I released an exasperated sigh as the harsh sound of an unwelcome alarm invaded my ears and mind. So much for that wonderfully dirty dream about Angelina Jolie in a hot tub. I flung my hand at the alarm, shutting it up. In a last ditch effort, I squeezed my eyes shut and pursed my lips. I'm asleep.

"Nice try, Cal," The blonde mass of curls next to me chuckled, "It doesn't really work like that, the day is starting whether you pretend you're asleep or not."

"You're mean."

"Yeah, I know. It's horrible that you never get to the good parts of a sexy dream about Miss Jolie." Erica eyed me mockingly.

I groaned, "Ugh, how did you know that's what I was dreaming about?" I could feel myself blush.

Erica grinned at me, "That's what you always dream about on nights when I work late and you go to bed without me. Plus, you spend way too much time around men."

I smiled lazily, and sighed, "Yep, I guess she is my stand in, and you've always known I'm one of the guys. So, shoot me."

"I don't think I'm going to do that, I like having you around." Erica smiled, and got out of bed, heading to the bathroom.

I decided that moving from the bed wasn't something I was interested in yet, so I laid back and stared at the ceiling. Morning sucks.

Erica emerged from the bathroom a little while later, "Cal, get out of bed. It really is time now." She strode over to the bed, swooped down, letting her curls cover my face, placed a quick kiss on my cheek, and headed to the door. "Get up, I'll see you for lunch."

I watched as she left, things were going pretty well with Erica. We'd been together for almost a year now. We weren't officially living together yet, but I was considering asking her soon. It feels like something it's time to do. Like I said, we're good.

I let another sigh, this time in defeat. Morning won. I'm up. I padded to the bathroom and turned on the shower. The hot water soothed my well defined muscles, finally bringing me into the realm of awake.

After I dressed and gathered my things, I trudged out to my car. I drove the three point two miles to the Seattle Fire Department Station 17. I was starting a forty-eight hour shift, and really, I love it. The actual getting up in the morning thing sucked, but once I am working, I'm totally into it, and have been since I finished the academy eight years ago. Fire fighting seems like an odd choice for me, for any woman, but that's all I've ever wanted to be, well, since I was seven.

I swerved my T-Bird into my designated parking spot and jumped out of the car. I glanced at my watch and realized that I was a teensy-weensy late. I sped up to a jog and bolted through the door, completely intending to slink past the Captain's office. My plan was foiled as I realized, a little too late, that someone was standing just inside the door. I skidded right into the back of a tall figure. Coffee splashed and a plate clattered. The figure turned slowly around, fixing me with a silent and dangerous glare.

I cleared my throat and nodded curtly, "Captain Webber." I turned to scoot past him, glancing at the ground I added, "Oh, pancakes. Nice choice, Sir." I made a beeline for the bunks, but a rough voice shattered that dream.

"Torres."

I spun around, "Sir?" I asked cheerily. I'm not above playing the innocent woman card.

His eyes narrowed, letting me know he wasn't buying it, "You're almost ten minutes late, and you spilled my breakfast. What do you have to say for yourself?"

"Um…I love pancakes?" It might have worked, if it hadn't come out as a question.

"Well, good. After you're done making me more, you can think about how much you love them as you scrub all the bathrooms…top to bottom." He smirked.

I decided to try one last card, "Make you food and clean? Is this because I'm a woman?" I fixed him with my best 'I dare you to fight me' glare.

I saw panic flash through his eyes for a brief moment. Good men in a position of power are always ultra cautious about equality. Then, his face settled back to it's normal position. "No, but the fact that you're a woman, means you'll be good at it." He turned on his heal and walked toward the coffee, glancing over his shoulder at my stunned expression, he added, "I'm hungry, Torres, and I don't like waiting."

My shoulders slumped in defeat, well played Webber. As I walked into our modest kitchen I heard someone snicker. "Shut it, Mark."

"I can't help it, that was great. He beats you in every one of your stand offs with him, but you still try. It's very entertaining." Mark Sloan leaned against the door frame, watching as I gathered supplies.

"Yeah, you would find that fascinating, as you never get to see what it's like to beat me at something." Callie smirked at his hurt expression.

"Hey, that's not true. There was that one time. You know." Mark grinned as if he'd just won the battle. We both knew there was no 'one time'.

"Whatever you say, then the score's like a billion to one."

Mark glared, then mumbled as he walked away, "Humpf, the boss still kicks your ass."

I laughed, it's true, I love to test the Captain, mess with his head. It's fun. He's so huge and manly, and when he gets mad his eyes get all wild and he ruffles up and puffs air a lot. I rarely come out of it victorious, I mean, he is the Captain, he can do whatever the hell he wants. However, like Mark said, that really doesn't stop me from trying. It doesn't sound professional, but we've been through a lot, and occasional harassing is just one side effect.

I flipped the last pancake onto the plate…from three feet away. I'm a rock star. Doing a mental fist pump, I grabbed the plate and brought it to the Captain's office. After unceremoniously dropping the platter in front of him, I strode out the door.

Before I could get too far, the Captain stopped me, "Uh, Torres."

I groaned, "Yes?"

"I wanted chocolate chip pancakes. These are not." His face looked dead serious.

My eyes go wide in disbelief, and my voice raises, "Are you kidding me? You're the Captain. What self respecting Captain eats-" Dammnit. He was baiting me.

He smirks at me. And, that's two for the Captain, and I haven't even been here an hour. Great.

We're all lounging around the common room, about an hour later, when the Captain walks in. "Do you all believe this is really the best use of your time?"

I continued to toss my tennis ball in the air, "Sure it is, Cap. I bet Mark ten bucks I couldn't do this ten times in a row." I flicked the ball at the wall, spun around, and caught it before it hit me. "Ha! Six." I chanced a glance at the Captain. His face showed that he was not amused. "Sorry, Captain. I'm on it." I set my face and moved with determination toward the front of the station, even though I had no particular work in mind.

Webber sighed, "Wait, I came in to introduce our new driver."

It was only then that I noticed that someone was with him. I didn't even look at the person as anger took over and I glared at him. "We shouldn't need a new driver, we have a good one."

"Well, unless he gets his license reinstated, Sheppard cannot drive for us. Hence, we need someone who can. That's why I brought in Robbins." He motioned behind him and moved enough for me to see. Let's just say, she's not what I was expecting.

The captain continued, turning to the woman, "This is the company you will be working with, company B, one of three that are stationed here. This is Lieutenant Mark Sloan, Firefighter Jackson Avery, Firefighter Alex Karev, and Firefighter Calliope Torres. Everyone, this is Arizona Robbins, your new driver." She reached to take each one of our hands, smiling with pretty insane dimples. When she took mine, I was momentarily shocked by how soft it was. I quickly took in her appearance. She wasn't very tall, but well toned, very well toned. Her golden hair was pulled back into a messy ponytail, a few curls framing her face. She wore a black v-neck T-shirt, and skinny jeans tucked into her black boots. If I wasn't pissed she was here, I would definitely think she was hot.

"It's awesome to meet you guys, I think I'm going to have a super time working with you." Her voice was perky, and damn, she never stopped smiling.

Because I'm stubborn, and can be rude when I'm hurt or pissed, I turned to the Captain, "Really? This is who you got for us? Firefighter Barbie?" Even I flinched a little as it came out.

The Captain kept his voice calm and firm, "Torres, I don't have to defend one damn thing to you, I'm in charge. If you don't like it, you can leave." His voice softened a little, "She comes highly recommended. I know that losing Sheppard was hard on this company. He was a good driver."

"Is." Avery interjected.

"Excuse me?"

"He IS a good driver." Karev clarified.

Webber nodded, "Yes, but his license was revoked for reckless endangerment in a vehicle. He's going through a tough time, and he's getting help. I need you all to respect that he's not coming back right now, and realize that even if you don't like it, someone must drive the engine."

We all fixed him with a look of acceptance and contempt. We fought long and hard to keep Sheppard here. No one here thought it was right for him to be suspended for something that was basically caused by the department…but, that's a long story. Anyway, we all want him here.

The ringing telephone from the office broke the tension. "I'm going to answer that, you all can show Robbins around." With one last warning look to me, he went into his office. We all turned to gaze at the new comer.

Arizona gazed right back, her smile never faltering. "I'm sorry I got the job at your friend's expense, but I really am super glad to be here."

I smirked, this was no place for a perky blonde, "I bet."

She looked at me, her eyes seemed to frost over, I thought I might actually feel colder, her smile faded, "Look. I may not be this Sheppard guy. But, it sounds like he messed up and is paying the consequences. You might not like it, but get the hell over it. I'm a damn good driver, I turned down three other offers because I heard great things about this station, and especially this company. I'm here and if you can't deal with it, fine, but keep it to yourself."

I wasn't sure how to respond, so I chose to glower at her.

Her smiled returned as she stared into my eyes. Then, she turned to Avery and winked, "Now how about you show me around."

This sucks. A new driver in the company. A new woman in the company. And, she's perky and feisty. Awesome.