TITLE: Lovesick (Chapter 2)
AUTHOR: rcruz

Disclaimer: If I owned them, things would look a lot different. The characters, settings, established histories, and general Grey's Anatomy universe referenced in this work are properties of their respective owners. This is a work of fiction for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Note: Let the building of the alternate universe begin. We were never given a lot of background for Erica, hence the liberties I take with her personal life.

Chapter 2

It was the end of her shift and she hadn't seen Erica since their interaction in the cafeteria. She was delivering her last chart to the nurse's station when she saw them; two teenagers lurking around the surgical floor looking very out of place. They were both tall with blonde hair. The girl had her hair up in a loose pony tail. She wore baggy jeans and a rustic brown athletic jacket. She was looking at the surgical board. The boy was long and lanky with hair almost to his shoulders. Callie couldn't tell if this was a fashion statement or if he needed a haircut. He wore an orange hoodie with Triton Park etched into the front in white letters. He was looking around the busy corridors. His eyes connected with hers and he smiled as he started walking her way.

"I'm wondering if you could help me find someone."

Callie gave him her full attention. "I'm Dr. Torres. Are you looking for a doctor?"

"Yeah, hi, my name's Eric Hahn."

She was taken back and was sure her face was expressing some form of shock.

"What did you just say your name was?"

He laughed. "Eric Hahn. You must know my aunt. I'm Eric James Hahn. Dr. Erica Hahn is my aunt."

"Dr. Hahn is your aunt?" asked Callie in complete and utter disbelief.

But even as her face was expressing shock, she could see it: the blonde hair that could go dirty blonde in the right light, the height, the build, the pale long face, those startling blue eyes.

He had turned away from her, shouting something at the girl who walked over and this one looked more like Erica than the young man, right down to the hard look and guarded face. She came to stand next to the boy, her arms crossed.

"What's up?" She directed her question to Eric, but managed to examine Callie from head to toe in a few seconds.

Callie almost laughed. The girl was trying really hard to duplicate Erica's demeanor, but she had none of Erica's presence yet and so it came off cute more than hard and nasty.

"She knows Aunt Erica," Eric explained with such an open face that it was hard to imagine that these two were related, even though they clearly shared many of the same physical attributes.

"Do you know where she is?" asked the girl apparently not wanting to waste time on introductions or pleasantries.

"This bucket of sunshine is my sister Jess, Jessica Taylor Hahn, get it? I'm James and she's Taylor," he said smiling.

"James Taylor like the folk singer?" asked Callie not missing the eye role Jess was giving Eric.

"That's it!" said Eric. "Our mother loves him, but hardly anybody gets the connection."

"Wow, that's devotion," laughed Callie. Eric laughed with her, but Jess was scowling.

"It's insane. Do you know where we can find our aunt or not?" asked Jess impatiently.

Callie stopped chuckling. "I don't know where she is right now, but I would love to help you find her. I didn't even know she had a nephew and niece. Does she know you're coming?"

"She thinks we're at her place. We're supposed to be staying there this weekend, but our teacher refused to leave us there alone, so we have to find her so our teacher can turn us over to a responsible adult," explained Eric.

"We're here for a basketball conference," supplied Jess. "Well that's why I'm here. He's just a band geek."

"Hey at least I'm not a dumb jock." answered Eric not even looking at her. It was a knee jerk reaction, Callie surmised. She smiled.

"Well I can have her paged. I don't think she's in surgery unless she's got a trauma and as far as I know none came in today, so she's probably in her office."

Callie saw Bailey with a clipboard in her hand and called out to her. "Bailey, have you seen Dr. Hahn?"

"She was right behind me," answered Bailey turning around as if she had lost something.

Suddenly Erica was there strolling down the hall her head buried in the chart she was reading. She was frowning and very deliberately not looking up, assuming perhaps that people would just get out of her way as she walked. It was not a bad assumption as most people did.

Callie was about to call out to her when the two kids standing next to her turned and in harmony began softly singing.

Take it easy on me

It should be easy to see

I'm getting lost in the crowd

Hear me crying out loud

Just want you to know

I know that you have to go

It's all up to you, but whatever you do

Take it easy on me*

They weren't singing at the top of their lungs and they harmonized easily. Callie was surprised at how not bad it sounded. She watched Erica's head jerk up, saw the easy smile that spread across her face, followed by a tiny flush that could have gone undetected, but Callie was intimately familiar with a flushed Erica and did not miss it. It reminded Callie of how close they had been and she could do nothing as the memories flooded her body causing her skin to flush and heat to course through her, heat that she recognized.

She pushed the memories to the side and watched the two tiny adults burst into laughter as they finished before crossing the short distance to Erica. Jess launched herself at Erica first with a childish abandon Callie would have never guessed she still possessed. She hung on to Erica for a few seconds and Callie heard a laugh emanate from her. Eric followed and was not outdone by his sister, managing to lift Erica off the ground. Finally they separated and the smile that Erica gave them was a sight Callie thought no one at the hospital had ever seen from her. She had seen that smile. It was part of Private Erica, a part of Erica Callie used to have access to.

"Calliope," she heard her name being called and resented it.

She turned ready to dismiss whoever it was. She sighed. It was Arizona, sweet kind and caring Arizona.

"Hey," said Callie eyes shifting uncomfortably to Erica and her niece and nephew, not wanting them to walk away.

"I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner tonight?" asked Arizona with those twinkling eyes, hands dug deep in the pockets of her lab jacket, her head tilted enticingly.

"I can't," said Callie wanting to get back to Erica and this family she seemed to have. Callie wanted to know more about that, wanted to be a part of that. "Maybe tomorrow," she offered meekly at the slightly crestfallen look Arizona was sending her way.

She stepped away with a light touch on Arizona's arm and edged closer to the clan talking easily just a few feet from her. She stood on the outskirts knowing she had no place in their circle, but just wanting to be near it. Eric noticed her first.

"Hey," he said pulling her directly into the circle they had created. "Dr. Torres was offering to help us look for you. You should have seen the look on her face when I introduced myself. I love doing that. It freaks people out, but she seemed to recover pretty well, faster than most."

Callie was positioned between Jess and Eric, but she was focusing on the woman standing directly across from her. "I didn't mind helping. I'm a little sorry you came along so quickly. I was looking forward to getting some family stories about you."

"Oh, we have stories to tell," laughed Eric, but his aunt gave him a look that made him reconsider the offer.

"But you won't," said Erica. She turned to Callie and the easy smile faltered just a little. "Thank you for offering to help them," she said and then addressed her nephew and niece again.

"So why are you here? Aren't you supposed to be at the house? Did you forget where the key was?"

"Stupid band-geek teacher wouldn't let us stay alone. She said she needed to drop us off with a relative and not an empty house, so we had her take us here. She's in the main lobby downstairs. We kind of told her we knew where to look for you," said Jess.

Erica frowned. "I won't be able to leave here for at least another two hours."

"I have my license, I could drive us back to your place," said Jess hopefully.

"I don't think so," said Erica sharply although she reached out to give Jess a friendly squeeze. "Unfamiliar city, very expensive car and new driver are not a good combination. I should go talk to your teacher."

"Oh she's fine dropping us off here as long as you go downstairs and tell her that yes you will be responsible for us. I guess we can hang out here for the next two hours," said Eric.

He looked at Callie who was standing there enjoying being this close to Erica even if it was awkward standing there as they discussed things that were of no concern to her.

"Dr. Torres, I don't suppose you can hang out with us?"

"Actually…I can. I can drive them to your place Erica. I'm off and I know where you keep the key. That way they don't have to hang out in a boring hospital."

She glanced quickly at Jess and Eric. Eric was beaming. Jess gave her brother a surprised look, but did not object. Finally Callie's gaze settled on Erica who seemed to be contemplating the suggestion.

"Callie…You don't have to…"

"I know. I want to. I didn't even know you had a niece and nephew. It will be cool to hang out with them. Eric says he has stories," she said playfully wanting to forget that they had broken up, that she had messed up the pretty amazing romantic thing that was happening between them before it had a chance to get its sea legs, and hoping that enough of their friendship remained that this would be okay with Erica.

Erica looked perplexed, but she seemed to be considering it, so Callie pushed a little more.

"I could take them for pizza if they're hungry."

Callie glanced at them and saw their eyes change. The siblings shared a look and she thought she saw Eric mouth 'I'm starved,' to his sister who nodded but kept her focus shifting between Erica and Callie.

"No, you do not have to do that. They can feed themselves when they get to my place." She turned to them. "I can get you guys a cab."

Callie stepped forward. "Erica that's silly. I'm offering cab service for free here."

She almost put a hand on Erica, almost touched her arm before she came back to the reality of everything and stepped back. She glanced nervously at the siblings and did not miss the look they gave each other. It was clear they had their own language and that a lot was being exchanged in those glances.

Erica was standing with her arms crossed considering it. "Okay fine, but no pizza. They can feed themselves."

"Calliope"

Callie turned at the sound, annoyed. She felt the circle they had created get stirred and disturbed, the bubble burst, the shape distorted. Eric stepped to the side politely making room for a stranger. Erica stepped away from all of them and Callie saw the siblings follow their aunt's lead and move with her. Arizona walked up to Callie placing a hand on her arm.

"I'm sorry to interrupt," she said softly her eyes lingering on Erica for a moment. Erica was not looking at her. She was looking at Callie as she stepped back from them even further, once again taking her niece and nephew with her.

"Callie, it's okay, I'll figure out how to…" she started to say.

Callie was not about to let her finish that sentence. She stepped towards Erica and reached out a hand not caring if Erica flinched or recoiled from her, intent on grabbing a hold and preventing the retreat, not wanting to let go of the space they had created. She put her hand on Erica's arm, felt the recoil, but held on anyway, propelling her body's motion forward toward Erica and away from Arizona.

"No, hang on. I'll take them." Callie turned to Arizona. "I'm kind of busy, right now," she said.

"I can see that, I just wanted to confirm tomorrow. Dinner?"

"Maybe, we'll talk tomorrow, okay," said Callie and turned away.

She had no idea Arizona was still been hanging around.

"Callie you have other things to do, you don't need to…"

"No, this is the only thing I have to do. This is the only thing I want to do right now," she said through a smile. Her hand was still resting on Erica's arm.

"Okay," said Erica uncrossing her arms and causing Callie's hand to fall away. But the motion brought their hands in contact, brushing for a brief moment. They shared a glance as their hands touched. Callie felt a surge of good and intense feelings coursing through her at the touch and the look on Erica's face.

"Okay, why don't I meet you guys downstairs? I have to change and sign out," said Callie.

"Sounds excellente!" said Eric putting an arm around his aunt.

Callie changed as fast as she could and took the stairs instead of the elevator. She spotted them instantly. Erica was standing close to a small brunette, a smile on her face. She looked so pretty when she smiled. Eric was sitting in a nearby chair furiously typing into his phone. Jess stood near her aunt alternating between giving her brother frowns and giving Erica and the brunette perplexed looks.

She had almost reached them when she saw it. It was casual, almost innocent, but Callie had given those touches, to this very woman, and she recognized the flirty behavior. The brunette had touched Erica, in almost the exact same way Callie had upstairs, a causal touch on the arm. The stranger's touch had not lingered, it was fast, but deliberate, an indication, a sign of interest.

Callie flushed and quickened her pace.

"Are we ready?" she asked as she walked up to them.

She stood awkwardly near Eric, wanting to stand right next to Erica, to place her hand in Erica's and claim her, but she had no right – not anymore. Eric smiled easily at her. She flashed what she hoped was a normal smile right back at him, but it must have lacked something. He frowned and got up, looking toward his aunt and teacher. He turned to Jess who raised an eyebrow at him.

"We are very ready," he exclaimed interrupting whatever conversations were being had.

Callie noticed Erica step back from the teacher and couldn't help herself. She moved closer to Erica.

"Everything work out?" she asked.

She was nervous and her stomach was taking the brunt of her nervousness doing flips and turns and swishing about acids in unpleasant ways.

"Yes," said Erica giving her a half smile that was so encouraging that Callie edged even closer.

Callie's palms were sweaty and she was twitchy. She let her hand brush Erica's again like they had upstairs. She couldn't help it. She closed her eyes at the brief touch and felt her stomach calm when Erica didn't move away immediately. She opened her eyes again to see Jess staring at her.

Eric was engaged with his teacher who had backed up at Callie's approach.

"Okay, your Aunt knows where you need to be and what time so I'll see you guys tomorrow. You have my cell phone number if you need anything."

The teacher picked up her purse and turned to Erica again. "Dr. Hahn, it was nice to finally meet you." She acknowledged Callie with a nod and extended her hand to Erica.

"You too, Ms. Healy," said Erica as the two women shook hands.

Ms. Healy laughed. "Please call me Joyce," she said letting the hand shake linger just long enough to make Callie uncomfortable.

Callie felt her own hand seeking out the one next to hers, brushing it with more purpose now.

Joyce let go of Erica's hand and turned away. "See you all tomorrow," she called over her shoulder.

Erica turned to Callie. "Are you sure you want to do this? If you have plans…"

"I don't," interrupted Callie barely resisting the urge to take the warm hand beside her and give it a good squeeze. She sighed loudly and looked at Jess and Eric who were doing that thing again, where they seemed to be having whole conversations with each other in some sort of code involving eye rolls, raised eyebrows and smirky smiles.

"Okay, you guys ready?" she asked.

"Yeah, we just need to grab our stuff," said Eric turning his head toward a pile of bags and cases that made Callie's brows arch in surprise.

"That's all yours?"

"I told you," said Jess beginning to make her way to the pile. "He's a band geek."

Callie turned to Erica, not failing to notice the way their hands continued to brush against each other every few seconds.

"Umm…I have a pretty small car."

Erica smiled at her and Callie suppressed the urge to move closer because she hadn't seen that smile directed at her in a long time. It sent a completely familiar surge of energy throughout her body involving tingles up and down her spine that made her want to burst from the inside out.

"You volunteered," said Erica and then seemed to reconsider her comment. "Callie, I can just get them a cab."

A tiny bubble of anger formed and popped for a second in Callie's next sentence and her words came out more serious and forceful than she would have liked.

"I'm taking them."

She stopped and got herself under control. "But I might leave you with all their stuff," she finished with a smile.

Jess came back with a giant bag slung over her shoulder and a basketball under her arm.

"I'm ready."

Erica and Callie looked over at Eric who was struggling with a bag and three cases.

"You're not going to give your brother a hand?" asked Erica.

"No way, he offered to cart around some other girls band-geek crap, so he can deal with that. I'm not taking out my back so he can score."

Callie laughed. "Fair enough," she said.

She turned to Erica searching out those eyes. They held for a moment before Erica looked away and Callie looked down at her shoes.

"So I'll see you later?" she asked hopefully.

"You can just drop them off. You don't have to hang out with them. They're pretty self-sufficient and I hope to be out of here in a couple of hours, but there's no telling if that will happen, so I probably won't see you."

Callie looked down. "I don't mind waiting."

"I'm sure you have plans," said Erica looking toward the elevators, clearly not comfortable with the conversation.

Callie sighed. "Okay," she said.

She stood staring at Erica waiting for those eyes to come back around to her. Eric had finally come over awkwardly holding three cases, his gym bag hung over his shoulder. The teens had given them some distance, but did not hide their curiosity at what was transpiring in front of them.

Erica's eyes settled on theirs momentarily before finally meeting Callie's.

"Thank you," she said.

Callie smiled widely. "You're welcome." She gave Erica a squeeze on the arm before turning to her charges.

"Okay, let's go."

Coming up in Chapter 3 – An interesting night involving pizza and dancing.

*Take it Easy on Me – Little River Band. Lyrics used without permission, no copyright infringement intended.