No Matter of Chance

By AmboDriver

Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own anything. I'm just playing around with these "If/Then" alternative versions of characters that I adore.

A/N: So, have we all processed the finale? Since I basically wrote the whole airplane crash story before Shonda did, I'm going to resist my urge to write a follow up to the finale since it would be way too similar to Thin Line. So, that means I can continue to focus on this story. See, aren't you all lucky?

Glad you guys liked their breakfast. This chapter covers their post-Callie-minor-freak-out lunch. But first a little hint at how Callie and Owen's relationship was before it went down the tubes, plus some Addison time. Hope you enjoy it. It sure is longer than I had planned. When I started this story I figured each chapter would be two relatively short scenes. But I just can't help writing long. Hope it's not too boring!

And, as always, thanks for the comments. They keep me motivated and put a much-needed smile on my face.


Chapter 7

Callie pinched at her nose and closed her eyes. After an hour of going over staffing and budget figures, she was starting to tire. She laughed dryly as she thought back to her discussion with Arizona that morning. "And she thought Rogers could handle this. That little man's head would explode from the weight of it all." She laughed a little more at the image.

But then her mind returned to breakfast and the strange feeling she'd had as they left the diner and felt Arizona's hand on the small of her back. Callie really wasn't used to touchy-feely people as friends. Sure, the occasional touch on a forearm to emphasize a point was one thing, maybe even a hug on a special occasion, but now her interactions with Arizona were moving beyond that general boundary. First when Arizona hugged her in Riley's room, and then at the diner. Both times Callie had been surprised, both by the intimate nature from someone she barely knew as well as the reaction it brought about.

Callie shook her head to try to chase away the thoughts. "She's a pediatric surgeon. That practically requires someone who's touchy-feely. I'll just have to get used to it." After all, she already knew she wanted to continue to get to know Arizona, and if that meant varying her normal personal distance preferences, then she'd have to adjust. Besides, the thought of keeping Arizona at an arm's distance just seemed so wrong. It would be like caging a beautiful wild animal just to keep it around. Callie then shrugged with a light smile. "Got to admit, it is a nice change of pace."

Just then the door to her office opened and Owen's head popped in. "Busy?"

She sat up straight, feeling a familiar tension that often intruded when dealing with her husband lately. She glanced at the time on her computer and nodded. "Sure. I'm almost done with my call schedule. I can give you a few minutes."

Owen smiled as he walked over to her and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. He then leaned up against her desk. "I need to leave a little before six for my therapy appointment. I'm not sure when I'll be home, so don't wait up. I might meet up with an old friend that lives over that way, but I haven't heard back from him for sure. If that's okay."

She nodded. "Yeah, sure." Since he wouldn't be home before the children went to bed even if he came straight home, she didn't really care if he stayed out until the wee hours. In fact, she was a little relieved to think she could have an evening of peace without the tension of walking on egg shells around him.

"Thanks. I gave my mother the head's up in case you can't get to daycare before it closes. Just let her know and she'll spring the kidlets from their horrible imprisonment of naps and playing."

Callie couldn't help but smile at their inside joke. Allegra had so hated daycare when she was in her terrible twos that they had started calling it prison as a joke. Unfortunately, their daughter had picked up the term and told Chief Grey that was where she was headed one morning as they passed her in the halls. Luckily the chief just laughed, which saved Callie from being mortified, but it had still been a little awkward. "No problem," she answered. "I doubt it'll run long. Well as long as Yang doesn't need to be put in a time out."

Owen sat up a little straighter and seemed strangely more interested in what they were talking about. "Yang is taking the lead?"

Callie looked at him for a second, trying to read his facial expression. He was talking with her when he punched the window. Maybe he's mad at her about something or wants to stop by before the surgery to apologize. She nodded then. "Yeah." She tapped the pile of medical journals sitting on her desk. "I have my reading materials ready."

When their eyes met for a moment, Callie would have sworn she saw some guilt in them, but then he shook his head and laughed. "Must be nice to have a brilliant fifth year you barely need to supervise."

"It's one of the perks of always getting the best and the brightest." She smiled up at him, relishing in their banter. It had been a long time since they had been able to enjoy one another like this.

"Yeah, yeah," he said by way of jokingly dismissing her bragging. "It's not just cardio that gets the top notch residents. I've had a few over the years."

"You have Kepner now," Callie replied with a lift of one eyebrow.

"Dr. Kepner is a fine surgeon." He then laughed and shook his head. "Okay, she's not Yang."

"No one is Yang," Callie added and watched as her husband seemed to sigh quietly. It was a strange reaction from him, but perhaps he was just admitting defeat in their playful resident rivalry.

Just the smallest hint of a smile came to the corner of his mouth before he shook his head and looked down at her. "Can I have your keys? You know swapping cars would be easier if you'd just give me a copy."

Callie laughed as she reached into the pocket of her lab coat and pulled out the keys. It was one of their oldest arguments, but she would be damned if she'd give him or anyone free rein to her car. Besides it wasn't like he didn't have his own dream car. What did he need the keys to her T-Bird when he had that and the SUV at the ready? Even if there were days like this one where they needed to swap cars in order to get the kids somewhere. She growled slightly, even if it was purely for fun. "You take care of her."

"Like I would dare do anything else. Sometimes I think you love that car more than you love me."

Callie laughed, although it felt a little forced. "Yeah, well, she does what I want and doesn't give me any shit."

"Yeah, well, who said marriage was supposed to be easy?" He smiled but then his expression became more serious. "Do you want to get some lunch today? I've got about an hour I can spare. It's been a while since we've had lunch."

Callie could tell that he was trying a little too hard, and she was touched by it, so much so that she was tempted to say yes, but then she thought about her lunch plans with Arizona and she shook her head. "I didn't get all my errands done this morning, so I need to finish up at lunch. I'd rather not drag the kids around this evening. Besides, they'll be hungry and cranky probably the second I get them in the car." The lie came easily enough since most of it was true, if you considered lunch with Arizona to be an errand, which of course it wasn't.

A moment of relief flashed across Owen's features before he schooled them back into his normal serious expression. "No problem." He leaned down to give her another kiss. "I'll see you later."

"See you later."

Callie sighed as he left. There was really something wrong with the fact she would rather have lunch with a woman she barely knew than with her husband. Arizona is new and interesting. And Owen is always there to spend time with. That's all.

As she sat there it occurred to her that she couldn't risk meeting Arizona in the lobby as planned. If Owen saw or word got out that they left together, he would know she had lied. She quickly pulled out her phone to send off a text message suggesting they meet at the restaurant so she could handle something beforehand. Actually that wasn't a lie, because she could swing by the dry cleaners and pick up her latest order, since it was on the way.

Callie's phone buzzed in her hand and the reply text message from Arizona came through. Not a problem. I'll see you at noon at the Trot. Let me know if plans change. Looking forward to it. The reply brought a big smile to Callie's face.

She bit at her lip to stop the smile and get herself back into a work frame of mind as she turned off her phone and turned back toward the computer. Just as she finished the call schedule and submitted it to the hospital calendar application, there was a knock at her door. "Fucking Grand Central," she muttered with a quiet chuckle. She looked over at the door and called out, "Come in."

Addison opened the door and stood in the doorway. "You got a few minutes?"

Callie looked at the clock. She needed to leave in twenty minutes to meet Arizona on time. "I can give you ten."

"Perfect." Addison smiled albeit sadly as she walked over and eased herself into one of Callie's guest chairs. "You okay?" she asked with concern. "I heard you got called to the principal's office yesterday."

Callie chuckled at the image of Ellis Grey as a principal. "Yes, I got called in. Seems that if Owen doesn't shape up, we both will have to ship out."

"Really? That's so wrong."

"Yup, very." Callie shrugged. "Should I have expected anything else?"

"Sadly, no," Addison said with a nod of agreement. She then fell silent and picked at her skirt.

"What's going on with you? Have you had a chance to really talk to Derek?"

Addison's blue eyes looked up at her with sadness. "He contacted a lawyer to start the divorce process. He even offered to move out but he loves that place. He built it and I hate being that far out of town." She shook her head. "There's no way this can be saved and to be honest I don't want it to. In fact, I'm relieved."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Even if you are relieved, it's still really tragic when a marriage ends, whatever the reason. What about Sloan?"

Addison perked up slightly. "He's looking for an apartment and he really seems committed to being in this baby's life. And in mine. He even asked me to move in with him."

"Oh?" Callie found it strangely fascinating to watch this all play out. Pat of her understood that she was looking for a guinea pig, someone to pave the way from seemingly perfect marriage to admitting it just wasn't working and never really could. While she didn't want her marriage to fail—and as long as Owen continued to make progress she didn't see that happening—it was still a relief in some respects to have someone who was going through something similar. Just in case. "What did you say?"

"I haven't said anything. I need time to think before jumping in to something. Life is changing so fast. I need to slow down what I can." She smiled then. "He does want me to look at this apartment he found, so I have to give him props for including me. It sounds really perfect. It's across the street and we'd have a fellow surgeon as a neighbor. Dr. Robbins lives across the hall. Can't hurt to have a pediatric specialist nearby. In addition to me."

"Dr. Robbins lives there?" Callie's voice was way louder and more excited than it should have been.

Addie paused for a moment, an odd questioning rise coming to one of her perfectly arched eyebrows, before she nodded. "He ran into her this morning while checking it out. He told me she seemed like someone he could be friends with. I'm all for him finding friends here. Right now I'm all he has, since Derek isn't talking to him, and really I need some space."

Callie felt a flash of jealousy, before she scolded herself. Friendship is not a competition. She can be friends with Sloan and also with me. She focused again on Addison. "Sounds like something to consider. You'd at least be really close to the hospital. And you clearly need a place to live."

"Yeah, the Archfield is not ideal." She slid forward in her seat and glanced at her watch. "I need to get going and you probably need to get back to what you were working on. I'm glad we had a chance to touch base, though. And don't worry. This will work out with Owen and Ellis."

"And things will with Sloan, too."

"They will." Addison stood up stomach first before settling on her feet. "Well, I'll see you later."

"Ciao," Callie answered with a wave as Addison headed out of the office.

When she was alone again, Callie leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. Addison and Sloan could be living across from Arizona. Interesting. Very interesting. With a slight shake of her head, she grabbed her purse from the desk drawer and headed out of her office. She had to get going if she was going to make lunch on time. And she didn't want to be late. Not for Arizona.


Arizona was enjoying the surprise warm spell Seattle was experiencing by sitting on a bench outside the restaurant, her face upturned to drink in the rare February sun. She loved the feel of it on her face, even if she had to admit it was more likely she'd get a sunburn than any sort of tan from the exposure. That's what happens when all your ancestors come from Northern Europe. Not everyone gets blessed with a genetic perma-tan.

The thought of a certain someone who was so blessed brought a smile to her lips. Yeah, Callie's pretty much got the perfect complexion—not too light, not too dark. It's the Goldilocks of complexions. Her mind then went back to the previous summer, to the picnic Richard and the chief had hosted for all the department heads and their families. Callie hadn't yet been named acting chief, but she had been there with Owen and their kids. Arizona thought back to the sundress Callie had worn—it had been white with small multicolor flowers on it. The light fabric had just drawn attention to her amazingly perfect skin. And there was plenty to see, what with the low back and most importantly the neckline that was just this side of inappropriate for a family affair. That neckline had shown just the right amount of cleavage. Damn, that woman has nice breasts.

Arizona groaned at the way her mind was wandering and lightly slapped her cheek. "Stop that," she said to herself in hopes of chasing away the rather inappropriate image.

"Stop what?"

Arizona jumped at the voice and blinked her eyes at the bright sunlight as she looked up to find Calliope standing over her. "You scared me," she said as she tried to calm her heart down. There was no hope of stopping the blush that she was sure had come to her cheeks.

Callie slid down onto the bench next to Arizona. "What's got you slapping yourself?" Her voice was a strange mixture of humor and concern.

"Oh that? I was starting to fall asleep. The warm sun and all got me tired. Must have not slept well last night." She was glad she came up with what seemed like a plausible excuse so quickly.

"You're not too tired for lunch are you?" Callie was definitely joking, if Arizona read her tone of voice properly.

She knows I was lying but isn't calling me on it. Obviously Arizona couldn't admit what she had been really thinking about. Better to just forget it for the time being. Arizona shook her head vigorously. "Nope, I'm full of vim and vigor and ready for some Italian."

Callie nodded with a light smile. "Okay, then. Shall we?"

They went inside and grabbed a table. There was a general silence between them as they looked over the menu. Arizona peaked over the menu and could have sworn Callie ducked her head quickly to hide she had been looking at Arizona. It was strange but then Arizona thought back to leaving the diner that morning. I hope she's not uncomfortable after I did that. She doesn't really seem like the touchy-feely type. Arizona was about to apologize for maybe going beyond Callie's personal boundaries when the waitress appeared to take their orders. Arizona ordered the lasagna with garlic bread while Callie ordered a chicken Caesar salad with the dressing on the side.

As the waitress left, Callie shook her head with a quiet laugh. "You either work out like crazy or you've got an amazing metabolism. How can you eat like that and have such a great figure?"

Great figure? Arizona tried very hard to keep the smile off her lips. Instead she shrugged in self-deprecation. "Both, really. I do triathlons in the summer for fun and personal torture and that requires me to work out pretty much year round. But I also have a naturally high metabolism."

"Triathlons? Like those crazy long races they do in Hawaii?"

Arizona shrugged off the difficulty. "I've never done the one in Hawaii. You need to qualify or win a lottery and I'm not fast or lucky. But I've done a few races that were that length. Mostly I do shorter races."

"Still that's really impressive." Callie took a sip of water. "With the kids I don't get to work out much. I miss it. But since the twins learned to walk, I've been getting a workout just chasing them around the house. And Allegra can be a handful, too."

Arizona laughed at the vision of Callie trying to chase down three small kids, likely all heading in different directions. "I don't know how you do it. I can't imagine raising one child, let alone three."

"It can be trying." Callie fiddled with her silverware for a moment. "You don't want kids?"

"No. And yes I realize that I'm a pediatric surgeon, so it doesn't make much sense. Trust me, my mother has tried that logic a number of times, although she prefers the guilt trip of wanting grandkids." Arizona shrugged. "She means well, and I don't mean to sound like we have a bad relationship, because we don't. She's just sad she's missing out on having a grandchild to spoil."

"You're an only child?"

Arizona shook her head. "My brother was killed a few years ago in Afghanistan."

Callie's expression was sad. "I'm sorry to hear that." She shifted slightly, obviously a little uncomfortable. "So, no kids, huh? I guess you get enough of them at work and they're rarely at their best when you see them. I get how you wouldn't want one."

"Exactly." Arizona rarely found someone who understood why she didn't want children. Usually people, especially parents, were so enamored with the idea of having children they couldn't understand how any woman couldn't want one, like they were a great pair of shoes without responsibilities and downsides. And to be honest, she just rarely gave it much thought, especially lately. She might consent with the right partner, but she couldn't imagine herself at all as a single mother, and it had been a really long time since she'd had any hope of finding the love of her life. Or even the love of a few years.

"They can be a real pain in the ass. But only sometimes. And rumor has it they grow out of it in about fifty years." Callie laughed quietly. "But I love being a mother. I wasn't looking to become one when it happened, but I'm glad it did. If I had waited until I was ready and the time was right, I probably still wouldn't have kids."

Arizona took in Callie's words and filed the information away. Their friendship was still too new to ask about personal stuff that wasn't freely offered, but she found it interesting that Callie admitted her daughter was an accident. "Maybe that's the best way. I mean, I guess if I was in that situation, I'd learn to love it."

"Yeah, sometimes the best things happen when you least expect them or don't even want them."

"Exactly. And I guess if I met the person of my dreams and they had kids or wanted them, I might be persuaded." She looked down at the table, feeling a slight warmth in her cheeks. Like say I wasn't completely broken and you suddenly decided to go gay and things really took off between us. She shook her head slightly to chase away those thoughts. Harmless crush, harmless crush, harmless crush.

Callie reached over and lightly touched Arizona's hand. "You okay?"

Arizona stared down at where Callie's hand lingered on her own. She had felt a quick bolt of heat at first contact, but now it had turned into a more gentle warmth. She had to fight to keep the smile off her face. She took another breath to savor the touch before she gently pulled her hand away, afraid her voice would give her reaction away if she spoke while they were still touching. "I'm fine. I just sometimes have wistful thoughts about relationships or the lack thereof in my life. It's been a while." Of course it's your own damned fear that's the reason. The chiding of her inner voice was familiar. Too bad it never told the fear that so often ate her up to get fucked. She forced a smile. "But that's a story for another time."

Callie's brow knitted and she looked like she might press the issue. But then she nodded. "Another time. We'll find an evening when the kids are at their grandmother's and Owen is working and have a good old girl's night with lots of wine."

"I'll bring the beer. I'm more of a beer girl. Although I never turn down a nice chardonnay."

"Really? You don't strike me as a beer swiller."

Arizona nodded. "I spent the last three years of high school in Germany. My father was stationed there. And since you can start drinking at 16 and the beer there is amazing. I developed a taste for it."

"Ah," Callie said with a simple nod. "I'm an equal opportunity drinker. Just don't tell my mother. She'd be mortified if she saw me drinking beer. In her mind, well-bred ladies don't drink beer." Callie paused for a second before her eyes went wide. "I hope that didn't make it sound like I'm an alcoholic or something. I'm not."

Arizona laughed. "No, not at all. And sorry to hear your mother is like that. My parents would both pass me the bottle opener and tell me to drink up, although my mother is more of a fruity drink type."

Callie smiled at that. "Sounds like they're fun."

"They can be."

Just then the waitress brought their food and talk turned to the hospital and their respective fifth years as they ate their lunches. With boards coming up in a few months, things were getting crazy in the race to get surgeries and they both had their share of funny stories to tell about the competition. All in all it was a fun meal and Arizona found herself really relaxing around Callie. There was little doubt in her mind that the two of them would become friends. As much as she liked the idea of keeping her private life out of the hospital, it was really starting to wear on her. And if she was going to make a change in her life and stop sleeping around as a way to fill the void, she might need a confidante or a shoulder to cry on. She would need to get to know Callie better before she would be sure the cardio surgeon would be the right fit, but there was definite promise there.

As they left the restaurant, they lingered outside. Arizona really didn't want to leave, but they both had surgeries to attend to. She also wasn't sure how to say goodbye. "Um, so, I guess we need to head back."

"Yeah," Callie said, although she seemed to be hesitant, too.

Arizona took a breath to calm the flare of nerves that had suddenly hit her. "Can I ask you something?"

Now Callie seemed hesitant more out of anxiety. "I guess."

"Well, um, this morning after breakfast," Arizona began and then paused when Callie sucked in a breath. "You know, never mind."

"No, it's okay," Callie said in a rush, as if she were trying to get the words out before she could think better of it. "You were going to ask why I bailed, right?" There was a hint of something—maybe regret or fear—in Callie's eyes that made her seem so lost somehow and it tugged at Arizona's heart.

"It's just that I can be a physical person sometimes," Arizona began in her typical rambling rush. "I do it without thinking, especially when I'm comfortable with a person. And I'm getting comfortable with you." Arizona looked down, unwilling to have Callie see the disappointment she was feeling at just the prospect that Callie wouldn't be open to her penchant for touching. She had far too few people in her life to be touchy-feely with.

"No, no, it's really okay and I'm sorry." She let out a quiet sigh. "I'm just not used to it. It surprised me and I' not sure why I reacted like that. But, cross my heart, it's okay."

Arizona lifted her eyes to meet the sincere eyes that were patiently watching her. Her breath caught at that expression and she felt the need to break the seriousness. "Are you really, really sure? Like super, duper positively sure?"

Callie laughed. "Yes."

"Okay, so then are you okay with hugs? Because I usually hug my friends hello and goodbye if they're okay with it. But if you're not a huggy person, that's okay, too. I get that some people don't like that and I know you just said the occasional touch is okay, but—"

Callie cut off her rambling by pulling her into a warm hug. "Hugs are good," she said quietly into Arizona's ear while their embrace continued.

Arizona melted into the hug slightly before catching herself. But being held in Callie's strong arms and being able to smell the fragrance of her shampoo—vanilla with just a hint of spice—made it difficult to restrain herself. Oh this is bad. Hugging my crush is seriously dangerous. I probably shouldn't have suggested it. Dumb, Arizona, just dumb. And as it continued well past a simple friendly hug, she sighed quietly. My God, she is going to be the death of me.

When Callie finally released her and they both took a step back, Arizona noticed a light blush to Callie's cheeks. "See, hugs are good," Callie repeated.

Arizona bit her lip, hoping the pain would stop her from smiling like a smitten school girl. You are starting to get it bad, Robbins. Maybe you shouldn't dismiss the one-nighters so quickly, because if you're going to crush on someone as hot and intoxicating as Calliope Torres, you're going to need some serious release on a regular basis. Mentally shushing her inner voice, Arizona nodded, feeling a little heat coming to her own cheeks. "Yes, they are. Hugs are good."

"Yeah," Callie said as she looked at the sidewalk.

Another awkward silence followed as they both stood there for a few more moments. Finally, Arizona reluctantly spoke up. "So, um, I guess we both need to get back. I'm parked over there." She motioned over Callie's shoulder.

"And I'm over there," Callie said as she pointed in the opposite direction. "I do have to get back for a surgery." Callie shifted her weight a little self-consciously, before she said, "I have the kids tonight. Besides, I'm sure you're a little sick of me after two meals in one day. I don't want to wear out my welcome. But if you want, I can see if Owen can watch them some night this week so we can finally go for drinks."

"Yeah, that would be great. I'm on call Thursday, but otherwise I'm flexible." Arizona then unconsciously reached out and grabbed Callie's forearm gently. Her voice was softer as she said, "And you're not wearing out your welcome. I'm enjoying getting to know you."

Callie's eyes rose to meet hers. Her voice was also soft when she replied, "Me too."

Arizona held her arm for another second, enjoying the feel of soft skin under her fingers before she reluctantly let go. "All right, then. I'm sure I'll see you around work. Just let me know about drinks."

"Will do."

"Okay, well bye then."

"Bye."

They both stood there for just one more awkward moment before they passed each other to head to their cars. Arizona went a few feet and then looked back over her shoulder to watch Callie walk away. She bit at her lip again, but it couldn't stop the smile that broke through at the sight of Calliope Torres' ass in her perfectly tailored pencil skirt. "I'm so fucked," Arizona said before turning around and continuing to her car. "So so fucked."

TBC…