Title: Lovesick (Chapter 4)

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.

Chapter 4

The next morning Callie was Distraction Incorporated. She could do nothing. It was her day off. She had errands to run, bills to pay, laundry and a host of other things on her to do list, but all she had managed was breakfast and bathroom trips. And she wasn't sure if she could really count a handful of cheerios eaten directly out of the box as a real breakfast. Christina was at the hospital. Christina was always at the hospital.

She was lying in her bed feeling pathetic when she heard the doorbell ring and ring and ring. Throwing on a robe she made her way to the door intending on biting off the head of whoever was outside her apartment. She pressed the intercom and yelled into it.

"What?!"

"Dr. Torres?"

"Yeah, what? Who the hell is this?"

"It's Eric. Eric Hahn."

"Shit! Sorry, hang on I'll buzz you in."

She buzzed him in, wondered if anything was wrong and then made a dash for her bedroom. She jumped into some sweats combed out her hair with her hands and ran back to the front hall to open the door.

"Hey," she said when she saw him trotting down the hallway.

"Hey, I just wanted to drop these off," he said handing her two tickets.

"What are they?"

"They're for Jess's game. We thought maybe you'd like to come. There are two because my aunt said if we invite you, we had to get you two tickets, so you can bring a friend if you wanted. We really hope you can come."

Callie smiled. "I would love to! So your aunt is okay with me coming?"

He nodded. "Yeah, sorry I have to go, she's waiting outside. Hope to see you there."

She grabbed him before he could disappear. "Wait, are you sure she's okay with it?"

"Yeah, of course. You're coming right?"

She smiled. "Most definitely."

"Okay see you there," he said trotting back down the hall and toward the elevator.

Callie fingered the tickets and continued smiling. She would not need the extra, but her day was definitely looking much better. Last night she had felt melancholy and depressed at the reminder of what she had thrown away, but today she had Erica to look forward to again. So what if it was a sport she knew nothing about. It was Erica and it was Erica being okay with her hanging around her family.

When her doorbell rang unexpectedly again just as she was getting ready to leave for the game, she smiled. Sometimes unexpected visitors brought nice presents. She had just finished fixing her hair and gave it a few twitches before eagerly pressing the intercom button.

"Hello?"

"Calliope, it's me Arizona."

"Arizona? What are you doing here?"

"We have dinner plans."

Shit!

Callie buzzed her in running through a list of lame excuses in her head. She considered the truth for a second, but didn't feel like she had time to get into that conversation.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Arizona was all bright smiles and puppy dog eyes when Callie opened the door. She looked at Callie appreciatively as she stepped into the apartment.

"You look great," she said as she shed her jacket. "This is a great place. I tried calling earlier, but you weren't answering your phone, so I thought I'd be spontaneous."

"Yeah, thanks. Listen Arizona, I know we made tentative plans, but I kind of forgot I had tickets to something."

"Oh, well is it something we can find another ticket for?"

"Well, see it's kind of a group thing. I'm going with some other people."

Arizona was standing near the side table where Callie usually dumped her keys and purse, still holding her jacket. She looked down and noticed the tickets. She picked them up.

"A basketball game?"

"Yeah," said Callie clearing her throat. She was not dating this woman, owed her no explanations and had no reason to lie, so she went with the truth.

"Erica's niece is in the game. I'm going with Erica and her family."

"Oh," said Arizona. "That's who this ticket is for? I would think she already has a ticket."

"No, she probably does, that's just extra."

Silence. Callie was about to speak, to excuse herself and get going to the game when she heard the question.

"So this ticket doesn't belong to anyone?"

"No," said Callie automatically and then realized where Arizona was going.

"But um…I mean I'm going with Erica." Okay so that was a little lie, since it kind of sounded like she meant as in a date.

"As in a date?"

Callie sighed. "No, as friends," and to see if a date is possible, she finished in her head.

"So as friends, well we're friends and since we originally had plans, maybe we can both go to the game."

"Umm"

"We're all friends, right?"

"Right," said Callie.

Callie was hurriedly making her way to the stands and the seats where Erica and Eric were waiting for her, cursing her inability to thwart Arizona Robbins who was busy trying to keep up with Callie's hurried pace. She saw them seated right behind the benches that held a team dressed in white and orange. It was hard not miss them as Eric was in his band uniform. Band geek indeed!

She continued making her way stepping over and around equipment and people, never taking her eyes off of them. Behind her she heard Arizona mutter something about sweaty musty gyms, but she had neither the time nor inclination to engage her. Finally Eric noticed her and started waving. Erica turned at his motions and almost smiled. Callie saw it, she saw her eyes start to get shiny and wide and then the mask was back in place. Callie looked behind her briefly knowing that no matter how hurried the pace, she had not lost Arizona. Arizona was still right behind her.

Damn it!

She reached Eric who looked behind at her in confusion.

"Friend?" he asked getting up and moving so that Callie could sit next to Erica.

"Not a particularly good one," she muttered. She saw his confused look as he let her pass him and sat down, effectively placing himself between Callie and Arizona. He did not question Callie further on her friend.

"Eric Hahn," he said to Arizona extending his hand.

Arizona introduced herself to him, but no formal introductions between her and Erica were forthcoming. Erica sat with her gaze on the court, letting it wander every once in awhile to the player's bench. Callie let out a breath and then leaned in close to Erica.

"Hey," she said.

"Hi," said Erica not looking at her.

"Listen, she just came by and saw the extra ticket and then she wouldn't take no for an answer."

Erica said nothing and Callie slumped back feeling defeated before she got started.

"You don't have to explain anything to me," she heard from Erica.

She turned but Erica's gaze was still on the action in front of her.

"I know, but I want to. I need to," said Callie. Erica went back to the stony silence.

Callie looked at her. She was so goddamned cute. She had on dark jeans and an orange Triton Park long-sleeve shirt. She was wearing her glasses and the combination of the dark jeans with the dark frames on her pale face was enticing and made Callie want things. She wanted things to be like they had been yesterday for the few minutes they were on the dance floor. She sighed.

"Erica if you want me to leave, I can leave. I don't have to be here. I want to be here, but if it makes you…"

"I don't want you to leave," said Erica finally looking at her. "But that's not really fair to your…friend."

Callie wanted to smile. She wanted to sing and soar and then she wanted to beat herself to a pulp for allowing Arizona to bully her way to this event. She wanted to say something to Erica that would affect Erica the way Erica's words had affected her, that would let her know she would give anything for it to be just the two of them again, but she never got the chance.

"Hey Erica!' she heard and suddenly the short brunette from yesterday was there and plopping herself into the empty seat on the other side of Erica.

"Hello Ms. Healy," said Erica straightening in her seat and extending her hand.

"Please call me Joyce."

The woman took Erica's hand and held it not letting Erica go until she had engulfed Erica's hand with both of hers for a few seconds. She looked at Callie.

"I don't think we've met," she said with a bit of a challenge in her voice.

"I'm Dr. Callie Torres. I'm a friend of Erica's," said Callie reaching over and gripping the woman's hand firmly. Her reach propelled her into Erica and she took advantage of the move, letting her body linger there long after the hand shake. She was pressed as tightly to Erica as she dared. It was as close to pissing on her as she could get without just straddling her.

Erica turned back to the court and the players warming up. Her glance went to the opposing team's band as they prepared to get on the court.

"Why isn't Triton's band playing before the game?" she asked Joyce.

Callie leaned in even closer, a move that elicited a perplexed look from Erica, but she had no time to question Callie as Joyce began explaining.

"Oh well the opposing team's band plays now. We play at halftime and winner plays at the end. We'll actually be leaving halfway through the first half to take our places over at the end of the court. We'll be playing from time to time during the game to provide some emotional support, so I'm afraid you only have me and Eric here for a short time."

"Ah," said Erica.

Erica turned her attention to Callie who was tense and still leaning pretty hard into her. Callie felt like a rubber band that might snap at any moment.

"You okay?" asked Erica.

"I'm cold," answered Callie with a weak smile. She wasn't really, but she couldn't very well tell the truth.

I want to drape myself all over you and claim you.

"Do you want to just drape my jacket over your shoulders? It won't fit over your leather jacket, but it might ward off some of the chill."

"Yeah, that would be great." Well that worked out, thought Callie.

The seats were small so it was a little awkward to do, but they managed. Eric was giving Callie these little smiles and one time she thought she saw him shift his eyes between her and Erica rapidly, using his eyebrows to communicate something she wasn't sure she understood. She smiled back hoping whatever he was trying to say was something good and let herself enjoy Erica's jacket draped around her shoulders.

Callie glanced at Joyce who was leaning away from Erica with a furrowed brow and had to suppress the urge to smirk. She sighed happily and was almost getting ready to lean her head on Erica's shoulder when Erica turned to her.

"You okay? Warm enough now?" she asked.

Callie smiled. "Yeah, fine, great. Really great."

"Okay," said Erica whose eyes glanced past Eric to where Arizona was probably sitting. She turned away when she noticed Callie watching her and returned her gaze to the court. Callie looked at Arizona seeing a confused look on Arizona's face. She was still smiling though, which alleviated some of Callie's guilt.

Callie turned her attention to the action in front of her scanning the court for Jess. She saw a blonde pony tail with a number 10 on the back and the name HAHN spelled out in big orange letters and turned to Erica placing a hand on the arm resting on the tiny armrest that separated the two seats.

"Is that Jess?" she asked.

"Yes. Number 10. She's a guard but she can also play the forward position."

Callie blinked. She had no idea what Erica had just said, but Erica continued talking and that was good, so she nodded and hung on her every word.

The game was fast paced, which surprised Callie a little. She hadn't been expecting such a pace from a high school game. Halfway through the first half Eric and Joyce left their seats and joined the rest of the band. His stiff uniform and the small area made the hug he gave her awkward, but they made it work.

"Party at my aunt's after the game, you better be there," he whispered as he let her go.

He let his eyes shift to Erica briefly and then return to her. She was going to have to ask him for lessons in this secret eyes and eyebrow language he seemed to think she knew. Arizona immediately took his seat giving Callie a brilliant smile and even extending a bright hello to Erica, who merely acknowledged the gesture with a nod.

Callie kept her focus on Erica trying to put a clamp on the guilt she was starting to feel about Arizona. She listened as Erica explained facets of the game every now and then and after awhile found herself completely turning her body so it was angled towards Erica, her hand permanently planted on Erica's arm.

By half-time Arizona was sulking and Callie was alternating between feeling miserable about the Arizona situation and happy to be allowed to be like this with Erica again. She blamed herself. She should not have brought Arizona. Even if Arizona had invited herself, Callie should have found a way to explain things to her. Resolving that she needed to do something, she turned to Arizona at the start of half-time.

"I'm going to the lady's room, want to come?"

She still had her hand on Erica's arm and felt it stiffen before it was removed from her grasp entirely. Callie closed her eyes. She wanted to growl in frustration.

Arizona smiled and stood, making her way down the aisle of seats. Callie stood up to follow, but turned to Erica before walking away. "I'll be right back," she said. "Don't let anyone take my seat."

Erica nodded but did not look at her.

"I'm serious. I want to come back and sit right here in the very same, very comfortable position I was in before." She removed Erica's jacket from her shoulders and placed it on her seat. She saw Erica reach for the jacket and questioned her.

"Are you cold?"

Erica looked up at her. "No, but I thought you might be done with it."

"No, in fact" she started to say as she removed her own jacket. "I think yours is warmer than mine." She laid her jacket on the seat and picked up Erica's putting her hand through the sleeves and giving Erica a smile.

"Yours is leather," said Erica.

"And?" said Callie before turning and making her way to the end of the aisle, where Arizona and her bright smile were waiting.

"Good game," said Arizona. "I didn't know you were into basketball, but it's a good fast paced game. Is the girl in the pony tail related to Erica?"

"Her niece," said Callie as they made their way to the corridor outside the gym. Callie stopped. "Listen, I'm sorry this is so uncomfortable for you and I understand if you want to bail. I can give you my car if you just want to go home. I'll arrange to pick it up from you later. You don't have to stay."

"No, I'm having a good time. It wasn't what we had planned, but I don't mind."

Callie sighed. "See the thing is…I want to try again with Erica, so me and you…"

"Oh" said Arizona looking away. "I thought you were just trying to be friends with her."

Callie shook her head.

"Does Erica feel the same way? Does she want to try again?"

"I don't know," said Callie. "But I want to find out."

"So I guess I'm getting in your way."

Callie said nothing, hoping the silence would convey the message. When nothing was said for a full minute, Callie felt more clarity was in order.

"Arizona you're a wonderful person and I like you, but not in the way you want me to."

"Right, because you're still hung up on someone else."

Callie laughed and nodded. "Yeah, something like that." Try completely and insanely in love with someone else.

Arizona was shaking her head. "Okay, I feel really stupid."

"Don't. Another time, another place, another set of circumstance and things might have been different, but right now, right here, it's Erica. I have to give that a chance."

"And if she doesn't want that second chance with you?"

Callie let out a breath, "Then I'll deal with that."

"Is there anything I can do to make this different?" asked Arizona looking away.

Callie reached out a hand to caress her face. "You are a wonderful person and you will find someone, but in this no, there is nothing you can do to make this turn out differently."

Arizona let herself enjoy the touch. Callie saw it in her eyes in the pressure she felt on her palm for the brief moment before Callie removed her hand.

Arizona stepped back. "I think I'll try to get a cab."

"You won't get a cab here. Just take my car." She pulled the keys from her purse and gave them to her. "I'll arrange to pick it up later."

She started to walk away, not wanting to miss Eric's performance entirely.

"Callie?"

She turned.

"Be careful. I don't…I hope it works out. I really do, but from what I've heard about Erica. She's a hard person to love."

Callie's eyes flashed. "No, she's not. I love her already, so no, it's not hard at all."

She turned abruptly and tried putting the last few seconds of that exchange far from her mind. The important thing was that she was going back; she was going back to sit next to Erica and watch Erica's nephew and niece perform and hopefully Erica would let Callie touch her and everything would be okay again.

She didn't understand all the nuances of the game, but Callie knew enough to know that Jess was good. She was clearly the best player on her team and gave most of the players on the other team a challenge. She had caught the last half of Eric's performance with the band and he seemed to be enjoying himself. Where his sister was hyper focused on her game, never once looking their way to acknowledge them, he looked at them often, joked with his band mates and generally caused trouble. Joyce was constantly sending him evil looks.

The best thing about the performance and the game had been Erica's commentary delivered directly to her ear in whispers. She had been engrossed in the halftime performance when she first heard Erica's delicious voice in her ear.

"He's actually a great musician, but he's not that into band. He participates so he can travel to the games for free. I think he drives the band teacher nuts. He thinks she just keeps him in band because he can play virtually every instrument, so he makes a good utility man."

Callie smiled and nodded and tried everything she could think of to encourage the whispers. She asked questions, leaned in to make comments she hoped Erica would respond to and even tried to feign confusion at some of the plays to see if Erica would attempt an explanation.

Callie was glad it was just the two of them watching the second half. It felt nice and very date like. The game got close in the middle of the second half and Callie found herself on the edge of her seat, clutching Erica's arm as they entered the last ten minutes of the game. Erica was on edge too. She was cracking her knuckles with one hand and running through surgeon hand exercises absently with the other. When Jess's team started to surge ahead again she heard random words that made no sense to her come out of Erica's mouth.

"Pick!"

"D up"

"Switch"

It was the best basketball game Callie had ever been to and she felt that way even before Jess's team won and she found herself on the receiving end of a long hug from Erica.

Coming in Chapter 5 – Victories require parties which means more dancing on the way.