Disclaimer: 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…
AN: Enjoy!
Chapter 9
A sharp rapping on Callie's front door makes the Latina freeze for a second and listen. The steady beat of her music fills her bedroom but an uneven sound made her take notice, and after sticking her head out of her bedroom door she hears it again. With a silent curse, she grabs her dressing gown and wraps it around her half naked body before answering the door.
"Dad?" She asks in shock. Of all the people she thought could have been on the other side, Carlos Torres wasn't one of them.
"Mija, how are you?" He asks in his warm, fatherly tone while stepping in closer and taking his daughter in a light hug. Dark eyes spy the robe as well as her made up face, and he asks, "I'm interrupting something, aren't I?"
"Yea- No. Not right now." Callie replies, then takes a half step back to allow the man to enter her place. "It's nearly seven, Dad. What are you doing here?"
"Can't I just visit my favorite daughter?" He asks simply, but gets a knowing look from the woman so he continues. "Actually, I have a client coming in from out of town and… Maurice told me that you had a reservation at-"
"No." Callie interrupts her father. "No, Dad. You can't have it."
"Calliope, please." Carlos pleads. "I've been after this account for years."
"I'm sorry but I have a date tonight. I just can't give you that reservation." The Latina replies.
This catches the father's attention and he perks up. "Date? You have a date?"
"Yeah." Callie answers with an eye roll while retreating back to her bedroom and turning off her music.
"What's her name?" Carlos hollers from the living area.
"Dad…" The woman whines.
"Calliope, what's her name." The man demands.
"Arizona. Arizona Robbins." Callie finally answers her father.
Carlos shifts through his mental rolodex but comes up blank. "I don't know her."
Callie steps back out of her bedroom, now donned in a very luxurious plum colored dress, and smiles. "There's about three quarters of a million people living in Boston, Dad. If my dating pool were limited to the women you know, I'd be fishing until I was old and gray."
Dark eyes narrow and Carlos fights the itch to comment on the fact that he knows many more men than women, but it has been years since his daughter divulged she was gay. At first it didn't set well, but now he's grown to understand and support Callie. Just because it's not his way of life doesn't mean it's wrong.
So with gently hands he grips his daughter's shoulders and turns her. A smile appears on his face as he realizes, yet again, how beautiful she is. "Please, mija. Do this for your father. You know I wouldn't ask unless this was the only way."
Callie tries to stay strong but the love of her father is one of the most powerful things she possesses, and after all he's done for her, even after coming out, she can't deny him this simple request. "Fine. Take it. I'll just… figure out something else. I'm sure Arizona will understand."
"Thank you, Calliope." Carlos says, kissing his daughter on the cheek. With a quick glance to his watch, he adds, "I need to make some calls. Sorry to rush off, but be sure to bring this Arizona to brunch sometime. I'm sure your mother would love to meet her." One last quick embrace and Callie is left alone to figure how to throw together the perfect first date in just under an hour.
And at 8:05 Arizona opens her front door to find a smiling Callie staring back at her. "Hi! You… You got in?" Arizona asks in confusion, having been betting on those few minutes of warning after buzzing the woman in to put on the last minute touches.
"Yeah, one of your neighbors was just leaving." Callie answers limply, her mind becoming a puddle mess as her gaze starts to travel the length of the blonde in front of her. Their one text today was Arizona asking what to wear on their date, and when Callie said nice she didn't expect this. Because there is nothing 'nice' about the dress Arizona is wearing. Cut just low enough to tease at those glorious northern mountains while still leaving much to the imagination, and legs to die for that go on for miles.
But while brown eyes do their own thing, Arizona's gaze does much the same and finds Callie in dark wash jeans and a green shirt, topped with a sexy leather jacket. Delicious… but not exactly what she had imagined. "I'm overdressed, aren't I?" The blonde mumbles, a pout pulling at her lips.
The Latina offers her an apologetic smile and says, "Something came up, and-"
"You're blowing me off?" Arizona jumps to a conclusion.
"No! No, not at all." Callie replies. "It's just… our reservation fell through so…"
"Oh, ok." The blonde sighs, turning to reveal a great expanse of bare flesh on her back that makes Callie drool. Figuring Arizona left the door open for her to enter as well, the Latina follows the woman deeper into her apartment while shutting out the rest of the world. "You could have called…"
"Yeah, I know." Callie whispers, "But I didn't want all your efforts to go to waste. A woman's first date outfit deserves to be seen by her date." A small smile pulls at pink lips and a sparkle lights up blue eyes. "…And you look amazing, Arizona."
"Thank you." She replies, a blush forming on dimpled cheeks. "So… I guess you're wanting a rain check?"
"Are you crazy?" The Latina plays. "No. No no, I got a date with a hot blonde and I'm keeping it. So go get your pretty butt changed because I promised you some serious 'wooing' and Callie Torres always delivers."
Another twenty minutes later and two casually dressed women leave Arizona's apartment, one having no idea where they are going and the other having only a vague idea where they are going. Callie plays up the part by opening Arizona's car door, getting a playful roll of blue eyes before the Latina quickly rounds the front of it and slides into the driver's side. Arizona bugs Callie during the entire drive, asking for clues or hints on where they are going and why she needed to wear pants and comfortable shoes, but Callie kept silent. But finally they pull into a gravel parking lot just outside of town and ocean blue eyes go wide as they take in the twinkling lights, crowds of people, and a Ferris wheel.
"The Fair?!" Arizona squeals. "We're going to the Fair?"
Callie has yet to be able to discern the blonde's genuine giddiness from feigned interest, and asks, "That's ok, right?"
"Ok?! It's more than ok. It's awesome!" Arizona replies and is out of the car the next second. And apparently her date is moving too slow because a bouncing blonde starts to tug on the Latina's hand, pulling her faster and faster towards the entrance. "Come on, Calliope! Let's go!"
They buy some tickets for the rides and the smile that is plastered on Callie's face never fades. She's seen Arizona in many different lights, from shy and vulnerable, to intense and angry, even passionate and smoldering in sex, but seeing her like she is now is the most amazing sight ever. It's like a kid has been released after being pent up in a small room for a week straight. And maybe that's exactly what it is, because for the past week the blonde has been under immense pressure because of midterms. Now, after a very long sleep and a hot shower, she's free.
And Callie is thrilled when Arizona doesn't even bat an eye as she takes the Latina's hand in public, leans into her side or nestles in close during rides. She never really thought of Arizona as being one of those anti-PDA women, subway encounter withstanding or not, but to see her so at ease around Callie warms the woman's heart. And when their chair on the Ferris wheel stops at the top and Arizona reveals her fear of heights, Callie has to laugh out loud, asking why the blonde wanted to go on the ride in the first place.
But their ride is quickly over and as soon as Arizona's feet hit solid ground again it's like nothing happened. That dimpled smile that's been on her face all night returns just as strongly as ever.
"Now what do you want to do?" Callie asks as they meander around, a caramel arm draped lazily over Arizona's shoulder while a fair hand rests comfortably tucked into one of Callie's back pockets.
A grumble from the blonde's stomach catches both women's attention, and Arizona giggles, "Um, food would be good."
"Then food it is. What do you want? They got turkey legs and hamburgers, cheeseburgers… bratwursts." The Latina says, her eyes reading the signs as they pass. "Wow, it's like heart attack central here. Haven't these people ever heard of lettuce?"
"Oo! Corndogs!" The blonde yelps, pointing to a trailer at the end of the row.
Callie stops in her tracks, one side of her nose turning up in a snarl. "Seriously? Corndogs?"
"Yes! They're delicious! Come on." With her hand clasping the Latina's tightly, Arizona weaves through the masses of people and orders two of the golden dogs. Hot and fresh from the fryer, Arizona douses hers with mustard while Callie decides it's safer to just go plain.
"Oh god…" Arizona groans around the scalding bite she just took. "So hot. But so good." Blue eyes catch the slight look of disappointment weighing down her date's face and she asks, "What's wrong? Don't you like it?"
"Oh, no, it's fine." Callie replies. "It's just…" She holds up the yellow battered hotdog and looks at it with disdain. "This isn't what I had planned for our first dinner, that's all." Not wanting to sullen the mood, Callie takes a big bite of her meal and finds that it's not too bad after all.
Their evening continues and they end up at the game area of the fair. Callie stands to the side as Arizona tries numerous times, and fails, to throw three softballs at six milk jugs. If it wasn't that her attempts were so cute, it would have been a bit sad.
"Guess professional softball player is off your list of possible careers." Callie plays as they walk away from that booth prizeless, getting a hip check out of the blonde in retaliation.
Callie loses track on how many twenty dollar bills she pulls from her pocket but she doesn't care. No amount of money is too much when it comes to making Arizona smile and giggle like she is. The sparkle in those blue eyes is something Callie never even thought was possible but finds herself growing addicted to it. The way Arizona glances over at her just to make sure Callie is still there, or how the smaller woman leans into the Latina's side. …It's just too amazing for words.
Their streak of no luck continues until they reach the water gun races. Callie and Arizona, as well as about ten other people, slap down money and get set for a serious heat. The Latina talks a big game, warning those around her that this is her win and that everyone else better watch out. Arizona takes it as a personal challenge and when the buzzer rings, the plastic horses are off.
A tongue slips out between pink lips as Arizona concentrates while brown eyes remain locked on the bulls eye in front of her. And when the victory siren wails, everyone looks up to see it was number 11 who crossed the finish line first.
"Oh yeah!" Callie exclaims, shooting from her seat. "Uh-huh, that's right. I warned you all." When the game attendant asks which prize she wants, Callie glances to the blonde seated next to her and sees a shy smile. "The giraffe." The Latina answers, knowing Arizona has been wanting a giraffe all night.
With the yellow stuffed animal in her hands, and a night full of fun tucked away in her memories, Arizona slips her arm through Callie's as they shuffle back to the car. It's only 10:30 but it is a school night, and despite the fact that both women could spend hours and hours together, they both have class in the morning. …One teaching, and one taking.
But Arizona isn't ready for it to end just yet, and as they drive through town her eyes land on a lit shop and she says, "Oh, ice cream!"
"Really?" Callie asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Please?" The blonde says, pulling out a very theatrical pout that makes the Latina laugh. And within ten minutes both women have a cup of the frozen treat in their hands. Instead of sitting in the shop or going back to the car, they start to meander through the small park just across the street. Light from the street lamps create a romantic glow that make blonde hair shine and brown eyes seem almost pitch black.
When Callie offers her date a spoonful of her ice cream Arizona turns up her nose and says, "Ew, nuts. I don't like nuts." And despite the Latina's best attempt at keeping a straight face, the blonde notices the woman's battle and huffs. "Oh, shut up." She groans, playfully shoving her. "You know that's not what I meant."
"I didn't say a word." Callie replies, hands up in surrender. "It was your mind that went to the gutter on that one, baby." Blue eyes roll in their sockets and the couple find a hidden park bench to sit on, one that looks out over a calm body of water. "So… is ice cream always your dessert of choice after a delicious meal of fried dough and floor scrapings?"
A dimpled grin appears on the blonde's face and she nods. "Yep, it is." A few quiet minutes pass then Arizona asks, "So… how did you score one of Webber's TA positions?"
"He's an old family friend." Callie answers simply. Her gaze catches blue eyes watching her and then Arizona quickly looks away. "What?" The Latina asks softly.
"Nothing." Arizona replies. "It's just… well… I guess I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop."
"I'm sorry?" Callie questions confusedly.
"It's nothing. I don't want to jinx it." The blonde mumbles, trying to wave off the issue. But the look she gets from her date lets her know that Callie just isn't going to forget it, so with a sigh Arizona explains, "I mean… you're gorgeous, Calliope. Like, hot. Sexy, almost dirty, kinda hot. And, when you're not doing very bad things to me, you're incredibly sweet. And since you've got one of the coveted TA positions with Webber, one that earns you a recommendation letter than gets you into nearly any surgical program in the country, you're brilliant and driven. So… I'm just kind of waiting for the 'oh' moment."
"'Oh' moment?" Callie asks, still not following.
"Yeah, you know, that moment where you figure out why a person is still single." The blonde says. "Like, look at that girl. She's hot and smart and funny but… oh, she likes to dress up in a fur suit and have orgies."
Ice cream comes spewing from the Latina's lips and she barely turns away in time to keep the milky shower from hitting Arizona. Recovering from her attack, Callie gasps, "And you're waiting for that about me?" The blonde just shrugs, biting the bottom lip of her smile and twirling the spoon in her ice cream. "Well, just to let you know… I don't own a fursuit."
"Well I'm glad to hear that." A blue eye winks.
Soon their attempts at stalling the inevitable start to falter and both women end up back in front of Arizona's apartment building. Neither makes any real move to the door but both know that it has to come to an end eventually.
Stalling one last time, Callie playfully tugs at the giraffe in Arizona's hand and asks, "He got a name?"
"Geoffrey." Arizona answers quickly, earning a raised eyebrow in confusion. "A few years ago I had my wisdom teeth taken out and I was unlucky enough to have my brother as my caretaker. He told me that as I was coming out of it I kept talking to this imaginary giraffe named Geoffrey, and ever since then it's been an ongoing inside joke."
"That I now know." Callie adds with a smile.
"That you now know." The blonde nods. "Anyways, I guess I should get going…"
"Yeah." The Latina sighs, then takes her date's hand and walks her the ten feet to the front door. Her eyes catch the glint of silver from keys being played with, and every fiber in her being is aching for a kiss. She leans in, lips already tingling with the memory of Arizona's taste, but at the last second she veers off and nuzzles the woman's warm cheek. Arizona's eyes close, the feeling of the Latina's body pressed tightly against her's makes the blonde feel alive.
"You know…" Callie whispers. "I could really go for a night cap."
Arizona takes a deep breath and gently pushes the Latina away, and catching brown eyes she says, "Then you're in luck. …Because the bar down the street serves an excellent martini."
Callie chuckles softly and says, "Right. Well, I had an amazing time tonight, Arizona."
"Me too, Calliope." The blonde replies.
One last smile and Callie starts to back away, their hands staying clasped for as long as possible, and just as their hold is about to break Arizona tugs the Latina back towards her and takes plump lips with hers. It's a chaste kiss, soft and sweet, but it's still a kiss.
When Callie pulls away enough to stare into blue eyes, she says, "I thought you had a rule about kissing on the first date."
"Yeah, well…" Arizona sighs, "You make me break a lot of rules." When a mega-watt smile appears on her date's face, she asks, "Are you happy with yourself?"
"I am." Callie answers proudly. Not wanting to push her luck, her lips skim the flesh of the blonde's cheek and she whispers, "Good night, Arizona." She backs up just enough to get out of arms reach of the woman and waits until her date is safely within the apartment building to climb into her car. She sits there, outside of the blonde's home, for a couple minutes to just replay the events that happened tonight. It wasn't what she had planned, no fancy dinner or expensive dresses, but it was amazing. Romantic. Perfect. And Callie knows that the wooing has just begun.
AN2: So I brought a bit of CGAH and For Love and Softball into this chapter. If you can catch it, you're awesome. And the idea for their date evolved from Beats89 suggestion on FF. They suggested go carting, which made me think of bumper cars which led to a carnival/fair thing. Also, just saying again, this is a fun fic and ya'lls fic so if you have any ideas or suggestions, please let me know. Thanks!
