I do not own anything. All rights belong to Shonda Rhimes and ABC.

AN: Thank you all for the reviews! I really like hearing your reactions, looking forward to what you think about this chapter. Things are about to get interesting…Muahahaha (That's my evil laugh) Enoy!

Chapter 3

Arizona:

"No, no, no! That is not how the game works, and you know it!" I slide April my shot and narrow my eyes at her, she is going to play right or she will have to be carried out of here.

"Arizzonnnaaa!' April whining is just going to spur me on. I cross my arms and nod towards the shot. She sighs, "Fine. You are a bad influence, though." She surveys the dark liquid. "So what is it again? I drink if it's something I have done?" I nod and gently push her hand, holding the shot, back to the bar.

She purses her lips and looks at me. "That seems backwards; shouldn't I drink if it is something I haven't done?" She holds the shot back up looking at it, like it's a magic 8 ball she just shook, and is awaiting her fortune. Her eyes light up. "Then we could go do it! Oh, I know! I've never been skiing." She throws back her shot making a face. "Now, let's pick a weekend to go on a ski trip!" I slap my hand to my forehead.

Cristina lowers her voice while motioning for Joe to come over. "And this is when the drinking… becomes a necessity." Meredith raises her shot glass in agreement and downs the remaining contents.

I look down at my phone to see if I have any missed messages. I don't. Where the hell is Callie? She never stands me up, especially when tequila is involved.

I feel someone come up behind me and I smile to myself as I turn around. "I knew you couldn't resist a night out on the town with…" I'm cut off by a kiss, chastely, planted on my lips.

"I can never resist a night out with you!" Polly tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I almost didn't think I was going to make it. You have me loaded down with tiny humans, boss." Polly gives me a wink and takes her coat off, she stills momentarily looking for a clean place to sit her things. She wipes the bar down and neatly puts her jacket and purse on the bar.

I'm about say something but April pushes me back eagerly, "Polly! Hi! We are going skiing soon, do you ski?" She almost falls off of the bar stool, I catch her by the arm and steady her.

"Um, I haven't in years but… I do know how." Polly looks between us questioningly. I give her a quick smile, then whip around and give April a stern look. April mouths sorry and sits back down.

I turn to Polly and grin. "She may have had a few more shots than intended." I laugh and raise my voice a little louder. "If someone would just play the game right, we wouldn't have had to double up on drinks." April sticks out her tongue and returns to Cristina and Meredith.

Polly looks around and then waves to Wilson and Edwards in the back of the bar. "So is this it for tonight? Where's Callie?" I down the shot Joe had just placed in front of me.

"Yeah, I guess she couldn't make it. Would have been nice to know, we can't all fly by the seat of our pants like some." She turns her attention away from her friends and studies me. "Someone seems to be chipper." I elude her questioning gaze and look over to her friends, who are adamantly trying to avoid eye contact with me. "You can go over with them, or they can join us if they want?" I flick my wrist in the direction of the residents, huddled in the corner, doing everything in their power to look busy.

"Are you sure? I can stay here, I really don't mind." She chews her lip and squint my eyes at her. "I just promised I'd hang out with them tonight, and I don't think hanging out with our bosses is what they had in mind." She kisses me on the cheek. "No offense."

I haphazardly swat at the air, the alcohol may be having a little influence on me at the moment. "It's fine, go ahead." Why do I feel like I'm giving a kid permission to stay out late on a school night?

"See you later?" Polly gathers her purse and coat.

"Yeah, I'll probably just go back to my place tonight. Come over if you want, when you're done. I'll be there." I swivel back around and see the three stooges staring back at me, looking up to no good. "What?"

Cristina straightens up and does her best school girl impression. "We were just wondering if we could have an extra hour added on to our curfews too, Mrs. Robbins?" Meredith barks a laugh, and April lowers her head to hide her smile.

"Oh, very funny. I'll have you know I am not that much older than her." I'm really not!

Cristina holds her hand up and sits her drink down. "I'm all for it Robbins, I never pegged you as the settling down type, but I have to say, you are a much easier bride-to-be, than ginger over here." Cristina motions to April, which earns her a halfhearted swat on the arm, in return.

April turns back to me. "Where is Callie? I thought she was coming! I even practiced making my voice different!' She frowns into her drink.

"I don't know, she said she was coming, but I guess she found something more important to do." I'm distracted by my phone buzzing in my pocket. "Speak of the She-devil." I head towards the door to answer Callie's call where I can hear.

"Do not hang up." Callie sounds out of breath, she apparently knows me well, because I was two seconds away from hanging up on her.

"Calliope Iphegenia Torres! Where are you?" I can't hide my anger, we had solid plans!

"I know, I know, but I was called into surgery at the last minute. I was going to call, as soon as I got out, but my phone died and I left my charger here at my apartment." I roll my eyes, I am constantly telling her to leave an extra one in the lounge but no, she couldn't possibly be bothered to listen to me for once. Hard headed, so hard headed.

"Well are you coming over here?" I listen to what sounds like bottles clinking in the background.

"Uh, well…no."

No? She doesn't get to just say no! That is not how this works. I have been creeping on every guy in here, sizing up the best candidates for her, like her pimp, and she isn't even going to show up? Oh, no, no, no, no, no! I open my mouth to let her know exactly what I think, but she cuts me off. "I was thinking you guys could come over here. I got a bunch of stuff at the store and I thought we could have a Girl's night in?" I feel the anger slowly melt away. I guess I could use a change of scenery; it's getting a little crowded in here.

I glance over to Polly and the now growing group of toddler surgeons, Callie calls them baby surgeons, but I like to think of them as toddlers, drooling and bumping their way around the hospital. Polly excluded, of course, she is a fellow and a very promising one at that! I inwardly groan. I've gotten so used to defending her to everyone; I'm even doing it to myself. Great.

"Oh and I got that wine, that only Polly Pock..." Callie suddenly coughs and stammers. "…Polly, that only Polly drinks, so she won't have an excuse to not join in on the fun." I roll my eyes. Polly Pocket, clever. I wonder who came up with that one? I'd say Alex but it sounds more like a certain Cardio junkie I know.

"Polly is doing her own thing tonight, so it's just me, Cristina, Meredith, and April." I look over to the bar and see April doubled over laughing, while Cristina is trying to throw peanuts into Meredith's mouth. Joe is looking particularly peeved. "I think your place will be best, Joe is about to kick us out anyways." I finalize plans with Callie and round up the posse. I start to go over to tell Polly bye, but I notice Colleen has joined the group and decide on a text telling her my change of plans instead. I don't have a problem with Colleen, I just prefer to not be around her…there's a difference!

Callie's Apartment…

"Honey, we're hommeee!" Cristina throws her stuff on Callie's couch and heads towards the refrigerator.

"Cristina you don't live here anymore so you could act like a guest and hang your stuff up." Callie comes out of her bedroom. She is wearing black skinny jeans and a deep purple top, cut just low enough to be suggestive without putting it all out there. I sooo could have pimped her out tonight! I realize my staring is bordering inappropriate so I drop my gaze.

"Oh, don't be a grumpus!" April flings herself down on top of Cristina's things and looks for the remote to the TV. "Grumpus is not a word, Kepner!" Callie takes the remote from her and flips it the right way up, then hands it back.

"We may have had a few shots while waiting for the princess to grace us with her presence." I speak in a lower voice as I walk by Callie, towards the kitchen.

"I couldn't help it, you are in the same profession you don't get to judge!" She follows behind me.

"Moms are arguing again!" Cristina squeezes past us and heads back to the living room holding three glasses.

"Bring us limes!" Meredith yells in to us, while taking a glass from Cristina and holding it up. "And Tequila!"

I grab a lime and start to cut it returning my attention to Callie. "I am not judging, just giving you a hard time; you make it way too easy." I give her a small smile and throw the limes on a plate.

Music fills the apartment, I watch as Cristina bounces around the living room. I watch her in wonder. I love that she just lets herself go, it is actually really refreshing. Our jobs are so intense and stressful, that little moments like these can be credited for keeping us sane.

"Give April 10 minutes and she'll be on top of my coffee table." Callie smirks and places her hand on the small of my back as she moves behind me to get more cups. I feel a slow rush of heat come over my entire body. Is it getting hot in here? I start pulling on my sweater trying to cool down.

"Hot flashes? I think you are a little young for those, but you are much older than me so who knows?" I swat Callie with the towel I was using to clean up the lime juice.

"The tequila is starting to do its job, I believe." Lie. I know what the cause for my sudden "Hot flash" is and I bury that feeling deep, deep down. I have done an amazing job at not letting her little touches, or the way she flips her hair, or the way she smells, work me up anymore and I refuse to let it start now. It only took six years, but I can confidently say I don't fawn over her like I used to. I'm with Polly now, and I could never chance screwing up what I have with Callie. She is too important to me. I let out a small sigh.

"Well we've got a lot more to drink, so try and keep your clothes on, if you can help it." Callie grabs the cups and bottle of liquor, but then pauses before leaving the kitchen. "Actually, I think I need to tell Kepner that, I don't want to see her in her spanx again."

Later…

Callie:

I get more ice from the refrigerator and steady myself on the counter. Okay, challenging Arizona to a "Shot-off" was not a good idea. I sit the ice bucket down and lean against the counter trying to decide if I am the one moving, or if it's the floor. I'm snapped out of my thoughts when I hear a loud crash and look up to see Wilson and Edwards, laughing on the floor, and my lamp in pieces.

I survey the room, Arizona is having a seemingly intense conversation with Karev, April is asleep on Jackson's shoulder, he is reading something on his phone. Cristina is dancing in between taking shots with Polly, who looks terrified every time she throws one back, which kind of makes me feel better about her being here. And Meredith is dancing, alone, with the bottle of tequila.

I hear someone clear their throat behind me, and I nearly jump out of my skin. "Jesus! Where did you come from?" I try to regain my composure. "Sorry, I had to get away from Dr. Yang, she wanted me to light my shot on fire!" I laugh because I know Yang is completely drunk, and completely serious. "It's a good thing you didn't; I don't think anyone is capable of saving you right now if you caught on fire."

Colleen laughs and takes a sip of her drink. "It does seem like everyone is beyond giving any medical treatment right now, thanks for letting us crash your party by the way." She squeezes my arm and then blushes slightly.

I can never tell if she is being friendly or flirty, maybe both? I think my gaydar's batteries are low. "Uh, it's fine…really…" I move a little too fast and catch myself on the counter. Colleen grabs me around the waist and steadies me, she smells…nice. Citrus-y must be her shampoo, or maybe she eats a lot of oranges. I laugh into her shoulder, which I now realize I have been resting on while cracking myself up. "Go home Torres, you're drunk!" Cristina grabs something off of the counter behind me and cackles, going back to the party.

I turn to say something back to her and my lips graze Colleen's neck, I feel her breath hitch and I pull back abruptly. "I'm sorry, I …I don't know what that was…I…." I feel Colleen slightly release her grip on my waist, making sure I am okay to stand by myself.

"It's fine Callie, seriously." She eyes me carefully; I feel an intense blush creeping up my neck. "Are you okay if I join everyone else or do I need to stay?" She looks genuinely concerned; I hope I didn't just mess anything up between us.

"Yeah, yeah go ahead." Colleen starts to head back into the living room, but turns back to face me. "You aren't ready."

What? I have no clue what she is talking about and apparently the confusion is etched on my face.

"You don't know what you want, Callie." She looks around to make sure no one is listening, everyone is too oblivious and drunk to pay us any mind.

She continues. "I am happy to be your friend, or your wing-woman, when the time is right, but I don't want to be the one you figure things out with, in secret. I'm out and I don't do the slinking in the shadows or on call rooms anymore. When you are really ready, let me know…" She leans in a little closer and I can feel her breath on my skin. "Because playing for this team has way better perks." She smirks and heads back into the living room.

I release the breath I had been holding for what seemed like an eternity. I feel eyes on me and look to see Arizona staring at me with an unreadable expression. I suddenly feel very aware of what exactly just happened. That realization, mixed with the crazy amount of alcohol consumed take a toll and I move quickly to my bedroom and shut the door.

I need a minute. The lights are off and I sit down on my bed. I see a sliver of light shinning through the door, and I am aware of the eyes intently observing me. "Come in."

Arizona is through the door in a flash and closes it quietly before moving to sit down softly beside me. She looks beautiful tonight. Even in the dark she is beautiful, she's always beautiful to me.

"I like girls." If I hadn't felt the words come out of my mouth, I wouldn't have believed I had actually spoken. Why in the hell did i just say that?

"Rephrase that." Arizona's voice is even and soft, definitely not what I expected.

I turn to her confused. "What?"

"You can't say you like girls, or Dateline will be busting down your door. You like women, Calliope." She gives a small smile, her eyes never leaving mine.

"Dateline wouldn't just break down my door; I'd have to be online being a perv, first of all and I sure as hell wouldn't…." I stop mid-rant. "…Wait, what?" I had never said anything or even hinted to her, there is no way…

"Sadie" She says matter of factly.

I furrow my brows at her. "Okay, you are going to have to stop with the mysterious- all knowing- act and talk Arizona! This is kind of life changing stuff here, and I'm about one minute from losing my damn mind." This is no time for her to become Yoda!

I feel the bed shift as she pulls her leg up to sit more comfortably, turning her entire body towards me. I mimic her.

"A few years ago, Meredith's friend Sadie came and attempted to be a doctor." I make a face as I remember the hot blond, with absolutely no surgical skills what so ever. "I knew you had a thing for her." She simply shrugs, like it's no big deal.

I tilt my head and eye her closely. "I did not have a thing for her! I think she had one for me!"

Arizona chuckles. "Callie, you were almost as bad as Sloan with the staring there for a while!"

I feel my face ignite in a blush and I feel my eyes widen. "Oh god, was I seriously that obvious?"

Arizona places her hand on my knee. "Just to me, don't worry."

I cover my face with my hands. "Uh, so if you knew this whole time why haven't you said anything!" I peek through my hands, not really wanting to look at her, but needing to at the same time. She shrugs. "It's not my place, I figured if you wanted to explore what those feelings meant, then you would. And if you didn't, that was fine too." I move my hands completely so that I am fully looking at her. I really hope she didn't notice that I stared at her way more than I did at Sadie.

Arizona tilts her head and purses her lips. "Do you think Colleen is the right choice?"

I cough. "Uh, what do you mean?"

"I mean, do you think she is the right one to figure things out with?" She keeps watching me. I throw my hands up in the air out of frustration. Is there like a secret lesbian language I am missing out on?

"What does "figure things out" actually mean? I like her. She's nice and funny…"

Arizona interrupts "And hot.."

I roll my eyes and keep going "…Yes and hot, but I don't want to like, use her as a study guide or something! Just because I'm late to the game doesn't mean I don't know what size cleats I wear!"

Arizona's eyes are wide and she loses the battle to not laugh.

I cross my arms. "This is not funny!"

She wipes her eyes and tries to control her breathing. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. But you've been gay for all of ten minutes and you are already using sports analogies?"

I rub my temples. "I'm not sure I'm gay…I mean, I guess wanting to see girls..." I stop and correct myself. "Women, I guess wanting to see women naked is gay, but I did enjoy men, I do enjoy them, I just…it's just not…"

Arizona lightly rubs my arm and draws my attention to her. "It's just not the same anymore, and that's okay."

I snort. "Yeah, sure it is." Arizona dips her head down making me meet her eyes. "It is, okay. You are figuring it out. This" She motions to me. "….is what that means, to figure things out. You need time to adjust and get comfortable, and it is okay." I see nothing but sincerity pouring out of her eyes and it instantly makes me believe her. I really feel safe with her. I always have, but even more so in this very moment.

I drop my head back down. "Hey" She places her finger under my chin and pushes softly upwards, forcing me to look at her. "If it's her, then…" I see her waver for a moment, but then she gets a look of determination, like she just came to terms with something herself. "….Then it's her and you go from there."

I look at her waiting for more of an explanation.

"If she is the reason for your...awakening...then explore that." I still just look at her, not fully getting it.

She throws her hands up. "Oh my god. Tell Colleen you like her, and take it from there! There isn't some ancient ritual; I can't initiate you into my 'Lesbian Gang'!" She blushes apparently embarrassed by her outburst.

I break out into a huge grin. Arizona always makes everything just a little bit better. She laughs and shakes her head, placing her hands in her lap.

I look at her with conviction, suddenly realizing something and, for a reason unbeknown to myself, I need her to hear me. "I don't care if people talk, you know."

She makes a definitive nod. "Calliope, you wouldn't be my best friend if you cared about what people think." It' simple, she didn't really say much. One sentence. But it was so much more than that, she understands me like no one else ever has.

Almost as if she can hear my inner dialogue, she leans in and wraps me in a hug I feel like I've needed my entire life, but never knew until this very minute. I feel her rest her head against mine and let out a small sigh.

It never ceases to amaze me that she fits so perfectly with me. She smells like vanilla and lavender. Not citrus-y. I prefer her smell. I prefer her, period. I close my eyes and hold on a little tighter, willing this hug to last forever.

I love her.

I've always known, but it feels okay to admit it to myself in this moment. I should just tell her. Sure, Colleen is great and I probably could use a little experience under my belt, but she isn't the one. The one is the person that makes you feel safe, and wanted, and happy, and sad, and angry and everything all at once. Elated one minute, and then seriously feeling like you could pull your own hair out the next. The one makes you feel. They just make you feel it all. Arizona makes me feel it all, even the things I don't want to feel, I feel with her and that makes my heart sing. I pull gently back still in her arms. I need to tell her. I look into her eyes searching for any signs telling me not to do this, not to change our lives forever, but I see nothing but longing looking back at me.

"Callie?" She speaks barely above a whisper.

This is it. I take one last deep breath. " Arizona…"

"Arizona can I have the keys to.." Polly comes bounding into the room and stops immediately.

I feel Arizona spring apart from me and jump up to Polly's side. "Um, is everything okay?" Concern laces Polly's features as she looks back between me and Arizona.

"Yeah, Callie just needed a pep talk!" Arizona's voice sounds far too cheerful and I feel my stomach drop as I watch her grab Polly's hand. Polly looks to me questioningly. "Do you need anything? Water or something?"

Why does she have to be so damn helpful? "No, I'm okay I think I'm just ready to lie down." That is the biggest lie known to man. I will probably not sleep for a week.

Polly points towards the living room. "It's wound down a lot out there, Cristina and Meredith passed out in the back room, Jackson took April home, and Karev has Wilson and Edwards." I give her a small nod and watch Arizona who is skillfully avoiding my eyes. Why is she acting guilty, friends hug. She couldn't have known I was going to say anything. Polly snags my attention again. "Um, Colleen is on the couch should we take her over to Arizona's?" At this Arizona's eyes snap to mine, she almost looks…no, she couldn't be jealous. She just practically told me to go for it!

I clear my throat. "Uh, No, she's fine. I'll take care of her." Polly seems to take this as a good enough answer, but Arizona just looks at me. "Are you sure? I don't mind letting her use my extra room."

I raise an eyebrow. "Don't worry about it, I got her." I watch as she briefly tenses, but then relaxes. "Well, okay. Call me tomorrow?" I don't respond I just watch as Polly slowly pulls her out of my room.

I fling back on my bed, what the hell is happening tonight? A cough startles me and I sit back up to see Arizona standing in my room. "Just don't…" She looks around like she is trying to find the right words. "Just don't do anything" She nods in the direction of Colleen. "I just think…well, you've been drinking…I just don't want you to regret anything." She doesn't wait for me to respond and is gone as quickly as she entered.

I throw myself back on my bed again; I have no clue what to think about anything anymore. Another cough grabs my attention.

"Arizona! I will call you tomorrow, and I will not force myself on…" I sit up and find Colleen timidly staring at me from the doorway.

"Um, they left." Colleen points towards the living room door. Well, this is awkward.

She shifts nervously. "About what I said earlier…"

I cut her off, and stand up. "It's fine. I get what you were saying, I do."

I feel myself tense up when she quickly moves closer to me and places a soft but firm kiss on my lips, totally taking me by surprise. I have no time to return the kiss, if I even wanted to, she backs off and raises her hand to stop me from saying anything.

"I don't mind." Okay, why is everyone acting like I should know what they are talking about today?

I start to ask what the hell she means but she continues. "…helping you figure things out. I don't mind." She turns and leaves without another word. I hear the front door shut.

I sit quietly for a second not wanting to move, or think, or do anything just yet. I finally get up and move to lock my front door, I sit on the couch and look at the disastrous state my living room is in.

Tomorrow. I will think, tomorrow.

I silently thank God that everyone is finally gone and head back to my bedroom. I reach my door and start to go in when I hear a yell from the back room.

"Callie! Meredith wants waffles for breakfast and I want crissspppyy bacon!" Cristina laughs and then I hear what sounds like someone falling out of the bed. I drop my head to my door. I have a feeling God is having a good laugh right about now.