Shattered Chapter 14
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Arizona had only been gone two days and Callie was already missing her more than she thought she should be. She knew Arizona was doing amazing things, and that she had already sacrificed so much so they could be together. She just missed her girlfriend and had a nagging feeling that Arizona wasn't safe. Well no one was really safe nowadays abroad were they?
Callie was sitting in the attendings lounge sulking when Mark walked in.
"Missing Blondie already? You too are sickening." He said and poured a cup of coffee.
"Whatever, how's things with Little Grey?" Callie asked wanting to get off the subject.
"Couldn't be better, she may be young but I think this could be the one." Marie smiled at the thought.
"Ya ok, Mark. You can't go six months without screwing a nurse here. Let's bet. Say, two hundred you don't last six months. Deal?" Callie put out her hand.
"Deal Torres, you're gonna lose. Wait and see!" He said and walked out of the room. The door opened again and Cristina walked in.
"Oh what's wrong sulkie? She's only been gone for forty-eight hours. You need to get over it. The girl messed up her grant for you. She should be in Africa performing surgeries everyday not for a month at a time. Imagine cutting every single day, surgery after surgery." Cristina said dreamily.
"Well why don't you go then. I won't miss you." Callie spat jokingly.
"So much love Cal, no I'd rather be here having hot showers and dirty sex. Besides that part of Africa is a little scary right now with the drug lords and upheaval." She said flatly not realizing how worried Callie already was.
"Not helping Yang. Really." The brunette said and laid her head on the table.
"Oh Blondie is feisty. She will be just fine and maybe there's a hot lady doctor over there who will protect her." Cristina said as she ducked out of the way of an oncoming note pad Callie had chucked at her. "You really should take some anger classes. This throwing things is getting out of hand."
"Do you want to go to joes after work for a drink. I could use one." Callie stated clearly sad.
"Sure, I heard a bunch of people are going tonight to celebrate one of the cardio nurses birthdays." Cristina shrugged and left the room. Callie got up and sighed heading for her next surgery of the day.
Arizona was amazed at the progress of the clinic already. They had started construction weeks before she landed, but it was already a working medical center. They had very limited supplies but ample room for the tiny patients. She didn't even have a chance to settle in before she had two major surgeries on a three year old and a eleven year old. It was amazing what her and her team were doing. These kids would have died just two weeks ago if Arizona hadn't been there. Her and Dr. Karev were already making a difference. She knew she would feel overwhelmed but she had no idea she would feel this gratified. When they didn't have patients, Arizona was teaching the African doctors western medical techniques they would use from now on.
She was living in a tent. A very elaborate tent, with more than one room but a tent none the less. The conditions here were not conducive to treating medicine but it was all these children had. Arizona was not expecting the amount of violence and threats to their safety when she had first entered the camp. All she could think of was the poor families who had nothing to do with what these groups were fighting for. She didn't realize she would be treating gun shot wounds on children. She thought it would be more diseases and simple surgeries. It made her sad and very happy to be able to help at the same time.
She missed Calliope. A lot. She was very thankful she had decided to work here for only a month at a time. Their relationship had progressed tremendously since they first bumped into each other. Literally. Once she got back from this trip she was going to ask her girlfriend to move in with her. That thought made the lonely nights bearable. She couldn't wait to start a life together.
She was still daydreaming about Callie when Karev rushed into her tent.
"We have major traumas coming in right now. A bomb went off near a field kids were playing soccer in. It doesn't sound good!" Karev said as Arizona jumped up and grabbed her medical bag and headed for the clinic next door.
"Get all hands on deck now. Tell the nurses to grab any and all supplies they can. I want a triage set up in the main room with as many beds as can fit. This is why we are here Alex, let's do this." Arizona yelled over her shoulder as she ran toward the building.
Callie walked into Joes with Mark after their shift. She was still sad, but feeling a little better knowing tequila was literally feet away. They took two seats at the bar next to Merideth and Yang.
"Ladies." Mark said as he ordered four shots. Once Joe had put the shots down in front of each eagerly awaiting customer, they held them high.
"To Blondie making a difference and kicking ass in Africa!" Christina said as they all downed their shots and Mark ordered another round. Callie winked a thank you to Yang and downed her second tequila. She shivered as the liquid smoothly ran down her throat.
"Where is Derek tonight. Mer?" Mark asked the petite blonde.
"Surgery, he won't be done for awhile. He's clipping at least three aneurysms in his patient. One burst this afternoon so he fixing the bleeder and taking care of the rest while he's in there." She explained as more shots appeared.
"Ok, I don't have to work for the next two days, so one of you will be babysitting me tonight. Understand?" Callie stated as she drank her third and fourth tequila since they entered the bar.
"I gotcha Cal, don't worry. Blondie knows you're safe with me." Mark said as all three girls belted out in laughter. "What? I respect the boundaries of lesbian love and it's not like I haven't been there before. I'm over that." Mark said as Callie punched him in the stomach. They all turned to a stern voice.
"You better be, manwhore." Erica said with her arms crossed staring at Mark.
Mark rolled his eyes as Christina made a mimicking sound of the knife scene in Psycho. Merideth and Callie tried to hide the laughter at Cristina's joke.
"Cmon Mer, I wanna dance." Yang grabbed Mer and pulled her toward the dance floor as Callie shot her a pleading look. She finally turned toward the blonde.
"Erica. How are you tonight and why are you here?" Callie sighed and reached for the shot Joe had put in front of her.
"I'm good Cal, it looks like you're better though." Erica said and eyed the empty shot glasses on the bar in front of the brunette. "I'm here because it's Sarah's birthday and they asked me to tag along. I'm glad I ran into you though." She said with a wide smile.
Callie threw back the shot she had in her hand and slammed in upside down on the bar. "Yup, I feel good but I'll feel better with a couple more of those. What can I do for you?" Callie spat out and Mark chuckled.
"Cmon Cal, I am not here to bother you. I just wanted to talk to you. Privately if possible" Erica gave Mark a evil look.
"No way, you're crazy Erica. I'm not leaving-" He was cut off by Callie.
"Mark I'm fine, really. I'm a big girl, go dance or call Lexi. I'll join you in a minute." He eyed her carefully and walked toward the dance floor. Erica sat down and turned her chair to face Callie.
"Thank you Callie. I just wanted to apologize for the way I have been acting since I got back to Seattle. I never meant to hurt you or interfere with you and Dr. Robbins. She seems like a nice person and I crossed a line." Erica said with as much sincerity in her voice as she could muster. Callie seemed to be trying to decipher wether or not the blonde was actually sincere.
"Well I'm glad you finally came to your senses Erica. You were really causing problems." As soon as Callie heard the words leave her mouth she regretted it. No more shots she thought to herself. At the same time Erica couldn't help but smirk at the comment.
"Well I promise that part of me is done with Cal. I want to be your friend again, and I know you're probably going through a hard time now with her gone." The blonde said warmly and put a had on Callie's back. Callie tensed at the touch and then felt strangely comforted. She was sad and she missed her girlfriend. Arizona was going to be gone for another three more weeks. She put her head in her hands as Erica made small circles with her hand on her back.
"Whatever I can do for you Cal. Joe can I have another shot for my friend please?" Erica waved to Joe who started the pour.
As Mark watched the two women at the bar he could tell Callie was feeling a little too good. Erica had not taken her hand off Callie's back and he was starting to get irritated. He knew Dr. Hahn and whatever this display of caring was, he wasn't buying it.
"Thanks Erica, I'm glad you came over to me tonight. We really did need to clear the air. I was upset with you for a long time but I realized when I met Arizona that everything happens for a reason. Maybe I needed to be hurt by you so I could have a chance with her. So in a way I should thank you I guess." Callie slurred and bumped her shoulder into Erica's.
"I should have never hurt you Callie. I regret it and would love to make it up to you. Why don't You let me take you to dinner someday next week. Just as a way to say I'm sorry." Erica asked as she moved her hand in wider circles along Callie's torso.
"I'm not sure that's a good idea Erica. Arizona isn't even here and we aren't exactly friends again." Callie said as her head became more and more fuzzy. She looked over to the dance floor to see if she could spot Mark. She wanted to go home. She saw Mark in a corner of the bar with Lexi, who must have just came in. Merideth and Christina were still dancing wildly.
"If you want me to walk you home I can. You look a little green." Erica said as she put her hand under Callie's chin and pulled her head up to look her in the eyes.
"No I'll have another shot and wait for Mark and Lexi. I'm fine, thanks." Callie pulled her head away and waved to Joe for another drink. Erica shook her head and sat back down. She signaled Joe to bring two shots over. When Joe put them on the bar he eyed Callie.
"Are you okay Cal?" Joe asked a little concerned although he knew she lived across the street so driving wasn't an issue.
"I'm good, I'm just going to go use the little girls room okay." The Latina said as she stumbled toward the bathroom. Once inside she splashed cold water on her face and proceeded to let the contents of her liquified stomach go in the trash barrel next to the sink. She leaned against the wall for support. The door opened and in walked Cristina.
"Yup, being around the wicked witch of the west will make you feel like this. Cmon we are getting you home." She said and wrapped an arm around Callie's shoulders.
"I feel better now, I'll come dance with you." Callie said and Yang laughed.
"We are getting you away from Hahn and going home. Geez you're a trooper tonight." They walked out of the bathroom and right into Erica.
"Oh, I was just coming to check on her Dr. Yang. I can bring her home if you want to stay." The blonde said and went to put an arm under Callie's for support.
"We are fine, we are just about to leave. Thanks." Yang pulled Callie harshly toward the others waiting and left Erica standing by the bathroom door.
"Bitch" Cristina and Erica said under their breath at the same time.
Arizona was exhausted. She had performed surgery after surgery on precious little children. Children who had severe injuries due to shrapnel from a bomb that had detonated in the middle of their soccer game. There had been a lot of commotion from multiple groups of men during the day. Although she could really understand what was being said or what the situation entailed, Arizona could see that these men were not just civilians or parents of the injured kids. The security at the clinic had to block several armed men from storming the operating rooms on more than one occasion. Apparently they were looking for something or someone associated with the bombing.
As she stood over a young boy now, she could already see the seriousness of his wounds. Even if the boy made it through surgery, he would face years and years of rehabilitation. She had already amputated one of the boys legs below the knee and was now working on his midsection, which had been torn apart by flying shrapnel. His intestines were spilling out and his spleen looked mangled beyond repair. Alex looked up at Arizona and simply nodded his head. She knew she had to keep trying because the strong little boy was still clinging to life. She was doing everything she could when the operating doors burst open.
"Hey! You can not-" Arizona stopped when she saw the weapons. Two armed men were standing by the doors of her OR at attention. Seconds passed and a smaller mad dressed in a very expensive suit came through the doors. He looked down at the operating table and then up at Arizona.
"Sir, you can not be in-" Arizona was cut off again by this small man simply putting his hand up in the air signaling for her to stop talking. She looked at Alex and then at her liaison African surgeon who could also translate.
"Ask him what he wants. NOW!" Arizona said as the heart and oxygen monitors started to beep furiously.
"He's coding! Get the crash cart!" Alex screamed to one of the nurses as the room burst into action. The small man was pushed aside by several OR techs and a nurse.
"Get them out of here!" Arizona screamed as she grabbed the paddles. "Clear!" She screamed as she pushed 220 volts of electricity into the small boys heart. The two armed men and smaller man were ushered from the room. As they looked back they saw Arizona pound on the little boys chest trying to restart his heart.
A half hour later Arizona walked out of the OR to find a group of armed men in the waiting room. There had to be at least 10 men with weapons and the smaller man from before was sitting in a chair with his head in his hands. Charles, Arizona's liaison at the clinic walked up beside her.
"This isn't normal. I don't know who they are but we do not usually have anyone official interfere wi the clinic. Do you want me to talk to them?" He asked. Arizona nodded when a nurse rushed up to them. She also spoke the language.
"Dr. Robbins, we have a small issue here. These men represent one of the main drug cartels in this region. They are here because of the boy you were just trying to save in the operating room. The little boy is the head of the cartels son. Or he was. I'm sorry." The nurse bowed her head and backed away.
"Hey wait a minute. The father is here, he was in my OR?" Arizona said in shock.
"No Dr. Robbins, that man is the representative for the family. The father does not come into the public eye. He never has. They are here to take the boy home." She said as a tear rolled down her face. She was obviously petrified.
"Ok, thank you Carla." Arizona turned to Charles. "Will you help me talk to the representative please?" She walked toward the man sitting in the chair.
After about twenty minutes, Arizona was satisfied that the man had understood all of the injuries the boy had suffered. She had tried to explain everything they had done to try and save his little life. She apologized profusely and promised to have his body prepared for transport as soon as possible. She was a little unnerved by the way his cold eyes bore into her, never leaving her, as Charles translated what she was explaining. He did not cry, he didn't nod, he just stared through her. As the small army headed to leave, the small man turned back before he exited the door. Arizona smiled and nodded trying to show respect for the dead little boy. The man raised his right arm and made the sign of the cross toward her, then turned and left.