Hello! Just a friendly reminder that I don't own Grey's Anatomy. I also hardly own the made up characters in this story, since every non-greys character is based on a real life friend (or foe) of mine. Hope everyone enjoys and enjoys their stay (:

Drink.

It's what she told herself to do. To numb herself. Why did she return? What sort of masochist was she?

And who the hell was hanging on her arm?

"Yeah it's definitely an acquired taste, but you know, I think people want whiskey so that they can seem important. There's no way anyone actually enjoys that flavor."

Thirst.

"Uh huh," she found herself muttering. A dingy black and crusted over sign creaked overhead in the midnight wind. A dull light could be seen through the fogged over windows of the homey looking bar. Callie squinted her eyes as a milky covering seemed to glow about them, allowing her to see more clearly in the dark. The old wooden sign read "Sparks Tavern, Everdale Bar and Inn". As Callie trudged along in a slightly intoxicated stupor to the front door, she pulled the weight of unwanted company alongside her. The woman on her arm seemed totally confused, but entirely content with speaking whatever came to her mind...annoyingly enough.

The clinging of an old and rusty bell chimed above her as she stepped in, the warmth of the place supposedly hitting her in the face. The woman next to her smiled broadly at the feeling of finally being out of the cold.

"Wow, Sparks! I've only ever heard about this place! My Mom used to tell me about it. You know there's a town rumor that it's run by-"

Callie turned sharply, grabbing the nameless woman by her forearms and staring deep into her eyes, her jaw clenched in frustration.

"You don't remember my name. You don't remember my face. You will go home right now, climb into bed, and not remember a thing from tonight due to excess drinking."

Immediately the girl turned as if in a trance. Callie sighed as she heard the clinging behind her again, running a tired hand over her face. She walked slowly up to the bar that seemed nearly deserted, save for a few college kids in one corner playing pool and the backside of a blonde bartender. Pulling herself up onto the barstool, she slouched and gave a deep sigh once she settled in. Oddly she felt her skin begin to twinge on her hands. She peered at them curiously, itching them a bit.

"Ruddy alcohol, tricking me into feeling...feelings," she muttered.

"You gonna sit there and talk to yourself all night, or would you like me to pour you a glass?"

Callie chose to roll her eyes as she slammed her head against the bar, refusing to look up, grunting her response.

"'I'll have a pint."

A patronizing chuckle was emitted from the bartender's pink lips. "A pint of what, killer?"

"Look just whatever you have on ta-"

But Callie's words died in her throat as she looked up and watched an adorable young woman in a tattered smock rub a clear glass free of excess water from the sink. A smirk adorned the blonde's face as she sized Callie up, sashaying close to the mysterious stranger.

"You want to relax maybe? Geez, you're uptight," the blonde bartender said as she took note of the woman's stature. She let a giggle leave her lips as she placed the pint sized glass under one of the taps and pulled the lever down, allowing the frothy ale to guzzle out. "Then again," she added, placing the liquid in front of Callie, "I don't know how I'd be after a night with Suzie Q on my arm. Probably have the same look you've got on right now."

Callie gave a short laugh, nodding. "Yeah she was a bit too cheery for me, but I don't know if I'd go so far as to call her Susie Q."

"No," she replied, her face growing serious, "her name really is Susie Q. It's Susan Quintin." Callie groaned as the bartender laughed at her. "But clearly you never made it that far into conversation, am I right?"

Callie nodded, embarrassed by her behavior. She just wanted a tiny bit of company; just a moment or two where she didn't have to feel so alone. Picking up vapid women that would spread their legs easily was a perfect way to take her mind off things. She just hadn't expected this one to want to tag along with her afterwards.

The brunette grimaced as she grabbed the handle to her pint, pulling it back and scratching at her palm, the itchiness increasing as she made contact.

"What the actual fuck is with this?" she muttered to herself. The bartender eyed her suspiciously, a curious glance out of the side of her eyes going completely unnoticed by Callie.

"Why'd she leave?" the blonde asked. Callie glanced up at her briefly, still busy scratching her nails against the inside of her hand.

"Hmm? Why did who do what?"

The blonde rolled her eyes and flipped her hair out of her face, catching the green and yellow lighting of the tavern majestically, causing Callie to momentarily freeze in place. She wondered what the texture would feel like. She missed things like that.

"Susie, why did she leave? It's not like her to get someone as attractive as..." she trailed off, Callie smirking slightly as she watched a tiny hint of rouge appear against the blonde's cheeks as she averted her eyes. "Well it's not like her to pick up a person and then not try to claim them for the rest of all eternity. She's that girl. What'd you say to her to make her leave?"

Callie shrugged, tugging her sleeve down around her palm and picking up the glass that way. Satisfied when she was met with no scratchiness, she pressed the golden brown beer to her lips and took a few gulps. The bartender watched carefully, taking note of the way the stranger was grasping the handle.

"I just told her I wasn't feeling it anymore, that's all. She's a sweet girl, but I'm not interested." Callie responded. The blonde nodded, smiling as she leaned in closer to the stranger.

"Oh, ok. Not your type, huh?" she asked. Callie smiled wolfishly, speaking into her ale before taking another swig.

"Nu uh. I'm usually more of a blonde hair, blue eyed kind of girl." Winking over her cup, Callie grinned as she watched the bartender bite her lip seductively.

"Hmm, you don't say?" the blonde flirted. Callie finished off her beer, a loud gasp and swipe to her mouth with the back of her forearm telling the bartender she had definitely enjoyed it.

"May I have another, please?" she asked kindly.

"Sure," the blonde answered, smiling as she intentionally leant in and grasped the handle where the stranger's cloth covered hand was.

"SHIT!" Callie gasped, yelping as she pulled her arm back. The glass dropped onto the wooden, polished counter with a thud, a few drops of excess liquid splattering out.

"Aha!" the blonde yelled, pointing an accusing finger at the stranger. "I knew it! I KNEW it!"

Callie held her hand to her chest as she did her best not to cry those ugly red tears in front of the woman. She heard the blonde fussing about behind her, shooing the college kids out of the bars. Turning her attention to the woman sending everyone out on their ass, she watched her flick on the "Sorry, we're closed (for now)" neon green sign.

"You knew what?" she asked through clenched teeth. Slowly lowering her arm from her chest, she looked down, taking in the burned hand print that covered the top of her own hand, and some fingers. Shakily she inspected it in front of her, curious as to what was happening. A smack to the back of her head with the dish towel alerted her to the blonde's presence behind the bar again. She reached her good hand up to rub at the spot, frowning at the young woman.

"What the hell?" she asked. The blonde leaned forward, close enough so that Callie had to back up.

"You're a vampire," she whispered. Callie's eyes grew wide. How did this human know that? She watched how calmly the woman in front of her glared at her, crossing her arms indignantly in front of her, waiting for her reaction. Callie looked around at a loss, completely confused as to where to go from here.

"Umm..." she mumbled, "I'm sorry?"

The bartender rolled her eyes, pulling out a large book that looked incredibly thick and heavy from beneath the bar.

"Ugh, don't apologize, I highly doubt it's your fault. Here, hold out your arm," the girl said. Callie pulled back warily, subconsciously cradling her arm closer to her for protection. The blonde rolled her eyes, reaching out a hand and waving at Callie to hurry up.

"Seriously, I'm not going to hurt you again," she announced. Callie's eyes shot up.

"Oh!" she exclaimed. "So we're talking about that now, are we? You know it's your fault, then? How is that even possible? And WHY is it so...itchy in here?!" Callie pulled at her collar on her shirt, hoping to get some relief from the minor itchiness that was settling over her. The blonde waved her hand emphatically again, silently requesting Callie hold it out for inspection. The brunette sighed, hesitantly releasing her hold and shakily holding out the charred and burnt skin. The bartender peered at it for a while, wincing as she saw it was still smoking near the pretty stranger's thumb. Callie took deep breaths, doing her best not to show how much pain she was in due to the woman's touch.

"What's happening to me?" she asked. The blonde pulled back suddenly, licking her thumb and forefinger as she flipped open the heavy book with a loud thud. The rustling of pages caught Callie's eyes. She tried to read the strange writing that looked to be scrawled in old brown ink. A complete different language with strange symbols appeared in it.

"Hey!" the blonde snapped, wiggling her fingers in Callie's direction. "Back up or I'll touch all over you!"

Callie immediately scooted back. Her eyebrows furrowed as she took in the stranger's frantic mutterings and jerky motions. It was then that she realized all of this happened before she could even catch her name.

"Who are you?" Callie asked.

"Hmm? Oh," the blonde looked up, smiling a dimpled, dazzling smile, "I'm Arizona. Who are you?"

Arizona...Callie thought.

"That sounds really familiar..." she said, more to herself. The blonde in front of her scoffed while rolling her eyes.

"Yeah," she replied, "it's a state."

Callie shook her head, shrugging into her jacket a bit more to get settled in. She had a feeling she was going to be here a while.

"Not quite what I meant."

She watched as blonde hair fell delicately over her face, and suddenly Callie became aware of how hungry she was. Arizona's nimble fingers went up to tuck her hair behind her ear, and Callie followed it as she watched the young woman trail her hand across her neck absentmindedly as she read from the ancient textbook. Callie's breathing worsened and she squeezed her hands into fists, a sharp yelp of pain falling from her lips as her burnt flesh screamed at her in protest to her movements. Arizona's blue eyes snapped up to the vampire, disapproval etched over her features. Her gut reaction was to reach out and help, but she stopped herself half way, remembering it was her own fault she was feeling that pain.

"Well don't move it!" she huffed. "Here hold on just one..." The blonde reached up above her head, twisting three glasses dangling from the above drying wrack, and tugging a stray rope Callie hadn't noticed before that hung from the ceiling. Immediately the section of liquor lined up behind the blonde flipped around. Up popped strange bubbling liquids, beakers, wooden boxes labeled in chicken scratch and familiar herbs in clear cases. Suddenly Callie pieced the reasons together. She slapped an angry hand against the counter and pointed an accusing finger at the blonde.

"You're a witch!" she exclaimed.

"Ding ding ding! Finally. Took you long enough there. You must be a young one, huh? Oh no wait, let me guess!" Arizona eyed Callie momentarily, who responded by haughtily glaring at her blonde counterpart.

"You must be...somewhere around...25." Arizona guessed. Callie scoffed, flipping her hair back with a hint of superiority.

"Wow, ok, no. You're a tiny little thing, but that doesn't mean I am. I'm 40 years old." Arizona snorted, snagging some herbs and piling them into a mortar, using a pestle to crush it all up.

"Well, you certainly don't act like it. How old were you when you were turned? Like, 20? You look my age."

"I'm drunk," Callie insisted, as if it excused her clueless actions. "And I was 19 when I was turned. Why, how old are you?" she asked.

Arizona slipped a sterile glove on her hand, popping it into place the way a surgeon would. She scooped up some of the mushy green substance she had been making into her hand, tentatively reaching out for Callie as she gathered the sticky mass.

"I'm 21. Here, let me..." she trailed off, grasping Callie's wrist tentatively. Callie watched her with extreme caution, making sure she wasn't going to try anything to hurt her any further.

"Well you certainly know how to make an impression, Arizona." Callie whispered, sighing in relief as the cool balm was massaged into her flesh. The burning sensation began to dissipate with each passing second, and Arizona focused as she rubbed it into the vampire's slightly tanned skin.

"Yeah," the bartender winced sympathetically, "sorry about that. I had to be sure. At least I didn't grab your skin!" she reasoned. Callie rolled her eyes.

"Oh yes, my gratitude is overwhelming."

Arizona stared pointedly at her before turning to the bubbling liquids. She pressed an inquisitive finger to her chin, mulling over her options.

"Ok so are you in need of sleep assistance or do you think you could pretty much pass out through the pain?" the blonde asked. Callie's mind was reeling. She was a relatively young vampire, not having much help from anyone, but from what she had picked up from her few vampire friends and acquaintances, witches and vampires were enemies. So why was this witch helping her?

She must have been quiet for too long, because before she could say anything Arizona was back and spitting water in her face.

"Hey, what the-"

"Answer the question!" the blonde responded. Callie swiped the water off of her, grimacing in annoyance at the younger girl's actions.

"You need to grow up, Arizona..." Callie muttered. Arizona ignored her, slapping her upside the headd with a dish towel again. Callie grabbed it and yanked it forward angrily, her eyes going black and fangs dropping. Arizona flinched, but only momentarily as the terrifying vision in front of her began to growl at her.

"I said...grow...up!" the Latina roared. Arizona stared at her, watching out of her peripheral vision as Callie's veins began to pop purple under her skin. She knew to keep her cool, though. Besides, she was acting a bit childish. She supposed she could have been nicer.

Callie's breathing went from ragged and angry to deep and calming. Eventually her eyes settled back into their usual brown. Her grip on the towel slowly released, and her eyes downcast in embarrassment.

"I...I'm sorry..." she whispered, backing up and sulking into her seat. Arizona shrugged, doing her best to pretend she wasn't terrified.

"It's alright. You're right, I'm behaving oddly. I just couldn't get your attention. And it's not like I can touch you." she explained. Callie nodded, still a little peeved at the younger girl's actions.

"What's with that anyway? Why can't you touch me without turning me to charcoal?" she asked. Arizona paused, her finger stopping mid sentence in her book as she looked up at Callie through a furrowed brow.

"You don't get out much...do you?"

Callie shook her head no and sighed, fingering the empty pint of beer. Arizona reached out tentatively and filled the cup up halfway, daintily setting it back down in front of the other woman.

"You can have that until I'm done with your curative tonic."

Callie nearly spit out the beer that was now soothing her scratchy throat. Fumbling and sputtering for a moment, she coughed and slammed her good fist against her chest.

"I'm sorry, my what?" she asked. Arizona smirked from her place in front of her, sticking out her tongue in concentration as she poured pink, purple, and blue liquids into one giant beaker.

"What," Callie remarked, "no cauldron?"

Arizona gave a sarcastic smile. "Ha-ha, very funny," she responded." And to answer your question, I'm making you a drink that'll quell your itch. You have noticed you're itching, right?"

Callie nodded, suddenly remembering how scratchy her body became as soon as she entered the place. She watched Arizona hunch over the book and mutter to herself before quickly going to measure more ingredients. It soothed her for some reason.

"So, what am I, allergic to you or something?" Callie asked jokingly.

"Actually a little bit you are, yeah." Arizona answered. Callie frowned and watched on curiously as Arizona chuckled at her expense.

"I see you thought you were being funny. But no, yeah, you're a little bit allergic to me. It's my blood. My witchy, sorcerer self makes the blood in your body boil. So when I'm all the way over here, it only bubbles, causing you to itch. But when I touch you-"

"It turns to molten lava. Got it." Callie interrupted. Arizona gave a sympathetic side smile, finally leaning over and pouring the indigo liquid from the beaker into Callie's remaining beer. It turned the ale a deep murky brown. Callie turned her nose up to it, making Arizona softly laugh.

"It doesn't have a taste, darling. Just down it all. It'll help, trust me. And it'll help when you sleep in our bed tonight."

Looking up to gage Callie's reaction, Arizona laughed as the vampire's eyes bugged out slightly. She went on to explain.

"Well you're a drifter, I haven't seen you around here. And I know everyone in this town. Born and raised. So I can only assume that since you're here at..." she leaned over, checking the time on the neon clock, "Three in the morning, that there's no one waiting up for you. And since this is an inn, you can stay in one of the empty rooms. And trust me, they're almost always empty."

Callie downed the drink, noticing that Arizona was in fact telling the truth when she claimed that there was no taste. Her mind was stuck on something Arizona had said, though.

"Born and raised here, huh?" she asked. Arizona nodded, her eyes glazing over a bit.

"Yep! But anyway, let me take you to your room. Come on."

Walking around the bar, Arizona snagged Callie by the arm. Callie jumped back, stumbling a bit from the alcohol as she feared for her skin's safety.

"Whoa, whoa! I thought you couldn't touch me?" she exclaimed. Arizona rolled her eyes, leaning in and grabbing the Latina's arm again, wrapping it around her shoulder to help her stagger up the stairs that she knew were in the near future.

"That curative tonic I just gave you? It's good for 24 hours. I can touch you until the effects wear off. Now come on, the spare room I have in mind for you is upstairs."

And there it is! The first installment. I'll be posting more very soon, depending a bit on the reviews I suppose. Hmm...Let me know what you think, please!