The Art of Persuasion
I don't own them. Wish I did.
AN: This is rated M for later. I promise it will earn it in time and I do so apologize for all the mistakes. I never was very good at paying attention in grammar class.
Chapter 1
"Torres, hurry up we're gonna be late." The tall man said. His blue eyes twinkling with mirth as he watched his best friend tear through her bedroom looking for the matching sneaker to the one in her hand.
"Well you could help Mark." The brunette currently on her knees searching under her bed exclaimed.
"Yeah but then I wouldn't get the pleasure of looking at your ass." He said reminiscing on times past with his best friend.
A muffled grunt was heard as the brunette stood triumphantly holding both shoes. "I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that, considering we are past that stage and that we're gonna be late for your date in the park." Sitting to tie the laces on her converse sneakers, "Why am I going again?"
"Well honestly you're my wing man Cal. She runs with a friend so I thought we'd divide and conquer. You know ever since Erica left, you haven't really been the same." Concern clearly evident in his voice as he turned to grab the two bottles of water off the table. " I mean I'm all for giving you time to heal, but its been six months Cal, time to get back in the saddle. Hell I haven't even seen you show interest in anyone that didn't have a broken limb. Let alone a date or something more fun. I miss the old Callie Torres."
"I wasn't ridding a bike Mark and I'm not dead. I was in a relationship. Not to mention my first female one. And after George and Erica I'm not really sure I want a relationship anytime soon. But I do know I don't want to be used anymore. I just...I just need time, please? I'll go help you divide and conquer or whatever but don't expect anything more with this 'friend' of hers." She says as she removes the key from her door. The two continue walking down the hall towards the elevator. "Who uses 'divide and conquer' anyway? What are we waging war against the Romans?"
"Romans?" he exclaims. "Good lord Cal you've been watching way to many Xena re-runs. It's definitely time for you to get some."
Conceding to that point after realizing her TV patterns of late, "Maybe..."
"How do I let you talk me into these things Teddy? I hate running and this is the third time this week." The blonde asked accusingly, glaring towards the other woman. "You know I have a showing in a couple weeks. You totally have to be there now, no excuses this time. Deal?"
"Hey, it's not my fault that guy had a heart attack on my shift Arizona, I didn't plan it." The taller blonde responded defensively as she began stretching. "But I'll be there. I'll even take a personal day just for you, maybe even buy something if you stop whining."
"Awesome!...Oh look ducks!" She exclaims pointing towards a small family of them, swimming across the pond towards a point just ahead of them on the trail. And with that the two friends were off, taking a leisurely pace around the pond.
"What are you doing Mark?"
"Nothing, why?" He responds while peering at his reflection in the side mirror, ensuring everything is perfect and in its place. "Best foot forward Cal, best foot forward."
Laughing unbelievably at the antics of her best friend, Callie exits the car. Shutting the door and edging her way towards the trail to her right. "So who are we hunting for today? Brunette, blonde, redhead?"
"Tell you what, if you guess I'll buy lunch."
"Oh you're on and I want Cuban." Directing her gaze towards the dozen or so other runners and cyclists on the immediate track ahead of her, scanning for the lucky woman that caught Mark's attention earlier on in the week.
A little ways down the trail her eyes land on an athletic redhead just ahead of them. Marveling at the way her toned muscles contract with each revolution of the pedals, the way the beads of sweat track down her neck... 'Holy crap' she thought, 'Mark's right I need something,' six months may not have been long enough to heal a broken heart or renew the desire for a relationship, but she was after all still breathing and this woman was magnificent. Watching the woman dismount near a water fountain Callie made up her mind.
"Mark I gotta stop for a sec... leg cramp."
"Should I stop, or do you wanna catch up?" He asked, not really wanting to stop till he spotted the mystery woman.
"No, no keep going I'll just massage it out and catch up." Not waiting for a response, she begins to walk towards the redhead leaning against her bike. 'You can do this Cal, how did Mark put it...Get back on and ride off into the sunset...or something.' Throwing a little extra swagger into her step as she approached and turning on the infamous Torres charm which she hadn't called on in a while.
"Hey.." Okay that was lame,' she thought to herself. 'What's the next step again?' "Nice day for a ride, You come here often?" 'Oh somebody help me' she thought, 'sweet lord...turn and walk away Cal, just turn and walk away, nobody witnessed this train wreck. It would be so simple to just go find Mark and pretend this never happened.' Her inner monologue verging on a rant.
"Actually.." The red head pauses as she turns around ready to shoot down another would be admirer. Her facial expression changing as she takes in every inch of Callie's body. "It is and yes I do." Flashing Callie an inviting smile.
Letting out an apprehensive breath she wasn't even aware she had been holding. A nervous grin gracing her lips. "I'm Callie."
"Megan." The sultry voice caressing Callie's ears like a practiced lover. "Wanna grab a coffee? I don't really feel like riding this anymore."
"Ah, yeah sure just let me make a quick call and we can leave." Turning to put a little distance between them in order for a moderate amount of privacy, she thinks to herself, 'who just picked up who?'
Mark was half way around the pond before spotting his mystery woman. His pace quickening in order to catch up to the two women. Just when he was within a few yards his cell phone starts ringing, glancing down he realizes it's Callie, worried he answers. "Cal, whats up? You OK?" Mark stops dead in his tracks, trying to hear her better. "Whoa, slow down, what do you mean your going back to ride a pony?"
Meanwhile on the other side of the pond and phone conversation, "No, I'm getting back on the horse... Never mind something came up Mark. I'm gonna go, I'll catch you later." Hanging up the phone she turns to see Megan still leaning against her bike, a sultry look in her eyes. Swallowing loudly and gathering her courage. "So umm, my car is in the parking lot..."
"Mine too. Shall we?" The redhead gestures towards the path in the opposite direction as they had originally been going.
"Arizona, seriously? It was that bad?"
"We're talking disastrous, as in game over. Do not pass go! Do not collect $200 and go directly to jail!"
The shorter blonde began to feel exasperation take hold while remembering her failed attempt at dating the previous evening. "I mean who doesn't love carnivals? And the dunk tank, really? They're heckling clowns... it's their job to heckle. Doesn't mean you attack them for it. That's like going to you for breast implants. Really."
"I'm sorry but that's just funny. How old was she again?"
"38 and evidently not a stable 38. I mean who punches a clown repeatedly after refusing to go see the petting zoo. Seriously I missed out on those cute chickens because security kicked us out."
A deep cough is heard behind the girls, "Morning ladies, it seems as though I've lost my running partner, mind if I run with the two of you?" Mark asks, though acknowledging the two women, clearly having eyes for only Teddy.
"Sure."
"No."
The two friends answer at the same time. Glancing towards Arizona and raising a sculpted eye brow, Teddy begins to glare.
Arizona is resigned to changing her answer."I mean no we don't mind..."
Taking this as a win Mark matches stride with Teddy and the threesome of sorts returns to running. The conversation shifting from the dating trials of the two women to Mark's evident interest in Teddy.
After the obligatory questions of occupation, pastimes and interests, he begins. "So. Would you ladies like to get something to eat when we're done? My treat."
An awkward silence falls upon the two women, which goes unnoticed by Mark. As they converse without words to each other. Arizona speaks first, "Darn I'll have to get a rain check, I've got a meeting with a client this afternoon and I can't change it. Sorry."
Turning from Arizona to Mark, Teddy replies, "Sure, I'm in. What did you have in mind?"
Their conversation now falling on Arizona's def ears as she moves off the path, there by giving way for a mother and child duo on a bike. Not really watching where she was going, Arizona feels the sudden impact of a freight train bowling her over.
Hearing something to her left, Callie turns to where Megan should have been on her bike alongside her. Not seeing her, she stops and glances around, spotting a heap of limbs and metal where her new friend should have been a few strides ago. Rushing over, "Oh my... Megan are you alright?" Taking stock of how to rightfully help her out.
A groan is heard from somewhere in the pile. Grabbing an outstretched hand and pulling while lifting a front tire out of the way. To her surprise the woman she grabbed wasn't Megan. But instead a mother still firmly attached to both her bike and its occupied child seat. Righting the mother and bike while checking the child for injuries. She hears Mark's voice and turns to see him and a tall slender blonde rush over to help.
"Here let me help you up." Mark offers to Megan. "Anything hurt?" As Megan shakes her head Callie's vision shifts to the only body remaining on the ground.
"Zona, you okay?" The tall blonde exclaims while crouching down.
"Oh god Teds my knee hurts." Pain evident as she responds through clenched teeth.
Reaching around Arizona's back and bracing herself, Teddy replies, "Here let's get you up and I'll..."
"No don't move her."
The startled duo turns to look at the previously unnoticed brunette.
"Excuse me but I'm a doctor." Teddy informs Callie.
Only to hear Mark snicker in the back ground. He had taken over the job of making sure the mother and child were fine as Callie made her way over to the two women. "So is she," he offered.
Glancing at Callie, Teddy gives her the once over, sizing her up as she bends down next to Arizona. "I'm a Cardiologist." Teddy blurts, not really knowing why she was becoming overwhelmed with the desire to flash both her expertise and stature.
"Well if she has a heart attack I'll be glad you're here. However since it's her leg why don't you let me have a look." Her Hispanic attitude and temperament clearly making an appearance.
Grumbling slightly as she stands and walks towards Mark. "You know her?"
He nods, "My best friend."
"Running partner?" Teddy inquires, putting one and one together from the previous conversation she had with him."Any good?"
Nodding in affirmation as he watches the mother and child resume their course. "Best there is in fact. Teddy 'The Cardiologist' meet Callie Torres, the.."
Cutting Mark off mid introduction, "THE Callie Torres? Harper Avery for Orthopedics, Cartilage genie Torres?"
Laughing at the titles leaping from Teddy's mouth. "Yep. So I think she's got your friends leg under control."
Turning her attention back to Arizona and Callie on the ground, wanting to hear the prognosis.
"Well the good news is that nothing is broken." The brunette informs the injured blonde, gazing into the bluest eyes she's ever seen.
"And the bad?" The scared blonde asks.
"The bad news is you may have torn something and I wont be able to tell till I run some tests." Watching the pain in the blue eyes Callie decides to go a step further. "If you want I can take you to the hospital and run them myself...?"
Protesting half halfheartedly as she takes in her would be savior. "I couldn't..."
"No I insist." Leaving no room for argument. "Mark I'm taking..." Looking back towards the injured woman at a loss for her name.
"Arizona."
Smiling Callie turns back to her friend. "Mark I'm taking Arizona in for a scan and some tests. Can 'Cardio' over there give you a ride home?" Tilting her head in Teddy's direction and sending a wink her way.
After having carried Arizona over to Callie's car, the group dispersed somewhat. With Callie walking over to Megan and exchanging both her number and apologies for their ruined coffee date. Leaving Arizona and Teddy to finalize who was calling who after the final word came in on her test results and the outlook of Teddy and Mark's lunch.
Mark stood over by Megan's car having just set her bike down.
"I'll call you later Mark when we've got my findings." Callie announced as she crawled in behind the wheel. Turning the ignition and hearing the engine roar to life.
"I promise Teds I'll call when I know."
"Oh you better, cause I know where you live." The taller blonde threatened with a smile.
After watching the car back out and drive off, the two would be strangers saw Megan off too, ensuring that she was alright a final time.
"How about we switch lunch for a couple drinks and a burger?" Mark offered.
"Sounds like a good idea." Teddy admitted. "I could go for a beer." Laughing lightly at the twist of events of the morning. "A really cold beer."
AN2: I know what you're thinking and I am fully aware that after my first post, which was all dirty fun, where is the dirty fun now? Well the dirty fun time will happen. I promise! This story kinda just erupted from my brain this morning after reading your very welcoming and helpful reviews. So hopefully I am raising my personal bar in terms of both length and originality. If not let me know, since I can't get any better without input and comments.
Thanks a Ba-gillion,
Shark_in_love_infested_waters
AN3: I know, I know shut up already, right? Well I am definitely going to need a beta, since my brain is like 'Eruption City' in terms of story lines and where to go with them. I need help, my brain is running faster than my fingers can type. lol