A/N: Thank you everyone for nice the reviews and story alerts. I'm trying to update as soon as I can. I can for sure tell you I will never keep you all waiting for 2 weeks! I'll try not to anyway… Happy reading!
Chapter 4 - Stuck With You
With a gym bag strapped over her shoulder, dressed in gray sweatpants and sweatshirt, Arizona headed out of her apartment around 1:30am for a much needed workout. She couldn't sleep. When her body refused to relax, she put it to work with exercise. Personally, Arizona liked to go to the police station's gym in the wee hours of the morning. That way she could have the place all to herself.
When Arizona opened the door to the gym, however, she heard heavy thud noises and grunting. The blonde frowned, wondering who would possibly be in the gym this early in the morning. Arizona poked her head around the corner and saw someone really going at it on the punching bag. It was Callie.
Immediately intrigued, Arizona decided to watch the brunette for a while and not let her presence be known. Callie's form was sharp and each punch that landed on the bag was powerful and controlled. Arizona liked the etched concentration on the Latina's face and thought it was incredibly hot when the brunette grunted or blew out heavy breaths.
Lost in watching Callie deliver punch after punch, Arizona did not even realize she had moved from behind the corner to get a closer look at the other woman. The brunette was wearing an old worn T-shirt that said, Miami P.D. and well-fitted camouflage Capri-pants. Callie was facing away from her at the moment and Arizona's eyes moved down to the brunette's shapely ass. Nice. The blonde shook out of her haze and decided she should skip a night of working out. The blonde turned to leave.
"Robbins?"
The blonde gritted her teeth and cringed. She was caught. Slowly, Arizona turned around and looked at the Latina. "Hey," she sheepishly replied with a small wave.
"Wow, what are you doing here so late?" Callie questioned curiously.
Arizona shrugged. "I was going to ask you the same thing."
The Latina took a few steps from the punching bag. "I, uh… I sometimes come in when I can't sleep. A good workout kind of helps chill me out."
The blonde nodded. "That's funny. I couldn't sleep either so I came to workout."
Callie gave a small smile and nodded.
They looked at each other for a moment, neither really knowing what to say. Arizona began to take a few steps back. "Well, I'll just let you do your thing."
Arizona turned to leave.
"Um, hey." Callie said, making the blonde turn back around. The brunette punched her gloved fists together. "Do you want to spar with me?"
Arizona was hesitant in her reply and bit her bottom lip in contemplation.
"Unless you think you can't take me…" Callie smirked.
The blonde's lips curled into a small smile and she raised an eyebrow. "Is that a challenge, Torres?"
The Latina grinned widely. "I think it is."
"Give me a minute." Arizona hauled her bag to the side of the room and dropped it on the floor. Callie then went to her bag on the opposite side and put on her protective gear. After she finished, she turned around just as Arizona was removing her sweatshirt and sweatpants. Callie practically drooled as Arizona's miraculously shaped body come into view. Under the sweat clothes, the blonde was wearing a black pro combat sports bra and matching spandex shorts. Her muscles were well-defined in her arms and legs. Callie felt like she was going to pass out because this woman was so hot. Realizing she was staring, she rolled up her tongue and quickly averted her eyes.
Arizona was completely unaware of the brunette's excursion of her body as she busied herself, putting on gear.
Moments later, the blonde had on some gloves and protective headgear of her own, matching Callie's. Hers were red and the Latina's were blue. They stood across from each other on the mat.
"Just a warning…" Callie began. "I never go easy on whoever I'm fighting."
"Good… neither do I," Arizona replied, adjusting the small strap under her chin.
Callie smiled and got into her fighting pose. "Let's see what you've learned after ten years, Robbins."
"Bring it on, Torres." Arizona taunted, taking her pose as well.
It first began with a few jabs and kicks at each other here and there, but when Arizona nailed Callie with a solid right hook to the face, the Latina knew it was on. Both of them came with attacks with equal strength and mobility. Blocking anticipating moves, ducking and weaving away from punches and kicks… it was fun.
Arizona just attempted a spinning back kick, which Callie quickly deflected. The brunette grinned. "Wow, that was a nice one."
"Yeah, you like that?" Arizona asked, breathing heavily with a smile.
"I did."
"How about this?"
Arizona charged at Callie with a series of kicks and punches. The Latina blocked most of them but did not anticipate a sweeping move of Arizona's leg that took her feet right from under her.
"Whoa!" Callie was now on her back and Arizona quickly straddled the Latina's stomach. The blonde pinned Callie's hands to the sides on her head, preventing the Latina any mobility.
Callie laughed. "Nice…" she commented. "I didn't see that coming."
Looking down at the brunette, Arizona grinned. "Not bad for a Powerpuff Girl, huh?"
Callie gave the blonde a smirk. "You remember that, huh?" the Latina asked.
"Of course, I remember," the blonde said, releasing Callie's wrists. She sat up, still straddling the Latina's stomach. "I practically remember ever insult you ever said to me," Arizona stated, matter- a-factly.
"Well, you were a pretty easy target," Callie nonchalantly replied.
As a playfully insulted face crossed Arizona's features, Callie realized the blonde was fully off guard. In on swift move, she grasped Arizona's shoulders, pushed her back and flipped them over. Now she was on top, pinning down the blonde's wrists. Arizona was looked up at her, blue eyes wide with surprise.
"Like now. Way too easy…" Callie teased.
Arizona rolled her eyes and smiled. "Ha… ha…" the blonde drawled.
"I remember things you said to me too, you know."
"Yeah? Like what?"
The Latina looked off for a second, as if trying to remember. "Um, I believe you said… 'Stay the hell away from me, Calliope Torres.' Oh, but first you slapped me."
The blonde felt her heart skip a beat as she looked into teasing brown eyes. Of course she remembered that. She remembered the kiss too... and the feeling of Callie's body as it was pressed flush against her. At the moment, Arizona's libido was overheating from the feel of the Latina's body straddling her. She tried to remain calm. "Well, you deserved it…" she replied, trying to control her voice.
Callie's eyes suddenly became seriously intense and she leaned in closer to Arizona's face. "Did I?" she asked huskily.
The brunette was so close she felt Callie's breath near her lips. Arizona felt her body begin to tremble. "Yeah, you did…" the blonde breathed back.
Callie's eyes flickered down to Arizona's full pink lips and then back up to beautiful blue eyes. They stared at each other for what seemed like forever until the Latina released her hold and quickly stood to her feet.
"Good spar," the Latina commented with a forced smile. She removed her glove and offered, the blonde a hand.
Arizona took a moment to clear her head and raised her gloved hand, allowing Callie to pull her to her feet. "Yeah, good," the blonde replied, placing a hesitant dimpled grin on her face.
They both began to remove their gear and step over to their gym bags, which were on opposite sides of the room.
Callie was still trying to get her pounding heart under control. Being so close to Arizona was making her body highly aroused and her hormones were going crazy.
As Arizona packed her gear, all she could think about was the moment she and the Latina just shared on the mat. Callie wanted to kiss her… she might have let her.
"Walk you out?" Callie asked from behind her.
Arizona shook out of her thoughts and turned around. She smiled lightly. "Um, actually I'm going to stay a little longer. I really need to work off this tension…"
Callie raised an eyebrow and a cheeky smile was on her lips. Arizona saw this and noticed her phrasing of words.
"Tension in my muscles, I mean… what else would I mean? My muscles are… yeah… they're tense…" the blonde rambled nervously.
The Latina smiled fully. "Riiiight," she replied. The Latina threw her gym bag on her shoulder. "I'll see you Monday."
Arizona nodded. "Okay. Goodnight, Torres."
The Latina stopped in her tracks and turned around with a grin. "Hey, anyone who can kick my ass in sparring can call me Callie."
Arizona could not help but chuckle lightly. "Okay, Callie."
The brunette felt her heart flutter just hearing Arizona say her name. "Okay, Arizona."
They both smiled sheepishly at each other before Callie exited the gym. Arizona spent the next hour pumping iron and punching the hell out of the punching bag. She had to work off tension alright… but it wasn't muscular tension.
Sunday passed and it was now Monday morning. Arizona and Teddy were quietly talking amongst themselves at a table, in the break room, sipping coffee.
"So… you and Torres almost kissed?"
"Well, kind of… maybe. She was practically laying on top of me and she looked at my lips but…"
"Nothing happened," Teddy stated.
Arizona shook her head.
"Did you want her to kiss you?" Teddy pushed.
Arizona bit her bottom lip, hesitant with her response.
Just then, the subject of their conversation walked into the room. The blonde's heart jumped and she perked up some when she noticed Callie. Both she and Teddy became quiet. A blush began to form on Arizona's cheeks.
The brunette suspiciously eyed them with a smirk. "Morning ladies," she said, grasping the handle of the coffee pot. There was an eerie silence in the room as Callie poured her coffee. The brunette felt weird vibe and turned to Teddy and Arizona. She lifted an eyebrow. "Am I interrupting something?"
"No," the two women replied in unison.
"Oookay…" the brunette drawled, suspiciously. She turned back around and began to add cream and sugar to her beverage.
Arizona's fingers fiddled around the Elmo coffee cup in her hands. Since her and Callie's friendly exchange on Saturday, Arizona felt she could be a little more civil towards the Latina. She felt compelled to talk to the beautiful brunette. "So… how are you this morning?" the blonde asked politely.
Callie paused her movements for a second. Was Arizona being nice to her? The brunette tried to remain casual and began to stir the contents of her coffee. She then turned around and leaned back against the counter.
"Eh, I had a little too much wine last night, so my head is kind of swimming. Other than that I'm fine. You?"
Arizona nodded. "I'm good. I think you bruised one of my shoulders from our sparring on Saturday though."
Callie chuckled. "I found some bruises too, believe me. You may look all innocent with your blonde curls and perkiness… but you're dangerous."
Arizona's lips slowly curled into a smile and she ducked her eyes. Callie smiled lightly, enjoying the blonde's settle cuteness. She then looked at the blonde's friend, who was watching them the entire time.
"How are you, Teddy?"
"I'm great," the honey-blonde smiled. "So… you decided to have a little wine last night? What kind?"
"Um… it was white wine."
"Arizona likes white wine," Teddy blurted out.
The blonde gave Teddy the death glare and the honey-blonde shrugged.
"You do?" Callie asked Arizona.
"I… yeah, sometimes," Arizona shrugged. "Just occasionally I'll have some."
Callie hummed thoughtfully. "Well, the Captain has some news for us. Said one of the undercover guys cracked something big in the Petrov case. We're all meeting in the conference room in a few."
"Okay, I'll be there."
"Alright," Callie replied with a light smile. "See you around, Teddy," the Latina said, before exiting the break room.
"Bye, Sergeant." Teddy's mouth gaped open before a smile broke out across her face. "Wow. So, I guess things with you and Torres are going well?"
"Yeah, I think," the blonde smiled. "I guess I just… had to give her a chance. I mean, she used to annoy me so much at the academy. Even a little now but… she is a good cop."
Teddy raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I never thought I'd hear you say that."
"I never thought I'd say it either." The blonde shrugged. "I don't know… I guess we kind of have a silent understanding between each other now."
"And you totally want to hook-up with her."
"Ugh! No, I don't, Teddy," the blonde frowned.
"Arizona, I saw major sparks between you too. Sparks so big this entire building could catch on fire."
"What?" Arizona chuckled. "No! It's not like that."
"Sure it's not."
The blonde picked up a ketchup packet from the center of the table and threw it at her friend, hitting Teddy's shoulder. "Hey!"
Arizona stood and began to leave the room. "You suck, Teddy…"
"I'm not the one who wants to bang my partner!" the honey-blonde called after her. Teddy smiled to herself and shook her head.
Arizona soon joined the rest of the group in the conference room. Taking a seat next to Callie, the Captain began.
It turned out Callie's lead was the key. They had found out that Petrov was doing his deal at Eagle's Landing in two days at 2:30pm. It was going to be a major bust. The plan was to rally most of the Seattle Police Department and even S.W.A.T to crash Petrov's party. Captain Webber went over the plan and showed a map of the cargo yard so everyone knew where to take position. Callie and Arizona were excited about the prospect of taking this man down. After the meeting, they were walking through the department together, heading to their police car.
"Well, it turns out ditching your partner in the stakeout car worked in our favor," Arizona teased lightly.
Callie chuckled. "What can I say? I'm a smart woman."
Arizona shook her head. "Sure."
They walked a little further in silence.
"So…" Callie said. "You haven't insulted me once today. Are finally deciding to be nice to me?"
The blonde shrugged. "Maybe…" she replied with a slight smile.
Callie felt giddy inside and smiled as well.
"Sergeant Torres?" A young rookie cop walked up behind them and they turned around.
"Yeah?" Callie replied.
"There's someone upfront in the lobby that's here to see you."
Callie furrowed her brows, wondering who it could be. She nodded. "Thanks."
The young rookie nodded and walked away.
"It seems I have a visitor," Callie said, as they turned back around, heading for the lobby. "I don't know who it would be."
"Let's find out."
When they opened the double doors that led to the lobby, both Callie and Arizona stopped in their tracks. A woman, familiar to both of them, was sitting in a chair holding a small bouquet of flowers. It was Maria. The woman they had saved at the houseboat a few weeks ago. Maria looked up when the two women entered the lobby. A smile instantly spread across her face when she saw the Latina. Callie nervously swallowed and she shifted uncomfortably. Arizona looked at her partner and noticed her reaction to the woman in the room. A small churn of jealousy began in her stomach.
"Hi, Callie…" the Mexican woman sweetly purred, walking over to the brunette.
The brunette forced an unpleasant smile. Before Maria could say another word, Callie gently grasped her by the arm and led her to the other side of the room, away from Arizona.
"Um, Maria. What are you doing here?" the brunette asked, her eyes glancing over to Arizona.
The blonde did not look pleased. Arizona shook her head slightly and stormed out the front doors of the building. Callie internally cringed, knowing this did not look good. She turned back to the woman in front of her.
"I just wanted to bring you these…" she said, handing over the flowers. "To thank you for last night."
The brunette took the offered bouquet. "Oh, um… Maria you didn't have to do this," Callie sputtered uncomfortably.
Maria smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to."
Callie glanced at the small bouquet and then looked at the attractive woman in front of her. "Um, Maria, this is really sweet of you… and you are an incredible woman… and I don't want to hurt your feelings or anything…" Callie looked straight into the woman's eyes. "…but you know last night was just a one-time thing… right?" The Latina asked with all sincerity.
Maria's face fell a little but she covered it with a wide smile. "Of course, I know that Sergeant. I'm not even really into women…" The woman held the Latina's gaze, staring at Callie with a hint of lust. "But you…" she purred.
Callie cleared her throat and glanced around, hoping others weren't listening in on their conversation. "What happened last night was nice, but it can't happen again, Maria…"
"I understand." Maria brought up her hand and stroked the side of Callie's face. "You're a heartbreaker, Sergeant Torres," the woman smiled seductively. Her thumb caressed Callie's face. "Thanks again..." she husked, before sashaying out the entrance of the building.
Callie blew out a heavy breath. That totally took her off guard. Now, the only thing plaguing her was what Arizona had to say. Maybe her partner would not be able to tell she slept with Maria… she could only hope.
The brunette went outside and headed towards her and Arizona's unmarked car. When she climbed into the vehicle and sat beside her partner, she immediately felt a cold demeanor radiating off Arizona. The blonde was eerily silent as she started the car.
"Sorry, I kept you waiting…" Callie began.
"Whatever," the blonde mumbled. She pulled out of the parking lot.
During their patrol, Arizona barely spoke to Callie and when she did they were quipped one or two word replies. The brunette decided not to breech the subject or ask why the blonde was being so cold. She knew why.
It was a slow day, which made the situation even more awkward. They had nothing to distract them. When they returned to the station, Arizona parked the car. Neither one of them spoke. Just as Callie was about to exit the vehicle, the blonde's voice stopped her.
"You slept with her..." Arizona stated.
Callie sighed heavily and shook her head. The brunette had hoped this conversation could be avoided. "Arizona, I-"
"After I told you not to get involved with her, you still did it."
"I didn't expect her to show up at the station like that."
"So, if she didn't show up it would still make it okay that you fucked her?"
"Well, yeah," Callie argued. "Then you wouldn't be pissed at me. You wouldn't have even known."
Arizona scoffed, hating the brunette's smart ass comments. "You're unbelievable, Torres."
Callie studied the blonde. "What's the problem? I thought things were cool between us."
"Not after you go and pull some shit like this, Callie. She was a victim in one of our cases."
"Was a victim… exactly. That case was closed, Arizona."
"So, screwing her seems pretty ethical in that brain of yours, huh?" The blonde shot back.
Callie was beginning to get angry and Arizona was riding her last nerve. "Look, I don't know what you want me to say. Yes, I slept with Maria, so what? Why are you so upset about it?" the brunette snapped.
Arizona met Callie's questioning gaze. The blonde wanted to say it hurt her. She wanted to say she wished she was the one Callie was with. The Latina had her so emotionally screwed up and confused it pissed her off to no end.
The blonde shook her head with a look of disdain on her face. "Why couldn't you stay in Miami?" The blonde asked, desperation in her eyes. "Things were so much easier before you showed up."
Callie could have sworn she saw a flash of hurt in those blue eyes before Arizona turned away. "Arizona…" she softly began.
"No, we're done. Get out."
The Latina did not move. The blonde turned to her. Those blue eyes as cold and heartless as ever. It made an uncomfortable chill run down Callie's spine. The brunette took the hint and climbed out of the car, shutting the door behind her. The blonde quickly sped off, leaving a very confused Callie standing in the parking lot.
Arizona did not know where she was going as she was mindlessly driving around the city. She found herself at the graveyard and was soon standing in front of a headstone. It read, 'Timothy Robbins – Beloved son and brother.'
"Hey Tim…" Arizona softly began. "I'm sorry I haven't visited in a while. Frankly, I hate coming here, but I couldn't think of anywhere else to go… So, you remember Callie Torres? The girl that I said was a major bitch to me at the police academy. Yeah, well, she's my partner now. After a decade she became my partner on the force. Isn't that crazy?" Arizona face fell. "She hasn't changed. She's still driving me up a fucking wall… and I never know what she's going to do or say. But the thing that really has me messed up right now is… I'm starting to have these… feelings for her. Feelings I should definitely not be having because I don't like her at all. Or at least I thought I didn't. Man, she makes me crazy. One second I can't stand to be in the same room with her and the next… I feel like ripping her clothes off. I actually got mad at her for sleeping with another woman… I got really jealous, and I don't know why… God, Tim I wish you were here to talk to me about this… I could really use you right now."
The blonde let a tear silently fall down her cheek. Tim would have known what to say in a moment like this. She missed her older brother terribly. He was a cop as well. One of the finest in Seattle, actually. But during Arizona's first year on the force, an undercover sting Tim was working on cut his life short. Somehow they had found him out and he was shot in the line of duty. He died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
From then on, Arizona had vowed to herself and to her fallen brother that she would be the best cop she could be. The blonde tenderly kissed her own fingertips and placed her hand on the headstone before walking away.
Later that evening, after downing a couple beers, Callie was sitting on her couch in her den. Feeling the need to talk to someone, she called up one her best friends in Miami. Her mind was really messing with her after her encounter with Arizona at the gym… then the blonde's anger towards her for sleeping with Maria. Callie was actually feeling guilty for her actions. The truth was… Arizona had gotten her so worked up when they were at the gym, the brunette needed some sort of relief. She had wanted so badly to take the blonde right there on the mat and have her screaming her name. She wanted to caress every inch of that perfect body. Was Arizona really going to let her kiss her again at the gym? The thought made her head swim. The brunette had pulled away from Arizona at the last second out of fear. The fear of possibly feeling that amazing intensity she felt almost a decade ago. She could not handle it. Not now.
Her only reason for contacting Maria was for sex, and quickly. It just seemed convenient. Callie wasn't thinking when she ran into the arms of Maria. She realized now that it was a mistake.
All this confusion is why she had to talk to her pal, Mark Sloan. They were partners on the Miami Police Force until Callie needed a change of scenery. A scenery that did not remind her of Erica Hahn.
"Heeey, Torres. What's up?" A deep voice spoke on the line.
"I'm surprised you answered. We've been playing phone tag for weeks," Callie chuckled.
"I know. I was still working on that case, but it's closed now. I have more time on my hands. How's life in Seattle?"
"Mmm, good and bad."
"Define good and bad."
"Well… the city is good, my job is good, and the women I've met were really good…"
Mark let out a chuckle.
"The only bad thing is this woman," Callie said, as her fingers picked invisible lint from her couch pillow.
"Uh-oh. Do you already have chicks keying up your car, Torres?"
"No, nothing like that. It's just…all this woman seems to do is bust my balls and get on my fucking nerves. The weird thing about it is… I like it. And I hate that I like it."
"Whoa, what? Who is this chick?"
"That's another thing I've wanted to tell you. Do you remember that girl I told you about at the police academy? The one I made out with in the locker room."
"Oh, yeah. That was one of your best stories. Her name was Arkansas or something…"
"Arizona."
"Yeah, that's what I said."
Callie rolled her eyes. "Anyway… yeah, she's my partner here in Seattle."
"Partner? As in working with you on patrol partner?"
"Yep. We're serving and protecting… together."
"No way! Oh, that's awesome," he giddily replied.
"No, Mark. It is not awesome. It is the furthest thing from awesome."
"Are you kidding? Two chicks that hate each other, but totally want to bump pelvises. That's hot."
"You're so not helping. I called you to talk and for you to make me feel better."
"Alright, I'm sorry. Tell me what's up."
Callie went on to explain the rockiness of her and Arizona's relationship so far. Then talked of the their moment at the gym and the attraction she felt. Then her one-nighter with Maria and Arizona's reaction.
"And you feel bad about hooking up with this Maria chick?"
"Well, yeah."
"And why do you think that is?"
Callie sighed heavily. "Because… because Arizona was disappointed in me and…" The brunette ran a hand through her dark strands and shook her head. "I don't know…"
"Yes, you do. You care about what Arizona thinks of you," Mark explained. "You must have a thing for her, Torres."
"Me, have a thing for Arizona? No way. Never."
"Never say never. Things happen."
"Anyway… thanks for the talk Marky. I needed that."
"Anytime… whenever you can reach me that is."
Callie smiled. "Goodnight, loser."
"Goodnight," he replied with a smile.
The brunette hung up the phone and thought about her conversation with her friend. Did she have a thing for Arizona? The blonde was hot there was no doubt about that. Who was she kidding? Of course she has a thing for Arizona. She has for a long time. But how was she supposed to make up for what she did? The blonde was royally pissed at her right now. Callie climbed off her couch, turned off the lights, and shuffled to bed.
A/N: I know… BAD Callie.
