Title: Covert Affairs 4/?

Author: GreysAddictJ

Pairing: Callie/Arizona

Rating: NC-17/M (For later chapters)

Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. No infringement intended. Also, I don't use a beta, so all mistakes are mine.

Summary: A/U – Callie Torres is a badass. A professional badass. As a spy working for the United States government, it is her job to protect the American people from threats that they don't even know exist. She's awesome at her job. Focused and in control. Except when it comes to the mysterious blonde she needs to help her with her most dangerous mission yet. This is a reader-driven fic. How the next chapter begins will be decided by reader vote.

Callie paced back and forth across her hotel room. Webber was insane! Why the hell couldn't they just replace this Robbins woman? She couldn't be that special.

And to think, Richard had thought she was just pissed off because Arizona hadn't immediately fallen into bed with her. Callie scoffed out loud. Like she, the consummate professional, would let a little rejection skew her judgment. Please . . .

Sure. Dr. Arizona Robbins was attractive. Okay. She was fucking gorgeous. Hot. Breathtaking. But that had nothing to do with Callie's reaction. Or so she'd keep telling herself. If she repeated it often enough, maybe she'd start to believe it . . .

After taking a few more moments to calm down, Callie headed to Arizona's room, hoping to find her. She still didn't trust the woman, at least not completely. In her job, trusting too easily could have disastrous results. However, Webber had assured her that Arizona had passed a thorough background check. Callie knew that Richard wouldn't risk this mission – it was too important – that much was clear. I f her boss had had any doubts about Arizona's trustworthiness, she wouldn't be here. No question. So, Callie reminded herself, she needed to do her best to trust the woman, to treat her like a valued team member, to respect her. After all, they'd be working closely together. Very closely. Which was both good and bad. Callie definitely wasn't going to object to having to spend so much time with a bombshell like Dr. Arizona Robbins. But on the other hand, she needed to focus, and Arizona might turn out to be a giant distraction.

Callie hesitated as she approached Arizona's door. This wouldn't be easy. Even if Callie could admit to herself that she might have overreacted, apologizing wasn't her strong suit. She hated admitting that she was wrong . . . not that she was all that wrong here. But she had to swallow her pride for the good of the mission. She stared at Arizona's door, willing herself to knock. She struggled, but finally rapped her knuckles against the door. She just hoped she could smooth things over. As she waited for an answer, Callie ran a frustrated hand through her hair and sighed. This was definitely shaping up to be her most difficult mission yet.

Arizona lay on her bed, a hand flung across her eyes. How had she let things get so out of control so fast? Callie had completely lost it. She hadn't even taken the time to listen to Arizona's reasons for speed. Sure, Callie had a point – this was her mission. But Arizona had been under the impression that they were working as a team. Callie's intense and sudden fury had taken Arizona completely by surprise.

Arizona couldn't help but wonder if part of Callie's rage was due to the fact that they'd been playing this flirtatious game for a few days. Arizona knew that her emotions were already running high from her anonymous interactions with Callie prior to their professional meeting. And now, Callie had discovered that the very woman she'd been flirting with was the one she had to work with on a top secret mission? Arizona could understand how the wash of emotions – the interest, the desire, the curiosity, and now, the suspicion, could be a dangerous mix when put in a stressful situation.

And, Arizona admitted to herself, she hadn't exactly made things easy. Though neither of them had even mentioned their prior interactions, she knew without a doubt that Callie remembered. And remembered that she'd used that stupid fake name. Arizona regretted that. She didn't even know why she'd done it. It had been an impulse, just part of the mysterious game of cat and mouse that they'd been playing. But now it had come around to bite her in the ass. There was no way Callie could trust her now.

Arizona pondered her options. She could just throw in the towel. Quit. Wish Callie well and head back to the United States. It would be the easy thing to do. She'd quit the business to avoid situations just like the one she was in now – unneeded stress, unneeded pressure. She could go home, spend time with her family, and figure out what to do with the rest of her life.

But deep down, Arizona knew quitting wasn't an option. First of all, she knew that she needed to see this mission through. That she'd never forgive herself if she quit because she couldn't get along with Callie and then the mission went south. She wouldn't risk the lives of many people just for that. Also, with a father for a Marine and time in the service herself, she had a large sense of duty. Of seeing a commitment through to the end. So quitting was not an option, as her father often reminded her as a child. So she needed to go find Callie, apologize, try to make things right.

Just as Arizona was summoning the courage to head back to Callie's room, there was a knock at the door. She rose and headed to answer, the opening door revealing a slightly (though not totally) repentant looking Agent Torres.

"Hey." Callie said, a bit sheepishly.

"Hey." Arizona said, her blue eyes studying the woman before her.

Callie couldn't help but feel just a little flush, just a little increase in her heartbeat as Arizona stared at her intently. Something about this woman just got under her skin.

"Come in." Arizona said, gesturing for Callie to enter.

"Thanks." Callie said. After taking a seat and setting down her bag, she eyed Arizona cautiously. "So . . . I'm sorry for blowing up the way I did. I need you to know that I have the final say on how this mission is run, but I shouldn't have treated you the way I did. I guess, I'm just . . . I don't know. Frustrated." She offered Arizona a small smile, hoping the blonde understood her meaning. "Anyway . . . I hope you'll still agree to work with me. Director Webber assures me you're the best. And I need the best for this operation."

Arizona nodded. "I'm sorry too. I had no right to just barge in and start telling you how to do your job. Not that it's an excuse, but I had good reason. The last project I worked on – a hacking job for the FBI –we waited too long. Partially because I wanted more time to figure a particularly difficult encryption system. As a result, lives were lost. I still carry that burden with me. So I'm sorry if I pushed too hard. My emotions were running high and I just got caught up. It won't happen again. But you're going to have to trust me to do my job. When there are decisions involving my area of expertise, I need you to trust me."

Callie nodded. "I can do that."

Both of them were thinking about the elephant in the room. The trust issue. The fact that they'd both been a bit secretive when they'd first met.

Arizona took a deep breath, pondering her next move. "So . . . I should also apologize for giving you a fake name the other day. I don't really have a good excuse for it. I just wanted to get away, be someone else, live a bit dangerously for while. So I said it, on an impulse. Which . . . given our new working relationship on a top secret mission, isn't exactly a way to build trust." Arizona began.

"Fake name? I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, Erica." Callie said teasingly. Callie was glad that Arizona had broached the subject. While it might take her a while to fully trust the blonde, this was at least a start.

Arizona was relieved that Callie had brushed it off and relaxed a bit. "So, we're okay?" Arizona asked tentatively.

"We're okay." Callie said, smiling a bit. Neither of them could completely forget their past encounters – both the near seduction and the fight – but both were willing to try and look past it.

"Super. It'll be a pleasure working with you Calliope." Arizona said, offering her hand to Callie.

Callie took her hand and shook it. Both women were rendered temporarily speechless as their hands touched. The jolt of feeling, every nerve ending standing on edge. If Callie hadn't known better, she would have been sure that sparks were literally flying between them. Neither of them seemed in any hurry to release the other's hand. Callie gazed into Arizona's bright blue eyes, a slightly bemused look on her face. "A pleasure indeed."

Slightly uncomfortable, Arizona finally broke eye contact, let go of Callie's hand, and nervously cleared her throat. "Anyway. Perhaps we should discuss the mission. Where we go from here. As you made very clear earlier, we can't just go storm the compound. So how do we get in?"

"Well, I haven't quite figured that out yet. Right now, we need to try and uncover exactly what we're dealing with. We'll go in blind if we have to, but if there's any way we can get some specs on the property beforehand, we need to do so. We need every advantage we can get."

Arizona nodded. "So how do we go about doing that?"

Callie offered a knowing smile and pulled out a file. "One of things that the agency provided me with was a list of possible targets." Callie looked up and saw Arizona looked a bit perplexed. A look that on Arizona, was damn adorable. Callie caught herself grinning goofily before withdrawing back behind her serious professional façade. This was no time for personal attachments, no time to let her growing attraction for this woman get in the way. There would be plenty of time for hooking up with pretty blondes later. "What I mean by targets," Callie continued, "is people with access to the compound who might either be turned to our side, or who at least might be tricked into divulging information. The key is picking the right person. This game is a bit like baseball. You only get so many strikes and you're out. If we try, and fail, too many times, we'll start to raise suspicions. Asking too many people the same questions and we'll stick out. And in this business, one can't afford to stick out."

Callie spread out several pages – dossiers on various Antarran citizens, complete with photographs, addresses, personal histories, habits, vices and the like. She studied the files, an intense and focused look on her face. Arizona struggled to steady her breathing as she watched Callie work. She was gorgeous. Stunning. And the intensity and intelligence that oozed from every pore of Callie's body as she pondered her options had Arizona's nerves on edge. She was instantly and irreparably drawn to this woman. No matter that just a short time ago they'd come to blows. No matter that they'd begun their relationship with insults and mistrust. No matter what she did, Arizona could not focus on anything but the woman before her.

Struggling to find something, anything to distract her from the urge to jump Callie then and there, Arizona grabbed the nearest dossier and began to read. After finishing her reading, Arizona handed it to Callie. "What about this guy?"

Callie took the paper and studied the photograph of a small, skinny, rather nerdy looking guy. As she read his file and pondered, she nodded slowly. "This could work. Ray Mortano. Apparently, he's one of the main tech support guys at the compound. Could come in handy if we can get him to give us information on the computer systems. Even if we can get him to just tell us the layout, what it's like, how we get in, that would be great. But the fact that he knows their computers is a bonus. So now the question becomes, how do we arrange a chance meeting with him?"

Arizona smirked, as she already knew the answer to this one. She pointed to a line about halfway down the page.

"Yes!" Callie looked up at Arizona with a brilliant smile. "Great idea. He likes to spend his spare time counting cards at the blackjack table."

Arizona nodded. "Typical geek hobby – loves calculating the odds of card games. Anyway, we head down to the casino, act like we're just tourists there to have a good time, and bide our time. Wait for good old Ray to make his appearance. We strike up a conversation, flirt a little, and see what happens. Trust me. After hanging out with as many computer geeks as I have, I know. A tiny bit of female attention and guys like this are putty in your hands."

Callie offered Arizona a smirk. "Maybe you're not so bad after all, Robbins." She playfully punched Arizona in the arm, instantly regretting it as the contact sent her nerves ablaze all over again. Callie swallowed hard as Arizona shot her a dimpled grin in return. The key to this mission was going to be focus. And not just a focus on the gorgeous woman in front of her.

"It's still fairly early. Why don't we get changed into something that will get this guy all riled up and head down to the casino?" Callie finally offered. She just prayed that she could keep her hormones in check.

Arizona nodded. It took all of her effort not to blurt out that anything Callie chose to wear would rile her up. Forget about Ray the target. "Sounds good," she finally managed. "Meet you in the lobby in half an hour?" She tried to keep her cool. The last thing Arizona needed Callie to know was how hot and bothered she was.

Callie gathered up her files and headed to the door. "See you in half an hour." She said, steadying her breathing as she exited.

Callie's legs nearly collapsed beneath her as Arizona strode from the elevator half an hour later. She was wearing a deep blue, halter-neck dress that cut about mid-thigh, displaying those gorgeous, mesmerizing legs that had haunted Callie's dreams over the past week. Callie struggled to keep her tongue in her mouth, wanting to just stare and pant like some rabid dog. In way, she was rabid. She was crazy. She was crazy with lust for the woman before her.

Arizona didn't notice Callie's stunned look because she was entirely too busy doing some gawking of her own. Callie was wearing a sleek red dress with a plunging neckline that left very little to the imagination. The dress clung to every curve of her luscious body and Arizona struggled to keep herself upright. Finally, taking a deep breath, she stepped from the elevator and strode toward Callie.

Their eyes locked as Arizona walked the few steps that separated them. It was as if time slowed, only they existed. Sounds were muted, other sights were blurred. In that moment, they lived only for one another. Finally, Arizona reached Callie.

Offering a small, dimpled smirk. Arizona raised an eyebrow. "Shall we?"

Callie nodded. "Let's go. We've got a hot date." She paused, knowing very well the tease she was being. "A date with Ray the tech geek."

Arizona chuckled softly at Callie's obvious tease. Knowing that two could play at that game. "That we do. Now let's get it on. I mean. Let's get on with it." She smirked back at Callie and they headed into the casino.

They settled at a bar near the blackjack tables, content to just sit back and wait, hoping that their mark would make his appearance soon. They ordered drinks and settled into a light, easy conversation. Since they really couldn't talk much about their mission, given the public setting, they focused on the personal.

"So tell me about your family." Callie asked after they'd discussed favorite movies, books, colors, and other nonsense.

"Well, my father is a retired colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. He and my mom live in San Diego now."

"Any siblings?" Callie asked. Immediately, she sensed some tension in Arizona and regretted the question.

Arizona nodded and looked down. "I have…had one brother, Timothy. He and I both followed in our dad's footsteps and joined the service. But Tim. Well, he was killed in combat."

Callie placed a gentle hand on Arizona's arm. She could tell the wounds were still raw, still hurt. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to bring up something that would upset you."

Arizona shook her head and brushed away a single tear. "It's okay. Not something you could have known. Asking about family is a perfectly logical and acceptable thing to do. So, anyway, what about your family?"

Callie responded quickly. "Well, my parents and my sister Aria still live in Miami, where I grew up. We don't talk much these days."

"Work keeps you too busy?" Arizona asked.

"Not exactly. Though work does help provide an excuse."

"What then?" Arizona replied.

Callie hesitated to say the words. She didn't know why exactly. Arizona had given her all of the right signals. Even so, it was something she couldn't take back. And she'd been burned in the past before. "Well . . ." She chewed on her lip a bit, nervous for some reason. "I grew up dating men. Even married one. But then, well, I fell for a woman. Things didn't work out, but I eventually got the courage to tell my family. They're very strict Catholics. They didn't take it so well. So we don't really talk as much anymore."

"Now it's my turn to be sorry." Arizona said, laying her hand gently on top of Callie's. "I'm sure they'll come around. They love you. And that's what love is about. Supporting your loved ones no matter what. When I told my dad that I was gay, I expected him, the rigid Marine, to throw me out. Instead, he asked me if I was still who he raised me to be. He didn't care who I loved, so long as I was a good person, so long as I protected the things and the people I loved. He isn't a man who bends, but he bent for me. I bet your family does that too, eventually. It may just take time."

Callie nodded, her chocolate brown eyes gazing into Arizona's. "I hope you're right." She said, practically at a whisper. Both felt a sense of relief, of growing trust. They'd both just shared a little piece of personal anguish. And now, all the cards were on the table – at least the falling for the straight girl dilemma was out of the picture. They sat there, eyes locked, no words needing to be spoken, for a few moments. Then Callie saw Arizona's eyes flicker to something over her shoulder.

"Now, not to ruin the mood, but our boy Ray has just shown up." Arizona said. "So who gets the job of seducing him? I think I'm up for the job." Arizona said, readjusting her dress, slightly jiggling her perfect breasts, much to Callie's delight and dismay.

It took all of her energy to pry her eyes away from Arizona's delicious chest. Focus, Torres. She reminded herself. She looked back up at Arizona to see a knowing smirk. She'd been caught staring. Oh well, Callie thought. There were worse things. She smirked back. "I don't know. I'm pretty good at this sort of thing. I think you should let me handle Ray over there. Trust me, when I'm through, he won't know what hit him."

"Aw, come on, Calliope. Why do you get to have all the fun?" Arizona pouted teasingly.

Callie opened her mouth to correct Arizona's use of her full name but stopped herself. Normally, she hated being called Calliope and threatened death or seriously bodily injury to anyone who dared use her full name. Yet somehow, she loved it coming from those mesmerizing lips.

"I don't know . . ." Callie began.

Okay folks. So here we are at our next fork in the road. As you may have noticed, this whole reader vote thing has taken on a life of it's own. Last chapter, I gave you choices A, B, and C. And what won? By a large margin? A choice D (have them both apologize) – an option I hadn't even offered. What is the lesson here? This is your fic. If you think things should go in a way that I haven't offered, go ahead and let me know. If there are enough votes, I don't think the idea is crazy, and I think I can write it, I'm totally open to suggestions. However, just to be safe, your best bet is to vote for one of the offered options and then give me your brilliant ideas. That way, if I don't go with your idea, you still get a vote. And of course, there may be times when I can't take your suggestions. I mean, who knows? The mass of readers may suddenly all vote to have Callie confess her undying love for Mark Sloan or have Arizona be a telepathic ninja zombie from the planet Mars. So bear with me – but as you can see from this chapter, I appreciate all input. But I ramble (again). So your choice here is this: Our ladies are going to try and seduce that poor unsuspecting geek Ray. Who should have the first crack at him?

A. Arizona. She's a gorgeous hot blonde. She's got dimples. Legs for days. Oh, and did I mention those dimples?

B. Callie. Dark, mysterious, exotic. The seductive, powerful, badass lady in red. Ray needs a rock star in his life.