AN:/ Hey guys!

I don't have a lot of things to tell you today. Except a big thank you for the positive feedback!
It's just chapter 7 with a person from Arizona's past making its appearance.

Who is it? I let you discover it.

The biggest thanks to one more time for the help and everything else!

Please take 2 minutes to leave a review, I love to read them and it motivates me a lot!

I see you soon and wish you a pleasant reading!

Flashback are in italics

...

Everything was blurry when Arizona opened her eyes for the first time. Her head felt heavy and the only thing she managed to focus on, when her sight cleared a little, was Callie's reassuring smile. It was bright and cheerful and it was helping her stay calm.

She swallowed but her mouth was dry. It wasn't an issue because she noticed Callie standing up from her chair, she knew she was in a good place. Because an angel was taking care of her.

Then, turning her head to the side, she saw him but she knew she was dreaming. He couldn't be there.

She felt her eyes closing and exhaustion taking over her.

The second time she opened her eyes, it was almost the same sensation except she didn't remember anything about the surgery or about the first time she woke up. It was now a panic filled feeling that shook her body, not understanding where she was, she immediately tried to stand up in a rush.

But not only was she not able to do it because of her state but she also felt a strong pressure on her shoulders to keep her down.

It caused her to stop her breathing and the lack of oxygen made her panic more.

It was a few moments later that everything came back to her mind. She tried to turn her head but everything was spinning. Her sight was fuzzy and her head was hurting. She felt like her brain was about to blow and it was really hard to stay calm.

She closed her eyes and tried with everything she had to quiet her breathing.

Hesitating before opening them back, she stretched her body which was still tense by the surprising reaction she had a few minutes before.

« Arizona? Wake up... » A voice she knew too well said.

Not seeing the person she had recognized the voice of, she looked on the right of the bed where Callie was.

But she wasn't looking at her. Her eyes were fixed on the other side of the bed. His eyes were open but lifeless. Was he really here?

« What's wrong with her? She's not reacting well! » the voice said with an angry tone.

« Cut her some slack! She just got out of a brain surgery, it's not anodyne! » Callie replied, visibly annoyed by the person she was talking to.

« Did she really sign your damn papers? I'm sure you've been taking advantage of her! »

Arizona was still looking at Callie who hadn't realized she had opened her eyes. She was not sure about what was going on in the room, but if she wasn't dreaming, something bad was about to happen.

« See, she's awake! » Callie snapped at the voice before turning all her attention to the blonde. « Hey! Welcome back... » She smiled weakly at her before raising her head and giving a death glare at the other side of the room. Getting back to Arizona, she stepped back a little and let Amelia take her place, never leaving Arizona's eyes.

« Arizona, its Dr. Shepherd. » The brunette said coming closer. « I'm just going to check if everything is okay. »

She approached and helped quickly Arizona to sit straighter in her bed and took her light out.

Still a little dizzy, Arizona blinked several times to focus her sight and gathered everything together.

She was in a hospital room, she had a severe headache but she remembered everything and it was a relief. She just had her skull open a few hours prior and it was normal if she had heard his voice. She would be totally awake in a few minutes and her hallucinations would be gone.

« Can you squeeze my hands? » Amelia asked, doing her routine post-op exam.

Arizona obeyed and responded positively. Everything was fine and Amelia smiled at her in a friendly manner, taping her shoulder.

Arizona smiled and focused on Callie who was in the corner of the room. As she didn't manage to capture her gaze because she was looking in the opposite direction, Arizona finally turned her head to the other side of the bed and a shiver browsed over her body as she gasped.

A wave of emotion overwhelmed her and she wrinkled her nose, trying to hide the tears pearling in the corner of her eyes. As Amelia continued her exam, Callie witnessed the scene, quietly leaning against the wall

Arizona was right, she hadn't been dreaming. He was here and she didn't know how to react.

« You're really here... » He said, still unbelievingly. « I should kick your ass right now, but as you're in a hospital bed surrounded by doctors, I think I can't do it... »

…...

« That's the whole problem with kids like you! We never know what you have done before... » The man said as he opened the door of the room.

« Hey you! » He continued, pointing at Tim. « This is Alex. He's 9 and he's going to share your room now! »

The little brown haired guy entered the room, carrying a backpack full of his personal items. He was wearing oversized clothes and was sniffing.

« That's Tim, he's 13. He's here with his sister since last year. He's going to show you how things work here, aren't you Tim? »

« Yes Sir... » The blond teenage boy replied.

« And it's a good thing you came here. Because Tim is becoming a man now and he doesn't like to spend time with me anymore, don't you Tim? »

The man looked at the boy with a curious gaze as Tim clenched his fists tightly.

« Come here Alex, I'm going to help you clean up your stuff. » Tim said, approaching him and taking the boy by the arm.

« I'll be right back kiddo. » The man said before leaving the room.

« Is he your father? » Alex asked shyly as Tim was opening his backpack and began putting the clothes in the dresser.

« We're going to make a pact Alex. » Tim replied. « You will always be by my side, or by my sister's side, okay? »

« Why would I do that? »

« You'll know it soon enough believe me... »

…...

A few hours earlier

He was waiting for that Dr. Torres for more than three hours and he was beginning to become impatient.

Clenching his fingers nervously, he was sure it was a mistake. Or someone with a false identity. Someone must have found something about her and was impersonating her.

But after such a long time he was ready to find out if it was true or not.

He was fidgeting with one hand on the armrest of that not so comfy armchair in the waiting room when he saw a brunette woman with tan skin walking towards the nurse's station with an annoyed gaze. He knew she was surely just getting out of the OR judging by her outfit. She was a surgeon just like him and he knew immediately she was the one he was waiting for.

She quickly spoke with the nurse who had welcomed him earlier and had been really polite and patient with him.

Callie looked at him suspiciously and finally walked to him.

« Hello... » She said in a questioning tone. « I'm Dr. Torres. You wanted to see me? »

« Yes... » He simply replied, rubbing his hands nervously on his thigh before standing up and shaking Callie's hand. « I was told you might have some information about a woman named Arizona Robbins... »

Callie gulped nervously. Who was he? How could he know?

« Who told you that? » She asked protectively, thinking about Arizona first.

« Teddy Altman. » He replied. « She told me you called her because you knew where she was. »

« That's right, but I'm sorry I won't tell you anything more. » Callie interjected, really surprised Teddy Altman would have told anybody what she knew.

She nodded politely at the man in front of her and was about to leave when he grabbed her arm firmly.

« Excuse me but it's important! » He said louder than he wished he had. He was visibly upset and Callie noticed the sweat on his forehead.

« I'm sorry Sir but I don't know you. I don't have to justify myself, so if you'll excuse me, I have patients waiting for me... »

« I'll go in every single room of this hospital if I have to... » he said, becoming a little pushy. « I'm a surgeon too, so I'll check the boards, ask the nurses or anyone else... »

Callie turned her body towards him pulling her arm free from his hand. She didn't want to talk with him without knowing who he really was. Leading him to Arizona meant she would know she had contacted Teddy and she didn't want to be caught in the act.

« Who do you think you are? » Callie snapped at him. « I'm going to call the security... »

« Wait! » He said quietly. « I'm her brother and I haven't seen her in years... I thought she was dead... »

Callie's eyes bulged and she stayed speechless for a long moment.

A brother... Another one... Regarding what Arizona told her about her dead brother, she didn't think she had another sibling. And neither did Teddy. Her mentioned extended family who Arizona wasn't talking to, but this man if he was telling the truth, seemed to care about her.

« I... I'm sorry... » She just said, totally believing the man. His distress and worry was heartbreaking. « I didn't know she had a brother... I mean a living one... »

« It's a long story, but I need to know if it's her... Please, can I see her? »

…...

Back in present time

« I swear to god... I was sure you were dead! » Alex approached the bed as Amelia had finished the exam and left the room. « Why did you do this!? »

He was visibly angry, but also hurt and relieved at the same time. His shaking hands were showing the pain he felt in front of Arizona who hadn't said a word to him, looking at the blanket covering her leg and wrinkling her brows.

« It's not fair and you know that! You can't do that to me! After everything we've been through. That's unfair! » he yelled.

« Hey... hang on! » Callie finally spoke up. « Ms. Robbins had a surgery a few hours ago and she needs to rest now... »

« I know that! » He snapped at her raising his hand. « I won't stay anyway... I wanted to be sure it was really you... When Teddy told me that, I couldn't believe her... »

Arizona was avoiding his gaze, looking at the ground like a punished child. The mention of Teddy's name made her raise her head immediately.

« What does Teddy have to do with you being here? » She asked suddenly.

« Oh you care for her now? Are you fucking kidding me? » He yelled. « You disappeared on us for almost two years and you dare think about her now? You are so self-centered! You don't have the right to ask about her now! »

« Sir, I'm gonna have to ask you to leave now. » Callie said out loud, walking protectively in front of Arizona's bed. « I suggest you come back later. »

« There's no need for me to be here any longer. » Alex said. « I just came here to be sure she was okay and that it was really her. Now I know. »

And without a look, he left the room, slamming the door behind him. Arizona shook her head in stress and exhaled hardly.

Callie raised her eyebrows in surprise. She knew that he was here because of her call to Teddy, because he obviously knew her but she didn't know who he was to Arizona.

« Wanna play the question game now? » Arizona asked making Callie turn towards her.

« I... I think you need to rest now Arizona... » She said as she checked the blonde's vitals. « You need to take it easy and to rest. I'll come back later... »

She stroked her fingers lightly on Arizona's resting arm and smiled at her. « We have a lot of things to talk about... So please, try to get back to sleep and I'll see you later... »

« You are the doctor here... » Arizona tried to tease, already unable to keep her eyes open.

« That's why I'm going to leave you for the moment. Have some sweet dreams... »

…...

« I don't get it Arizona... You haven't cried a single tear for him... » Alex said as they were walking back to her apartment. « You are keeping everything inside, one more time... Don't do that... You know what happened the last time. »

The day had been long and the funeral had been painful. Saying good bye to her brother had killed her, but she didn't cry or show any sign of pain on the outside when she was falling apart inside.

There was not a lot of people present, but Teddy, Annie, some of his friends, and of course, Alex. They were here for her, supporting her and trying to help the best way they can. But Arizona wasn't letting them and was faking being alright, trying to keep them away. But Alex wasn't a fool and he knew what she was capable of when she was feeling that way.

« I don't have tears anymore Alex... He choose to go out there, nobody pointed a gun at him and forced him to go... » She finally said with a sad smile.

« That's not what I mean. He was like my brother and I promised him that I will take care of you if anything happened... »

« Don't make promises you can't handle Alex. Everybody keeps saying that around me... My father, Tim, you... I'm not fragile, I'm not going to break... Why does everybody want to take care of me and then die or leave...? I didn't ask for anything, so please, just be my friend and be there for me when I need you. I'll be there for you whenever you need me too... »

…...

When she opened her eyes hours later, Arizona was really more alert than she was the previous time. She immediately remembered everything from the surgery and of course Alex...

He was there, he was talking about Teddy, he was mad and he had all right to be.

She had let him down even if she had promised him to be there for him whenever he needed her. So she was ashamed and guilty at the same time.

As soon as she tried to move, Jo was by her side, checking her state and asking her the usual questions to check in.

Arizona obeyed and everything seemed perfectly normal. She was scared to face her friend. She was realizing the pain she had given him. So what would it be for Teddy?

She laid back in her back, looking at the ceiling as old memories of her, Alex and Tim resurfaced in her thoughts. They were just teenagers hanging around, trying to flee the reality of their crappy life. They had done everything together, the best, the worst. But he had never let her down. She had.

That's when she was about to crumble that Callie opened the door of the room.

« Great you're awake! Is everything okay Wilson? » She asked her fellow.

« Yes Dr. Torres, everything is perfectly fine. I double checked everything and it's... »

« Thank you, so get out now... » Callie cut her off without warning.

« Okay... » Jo replied, used to being kicked out by her mentor when she needed to talk with some patients.

The young woman grabbed her chart and nodded politely at Arizona before leaving the room.

The blonde was looking amusedly at Callie. She was stunning as usual, her hair a little more curled than she has ever noticed and a seriousness readable on her face.

« So... » Callie began, taking a deep breath and sitting on a chair, far from Arizona's bed. « Everything went good. The surgery was a success and you responded positively to the stimuli. Now you have to rest a little more, and then we begin the mold for the socket. You'll soon meet Jackson. He's our technical engineer for the robotic part. »

« Okay. » Arizona simply replied.

« And we have to talk about that man. I'm sorry he fooled me. He told me he was your brother and he made a scene... »

Arizona let escape a laugh thinking about Alex screaming at some nurses. He was the sweetest guy on earth but could be a little boorish when he was stressing.

« So I don't know who he is, so I think it will be great if I knew if you have family left if something would happen. It won't but it's just a security policy you know... » Callie interjected. She had a point there and she wasn't ready to give it up.

« In fact I don't... And As far as I remember, that surgery was the only challenging moment in the process right? So there's no need to warn anybody until now... » Arizona replied, sure of her statement and avoiding directly Callie' request.

« That's true in a way... but if something happened like I don't know... A traffic accident... Or... »

« Or a beautiful ortho surgeon who kissed me out of nowhere in a bedroom and left without a word? » Arizona teased, cutting her off one more time.

Callie rolled her eyes and felt that ambivalent effect Arizona was making her feel so often. She knew she was talking about the kiss she gave her the night before but she didn't know how to bring it in the conversation.

« About that... »

« It's okay... » Arizona cut her off. « I'm sorry, I pushed too far. But I learned from my mistake and I'll try to be a little more easygoing. I know I can be onerous and bossy. But I swear I will make efforts. Really, I will. »

« Oh...Okay... »Callie opened her eyes wilder in surprise. « So we aren't talking about it... »

She didn't really know what she was about to say to Arizona about that embarrassing kiss they shared.

A part of her wanted to install the boundaries back but keeping the almost closeness they have shared. She was used to being Arizona's friend. But deep inside, she wanted to tell her she had wanted to kiss her for days.

But one more time Arizona had taken the lead and she had no choice left.

« I think it's better that way, don't you think? » She stated, not really waiting for an answer.

After a silence, Callie simply shrugged. She was strangely oscillating between disappointment and relief. They wouldn't talk about it. Arizona had made the call so it was good.

« I'm scared, I have to insist regarding your emergency contact Arizona. I know... I know you don't want to talk about that... So what about I give you the paper to fill and you do it on your own. Nobody will see them... » Callie insisting, taking the chance to forget about the kiss.

« I should ask him if he's still here... » Arizona said, not taking care about Callie's question.

« He is actually. » Callie replied. « You want me to search him for you? »

« No, I can't ask him. I betrayed him, so if he wants to come, I'll let him, but I can't come back like that in his life. Not like that. »

Callie who was good at reading people in distress, felt Arizona needed to talk. And naturally, by pure empathy, she stood up from her chair and came to sit on the bed.

« I don't know what your link is with Alex, but he seemed to really care about you... »

« It's a really beautiful way to ask your first question Dr. Torres... » Arizona replied, still bringing her '2 questions a day'.

« I guess... So, here is my first one: who is Alex to you? Is he your brother? » Callie inquired.

« He's almost like a brother to me. » Arizona confessed without giving any details. « We were raised together since we were around 10. Well, I was 12 and he was 10. It's a long story, but we grew up together and we shared everything, happy moments and painful ones. I saw him become a man, a student... He had been my fellow, can you imagine that? » Arizona said, proud and sadness readable in her eyes. « I saw him become a doctor, a father... So he's a really close friend. Or he was. »

« You should talk to him... » Callie moved her head on the side, scrutinizing Arizona's face.

« How did he find out I was here... He talked about Teddy, but how could she know... » She asked herself in a loud voice. She had some doubts about a possible connection between Callie and Teddy when she talked about her a few days before. Callie seemed uncomfortable when she heard her pronouncing Teddy's name. She raised her eyes, meeting Callie's gaze and when the brunette avoided the contact, she knew.

« I had doubts but now I'm sure... Dr. Torres, my first question of the day is 'Did you contact a woman named Teddy Altman? ' »

« I did, well Jo did... » Callie confessed immediately, almost relieved to admit it. « I'm sorry... She found a Facebook page mentioning your name. It was a message from her looking for you, and she contacted her, without my authorization. »

Arizona sighed deeply and nervously scratched, digging her nails into the flesh of her neck as she was used to when a stressful situation was in front of her.

« Don't! » Callie said, immediately grabbing her wrist. « Don't... »

…...

« SO what did he say? » Teddy asked Arizona as she was getting out of the chief's office.

« I have a disciplinary report and I'm out for a month... » Arizona said without any kind of expression on her face.

« And you're okay with that? » Teddy carefully asked her best friend.

« I have no choice Teddy, and regarding the situation I think I can say I am Lucky... »

« You want to spend the night at my place? I have wine and we can order a pizza... »Teddy offered knowing it was going to be a sensitive period for Arizona.

« You're sweet but I think I'm going to go to my place. » She replied.

« Arizona, it's not a place it's... »

« I know it's a mess, but I don't know, I can't... I can't handle unboxing. There is still her stuff in those boxes and ... »

Arizona started sobbing and Teddy rushed to hug her. Her friend was on edge and she couldn't stand it.

« Arizona... You need to do something. You need to see a shrink or to talk to someone, it's eating you alive! You can't live with that guilt for the rest of your life. It wasn't your fault. You lost so much in that crash... You almost lost yourself. But what happened wasn't your fault. » Teddy said, wrapping her arm around Arizona's shoulder.

« I don't feel like doing anything Teddy. All I do is automatic, it's so hard. I am not enjoying anything... And I screwed up one more time... » Arizona confessed. « I should vanish in the air. It wouldn't matter and the whole world would be a better place. »

« Don't you ever say that again! » Teddy screamed, so angry her cheeks were red. « I care about you, you're my best friend! You've been there for me, every time since I know you. I love you! I need you in my life and so does Alex and April. »

« You'll have an easier life if I wasn't a part of it... »

…...

« Stop doing that! » Callie pleaded.

Seeing Arizona doing that was upset her every time. She knew it was easy to say, but she wanted to help her concretely, and at the moment, it was the only thing she can do.

« What did she say? Was she mad? » Arizona worried.

« What? » Callie said surprised. « No! Not all. She was happy and most of all relieved to have news about you. But she told me not to tell you we've been in touch. »

« She was right. Maybe I'd have left if I'd learn it another day. Like the day I made the scene in your lab... » Arizona said, half joking.

Her smile was tense and uncomfortable and Callie was sure she was trying to hide her fears with some provocative humor.

« She asked me to call her back in a few weeks. I had no idea she would have told your friend. »

« The thing is Teddy is not good at hiding things. She must have been a little distracted and Alex would have noticed it. » Arizona explained, opening up to Callie.

« So they're close too? » Callie continued, thrilled to learn more about her.

« Not that much. They're friends but not the closest ones. Well that might have changed in two years... » Arizona paused and looked at Callie who was scrutinizing every detail of her facial expression. She was so focused that it made the blonde smile.

« Are you trying to copycat me Dr. Torres? It's my trick to stare at people to avoid talking about things I don't like... » She said seriously, knowing Callie wasn't doing it.

« I wasn't staring... I was just thinking that Teddy may want to be here, to be with you... To find you back. » Callie said.

« Well yeah... Since I knew her I just brought drama in her life... most were mine but she had been through a lot, because of me partially... So as I told you, even though she's the most loyal person I've ever known, her life must be really easier without me. » Arizona said. It was really what she thought. She didn't deserve Teddy's friendship, even less after leaving her without giving her news for so long.

Not really knowing what to do, Callie was trapped. Every day was the same dilemma: Keep boundaries or get to know her better.

It was impossible. So at that moment she decided she wanted to know more. For the first time, Arizona was a little more open and seemed to want to talk. And she tried to make her talk a little more.

« But how …. » Callie shut herself. « Nothing... »

« What was that? You already want to ask your second question Dr. Torres? Okay, go on... » Arizona smirked. « You are taking advantage of me because I am under the influence of the pain medication and you're doing well! »

Callie smiles at the remark. She didn't know if the blonde was really more talkative than usual because of the sedation, but she was thrilled to have this relaxed conversation.

« I don't want to be intrusive or anything but you weren't obviously alone... I mean you had people around you who cared... So how did that happen? »

« By that you mean finding myself homeless? » Arizona asked for being sure and received a weak nod from Callie.

« But you don't have to answer... I'm sorry... I was all let's keep professional relationship and here I am asking you private question... »

« That's the goal of our game isn't it? » Arizona yawned as she closed her eyes.

« You're tired I'm going to leave you... »

« I'm not tired, I've been sleeping for hours... And I owe you an answer. And I still have my two questions. » Arizona interjected. « So I'm going to answer you... »

« You're sure you want to do this? »

« Yeah... » The blonde replied, opening her eyes back. « It's a long story, but to do it quick, I had a lot going on regarding my private life. I was on edge, and one day, someone told me a little thing, a bad joke. I don't even know if it was intentional... but it happened at the wrong time at the wrong place... And I did something that I shouldn't have. It had been the first step to my decline... »

« And? » Callie asked, waiting for the follow up.

« And that's it, I answered your question Dr. Torres... »

« You fooled me one more time... » Callie replied, getting mad.

« You didn't ask for details... Sorry but I answered your question... » Arizona proudly replied. She had created that game, no one could beat her at it.

« That's unfair! » Callie pouted. « And what about you asking me your questions... I'm sure you have a lot of twisted things to ask me... I can see you pondering what you'll ask me next before sleeping at night... »

« Well so that means you're thinking about me thinking about you when I am alone in that hotel room... I swear I was going to stop the teasing and everything but you're the one who is doing it now... Not a great call Dr. Torres... » Arizona said playfully, offering a mastered dimpled smile.

Callie smiled. Arizona was impossible but she found her so adorable.

Every time she tried to get away from her, it was like the universe was pushing them closer.

And as if it was natural, Callie put back a lock of Arizona's hair behind her ear, her thumb lingering against the blonde's cheek.

It was stronger than her. She needed a physical contact, even if it was short.

The thing that made the intimate moment end was Meredith Grey who knocked at the door before opening it without waiting for an answer.

As she took a glimpse in the room she noticed the closeness of the two women and looked with a smirk at Callie. She knew that expression in Callie's eyes and she wasn't particularly at ease to see it now.

« Sorry to interrupt... » She whispered. « But Jo told me you were here, so I came to pick you up... »

« What? » Callie asked confused.

« You texted me yesterday for a breakfast, together... »

« Oh sorry... » Callie apologized, not even remembering if she had done such a thing.

« Well it seems you're really distracted lately and forget about a lot of things... » Meredith said in a playful tone. « Hi Ms. Robbins! »

« What do you mean? » Callie asked looking weirdly at her friend.

« Nothing... Just saying... So are you coming? » Meredith insisted.

« Yeah, I will catch up with you. » Callie replied, wanting closure with Arizona.

« Ok then... Bye! »

She waved her hand towards Arizona and left the room as fast as she had entered it.

« So you've been distracted Dr. Torres... » Arizona immediately teased her.

« It's Grey, she's more distracted than me and she wants to embarrass me, that's all. » Callie said as she stood up. « But I guess I have to go... »

« You can go because I'm not going to disappear even so you think that I have that thought a lot... » Arizona referred to the day before.

« Do you want anything before I leave? » Callie asked, avoiding Arizona's remark.

« Can you tell Alex I'd like to talk with him? » She requested shyly, closing her eyes.

« Sure... »

« Thanks... » Arizona whispered sleepily.

Callie took a moment and looked at the blonde falling asleep. She was so peaceful and beautiful that the freaking butterflies were back in her stomach.

She tried to ignore them, but they were so persistent that she hesitated a second, but finally she leaned to kiss Arizona's cheek before walking away.

« Boundaries Dr. Torres... Remember... »

Callie smiled, her back turned from Arizona and finally left the room, always not knowing what she should do with those feelings she now knew were growing in her heart.

…...

Callie checked her phone. She didn't even remembered texting her best friend the day before and started to think she was totally crazy.

And looking well, she hadn't texted her. So she was wondering what Meredith might want.

To be honest, she knew what was going to happen and she was mentally preparing herself to avoid that kind of talk.

She arrived at the cafeteria where the dirty blonde was already settled in and smiled at her, fidgeting the chair next to hers.

Callie rolled her eyes and walked to join her. Meredith's annoying smile was saying it all.

« What's wrong Grey? »

« I knew you'd look at your phone to check if I was telling the truth... You're so predictable. » Meredith said in as a joke.

« I am not. And anyway that's not the point! » Callie grumbled. There was enough teasing with Arizona, she didn't want more of it.

« It's the only way I found to make you leave that room! You're in there or in your lab... We don't see you anymore! » Meredith reproached her friend. She knew that she was busy because of the trial opening but what she saw in that room was telling her that maybe it wasn't the only thing going on.

« Meredith... You're impossible! »

« Okay... I may be exaggerating a little, but it's good to see you like that. » She replied, offering Callie a big smile telling her 'I know what's happening'.

« Like what... » Callie grumbled, hoping she hadn't been noticed again.

« Smiling, excited, happy? » Meredith stated. « And I guess this is all about the trial? »

« Yeah, it's a really exciting time for the whole team. The captors implant surgery was a success, we're now going to work on the sensitive captor in the socket and hopefully, we can test the prosthetic next week! » Callie replied excited.

And it was the truth in a way. The trial took so long to start that she was impatient to present the first concrete result.

« Great! » Meredith smirked, taking a sip of her coffee. She had that little tone in her voice that she knew was pissing Callie off.

« What? » the brunette asked, almost yelling. She knew Meredith too well, she was about to reveal the purpose of her question.

« And what about my ex patient? Is she a good subject? »

Callie's jaw almost dropped even if she was sure what Meredith was talking about.

« It's not easy to work with her... She's stubborn, annoying and exhausting. She's always asking questions about inappropriate subjects and she's playing with us all the time... » She said, trying to put away her suspicions.

« And when I came in the room earlier, you two were not flirting?

« Uh? What? » Callie mumbled, blushing.

« Yeah, Amelia was right. » Meredith simply nodded, sure about her statement.

« What does Amelia have to do with that? » the brunette annoyingly asked.

« She told me you two were playing a dangerous game. »

This time, Meredith's tone was more reportative than amused.

Callie didn't reply. She was so lost herself regarding that situation that she thought talking with someone would confuse her more. And even less with Meredith Grey who knew everything about her past.

« I don't want to talk about that... » She lied.

« Callie... I know how you are... But the last time, you were really hurt. So I don't think it's a good idea... » Meredith sincerely worried, looking at her friend with empathy.

« First of all, it's none of your business Mer... And what is wrong with this hospital... Why does everybody care so much about my life? Leave me alone! » Callie harshly replied, being smarting.

« Because you're one of us. Because we love you and we saw how you were after the fiasco with Hahn... »

Meredith knew what she was talking about. She had been there after George, after Mark and Erica. Even if it was Callie who had ended the relationship that time, it had been really hard on her and it took her time to recover.

« This has nothing to do with Erica. I'm over it. »

« I know... But admit that you have a crush on that girl. »

By the way Callie was avoiding her gaze and remained mute, Meredith was sure she was right.

« She's seems nice but not the most stable person. » Meredith noted. « And I know you Callie. All you want and dream of is a family life. You want to have a big house and kids. I don't think she's that kind of woman. »

« How do you know that? You know nothing about her. » Callie snapped harsher than she thought.

« I'm sorry... » She mumbled. « But I didn't plan this, and I am so predictable that everybody around me noticed that... »

« So I was right... » Meredith sighed as if she was annoyed.

« I think... I mean I'm not falling for her or anything... but she captivates me. She is so twisted and she seems to have had a hard life. » Callie confessed for the first time in a loud voice and it was relieving.

« When I hear you talk like that it feels more like pity than attraction Callie. You should be careful. » Meredith said.

« I Am... I mean I try to keep everything professional. And I think I'm doing a pretty bad job of it. » Callie replies, covering her face with her hands.

She was actually pretty bad at falling for that almost stranger.

…...

As far as he remembered, Alex Karev had never seen her friend break down.

The few days before Arizona did the mistake that provided her a 3 weeks layoff, he would have never assumed she would do what she had done. And even if it was serious, he couldn't help but smile and understand her gesture.

What he was so mad about was the fact that he had seen her the day before she disappeared from LA without a trace.

They've spend the day together with his wife and Jake, their 18 month old son.

It had been a pleasant afternoon, filled with happiness and laughter.

Arizona was supposed to get back to work two days after but she never came back.

His first reaction had been fear that something bad happened to her, an accident or an assault. But when he got at her place with Teddy, he immediately knew she had run away.

It was not the first time he had witnessed that kind of behavior from his friend. After Tim's death, she had taken her car and hit the road for two weeks without giving anybody any news about her whereabouts. She was too deeply hurt that she didn't know what else to do.

She had eventually called him from a motel where she had been drinking too much and he had gone and brought her back home.

Another time, a few month after the crash, she had locked herself in her apartment. He had to break the door to get to her where she was the shadow of herself.

So when he found the apartment upside down he knew that she had run again.

But when weeks became months and Arizona was nowhere to be found, the worry had grown and it had been very difficult for him and Teddy to bear the situation.

After some time, the worry had become anger and then a visceral fear.

He knew that something must have gone bad during her escape and he had given up. For him, Arizona was dead. And if it was not a real death, she was dead to him. If she wasn't aware she had people who cared for her after everything they had been through together, she didn't deserve him to worry about her anymore.

It had been the event which brought distance between him and Teddy. When they were looking for Arizona together, they became closer but when he told her he was giving up on posting missing posters on walls and on the internet, she got worked up and had told him to go to hell.

Even if they were working in the same hospital, they've been avoiding each other for weeks but had finally gotten back to their former relationship even if their friend they had in common was missing.

« Come in. » Arizona said as she saw him in the door entrance, hesitating.

The young man entered the room and approached the bed. He was looking at the ground, ashamed like a grounded kid and was trying to avoid eye contact.

« Alex... » Arizona whispered. « Please, talk to me... »

« I'm sorry for yesterday. I didn't mean to yell, but I was so pissed at you. » He said, rubbing his left foot against the floor.

« I'm not asking for forgiveness here. I should be the one to apologize. »

« That's true. » He replied, raising his head and staring at his friend. « It's been two years Arizona... »

« I know that you're mad, but if I'm being totally honest, I'm not sorry. » Arizona said quietly.

« I know you're not. You're too selfish to be sorry. »

« It's not that Alex. You know me. I was sinking, I had to go before I dragged you in that rabbit hole with me. You didn't deserved that. And neither did Teddy. »

« We would have helped you! You never told us you were so down! We are your friends! Damn it! » Alex got mad.

« And persistent ones. » Arizona said, trying to evacuate the pressure.

And it worked for a moment, Alex forgot about those two years and smiled nervously.

Sighing, he grabbed a chair and sat, rubbing his fingers under his nose to hide his real reaction.

« You okay? » he asked, concerned.

« I am okay. See that? » She said pointing to the bandage on her head. « I'm going to be a kind of cyborg... Isn't that cool. »

« I know. That Torres chick told me a hundred times about your damn trial. »

« She's not a chick... »

« She is a chick. She's so into you I thought you were together for a moment. » Alex said, finally letting the bitterness away.

« You can say that... » Arizona said, already teasing her long lost friend. « She's hot... But she's a nice person, very caring. I'm not going to try anything... you know... »

« I know you and your eternal chorus about you screwing everything up Arizona. » He said. « But even if I have already told it a billion times to you, you'll find someone who will make you happy, even after what happened with Annie. »

Arizona didn't reply. Hearing that name from Alex's voice was harder than she had expected because he knew everything about what happened between the two women and he knew the level of guilt Arizona had been carrying on her shoulders for years, preventing her to move on with her life.

« How are Jake and Meg? » Arizona asked, changing the emotional subject he had brought in the conversation.

Alex didn't answer immediately, bending his head as his arms were resting on his thigh. He sighed loudly, still not answering.

« Alex? »

« We're divorced... » He replied.

Arizona's eyes bulged in surprise. Never on earth would she have thought it was possible.

« She met someone else... And she left me for him. »

« Oh my god I'm so sorry... » Arizona replied.

Meg and Alex were the perfect couple in her surroundings. They were in love since college and were married with a beautiful boy.

« Me too... But I guess it was the way it was written. »

« And what about Jake? » Arizona worried about her godson.

« We agreed about an alternating custody. He's with me one week, one week with her. » Alex explained. « He's used to it. It's been almost a year now. »

« I'm a horrible person... » Arizona whispered. « I don't get why you're here. Even if you're mad, which is totally normal... I don't understand why you came here to see me when I have let you down. »

« Well, at least you realize it now. » Alex said as he stood up.

It was hard for him, but he was torn between anger and relief. Arizona was here in front of him. He had no clue about how she really was inside, but she was alive and that was the only thing that mattered.

« I can't stay any longer, my plane leaves in three hours and I can't miss it. I have patients waiting for me. » Alex said, almost sorry but he had left town in a rush and had to get back to Los Angeles.

He approached Arizona and kissed her forehead.

« I'm happy you're okay. I'm just still so mad at you... But I'll get over it. » he said as the blonde was restraining her tears.

« I'm relieved and grateful you're alive Arizona. And Teddy is too. But we need a little time to process it. And now, we know where you are. We know you're okay and that someone is looking after you. »

He looked to the window, making Arizona turn her gaze and she saw Callie looking at them without wanting to be noticed.

« You're right, she's hot... » Alex teased, trying to make their last moment together light and funny.

« Shut up... » Arizona laughed, tapping lightly at her friend's arm.

They remained silent for a moment, not really knowing what to tell each other.

They say real friends don't need to see you all the time, they are just here when you need them. And it was the perfect definition of what they were experiencing at that moment.

They knew that it would need time to get back to the relationship they had before, but they would do anything the other need to help each other, as always.

« Does April know? » Arizona finally asked.

« No. Teddy forbade me to tell her. She's been really shocked about your vanishing. » Alex reproached.

« I know... We were just... Whatever... » Arizona whispered as Callie entered the room discretely without being noticed.

« But you should call her. She's worried like crazy and even if you don't want to see her, let her know you're okay. »

« I'll think about it. »

« Please do it. She deserve to know you're alive. She's your sis... »

« Half! » Arizona cut him off. « And I told you I'll think about it... »

Wanting to let them know she was in the room, Callie coughed a little, her fist clenched next to her mouth.

« Hum... I think you need to rest now Arizona. » Callie said.

« I have to go anyway. » Alex said, grabbing his jacket and giving an envelope to Arizona. « It's a picture of Jake. I thought you'd like it. »

Arizona took the piece of paper and smiled sadly at her friend who kissed her forehead carefully.

« Take care of yourself, and give us some news. »

He looked in his pocket and handed her a phone. « I know you don't like it, but please take it. All our numbers are in it. You can call us, whenever you want. It's not something you have to do. Do it whenever you're ready. »

He smiled at her a last time and walked out of the room.

« I'll escort you. » Callie said, following him and giving Arizona some privacy after that emotional conversation.

…...

Alex was waiting for his cab in the parking lot, hands in his pockets and a lot of confusing memories running through his mind when Callie joined him.

She didn't talk and just stood next to him.

« I'm sorry if I yelled at you. You had nothing to do with all this mess. » Alex apologized.

« I'm sorry too. But I had to be careful towards her. » Callie said.

« Well thanks to you, we know she's safe and that's a big thing. » He confessed. « And as mad as I am because of her, I'm also feeling so guilty. I gave up on her. I should have looked harder for her. »

He swallowed hard, fighting to restrain his tears, but the crack in his voice betrayed him.

Callie instinctively put a friendly hand on his shoulder. He turned his gaze and looked in her eyes, finding nothing but compassion and he smiled.

« She's right... »

« About what? » Callie asked.

« You're caring and kind... » He said as the cab arrived and he opened the door.

« Take care of her please. She's exhausting, talkative and sometimes she's a pain in the ass, but when you get over that protection shell she has built, she is worth it. »