A/N: Thanks to all the new readers and reviews have been great….just a small update for those worried about Arizona's fidelity. Also those who haven't read the whole story this chapter revolves around events from CH. 16/17
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Arizona turned to face Murphy with a look that was as confused as Leah said she felt.
"What are you talking about?" Arizona locked her blue eyes with Murphy's hazel ones. Leah really was pretty she thought, but the last thing she needed was an intern with a crush. She was afraid that Leah's eagerness to please maybe more than professional after the long look her half naked body had garnered. She just had a whirlwind crush of her own and wasn't looking for another...she didn't want to think of Lauren..and now she had...damn...
Murphy scrambled to think of her next move, this was so much easier with men..."Well, I was thinking that a drink tonight sounded good...some of us are going to Joe's but that's so old to me now...if you're not busy tonight...I could make dinner at my place and maybe a movie...I really need someone I can talk to..." She reached out her hand to place it on Arizona's shoulder, then lightly ran it down to squeeze her hand lightly within her own.
Arizona balked inside but casually stepped back while fumbling through her and Callie's shared locker as a buffer. "You know...Callie just got back home and we really need some time to ourselves...things have been rough lately..."
"Yeah, its hard when you find yourself with one person but yet you keep thinking about someone else...someone from work...someone new...maybe a blonde...I know Lauren left but I'm eager to please and really good at keeping secrets...
Arizona felt as if all the air just rushed out of her lungs as soon as that name was uttered...how did Leah know...she'd been so careful...nothing even happened and still the gossip...she felt anger rush up in her belly...the nerve of this girl was unimaginable...but she thought better of it...after all Hell Hath No Fury like a woman scorned... she needed Leah on her side, not feeling vindictive and unwanted
"I didn't know that anyone else noticed anything unusual between Dr. Boswell and I, which I want to make clear that absolutely nothing happened between us besides an unexpectedly close friendship that ended when she left town last night. But you're right I need someone like you...to help me...keep this from Callie...I've been so vulnerable lately...I could really use someone to talk too as well..."
Arizona thought that playing on the young intern's obvious need for emotional support and a bond...she seemed to have few friends here, just may work in her favor. She'd let her think that the friendship would turn physical later if that's what it took to keep her mouth shut for now...
Murphy's face softened then suddenly she grabbed Arizona and pulled her into a tight hug. "Im so glad 'we can be friends...of course you still have my absolute respect as my Attending...and you can call me whenever you want..."
Her face was glowing with excitement when she grabbed Arizona's Iphone off the bench and quickly inserted her number...Leah began to shuffle backwards towards the door, grinning like a fool again...
"yeah just call whenever you want...for anything you want "...Leah trailed off but her suggestive smile left little to the imagination of what anything she had meant clearly anything that involved friends with benefits...ugh...just what she needed Arizona slumped down onto the bench. She would do just enough to keep Murphy stable and fix things with Callie. She stood up and was ready to leave when her eyes landed on Callie's purse and the memory of that envelope popped into her head. She just had to know...and although she wouldn't want Callie doing the same...she was going to sift and snoop.
The letter was still stashed at the bottom and when she unfolded the paper her eyes saw neat, small cursive lettering that within the next several minutes would alter the course of their relationship yet again...
"My Dearest Callie"...