Walk Tall...by lilscout
Chapter 8
A/N – So. I got about eight cavities from writing the last chapter. Sorry if anyone else did. Please forward your dentist bill. Oh yeah, not a doctor, (duh) so the medical jargon is, well, pretty much just made up. Yadda. Yadda. Yadda.
Also, 'cause I like you, I'm gonna warn you now, this chapter takes a dark turn.
Now, where were we? Ah yes, upstairs with Arizona... :)
...
"I'll stay for as long as you want Arizona, I'm not ready for this to end either."
What does she mean? What do I mean?
They waited for the elevator in silence, the weight of their words now hitting them.
"I can make us some coffee, if you like?" Arizona offered as they exited the elevator at her floor.
"Coffee would be great," Callie smiled back.
Arizona fumbled nervously with her key in the lock, then pushed the door open and moved inside.
Callie followed and closed the door behind her, watching the blonde as she quickly kicked off her sandals. Callie wondered about the etiquette of date shoe removal. If she kept hers on, Arizona might think that Callie wasn't planning on sticking around for long. If she took them off, maybe Arizona would think she was being a little presumptuous. Her puzzling thoughts were interrupted.
"Take your shoes off, Cal, stay a while."
Okay, then.
Callie slipped off her sneakers and followed Arizona into the apartment. It was spacious and warm, and Callie guessed, given the number of windows, quite sunny during the daytime.
Arizona propped up the giant Shrek doll on a chair in the living room, and stuffed the bags of cotton candy onto it's lap. It looked a little ridiculous, and Arizona smiled at it.
"Nice place, Arizona. Mind if I snoop?"
"Not at all, snoop away. I'll put on some coffee for us."
Callie wandered as Arizona disappeared into the kitchen. She paused at a side table, cluttered with at least fifteen picture frames, various sizes and shapes. Mostly the same people in the pictures. Family, Callie guessed. The older woman had a smile identical to Arizona's.
I can see where she gets it from.
"That's my mom," came a voice from behind. Callie turned, the dark wood frame still in her hand.
"She looks like you...or, I guess, you look like her." Callie's cheeks reddened. "I mean, in about thirty years, you'll look like her."
"I should be so lucky," Arizona responded, looking down wistfully at the photo as Callie offered it to her. She placed it back in it's original resting spot.
"Come on," she nodded her head toward the couch, "I'm exhausted and really need to get off my feet." She tugged Callie by the sleeve. "What do you take in your coffee?"
"Uh, just cream no sugar, thanks." Callie walked around the coffee table and sat down on the plush sofa as Arizona headed into the kitchen. Callie followed her with her eyes, then turned back and closed them. She was exhausted as well.
"You're tired too, huh?"
The brunette smiled and slowly peeked one eye open, looking up at the blonde as she placed two steaming, dark blue ceramic mugs in front of them, then plopped herself down sideways, with one arm thrown over the back of the couch. She tucked a leg underneath herself as Callie shifted to face her.
"So," Arizona began, reaching for her cup, "I had such a great time with you today."
Callie smiled and picked up her coffee, blowing on it briefly before taking a sip.
"Me too." She noticed Arizona absently rubbing at the heel of her tucked foot. She took a quick gulp, then put down the cup.
"Here," she said, pulling Arizona's foot out from under her, and up onto her own lap. "Give me your other one, too." Callie pointed to the blonde's other foot, still planted firmly on the floor.
Arizona lifted it and scooted back a few inches as she placed it in Callie's lap.
"Now just lie back and relax."
Arizona raised a playful eyebrow. "Waterslides and foot rubs? A girl could get used to this." She settled back against the length of the cushions, laying her head on the armrest. She winced slightly at first as Callie's strong fingers worked against the sore muscles, then slowly relaxed into the brunette's soothing touch. She jerked involuntarily when Callie caressed a sensitive spot on the base of her left foot.
"Ticklish, are we?"
Arizona cranked open one eye, and peered down the length of the couch at the smirking brunette.
"Nope."
Callie touched the spot again, this time stroking it with just the tip of her nail. Arizona jumped.
"Ha!" Callie laughed, "You are ticklish!"
"Okay, maybe just a bit," Arizona squirmed, cringing as Callie sat poised to do it again, "but please don't..." Callie stroked the skin, and Arizona's foot twitched again. "Callie, no fair, please don't!"
"Please don't what?" Callie feigned innocence.
"You know what! My foot, my feet...please don't tickle them," Arizona pouted through her laughter.
"Okay, okay...I promise I'll stop tickling your feet," Callie responded, the blonde eyeing her suspiciously before settling her head back against the armrest.
Callie shifted in her seat some more, quietly trying to adjust herself for her next move. She carefully sat up on her knees, watching closely in case Arizona decided to open her eyes again.
When she was in position, she let go of the blonde's foot, and lightly ran her fingers along the bare skin of Arizona's waist, eliciting a loud shriek from the surprised blonde. Callie hovered over her as she mercilessly teased and stroked Arizona's sensitive skin, enjoying the sight of Arizona half struggling, half laughing underneath her.
"Cal...Cal...stop...pl..Cal," Arizona was breathless, she was laughing so much. "Stop...stop," she tried to hold Callie's wrists but the brunette kept moving them around to different parts of Arizona's body. She finally just grasped onto Callie's belt with both hands, and tugged hard against it, pulling Callie off balance. The brunette lurched forward and had to put out her hands to stop herself from falling on top of Arizona. Her face landed inches from the blonde's, who wasted no time in pulling the stunned brunette in for a deep kiss. Callie quickly reciprocated, and settled her body against the blonde's, as Arizona spread her legs a few inches more to allow room for Callie's lower body to rest against her. They kissed and caressed each other, basking in the feeling one gets from being so close to the exact and only person you want to be near.
Callie moved from Arizona's mouth to her neck, kissing and nibbling at the blonde's earlobe as Arizona shifted her hips under Callie's, searching for the elusive contact that her body craved. Callie propped herself up on her left elbow, and they both watched, eyes wide and breathing hitched as she ran her right hand down the length of Arizona's body, pausing at the curve of her breast, her stomach, her hip, and finally settling at her inner thigh. Arizona closed her eyes and moaned softly as Callie lightly grazed her fingers along the soft material, hovering near, but never touching where Arizona wanted her most.
God, I want this so badly, but not like this. Not on her couch. I have to stop. I have to stop now.
Callie pulled her hand away and waited for Arizona to open her eyes. Her breathing was ragged.
"Wh...what...what's wrong?" she finally managed to ask.
Callie shook her head as she sat back on her heels. "We can't do this Arizona, not now." She saw the hurt look in the blonde's face and quickly explained. "Believe me, I want you so badly, but...I also want much more than just sex with you." Her dark brown eyes pleaded for understanding. "I had so much fun today...and I think we have a real shot at making this work." She paused, looking for confirmation from the blonde.
Arizona nodded her head as she pulled her legs out from under Callie and sat up. "Callie, you don't have to say any more, really, it's okay."
The brunette settled on the couch again, facing Arizona, embarrassment preventing her from maintaining eye contact.
"I'm glad you stopped us." She caught Callie's eye and tried to hold her gaze. "I am." She smiled and gently stroked the brunette's cheek with the back of her fingers. "I want our first time, and there will be a first time, to be special too." She stood up and held out her hands, pulling the taller woman up and into a tight embrace. They slowly came apart. "And that's why I'm gonna say goodnight to you."
Callie looked at the wall, then at the floor. Anywhere but Arizona's gaze. Anywhere but those penetrating blue eyes.
"Hey, don't be sad," Arizona remarked. "This is a good thing. We've had an amazing day...and an amazing date!" She pulled Callie by the arm towards the door. "And if we want to have more together, this one has to end." She watched as Callie slipped her shoes back on, and stood up.
"I know, Arizona." She struggled to express how she was feeling. "I know we can't do that tonight," she pointed towards the couch, "but I feel so...invincible...around you. I know it sounds stupid, or whatever, but you make me feel ten feet tall whenever we're together."
"I know the feeling Calliope...you do the same thing to me, you know." Arizona smirked playfully at her as they stood, silently allowing the gravity of their confessions to sink in.
Arizona spoke first.
She pulled Callie in for one last long hug, then reached behind her and pulled open her apartment door. "Goodnight Calliope. Thank you for the best date ever. I honestly don't know how I'm going to top it when I take you out for our next one."
Callie brightened. "Ha!" she laughed, "no way you can outdo this date!"
"Maybe not," Arizona responded, lightly shoving Callie out the door, "but I'll sure have fun trying!"
...
The soft buzzing of Callie's cell startled her in the unusually quiet cafeteria. 10am. The calm before the storm. She reached down and pulled it from her pocket.
So...are you looking forward to tonight?
She smiled and typed a quick response.
You know I am. Though just because I kept our first date a surprise, doesn't mean you have to do the same.
Fair is fair, Calliope :)
Callie responded back.
Any particular clothing requirements? ;)
The response took longer than she expected. She figured she had stumped, or stunned, the blonde with that one.
The less, the better. ;D
Now who's the perv Arizona? ;) What time are you picking me up?
I'll be at your place at 7. Gotta go. See you then! I can't wait! :)
Bye Az...me either :)
Later, Callie overheard a conversation at the ER nurse's station about a little girl in paeds who had been rushed into emergency surgery to repair a rupture to her right ventricle.
"Excuse me," she interrupted, " do you know who the doctor on that case might be?"
"Um...I think it's Dr. Robbins, if I'm not mistaken." The woman looked to her co-worker for confirmation. The other woman nodded. "I can check for you if you like, Dr. Torres," the woman called after her as Callie quickly left the ER, opting for the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator.
She found Arizona in operating theatre two, working furiously with a cardiac specialist to try and contain the bleed and repair the injured heart in the tiny body, lying motionless on the table. The girl's colour was very pale, despite the constant flow of fresh O Neg being pumped into her IV. Machines beeped and alarms wailed, and despite her best efforts, Arizona had to finally, regretfully, concede defeat. Her shoulders slumped as she called time of death.
Callie waited outside the OR until Arizona emerged, and pulled her into a consoling hug.
"You did your best...you know that, right?"
Arizona nodded, stifling a sob. "Doesn't make it any easier."
"No, it doesn't." Callie rubbed her back, wishing she could take away the sadness and guilt. "Every patient is hard to lose. Kids must be even harder."
Arizona pulled back and sniffed. "I have to go inform the family," she said. "I just need a moment alone to compose myself, okay?"
Callie watched her walk away, and sighed.
...
An hour later, Callie found Arizona sitting alone in an empty waiting room. She had a mountain of paperwork in her lap.
"How are you doing?" Callie quietly asked her.
Arizona smiled weakly at the brunette. "I'm okay," she shifted the folders onto the couch.
"The family?" Callie asked.
"They're...devastated, of course. But, they knew this may happen. She's been very weak the last few days...still..." Arizona trailed off.
Callie sat on the short table in front of Arizona and took her hands.
"I looked up her chart," she said.
Arizona glanced up.
"You are the reason she even made it this far to begin with. Most kids with her condition don't see their fifth birthday, and she was eight, Arizona, eight!"
Callie had discovered that the little girl's family had moved to Seattle to allow their daughter to continue to be cared for by Arizona. It must have put a great strain on them, financially and emotionally, but they knew Dr. Robbins was the best hope for their daughter's recovery.
"I let them down. I let her down." Arizona was starting to tear up.
"You didn't. Arizona, you didn't let them down." Callie pushed aside the papers and sat on the couch, pulling Arizona into a strong embrace. "You gave them years with their daughter that they probably wouldn't have had if it was anyone else." She put a few inches between them, looking the blonde directly in the eye. "I read the chart. Most doctors would have likely given up long ago. But you didn't."
"No, I didn't," Arizona whispered, then leaned into Callie's shoulder as the tears started to fall.
They sat like that, together, until the sobbing began to subside. Arizona lifted her head and blew her nose loudly on the kleenex Callie handed her. She smiled at the noise she made.
She pulled back from Callie and looked into the dark warm pools that were the brunette's eyes.
"Thanks," she said, "for being so understanding."
Callie nodded back. "You're welcome."
Arizona gasped as a thought hit her. "Our date tonight! Oh, Calliope. I really want to spend time with you but I..." She was stopped by a finger to her lips.
"Forget it. Another night. It's not a problem. You've had a very trying day and I'll understand if you just want some time alone."
"No!" Arizona shook her head at the brunette. "I don't want to be alone. I do want to be with you, but I just can't go through with what I had planned for us." She looked down, a little defeated again. "I had reservations for us at Crush, then a romantic boat ride on the water afterwards."
Callie's eyes widened as she pictured just how incredible all of that would have been.
"But now," Arizona huffed, "I feel like a need a drink. Or ten." She smiled weakly again. "Would it be okay with you if we just went to Joe's after I finish all these forms?"
Callie smiled back. "Of course, Arizona. I just want to spend time with you too, and it doesn't matter to me where we are." She tucked a stray curl behind the blonde's ear, paused for a beat, then stood up. "I'll be around. Call if you need me. Otherwise, just let me know when you're done and we'll go together, okay?"
Arizona nodded and grasped at Callie's hand as she turned to leave.
"Calliope. Thanks."
Callie squeezed back, then left the room.
...
The man waited, hiding himself in the darkness of the alley.
That night, he had turned back after a few minutes, and had secretly followed them most of the way to the apartment building. He was hurt, but more, he was pissed. He had barely looked at himself in the mirror since, but when he did he saw only a coward, blind with self hatred.
So, he started to plan.
Now, more than two weeks later, the injury had healed, but the emotional scars just kept cutting deeper and deeper. He absently cradled his right hand, certain he could still feel the lingering pain, though it was really only in his unhinged mind. He closed his eyes and thought it all through again, for about the twentieth time tonight.
It would be quick. It would be painful. It would be permanent.
He reached down and roughly grabbed at the bottle of Johnny Walker, already half empty. Took a long swig, using the back of his hand to wipe away what was left behind on his dry lips.
He had watched them leave the hospital together, arms comfortably around eachother's waist as they walked the relatively short distance to Emerald City Bar.
Perfect. They'll be drunk. And defenseless.
He found they alley days ago and right away knew it would be the place. It would happen here. He just had to time it right.
"Pretty girl," he muttered quietly. "Not so pretty when I get through with her." Pleased with himself, he shoved his left hand into his coat pocket and ran his thumb along the four inches of cold metal he found there.
He smiled. And he waited.
And then he heard it.
Faintly at first, then growing louder. The distinct sound of two different sets of heels hitting the ground, the pace leisurely and meandering. Unaware.
He shuffled along the wall, his back pressed tight against it. He held out a thin mirror, chancing a quick look to make sure it was them. He quickly shoved the piece of glass into his back pocket, and tried to listen, tried to get the timing just right.
15 feet. Then 10. Then 5.
Now!
He stepped out of the shadows, and pulled the blade from his pocket, hearing it snap open with the click of a small button.
"Hey bitch!" he hissed. "Remember me?"
...
Yikes! What just happened here? Oh, the drama!