AN: Hello everyone :) I am so sorry for the delay. I have been on the waiting list for a new apartment for 2 years and I found out last month that there would finally be one ready. I didn't expect to move until the end of the month but I found out Monday that I would be moving this weekend. So I had Sat, today, and tomorrow to get everything done before I start my 7 day stretch on Tuesday. I haven't written in a week and it's been heavy on my mind. Everything is in disarray and my neat, control freak self is not coping well. But I am all moved and since I had this chapter already written for you, I didn't want you to wait any longer. It is roughly edited as my beta helped me move and I've changed this about a dozen times on her. There's probably a lot of mistakes you will find so I apologize ahead of time but my zombie brain just couldn't do another read through and I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. Just to give you fair warning, the next chapter will not be posted for another 10-14 days. I have BLS and ACLS that i have to do plus I'm starting my 7 days stretch on Tuesday and have a ton of unpacking to do. I promise I will not leave this story unfinished but I also have a life and a demanding job outside of writing. I would love to stay home a write to my heart's content but life happens.
Thanks for all of the lovely reviews. I hope you are all safe and healthy. Happy reading :)
Chapter Thirty-Two
Arizona
"Help, we need help! Callie, oh Calliope." She cried as she lowered them both to the ground carefully. She gently placed Callie's head to the ground, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before switching to doctor mode to begin assessing her for injuries.
Callie's forehead was bleeding on one side and she had a large goose egg forming under the ugly cut. The Latina lay unconscious on her side, allowing Arizona to note blood spreading over her back. She suspected some debris from the blast must have embedded into the skin of her upper back but the vest had taken most of it. Arizona gasped as she rounded Callie's body for further inspection and saw the large piece of steel protruding from the center of Callie's vest over where her spine would be. Arizona quickly removed the vest and inspected the tan back for injury but the vest had taken the full force of it. A deep purple bruising was already starting to mark the beautiful caramel skin and Arizona took a moment to place her lips on it, all while sending up a silent thank you. The blonde let a breath of air she didn't know she was holding out.
"Callie, baby, wake up." Arizona urged, brushing dirty hair from an equally dirty face and shook her gently, "Callie, please wake up."
Arizona smiled as brown eyes fluttered open and looked at her in confusion. The Latina sat up with Arizona's help and she wrapped her right arm around the brunette, careful to avoid the debris so as not to embed it further, her left arm was hanging limply at her side.
"My ears." Callie said as she tugged at them. Her face was void of emotion or comprehension and Arizona knew she must be in shock, she looked around hoping Mark or someone was nearby to help. As if hearing his name, Mark appeared suddenly and helped Arizona get Callie to her feet.
"It's ok, baby, it's from the explosion, Mark can check them out when we get you back to base." Arizona said. She wasn't even sure Callie could hear her but she wrapped her arm around the Latina's waist tightly and sighed in relief as Callie returned the hug with a strength that surprised Arizona. She buried her face into Callie's shoulder and neck then placed several kisses along Callie's shoulder as they stood there holding each other tightly. Her own shoulder was on fire with the tightness of the Latina's embrace but she didn't care.
"Come on, time to get out of here." Mark said, placing an arm around Callie while Arizona placed her good arm around her waist and the three of them made their way back to the barricades where the medics awaited them with stretchers. Callie was slightly unsteady on her feet and heavily relied on Arizona and Mark's support.
When they got her to the medics, they carefully deposited her onto a stretcher where she sat down without a fight and allowed them to place an oxygen mask on her. They wheeled her to the trucks with Arizona holding tightly to her hand. Once they reached the trucks, Arizona sat on the edge of her stretcher protectively as she looked around at the people surrounding them. Mark carefully removed the debri from Callie's upper back to prevent it from embedding further into her skin. Derek was assessing Callie's spine and neuro status while Bailey checked her abdomen. Teddy just standing by their sides for moral support.
"I can't get it all but she can sit back comfortably now at least." Mark said once he had pulled most of the debris from Callie's back.
"Where's Tim?" Arizona asked. As she gently pushed Callie's shoulders back so she was relaxing against the stretcher. Derek and Bailey seemingly satisfied with her injuries, at least for the time being had moved on.
"He's good, awake now and being a pain in the ass. His face is bruised up and he has a bum wrist but he's ok. They all are somehow, even the little girl. She's on her way to the city now with the rest of the children and the teacher." Teddy replied. "How's your shoulder?"
"Sore but I'm good." Arizona replied. And she was good, she could breathe for the first time since she and Callie had spoken at lunch. Callie and Tim were safe. Teddy and Nick were safe and unharmed. All the other surgeons were alright and though she hadn't been able to save all of the little girls, the ones she had been able to help would be ok eventually. One of two teachers and five of twelve children had been saved.
"I'm still mad at you." Callie spoke for the first time other than to complain about her ears. Arizona's face broke into a small smile and she let out a tiny laugh of relief. She looked at Callie with a tearful smile and brushed a strand of dark hair behind her ear.
"God, I thought you couldn't hear me."
"I just got my bell rung pretty good. My ears were ringing and my head was spinning but now that there's just one of you and I know which one of you to yell at, I'm going to do a lot of yelling." Callie promised.
"You're so beautiful." Arizona said, unworried about the tongue lashing she was just promised. She ran her hands through Callie's hair with her good arm, trying to ruffle the dust from it. She couldn't help but let tears of relief fill her eyes as she traced the contours of Callie's dirty face.
"Sweet talking will get you nowhere, Robbins."
"I know, I'm just so glad you're ok and I don't even mind getting yelled at because I was afraid I'd never hear your Spanish lectures ever again." Arizona replied, the tears spilling over the edge. Tears of relief, stress, happiness, and pain she just couldn't keep them in anymore.
"Are you ok? How's your shoulder?" Callie asked, her tone softening slightly at the sight of real, genuine tears.
"It's ok, it hurts but I'm ok." Arizona replied.
"Ok get in your teams, time to head out." Owen shouted.
"No, we are not separating into teams, Owen. I am staying with Callie. And I want to be with Tim, Nick, and Teddy too." Arizona demanded, her heart sinking at the thought of being separated from any of them, especially Callie. She absolutely refused to be separated from her again.
"Ok, I don't care who rides together, just make sure everyone is accounted for and get into a vehicle so we can get the hell out of here." Owen said, then added, "I'm riding in this one, climb up, I'll send Nick and Tim to you."
"Owen, send Addie and Mark too." Callie said, pulling her oxygen mask off and receiving an evil eye from Arizona as she reached over and placed it back over her girlfriend's face.
"I will if I see them." Owen promised. Within five minutes they were all loaded up and the vehicles were moving. They were fourth in the long line of vehicles. Owen sat in the back with Teddy, Arizona, Callie, Tim, Nick, Addie, Mark, and the Chief while two armed soldiers drove them. An extra helmet and vest had been given to Arizona since her vest had been given to Ameera and her helmet to Hera and a vest was given to Callie to replace the one that stopped a steel plate from penetrating her spine. The Latina commented that it just added to the long list of things the blonde was about to get told off about, breaking the vest and helmet rule caused Callie to nearly blow a gasket. She couldn't blame the Latina, she had been nearly out of her mind thinking that her brother and girlfriend were dead. It had been the worst hours of her life and she would take whatever Callie had and she would take it gladly because it meant she was alive to yell at her. She held onto Callie, her arm protectively around her waist for the entire ride and was happy that Callie didn't object.
A collective relief could be felt as the vehicles entered the base without incident. Once they had exited the vehicles, Arizona, Callie, Tim, and Richard were all ushered to the medic tent to officially be checked over by a very protective Teddy and an equally bossy Owen. Erica, Eliza, Lexie, and Alex were already at the medic tent being looked at by Amelia, Bailey, and many of the Attendings. Owen helped Arizona remove her vest, her un-slinged arm was zipped underneath it. "How's the shoulder feeling, Robbins?"
"Not fantastic." Arizona winced. It was the only answer she could give since it hurt like a bitch but she didn't want to say that with Callie sitting on the next bed glaring at her and everyone would know she was lying if she said it was fine.
"I thought I told you to keep that sling on until Torres or I thoroughly examined that shoulder." Owen said as he finished removing the vest from Arizona's body.
"Owen, I want to check out her shoulder too." Callie replied. She was sitting up on the cot next to the blonde with an oxygen mask still on at Arizona's insistence.
"Just as soon as you are finished getting checked over by Sloan and Shepherd." Owen replied. Callie sent him her famous Torres glare but he didn't flinch so she sat on the bed next to Arizona, tapping her foot repeatedly.
"Callie, I know you're mad and for good reason but please, try to calm down a little bit. Your blood pressure is probably through the roof and you have injuries to your back and head. Not to mention you were so close to that bomb. Just calm down honey." Arizona said, calmly in a soft voice that was meant to be reassuring.
"Are you seriously telling me to calm down right now?" Callie asked, now fixing Arizona with her Torres glare.
"I'm just worried about you. So yes, please, calm down babe." Arizona replied quietly but that was not the right answer. The Latina removed the oxygen mask spouting off in Spanish. Arizona caught a word here and there but there was little she could do. Once Callie got started with the Spanish, there was no reeling her in. She hopped off her bed and began pacing in front of the blonde, stopping and pointing her finger at the blonde on occasion to emphasize a point that Arizona didn't understand.
"Don't look at me like that, Arizona Robbins, you have no idea how much trouble you are in once we are both medically cleared." The Latina shouted when Arizona apparently sent her a look that was interpreted as being full of attitude instead of love and concern. A shiver went down the blonde's spine and not the good kind. Callie was seriously pissed off.
"Don't look at me, you're the one that decided to go into that building, knowing Callie was going to kill you." Teddy said as Arizona gave her a pleading look.
"Dr. Torres, I really need you to calm down so I can examine you. Just take a seat and let me do a neuro check and then let Sloan look in your ears and treat the wounds on your back and skin. And then you can go back to shouting at Dr. Robbins all you want." Derek said as he approached the ranting woman.
"Did you enter an unstable structure and nearly get killed after promising Meredith that you would be careful, Derek?"
"Even I am not that stupid, Dr. Torres." Derek replied with a smile. He liked Arizona, he even supported what she did but he was a bit scared of Callie at the moment and if getting on her good side was at Arizona's expense then so be it.
"Hmm, seems the male species gets it." Callie commented, sitting back on the bed so Derek could do his neuro exam. Apparently his response was the right one and it irked the blonde.
"Calliope, I said I'm sorry."
"Yea well sorry doesn't cut it this time, Arizona."
"Should we separate you two so we can do our jobs?" Owen asked.
"Please, separate me, my head is pounding." Tim said. Arizona looked over at her brother to her right and reached for his hand.
"Neuro is clear, I want you to take it easy tonight, Torres, no more yelling or fighting." Derek said, pointedly looking between Callie and Arizona. "Tylenol and bed, doctors orders. I have to go check on some of the others, let me know if you need anything."
"I'm really glad you're alright, Timmy. You both scared me, I couldn't breathe for a moment." Arizona said tearfully as she thought about the moment she thought she had lost her brother and her girlfriend simultaneously.
"Literally." Teddy replied, earning her a kick in the shin from the blonde. "Ouch."
"Eh, takes more than a bomb to take me out." Tim joked but he laid down as the room started spinning.
"Well, you both had us worried sick. Arizona did a great job of emptying her stomach almost onto my shoes." Teddy replied, trying to lighten the mood just a fraction.
"Did you hit your head too when you fell, Arizona?" Callie asked, now alerted to her girlfriend again.
"No, no, my head is fine. I'm not sure why I got sick, I just heard about the bomb at the hospital and I knew you and Tim and everyone else was there, I just, my stomach...I was worried." Arizona replied, not really knowing how to explain the feeling she had. Callie reached out a hand and tucked a strand of hair behind Arizona's ear. Arizona smiled at the gesture, knowing it was meant affectionately.
"This doesn't mean I'm not mad anymore." Callie replied.
"I know."
"It doesn't help that I had to literally breathe air back into her lungs after the building collapsed on her and nearly crushed her." Teddy replied, knowing she was opening a can of worms but that the Latina needed to know everything.
"What?!" Callie shouted, getting everyone's attention as the brunette shouted and stood.
"Callie, calm down." Arizona said, "Teddy, Derek just told her she needed to stay calm."
"I swear to God, if you tell me to calm down one more time, Arizona…" Callie said but she didn't finish the sentence as Mark interrupted her, entering the tent without knowing what he was walking into.
"Alright Torres, let's look in those ears." Mark said. He took a moment to examine Callie while Owen resumed his work on Arizona, examining her shoulder.
"Teddy, what exactly did you mean by that?" Callie questioned, undeterred even as Mark sat her back down and began examining her.
"She gave me mouth to mouth, Callie. The building collapsed on me when I was trying to get through and they got me out quickly but I couldn't breathe for a moment. The weight of the rubble was just too much."
"Mierda, Arizona. I swear to…"
"I think it's out of place again." Owen interrupted with a glare at Callie as he finished examining Arizona's shoulder, "How did you manage that? I fixed it out in the field."
"When the bomb went off at the hospital, it knocked me off my feet. I was moving toward Callie and I landed on my left side again."
"I don't feel any damage around the shoulder but it is likely to be weak for a while. You're going to be in this sling for at least two weeks..."
"Four, minimum, Arizona but up to eight." Callie replied from her bed on Arizona's left, her jaw clenched and arms folded across her chest.
"Callie, seriously?" Arizona groaned.
"You're a surgeon so yes, Arizona, seriously and do you really want to take that tone with me right now?."
"She is right. I was going to tell you at least two weeks but I would recommend four to six weeks before I was interrupted," Owen said, eyeing Callie again. "So, we need to get that shoulder back in place. Do you want the morphine this time?"
"I'm not sure."
"Arizona, take the morphine." Callie said, as the blonde looked to her for an answer. Callie knew exactly how much getting a collar bone put back in place hurt, let alone twice in just a few hours. Plus, she could use a good laugh and somehow, seeing the blonde high on morphine was probably her best way of getting that laugh tonight.
"I don't want to be loopy, we still need to talk tonight." Arizona replied, looking at Callie. She could still feel the anger radiating off of Callie's skin. It was almost like the temperature of her skin rose with her temper.
"We can talk tomorrow. We are both exhausted and I have a feeling none of us will be going back to the hospital or off base anytime soon. And Derek told me no more yelling tonight and every time I look at you I want to scream at you. And unlike you, I can be trusted to keep my word." Callie replied, then seeing that Arizona was still hesitant, she gave her a pointed look and said, "Owen, she needs the morphine."
"Fine, ok, I will take the morphine." Arizona replied then winced as Owen drew up some morphine in a long needle.
"Bend over and drop em, Blondie." Mark said with a smile as he saw Owen approach Arizona with the needle.
"Mark!" Callie shouted. "Go, now! Get out! Owen, you too. Teddy can give her the fricken morphine, neither of you are seeing Arizona's ass today."
Teddy eyed Owen and then mouthed "Get out while you can", he nodded in understanding and handed her the syringe full of morphine. Owen grabbed Mark by the upper arm before Owen said, "Just call me when you're ready," then he led Mark from the tent. Arizona stood and wiggled the right side of her scrub bottoms down with one hand for Teddy and winced as she felt the poke of the needle followed by the sting of the medication.
Callie
"Ok now, give it about twenty minutes and you'll be feeling much better, Arizona." Teddy said with a smile before she turned her attention back to Tim. Amelia entered the tent a few minutes later and walked over to Tim to reassess his neuro status.
"Yea tell that to the bruise that needle is going to leave on my ass." Arizona replied snarkily before she laid down on her cot with a yawn. She watched intently as Amelia looked over her brother thoroughly, her eyes unfocused and fluttering with the effort to keep them open.
"How are you feeling, Riz?" Amelia asked as she looked in Tim's eyes and noted Arizona looking a little drowsy from her peripheral.
"Oh, she got a shot of morphine, her neuro status is fine." Teddy replied with a giggle.
"Oh, this is going to be fantastic." Amelia smiled.
"I know, right. Sometimes you have to think outside of the box. She really did need the morphine but I also needed a good laugh." Callie said from her spot on the other side of Arizona. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she had a cocky grin on her face.
"I kind of like your evil streak, Torres."
"Live and learn, Amelia."
Owen and Mark returned a short time later to tend to Callie's back. Callie was laying on her stomach while Mark plucked the few pieces of debris that had managed to penetrate her skin through her vest. He had been unable to remove them onscene due to the depth of them. He carefully removed each piece then cleansed the wounds thoroughly with Owen's help. Seeing that Mark had Callie's wounds under control, Owen approached Arizona, "Is it ok if I fix your shoulder now, Robbins?"
"Okie dokie artichokie." The blonde replied sleepily.
"Ok, on the count of three, one.." Owen started counting but the blonde pulled away.
"I know your trick, you lied to me Ginger snap." Arizona said, she stood to walk away but swayed on her feet. Teddy reached out and steadied the feisty blonde with her hands and gently sat her back down on the exam table. The second Teddy walked away, the blonde was back up and looking for an escape.
"Ginger snap?" Owen asked with a whisper causing both Amelia and Teddy to burst into giggles. Mark walked over to Arizona and attempted to help her back onto the cot before she could fall and hurt herself.
"No way, don't touch me with your man whore hands. I don't want to catch gonasyphilherpalitis." Arizona protested causing Mark to back away and Amelia and Teddy's giggles to persist.
"Arizona, sit on that bed right now and let Owen fix your shoulder." Callie demanded.
"But it's going to hurt, Calliope."
"Get on the bed, Arizona.'
"Will you at least hold my hand?" Arizona asked as she sat on the bed obediently. Callie stood from her own bed and walked over to take the blonde's hand. She leaned down and kissed the top of her head, as Arizona looked up at her and smiled, Callie nodded her head and Owen popped the blonde's shoulder back in place while she was distracted. "Ouch, frick! Avada Kedarva!"
"What?" Owen asked in complete confusion as the blonde shot daggers at him, the index finger of her right hand pointed at him. Amelia and Teddy were useless at this point, doubled over in laughter. Tim sat up, a loud laugh escaping his lips.
"Shit man, that's serious, she just sent the killing curse your way." Tim managed to say through his laughter..
"Arizona, I shouldn't have to tell you that you can't just use Avada Kedarva, that's serious and in order for it to work, you have to mean it. Not to mention, magic isn't real." Callie replied, now holding in her own laughter at the high and fuming blonde.
"But I do mean it. He's supposed to count, Calliope. And magic is too real, otherwise how would you explain the spark I feel when you touch me?" Arizona asked. Callie smiled at the blonde's attempt to be smooth even while high as a kite.
"Well it hurts less if you don't expect it. Now, lay down so Mark can finish cleaning me up and then we will go to bed."
"He has man whore hands, you probably should not let him touch you either, Calliope."
"Arizona, be nice." Callie said with a warning tone but she let out a silent giggle and smiled widely once she turned around.
"Fine but don't come crying to me when you get the gonasyphilherpalitis."
"Arizona."
"Fine." Arizona replied with an eye roll. Callie shook her head and smiled. So this is what Arizona was like as a child. She might have a slight sensitivity to morphine Callie thought and noted it for future reference, this wasn't exactly a normal reaction, though she had seen lots of crazy things people do while on pain medication.
"Ready Torres? This is the last one but it's a bit deeper than the others. I'm going to numb it with lidocaine so I can irrigate it and stitch it."
"Just do it, Mark. I want to get Arizona to bed before she finds a wand and actually injures someone." Callie giggled as Owen fought the blonde to get her arm back in the sling.
Half an hour later, Callie was patched up and ready to go. Her blonde was sleeping soundly on the cot beside her. Callie grabbed an extra pillow from her own cot for Arizona's arm and Mark scooped Arizona up and carried her to the barracks. Once outside the doors, they stopped.
"Arizona, wake up honey, I can't get you up to bed and you need to change." Callie said, stroking the pale face in Mark's arms. Arizona opened her eyes and blinked a few times.
"Your eyes look like big, beautiful, shiny, delicious balls of chocolate." Arizona said with a goofy smile.
"Alright, Shakespeare, let's get you to bed. I've got it from here Mark." Callie said as Mark lowered the blonde to her feet and Callie hooked a supportive arm under Arizona's right arm and held her firmly around the waist.
"Night Cal, get some rest ok. I hope you feel better soon, Blondie."
"I hope your balls rot off, Marcus." Arizona replied. Callie snorted, unable to prepare a poker face for that one.
"I'm wounded." Mark said, covering his heart as he walked away. Callie walked Arizona into the barracks and sat her on a bench while she gathered pajamas and their bathroom necessities. Once in the bathroom, she locked them in a shower stall and helped the blonde out of her dirty scrub pants. They were both in desperate need of a shower but Arizona wasn't steady enough on her feet and she really wanted her arm to be stabilized for the night. Deciding, she would just wash Arizona up, she made quick work of cleansing her face, arms, and legs with a cloth. She helped her out of her sling and washed her back and chest carefully before placing a button up pajama shirt on her and reapplying the sling. Once the blond had clean underwear and pajama pants on, Callie turned on the shower and did a quick scrub of her hair and body.
"Mmmm, your boobs are fantastic." Arizona said sleepily from the bench she was slouched on. Her head resting against the cement wall of the stall as she watched Callie emerge from the shower.
"Even high, you're a boobs girl, aren't you?" Callie laughed as she quickly dried off and dressed herself.
"When they're your boobs, yes, always Calliope."
"Good answer, babe."
"Am I still in the doghouse?"
"You bet your fine ass you are."
"Does that mean you aren't sleeping with me tonight?"
"No, I'm sleeping with you, Arizona. I'm mad but I still want to be close to you, especially after today."
"So can I score then?" The blonde asked, attempting to wiggle her eyebrows.
"Absolutely not." Callie replied then giggled when the blonde pouted.
"I'm sorry, Callie."
"I know you are. And I understand why you did what you did but I don't think you understand what it was like for me. Now, come on, you're high on morphine and I am exhausted." Callie said. She gathered up their stuff in one hand and slid her other one around Arizona's waist as the two made it back to the barracks and up into Callie's bunk. Callie elevated Arizona's arm on the extra pillow she had snagged and then settled down to get herself comfy.
Arizona was laying on her back and Callie was snuggled up to the blonde's right side, careful to avoid her bad arm and the injuries on her own back that were still tender. Just as she was sure Arizona was asleep and her own eyes were growing heavy, she heard the blonde whisper.
"Calliope?"
"Yes babe?"
"I think I know how to fix this."
"Arizona, go to sleep, we can talk in the morning."
"Obliviate." Arizona said, once again pointing her finger and making a little swirl in the air to perform the memory charm. In a quiet voice she asked, "Calliope?"
Callie tried to hide her face as she decided to give the blonde a taste of her own medicine. She nudged Callie and repeated, "Calliope?"
"Who is Calliope?" Callie asked, trying to maintain her composure as she fixed a confused look on her face. "And who the hell are you?"
"You're Calliope and I'm your girlfriend, Arizona."
"I don't have a girlfriend and Arizona is a state not a person. And Calliope is a ridiculous name, I think you made it up."
"You don't remember me? Holy shit, it worked." Arizona said a split second before Callie saw the panic in her eyes, "Oh my God, you don't remember me. What's the counter spell, oh my God, I can't remember. Callie, please remember, don't forget me."
"Arizona, I could never forget you, ya goob. Now stop trying to curse people and go to sleep."
"You tricked me." Arizona realized with a pout forming on her lips.
"I was teaching you a lesson." Callie replied, giving her the stink eye.
"That was mean, Calliope."
"So was trying to erase my memories, Arizona."
"I didn't think you knew Harry Potter."
"My mom is all about mythology, remember? Besides, I'm a nerd too." Callie replied.
"Sorry for trying to erase your memories, Calliope."
"It's ok, maybe you've learned your lesson. Now, please close your eyes and get some rest, babe."
"I can't. I keep seeing their faces. The little girl I did CPR on and Homa's face. I couldn't save them, Callie. And then, you and Tim, I thought you were both dead and I couldn't breathe." Arizona sobbed. The brunette hadn't expected this and she opened her arms as the blonde turned into her and clung to her with her good arm, the hand of her injured arm holding her shirt tightly in her fist. Callie let her own tears fall as well.
"I thought I had lost you too, Arizona. But we're both ok. I'm back in your arms and you're in mine and we are both alright."
"Are you still going to kill me tomorrow?" The blonde asked through her sniffles as their tears subsided
"Probably." Callie replied with a soft smile. Arizona nodded her head in resignation before Callie felt her breath on her chest.
"I love you, Calliope." Arizona whispered against her skin and planted a kiss over the place where the Latina's heart was beating.
"I love you too." Callie replied, tilting Arizona's chin up and planting a kiss on her chapped lips. They smiled at each other and then snuggled into each other before exhaustion took them both.
Arizona
Arizona awoke to the feeling of a jackhammer against her skull. She peeked one eye open and groaned at the sun shining in through the windows below her. She shut her eyes tightly and her right hand shot up to her head to stop the hammering, her left hand was tied down. Opening her eyes to inspect the reason why she couldn't lift her left hand, she saw the new sling that had her arm resting in it and the clip around her body prevented her from lifting her arm. It took a few moments for her to remember the events that occurred and when she did, she sat straight up, the room spinning as she did.
"Calliope." Arizona shouted in a panic. She was making her way to the end of the Latina's bunk. "Callie!"
"She just got up to go get you some food, Arizona, relax she will be right back." Amelia said from her bunk where she sat reading a medical journal.
"What time is it?"
"Nearly one in the afternoon. Callie let you miss breakfast so you could sleep but she wanted to make sure you had food if the mess hall closed for lunch before you woke up. How are you feeling Harry Potter?" Amelia asked.
"Harry Potter?"
"You don't remember?"
"No, care to fill me in on your little joke, Amelia? I'm not in the mood for guessing games."
"You tried to curse Owen when he popped your collar bone back in place last night."
"Curse him?"
"Yep. You waved your little finger in the air and shouted Avada Kedarva."
"I did no such thing."
"Umm yes, babe, you did." Callie said with a giggle as she approached her bunk, "And then you tried to obliviate me and remove my memories so I wouldn't kick your ass today. So I pretended you had for a few moments until you panicked."
"Oh God, I'm never letting you talk me into morphine again. My head is killing me and I can never show my face to Hunt again." Arizona moaned, placing her head in her hands.
"I'd be more worried about your pissed off girlfriend at the moment."
"Still mad?" Arizona asked.
"Would you like me to list the reasons?" Callie asked with an arched eyebrow.
"Well, I think that's my que to take my magazine to the entertainment center." Amelia said as she got up, "Good luck, Riz."
"Here, I got you some soup, crackers, and some fruit." Callie said. Arizona climbed down the ladder and walked over to the bench to sit next to Callie.
"Thanks hon but my head is killing me, I'm not sure I can eat this."
"Take the Tylenol that's on your tray. Your headache isn't going to prevent the yelling that's about to occur." Callie warned though she was trying to keep her fuse from blowing. Arizona looked up at her quickly as she downed the Tylenol but the motion caused her to wince which seemed to soften Callie a little. The two ate their food in silence but Arizona could tell, Callie was trying to hold back her fury as she jammed pieces of fruit with her fork but never actually ate any of it.
"Callie, just say it. I know you're mad, I would be too and after I thought that you and Tim were dead and I would never hear the lecture I knew was waiting for me, I was just so happy that you can yell at me that I don't even mind. I can take it, get it off your chest, babe."
"See, you go and say crap like that and it just infuriates me. Do you know how terrified I was, Arizona?"
"I might have an idea. I heard that the bomb went off while we were out in the field and then it took us nearly forty five minutes to get to the hospital and then just as I saw you guys exit the hospital and I felt relief, a second bomb went off and I thought, that was it. I thought that my big brother and the love of my life were dead. So yea, I think I understand a little bit, Callie."
"Arizona, I'm sure that was awful for you and I'm really sorry that you went through that. I woke up with a feeling yesterday. A feeling that I've had twice in my life. Once was the day my grandfather died and once was the day my mother almost died. I knew in my heart that something terrible was going to happen. The entire day, I knew it. When I heard that you were trapped in that building, I was ready to panic but I couldn't because I had that little girl who needed surgery coming in. I thought for sure that you weren't coming back to me, at least not in one piece and you almost didn't. And then you gave one of the kids your vest and the other one your helmet, Arizona."
"Callie, I know. I'm sorry. I could defend myself and try to explain why I did it but I know the reason doesn't matter to you. I am sorry that you were so scared all day and I wasn't there for you. Why didn't you tell me about what this feeling you had meant to you?"
"I did but you had already made your decision and there just wasn't time. I tried to explain it but no one understood. And I know you talked to me after the fact but you still made that decision before you talked to me."
"Callie, what would you have done?"
"I honestly can't say unless I'm in that position but we're a couple and I'd like to think that I would consult you before making a decision like that. You're not in the Army, Arizona, it wasn't your responsibility."
"Then whose responsibility was it, Callie? Tim's? Teddy's? Nick's? They were little girls at school, laughing and playing and learning and the next moment they had been blown up. Seven of them died, Callie. I laid my hands on four of them and two of them died and a third lost her leg. Who is responsible for that?" Arizona asked before she stood and walked to the window. She wanted to leave, she needed space and she needed some air but she had told Callie she could take it. And she had prayed and bargained with whatever God that was out there that if Callie was okay she wouldn't walk away from her, she would be the person Callie deserved and she intended to keep that promise.
"It's not yours, Arizona. I don't know whose it is but the death of those little girls, it wasn't your fault." Callie whispered. Arizona flinched, not expecting Callie to be so close and knowing that her walls were seconds away from crumbling. She couldn't let Callie comfort her or she would crumble completely.
"They needed my help."
"I know." Callie whispered. She knew this was taking a toll on the blonde and her concern for Arizona's emotional state had long since ebbed the anger she had woken up with. She pulled the blonde into her embrace and felt her stiffen. She tried to fight Callie but she just held on, whispering calmly to her blonde, "Let it out, Arizona, it's ok, I'm right here."
Arizona felt her walls crumble as she melted into Callie and cried on her shoulder until she felt like she was too dehydrated to cry anymore. The image of Homa laying in the dirt with a slab of concrete on her back was chiseled into her brain. When she didn't see Homa's face, she saw the little girl lying on the ground outside of the school with her abdomen wide open, exposing her intestines. Arizona knew she was too injured to save but she had attempted CPR anyway, she was eight years old and she had deserved for the peds surgeon to at least try to save her life. And when she didn't see those two little girls, she saw her brother and Callie emerging from the hospital and then the hospital blowing up. The images replayed in her head like a disc on repeat.
"I feel gross." Arizona said, pulling away from the Latina's embrace.
"Come on, I'll help you get set up with a shower. There's a meeting at three, the Chief has an announcement. I'm assuming it's about the Foundation's decision."
"Have you already showered?" Arizona asked. The brunette looked far less dirty than she had the night before and her dark hair was shiny and smelled of her coconut shampoo. Her skin was soft and smelled like her coconut pear lotion instead of soot and dirt like it had the previous evening.
"I took one last night. I helped you clean up but you were so out of it from the morphine that I didn't think it was safe to try to get you in the shower. I could use another one though if you would like some company."
"Callie, I will never say no to you being naked and wet in the shower with me." Arizona said with a smile before she led Callie to the showers.
The couple shared a very platonic shower in which Callie helped wash Arizona's hair and body but kept it very PG much to Arizona's disappointment. She gasped at the bruising around Arizona's shoulder and the left side of her ribs as she washed her which started another Spanish rant. Arizona didn't know what else to do so she turned Callie around and started gently cleaning the wounds on her back. She placed a kiss over each wound while the Latina continued on and on in Spanish. "There, all better." Arizona whispered as she kissed the last one after thoroughly cleansing and rinsing the wounds. Callie turned and faced her and it was Arizona's turn to hold the Latina while she fell apart.
"It's okay, Calliope." Arizona whispered, kissing her shoulder as she held her close.
"I still owe Timothy, Theodora, and Nicholas an epic ass kicking." Callie whispered as she fought to regain control of her emotions. Arizona let out a little giggle but immediately stopped when she earned herself a Torres glare. "What I should do is call your mother and tell her what you did."
"No, Callie, that won't do anyone any good and she will freak. She may even have a heart attack. There is no way we're telling my mother about this."
"Oh, is that what scares you? Your mom? Because clearly my wrath isn't enough to worry you."
"Callie, it is, your feelings matter to me. Believe it or not, every decision I made, I was thinking about you. Mostly about the ways in which you were going to enjoy murdering me slowly and painfully but I did think about you. I don't know what else I can say. I truly am sorry."
"I'm sorry means that you're acknowledging that you did something wrong and you don't intend to do it again. Is that what you mean when you apologize to me?"
"Yes. I mean, I can't say I won't ever do something stupid that hurts you or makes you angry ever again but I don't intend to do those things, Callie."
"Ok." Callie said, reaching for her towel and exiting the shower to dry off and get dressed. Arizona turned off the water and followed her.
Both freshly showered and dressed, the couple made their way to the mess hall for the Chief's announcement. Callie grasped Arizona's good hand tightly in her own, causing Arizona to smile, though she was careful not to smile too big or to let Callie see. She knew she was still on thin ice and they still had another conversation they had to have in the very near future.
Callie
Callie led Arizona to a table near the front of the room. It was five minutes to three and most everyone was already there. They found seats between Cristina and Alex. Callie hadn't seen Alex since the night before and hadn't had a chance to speak with him and thank him, "How are you doing, Alex?"
"Like I nearly got blown up by a bomb but considering how I could be feeling, pretty damn good. I twisted my ankle and I have a concussion. How are you two?"
"Feeling about the same as you." Callie replied. "I wanted to thank you for staying and helping me with Ameera. You had the choice to evacuate but you stayed and that probably saved both mine and Ameera's lives. If any of you had left, we wouldn't have been able to work as quickly as we did."
"Well Robbins turned me into a peds surgeon so I couldn't leave." Alex replied with a shrug. He was always uncomfortable with compliments but Arizona smiled, she knew he was one of the good ones, he just needed some training.
The Chief stepped up to the front of the room and cleared his throat, catching everyone's attention in the process. "Good afternoon everyone. I would like to start out by saying that I am very proud of each and every one of you. We saved the lives of five children and one of their teachers yesterday. I know we had hoped to save them all but if it wasn't for the hard work and dedication of the army we are privileged to be working beside and three of our surgeons, there wouldn't have been any survivors. We also have four surgeons and an anesthesiologist who stayed and worked on a little girl after the bomb went off to stabilize her enough for transport. I'd like Dr. Robbins, Dr. Torres, Dr. Karev, Dr. Warren, Dr. Sloan, Dr. Derek Shepherd, Dr. Lexie Grey, and Dr. Minnick to please stand up for a moment, along with Army Ranger Robbins, Army Ranger Gilbert, Dr. Altman, Dr. Hunt, and Dr. Riggs." The Chief waited for them all to stand and the room erupted into applause. "While each and everyone of you played an important role and everyone worked quickly and calmly to evacuate the building, I'd like you to look at these fine young men and women standing before you. They are the kind of doctors and people that represent exactly what Seattle Grace stands for. Aside from the patients in the burn unit where the initial bomb went off, we were able to evacuate every patient without injury. You all have a lot to be proud of today."
"We had a great leader." Derek replied with a smile. Many people promptly shook their heads in agreement.
"You all may sit. Now, on to the real reason for this meeting. I am sad to inform you that the Foundation has decided to pull S.H.E. early with my full support. I don't have an exact departure date and time yet but I do know it will happen within the next three days. As soon as the arrangements are finalized, I will make an announcement. I should know by the end of the day today but no later than breakfast tomorrow. I would like all of you to be packed and ready to go at any time. Since most of you were not expecting to be back in Seattle so soon, you have the option of starting back to work right away or beginning again on the eighth of February as you originally planned. You will also have the option to have extended leave if you need it. I will need to know your decisions within twenty four hours of our return to Seattle. Everyone will have to be cleared by the hospital psychiatrist in order to go back to work, there will be no exceptions. Does anyone have any questions?"
"How will this affect our residency?" Cristina asked.
"It will still count as a year since you are really only leaving two weeks early." Richard replied. "Any other questions?"
Callie looked around but no one seemed to have any. "Ok then, that's all for now. Dr. Robbins, I need to speak with you. Dr. Altman, can I speak with you as well?"
Arizona took Callie's hand and made her way to the Chief. "Dr. Robbins, I'll be just a moment, let me speak with Dr. Altman quickly and then I am all yours."
"Do you want me to head back to the barracks or wait for you outside?" Callie asked the blonde who was currently fiddling with Callie's fingers nervously.
"I want you to stay. Whatever he has to say, I want you with me. I will just tell you the second I see you again anyway." Arizona replied with a smile.
"Good answer, Robbins." Callie returned the smile. Maybe Arizona had been listening to her after all. The Chief returned a few moments later and looked between the two women.
"Dr. Robbins, can I have a moment of privacy please."
"Sir, with all due respect, I am going to tell Callie whatever you are about to tell me the second I leave here anyway. I want her to stay."
"Ok then, I have no problem with that, it's your choice. I just wanted to let you know that the Foundation has been updated on your injury and due to that, you are to come back to Seattle with us and pending your injury, you will return to Malawi once you have been cleared by an orthopedic surgeon."
"Great, Callie can keep you posted." Arizona replied with a dimpled smile.
"Actually, given your personal relationship with Dr. Torres, I have assigned Dr. Minnick as your orthopedic surgeon. She will be the one that follows up on your injury and the one who will clear you. You will see her once a week for an exam and start physical therapy two weeks after we return. Dr. Hunt wants your arm in that sling and resting until then."
"Chief Webber, I can be objective." Callie said, the thought of Eliza putting her hands on the blonde to assess her injury made Callie want to resort to violence.
"While I'm sure that's true, I don't want to take any chances. If Dr. Robbins wants to return to work at all, she will follow the protocol we have set in place. Since the injury occurred during the S.H.E. program, the Foundation is covering medical expenses and wants everything done by the book. Dr. Robbin's health is everyone's first priority."
"Yes sir." Arizona replied. Callie could tell she was nervous with this arrangement, probably because she was concerned about how Callie would react.
"Alright then, I'll see you ladies at dinner." Webber said before leaving the two women standing there.
"Callie, if you aren't comfortable with this then I can request a different doctor."
"Babe, it's ok. I don't like it but Eliza isn't a bad doctor and I can still come with you to your appointments, there's no rules against that."
"Of course you can come." Arizona replied with a smile.
"How's your head?"
"It's more like a woodpecker than a jackhammer now."
"Come on, I don't know about you but I didn't get enough sleep and I am exhausted, I think we could both do with a little nap." Callie said. She received no argument from the blonde so she led her to the barracks and the two of them climbed up into the bunk where Callie pulled out her laptop and put a movie on. They remained there together, dozing on and off until dinner time.
At dinner, the Chief announced that the Foundation had secured them transportation on the thirteenth which was in two days. They would fly to New Delhi and then on to Tokyo where they would spend the night and leave the next day to LAX where the majority of them would take a flight to Seattle while others would fly on to other cities. Several of the surgeons would be returning to Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. At some point, Arizona would have to return to Baltimore to gather her belongings but Amelia was taking over the lease once the blonde officially made the move so there was no rush.
"What's wrong?" Callie asked as the two walked toward the entertainment center where they planned to meet Teddy and Tim, along with a few others to play darts.
"I'm just a little sad to be leaving. I thought I would have two more weeks with Tim and Teddy. I thought I lost my brother yesterday and now I have to say goodbye to him again for four months."Arizona replied. "It's easier to be here and be scared for him than to be home and scared."
"Well, why don't I find Addie and her and I can spend some time together. I could use some best friend time, I've missed her and she will be back in LA and I'll be in Seattle. You go find Teddy and Tim and spend a little time with them."
"Callie, I want you to come. You have gotten close with them too and I know they would love to have you join us."
"It's ok, I think you need this and to be honest, I could use a little space. I'm not mad anymore but I need to vent. We can all get together tomorrow night and hang out. Maybe we can set up the projector and watch a movie together in the mess hall or something." Callie suggested. She could see the hesitation and possibly even hurt in Arizona's eyes at her honesty.
"Ok. I'll see you in a few hours." Arizona resigned with a sad smile.
"Ok babe, have fun. I love you." Callie said, kissing pink lips before she headed to Addie's quarters and Arizona continued on to the entertainment center.
Addie opened the door on the first knock and the two set out for a walk. They walked in silence for a while, both having things weighing on their minds but neither wanting to voice them. "Sam and I broke up."
"What? When did this happen?" Callie asked.
"While we were home for the break between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It just wasn't working out, we want different things."
"I was wondering why you were spending so much time with us instead of Sam over Christmas but I just thought maybe you two had been fighting. I'm so sorry Addie, why didn't you tell me?"
"You were having your own crisis with your parents and I wasn't ready to talk about it yet." Addie confessed.
"I can understand that. So what are you going to do now?"
"I actually accepted a contract at Seattle Grace. I'm coming to Seattle for a while. I plan on returning to LA at some point but for now, I need a little bit of space from Sam and the practice."
"Well, I am very happy to hear that."
"I talked to the Chief this morning, I'll be starting in February so I have some time to get some things squared away at the practice and the house before I head to Seattle."
"While I'm very sorry to hear about you and Sam, I am ecstatic that I will get some more time with you. And we can actually have girls night with wine and mani's and pedi's." Callie replied with a giant smile at the thought. "And we can go shopping for real."
"I am so on board with all of that." Addie replied. The two spent the next hour walking and making plans for their future girls nights.
Arizona
"Hey sis, where's your better half?" Tim asked as Arizona walked up to him and hugged him tightly.
"She's hanging out with Addie. She needed a little best friend time and I needed some brother time. Plus she's still mad at me." Arizona replied. She knew Callie was trying to hide it and let go of the anger but she also knew the Latina took time to process and was not one to forgive quickly or easily.
"Yea, she was a bit scary yesterday."
"Where's Nick and Teds?" Arizona asked, changing the subject.
"They'll be back soon, they had to go do a quick perimeter check. You still up for some darts with them?"
"Of course, I want to spend some time with all of you. I thought I'd have more than two weeks left with you."
"Hey, don't get all girly on me now, Zozo. We will all be home before you know it. I'm even looking at a few jobs near Seattle when I get back." Tim replied, then added, "Don't say anything to Nick, I don't want him to freak but Sara and I have been dating since before we left for this last tour. She's looking at jobs in Oregon, Northern California, and Washington. It's hard to get serious being so far away but we write to each other and skype, we're going to give it a real shot when I get back. I love her, Arizona."
"I kind of figured. You haven't fooled mom either by the way. I'm really happy for you. You know I love Sara and she has always loved you, Tim. It's about time you got that big head of yours out of your ass." Arizona teased. Tim pulled her in and was rubbing his fist in her hair when Nick and Teddy interrupted.
"Uh oh, the kids are fighting again." Nick said to Teddy.
"He started it." "She started it" Arizona and Tim shouted at the same time, pointing at each other as they broke apart.
"Oh brother, some things never change." Teddy moaned.
"So, skype call with the rents tomorrow?" Tim asked.
"Yep, what time?" Teddy asked.
"Three. They should be awake in Boston by then." Tim replied.
"Cool, I can't run or Callie really will murder me but we could go for a walk before we skype them Teds. Get one last run in before I leave on Sunday."
"Sounds good." Teddy said, reaching over and squeezing Arizona's knee.
"Tim, remind me to give you some cover up. Mom will freak if she sees your face like that. The bruising looks worse than it did yesterday." Arizona said.
"Makeup, really?"
"You wanna deal with mama bear?" Arizona asked, arching her eyebrow.
"Point taken." Tim conceded.
"Ok, who is ready for some darts?" Nick asked.
"Get ready to get your ass kicked, Gilbert." Arizona said with a smile.
"Aren't you on my team?"
"Not today, Nick. You and Teds versus Tim and I." Arizona said. Tim picked her up and spun her causing her to squeal.
"You two are going down." Tim shouted as he placed Arizona back on solid ground.
"Oh, I'm so scared. Your partner has one arm and your face looks like you got in a fight with Mohammed Ali. We have this in the bag." Teddy said with an eye roll as she and Nick high fived.
"Bring it." Arizona replied with a smile. God she was going to miss them.
XXX
The next day, everyone was busy trying to get everything packed. Chaos surrounded them as bras, shoes, toiletries, and luggage were strewn throughout the barracks. It's what happens when fifteen women are all packing frantically at the same time. Arizona and Callie spent a large portion of the previous night and the entire morning packing as much as they could. Callie planned to skype with her parents so she left Arizona to herself after lunch. She would meet them at the conference center at three to skype with Arizona's parents. The fact that Callie was skyping her parents reminded Arizona that they still hadn't had their talk. With the chaos of the past few days, it had escaped both of their minds but now it was back at the forefront of Arizona's conscience. At this point, she figured it was better to just wait until they were back home. It would give Callie at least a solid month to be as mad as she wanted before Arizona would leave for Malawi. Hopefully that would be enough time for her to process and forgive her so they could be solid when she left for Malawi. That was her hope anyway.
Callie came back in just as Arizona was getting ready to leave to meet Teddy for their walk. "How are your parents, babe?"
"They're good, they asked about you."
"I'm sorry I didn't join you on the call, hon, I really should have but I just wanted to finish up a few more things."
"It's ok. I told them we would call them once we're in Seattle to plan a visit."
"That sounds great, Calliope."
"You meeting Teddy?"
"Yeah, do you mind?"
"Not at all, babe. I'm going to finish up a few things before we call your parents. Absolutely no running, Arizona." Callie said sternly.
"I won't, I promise." Arizona said. She pecked Callie on the lips quickly and headed out the door. Teddy was already outside waiting for her and they had started a brisk walk when Tim shouted for them to stop. He jogged over to them.
"Arizona, I need your makeup stuff for my face."
"Callie is in the barracks, she knows where my cover up is."
"But I need help, I've never put makeup on before." Tim whined.
"Tim, Callie is much better with makeup than I am. I'm sure she will help you. She will know exactly what you need and she knows where my make-up bag is."
"Fine…" Tim said as he stomped away toward the barracks.
"Boys." Arizona said, rolling her eyes and causing Teddy to giggle.
Callie
"Cal?" Callie heard Tim's voice calling her name and she peeked around her bunk to see him standing at the entrance of the barracks as if he were scared to enter.
"Hey Tim, what's up?"
"Arizona told me to come get her makeup so mom won't freak when she sees my face. I have no idea what I'm doing though, can you help me?"
"Sure, sit down." Callie said with an eye roll. Of course her girlfriend would think to cover up the bruising on Tim's face to prevent their mother from having a stroke. Callie made her way over to Arizona's cubby and snatched the makeup bag from the shelf. "Now what you need is some foundation and some highlighter. I'll have to do your whole face or it will look uneven."
"You're the expert." Tim replied with a shrug. Callie dug through Arizona's makeup bag but couldn't find her foundation. Finding an inside zipper, she stuck her hand in and pulled out the foundation with an "Aha". As she tried to zip the pocket back up a folded piece of paper caught in the zipper grabbed her attention.