A/N: So...I wasn't planning on starting a new story, but I was a tad stuck with New York State of Mind and then this idea just came to me and I couldn't get it out of my head. Best way to beat writers block is to just write, right? So, I'm hoping this doesn't suck too much but it got me writing again so I'm not complaining...
All characters etc belong to Shonda, and credit to Pink and her new album for the idea behind this story. Summary lyrics are all hers.
This is pretty much AU, I'll let you know if that changes.
Anyways, enjoy...and thoughts/criticism are always welcome :)
Chapter 1
Arizona walked quickly along the sidewalk, her eyes counting down the store numbers as she passed. She clutched the piece of paper with the address tighter in her hands, excited as she realised that she was only a few doors away from her destination. Glancing up, sure enough, the bright neon sign lit up the dark Seattle night.
Jupiters. She had to laugh at the lame name of the establishment, as well as the tacky sign which accompanied it. The reasoning behind the choice had been simple; it was over the road from her friend's place of work and a regular hangout for her colleagues. Although Arizona knew that the cheap alcohol had secretly been what sealed the deal.
A man exited the bar as she approached, holding the door open for her as he went. She politely thanked him as she stepped inside, grateful for a respite from the chill of the night. She had heard that Seattle could be brutally cold at night, but three weeks into her move there and she was still to become accustomed.
She remained in the doorway as she surveyed the dimly lit room. The stage to the far left held a small piano, where a man in his mid fifties soulfully played. The sound flowed effortlessly out into the room. Candle light flickered delicately from each of the tables. The cosy interior was definitely better than the outside, proving what her mother had told her over and over again as a child; you should never judge a book by it's cover. She was still in the doorway and she was already in love with this place.
"Arizona! Over here…"
Arizona smiled as she noticed her friend manically waving at her from across the room. Weaving her way through the tables, she was immediately pulled into a huge hug.
"I'm so sorry I'm late. Surgery ran a little longer than expected…" She apologised, hugging her friend with just as strongly.
"It's ok. We've all been there…" Teddy Altman finished the remainder of her drink before placing the empty glass back down on the table. "White wine, right?"
"Yes please." Arizona took a seat as Teddy headed towards the bar. Removing her coat, she was thankful that she always kept a spare change of clothing in her locker. After receiving Teddy's offer of drinks that afternoon, she knew that she would never have time to make it home to change and keep up with their engagement.
Teddy soon returned with their drinks, taking a seat beside her friend. "So…bad day?" She enquired, stirring her vodka and coke with her straw.
Arizona took a sip of her drink before responding. "You could say that. I'm used to being the new kid. I just wish that they would at least start warming up to me a little, you know?"
"It's just an adjustment period. Once you get settled in, it'll be like you always worked there. Trust me."
"Yeah, I hope so."
"I could talk to the Chief…see if there is a Peds position for you? Seattle Grace is better than Mercy West and you know it…" She would love nothing more than to work with her friend again. She had made the offer on numerous occasions but each time Arizona had politely declined.
"Trashing my hospital already, Dr Altman? I'm offended…" Arizona joked, nudging Teddy playfully with her elbow. Teddy just rolled her eyes in response. "Seriously though, thank you but I think I'm going to stick this one out…for now at least."
"How was your day? Any developments with hotty patient?" Arizona winked, her statement causing Teddy to immediately blush.
"No. I'm trying to avoid him. I turn into this big, stupid babbling mess whenever I'm around him. I did his follow up a couple of days ago and I swear to God, I was only in the room for two minutes before I started quoting random facts about pandas." She avoided Arizona's gaze, choosing instead to stare at the table.
Arizona choked on her drink as she spun in her seat to stare at her friend. Teddy's face had darkened in colour as she relived the painful memory. "I'm sorry? Pandas?"
Teddy glared at her. "I don't know. I'd watched some documentary the night before and for some reason it was all I could think of to say. He told me that I looked pretty and I just went off on one about animals. I'm an educated woman and a brilliant surgeon; yet two minutes around this man and I can't form normal conversations." She took a large gulp of her drink and sighed. "He must think that I'm an idiot."
Arizona tried her hardest to hide to her smile behind her wine glass but the smack to her leg told her that she had been caught. Teddy, on the other hand, remained mortified next to her.
"We both know that that's not true. I'm sure he thought that it was endearing."
"The sooner he is discharged and out of there, the better." Teddy groaned. She had no idea how much longer she could last around him without losing whatever remaining dignity that she had.
The conversation continued to flow as the doctors finished their drinks and bought another round. Despite how much Arizona hated moving and starting over, she knew that one of the perks of leaving New York and moving to Seattle this time round was definitely being in the same city as her best friend. They had met on the first day of Med School, and even completed their residencies together before Teddy had decided to move to Seattle. Arizona had stayed on the West Coast, although the two had tried to see each other as often as their careers allowed.
Teddy excused herself and went to the bathroom, leaving Arizona to people watch around the room. Her head was already beginning to feel a little fuzzy from the wine, but she took comfort in the fact that tomorrow was her day off. Hangover pending; she was going to have a good night.
Her gaze fell on the back of a woman as she made her way slowly across the room towards the stage. She greeted some people on her way, giving the impression that she was either a regular or just very forward with people. Arizona watched her curiously, the smile on the brunette's face never faltering. Her hair fell in lose curls down her back, blending into the black dress which hugged each and every one of her curves.
Arizona knew that she was now blatantly staring. She hadn't even notice Teddy return to the table and start up a conversation with her. She was too consumed in watching the mystery woman walk onto the stage and engage in a friendly conversation with the piano player. After a few moments she placed her drink down on top of the piano and moved to the microphone in the middle of the stage. The music started up again. After smiling to the pianist and then winking at someone at the bar, the woman began singing.
Arizona had no idea what the song was, but she knew that she hadn't heard anything as beautiful as this voice. She owned the stage and commanded the attention of the room. Everyone seemed enthralled by her as she launched into the chorus of the song. Arizona herself couldn't hold a note, but this woman made it seem effortless. She was breathtaking.
"Who is that?" Arizona asked, her eyes never leaving the stage. Teddy was oblivious to the overly curious tone in her best friend's voice.
"Callie Torres. Ortho."
Arizona snapped her head around at the last piece of information. "She's a surgeon?" She glanced briefly back at the stage. The beautiful way in which the words left this woman's mouth, Arizona couldn't imagine her breaking bones for kicks.
"Yeah, we work together. And she's not just a rock star on stage…" Teddy laughed at her own joke although her humour was lost on her friend who had returned to staring at the stage. "She sings here a couple of nights a week, surgeries permitting. I'm not sure if they pay her or she does it just for the fun of it but she's pretty good."
"Yeah…" Arizona mumbled as the song unfortunately came to an end. Applause ripped through the room as Callie took her bow and smiled, heading back down into the room.
Performance over, people returned to their own conversations. Arizona could hear Teddy's voice in her ears, although she could have been speaking Russian for all Arizona knew. The words made no sense as she continued to watch Callie make her way across the room.
"Are you even listening to me?" Teddy asked, waving her hand in front of Arizona's face. The action snapped Arizona out of her daze and she put a smile on her face as she turned to her friend.
"Sure. You were telling me all about the heart surgery you did today." Arizona replied hopefully, knowing that there was a small possibility that she was correct. The not amused look on Teddy's face however told her that she was busted.
"Nice try, Arizona. What were you staring at anyway?" Teddy strained her neck to try and get into Arizona's view. Arizona turned back just in time to see Callie approach a man at the bar who pulled her in for an overly passionate kiss.
Her stomach dropped. She was straight. And taken. Of course she was. "Who is that?"
"Mark Sloan. Plastics and Callie's boyfriend. He is somewhat of a God around the hospital; women literally fall over themselves to get his attention. Myself included." She whispered the last part, remembering the brief, yet memorable encounter she had had with Dr Sloan.
"Eeew." Arizona rolled her eyes at her, trying to remove the image of her friend and this man out of her head. Although she rationalised that it had to be far better than the one she had of him and the Latina he currently had his hands all over.
"I know he's not exactly your type…but you have to admit, he's pretty dishy…" She turned to Arizona and noticed that it wasn't Mark Sloan who she was staring at. Callie's laughter echoed out from the bar, causing Arizona's eyes to grow wide at the sound. "Oh." Teddy sighed, realising what had grabbed Arizona's attention. She wouldn't be the first person to fall into the Torres trap and she certainly wouldn't be the last. Distraction was always the best form of defence.
"I know someone at the hospital who would be perfect for you. I can set you up if you want?" Teddy asked hopefully, her eyes flicking back to the bar just in time to see Callie walk out hand in hand with Mark.
Arizona's attention once again returned to the table. "Yeah, maybe…" She downed the remainder of her mind, hoping that the alcohol would erase all traces of the brunette, her voice, and her beautiful smile.
She could only try.
Thoughts?! :)
