Patient Files

Name: Calliope Iphegenia Torres

Diagnosis: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Background: Patient has completed an 18 month tour in Afghanistan in the army as a combat medic approximately two years ago, and has been in the States since. Demonstrates common symptoms of PTSD such as anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. Has little to no recollection of what seems to be the most grisly of her memories in the war. Previously abused alcohol as a coping mechanism after her return, though is now six months sober.

Therapist's comments: She is somewhat reserved during sessions, however is beginning to become more comfortable with me. Although she is still quite opposed to sharing memories for long, and avoids any mention or attempt of remembering what we refer as "that memory."

…

The scorching sun hangs low in the sky. Fiery rays paint it a myriad of dark hues with vibrant splashes of orange. A stifling breeze brushes past the small group of soldiers, as a set of snipers lie low, shrouded by a small crowd of bushes.

Callie anxiously chews on the inside of her cheek as the seconds drag by. Dusk threatens to swallow the squad as nightfall quickly approaches, a deceptively calm silence drifting in its wake.

And that's when she heard it. The first shot.

…

"Morning Calliope." Dr. Robbins greets her first patient of the day. "How was your day?"

"Well I've been awake for approximately 45 minutes so..."

Arizona busily writes in her notebook, "And how does that make you feel?"

"Um, tired." Callie raises an eyebrow.

A long hum sounds from the blondes throat as she contemplates the reply, "And do you think that something in your childhood may have sparked this?"

A long silence stretches between the two until Callie finally cracks, and a small chuckle fills the room. "Well now that you mention it," she plays along with their usual game. After their first session- where Callie clearly addressed her animosity towards the cliché heart-to-heart conversation between therapist and patient- Arizona made a point to begin each of their meetings with such discussions.

"So is it safe to say that it's been an alright morning so far?" Arizona ventures, breaking character.

"I've had worse."

"Any nightmares?"

A tense sigh whispers past Callie's lips. "Yeah." She replies softly.

"About that-"

"No. It was just the usual stuff." The brunette runs her hands through her hair- a nervous habit she just couldn't shake. And let's just pretend that Arizona's eyes didn't linger on the latina as a rush of ebony locks spill over her face. Because that would be completely unprofessional.

"Care to share?" Although it's phrased as a question, both know it's more of a request. It was all a part of her exposure therapy, where by reliving the gruesome memories, Callie learned how to gain control of her emotions and thoughts about the traumatizing experiences.

Another sigh rattles Callie's lungs. "It was the first time I ever saw someone shot." She begins nervously. "We were dealing with a sniper that had been messing with us for a while. I really didn't even need to be there but..." Her voice gradually fades until she abruptly continues. "The guys and I were lying low by his hideout, at least that's what we thought it was. And that's when Mark shot him."

A short silence passes until Arizona gives Callie a reassuring nod to continue.

"Um," the brunette squirms in her seat. "There was a lot more blood than I expected- and it was a clean shot too, right between the eyes." Her words now come out in a rushed slur as she tries to hurry through the disturbing memory. "And then his wife and kid came running out. It wasn't his hideout." she clenches the arm of the sofa in a merciless grip. "The woman was silent, it was... unnerving. She didn't move, she didn't cry, she just stood there as if she was waiting to awaken from a nightmare. And then she screamed. God, I'll never forget those screams. And the boy, who couldn't have been more than ten, just stood there and-"

"Callie." Arizona's voice wrenches her from the memory. "It's okay." She says gently, seeing her beginning to get lost in the flashback.

Calliope suddenly becomes aware of the trickle of tears sliding silently down her cheek, and she brusquely swipes at them with a trembling hand. "It was his house." she persists, "I swear, we didn't know; it was miles from the nearest town." She urges with pleading eyes.

"I know." Arizona reassures her, "You know I'm not here to judge you."

Suddenly feeling like a child being comforted over a skinned knee, Callie bites her lip in embarrassment.

"Hey, there's no shame in crying. Besides, you did great." Arizona gives her a good-natured grin. "Seriously."

Callie's lips quirk into a smile, "Dude, you're doing that freaky mind-reading stuff again." She declares partly to change the subject and partly because it seriously was freaky.

"You know, I can teach you how I do it." Arizona raises a challenging eyebrow paired with a smirk.

Callie rolls her eyes, "Alright." Sarcasm drips from the simple response.

"I can."

"Okay, go for it Yoda."

Arizona snorts as if someone tried to tell her the sky was green, "Yoda can't read minds."

A blank stare hangs on Callie's face.

"I mean he could use mind control on people if he wanted, and can use telepathy, but-"

This time it's Callie's turn to snort in amusement.

"What?"

"You know this because..."

Arizona shrugs, "What can I say, I'm a kid at heart."

"Okay Kiddo, how do you do that weird-ass mind thingy?"

Arizona abruptly gazes at Callie as if the meaning of life lay hiding beneath Callie's own caramel skin. The brunette gnaws on her bottom lip while impossibly blue eyes pierce her very being. Suddenly feeling exposed, Callie rakes a hand through her hair- 'she's really got to stop doing that.' Arizona thinks. As time drags on, a deep silence envelopes the pair, and the sudden crescendo of Arizona's voice makes Callie flinch.

"Nah." Her previously steely features crack as a mischievous smirk forms.

Callie's eyebrows scrunch in confusion, "Excuse me?"

"You still have much to learn young grasshopper."

Further bewilderment crosses the brunette's face until she quickly remembers her past request. "You're not going to teach me the mind thing?"

"Nah." A laugh fights to escape Arizona as Callie stares open-mouthed at the blonde.

However soon a childish pout settles over her face and she retorts, "Fuck you."

Laughter bubbles from the impish therapist. "Sorry Kiddo."

Any takers? This my first GA multi-chap fic, so tell me if I'm a little off with the characterization (aside from the circumstances in the story.) Or just feel free to tell me what you think in general.

Peace out.