Pay it Forward: Chapter 9
Angry, upset, and hurt was only scratching the surface of what Erica felt. Callie, her Callie, had chosen someone else over her. Someone who she only just met about a month ago. Someone who she was already married to. But Erica wouldn't let some perky cheese ball win. Callie was hers, and Erica Hahn gets what she wants.
Patience was always one of Erica's strong suits. She understood that to get what you wanted, you had to have a plan, a plan that took some time, because rushing things was never a good idea. Erica was going to get Callie back, and she was on the verge of thinking of something big. Erica wasn't someone who let people get in her way, especially someone like Arizona. She was a cardio God for Christ's sake, how could Arizona even compete with that. All she had to do was show Callie that she and Arizona had nothing in common, then that would lead to an inevitable break up. All she needed was time.
xxxxxxx
Callie was walking into Arizona's room when she saw Teddy sitting and waiting for Arizona to wake up. Callie and Teddy were friends, but nothing like she was with Mark. They had a few drinks, conversed a little, nothing best friend like. And at most times Teddy stayed to herself, she was quiet and the only people she talked to were Owen and maybe Cristina. But when Teddy was with Arizona, it really was as if she was an entirely different person. She laughed more, she smiled more, and she seemed to enjoy herself more. Arizona seemed to just had that wonderful effect on everybody.
Teddy looked up and saw that it was Callie that had entered and thought now would be an appropriate time to talk to her.
"Callie, Thank you." Teddy said simply.
"What for?" Callie asked confusedly.
"For Arizona."
Teddy never got to truly and appropriately thank Callie for saving her friend. And what better time than to do it now she thought.
"You saved Arizona, and I know you keep saying that it was no big deal, you were just doing your job. But Arizona has had plenty of doctors and not one ever offered to marry her. I didn't even think of that. So right now, you are doing way more than your job. You saved my best friend, the only family I have left, and for that I am extremely grateful."
Callie was a bit shocked at what she had just heard. From what Arizona has told her, she also thought Teddy was the only family she had left. But hearing it from Teddy like this, she was grateful Arizona had someone like Teddy in her life.
"Yeah well, it isn't like she's been a horrible wife." Callie joked, "and she's a great person to have as a friend, so nothing lost on my part."
"Yeah, but what if one of your dates became something a bit more serious. Don't you think being married might ruin things?" Teddy asked knowingly. Arizona always worried about that too.
Teddy knew of Arizona's feelings for Callie, and Mark had hinted more than a few times that Callie may also have feelings for her in return. So she had really hoped that Callie would finally see what was in front of her. But then Erica just had to show up, so Teddy wasn't so sure anymore on what she had hoped would be Arizona's happily ever after.
"Well, you don't have to worry about me dating anymore," Callie smiled.
Hearing this dampened Teddy's mood did that mean that Callie was going to be serious with Amanda or is she taking Erica back?
"Oh, so you decided to try things with Amanda?" Teddy asked trying to hide her disappointment.
Callie laughed at this a little. Now that she thought about it, Amanda wasn't even considered in all of her thinking.
"Ah, actually no. I have someone else in mind. But I just need to make sure that all the stuff she said, about us being together wasn't something she only meant at that time."
Teddy was a bit confused at this, did Erica say something to make Callie believe that she was truly sorry and wanting a fresh start. And just at that moment, her pager sounded.
"Well, I have to get going. Is it okay if I stop by today?" Teddy asked hoping she would finally be able to see Arizona conscious.
"Yeah, that'd be great." Callie responded, followed quickly by Teddy's swift exit.
Callie didn't tell Teddy that she was talking about Arizona because what if Arizona hadn't meant what she said, or didn't remember, Teddy would've talked to her about it, and which would've probably caused some problems and major embarrassment on her part. No matter what Callie wanted Arizona's friendship, but if there was a legitimate possibility that they could be more, Callie would go for it.
She took this time to look at Arizona, to really look at her. In all variations of the word, Arizona was beautiful, inside and out. She took Arizona's hand and held it. They contrasted each other perfectly, look-wise and being wise. Its moments like these that Callie couldn't believe it took her this long to go for it.
Callie thoughts were sidetracked as Arizona started to move and her eyes began to flutter open.
As Arizona opened her eyes, she was greeted with the most beautiful site. Callie was holding her hand and sitting right beside the bed. It took Arizona a few more seconds to fully wake up.
As she awoke, she started to recall her confession to Callie earlier. To be honest Arizona was glad she had finally said something, she was tired of keeping it all in. But if she should mention it again was something she was unsure of. So she would leave it up to Callie. If Callie brought it up, then that most likely meant she had liked what Arizona had said to her, and that she also wanted to be together. If Callie didn't mention it, then, in Arizona's eyes, it meant she had hoped Arizona didn't remember what she said, and didn't feel that way about her in return.
"Hey, how you feeling?" Callie asked.
"Hey, uh, I feel absolutely wonderful, but I could really use some water,"
Callie quickly grabbed for the cup that was on the side table and put the straw to Arizona's mouth.
"Thanks," Arizona said laying her head back down on the pillow.
"Well, you gave me, uh I mean us quite the scare."
"Well you know me, I like to keep things fresh," Arizona joked. "Um, what happened exactly?" Arizona asked sheepishly.
"I don't really know myself, I was watching from the gallery and you started coding, but Erica fixed it, so you're okay now, obviously." Callie smiled.
Callie could never admit how truly scared she was for Arizona at that moment. For a split second she thought Arizona could die, and she never wanted to think anything like that ever again.
"Yes you are okay." Dr. Hahn barged in.
Both were unaware that Erica was standing at the door for the end of their conversation, and both were a bit irritated by the interruption.
"Why Dr. Hahn, it's a pleasure as always." Arizona smiled.
"I'm sure. Anyway there was a minor complication, but I handled it, you just have to stay the rest of the night and tomorrow morning you'll be discharged."
"Thanks Erica," Callie responded for the both of them.
Arizona and Callie started their own conversation, dismissing Erica and completely oblivious to the death glare Erica was sending their way.
xxxxxxx
The next morning Erica walked into Arizona's room to discharge her.
"Good morning Dr. Hahn." Arizona greeted.
She may not necessarily like Erica, but she was a lady with manners.
"Ms. Robbins. Just because Callie made her choice doesn't mean you have to pretend to be nice about it."
At that statement Arizona's smile immediately fell. What choice? Had Callie gone back to Erica? Arizona had seen this coming. She told Callie how she felt; Callie didn't feel the same way and went running back to Erica.
"So, uh, she forgave you huh? But I still mean what I said Erica, don't you dare hurt her."
Now it was Erica's turn to be confused. Callie didn't tell Arizona. Why hadn't she? Maybe she finally listened to reason. Erica saw this as her opportunity. If Arizona thought they were back together, it could really cause some problems.
"Well, we're taking it slow. We don't want to jump back in and have the same problems we did before. We're going to make it work this time." She lied through her teeth.
"Well, I guess a congratulations is in order. I hope you two will be happy," Arizona said sadly.
Now that Arizona thought about it, Callie did seem extra smiley when she woke up. That was probably because of Erica, and really whatever made Callie happy was all that mattered.
"We already are, but thank you." Erica responded.
Seeing Arizona's smile falter, Erica was overjoyed. Callie hadn't told Arizona anything. Now she just had one last thing to say, and maybe things will finally be as they should.
"There's just one thing. Callie doesn't know how to ask you, since you guys have become such good friends and all. She wants a divorce. And it doesn't have to be right now or anything, just we want to make everything perfect this time around. So I think if you actually suggest it, she won't feel so bad about wanting to ask you about it." Erica smirked.
Before when Erica had asked her to divorce Callie, Arizona retorted that if Callie asked her she would do so. But that was when she thought that Callie wouldn't pick Erica. Now, maybe Erica was right about her suggesting it, because Callie would be too nice about it.
"If that's what Callie wants, sure." Arizona said sadly.
Maybe getting Callie back would be easier than Erica had originally thought.
"Well all you have to do is sign these," Erica gave the discharge papers to Arizona, waiting for her to sign them, "and you're free to go." Erica smiled.
"Yeah, thanks." Arizona said in defeat.
A little while after Erica left, Callie walked in to take Arizona home.
"You ready?" Callie smiled at the blonde.
"Yeah, as ready as ever," Arizona smiled, but Callie could see that it didn't reach her eyes, and her dimples weren't showing.
"Okay, Erica said you were all ready to go, just to take things easy." Callie said.
At the sound of Erica's name from Callie's mouth, Arizona visibly tensed.
"Yeah, I got it. So are we leaving?" Arizona asked flatly.
Callie didn't know what was wrong with Arizona, but she just put it off as the blonde being a bit cranky from her hospital stay.
"Yeah lets go,"
Callie took the day off to take care of Arizona. She thought that then would be the best time to talk about them, 'f there was a 'them' to talk about. But Callie had to just do one thing before things went any further with Arizona; she had to officially tell Amanda.. Callie wasn't the type to end things through the phone, so earlier she had called Amanda and asked her to dinner so they could talk.
As Arizona settled on the couch, Callie was moving toward the kitchen to make them some brunch.
"Would you rather have pancakes, or are you more in the mood for cereal?" Callie asked.
Sometimes Arizona wanted cereal more than a real breakfast; it always depended on how she felt. If Arizona asked for pancakes, then she was fine; but if she opted for cereal, this was Callie's way of knowing that there was something wrong.
"I'll just have cereal." Arizona said.
And Callie got her answer. Something was up with Arizona.
Arizona wasn't in the mood for any food really, but she had to eat. When was she supposed to talk to Callie about getting divorced? What if Erica was lying about Callie wanting a divorce?
"Okay than." Callie replied.
"Oh, by the way, I'm just going out for dinner tonight, but I should be back so we could watch a movie. And Teddy said she wanted to stop by, so she'll come while I'm out." Callie smiled.
"Oh, dinner huh? Another date?" Arizona hopeful.
Arizona really hoped what she heard from Erica was all her imagination. If Callie was going out on another date, then that meant that her being back with Erica was untrue.
"Not really. I asked Amanda out because I wanted to tell her it wasn't working." Callie said.
Hearing this made everything official for Arizona. Callie was dumping Amanda because she was going back to Erica. But why wasn't Callie telling her anything about it? She thought they were friends, and friends definitely tell other friends when they're getting back together with their horrible exes.
"Oh, well, I'm sorry to hear that. But I so told you so!" Arizona smiled, trying to be as normal as possible.
She wanted to be happy for Callie, because Callie deserved to be happy, whether it was with her, or with Erica friggin Hahn.
"Yeah, you did. And don't be too sorry. I have someone else in mind." Callie winked.
She was trying to be subtle, hinting to Arizona it was actually her that she was talking about. But Arizona took this as further confirmation of Erica's statement.
"Well that's great," Arizona again forcing another smile, " I actually want to talk to you when you get back." She finished.
Upon hearing this, Callie got excited. This probably meant Arizona wanted to talk to her about them, and what she had confessed. She was ecstatic; she and Arizona were finally going to get together.
"Okay, can't wait." Callie gleamed.
Arizona got all the evidence she needed. Erica told her they were back together, Callie seemed happier, she was also ending things with Amanda and she said she had someone else in mind. Callie was definitely going back to Erica, and Arizona would ask for a divorce tonight.
