Chapter 19

Callie slowly stirs as she hears someone come in the room. When she stirs, so does Arizona, since Arizona has her head laying on Callie's shoulder.

"Good morning ladies," Amelia says, looking at the two and smirking. "Looks like you two are being sleepyheads today."

"What time is it?" Arizona asks, looking at her watch.

"Seven. I am getting ready to start rounds. Thought I would check in here first."

Looking over at Callie, who seems to be still half asleep, Arizona stands and straightens her clothes out and runs her fingers through her hair to tame it down a little bit. "I can't believe I slept that long. I'm usually about always up before now."

"Yeah, well, you probably aren't usually that comfortable. The funny thing is, you were in a very uncomfortable position," Amelia says smirking. "Your neck will hurt the rest of the day."

Smiling, Arizona looks over to Callie who is standing up and getting herself situated. "Yeah, I would probably agree, but it's so worth it."

"So, how about we take a look and see how our girl is looking this morning," Amelia says, pulling up her tablet.

"There should be new labs in there. I put in for them to come in early this morning and draw for them. Surprised I didn't hear them," Arizona says.

"Well, let's see if they have things posted yet." Amelia looks with Arizona moving to stand by her, looking over her shoulder.

"Well, she has tolerated the surgery well. No increase in white counts."

"Do you look at the antibody tests regularly to monitor any improvement there?" Callie asks.

"We do. But it is still early. She has such a high number that I think it will take a week or so to see much difference. There is a lot that we are trying to fix in her tiny body right now, and it won't happen overnight. So, it might take a week or two, but, it might not. It just all depends on her."

"It's just hard waiting. I want it to work right this second but I know that it will take some time."

"You are correct. Hang in there… Arizona has this under control so I will stop back by in the morning unless you need me before then."

"Thanks Amelia," Callie says, shaking her hand before Amelia leaves.

When Amelia leaves, Callie sits down by her daughter and sighs.

Arizona watches her for a minute before moving to kneel beside her. "I know it is frustrating and you wish we had more definitive answers. I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. You have done more than anyone. I just feel like we are so close to a breakthrough, and it is hard just waiting."

"I know. I suggest we read to her. A lot. And talk. Even if we are talking to each other. We need to talk. She needs to hear that we are here. And we need to keep exercising her. I have PT scheduled to come a few times a day. And it's a good idea if you and I do some while we are in here with her as well. The more we get her moving, the better off she will be. It might spark a connection or something."

"I hope so," Callie says, watching her daughter.

"Well, maybe we can take turns reading this morning. How does that sound?"

"Sounds good. But, you know you don't have to stay in here. If there are things you need to do, I don't expect you to stay here the whole time."

"Are you trying to get rid of me already?" Arizona asks, smiling.

"What? No… I just, I don't want you to feel like you have to stay here."

"I don't feel like that. I like being here. For you and for Katie. Now… I forgot to show you last night, but I went and did some quick shopping ," Arizona says, walking over to the cart. Pulling a bag from it, she carries it back to Callie. "Here."

"What's this?" Callie asks as she looks in the bag.

"Some clothes. I know I didn't pack enough and needed a few things. I figured you were in the same boat, so I grabbed some things that I didn't necessarily need to know your exact size for. I just bought us some lounge clothes… leggings and a few comfy sweatshirts. And I don't know about you, but I like mine a little roomy. So, I kind of guessed and got yours the same way. But, if you don't like them or if they just don't fit, I can take them back and exchange them. I mean, it doesn't matter. You won't hurt my feelings if…"

Standing up, Callie surprises Arizona by cutting her off with a kiss. It is just a small kiss but serves the purpose of stopping Arizona's rambling. Pulling away from the kiss, Callie sees Arizona smile. "Sorry. You just didn't seem to be stopping any time soon."

"Well, I mean, I might ramble more if you always cut me off that way," Arizona stays as she leans in to give Callie another kiss.

"Then I look forward to stopping you. Because I know we have only done that a few times, but I really enjoy kissing you," Callie says.

"Oh, me too. So please… feel free to do that anytime," Arizona says, smiling at the brunette.

The two women are interrupted by a man walking through the door. "Dr. Robbins…"

"Dr. Hanson, how are you?" Arizona asks, when she sees the man who used to be her boss.

"I'm fine. Actually, can we talk for a moment? Privately?"

Confused as to what's going on, Arizona agrees and follows him outside, after telling Callie she will be right back. "Let's actually go down the hall. I think you would rather have this conversation in private."

"Ok…"Arizona says, confused. She follows him down the hall and into a conference room. Once inside, she turns to look at the man. "So, what can I do for you?"

"Actually, we have had a complaint filed that you are becoming involved with a patient's mother. And I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's Katie's mom. Am I correct?"

"Are you kidding me?" Arizona asks, in disbelief.

"No. I'm not. You care to explain?" Dr. Hanson asks.

Arizona starts shaking her head. "You know what... I'm not doing anything wrong. I knew Callie before Katie became a patient. My relationship with her in whatever form it is, started before Katie was brought here. I will not refuse to acknowledge that relationship because some nurse is jealous. Unless it has changed, hospital policy was always that you couldn't form relationships with patients or families. It says nothing about an existing relationship, and although frowned upon to be involved in a case you are personally involved, I can keep Katie's care professional. I have already made arrangements for Beth to take over if there are decisions I'm not capable of making or if Callie becomes uncomfortable. And you don't have to admit it to me, but I can already tell you that Julie is the one who complained because Julie came onto me, in front of a patient no less, after I already told her to knock it off. So, if you want to reprimand someone, I'd say you need to be reprimanding her. She said, and I quote, "If there is anything you need, let me know." There is nothing professional about hitting on another employee right in front of a patient, or in this case, a patient's family member."

"So, let me get this right. You and Katie's mom had a relationship before her daughter became a patient?"

"Yes."

"And Beth is prepared to take over if things get to where you are incapable of making decisions, so that means Beth was aware?"

"Yes. I hid nothing from her."

"Ok. And for the record, are you just informing me about Julie or are you filing an official complaint?"

Taking a second to think about it, Arizona says, "You know what. I think I am going to file an official complaint. She had already done it once, and I told her to stop. Then to say that with the innuendo that she did, in front of a patient's family member, was very unacceptable. It put me in a very uncomfortable position and I don't appreciate it."

"Ok. Then you will need to stop in HR in bit and make sure it is in writing. For the record though, I will be making Beth stay on top of this case. She will be told if you are letting your personal relationship interfere in any way, she is to take over."

"That's not a problem sir. I wouldn't expect any less."

"Ok, then. I'll let you get back. And off the record, I hope you do file that complaint. She makes passes at more employees than I can count, but nobody files anything. We can't stop it if nobody officially complains."

Walking back into Katie's room, she stops to listen as Callie talks to her. It's becoming a habit of both of them, to just sit and watch the other.

"Katie, I know you can probably hear me. I need you to know that I love you, so much. And I know you are probably so scared, but I'll be right here. I'm not going anywhere. I guess I should probably call Addie and have her cancel appointments indefinitely for now. Because I can't be two hours away from you. And you need to he hear for your treatments. Not every hospital does them. So, you need to be here. So, I will probably pick a time to run home once a week and do laundry, then I'll be right back. Maybe I can run home before Arizona leaves this weekend, that way you aren't alone. I still really think you will like her. She is something else. I know I like her more and more, all the time."

Listening to Callie talk, Arizona quietly slips out of the room and heads to the nurse's station. She pulls up the treatment plan she has scheduled for Katie. After pondering the treatments for a few minutes, she pulls out her phone and sends a text. A few minutes later, her phone rings.

"Hey Mark," Arizona says, as she stands and walks to fine a quiet room to talk.

"Arizona, everything ok? Callie and Katie ok?"

"Yeah. No change. Everything is still the same. We have added a few meds to her treatment plan to try to speed things up a bit. So, just waiting right now."

"Ok. I was worried when I got your text."

"No. Nothing to worry about. But… I do have a favor. A big one."

"Ok, shoot."

"Well, I was listening to Callie talk to Katie. She plans on staying here indefinitely with Katie. Which is fine, I mean, she is more than allowed to do that. But she has come so far on opening her practice."

"Yeah, I knew she wouldn't leave. So I'm not surprised."

"Yeah. So it got me thinking. She is right when she said not every hospital is set up to administer these treatments. As of now, Katie has to stay here. Our local hospital, Carson Hospital isn't equipped for this."

"Right…"

"But, if they were, Katie could be transferred and receive treatment there. And Callie wouldn't have to go back and forth and have to put her practice entirely on hold."

"Ok… you want me to talk to her dad. Right?"

"Yes. Because I think if I asked, we wouldn't have to buy the equipment. I bet they would lease it to us, for the right amount."

"Well, you get to work on your end and I'll get to work on Papa Torres. We will see if we can get the girls home."

"Thank you, Mark."

"Anytime. This is exactly why I told you what I did. He won't say no. He is a multi-billionaire. This is pocket change to him. So… how are things going with you and Cal?"

Smiling, Arizona says, "Things are… great. She is actually going to give this a chance."

"I knew she couldn't hold out. Just, take care of her."

"I'll take care of them both." And Arizona knew she would. Beyond a shadow of a doubt, she definitely would.

"Good. Now, you go find out how much it would take to lease the equipment and I'll take care of her dad."

"Thanks Mark."

"No, thank you. I'll talk to you soon."

Deciding not to waste time, she heads to find Amelia and explains what she is thinking. Amelia makes a few calls and gives Arizona the information she needs. She gets back in touch with Mark and then makes a call to Carson Hospital back home. Because she has a working relationship with them, it doesn't take long to get the answer she wants. Calling Mark back, she lets him no everything is in order and she is just waiting on him.

When she finally gets back to Katie's room, her treatments have been started for the day.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to be gone that long," Arizona says, walking closer to Callie, leaning in to give her a kiss.

"Is everything ok? That guy didn't seem to happy when he came in."

"Yeah, it was um… Julie trying to cause problems. She filed a complaint against me for being involved with a patient's family member."

"Oh. I'm sorry. I should never have said anything to her yesterday. I was out of line and got jealous and then got you in trouble… I'm so, so sorry."

"No, no, no. Stop right there. I told you last night, that was.. hot. And I really, really mean that. Jealous Callie can make an appearance any time," Arizona says, giving Callie a mischievous look. "I am not hiding this. Beth knew how I felt. It wasn't a secret and never will be. This is all on Julie. Ok?"

"But now you are in trouble…"

"No, I'm not. If a relationship has already been established before admittance, it is just frowned upon to keep providing care. So, after I explained, we are fine. Plus, I stopped by HR and filed a complaint against Julie, so she will be the one in trouble. That was beyond unprofessional of her last night. She should never have said what she did in front of you."

Callie turns to face Arizona and reaches down to grab her hands. "I almost hate to say it, but I'm almost glad. Because she kind of gave me the nudge I needed."

"Well,, if we are lucky, they will make sure she doesn't come in here."

Hearing her phone vibrate, she looks down and sees she has a text from Mark, confirming Callie's dad will pay to have the medical equipment sent to Carson Hospital.

Smiling, she looks at Callie. "So, I have some good news…"

"Yeah? What is it?"

"Well, I hope you are ok with this. But I have arranged for Katie to be able to go back home and stay at the hospital there."

"What? Why? That's not… she needs to be here, Arizona."

"Only because we didn't have the medical equipment back home. But they are going to lend it to us. So, there is nothing they can do here that we can't do there."

"What?"

"We can take her back home. You can be with her as much as you want and still be close to home. I know we can't bring the village to her, but we can bring her to the village."

"Arizona, I can't believe you did this."

Not knowing whether she is happy about the option or upset, Arizona says, "Callie, you don't have to leave here. It was just an option. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed you would maybe want that. It's fine. She can stay here."

"No... that's not... I can't believe you went to the trouble of doing that. You are just... so amazing. I would love to be able to take her closer to home. And you would still be taking care of her?"

"As long as that's what you want. But, I have already spoken to their neuro and peds heads and they have agreed to consult as well. So, they will be up to speed if I need to step back. For any reason."

"Already planning your escape route?"

"No! No, that's not what I meant. I know I can be objective, but just in case... because Callie, I know it's early. I know we just agreed to take this slow, but my feelings for you and for Katie... I just, I can't explain it. So, I guess, yes, I'm planning an escape route, but not for the reasons you would think. Because I'm afraid I care so much, that maybe I won't be as objective as I need to be. And I want everyone on the same page if that were to happen."

"You are, kind of amazing. I keep waiting on the other shoe to drop. Because, I know you have your faults, but I'm just not seeing them yet."

"Oh, I definitely do. I won't lie," Arizona says, smiling. "And I'm sure Teddy, Mandy, and my mom would gladly spill it all if you asked."

"Well, I'm sure they are all things I can overlook."

"I hope so. I promise, I do have my faults. So, we can move her?"

"Yeah. We can move her."

"Awesome. Because I was dreading being away from you..." Arizona says, leaning in to give her a small kiss.

"Then where do we start?"

"Come on. We need to have you sign some things to get her transferred. Then Amelia said as soon as we do that, she will have someone gather up the equipment. She will have someone go ahead of us and meet with someone from Carson to make sure it is all ready for Katie."

"Thank you, Arizona."

"Not necessary. But, you are welcome. Now, let's go work on getting Katie moved..."