I really wasn't going to update but then I couldn't sleep because you, yes you know who you are, got me thinking and my brain wouldn't switch off so you've got your way. Again. I'm winking at you now. From in my bed.


Callie spent the week learning things. She learned about the school, about the town, about the medics group and the other cliques... and about her new home. Her dad's new job was good, he seemed happy. And her mother had joined the gym and been around to lots of other housewives' houses with pie or cake or salad and they seemed to have accepted her into their weird, bitchy little group. Callie also learned about her new car, which she loved. It made her very popular with George, Izzie, Alex, and Arizona, as none of them had cars of their own. Meredith and Cristina didn't actually have cars either – but they had motorcycles.

She didn't actually learn much in class – it was a new year and they were starting fairly slowly. The pace was similar to what it had been in New York but Callie's studying in the summer vacation combined with her natural aptitude meant she didn't have to work hard at all to keep up. She soon found out she wasn't the only one – the after school study sessions were nothing to do with anything they had to do for school. Although the after school study sessions weren't always about studying.

Callie bought 3 new bikinis and washed them by hand in her bathroom. She knew from experience that 'all the girls wear them' didn't cut it with her mother. And she started learning how to surf. Well, sort of surf. Mostly she watched Alex, and George, who turned out to be surprisingly good. Izzie surfed too; Arizona didn't, though.

"Do you mind if I stay with you?" Callie asked. It was their third visit to the beach that week, Friday, and she couldn't be bothered with all the messing around trying to balance on a board. While she'd never admit it to George, she didn't really see the point.

"Please yourself," Arizona said quietly. She always spoke quietly, calmly. Even when she argued she never raised her voice.

Callie stretched out on the chair beside Arizona and closed her eyes, letting the sun warm her skin.

"I like your swimsuit," Arizona said suddenly. Callie felt herself blushing; she didn't know why.

"Thanks," she said, opening her eyes to see Arizona looking directly at her.

"You're welcome. If you like you can come and get ready for Cristina's party at my house tomorrow."

Callie smiled. "Is Izzie coming?"

"No. Izzie's busy," Arizona said, her eyes twinkling at the rhyme. Callie laughed.

"That'd be nice. I don't know where you live."

"We can go to the mall first. You know where the mall is?"

Callie had a sneaking suspicion that she was being teased.

"Yes, I know where the mall is."

"I'll meet you there, then. We can get something to eat, and go shopping. Are you staying over at Cristina's?"

Callie shook her head. "No, I don't think I'm invited."

"She won't mind. She pretends to be nastier than she is. I'll text her if you like."

"No, that's okay, I should go home. My parents wouldn't like me staying out all night."

"Mine wouldn't either. But they don't mind sleepovers. That said, to be honest this party will be tamer than most of my sleepovers." She chuckled; Callie loved the way it sounded but didn't know why. Arizona winked.

"Want to come get a soda with me?"

She stood up; Callie watched her movement, her tan skin and blonde hair and smooth, slender curves...

"Take a picture, it'll last longer," Arizona said happily. Callie blushed again and hurried awkwardly to her feet. She bent down again to fumble in her purse for some money-"

"I'll get yours," Arizona said, but only after she'd had some time to admire Callie as she leaned over. Callie straightened up holding a wad of bills.

"That's okay," she said, tucking them into her bikini bottom strap. Arizona bit the side of her lip as the movement of Callie's hand drew her gaze to that part of her body. Her blue eyes sparkled, then she turned and walked over to the pier. Callie was still getting used to how naked everyone was all the time; people wore a lot more clothes in New York. But it wasn't bad, she didn't mind showing herself off. She walked tall and felt several pairs of eyes follow her as she bought two cans of soda. Arizona popped hers open, biting her tongue as it hissed seductively. She knew Callie was watching her; she moved slowly and deliberately, beginning to saunter back to their chairs.

Callie was confused, but not uncomfortably so. Well, not too uncomfortably. Arizona was beautiful, perky, sassy, smart... It wasn't strange to enjoy looking at her.

Arizona wasn't confused in the slightest. She just wished Callie were a little less baffled by it all. She'd catch on, but it wouldn't hurt if she hurried up a bit.

They sat down again, drinking their soda. Alex ran back up from the water, shaking himself off like a dog.

"Karev, if you get any more salty water on me I'm telling George it was you who gave him syphilis."

Callie raised her eyebrows.

"Am I missing something?"

Arizona grinned. "Alex slept with Olivia. Alex had syphilis, so Olivia got syphilis. Then Olivia took George's virginity and George got syphilis. It's all very sweet really. But George doesn't know that Alex gave it to him, he thinks it was just going around."

"I'm going to kill you," Alex told her.

"Hey, it's okay, no one has syphilis any more. Except maybe Olivia because I don't know if she went to the clinic. Alex and George went to the clinic together."

"Wow, that is sweet," Callie said through her laughter, trying not to spill her soda.

"I'm going to kill you too," Alex told Callie, but he was smiling.

"Are there any more sexy stories?" Callie asked. Arizona winked.

"Lots. The weirdest thing is neither Meredith or Cristina have done anything yet. Like nothing more than kissing, really. I didn't believe it at first but it's true. They're both waiting... I don't know what they're waiting for but anyway... Izzie hasn't either but she has that teacher who's in love with her. Alex has done a variety of things with a very large variety of girls, but he's secretly in love with Izzie-" She stopped at this point because Alex put his hand over her mouth.

"You need to learn to stop talking. I'm going to tell Callie your secrets now-"

"Syphilis," Arizona said into his hand. Alex took it away.

"Bitch," he said fondly.

"You need me. I hold the group together."

"You and your lesbian ways," Alex said, rolling his eyes.

"Gays have more fun," Arizona said cheerfully. Alex looked her up and down.

"Tell me more about that fun," he said, a cheeky smile appearing on his face.

"Men are so shallow!"

Alex looked over at Callie. "I'm going to picture you with new girl next time I-"

"That is far too much information. Sorry, Callie, Alex has no manners. It's because he's a scholarship kid and has no parents to look after him. He keeps getting kicked out of foster homes because he's that nasty."

Alex patted the top of her head. "Yeah, sorry Cal. See you tomorrow night. And don't let Arizona trick you into doing anything you don't want to do. Unless it's making out with her in which case please do it and please make a video-"

Arizona kicked him and he ran back to the water to meet George and Izzie, who were just getting out.

"Sorry about that," Arizona said, not sounding sorry at all. Callie leaned back in her chair, not letting anything get to her.

"No problem. I should go home, though. I have to have dinner with my parents."

"That's okay. Ask them if you can stay over at Cristina's. They don't know my family, say you're just staying over at mine."

Callie bit her lip. She didn't like lying, she did like parties... Arizona won, of course.

"Do you want a lift home?"

"No, that's okay, I'll get the bus with George. But thanks."

Callie got up and pulled her shorts and tank top on over her bikini. She rolled up her towel and stuffed it in her bag. Arizona didn't get up, she just enjoyed the view as Callie walk away across the beach.

Callie drove her Jeep back to the house, probably taking the corners on the winding road a little too fast. She had her music blaring, loud and bouncy. Just like her. She laughed. She pulled into the drive, braking hard and swerving into her spot, then jumped out of the car and hurried inside to shower before dinner and dress in something her mother would approve of.

Lucia could tell from her daughter's face when she came into the kitchen that she had something to ask.

"What is it?" Lucia said. Callie didn't beat about the bush.

"Can I stay over at a friend's tomorrow night? We're going to the mall, then she asked if I wanted to stay at hers after."

"Does this friend have a name?"

"Arizona."

"And a home phone number?"

"I don't know it, but I'll have my cell."

Lucia frowned. "What about church on Sunday morning?"

Callie swore in Spanish, which earned her an even more critical look.

"Uhm, I can meet you there? Or miss it, maybe?"

"You can meet us there. We won't go in without you, it's our first visit so we have to make a good impression. I've spoken to the priest and he seems wonderful, he's really looking forward to meeting you."

"I'll be there," Callie promised.

She messaged Arizona to let her know; Arizona replied instantly and enthusiastically, and they proceeded to finalise their plans for meeting the next day. Callie was told off very sternly, twice, for texting at the table, but went to bed, or to her room to watch ER, very happy. Her mood was only slightly dented when she plugged her phone in to charge and remembered that she hadn't heard from Mark all week. She wondered whether to give in and text him instead, even though he was in the wrong. She left it, thinking she might ask Arizona. Arizona seemed like she gave good advice, although she also seemed like someone who enjoyed knowing and using everyone else's secrets. Callie resolved not to tell her any names or real details, to just say a good friend from New York.

Callie didn't mind the using, it was entertaining and not really manipulative – Arizona did it purely in fun, and from what Callie could tell, Alex deserved everything she gave him. But Callie wasn't ready to trust anyone quite yet. It was one thing to talk about medicine and parties and college and surfing with someone... It was something else to actually care about them. Callie had been hurt enough with Mark – she still was hurting, a lot. Letting someone else in would mean risking getting hurt all over again.


A/N: I have been writing for you until past 4am so now I think you should please write me a review. Thanks for reading!