It was muggy that day
The sweltering heat outside only seemed to transform the inside of the gas station into a furnace. The mostly glass walls of the establishment did little to reflect
the sun, it only contained it within. The only real source of relief was the small air conditioner located in the small office situated behind the counter and the
occasional draft made by a customer opening the door to the "beer cave". If perched just right between the two, one may find some form of relief. This is where
Callie Torres currently stood hoping to catch a slight breeze. It had been a long day and her shift seemed to have only started. She had just found a moment of
ecstasy by opening the office door and waving in some of the cool air that had built up on the closed off room. Between bouts of customers she would close the
door and let the air build back up so that she could relish in it after the store was empty again. She found it sad, that fact this of all things was what brought her
much joy anymore. Callie hated her life, she wasn't destined to be a gas station attendee. She was meant to be a surgeon. But here she sat mulling over the
events of her life that led to this miserable state. Sitting on a stool between the office and the remainder of the gas station laying out in front of her, Callie prayed
that she could have just one moment to rest her feet before the next customer came in. Running her hands through her dark locks bringing them up to tie back
she could feel sweat beginning to collect on her brow and along her hair-line. She almost wondered why she even showered before work anymore. Looking down
at her appearance she almost chuckled at the red apron that was "required" of her to wear. She was beginning to believe that it was just a sick joke that her
boss was playing on her. Leaning back on the door frame for support she continued to ponder on her life. Callie was so angry, hurt, and disappointed, she could
feel the tears starting to well in her eyes. Shutting her lids tight she left a stray tear escape. Just about that time the chiming of a bell alerted her of someones
entry. Callie quickly wiped away at her face in an attempt to hide her momentary breakdown. She stood up and saw over the counter who had made their way
in. She breathed deeply and her heart raced.
It was muggy that day
Arizona Robbins, to many it was Trooper Robbins and to those who did not know her it was strictly officer. Arizona however did not find that her title or rank
meant anything about who she was, she was just Arizona. But Arizona did take pride in what she did, it was more than being a police officer, she believed it was
about defining what an officer should be. This meant that she strived to improve the community and provide protection to society even if it meant risking her life.
It wasn't about who could write the most tickets or make the most arrests. Many a day Arizona would just stop among the different neighborhoods to help out
in anyway that she could. Whether that was helping plant flowers for the elderly or giving a less than fortunate soul a free meal or a lift to a near by destination.
She did however have one guilty pleasure. One that she would almost consider a crime. This obsession was visiting the Circle K gas station on the corner of West
Main and Third. She was a stalker. She knew it was unhealthy but she just couldn't get enough of the young woman that work such long hours there. Callie the
gas station attendee had placed her under a spell. She stopped as often as her schedule allowed. That was where she found herself heading at that very moment.
It was almost an unconscious reaction anymore. Whenever things seemed slow on her beat, she headed to see her obsession.
"Hey stalker." Arizona jumped at the voice coming over the radio.
" Dammit Teddy! You scared me!" She practically yelped back at her fellow trooper. She could hear Teddy's evil laugh filter through her cruiser.
"What do you want?" she asked, almost afraid to hear the response.
"Eh, just checking up. What are you doing?" Teddy radioed back.
"It's slow right now. I'm making some rounds though." She was hoping Teddy would just leave it at that. Arizona wasn't that lucky.
"Liar! You're going to go see your lady, aren't you?" Arizona almost cringed. Why am I so predictable?
"She's not "my lady", she probably doesn't even know I exist. Besides I don't go there for her! I just go because they have great prices and its very convenient.
That's why its called a convenient store." She argued.
"Yeah...and I'm calling you a liar! And a stalker! Just talk to her. Stop with the boring pleasantries and ask her on a date!" Teddy continued to yell. "Besides you
are a state trooper, of course she's see you! She'd be a fool not to notice an officer in her store every damn day."
"The only thing she could remotely remember about me is that my usual items are gummy worms, Fanta, coffee, and a lotto tickets." Arizona laughed back.
"Hey, at least she already knows what you like!" Teddy teases, "Anyway, I'll meet you up there. I really need some coffee."
"10-4. Just try not to embarrass me." Arizona replied when a cackle could be heard through the radio once more, signaling the end of their conversation. Arizona
huffed as she pulled into the familiar parking lot. She fidgeted around in her cruiser trying to ready herself. She had faced guns head on and never blinked but she
just didn't understand how this clerk could get her so wound up and afraid. Arizona did not fidget over anything or anyone. Exiting the vehicle she began to feel
the sweat accumulating on her brow, she couldn't decide if it was due to her nerves or from the heat wave.
It was muggy that day.
As subtly as she could Callie followed the movements of the blonde weaving in and around each aisle. It was a game that they played everyday. Callie would
watch carefully as the blue eyed officer perused each aisle carefully despite the fact that she never chose anything different. They would then dance around one
another trying to catch a peek at the other but never being bold enough to act on their obvious attraction. Pretending to read a tabloid Callie look up through her
long dark lashes, she used the round mirror in the top corner of the store to watched the blonde fiddle around in the back. She could see the officer run a hand
through her hair which was tied back in a loose ponytail, the woman was taking in the large selection of drinks. She spun on her heel and headed in Callie's
direction grabbing random items along the way. Callie jumped at the realization that the officer was now only a couple feet from where she stood. The blue gaze
caught brown. Neither realized how long they looked into the others eyes until the clearing of Callie's throat jarred them from their trace.
"Um.. hey" Callie took the initiative to speak first. Great I sound like a moron. It is my job to talk to people everyday but I clam up around her.
"Hi" The blonde dropped her items in front of the the brunette, chasing down a roll of candy that tried to escape. Callie couldn't help but smile at how cute her
favorite customer was. Officer Robbins was definitely getting the discount.
"Is this everything you need?" Callie began checking out the items and bagging them. Arizona's head snapped up, Need? I need your number! We need to go on a
date! I need you.. "Need some numbers?" Callie asked curiously.
"Yes! ..yes, numbers would be great." Arizona said lamely. She could feel the blush creeping up from her chest to her face. Seriously? Get it together Arizona.
What did you think she was referring to? Her number. God, I'm a moron.
"Power Ball?" Amused brown eyes studied the immaculate uniform in front of her. It was sharp and crisp, not a single button or pin was amiss. Her eyes lingered
a while longer, she began to realize why the troopers had the name of being "Grey Gods" they were without a doubt perfect specimens. Callie Torres found
herself standing before Arizona unabashedly admiring the toned figure.
"Uh yeah, that's fine" Arizona was no idiot. She may crumble under the intense stare of the beautiful Latina but she knew very well what kind of look she was
receiving at that moment. She felt herself straighten up her posture. "If I win, I'll split it with you." She gave a teasing dimpled grin. Now with a surge of courage
she knew the chase was on.
"Oh really?" The Latina gave a genuine laugh that practically shook the blonde. Arizona wanted nothing more than to hear it again. "So, you would just give away
half of the jackpot to a stranger?" Callie melted at the sight of the dimples before her, she wasn't sure which was hotter, the weather or this woman. Callie
desperately tried to continue her work by collecting the officers money. She would love for this beautiful woman to just take her away from here. There didn't
even have to be any money involved. What Callie heard next stalled all her thoughts.
"You don't have to be a stranger." Callie once again found herself staring into the deep blue pools that seemed to draw her in. It was when the blonde held out
her hand and placed cash in Callie's that she swallowed hard, her cheeks flushed and she felt heat over take her body. The tingle in her had was almost to strong
to bear. She bit her lip and shook off her daze when embarrassment rushed forth. She was holding Officer Robbins hand, she was unintentionally holding the
blondes change hostage.
"Oh my god, I'm sorry!" She scrambled to drop the money in to the offered hand and let go of the woman. Arizona only giggled at her frustration. Both secretly
regretting the loss of the touch.
"No worries. Really, its fine." The blonde was definitely enjoying how she had somehow abandoned her nerves and now had firm control over the situation. "So,
umm... Miss Callie..?" Arizona leaned forward to read the name tag on the apron strap. Who was she fooling? She had spied it many times before. She almost
certain that by now the brunette thought that she had been ogling her chest...and maybe she had. But that was not the case this afternoon. She was not about
to ruin her chances now, not after she had worked up the courage to begin her game.
"Oh, ha. It's Callliope..Torres I mean, it's Callie. ..Torres" Arizona stared into the brown orbs but slowly her eyes drifted to the full red lips, she then traced the
outline of the woman's defined jaw, and lingering on the slightly dampened hair that framed her face. She was beautiful. Arizona found herself yearning to taste
those lips, kiss along that jaw, and be the source of the Latina's perspiration.
"Well Callie," Arizona collected her items and turned to leave, "I'll let you know if we hit it big." She looked smiled over her shoulder as she neared the door.
"Have a good day officer" Is all that Callie could muster.
"Please, its Arizona." The trooper flashed another signature smile hoping to make a lasting impression on the clerk.
"Well, Arizona. Take it easy out there. It's... um..it's muggy out today." Callie had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. No she wanted to punch herself in the
face. She watched as Arizona nodded and left her store. All she was left with was the lonely sound of the door bell. Ugh...muggy out!? What is that? There goes
my chance of ever seeing her again. Or a chance at some lotto money. She had so many other things that she hoped to say, so many other things she wanted
to ask Arizona. Like, be careful out there or are you going to come back sometime? But that very moment just didn't seem like the time or place. What would
someone like Arizona want with someone like her? Feeling defeated, Callie slumped back into her stool near the office in hopes of finding a breeze.
It was muggy that day.
Thanks for reading everyone. Right now I don't have a beta so any errors were all mine. Sorry if they were unbearable. If you all like this story and think it has potential let me know. I already have chapter 2 halfway complete. Thanks again!