AN: I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm SORRY! I know it's been MONTHS, but in my defence, life's been SUPER HECTIC. I got a new job, trained down in London for nearly a month, passed my driving test, got a car, moved house, started my new job...and then my bestie from the US was visiting for 3weeks. Finally I've had the chance to sit down and actually write and plan and it feels SO good!
I do hope you can all forgive me. And I completely understand if you want to re-read the previous chapter again before embarking on this one. Tiny bit of a time-jump!
Anyway, I do hope you enjoy x
Previously:
"That's because you're awesome." Arizona beamed, following Callie to the couch and opening the pizza box, savoring the scrumptious smell before taking a large bite out of her first piece.
Callie chuckled.
"Because I saved a man's leg or because I brought pizza?"
Arizona swallowed, her expression serious.
"Definitely because you brought pizza."
Chapter 15
"Good afternoon, Miss Robbins, this is Susan from Élcat head office in LA, I'm calling reference your recent annual check. If you could return my call at your soonest convenience it would be greatly appreciated. Have a nice day."
Arizona shut her voicemail off, glancing at her girlfriend of three months. Callie's grin faltered as she realized how freaked out Arizona was about this.
"Oh come on, you know you passed it, they told you that straight after."
"Yeah, but then why the hell are they calling me?"
"Probably because you're awesome." Callie surmised, taking Arizona's feet into her lap as they cuddled on the couch in Callie's apartment. Strong, sure hands began to kneed tired tendons and Arizona moaned in relief.
"God you're good at that."
"I'm good at a lot of things." Callie smirked, leaning to steal a kiss from her girlfriend's smiling lips.
"Just call them back. It's been a whole day, it's not like they don't know your schedule; they know you're not flying so they'll be expecting a call back soon."
Arizona pouted.
"I'll do it tomorrow. Let's not wreck our night with bad news."
Callie pinched one of Arizona's toes.
"It won't be bad news, moron."
Arizona waited until Callie was in the shower the following morning before making the call to Éclat. As fabulous and supportive as her girlfriend was, Arizona didn't trust her own reaction if the news was bad.
She sat at the breakfast bar; her fingers nervously drumming against the countertop as she dialed the familiar number with her other hand. She waited a few moments before being connected.
"Good morning, Éclat Airways, Susan speaking, how may I help you?"
"Hi, good morning, it's Arizona Robbins, I was asked to call about the results of my annual check." The blonde breathed, hopeful that the fear that she was feeling wasn't evident in her voice.
"Hi Arizona, we just wanted to give you some more feedback from your Assessor. She not only completed your check as required, she also submitted quite a detailed report about your management abilities."
Arizona was sure she could feel her blood run cold as Susan continued to talk. She recalled the two new flight attendants she'd had to manage that day, and worried instantly that she'd done or said something to hurt or offend them.
"Oh…she did?"
"She did. She was very impressed with every aspect of your day; she said that your pre-flight brief was perfect and that you involved your two new colleagues well, and that can't have been easy, considering that there was more than one. She also commended how you dealt with the crewmember that didn't feel well. All in all, her feedback was glowing." Susan explained.
"Wow, really?" Arizona was trying to absorb everything she had just been told, whilst still trying not too sound too shocked.
"Yes, really. In fact, we'd like to invite you to our Annual Éclat Award night, and honor your ongoing and outstanding service to our company. We'll work it into your roster, obviously, and cover your flights to LA and the hotel, if you would be interested in joining us."
Arizona grinned, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Yes, yes of course I would. Thank you."
"Do you have a significant other you would like to bring with you?"
"Wow, um ideally yes, but my girlfriend is a surgeon so her schedule isn't her own. I'd have to speak to her, is that ok?"
"That's perfectly fine, we'll arrange the flights and the hotel and email you all of the details. Have a nice day."
"Thank you, you too." Arizona set her phone on the counter as she ran a hand through her hair. She quickly pocketed her phone and headed into the bedroom as she heard Callie come out of the bathroom.
"Hey pretty lady, I was expecting some company." Callie pouted, unwrapping the towel from around her hair.
"Sorry, I made that call." Arizona smiled.
"And? You're awesome, right?"
Arizona nodded, grinning as she explained the content of the call to Callie.
"And you're invited too. Please come, please!"
"When is it?" Callie asked.
"I'm not sure yet, I'm still waiting on the email confirmation." Arizona explained.
"But you'll talk to Webber?"
"As soon as I know, yes. I'm so proud of you, baby." Callie grinned, dropping her towel and joining Arizona on the bed.
"And I intend on showing you how proud."
Callie paced nervously outside Webber's office, working up the courage to ask him for a few days off to go to LA with Arizona. She berated herself silently; before the merger she'd have been able to ask him without an issue. Even whilst dancing in her underwear in the hotel basement. Now it felt like everyone's moves were being watched. Two further residents had been let go in the space of a few days, and as a new attending, Callie did not want to be next.
She glanced through the glass doors to where Mark was waiting; a supporting cup of coffee waiting for Callie once she'd finished her task. The thought of a caffeine fix spurred her on as she stopped pacing, and knocked on the door to Webber's office.
"Come in."
Callie opened the door, peeking her head through.
"Is this a bad time?"
Webber smiled, placing his pen down on the table.
"Not at all, Torres. Come in. How can I help you?"
Callie smiled, wringing her hands nervously as she closed the door behind her.
"I was wondering if I could have a few days off. I know things are still so busy since the merger so if you can't spare me I completely understand…"
Webber chuckled.
"Torres, how many days off have you taken in the last two months?"
"Uh…" Callie frowned. She hadn't thought she'd taken that many.
"If you have to think about it you've not taken enough. Of course you can take some time off." Webber smiled.
"Seriously?"
"Of course. Any special occasion?"
Callie smiled, thinking immediately of Arizona.
"My girlfriend is getting an award for work in LA, and I've been invited to come with her."
"Wonderful. Let your hair down and have some fun, Torres."
Arizona was buzzing as she strolled through the doors of the hospital nearly two weeks later. She was collecting Callie for their weekend in LA and she couldn't be more excited. As she walked through the lobby, she spied a familiar face.
"Hey, blondie." Mark smirked.
"Do you really need to call me that?" Arizona raised her brows, following Mark to the lobby's seating area.
"Eh, it's catchy." He smiled.
"Callie got pulled into surgery and asked me to come meet you. She shouldn't be too long though."
"It's fine, we've got plenty of time to get our flight." Arizona shrugged.
"By the way, how are things going with Lexie?" The blonde was anxious to know if her matchmaking skills were still serving her well. The shy smile that crept onto Mark's face told her all she needed to know.
"They're going. Sort of. It's so hard with our schedules, but you know that already."
"Sure do." Arizona nodded.
"But I really like her, so I'm hoping we can work it out."
"I hope you can too." Arizona nodded.
"I'm also hoping things slow down around here soon, then maybe I can actually see my girlfriend once in a while." She joked.
Mark shook his head.
"I'm not sure when that'll happen, but I keep telling Callie to relax. She's not going anywhere, everyone loves her."
Mark's declaration made Arizona feel even prouder of her kick-ass surgeon girlfriend.
"Really? I mean I think she's awesome, but I don't know many other surgeons to rate her against, so I'm probably not the best judge."
"Well, she's not as amazing as I am, yet." Mark chuckled.
"But she will be soon, and I've been doing this a lot longer. I see the way Webber watches her in surgery and the way he and the others trust her with patients. She's the one to watch, mark my words."
Arizona grinned, spotting Callie in her civilian clothes at the other end of the hall.
"Good to know. There's our girl."
Mark smiled.
"Your girl. Have fun this weekend, ok?" he winked, ruffling Arizona's hair before walking away, throwing another wink in Callie's direction.
Callie rolled her eyes as she reached her girlfriend; kissing her adorably pouted lips and fixing a few strands of her hair.
"Was he talking crap to you? I'm sorry."
Arizona shook her head, leaning in for another quick kiss.
"Oh no, he's full of truth and wisdom, Calliope."
Callie chuckled.
"He's full of shit too. I'm sorry I'm late, I was piecing together a shattered tibia."
Arizona took her girlfriend's hand as they made their way out of the hospital.
"That's a very good reason to be late, sweetie. Did you eat yet?"
"Are you kidding?" Callie chuckled, tossing her bag into the trunk of Arizona's Fiat.
The blonde pouted.
"We'll pick up something before we get on the plane."
"How long is this flight?" Callie asked as they took their seats on the plane.
"Just over two hours." Arizona replied, stowing their bags into the overhead lockers.
"Arizona?"
The blonde turned, noticing Meredith.
"What are you doing here? Are you going to that award thing?"
Arizona nodded.
"Yeah. This is my girlfriend, Callie, by the way. Callie, this is Lexie's sister, Meredith."
"It's nice to meet you."
Meredith returned the sentiment.
"If you guys need anything just let me know."
She returned to the galley as Arizona took her seat.
"I didn't know Lexie had a sister."
"Half sister." The blonde explained. "I don't know the entire story yet though. I'll get it out of them one day."
Callie grinned.
"I'm just glad Lexie and Mark are hitting it off."
"Me too." Arizona smiled, impatiently tapping her foot on the floor.
"I'm bored already and we've not even moved."
Callie chuckled.
"Are you one of those flight attendants who can't sit still when they travel as a passenger?"
"Yes! Especially with my own airline. It's so difficult to just tune out the announcements and call bells."
The surgeon shook her head, taking a pale hand in her own.
"I'm sure I can distract you."
Arizona grinned, pecking Callie's lips.
"Promise?"
"Promise. As long as you distract me during take-off." Callie admitted.
This gained her an incredulous look from the flight attendant.
"You're not scared of take-off, are you?"
"I'm not scared, I just don't understand the science of how tons of metal gets off the ground. Once it's off the ground I'm fine."
Arizona giggled, threading her fingers through Callie's.
"Ok, I'll distract you." She promised, sealing the declaration with a kiss.
reviews are much appreciated :)