Chapter 13: A small taste of it

"There's an ocean inside my head

Waves that don't ever rest

This kind of beauty ain't ordinary

You look, but do you really see?

Won't you take your time on me?"

Friday, at 3pm straight, Callie parked her car at VOX to collect Arizona. They had shared a sweet peck when the blonde entered the vehicle and the ortho surgeon drove off with Arizona incessantly asking where they were headed off. This was weird, to get out of the building so early, with the sky still so bright and a whole lot of the day still ahead of her. It made her slightly anxious, to not have control about the events of the day. She was not used to not having every hour planed.

They drove around sunny LA for almost two hours, making a quick stop at the beach to have ice cream. It was like she was having a little bit of a taste of what vacations felt like. Funny, to live in Los Angeles, one of the most touristic cities in America, and never have a true moment of appreciation of her surroundings. Surely, most Sundays Arizona didn't work. But that single day in the week was so sacred for her. It was her moment of peace. The one day she could sleep in, put her house in order, lounge on the couch for an hour, take care of herself. Sundays were very rarely spent out, enjoying the city or anyone else's company. Today, though, friday afternoon, this gorgeous woman by her side was making her reality change. And she was glad about it.

"Okay. This is not at all what I was expecting." Arizona declared as the car parked in front of a Target store.

"Points for me for surprising you", Callie smiled her way, unbuckling her seat belt.

"What do we need from here?" The blonde asked, accompanying Callie out of the car.

"Ingredients for what I'll cook for you tonight, at my place… If that is okay with you?" The brunette extended her hand, waiting for Arizona to hold it so they could walk inside.

"Dinner at your place?" Arizona suspiciously asked. She didn't expect that either. Callie had refused to tell her any of the plans for today. She had never been in the other woman's house. In fact they had never been completely alone, by themselves. They were always out somewhere, with people around or just in the next door. The idea of being alone with Callie made her nervous, a cold wave dancing in the pit of her stomach.

"Yes. But you have to promise me that you won't attack me. I mean, I know I'm hard to resist. But you have to keep your hands to yourself. I'm not that easy, you know?" Callie's tone was so neutral that for a moment Arizona thought she was actually being serious. But then, a small smile played on the plump red lips as the woman brought an ivory hand to her lips.

"Callie!" Arizona giggled.

"What?" Callie inquired as they got to the front door.

"You. Are. Crazy." The blonde playfully declared, coming closer to deposit a kiss on the tanned cheek.

"I can't deny that. So… Can we keep going with this?"

With her whole body relaxed now, she flashed her dimples Callie's way and played back. "Yes. I swear I'll try to control my hands." It wouldn't be an easy task, though.

"I can't believe you have a Super Nintendo."

They had arrived at Callie's home just a few minutes ago. It was close to 6PM. Which meant they probably had to start dinner. But as soon as Arizona put her feet inside the small apartment and looked around, her eyes spotted something she hadn't seen in a lot of years. Around 17 years to be a little more precise. She had looked at Callie with what she was sure was a complete in awe expression. The brunette had just smiled her way and motioned for her to go ahead. The selection of games was not big, but there was Zelda in it, so, everything was good.

"Well, it's only the new mini version they started selling the last year. I used to have one, which I shared with Aria when I was around 9 or 10." Callie said and sat beside Arizona on her sofa. Watching the blonde give her Zelda character a name. "Dimples", she wrote on the screen. She had found out around two weeks ago that that was how Callie named her on her contact list, so, it made sense. "This was actually a present from Aria when I was there the last time visiting. She said it was a gift for getting my article accepted. How appropriate!" They both laughed.

"This is so awesome." She couldn't contain her giddiness. "I had one too. But Tim was so mean to me. He didn't let me play. For a few months we only had one "controller" and I had to wait him play like five rounds until he let me play one. It was so unfair. And then, when I finally got enough money from my allowance and bought a second one, he didn't let me play because I was not able to play the levels he was in and then I would only make him lose. So, I ended up playing only when he was out." The game was starting now and the song playing from the TV made her so incredible happy. It brought good memories from her youth, a time in what she lived so carefree. It was almost as if right at this point she didn't have any worries in the world. Just for now, at least.

"How old were you?"

"10. And he was about to turn 15."

"I thought Tim had always been the best brother out there."

"Oh, he was. Except when it was about playing video games." Arizona averted her eyes from the TV screen to Callie's face and laughed. Watching her giggle in return.

"Well, you can always play with my Nintendo." She unashamedly declared, wiggling her eyebrows. The innuendo was actually cute coming from the gorgeous brunette.

"Callie!" She chastised anyway. "You are impossible today." Arizona shook her head and looked back to the TV, smiling. This here was becoming awfully cozy.

"Hey, stop that. I can hear your hard thinking from here."

After watching Arizona play for half an hour, Callie got up to start dinner and let the blonde be for a little while. It was now just past 7pm and she was about to finish her cooking. Nothing fancy. Just her usual chicken piccata. It was something she was familiar with cooking and cooking for the first time for Arizona, it had to be something she was sure there was no chance she would fail. Now, she was fairly good in the kitchen, but let's be honest, cooking for 'your girl' for the first time is not the right time to take risks, right?

The blonde had joined her in the last 10 minutes and just sat on a stool by her kitchen island, observing her work around the pans. She hadn't said a word since she sat down. And Callie was starting to get worried. Everything had gone too well today. She didn't want it to take a turn in the opposite direction now. Today, this date, she had debated a long time in her head about what she should do. She tried thinking about fancy extraordinary things. But that was Arizona's way of doing things. Callie just wasn't that familiar or that comfortable with planning elaborate dates. So, at some point during that monday at work, while in surgery she thought that maybe what they both needed was something that would bring them closer. Doing ordinary things together. Because, if at some point they would come to be girlfriends, ordinary was what most days for them would end up being. And she needed to be sure that Arizona would be okay with being ordinary around Callie. Cozy night at home brought a level of comfort they hadn't tried yet. She wanted to bring Arizona closer and maybe let her envision what routine with Callie would look like. And maybe, just maybe, it would ease all of the doubts and insecurities Arizona had about them being officially together. Right about now, though, she wasn't so sure it would work. The blonde went silent and it worried her.

"I'm sorry." She heard the blonde say and sigh. Callie wondered if it would be the right time to push Arizona a little bit. But dinner was almost served, their afternoon had been really good and she truly didn't want to ruin the mood and end the night with dinner in the garbage and watching a movie alone on the sofa.

"What is it that is in your mind?" She cautiously asked, not making eye contact not to intimidate her companion. She turned the stove off and turned around to get some plates.

"It's… nothing."

"And why don't I believe that?" She inquired, putting the plates on the counter and looking directly in the gorgeous blue eyes.

"I'm sorry." Arizona's apology was sincere, but it wasn't enough. Callie wasn't sure about what was going through the blonde's mind. And it was very frustrating. She wanted so much for this between them to work. She wanted her time with Arizona to be enjoyable. She wanted it to be light and simple and easy. But most times, though, there was a moment of insecurity coming from one of them. That had to stop. They should be able to just enjoy each other without the implications of what it could come to be.

"Is this too much for you?" Callie asked, her voice calm and collected. "You wanna go home? I won't be offended." She didn't want Arizona to go, but if that was what she needed, she would understand. She didn't believe it was too soon to have a night in at each other's place. In fact, this normally would have happened way before in any other relationship Callie had ever been in. But maybe for Arizona it was soon.

"No. No, Callie. I want to be here. I promise." The blonde said and Callie believed. The blue in her eyes didn't lie.

"Come here, then." Callie motioned for her to round the kitchen island and come closer. Arizona complied instantly. "Close your eyes." The brunette asked as she trailed her hands up Arizona's arms.

"Callie…"

"Close your eyes, please." She insisted. As Arizona's eyelids closed she took a step back and reached for a spoon. Collecting some of the sauce in her chicken, she blew on it a couple of times and came back closer to the other woman. "Open your mouth." Small lips parted slightly and pink tongue poked from inside, sliding in between the beautiful mouth in a licking motion. Callie's heart picked up its pace and she sighed. She brought the spoon closer to Arizona's face and poured the liquid inside her mouth. "How does it taste?" Callie watched her lips movements and waited for her to swallow.

"Hmmm… Beautiful!" A smile curved on Callie's face as her stomach contorted in pleasure at the sound of Arizona's moan. The blonde's eyes started fluttering open.

"Nope. Don't open them just yet. And wait right here." Callie pulled back and started moving around the kitchen again. She wanted to prove her point about something they talked about in their first "date" right back in that coffee shop.

"What are you doing, Callie?"

"Just trust me, will you?" Her voice was further down the kitchen as she took something out of the fridge. A few seconds later she was close to Arizona again. Another spoon in hand, ready to feed her beautiful date. "Okay. Can you part your lips again?" Arizona's mouth opened and Callie slipped the small spoon past her lips and waited for her to close it. She watched the woman slightly jump at the cold. She probably wasn't expecting that. "Taste it."

"Hmm. Yeah… This tastes very good too!" Callie smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Passion fruit mousse never disappointed anyone. "Callie, I wanna open my eyes."

"Wait just a little bit more." Callie couldn't resist. It was asking too much of her to resist Arizona's lips so close and her small appreciative moans. She smeared the cold dessert on pink lips and covered them with her warm mouth right after. The groan she was rewarded with made her insides turn and she immediately invaded the blonde's mouth with her tongue, not entirely aggressive, but assertive. Arizona's hands came to her waist and squeezed her sides, sighing heavily, in the middle of a rather deep kiss. With both of her hands occupied, Callie lamented the fact that she couldn't bring Arizona even closer. She made sure the lip lock was secure enough, though. Yes, at this point they both were really hungry, but for one another. She bit a bottom lip and soothed the sting sensation with a swipe of her tongue, sucking it slightly and releasing it soundly. A pair of small pecks followed and she pulled back to look at the gorgeous face in front of her. "You can open your eyes now."

"Uh…Hi." Arizona said, slightly out of breath.

"Hi. Was I able to make you stop thinking for a little bit?" She asked and felt Arizona taking the cold bow and spoon from her hands and put it on the counter beside the plates.

"You were." The blonde said and came closer again, hugging Callie in a very intimate and vulnerable way. Her head rested on a tanned shoulder and Callie's arms circled the small frame tight, but gently.

"If what was in your mind had anything to do with me, I want you to know that I'm not here to make things more difficult for you. It is right the opposite, Arizona. I'm here to make it simple. And easier. And good. You don't need to think too much or weigh the pros and cons. You don't need to doubt or over analyze. Give me a little more credit. And give yourself a little more freedom. Okay?" Her little speech was said calmly and in an almost whisper, hands caressing the small back up and down.

"Why are you so perfect?" Arizona asked on her neck, nuzzling it.

"I'm not. You better be sure that I'll be a pain in your ass at some point. Really, don't doubt it. You will probably want to murder me once or twice. But… I'm a good kisser. So that may just compensate for that." Callie said giggling, trying to lighten the mood.

"You are a good kisser, huh?"

Callie could feel Arizona's smile on her skin, the small hairs on her neck instantly pulling up. She swayed them from side to side. "Oh, you haven't been convinced just yet?"

"Nah. I don't think so. You probably should put a little more effort and practice into it." Smiling, Arizona pulled back and looked deeply into brown eyes, teasing.

"Really? And who I should do that with?"

"It just happens that this evening I'm free." The blonde wiggled her brows.

"Oh, how lucky am I? For how long? I mean. I should get all the practice time I can."

Arizona laughed and came closer, kissing her again. It was nowhere near as intense as their previous kiss. But it was still heartwarming and oh so good.

"Okay. We should eat. And then we can have dessert again." Callie declared as she pulled back. She collected the dessert and put it back on the fridge.

"Which one?" Arizona smirked. Well, at least the blonde seemed now completely at ease.

By 9pm they were sitting in the sofa very close together watching a movie, both their feet resting on the coffee table. Arizona had took a shower and was comfortably wearing Callie's clothes, a small shorts and a very loose tank top, which she unfortunately had to wear a bra under. Apparently, the woman was a fan of sci-fi and it amused Callie, somehow.

"Did you see that? She did a surgery in herself. That's just…"

"Fiction?" Callie new, as a doctor, that performing a surgery in yourself is impossible. Of course, the lady in the movie had a super awesome machine that did that for her. But that machine, at least in the present, was an impossibility in the medical world.

"Well, yeah. But impressive none the less. I think Noomi is so underestimated."

"What else did she do?" Callie didn't remember having watched any movie with this particular actress.

"My point exactly. She just isn't given the brightest characters in what are supposed to be the best movies. Which is a big mistake. This girl, I have to tell you. She would nail any hard core drama you put in front of her. But in another perspective, I'm not really sure if it has to do with her not accepting certain jobs."

"Wow. You're passionate about her, huh?" Callie and Arizona had been to the movies only once. It had been a late night session Callie convinced the blonde to go with her in a random wednesday. It had been just a comedy movie, in which she heard Arizona laugh once or twice. It had been nice, anyways. They spent time together, held hands and occupied their mind with something very light. But now she could see what Arizona's taste in the movie department was. Fiction and hot bad ass woman.

"Her acting, yes." Arizona said nonchalantly, eyes fixed on the TV.

"Really? Don't you just maybe have a liiiittle bit of a crush on her?" Callie teased.

"I'm not confirming that."

"Nor denying it?"

"Okay. Maybe I find her hot. Or maybe it is just because she reminds me of another AMAZING actress." Arizona was now looking at Callie as the movie hit a more slow pace.

"Who would that be?"

"Gillian Anderson."

"The woman from The X Files?" A fiction show, of course.

"That one. Yes."

"Really?"

"Oh, come on, Callie. The X Files is one of the best shows ever. That is true sci-fi. Where it all started. Scully is just one of the best characters out there. And Gillian's acting is marvelous, for the lack of a better word." Arizona was really passionate about this. Definitely not something Callie expected the blonde to be passionate about. Maybe because she wasn't used to the chill state of mind of Arizona. She knew actually very little about her preferences when it involved hobbies and the things she did to have fun or relieve the stress.

"I've watched like two episodes of that TV show. I don't think I can give an opinion about it just yet."

"Haven't you watched The Fall?"

"No?" She was feeling like she was disappointing Arizona somehow.

"Bleak House?"

"No."

"Callie!" Arizona sounded exasperated. Apparently, it was astounding that she haven't ever watched any of those shows. Mental list to have a look at them later.

"I'm not much of a tv show girl. I like movies. The corny cheesy, trash comedy ones." Callie declared, her right hand coming to Arizona's hair, her nails slightly scratching her scalp.

The blonde snuggled closer and rested her head on Callie's shoulder. "Yeah. So that is where that late session of cinema with that really trash comedy came from, huh?"

"Hey there, you laughed." Callie argued.

"Barely."

"But you did. And it was a nice date."

"It was. Because I was with you." Arizona turned her head to look at the brunette, giving her a sweet smile.

"Sweet talker." Callie gave her a peck on the lips. "But don't you like have some kind of guilty pleasure in between all of those movies and tv shows I don't know when you have time to watch?"

"I do. Disney. And I like to watch it every Sunday morning."

"Disney?" Now that was a big surprise for Callie. For all she knew about Arizona, bubbly, dreamy movies were not what she thought the blonde would ever like. It amazed her that she had still so much to get to discover about this woman.

"Come here!"

Callie called Arizona from the sofa she was laid on. Arizona had gone to the kitchen, carrying the stuff they had brought to snack on earlier. The brunette had already done so much for her today that she had to at least leave her house not letting a big mess for her to clean out latter. She had quickly washed the two glasses they had been drinking wine from and a small tray with cheeses and bread.

"What?" She asked, drying her hands in a kitchen towel.

"Please?" Arizona smiled her way and walked back to her, sitting by Callie's side and taking a strand of hair from her forehead. The brunette took her hand and pulled her so Arizona was lying over her. The smaller body completely melted and molded over Callie's. Feeling a gentle hand rub her back, Arizona sighed deeply and closed her eyes. It was extremely comfy to have the soft body as her mattress and its sweet scent invading her senses. "Hmmm... Did you enjoy the rest of your day?"

"Yes. Thank you, Callie. I really needed this." She really did. Arizona had no idea when had been the last time she had left work so early and just enjoyed the day. She had accepted to be with Callie today without having any idea about what she was preparing. It turned out it was anything but extraordinary, but at the same time, it was everything she hadn't expected to crave so much. A relaxed ride around the city, grocery shopping, a nostalgic videogame session, warm home cooked food, cuddles and a movie on the couch and a glass of wine. And above all of that, the sense of routine and familiarity that it all brought. This, she felt, was just a taste of what being with Callie would be. She did have a little internal freak out moment at the kitchen earlier. She had got overwhelmed by all the possibilities running in her head. And she was trying really hard to think of a way to make it between them really work. She wanted it to work so bad. She just didn't really know how.

"I know."

Arizona felt the vibrations of Callie giggle on her cheek, resting over the other woman's chest. She turned her head so she could look at the brown eyes, her chin resting on her hands now. "Aham… Miss know it all."

"Me? Really, Arizona? I'm the know it all in this relationship?" The brunette laughed, without noticing her use of words. But it somehow didn't faze Arizona as much as it probably would before today. Because if she was being honest, that's how she felt about this too.

So, she moved and supported the weight of her body with her hands, bringing her lips to cover Callie's ones in a lingering peck. "You are amazing! I really loved being here."

"But?"

"But nothing. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate you doing this for me." It was nice to have someone doing stuff for her like that.

"I'm glad you liked it." Callie smiled and pulled her in for another kiss, this one a bit less chaste.

"I think it's time for me to go, though. It's 11pm." Arizona said after their kiss ended. She sat up and watched Callie do the same by her side, straightening her hair up.

"I really hate the idea of you around the city alone at this time at night. With someone you don't even know driving you. Please, let me take you home."

"Callie, it's okay. None of us can drive after that wine."

"I could accompany you in the taxi and then come back." Callie proposed. Arizona wasn't accustomed to people taking care of her like that. Her parents lived far away, her brother had just come back, none of her previous relationship had any interest in doing such things. Except for Julie, maybe. Arizona blocked all of her advances in that department, though. She didn't feel comfortable enough with her to allow that kind of intimacy, the familiarity of a daily basis relationship and interaction. It never felt truly natural. If she was being honest, not even with Callie it was completely natural, even when she had to admit that it was all so much more easier with the brunette. At the same time so much harder. The blonde woman didn't know what her problem was. She couldn't bring herself to open up. Maybe she had become this mechanical person who isn't able to act like a human with real feelings. At least in what relationships concerned. Her entire life it HAD BEEN mechanical. As if the relationship was some kind of obligation. She didn't want it with Callie to be like that. Her mind was one obscure space these last years of her life. And if she wasn't stubborn enough, she could admit that she probably needed some healp in that department. Sometimes it got too hard to be inside her own head. But right here in front of her was Callie, the one who wanted to make her life simple and easier and good.

"It makes no sense at all what you just said."

"Alright. Okay." Callie raised her hands in surrender. Arizona got up the couch and extended her hands to her.

"You think I can borrow your clothes for a day or two?" She didn't feel like changing right now. In fact, she fully intended in getting home and sleeping in the other woman's clothes. It smelled like whatever soap the brunette used to wash it and a hint of her perfume, since they had been cuddling on the couch for a few hours now. It wasn't exactly appropriate to go out with this kind of clothes. But hey, this was LA, and LA in the summer. No one could judge her for wearing shorts and a tank top.

"You can keep it for as long as you want." The brunette's smile was bright as she bent down to give her one more kiss.

Twenty minutes later and Arizona's bag draped over her shoulder, they were still by the door. Saying good bye? A very long good bye, in fact.

"I think you are making this turn in reverse, Dr. Torres."

"What?" Callie questioned from somewhere around the fair neck.

"You are the one now making me miss you before I'm even gone." Arizona closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the other woman's lips over her skin.

"How do you like it?"

"It's mean."

"Well, drink from your own poison, beautiful lady." Callie chuckled and deposited one last kiss on her neck, pulling back to look into her eyes. Arizona gave her a little peck.

"You are something else." She smiled and kissed the latina again. "Talk tomorrow?"

"Absolutely. Text me when you're home, okay?"

"I will." Arizona said and one more kiss was put on the red plump lips.

"Bye." Callie said over her mouth.

"Bye." And again, another kiss was laid on the doctor's lips.

"Bye."

"Bye." Arizona kissed her again, biting her bottom lip playfully.

"Arizona!" Callie chastised in an amused voice.

"What?" The blonde feigned innocence.

"Go. Before I lock this door and throw the key out of the window and you won't be able to leave anymore."

"And that would be a bad idea because…" She raised her eyebrows. This sudden bravery was very funny for the blonde.

"Stop. You are the one big meany, now."

Arizona laughed as she saw Callie pout. "Okay. Bye." And kissed her again, a smacking sound resonating along the sound of the door opening behind her.

"Go." Callie's voice was followed by a slight smack on her butt. She laughed and walked out, looking back and smiling as she saw Callie's amused face.

As she entered the elevator, she rested her head on the wall and closed her eyes. Her feelings were all over the place where this woman was concerned. She knew nothing about anything right at this moment. But she sure wanted to figure this out and pull her shit together. Callie deserved it. She deserved it herself. She wanted to figure out why sometimes it seemed so easy and the other it seemed so impossible. Crazy. Maybe that was it. She was crazy.

"We'll go dancing in the kitchen

You fall in my arms

Baby won't you let your phone keep ringing

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Won't you take your time on me?

I let you figure me out

Tear all my fences down

We've been so tired

Asleep on our feet

Chasing things we'll never keep

Won't you take your time on me?"

(Take Your Time - Vance Joy)

AN: Hey, guys! Long time no see. I've been all over the place. Literally! I've been all around three different states, 5 different cities. A LOT has happened in my life the last few months. I traveled to the capital of the country to take an exam, my mom was hospitalized, I had to interrupt my driving classes, I'm about to get official results about passing that exam I traveled for (which I'm almost sure I did well and that would mean that I'll get an official and stable job pretty soon), my little cousin was born and I'm still here taking care of him and my auntie. I have another exam this weekend, a graduation party at the beginning of august and some doctor's appointments to go and labs to do and just after that my life should go back to a normal, back with my driving classes so I can finally have a license. And I still have to write a scientific article and a project. A lot of stuff, so bear with me. Anyways… How have you all been. Who liked the world cup result? If I have any French people reading me here, I want to say "Congratulations, guys. Your team really deserved it." I'm sorry for the English people who wanted it so bad to come home. I have to say, though, the next one is ours." It will be 20 years since we won a world cup; the next one has to be ours. Haha Anyways, what do you think about this chapter? I'm not entirely happy with it. But I think it was somehow necessary. Next chapter we will have a small time jump and a liiiiittle bit of drama. Stay tuned and the chapter after that may be just what you are waiting for. Thank you all for staying with me and… Please, leave your review. It is very very important. Sorry for all the mistakes. They are all mine.