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After a long stalking session of Arizona, Callie felt she had enough information to ensure she was the right lyricist and probably the best option Callie had. A quick google search revealed a site where she wrote poetry and Callie had to admit, even though she didn't know a lot about poetry, that it was really good. Secondly she found out that Arizona often helped out at an adoption agency run by her brother. With nothing else to go on, and knowing Arizona wouldn't be coming round until a lot later, Callie found herself looking up directions to the adoption centre.
She took a deep breath as she prepared to walk inside. She didn't feel confident at all that Arizona would accept her deal, even if she was prepared to give her a good cut of the money. For Callie, the money didn't matter – she wanted to live out the rest of her days being well known and doing what she enjoyed best. Mark and Arizona on the other hand, needed the money.
Callie walked straight up to the guy in the adoption centre who she presumed to be Arizona's brother. They looked very similar, so much that Callie didn't even question herself. She removed her sunglasses and began to speak.
"Hey is Arizona here today?" she asked, looking at the brother who looked like he might pass out.
"Oh my god" he mouthed, sticking out his hand. "I'm a big fan"
Callie laughed, knowing he was a lot different from their usual fan base.
"It's nice to meet you…" Callie trailed off, hoping Tim would fill in the blanks.
"Tim. Robbins. Tim Robbins" he stuttered.
"So…Arizona?" Callie wondered, glancing around for that familiar face which she couldn't see.
"She's not in yet" Tim glanced at his watch. "Any minute now though, you should stay really"
Beth walked up to the pair and wrapped her arm around her husband's waist.
"Can we help?" She offered Callie a smile. Tim introduced them.
"Babe, this is Callie Torres, the woman Ari is working for"
Callie gave a small smile at Tim's nickname for Arizona. It was pretty cute.
"Oh woah" Beth smiled. "My husband has not shut up going on about you" she smirked, enjoying the idea of making her husband embarrassed.
"Ignore her" he smiled at Callie, trying to play it cool even though his face was beginning to resemble a tomato. "She's a little crazy"
Beth pretended to be offended and lightly slapped Tim on the chest. Callie watched the exchange between the two, how in love they were with one another. Sometimes Callie was sad, that it didn't work out with Erica or anyone she seemed to date for that matter. Mark was right, she definitely had to get herself back out there.
"So are you here for a baby Callie?" Beth asked, all serious.
"No" Callie laughed. "I love kids though; I'd just want to be in a relationship before I even thought about having any"
"That's a fair point" Beth pointed out. "Although you should definitely come here when you do, so many beautiful babies without a home" she smiled sadly.
"We're looking at adopting one ourselves" Tim added.
"Do you have kids at the moment?" Callie asked.
"Two" Beth replied. "Twins" she added.
Callie pulled a face, the same face most people pulled when Beth and Tim told them they had twins. Beth flicked her hair back and laughed.
"I get you" she responded to the look on Callie's face. "But they're older now" she told Callie as Arizona came through the door. "Here she is" she beamed at her sister in law.
"I'm sorry I'm late" Arizona apologised, initially not seeing Callie. "But where do you want me?" she finally turned to Callie, who she presumed to be a person looking into adoption. "Callie" she stared in surprise, wondering if she was indeed here to look into adoption.
"I'm not here for a baby" Callie told her, immediately answering Arizona's question. "I'm here for you"
Callie's statement made Arizona's heart pound and she wasn't entirely sure why. She knew Callie was here about yesterday although ever since seeing her wearing that tiny silk dressing gown, Arizona had struggled to get the dirty thoughts out of her mind.
"About yesterday. Right" Arizona trailed off. "I'm really sorry for that" she glared at Tim and Beth who got the hint to leave the women to it.
"I want you to write the song with me" Callie blurted out.
"But I don't write songs" Arizona shrugged, attempting to turn away from Callie. Callie grabbed her on the arm.
"Come for coffee with me and let me try to change your mind" she urged her. "Please – if your brother and sister in law don't mind"
"We don't mind" Tim called out, slipping up that he'd been eavesdropping on the conversation. "Go, have coffee with Callie" he urged his sister, giving her a little wink – the same wink he gave her when he knew she had a crush on someone. Arizona shook her head slightly at her brother, and was about to open her mouth to say no to Callie, but something about her expression made her change her mind.
"Fine" she snapped a little, grabbing her coat from the coat hanger. "One coffee"
"You sure put a lot of sugar in your coffee" Arizona commented, watching Callie pour in some decent sized spoonfuls. Callie glanced at her.
"I can't believe you have none" she shuddered thinking of coffee without any sugar.
"I'm sweet enough" Arizona said immediately without thinking of what she said. Callie smirked at her, wondering if she was trying to flirt her way through this coffee.
"I googled you" Callie told Arizona. "I wanted to know everything about my lyricist"
"I'm not a lyricist" Arizona protested, taking a sip of her coffee.
"I know that" Callie added. "But you have a degree in English, you publish poetry online – very good poetry by the way"
"Well thank you, for being the only person other than my family to read that stuff, but it doesn't mean I'd be a good lyricist"
"Why are you a cleaner?" Callie wondered out loud. "You have a degree, why wouldn't you have a job that involves English"
"I.." Arizona stammered. "I don't want to share that with you"
"Okay" Callie gave her a small smile, sensing there was a big story behind Arizona's reluctance to share.
"I'm sorry" Arizona bit her lip. "It's just I don't know you well enough to reveal that sort of personal stuff"
"Really it's fine" Callie responded, trying to give off the impression that she wasn't all that interested. She had to admit that she was intrigued, going from an English graduate to a cleaner was really something. "Arizona, can I be honest with you?"
"Sure" the blonde replied, taking another sip.
"I need you" Callie lowered her voice. "Singing and performing is like my air and I think that you could help me get back out there" she stared at Arizona. "Please" she pleaded.
Arizona studied her for a moment. She had to admit she was intrigued to see if she could do it. How hard could one song be? It was just like a poem set to a melody after all.
"Fine" Arizona told her. Callie clapped her hands with glee. "But I'm not promising any miracles"
"I'm aware of that" Callie smiled, happy she'd taken her offer. "If we get the song, you and Mark will get 40% of the profits each. I will take the remaining 20%"
"Woah" Arizona exhaled. "You're giving me double what you're getting? Callie that's crazy"
"It isn't" Callie insisted. "All I want is a chance to perform in bigger places. You and Mark are helping make that possible. You deserve more"
"Well…thanks" Arizona replied finishing the coffee. "And for the coffee too" she gestured to the empty cup. "So I'll be round at yours after my shift to clean and what write a hit song" she laughed at how ridiculous it all sounded. Callie glanced at her watch.
"We need to make a start now" she instructed. Arizona shook her head.
"I can't I'm working" she told Callie. "You saw me there" she added, as if Callie forgot the reason why she was at the adoption centre in the first place.
"I'm sure your brother won't mind" Callie told her. "I'll ask"
"It's so great that you've met my brother" Arizona added sarcastically. "Turns out he's a big fan" she muttered under her breath.
"No kidding" Callie laughed. "If we get the gig maybe he can come and hear our song being played"
"I think you are way ahead of yourself there" Arizona pointed out. "Let's go and tell Tim before I change my mind" she groaned as Callie led the way back to Arizona's other work place.
Callie and Arizona both knew that Tim would be fine with it. In fact, when Callie told him why she needed Arizona so urgently, Arizona thought he was actually going to squeal. He told Arizona what a big opportunity this was for her, especially with it using some part of her English degree. Tim was the only one so far who Arizona had told about the whole reason why she had nothing more to do with English. Maybe one day she would tell someone else too, she just hadn't figured out who that person was yet.
Luckily the walk back to Callie's house was pretty short, which Arizona was glad about. She barely knew this woman, yet already she was agreeing to do something so personal for her. Arizona began to wish she had said no. She'd been in this situation before, and that ended badly. Really badly.
Although maybe Callie would be different, after all Arizona couldn't tarnish everyone with the same brush. Looking over at her Arizona hoped that any small flutters of feelings she had wouldn't progress, although she knew it was already too late. She really was beautiful.
"We have a two-week deadline, I was thinking if you're up for it you could sleep in the spare room. Not tonight obviously, you'll have to bring clothes and what not" Callie trailed off as she searched through her bag for her keys. Arizona gulped.
"Is that really necessary?" she asked. "I don't live that far away…" she trailed off. It wasn't too far at all really, but the look on Callie's face said she needed Arizona pretty much whenever she wanted. "Fine" she crossed her arms as a look of glee came across Callie's face.
"You're the best" she smiled, kissing Arizona on the cheek. Arizona blushed at the skin on skin contact.
"Let's…just get on with it" she muttered, barging past Callie and into the living room.