A/N1: This is my first attempt to write a Calzona fic. Hope you like it.
Why do I have to go back? Callie Torres thought while sitting on her seat on the plane back home. After a great vacation with her parents, she wasn't looking forward to getting back into her normal routine. Sure, she loved her job and friends, but her disastrous love life made her wish to never go back.
Sighing, Callie closed her eyes and put her headphones on. Music always had a calming effect on her, no matter what the genre. She was so into her music that she didn't realize somebody was trying to get her attention, until she felt her right shoulder being touched. She jumped slightly and turned to the stranger so fast that it made her a little dizzy, or was it because she came across with the most beautiful pair of blue eyes staring amusingly at her?
"Err, sorry for interrupting…" the stranger said after a little giggle. Callie couldn't help to notice the beauty this person had: long blond hair, pale skin and blue eyes, not to mention that she had a great body. "May I ask if you could change seats with me?" she continued nervously pointing to the seat close to the window by the brunette's side, but she didn't have the chance to respond."It's just that flying make me really nervous and… well… looking out the window and seeing all the clouds and how high we are, makes me more nervous and… and this ticket was bought last minute for me, so I didn't have much choice. I would be very grateful if you could switch with me…" the blonde rambled so fast that Callie almost couldn't catch all the words, what made her chuckle by this strange behavior.
"Sure, I don't mind. Actually I enjoy staring at all the clouds." This made the stranger smile showing a pair of dimples obviously relieved.
"Thank you so much. I'm Arizona Robbins." The blonde said taking her seat and extending her hand in greeting.
"Hmm... Callie Torres." She said impressed by this person's perkiness. Arizona, what a strange name, but who I am to say?
"Nice to meet you, Callie. Is this short for something?
"Err… yes, but it's a very embarrassing name, that's why I go by Callie. Only father likes it enough to call me by my full name."
"I totally understand. I will let you go back to your music. Thank you again for switching seats."
After a few minutes after they got comfortable, the plane started its engines and Callie saw Arizona grip her armrests with such force that her knuckles turned white. This made her realize that Arizona wasn't kidding about being nervous in flying - seemed more like a fear – but she didn't have it in her to try and comfort a person who she just meet, so she just keep listening to her playlist. However when a particular song that she loved started to play, she couldn't help to realize that the lyrics were perfect to her situation and began to sing softly along it.
"Who you are, right? By Jessie J." Arizona commented at the second chorus, making Callie a little embarrassed to be caught singing.
"Yeah, that's right. I'm surprised you recognized it."
"What I can say, it is a great song." The blonde said contemplating. "Don't lose who you are, because it's okay not to be okay. It`s something that I believe in too."
"Yeah, but sometimes it's hard to remember who we used to be…" The brunette said sadly.
"I know what you mean, but I can sense you are going through it. Do you want to talk about it? I'm a good listener." Arizona said comprehensively.
Callie was taken aback by that. Even her own parents didn't ask if she wanted to talk about what was bothering her. But how would she tell to her parents – who just came around with her sexual orientation – that her girlfriend from two years accepted a job in Canada and made Callie chose between go with her or braking up without another choice, how would she tell her parents that she failed every relationship and this made her believe that she is destined to be alone? No, this would crush them, so instead Callie decided to just enjoy the time with them to try lifting her, but a stranger was willing to listen to whatever problem she has and she was tempted to do so, but at the same time she didn't want to spill her whole life and seem a broken person, especially in front of a pretty girl. Maybe she was a shrink.
"I appreciate your offer, but I don't think…" Before Callie could finish her sentence the plane began to move what made her lose the blonde attention who exclaimed 'Oh God' with her eyes shut tightly and her grip on the armrests became more forceful.
"Hey, are you ok?" Callie asked concerned.
"Y-yeah… I-I'm fine." Arizona responded shakily. "It's just that the take-off and the landing are the worst part in a flight. I will be good when everything stops shaking."
"You really have fear of flying, huh." Callie said amused, what made Arizona glare at her.
"Hey! I don't have fear of flying! I-It just makes me really nervous!"
"Whatever makes you sleep at night."
"Hey, don't mock me! This is not funny! This is a serious thing!"
"I know, I know, sorry. You make it very easy to tease you, but look at the bright side, the plane stopped shaking and you didn't notice, so you can relax."
"Oh…" The embarrassed look on the blonde's face is very cute, but Callie decided to don't think much about it. "Being distracted really helped… thank you."
"You are welcome. But you do have fear of flying." Callie said with a teasing smile.
"Ok, ok, you won. I just thought that if I didn't admit my fear it would make me feel a little better, but it seems I was wrong."
"I thought that shrinks knew how to fight against fears." At the look of confusion she received, Callie became confused herself. "Are you not a shrink?"
"No, I'm not. I'm a pediatric surgeon."
"Oh, a surgeon… this is incredible. Sorry, I'm guessed because you offered to listen to my problems."
"That is okay. I just like to help others." She said smiling. "So, do you want to talk?"
"Let's just say that my love life is a disaster." Callie said dismissing the subject.
"Maybe you haven't found the right person yet. Who knows… you could meet the love of your life when you least expect, so don't give up." The surgeon said sympathetically. "I, for example, haven't given up. A few years ago my fiancée dumped me when my brother died in Iraq because I wasn't fun to be with anymore. I was really crushed and if it wasn't for my best friend I wouldn't be me anymore. Then I started to focus in my career and just had occasional dates, but none of them was worthy to start a serious relationship."
Callie was very surprised by this story. This person didn't just lose her brother, but lost her fiancée too who was supposed to be by her side, especially in moments like that and, yet, was very optimistic. "This fiancée of yours is very stupid, I think that it was better that you didn't get married. And I'm sorry about your brother that must have been very hard for you and your family."
"Thank you. I do miss him very much, but I'm very proud to talk about Tim. He was amazing, very funny and a great judge of character. He always said I deserved better than Joanne." Callie wasn't expecting this person to be a lesbian and it must have shown up in her face. "You are not one of those homophobic people, are you? Because that could be a problem…"
The serious look on Arizona's face made Callie chuckle. "Oh no. If I was I would be a hypocrite." This made the surgeon confused. "I'm bi-sexual."
"Oh."
They got into an awkward silence for a few minutes before Arizona broke it. "So, are you going to Seattle for vacation or business?"
"Actually, my vacation just ended. I was visiting my hometown and now I'm going back to the real life."Callie said a little sad. "Anyway, Dr. Robbins," she said playfully. "what are your plans?"
"I have a consult for a Peds case for the day after tomorrow and my flight was scheduled for tomorrow, but the chief of surgery asked if I wanted to reschedule my flight to observe the Head of Department position. So here I am."
"So you are giving up the sun of Miami for the rain in Seattle?" Callie asked amused.
"Not really. I was in Miami for the same thing. I live in Maryland and am an attending in John Hopkins Hospital."
"One of the best hospitals in the country? Why do you want to leave the best Peds program, people would kill to be there?"
"You really know well Hopkins fame. Are you a surgeon too?"
"Unfortunately not even close. Most of my friends are surgeons, including my best friend, so I know some things."
"Really? I could see you being a surgeon." Arizona said thoughtfully. "Maybe Ortho."
"Good guess. I do think that bones are interesting, after all, it's them that support our body." She said confidently. "Now, seriously Dr. Robbins. You must be a great surgeon if you are consulting and are from Hopkins, why are you leaving?"
"Arizona is fine. I think we are allowed to call each other by first names, don't you think Callie?" the surgeons winked playfully. "I'm leaving because I want to make the Peds department from other hospitals just as awesome as Hopkings. Four years ago I won the Carter Madison Grant and worked for three years in Africa. There I felt I was making difference, then when I came back I thought that so much more children could be helped if I could transform the Peds program from a hospital with potential to be like Hopkins."
Callie could see the passion in those blue eyes, what was very admirable. "It is an incredible thing. I may not know you very well, but I'm sure you can do it." She said confidently. "What hospitals are you interested in?"
"In this last year I've visited many hospitals around the country, but those who peaked my interest were Boston Children's, Miami Children's and Phoenix Children's." At this, Callie smirked playfully. "Stop. I know what you are thinking. Arizona in the state of Arizona is like some kind of joke, but I could use that in my favor to entertain the tiny humans. Anyway, the last hospital I'm visiting is Seattle Grace Mercy West. I heard good things about it."
"Wait, Seattle Grace Mercy West? It is where my surgeons friends work. It is a great place, I know so many stories from there if you are interested?"
"Don't get me wrong, Callie, but I prefer to have this visit without being biased."
"Oh, I understand. That's ok. Then tell me, your parents really named you after the state?" Callie couldn't help but ask.
"Maybe, maybe not. If you tell me your full name I will tell you the story behind mine."
"No way will I tell you my full name!" Arizona just lifted her eyebrow.
"I can live without knowing." Callie mumbled stubbornly.
"Whatever makes you sleep at night, Callie."
To think that she would use my words against me. Callie thought pouting.
"You are cute pouting." The word cute slipped from Arizona's mouth and this didn't go unnoticed by Callie because of the pink tone on caramel cheeks, even if the brunette was gaping incredulously at her. "Stop making this face, you were! Anyway, what you do for living?"
Callie was grateful for the change on subject. "I started my career as an actress, musical actress, but years ago I ended my career in Broadway with Monty Python's Spamalot, then moved to Seattle where I founded a center for music and acting lessons. I love to be able to help someone conquer their dream is a feeling so amazing that I can't put it into words. I feel that I was born for it."
"Wow, this is really admirable." Arizona said impressed by her passion. "Have you stopped singing? Because from what I could hear before, you have a great voice. It would be a shame if you don't sing anymore."
Callie blushed again for the compliment. "Well, sometimes I sing at a friend's bar in exchange for free drinks." She said playfully.
"I would like to see that. Are you going to sing in the next three days?"
"I don't know. I will have so much paper work to do that I don't know if I will be in the mood to sing. But you should go to Joe's Bar, even without a live show it is the best bar in the city and is across from Seattle Grace."
"It seems that I already have a place to drink after my consultation. Would you like to join me?" the surgeon asked flirting.
"Arizona Robbins, are you asking me out?" the teacher responded with a fake surprise.
"Maybe. Or I just don't want to drink alone."
"I will think about it." Callie smirked making Arizona laugh.
"You own me a answer, Mrs. Callie Torres." She said trying to be serious, but the smile in her face didn't allow it.
"Sure I do." Their talk seemed to flow smoothly and Callie didn't want it to end. "You know that I'm from Miami... so, tell me, where are you from?"
"Everywhere. I'm from a military family, thus we moved a lot."
They talked about every and anything, about themselves and things in general for the whole flight. From time to time one of them made a flirtatious comment but they chose not to think much about the plane landed, they only realized because the pilot announced they arrived in Seattle. After getting their bags they headed to the exit of the airport in silence, both of them a little sad to part. Callie thought that they had connected so well that a great friendship could be born. Or something more.
"I think it is time to say goodbye." Arizona said stopping a few meters from the exit. "This was the best flight I had, so thank you Callie."
"You don't need to thank me, I didn't do much."The brunette said confused.
"Are you kidding me!? For the first time I didn't almost have a panic attack for the most part of the flight. And it was because of you." She said grateful. "Unfortunately, I need to go have a shower and sleep. I had so much fun and didn't see the time pass, but I'm exhausted."
"I totally understand." After a brief pause, Callie hopefully asked: "Will we meet again?"
"Depends." Arizona said vacantly stepping forward and put her hand on Callie's right cheek. "It was a pleasure to meet you Callie, but I really need to go." The blonde placed a goodbye kiss on the brunette's left cheek that lingered more than a friendly kiss. However as soon as it ended, she turned around, took her bags and walked backwards to the exit. "You know where to find me, so it's all on you."
Callie just stared dumbfounded at Arizona who winked and walked out of sight. She stood there enjoying the feeling of the kiss, until a malicious grave voice made her jump. "Who is the hot chick, Torres?"
"Oh my God Mark! You almost gave me a heart attack!"
"Sorry. Seriously, who is she?"
"Just a potential friend that I met in the flight." Mark just lifted his eyebrow incredulously.
"I don't think she is interested in just be friends. She asked you out?"
"Sort of. She said she will have a drink after her consulting, that, by the way is for a Peds case in Seattle Grace, and she asked me to join her."
"Wait, she is the Peds consult, Robbins? I wasn't expecting for her to be this hot." This coment deserved a strong slap on his arm. "Ouch! That hurts. Anyway, what will you do?"
"I don't know. I do want to us to be friends, but don't think it's to soon to start dating again?"
"C'mon Callie. It's been three months since you broke up with that bitch. I know that was hard, but it's time for you to walk tall again. I miss my confident, badass best friend. So, go for it."
Callie looked at her friend very surprised. "Lexie is doing wonders to you. Who would think that Mark Sloan could give a good advice." She grabbed her bags and walked toward the exit without saying anything more, but was planning what she would do to woo a certain blue eyed beauty.
Two days after, Callie was singing at Joe's Bar for half an hour already. Thanks to Mark, she had some news about Arizona, like how she was with kids, that she wears roller skates and that she is a control freak, but especially when she was coming to drink which was to be one hour ago. Callie planned every thing, she would pay for a drink, sing a few songs and ask her on a date. She knew that Arizona's surgery finished on time, because Mark and her other surgeons friends were there. Maybe I read the signs wrong. Maybe she wanted me to find her in the hospital. Maybe she thinks I'm not interested...
"Callie, are you ready for the next song?" Joe asked bringing her back from her thoughts.
"Yes Joe. But this will be my last, ok?"
"No problem. I'm glad you wanted to sing today. People here love you."
"Thank you, Joe." Then she turned to her audience. "Hope you all have enjoyed my songs so far." A round of applauses and cheers was made. "Today we have a couple that just became engaged and requested this song, so to close this night: The Story by Brandi Carlile."
When she was about to start singing, she saw a blur of blonde enter the bar going direct to Mark's table sitting with her back to the brunette. But as soon as she sang the first verse, Arizona spun in her chair very surprised and met Callie's eyes. The Peds surgeon's smile was so bright that it could illuminate the whole bar.
For the most part of the song Callie didn't take her eyes away from blue ones, but then she remembered that other people were watching her. Honestly, the music teacher didn't think she could sing that song with the emotion it deserved, but Arizona came in and changed everything. When the song came to its end, Callie received a standing ovation and before she could leave the stage Joe gave her a letter saying that was from a secret admirer.
'Calliope means beautiful. You really make justice to your name. It is a pretty name, you shouldn't be ashamed.
If you don't know who I'm, telling you that my parents named me after a battleship may help.'
Soon after reading it she looked at the table where she last saw the blonde, but didn't found her. Mark showed up behind her from nowhere whispering in her ear. "Blondie is ordering a drink, got get her tiger." She didn't need to be told twice, quickly she made her away to the balcony where she spotted who she was looking for.
Arizona was talking animatedly with Joe and didn't seem to notice Callie's approach."So, like the battleship?"
The surgeon politely excused herself to the bar owner and turned with a proud smile. "Yes, the USS Arizona. My grandfather served there and saved 19 people before he drowned. "At this moment her drinks arrived, two glasses of wine, one white and other red. "We meet again Mrs. Calliope Torres. Want to join me in a drink? Hope you like red."
Callie liked the way Arizona said her full name, like she really appreciated saying it."I actually do. How did you find out my full name?"
"I Googled you." The blond said without being little bit embarrassed making the other hearty laugh."I was hoping to meet you here, but wasn't expecting to hear you sing. That was a pleasant surprise. I'm just a little sad that I missed the previous songs. And I know that Sloan told you at what time I was coming, so I'm sorry for being late. I lost the track of time with the tiny humans."
This comment made Callie's hope grow. "Did you liked Seattle Grace? Did you choose a hospital already?"
"Not yet. I liked here very much, but Phoenix Children's made me a better offer." This discouraged Callie a little. "But I need to consider other things, like Boston is close to my parents, Miami is hot and Phoenix is a good city, but I don't know what the Emerald City has to offer apart from rain." Dropping to a flirtatious tone she said looking straight to brown eyes. "Although I know something that interests me in Seattle."
Suddenly Callie felt her throat dry and drank her wine. Composing herself she decided to follow Mark's advice and go for it. "If that's the case, we should've call it a night." At the incredulously look in Arizona's face, she quickly carry on. "You will need your energy, because I will pick you up at 8 a. m. and I will show you what Emerald City has best and is not just the rain."
"Calliope Torres, are you asking me out?"
"Maybe." Arizona just lifted a defiant eyebrow. "Ok, ok. Yes, I'm, do you want to?" Callie asked a little insecure.
"Of course I do, Calliope." The blonde said tenderly.
Regaining her confidence she took the rest of her drink. "We have a deal, so don't be late." Winking she turned to leave to have the last say this time, but was stopped by a soft hand in her right wrist.
"Wait, you don't know where I'm staying, do you?" The embarrassed look on the brunette's face was her answer, making the blonde giggle. Finishing her drink, Arizona stood too. "I want to check my patient early in the morning, so you can pick me up at the hospital. Same time. Don't be late." Throwing a smirk, Arizona got closer to Callie's ear to whisper seductively. "Maybe if you are lucky, I will give you a first date kiss."
Again Callie was left staring with a dumbfounded smile as Arizona made her way towards the exit. I'm glad I came back.
A/N2: I want to thank everybody that read this story and I would appreciate know what are yours thoughts. And I want to say a especial thank you to Rlkite for helping me with this story (you should check her story Differences).