This is the background story to Arizona and Callie after their first kiss from Arizona's POV. Hope you enjoy!
(you tube .com/watch?v=pfrSPdt9NZs)
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She had been looking forward to getting to know Callie Torres. She had been excited. In fact, she still was. However, frankly, Arizona Robbins was also getting more and more impatient with any day that passed and nothing happened. After she had kissed her in Joe's bathroom, one day passed. Then a week passed, now two weeks--and still nothing happened. She wondered when Callie would be over being upset. She hadn't even been able to sneak a look at the orthopedic surgeon.
It almost seemed as if Callie was avoiding her. Yet, Arizona had hardly been able to take her mind off her. Callie. Calliope. Arizona thought about the name. Calliope seemed to fit her a lot better than Callie did. Ca-li-oh-pe. She liked the sound of it. Had she just said that aloud? Judging from her patient's questioning look, she had. Arizona smiled at the 10-year-old girl.
It had been a full two weeks. Two weeks was a lot of time for Arizona Robbins. She was not exactly a patient person. She had tried to set her mind on something else, with limited success. She had been out a lot, to Joe's and to a few other bars, and she had finally met a bunch of girls with whom she felt instantly comfortable.
Arizona couldn't believe her luck. All these months in Seattle she had wanted to meet some fun girls to hang out with, and when she least expected it, she met this girl in a bar. Anna was at Joe's with her girlfriend Karen, and when Anna accidentally bumped into Arizona, pouring her strawberry daiquiri on Arizona's shirt, they had quickly found out that they had a lot in common. Anna presented her to her friends. They were artless, open, and fun and Arizona felt for the first time in Seattle that she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
This was also how she met Julie. Julie was one of Anna's friends, and although Julie seemed a little shy, she made no secret of the fact that she was interested in Arizona. Arizona was flattered. Julie seemed like a nice and uncomplicated girl, and with her long brown hair and green eyes, she was very pretty. She was a pre-school teacher, who came just out of a long-term relationship with Anna's sister. If Arizona didn't have her mind set on Callie Torres, she might very well be interested in the pretty brunette.
A lot was going on in her life right now. Arizona was more than excited. She thought about Bailey, who was applying for a fellowship in peds surgery. She had decided to start a new life, a brave decision, and Arizona felt very proud of her. One day, Bailey would be big. She knew that Bailey connected well with the Chief, and hoped the Chief's recommendation would open her door to peds. Her current peds resident at Seattle Grace was an utter disappointment, but Bailey, even though she was harsh and blunt, had a lot of potential. Arizona was excited to work with her. Arizona looked at her watch. Oh no, 11 a.m. already. She glided along the smooth hallway on her Heelys. She was running late as so often.
When she spotted Bailey filling out the application, she stopped abruptly.
"This application is the start of a new life," she greeted Bailey and crossed her arms, bouncing on her toes to cushion her energy, a wide smile forming.
"How we feeling? Positive? Confident?" She looked expectantly at Bailey.
"I am good," Bailey said somewhat absently, fussing with her papers. Her clumsy curls were bouncing just like Arizona's. "Great. Uh, you take care of your own feelings."
Arizona frowned, puzzled. "Peds surgery is super competitive."
"I know, that's why I come armed with letters of recommendation that will put the competition to shame," Bailey told her, pride in her voice. "Look, Shepherd says that I'm talented and resourceful, Sloan finds it an honor to work with me everyday---"
"What about the Chief? What does the Chief think?" Arizona interrupted her, looking curiously for the Chief's recommendation.
"I'm still working on that."
"Bailey, the Chief's recommendation is the only one that matters." Arizona grew more and more agitated. "Everyone on the selection committee works---"
"I know!" Bailey raised her voice, annoyed by her worrying. "Jus-- You calm down. I got it under control."
"Good." Arizona looked intently at her. "Because speaking on behalf of me," she confessed, and smiled excitedly, showing her dimples, "we couldn't be more excited to have you. Yay!"
Then she glided on. She was running late for her surgery. Oh God, she hoped that Bailey was right. If she didn't have the Chief's recommendation, Arizona might end up with any resident. She didn't like that. She would much rather be able to decide for herself, and her choice would definitely be Bailey. She tried to cheer up and not to worry. Bailey was capable. She would get the Chief's letter.
Finished with her surgery, she had finally had the time to calm down a bit. She was just about to do some paperwork, when she heard a familiar voice next to her.
"Uh---hey."
She turned around and saw Callie Torres standing next to her, one hand on the nurses desk.
"Calliope." Her eyes lit, and a broad smile formed. "I haven't seen you around."
Callie gave her a broad smile. "Yeah---well, I've been avoiding you."
Arizona smirked. She crossed her arms and looked intently at her, her eyes sparkling with interest. She was intrigued what the dark beauty was going to say to her.
Callie quickly continued. "I know it's---it's so weird. You, uh, share a kiss with a woman you've never seen before."
Arizona nodded, serious now.
"Honestly, it's a new adventure---one I'm so ready to take for the second time."
Thoughts were swirling in her head. Second time? Oh please, this could not be happening to her.
"Anyway. Um---do you want to go on a date with me?" she heard Callie asking nervously.
Arizona froze. Her smile erased from her face and she let out an awkward laugh. She needed clarity.
"Wait---so Erica and you, she was your first?" she asked anxiously.
"Yeah." Callie smiled, but Arizona couldn't quite focus on Callie. She was dumbfounded. Erica Hahn was Callie's first girlfriend. No other women before. No other woman before, she repeated to herself.
"Oh." She tried to think, but she knew there was nothing to think. She had vowed never to make the same mistake again. She did not want to go through this again. No, she would not go through this again.
She managed to force a fake smile.
"Okay, then I guess my answer is--- no," she said lightly. "I'm sorry," she added quickly and turned around, about to walk off.
She felt Callie grabbing her arm. "Wait! Wait, wait--- what?" Callie held her back, staring at her, obviously confused. "You kissed me. Out of nowhere. In a bathroom." Callie frowned and let go of her arm, and Arizona could see she was utterly confused now.
She tried to explain. "Okay, see, this is what I tried to avoid. You're all exploring and experimenting and yay!" Arizona underlined her words with a gesture, her ponytail bouncing from the movement.
Callie was frowning. She didn't seem to get it. She really was new at this. Remembering the time when she had discovered that she loved women, Arizona explained. "This is a really exciting time for you---but I work in peds."
Callie was still frowning. Arizona elaborated, impatient. "I spend my entire day around newborns, so I try not to in my personal life."
Seeing the hurt in Callie's eyes, she looked at her. "Thank you for asking, though," she said honestly. "I'm super flattered. Super." She shot her an appreciative look and walked off quickly, a ghost of a smile on her mouth. This time, Callie didn't hold her back.
Back in her office, paperwork piling up on her desk, she sat down, displeased with herself. She had not meant to hurt the younger woman. Nevertheless, she was also determined not to change her mind. Arizona suddenly became angry with herself. Why did she always have to fall for younger women? Why did she fall for the complicated ones?
Her thoughts wandered back to her mentor in med school, the first woman she had fallen in love with. She had been super excited at this newfound love and the woman who was so sure of herself and her sexuality. For her mentor, though, it had been too much to handle. The older woman had been overwhelmed by Arizona's excitement, her liveliness and sexual insecurity. Sadly, the relationship had not lasted very long. Arizona had been heart-broken then, but a few relationships later, she understood her first love's feelings. After that experience, Arizona seemed to have reversed the roles. She felt attracted to younger women who tended to be unsure of their sexuality. She had guided them through their first sexual experience with a woman. She had been holding their hand when they were telling their parents and friends. She had experienced, more than once, how it felt to be left when the first excitement of dating a girl was over. She could not handle complicated anymore.
Arizona wondered if this was why Erica Hahn had left Seattle Grace. As far as she had heard, the older cardio attending had a reputation of being a hardcore and a kick ass surgeon. Somehow, Arizona couldn't picture her as unsure of herself. That would also fit the hospital rumors of Callie being involved with Mark Sloan. This had complicated written all over it.
No, Arizona knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted uncomplicated. She wanted uncomplicated passion, laughter, complicity, friendship, and above all, she wished for true love. She was a hopeless romantic.
Determined to forget Calliope Torres as soon as possible, she decided to text Julie if she was free for the night. Julie seemed uncomplicated, interested, and would probably be a fun date. Arizona was curious to know more about her. They hadn't had the chance to talk much yet.
When her last surgery for the day was finished, Arizona quickly showered and raced home, knowing she had only two hours to get ready for her date at Joe's. She didn't live far from Seattle Grace, but she wanted to look her best. She didn't need Callie Torres. She could have any woman she wanted. Tonight, she wanted Julie.
She peeled off her coat, put down her keys and checked the answering machine, as always. Julie had called and left a message that the girls were all going to be at Joe's tonight. Arizona was fine with that. She didn't need an official date with Julie. She was just looking forward to seeing her and the girls tonight. After this rough day, she needed a little fun and diversion.
She went to her closet, not sure what to wear. She tried on different outfits, but nothing seemed to be right. She was restless. Her wardrobe didn't seem to be equipped for that particular mood. Finally, she opted for black skinny jeans, sexy high heels and a clear blue asymmetric strappy top that matched her eyes. Her hair was particularly unruly today, so she decided to straighten it. Finally, she was pleased with her appearance. She could have any woman she wanted, she thought and grinned at herself in the mirror.
Arizona arrived at Joe's just in time, and she spotted Julie and the girls sitting at the bar. Julie looked very pretty indeed. Arizona got herself a drink, standing. Soon, she was engrossed in conversation with the green-eyed brunette when suddenly she heard the voice that had been haunting her for two weeks.
"I have experience to give."
Arizona turned around, surprised to see Callie standing behind her. She had not even noticed she was at Joe's tonight. "Calliope." She frowned.
"Life experience. Like the fact that I was married, did you know that? Or the fact that I was in the Peace Corps. Botswana. That's what convinced me to go to med school."
No, she didn't know that. Despite herself, Arizona was impressed. The Peace Corps, how hot was that! Guiltily, she shot a glance at Julie, embarrassed, but Callie continued.
"And most recently, I've experienced the joy of cooking. Yeah, I make an excellent chicken picatta. That in addition to many other delicious meals that you'd be lucky to experience yourself."
Arizona took another sip of her drink, looking at Callie.
"And the fact that you can't open your eyes to see that makes you---" Callie raised her drink to her lips, allowing Arizona to have a look at her fingernails carefully painted in black. "---a little inexperienced." Look what you're missing, Callie's eyes told her.
Arizona couldn't help but admire Callie's courage. However, she didn't quite know what to make of this and forced a smile. "Calliope." Her voice was actually shaking a little, when she pointed at the girl sitting next to her. "This is Julie."
Callie confidently looked at the slim brunette sitting on the bar stool and smiled. "Hi."
Arizona gave Callie an apologetic look, but was not able to meet her eyes again. She was not smiling now. "My date."
There was a moment of awkward silence. Arizona took another sip from her drink, still avoiding Callie's look, not knowing what to say. She was embarrassed, and angry. Callie turned around, obviously mortified, and put her glass on the bar before she quickly left. Arizona looked at Julie again. Julie didn't say anything.
Actually, Julie had not said much at all during the three quarters of the hour they spent together. Arizona had tried her best to get some information from the girl, but although Julie had been a very good listener and easy to talk to, Arizona would have liked to know a little more about her. Arizona tried not to let that deter her. She had been enjoying herself nonetheless. So Julie was a bit quieter than she had thought. Wasn't that a good thing?
When Callie left, Arizona tried to pick up the conversation, but she couldn't focus. She was confused and agitated, and definitely not in the mood for making conversation anymore. That had never happened to her before, and she wondered why this had affected her so much. Usually, she was not so restless. The first chance she got, she excused herself and left the bar.
It was still early when Arizona got home, not even 10 p.m. She didn't quite know what to do, and she was too agitated to read or to watch TV. After a few minutes of pacing in her apartment, she finally decided to go to the gym. She threw her shoes, jeans, and strappy shirt in the next best corner, joining the pile of fancy clothes she had tried on earlier today, and quickly put on her gym apparel. Then she grabbed her iPod, towel and water bottle and headed into the cold to her car.
The fresh air was exhilarant. Too bad it was too late to go jogging now. She would have welcomed the nocturnal air. When she arrived at the gym after a few minutes, Arizona went straight to the treadmill. She stayed on it for nearly one hour and a half, running steadily to the sound of her music, trying desperately to clear her head.
When she got home again, she was breathing heavily. She was exhausted. Pleasantly exhausted. Arizona quickly got rid of her wet clothes, stepping into the shower. She enjoyed the cool water on her sweaty skin, washing away the agitation of the day. Finally, slowly, Arizona was calm again. After what felt like an eternity, Arizona stepped out of the shower and towelled herself dry. She put on her nightdress and crawled into her bed.
Arizona closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She was dog-tired. If she had hoped for sleep to come easily, she was badly mistaken. Her thoughts wandered back to Julie and to Callie Torres. Calliope. She had wanted her date with Julie to work out, and she blamed Callie for ruining it.
Julie was genuinely nice and uncomplicated. Arizona had enjoyed their conversation immensely, even though Julie had turned out quieter than expected. They both worked with children, and they discovered that they shared the love of post-modern literature and foreign foods. Arizona loved to eat, but she hated to cook. She simply didn't possess the patience for it. So Callie enjoyed cooking, Arizona mused. Think of something else, she scolded herself. Of someone else. Count your sheep.
She tossed and turned, not able to find the right spot on her pillow. The pale half moon was faintly shining on her weary face, leaving her eyes in the dark. Arizona stared blankly at the faint shadows on her duvet. She was angry with Callie Torres for invading her thoughts again. No, if she was completely honest with herself, she was angry with herself, for not being able to stop thinking of the orthopedic surgeon. Screw the woman for being different.
Callie had been in the Peace Corps. She tried not to picture Callie in Botswana, but without success. Pictures of Callie getting her hands dirty came to her mind. She had to admit, she had to admire Callie for her courage to walk up to her at Joe's. If she had ever thought her self-conscious, she would have to rethink. Callie had looked insanely hot and self-confident in her blood red shirt and black leather jacket, standing up to her, fighting for her attention.
Screw Callie Torres! Arizona almost grunted in frustration, wishing desperately for sleep to come, struggling to get the pictures of Callie in her red shirt off her mind. So much for not thinking about her. Maybe she should be giving Callie Torres a chance after all. With that, she closed her eyes, her lips slowly forming a relieved smile. Eventually, she fell in a deep, weary slumber.
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Thank you all for reading. Please R&R and let me know what you think.