There was a 30 minute break before the next task giving them a much needed rest. Callie who had retreated to the benches to gulp down a bottle of water, scanned the grounds for Arizona.

Jill had caught up with Arizona who was sitting on the grass. Talking about the task they had just completed, the conversation soon turned to rivalry. Arizona had known Jill for 3 years and they had become friends, both enjoying the competitive nature of the games. Jill laughed at Arizona who was in the midst of a rant about how the segments in her teams spider frame had been notably smaller. Jill liked Arizona; she found her constant enthusiasm to be energizing and made the conventions enjoyable. This year however Jill has noticed an extra spring in the blondes step. Her smiles seemed to be, if it were possible, brighter and she wondered whether this might have something to do with the ortho attending that she had spent most of her time with that day. Bringing up the subject of Tom's arm and the skill with which she has re set it, Jill noticed Arizona's expression change. She looked down shyly at her hands, trying not to give too much away. In the 3 and a bit years she has known Arizona she had never seen her friend react this way towards a woman. Shy just wasn't Arizona's style. She must have it pretty bad she thought.

As Callie approached the grass where Arizona and Jill were talking, David cut across her path making a bee line for Arizona. Rudely interrupting the two friends mid sentence, he smiled with an air of arrogance Callie wanted to slap.

"So Zona, I was just heading to get some coffee thought you might like to join me."

Callie did her best to bite back a growl. This guy just didn't give up. Noticing Callie's presence Arizona gave what she hoped was her best fake smile.

" Umm no I'm good, Calliope and I have made plans actually. Perhaps another time, Bye!" Still standing in front of her David looked stunned, before retreating to nurse his damaged male ego. Brightening up Callie sat down beside Arizona

"So we have plans do we?" she asked teasingly.

"Well we do now".

"Are you sure this isn't cheating slightly? I mean we aren't meant to know what the next task is until we're well…there…."

"It's not cheating when you already know what the game is having coordinated it and all."

"Ok well technically I'm still cheating"

"Well I won't tell if you won't" Arizona smiled, Grr! That smile…kissable…woo Cal, where did that come from.

Passing the spider frames, in the distance Callie caught sight of two enormous looking climbing walls, a large blue mat and an array of climbing equipment. Callie gulped, she was a surgeon, a bad ass bone breaking kick ass surgeon, not a rock climber. She barely had an athletic bone in her body. Noticing Calliopes horrified expression, Arizona laughed, nudging her a little.

"Don't look so scared. It's actually pretty simple." That was easy for her to say, Arizona's physique looked built for climbing.

"If it makes you feel better we'll be in teams of two, you'll be harnessed and attached to someone else by a cord the entire time."

"Great so if I mess but they fail too. No pressure."

"Don't worry; I won't hold it against you."

It took several moments for Callie to register what this had meant. Arizona had already picked her as a climbing partner. The thought gave her butterflies.

Gearing up in their climbing equipment Callie felt sick. She was sure her face had drained of all colour. She was petrified. Not only did she not trust the idea of climbing this rather unsteady looking wall, heights had always been a massive fear of hers, stemming back she was sure, to the time she was 8 and the ferris wheel her and her sister Aria had been riding came to a halt, leaving them suspended up there for close to an hour. Surveying the wall her hands began to shake. She couldn't do this. Sensing her fear Arizona placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"It'll be ok Calliope, honestly, there's no danger, it's perfectly safe trust me." Her words barely registered, Callie remained staring vacantly at the wall.

After talking to Jill, Arizona returned to Callie, her eyes furrowed in concern.

"It's ok Calliope, I've spoken to Jill and you can sit this one out no biggy."

Feeling relief wash over her Callie smiled in appreciation. Giving Arizona's hand a gentle squeeze, wishing her good luck she took a seat. As soon as the second task was underway, Callie regretted her decision immediately. She felt guilty for letting Arizona down and pangs of jealousy that she had been paired with David who looked positively ecstatic. But mostly she felt as though she'd cheated herself somehow. Her fear of heights was irrational and had stopped her from doing something she had really wanted to do. You can spend your life drawing lines or you can cross them. Boundaries didn't keep the bad things out, they fenced you in. She wished she'd had the guts to brave it out. Watching Arizona climb made it look so effortless, she was practically flying up the wall.

After the task was over she walked over to Arizona trying to force a smile. David was with her, trying his best to impress with stories of the many mountains he had climbed during his gap year before internship. To her credit Arizona looked thoroughly bored. Turning to face Callie with 'please save me eyes' she took the hint and interrupted.

"Still up for that walk Arizona?"

"Yeah sounds great, cya later David."

Leaving him staring once again like a moron Arizona pulled Callie in the opposite direction laughing out loud.

"Seriously, you owe me big time Dr Torres, spending the last thirty minutes attached to him was not my idea of a good time."

Mockling Callie replied "well I would have rescued you sooner but I thought you might been enjoying yourself."

"Do I detect a hint of jealousy? Because boring and arrogant isn't quite what I look for in a partner."

"And what is it you do look for?" Callie had meant to say that internally not out loud, she felt her face flush, but she pushed on "Talk dark and handsome not your thing?"

Arizona looked into Callie's brown eyes, was she trying to gauge a reaction?

"Tall and dark maybe,but handsomenot so muchtall dark and beautiful perhaps, oh and nice boobs, always a plus."

Looking back again into Callie's eyes she saw that those last few words can caught her off guard, Arizona smiled invitingly. Callie opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. Her gaze flickered to Arizona's lips…..

Interrupted by the sound of their names being called, they both looked round to see Jill, an amused smile paying on her mouth. Snapping out of their trance Callie and Arizona headed back to the hotel.

Sitting at the hotel bar Arizona was aware that something was playing on Callie's mind. She looked absent. It worried her, she hoped that what she'd said earlier hadn't made her uncomfortable, but she didn't know this woman well enough to pry. As if sensing Arizona's confusion, Callie finally spoke.

"I should have done it you know. I shouldn't have let fear hold me back. I feel like such an idiot, I should have climbed that wall. I wish I had."

Nodding in understanding Arizona stood up, suddenly stuck with an idea. Holding out her hand to the other woman giving what she hoped was her most charming smile yet, motioning for Callie to take it. Placing her hand in Arizona's Callie was confused.

"Trust me Calliope…."

Back at the climbing wall Callie felt more confident. The fact that it was just the two of them made the idea of climbing a little less daunting. Arizona looked incredibly cute in her outfit. Helping Callie strap herself in safely, Arizona knew she was afraid, she could almost see the woman's heart pounding in her chest. Receiving final confirmation from Callie that this was what she wanted, Arizona knew it was now or never. Helping her onto the first rung, she watched as little by little she crept her way up the wall, noticing how her shaking began to subside the more she ascended. When Calliope was a quarter of the way up Arizona began to climb too, tracing the path Callie was taking. Aware of the other woman behind her Callie felt her breathing begin to return to normal. It's alright, she was doing it, she was safe. The higher she climbed the more confident she began to feel. When she finally reached the top she swung her legs over the ledge overcome with a sense of triumph and pride. She had done it she felt so happy. Seeing Arizona reach the top Callie beamed at her, her smile greeted with the most heart warming grin. Helping Arizona over the side all she could feel was adrenaline. Watching the pride radiate from Calliope, Arizona pulled her into a tight embrace. Holding Arizona close she felt so alive, giddy almost. Pulling back slightly but not wanting to break contact, Callie stood motionless for a while taking in the blonde woman's flawless beauty. Pushing a strand of hair that had fallen over her face from the climb back behind her ear, Callie's pulse was racing. Never in her life had someone made her feel this way. Arizona's eyes burned with unspoken desire, desire she was certain was mirrored in her own. Arizona leaned forward slightly closing the gap between them until they were millimeters apart. Callie's eyes focused on the curves of her lips. Every sense in Callie's body was on fire. Arizona smelt amazing, a hint of vanilla mixed with rose petal shampoo. Callie dipped her head down, willing Arizona to make the first move. Taking this as an invitation Arizona lifted her face brushing her lips over Callie's in delicate kiss that quite literally took her breath away. Pulling back to search her eyes for a sign this was ok, Callie dipped her head back down crushing their lips together in a long lingering kiss. Feeling Callie's lips part, Arizona gently ran her tongue along her bottom lip before pushing past letting her tongue dance with Calliope's. Pulling Arizona into her body, wrapping both arms around her waist Callie relaxed into the kiss exploring the other woman's mouth with her tongue. Of all the people she had kissed in her life, nothing had even come close to feeling like this. This is what she had been missing for all those years.

After a few minutes both woman needed to come up for air. Reluctantly breaking apart but not losing contact, Callie literally couldn't speak. She was in a complete daze. Both woman jumped at the sound of voices just up a head. Checking her watch Arizona cursed, realising how late they were for the evening mixer. But it was so worth it.

"We should go." Kissing Callie deeply one last time, they began to climb back down the wall. Callie was extremely grateful to have the safety belt around her waist as she was sure her legs which were still completely jelly like couldn't have taken her weight alone.

Neither had time to really talk about what had just happened. By the time they were back inside, realising that most of their group were already on their way down to the mixer, Callie and Arizona parted ways agreeing to meet up when they had showered, changed and in Callie's case, gotten over the shock of the last hour.