Title: Miami General
Author: captstarbuck
Rating: M (language and later chapters)
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Disclaimers – All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual. (I don't own any of the characters from Grey's Anatomy.
Summary: A/U. Callie Torres and Arizona Robbins are on the hit TV Series "Seattle Grace". What happens when the show ends?
Beta: Thanks to Lt. Cmdr Stacy d'Lacy. It still continues to be fun to exchange ideas and yes, you still have permission to nag me. And a special thanks to pens_co927 who as always, talks me down from the ledge and back to the story.
Miami General – Chapter 9An hour later, Arizona was sitting on a couch on the set of what was now Sera and Jenna's apartment. Callie was standing by the "front door" as the director began checking the lighting and their marks. Callie pretended to review her script as she watched Arizona. The blonde was polite as ever with the crew, offering a few small smiles from time to time. Callie was concerned for Arizona. Even from a distance she could see that none of Arizona's smiles met her eyes.
"Okay, let's do this," Rick, the director, said.
The two women took their places and waited for the inevitable "Action!"
They got through the first part of the scene with no problems, only having to do re-takes for lighting and camera angles. It wasn't until they got to the end of the scene that the problems began. After several stops, the director pulled them aside.
"I don't know what's going on, but it's all wrong."
"What do you mean?" Callie asked,
"It seems, I dunno… flat? The emotions are all wrong. Arizona, I think I want to try it with you less angry. Callie, you seem too cold, too stiff." He stopped after seeing their faces fall. "Take a minute, then we'll try it again."
They nodded and he walked back to his chair. Arizona took a deep breath. She knew she could do this; she was a professional. Whatever he needed from her, she would do. Less angry? She was all for that. She looked over at her acting partner. If there was one thing she'd learned over the years, Callie fed off her own emotions to act. Today, right now, the Latina seemed conflicted, like she was trying to hide her feelings instead of using them.
"Are you ready?" Rick asked. "Let's do this?"
"You're mad at me because I won't have sex with you?" Arizona said her line, putting less anger into it and more resignation into her tone.
"Yes! No! No, Jen, not because of that. It's not just the sex." As Callie said her line, the anger faded with each word.
"Then why are you so angry?" Arizona replied, hurt replacing the anger.
"Because you don't trust me." Callie paused. "You don't trust me when I tell you that I think you're beautiful. You don't trust me when I tell you that I love you, that I'm not going anywhere."
Arizona could almost feel the emotion in Callie's words. Even though they were in the middle of the scene, the blonde couldn't help but marvel at Callie's acting.
"I don't… I can't, Sera." Arizona said sadly, her body sagging back against the couch.
Callie suddenly crossed the room, completely off script. Arizona willed her body not to react. She had to trust Callie's instincts. It wasn't the first time either of them had ad-libbed during a scene. Sometimes it worked, and sometimes it didn't. Rick had decided to give them a chance to see what they could do and wisely let the cameras keep rolling,
Callie squatted in front of Arizona, one hand on the blonde's thigh. Arizona felt the heat from Callie's hand through the thin cotton pants she was wearing. She'd never really noticed how warm Callie's hands were and she found herself wishing that her hand would move up a little higher. When she realized what she'd been thinking, she could only hope that she wasn't blushing.
"You're so beautiful, Jenna." Callie continued to slightly alter the words from the script. "Let me show you. Please. Let me show you how much I love you."
Arizona looked into Callie's dark brown eyes and it occurred to her that maybe Callie wasn't acting. Callie was a good actress, but this was more. Arizona could feel the emotion rolling from the Latina and it almost overwhelmed her. Yet she couldn't stop staring back into Callie's eyes, couldn't look away. And when she moved even closer to her, Arizona instinctively leaned forward.
The sound of Serafina's cell phone suddenly rang out startling them both.
"You should get that. We both know what happens when phone calls go unanswered," Arizona managed to say, her heart pounding. It wasn't entirely from the sound of the phone. She'd felt her heart racing when she realized how close they'd come to kissing; an unscripted, unrehearsed kiss.
Hoping that her face wasn't giving away her confusion and her true feelings, Arizona quickly plastered a 'concerned' look on her face in case there was a camera still on her. She watched Callie answer the imaginary phone call and carry on her one-sided conversation.
"Hello? Aria…. Slow down… What! When? What hospital?"
"What's wrong, Sera?" Arizona asked as she slowly raised herself from the sofa.
"It's my father. He had a heart attack. I have to go home."
Arizona decided to improvise as well. She walked the few steps to Callie and took her hand.
"How is he?"
"Not good."
Arizona placed her arms around Callie and hugged her. She felt Callie's body tense at first, then she relaxed, pressing her face against Arizona's shoulder.
"Go pack, Sera. I'll make you a reservation on the next flight to Miami."
"What do you mean?" Callie leaned back from Arizona, her hands still on the blonde's hips. "What about you?"
"What about me?"
"Aren't you coming?"
"Me? I'm not getting on a plane." Arizona dropped her arms and stepped back from Callie.
"It's my father, Jenna. I need you to go with me."
"I can't. I'm sorry. I'll stay here with Sofia and you go and take care of your family."
"You're my family, Jen. Please. Come with me," Callie pleaded.
"I'm sorry, Serafina." Arizona dropped her gaze, unable to meet Callie's eyes.
"Seriously? The one time since the plane crash that I ask you to do something for me and you won't! This… I'm going to Miami, but this? We're going to talk when I get back."
"Cut!" Rick said. He hadn't been sure when Callie had started to wing it, but he'd kept the cameras rolling and he was glad he had. The chemistry between the two actresses hadn't been this good in a long time. "I think we got it. Great job, ladies."
For a few moments, the two women just stood on the set, staring at one another. It wasn't until the noise and actions of the crew moving around them that they finally looked away.
"I've got to get ready," Callie said, picking up her copy of the script. "I promised Cristina a ride to Joe's." She looked back at Arizona with a small, hopeful smile. "Have you decided if you're joining us or not?"
"I don't –"
"Robbins!" Miranda Bailey cut her off as she came onto the set.
"Miranda?"
"You need to go get changed. We're leaving as soon as you're ready."
"Excuse me? Going where? Ready for what?"
Not wanting to interfere with one of what appeared to be a Miranda Bailey rant, Callie touched Arizona lightly on the arm.
"I'll see you later."
Arizona nodded and as Callie walked away, she turned to face Bailey.
"What's up, Miranda?"
"You're riding with me," the older woman said matter of factly.
"To where?"
"We're going to Joe's with everyone else. You need a night out with your friends."
"I do, huh?" Arizona teased.
"Yes, so go get that makeup off and changed."
"Yes, ma'am."
Arizona knew not to argue with her friend which is how she found herself over an hour later in Miranda's car and on her way to Joe's.
"How are you holding up, Arizona?" Miranda asked gently.
"It's been a long day," she sighed. "Jack and I still have to work out temporary custody, and I don't dare check my twitter or email accounts. Amanda's been fielding any questions from the press, but I know it's only going to get worse."
"In this town, the press has already moved on to another scandal. There's always some fool out there getting into real trouble. I wouldn't worry too much."
Callie and Cristina had ridden to the bar in relative silence. Cristina was busy texting Owen. More likely sexting, Callie thought as she watched Cristina chuckle to herself, then type out another text. She was glad that Cristina wasn't a chatterer. She wanted the time to think about the last scene with Arizona. She knew she would've kissed Arizona had the fake phone call not interrupted them and she wasn't sure how she felt about that. She had sensed that Arizona was going to kiss her, and she wasn't sure if the blonde was just acting or not.
As she parked her car, Callie felt her phone vibrate and she looked down. Mark was calling.
"I've got to take this call, Cristina. Get me a drink, would you?
"Yeah, yeah, the usual, I know," Cristina said. "You've got the next round," she said, getting out of the car.
"Thanks." Callie picked up her phone and answered the call. "Hey, Mark."
"Cal. Hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
"You always hope you're interrupting me, Mark, but no, you're not. At least, not right now."
"Two things. How's three o'clock tomorrow for you to come over?"
"I'm pretty sure that's a good time," Callie replied. "What else?"
"I did some poking around about Blondie and her divorce."
"And?"
"Her husband's been stepping out on her."
"What? That bastard!" Callie exclaimed. Her next unspoken thought was 'What an idiot'.
"Yeah, It's been going on for some time. One of the gossip rags even has a pic of him and the 'other woman',".
"Poor Arizona," Callie whispered.
"Yeah," Mark agreed. "It could get nasty."
"Well, we'll all keep an eye on her tonight."
"Tonight? We?"
"We're all going to Joe's tonight. Bailey even dragged Arizona out with her."
"I'll let you go then. Don't do anything I wouldn't," he laughed. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Callie said her goodbye and then crammed her cell phone into her pocket. She went into the bar that had become the unofficial hangout for the cast and crew since the first year of the show. Tables had been pushed together and music was playing loudly on the jukebox. She spotted Cristina who was sitting next to Meredith. There was an empty seat on the other side of Cristina with two full shot glasses in front of it.
"Over here, Callie," Cristina said waving her hand when she saw Callie.
Callie greeted everyone with a smile as she sat down. Alex and April were across from her and seemed to be engrossed in looking at a small notebook. Bailey and Arizona hadn't arrived yet, and Owen seemed to be among the missing as well.
"Drink up, Cal," Cristina said, gesturing toward the two glasses. "You've got some catching up to do, and the next two rounds are on you."
"Two rounds?"
"Saves time if you order them two at a time," Cristina explained with a shrug of her shoulders.
Callie quickly tossed back both shots of tequila. "Happy?" she asked her friend.
"I'll be happy when you get off your ass and get us more drinks," Cristina snickered.
"Fine. Save my seat," Callie said, getting up. "Same thing?"
"Of course." Cristina almost looked dumbfounded that Callie even had to ask.
Callie took her place in the drink line. As she waited, she wondered what she should order for herself. She wasn't really in the mood for a heavy night of drinking, but she was also feeling a bit nervous and unsure of herself. Alcohol would help calm those nerves, but she had to be careful, too. She needed to be in control and not say something stupid to Arizona.
"Hey, Joe," she said, leaning over the bar to give him a kiss on the cheek.
"Callie, it's good to see you again. It's been awhile since you've been in here."
"Did you miss me?"
"Of course," he grinned. "What can I get you?"
"Two shots of tequila and my usual."
"Usual beer, wine or liquor?"
"Beer, please."
By the time she returned to the table, Arizona and Bailey had arrived. Arizona was seated between Alex and Bailey. Callie set the drinks down and then slid the two shot glasses over to Cristina.
"Look, the 'A-Team' is complete now," Cristina said with a laugh to Owen who had finally shown up.
"What?" Callie said, a confused look on her face.
"Arizona, Alex, April and Avery," Cristina replied, pointing out the four who sat one next to the other.
Callie rolled her eyes. Sometimes she just didn't get Cristina's humor. She looked over at Arizona and gave her a small smile. Her heart warmed when the smile was returned.
For the most part, Callie hardly talked with Arizona. The blonde and Miranda seemed to be engrossed in a conversation, most likely about Arizona's divorce, their children, or both. Callie instead amused herself with Cristina's antics. Most of the cast and crew had never understood her friendship with Cristina, and couldn't believe they'd been roommates for almost two years. Callie didn't care. Cristina could be abrasive and blunt, but she was also loyal and she'd been there when Callie's life had seemed to spiral out of control a few years ago.
After a couple of hours of April and Alex sliding the small notebook back and forth, Alex leaned back in his chair. That was another odd friendship that had sprung up – Alex and April. Although their characters frequently clashed on the show, April and Alex had somehow forged a friendship. Few people knew that Alex wasn't anything like his character, Jason Chaplin. He was kind hearted and still passionately in love with his wife of fifteen years. April, in some aspects, was very much like her character, Sherry Dawson, but she was a little tougher and had more of an edge to her.
"Are you going to tell us what you two have been doing all night?" Callie asked, picking up her bottle of beer. She'd been nursing them all night, trying not to get too drunk.
"We've figured out the odds for the cast and Wanda's spin-off," Alex explained.
"If she does a spin-off," Meredith commented.
"Oh, she is. Avery was right," Alex said, almost choking on his words. He hated to admit that Avery was right about anything.
"So what have you come up with?" Cristina asked, tossing back another shot of tequila.
"We've got it figured out for individuals and couples." He opened up the notepad. "Meredith, Cristina and Derek are all 3:1 odds. Callie, Miranda and I are 4:1. Owen, Arizona, 6:1. April, 7:1 and Avery is 8:1. For the couples, Meredith and Derek are 2:1. Owen and Cristina, 3:1. Miranda and Ben, 4:1. Callie and Arizona, 6:1."
"Why do I have better odds than Arizona?" Callie asked, curious.
"Well, the way the last episode ended, it sounds like you two are splitting up and you've been with the show longer, so… that's what we came up with."
Callie and Arizona exchanged a quick look, both of them trying not to give away what they knew.
"Who wants to bet?" April said, taking out a pen, ready to mark down everyone's wagers.
"A hundred bucks says it's me," Avery said confidently.
April's pen flew across the paper as various bets were placed.
"What about you, Arizona? Are you going to bet on anyone?"
"Oh, no, Alex. I never gamble, you know that."
"Thought you might want in on the last bets of the show."
"No, thanks," she replied, sipping from her wine glass.
"Torres? How 'bout it? Are you going to put any money down?"
"I don't bet."
"Bullshit," Alex fake-coughed into his hand.
"Oh, right, all those trips to Vegas were for the showgirls," Cristina said.
"Cristina! I don't… I didn't go to Vegas for the showgirls," Callie sputtered, knowing she'd be caught in a lie about her infrequent trips to play blackjack in Las Vegas.
"Then why did you go?"
"Look, there are really only two reasons to go to Vegas," Callie said, picking up her bottle of beer once again. "You're either there to gamble or get one of those quickie weddings that always ends in disaster. Do I look married to you?"
She felt a sharp kick on her shin and glared at Alex. He mouthed the words "shut up" at her.
"What?"
"So are you going to bet or not?" April intervened.
"Fine!" she snapped. "Put me down for twenty on Bailey and Ben."
It was then that Callie noticed the sad, almost distraught look on Arizona's face. The blonde quietly excused herself and slipped away to the restroom.
"What the fuck, Alex? Why did you kick me?"
"Dude, did you not get what you just said about Vegas?"
"What? Everyone either gambles or gets married. What's wrong with that?"
"Arizona was married in Vegas."
"And now she's getting a divorce," she finished his sentence. "I'm an idiot."
"I won't argue with that," Bailey said, sipping from her drink.
Callie clutched her nearly empty bottle of beer and got up. "I'm going to get a fresh beer," she said to no one in particular. She mentally cursed herself for her stupidity and insensitivity. Sometimes she really amazed herself with her ability to say the wrong thing. She needed to apologize, that was for certain.
She made a quick detour and headed for the restroom instead of the bar. She opened the door and found Arizona in the room by herself. The blonde was standing in front of the mirror, dabbing at her eyes.
"Hey," Callie said. "You okay?"
Arizona shrugged her shoulders, neither confirming nor denying if she was.
"it's just… you seem upset."
"I'm fine," she said, turning around to face Callie.
The Latina's heart nearly broke for Arizona when she truly saw the pain in the blonde's eyes, and not just some reflection in the cracked mirror. She wanted to reach out and sweep Arizona into her arms and tell her everything was going to be all right.
"Y'know, this town is small and people talk," Callie babbled instead of comforting Arizona as she'd wanted. "They talk a lot."
"Meaning?"
"I know things," Callie blurted. "Because people talk."
"Like what?" Arizona's eyes narrowed.
"I know that you're going through a really tough time right now."
"You mean…"
"Your divorce, yeah."
"Terrific," Arizona sighed.
"Not all of the talk is gossip. Y'know, people really like and respect you." Callie put a comforting hand on Arizona's arm. "Everyone here… we've all got your back. We'll do everything we can to help you get through this."
"I suppose."
"And when you're ready to get back out there, people will be lining up for you." Callie moved closer to Arizona.
"Sure, because a single woman with two small children is such a great catch," Arizona scoffed.
"Really. Anyone would be incredibly lucky to be with you, Arizona." Callie found herself getting lost in those deep blue eyes again. "Anyone," she repeated, then leaned in and placed a simple kiss on Arizona's cheek. "Including me," she said softly.
Realizing what she'd done, Callie was horrified. She abruptly stepped back. "I… I… uh, I'm going get another beer," she stammered. She turned and fled the dingy room.
From her seat at the table, Miranda Bailey had a perfect vantage point of both the restroom and the bar. She spotted Callie rushing from the bathroom to the bar. The Latina quickly downed a shot while she waited for her beer. Moments later, Arizona returned to the table. The blonde woman didn't look as upset as she had earlier, but she had a somewhat dazed look on her face.
"I'm going to get a cab and go pick up my car, Miranda," she said, picking up her purse and jacket.
"What? You're leaving?"
"It's late and I've got plans tomorrow."
"Are you all right to drive?"
"Yes, I've only had two glasses of wine."
"Everything okay?" Miranda persisted, glancing suspiciously toward the bar where Callie had downed a second shot.
"I'm good. Everything's good," Arizona said. "I'll see you Monday."
Arizona said her goodbyes to her co-workers that were still arguing over their bets. She was actually a little glad that Callie was seemingly hiding out at the bar. She wasn't sure what to say to her.
Callie watched from the bar as Arizona left Joe's. Once she was gone, Callie returned to the table. Miranda Bailey's dark eyes were glaring at her from the moment she sat down.
"What did you do, Torres?" she asked.
"What?"
"Did you accost that poor woman in the bathroom?"
"No! No, I didn't," Callie protested.
"Uh huh," she said skeptically.
"Bailey!" Callie squeaked.
"You act guilty, Callie, and Arizona left early. So I'll ask you again. What did you do?"
"Nothing," Callie lied.
"You better not have. She has been through enough without you complicating matters."
"You know what, I don't have to sit here and listen to your accusations," Callie said, getting up from the table. "I'll see you at work."
Callie checked on Cristina, and when she saw that she was safe under Owen's watchful eyes, she left the bar.