Trenton, New Jersey- 6.50 A.M

23rd February 2008

"Torres?"

The Latina woman buried her face deeper into her pillow.

"Callie… yoo-hoo?"

A hand poked the dark-haired woman's side and she swatted it away.

"Calliope!"

"What?"

Callie lifted her head and glowered at her closest friend and roommate, Christina Yang, who smirked innocently from the foot of her bed. She aimed a kick in Christina's direction, smiling proudly as she watched the paler woman tumble off the bed with a loud yelp.

"Jesus Christ," Christina rolled her eyes at Calliope as she climbed back on the bed, running a hand through her black hair, "You have such a temper in the morning… no… wait… you always have a temper."

"You know I," Callie yawned, pausing, "I like to sleep in on days I'm off."

"Come on, I let you sleep in until seven," Callie's eyes widened as Christina revealed what time it was and the Latina woman's dark gaze shifted to the alarm clock that was flashing numbers.

"It's seven o'clock!" Callie grumbled, "The sun's not even up."

"Hey, I've been up since five," Christina smiled tiredly, "Meredith called me at the crack of dawn."

"Meredith? What does Grey want this early in the morning?"

Christina jumped off Callie's bed and gestured towards the door, "I'll tell you in a sec. Come on. I made pancakes."

The Asian woman was out of the room before Callie could even question her friend's behavior. Christina made pancakes? And what was with all the smiles this early in the morning? Normally, Christina wouldn't even be awake until eight at least.

Callie followed Christina out of her room where her friend was hovering over the stove. Leaning against one of the kitchen counters was Christina's new boyfriend, Owen Hunt. Callie raised an eyebrow at the sight of the young man assisting Christina with her cooking. What was he doing at their place so early? Normally, Christina kept her mornings private and only allowed Owen to spend evenings with her.

"Morning, Callie," Owen nodded at Calliope who gave a tired wave in his direction, "You look like hell."

"Nope," Callie yawned, "Just tired. Your lover woke me up."

"At least, she woke you up at a decent hour," Owen gave Christina an affectionate stare, "I got a call at six this morning."

"What?" Christina nudged Owen, rolling her eyes at her boyfriend, "I was excited."

"About what exactly?" Callie pestered, groaning in frustration when Christina shook her head.

"No, first you two are going to try my breakfast," Christina dumped a stack of pancakes on two plates before handing each plate to one of her friends, shoving forks and knives at them as well. Christina stared at them expectantly for a couple of seconds before she frowned, realizing that neither one was trying her food. "What?"

"Well, um babe, you aren't exactly the best cook," Owen's voice trailed off and Callie took that as her cue to step in.

"We love you, honey, we really do, but you've burnt macaroni and cheese…"

"And toast."

"And let's not forget your little episode with the salt and water."

"Okay, I get it, I'm usually not a good cook, but these pancakes," Christina pointed stubbornly at the food, "Are good, honest."

Callie and Owen exchanged a look.

Owen shrugged, "Ladies first?"

"No way, Hunt."

Owen took a bite of his breakfast and chewed slowly, Callie watching him with hesitant eyes while Christina's hard stare was fixed on him, almost daring him to say something about her food.

"They're good, honey," Callie gave Owen a surprised look and he caught her stare, "Really. They are."

"Told you," Christina nudged Callie stubbornly before her phone gave a loud vibration and she turned around to read her message.

Callie quickly saw her opportunity and leaned over, whispering, "So, Hunt, are they really edible? Or were you just saying that so you don't get on her bad side?"

Owen looked at Christina who was still absorbed with her phone and murmured back, "Let's just say, it's times like this that I wish you and Christina actually liked dogs. I wouldn't mind giving a dog these pancakes."

Christina turned around and faced her friends, "Okay, guys, I just got the okay from Grey."

"Okay…?" Owen ventured, his expression puzzled.

"Meredith and Derek are having a baby!"

"What?" Callie exclaimed, her eyes lighting up at the idea of her favorite couple (save Christina and Owen, but only because they would kill her if she didn't love them the most) having a new addition to their family.

"A baby? Really?" Owen asked in astonishment, rubbing his head as though he had no idea what a baby was.

"Yes!" Christina gave a very un-Christina squeal, throwing her arms around Callie, "Meredith called me this morning to tell me! She wants the whole family to come visit them for one big celebration!"

"Today?" Callie asked, "What about work- what about…?"

"Calliope," Christina gave Callie a very hard stare, "You're going to that celebration if I have to drag you and throw you in the back of my car. Well… Owen's truck in this case because we have to go pick up Avery, Kepner, and Izzie."

"Why am I the only one with a decent car?" Owen rolled his eyes, but smiled, showing his fondness for his friends.

"So is it just going to be us?" Callie questioned and Christina caught her stare, knowing whom her friend was trying to avoid.

"Um, Grey mentioned that Lexie was coming as well as a couple of Derek's friends."

"Like Mark Sloan?" Owen teased, nudging his girlfriend who gave him an annoyed stare.

"We went on two dates!" Christina protested before rolling her eyes, "His roommate's also coming as well as a couple of his other 'city friends.'" Callie opened her mouth to ask a question, but Christina beat her to it, "I don't know, Cal. Erica is one of Derek's oldest friends. She might be there."

Callie sighed and shrugged, "Okay then. I'm just- I'm just going to put on a brave face and pretend that I don't miss her. Not one bit."

"So when are we leaving?" Owen asked while Christina gave Callie's hand a gentle squeeze.

"Now?" Christina asked hopefully and Owen's eyes widened.

"Now?" Owen asked breathlessly while Christina nodded, her eyes wide and hopeful. "Okay… okay, we're leave now."

Callie gave Owen a hard stare, "Now I know who wears the pants in the relationship."

"You didn't know?" Christina smirked and Callie sighed, shaking her head as she turned around to pack an overnight bag.

"Calliope Torres! You get back here and finish your breakfast!"