TITLE: Grey's Anatomy – "You're My One"
SUMMARY: Having endured drama and heartache over the course of the past two years, Doctor Callie Torres finds herself lost and with no direction. Her only comfort is her three year old daughter and her work as a world renowned Orthopaedic Surgeon. Can she find the one element missing from her life, or is she destined to make the same mistake over and over while ignoring her heart's true desire?
PAIRINGS: Callie Torres & Arizona Robbins; Alex Karev & Jo Wilson; Owen Hunt & Amelia Shepard.
RATING: M for mature readers.
DISCLAIMER: The television characters are owned by Creator Shonda Rhimes, ShondaLand, The Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studios. I have merely taken them out to play and will return them unscathed once my Muse is done. All original characters belong to the author. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is gained from this storytelling.
A/N: Please feel free to review, follow or favour.
Chapter One
Friday 17th April, 2015
Calliope Iphegenia Torres ran long fingers through the soft waves of her jet black hair and audibly sighed. Staring at the empty shot glass and half full mug of beer perched on the counter in front of her; the Latino scoffed, "What is freaking wrong with me?"
For a Friday night, The Emerald City Bar was packed to the rafters with Medical staff and employees from Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The hospital was situated across the street and the bar was a favourite hangout for those wishing to socialise, hook up or just forget the shift they had just finished. Some were there to eat and spend time with a loved or actually having a romantic date.
Callie wasn't there for any of those reasons; she just needed some alcohol to help her find sleep once she went home. Living a short distance from work meant her visit to the watering hole was meant to be brief, but that wasn't the case, and in a room filled with people, Callie never felt so alone. For the past six months solitude had been an unwelcomed guest in her life, and no matter how hard she tried; she was unsuccessful in eradicating the bitch from her days and nights.
Robust owner Joe appeared with a smile, "You want a refill Doctor Torres?"
Raising her head, the thirty four year old answered with the question she had asked herself moments ago, "What's wrong with me?"
"I'm not following Doc," admitted Joe truthfully. "Could you maybe be a little more specific?"
Callie was about to reply, but the bartender moved on to serve another customer. Her inner turmoil was interrupted when an attractive blonde sidled up to her and inquired, "Hey there, name's Georgia Preston. Would you like to dance?"
Turning her attention to the tall, slim stranger, Callie waved her off, "No thanks, I'm not interested. I do appreciate you taking the time to ask, but I am done with dating, casual hook ups and meaningless relationships."
"Wow, someone really must have broken your heart," returned the green eyed woman, not expecting such a detailed refusal.
"Yeah, well shit happens and I just happen to be a shit magnet."
Georgia laughed at the self-depreciating statement, "That's a shame. I'm new to the hospital and word is you're a vixen in bed who doesn't mind one night stands."
It wasn't the first time Callie had heard the rumour, but for once she reacted differently and omitted the smugness, "That was a long time ago and all I want right now is to finish my drink before going home."
Not taking the hint to leave the surgeon alone, Georgia remained, "Rough day hey?"
"Yup, you could say that. I just finished a fifty two hour shift."
Nodding, the blonde pressed on, "Can I buy you a drink and ease the stress Doctor Torres?"
"No thanks, I'm off."
Leaning in, the woman Callie was convinced was hard of hearing purred into her ear, "We could have a whole lot of fun beautiful."
"Well, we will never know, will we?"
Finally catching onto the inference, Preston left well enough alone, "I guess not, see you around."
Callie lifted her hand to attract Molly's attention. When the bartender neared; the mid-twenties brunette asked, "Another tequila Doc?"
"No thanks, one is enough. I'd like to settle my tab."
"Sure thing, I'll just grab it."
After handing over a fifty dollar bill, Callie offered, "Keep the change."
With an astonished look, the younger woman remarked, "You only had one beer and one shot."
"That's correct, so don't forget to share with Joe."
Smiling at the gloomy doctor, Molly bid her farewell, "I won't, goodnight."
Tired beyond description, Callie got to her feet and walked the short distance to building 1810. Making her way to the elevator, she pressed the call button and was thankful when the doors slid back immediately.
Stepping into the empty car, Callie selected the number five control and within seconds, entered apartment 501.
Tossing her bag onto the leather couch, she glanced at her black chucky wristwatch and saw it was ten past two. It was well and truly time she showered and went to bed.
Without turning on lights, Callie navigated her way to the main bedroom then strolled into the ensuite.
Ten minutes passed before she placed her pager and phone on the bedside table and pulled back the bed covers. Letting out a loud exhalation, Callie climbed onto the mattress and silently thanked her parents for making the trip from Miami two days earlier and taking her soon to be four year old daughter back with them.
Sofia Robbin Sloan Torres had been excited about travelling in a plane and spending time with her adored grandparents at their home by the beach. Having only re-established a relationship with her mother after years of non-acceptance, Callie was eager for her to get to know her grandchild.
The absence of Sofia meant Callie would not be woken by her in four hours time. With that thought, she hugged one of the spare pillows and dozed off into slumber land.
-o-
It was eight thirty when Callie finally prised open her eyelids. A melancholy washed over her as silence filled the room. Struggling to get out of bed and not pull the comforter over her head, she chastised herself, "Seriously Torres, this shit has to stop." The stern words did the job and Callie sprung off the mattress and walked to the chest of drawers.
Selecting matching pink briefs and bra, comfortable jeans and a loose tee shirt, Callie took a shower in the hope it would alleviate the darkness that had shrouded her thoughts for some time. She was bitterly disappointed when she felt no better while dressing.
Realising she was teetering on the edge of depression, Callie phoned a fellow attending and friend.
After two dial tones, Alex Karev answered, "This better be freaking important Torres?"
"Sorry, were you asleep?"
"No, but Jo is ready to get her freak on in the shower. What do you need?"
"Okay, first of all, I do not need to hear about you and your girlfriend's sexual business and secondly, I was wondering if you wanted to grab a beer and watch the game while Jo is on nightshift?"
"Yeah sure, sounds good. I'll be at your place by seven and bring the pizza."
"Thanks Alex."
"It's not a problem, see you later."
"Bye."
With seven hours to kill, Callie prayed she wouldn't be called into work while off-call and went grocery shopping.
-o-
Arriving home two hours later, Callie did the housework and caught up with the laundry. Still in a funk, she took off her purple cotton tee and slipped off her jeans. Retrieving the stereo remote from the coffee table, she cranked up the volume and danced in her underwear.
Forty minutes later, Callie surrendered to the compounding realisation her favourite mood pick me up was not working. Slumping onto the sofa, she lay on her back and stared at the ceiling. Somewhere along the line she drifted off and woke to the sound of her phone ringing.
With a huff, Callie reached for the cell on the low tale and looked at the screen. Putting the phone to her right ear, she forewent pleasantries, "You're bailing on me, aren't you?"
"Sorry about this, but McMillan's a no show and I've been called in."
"Figures," complained Callie. "I'll talk to you later."
"Will do, bye."
Tossing the cell onto the couch, Callie went to the fridge and retrieved two day old pizza. The food satisfied her hunger, but not her disposition. Her self-rebuke was disturbed by a knock on the door.
Gathering up her clothes from the back of the sofa, Callie was fully dressed by the time she peeked through the spyhole. "Shit, shit!" she cursed while viewing her ex-wife on the other side.
Sheepishly opening the door, she flew into an apology, "Arizona, I am so sorry, but I forgot to call and tell you Sofia's gone to Miami for a visit."
The Head of Paediatric Surgery's usual perky demeanour took a swift nosedive, "Oh for crap's sake Calliope, I was taking our daughter to the zoo tomorrow. Plans were made two weeks ago and I even changed shifts with McMillan."
"I know all that and just so you know, McMillan went sick and Karev was called in."
"Double crap, that's twice this week," whined Arizona with a roll of her eyes. "When were my plans changed?"
"Mom and dad showed up unannounced at the hospital on Wednesday with the offer to take her for two weeks."
The blonde shook her head, "You could have said no Calliope."
"How was I supposed to that? Dad informed me his private jet was at the airport then mom went on about never having enough time with Sofia. It's only been three months since she accepted my sexuality and I didn't want to rock the boat."
"I gather because I am still seen as the jezebel that broke their daughter's heart, my opinion wasn't sought."
Callie's pitch grew higher, "It wasn't like that Ari. I simply forgot to tell you. I worked fifty two hours straight because the pit was slammed and they needed me."
"Don't raise your voice at me. I haven't done anything wrong."
All common sense abandoned Callie and she yelled, "OF COURSE NOT. THE ALMIGHTY ARIZONA ROBBINS NEVER DOES."
Tears sprang to Arizona's eyes, "Whoa, back the god damn bus up for a minute. I showed up here to pick up our daughter and spend the weekend with her as previously arranged and now you are shouting at me and throwing my infidelity at me. I thought we'd gotten past that?"
Defeated by her own unreasonable behaviour; Callie burst into tears and slammed the door shut. She stayed in position listening to Arizona's pleas to open the door.
Frustrated by the turn of events, the blonde delivered a parting salvo, "I only want to help, but I see you don't need me."
Callie heard the departing footsteps fade and took herself back to bed. She remained there until noon the next morning and decided she needed to pull herself together for the sake of her daughter.
Taking a long shower, Callie dressed in running gear and jogged for five miles before returning home to call Sophie.
The conversation was brief due to the fact Sophia was currently on her grandparent's yacht learning how to fish and found it hard to concentrate on two things at the same time. Acknowledging the frustration of her child; Callie wished her luck, sent her love and said goodbye then ordered in pizza.
-o-
