Chapter 11

"Hello?"

"Karev?" Arizona asked as the man answered the phone.

"Robbins?" The gruff voiced man answered.

"How up to date is your resume?" she asked.

"Ahh…" He stammered. "It could probably use some updating. I've got a couple recent published articles on juvenile diabetes I can add. Oh and I just got back from that stint at Houston Children's Hospital where I was working with Dr. Young on the diabetes clinical trial."

"You need to start working on it fast." Arizona ordered.

"Why?" he questioned.

"Because… there might be an opening for Chief of Pediatric Surgery coming up that you are going to apply for?"

"What? Why?" he asked.

"Because Karev, I don't want just any neanderthal getting it!"

Dr. Arizona Robbins had been Karev's mentor ever since residency. He never imagined that he would go into Pediatrics. He always thought he would go into a so called 'Hardcore' specialty but after being on a few of Dr. Robbins services he soon realized that Peds is the most hardcore specialty of them all. When she left Seattle it had been a very difficult adjustment for him. Suddenly he found himself working for Dr. Stark who in no shape or form was cut out to be a Pediatric surgeon. He thought the sardonic man had the people skills of a rock and that was saying something coming from Karev. But he somehow managed to get by. He completed his Pediatric fellowship and then worked his way up at Seattle Grace.

"Robbins? I don't know if you've suddenly developed Alzheimer's or what but the last time I checked I was Chief of Pediatric Surgery." Alex sarcastically said.

Arizona suddenly felt a little bit of annoyance rush through her. "Look Karev...I have a sudden interest in coming back to Seattle Grace again. That means that there is an opportunity for you at the number one rated children's hospital in the country."

"Why? You are insane if you want to leave Boston! Hello? Children's Hospital Boston?" He stated. "Wait! Would the sudden smile on Torres' face have anything to do with your interest in coming back to Seattle?"

"If you had a chance to transfer to Boston, would you be interested?" Arizona avoided the man's original question.

"Is that a rhetorical question?" he answered.

After she hung up the phone, Arizona went to lie down on her couch. The longer she laid there her mind was swarmed with a surge of thoughts. For as long as she could remember there were always two things that she wanted most in her life, an accomplished career and an amazing partner to share her life with. She hated to think that gaining something that she had always dreamed of would come at the cost of one other important thing in her life. She loved her work… seeing the miracles that happened every day before her…seeing the miraculous strength of the tiny humans. But on one hand there were tiny humans everywhere. It didn't matter if she was in Boston or Seattle, she could do her job anywhere. She always strived to do her very best for the children. Sure Children's Hospital Boston had a more prestigious reputation…But was she really in it for the title? But what about love? She couldn't find another love like she shared with Callie…She couldn't find that anywhere.

The shrill sound of her cell phone ringing brought Arizona out of her thoughts…

"Hi Calliope! Are you already home from the hospital?" the blonde beamed into the phone, excited to hear her girlfriend's voice.

"Yeah, it was an early day." Callie answered. "But I wanted to double check that I have your address right. There might be a special delivery on its way…"

Arizona gushed, loving how charming her girlfriend was. "A special delivery, huh?"

"Extra special." Callie gushed. "I have 20 Chapel Street but what is your apartment number?"

"B807"

"Make sure I got it right. 20 Chapel Street Apartment B807?" Callie recited.

"You got it!" Arizona was laughing at how cute her lover was when a knock at her door caught her attention. "Hey Cal, hold on for me a second? Okay? Someone is at my door."

"Yeah sure…" the brunette smiled knowing the surprise that was coming.

Arizona sprang up from her spot and skirted over to the door. She tried to see who it was through the peep hole but the view was obscured by some sort of object. She couldn't quite make out who it was. Slowly, Arizona cautiously opened the door not bothering to undo the chain lock. She was totally taken aback by who she saw. She quickly closed the door so she could unlock the chain and then pulled the door open as fast as she could.

"Oh my God, Callie, what are you doing here?" Arizona gasped at the sight of her girlfriend standing before her.

"I figured it was my turn to surprise you." Callie smiled "Are you going to give me a hug or what?"

Arizona leapt forward and wrapped her arms around her girlfriend's neck. Holding her tight, she pulled her in for a deep kiss. "Come inside. Oh my God, I can't believe that you are here!" she grabbed Callie's hand and pulled her inside.

Callie walked inside closing the door behind her. She then placed her small carry-on bag by the door. She strolled over to the couch and sat down, patting the seat beside her for Arizona to come join her. The blonde obliged and sat down beside her surprise visitor. Instantly after her backside hit the fabric of the couch she was pulled into the warm arms of her girlfriend. It was everything Arizona needed at that moment. After the day that she had had, she craved to be held in Callie's arms. That feeling was something that she never expected, at least night tonight, but here she was. Callie was there holding her, proving to her that Callie was all that she ever needed in the world. Arizona turned to rest her head on Callie's shoulder and melted into her arms.

"Where's Sophia?" Arizona asked.

"It's her time with her dad." Callie answered as she noticed that the blonde in her arms was starting to cry. She reached up to catch the tears as they were starting to stream down her face. "Babe, what's wrong?"

"Callie, I wanted feel your arms around me so bad tonight. I had an awful day at work and coming home alone…to an empty apartment was just the most miserable feeling imaginable. And here you are…holding me...making every one of my dreams come true."

The brunette brushed the stray locks of golden hair out of Arizona's face. "It's okay Babe…I'm here now…" Callie understood how much today had taken an emotional toll on her lover…how much the last two months had taken an emotional toll on them both. She took the blondes hand and gently pulled her up off of the couch. "It's late Babe, let's get you into bed."

"It's only 9 o'clock your time. Are you really ready for bed already?" Arizona asked.

"Yeah…" Callie answered. "It was a long flight besides I want nothing more than to wrap my arms around you and drift off to sleep in your arms."

The two padded off toward Arizona's bedroom. They both changed into their pajamas and then automatically got into their side of the bed, the same side that they had chosen so many years ago. The women settled into their spots and cuddled up close together. Arizona looked into Callie's eyes, feeling a deep sense of gratitude that she was there. Even after all the tears earlier Arizona started to softly cry again. Callie reached out and pulled Arizona into her, she gently started to brush her fingers through the blonde's hair to help lull her to sleep. "I love you Arizona." She softly whispered.

….

'You can do this Robbins! You can do this!' Arizona said to herself as she was about to walk into Chief Berger's office.

"Enter" she heard as she knocked her fingers along his office door. She took a deep breath as she pulled out the chair that was opposite his desk.

"Ahh…Dr. Robbins? To what do I owe this pleasure?" the tall, greying man asked.

"Well, Chief, I want to talk to you about my department."

"Your department?" he asked crossing his fingers together. "From what I can gather your department is doing just fine. I saw that post op report on the little boy with Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. Sounds like your team did an excellent job."

Arizona took a big gulp, as the butterflies in her stomach started to run rampant. "Chief, I would like to put in my notice."

"Excuse me?" the man wasn't sure if he was hearing things right, or at least hoping he didn't hear her correctly.

"I said…I would like to put in my notice." Arizona repeated.

"I heard what you said, Dr. Robbins. But why?" the Chief questioned.

"Sir, there is a personal matter that will required myself to relocate to Seattle. I would like to give my notice and in turn be involved in the hiring process of my replacement. I've worked hard to make this department what it is today and I would like to ensure that only the best will be here to fill my shoes." Arizona hoped that her plea would work. Sure, she did have an ulterior motive behind her desire to hire Alex Karev but deep down she truly did believe that he would be best for the job.

The chief sat there for a moment taking in the news that was just presented to him. "Dr. Robbins, I don't know what to say…"

"Chief, I know this is sudden, but please trust that I am making the decision that is right for me. Please respect my wishes and let me find you the best surgeon to replace me." Arizona pleaded.

"Well then…" he started "I expect you to give me at least thirty days working notice effective today. I will allow you that time to find a replacement that I approve of. If the position is not filled within that time I will take the hiring process into my own hands."