Disclaimer: This is AU. I do not own any of the characters from Grey's Anatomy. I just manipulate them to my will. Also, any line or phrase or setting that seems remotely familiar from any other show, movie or book, also not mine. I borrow… But any original characters are mine. Hands off.

AN: Ok, change of location. Colorado. Now…I know nothing about Colorado, I just map quested a town and I like Sparks, Colo. So…lots of literary license to come. Next chapter is up! Enjoy.


Chapter 7

Arizona's POV:

flying…I hate flying. My grip on my seats armchair is turning my knuckles white, my sprained wrist protesting the effort but its not enough to make me stop. Callie places a hand on mine, and I calm. She doesn't even have to try, just her being around makes me calm…unless she is trying to work me up.

The call from my mom early this morning was not a pleasant one. Apparently my dad had been having chest pains, and when he finally conceding in making the trip to the hospital, they said he was having….some sort of heart problem. I don't know what, I'm not the doctor. All I know is my dad is in the hospital and I was thousands of miles way. I had to change that. So, now I am on the first plane out of Seattle.

Callie surprised me. I figured that she would want a couple days to cool off, to think, to be by herself. But the second I asked if she would come with me, she jumped at the chance. Immediately called her Chief of Surgery and took a whole weeks time off. Packing and planning our trip took all of an hour….money is good for something. Like making people work faster. After telling George to watch the house, Callie and I loaded up and headed to the airport.

It's not long before my anxiety overruns me again. My knee starts bouncing up and down without my knowledge. Callie moves her hand from its place on the armrest and places it on my knee, stopping the bouncing. Callie smiles and laughs.

"What?" I ask.

"It's cute…" She says with a smirk.

"My phobia of flying? Yeah…real cute." I say sarcastically as I bite at my nails.

"It's not a fear of flying."

"Oh, really?" I ask incredulously

"No, its not. It's the loss of control…same as in a hospital. …You hate not being in control and it makes you anxious." She replies confidently, her hand stroking my knee.

"Since when are you a shrink…I thought bones and playing with jello was your thing." I try to play it off, but she has me pegged. I need to be in control.

We sit in silence for a while, both of us exhausted from the long night we had.

Turning to face Callie I say "We still need that talk."

"Babe…how about we hold off on the talk. You got enough going on right now, and I just want to be here to help you, support you. Waiting one more week won't hurt right?"

I smile, thankful that she has voiced my concern. My father being in the hospital is the only thing I am thinking of clearly at this time. "Right. …You're amazing. You know that?"

A smile streaks across my girlfriends face and she says offhandedly "I've been told that a couple times…yes."

The rest of the trip to Colorado passes pretty smoothly. After a brief layover and a change to a smaller plane…I've been in crop dusters bigger than this thing we arrive at an airport smaller than most gas stations. After claiming our luggage I lead Callie and I to the parking garage.

"Um…shouldn't we be getting a cab…or going to a rental agency?"

"Oh, no my mom had a family friend drop off a truck for us."

I approach a beat-up old Ford pickup, a color of what use to be red and reach under the back left wheel well. Hidden in a hide-a-key box is the key to the truck.

"Need anything before we leave town? We still got about a two hour drive until we hit Sparks." I ask as I fire up the monster.

She shakes her head and settles herself for a long ride. As the trip passes, Callie is lost in the landscape. I have always found Colorado one of the most beautiful states, though I may just be biased. About halfway through, Callie's soft snores give me something to listen to. I just can't keep a smile off my face. I look to the beautiful woman beside me, curled against the door. …how could I ever need anything else. All I need is her.

It's just after 5 before I turn off onto my families property. A sign reading "Robbins Ranch" welcomes me. …it's good to be home. I haven't been home since tour season started, which has been about 10 months. For some reason I get butterflies in my stomach. I never intended for my parents to meet Callie under these circumstances, but here we are. I can't imagine why they wouldn't love Callie as much as I do…she is amazing. But, you never know with parents.

The change in ride of the truck over the gravel and dirt rouses Callie out of her light slumber.

"We almost there?" She asks, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes and combing her fingers through her hair.

"Yea, just about."

Two minutes later, I pull up next to my family's home…my home, or at least, use to be home. My mom and I decided that we would go to the hospital tomorrow, seeing as it is still quite a drive and my dad needs his rest.

After killing the engine I turn to look at Callie. She is fidgeting, nerves oozing from her beautiful skin. I take her hands in mine.

"They will love you…"

"Really?" She looks so vulnerable.

"Sweetie…They. Will. Love. You. …But you only have to worry about my mom tonight. She's the easy one." I give her a wink then exit the truck to collect our bags.

Callie soon joins me on the porch as I find the key hidden above the door and we let ourselves in. I am greeted by the warmth and light that seems unique to only my mom's home. The smell of cinnamon sugar washes over us. Putting the bags by the door and closing it, I take Callie's hand and lead her through the house.

"Momma? ….Momma we're here. …Momma?"

Reaching the kitchen, I see my mom talking on the phone. She looks up, fear first on her face, then instant recognition. She immediately excuses herself from the call and hangs up.

"Baby!" She yells as she comes and wraps me in a bone crushing hug. Pulling back, she gasps. "What happened to your face?" She takes it between her hands and examines the damage, poking my wounds in the process.

"Ow! Don't touch it." I bat her hands away. "Some jackass was harassing us and got too big for his boots."

"Arizona Robbins…" My mom uses that tone that every child flinches at.

"Mom! It wasn't my fault." I say defensively. There comes a small chuckle from behind me.

My mom finally notices the other person in the room and I see a huge smile spread across her face. "Honey…aren't you going to introduce me to this beautiful woman." Callie smiles and drops her eyes in embarrassment.

"How stupid of me, of course." I move to stand next to Callie, putting a supportive hand on the small of her back. "Calliope, this is my mother…Barbara Robbins. Home maker extraordinaire. …Momma, this is my amazing girlfriend, Callie Torres." Callie extends her hand to shake my moms, but Momma has other plans and pulls Callie into a tight hug.

"Oh, Callie. It's so great to finally meet you. You are all Arizona ever talks about. She says you are quite the woman." Momma is now holding Callie at arms length, doing the usual inspection.

"Your daughter is an amazing woman as well." …flattery, nice Cal. Momma just blushes from the compliment.

She then looks at me and says "You weren't lying Zona, she is gorgeous."

"I do know how to pick 'em." I say with a wink and a light kiss to Callie's cheek.

We sit and chat for a few minutes until I see Callie stifle a yawn. Being exhausted myself I say "Momma, not that I couldn't spend all night talking with you, but I am beat. Callie and I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. What with the trip to the ER and everything…" I gesture towards my face. "So I think we may just turn in."

"Ok hon. Your room is all made up. You two have a good night."

"You too Momma." I give her a peck on the cheek.

"Good night Ms. Robbins." Callie says as she gets a hug.

"Now Callie, you're family now. So it's Barbara, or Momma. Whatever you are comfortable with."

I lead Callie to my room and we both get changed for bed. We are so exhausted we just fall into the covers, moving in close and wrapping our arms around each other.

"Arizona?"

"Hmmm…." Not wanting to open my eyes.

"Who is that?" Callie is pointing to the poster above my bed.

"Cindy Crawford." She gives a soft laugh then places a light kiss against my lips.

With that, both of us drift off to sleep.

welcome home Callie.


AN2: Next comes meeting Dad. Wonder how it's going to go.