AN: Hello everyone :) How is it September already? And how has this become nearly 400,000 words? What started as a Nanowrimo personal challenge to write everyday has turned into this crazy fanfiction. I just wanted to do something fun and get back in to writing and fanfiction writing has definitely been fun and a great escape for me. I know a lot has been happening in these chapters, I'm trying to move the story along while also doing justice to each character's story. Thanks for sticking with me and to the new readers, welcome. I hope you all continue to be happy and safe. Happy reading :)
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Callie
The next two days were hectic and stressful. Callie spent her time trying to find a healthy balance between being a supportive girlfriend and a hovering one. Arizona let her know when she crossed into the hovering lane with her not so subtle hints of annoyance. Lexie had offered up her room and was staying with Mark and Callie had given up her room at her apartment temporarily for Amelia so she could be closer to the hospital with their clinical trial going on, leaving Amelia's room open for their guests. It wasn't ideal for the ortho surgeon but she wanted Arizona to have what she needed and what she currently needed was everyone under the same roof. It was a small price to pay to take some of the stress off of her girlfriend. So Barbara had moved into Lexie's room, Sara and Nora had taken up residence in Amelia's room, and Teddy and Allison had moved to the pull out sofa in the den so Arizona and Callie could reclaim Arizona's room. Alex spent most of his time at the hospital and running errands for them when he wasn't. Arizona's dysfunctional roommates and work family had stepped up.
The Colonel had called that morning from Germany after stopping there for a layover so he could check in on Nick. They were planning on transporting him to the states in forty-eight hours as long as he continued to make improvements. The Colonel would be arriving later that day in Afghanistan to help guide the search for his missing son and the other four soldiers that were missing as well as the ten soldiers that were being held for ransom. They were hoping that finding Nick alive and conscious would give them a narrower search parameter for finding the rest of the hostages.
Callie was in the kitchen helping Barbara cook breakfast that morning when the Colonel's call came in. Barbara had been an emotional wreck while Arizona remained completely stoic and Callie wasn't sure who she was more concerned for. As Barbara was the more open of the two and was too worried about Arizona to lean on her, she had turned to Callie and Callie had enjoyed spending the extra time with the older Robbins woman.
"Can I help you dear?" Barbara asked as she entered the kitchen later that evening to find Callie rummaging through the fridge for ingredients while she was lost in thought.
"No ma'am, just trying to decide what to make for dinner."
"Callie, it's your day off, you helped with breakfast. Arizona told me how hard you've been working, you should rest a little on your day off. Don't make me worry about you too, sweetie."
"I just want to feel useful. Arizona won't let me comfort her and working in the kitchen always calms me." Callie replied.
"Well let me help you at least." Barbara said, knowing how her daughter could be and finding comfort in the kitchen as well.
"I'd like that. Thanks."
"Is Arizona finally sleeping?"
"I hope so. She hasn't been sleeping well." Callie replied, she couldn't hide her concern.
"She's her father's daughter. Timmy and I, we tend to wear our emotions on our sleeves, out there for everyone to see. Daniel and Arizona, they're more guarded. Only the people they love and trust the most get to see that side of them and even then, it has to be when they're ready to show it."
The two women worked well in the kitchen together and enjoyed the silent but comforting company of the other. Callie was used to cooking with one or both of her grandmothers and Barbara reminded her of a younger version of them. Though some of the light had left her usually bright eyes that were the matching set to her daughter's, she still seemed happy in the kitchen.
"How was your nap, baby?" Callie asked when Arizona entered the kitchen a little while later. The blonde had been running off of peer adrenaline and caffeine, Callie had made her lay down and take a nap, it was the first sleep the blonde had gotten in two days.
"Good but you shouldn't have let me sleep so long. What are you two making?" Arizona asked, sniffing the air. Callie knew she must be hungry, not only had she not been sleeping but she had barely seen her touch a scrap of food.
"Potato soup with ham. I thought it would be good comfort food, especially with the sudden cold front that came in this morning."
"Sounds and smells amazing. Can I help with anything?"
"You can cut up some veggies for the salad." Callie said, handing her another cutting board and a knife.
Teddy and Allison joined the kitchen a few minutes later, sitting at the table and chatting away with the other women. They had been napping in the den while Arizona napped upstairs. Nora and Sara had gone out for a little shopping, both needing to release some stress. No one seemed to be eating or sleeping much these past few days.
"How's Sara holding up?" Arizona asked Teddy. The two friends had sat in the backyard for a few hours the night before. Arizona had been too worked up to be able to sit still so she had gone on a run with Allison.
"Better than I expected but she's worried about Nick and frantic about Tim."
"I can't imagine how I would feel if Calliope were missing in action." Arizona said, suddenly. Saying it aloud like that struck a nerve with her. She had been thinking about it all day. She didn't know how Sara was still standing, she would be a wreck if Tim was as injured as Nick and Callie was missing in a foreign, war torn country.
"Hey, I'm right here." Callie said, standing behind Arizona to rub her shoulders. Arizona had yet to let her comfort her. She knew the blonde was close to falling apart but wouldn't allow herself to do it.
"I know. Thank you." Arizona whispered as she kissed Callie's hand, melting into her embrace for a quick moment before she wiggled free of her grasp. Callie knew Arizona didn't mean anything by it but it still hurt. She felt helpless and just wanted to offer Arizona what little comfort she could. But she knew Arizona couldn't allow herself that comfort while her brother was missing.
The next sixty hours of planning and awaiting Nick's arrival were tense. Not knowing what Nick's injuries were specifically or being able to see any scans until he arrived, Callie did her best to prepare and assemble a team of surgeons for his case. They knew he had an open abdomen that was full of infection, an open femur fracture, a broken tibia and fibula, and all the fingers on his left hand were broken. He also had some facial injuries but it was unclear what they were exactly. Based on what she knew, her team consisted of the Chief who would oversee the entire operation, offering guidance and support to any surgeon who needed it. Bailey and Meredith would take care of the abdomen. Cristina and Erica would be on standby for any cardiothoracic issues they might encounter since Teddy was banned from assisting with the surgery herself as Nick was basically family. Both Teddy and Arizona had also been forbidden by the Chief from setting foot into the gallery during the surgery as well, saying he didn't want the surgeons under further pressure with them watching them work. Derek and Amelia would be assisting with the nerve damage to the legs and hands and reconstruction of any bones that needed repair as well as clearing the brain and spine. Sloan would be there to assist with any burns or cosmetic issues that he could help with. Callie, Eliza, and Jo would be in charge of the rest of the skeletal injuries. There was no shortage of surgeons willing to help, they had all been in Afghanistan and Nick had been a group leader to some of them, they all wanted to see him make it through this.
The morning Nick arrived in Seattle, Callie was a nervous wreck. She was confident in her abilities but after seeing Nick's scans and injuries for herself, she was seriously doubting she could save his leg. If this was any other patient she probably wouldn't even risk the complications and choose to amputate but this was Nick. Tim's best friend, Tim who was still missing. He was like a brother to Tim, Teddy, and Arizona and like a second son to Barbara and Daniel. He was the son of Nora, who was one of the sweetest women she had come to know in the past five days and who had already lost her husband far too soon. And he was Sara's brother. Sara who was still waiting to hear about her boyfriend's fate. Callie couldn't let this group of people down, they had become her family and she couldn't face them if she did.
"Calliope…" Arizona interrupted her thoughts as she entered the room where Callie was studying Nick's scans meticulously.
"Yea?" She replied but didn't turn.
"Are those Nick's scans?"
"Yea babe, they are."
"Calliope, look at me." Arizona urged her to turn but didn't reach out to touch her. She just stood there, waiting patiently. When Callie finally turned, she was met with a dimpled smile and she felt a calmness wash over her that she hadn't felt in days.
"Tell me I'm amazing."
"Calliope Torres, you are amazing. You are brilliant, a rockstar with a scalpel and I have all the faith in the world in you. Even so, I know there is only so much you can control, even being the most skilled ortho surgeon on this side of the country, there are some obstacles that are just too much. I have faith in you, Calliope and I know if you have to amputate, it's because you've exhausted every other option. I want Nick to walk again but more than that, I want him to live and you are his best chance for both."
"You're kinda freaking me out here, Arizona."
"Badass ortho goddess Calliope Torres is amazing, there's no reason for you to be freaked out, babe. No matter what happens in your surgery tomorrow, Nick is lucky to have you as his doctor. And I am lucky to have you as my girlfriend."
"You're amazing, do you know that?"
"We're amazing." Arizona replied, brushing her lips against Callie's.
"You'll still think I'm brilliant and amazing even if I can't save his leg?"
"I don't just think you're brilliant and amazing, Callie, I know it. And that won't change if you have to amputate. I'm no ortho goddess but even I know, the chances of him losing his leg are crazy high. They wanted to amputate in Germany but they insisted he come here with his leg. Everyone knows it's a long shot, Callie. And at the end of all of this, no matter what happens, I will find you brilliant, amazing, miraculous because you're Callie freakin' Torres."
"How did I get so lucky?"
"I'm the lucky one." Arizona replied, placing a sweet kiss on Callie's cheek before she left the brunette to continue her work of trying to plan a miracle.
Callie spent the rest of the evening at the hospital with the rest of the surgical team where they planned to spend the whole night prepping. The surgery would start first thing in the morning pending Nick's labs. They wanted to see a decrease in his white blood cells and lactic acid before surgery. They had given him blood and fluids, a course of broad spectrum antibiotics, and were managing his pain but only time would tell if he would be strong enough to undergo the surgery. In all likelihood, even if they were successful, this would be the first of several surgeries. She spent a large portion of the evening in the skills lab with Eliza, Jo, Derek, Amelia, and Meredith. Stephanie, Andrew, Lexie, and Matthew would be spending the night and the following night at Nick's bedside. They had volunteered willingly to be part of his team as they had been in Afghanistan.
At midnight, Arizona showed up at the hospital and insisted that everyone go to bed and get some rest before she literally dragged Callie to an on call room. Neither of them spoke as Arizona unpacked a bag and helped Callie change into the pajamas Arizona had brought for her. They were less skimpy than their usual tank top and panties she noted as she dressed in the sweats and baggy T-shirt that Arizona handed her.
"Are you staying here with me?" Callie asked as Arizona pulled her own pajamas from the bag and changed quickly.
"I want to make sure you get some rest and don't stay up all night worrying. Plus, neither of us sleep well without the other one so I thought you might actually sleep if I'm here." Arizona replied as she climbed into the bed and patted the area next to her.
"I like it when you hold me like this." Callie whispered softly as she laid down in the space in front of Arizona, the petite blonde taking the position of big spoon.
"Me too, now, sleep." Arizona replied with a kiss to Callie's shoulder. Callie was about to argue, wanting to make sure Arizona was ok but she felt slender fingers stroking her scalp and her eyes instantly grew heavy. Her girlfriend knew how to fight dirty she thought with a smile as she drifted off to sleep.
Callie woke the next morning feeling more rested than she thought possible given the circumstances. Arizona convinced her to go to the cafeteria and drink two bottles of water and eat a full breakfast before going into surgery, the blonde only picking at her own food even as she forced Callie to eat. Now, as she stood staring at the bacteria infested flesh surrounding Nick's open femur fracture, she was seriously regretting the cafeteria eggs. Bailey and Meredith were hard at work repairing the damage to his abdomen while Callie just stared at the leg she had opened up but had yet to do much else with.
"Dr. Torres, what would you like me to do?" Jo asked from her position next to her.
"Umm, irrigate all of this for me, Wilson. I need to see if this is even salvageable. This is the source of his septic shock right here. I might not be able to save his leg." Callie replied, feeling her heart sink. The damage was much more severe than the scans showed.
"What can I do, Torres?" Derek asked.
"Can you and Dr. Sloan come and look at this tissue? I need to know if we remove the infected and dead tissue if there will be enough muscle and connective tissue to save the leg. If not, we need to come up with another plan quickly or he's going to lose the leg altogether. Even then, the nerve damage might just be too severe for him to not be in a tremendous amount of pain even if we manage to save the leg."
Jo irrigated the leg thoroughly under Eliza's guidance while Callie, Mark, and Derek inspected the tissue and bone of the femur and upper thigh. Her heart sank as every idea they had to save the leg resulted in one or more of them finding flaws in the plan that could ultimately lead to death if they didn't succeed. Every path seemed to lead back to amputation.
"What if we took the whole femur bone out and replaced it like we would a knee? I could construct a bone out of titanium. I mean, I could replace the whole hip joint too."
"What about blood flow, nerve networks, and connective tissue attachments?"
"You're right, it's too high up on the leg. He needs the bone marrow and blood flow to the lower leg. It won't work. Damn it." Callie replied, frustrated that she hadn't thought of that.
"It was a brilliant idea, Callie, it's just not going to work this time. But in the future I want to talk to you more about this because this is something that will take time to build but might not be impossible in the future." Derek said. She could tell he was smiling through his mask but it didn't make her feel better because they had exhausted all options.
"What about a cadaver bone?" Mark asked.
"No, it wouldn't work. Not unless it was a fresh donation but even so, the immunosuppressants and steroids he would need for a transplant would put him at too high of a risk. He likely would die from the sepsis if we suppressed his immune system right now." Callie replied.
"I'm out of ideas." Mark replied.
"Ok, we are going to remove the dead tissue, all of it. And I am going to work on repairing the fibula and tibia on his left leg. We will stabilize the fracture in the femur but leave the leg open and do antibiotic washes over the next twenty four hours. If he keeps good peripheral blood flow, keeps his pressure up, and his lactic acid and white blood cell counts down, we might be able to save this leg. I'm not ready to give up on it just yet." Callie replied.
While Mark and Eliza worked on removing the dead tissue and muscle from the femur of Nick's right leg, Derek and Amelia were hard at work with the nerve damage to his left hand, Callie and Eliza had repaired the bones, now it was up to them to make sure he would still have use of his hand. Callie and Jo started the repair of his lower left leg and ankle, it was a much easier fix than the femur would be. They had just completed drilling the plates and screws in place and were beginning to close when the monitors began beeping wildly.
"What's going on, Bailey?" Erica asked from the corner where she, Cristina, and the Chief were watching and waiting to jump in if needed.
"I think he has a pneumothorax." Bailey replied. The nurse handed Bailey a sterile stethoscope, the room was quiet for a moment and Bailey nodded in confirmation, "Tracheal deviation and no lung sounds on the left."
"We're scrubbing in." Erica announced as she and Cristina raced to the scrub room.
"Torres, finish up what you're doing. It's damage control now, he can't take much more anesthesia." Bailey shouted. Callie didn't respond, she just nodded her head in confirmation and focused. She left Jo to close up the newly repaired ankle while she moved to help Minnick stabilize the femur fracture as best as they could.
"How did you guys do up here?" Callie asked as she joined the surgeons at the right femur.
"There's so much damaged tissue and muscle. I think we got all of it that needed to be dissected but we won't have time to do the open reduction internal fixation if it's damage control only. We had to remove so much muscle, I'm not sure we can save the leg, Dr. Torres." Eliza replied, not looking up from what she was doing. Things between the two surgeons had been tense but they had managed to keep it professional for the time being. The dinging of the monitor increased in volume and everyone's eyes caught the monitor as Nick's heart rate increased and his o2 saturations decreased.
"I'm bagging him." Ben said from the head of the bed where he sat monitoring the patient. Cristina and Erica entered the OR, fully scrubbed and made quick work of inserting a chest tube, stabilizing Nick's vitals and eliminating the dinging for the moment. Callie took a deep, shaky breath and felt the remnants of her breakfast threatening to come up once again though it had been over six hours since she had eaten them.
"His blood pressure is really soft guys, we need to stabilize him for now and come back in a day or two to repair the rest." Bailey announced. Callie and Eliza did what they could with the femur, leaving the wound open and packed with sterile gauze for the time being. As long as blood flow wasn't interrupted it would be ok short term.
"Ortho is clear. We need to come back in twenty four hours if possible to finish the repair on the bone or amputate." Callie announced.
"Chest is clear." Erica replied.
"Abdomen is clear." Meredith announced, "We're leaving it open for now, everything is too edematous for us to close. We will try to close in a day or two."
Half an hour later, Nick was in recovery and the Chief, Bailey, Derek, Erica, and Callie were on their way to the waiting room to speak with the family. The next twenty four hours would be critical and they all knew it but Nick was alive with both of his legs, for now. Bailey had to remove a kidney and place a colostomy that would be reversed in about six months pending any complications. His chest, aside from the collapsed lung, was undamaged. Sloan had repaired the facial lacerations and tended to the burned tissue of his neck. He would have some minimal scarring to his neck and face but the bulk of the damage had been to the lower half of his body.
Callie could feel everyone in the room relax with the exception of Arizona and Teddy. They were doctors, surgeons, they knew the risks and could read between the lines of the practiced information that surgeons give to families. Still, Nick had come through the surgery, was doing well in recovery, and there was hope that the next twenty four hours would see a vast improvement. Callie made sure she was very clear about the likelihood of an amputation and they voiced their understanding but they were too happy he had made it through the surgery to be concerned with an amputation for the moment.
Promising that when Nick was out of recovery and in his room, they would come get Nora and Sara to see him, all the surgeons left with the exception of Callie. She was bombarded with hugs by Nora, Sara, and Barbara, an excited chatter erupting around them. Allison and Teddy left to go get sandwiches from a deli around the corner for everyone while the rest of them took seats and waited. Arizona stayed completely quiet the entire time, her shoulders stiff as she sat up straight, staring off into space. Callie placed a hand on her shoulder and Arizona turned, giving her a small smile before returning to her rigid posture.
The group returned to the house together once visiting hours were over that night. Arizona, Teddy, and Allison left for a run while Nora and Barbara went upstairs for showers and bed. Callie was out on the deck, sitting in one of the faded chairs, staring off into space when Sara approached her.
"Arizona will be ok. She has a hard time letting people in when she's scared but she loves you, I can see it." Sara said suddenly, taking the seat next to Callie. "And she's let you comfort her more than she's let anyone else so that really means something."
"I know, I love her too. I'm just worried about her. And Tim. And Nick."
"I can't even think about Tim without my chest getting tight. We've never really had the chance to be a real couple. I mean, he's my boyfriend but we've spent all of a month together total over the past two years. But I've loved him since I was a kid."
"That's so sweet. And he's crazy about you too. I could see it when we were in Boston last December."
"It took him long enough." Sara replied with a laugh. Callie joined in, she had grown to really like Sara. She was much quieter and more reserved than the rest of the rowdy group but she was funny and witty once she warmed up to you.
"They will find him, they have to." Callie whispered, thinking about how devastated Arizona would be, how devastated she, herself, would be if they didn't.
"God, I hope so because I will kill him myself if he doesn't come back just when we can finally be together."
"If Tim is half as stubborn as Arizona, he will be just fine." Callie teased, earning a giggle and a smile from Sara.
"Thank you. For everything. Nick is lucky to have you as one of his doctors, Callie. I've researched you, a lot, even before Nick's injury and I know that he's in the very best hands. If you can't save his leg, he will still have his life. And you will still have all of us."
"Thank you, Sara. I really needed to hear that. I know Arizona keeps telling me that but she's so closed off right now, I've never seen her like this."
"I have, once, but now she has you and I think that will make all the difference."
"What if they don't find Tim? Or what if they do and he's...it's too late?"
"They will find him, like you said, they have to."
"Thanks Sara."
"Anytime. Hang in there, Callie." Sara said, patting her knee. The two women sat in silence for a while, listening to the rain. It was the most peace Callie had felt in days.
XXXXX
Callie scrubbed out of the OR two days later and threw her gloves in the trash more forcefully than need be but she was beyond frustrated. Arizona had completely shut down on her and she had just amputated Nick's leg. If she had gotten him into surgery just the day before she may have been able to save it but he had just been too unstable and the other surgeons had voted against going back in the previous day and won. It seemed like every complication that was possible with his injuries occurred despite their best efforts to prevent them. She had been paged in early that morning because he was crashing and the leg was the source of infection causing it, she had no other choice if they wanted to save his life. But he was a young man, a soldier, devoted his life to serving his country and she really had wanted to save his leg for him. But though she referred to herself as an ortho goddess, even she didn't have super powers she had to remind herself, so, despite everything, the leg had to go. She had to admit, without the severely injured and infected limb, Nick was already improving more in the last hour than he had in the days since he had been in their care.
Callie scrubbed her hands extra hard as if she could scrub away the fact that those hands had just amputated the leg of a young man, a man she had become friends with. Well maybe not friends exactly, but definitely friendly with. And in the absence of Tim, he was the closest thing Arizona had to a brother. As that thought crossed her mind for the hundredth time that morning, she felt a rock settle in the pit of her stomach. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the news she had to now go deliver to the family. They still hadn't found Tim and now she had to tell the family she had amputated the leg of their loved one. A family that she adored. She opened the door to step out in the hall and came face to face with Arizona.
"Are you ok?" Callie asked at the sight of her girlfriend, fear replacing dread immediately. The blonde's entire frame was trembling, making her look unbelievably small to Callie. She noticed the blonde's bottom lip tremble and tears brimmed her eyes at the same time.
"It's Tim." She gasped out and Callie caught her in her arms a split second before her knees gave out. She pulled her close to her and brought them both gently to the floor where Arizona sat in her lap and cried, releasing all the fear, stress, and heartache she'd been holding in for the past week.
"Shh, baby, it's ok, I've got you." Callie whispered, fighting her own tears. If Arizona was in this state, she feared the worst and she couldn't help but feel her own grief rise up. Callie lost track of time before Arizona's sobs became hiccups and eventually just silent tears.
"They found Tim." Arizona said, her eyes meeting Callie's for the first time.
"Baby, I am so sorry."
"No, Calliope, he's alive." Arizona replied with a smile before she was wracked with sobs again, holding onto Callie tightly.
"He's alive?" Callie whispered, unsure if Arizona was in denial or if she had just misunderstood her. She pulled Arizona away so she could look at her again.
"I'm just so relieved, I thought he was dead or at least gone. But he's alive. They found them, all five of them. Hunt and Riggs were found alive along with Tim. One of the men with them was killed, the other is critically injured. They were hiding out, taking cover in a cave during the day and trying to find the hostages at night. They've been extracted and are on their way to Germany with my dad. He's dehydrated and has some minor injuries but he's alive, Calliope." Arizona replied, a sob escaping her once again even as she laughed. Callie hugged her tightly, knowing that the stress and fear had finally caught up to the blonde and this was her letting Callie finally comfort her.
"I know honey." Callie said, kissing soft, short blonde curls, something she was still getting used to but found she really loved.
"They also rescued the soldiers that had been taken hostage. One of them died and two more are in critical condition but the other seven are going to make it." Arizona replied, through the river of tears she was unable to stop now that it had started.
"I'm really glad they found them, Arizona."
"How is Nick?" Arizona asked, suddenly remembering the reason why she had been pacing this hall for the past twenty minutes.
"I had to amputate the leg, Arizona. I'm so sorry, I tried everything but the leg was killing him." Callie replied, her own voice shaking with emotion.
"Calliope Torres, you are a rockstar and I know you did everything. You gave him a life, a chance to live. That's all any of us could ask of you." Arizona replied, a genuine smile on her face for the first time in days.
"You're not mad that I amputated his leg?"
"I am so proud of you, Callie. I know it was a difficult choice and with it being Nick, it was a lot of pressure but you are an amazing surgeon, there was nothing else you could do. Teddy and I reviewed the chart ourselves, we knew if you managed to save the leg it would be nothing short of a miracle."
"Thank you." Callie said and it was finally her turn to break down. She wasn't sure how long the two of them sat there like that in the hall on the floor crying together before a voice interrupted them.
"You ok Dr. T?"
"Yea, we're good, thank you Kacie." Callie said looking up at the intruder.
"No problem Dr. T. Hey, I have orders that you put in to draw post surgical labs on our VIP, you want those now or after he gets out of PACU."
"Once he's back in ICU will be great, thanks Kacie." Callie replied. They watched the quirky redhead leave and then Arizona turned to Callie.
"Since when are you friends with the vampire girl?" Arizona asked, her nose scrunched up a bit. Everyone knew that Kacie Crane was a night shift phlebotomist and she had an unhealthy obsession with vampires. Arizona had once been trapped in the same PT session with her where she had overheard her talking to Tom about all the different types of vampires, what they represent, and how to identify them. She'd had nightmares that night and Callie had laughed when she'd asked for a nightlight thinking she was joking at first.
"Oh, Kacie? She's the best phlebotomist on nights. She never misses. I've worked with her a lot lately. Her vampire obsession is a bit weird but kind of fascinating too." Callie replied.
"If you say so." Arizona replied, still unconvinced.
"Come on, I have to go tell Nora and Sara that I amputated Nick's leg." Callie groaned, pushing Arizona up off of her lap. Arizona stood and turned to help Callie off the floor, pulling her against her once she was on her feet.
"Listen to me, Calliope. They are so happy to hear about Tim and they will be happy to know that Nick is going to live. Focus on that when you tell them. Trust me, this is still good news. It's not the best news, not the news they were waiting for but they will be happy to know that Nick will still be here."
"Thank you." Callie said, kissing Arizona quickly on the lips before the two walked to the surgical waiting room hand in hand.
Callie sat down and broke the news to Nora and Sara with Teddy, Allison, Barbara, and Arizona standing by supportively. Just as Arizona had said, they were focusing on the fact that Nick would still have a life instead of the loss of his limb. Callie was showered with hugs and thank yous before she showed them to Nick's room. The couple snuck out to go back to the house together a few hours later, Callie's shift was over and it had been a very long and stressful week. The two climbed in bed together and were still asleep when Barbara woke them for dinner hours later.
Callie lifted a heavy eyelid as she overheard Arizona and Barbara whispering softly in a hushed conversation. "Callie is exhausted, mom, maybe we should just let her sleep."
"I know honey but she needs to eat too. Just come down and eat some food and then I will let you both go back to sleep, I promise."
"Will you wake me up if Tim calls?" Arizona asked.
"Of course."
"Just let Callie sleep for ten more minutes and then we will be down." Arizona promised.
"Ok but if you're not down in ten minutes I'm sending Teddy up." Barbara threatened.
"Like I'm scared of Teddy."
"I'm awake." Callie said softly, not wanting the wrath of Teddy sent upstairs.
"Hey sleeping beauty, did you sleep well?" Arizona asked.
"I did, what time is it?"
"It's after seven. I made dinner, I'd really like for you and Arizona to come and eat." Barbara said.
"We're coming." Callie said, getting up and pointing for Arizona to lead the way. Arizona sighed reluctantly but got up and followed her mom out the door.
The group had a healthy appetite that night and there was much more conversation, laughing, and joking than there had been all week as they ate together. The phone rang as Callie and Arizona cleaned up the kitchen and Teddy and Sara worked on the dishes after dinner. Knowing that Tim was ok and Nick was stable, Allison had left that afternoon with promises of returning once things settled down. Callie could sense that Teddy was upset over Allison's departure but didn't want to overstep by asking her about it.
"Mom, your phone's ringing." Arizona hollered.
"Well answer it!" Barbara replied from her seat on the patio where the girls had forced her and Nora to retire to after dinner.
"Hello? Timmy!" Arizona answered, tears immediately springing to her eyes as she heard her brother's voice. She put the call on speaker just as Barbara and Nora entered the room. "You're on speaker."
"Timothy is that you?" Barbara asked, her voice cracking.
"Yea, ma it's me."
"Tim, oh my God, how are you? Are you ok?" Barbara asked.
"I'm fine mom. Just getting some fluids and some stitches and antibiotics but I'm ok, I promise."
"Where's your dad?"
"He's here. Hey Zozo, you care to explain why our old man kicked me in the shins after he squeezed the daylights outta me?" Tim asked trying to sound mad but failing as he ended with a half cough, half laugh.
"Because whenever you scared me when we were kids I'd get in trouble for retaliating by kicking you in the shins. This time dad did it for me because you scared the daylights out of me this time, Timmy." Arizona replied, a giant dimpled smile plastered to her face even as tears streamed down her face.
"Scared myself too. How's Nick?" Tim asked.
"He's doing better. He's going to live." Sara replied, leaving the amputation out of the conversation for now.
"Is that you Sara?"
"It's me you jerk." She replied, a teary smile also plastered to her face.
"Where's Cal and Teds?"
"We're here too." Callie and Teddy chimed in.
"So is your second mom." Nora replied.
"You all sound like a bunch of girls cryin' over there." Tim teased.
"Yea we're really going to sound like a bunch of girls when we're all kicking your ah...butt for scaring us like you did." Teddy snarked back with a laugh.
"Ohh so scared. Owen told me to tell you hi and let you know he's ok, Theodora."
"Slug him for me, will you?"
"Such violence in this family." Callie commented which earned a collective laugh.
"Dad wants to talk to mom now. But they are making arrangements to get us home as soon as possible."
"Bye Tim, love you." Teddy, Sara, and Arizona shouted before Babara took her phone off speaker, putting it to her ear, and walking off for more privacy.
"Tim's coming home." Arizona replied as she turned to Callie and kissed her happily.
XXXXX
Tim and Daniel arrived the following Monday. The entire group, minus Nick, met them on the tarmac, along with Megan Hunt and her mother, Evelyn. Owen stepped off the plane first, his head heavily bandaged and a cane assisting him in limping down the ramp. It didn't stop him from hugging his mother, sister, or Teddy tightly though. Daniel led Tim down the ramp, Tim's arm in a sling and a large gauze covering his left eye and part of his face. Arizona was the first to reach him and he had caught her in a one armed embrace, swinging her in a circle as the two laughed and cried together. Barbara had reached them a split second later and before they knew it, the four Robbins were locked in an embrace. As soon as Tim was released from his mother's clutches, he sought out Sara, the two sharing a passionate kiss that made Callie blush and avert her gaze.
The next week was filled with excited chatter, laughter, and lots of teasing among the Robbins, Altman, and Gilbert families. Callie sat back and watched on, joining in on occasion but also being content with just watching at times. Everyone knew it could have ended with them standing on the tarmac with a flag covered casket very easily. Owen, Megan, and Evelyn joined them for dinner the night before the Robbins were going to return to Salem. Arizona and Teddy would be flying out with them and returning at the end of the long weekend. Callie had wanted to go but she was too busy now with her surgical schedule and teaching Wilson to take the time off. But they had planned to join the Robbins over the Fourth of July and they were all looking forward to that trip.
XXXXX
It had been a month since Tim had returned from Afghanistan, a little over two weeks since he had returned to Salem with his parents and Arizona was finally getting back to her old self, much to Callie's relief. She had finally relaxed and talked to Callie about her fears, allowing her to comfort her at last. Despite what Sara said, Callie knew Arizona wouldn't have been ok if Tim hadn't returned alive or possibly worse, had never been found and they had been left wondering what happened to him. Callie found herself thanking God every night for saving both Tim and Arizona.
Nick still hadn't been released from the hospital but would hopefully be discharged in the coming days. Nora had stayed, renting an apartment so Nick could be close to the hospital once he could start rehabilitation and therapy. Sara left for Boston to be with Tim just last week, once Nick was officially discharged from the ICU and deemed stable. He had taken the news of losing his leg well, better than any of them had expected. He was in good spirits and had even been caught flirting with Kacie, the vampire loving phlebotomist who found reasons to visit his room.
Arizona was returning to work full-time the next day and Callie was currently out shopping for the perfect gift to welcome her back to surgery. She had no idea what to get and had enlisted the help of Cristina, which turned out to not be very helpful in the thoughtful gift giving department, the Asian woman tending to be more of a practical gift giver.
"I still don't understand why she wouldn't love a face shield. Those little germ magnets cough and sneeze and wipe their boogies everywhere. This would help protect her from getting sick and missing surgeries." Cristina said when Callie had vetoed the face shield idea for the third time.
"I want to get her something she will really like and be able to use."
"Oh, I know. Seriously, I'm brilliant, I have the best idea." Cristina said as she pulled Callie into the shoe store.
"Really? You think Arizona will like these?" Callie asked as she inspected the white sneakers with sparkly pink shoe laces. But even as she looked at them, she knew the answer, they screamed Arizona.
"Oh yeah, she's totally a heely girl."
"Wheely girl?"
"Heely. It's the shoe brand you know because…" Cristina started saying but was interrupted by her pager, "Damn it's the hospital, I have to go."
"Let me just pay for these and I'll drop you off." Callie said, grabbing a pair in Arizona's size and heading for the cash register.
Callie had the table set, candles lit, flowers in a vase, and wine chilling on the table an hour later. Arizona's present sat wrapped in her chair and she was just putting the finishing touches on the lasagna Arizona loved when she heard her keys in the lock. Callie hurried to pull her apron off so her little black dress could be seen.
"Wow, what's all this?" Arizona asked, a smile spreading on her face as she took in the scene.
"I just wanted you to know how brilliant I think you are and how proud I am of you. I know you don't need it but I just wanted to make you a little good luck dinner for your return to surgery tomorrow."
"You're so sweet, Calliope, thank you. And that dress, is that part of my treat because I really want to tear it off of you right now." Arizona replied.
"Later. First, dinner, wine, and presents. Then we will have both literal and figurative dessert after a nice relaxing bubble bath. How does that sound?"
"Like I have the most amazing girlfriend in the whole world." Arizona replied. Callie pulled her chair out for her, placing her present on the counter so she could sit. The two chatted happily as they ate dinner and enjoyed their wine. Arizona was excited about her two scheduled surgeries in the morning and Callie couldn't help but smile widely at her animated enthusiasm.
"Dinner was so good, babe, thank you so much."
"You deserve it. Bath time?"
"Yes, why don't you go run the bath and I will clean up." Arizona offered.
"Absolutely not. Tonight is all about pampering you. Go take a bath while I clean up." Callie ordered gently.
"You're not going to join me?" Arizona pouted cutely.
"Mmm, not now. I have other plans." Callie replied with a wink and a playful swat to Arizona's butt.
"They better be good plans." Arizona said as she stomped off to the bathroom, clearly unhappy with her lack of company.
Callie cleaned the kitchen and pulled the whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and strawberries from the fridge. The chocolate sauce had just finished warming when Arizona re-entered the room in just the bathrobe that Callie had laid out for her with a little note requesting she wear it. Callie smirked, "I see you got my note."
"The robe is comfy but doesn't cover much."
"That was the idea."
"The rose petals around the bathtub was a nice touch, Calliope but I really would have preferred having you in there with me."
"Ready for dessert?"
"Do you think I'm going to give in so easily? I'm not that kind of girl, Dr. Torres."
"Well, I guess you don't want any strawberry shortcake then, Dr. Robbins." Callie replied with a smirk, knowing Arizona couldn't resist one of her favorite desserts.
"Maybe I am that kind of girl." Arizona giggled as Callie loaded her plate up with strawberries and whipped cream. Just as she was leaning in for a kiss, she sprayed a giant dollop of whipped cream on Arizona's bare cleavage causing the blonde to gasp in surprise, allowing Callie to lean down and suck it off her skin before Arizona registered what was happening.
"Uh-huh, not on the dress, babe." Callie warned as Arizona grabbed the can of reddi-whip in retaliation.
"I'll pay your dry cleaning bill." Arizona said with a sweet smile, leaning in to distract Callie with a kiss as she pressed the can into Callie's cleavage.
"Oh, I see you want to fight dirty, huh." Callie replied as Arizona jumped from her grasp and ran around the island.
Callie unzipped her dress to reveal the matching plum colored lingerie set. She had bought it at the mall after remembering how much Arizona had commented she liked that color on her. Now distracted by Callie's body covered only in a lacy bra and panty set, Arizona was caught off guard when Callie pounced. Arizona shrieked and reached around the counter for a weapon and found the chocolate sauce, dipping her fingers in, she spread a thick coat across Callie's naked abdomen just as Callie reached her, unloading a burst of reddi-whip into Arizona's hair.
"Looks like someone is going to need another bath."
"You know, I think you planned it this way." Arizona replied as she licked the chocolate from her fingers. Callie stopped her, grabbing her hand and bringing it to her own mouth as she sucked the chocolate from each finger with a seductive moan. She smiled as she watched Arizona's eyes darken. She reached her own hand over the counter and dipped her fingers into the melted chocolate and brought it back to spread across Arizona's lips, neck, and chest. She leaned in and licked it off her lips, sucking a pink bottom lip into her mouth as she did, they both groaned at the feeling. Suddenly their bodies were plastered together and chocolate and reddi-whip mixed together against their skin.
Arizona pulled Callie to the floor and the two rolled around, making out like teenagers and fighting for dominance for a while. Callie smirked up at Arizona when the blonde pinned her, "You better clean up this mess."
"Oh, I intend to." Arizona replied cockily before Callie rolled her off of her a split second later. Arizona used the new position to remove Callie's bra, her own robe had been shed long ago amidst their fight for dominance. The two shared a passionate kiss as they finally settled on the floor facing each other.
Callie trailed a finger down a bony hip and between slender thighs. Arizona mimicked her movements, pushing lacy panties aside to better access her destination. Their fingers explored each other slowly for a few minutes before they worked up a slow rhythm. Callie kept her eyes on Arizona's, wanting to keep the intensity of the moment and see the blonde as they came undone together.
"Callie, I'm so close." Arizona moaned out. Fighting back her own orgasm, she kept her rhythm steady against Arizona's center even as she felt the tightening of her own abdomen as she neared her own climax.
"Fuck Arizona." Callie said, her body convulsing against Arizona and sending the blonde over the edge.
"Shit Calliope." Arizona whispered. Arizona snuggled into Callie as they both came down from their highs. They shared a few sweet kisses before Arizona got up and pulled Callie to her feet. "Looks like I'm getting a bath with you after all."
XXXXX
"Baby have you seen my pager? I've looked everywhere and I'm going to be late." Callie called the next morning as she searched through drawers and under the bed for the missing pager.
Huffing when she got no reply, she made her way to the kitchen where she had last seen the blonde, "Arizona did you hear me?"
"Calliope, you got me heelys?" Arizona asked, a dimpled smile on her face as she stood holding the open box of sneakers.
"I forgot about your present. Cristina picked them out actually. She told me you would love them and the pink sparkly shoe laces." Callie laughed, forgetting the elusive pager and the time for the moment. Arizona looked at her with an odd look on her face, "Don't you like them? I can take them back if you don't."
"I love them, I just never thought you of all people would buy me heelys."
"I mean, they aren't my thing but if you want sparkly pink shoe laces, who am I to argue?"
"I love them." Arizona said with a squeal as she took them from the box and put them on. "The kids are gonna be so jealous."
Callie looked at her adorable girlfriend and smiled. How could you not love the perky blonde, she was just so cute. At that moment, Callie caught a look at the clock, she was so late. "Arizona, my pager."
"Right here." The blonde said, pulling it from her pocket and handing it over. "I didn't want you to leave without me again."
"If you want to walk together, we're leaving right now."
"Relax, Calliope, you have an hour before your big surgery. I know you're a neurotic freak when it comes to checking your equipment and making sure you have your favorite nurses in there with you but you're going to be awesome. Just relax. Besides, I'm ready to go." Arizona said, handing Callie the lunch box she had bought her much to Callie's annoyance and a thermos full of coffee.
Arizona
The couple walked hand in hand to the hospital and on to the attendings lounge to change. They went their separate ways when they reached the elevator with a chaste kiss, Callie going straight to the OR to double check things before she scrubbed in and Arizona heading to the fourth floor peds ward. The peds surgeon stepped off the elevator and kicked the wheels of her heelys out, skating down the hall to the nurses station with a giant smile on her face.
"Robbins, you're back!" Alex shouted, clearly excited that Arizona was back to surgery. He had been stuck with Stark in Arizona's absence but now at least they were both stuck with him until his contract was up in August.
"You ready for surgery on the Bowen kid?"
"Pre surgical labs done and back, vitals stable, pre surgical screening done, consents signed." Alex replied.
"And what nurse did you pawn all that off on, Karev?"
"I did it myself, boss." Karev replied with a roll of his eyes, knowing full well that if he wanted to get in on any surgeries with Robbins that he would have to play nice with the nurses. She didn't tolerate nurse abuse on her watch.
"I'm going to drop my stuff in my office, be ready for rounds in ten Karev." Arizona shouted as she skated off toward her office, enjoying the feel of gliding down the hallways. She turned the corner and ran into Addison, literally, causing the redhead to drop her charts as she grabbed on tightly to Arizona's elbows, keeping them both upright.
"I'm so sorry Addie." Arizona said, leaning down to help pick up the woman's charts.
"No problem. If those things came in heel form, I'd have a pair. A little word of advice though, don't let Torres catch you skating down the halls in those things."
"Calliope bought them for me." Arizona replied, a dimpled smile adorning her face. She had been sad when she had broken the wheel on her powder blue ones while in Malawi. She had tried to ship them back to her mom to get the wheel fixed but her mom refused, telling her shoes were not worth the shipping costs and she might as well buy a new pair. So with a sad heart, she had removed the wheels, taken them in for a quick surgical repair in her makeshift office to fill the holes, and donated them to a teenage girl in the village that was walking to and from work barefoot everyday.
"Calliope? As in Callie badass Torres, ortho goddess who hates those shoes. She's complained to me at least a hundred times in the past three months about all the kids who have come in with broken wrists and tailbone injuries from "those" shoes."
"Same one." Arizona replied as they walked to her office the rest of the way together.
"Hmm." Addison replied. There had to be a mistake, no way Callie would buy Arizona a pair of those shoes, especially when she had just recovered from her own unrelated injury.
"Not that I'm not happy to see you but I have a kiddo going in for surgery soon and Alex and I have rounds in six minutes. Was there something you needed?"
"Yes. After your surgery, I'd like you to come look at a baby that was delivered last night. I think he might need surgery, I want to see what you think and if you will do it."
"Sure, I'll come find you after my first surgery." Arizona replied. She dropped her stuff in her office, grabbed the research she had printed off for her patient's family the day before from her purse and skated off to find Alex with a wave goodbye at Addison.
Arizona's first day back to work went as smoothly as she could hope for. She had even been able to sneak into the gallery for a peek at Callie's surgery she had been preparing for with Shepherd and Sloan for weeks. They were doing an arm transplant on a man and it was pretty fascinating. Eliza was sitting in the back row of the gallery, sulking when Arizona entered. The other ortho surgeon had been disciplined by the chief pending his investigation into Callie's suspicions. He had been unable to prove any misdoings but under the circumstances, he thought Eliza needed further training. She was now doing surgeries under the watchful eye of the Chief until he decided otherwise and she had therefore been banned from assisting with this surgery. Arizona smirked as she walked past the pouting surgeon, thinking karma was a glorious thing.
The blonde had missed the beginning and middle of Callie's surgery as she had been in on her own, then checked on the newborn Addie had asked her about. The two would take him to surgery later that week. But she had been determined to make it to, at the very least, the end of her rockstar girlfriend's famous surgery. She smiled as she saw an open seat in the front row next to Alex. She may have bribed him with a potential surgery to get him to save her a seat.
"Robbins, I saved you a seat. Torres is frickin awesome." Alex said, a giant bucket of popcorn on his lap as he watched the surgery.
"You bet your ass she is." Arizona said with a giant smile as she plopped down next to Alex and stole a handful of his popcorn.
"Hey, get your own." Alex said, pulling his popcorn away.
"What did I miss?"
"A lot but they're just checking to make sure the nerves are working which is pretty cool. Then they'll be ready to close. It was awesome to watch them attach the limb." Alex replied, shoveling another handful of popcorn in his mouth before offering the bucket back over to Arizona who happily accepted more popcorn, having skipped lunch to make it to the end of Callie's surgery.
"I'm so getting laid tonight." Arizona whispered to Alex who snorted and nearly choked on his popcorn. Arizona caught Callie's eye and sent her a playful wink and smile as their eyes connected.
Arizona stayed until the end of the surgery but had to leave before Callie was finished closing to begin her last surgery of the day. It was a simple procedure and it went off without a hitch. Noticing the time, and knowing that Callie still had another two hours of her shift, Arizona decided to pay a visit to Nick. She hadn't spent much time visiting him, still finding it awkward with their last encounter but she knew they needed to move past it eventually.
"Hey Nick-knack." Arizona said, leaning on the frame of the door to his room.
"Hey sunshine. How are you doing?"
"I'm good, Nick, really good. How are you feeling today?"
"Just taking it a day at a time. Some days are better than others but honestly, I'm happy to be alive."
"Nick, about what happened the last time we spoke."
"No, Arizona, I'm sorry. I was wrong and I'm so glad I have the chance to say that to you. And to Tim, Teddy, and Sara. I was a jerk."
"I never meant to hurt you, Nick."
"I know that. You've known you were gay since we were twelve. I was the second person you told. You've never led me on, never done anything to make me think that you were interested in me in that way but I never stopped hoping. I was almost killed because I thought I was mad at you and Tim but I realized when I was being held captive that I was really mad at myself. I was supposed to go on that perimeter check with them that night but I was still mad at Tim so I switched with Foster and stayed at the base instead. If I hadn't been mad at Tim, I would have never been taken hostage. Tim has been beside himself, apologizing and blaming himself but it wasn't his fault."
"Are you guys talking again?" Arizona asked, knowing their fight was affecting them both more than they would admit.
"Yea. He's good for Sara but more than that, Sara is good for him. I'm happy for them and I don't blame him or you. I'm just glad we are both alive."
"I'm glad too. We missed you."
"I missed you guys too." Nick replied. Arizona smiled and they settled into a comfortable conversation. Arizona surveyed the room, it was littered with cards, flowers, candy, and balloons. One name kept reappearing on things and she smiled as she looked at Nick.
"How are things with Kacie?"
"She's great, Arizona. She's been really nice to talk to. She's a bit weird at first but she's kind of nerdy and into computers and she knows everything there is to know about gaming and coding."
"And vampires." Arizona replied softly, not judging, just knowing that Nick had an obsession with werewolves that they had relentlessly teased him about as kids.
"I kind of dig it." He replied with a smile of his own.
"Well, when you blow this popsicle stand, I'd love for all of us to get together and get to know this Kacie. If she's important to you, she's important to us. Plus, I think she and Callie are kind of friends already."
"Thank you."
"No problem. Speaking of my gorgeous genius, I need to get home so I can get her surprise ready before she gets there. Tell your mom I will stop by to see her this weekend, ok."
"Will do. And tell Callie hello and thank you from me."
"Of course." Arizona said, a smile on her face as she ruffled his hair lovingly and left.
Arizona was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine when Callie got home an hour later. She had ordered from her favorite Chinese food place, gotten her a six pack of her favorite beer, had her favorite movie rented and ready to play. Popcorn was popped and candy was spread over the coffee table.
"What's all this?" Callie asked as she dropped her stuff down on the end table.
"Well, I thought you could tell me all about your surgery, start to finish while we eat dinner. And then after that, we could celebrate with some beer, popcorn, and your favorite movie." Arizona replied.
"That sounds like the best plan I've heard in awhile. My feet are killing me."
"Come, sit, eat. Tell me about your surgery and when we're done eating, I will give you a foot rub."
The couple sat and ate their dinner while Callie explained in detail every step of the surgery they had been planning for months. Arizona asked plenty of questions and was truly in awe of her girlfriend's talent. Sometimes she forgot what a brilliant surgeon Callie was on top of being the most loving human being she knew. She found herself just staring and smiling at her girlfriend as she recounted the trickiest part of the surgery and even though Arizona knew it was a success, she found herself holding her breath.
They spent the rest of the evening curled up on the couch together, Arizona with Callie's feet in her lap and Callie sprawled out across the couch. Arizona had yet to move her stuff into the apartment. She had yet to give up on finding the perfect house but they hadn't even talked about it again since Tim had gone missing. Their lives had once again been thrown into chaos and it hadn't crossed Arizona's mind in a while. That morning she had sent out yet another month's check for her storage unit and it was a reminder that they were no closer to finding a place than they had been a month ago.
"What are you thinking about so hard down there?" Callie asked as she pulled her feet from Arizona's lap and sat up, motioning for the blonde to lay her head in her lap instead. Arizona complied immediately and sighed in contentment as Callie started massaging her scalp.
"Our house."
"Oh, that. That kind of got put on hold for a bit, didn't it?"
"Yea, it did but I'd like to start looking again."
"We're both off this weekend, let's go look at some."
"Really?" Arizona asked, opening one eye to look up at Callie.
"Really." Callie replied, leaning down and placing a kiss on the tip of Arizona's nose.
"Come on, let's go to bed, I have the second part of your celebration ready in there."
"Oh?"
"Mmmhmm."
"But what if I like the celebration going on out here?"
"Well the one out here doesn't involve me being naked or handcuffs." Arizona replied with a knowing smile. Callie didn't say anything, she flipped the tv off quickly and stood so fast that Arizona nearly toppled off the couch and onto the floor. Callie was already halfway to the bedroom when she turned and said, "You coming?"
Callie's top being flung in Arizona's direction got the blonde moving as she followed Callie hopelessly to the bedroom like a lovesick puppy. "I hope I will be soon."
"I heard that." Callie said, peeking her head back out of the bedroom door.
"Good." Arizona giggled.