Arizona woke up naturally as the morning sun warmed her skin; the golden rays caressing her soft face, bringing a contented smile with them. She had had the most glorious sleep. For the first time since she and Callie had broken up, she had managed to fall asleep guilt free in her thoughts of Lauren. Replaying their tender moments together as she let her eyelids close last night, no sooner was she in a deep sleep than she was gently awoken - not just by the heat of the sun, but by the heat of her arousal.

She stretched out her arms and looked for her clock - more out of habit than the need to know the time.

Lauren hates rules. She loves surprises. She loves me.

Arizona, previously so routined in the mornings before work, allowed Lauren's words to feed her rebellion. After all, the things she had to do today answered to no timetable but her own. She snuggled beneath her sheets and after massaging her left thigh, slipped her fingers higher for further relief.

Lauren had taught her to let go of her control. She had helped her discover the abandon that had apparently abandoned her over the years. As she reached her perfect rhythm she slowly inhaled, her pulse thickening and throbbing. At the top of her inhalation, her breath went from steady to stilted, as she gasped inwardly a few frantic gasps. Her rhythm had accelerated to that inevitable moment of ecstasy, which she marked with a fast and desperate moan, her lungs emptying, leaving her panting, trembling, aching for a repeat…

Lauren felt suddenly weak. She was sitting in consultation with another surgeon over a coffee. He was discussing the technicalities of their upcoming surgery in such great detail that Lauren's mind had wandered somewhat. She knew what she was doing - she was the specialist doctor they had pinpointed for this operation. Every facet of the procedure was ingrained in her mind. Plus, she had had the opportunity earlier in the day to talk at length with her young patient's parents. Still, she let the other doctor have his moment, as she sat there occasionally nodding, but thinking only of Arizona's body writhing to her touch. She imagined Arizona just waking up, and wanted desperately to be there, soaking her up.

'…so you see, young Fraser will most likely have only partial tissue damage here. His left eye may well be fully functional.'

Lauren slowly realised that her colleague had finished his soliloquy. She smiled, and extended her hand. He took it rather intimately.

'Good work, Dr Mackie,' she improvised, attempting to relinquish her hand from his. Instead, he brought his other hand up so that the cupped hers.

'We are so grateful to you for coming out here to the wilderness! We rarely see such prodigious talent as yourself. Say, when this is all over, might you like to come to dinner with me?'

Lauren looked at this handsome older man, wondering what his life had dealt him. Gifting him with another generous smile, she politely declined, saying she had urgent business to attend to back home. If only he knew that her urgent business was a sexy blonde female half his age!

'Very well,' he responded, 'you can't blame a man for trying.'

They got up to leave. In a couple of hours, they'd be scrubbing in together. Lauren was grateful to have some time to herself beforehand. She stole herself away somewhere quiet for some last minute case revision before she would have to head to the OR to oversee the prep…

Arizona, all showered and fresh, began to work through her to-do list. First of all, she called her award trustees. There were so many loose ends to tie up if she were to head back out to Africa. She and Callie had always kept separate finances, thankfully, and she now wanted to set up a private trust fund for Sofia. Her father had done the same for her when he first left on a mission. She would keep her apartment on as she needed some semblance of continuity for her daughter whenever they would be together. So much to organise! But Arizona was constantly procrastinating. The one thing on her to-do list that she had to do - to confront - was her fear of flying. Yes, she would need to pull her finger out and deal with that one if she wants to follow her calling. She leafed through the newspaper until she found an ad that appealed to her.

She played with the phone in her hands for some time before making the call. She wasn't a fan of therapy. She had been brought up shrouded in perspective and was always grateful that she felt some control over her own life. Flying broke all the rules. Every plane she had been on had made her expect the inevitable. Then to actually crash! How could she get back on a plane now? All the helpful statistics were lost on her now. As lost as her courage. As lost as her leg.

'Hello, Hungry Hypnos!'

Hungry Hypnos…what was she doing?!

'Um, hi. I'd like to book an appointment please,' she said, trying not to let the embarrassment seep through.

'We have a cancellation this lunchtime if you can make it? 1:30pm?'

'I'll take it.'

'Great!' This was one enthusiastic receptionist. 'We look forward to meeting you then -'

'Arizona.'

'Arizona. Curious! Ok then, Arizona, see you at 1:30.'

She hung up. She looked at the Hungry Hypno ad in the paper again. A picture of a massive hippopotamus staring cross-eyed at a medallion presumably being swung pendulum-like by a bearded wizard. And they thought her name was curious? Oh well. The crazy nature of these folks made her feel like the pressure was off. She had nothing to lose…

The first stage of surgery was complete. Lauren was happy with the work she and Dr Mackie's team had done. They would be able to tell in a few days how much further they could progress based on Fraser's healing. This would give Lauren a cogent timescale regarding her stay in Scotland. She was optimistic that her work would be done within the week. The team of doctors who had scrubbed in had done so mainly to watch her skilful mastery. She was well reputed and so a lot of intrigue often followed her around. She didn't mind too much, provided that nothing got in the way of the goal. In this case, Fraser. Respectful and enthusiastic as the team were, Lauren had enjoyed this quasi-masterclass that was today's surgery. The only thing that concerned her was Dr Mackie himself. An odd combination of her superior and her apprentice, his flirtatious remarks were beginning to grate. After talking with Fraser's parents and telling them she wasn't at all worried - as she had witnessed Arizona do in the past - she then went to fetch her jacket and head back to her hotel. Of course, Dr Mackie wash already positioned by the door holding her coat.

'I insist you join me for a wee dram.'

'Normally, I would quite enjoy a drink, but on this occasion I'm going to say no, thank you.'

'My second refusal today. What's the matter?'

Lauren had to contain herself. Ultimately, this was a professional situation that called for professional behaviour. I think you have authority issues with women, she wanted to say.

'I don't like to mix business with-'

'Pleasure?' he filled, with a twinkle.

'…socialising,' she corrected. 'Besides, tomorrow we have to consult with the team first thing, and having a clear head is always preferable. Good night.' she took her jacket from his arm and opted not to make eye contact, as she could feel his eyes shifting over her body.

When she got to her hotel, she went to the bar and had a peaceful drink alone. Lauren wondered about Dr Mackie. What was his first name again? He seemed to be quite the suave gentleman at this hospital. Silver haired and muscular, an attractive amount of stubble and a gleaming smile. He probably wasn't used to women showing no interest. Oh well, hopefully he'll find someone else to badger soon enough. It was late. She finished her scotch and went upstairs to see if she could catch Arizona.

Arizona picked up straight away. 'Hey beautiful,' she said. Her smile was so refreshing that Lauren burst out laughing.

'What, is there something on my face?'

'Just the most dazzling smile. You are a happy soul. It's infectious!'

'Good to hear! Well I like your laugh so there, we are a good match. How was your day?'

Lauren shrugged her slender square shoulders.

'Good surgery, great macaroni cheese, slimey doctor. You?'

'Ooh,' Arizona said, her face wrinkled in distaste. 'Slimey bad?'

'Ah he's ok. Just a bit full of himself. So, your day?'

'I did it! I got hypnotised! Actually I'm just home. It was weird. I really think it'll help though. I could be flying without fear in no time!'

'Congratulations!'

'Thank you. You know what? I'm actually really pleased with how it went. I didn't expect it to work at all. I even picked out a tacky looking place, but probably in doing so, came across a gem!'

'So you'll carry on?'

'I will.' She paused. 'I miss you.'

'Me too. Heaps.'

'I don't know, Lauren. It feels so perfect being with you, I probably shouldn't miss you this much but I'm having major withdrawal symptoms! Are you real?!'

'Aw, bless you! I know what you're saying. I'm thinking about you all the time. Sometimes when I shouldn't be…'

Arizona looked intently at Lauren. 'You know, everything's good here. A few more days like today and I'm all set. Things are moving forward. I could be ready to leave sooner than I thought. Do you know yet how long you'll be over there?'

'I'll know more tomorrow. Don't you go off to Africa before seeing me, you hear?'

Arizona smirked at Lauren's tone. 'I like you laying down the law. I promise. No going to Africa without seeing you first. And good luck with the sleeze. I don't blame him though, you're delicious.'

They chatted on for another hour or so before Lauren gave in to tiredness. She was so proud of Arizona. In the face of everything, she was knuckling down and sorting her life out. With the whole African project ahead, Lauren had no idea how she would factor, but for some reason she wasn't worried. She knew in her bones then they would be together, no matter what they each pursued.