SEARCH AND RESCUE: THE LONG JOURNEY
CHAPTER 1
"The conferences will last 3 days, and I expect each and every one of you to be present and participate in the exercises. It will only make your ability to be a doctor that much stronger. Do I make myself clear?" Chief Webber said to the filled conference room. "Just because you two are interns, doesn't mean that I don't expect the same from you as I do from my attendings. The things you will learn there will be vital to your learning. And I will grill you over what you learn, Karev." He said, squinting his eyes and looking straight at the young intern. Karev slumped down in his chair, trying his best to avoid the stares that everyone was now giving him. "Yes sir." He mumbled.
"Excuse me, Chief?" Cristina said, raising her hand. "Yes Yang? What is it now?" The chief asked, knowing that she was most likely going to attempt to get out of going on this trip, as she had been for the past 3 days since they found out they were going. "I was wondering, if one of the doctors that are expected to be on this trip… if they were to umm, get sick… would they be excused fro—""Hold it right there Yang. If I have to send you on a bed, with IV poles attached to your body, I will. So don't test me." Webber said. Yang didn't attempt to argue any further. Instead she crossed her arms and now mirrored Karev's slouch.
"If there is nothing else we need to discuss, then I have someone to introduce. This person will be joining you on your trip, and once you all return, she will become the new head of Pediatrics. She just moved here from John's Hopkins and was greatly recommended. I want you to all welcome Dr. Arizona Robbins to our team." Everyone turned to look at the person that was entering the room. Callie was busy looking down at her phone, and not paying attention. It wasn't until Mark kicked her under the table that she jerked her head up just in time to see a beautiful blonde walk into the room.
"Dr. Robbins, meet the staff. This is Dr. Alex Karev and Dr. Jo Wilson. They will be on your service. Dr. Owen Hunt, trauma. Dr. Cristina Yang, Cardio. Dr. Derek Sheppard, and his wife Dr. Meredith Grey, Neuro, Dr. Mark Sloan, plastics and his wife Dr. Lexie Grey, plastics. And last but not least, Dr. Callie Torres, Ortho." "Hello." Arizona said before everyone stood to shake her hand and offer their welcome's. Callie stood back and was the last person to approach the new doctor. "Hi, I'm Callie. Welcome to Seattle Grace." Callie said, extending her hand to shake the blondes. "It's nice to meet you Callie." Arizona said with a dimpled smile.
"Ok, well now that everyone has met, let's get to work people. I expect you to have your departments under control before you all leave tomorrow. I need things to run as smoothly as possible in your absences." Webber said before exiting the room and everyone leaving to head towards their different departments.
Mark kissed Lexie before she walked off with Cristina and Meredith and then approached Callie. "Damn. I never thought ped's could look so good." He said with a laugh, staring at the blonde. Reaching up and smacking him on the back of the head Callie said, "Geez Mark. You're married for Christ's sake. Stop perving on the Ped's doctor." Mark rubbed the back of his head and looked at his friend. He knew her better than anyone else so all he did was laugh at her comment. "Give me a break Cal. I can see right through your little act. You are checking her out just as much, if not more, than I am. Admit it. You think she's hot." Callie laughed a fake laugh, and rolled her eyes. "Grow up man child. Let's go get some coffee. I still have a headache from the gallon of liquor we drank last night." "So, how did it go with that redhead anyway? I saw her doing the walk of shame at 6am this morning. Did you even go to sleep at all?" Callie rubbed her forehead. She had drank entirely too much the previous night and only small blurs of things between herself and the girl from the bar.
"It was alright… I think. I mean, we were both so wasted that neither of us seemed to know what the hell we were doing. But it's not like it matters. I don't plan on seeing her again anyway." Mark laughed; he knew his best friend was famous for one thing. "Yeah, your one time rule. The old hit it and quit it routine. One day you're going to meet someone that will change the whole game on you Torres. You just watch." Mark put his arm around Callie's shoulder and they continued to walk. Unknown to them both, the new doctor had been watching and listening to their conversation from only a few steps behind them. She had instantly formed her opinion of both doctors. A player and a retired player, she thought to herself. Luckily she had Carley in her life. Sure, she wasn't in love with her.. but she could eventually be. Carley was easy to be around, and had a great sense of humor. Not to mention the insanely talented things she could do in bed. Arizona smiled to herself just thinking about the many nights she had shared rolling in the sheets with her girlfriend. Sure, she wasn't in love… but she was most definitely in lust with the girl. And who knew…. Maybe one day… one day she could fall in love with Carley. She was great and Arizona truly enjoyed their time together. There was no way in hell she would ever get wrapped up in the mix with Dr. Callie Torres. Nope. She had already made a mental note to avoid the woman like the plague. Sure, she was hot. Probably hotter than any woman she had met previously in her life, but Arizona was no fool. She was certain the Latina knew she was gorgeous and most likely used that to her advantage during her hunt. Yep. Callie Torres was a lesbian vampire. But she would be the one trophy that would never sit on her mantle.
The elevator opened and she stepped in behind the dynamic duo. "Dr. Robbins." Mark began. "We were just headed to grab a coffee. Would you care to join us?" He asked. Arizona offered a fake smile before saying, "Thanks for the offer Dr. Sloan, but I am headed to meet my girlfriend before getting some paperwork done." Mark didn't miss the look of disappointment on his best friends face when the blonde mentioned her girlfriend. He knew that Callie wasn't really a player. Deep down he knew the real Callie Torres. The one who was a hopeless romantic but had her heart broken into a million pieces when her ex decided to go back to the safety of a heterosexual world. He hoped that one day she would meet another woman who could put the broken woman back together.
"Why don't you and your girlfriend join us then?" Mark asked, earning a 'shut the hell up' look from Callie. "No thank you Dr. Sloan. We prefer to order from the little organic bakery down the street." "She's one of those kinds of lesbians." Callie whispered loud enough so the blonde could purposely hear her. "And what kind of lesbian is that Dr. Torres?" The annoyed blonde asked, facing Callie, her hands on her hips. "The 'save the world, one recycled plastic bottle at a time' type. I bet one of both of you drive a Prius." Callie said with air quotes and a smirk. She had to admit the blonde looked rather cute when she was mad. "For your information I do happen to own a Prius. It is great for the environment and excellent on gas mileage." Before Callie could get out another word, the elevator doors opened on the cafeteria floor. "Let's go Dr. Evil. Say goodbye to Mother Earth." Mark said, pulling his friend out before she could say any more. "Can you believe Mrs. Perfect? Seriously. Who does she think she is?" Callie said, but Mark only laughed.
"Hey you." Arizona says before leaning down and kissing her girlfriend hello. "Have you been waiting long?" "No, I just got here and ordered. How was the meet and greet with your new co-workers?" Carley asked. "Ha!" Arizona laughed, taking a sip of her coffee Carley had already ordered for her. "That great huh?" "Oh they seem nice. Everyone there was very welcoming. But one doctor has already rubbed me the wrong way. She's a real piece of work." "She shouldn't be rubbing you in any way." Carley said with a wink. "Don't even worry babe. Callie Torres is the last woman I would ever—" "Wait. Calliope Torres? She works with you?" Carley asked, shock spread across her face. "Ughh, do I want to know how you know who Callie is? Tell me you haven't—" "I don't know her very well. During college I went to Miami beach for spring break and my friend Sam hooked up with her. They spent the entire week together. Then when we went back to New York, they stayed in touch for a long time. Callie was the most romantic person Sam had ever met. She was always getting flowers or gifts from Callie. She came to visit Sam a few times, but I never met her more than maybe three times. They were always off in their own little world." Carley explained.
"You have got to be talking about a different Callie. This woman is not some romantic, sweet person. She's horrible." Arizona said, refusing to believe that Callie could even have a heart. "I doubt there are that many Calliope Torres' out there babe. It's not very popular of a name." Carley said with a laugh. "So what happened between her and your friend?" Arizona asked, curiosity getting the best of her. "I don't know. I know Sam started seeing some girl from our psych class and then I never heard about Callie again. I never really got an explanation about their breakup." "That's odd. Callie probably cheated on her. That wouldn't surprise me. She doesn't seem to be the faithful type." "I'm not sure really. But I know that Sam never had anything bad to say about Callie besides the fact that she lived entirely too far away. Sam was the 'I want it and I want it right now' type. She was dead set against making a long distance relationship work, even though Callie practically moved heaven and earth for her."
"Well, I can tell you that the sweet, romantic girl that your friend used to date is no longer there. I overheard them talking about her latest conquest. She's a womanizing, player. And this trip cannot be over fast enough so I can get back to work and be able to avoid her." Arizona sipped her coffee, looking everyone in the room besides her girlfriend. Carley watcher her girlfriend. She knew that Arizona disliked Callie, that much was beyond obvious, but she could also sense something else. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on. Callie had gotten under Arizona's skin, but Carley couldn't be certain that it was in a bad way. Deciding to change the subject, she talked about her morning and Arizona seemed to lighten up.
Back at the hospital, Callie was sitting in her office, going over some paperwork on one of her most complicated upcoming surgeries when there was a knock at her door. Looking up she sees Lexie Grey standing in the doorway. "Hey little Grey. What can I do for you?" She asks. "You do know I'm married to Mark right? You were at the wedding, remember? You could call me Lexie, Dr. Grey, or hell… even Dr. Sloan, but little Grey? Really?" Lexie said faster than Callie had ever heard her speak. "Whoa, whoa Lex, slow down. What's up?" Callie had a hangover and didn't have time to try to and understand the workings of Lexie Grey.. Sloan.. Dr. Grey.. oh whatever. Lexie sat down in the chair across from Callie and pulled out a paper. "This is Tina Marshal. She is a special case from Mercy west. I was hoping that you could take a look at—" "Wait. Lexie, I know you have this heart of gold, I will save the world thing going on, and I love you for that. I do. But right now, I have so much on my plate that there is no way I can taking on anything else. The chief is already on my ass for it. I'm sorry, really I am. But I just can't handle anything else right now."
"Oh. I was only asking because some lady named Samantha Bennet asked for you specifically. Her and daughter, Tina, flew here from—" "New York." Callie said softly. Lexie tilted her head to the side, confused at how Callie knew this person. "Yeah. From New York. So you know who she is?" Lexie asked curiously. Callie sat up straight, and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Oh, uh, yeah. I know her. Back from my senior year at College. We um, kind of dated or whatever." Callie tried to play it off easily, hoping to avoid anymore personal questions from Lexie. "Let me see her file." Callie reached across the desk to accept the paper from Lexie. "Let me look this over and I'll we can go over it once we get back from the trip." Lexie nodded and stood to walk out of the room. She wasn't sure who this Samantha woman was, but she knew that Callie's face changed instantly upon hearing the name. She watched Callie for a moment and then disappeared behind the doorway.
Callie pushed herself back from her desk and looked up at the ceiling. She wasn't sure what she was going to do, but she was suddenly his with a brick wall of memories and emotions.