CHPT 4

Arizona's POV

I watched her in awe as she told her friends of her great accomplishment. As it turns out my new found friends were all surgeons at Seattle Grace Mercy West, and Callie, who I now knew as Calliope Torres, had just won her first Harper Avery in Research for Cartilage regeneration. I had read about her in an email from Dr. Avery to all attendees and previous winners last month. It was as she spoke that I realized how I was feeling. I felt alive. Listening to this amazing woman speak of her win, as she continuously let her eyes meet mine, revived me. It made me remember how I felt when I got the news just over a year ago of my win of the same award.

The group definitely seemed very tight. I had friends back in New York, but the bond that these doctors showed was special. The way their faces lit up as Calliope spoke. In that moment I envied them. I also envied the glass that Calliope was holding and putting to her lips in between words and laughter. We were sitting very close to one another in the chairs that Mark had brought over for Dax and I earlier. She looked over and I felt my cheeks flush slightly. She could hear my thoughts. I was almost sure of it.

"So how long are you in Seattle for?" she asked..

"2 weeks" I said, not looking away this time. I wanted to keep taking to her. I wanted to know everything about her.

"Where are you two staying?" she glanced over at Dax who was eyes deep in shot glasses with Mark and Christina.

"Just across the street. The Hyatt." I took a sip of my beer. Not wanting to lose her interest I spoke without thinking "I'd love to see some of your research while I'm here Calliope, if that's okay with you" I searched her face for a reaction to my question, and the use of her full name. Everyone was calling her Callie, but I like Calliope. So I used it.

"I most cetainly can arrange that Arizona" she replied as her smile spread wider than I had seen it all night.

"Super" I smiled back, showing my dimples. It was so on purpose. What was I doing? I was flirting with a woman is what I was doing. A hot, dark haired, dark eyed, woman who happened to be a surgeon. And who happened to be touching my leg with hers. Flip. Flop.

My thoughts were broken as I realized that everyone was starting to disperse. NO. I wasn't ready to go. Owen was the first to say his goodbyes. On behalf of him and Christina.

"Dr. Robbinzzz" Christina was next to me, one arm on my shoulder the other around Owens waist.

"I like you...aaaa lot" she managed to get out before Owen picked her up over his shoulder.

"Great to meet you Arizona. We should definitely get together again while your in town" he said waving good bye to Mark and Dax. "See you at home Cal"

Teddy was next to say her goodbyes. Calliope got up and hugged Teddy as she stood to leave. I wondered how close they were. I wish I was Teddy right now. STOP.

"I think your guy is ready for bed there Arizona" Mark says as he takes Teddy's now vacant seat.

I glance over to see Dax and Lexie rolled over on each other at the main bar.

"I think you may be right Mark" I chuckle as I feel a sudden sadness come over me. The night was ending. I was gonna have to leave. Leave Calliope.

"I can help you walk him over if you want" I hear Calliope's voice from behind me. I turn around to face her, dimples out in full force, and watch her eyes go a shade darker once more.

"That would be awesome. I mean, if you don't mind. I knows it late and your probably tired, and I can probably get him to walk okay by myself..."

"Arizona" she puts her hand on my arm "I dont mind at all. Plus its till only like 12:00 and I am still on a high from this award. I'll be awake all night"

Her touch sent a shiver through my body. How was it that of all the men I had dated in my life that none of them had given this feeling before? I was confused. I was nervous. But I was excited.

We manged to peel Dax off the bar and between the two of us we were able to maneuver him across the street, throught the lobby and onto the elevator. As we reached our floor I realized that Calliope and I hadn't said I word since we left the bar. I could feel the nervous energy between us.

"This is it" I said as we reached the room and I searched Dax's coat for the room key.

"He's passed out cold Arizona" Calliope said as she led him to the bed and positioned him on his side. She proceeded to take off his shoes and jacket.

"He's usually not this bad" I say as I help her pull the sheets over him. My side was flush with hers at this point and I quickly pulled back as she turned to look at me.

"So I guess I'll take off" Calliope said as she started towards the door.

"Yeah. I guess I'll head over to my room now too" I switched off the lamp as I followed her to the door.

"Oh" she seemed confused. "Your not staying in this room?" He eyebrows raised slightly as I saw the tone of her skin change slightly. She thought we were together.

"No. No way. Uh un. Dax and I would normally stay together, but I am pretty sure he's meeting up with an ex while we are here and there is NOOOO way I am being in the same room for that reunion" I laughed as we headed into the hall.

" I just thought that..." she smiled as she spoke. I am pretty sure her breathing was a little off as we stood face to face in front of the door.

"I can see why you would" I gave her a big smile and again showed her my dimples. Stop flirting Arizona. NOW. I didn't want her to leave. I wanted to talk to her. Find out about her.

"Well I guess..." she tried but I cut her off.

"Wanna come in for a bit? We can raid the mini bar?" I asked with a smirk as I walked to the next door over from where we were standing.

"Ummm" she was questioning. My heart skipped a beat in anticipation. "Sure" she finally said.

We entered the room and it was at that point I realized that there was only one chair in my room. And my bed. My big queen size hotel bed. I turned to her and could tell that she had realized the same thing. I quickly went to the other side of the room and bent down to see what this mini bar actually contained.

"So are you meeting up with an ex for a reunion too while your here Arizona" she asked with hesitation in her voice.

I turned quickly to see she had taken a seat on the bed and was already making herself comfortable. Now I was really nervous. I was almost a little uncomfortable. There was a girl in my bed. A super hot woman was in MY bed. This has never happened to me before, Well not like this anyway. With all the tension I could feel between us, it almost felt as if I was on a third date with a man. I never ever envisioned feeling like this with a woman in my bed.

"Ummmm...NO!" I answered abruptly. I handed her a bud light that I had taken from the fridge and proceeded to look for a glass.

"Sorry" she laughed "I didnt mean to offend you" as she wiped the top of the can with her shirt. Calliope then cracked the can and took a sip. No glass. Okay. I guess I will stop looking. Now Arizona. Where do you sit?

"So" she said tapping her finger on the can.

"So" I echoed, suddenly not wanting to lock eyes with her. I was so nervous I was pretty sure my hands were starting to sweat.

"Are you okay Arizona? If your tired or something, I can go" She swung her feet off the bed and I lept forward to the edge of the bed.

"I'm Super" I said now sitting along side her as we both faced the wall. "I just ah...I just..." Stupid. Get it together Arizona. "I think you should tell me about you. Yes. That's it. I want to know everything there is about Calliope Torres. This years Harper Avery recipient."

"Okay. Thats fair." She laughed.

I liked her laugh. She sat back on the bed with her legs up and back to the headboard. I pulled my legs up on the edge of the bed and sat crossed legged in front of her. Those dark eyes showing me my reflection again made me feel a little less nervous.

"Well, lets see" she took another sip. "I'm 34. Grew up in Miami. I have two sisters and a brother. I have lived in Seattle for 14 years now. Did all my schooling here. Intern, residency, and now Attending. All at Seattle Grace. Ummmmmm...I have no pets. I love the rain, ummmmmmm, what else do you wanna know?" She placed her beer on the night table and moved forward towards me.

"Ummmm well...thats a good start" I laughed as I felt myself getting more comfortable with her. I pushed my legs out so that I was now on my side with my head resting in my hand.

"Yeah. So now its your turn there Ms. Peds" she now seemed very comfortable being there, which made me re-evaluate all the nervous energy I thought I had felt before. Was it just me?

"Well... I'm 35. I was born and raised in New York. I have 2 brothers. I did all my schooling in New York and trained at Mount Siani which is where I currently work."

The conversation flowed well back and forth for a good half hour. I learned her family was pretty well off and had been a big support to her through med school. She lived with Christina and Owen, and Mark and Teddy were her closest friends. I told her about my family and the strong ties we have to the military. I almost told her about my name sake but chose to save that little tidbit of information for another time.

I took a sip of my beer and then I'm pretty sure that when my next words came out that I didn't have control of my own thoughts. "I just got out of a 6 year relationship. Broke off the engagement actually. He was great. He is great. But we had just got too comfortable. I guess I lost myself." Damn. Arizona. We are not supposed to be talking about him. "I guess that's what this trip is about for me. Dax wanted me to get away and try to find myself again"

I searched her face, looking for a reaction. Here I was, pooring out my soul to someone I had only met a few hours ago. But it felt right.

"I'm sorry" she finally said. "I actually know how you feel. I just got out of a 6 year relationship too. Believe it or not, I'm suppose to be in Vancouver right now starting my new life with Sam"

Was it possible that we were both going through the exact same things right now. Was it possible that I felt so connected to her right now. I looked in her eyes and saw the hurt. I wondered if it was just my own hurt staring back at me.

"I'm sorry too" was all I could say.

My emotions started to take over at that point. I sat up and moved toward her. My heart broke as her eyes started to fill up a little. All I wanted to do was hold her. Tell her it would be okay. I wanted her to hold me. Tell me it would be okay.

"I..." she started to speak as I reached and and wrapped my arms around her. She was definitely startled as I felt her tense a little, but just as quick, she put her arms around me too. My heart was racing. I took in everything about her. The way her body felt, the way her breathing had picked up, the intoxicating smell of her hair, her skin. I started to feel lightheaded. I was more confused then ever to how she was making me feel so alive. And then she said it.

"SHE was everything to me, Arizona. I don't know how to live without her" Calliope whispered in my ear.

And just like that, my world changed. Calliope was Gay. The energy I felt wasn't just me. I was flirting with her, and she was flirting with me She was feeling the same way that I was all night. The glances, the smiles, the electricity between us when we touched. But I'm not gay. At least I didn't think I was. Was I? I pulled back slightly so my forehead was resting on hers.

"Arizona..." she whispered again as I pushed a dark strand away from her face. Our eyes met. I could feel her breath as our lips were mere inches away from each others. I'm pretty sure I stopped breathing at that point. I needed oxygen. So I took hers.

end of chpt 4