Title: Perky Beautiful
Author: Gina and Ash
Pairing: Callie/ Arizona, Callie/OC, Arizona/OC
Rating: R
Summary: Callie and Arizona experience something unexpected in Paris that changes their relationship with others. How will this affect Callie's relationship with Matt?How will Nikki cope with this?Can Callie and Arizona get together? AU Calzona
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this fiction, nor do I have any rights in regards to them. All characters belong to ABC and Shonda Rhimes
A/N : Thanks to all those who reviewed last chapter. They mean a lot :D
Calliope's POV
"Madam..." Fabien slowly whispered.
I was looking intently at my suitcase wondering why I was staring for it for the past 15 minutes.
"Madam Callie..." He repeated.
"Yes..." My eyes were still fixed on the same spot.
"Can I come in...?" He politely asked.
"Sure..."
"I love the bike but I must admit it is quite a machine...." He chuckled.
"Yeah...." I whispered.
After our hot air balloon ride yesterday I purposely stayed away from Arizona. I declined her dinner invitation and became instantly distant. I turned off the lights in my Hotel room and instructed Fabien to decline any messages and not give out any information related to me. I just honestly wanted to be alone.
"I didn't buy a souvenir..." I fought back my tears and looked at Fabien.
"Qu'est-ce tu entends comme ça?...." He replied.
"I am trying to say that I didn't buy a souvenir for Matt... my husband.." I cleared my throat.
"Husband?" His tone suddenly became a mixture of shock and confusion.
"Yeah like époux...someone you marry..." I clarified in French.
"Madam, I know what husband is. I thought you and Arizona..." He said.
"What?"
"I thought she was your girlfriend..." he replied.
"No..." I sighed.
"No wonder... She has been asking me about you and where are you? She was very worried about you"
"Yeah..." I got up and stuffed my passport into my leather travel bag.
"Madam.. please don't tell her..." He stood up and came closer.
"Tell her what?"
"She cried earlier... " He looked away.
"Fabien, Merci for your service. I am really grateful to have met an awesome person like you. I-I just can't deal with this right now." I picked up my bag and started to leave the room.
"Running away won't help." He adviced gravely.
"Staying isn't an option." I sharply responded.
Arizona's POV
Uncomfortable is one feeling Calliope and I had never shared till today. Even the silence between us before now had always been comfortable. But the 30 minute limousine ride from the hotel to Charles de Gaulle Airport could only be described as uncomfortable and awkward. Though she was smiling and making small talk I could easily sense she had retreated somewhere deep within herself.....somewhere where I couldn't follow her.
I had sensed her withdrawal since we returned from the hot air balloon ride. She claimed she had a headache and just wanted to sleep it off, but I knew something else was bothering her. I gave her space and let her be alone.......I realized I may have freaked her out a bit with my basically telling her I had fallen for her. I was a little surprised myself.....I was a person who listened to my head more often than not but with Calliope that goes out the window. To be honest I don't regret a word of what I told her........I wanted Calliope to know she was unique in my eyes and that I would cherish her forever.
Though I had decided to give Calliope her space, I couldn't control myself and kept asking Fabien how she was. Though he kindly assured me she was fine......I broke down again not able to hide my tears or pain from him. God I hadn't cried this much in years.
I was brought out of my reminiscing by the sight of Calliope removing a small hip flask from her jacket pocket and chugging the contents quickly.
"Calliope is that tequila?" I asked shocked and a little angry.
"Oh hey Arizona. Are you hungry? I can get you eclairs or something from the coffee shop" she calmly replied.
"That's not an answer to my question."
"Jeez calm down Arizona. I needed a little drink to help me sleep on the plane. Don't make a big deal out of nothing."
"Calliope dinking tequila before a flight is a bad idea. If you get sick I won't wipe the puke from your hair." I said frustrated.
"I am not asking you to. Now stop giving me the third degree and let's go see the duty free shops" she said before leading me towards the shops.
The Charles De Gaulle Airport Duty Free shop definitely lived up to the French tradition. It was grand and beautiful. I was looking around widely and became completely interested in the premium chocolates section while Calliope seemed to focus her attention on the men's cologne section.
She called me over "Hey Arizona, can you help me for a minute?"
"Sure what's up?" I smiled.
"I just love this cologne. I mean if he puts this one on after a shower......I would just love it and probably jump him." she laughed.
"I'm sorry......what?"
"I'm looking for a present for Matt. I wanted your opinion. What do you think of this cologne?"
I felt like she had knocked the wind out of me but I tried to put on my brave face.
"Calliope I think you picked the wrong one. This is a bit foul smelling almost like insect repellant."
"Well you didn't have a problem with my taste for the past couple of days. You seemed
to like it just fine." she volleyed back.
I felt pain like a dagger was twisting in my heart and I couldn't take it anymore.
I wordlessly placed the bottle back in her hands and walked towards the boarding gate.
Calliope's POV
I want to be numb that I don't want to feel my heart beating. I don't want to realize the extent of my love for her.
I don't want to love her like I do. I can't.
I just can't.
I have got to make myself hate her. I don't have a choice.
"Shit..." I cursed at myself.
I bought the cologne and placed it in my bag. I bought what she hated to make myself feel better because even if Arizona did hate it... I knew Matt would probably appreciate it.
AMERICAN AIRLINES FLIGHT FROM PARIS TO NEW YORK WILL LEAVE IN 5 MINUTES. PLEASE PROCEED TO GATE 58 IMMEDIATELY.
"Arizona wait..." I paced as fast as I could towards her.
I could've sworn I heard someone in French curse at me for almost tripping over their luggage in the boarding area.
"Arizona... wai - wait..." The alcohol made my vision a bit blurry.
"What?..." I saw her bright blue eyes deepen in pain.
"It was nice meeting you..." I extended my hand out. "Maybe..we will see each other again?".
Arizona looked at my hand and then looked at me. I stepped back to stop myself from wiping her tears.
"Yeah...." She turned around and left.
Calliope's POV
"Ma'am would you like –" The air stewardess offered the food from the flights first class menu.
"Um I-I am good.." I nonchalantly replied to hide the trace of alcohol in my breath.
"We have an array of desserts if you would like…" She offered.
"Thank you…I will request them if I-I get hungry or something…" I politely replied and looked away.
I received an E-mail from Bailey yesterday suggesting I take an extra day off to kill off the jet lag and shake off the vacation mode. She was more interested to know why exactly I took the extra two days to stay in Paris when I was clearly against this entire trip. I told her about the Hot air balloon ride minus the fact that I kissed Arizona and would've married her on the spot if I was not committed.
I slowly felt the alcohol kicking in my system. It was enough to penetrate my mind to comfort it and make me numb. Another bottle would've caused a repeat of the embarrassing moment in Hotel Meurice. I cannot let go of the twinge in my heart and I hope she knew how hard it was for me to push her away like I did.
"Wait…Wait…" I was running in between small pathways through the streets.
"You need to catch up Calliope…" She turned and gave me a wink.
"That is not funny…" I ran fasr enough to grab her hand and pull her towards me.
"You are such a tease…" She whispered.
"Did I not tell you how amazingly …amazingly sexy you look in that dress of yours.." I whispered back.
"Calliope… this is my date… meaning my rules." We were walking hand in hand.
"Hey.. our date beneath the Eiffel Tower with red wine and baguettes was not that bad.." I became defensive. "Why are we by the Seine River…I am not in the mood for a fake beach scene again?"
"Calliope, it's late in the evening… "She giggled.
"I can see you in a bikini anytime…" I kissed her hand.
"Let's go… it is ready to board.." Arizona walked faster pulling me along with her hand. I knew exactly where this was going, we were going on board a cruise to tour the Seine River.
"We saw the Eiffel Tower during the day… but get ready to see the light show at night." She kissed me sweetly on my lips. I could've sworn I saw an old couple giving us odd looks. I really didn't care because I was on a honeymoon trip with the love of my life.
It was dark when I opened my eyes. This is the second time I dreamt of her. I dreamt of her last night and now I am dreaming of her again. Some passengers had their personalized mini lamps lit while others were fast asleep. The bitter taste of alcohol still lingered in my mouth. I squeezed my temples in an attempt to bring me back to a state of complete consciousness.
I looked over my shoulder cautiously and Arizona was awake. She was staring out of the window. A window that revealed nothing else but darkness and a dim reflection of herself. She was lost in her own world and I wondered if she ever dreamt of me…the way I did of her.
Arizona's POV
Yesterday night I had reserved an intimate table for two at Le Cinq, the 5 star restaurant located in the lobby of the prestigious Four Season George V hotel. This was not easy. You have to reserve a week before eating at this place but thanks to Fabien's persuasion and connections, I was able to reserve two seats.
The entire day I couldn't contain my excitement and anticipation to go on a date with Calliope again. I imagined myself eating an elegant 5 course French dinner while looking out at the Hotel's courtyard and garden with her. I'd be holding her hands and listening to every word she said about our trip or about... us.
I just didn't want to go on a date with her and enjoy the evening. I wanted it to be special. I wanted this night to be our night where I showed her my appreciation and love for everything she had done for me and everything she was to me.
Before Calliope callously turned me down, I wanted to give her something I bought especially for her at Dans tes rêves, a jewelry store by one of the side walk boutiques by Arc de Triomphe. It was a white gold necklace with a diamond encrusted heart shaped pendant. I knew it was extremely cheesy to be this romantic but it felt completely perfect to me.
As the plane was flying over the Atlantic ocean I was looking out of the window and remembering the wonderful memories I had shared with Calliope. But those good memories were getting clouded by the way she had treated me today. She had made every effort to avoid me and act as if we hadn't spent five incredible days together. It literally tore my heart apart when she asked for my help in selecting Matt's gift.......the thought of Calliope with someone else made me cringe.
I turned around to see what Calliope was doing and she was also staring out of the window with a vacant expression. It's then that I decided I was going to talk to her. Though she had made it perfectly clear she didn't want to talk to me and wanted to continue avoiding me I couldn't give up. I wouldn't let her run.......I needed to know what had changed in the last 24 hours, I had to know why she was acting as if we didn't matter.
"Penny for them…" I said as I sat down next to her.
"Arizona…" she sighed giving me a tense smile.
"Did I do something wrong Calliope?"
She looked down and refused to meet my eyes.
"Calliope, please look at me. I realize I may have said some really emotional things which made you uncomfortable....I get that but what I don't get is how you can act as if we are casual acquaintances? I wasn't alone in the incredible 5 days we spent in Paris.....you experienced every second of it with me. I know you can feel the connection we have... then how can you deny all of it? How can you pretend that what we have....what we shared together doesn't matter? What happened to the girl who missed her flight so that she could spend two extra days with me....the girl who spent one hour on the phone in my room hounding the airline just to be on the same flight as me..... Dammit answer me Calliope…"
She resumed looking out of the window with the same vacant expression.
I felt lost and defeated…I didn't know what else to say or how to get through to her.
Calliope's POV
"Daddy, I thought you were in L.A. for some important meeting? What are you doing calling me this early? It's 6 A.M….yeah... I just got out the plane.. Lo llamo luego Daddy.. yeah when I get home...Yup, I will be home by 2PM or so… " I ended the call and grabbed Arizona's leather traveling bag from the aircraft compartment.
"I can handle it myself..." She abruptly took her bag.
"Si supieras lo que yo siento por ti...." I whispered in Spanish because I knew she would never understand.
I hated the fact that I still had a 6 hour flight from New York to Seattle. I loathed it more because I knew it was 6 hours alone in a plane without Arizona and probably a lifetime of not seeing her anymore.
"Calliope..." Arizona grabbed my hand after we exited the arrival gate. She took my T-shirt out from her traveling bag and handed it to me.
"Why are you giving this back?" I asked defensively.
"It's yours...I meant to give it back at the Hotel...I wore it after you puked."
"I know.. I remember...everything." I just looked at the T-shirt.
"Calliope I know you don't want to discuss things with me but can you please just answer one question...."
"What?" I asked inspite of myself. I hated seeing the pain on her face....pain I had caused....inspite of my best intentions I had hurt her.
"Was I just....just an experiment....you know testing the waters....trying different cuisine....just wanted to experiment being with a girl kinda thing…"she stuttered in a shaky voice.
"What....how...how can you even think that?" I asked unable to keep the hurt out of my voice.
"What do you expect me to think Calliope huh?" I could see the anger and fire in her eyes. "You have treated me like crap all day and not even bothered to tell me what happened and why you are acting like this....." she started to walk of angrily.
"Ari....Ari...just wait....you are not an experiment ok. I.....I...love you....I do but we can't be together atleast for now. I know it's going to hurt like hell but we have to let go....so...so please for both our sakes just let me go…" I said my facade completely breaking. I couldn't let her think any longer that she meant nothing to me.
My thoughts were cut of by the feel of her lips meshing passionately with kiss between us embodied a myriad of emotions we were feeling....love....passion....longing ..regret. I didn't want to go away from her.....I wanted this feeling to last forever.
As she pulled away she looked deep in my eyes "I love you too Calliope....I love you so much…"
She then pulled out a jewelry box from her jacket pocket "Not exactly the time and place I had planned to give this to you but ....I want you to have this. This will always remind you that no matter what my heart is yours forever..."
As I looked at the beautiful heart pendant I was speechless....."Ari" I whispered.
"No...you don't have to say anything. Just promise me you'll let me know from time to time you are ok...don't be a stranger....you better go or you'll miss your flight." she kissed my cheek.
I nodded and we walked off in opposite directions but with our hearts in the same state....broken beyond repair.
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