AN: Thank you so much for your continued interest in the fic, I'm hoping the updates are regular enough to keep you keen! :-)

A huge thank you to those that picked up on my error in the last part. This is set (mostly) canon to the post shooting timeframe. Although there might be a few bits and pieces that change (particularly other characters who I'm not so up on), but the major stuff I'm trying to keep consistent. My mention of Arizona as Callie's 'wife' was a complete mistake on my part. So sorry about that, and I will fix it up.

Anyway, thanks again and on with the part.


Part 3

Arizona was heard first, saying hello to various people as she rolled, rather than walked, down the corridor. She quickly appeared, blond hair bouncing against her shoulders and hands starting to gesture, dancing through the air. "It was just awesome, really," Arizona said, absolutely beaming as she came to a stop in front of Callie. "Five Paediatric Surgeons in two days insisted that removing the bowel was the only option and I fixed it. Seriously, that little girl will not spend her entire life with a colostomy bag, how amazing is that?" Her smile was wide and dimples on clear display as Callie took two steps and held the door to the Attendings' Lounge open for her before meandering calmly in behind Arizona and sitting on a sofa. Arizona stood in front of her, moving up and down on the balls of her feet with uncontained enthusiasm.

"That is amazing," Callie agreed, laughing lightly at Arizona's excitement.

"And they're these legends in the field too, and they weren't even willing to try. I could write up this case, Callie. Maybe get a grant."

"That's a great idea, you should go for it. Show all those old, should be retired, surgeons who the new legends are."

Arizona nodded eagerly. "I could too you know. This is the kind of thing that can be groundbreaking, when vital organs and systems are saved rather than removed because of technology. This is why I do my job."

"Oh yeah, but it wasn't just technology. It was skill; your skill."

Arizona rolled her eyes but grinned, clapping her hands lightly and jutting her chin. "Have I mentioned how awesome it was? You should have seen the smile on her Mom's face."

"You sound surprised that you're so awesome," Callie teased, tugging Arizona to sit next to her and draping an arm around Arizona's shoulders. "I'm not," she whispered in her ear, grinning.

Arizona shrugged; blue eyes crystal clear. Her eyes were incredibly transparent; they had a habit of telling the story no matter what her words were describing. They were her greatest betrayal but they were also one of her best attributes, the emotion they portrayed was remarkable. And in that exact moment, they were screaming of energy.

"We should celebrate."

"Yeah?" Callie asked, drawing her arm away and leaning on her elbow on the back of the couch. "Sounds good to me. What do you feel like?"

"Wouldn't have a clue; but something, we should definitely do something."

"How about a drink at Joe's or dinner and a movie? Any other ideas?" Callie rested her forehead on Arizona's shoulder, burrowing her nose into the muscled at the top of her arm. Arizona had spent the last week trying to conceal a growing anxiety; a nervousness. She had taken to forcing an awkward smile and muttered apologies when she was caught out looking over her shoulder or scanning the faces of strangers in crowded shopping complexes or on the street. They had really only gone between work and home, with just the occasional venture out to pick up supplies.

It was difficult for Callie to identify the exact emotion in Arizona, there were such small and subtle signs. She wasn't withdrawn or particularly hyper vigilant, but at times demonstrated glimpses of both. The way her hand gripped Callie's when a teenager tumbled into her on his skateboard, and the extra few minutes it took her to relax and realise that she needed to loosen her vice like hold. And the deadlock on the door to Callie's apartment had been secured each night. Callie could barely recall an occasion when they had even bothered with the chain, let alone the double locks.

Then there was the dream that had startled them both awake, not long before sunrise. It had been a Wednesday morning and they weren't due at work until midday, working an odd afternoon shift providing some cover for absent staff. Arizona had tossed in her sleep a couple of times beneath the covers, legs twisting in the material and inadvertently dragging the sheets off Callie. Jerking awake, Arizona had kicked her feet, releasing a distinctive desperate cry as she struggled to free herself from the simulated restraints. And as quickly as Callie had woken and regained awareness of her surroundings, Arizona was lying back against the pillows, body exposed to the cool air and lungs drawing in calming breaths. She had accepted Callie's palm on her sweaty cheek and forehead, muttering somewhat nonsensical descriptions of a vivid nightmare - gun wielding men morphing into gentle women and back again. And when Arizona woke, a few hours later, she was snuggled securely beneath the duvet and with Callie's protective arm around her abdomen, serene despite the fitful interruption to their night.

"I'm not so much in the drinking mood, but would love to go dancing or maybe we could see what some of the others are doing, a bit of a relaxing get-together. I think there are a few people that could do with a casual evening."

"Oh, I like," Callie agreed, raising her head and smiling. "I suppose you want to go bowling?"

Eyes widening in a cheeky expression, Arizona nodded. "You never want to go," she whined.

"Your kickass surgery, your choice," Callie conceded. "Should we just send out a text, see who's free and get them to meet us there in an hour? And since it's licensed, if people want a drink they can have one…or a few."

"Yep, I saw Teddy only a half an hour ago, she was close to finishing up. She was complaining about something actually, I think I tuned out, someone is attractive…isn't attractive? I don't know, not the point." Callie smiled at Arizona's tangential thought pattern; it was incredible to see some vigour and excitement. It had been a while. "And every time I've even caught a glance at Bailey, she's looked petrified so maybe it is a good time for an easy going catch up, make sure everyone is doing okay."

Shrugging, Callie slowly nodded her head in agreement. "I thought we were celebrating how legendary you are?" she asked lightly, reaching into the pocket of her scrubs and taking her phone out.

"Oh of course," Arizona joked, laughing loudly. 'But you know, it can't be all about me. We wouldn't want to be too selfish."

And within minutes the messages were being returned, a majority keen for a break from the hospital and the intensity that their home lives had seemingly absorbed. Somehow the word spread as Teddy and Mark chatted in the Emergency Room and Residents jumped at the opportunity for a few hours reprieve from their own complexities and concerns.

They were all still so precariously holding on to sanity, working hard during the day and taking any opportunity to have contact with their hospitalised colleagues and friends. They had shrugged away their underlying vulnerability, downing shots of whiskey and stale scotch at midnight, just so they could manage a few hours sleep. There was a pressure of sorts, to stand tall and strong, to have steady hands in open bodies. A necessity in the operating room, though a detriment when it came to humanity. Surgeons went home, to friends and partners, family; where people seldom cared for the superhero facade. It was something that was lacking, in all their years at college and in training; no one ever taught them how to tread that line between invincibility in the workplace and tender openness in the home. They learnt and they made mistakes, though more often in their relationships than inside the hallowed hospital walls.

And then when a hand was held out, an invite to an impromptu, easy going evening; a sense of relief flooded so many of them. The pressure had been bubbling, just below the surface.

They had an opportunity to laugh without guilt. Without feeling traitorous to those that weren't so fortunate.


And they did. A few hours later, four lanes of ten pin bowling were still occupied and voices were loud amongst the blaring music and eighties, disco style lighting. Large bowls of fries and nachos were scattered across tables, beers and pre-mixed drinks littered amongst discarded hot dog trays. Callie ensured that they were all aware of Arizona's successful surgery and the catalyst for their evening. She absorbed the compliments and encouragement, quietly pleased that her own achievement seemed to be fuelling a distinct shift in mood.

Chatting idly between piercing squeals and deep declarations of superiority with each strike or spare, they all slowly relaxed. Callie and Mark, encouraged by ale coursing through their blood stream, entered a competitive and serious competition when Meredith and Cristina abandoned their lane with a drunken, ongoing lament for their careless, sex filled youth. The women slid off the vinyl seats, preferring to drape their legs out in front of them, red and white striped bowling shoes a distinctive obstacle for those who had to walk over them. "They are a fashion statement, right? I mean, who could question their hotness?" Cristina slurred, one leg hoisted in the air and toes pointed inwards.

"Hot? Really?" Meredith asked, perplexed.

Dropping her leg to the floor, Cristina dramatically sighed, continuing their illogical banter. They occasionally provided an ill-timed cheer for Callie, encouraging any dent that could be made to Mark's ego. Their scores were poor to say the least, but they persisted with enthusiasm.

Across two lanes, Teddy and Arizona were light heartedly competing against Jackson and April, having taken some time to assure them that they weren't transferring any assessment of their bowling skills to their residency. Their pace was certainly slow, forgetting to bowl as the pairs similarly lost themselves in easy conversation. "It does feel good to be out of the hospital and relaxing doesn't it?" Teddy rhetorically asked.

"It really does," Arizona agreed, shifting her weight and tucking one leg under herself. She traced the seam of her jeans, running her finger from her knee and mid way up the inside of her thigh. "It's been a crazy few weeks."

"You and Callie, all going okay now?"

The involuntary smile provided all the answers Teddy needed, but Arizona elaborated, sipping at her wine. She was only on to her second, though she guessed that Callie, and most of the others were well on their way to inebriation. "It's good; it just feels right. As sickening as it is, I am just unbelievably in love with her."

Teddy rolled her eyes and poked Arizona with her elbow, smiling. She had been somewhat privy to Arizona's distress as her and Callie separated, knowing that although Arizona had presented a very established position on children, the decision to walk away from her relationship had not been easy. Devastating actually. Still, there had been only one occasion where Arizona had stood quietly in front of Teddy, eyes filled with tears and trembling hands clasped together. She had accepted a hug that night, in the corner of an on call room at three in the morning, thick tears falling to Teddy's scrubs and restrained sobs catching in her throat. Teddy wondered briefly, observing Arizona's clear elation, whether she remembered the words she muttered into Teddy's shoulder that night. I just don't know how to live without her. I've never felt so safe, so whole.

Clearing her throat and swallowing a mouthful of beer, Teddy returned the bottle to the table. "Any mention of the baby thing?"

Arizona shook her head, casting a glance in Callie's direction, laughing as she danced to the music, ball held in her hand at the edge of the lane. "Not really. I am hoping that Callie is happy to just settle back in for a while, enjoy us."

"You're not having second thoughts, are you?"

"No no, not at all. Really," Arizona insisted. "I'm happy to have a child; I just would like that to be a little in the future, rather than now."

'Good," Teddy said assertively. "Because with my non-existent and completely complicated love life, I'm going to have to be placated by being a really good pseudo-Aunt to your kid."

They were interrupted by a range of turning heads and stilted conversations, twisting her body around, Arizona caught sight of Lexie standing quietly behind them, watching. No one really moved or invited her in to their formed sub-groups, cautious of her progressing instability at work. Arizona waited until Lexie met her eyes and then motioned for her to join them. Immediately, Lexie's shoulders relaxed and she composed herself before moving down the few steps and towards Arizona and Teddy. Mark watched her intently until Callie tugged at him, pulling on his arm until he turned away. 'Come join us, Lexie," Teddy said first, empathising with the distracted and fearful look on her face. "Although I'm afraid our bowling seems to have halted mid-game."

"Can't remember the last time I bowled," Lexie murmured softly, sliding onto the seat next to Arizona, who unfolded her legs and stretched them out in front of her, letting her heals come to rest on a free standing chair.

"I think the focus has been more on drinking than bowling. Your sister and Cristina have been deteriorating rapidly."

"They're not big on sports."

Arizona and Teddy laughed. "No, they're definitely not," Arizona agreed.

"Hey, it's good you came out," Teddy said after a few moments of silence, reaching across Arizona and gently squeezing Lexie's arm. The Attendings had such a love-hate relationship with the Residents, but their fragility at times elicited a sense of protection, a need to support.

She nodded slowly in response, taking a breath and watching Jackson blindly push a ball down the lane from between his legs. "Alex is ummm, doing better. All macho like, asking about the kids."

"Sounds like Karev," Arizona said, nodding.

"Mmm, he's keeping count of the attractive nurses, reckons it might be time for him to change hospitals."

"Oh, he's clearly fine," Arizona muttered, laughing and shaking her head.

"You're lucky that you're back with Torres, Alex reckoned he had someone lined up for you too; some story about a woman he talked to when he wheeled himself against medical advice to the cafeteria. He was very disappointed when I told him."

"Nice," Arizona teased, "he's disappointed that I'm actually happy again. That'll go against him next time he needs a reference or board prep. As much as I like Karev, I'm not sure I would trust him with my love life….Teddy's however…"

There was an easy laughter amongst them and Lexie relaxed back finally, releasing some of the tension from her body. She respected Arizona and Teddy, they were consistent and fair, they didn't seem to play games with their Residents or make them jump through hoops. They presented as highly competent surgeons who had a genuine interest in training junior doctors as well as a distinct nurturing quality. It wasn't always there, but amongst the Residents, both Arizona and Teddy were Attendings that people actually wanted to work with. In fact, many had expressed a wish behind the scenes that Arizona was in an area other than Paediatrics, so that they could train under her.

Looking perplexed suddenly, Lexie gestured with her hands, palms held skywards in front of her. "Is Bailey asleep or unconscious?"

Teddy chuckled. "Somewhere between both I think, she was very vocal for the first few hours and then next thing we knew, she was out to it. Not a chance she's keeping my jacket though," she said, shaking her head. Bailey was curled up on her side, the sleeve of Teddy's jacket draped over her eyes, and the rest covering her shoulders.

"I did check her," Arizona assured, "she's fine."

"Are you sure?" Lexie asked in bewilderment.

"Twenty hour shift, a little alcohol. It's all over," Teddy explained, before clapping her hands suddenly and rising to her feet. She waited to steady herself before pulling on Arizona's arm. "Righto you two, we're back…and ready to bowl."

"We are?" Arizona asked, shadowing Teddy as she unsteadily made her way to collect her ball.

"Yep, these juveniles have been taking our turn. Oi, Grey, you in?"

Lexie shook her head slowly. "No thanks, I'm happy to watch," she answered, pulling her vibrating phone from her pocket, sighing as she read Alex's message asking how the socialising was going. She didn't bother to answer, putting the phone in her handbag and observing the unskilled yet entertaining display in front of her. Her eyes kept drifting to Mark though, aware that Callie was keeping him distracted and continuing to provide him with copious amounts of alcohol. Still, it was the first time in weeks that she felt able to think with some sort of clarity and the air she was breathing was actually filling her lungs. She felt relieved and supported.

An impressive surgery and a loose plan of a casual celebration had achieved what expensive trauma counsellors couldn't; they were smiling and laughing.

"We don't need a cab," Callie insisted, licking her lips and moving her tongue around inside her mouth. "We only live a few blocks away."

"A few!" Arizona exclaimed. "Try about ten or twenty. Let's just queue up for a cab, it'll only take a few minutes." They had headed into town after bowling, spending an hour or two dancing and drinking until people gradually went their own way. Bailey had finally been woken at bowling, and took a cab home as the others headed in to the city. Lexie had stayed for a short while, having a few drinks before awkwardly hugging Meredith and making a mumbled attempt at a familial declaration. No one knew when Meredith and Cristina disappeared, one moment they were there and the next they were gone. It was expected really, given their inability to construct a sentence or more than a few slurred words.

"It'll help sober me up," Callie said, of which Mark and Teddy both nodded their agreement. "And this crapful line is going to take an hour."

"Okay okay," Arizona conceded, groaning at the sloppy kiss she earned from Callie. "Thank God tomorrow is Saturday by the look of you three." In a moment of rarity, Arizona received no arguments or challenges. They were well aware of their intoxication.

"Not me, I'm fine," Teddy declared, though her enunciation was slow and despite considerable effort, still slurred.

Arizona laughed with them, shaking her head as they walked towards their apartment block. She kept one finger hooked through the belt loop of Callie's jeans, halting her at crosswalks and busy intersections. "Hey, are you stealing our couch tonight, Teddy?" Arizona asked after they had been walking for ten minutes, releasing her light touch on Callie as they struggled to fit on a sidewalk that was undergoing maintenance. Areas were blocked off with wooden sheets and parts of the cemented walkway blocked by heavy red and white tape.

"Yes I am," Teddy replied loudly, one arm hooked through Callie's. "Or Mark's…whichever. Wherever."

"Ours…did you two hear that. It's back to ours," Callie declared, reaching back to push lightly at Arizona's stomach, where she had fallen into step next to Mark as they walked along the narrowed shopfront. "I like ours," she added, turning back to Teddy where she stumbled over some jagged concrete and into the edge of a lamp post. The side mirror of a slowly passing car caught her forearm and she tore it back in surprise, off balance as she bounced against the trunk of the halting vehicle. "Ouch," she muttered, leaning back into Arizona's body as arms wrapped around her abdomen and pulled her back from the gutter.

"Callie," Arizona murmured loudly, tightening her hold when they were a few steps back from the road, steadying Callie on her feet. "Are you alright? You just got hit by a car; I told you we should have caught a cab."

"That car," Teddy pronounced slowly, 'came out of no where." Squaring her shoulders in defiance as the door opened.

"No where?" Arizona questioned, eyebrows narrowed. "It's on the road!"

"Barely," Teddy muttered.

"Same car that was parked in the cab queue, pissing off the drivers," Mark stated, holding Callie's hand up and tilting his head. He squinted in concentration, moving the knuckles. "Looks fine, not even scratched, Princess."

"Yeah," Callie agreed. "Fair call. I'm fine." She opened and closed her fist a few times, shaking her hand in the air. She waited for the brief rush of adrenalin to subside as a woman emerged and stood against the car, holding the driver's side door open.

"We need to go," Arizona whispered suddenly, panicking as she released Callie and hastily grabbed at Teddy and Mark, almost trying to herd them back into moving. Her eyes were fixed on the woman, calmly staring at the four of them, a smirk plastered on her face. "Just leave it," Arizona added, feeling Callie start to stand taller and square her shoulders.

"Arizona," she said calmly from where she stood leaning against her car, a few golden blond curls shaping her face. The rest of her hair was clipped back and the familiarity was eliciting a sense of dread from Arizona.

"You know this maniac driver?" Teddy asked loudly, taking a few steps towards the car so that she stood, hands on her hips next to Mark who appeared baffled but quickly transitioning to a defensive stance.

A forced smile crossed the woman's lips and she nodded. "You certainly do, don't you Arizona? Doctor Robbins."

"Teddy, Mark…just leave it. Let's go." Arizona could feel herself struggling to stay in control, her breathing rapid and uneven. "You should never have come here," she added quietly, though her words were heard.

"I wanted to see you, catch up. I've missed you. And this must be Callie Torres; I heard all about you today."

Arizona closed her eyes and exhaled a rush of air, not observing Callie step back from the proffered hand. "This is that ex? From the card?" Callie asked, awkwardly stepping back so that her shoulder and arm pressed against Arizona.

"Really, we need to just go," Arizona again attempted to elicit some movement from the group, relieved when Teddy at least turned around and moved to stand flush against the closed shop front and close behind Arizona.

"It's the middle of the night, are you bloody insane?" Callie exploded loudly, too drunk to catch sight of the clenched teeth and flared nostrils that her outburst elicited. "She's moved on, and happily moved on. You would do well to do the same."

"I came here to talk with you Arizona, dinner or a coffee. Preferably without the audience. I'll be in touch." She slid back into the car, swinging her legs under the steering wheel and placing her foot on the break. Closing the door, she lowered the window and offered a smile. "I won't be leaving, just so you know."

Mark intercepted Callie, who quickly moved with the full intention of slamming her fist against the roof of the vehicle, as the woman drove off and disappeared quickly down the next side street. "Probably wasn't going to help," Mark muttered, pushing Callie towards Arizona where she stood staring down the street with both of Teddy's hands wrapped around her bicep. "She's a delight Blondie," Mark murmured. "Clearly your taste in women was great before this one."

Callie scowled at him. "Equally as helpful," she commented.

"Can we go now?" Arizona pleaded, swallowing heavily and wringing her hands.

"Yep, yes; I'll hail a taxi, get you home," Teddy murmured, stepping into problem solving mode far quicker than Callie or Mark.

Mark nodded. "Get 'em home before the psycho bitch comes back. She was waiting on the street for us to come out, seriously Arizona. Your taste in women…"

"Mark!" Callie exclaimed, halting his rant. "Do you want us to start on your relationship history?" She had stepped behind Arizona and draped an arm over her shoulder and across her chest. She wrapped her other arm around Arizona's waist and gripped her own forearm, holding Arizona tightly against her front. Feeling the quick rise and fall of Arizona's shallow breathing, she pressed a kiss into the blonde hair, catching the curve of her ear. "You okay?" Callie asked quietly and both Mark and Teddy halted their movements to observe Arizona's response.

Her expression was neutral at first and she nodded, eyes glazed. "Shit," she uttered finally, voice deep and low. "I can't believe she's here."

"It'll be alright," Callie placated though she earned an immediate shake of the head and a disgruntled scoff.

"Unlikely," Arizona said softly, moving in Callie's hold so that she could turn her head and meet the deep, though hazy and slightly unfocussed brown eyes.

Callie nodded slowly, perhaps subconsciously realising the inadequacy of her knowledge and insight.

"For crying out loud, do I have to take my top off to get a freakin' cab?" Teddy shouted at the top of her voice, drawing their attention to where she stood, one foot in the gutter as she leant out into the street. Each taxi that passed was seemingly occupied or completely oblivious to them. "Because I will. If that is what it takes to actually get one of these irreverent drivers to stop, then I will."

"Yeah, yeah. I think you should; it would help," Mark encouraged, slyly smirking.

Whilst earning a revolted stare from Teddy, a taxi squealed to a stop in front of them, break pads screeching in protest. "Success," Teddy declared, shuffling into the back seat and indicating for Mark to take the front.

Callie released Arizona and they followed a few steps behind, Arizona climbing into the middle seat with Callie slipping in beside her. Mark provided the address and chatted idly with the driver, quickly commenting on the lack of city transport and entering a discussion on funding and licensing of which he knew nothing about.

In the back seat, Teddy leaned forward, found Arizona's hand and squeezed it. "You can maybe breathe now," she instructed lightly and Arizona released a long gasp and gave a nervous smile. Callie rhythmically rubbed Arizona's back as they drove, and although she was listening intently her eyes were focussed on the front windscreen, her stomach tossing lightly at the sudden jerky car movements. "How psycho is this ex, Arizona? I mean, that tonight, seemed weird. Really weird."

Arizona turned her face slightly to meet Teddy's eyes as she nodded slowly. "Pretty psycho," she confirmed sadly, drawing her bottom lip inside her mouth and chewing lightly.

"We'll get rid of her," Callie stated strongly, briefly throwing a glance at Arizona, as she breathed deliberately in through her nose and exhaled out of her mouth.

Teddy nodded her agreement. "We've got your back."

"Thanks," Arizona whispered, hanging her head and pressing the thumb and fingers of her other hand against her eyes. "Thank you."


TBC