Chapter Eight
Callie
Callie stabilized the tiny patient's pelvis and nervously observed her vitals as the team of surgeons worked on her. She was in awe as she watched them work. She and Teddy jumped in whenever someone asked for a hand. The OR was much dimmer than anyone was accustomed to so they all wore headlamps. Amelia and Lexie wore loops in addition to the head lamps and were both silent with concentration. Suddenly Callie got the image of Gadget from Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers in her head and found the whole thing ridiculously funny. The seven of them standing there over a tiny child looking like the biggest group of science nerds she had ever seen. She knew laughter was inappropriate and she tried hard to stifle it but one look at Teddy and the two of them were in a silent fit of giggles. In times of high stress, sometimes Callie found herself in a fit of inappropriate, uncontrollable laughter as she now did, her eyes full of unshed tears and her lip close to bloody from trying to contain the laughter. Callie concentrated on assessing the tiny feet for proper circulation to avoid Teddy's giggly eyes and the laser glare from brilliant blue eyes she could feel burning into her skull.
"Something you would like to share with the class, Calliope?" Arizona asked, her tone deadly calm. Usually the use of her full name by the blonde did wonderful things to her libido but hearing the tone caused a shiver to run down her spine that was quite unlike the usual one she felt and not pleasant either. This more than anything sobered up her giggles.
"No, nothing Dr. Robbins." Callie replied, deciding professional was better with that tone of voice.
"Damn it. Bailey, we're going to have to remove her spleen. Eliza, I need more traction and suction." Arizona said, focusing her attention once again on the little girl's open abdomen. Callie was back on high alert as she watched Arizona and Bailey quickly and seamlessly remove the organ from the little girl.
"Do you see any other bleeders, Bailey?"
"No. You?"
"No. Amelia, how are you doing?"
"Got the bleeder but her brain is swelling slightly. I'm going to do a skull flap to reduce intracranial pressure. I'm just about set."
"Teddy, Callie, you two can start on the pelvis. Do you need extra hands?"
"No, I think we've got it." Callie said, now fully concentrating on the task at hand.
"Eliza, hang another unit of blood." Teddy ordered.
The seven women worked on the little girl for a total of five hours. They emerged from the OR with a critical but alive four year old girl. Callie had easily fixed the fracture with an internal fixation after realignment of the pubic symphysis. One metal plate and four screws later and the little girl's pelvis was on the way to healing. Hopefully the rest of her body would heal as well. In addition to the pelvic fracture, they had set both arms and stabilized them in splints. Callie would cast them in a few days when the swelling went down. Somehow the little girl's femoral heads and the bones of her legs remained unscathed.
"Excellent work in there, ladies. I am very optimistic that she is going to make a full recovery." Arizona said as she pulled off her pink scrub cap with purple and teal butterflies. 'Pink is so not badass and neither are butterflies but damn she's good with a scalpel. That's hot.' Callie thought to herself as she removed her own scrub cap a silver one with red and orange flames, 'Now this scrub cap is badass'.
"I will go check on her in recovery so you can round on the other two kiddos." Teddy said with a smile as she and Callie watched the blonde nod and walk off toward the pediatric unit.
"Thanks for the help on the pelvis, GI Jane, we make a pretty good team." Callie said as she followed Teddy to recovery to check on the little girl.
Looking around to make sure Arizona was indeed out of hearing range, Teddy asked Callie, "Did you and Arizona talk? I mean about Tim? And about you liking her and stuff?"
"Yea, we talked. Our conversation sort of got interrupted by all of this but we talked a bit. There's more to talk about but I'm hopeful."
"Good, I'm rooting for you, Callie."
"Teddy," Callie said, gently grabbing Teddy by the elbow and stopping her for a moment, "Arizona also told me a little about Andi. I am so sorry."
"Thank you, Callie. I miss her everyday. Maybe that's why Arizona is so important to me. After Andi died, my family fell apart. Arizona and Tim were already like siblings to me but for the past nine years I have been considered a Robbins child. The Robbins took me in, twenty one and broken hearted, they made me part of their family. And that made me whole again."
"I can see you mean a lot to each other. I'm glad you have Arizona and her family."
"Me too." Teddy said with a smile before she continued to lead the way to recovery.
Satisfied that the little girl was recovering well, Callie made her way to the triage center to find her group. It was now nearing 8pm, well past their usual departure time of 4 o'clock. Callie's stomach rumbled, reminding her that it was also past dinner time and her bladder reminded her that she hadn't emptied it in seven hours. She made a pit stop to the restroom.
"Oh, hey Callie, how did your surgery go?" the voice of Erica Hahn asked as Callie emerged from her stall.
"It went well. How was yours?"
"He's alive but will probably be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Complete spinal fracture at T7. Shepherd was unable to do a surgical repair because the boy became too hemodynamically unstable. We will have to go back in to surgery tomorrow to finish the repair. He had a brain bleed, a pneumothorax, and cardiac tamponade on top of the spinal injury. We almost lost him."
"Poor kid. I'm sure Arizona is going to insist on staying the night."
"So, it's Arizona now?"
"We're friends."
"Just friends?"
"Yes, for now but to be honest, I'm hoping for more, eventually."
"I see." Erica replied, "You know, people talk. Dr. Robbins is a player, she's only going to break your heart."
"You don't know her, Erica."
"Maybe not but she likes to dine and dash if you know what I mean."
"It's really none of your concern, Erica. Besides, you ghosted me years ago. You don't have much room to talk."
"Don't say I didn't warn you when the slut breaks your heart."
"Don't you dare call her that." Callie shouted, surprising them both. She hated that word. And she found herself really hating that word used against a certain blonde. True, she teased Mark about being a man whore but it was all in good fun and he also referred to himself that way. She would never call him that in a derogatory way. Though, now that she thought about it, maybe she shouldn't call him that anymore. But, everyone knows there's a double standard with men sleeping around versus women sleeping around. Mark was a legend for his skills with women both in and out of the bedroom. The guys all worship him, praise him even, and so do most women he comes across. But someone like Arizona, or herself for that matter, Lord knows she was no nun, gets judged and called a slut by other women.
"I can see she already has you trained as her little lap dog. Good luck with that." Erica said before she left the bathroom.
Callie splashed some cold water on her face to soothe her rising temper and then she followed Erica out of the restroom in a huff, determined to give Erica another piece of her mind, quite literally running into Arizona as she did. Callie reached out and somehow caught her arms, steadying her before she fell.
"I was, uh looking for you," Arizona said as she regained her balance, "Did Dr. Hahn just storm out of here?"
"Yes, she did, "Callie huffed, "Why were you looking for me?"
"I'm going to stay tonight. Teddy is insisting on staying too. The Chief isn't happy but he understands. Derek and Owen are going to stay too, I think. I just wanted to let you know. I mean, I know I don't need to but, I wanted to. Now it seems a bit silly." Arizona rambled.
"I'm glad you told me. Maybe I should stay too. You know, help monitor the pelvis. I could be of help if Derek needs to take the boy with the spinal injury into surgery during the night."
"That's really sweet of you to offer but I think you should go back to base for the night. You look exhausted, you can sleep in your own bunk and be well rested and able to help us with whatever situation pops up tomorrow."
"Tomorrow is Wednesday, my team runs the medic tent at base tomorrow."
"Oh."
"And what about you?"
"I've stayed here before, it's not ideal but I will manage. The hospital isn't the safest place for us to be after dark so it's not encouraged but sometimes necessary." Arizona regretted those words as soon as they left her mouth. She realized it would encourage Callie to stay rather than deter her as she had intended.
"Ok, now I definitely think I should stay."
"Callie, we will be safe. Derek and I will have Teddy and Owen here with us, plus, I think they will probably have two of the drivers stay here with us with a vehicle in case of an emergency. We won't be stranded." Arizona assured. She stood on her tippy toes and placed a kiss on Callie's cheek, "You should go to the lobby and find your team. They are getting everyone back to base, go eat supper and get a hot shower."
Callie watched as Arizona disappeared into a stall. She left the bathroom and headed to the lobby in search of the Chief. She was going to insist on staying at the hospital with Arizona and Teddy. "Chief, can I talk to you?"
"What is it Torres?" the Chief asked. It had been a rough day and he was exhausted. This batch of surgeons would surely take years off his life.
"I assisted Dr. Robbins and Dr. Altman in surgery on the little girl this afternoon. I repaired her pelvis with Dr. Altman's help. The younger boy has a spinal cord injury and the older boy has a femur fracture. Anyone of them or all of them could have complications through the night, I think I should stay. They will need at least one more person if not two to help monitor."
"I'd like to stay too, Chief. Torres is right, they need at least two more pairs of hands. That's two surgeons per child should something go wrong. Plus we have to think about the mother and grandmother. They are both stable for now but anything could happen." Cristina stated.
"Fine. But you two are under the orders of Altman and Hunt." the Chief conceded, he was too tired to argue and they made a good point.
"Thank you Chief."
"Don't make me regret this." the Chief said before he left to find his own group minus Teddy and Arizona.
"Come on, let's go find the others." Callie said.
"I heard you rocked your surgery." Cristina said as the two made their way to the little Cafe down the hall. Callie figured this was their best bet of finding the rest of the group. She was also secretly hoping for a cup of coffee and maybe there would be some extra bag lunches left over.
"I did," Callie smiled, "You worked with the Chief on the mom, didn't you? How did that go?"
"No I worked on the Grandma with Sloan. Non-surgical, the old bitty was completely fine besides a concussion and a facial lac. Not even a brain bleed. I redid her stitches three times before Sloan was satisfied. The lady is ancient, like a scar is going to show under all those wrinkles." Cristina complained. Callie couldn't help but laugh, "Cristina you're horrible and probably have a one way ticket straight to hell waiting for you."
"Nah, I'm a genius with hearts and a scalpel, I'll save enough lives that it will even out." Cristina said with a cocky smile as they approached the little Cafe.
"Hey, what are you two doing here?" Teddy asked as the two women entered the Cafe to find Owen and Teddy sitting at one of two tables drinking is that coffee!
"The Chief thought you could use a couple more hands." Cristina said. She rummaged through the cooler.
"There's a few bag lunches left. We might have to split them, I'm not sure how many there are." Owen said as he watched her.
"Looks like there's eight of them so we're in luck." Cristina grabbed four and handed them out.
"Is there more coffee?" Callie asked. She felt like a feen. Her body was literally begging for caffeine.
"It's basically mud but yea there's more." Teddy said, pointing to the coffee pot.
"Where's Blondie and McDreamy?" Cristina asked.
"Rounding on the kids. We rounded on the mom and Grandma. They should be back soon." Owen replied.
"So what are the sleeping arrangements?" Callie asked as she joined them at the table with her coffee.
"There's three cots in the makeshift on call room that Arizona had set up on her last tour with us." Teddy replied.
"Derek and I were going to set up some nap mats and sleeping bags in the supply closet down here so the on call room is all yours ladies."
"Two of us could double up on the cots." Cristina suggested. This got Callie's attention. She wouldn't mind doubling up on a small cot if it meant sleeping next to a certain blonde.
"I'm sure Callie wouldn't mind sharing," Arizona replied as she walked into the conversation, "What are you doing here?"
"The Chief thought you could use extra help." Callie replied with a guilty look on her face. While she was semi concerned Arizona was mad that she had talked to the Chief and convinced him to let her stay too, she was also hopeful with Arizona's suggestion that she share her cot.
"Yea, I think since Cristina and Callie convinced the Chief to let them stay in hopes of scoring a surgery, the two of them should definitely share a cot." Teddy piped up, winking at Arizona.
"My thoughts exactly, Teds."
"Oh, I'm not sharing with Carpenter, she snores logs. And since the two of you can't stop making googly eyes at each other, I figured you two would want to share." Cristina responded without looking up from the soggy sandwich she was currently inhaling.
"I do not snore." Callie protested.
"Yes you do." Arizona and Cristina responded simultaneously.
"How do you know?" Callie asked Cristina at the same time Teddy asked Arizona.
"I sleep below you." Cristina responded.
"I sleep on the top bunk next to hers." Arizona answered.
"I'm with Cristina on this one." Teddy smiled, maybe the blonde needed a bit of a nudge, "But no funny business."
"Teddy, Callie laughed in my OR today and then she sweet talked the Chief into letting her stay after I had already told her we could handle this. There will most definitely not be any funny business." Arizona said, narrowing her eyes at Callie who gulped. Who knew a tiny little blonde could look so intimidating.
"Oh, Callie's in the dog house." Cristina laughed.
"Well, I think we should do one last neuro check, what do you think, Derek?" Owen suddenly asked as the tension grew.
"Come on Cristina, you can help me do one last round on the mom and Grandmother." Teddy said , anxious to follow Derek and Owen out of the room.
"Oh no, it's just getting good." Cristina said with a smile as she popped another chip in her mouth. This earned her a glare from all three of the other women in the room, "Fine."
"Oh and Theodora, I'm mad at you too but we'll talk later, Miss Giggles." Arizona said over her shoulder as Teddy and Cristina left the room.
"Care to explain what you're doing here?" Arizona asked.
"Well, I just thought, well Cristina and I thought, there's five patients and only four of you and three of the five have ortho injuries.."
"Which Owen can manage as an orthopedic surgeon." Arizona interrupted.
"Right, yea, I know he can but what if more than one of them needs surgery during the night? And the Chief seemed to agree so he told Cristina and I to stay."
"Ok, but Callie, you do understand that you can't run behind my back and go to the Chief everytime I tell you to do something that you don't like, right?"
"I know and that isn't what I intended this to do, I know it looks that way. I just wanted to help."
"What was going on with Erica Hahn in the bathroom earlier?"
"What?" Callie asked, surprised by the sudden change in subject.
"When I was approaching the bathroom, I saw Erica leave and as she passed me she smirked and said "Game on Robbins" and then you came rushing out with your face all red. So, what happened?"
"We had a little fight."
"Fight? What kind of fight? About what?"
"She was trying to cause problems, it was nothing."
"Problems?" Arizona asked, "What kind of problems?"
"Yes, problems. Between us, you and me. She said things, things about you and you know what, it doesn't matter. I like you and that's what matters." Callie said. Arizona stared at her for a second she was chewing on the inside of her cheek with her brows furrowed in concentration. Her right hand was on the back part of her hip at an odd angle while the left one fidgeted with the hem of her scrub top. Callie felt like there was more to this and wanted to get to the bottom of it, "Hey, what's this really about?"
"You're Catholic?"
"Wow, I can't keep up with you." Callie said, once again shocked by the sudden topic change. Arizona continued to stare at her, unphased by Callie's shock. Realizing Arizona was serious and waiting for an answer, Callie replied, "Yes, I was raised Catholic."
"And your family?"
"Catholic. I mean, I believe in God and I pray and I go to church on holidays and special occasions but I'm not really a practicing Catholic like my parents are." Seeing the worry lines on Arizona's face, Callie asked, "Is that a problem?"
"No..no, of course not. I am not religious but I respect other people's religious beliefs." Arizona said, softening both her voice and her face. Callie could see that she was being sincere.
"Then what is it? What are you so worried about?"
"Nothing, it's nothing. Just a long day and I'm on edge with everything. I'm sorry I picked a fight. It was actually kind of sweet of you and Cristina to stay and help out." Arizona replied. She turned and grabbed a lunch and sat at the table to eat, avoiding eye contact with the Latina, "I'm starving."
"Me too." Calli said, joining her. She didn't quite believe Arizona's reaction or explanation but she decided to let it go...for now despite being concerned about this topic. Something in her instincts told her that this wasn't over.
The two of them ate their bagged lunches mostly in silence. On occasion one of them would make a comment or a suggestion but exhaustion had started to creep in. Once fed, the fatigue hit tenfold. Deciding to round one more time before bed, the two split up. Arizona went to check on the two boys, leaving Callie to check on the little girl.
Feeling satisfied that the little girl was doing as well as could be expected, Callie made her way to the makeshift on call room. She stopped and grabbed four pillows and cases, four blankets, and three sets of sheets on her way. She had all three beds made when Cristina, Arizona, and Teddy joined her in the room. Looking over her shoulder as she shrugged the last pillow into the pillow case, Callie asked, "Owen and Derek all set for their sleepover?"
"Oh, I think so. They're being macho about sleeping on the floor." Teddy replied with a smile. She wasted no time removing her scrub top and shoes and climbing into bed. Cristina followed suit, also removing her pants leaving Arizona and Callie to figure out if they really were going to share a cot. Callie watched as Arizona's eyes flicked between Teddy's cot and the one she and Callie stood beside. Deciding to just go for it, Callie removed her scrub top and bottoms so she too was in just a pair of skimpy underwear and a wife beater. Callie smiled as she caught a glimpse of Arizona's face. Her lips were parted, jaw slack leaving her mouth slightly agape. Her usual brilliant blue eyes had grown a shade darker and a blush fell across her pale cheeks. Callie smiled before she climbed onto the cot and patted the spot next to her, encouraging Arizona to join her.
"Turn out the light when you're done staring, Battleship." Teddy called.
Callie smiled as Arizona peeled off her own shoes and scrub top revealing a pale blue spaghetti strap tank top beneath. She flicked the lights and Callie felt the warmth of her bare arms and legs against hers. Her breath caught as she realized Arizona too had removed her scrub pants. "It's too hot in here with them on." Arizona said suddenly as though reading Callie's thoughts. Callie handed her one of the two blankets and they each curled up with their own blankets and thoughts.
Callie felt a bit awkward, she wasn't sure what to do. She desperately wanted to reach out and touch Arizona but she kept her body and hands still at her sides. She scooted closer to the wall so that Arizona could have enough space between them if she wanted but as Callie scooted against the wall, Arizona scooted in closer to her.
"Is this ok?" Arizona asked, her breath on Callie's neck caused goosebumps to erupt on her forearms. 'Cristina and Teddy are in here.' Callie repeated to herself over and over again like a mantra to control her rising libido.
"Yea, you're not uncomfortable with this are you? Because I could sleep on the floor."
"I'm quite comfortable actually and you are not sleeping on that dirty floor. Are you ok with this?"
"Yea, yea, fine, I'm good."
"Good." Arizona smiled before snuggling down into her pillow. She was laying on her right side facing Callie while Callie lay on her back. There were mere centimeters between their bodies. Callie lay awake as she listened to Teddy and Cristina's breathing even out. There was no way she could sleep with Arizona this close to her. Thinking Arizona must have fallen asleep too, Callie let out a sigh and turned her head to look at the blonde only to find blue eyes observing her.
"Can't sleep?" Arizona asked.
"Just thinking. Why are you still awake?"
"Thinking." Arizona replied.
"You ever going to tell me about that dream?" Callie asked, seizing her chance while the blonde couldn't escape her. She felt braver in the dark laying like this.
"Callie, if I tell you about that dream, things will happen and those things would be inappropriate with Teddy and Cristina in here with us. So, no, I'm not going to tell you about that dream." Arizona responded with a husky tone. It seems Callie wasn't the only one struggling to control her libido or feeling brave in the dark.
"Oh, ahh, that good huh?" Callie swallowed hard.
"Yea, that good." Arizona replied with a goofy smile on her face before she added, "But I didn't get to finish."
At this Callie giggled and Arizona blushed realizing she had said that aloud and Callie had gotten the dual meaning. How could she be so sexy and ridiculously adorable at the same time? She had guessed that the dream may have been one of THOSE dreams. She had woken with a headache from the wine and heard Arizona moaning. At first she had been concerned she was having a nightmare and then as she heard more moans, she realized those were different kinds of moans, the good kind of moans. She had been frozen in place, staring at the blonde, until Amelia had woken the sleeping beauty a few moments later.
"What if Cristina and Teddy weren't here?" Callie asked, deciding to press her luck a bit.
"Then I still wouldn't want your first time with a woman or with me to be in a supply closet on an uncomfortable tiny cot in a hospital in Afghanistan."
"So you think there will be a first time with me?"
"I'm remaining optimistic." Arizona replied. Callie reached out and tucked a curl behind her ear. Arizona leaned into the touch and snuggled a little closer to Callie. Her head now resting on Callie's shoulder.
"So if not here, in a supply closet then where?" Callie asked.
"Somewhere that I can take my time with you. I don't want to worry about interruptions or you having to be quiet." Callie noticed that Arizona's voice was huskier and the pitch had dropped. Her eyes were closed, her bottom lip was between her teeth, and if Callie had to guess, she would be willing to bet her cheeks were flushed. She felt her heart rate speed up and butterflies racing through her abdomen.
"Where...where, where would that be?" Callie whispered, fighting to form words.
"In a fancy hotel somewhere with wine and a hot tub and room service. With privacy so no one hears you screaming my name."
"You're awfully sure of yourself, aren't you?" Callie asked. She was sure Arizona could hear her heart rate increase in her chest. She squeezed her legs together tightly as the image of the picture Arizona had painted popped in her head.
"About you screaming my name? Yea, I'm positive I can make that happen."
"How? When? I don't think there are fancy hotels in Afghanistan where it would be safe for us to do that."
"At the end of September, we get ten days off. We can fly home or we can go on a little vacation somewhere. I propose we spend the next eightish weeks getting to know each other. Talk, maybe have some lunch dates, and then at the end of September, if things go well, we can spend our ten days together away from here."
"Eight weeks. Arizona, eight weeks is a long time to ya know umm...wait for this. I'm not sure I can be near you that long and not touch you."
"How long do you usually wait?"
"Well, I guess that depends on the situation but I guess, I guess it's probably somewhere between dates three and six. But this is different, you're like a magnet to me."
"Six dates?" Arizona asked, "Wow, I usually don't make it six hours."
"That does not make me feel better." Callie responded with a bit of annoyance.
"Yea, word vomit, sorry."
"So what are we then? Friends? Dating? Girlfriends?"
"Do we need to label it?"
Callie felt slightly hurt with that comment, "Well no, I guess not."
"I just mean, we don't know each other well enough to say we're girlfriends and dating is going to be kind of hard here. Friends also doesn't feel right because even though we don't know each other well, I feel like we are more than friends. I've never been the jealous type but I have to say, I've felt more jealousy with you than with any person I've been with, it's not a feeling I enjoy and it's not something just a friend would feel. And I feel the magnet thing too, Calliope"
"Really?" Callie asked, this made her feel slightly better.
"Yea." Arizona smiled and ran her finger over Callie's jawline. Callie turned on her side to face her as Arizona leaned in for a kiss. Callie opened her mouth, welcoming her gladly and pulled her flush against her. Being wrapped in separate blankets was no longer working for Callie as she couldn't get close enough to Arizona. She tugged at the blankets and smiled into Arizona's kiss as she felt them pull free. A slender leg wiggled inbetween her own legs and she gasped at the contact.
"You're playing with fire." Callie whispered into Arizona's ear as her knee came in contact once again right where she needed it most. Arizona threw her head back in quiet laughter and Callie seized the moment to latch on to her neck, eliciting a moan from the blonde that only added fuel to Callie's already smoldering fire. Arizona's hands found their way under Callie's shirt and she raked her fingernails over the bare skin of Callie's lower back causing Callie to let go of the delicate skin of Arizona's neck. She quickly took advantage of this and brought a shaking hand under Arizona's shirt, her fingers tracing a slow path up her abdomen to the underside of her bare breasts. Callie traced her skin with her fingertips and she could feel the goosebumps forming on the skin under her touch. She inched further up until her fingertips ghosted across a hardened nipple causing Arizona to gasp.
"Callie...Callie, I think, we should stop or I won't be able to." Arizona finally whispered, gaining some control of her thoughts back.
Sighing in resignation, Callie removed her hand and took a deep steadying breath, "This is going to be the longest eight weeks of my life."
At this, Arizona laughed and replied, "Maybe it will be good to talk and get to know each other first. I'd like to start out being friends, I mean being friendly with kissing and hand holding and stuff. Plus, just think, if things go well, when it finally does happen, it will be fantastic."
"Roll over you. We should sleep and I want to at least cuddle if I'm not going to get any for eight weeks."
"I'm not usually a spooner. And when I am, I'm the big spoon." Arizona complained.
"I wasn't asking. Now turn over so I can hold you." Callie replied, arching an eyebrow to prevent further arguments from Arizona. She smiled as Arizona pecked her on the lips and turned with a huff. She wrapped her arm around her and pulled her flush against her. She had to refrain from moaning as Arizona's perfect ass molded against her body. She had never really thought about it before, but now that she had been thinking about it nonstop for the past sixteen days, she realized she really was an ass girl. Arizona let out a content sigh and brought Callie's right arm up to rest against her lips in a tender kiss before she settled their joined hands between her breasts. Callie smiled and kissed the back of Arizona's shoulder before she closed her eyes. Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, Arizona kissed her hand again.
"We're dating." Callie heard Arizona whisper.
"We are?"
"We are." Arizona said. Callie smiled widely and kissed the back of Arizona's shoulder once more. She was never happier that she convinced the Chief to let her stay.
"Goodnight Arizona."
"Goodnight Calliope." Callie felt Arizona relax against her and she closed her eyes, content with Arizona in her arms.
"Well well well, check out the lovebirds."
Callie opened her eyes to find Teddy gone and Cristina fully dressed sitting on her cot staring at them with an amused look on her face as she chewed on a granola bar. Callie felt Arizona stir beside her and a split second later a pillow launched across the room hitting Cristina square in the face.
"Hey." Cristina shouted.
"Where's Teddy?" Arizona asked, sitting up suddenly.
"The grandma must have had an underlying heart condition, she coded in the middle of the night. Teddy, Owen, and I did surgery on her. Teddy is still in recovery. I only just returned to get a nap before everyone else arrives." Cristina explained with a yawn.
"What time is it?"
"Six." Cristina replied without looking at her watch.
"Why didn't you wake me? The kids, I meant to check on them every two hours. I fell asleep without setting an alarm." Arizona panicked as she sat up, forgetting that she only had a tank top and underwear on.
"Teddy said not to wake you. Nice panties." Cristina smirked. Arizona looked down and stared at her black barely there boy short underwear.
"Hey, don't look at her underwear!" Callie snapped, throwing a second pillow and nailing Cristina in the face just as Arizona had.
"Relax, I'm not into your girlfriend, Torres." Cristina smirked, "And the munchkins are fine, McDimples. McDreamy checked on them just a few minutes ago."
"I'm going to go check on Teddy." Arizona said to Callie as she pulled her scrub pants on and pulled the top over her head.
"Ok, I'll be there in a minute."
"No, go back to sleep for another hour." Arizona said with a smile as she brushed a strand of hair from Callie's face. Callie was hoping she would lean down and kiss her but instead she said, "See you in a bit," before she turned and left the room.
Callie contemplated her options, she really could go back to sleep but she should get up and see if she could help out so Teddy, Owen, and Derek could rest. Deciding on the later, despite wanting more sleep, Callie dragged herself from her warm cocoon and got dressed. Cristina was already asleep with all three pillows. Callie laughed and snapped a picture with her phone as Cristina spooned a pillow, drool dripping from the corner of her mouth. This would definitely come in handy in the future Callie thought as she flicked the lights out and closed the door.
The day passed in a blur. Despite having the best night's sleep she had since arriving, Callie was exhausted with all the thoughts running through her head. Had she dreamt what happened the night before? Was she really dating Arizona Robbins? And what did that mean for them? There weren't exactly a lot of opportunities to actually go on dates. And the dating pool was pretty small here but were they exclusive? Callie had Mark she had slept with plus Erica and Tim who were both clearly interested in her. Though she knew Tim would no longer be a problem for her. Still, it couldn't be easy for Arizona to know that she had other options here. Well she didn't know everything, she may have seen Callie kiss Mark but she was pretty sure she didn't know the two of them had frequently had "hamburgers" together at one point. Well, that was definitely something she needed to tell the blonde before someone else did. At least she didn't have to worry about anyone here competing with her for the blonde. Wait? Did she? Thoughts of Eliza spinning the blonde on the soccer field and Leah making doey eyes at her suddenly flashed through her mind. And suddenly Callie felt the need to seek out the blonde for another lunchtime chat. Unfortunately, the blonde was busy for the time being and since Callie's team was at the medic tent on Wednesdays, she found herself spending her time mostly with Addison's team.
"So, you and Arizona?" Addison asked as the two were finishing up with their patients for the day.
"I'm not sure if we are telling people about this Addie so keep it between us for now. But yes, Arizona and I are dating."
"But what does that mean?"
"Hell if I know."
"Well what did she say?"
"She said we are more than friends but don't know each other well enough to be girlfriends. She wants to talk and get to know each other."
"And you two...slept together last night?"
"As in the same cot? Yes. But sleeping and talking was all we did. I wanted more to happen but Teddy and Cristina were also sleeping in there and Arizona said she didn't want my first time with her or a woman to be in a closet in Afghanistan."
"So, you guys aren't going to have sex?"
"Not for at least eight weeks according to Arizona."
"But that's...what? I mean she's got a reputation, waiting isn't usually her style." Addison replied in disbelief.
"Ok, first off, I don't need to hear about her reputation. And secondly, I'm not sure why she's choosing me to be the one she waits with. I mean, I know you're strictly into the fellas but have you seen her? Eight weeks is going to kill me. And before coming here it had already been at least six weeks. Mark was the last one I slept with and we had a fight so that ended quite a while before we left for Afghanistan."
"Maybe it's a good thing she wants to wait with you. Maybe it's a sign that she feels differently toward you." Addison said, trying to give her friend something positive to think about. She had basically already said the same thing the other night but some things you needed to hear more than once. Then as another thought popped in her head, Addie smirked and a shook her head, "You and Mark were never a good pair. I mean I understand why you were sleeping with him, I've been there, I know, but he just never seemed like your type."
"He's a good friend, I felt safe with him. But honestly, sleeping with Mark was probably not the best idea."
"You were sleeping with Mark? Mark Sloan?"
Callie's blood ran cold as she heard the voice from the doorway. This is not happening, she turned slowly and faced the blonde hair, blue eyed woman. They stared each other down, neither breaking the silence. It was Addie who spoke first, Callie having forgotten her presence all together.
"Dr. Hahn, what can we do for you?"
"I was just coming to apologize to Callie for a disagreement yesterday but it seems that maybe I shouldn't be apologizing after all."
"Erica, I didn't mean for you to over hear that and I don't care what you think of me but I would really appreciate it if what you heard didn't leave this room."
"What? Don't want your precious peds surgeon finding out that you fucked Mark Sloan?"
"What's going on here?" The clueless topic of discussion asked as she entered the tension filled room. 'Oh, this just keeps getting better and better' Callie thought to herself. Arizona now stood beside Erica looking both confused and tiny. She looked at Erica from the corner of her eye before she gave Callie her full attention and asked, "Callie?"
"Can we talk in private?" Callie pleaded.
"Umm, yea, sure." Arizona replied. Arizona turned to go back out the door she had just walked through, Erica opened her mouth as if to say something but both Addison and Callie shot her a warning glare. Callie followed Arizona out and she heard Addie say, "So Dr. Hahn, it's about time we have a little chat." 'Boy would I love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation' Callie thought but then refocused for the conversation she was about to have with Arizona on the very cot they slept on the night before. Arizona sat on the far edge of the cot and watched Callie, waiting for her to sit or speak, Callie wasn't sure. She decided to stay standing so she could pace if need be, she looked at Arizona and smiled before she began.
"What exactly did you hear when you walked in that room?"
"Something about you not wanting a peds surgeon to know you fucked Mark Sloan." Arizona replied calmly, then added, "I assume, I am the peds surgeon that you didn't want to know. Was Dr. Hahn telling the truth?"
"About me sleeping with Mark, yes. About me not wanting you to know, no, though this is not how I wanted you to find out."
"I see." Arizona said, she was staring at her hands that were clasped tightly in her lap. Callie couldn't read her.
"I was going to have this conversation with you, now that we're...we are…"
"Dating?"
"Yes, dating. I just didn't know how or when to bring it up."
"So you decided to talk to Erica Hahn about it?"
"No, I was talking to Addie about it. Erica...Dr. Hahn overheard the conversation. I asked her to be discreet and she jumped to the conclusion that I was hiding it from you. But I swear, I was not. I wasn't looking forward to telling you but I was going to tell you."
"I believe you. And to be honest, I assumed as much when I walked in on the two of you in the supply closet that day. You seemed...comfortable with each other's bodies. And I've heard rumors, Mark isn't exactly discreet." Arizona replied with a grimace.
"I'm sorry, Arizona."
"It's ok, Callie. I mean, I don't like it but we all have pasts and I can't be mad about that. It is in the past, right?"
"Yes, of course. The day in the supply closet, it was a mistake, as I said before."
"Ok."
"Ok, that's it?"
"Yes, Callie that's it. I mean Mark, Erica, and Tim, anyone else I should know about?"
"Tim is no longer an issue, we talked and he knows how I feel, he's a very sweet guy. And I told Mark the day of the supply closet fiasco that it could not happen again. Erica never has been nor never will be an issue."
"I don't think she got that memo." Arizona said as she stood and faced Callie. She reached her hand out and ran her hand over Callie's jawline and pulled her in for a sweet kiss.
"Well you don't have to worry about Erica. Is there anyone here I should know about?" Callie asked as she kissed Arizona back. She felt Arizona stiffen in her arms.
"There's no one you need to worry about."
"That's not what I asked. I asked if there's anyone I should know about."
"Maybe we should have this conversation another time."
"Arizona, just answer the question."
"Yes, there's probably someone here that you should know about but it's not someone you ever need to worry about and it's not just my secret to tell."
"Teddy?" Callie asked in shock.
"What? No! Are you crazy? Teddy is basically my sister plus she is completely straight."
"I know that Leah Murphy has a crush on you. She basically was drooling over you on the first day here and she's interested in peds just so she can learn from you. And then there's Eliza Minnick who seems very much interested."
"What?" Arizona asked. She knew Eliza had a thing for her but she had never made the connection with Murphy but now that she thought about it, maybe Callie was right.
"Ok, so neither of them…"
"Look, I know about Mark and I understand it. It was before we even knew each other but that doesn't mean I like it. And maybe knowing it will drive me crazy and cause problems in the future when there doesn't need to be any." Arizona reasoned. She really did not want to tell Callie about Amelia without at least speaking to her. It's one thing to converse about past lovers, it's another thing to out a past lover. Technically, Amelia identifies as straight, she slept with two women, Arizona being one but it wasn't something she broadcasted. Arizona doubted it was because she was ashamed of it or fearful of people finding out but it still wasn't her place to tell. If nothing else, Arizona at least prided herself on providing privacy to her past indiscretions.
"Nice try." Callie replied, taking a step back.
"Calliope.."
"No, don't Calliope me, Arizona. Just tell me her name if it isn't a big deal, if it isn't someone I need to worry about."
"It isn't but I can't, not yet."
"Is it over?"
"What? Yes, of course."
"Her name, Arizona."
"Are we having our first fight less than 24 hours after we started dating?"
"Are you going to tell me her name?"
"Callie, I'm the one who walked in on a very uncomfortable conversation and you're the one that has kissed two people aside from me while we've been here. Are you really going to be mad at me about this?"
Callie knew it was irrational and she really had no right to be jealous, or so she told herself but Arizona refusing to give her the name of someone she had slept with just didn't sit well with her. Why was she protecting her? Was there more behind it than she was saying?
"Yea I guess we are fighting then." Callie said before she left the room, slamming the door behind her.