Previously…
Giving her a wave, she watched as the Latina's figure disappeared. It was then that she realised for sure. She really liked this woman but also knew she couldn't let anything happen between them. There was too much going on in Callie's life and she couldn't allow herself to be just another thing to add to her troubles. Letting out a deep breath, she opened her front door. All she could do was hope that one day, she could be the one to make Callie happy again.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
Chapter 7
Almost 3 weeks later and Arizona was sat at her breakfast bench in the kitchen, finishing up the toast she'd made after coming in from a walk with Pops. The weeks following her dinner with Callie had seen the start of a strong friendship between the vet and the doctor. Arizona had text her the following day thanking her for the meal and asking how she was feeling.
Callie had replied admitting she'd managed to sleep better that night than she had in the last few month's. The texts had been passing back and forth ever since as the days passed and it seemed it had given the Latina the encouragement she'd needed to start opening up to her friends more.
The blonde had been relieved to hear Callie had invited Mark, Cristina, Meredith, Bailey and a couple of other people she'd only met once or twice over to her house on the Monday night to ask for their help. Her closest friends had been more than ready to be there for the vet in anyway that they could. Callie had finally realised that bottling up her feelings and keeping her friends at arms length wasn't working for her.
After losing her wife, being a single parent and being bogged down by so much work at the practice, it was proving to be too much for her to handle and she was finally ready to admit that. If she wanted to overcome the depression, the anxiety and the suffocating feeling of hopelessness she'd been feeling, she needed to start being honest and asking for help.
With everyone banding together, Arizona included, they'd managed to attract some interest in the post for a new vet. Interviews had been set up for the following week and at the minute, it seemed a promising prospect that Callie would have help within the next month.
Putting the final bit of crust into her mouth, Arizona made her way to the sink. Turning on the tap, she rinsed the plate off and put it on the drainer. Gathering up the things she needed for the day, she gave her self the once over in the mirror and turned to the dog that was lying in her bed. "I'll be back at lunchtime Pops. Be a good girl."
She'd gotten into the routine of coming home for lunch so she could take the dog for a quick walk. Coming out of the front door, she locked it behind her and began walking down the drive.
"Ari'ona!"
She grinned before she even turned around. "Morning Abs" she called as she began walking along the side walk. Her eyes left the girl and looked up to the vet who was just coming out of her own front door.
"Good morning, Dr Robbins" Callie called over with a wide grin on her face.
"Same to you, Dr Torres." Her smile matching the one she received.
"Mommys not a docur, she's a vet" Abbey told the blonde.
"It's the same thing sweetie" Arizona told her. "I'm a doctor of humans like me and you and your mommy is a doctor of animals, like Pops."
"Mommy, you're a docur too!" Abbey shouted back at the Latina excitedly.
Callie laughed as she came to join her daughter and neighbour on the sidewalk. "I am, munchkin."
The 3 of them began to walk down Chester road to get to the main strip through town. It had become a regular thing the last couple of weeks for the 3 of them to walk into school and work together. It slightly unnerved Arizona to realise just how much she looked forward to the 6 minute walk with the 2 Torres girls before they detoured off the main strip to get to Abbeys school. She kept telling herself to back off and not get so attached to the vet but it seemed to be all in vein. Callie was the one constant on her mind pretty much every single day and there was nothing the doctor could do about it.
"So, what's on the agenda today?" Callie asked.
"Well, today is a little quieter which usually happens on a Friday. I don't think there's anything too taxing. A few check ups, a few abscesses to squeeze" she said with a laugh.
Callie scrunched up her nose in disgust before laughing. "Sounds like a fun day ahead."
"Yep, living the dream here. What about you?"
"Umm, I have a dog getting spayed and a another having some teeth removed."
"Poor pooch."
"Yea. I have to head up to Sloan's farm to see to one of his horses too.." She trailed off.
Arizona looked over to the Latina. She knew Callie hadn't been up to Sloan's farm ever since Erica's fatal accident. "How do you feel about going?"
Callie mulled over her thoughts before answering. "I guess I'm feeling a little anxious" she admitted. "Mark said he's been putting off asking me, thinking it would tip me over the edge or something. I need to do it though. I can't not go up there ever again."
Arizona nodded and reached her arm around the Latina's shoulders. She squeezed the sides of their bodies together. "You're awesome, you know?"
Callie breathed out a laugh. "I don't know about that." The little bit of physical contact Arizona was giving her made her feel exhilarated.
"You are. Completely. You're a fantastic vet and an amazing woman. You know you are."
The Latina felt even more uplifted at the blondes words and also a little flustered. Deciding to change the subject, she cleared her throat. "So, I'm thinking of heading to the Saloon tonight. The guys have been asking me all week if I'd come out for drinks."
"You should. It's been a while since you joined them, isn't it?"
Callie nodded. "I haven't been out in months. Not since.." She trailed off again.
Arizona gave her an encouraging smile. "You should totally do it. It might do you the world of good."
"Yea. I was wondering if perhaps you'd like to come too? I mean if you don't have any other plans."
Arizona laughed a little and shook her head. "I never really have plans. I hang out with Teddy some nights but we don't usually plan anything ahead of time. I'd love to come tonight."
"Great" she smiled back. "I'm sure Teddy will be in the Saloon tonight anyway, with Owen."
"Probably. We should hang out next to her then maybe we'll get free drinks like she does."
"Good thinking."
"Can you swing me?" Abbey said, holding out her hand for Arizona to take.
Callie was already holding her daughter's other hand and looked to Arizona. "Would you?"
"Ofcourse." Putting her bag in her other hand, she grasped the small hand in her own. "Ready. 1, 2, 3..weeee" she said as the young girl flew forward, her legs flailing in to the air. Abbey giggled hysterically as the 2 women continued to swing her back and forth between them. Both Callie and Arizona laughed at the sound of the girl enjoying herself.
"That looks like fun. Can I have a go?"
They looked to the side where Mark was approaching from over the road. "No chance Marcus. This is a children only ride." Callie told him.
"Aww, spoiled sport" he pouted. "Morning kiddo. You ready for another fun day at school?"
"Yep" Abbey told him. "I'm sleeping at abuela's tonight."
"You are? That sounds great." Mark looked at his best friend. "Does that mean you're gona come out tonight?"
"Yea. I think I'm gona come along."
"Excellent. I'm so happy you said that, Torres. Blondie.." he said, looking at Arizona. "How about it? Drinks in the Lazy Dog tonight?"
"I already invited her, Mark."
The farmer rubbed his hands together. "This day just gets better and better. Have a good day ladies, I'll see you both tonight."
Saying their goodbyes, they continued on their way. It was only a minute or so later that Callie and Abbey came to the street they needed to turn down for the school. "So, I guess I'll see you tonight?" Callie said.
"You will. How about I give you a knock around 7 and we can walk down together?"
Callie nodded and smiled. "That sounds great. Say bye, Abbey."
"Byeee" the girl said before she let go of her mother's hand and wrapped herself around Arizona's legs. The blonde looked at Callie who was stood biting her bottom lip to stop the smile breaking her face.
"Bye sweetie. Have a good day at school."
Beginning to back away toward the surgery, Arizona gave one last look to the vet. "Bye Cal.."
The Latina nodded and smiled in response before taking hold of her daughter's hand once more and walking away.
Xxxxxxxxxxx
"Argghh" the blonde growled, lifting the top over her head and throwing it down on the bed. That had been the 4th top she'd tried in as many minutes. None of them were tickling her fancy tonight and for some reason tonight, she wanted to look good. It wasn't because she was going out with Callie she told herself.
No, it definitely wasn't that. It was because she was going to be hanging out with most of her new friends from her new town. Yea, that was definitely the reason she wanted to make the effort tonight. At least, that's what she was telling herself and she was sticking to that story.
Her day had passed smoothly and she'd managed to finish work a little after 4 seeing as there were no more patients on her agenda for the day. She'd come home and had an early dinner before taking the dog out for a nice long walk. She'd received another text message from Julie while she was out walking. It was the 5th one she'd received since moving to Sand Springs and she hadn't replied to any of them. This time though she decided enough was enough. "Julie, you need to take my silence as a hint to the fact I want nothing more to do with you. I've moved on and you need to do the same. Don't text me again." That had been the message she'd sent back and she hadn't received one back. Maybe finally her ex had gotten the picture.
After getting back in, she'd showered and washed her hair and for the last 15 minutes she'd been deciding what to wear that evening. Hands on hips she surveyed the clothes hanging in her wardrobe. Grasping at a light blue sleeveless top she brought it out and slipped it over her head. Hmm she thought. This could work. She twisted her body, looking at herself from all angles. The top worked well with the dark blue fitted jeans and her heels. Yep. This would do. She ran her hand through her shoulder length wavy hair and nodded. This would definitely do.
Turning on the TV for the dog, she said bye to her and left the house. Wandering over to next door she took a deep breath and knocked. It was nearly 20 seconds later that Callie opened the door. The blonde was frozen in time for what felt like eternity when in fact it was probably only 5 seconds or so. Callie looked unbelievable. I mean, she always did but tonight... dressed up to party Callie was breaking all the rules. Skin tight black leather pants with a red blouse that showed off her shoulders. The lipstick on her lips made them look even bigger than usual. Holy shit, I'm in trouble the blonde thought.
"Are you Ok?"
Realising Callie was looking at her with a raised eyebrow, Arizona came back to the present. "Ugh, hi. Yes, I'm... you look amazing."
Callie smiled wide before looking bashfully at the floor for a moment. "Thank you. It's been a while since I got dressed up."
"Well you certainly haven't lost the knack for it. Really, wowza." Oh good god stop talking, stop talking NOW she said to herself.
Callie merely laughed and leant to somewhere behind the door before emerging with her purse. "Shall we?"
Nodding quickly, Arizona stepped back to let the Latina leave her house. When Callie turned around from locking the door she looked at the blonde. "You've got the wow factor tonight yourself, Dr Robbins. I bet you've been a real heart breaker in the past."
Arizona laughed as they started to walk down the street. "I'll admit I broke a few hearts in my 20s. I was a student doctor though. I was never looking for anything serious. I didn't have the time to be in a relationship when I worked 48hr shifts at times."
"Yea, I know what you mean. When I was doing my degree I was swamped with work and didn't have time either. I had a few little casual relationships but nothing serious."
They went quiet for a few moments as they turned off Chester road and headed towards the town. Arizona kept glancing at the Latina from the corner of her eye. She knew the vet would be feeling quite apprehensive about going into a packed bar for the first time in months. "How you feeling?"
A nervous laugh left Callie's mouth. "Is it that obvious I'm shitting my pants?!"
"I hope you're not. It would really ruin those leather pants" she jested.
Bumping their upper arms together, Callie relaxed a little. "I'm a little nervous. I don't know why because I'm gona be with all my friends."
"It's totally normal to feel nervous Cal. No one is judging you or expecting anything from you tonight. All you can do is just try to enjoy yourself. If you don't feel comfortable or wona get away, just go. There's no strings attached."
"Ok. I know. It'll be fine."
"How did it go up at Mark's farm today?"
"It went OK to be honest. Better than I'd anticipated. Marks giddy after finding out our friend Addison is coming along tonight." Seeing Arizona furrow her brows Callie continued. "You don't know her, yet. She lived here for a while with her parents after she left her husband. It had been an abusive relationship so she came out here to totally get away from it all. Her parents are quite wealthy so she didn't need to worry about money. She's a teacher though and did some part time work in the school Abbey goes to while she lived here. It'll be nice to see her. You'll love her."
"I can't wait to meet her then."
For the rest of the walk they discussed general chit chat and before long, they reached the Lazy Dog. Grasping the handle, Arizona pulled the door open and indicated for Callie to go before her.
"Oh, very chivalrous of you, kind doctor." The Latina said as she stepped into the loud bar.
"Hey, this girl knows how to treat a lady."
Callie laughed as her eyes scanned the packed bar for her friends. Finding them in the usual place, she headed over to the far corner.
"Torres!" Mark exclaimed, standing up from his booth and embracing his best friend. He pulled back and held her at arms length. "Damn, you look hot tonight."
"Yea, I may be single now but you still have no chance Sloan." She told him with a smile.
"Never say never..."
"Anyway, you've got Addison here tonight. You know you 2 always end up in bed together after these Friday night drinks."
"If I expect it, It won't happen. I plan on being nonchalant tonight."
Callie nodded and raised her eyebrows as if to say yea sure. "Good luck with that then." Turning her attention to the rest of the group, they all said their greetings and some got up and hugged her.
Arizona stayed back slightly, happy to watch the interaction. Deciding she would go get the drinks in, she put her hand on Callie's upper arm and leant her mouth to her ear. "Can I get you a drink?"
Callie turned, her face now mere inches from the blondes. "Could I have a beer please?"
It took all of Arizona's will power not to visibly shudder at the feeling of Callie's warm breath breezing over her face. Not trusting her words she nodded her response and headed to the bar.
Finding a gap at the bar she leant her elbows on the top and waited for the bar tender to finish with someone else.
"Hey 'Zona."
The blonde turned and smiled at the sight of Teddy. "Hey." She pulled her in for a hug. "You been here long?"
"About an hour or so. Owen and I grabbed a quick bite in the diner then came over. He's half working and half hanging out with us."
Arizona nodded before catching the eye of the young female bar tender. "Hey, could I have 2 beers please." As the bar tender went about getting the drinks, Arizona looked back to Teddy who seemed to be smiling at her weirdly. "What's wrong?"
Teddy shook her head slightly but the smile stayed. "Nothing."
"Well then whyyy are you looking at me weird?"
Teddy looked over at their group of friends and then back to the blonde. "You look really nice tonight."
"Thanks" Arizona replied before frowning. "You're not hitting on me, are you?"
Teddy burst out laughing. "No. Absolutely not. I love penis too much. No offence."
"OK, firstly eww and secondly it's fine, no offence taken."
"Callie looks good too, doesn't she?"
Arizona took a moment to look over to where Callie was now sat in a booth talking to a red headed woman. "Yea, she does." After a few more moments of looking she turned back to Teddy who once again was looking at her and smiling. "Whyyy are you looking at me like that?" She began to feel slightly flustered and knew a blush had worked it's way onto her cheeks. Luckily the bar tender arrived with her beers, giving her a distraction.
Deciding to let the blonde off the hook, Teddy shook her head. "Nothing, come on let's go join the guys. Jo, put those drinks on my tab" she said to the young woman behind the bar.
Coming back to the booths where their friends were, Arizona was happy to see Callie had saved her a seat next to her. Placing a beer in front of the Latina she slid on to the seat.
"Oh, Arizona, this is Addison" she said, motioning to the red head she was talking to. "Addy, this is Arizona."
"Arizona, it's nice to meet you. I hear you made quite the entrance when you came to Sand Springs" Addison said with a smirk and raised eyebrow.
Arizona didn't stop her eyes from rolling like she had done the first week of hearing that line. "I thought we'd glossed over that little incident." She looked at Callie who held up her hands.
"Hey, I never mentioned it."
Addison came to Callie's rescue. "She's right. She didn't mention it. It was Mark. He's the biggest gossip in this town."
A clearing of a throat sounded behind the blonde. "Excuse me. I'm not a gossip. I'm a man. Men don't gossip."
"Oh please Mark, you know you are!" This time it was Callie that spoke.
The farmer seemed to tut his tongue in his mouth before he turned and continued talking to Owen and Alex Karev.
"So Arizona, Callie tells me you're a doctor and you've been a really good friend and neighbour these past few weeks?"
The blonde nodded and looked to the Latina as she smiled. "Yes to all 3. I'm actually an awesome neighbour. I'm quiet, I'll put your bins out if you forget..."
"...and she'll sit and take care of you all night when you drink yourself into a coma."
The blonde looked at her, slightly shocked that Callie would admit that in front of everyone. Although, everyone around them seemed to be in their own discussion anyway and hadn't seemed to hear.
"It's OK" Callie told her. "Addison already knows. I called her to talk it out."
"Yes. That's another reason why I'm here this weekend. A catch up with my favourite girl in town."
Callie smiled and couldn't deny she was happy to have one of her closest friends back for a few days. "What's the other reason you came here?"
Taking a mouthful of her drink, Addison looked at the Latina. "I have an interview on Monday. There's an opening in Angel Manor."
"In Abbeys school? That's great Addy. Though, I thought this place was too quiet for you?"
"Well, turns out I actually prefer the quiet to the busy, noisy city."
"I hear you there, sister." Arizona put in.
Addison looked at the blonde and smiled. "I hear you came from New York? Why would you give that up for a small town in Oklahoma?"
"I'm a country girl at heart. I feel like I'm coming back to my roots. Plus, there's an ex girlfriend in New York I'd like to never have to see again."
Addison interest seemed to peak. "Really. A girlfriend..?" She looked from Arizona to Callie and back again.
"Ex girlfriend" the blonde corrected her with a smile.
Addison nodded, a small smile creeping onto her lips as she leant back in the booth and folded her arms. "Well I'll be dammed.."
Feeling a little uncomfortable under the red heads stare, Arizona took a long swig of her beer. To her right, Callie did the same thing.
Almost 3 hours later and the night was in full swing. Loud chatter filled the saloon as people tried to still speak over the loud music playing from the jukebox. The drinks were flowing and everyone was enjoying letting their hair down after a week of work. Meredith and Cristina had arrived not long ago after closing up the diner for the night. Arizona was sat in a deep discussion with Meredith and Teddy. When the latter excused herself to go to the toilet, Arizona leant back and took a swig of her beer. Her eyes looked over toward the dance floor. With a slight parting of the crowd, she could just make out Callie moving her body to the music. She smiled to herself, allowing a moment for her mind to wander.
"I think she's really needed this.."
Arizona turned and looked at Meredith who was also looking toward the dance floor. Arizona nodded and looked back towards the Latina. Her knees were bent as her hips swang back and forth to the beat of the music. Unconsciously, she licked her lips, biting down on the bottom one as she felt herself become mesmerized by the movement. She was unaware that the diner owner was now looking at her watching the Latina.
A small knowing smile appeared on Meredith's face as she continued to look at the blonde. "She deserves to be happy again."
Arizona turned and looked at Meredith. She noticed that same little smile on her lips that had also been on Addison a few hours earlier. Clearing her throat she looked at the beer in her hands. "She's had it tough for a while, I know. She deserves the world though."
Just then, the object of their discussion came up to the table. "Right you, it's time to let loose" the Latina said as she grabbed the beer from Arizona's hands and set it on the table top. Taking a hold of her hand, she started to drag her up.
"Ugh.." The blonde looked from Callie to Meredith who was now laughing and nodding for them to go. "OK.." she said, finally letting herself be pulled on to her feet.
Coming onto the dance floor, they squeezed passed several people until they were in the middle. With her hand still grasping the blondes, Callie turned her body so she was facing her neighbour. With a squeeze of her hand, she let it go, bringing both arms up above her shoulders while her lower body began to move.
Arizona laughed but that was more to try and mask a groan of pure arousal escaping her lips. This woman before her was so incredibly sexy. Her body felt electric as she watched Callie's hips move back and forth to the beat. Realising she was just stood there unmoving, the blonde began to move her own body to the sound of the music. It took a few moments but she finally got into it. Her eyes never left the Latina as she bent her knees, her hips thrusting from side to side. She brought a hand up and ran her fingers through her wavy hair, talking the strands away from her face. The intense look Callie was giving her was almost too much. She closed her eyes, shielding herself from smouldering brown eyes but her body never stopped it's rhythm.
Meanwhile away from the dance floor, several of the town's residents were sat in the booth watching it all play out. "Holy shit" Yang started. "I'm no lesbian but that's some smoking hot foreplay going on out there."
"They look good together" Meredith smiled.
"Good?" Mark exclaimed. "They look hot!"
"Do you not think it's too soon for Callie to be thinking of moving on?" Yang said with a frown.
"You heard it yourself the other week. Her and Erica were more like friends the last few years."
Addison raised her hand. "I called it a year ago" she said. "There was no spark between them. Come to think of it, I'm not sure there ever was."
"There's no denying the sparks between those too" Yang said. "There's freakin" fireworks out there."
"20 bucks says they go home together tonight."
"They live next door to eachother Mark, ofcourse they'll be going home together" Addison said with a smirk.
Mark rolled his eyes at the redhead. "You know what I mean." He brought his hands up, scissoring his fingers together.
The women all cringed before laughing at his impression. "Seriously Mark. Could you be any more crude?"
The farmer shrugged. "You know I'm right."
Meredith shook her head. " I'm not so sure. It's beyond obvious how Arizona feels. I don't think she'll let herself go there so quickly though. I don't think Callie is just some girl she wants to sleep with. I think there's genuine feelings there. I reckon she'll wait a while."
"You want to put your money where your mouth is?" Yang tried.
Looking at her bestfriend, she nodded. "OK, you're on. 20 bucks says it's another few months before they do the deed."
"Few months?" Addsion questioned. "You're right in saying Arizona won't try it on but you forget how flirty Callie can be. It'll take a strong woman to deny that sexy piece of Latina ass."
Meredith mulled over the redheads word. "OK, but I still say a month."
"I'm in for a fortnight." Cristina replied.
"A week, tops" Addison said.
Mark scoffed. "You're all wrong. Tonight, those 2 are getting down and dirty."
Back on the dance floor, the heat was beginning to get to the blonde. Sweat now trickled down her forehead, her hair clinging to the wet skin. Looking to Callie, she leant in, putting a hand on the vets hip. "I'm just going to the toilet."
Nodding her head Callie leant down. "I think I'll join you." Without even thinking, she took a hold of the blondes hand and led her off the dance floor.
In the toilets, there was a couple of women washing their hands and chatting as both Callie and Arizona went into separate cubicles.
"God, I'm absolutely sweltering" Callie laughed. "I'm kind of reminding myself of that scene in Friends where Ross cant get the leather pants back up his legs."
The blonde laughed, remembering the scene. "I know what you mean. My top feels all sticky and gross on my skin."
Finishing up, it was Arizona that flushed the toilet and headed out of her cubicle first. She was washing her hands by the time Callie joined her. Grabbing a hand towel, she watched the Latina wash her hands. "Are you having a good night?"
A wide smile danced on Callie's face. "This is the most fun I've had in a long time."
The blonde matched her smile. "It's good to see you look so happy. First impressions of you were that you were a crazy person, screaming at my car window."
"You'd almost just ran me over."
Arizona giggled and held up her hands in surrender. "I know, I'm kidding. It was all my bad. Really though, I'm glad you're having a good night."
Drying her own hands, Callie looked at Arizona thoughtfully. "You're a really great person, you know that?" Arizona put her head on the side and her hands out as if to say well durrr, causing Callie to laugh. "I'm serious. You're..." She stopped, not quite able to find the right words. "..you're just one of those people that make a person feel like they can do anything. Like nothing is impossible. Thank you. Thank you for...just being there."
Arizona stepped forward until she was in front of the Latina. Her arms were folded across her middle, her hip resting against the sink. "You're welcome, Callie. I'm just glad I got the chance to be there."
Callie nodded, turning and leaning her ass against the other sink. "Yea. God knows how much longer I'd have been drinking myself to sleep if Abbey hadn't come over and got you. I think... I think I was humiliated more than anything that you'd seen me in that state. Then the knowing Abbey couldn't wake me up. She must have been so scared but at the same time so smart for coming to get you."
Arizona understood and nodded. She brought her hand to rub over Callie's back. "I get it. I think maybe we all just need that little jump start to get out of certain situations. You waking up and finding me in your room and finding out Abbey hadn't been able to wake you... that was the jump start you needed to change what you were doing."
A long breath left Callie's mouth. "Yep. I don't want to be the parent that lets her kid see that kind of behaviour. It's unacceptable."
"And you're doing something about it now."
Callie nodded again. "If one of these vets takes the post, that'll be a real weight lifted. There's just too much work in town for one vet to do."
"You'll hire someone and things will get better. You'll see."
Looking at the blonde, she smiled. "There you go again. How do you do that?"
Arizona looked at her confused. "What?"
"Make me feel...just, better?"
Grinning Arizona looked at her feet briefly. "Natural charm." Callie looked back at her with those intense brown eyes again. Without thinking what she was doing, Arizona leant in and placed her lips against Callie's cheek. It only lasted a few seconds but it was enough for her to feel like she could no longer breathe. Pulling back it took all her strength to speak. "Come on, let's get back to the guys." Pushing herself off the sink, she began to walk to the door. She didn't get far as a hand grasped her own. Quickly turning her head, blue eyes met brown. The silence that surrounded them was almost deafening. Her heart thumped in her chest and it was obvious to both of them by the way her chest rose and fell. She was about to speak but Callie beat her to it.
"One day.."
With that, Callie squeezed her hand before letting it go. She moved passed the blonde, who it seemed was frozen to the spot. She was still unmoved as the door closed behind her.
"One day.." She repeated into the empty room.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
