Title: All Bets Are Off 14/?
Author: GreysAddictJ
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: NC-17/M
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. No infringement intended. Also, I don't use a beta, so all mistakes are mine.
Summary: A/U - World class professional poker player Arizona Robbins is known for keeping her cool in high intensity situations. What happens when an upstart new player, Callie Torres, sets her world spinning out of control?
A/N: This somehow turned into a pretty Callie-centric chapter. Sorry for the AZ fans out there, though she's definitely still here and will be back with full coverage next chapter.
"Well, Calliope?" Her father interrupted her reverie. She took a deep breath. There was really only one thing to do. She took a deep breath and began.
Callie looked straight into her father's eyes, hoping to emphasize not only the power of her conviction, but also the immense hurt he was causing her. "I really hope that you'll reconsider, Daddy, but if I'm forced to choose, there's only one choice for me to make."
Her father leaned back in his chair, with a slightly self-satisfied smirk on his face, indicating that he knew exactly what she'd choose – to give in as she always did. His overconfidence spurred her on, giving her more courage to continue.
"I choose to stay here. On my own. In Vegas. With Arizona."
A look of shock washed over her father's face. It hurt her to know that she was disappointing him – she'd be raised to fear such disappointment, to try her hardest to make him proud. But she knew the time for doing what he thought was best, instead of what was really best for her, had passed. It was time to put herself first for once.
"Mija, please reconsider. I am seriously concerned for your well being. How much do you know about this woman? Are you sure she isn't just using you for your money?"
The idea that Arizona was interested in her only for the size of her bank account had never crossed Callie's mind. But it wasn't because Callie was naïve or blinded by lust. It was because she knew without a doubt, despite their short acquaintance, that Arizona was incapable of such a thing. She shook her head. "That's not it, Daddy. I'm sure of it. Besides, Arizona is one of the most successful poker players in the world. And despite what you say, it's not gambling. It's a skill. Just two days ago, she won several hundred thousand dollars. And that's not the only thing she's won. Her house alone must be worth a few million dollars. And Arizona is one of the most genuine, caring, and kind people I've ever met. She's not a gold digger. But if you have to cut me off to prove your point, so be it." Callie waved her hand dismissively, hoping that her inner pain wasn't showing through.
"How can you be sure she isn't just a fling, Calliope?"
"Because she's already become one of the most important people in my life. She matters to me, Daddy. A great deal."
"She's important enough to throw away your family? Important enough to just dismiss those of us who have been there for you your entire life?" Her father was clearly exasperated, but Callie remained firm.
"You're the one who's forcing me to make that choice, Daddy, not me." Callie struggled to keep her tone even, not wanting to make a scene in public.
"As your father, it is my job to protect you from making unwise decisions. And that is what I'm trying to do. I cannot emphasize enough to you how disappointed I am." He shook his head, clearly shocked that she hadn't caved like he'd expected.
"I'm a grown woman, Daddy. I wish you'd let me make my own decisions and at least try to support me in those decisions. And you keep telling me how disappointed you are in me. Frankly, I'm disappointed in you. Family is supposed to be the constant – the people who are there for you, to support you no matter what. It's not like I just told you I'm an axe murderer or something."
"Clearly we're getting nowhere, Calliope. So I'll ask you one more time and beg you to reconsider before you throw your life away so carelessly." He ran a frustrated hand over his balding head.
Callie shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Daddy." Her response came out almost as a whisper as she rose from the table and fled.
Callie returned to her room and sank back onto the bed, taking a moment to reflect on what had just happened. She couldn't believe she'd done it. She'd just cut herself off from everything she knew, from her family, from her security. Her heart was breaking, yet she felt so free. She was going to be the strong, confident woman she knew she could be. She was going to make it on her own. She was scared . . . damn scared, but for once, she was going to let go of that fear.
She shook her head, attempting to rid herself of the disbelief. She'd finally done it. She'd stood up to her father – something that she'd never been able to do before. It was something that Arizona had given her the strength to do. Shit! Arizona. She'd undoubtedly hurt her with her shocked response. How could she have been such an idiot? Her "friend," Arizona, might not even want anything to do with her anymore. She needed to talk to her. She'd worry about her own problems, like how she was going to survive with no money, later. Right now, all that was important was making amends with her girlfriend – at least she hoped she was still her girlfriend.
Callie picked up her phone and dialed Arizona's number. After listening to several rings, each irritating tone causing Callie's heart to sink further, the voicemail came on. Callie couldn't help but smile slightly at the sweet, perky tone of Arizona's voice. After leaving Arizona a message asking her to please call her, she grabbed her purse and keys and headed to her car. On the off chance that Arizona was avoiding her calls, she'd have to make an in-person visit to her house. Hopefully she'd be there.
As Callie pulled up to Arizona's house, her heart sank. Arizona's car was gone. She dialed her cell phone again, hoping that she'd pick up – no such luck. She left another voicemail and also sent a text message for good measure. She let out a sigh and slammed her head back against the headrest of her seat. Finally, frustrated beyond belief and still overwhelmed by the fight with her father, she allowed herself a moment to wallow in self-pity, tears trickling down her cheeks. She'd really screwed up. Not only had she just lost her family, but she'd clearly upset Arizona. She only hoped she hadn't done irreparable damage to their relationship.
Composing herself, Callie called and left Arizona another voicemail before making the rounds of the typical Vegas locations that she knew Arizona frequented. Arizona was nowhere to be found – clearly she wanted to remain unfound. Frustrated, Callie called Mark.
"Hey Mark."
"What's up, Torres?"
"Have you seen Arizona today?" Callie hoped he would have some information as to her whereabouts.
"Blondie? No. Why?"
"I messed up. Big time."
"What did you do, Torres? Tell her that a pair of jeans made her butt look big? Pull her hair too hard when you two were braiding each other's hair? Paint her toenails the wrong shade of pink?"
"Mark, I'm serious. I messed up. My father showed up, unannounced this morning. Arizona was with me. I panicked. I introduced her as my friend, not my girlfriend. I clearly hurt her."
"Ouch," he responded.
"Ouch is right. And to top it all off, my father didn't buy it for a minute. He told me if I didn't leave Arizona and poker and come home to Miami, he'd cut me off."
"Wow. Papa Torres doesn't mess around! What did you do?"
"I told him that I was staying here. That poker and Arizona made me happier than I'd ever been."
"Good for you, Callie." Though she couldn't see it, Mark was smiling with pride that she'd finally stood up to her father.
"Yeah, hopefully it wasn't for nothing. I haven't been able to find her. I need to explain, to apologize."
"Sorry, I can't help you there, Cal. Why don't you give Teddy a call? Maybe she'll have an idea of where she's at."
"Do you have her number, Mark? I don't have it."
After Mark gave her the number, they said their goodbyes. "Good luck, Callie. Though for what it's worth, I don't think you'll need it."
"Thanks, Mark."
"Anytime, Torres." With that, they both hung up and Callie dialed Teddy's number.
"Hello?" Teddy answered after the third ring.
"Hey, Teddy. This is Callie Torres."
"Hi, Callie."
"Sorry to bother you – Mark gave me your number."
"No bother. What's up?"
"I was wondering if you might have seen Arizona today . . . or if you might know where she'd go if she were upset?"
"I take it you two had a fight?"
"Something like that. Let's just say I was a complete idiot this morning and now I can't find her to apologize. She's not answering her phone."
"I'm sure you'll work through it, whatever it is. I haven't seen her today. There is this park she goes to sometimes when she's had a bad run at cards. When she needs to think." Teddy gave Callie directions to the park.
"Thanks Teddy. I really appreciate it."
"Not a problem. One thing, Callie."
"What's that?"
"Don't mess this up. I've known Arizona for a long time and I've never seen her like this with anyone. Even her ex, Joanne. Never like this. So don't toy with her heart if you're not sure. It'll break her."
"I promise I'll do everything in my power to keep from messing this up. It's important to me as well – obviously."
"Okay, then. If you do find her, tell her to call me and fill me in later. In the meantime, go get your girl."
"Thanks again, Teddy. Bye." Callie hung up and headed to the park Teddy had suggested. She silently prayed that Arizona was there. She needed to make this right. The thought of losing Arizona devastated her. She knew they'd only been together for a short time, but right now, mending what she'd broken felt like a matter of life and death.
Arizona took a few deep breaths as she sat on her favorite bench, overlooking a small duck pond. This park, filled with trees, was like an oasis in the middle of Las Vegas's neon desert. It was place she came when she needed to think, to find some silence, to get away. And she definitely needed all of that at the moment.
Her heart ached. She'd be blinded by her feelings for Callie. She'd let her tear down the protective walls she'd so carefully constructed around her vulnerable heart. And what had it gotten her? Hurt all over again. Just like with Joanne. Only this was 100 times worse. The fact that she felt so much, felt so deeply, after such a short acquaintance, was frightening. And now, the uncertainty caused by Callie's words this morning threatened to break her.
Friend. She was Callie's friend. Was that what Callie really wanted? Would she fall in line and do as her father told her? Maybe she'd just been an experiment. Now that her father was here, maybe Callie would come to her senses and fly back to Miami. Go and marry some stodgy banker who'd give her a bunch of babies and a stable, boring, "normal" life.
The doubts were overwhelming. She was usually so confident - doubt was not something she dealt with often. Yet, Arizona felt as though she were drowning with uncertainty. If she really examined herself, she knew why. It was because she cared – deeply. She cared so much for Calliope, someone she'd only known for a short time. And because she cared, it mattered. So her confidence was in shambles. The thought that Callie might not fight for herself as a strong independent woman, fight for her poker career upset her. But the thought that Callie might not fight for them, for her, for her heart, shattered her.
"Hey." Callie's gentle voice brought Arizona out of her thoughts. She turned around, wiping away a few tears, to see Callie . . . her Calliope, standing there.
Callie offered her a bashful smile before coming to sit beside her on the bench.
"I . . . am so, so sorry, Arizona."
Arizona's heart sank. Unused to the doubt, she assumed the worst, that Callie was here to end things. "Don't. Please don't apologize Callie. I understand this is all new and scary. I'm sure it was a hard choice to make and going back home might be the right thing. I don't know. But I'll support you. As much as it will hurt, I'll still be your friend. It's not . . ." Callie cut her words off with a brief but heartfelt kiss. Arizona was shocked at first, but eased into the kiss, reaching up to cup Callie's cheek and to bring her closer.
Finally Callie pulled back and gently stroked away the tears that Arizona had been unable to contain. "You're adorable when you're scared, Arizona. Now please, let me finish what I need to say. I promise, it won't hurt."
Arizona nodded. Callie took her hand and brought it to her lips, gently kissing the blonde's knuckles. "I am so sorry that I panicked this morning. You are so much more than a friend to me. Right now, you're the most important person in my life. You make me so happy and I can't imagine not being with you . . . which is what I told my father when he threatened to cut me off."
Arizona gasped in shock. "He didn't! He actually threatened that?"
Callie nodded. "He said if I didn't stop playing poker and end my sinful relationship with you, then I'd be on my own. He asked me what my choice would be. I chose you . . . and me. My new life. On my own."
Arizona's heart swelled, knowing how hard that decision must have been for Callie, the girl who always did as she was told. Her bright blue eyes shimmered with a mixture of pride and awe. "You are so amazing, Calliope. You are so strong. I'm so proud of you. I know how difficult that must have been."
"It was . . ." Callie began, her voice wavering as her overwhelming emotions finally took over. Hot tears began to run down her cheeks as she finally let herself break down.
Arizona drew her into her arms and rubbed Callie's back reassuringly. "I can't even imagine what you must be feeling. But do know this. You are not alone, Calliope. I will be there with you every step of the way. I'm sure Mark and our other friends will be too. And maybe your father will come around. Give him some time to get used to the idea."
They sat without speaking for several minutes, Callie's body quaking against Arizona, her tears staining the blonde's shoulder, as she let out all of the pent up emotions of the day.
Finally, Callie's sobs ceased. Arizona placed a gentle kiss on the top of Callie's head. "Come on, let's get you home."
Callie looked up into Arizona's eyes, her face red and puffy from her crying jag. "I don't have a home anymore." Another tear escaped her beautiful brown eyes. Arizona gently kissed it away.
"Sure you do. My home is your home, Calliope. I love you."