Hey guys, this chapter's a little short but I'm hoping it will satisfy your need with some slightly fluffy filler. I'm planning on taking short hiatus because my life has become quite hectic as of late so will not be updating until sometime during the first week in December. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and give me your input. I hope y'all come back for the next chapter! Thanks for your all your support! =D
Chapter Seven
After finishing lunch with Arizona my mind decided to pull a freak-out and go into panic mode. I had set up a first date and I had no idea where we were going to go, do, I didn't know anything but the fact it was going to be something that wasn't too fancy. This of course led me here; the ped's floor hallway.
I was trying to manage to get to the infamous Jane Gallagher's room without being seen by Arizona. She was the best person to go to, even in her current state, she was my best shot. I had to get to her before she was committed to psych, for both my sake and hers; I had to show her that life gets better as I was sure she had heard my confrontation with Arizona yesterday.
As I turn the corner to enter the area of the ped's wing where Jane's room was located I'm caught of guard by a voice calling out from behind me. "Dr. Robbins, can I steal you for a consult?" My eyes rush to a familiar head of blonde ringlets that is accompanied by a set of crutches back on to me at the end of the hall beginning to turn around.
'Oh shit!' I think to myself as I immediately take action, running across the hall into where I do believe is Jane's room and shut the door.
"Dr. T? What are you doing here?" Jane's curious voice echoes through her room. I'm slightly shocked she completely remembers me due to her sedated state yesterday.
I can't help but let out a breath I wasn't fully aware I had been holding. "I actually came here for some help."
"What can I do you for Dr. T?" Jane chuckles as she motions for me to take a seat in one of the high uncomfortable visitor chairs next to her bed.
"Well, I'm guessing that you heard my conversation with Dr. Robbins yesterday, and-" That's all I get out as Jane decides she knows what I'm about to say.
"And you want to know how make things up with her? So you're asking me because I already know her, huh?" She looks at me with a slightly goofy grin spread across her face.
"We already made up." A wide smile crosses my own face with my words, "And we're going out on a date tonight and I don't know where to go, what to do, or anything because I don't really know her all that well. I mean it's a first date you're not supposed to know the person very well but I knew her better than most of the people I've gone on first dates with. And I'm really nervous, so nervous that I made reservations at three different restaurants because I don't know which one she'd like. And I don't want to be nervous. Because when I'm nervous I ramble which makes me looks like an idiot. And I know that I'm rambling right know but I won't stop until someone stops me, which is part of what makes it so embarrassing. I really –"
"Dr. T!" Jane yells out, causing me to stop my rambling nonsense. "Stop talking." She says with a giggle, "Otherwise I'm not going to be able to tell you which two restaurant reservations to cancel, now am I?"
"So tell me about these restaurants that you've got reservations for?" Jane asks after managing to calm me down; which of course had taken a little while longer than usual as this was Arizona we were talking about.
I can't help but chuckle to myself, I can't believe I made reservations at three places; this was the most work I've ever done for a first date, especially considering it hadn't even begun.
"Relax Torres. Don't let the nerves screw everything up. It's a first date that is it. Relax, woman, relax." I mumble to myself as I walk out of the elevator into the main lobby. I hadn't been this anxious for a first date in a long time; George it was just a regular date like those I had been on a thousand times, with Erica it was all uneasiness and paranoia, but with Arizona, with her there was excitement matched with the occasional flash of nerves.
Scanning through the lobby for Arizona's stunning familiar face I can't help but hope Jane led me to the right choice. I had managed to make up my mind and kept my reservation for a quaint café a few blocks away from the hospital I frequently went to on my days off to escape from everything that reminded me of work.
I look down at my watch to check the time to make sure I wasn't extremely late or extremely early; ten to seven. "Good, that'll give me enough time to shake off the last bits of nerves." I think to myself as I make my way to an empty area of seats that were ready for the picking and in view of both the elevator and the main doors.
As I sit down, a few residents who were obviously here for the night shift come in through the main doors let the cold air in, giving me a taste for tonight's weather; thankfully I had worn my leather jacket to break the slight yet bitter cold wind. I had followed my own advice and dressed quite casual but not too casual; I paired my classic black leather motorcycle jacket with a white v-neck shirt, my favorite "fancy" necklace and dark jeans so that I'd be comfortable without so that it didn't look as if I hadn't just walked in from off the street on my way home from shopping and that I was actually going on a date.
Watching the residents waiting in front of the elevators parting as if they were parting a sea I can't help but smile as I really who they were letting through. I hear the clinking sound of the rubber pegs from the bottom of crutches hit the ground and see a familiar face wearing a small sheepish smile, letting me know that it was time to let the nerves go. I leave them behind as I get up out of my chair to help Arizona who is obviously struggling to control both her crutches and the messenger bag over her shoulder. She looks utterly adorable; her eyes are focused on the floor as if it about to disappear beneath her and face is twisted into an innocent expression filled with concentration.
"Having some difficulty I see." I say with a hearty chuckle; it was impossible not to laugh at her almost childlike innocence. At my words she looks up her eyes wide in surprise, blushing creeping up across her cheeks. "Would you like some help?" I give her a small genuine smile to show that it was nothing to be embarrassed about, that is was simply endearing.
"Yes, please." She says with yet another self-conscious smile.
"Here," I say as I hold out my hand to her. "I'll take your bag. You focus on the crutches okay?" Arizona hesitantly puts her left crutch in her other hand with her right, trying to keep balance. She moves to pull the messenger bag over her head but I catch her forearm with my hand. She looks up at me, her sky blue orbs meeting my own russet eyes, "I got it."
"Thank you," She says her voice barely above a whisper. As move closer to her and begin to pull the bag over her head I begin to take in her fully appearance. She looked spectacular.
She was dressed in black skinny jeans tucked into a pair of buckled black boots that went up to her mid calf. On top she was wearing a simple black fall jacket which was open to reveal a slightly low cut blue shirt that was almost the exact shade of her eyes. Taking her in my heart beat heavily, almost making an indent on the outside of my chest. She was simply breath-taking.
"Calliope? You still in there?" It is only after she waves a hand in front of me do I realize that I had been staring a bit longer than was considered socially acceptable and that I was holding her bag in mid air rather than putting it over her own shoulder.
"Oh, yes, sorry." I can feel my face beginning to heat up at the blush that was forming on my cheeks. I swiftly put the bag over my shoulder before speaking again, "Sorry, you look, you just look great. Sorry if it seemed like I was zoning out, then again that does happen sometimes, well not all time obvious because then I wouldn't be able to hold a proper conversation. Therefore I doubt you would have agreed to go out on a date with me. And–"
"Calliope, stop." She says firmly as she puts her warm palm against my cheek causing me to stop talking. She gives me a dimpled smile causing my heart to skip a beat. "As endearing as your rambling is, if you keep doing it we're never going to get out of the hospital."
"Right," I lower my gaze to look at my feet in slight embarrassment.
"Calliope," She says in almost a whisper, running her thumb across my flushed cheek.
"Yes?" I reply without looking up.
"Calliope, look at me." Her voice is soft but somehow firm. I look up at her, her eyes look straight into mine. "I'm here, for you, and I'm not going anywhere without you. So can we please get going because these crutches are really starting to get on my nerves?" She smiles widely once again, showing of her dazzling dimples.
"Okay." is all I can say as I back away from her slightly so that she's able to move I can't help but wish that she didn't have to use stupid crutches making it impossible for me to fulfill the desire I have to hold her hand as we walk.
"So where are we going anyhow? You never told me so I hope I dressed appropriately." She giggles slightly as takes her hand away from my face to take her crutch into her hand so that she is able to walk.
I decide to lighten up the mood to try and relax myself, "You'll have to wait and see, Arizona, you'll have to wait and see." I grin as I begin to walk out of the lobby at a pace I'm sure she'll be able to keep up with.
After a few moments I realize that I don't her the clinking of her crutches behind me. I turn to find her staring, almost longingly, after me just as I had with her only a little while ago. I give her a wide smile before responding. "You coming?"
"I'm sorry about earlier. I thought it would be better for me to take my car but I forgot how difficult it'd be for you to get up out of it with it being so low." I say as I hold onto Arizona's crutches so that she can sit down at the booth near the back I had reserved for us.
"That's perfectly okay. We didn't have to walk out in the freezing cold so that's the main thing. Plus your car is absolutely beautiful. You can never go wrong with one of the classics." She replies with a smirk as she takes her seat.
"Good, I'm glad you think so." I smile as I put her crutches up against the edge of the booth as she scoots towards the middle before I take my own seat, scooting in as well to meet her.
"So what's good here? I haven't been here before. I haven't ventured much outside of the hospital and my apartment since I've moved here to be perfectly honest." She says with yet another embarrassed laugh.
"In my opinion the soups are to die for and I really like the grilled chicken Panini and salad. And you've seen nothing of Seattle yet if all you've seen in is your apartment, the hospital, here, and the terrible bars I've heard you go to." I say with a wink.
"Well the bars I can't be that bad considering I found you there." She giggles as she picks up the menu off the table.
"Is that all I am now?" I ask, obviously just fooling around. "Some girl you picked up in a bar?"
"Well you are a girl I picked up in a bar, but you're more than that of course. Note the fact that we're sitting here right now talking about this." She says with a smirk.
"Valid point you have there, Robbins. And what would you say to your on private tour of the best places in Seattle from your truly after we get out of here. I know we haven't even ordered yet but the service here is great so you get your meal faster than you can say 'Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy'" I say with a chuckle.
"I don't even think I can say that." Arizona lets out another endearing giggle.
"So what do you say? You do you want to see the best of the best city on the West Coast?" I say with a chuckle of my own.
"I think I'd enjoy that, just as long as we stay in the car most the majority of its duration." She says as she turns her menu page.
"Then I think we have a deal."
"Are you two ready to order?" Jordan, the young waiter who quite frequently served me here at Long's, says as he approaches, pulling out his pen and pad of paper.
I look over to Arizona to see if she is ready. She is already looking at me to do the same thing. I can't help but grin at the simple gesture. I nod as if to say that I was in fact ready.
"Yes, we're ready." I reply to him.
"Oh, Dr. T. Its good too see you, I thought it was you when you came in put I wasn't sure. The usual I presume for you then?" Jordan looks at me, then quickly to Arizona and back, with a slight smirk obviously trying to ask if Arizona was my date.
"Yes, Jordan. I'll have the usual with a glass of red, please." I say with a slight wink, trying to answer his question without being noticed by Arizona, while handing him my menu
"And for you, miss?" Jordan turns to Arizona; a slight grin on his face.
"I'll have the chicken noodle soup, a sautéed chicken Panani, and a glass of white please." Arizona says with a small smile before handing Jordan her menu just as I had done.
"Thanks. Your order will be out faster than you can say," He pauses looking to me to finish his sentence just as I always do when I'm here.
"Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy" I say with a smile.
"You got it, Dr. T. It'll be out in a jiffy." He says with a small chuckle before leaving Arizona and I alone again.
As soon as he leaves, Arizona turns to me with a confused yet curious look across her face. "What was that all about?" She asks.
"The whole Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy thing?"
"Yeah, that."
"Jordan was a patient of mine and that is what I diagnosed him with. That's why he can't smile any wider than he did." I say with a sympathetic smile.
"That's why his speech is a little different, am I correct?"
"Yes, most people don't pick up on it unless they're very observant, such as doctors like us."
"So will his condition get worse?" She asks her voice sympathetic.
"For most it gets worse, but not always. He's only young yet but it's highly possible that by the time he's our age he'll need crutches and by the time he's forty to forty five he'll need a wheel chair. It's sad but he's doing well now so we're hoping his condition won't change anytime soon." I say hopefully. "But that's enough about work. We talked about work yesterday at Joe's and any other time I've spoken to you in which I remember we were at work. I'd like to get to know you outside of work. I'd like to know what's behind that perky pediatric surgeon."
She looks at me with a dimpled smile, "Where would you like me to begin?"
"Wherever you want." I chuckle.
"Well, I guess I'll start in high school. I get that change from who they were in high school but it's a big part of who I am." She says with a small smile.
"I know what you mean, I know people from home in Miami who haven't changed a bit from high school and then you have people like me who are barely recognizable. Who were you in high school?"
"I was that girl who led the spirit squad and wore school colors on spirit days whilst cheering like maniac. I was a basically a cheerleader without the short skirt and belly top. Things like school sporting events were always kind of awkward though because while all my friends were staring at the players I'd be zoning out staring at the cheerleaders and receiving knowing smirks from my brother because he was the only one who know about my sexuality were kind of a downer but other than that I had a good time in high school. Those moments eventually went away because I had great friends who loved me for who I was before and after I came out to them. And I was and still am thankful for that because it made me realize that I could still be the same person that I wanted to be, and that is the person who I am now."