Chapter Nine

Dark clouds coated the sky like a blanket on a cold day, the world growing darker and darker every second. The occasional lightning bolt decorated the sky, strong thunder claps sending sound waves throughout Chapel Hill, rumbling and shaking the ground and various houses. Rain poured from the clouds in a relentless pursuit, the grass dampening and mud forming.

Through it all, Callie sat on the front porch of her house, rocking back and forth on the white, wooden porch swing. She loved the smell of fresh rain in warm weather and the way beautiful bolts of lightning that illuminated the world briefly. If Callie could attribute one thing to Arizona, to make her an analogy of sorts, she would compare her to a lightning bolt. Dangerous, hot, electric and fleeting.

The Latina sipped on her Corona with lime, enjoying the way the sweet taste travelled down her throat—cold and refreshing. She already drank a few, but the alcohol content was so low that it took her at least a six-pack to feel tipsy. However, Callie wasn't drinking to get drunk; she was drinking for pleasure, for comfort.

As she sat on the swing, Callie thought back to yesterday, and the horrible disaster that she created. September 27th was a day that she had dreaded, and, unfortunately, she made that day even worse by standing up Arizona for their date. The moment the beautiful, bold blonde burst into her room in the evening, she immediately remembered setting yesterday as their date night. Callie shook her head as she rewound back to last night, hating herself for not realizing that the day belonged to the anniversary of her sister's death.

Her phone buzzed in her hand, so Callie placed her beer carefully on the porch and unlocked her phone to read a text from Addison. She vaguely recalled the redhead sending her a message yesterday, but she knew for a fact that she forgot to respond, caught up in her own sadness and anger. It wasn't fair, she thought, that her sister died so young. That she had no control over her own death.

From: Addison

What's your address?

Callie's face scrunched up in confusion, even though Addison wasn't there to see her facial expressions. Typing back her address, she waited for a few minutes before asking why her friend needed it. Receiving a 'no reason' response, Callie just figured Addison was going to send her a card or something of the like.

What she didn't expect was to see a taxi pull into her driveway twenty minutes later. She didn't expect to see her best friend exit the cab with a suitcase and a smile. Despite the rain, Callie popped up and sprinted down the steps and ran to give her best friend the most bone-crushing hug of all hugs.

"Addison Montgomery! You dog!" Callie said, her voice laced with excitement, her cheeks sore from smiling so much already. "Why are you here?"

The other woman picked up suitcase. "As much as I love you, Cal, can we move this chat to under some shelter? My hair and make-up do not do well when wet." That made Callie laugh before ushering her into the house, offering to carry the redhead's surprisingly heavy suitcase. What on Earth did this woman pack?

Stepping into the house, Addison swept the area with her eyes, giving it the once-over and making sure it wasn't a dump (which it wasn't). Actually, it looked the cleanest it had been yet and that's because Callie pushed her homework aside and decided to clean this morning. This morning…Callie's mind wandered. She woke up on the couch alone, though she swore that Arizona fell asleep spooning her.

Not that she complained. After the stunt she pulled accidentally last night, Callie was surprised that the blonde even stayed with her on the couch at all. However, Callie knew she asked Arizona to stay when she got up in the middle of the night. If she stayed, Callie didn't remember—being drunk and all. Not to mention that she had yet to see the blonde today and wondered whether she was staying away because of her and because of her forgetting their date.

"It's cute," Addison revealed. "Now, take me to your room because I need to change. I'm soaking wet. And we have some catching up to do."


Teddy and Arizona were laying on the floor of Teddy's room, pillows propped up underneath their elbows and papers scattered around them. The two had decided to watch film and take notes for lacrosse. They wanted the NCAA title this year and learning about their opponents and their mistakes from previous years was one step to getting there.

"Did you hear someone pull into the driveway?" Arizona asked as she scribbled down something about Duke's forwards on a piece of paper. "I don't think Callie left today at all."

When Arizona said Callie's name, she tried to stop the heart palpitations that were triggered but it was no use. Arizona knew what it felt like to have a crush on someone, but this was completely different. Hell, it was even different than how she felt with Quinn. But she couldn't figure out exactly what this feeling meant. That alone scared the living shit out of her.

"Keeping tabs on Callie now? God, Nix, a little creepy and stalker-ish there," Teddy ribbed, earning herself a famous Robbins' glare. "Ok, ok, sorry! And no, I don't think I heard anyone pull into the driveway. Why don't you just look out the window…?"

"Someone's clever. Thanks for the tip, Teddy." Arizona stood up, her joints aching and cracking as she did so. Pulling back Teddy's curtains, she peered out the window and saw a yellow taxi in the driveway. She also saw a gorgeous redhead with luggage locked in a tight hug with Callie.

Something boiled in the pit of Arizona's stomach and invaded her logical thinking. Her mind jumped right to the conclusion that this woman in the driveway was some other woman Callie was seeing at the moment. Not like Arizona and Callie were exclusive or 'seeing' each other per se, but the Latina all but begged for her to go on a date. And Arizona accepted, despite her hesitations and worries. Seeing Callie hugging another woman—a stunning woman at that—brought up her insecurities again. What if Callie was stringing her along like Quinn did?

"What are you staring at with laser eyes, Arizona? Someone there?" Teddy asked, walking over to window. "Oh."

Arizona nodded her head, as if that one simple movement explained everything. Which, to Teddy, it did. The blonde's body was so full of tension at the moment that her neck ached from it. She tried to shake the thoughts, remembering that Callie wanted her to stay last night. That Callie looked remorseful for forgetting about their date.

"Don't jump to conclusions," said Teddy, who had moved back to the floor and pressed play on the TV, a lacrosse game from last year resuming on the screen. "Let's just watch some more film. No need to count your eggs before the hatch. Or something like that. I think it's actually chickens or something…"

The other blonde trailed off, mumbling something about chickens and eggs, causing Arizona to laugh a little. Only a little though. "You don't think that's some other woman she's seeing? Like, she wouldn't do that to me, right? I guess I don't really know her, though." Pausing, Arizona stared at the door—voices were outside in the hallway.

"Nix," Teddy said, seeing what was running through the blonde's head. But it was too late, and Arizona pounced on the situation, opening the door in a jiff, revealing the mysterious redhead and Callie across the hall. The two were laughing and leaving fleeting touches on the other as Callie struggled to open the door to her room.

"Ahem," Arizona coughed to get the attention of the other two. Jealousy filled her body and clouded her judgement, but she couldn't help it. Something was up between Callie and this woman. She knew it. They looked chummy as fuck with each other, too. Could this be an ex? An ex turned friend? Her mind ran through all the possible scenarios before she pulled out of her thoughts and focused in on the redhead.

Said redhead noticed Arizona's glaring at her, giving her a smirk and eyebrow wiggle in return, which really only fueled the blonde's apparent anger at the situation. "Oh, Arizona. Um, hi."

That simple, stumbling sentence from Callie confused her—either the infliction in her voice or the nervousness behind it. Arizona couldn't decipher if the Latina meant to sound guilty or embarrassed. She sure as hell hoped it wasn't the former.

"Um, hi?" Arizona said back, unsure of really how to proceed. Callie took a tentative step forward, her mouth open as if she was about to speak when the other woman in the hall cut Callie off—both standing in front of her and speaking ahead of her.

She stuck out her hand. "I'm Addison. Nice to meet." Arizona grabbed Addison's hand and shook it like a business transaction just transpired. The blonde watched as Callie looked between Arizona and Addison, her head literally moving on a swivel between the two. That look kept the jealousy home in Arizona. It just seemed that Callie's relationship with Addison was suspicious.

"Yeah, hi. I'm Callie's housemate and teammate," Arizona said coldly, resorting back to her bitchiness. "Why are you here?"

That earned a hearty laugh from Addison, which angered Arizona. "I like her Callie. She's a keeper." The redhead turned around again to face the blonde. "But I'm one of this lady's oldest and closest friends. Also, if you must know, I surprised her. Thought she might need my company. And I wanted to meet this mysterious woman that has Callie all up in the air."

Heat rushed to Arizona's cheeks, and she noticed that the same happened to Callie. It appeared that Addison had no idea that she was talking to the 'mysterious woman that has Callie all up in the air.' Arizona watched as Callie's hands clasped in front of her—a sign of nervousness—and as she bounced from toe to toe.

However, relief also flooded through Arizona when Addison concluded that they were just friends. Although, she actually felt a little guilty for not having faith in Callie and her other relationships. She knew she would hear an earful from the Latina whenever the two were alone together again. Mmmm, alone with Calliope. I could handle that. Arizona licked her lips without evening knowing it.

"Apparently, this woman is super hot but also kind of a dork. And a spaz. Isn't that what you said Callie? Oh, and she's named after a state. Which is odd," Addison continued, still oblivious that she was talking to the object of Callie's affections.

"Ok, that's enough, Addison," Callie interrupted. "We were just about to head into my room."

"You're boring, Cal! I was talking to—wait, what's your name?" Addison paused to ask.

A lightness ballooned in Arizona's body when she noticed the mortified look on Callie's face—the lightness being the fact that she got to mess with Callie like this. Poor, unsuspecting Addison was about to be equally as embarrassed.

"Arizona," she stated.

"Oh, like that state?" Addison said before her eyes widened and her brain registered what she just said. "Wait, you're the woman?" Arizona nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "This is hilarious. Good job, Callie. I approve."

With that, Addison said her goodbyes and entered Callie's room, saying that she would, and quote, 'give the two lovebirds some alone time.' The second the door shut, both Arizona and Callie started to talk at the same time.

"Arizona, I…"

"Listen…"

Arizona stopped talking and gestured for Callie to keep going. She loved how animated Callie became when she talked, using her whole body to convey what she was saying. Sometimes, she would also speak really fast (and some Spanish words made their debuts, too), but Arizona liked it. It was a quirk that fitted Callie perfectly.

"I'm sorry about Addison. Although, it looked like someone was jealous…again. If I didn't know any better, I would say that you really like me," Callie joked, smirking. "Anyway, can I—I was wondering—could I make it up to you? About yesterday? I swear, I am not one to blow off a date. It's just…"

"It was a bad day?" Arizona helped.

"Yeah, a bad day. But I do like you, despite your infuriating personality sometimes. There is just something about you. Something telling me that I should get to know you. That you're special," Callie ended, blush creeping up her neck, her eyes downcast.

It was cute.

"You're so flattering. I especially liked the 'infuriating' part. You really do know how to woo women," Arizona joked, earning herself a genuine Callie-smile. "And maybe I want to get to you know you, too."

Pause.

"But the one thing I won't tolerate is what happened yesterday happen again. I—that, well, it felt awful. And I get it. Why it happened. But it still hurt a lot. You make me like you and agree to a date, something I don't agree to between teammates, and then you hang me to dry," Arizona continued. "But I think I want to get to know you, too."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Can I hug you?"

"Yeah."


Teddy knocked on Callie's door, not waiting for an answer as she pushed it open. She had just watched Callie leave to go to the bathroom to get changed for "Sunday Funday" at Joe's, a ritual that started Teddy's sophomore year. Anyway, the reason she went to the room at that exact moment was to meet, and plan, with Callie's best friend.

"Hello?" Addison said as Teddy came into view. "You must be Teddy. Callie told me about the woman who took her under her wing the first couple of weeks."

Teddy nodded her head as she stepped into the room further and locked the door behind her. She didn't want Callie or Arizona busting in when Teddy asked the redhead for a favor. That favor being to secretly set up a date for the two tonight. After the failed attempt last night, Teddy wondered if a date would ever occur between the two. They kept making promises and saying cute things to each other (she overheard more then they knew).

"I am. Great to meet you. Any friend of Callie's is a friend of mine," Teddy replied. "But I'm actually here to ask for a favor."

"Go on."

"I want to get those two nimrods to go on a date. Tonight," she explained as the other woman cocked her eyebrow.

"You've got my attention."

"So here's what I'm thinking…"


Arizona applied the last of her make-up and inspected herself out in the mirror. Teddy had reminded her that they had a date with Joe's tonight for Sunday Funday, which prompted the blonde to fix herself up a little because she assumed that her blonde friend invited the two women across the hall to join them, and Arizona wanted to look hot. She wanted Callie to drool over her.

"You ready to go?" Arizona asked Teddy once she entered Teddy's room. By the looks of it, however, her friend wasn't even halfway ready to go out. Checking her phone for the time, she noticed how late it had gotten already.

"I am definitely not ready," Teddy said, sounding a little overly dramatic. "I don't think Addison is ready yet either. But I think Callie is. How about you two drive together and we'll meet you there. I don't want to keep you up late. I know you have a long day on Mondays."

A little part of Arizona had a party in her head at the thought of spending a few precious minutes alone with Callie. Though, it also made her a little nervous. "Yeah, sure. We can meet you there."

Teddy, rummaging through her closet, stuck her head out. "Great! We're were thinking about trying this new place, though. I'll give you the address. It's not too far away and I heard it's great. Joe won't mind us checking out another spot."

Arizona figured why not and typed in the address of the new bar into the map application on her phone, saving it. She bid Teddy a temporary farewell, a 'see you soon,' before heading over to Callie's room to retrieve the hot Latina. She wondered whether these fifteen or so minutes alone in the car would be awkward.

"I guess I'm taking you to the bar while our two slowpoke of friends get ready. I swear, Teddy never usually takes that long," Arizona huffed as she walked into the room. The moment her eyes found Callie, she was rendered speechless by the Latina.

The sight before her made her salivate. Like, she actually drooled a little bit because, in front of her, Callie stood there wearing barely-there jean shorts and white tank top. Both of which left a lot of exposed caramel skin. Her hair fell in waves around her shoulders, and Arizona swore she had never seen a more gorgeous sight in her life.

"Eyes up here, Robbins," Callie said, taking her pointer and middle finger and pointing at Arizona then back to Callie's eyes. Unbeknownst to her, Arizona had apparently been staring at some places not very discreetly.

"Whoops," Arizona responded nervously. "Ready to go?"

Callie nodded and said her goodbyes to Addison. Before the two exited the house, however, Teddy came rushing down the stairs. "Oh, hey, I forgot to say you could drive my truck instead of your car, Nix. I remember you saying you were low on gas." Teddy threw the keys and, without waiting for a reply, ran back upstairs. "See you soon!"

Something felt off about Teddy's behavior. She was acting really out of sorts, which is unusual for her. Normally, she would just throw on jeans and a t-shirt for the bar. And she never let Arizona drive her 'precious baby' of a truck. Shrugging her shoulders, Arizona shook it off and led Callie out to the car.

"You're going to have to be the navigator," Arizona said, buckling as she put the truck in reverse. "If that's ok."

Driving down the street, Arizona chanced a look over at Callie, who was staring out the window, the moonlight illuminating her face as trees rushed by outside. She looked so at peace and content, and Arizona could have stared at her for days.

"So," Arizona began nervously. "You look really good, Callie. Like, really, really good."

Callie's head swiveled towards Arizona but not quite. The blonde kept her eyes on the road ahead of her, never making more than a seconds worth of eye contact with the bombshell sitting mere inches away from her in the front seat of the truck. The windows were rolled down slightly, letting in a breeze and giving enough room for Arizona to stick her one hand out the window.

"I know," the Latina responded, her voice full of knowing and joking. "But thanks, Arizona. You look nice as well."

"Only nice? I need to try harder then. I don't want to just be nice," Arizona began. She loved hearing Callie's soft laugh at the things she said. It made her heart flutter a teeny bit. A good teeny bit, though. "But I'll take the compliment."

Keeping her left hand on the wheel, Arizona moved her right hand down to the space between Callie's body and hers. Not courageous enough to take Callie's hand, she let it sit there for a few minutes while she worked up the balls to hold the Latina's hand. And she wanted to hold it. It seemed right and easy.

But then, her mind flashed back to the one time Teddy let Arizona drive Quinn in her truck, how her ex-girlfriend reached over and grabbed Arizona's hand tightly. The way that Quinn gave her this wanting look.

So, she put her right hand back on the wheel. One step at a time.

However, apparently, Callie had noticed the blonde's retreating hand, and Arizona heard a soft, sad sigh escape the brunette's beautiful lips. It was a crushing sigh, a sigh that made Arizona feel guilty for lacking the courage to do something so simple.

"This bar sure seems in the middle of nowhere," Arizona commented idly, trying to make small talk after the hand debacle. "I've never been out here before."

"Yeah, me either. Though, I've only been about in a two mile radius from campus," Callie offered. A long pause ensued after that, as if both didn't know what to say yet wanting to say everything at the same time. Callie broke the silence. "Why did you move your hand away?"

That took Arizona by surprise although it shouldn't have. Callie had always seemed very vocal—at home, on the field, in the classroom. She wasn't shy, and Arizona liked that about her. It was one of the reasons, besides her obvious beauty, that she was drawn to the Latina.

"Callie," Arizona stated sadly. "It's just, I'm not good at this stuff, ok? I'm trying with you. I am. And I do really want to hold your hand. I'm nervous."

"Why are you nervous, Arizona? Do you not trust me?" She sounded hurt.

Arizona Robbins, you were raised to be a good man in a storm. Suck it up and grab her hand. Don't be a wuss. You are awesome. Callie is awesome. And she wants you. She likes you. Don't ruin it, Arizona scolded herself mentally, giving herself the guts to reach over and remove Callie's left hand from her lap. Taking the Latina's soft hand in hers, she laced their fingers together and rested them on the center console.

"It's not you I don't trust," she said, trying to find a way to put it to her that she had been hurt badly in the past. That she didn't know how to act anymore. Arizona hadn't even slept with anyone since Quinn left her—well, besides the night after the failed proposal when she got absolutely plastered, forgetting most of the night. "It's my past."

"Arizona, everyone has a past. We've all experienced hardships, heartaches and breakups. And thankfully we did or else I wouldn't be here with you," Callie gently said. Those words left Arizona weak in the knees and she thanked her lucky stars that she was sitting down and driving. Had she been anywhere else, she likely would have fallen due to sheer romance on Callie's part.

"Why was I so mean to you earlier? God, you're perfect," Arizona all but whispered, even though she knew Callie could hear her. "Sorry, that sounded a little creepy."

Callie smiled, squeezing Arizona's hand. Their hands fit together like puzzle pieces, perfect and only meant for another piece. It comforted Arizona in a good way. That maybe all that had happened to her in the past happened to lead her here. Wherever here was and would be.

"It's ok. I like it when you're not a bitch to me."

Extricating her hand from Callie's, Arizona gave the brunette a playful shove in the shoulder, pushing Callie against the passenger door. Both were laughing hysterically for no reason. Arizona attributed it to release of nerves; she loved it all the same regardless.

"Yeah, well, don't get used to it, Calliope."

Before the Latina could responded, the GPS voice told them that they were about to arrive at their destination. However, the street was desolate except for houses and a drive-in movie theater. Arizona drove a little slower, turning left when Callie told her to turn.

"I thought we were going to a bar? Not a movie theater," Callie said. "Maybe you put in the wrong address?"

Arizona's phone pinged, signaling the arrival of a text message before she could respond to Callie. It was from Teddy.

From: Teddy

Movie's on me. Enjoy ;) oh, and there's a blanket in the bed of the truck. Get cozy. But not too cozy or else you're power washing it.

"That son of a gun," Arizona mumbled. "Teddy and Addison must have plotted against us. We weren't supposed to go to a bar. I think they set us up for a date."

"I think you're right. Damn, I wanted to woo you," Callie pouted.

Giving Callie a wink, Arizona pulled the car forward to the ticket booth, rolling down her window to talk to a pimply-faced teenager who looked mighty bored. The place itself didn't look to grimy up ahead, but Arizona also noticed the lack of cars in the lot. Actually, there were none at all.

"Are you Arizona?" The young teen asked in a nasally voice. He seemed fixated on Callie, however, and Arizona gave the kid a scowl.

"Uh, yes?"

"Well, my boss owed your friend Teddy a favor, so the whole drive-in is yours tonight. Enjoy," he said, sounding less than thrilled. "The movies are Cinderella and The Avengers."

He pointed ahead, lifting up the machine arm that blocked cars from going through without paying. She drove forward and picked a spot right in the middle of the lot. The two exited the truck and climbed into the bed where Arizona spread a blanket down.

"There's even pillows. Arizona, Teddy is definitely a player. She probably uses this truck to pick up guys," Callie laughed as the two got settled in. "But I'm glad she has it. More space to cozy up next to you."

Arizona jokingly slid further away. "Oh, sorry, Calliope, I like my space."

Giving Arizona a glare, Callie scooted over towards the blonde, snuggling up against her side, the two pressed against each other in a delicious warmth. Callie snaked her arm around Arizona's waist while Arizona proceeded, almost at the same time, to wrap her arm around Callie's shoulder.

"Hmm, you like your space, huh?" Callie bit her lip as she stared at the blonde. Leaning in, she pressed her lips softly and gently against Arizona's. "Well, too bad."


Two updates in two days? It's a miracle. And this one is long! More on the date next chapter. Also, I will probably fast forward time a little to the spring. That way it will be in-season for the two (aka drama, sorry). There will be more background for each in the next few chapters and more lax in the next ones as well. It's only just getting started.