Chpt 3

Arizona's POV

Working in Peds, I have done my share of consults with Orthopaedic surgeons. They have mostly been men. Men who have always done their best to impress me with their knowledge and skill. It was almost refreshing to know that I would be dealing with a woman at Seattle Grace Mercy West, and that she was supposedly one of the best. Alex Karev had pointed her out to me from down the hall, and I made my way to where she stood at the nurses station, still anxious to know why she hadn't answered my page personally. Dr. Callie Torres was a tall woman, and her hair was as dark as night. She stood back on to me as I approached her and spoke with authority in my voice.

"I hope that your blackberry is in need of a serious Orthopedic surgery Dr. Torres"

She spun around quickly. Her dark complexion fitted her raven hair, and her eyes jumped out at me, as I was obviously catching her off guard. It was then I realised she was a resident, as evident by her light blue scrubs. Baby Ortho God, I thought to myself, trying not to crack a smile.

"Dr. Robbins" Her voice was a little shaky, as she fumbled with her phone, returning it to her lab coat pocket. "What brings you down here?"

She was nervous. I was not only able to pick out a lie, but I was used to reading the uneasy faces of the children in Peds. Her eyes shot back and forth between me and whatever was so interesting behind me at that moment in time. I almost felt a little guilty for using such a stern tone with her. But I was not backing down.

"Well Dr. Torres" I crossed my arms over my chest and try and keep my dimples at bay. I wasn't normally aggressive with any of my colleagues, but I felt I had to keep up stance at this point. "I find it interesting that you would send an intern to answer my page, when you and I haven't even met yet. I find it a little bit rude, that you wouldn't have the courtesy to at least introduce yourself, before sending someone else to represent you."

"I..ahhhh..I.." Dr. Torres was more nervous than I had initially thought, and her inability to form words was actually bringing on a giggle, as much as I was trying to stay focused. Her eyes met mine once more before she turned back to the counter. "I was just going over this...this...chart," as she frantically searched for a file down behind the counter. "Yes. This chart, and I was going to be right behind Dr. Karev, I just didn't want to keep you waiting and this chart...ahhhh...it needed immediate attention"

Lies. I could see right through her ramble, but I could also see right through her. She was nervous around me. The way she was shifting her weight away from me instead of towards. Normally, when you first meet someone, you move towards them, shake thier hand, especially in our profession.

"Well Dr. Torres" I shift my weight towards her, and she slowly takes a step back. "I would appreciate the next time that I page you," I take a step again, and she follows suit "That YOU will be the one that appears. Not Dr. McGopher, or any other intern who does your bidding"

"I am so sorry Dr. Robbins" She puts her hand back in her pocket and her phone re-appears "I'm just a little off this morning and..." she is cut off by an asian woman running, no sprinting, towards us.

"Callie, you found her" She says as she takes her place next to Dr. Torres and turns to face me. "Dr. Robbins it is such an honour to have you here" The woman reaches out her hand towards me and steps forward. This was the proper way to introduce yourself. "I'm Dr. Yang and I just wanted to let you know that if you need any help on your service this week, that it would be my pleasure to assist you."

"Why thank you Dr. Yang" I put my hand in hers, and can't help but look to Dr. Torres with sly "And I was actually looking for another intern for a surgery I have this afternoon if you would like to scrub in"

"Oh Yes. Thank you Dr. Robbins" Dr. Yang aggressively continues our hand shake and I start to feel my shoulder sublux "I would most certainly love to scrub in on a surgery with you Dr. Robbins. And if I could just say, your most recently published research in the American medical journal was most fascinating. I would love you sit down with you and discuss it sometime"

"Okay Yang" Dr. Torres' nerves seemed to have dissapated, as I sensed some irritation in her tone towards the over eager intern. "I'm sure Dr. Robbins is very busy so if you could give her hand back to her, I need you to go check on a post op for me"

They were obviously more that colleagues, as I notice Dr. Yang give Dr. Torres a look of hatred. One that you wouldn't normally see an intern give a resident, well at least not to their face. Not to mention the fact that Dr. Yang had called Dr. Torres by her first name. These two were definitely tight. I watched as the look turned into Dr. Yang pulling Dr. Torres aside and beginning to whisper. Note to self, teach Dr. Yang how to whisper.

"But Callie, you said this morning that..." She was quickly cut off by another authoritative voice. This voice I recognized.

"Dr. Yang" Erica Hahn said as she walked towards us, and only stopping as she came shoulder to shoulder with Dr. Torres. "Did I not just here Dr. Torres ask you to check on a patient for her?"

"Yes Dr. Hahn. I was just about to get right on that Dr. Hahn" Dr. Yang was obviously eager to impress Erica as well as she quickly moved from us down the hall. My attention shifted back to Dr. Torres and Erica and the fact that their shoulders were still pretty much attached. Dr. Torres obviously noticed my observation and shifted her weight away from Erica Hahn.

"So I see you have met Dr. Robbins, Cal" Erica said, keeping her eyes fixed on Dr. Torres, and then to her chart as she began writing.

"Ah...yeah..Erica" Dr. Torres' nervous tone was back in full swing. "Dr. Robbins was actually looking for me for a consult and I was just on my way to Peds with her now"

Dr. Torres looked down to her phone. Whether she was actually receiving or sending or just trying to avoid all eye contact, it didn't matter. I was really starting to feel bad for being so stern with her, as she was obviously easily intimidated. I knew Erica Hahn was know for her abrasive nature, but seeing Dr. Torres so uneasy was starting to effect my emotions. At that moment, she looked so vulnerable, that I couldn't help but find her beautiful.

Callie's POV

So here there I was. In between my girlfriendand the hottie of the day. I would have given my left kidney and the upper lobe of my right lung to have a time machine at that point. I would jump in it and set it to take me back to this morning. Just before I came up with that stupid idea to help Yang get on a Cardio case. Then I wouldn't of seen Arizona' picture, I wouldn't of got all giddy, and I certainly wouldn't be looking into her blue eyes right now, wishing that...

"I'd really like to get back up to my patient" Arizona's voice interrupted my wish making and for the first time, I saw her smile. "So if your ready Dr. Torres?" She put both hands in her pockets and bounced up on her tip toes. Not only was she hot, but she was perky too. I couldn't help but grin as she continued to rock up and down from her toes to her heals. I had almost forgotten anyone else was around until I felt my girlfriends hand on my arm.

"I think I'm actually gonna be tied up late tonight Cal" Erica's voice was low, but I knew Arizona could hear."So maybe we can pass on dinner and I can meet you at home later?"

Where is that time machine? I look to my girlfriend and then to Arizona.

"Don't worry Erica" I felt myself annoyed. Surprising NOT annoyed with the fact that my crush probably had a good idea of my sexual preference. I was annoyed with Erica. Canceling plans again. I knew when she mentioned it this morning, she was actually hoping I would be the one to break off our reservation. "I told Karev I would buy him a drink tonight. Just text me later when your finished up here"

"I'm sorry Cal" Erica said reaching for my arm. "I have a lot of research I need to work on for my presentation at Baylor next month. You understand" and her arm was gone.

I looked to her once more before returning my gaze to Arizona. She still had a smile on her face, but her eyes almost had a look of pity behind them. She turned away and started to walk up the stairs as I followed, trying to remain a few steps behind. Arizona stopped when she reached the last step, as if she was waiting for me to catch up. I stood next to her on the landing keeping my gaze on the hallway ahead, not wanting to meet hers.

"You ok?" She asked and I could feel the warmth from her body as her shoulder grazed mine. I took a step forward, in order to avoid her touch, and started to walk towards the residents locker room. I felt my eyes fill up a little and I bit my lip to try and keep them from falling. I open the door to find the room empty as I walked to the couch and slump into the cushions, hoping that the door wouldn't open behind me. I kept my eyes down, realizing that my wish wasn't coming true today.

"I asked you if you were ok Dr. Torres" Arizona's voice got closer as she sat down next to me on the couch. "I'm sorry if you think I'm being intrusive, but I'm pretty sure that Dr. Hahn just blew you off"

She was being intrusive. I didn't even know her. She didn't even know me. Why did she have to be sitting next to me, asking me if I was ok that my girlfriend just broke plans with me? Why did she have to smell so damn good?

"Its ok Dr. Robbins" I keep my eyes fixed on the floor in front of me. "I can meet you in Peds in a few minutes. I know your patient is probably waiting on you, and I have delayed your consult for too long as it it"

"Dr. Torres.." She started to say.

"It's Callie, Arizona" I interject, not wanting her to refer to me in a professional manner anymore and I finally let my eyes meet hers. They were almost an electric blue. I had never seen eyes so blue before. I watched as her lips formed a smile and her head tilted slightly to the side.

"Callie" Her smile grew bigger and the emotion of hurt was overthrown quickly by a fluttering feeling in my stomach. Dimples. They were all I could focus on as they appeared at each end of her smile. The blue in her eyes now reflected a look of concern, as she spoke again. "I don't really know what your relationship is with Dr. Hahn, but I do know that its never a good feeling when someone breaks plans with you."

I found myself studying her face, her features, the way her wavy blond hair fell against her neck and shoulders. It was overwhelming how beautiful she was.

"I can see that you are a little put out right now, so if you want to do the consult later" Arizona stood up from the couch and started to walk towards the door again. This time, I was wishing for it to be locked from the outside.

"Arizona" I heard my voice call after her, which was not in time with my brain as I tired to think of something to say. I didn't want her to go, but I don't think I could handle her staying either.

"Yes Callie" She put her hand on the door knob and looked back at me.

"I...uhhhh.." I was kicking myself mentally for being so nervous. I was usually never this bad at forming a sentence, but ever since I saw Arizona's picture this morning, my brain had completely turned to mush. "I just wanted to say thanks" I pushed myself off the couch and started to walk towards where she stood. Her hand fell from the door knob as her small frame turned square on to face me. "Thanks for taking the time to see if I was ok"

Arizona's POV

We were standing only a few feet apart, but I could feel the energy between us. Every part of my being told me not to follow her in that locker room, but for whatever reason, I opened the door. I tried to comfort her, give her some reassurance that everything would be fine. Sitting along side her, I could see that she was searching my face for something. Studying me, just like I was studying her. I had to use all my power to restrain myself from reaching over and touching her. So I fought the pull and tried to get out of there before I couldn't control my urge. And here we stood. Just a few feet apart. I knew my breathing had picked up just slightly and I thought it was just my imagination, but I was pretty sure that her chest was rising a little faster too.

"I just know how it feels Callie" I know that's what I wanted to say, but my hand reaching out to her was not an order I had given to the limb with mind of its own. Now I had been with lots of women before, touched their skin against mine. But putting my fingers on Callie's arm, was like another sense was formulated in my nervous system. Our eyes met, and for the first time, I saw her smile. Did she feel it too? I quickly take my hand back, as the mind that was controlling my hand, now takes over my vocal cords.

"My last girlfriend was famous for blowing me off on a regular basis" I heard my words, processed them quickly and looked to see her reaction. I hadn't intended on sharing my sexuality with anyone at the hospital this early, but thanks to my new personality, I was baring all to Callie.

"I can't imagine anyone ever blowing you off" Callie's response surprised me, and obviously she was now meeting her new personality as well. "I mean...I ahhhh..."

I was actually finding her nervousness to be very cute, and even though I was a little shocked that she verbalized what I had already saw in her looks, I didn't want her to feel awkward with me.

"I know exactly what you mean" I flash her my dimples, on purpose of course, and turn to open the door. "So, if your not too busy with a life saving blackberry surgery.." The still look of worry that Callie had been wearing, now turned to embarrassment, as she obviously remembered my first words to her "I would really appreciate the self professed top Orthopaedic surgeon of this hospital to join me for a consult"

"Ah that would be correct Dr. Robbins" she addressed me professionally, which almost seemed to have an underlying tone "And for future reference, its Rockstar with a scalpel thank you"

"Whatever you say Dr. Torres" I replied as we walked out into the hall and headed for the already opened elevator doors, and we stepped inside.

There wasn't much room left on our ride up to Peds, and I found myself having no choice but to press my entire body against Callie. I tried not to look up at her, and my head started to spin while I was forced to breathe in her shampoo. My mind went to that dirty place and I felt my cheeks go flush. The one thing I promised myself I wouldn't do here at Seattle Grace Mercy West, was become romantically involved with someone. As the doors opened, I practically jumped off the elevator, trying to forget all the dirty things that involved me and the Ortho god. Normally jumping would of been a great plan, but not today. My wheelies hit the Peds wing floor first, followed by my gluts, and then my head.

The last thing I remember was Callie's dark eyes looking into mine, Mark Sloans voice yelling something about 'Roller Girl' being down, and her hand on my cheek. I knew I was in trouble. Big trouble as everything faded to black.