakin' -------
Christina:
Alright! Pipe down. I'll see you later. I'm late anyway.
Christina waved a cold hand in the air, as she sauntered out of the Resident's Lounge. Callie rolled her eyes back into her head, let out a long sigh, and took a seat on the bench in front of her locker. The room was now empty. She decided to change out of her scrubs and into the clean clothes that occupied the bottom of her locker. Then, after applying some much needed mascara and lip gloss, she would give Arizona a buzz, via cell phone or pager.
But, (as fate would have it) as soon as Callie had finished changing, there was a timely knock at the door. Before she could even answer, Arizona Robbins happily scurried into the room, with the fervor of a newly clothed Oshkosh B'gosh kid. Two adorable dimples and one grand smile greeted Callie, as Dr. Robbins plopped down to sit next to her 'girlfriend', or ahem, 'whatever they were calling themselves at this point'.
The Peds surgeon was beaming from ear to ear. Twelve hours of work at Seattle Grace's Pediatric wing had obviously not phased this woman one bit; not tonight, anyhow.
Arizona:
Calliope! I was hoping I'd find you in here!
Arizona instinctively took Callie's hand in hers and began chatting away as though the two doctors were long lost friends, picking up exactly where they left off twenty years ago. The conversation was never dull when Old Blue Eyes was around; any of the knowledgeable hospital staff could attest to that much. Arizona could talk to a piece of string. Of this, Callie was absolutely certain. Robbins kept eye contact at all times, always making convivial gestures with her hands as she spoke.
And, the way she spoke; with such benevolence she spoke. Just two months ago, someone like Arizona might have annoyed the piss out of Callie. She, like her roommate, generally didn't like happy people. But, this woman! There was something about this woman that captivated Callie in a way that she had never been before. And, even though Arizona was a vivaciously enthusiastic person, she was also a hardcore doctor. Callie had observed her at work and she had undoubtedly come to the conclusion that this young Attending was a "Go-Getter." This was extremely attractive to Callie.
Arizona:
Oh, here I am rambling on and on about my day and you haven't said one word! Oh, by the way how did your um..it was a Laminectomy, right? How did it go?
Callie was amazed at how Arizona always seemed to display a brilliant smile every time she spoke, or ate, …or slept. [most likely]
Callie:
Oh! Um, it went very well, actually. The patient was a royal pain for most of the day, but the surgery was very successful; vitals are good post-op. Everything looks..good.
Callie's response started off embarrassingly slow, because she was actually genuinely interested in hearing about Arizona's day. She could get lost in those blue eyes at times when it did not benefit her, like when a two-way conversation was taking place for example. The Orthopedic surgeon almost felt ashamed during times like this. She felt very much like a school girl with a high school crush, unable to express herself for fear of being shot down. She had to keep these bubbling feelings under wraps. It was too soon to let on. That's right, Callie thought to herself. Keep your emotions in check; Keep it----casual.
Arizona:
I'm so glad the surgery was a success
She slowly continued, though her voice became softer.
So, (pause) I was thinking…Well…All of my patients are stable, I'm not on call tonight, no more surgeries on the board , so maybe, if you're not too tired of course, we could go hang out somewhere for a little while? Joe's? If you're up for it? [slight pause] That way, you know, if anyone around here needs me, I'll be close at hand. Just a page away.
Callie:
You know, if it's a matter of proximity, we could just go to my apartment. It's across the street too. You knew that, though. Didn't you?
Arizona cocked her head to one side, with a remarkably mischievous grin on her face and a brilliant twinkle in her eyes.
Arizona:
Calliope Torres, are you trying to lure me back to your apartment?
Callie threw her head back, almost erupting into a fit of laughter.
Callie:
Obviously! That's the idea isn't it? My first attempt at seduction!
The two women burst into a frenzy of giggles. Arizona knew that Callie was joking. She also knew that it was imperative to move at a slow pace, and Dr. Robbins was willing to make that sacrifice for the sake of getting to know this stunning woman. Given both of their past histories, it was absolutely the right decision. Even though Arizona had wanted to make love to Callie from the very first night they met, she decided she would hold out. She was completely sure that Calliope Torres would definitely be worth the wait. They had kissed four times already, and that in itself, was fantastic. But, Dr. Robbins found herself fighting this pressing urge to want more from Callie. Frankly, Arizona couldn't take her eyes off of this woman. She found Callie to be devastatingly beautiful and interesting, funny, strong, and incredibly caring. Who wouldn't want more? Of course she wanted more. Arizona thought of these things as she stared deeply into the most beautiful, chocolate brown eyes she had ever seen.