Title: Back at One

Author(s): y0ungalaska & BrennaAimee

Rating: Ranging from PG to M

Disclaimer: The characters belong to Shonda Rhimes and ABC. We own nothing but our ideas.

Summary: "It's so incredible, the way things work themselves out and all emotional once you know what it's all about."

Chapter 3:

It had been a few days since Callie had seen or heard from the happy couple next door. They had exchanged numbers, but Callie couldn't bring herself to call. She really didn't want to intrude or seem like she was at all anxious about their next meeting. Javier had left the night before and would be gone for a week. It wasn't odd for things like that to happen and Callie was used to being alone for weeks at a time. Business was business and when her father called, it was important. That was the one thing that made the Latina less worrisome when he left. She knew that he was in good hands.

She had spent the better half of her night relaxing and just enjoying her time alone. Running herself a bath, she sat in the steaming hot water and enjoyed the feeling of releasing all of the tension that had built up from the past work week. It had been a stressful week, to say the least. She had three cases that lasted over four hours at a time and on top of that, she had to have the stress of a college student job shadowing her and questioning her every move. Being a court mediator was indeed stressful at times, but she loved the work she did and she always strived to be the best. Her father had offered to put money up for her own business, but she kindly declined, stating that she wanted to make it on her own; without the backing of her father. He disagreed, but in time, he respected her decision and he was soon proud to see his daughter moving up in the system so quickly. She was already one of the most well-known mediators around.

She smiled at the thought of her father being so proud of her. Honestly, if anyone would have asked her four years ago if she thought he'd be this proud, she would have answered no without hesitating. His vision for her was very different from her own. He wanted her to work for the family company and to someday, when he was unable to do his job, take over the reins.

Reaching over for her glass of wine and the remote to her built in stereo; she sipped her wine as she flipped through the XM Radio stations. A moment later a song came on that she not only recognized, but loved. Placing the remote beside her she closed her hand, wine glass to her lips and let the steam take over her body.

Arizona wandered around the kitchen, preparing dinner for her and James. He had been immediately thrown back into work. As a carpenter, work for him was always available and he had been given a transfer before they even made the move to Brentwood, California. Arizona, on the other hand, was told that it would be at least two weeks before she could get her transfer. She sighed.

It wasn't that she didn't like being at home. No, in fact, she loved it, but sometimes it was better to be swamped showing houses or doing paperwork until all hours of the night. When she was at work, the world stopped. If only for a moment.

It had been a few days since she had seen or heard from Callie and as much as she wanted to pick up the phone and call, she thought that maybe James had been right. It wouldn't be right to intrude into her life. They may have done a sweet gesture, but it didn't mean that it was an open invitation into their lives. Moving about the kitchen, Arizona would glance at the phone for seconds at a time, before returning to her task at hand.

"What if James was wrong?" She spoke aloud to no one in particular. "I mean, Callie and her husband did extend the invitation to call or stop by any time." Looking at the clock, she stirred the contents in the pot before speaking again, "It's only five thirty p.m. and it's a Friday, surely I wouldn't be interrupting, right?"

She laughed at her own attempt to talk to herself. Thank god she didn't answer. She'd heard somewhere that if you answered yourself, you were insane. Again, she laughed aloud to no one. The things she did to occupy her time, she thought.

Six p.m. rolled around and James had yet to come home. Arizona tapped her fingers lightly on the counter and looked at the phone again. Just as she turned to walk away, it rang.

Before she knew it, she made a dash to the phone and picked it up in a rush, "Hello?"

"Baby?" James greeted her, "Everything okay?"

Arizona sighed, placing a hand to her head. "Absolutely. I was just cooking and the phone rang and I kind of ran across the kitchen to answer it." She finished with a light chuckle.

"I'm sorry, babe, but work is running late and it looks like I won't be off the job until at least nine. But will you keep dinner warm for me?"

"Of course." Arizona sighed again, looking around the kitchen. All of her hard work and it would have to wait. "I'll see you when you get home. I love you."

"Me too, baby. See you when I get home." The line went dead.

Arizona found herself looking at the phone in her hand. It wouldn't hurt to call, right? Letting out a nervous laugh, she walked over to the fridge and searched for the number she was looking for. After dialing, she waited a few rings and thought to herself that maybe she was intruding, but right before she could hang up; there was a voice on the other end, "Hello?"

"Callie? Hey, it's Arizona."

"Arizona, hey. What's up?" Callie asked, brushing her hair out in front of the vanity.

"Not much. I don't mean to interrupt, but James won't be home for another three hours and I was wondering if you and Javier were up for some company?"

"Actually, Javier is away on business for the week, but I would love the company." Callie smiled as she placed her brush down. They ended their phone conversation and Callie proceeded to put on some more appropriate pajamas for company. A few minutes later she went down to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water for herself and one for Arizona. She heard a gentle knock on the door.

"It's open, come on in." Callie made her way from the kitchen toward the living area seating herself on the loveseat. Arizona soon joined, her dimpled smile spread across her face. She was happy she had found a friend quickly. One of her biggest fears about moving had become obsolete which diminished every other fear she had. She was so ready for this new start and so far, it all seemed to be working in her favor. Callie handed her the extra water bottle sitting beside her own as she sat on the couch. They soon fell into comfortable conversation.

"So, Arizona, tell me a little more about you and James. How did you meet and such, you seem to be so in love."

"I love him with all I am, he makes me so happy. I was showing a house in this small neighborhood and James was working on the house right next to it. After I got done showing the house, I went inside to lock everything up and I heard a gentle tap on the window and looked outside to see him standing there smiling at me." Callie watched her new found friend's face beam of pure joy reminiscing on her memory. "I finished locking up and went outside to talk to him. He introduced himself and I was immediately taken with his eyes. They are so warm and inviting. Still to this day, they are my favorite of his features. He was so polite and quickly asked me on a date and who was I to decline? That is what started us all and here we are today." Arizona finished still radiating.

"Here we are, speaking of, what made you guys come to Brentwood California, of all places?"

"Well it's smaller than San Diego and that's what we wanted." Callie watched as her friends smile faltered. "We wanted to get away from it all; a fresh start. We wanted to meet new people. I was worried about finding friends and everything, but James and I met you and Javi. I consider you a friend and I really appreciate all this."

"No need for appreciation. I'm really enjoying spending time with you and getting to know you. I have an idea. In about a week or so, do you want to have a party? We can get you some connections for work and invite a bunch of my friends. I know they will love you."

"I couldn't possibly impose on you in such a way."

"It would be no imposition at all, I love having parties. I come from a Latino background. Get together's are second nature to me. This will be fun. What do you say?"

"I think that sounds . . . awesome Callie, I can't wait."