Okay - so I've spent the whole day writing the next two chapters. Thanks for all the reviews and private messages you've sent me. I didn't want to write too much about the football aspect of this story as I know that's not what you are really here for :) Also, massive apologies if my Spanish doesn't make any sense!
Tokyo
Team GB soccer team had arrived at their base camp in Kashima, Japan 10 days prior. The physio and coaching team had been working hard to get the team acclimatise to the different conditions. Tokyo in July was a lot hotter than the UK, and the altitude was way higher, causing a number of the girls to have breathing difficulties as their lungs adjusted to the reduced level of oxygen. Having to wear face masks everywhere wasn't helping, but it was a small price to pay for the games going ahead.
The group games were taking place across seven stadiums and Team GB's first match was against New Zealand in two days' time. At the Olympic games the four nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland combined as Team GB. Team GB had qualified for the Olympics as one of three teams from Europe along with Sweden and the Netherlands following the England teams performance in the World Cup in Paris a few years earlier. The US team had beaten England 2-1 in the semi's and had gone on to win the tournament thanks to a goal from one Callie Torres.
As Arizona had considered Debbie's offer to join the Olympics team it dawned on her that both her ex wife and her ex girlfriend would probably be there too. She really did need to stop dating footballers she had thought to herself. Alex and her, whilst not exactly friends again, had exchanged a number of messages following the death of her father. Life was too short to hold grudges. Alex had appreciated Arizona's support and whilst the Swede still hoped deep down there might be a chance of a reconciliation, she was prepared to settle for the relationship that had developed following her fathers death. And then there was Calliope.
On the flight over Sam had quizzed Arizona what she planned to do if she saw Callie.
"Well I'm not going to ignore her if that's what you mean?: The blonde responded " We had something….or so I thought, and then we didn't. That's it really. It was over before it started!" Arizona replied to her friend.
"OK if that's how you feel, then why haven't you started dating again?" Sam gave Arizona a look.
"Because!" Arizona answered annoyed at herself at her rubbish answer. How old was she?
"Because what?" Sam had chuckled. She loved her friend and boss, but she was so easy to wind up when it came to her love life.
"Because…. in case you haven't noticed we're going to the Olympics and so I've been a little bit busy!"
"Err so that explains the past three weeks, but what's your excuse for the past five months?"
Arizona rolled her eyes at her friend indicating not to go there.
"What?" Sam chuckled "It's just because I care about you".
"I know, I know" Arizona smiled over to her friend "It's just…." the blonde paused as she tried to actually answer the question herself.
"Just that you are scared" Sam said
"Well can you blame me?" Arizona said honestly
"Of course not Ari! But I don't wanna see this prime ass property go to waste." Sam winked at Arizona who chuckled at the comment.
"Ha! Well probably by the time I feel ready to head out to the 'market' again, this property will be a retirement home!" Arizona joked back..
"Please Robbins...you're killing me here!" Sam said, giving her friend a serious look.
"Oh I don't know Sam...it took a lot for me to open myself up for Callie, and I can't believe how badly I got that one!" Arizona admitted.
"Hey! You weren't the one that ran away. It was good what you had, I could see that, Torres just wasn't ready!"
"I know she wasn't…and I pushed her." Arizona said as she thought back to Deal. To Arizona it felt like they had had their opportunity, and it just wasn't meant to be. It didn't mean that she had forgotten about Callie. How could she? There had been so many times over the past six months she had wanted to message the American, but what was the point?
Arizona checked her watch, shit she only had five minutes before her briefing was due to start and she couldn't get the damn projector to work. She looked around the room for something to stand on so she could reach the machine which was handing down from the ceiling. Pulling over a chair she carefully climbed up but even stretching up with a ruler she was just a tiny bit too short.
"For fucks sake" the physio muttered under breath as she tried again
"Can I umm help you there Dr Robbins?"
Arizona nearly fell off the chair in shock at the distinctive Northern Irish voice.
"Oh crap!" the blonde said as she wobbled and felt herself start to topple only to feel two hands grab her by the waist preventing her fall. Maybe standing on a chair with wheels hadn't been the best idea of hers.
The voice belonged to Dr Niamh O'Grady, who was part of the coaching team.
Niamh was a sports performance coach having retrained after finishing a successful hockey career which included winning gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. She was therefore able to understand exactly what the players might be feeling before and after games and had been a great addition to the team. Arizona had not previously worked with a performance coach, but she knew the benefits they could add. Often teams lost due to internal beliefs in their ability and so sports performance coaches primary aim was to turn the team into a group of mentally well prepared winners.
Arizona looked down and saw the redhead smiling up at her.
"Umm thanks for that. I'm just a bit too short to reach the reset button!" Arizona explained, trying to regain her composure.
"Here why don't we swap places, I think I'm a little taller" Niamh suggested as she held the chair for Arizona to climb down.
Arizona didn't really have much choice so jumped down and watched as the Irish woman kicked off her shoes and climbed up onto the chair.
"Here, pass me the ruler" she said holding her hand out to the blonde who was holding the chair to stop it from moving.
As Arizona watched the performance coach reach up and connect with the reset button on the projector she realised that they hadn't actually spent any time alone since meeting for the first time at the pre olympics training camp back in the UK. She had watched some of the psychologists sessions and had thought how it might be a useful thing for Spurs to do and so had made a note to get her contact details, but they hadn't really spent any one-to-one time.
"Got ya!" the redhead said with success as she looked down at Arizona and smiled. Arizona felt a small flutter in the pit of her stomach as she smiled back and saw that the Northern Irish woman had the most amazing green eyes. Their eyes remained locked for a little longer than usual before Niamh broke away "Umm I can probably get down now!" she said with a chuckle.
Arizona looked away "Of course." She said laughing "Sorry. Here, let me help" as she put out a hand for Niamh to hold as she climbed off the chair.
"Thanks" the performance coach said as she accepted the helping hand.
"No thank you!" Arizona said smiling as she wheeled the chair back over to the lectern and tried to get her presentation working.
"No problem. I teach at Edinburgh Uni and so I'm always having projector problems, hazard of the job!. Is it working OK now?" She asked as she walked over and stood near the blonde who was tapping away at her laptop. Arizona was feeling a little flustered, she was normally fine with IT, but for some reason she was struggling to figure out why it wasn't working.
"Oh I see the issue" Niamh said reaching in near the blonde. Arizona felt her cheeks blush as she caught the redheads scent as she lent in and pressed a couple of buttons on the control panel which had the desired effect and the projector kicked into life.
Arizona turned and smiled again "Oh thanks so much... Dr O'Grady" the blonde said as she cleared her throat.
"Please...call me Niamh." the redhead smiled back, those green eyes twinkling
"Sure, and umm it's Arizona..by the way, not Dr Robbins"
"Grand. Well I'm gonna take my seat ready for the presentation, but umm do let me know if I can help at all?"
Arizona nodded as she watched the woman walk away and take a seat and pull out her Ipad to make notes.
Arizona took a deep breath as she tried to regain her composure. The blonde cleared her throat and focused on the task at hand but couldn't help taking a sneaky glance at the redhead down the end of the room and felt the butterflies again. What WAS that all about?
Team GB comfortably beat New Zealand 3-0 in their first game and after a couple of days recovery time the team were getting ready to travel to Tokyo for their next match against the Netherlands. A victory in this game would see them qualify through to Quarter finals. Going on form and results in the previous groups, if Team GB did top their group, they would be playing the USA next.
"What's keeping you Torres!" Jess yelled from the hallway outside the room they were sharing at the US team base as she waited for the striker to finish getting ready.
Callie rolled her eyes at her impatient friend and pulled her hair down from the messy bun she had just spent the last five minutes fixing up. Giving herself a final glance in the mirror she decided she looked as good as she was going to as she grabbed her bag and left the room, joining Jess in the hallway.
"Finally!" Jess said smiling as she gave her friend a friendly shove. "Anyone would think you were trying to impress someone" she said winking as they started heading to the reception to join the rest of the team. Team USA had been given a day off training and were heading out to watch the Netherlands/Team GB game in order to check out their next opponents. Jess had been delighted as her girlfriend Sanne was playing in goal for the Netherlands. The American was also aware that there would be someone there that Callie would be interested in seeing. Dr Arizona Robbins.
Once in the stadium Jess insisted they get front row seats so that Sanne would hear her cheers. Callie loved seeing her friend all excited and was genuinely happy for her that the relationship seemed to be going so well. Jess had already come out to her family and was planning on introducing Sanne to them after the Games before taking a holiday together. As happy as she was for Jess, she also felt a little sad that she didn't have anyone special in her life.
Callie had made up her mind that she was going to announce her retirement from soccer after the Games were over as she wanted to go out on a high. But after that...she didn't know what she was going to do. The past year had been about recovering from her injury and then making it to this point. Stacey had told her that she would easily get TV work or would find work as a coach, but before she figured all of that out, she had made a promise to herself that was going to tell her family about being bisexual.
She had made a few friends in the online LGBTQ community in Orlando and had over the past six months come a long way in accepting her sexuality. Arizona had been right, the more she had said it out loud, the easier it had become. She was still dreading telling her parents, but she had struck up a good friendship with Teresa in Washington who would send Callie articles she thought would help the striker when it came to having the talk.. Callie had been in contact with a local priest who helped Catholic families accept members of their family coming out. She had hoped that he would be able to help her family see that she wasn't evil as the bible stated.
As the teams came onto the pitch, the brunette's eyes were firmly fixed on the touchline where they pretty much remained for the whole of the game. She still couldn't believe that Arizona was at the Olympics. She had been in her room reading with team GB's first game against New Zealand on the TV in the background when Jess had spotted Arizona on the bench. Callie had dropped her book and looked at the screen and sure enough there was Arizona and Sam on the bench. The physio was wearing a mask and a screen visor, but she would recognise that hair anywhere. The blonde curls had been braided and Callie felt a little sick at the thought of the Brit being in Japan, so near to each other, but unable to speak.
Team GB had beaten the Netherlands but had lost their next game against USA meaning the final was between the World Cup holders America and the Olympic hosts Japan who had surprised everyone by beating Sweden in their semi-final. Japan had put up a brave fight and at half time it was 0-0, but in the second half the quality of the US players started to shine through and they took the lead through a Hope Powell goal. Callie came on as a second half substitution and managed to score a lovely header as the US went on to win 4-0.
Arizona had watched the game at the hotel with the rest of the Team GB and marvelled at the skill on the pitch. She wanted to be alone for a moment and so had made an excuse and headed back to her room where she had switched the TV and watched the trophy being lifted. She felt a lump form in her throat as the pitch side reporter had pulled a jubilant Torres over to the side of the pitch to be interviewed as she did a lap of honour.
"Callie Torres, scorer of the third goal. Congratulations! How's it feel to be an Olympic gold medallist?"
"Oh man it feels sooo good" Callie beamed down the camera.
Arizona let out a small chuckle as she watched the brunette kiss the gold medal that was hanging around her neck.
"And I understand this is your last game?" the reporter asked
"Yeah, you know I'm 32 and I have been incredibly blessed to have had such a fantastic career, I know not everyone is as lucky, you know with injuries, and with such amazing talent like Hope coming through the ranks, I can't think of a better time to go" the American responded.
"Talking of injuries, you were determined to get here weren't you?"
Callie paused and gathered her composure "You know this past year was hard with injuries and some personal stuff, and I owe the team at Tottenham Hotspur in London, UK a lot of credit for helping me get back on the pitch after my knee injury. It umm, it didn't quite go to plan for me in London, but you know, I'm forever grateful for their support and the support of the amazing USA squad. I couldn't ask to have a better bunch of women as teammates, I genuinely love them all and we're all so proud to play for our country and you know, I hope everyone watching at home is as happy as we are right now"
"I'm sure they are, as I'm sure your family are Callie. I believe they are all watching from home in Miami"
"Yeah I think there's a big party going on right now." Callie turned to face the camera "Mamá y papá, los quiero mucho a los dos. Lo hicimos. Vamos Estados Unidos"
The reporter laughed " So what next for you now you've announced you're hanging up the boots?"
Arizona waited to hear what Callie had planned but guessed she would be snapped up as a coach at one of the colleges with a big soccer programme.
"You know right now I'm just gonna take some time out and chill. I've been playing soccer since I was 10 and so I'm gonna hang with my family for bit and then see what comes along"
"Well we wish you all the best, you've been an amazing ambassador for the game Callie, I'll let you go and enjoy the celebrations with the rest of the girls".
End of Olympics party
Callie swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat when she had spotted Arizona arrive at the party. She looked amazing. Of course she had seen the Brit at work during the course of the tournament, but she was always in tracksuits with face masks, but now, now she looked stunning. It was the first time she has seen the blonde in a dress and the American felt an ache between her legs as she watched the physio mingle with other guests.
Her hair was shorter than it had been in London and now her curls fell naturally at shoulder length. She was wearing a stunning off the shoulder red dress and heels. As Callie studied Arizona from afar she noticed the blonde had caught a slight tan which had brought out more freckles on her shoulders. Callie felt another wave of desire flood through her as she pictured herself kissing those freckles before running her tongue up the blonde's perfect neck. The feeling was quickly replaced with remorse and regret at the fact that she would never get the chance again.
Callie's thoughts were disrupted by the arrival of some of her fellow team mates including Jess. When Jess spotted the focus of her friend's attention she reached down and gave the brunette's hand a discreet squeeze, causing Callie to finally look away from Arizona.
"You OK Torres?" Jess had asked softly as she looked over in the direction of the Team GB team.
Callie forced a smile "I'm fine" she lied
"Cal, it's me...you don't have to pretend." Jess replied, turning to look at her friend.
"OK well in that case, my stomach is a ball of knots and I feel sick physically being this close to her. I mean look at her Woody...she literally takes my breath away...and yet, I walked away from it...from her." Callie said sadly.
Just then a waiter walked past with a tray of champagne and Jess grabbed two glasses and handed one to Callie "come on drink this. Sounds like you need something to steady your nerves."
Callie agreed and knocked back the glass before taking Jess's and doing the same with that glass.
Jess laughed at her friend "Go Torres!"
Callie chuckled as she handed back the empty glasses and took two more from another waiter.
"'Errr maybe you should just take the tray!" Jess joked.
"No. I'm good now. Sorry about that, but you were right. I just needed something to calm me down. I've got this. I'm Callie Torres World Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist!" Callie said with a smile as she exchanged a look with Jess before the two of them started a chant of U.S.A before cracking up laughing again.
The laughter and cheering across the garden caught Sam's attention "bloody American's and their USA chant. I swear I hear it in my sleep!" She moaned to anyone who was listening.
Arizona looked at her friend before glancing over to where the chanting had come from and felt a lump form in her throat as she spotted the Latina amongst the crowd of players. Arizona watched as Callie threw her head back and laughed at something Jess Woods had said. She looked good in a short black dress. She looked happy Arizona thought to herself. Happy with life the way she wanted it. Maybe Sam was right. Maybe it was time to move on.
—-
"Well hello Dr Robbins"
Arizona turned at the mention of her name smiling already at the voice she had grown fond of over the past two weeks.
"Dr O'Grady" Arizona said smiling warmly at Niamh "You look amazing!" Arizona said as she took in the stunning green dress that complimented the Irish woman's eyes and hair so well.
"Thanks a million" Niamh responded " You umm you look different without a visor" Niamh said joking as she looked up and down at Arizona who had decided to pull out all the stops. The redhead lent in close and whispered "Even sexier than I imagined!"
Arizona's blue eyes locked with green ones and the two women held each other gaze for a moment without exchanging words. They had spent the last couple of weeks getting to know each other pretty well and Arizona had surprised herself by flirting with the redhead. Sam of course was delighted that her friend seemed to be getting back on her dating bike, but Arizona was still very cautious. It was one thing to flirt, it was something different to then take the next step.
"Sooooo…" Niamh said as she lent in towards the blonde physio again, placing a hand on the back of her dress "Now that the Olympics are officially over….am I allowed to ask you out on a date?"
Callie found herself searching the crowd for the blonde again. She eventually found her standing at the bar talking to a tall redhead with piercing green eyes. Callie felt her stomach drop as she watched the two women interact with each other and noticed the way they held each other's gaze a little longer than normal. Callie watched as the redhead rested her hand on the base of Arizona's back as she lent in close to say something. Whatever had been said it had generated a broad smile on Arizona's face who then playfully bit her lower lip. Fuck! They were shagging. If they weren't they wanted to. Callie recognised the look in the blonde face and it killed her to watch her be that way with someone else.
As the party started to wind to close, the four glasses of champagne were now giving Callie a false sense of courage and as she noticed Arizona standing alone she decided to head over and say hello. It was torture being so near to the blonde and yet not being able to speak to her.
All through the tournament the American had watched as many of Team GB's games as her schedule had allowed, and she had often found herself wishing for an injury just so she would see the physio run onto the pitch. In the semi final in which USA had beaten Team GB on penalties. Callie had been carrying a slight knock, and so she had been rested and had had to watch from the stands. There had been tight security and she hadn't managed to get anywhere near the physio. She had spent days going over what she would say when she had the chance to be near the blonde again and it had never happened.
They hadn't spoken to each since their last exchange at her house before Callie had moved back to the States. If nothing else Callie wanted to tell Arizona how sorry she was for how things ended and to tell her she missed her. What was the harm in that?
As Callie started walking towards the blonde she felt someone grab her wrist and issue a warning "Don't!"
Callie turned at the familiar voice of Sam who had a firm grip on her wrist.
Sam repeated the instruction "Don't go near her."
Callie shook the Brits hand off her wrist "I'm just going to say hello that's all" annoyed at Sam's interference.
"No you're not!" Sam responded firmly "you're going to go over there and tell her you miss her".
Shit! Sam had called it right. "So what if I am?" Callie responded "it's not really any of your business is it Sam."
"Well actually yeah it is...Arizona is my friend and she has been through a lot. It may not have meant much to you, but Ari...she really cared about you...and you walking away the way you did... it set her back".
Callie felt a pang of guilt at the thought of her actions hurting Arizona. She looked over at the blonde who was engrossed in her phone, oblivious to Callie's attention. Something on her phone made Arizona smile and Callie felt a dull ache as she watched those dimples appear on the Brits face. God she wished she still had the power to do that to her.
"She's happy Callie" Sam said more softly bringing the brunette out of her thoughts "She's starting to move on again and she doesn't need you messing things up." Sam added.
"Please leave her be" Sam pleaded as she held the American's gaze.
Sam didn't know the first thing about how much Arizona had meant to Callie. She had blown her world open and made her feel things she had never felt before or since. Callie considered ignoring everything the physio had said, but then she didn't want to cause Arizona any more pain than she had already suffered and so she slowly nodded.
"Thank you Callie." Sam said with a sigh of relief. "It's the right thing" she added as the Brit walked away and left the brunette thinking about her decision. Was it? Was it the right decision? Would she regret not taking the opportunity to talk to the blonde, to look at those blue eyes one more time?
- Let me know what you think?
So I appreciate that some of you might not be happy with the introduction of Niamh (blame Smiley714 ;) but I try and keep things realistic and I think the character Arizona would six months after Callie be flattered by the attention of a good looking woman. I'll say it again, this is a Calzona story and so I promise, I won't let you down.
Sarah x