AN : / Hey guys! I'm back, finally.
What's up with you?
Here is at last the 21st chapter!
I really hope you're going to enjoy it. Their journey are evolving slowly but wisely.
The next chapter is ready and will be post this week. I'm working on chapter 23 and there will be a little time jump.
Shy Alien is my beta as usual and I'm so grateful for her job.
I can't wait to read your reviews and your expectations for the next chapters! I love rading them, they are making my day!
So see you very soon, and have a nice reading.
...
She was wandering in the hallways of the hospital, looking at everything and anything.
It had been 10 days since Richard Webber had talked to her but she hadn't gone to see his secretary for an appointment as he had asked her to do. Instead, she had spent a lot of time in the Peads ward, rummaging around, talking with nurses and doctors. She was swooping everywhere, trying to be discrete but it wasn't really working.
A lot of them were wondering who the little annoying blonde woman was and even if she was really polite, they were still a little suspicious about her presence.
But she was there almost every day, she had been seen talking with the staff members. Some had even seen her holding a certain ortho surgeon's hand, so she was apparently a part of the family in a way.
The trial on the other hand was going well. All the tests and tries were going smoothly, and so far, no problems were found.
Today, though, was one of the most important day regarding the trial. She was going to try the full prosthetic, taking her first step with the whole artificial leg, but she wasn't nervous at all.
She was preoccupied with finding an access to the gallery than going to the lab where she was supposed to be.
The past few days had been nothing but amazing with Callie. Even if the brunette had a lot on her plate between the trial and her regular job, she always found a few moments to see her girlfriend. They didn't have a lot of time together, but when they did, everything was perfect.
They were getting to know each other better, but Arizona was a little frustrated because she had to spend most of her days alone.
When she was alone, she would think about everything and anything, and that wasn't good for her and she knew that.
So her new main concern was her professional life. She had been thinking a lot about it. She had even done some research about Seattle pediatric unit and she had been surprised to notice Dr. Kinley was running his department in a really old school way.
After all, he was about to retire, but there were some things that were really not well managed, like the pain control. It was a subject she had done research on for years, having even written articles about it a few years ago and she couldn't help but think that Seattle was really far behind. And that was saying something keeping in mind that she was the one who had been away from an OR for almost 2 years.
There was a challenge to take and if she wanted to help Seattle Grace Pediatric Unit move forward, she had some catching up to do. But that was something she was thinking about now.
Following a group of residents, whom she had heard were going to the gallery, she tried to make herself invisible and was sure she would be able to enter without being noticed.
Without noticing it, her interest for medicine was coming back and knowing her two former bosses had recommended her was flattering.
It was true, she was made for this job. She used to give everything she had for it.
So maybe it would be a good idea to give Richard Webber's offer a try.
Still walking behind the future surgeons, she didn't see the man whose proposal had been running through her head for days. She was sure no one had noticed her presence and was smiling big when she finally found the entrance she was looking for.
Leaning against the opposite wall, the older man was looking at her with a smirk on his face. He had succeeded to arouse her interest.
As Arizona was about to follow the residents, she jumped in surprise when Richard cleared his throat behind her. She immediately turned towards him and tried to avoid his gaze.
« Dr. Robbins, what are you doing here? » he asked her, amused by her childish behavior. He had to bite his lip to restrain himself from laughing.
« I... nothing, I... I think I got lost? » Arizona mumbled. « I had a very, very important appointment with Dr. Torres, and I don't know how, but I found myself here... »
« That's weird... » Richard said, really amused by Arizona's stubbornness to lie. « Would you like me to show you the way? »
« Sure! » Arizona replied, feigning gratitude. « That would be great... »
She awkwardly followed the taller man who felt very proud of himself.
« It's really surprising you've came so far. The lab is at the opposite wing. »
« I know... I must have been distracted. »
« Something on your mind maybe? You don't really look focused. »
Here it was. Arizona was trapped and she knew what the next subject would be in their apparently casual conversation.
« Actually yes, I've been thinking about what you asked me the other day. » Arizona tried to take the lead. « I have to say I was surprised at first. »
« Oh, so you're ready to talk about it? » Richard got straight to the point. « Because you didn't seem to like it when I offered you an interview with the board... »
…...
Fidgeting nervously Callie couldn't believe that Arizona was late at such an important meeting. It was the first real test with all the elements of her revolutionary prosthetic and she wasn't here on time. She was only 10 minutes late, but for Callie it was already too much.
« She better have a good reason to be late... » Callie grumbled as she checked her phone again.
« It's just been a few minutes Dr. Torres... » Jackson said, trying to calm her down. « She will be here soon. »
Sighing, Callie couldn't help herself but fear that her girlfriend would vanish each time she was late. It was totally irrational, and she knew it, but the feeling was still there. Even if everything had been really good and amazing between them, somewhere in her mind, the thought was still present.
But right now it wasn't happening, it was not possible.
It was an important appointment, and Arizona knew it, so she was a little nervous thinking that Arizona was taking it so lightly.
When the doors finally opened, she immediately raised her head and wasn't satisfied to see her friend Meredith Grey entering.
« Hey! I was looking for you... » Meredith said, immediately noticing Callie's negative reaction. « Or maybe I should come back... »
« It's okay Mer... I was just... Whatever... What can I do for you? » The brunette sighed.
« What are you doing tomorrow night? »
« Nothing... Or wait... Sleeping would be great... »
« Absolutely not! You're coming to my place. It's Derek's birthday and we're having a big dinner! »
« Really? » Callie sighed again. « And you're telling me this just the day before? »
« No, I already told you last month, but as usual, you must have forgotten... » Meredith smiled, knowing her friend by heart. « It's not a big deal, I already knew that would happen, that's why I'm here to remind you. »
« I'm sorry Mer... It's just I'm so busy lately... »
« I told you, no big deal, I get it. So I will wait for you and the others at 7. Sound good? » Meredith asked.
« Perfect! » Callie replied. « Should I bring something? »
« Just yourself, and maybe one bottle of that expensive wine you brought at the last Christmas party? » Meredith smiled. « Oh, and of course your girlfriend is welcome. »
« Oh... » Callie blushed. « You sure? »
« Callie... Of course. She's with you, and I'd like to get to know her better. »
« Okay, I'd ask her if she's available. » Callie smiled.
« Great! I have to go! See you tomorrow night! » Meredith said, before leaving the lab.
Callie rolled her eyes. She was thinking about what Arizona's reply would be to the invitation. She wasn't sure if she would want to go. Most of the people there would be strangers.
The brunette was frustrated, going back to walking on eggshells wasn't a good thing. Arizona had asked her to act normally, even if she was having some doubts about the way she should be around her girlfriend. Tomorrow's dinner seemed a little like a real introduction of them as a couple, and suddenly, she was feeling nervous about it.
It was when she was engrossed in the internal debate with herself that the lab doors opened again, and she saw Arizona enter followed by the chief.
« Sorry! Sorry! I'm late. I know! » Arizona said, clenching her teeth and avoiding Callie's eyes.
Relieved and surprised to see her girlfriend's companion, Callie smiled at her. Now was not the time to be grumpy about her late arrival, now was time to run the tests and to focus on them only.
Arizona approached Jackson and sat on the bench she used to take off her usual prosthetic.
« I'm the reason Dr. Robbins is late. » Richard said. « I had something to show her, and some questions to ask her. »
« It's okay chief, we were just finishing some last minute fixes. » Callie said, carefully helping Arizona to put her socket on.
« Can I stay? » He asked as Callie gulped.
She was really surprised at the question because the chief being present added a little pressure on her.
« Of course! » She replied. « Have a seat! »
Standing up, Callie tried to remain focused on the goal of that session. She smiled at Arizona and looked at Jackson connecting the last pieces to the artificial leg.
Kneeling next to him, she readjusted some pieces, being sure to follow every step of the process.
« So, it's all set. » Callie said, standing up. « We're going to give it a try, for real; not only the walking function, but the sensitivity aspect as well. »
« Everything is ready Dr. Torres. » Jackson confirmed.
« Are you ready? » Callie asked Arizona who was now feeling all the pressure of the world on her shoulders.
« I am! »
…...
A few hours later, they were getting out of the elevator to go to Callie's apartment, and Arizona wasn't sure they would be able to make it to the main doors.
« Callie! » Arizona tried to stop her girlfriend who was covering her face and neck with kisses. « The doors are open... »
« I don't care... » Callie mumbled, her hands running everywhere on her girlfriend's body.
« Well, if you just stop for a minute, we'll be in your bedroom, all alone... » Arizona tried a new smart tactic which seemed to work.
« Well, I like the sounds of that... » Callie bit her lip, and grabbed the blonde's hand, dragging her out of the elevator.
After reaching the apartment door, Callie quickly opened it, never leaving her girlfriend's hand, and as soon as she closed it, she pinned Arizona against the wall, attacking her neck with passionate kisses, trying to get rid of her blouse.
« What's with the sudden urge? » Arizona managed to say, trying to slow down her lover a little. « I mean, we barely left the lab and you were so... »
« We rocked that leg test! I want to celebrate! » Callie said, a little annoyed by her way too talkative girlfriend.
« I can see that... » Arizona replied. « But don't you want to go out instead? »
« No... I want you... » Callie says huskily, too busy trying to unclasp Arizona's bra.
« I get it... » Arizona grumbled, a little uncomfortable. « But … I … it's just... »
« Oh shut up! » Callie suddenly said, regretting it immediately.
She stopped her undressing and bent her head. The mood was definitely killed and she was now feeling frustrated.
Taken aback by Callie's sudden fierce tone, Arizona swallowed hard, and remained frozen against the wall. She wasn't prepared for such a fierce reaction and was destabilized.
« I'm so sorry... » Callie apologized, finally raising her gaze to meet shocked blue eyes. « I didn't mean it... I was just... »
She stepped back and gave Arizona her blouse back. The blonde took it and avoided Callie's eyes that were on her. She was still under the shock of hearing her girlfriend almost yell at her and it wasn't something she was ready to face right now. It was the first time she had seen her so frustrated and reacting so unexpectedly that she was stunned.
« I was just... You know that urge you have after you succeed, that feeling of almighty power when you rock a tricky surgery... It's just... » Callie rambled.
She was ashamed and was lamely trying to justify something that was totally out of balance. She had screwed up and she needed to find a way to show her girlfriend that she was sorry. Looking at Arizona's defeated expression was making her sick but it was her fault and only hers.
« I... uhm... I should go. » Arizona simply said, putting her blouse back on.
« No please... Listen to me Arizona... » Callie tried to hold her back.
« Were you listening to me when I was asking you to slow down? » Arizona snapped at her.
« Touché... »
It was not a real fight, but it was the first time they were arguing since they were a couple. And it happened at the least expected moment. Not an hour ago, everything had been great. Arizona's first real steps with the prosthetic Callie and her team had been working on for months were successful. Everything had worked and for the first time in years, Arizona had felt something in her missing limb. The feeling had been a shock to her. It wasn't a striking sensation but she had felt something and it had been overwhelming for both of them.
The things is Arizona, even if she was proud of Callie and was thrilled the test were so positive, wasn't totally focused on the event.
She had been talking with Richard Webber on their way to the lab and he had been really convincing.
Even if she hadn't said yes, she was more and more interested in the offer he had made to her. So she was feeling a little guilty at not being fully mentally present with her girlfriend during that amazing moment and she was asking herself how, so quickly, everything had turned into a disaster.
« I was carried away, I'm sorry... I thought you were too... I shouldn't have assumed... » Callie tried to explain.
« Yeah, you shouldn't have... » Arizona snapped again.
She let herself slide to the floor, still leaning against the wall. The cold material made her shiver. The situation was awkward for both of them and the tension was killing Arizona.
« I don't want to fight. » Arizona blurted out of nowhere. « I was just not in the mood, and I didn't expect you to be so... »
She shrugged, thinking back at the craziness of the moment. It was almost comical but she didn't want to laugh right now.
« As I told you, I just thought you'd be up to some... celebration... » Callie sighed. She didn't want to fight either, but they had to talk about what they had on their mind. She sat against the wall, not too close to the blonde and sighed heavily in frustration. It was not supposed to happen this way, at all.
« I thought you'd be happy. » She insisted.
« Callie I am happy. I'm really happy for you, for the trial, even for me. I mean... it's incredible. » Arizona came closer to her and raised her chin to assert her of what she was saying. « You have done an amazing job, this is so huge. You are amazing. »
« You think so? »
« Of course! » Arizona finally smiled. « But I wasn't expecting that kind of celebration... »
« I'm sorry... » Callie replied, a shameful expression on her face. « I'm so embarrassed... »
« No... Don't be… It's me... » Arizona replied. « I was just... I have been a little unfocused lately. I was thinking about a lot of things, even when we were testing the leg. »
« I should have listened to you. » Callie genuinely said. « But I was so... »
« Horny? » Arizona teased her girlfriend who immediately hid her face between her hands. « What? Don't be ashamed, it's natural... »
« Please, don't make it sounds creepier... » Callie mumbled making Arizona laugh.
« It's not creepy. It happens to everybody you know... »
« Anyway, it's your fault... » Callie finally said as she stood up and gave her hand to Arizona, helping her do the same.
« How is it 'my' fault when you're the one who cannot keep your hands out of my pants? » She teased her lover.
« It's your fault because you're hot... » Callie bit her lip.
« Hey, stop looking at me that way... I told you, not now... » Arizona gently put her finger on Callie's lips before giving her a peck. « But cuddling on the couch with a glass of wine? That is totally what I need right now... »
…...
« Do you know that your apartment is really...? »
« Really what? » Callie asked as she was sitting on her black couch next to her girlfriend, handing her a glass of red wine.
« Don't get me wrong. I love it. It's really beautiful, and modern. »
« But? » Callie smiled in anticipation, knowing what would come after.
« But it doesn't fit the picture I have in my head about you... »
« What do you mean the picture you have? » Callie frowned.
« Well, as you told me a few days ago, even if we are together, we don't know each other that well... » Arizona tiptoed, not wanting Callie to take what she was saying in the wrong way. After their fiasco earlier this evening, she didn't want to upset her.
« And that's when I told you that I wanted to know everything about you. » Callie smiled as she began to play with Arizona's hair.
« Absolutely. And so this apartment of yours, it's a little … snooty. » Arizona said softly.
« No it's not. It's modern and really decorated with taste. » Callie smiled proudly, looking around her living room. « But to say the truth, I'm not often here, so it's easier to keep it a little impersonal. »
« I'm sorry, I shouldn't say things like that... Who am I to say that...? I don't even have an apartment. I haven't had one in years. » Arizona replied.
Feeling it was a good way to make her talk, Callie smiled and put her hand on her girlfriend's knee, as an invitation to continue.
« Where did you live when you were in L.A? » Callie ventured.
« After... After I was back from Thailand, I stayed with Teddy for a while then I had to rent a new apartment. I wasn't able to go back to the one I shared with Annie. It had never been my place anyway. I moved to her place, and almost everything was hers. » Arizona explained. « So I took the first available place I found close to the hospital and I put all the boxes from the older place in it, unpacking only the necessary stuff. I lived there for a month surrounded with boxes full of her stuff. I was at the hospital most of the time, or at Alex's, or Teddy's or even April's. I hated that place. »
Feeling the emotion in the blonde's voice, Callie couldn't do anything else but to take her in her arms, which her girlfriend accepted immediately, melting in the comforting embrace. The night was decidedly not going in the way they both thought it would, but it wasn't something bad. Finally, they were used to having unexpected talks about their respected lives, and it was the best way to make Arizona open up more: let it all happen naturally.
« I didn't want to make you think about that when I asked. » Callie explained as they broke the hug.
« I know, it's okay. And as I already told you, you can ask me whatever you want. » Arizona smiled.
« Yeah, I know that. » Callie replied, taking her glass of wine. « But I don't want to push you or bring back any dark memory. »
« You weren't pushing me. Anyway, enough with the past. We're here to celebrate your incredible success. » Arizona stated, taking her glass and raising it. « To you, to my wonderful missing leg which helped you fulfill your research, and to your amazing work on the prosthetic which is going to help so many people out there! »
« What are you doing! » Callie feinted shock. « You don't cheer with wine! Not in my snooty apartment! »
She stood up and walked to the kitchen under Arizona's amused eyes.
« There you go! » She said, coming back with two new glasses and a bottle of champagne, popping it open with a huge smile on her face. « Cheers to everything you said! And Cheers to our first argument! »
« You don't cheer an argument! » Arizona retorted.
« Well I think we could, because I'm going to do everything I can for it to be something very rare! »
…...
The next morning, Arizona woke up alone in Callie's king size bed, a little lost at first. It took her a few minutes to open her eyes and remember where she was.
She was a little disappointed to notice that her girlfriend was gone but she could hear her humming in the kitchen and it was more than enough to make her smile.
It was something she loved about Calliope Torres: her voice. It was delicate and suave, soothing and strong at the same time.
She sat on the edge of the bed and automatically looked for her crutches that weren't there obviously. Instead she just grabbed her sock and prepared herself to put her prosthetic on.
It was part of her morning routine even if she usually waited a little after her breakfast to put it on.
As she was doing it, she couldn't help but think about Richard Webber one more time. The man had been really persuasive, and Arizona was really considering taking the job.
He had offered her a real precise schedule. She would work with Dr. Kinley for the time he was still there. It would give her time to recover from her months away from her job and she would work at her own pace. Webber would help her study and catch up to the latest innovations in pediatrics surgery.
Everything would be done for her to be prepared and to feel at ease with her future position.
He had also told her he was interested in the creation of a fetal department that she could lead when she would be ready.
He had insisted that it was a win-win situation: he would get a known and competent surgeon, while she would get almost everything she needed to help her get back to work.
It was an unexpected opportunity, almost a dream come true for her and it was the first time she was feeling wanted professionally. Chief Webber had really thought about everything, taking into consideration her disability without making it a hurdle, talking to her about the program his hospital was sharing with several clinics in Africa. He knew it was something important to his future recruit and she had been really amazed by the photos and the videos he had shown her.
Almost too perfect to be real. She thought to herself, standing up and stretching her body before walking to the kitchen where her girlfriend was making her breakfast.
« Oh no! » Callie said as she saw her.
« Well... That's a hell of a welcome... » Arizona pouted.
« I mean No! You were supposed to be in bed, sleeping, and then I would come with your breakfast, and wake you up with a soft kisses... » Callie pouted back. « And you would have been so cute, with your smile, whispering 'Thank you' in my ear... »
« You have put a lot of thought into that... » Arizona smiled at her girlfriend, coming closer and wrapping her arms around her waist.
« I have... » Callie smiled, leaning in to kiss the blonde. « I have because I have something to ask you. »
« Go ahead... » Arizona said, waiting for Callie to ask her question.
She sat at the table as Callie finished to prepare the breakfast.
« I have something to ask you too. » Arizona said, wanting to talk about her job offer.
« Oh? » Callie reacted, walking to the table with a tray. « You want to go first? »
« No, go. » Arizona replied, watching her girlfriend serve her with a big smile. « You didn't have to do all of this. »
Callie smiled at her and sat next to her, serving her a cup of coffee. It was just a lazy morning with her girlfriend at her place. It was something a lot of people would find trivial, but for Callie it was precious. She had a professional success the day before, she was in love and was about to have breakfast with her girlfriend who was opening herself to her more and more. They were really communicating, working on Arizona's issues and it all felt really good.
« Well, I have dinner tonight at Meredith's. » Callie explained, taking a bite of her toast. « It's Derek's birthday. »
« That's great. » Arizona simply replied. She didn't know if there was something else Callie wanted to tell her, but for the moment, she wasn't really getting why she seemed so formal.
« It is, actually. They have a big house near the woods. It's really beautiful. » Callie continued, not really comfortable. Would Arizona agree to accompany her? Was it too soon?
« Good for you... » Arizona replied, not really following what Callie was trying to tell her. « If you're worried about me, don't! You can't go and enjoy your night. I'm not the kind of girlfriend who prevents her partner from going to a dinner. And I have a lot of things to do anyway. So go and enjoy your night! »
« Oh, Really? » Callie said disappointed to hear that statement. « What do you have to do? »
« Well it had to do with what I wanted to talk to you. » Arizona replied, taking the first sip of her coffee. She took a few seconds to appreciate the taste of the nectar and let a moan of pleasure escape.
« This coffee is really amazing... » She whispered. « That's what you get when you have a fancy coffee maker I guess. »
Callie rolled her eyes but smiled at the same time. This was her Arizona and she loved her more and more with each day that passed.
« What is it that you wanted to talk about? » Callie asked, a little worried.
She was never serene when Arizona openly said she wanted to talk about something. It was stupid, but she was still a little on edge sometimes.
« Well, as you must know, I was talking with Dr. Webber yesterday. » Arizona replied.
« I don't know anything. » Callie almost cut her off. « I saw you with him when you arrived at the lab, and that's all. »
« Well I met him on my way to the lab. And I have to say that he's been really persistent regarding the job offer he talked to me about last week. »
« Really? » Callie questioned.
« Kind of... » Arizona said. « And that's why I wanted to ask you, if it would be okay with you if I might consider the offer. »
Still surprised by the announcement, Callie froze for a moment. She didn't really know how to react the right way.
« You are considering going back to work? » she finally asked her girlfriend.
« I am. »
« Seriously? »
« Seriously, but if it will bother or annoy you, I will decline. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable or anything. Because it's your hospital. Well, I know it's not YOUR hospital but I mean it's your place, and I don't want it to cause any problems between us. I'd really understand. » the blonde rambled, but was genuinely telling the truth.
« Well technically, it IS my hospital. » Callie replied.
« I get it. » Arizona replied defeated, thinking Callie wasn't approving. « It's okay, it's normal I guess. »
« No, Arizona, I mean it. I'm a member of the board, I own part of the hospital. » Callie clarified.
« And I really think that it will be amazing to have you as our heads of Peds. »
She looked at her with a huge smile but received a puzzled look, and to say it wasn't the reaction she was expecting was an understatement.
« I... Okay... » Arizona mumbled, swallowing hard.
« What's wrong? » Callie immediately asked.
« You own a hospital? » Arizona repeated.
« Not all of it, just a part... » Callie précised, still concerned by her girlfriend's expression.
« And I'm going back to work... » Arizona nervously stated.
« You are! » Callie excitedly said, taking her hand in hers.
« I'm just... It's kinda scary... » Arizona smiled. « But it feels awesome... »
« You are awesome! » Callie told her. « And I know it's not going to be easy to get back in the field, but I'm going to be here, all the way. »
« Thank you... » Arizona shyly smiled and kissed her girlfriend's cheek. « Thank you for everything... »
« I've done nothing here. You are the one Richard wants, he is the one who has done all the work. »
« And he's been really convincing, and understanding ». Arizona nodded. Her future chief seemed to be a good man and she was eager to get to know him better.
« So, we're going to be coworkers now! » Callie ventured.
« Oh my god... » Arizona's face suddenly went blank. « There's so much I need to do. I have to practice, I have a million articles to catch up with, there's the trial and there's... »
« And there's a dinner tonight! » Callie cut her off. « You're coming with me to Shepherd's birthday, that's what I was trying to ask you earlier. »
She looked at her girlfriend and saw nothing but a bright and loving smile on her face.
Standing up from her chair Arizona walked to Callie and straddled her lap, snaking her arms around her neck.
« You're the best girlfriend ever. » she whispered in her ear. « And I love you ».
« I love you too. »
...
Coming next : A diner surrounded by friends.
Let me know what you're expecting!