Title: Getting over it 4/
Author: MsCrazybird
Pairing: Callie/Arizona, Callie/Jackson
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Jackson consoles Callie after a long night of drinking. Clothes are needed and friends are left confused.
Disclaimer:All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual.

A/N: Not the best chapter in the world. I couldn't get it to sound like I wanted it to, but hopefully it's not that bad.

It had been a week since the incident in the on-call room and somehow Callie had managed to avoid ever seeing Arizona even with their shared patient, Molly. Inside Callie was bursting with emotions; she had yet to tell anyone of what had happened and in some way it was killing her. All she can think about is getting it off her chest, but Mark has been in his own world for far too long. It seems that once again Callie has been left alone to deal with her own emotional problems just as she had done so many times before.

The halls of Seattle Grace had been a shade of gray for so long. Not the bright usual buzzing place that she had once grown so accustomed to seeing and loving. No, this was not the same happy work place that she trotted through countless times. It had turned into a haunted place with shadows of her previous heart breaks lurking around every corner. Ghosts still haunted it today. A ghost still haunted it today, a shadow of the past. A reminder of a moment in her life that didn't seem to stand still, like her life seemed to be doing now.

She felt like she was a shell of who she once was. A hollow replacement of what she once stood for. It had been so long that she even registered any of her surroundings. All her life had been revolving around is work and the hope for a great surgery, which luckily there had been a lot of as of late. A slight shudder crept down her body. The thought of her past heart breaks flooding back into her mind.

It had been so long since any of her past lovers had crept into her thoughts, but these days anything was possible. There was no longer an escape, no longer that person that would coax her out of the many nightmarish memories that had haunted her. She was once again alone to deal with all her own problems alone.

Alone too ponder all of her insecurities. In some ways she was angry with herself for allowing someone else to get so close again. So close that she was shattered with fragments of herself everywhere. It was her past train-wreck relationships that had showed her that making yourself guarded would only be a benefit, but then it wasn't true. It had been a curse. A curse that was lifted from her the moment to other soft rose colored lips had met hers in the bathroom at Joe's giving her that twinge of hope that sparkled in her after that. That hope that had given back her confidence that she once had as she walked tall and unbroken.

Now, though, she was broken. She was broken again, but this time she was determined not to faultier away from whom she was and be strong, as strong as she could be anyway. And all this was going to take to accomplish was hope. Hope. Hope was all she really needed now. But getting hope required a lot more effort than she had in her.

Callie rushed to the pit after receiving a 911 page. T here had been a seven car pile up and the ambulances were on their way.

She grabbed a trauma gown and walked out to join the rest of her awaiting colleagues. As she walked out she took a spot standing next to Bailey. It wasn't long before they could all hear the whaling of the ambulance sounding around them getting louder as it approached. As the first ambulance turned the corner and stopped in front of them, Cristina was running up to it in hopes for a good surgery.

It wasn't long after the first ambulance had arrived that two more came quickly around the corner. The pit was bustling. It seemed like no trauma room was empty and every one of the patients seemed to have needed her in one way or another. Callie was just grateful that none of the patients that had been rushed in needed a pediatric consult, it was one of the smallest breaks she had and she was thankful.

[[BREAK]]

Callie was grateful to be sitting at Joe's. It had been along night and the feel of the sting from the liquor that ran down her throat reminded her that she was still alive inside, still able to feel.

She sat at the end of the bar perched on one of the bar stools. Many of her friends were still held up at the hospital and not wanting to make small meaningless chit-chat she opted to just come by herself. She waved Joe over for another. As soon as the liquid was in her shot glass she took it tilting her head back allowing no drop to be wasted, having Joe pour her another shot of tequila before walking to the other side of the bar.

Downing the liquid she was soon able to feel the numbness that came with drinking taking over her body. She welcomed it. Her mind was still plagued with the thoughts of her own failures at relationships and her poor judgment, giving her the encouragement to order her three more shots and slamming them back one after another. Thoughts started to spin out of control and none of them made any sense. It was a simple relief that she found in being oblivious to her own world for just a short time.

She sat her head down cast staring at the beer that she just ordered. It never occurred to her that drinking might not be the best way to get away from your own feelings, never occurred that on occasion even she became the emotional drunk that everyone dreads inviting to the party. And now she was here fighting back tears because she was in-love and her heart was shattered because she couldn't give up on her dreams no matter how much she loved her.

No. Don't even let her cross your mind. She is the one that chose this, the one that could not bend for you. This is not some self pity party that I am going to keep throwing for myself. I can do this. I am Callie Torres. The kick-ass ortho surgeon, I fix people and save their lives and their family's lives. That's right, I am a hard core surgeon, and I don't need anyone else to let me know that.

A single tear rolled out of her eye as she squeezed them shut tightly trying not to let anymore come out.

I fix people. I put them back together. Why can't I just fix myself? Why can't I put myself back together? Why is it that when it comes to putting me back together I'm helpless? Why is it always me? Always. I just for once don't want it to be me. For once I want my true happy ending or beginning or whatever. I just want to find my happiness. Where is my happiness?

She felt as sudden darkness take over her body as she let it sink in. Callie knew exactly where her happiness was: on the pediatric floor of the hospital that they just both happen to work at, more than likely saving a child's life instilling that happiness that she once had in her life. That thought quickly left her mind as she remembered the last time she had seen Arizona draped in the arms of another. Her face fell at the thought before reaching down and taking a big gulp of her beer.

Her thoughts quickly took over her mind yet again, falling further away from the bar around her. From the other side of the bar Jackson had been watching Callie for the past half hour trying to gain the nerve to walk over there and console the dark haired beauty that sat next to the bar. Seeing her so fragile is so strange to him. He was used to the strong hard core ortho surgeon that he met the first time of the merger, but that night she kissed him really left an impression of how she really felt.

He knew that the kiss hadn't been real, but a person could always dream and even being her friend could benefit in ways. It was then he got the nerve to walk over to the sitting brunette. As soon as he got close to her his smile got a little wider. "Can I buy you a drink?" he tried giving her the most friendly smile he could muster up and was relieved when she tried giving him a small smile nodding as he took the empty stool next to hers.

Jackson ordered them each a drink as they sat quietly for a moment. Neither of them really knew what to say to the other. Even though Jackson sat there not saying anything Callie felt relief in just not being alone for once. It was calming.

"You know, the other day…at the party," he paused briefly and Callie was hoping he wasn't going to mention their kiss. "What I said about being there for you. It was true. Don't be afraid to open up." He turned to her looking into her eyes and Callie could see the sincerity in there. Being around him looking at how sincere he was being made her feel safe and calm.

"Thank you." She smiled and both of them understood how much she put into the word. And the moment she understood that Jackson could see that it put her mind that much more at ease. He didn't push her to talk or anything he was just there. They drank together making small talk about their days and some surgeries.

By the time they were ready to go Callie was well over her limit of drinking. As soon as she stood the whole bar spun and one step later she was being held up by Jackson.

"Whoa," he said as he held her close to him to keep her from falling. "I think you had a little too much Callie."

"What? No…no I'm fine." She said slurring her words.

"I don't think that your fine, Callie." Jackson spoke softly.

"No…no. I totally have this." She said shaking away and attempting to walk on her own before stumbling into a bar stool. Rushing to her side Jackson quickly steadied Callie once again. "Okay, maybe I'm not ok." She slurred as she held onto him to keep her steady.

"Let me take you home. I'll drive you." he told her as they walked out of the door into the cool night air.

"I live close, just in the apartment building there." She slurred pointing a swaying finger at her own building.

Jackson managed to get Callie to the correct room unharmed and easily. Callie was struggling to get her key into her door when she felt Jackson's steady hands grasps hers and help her to unlock the door. When the door finally opened up Callie would have face planted if it wasn't for Jackson's hand reaching out and grabbing a hold of her arm. He quickly led her into her apartment taking her over to sit on her couch and sitting next to her.

"Okay, um…" he looked around the room. "Do you want me to get you something?" He asked as he looked over to the kitchen. "I can cook you something…you know to sober you up?" he smiled revealing his brilliantly white teeth.

Callie nodded in agreement, "Yeah that would be good."

Jackson quickly got to his feet and scurried over to her kitchen looking into her refrigerator to find something to cook. He finally decided on pancakes since it was simple and quick. It was easy for him to work around the kitchen everything seemed to have a place just like in his own home. As he finished he placed two on a plate for Callie and two on a plate for himself. He walked over to where Callie sat half laying on the couch her hand covering her eyes and sat down setting her plate in front of her. "Here we are. I didn't know what to make. I hope pancakes are alright?" He looked at her hoping that what he made was to her liking.

When she looked at him she couldn't help, but smile. She was always the one who was cooking for everyone else and for once it was someone taking care of her. It was a nice change of pace for her. "It's perfect, thanks." She said still slurring her words as she reached down to get her plate that sat in front of her on the coffee table.

They each ate in silence. Callie loved how the pancakes seemed to melt in her mouth, but something was not sitting well in her stomach. Choosing not to let it bother her, she sat back on the couch letting her head rest against the back and closing her eyes.

Jackson cleared his throat a little before setting his plate back down on the table. "Are you feeling fine? Would you like me to take your plate into the kitchen?" he asked seeing her leaning back.

"I feel okay. And no you don't have to I can do it later. It was delicious by the way." She added the last part quickly.

He smiled. "Thanks, I'm glade you liked it." It made his whole face light up when Callie gave him the complement. "Um…" he cleared his throat a little nervously, "I'm sure you don't… don't drink like… that often. Is there something…wrong?"

Callie looked into his eyes. She could tell how concerned he was. It seemed like he was really interested, but at the same time she couldn't allow herself to speak to him despite the amount of liquor floating through her veins. "No…no." she tried to say it as convincing as possible and she kicked herself inwardly when she heard herself say it.

When she saw him stare at her she knew that she was found out. "You can tell me." Speaking tenderly he rubbed soft comforting circles on her back. He looked at her locking his eyes with hers.

Callie bit her bottom lip trying to keep the tears that she felt from coming out, but it was no use the tears fell from her eyes and she couldn't hide away from it anymore. She wanted to talk about it and someone was better than no one. When she started heaving Jackson moved his arm closer to his own body allowing Callie's head to set on his chest. He just kept rubbing small circles over her back to comfort her. "It's ok. It's all going to be fine."

He kept on whispering those words as she cried. When her sobs finally subsided she told him of the night she seen Arizona in the hallway and what had happened that same night in an on-call room. "It hurts I love her and then I know it wont work. I can't give up my dream of children. It's the future that I've always seen for myself." She sobbed quietly.

"You shouldn't have to give up your dream, Callie. Part of being in a relationship is working with each other, but now you can move away from all that and find someone who wants the things that you want." He whipped away a few of her tears.

He was right. She knew he was. It was actually very nice talking to him. He listened and cared and had the right advice. Callie lifted her head from his chest seeing that it was drenched from all of her tears. "Sorry about your shirt." She sniffed whipping at her eyes again.

"It's nothing." He smiled whipping away a few more tears that escaped her eyes.

Callie noticed how his eyes sparkled and just how beautiful those eyes were. They were intoxicated and she didn't understand why, but she couldn't stop staring into them. The softness of the look he was giving her comforted her and made her feel at ease. The hand that he had carelessly resting on her knee gave her small chills on her legs and she liked it. She closed her eyes for a brief second taking it in. Once again she opened her eyes and stared ahead into those eyes. She didn't know if it was the alcohol, but she felt herself being drawn into them inching her way a little closer before she leaned her body forward.

Jackson sat there looking at one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen sway. Even with her eyes puffy and red she was beautiful. He couldn't help, but notice how dark and soulful her eyes were and he was glad to be able to stare into them. The way she moved her body was seductive without effort and he couldn't keep his eyes off of her; he didn't want to. But he knew she was drunk and hurting. He was not that guy. So he remained motionless when she began to lean forward, fighting all his urges to leap forward and claw away her clothes.

As she cleaned forward she couldn't help, but feel that weird feeling again and without warning she was heaving into Jackson's lap vomiting all that she had drank.

"Oh my god." She said shooting back up covering her mouth. "I'm so…" was all she managed before she rushed into the bathroom. Jackson soon came in after her holding her hair back as she continued throwing up into the toilet.

When she was finally done she apologized to him, but he understood telling her that he was in a pretty wild fraternity when he was in college so he had been there. She was very relieved to hear that he had such understanding of her situation. "Um…you're welcome to stay here if you want. The couch is really comfortable and it's late, so I think you should stay. Plus we are within walking distance of the hospital so I'm sure getting to work would be know problem." She smiled until she realized his clothes.

"Well, I would like to change." They both laughed.

"I can go ask Mark right now." She walked across the hall and knocked loudly on her friend's door. Mark squinted at her groggily when he opened the door.

"Callie?"

"No time to explain, Mark, but can I borrow a pair of pants and a shirt from you?"

"Callie?" he looked at her confused, but she pushed past and quickly grabbed some things from his bedroom before heading out.

"Thanks Mark. I'll explain later." She spoke over her shoulder as she walked back across the hall to her apartment. Mark stood stunned for a moment he shook his head a little before heading back into his apartment to go to sleep.

Back in her apartment Callie handed Jackson the clothes that she had picked out. He graciously accepted and headed into the bathroom to grab a quick shower and change. Sleep came very easily to them. Neither of them knew how tired they actually were.