Disclaimer: I own none of these characters; all belong to Shonda Rhimes. Any resemblance to the show is simply borrowed.
A/N: Alright, going back to past tense because I realized the entire story is told that way. Sorry for the change in the last chapter. Also, I realized Callie lives in her house according to earlier in my story...not an apartment. I went back and changed that little bit. Okay, enough of me. Enjoy! (:
Chapter 11:
A week. It had been a week since Callie and Arizona last saw each other. A week since Callie asked Arizona on their second date. Sure, they had seen each other at the hospital, which contained of 5 minute lunches, stolen glances, and sort conversations. Between Callie's work schedule and the kids and Arizona's schedule, there just hadn't been as much time lately, which was understandable. But God, they missed each other. They called and texted each other whenever they could, whenever they had a rare, precious moment to themselves.
It was 8:00 at night and Arizona finally had a break in between surgeries, so she of course immediately rushed to the phone to call Callie. She impatiently tapped her fingers on the counter as she waited for Callie to pick up.
"Hello?" A groggy voice croaked on the other end.
"Hi, Calliope," Arizona said with a smile.
"Oh, Arizona..." Callie breathed out, also with a smile. It was a relief to hear her voice. She could almost hear Arizona's smile on the other end.
"Did I wake you? Oh my gosh, I woke you, I'm so sorry," Arizona said hurriedly.
"No, no you're fine," Callie whispered detaching herself from the twins asleep in her arms, "I just fell asleep putting the twins to bed." She tip-toed out of their room into the hallway where she could talk at a normal volume. "Okay...hey."
"Hi," Arizona responded toothily.
Callie kicked her shoes on the ground lightly while she smiled sheepishly and asked, "Soo are you getting off work anytime soon?"
"That's actually one reason why I called..." Arizona trailed off, picking at nothing on the counter top.
"No..." Callie groaned cutting her off and stomping her foot like a child, "Not again."
"I know..." Arizona trailed off with a sigh, "I have another surgery and I'm not going to get out of here til much later now."
Callie made her way down the stairs to sit on the couch. "We're never going to have a second date are we?" Callie grumbled.
"Hey! None of that, of course we will," Arizona said nodding.
"Ughh...it's just," Callie sighed, "It's the beginning of our relationship. We're supposed to not see each other for a day, but secretly wish we were together the whole time, then one of us would call anxiously but try to play it off like it's no big deal, and we'd see each other anyways..."
Arizona put her hand on her chin and smiled as she listened to Callie rambling on the other end.
"And then we'd see each other everyday for the rest of the week, pretending like it just happened that way even though we secretly had been hoping and planning for it, and we'd kiss way too much, worry about what the other thinks, look at each other all dopey-eyed and annoy the crap out of everyone else around us," Callie let out a long sigh.
"Calliope?"
"Yeah?"
"I miss you too."
A smile slowly spread across Callie's face. "See and you say it in such simpler terms."
"I kinda like your version better," Arizona said chuckling.
"You should just quit," Callie said stretching out on the couch.
"Callie!" Arizona laughed.
"Okay, okay, I'll quit," Callie said smirking.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but nobody is quitting," Arizona said making her way towards the OR.
"What time are you done?" Callie asked suddenly sitting up.
"Uhh...I don't know. Late. Like 2. Why?"
"We'll have our date then," Callie said with a definitive nod.
"What?"
"Yeah, we'll have it then. You'll go home, I'll pick you up..."
"Calliope, you need sleep. I can't expect you to just-"
"Screw sleep!" Callie practically yelled into the phone.
Arizona giggled.
"I mean..." Callie said trying to cover it up, "I can sleep tomorrow."
"Calliope Torres, I'm not going to be held responsible for you falling asleep in the OR tomorrow," Arizona said, finding it harder and harder to resist the woman.
"I won't! I sleep enough," Callie said waving her off, "I just...I want to see you..." Her voice grew quieter at the end.
"I want to see you too," Arizona sighed, "You have no idea..."
"Okay! Then we are going on our date in the middle of the night," Callie said excitedly, "Unless you want to sleep...oh I didn't even consider that. If you want to sleep we can just-"
"Oh, no," Arizona said scoffing, "Arizona can go all day, all night, baby."
"Did you just refer to yourself in the 3rd person?" Callie said smirking.
"Shutup."
"You better be ready for this date. I've had a whole week to plan it."
"Oh, I'm ready. I'm just not sure this date will be able to compete with our first one," Arizona said as she began to change for surgery.
"Oh, our first date was unbeatable. I mean, it was the first date. But this second date...it's gonna be the best second date you've ever been on, baby," Callie said cockily.
"I don't doubt that," Arizona said chuckling, then looked at her watch, "Okay, Calliope, I have to go. But I'll see you in a few hours?"
"Yeah, you will. Okay, go save a life."
"Bye," Arizona practically whispered.
"Bye," Callie said with a sigh and hung up the phone. She did a little dance out of excitement before she burst right back up the stairs to sleep for an hour before she got ready for the best second date of her life...
Callie smoothed her hands over her jeans and deep blue top before she took a deep breath and knocked on Arizona's door.
"It's open!" She heard Arizona call from inside.
Callie turned the handle and tentatively stepped in saying, "Arizona?"
"Hang on!" Arizona called from deeper in the apartment, "I just can't get this stupid shoe..."
Callie set her purse down as she waited. Arizona shortly appeared at her door frame and leaned against it slightly in her jeans and light grey top, just reveling in the beautiful Latina surveying her home.
She couldn't handle just standing there much longer, though. "Calliope!" She said excitedly running the short distance to leap into Callie's awaiting arms, instinctively wrapping her legs around Callie's waist and taking her face in her hands to kiss her fervently. Callie's hands found the small of Arizona's back, gripping at the exposed skin they found there. They couldn't get close enough to each other as their tongues danced in perfect unison. As they released, Callie placed her forehead against Arizona's as she slowly let her down, never breaking eye contact. She broke away from Arizona, turning around.
"Hey, where are you going?" Arizona quickly asked, her hands falling off Callie's shoulders.
"Back outside so when I come in we can do that again," Callie said lightly over her shoulder.
Arizona laughed and gripped the lapel of Callie's jacket so she couldn't escape and tugged her roughly into her own body so that their lips were a mere centimeter apart. "You're such a dork," she whispered.
"What? It was just so ridiculously hot," Callie muttered before reclaiming Arizona's lips with her own.
Arizona hummed into the kiss until they reluctantly released. "Soo, where are we going?"
"Nice try," Callie said smirking, "You wouldn't tell me, so I'm not telling you."
"Can I just have one hint?" Arizona asked pulling out the puppy dog eyes.
Callie shook her head. "Nuh-uh. And your cute little eye thing isn't going to work on me this time," she said chuckling.
"Fine," Arizona muttered, "Let me grab my purse real quick."
They walked hand in hand until they reached the car, and once inside, Callie pulled out a bandana.
"Um, what is that?" Arizona asked slightly chuckling.
"What's it look like? I'm blindfolding you," Callie said excitedly.
"Noo..." Arizona groaned.
"Come on, turn around."
Arizona reluctantly turned around as Callie covered her eyes with the bandana.
"Is this really necessary?" Arizona muttered.
"Yes," Callie whispered against her ear, sending goosebumps throughout Arizona's body.
Callie held onto Arizona's hand as she drove and Arizona muttered directions under her breath, attempting to figure out where they were going.
"You figure out where we're going yet, Dora?" Callie asked smirking.
"Dora? As in Dora the Explorer? Seriously?" Arizona said laughing.
"Hey," Callie whined with a pout, "My kids are in the Dora the Explorer phase. It's the best reference I could come up with on the spot."
"Well, just call me the Map because I totally know where we are," Arizona said with a smirk.
Callie took a few turns and went the long way to throw Arizona off.
"Are you driving in circles right now?" Arizona asked accusingly.
"No..." Callie said unconvincingly, "Just give it up, Battleship."
"Arizona Robbins never gives up."
"Yeah, yeah, well we're here," Callie said putting the car in park and running around to get Arizona. Callie opened her door and gently grabbed Arizona's hands.
"Seriously, Calliope, is this blindfold coming off anytime soon?" Arizona asked allowing herself to be dragged.
Callie stepped toward her so that she was a breath away from Arizona's lips. "Patience," she whispered, repeating Arizona's statement from their first date.
They were at the hospital. At their spot. Callie sat Arizona down on the bench overlooking the city while she set up a blanket and grabbed the picnic basket out from the car. She lit a few candles around, and looked back up to find a pouting Arizona sitting on the bench.
She slowly made her way over to Arizona, who was muttering nonsensical words under her breath. Callie stopped a mere inch away from her and bent down to her level. Arizona had no idea she was crouching there, and Callie felt a smile form at the complete innocence and pure adorableness that was Arizona.
Callie couldn't resist as she leaned in and kissed Arizona with a passion she'd never known until she met this woman. It took Arizona by surprise at first, but once her brain caught up, she responded back to the passionate kiss, still allowing Callie to hold the power, considering their positions.
They slowly released. "What uh-what was that?" Arizona breathed out.
Callie cupped her face and rubbed her cheek gently. "You're just so beautiful...I couldn't resist," Callie whispered back.
Arizona felt a smile forming on her own mouth as a blush rose, but she still had this stupid bandana on. "Callie, are you planning on taking this thing off me tonight?"
Callie chuckled and slid the bandana off Arizona's forehead. Arizona's eyes went wide as she realized where they were and took in the scene in front of her. The light glow created by the candles, the picnic basket, the city lights in the distance, Callie's smile...it was perfect.
Arizona opened her mouth a few times to speak, but no words came out.
Callie giggled and tugged at Arizona's hand. "C'mon," she murmured pulling Arizona toward the blanket. They sat down next to each other, looking out at the city and leaning back on their elbows.
"Still pretty quiet over there, Battleship," Callie said glancing sideways after a moment.
"It's just-I'm just..." Arizona trailed off then turned her head to meet Callie's eyes, "It's perfect. You're perfect. I can't even..."
A smile lit up on Callie's face as Arizona sighed at her own loss of words. She conveyed her feelings in the only way she knew how as she grabbed Callie's face with both her hands and pulled her in to kiss her ardently. Callie whimpered at the sudden contact; the aggressive way Arizona lunged at her compared to the soft, loving, yet passion-filled way her lips moved against hers made her go weak at the knees.
"So uh, I guess I did good?" Callie questioned still catching her breath.
Arizona smiled as her eyes grew watery. "Best second date ever."
Callie smiled as they fell into a comfortable silence and ate the pasta Callie prepared.
"You said you come here when you're sad?" Callie questioned.
"Yeah, or need to clear my head, whatever," Arizona said shrugging.
"You came that day...the day I found out about Owen cheating on me...you came and I didn't even ask you why," Callie murmured.
"That's okay, Calliope, you had something huge happening," Arizona said earnestly.
"No, no it's not okay. What was wrong Arizona? I should have asked then, but I'm asking now," Callie said turning to face her. They were sitting Indian style facing one another.
"Calliope, it's really nothing, it's fine," Arizona said trying to brush over it.
"No, I want to know," Callie said pushing, "Unless...you don't feel comfortable telling me."
"No, it's nothing like that," Arizona said putting her food down and taking a breath, "I wasn't sad. I just wanted to clear my head...I was confused. It was the week you were avoiding me and-and I didn't know why. I thought it was something I had done."
Callie looked at Arizona with a sadness that portrayed realization and understanding.
"And..." Arizona continued, "I was afraid. That I had done something stupid that could have affected our friendship. I didn't want to lose that. I couldn't lose that."
Callie swallowed and whispered, "I'm sorry. I didn't-I didn't think."
"It's okay," Arizona whispered back.
"No it's not!" Callie said raising her voice, obviously at herself. She brought her tone back down though and continued, "I was so caught up with myself and worrying about my stupid feelings I didn't even consider..." Her voice trailed off and she sighed, "I didn't realize that I...mattered to you that much, even then."
"I needed you in my life the moment you walked in," Arizona breathed out, "And it's really okay. Okay? I get it. You needed that space. And I'm glad you were able to work through your feelings otherwise we might not be where we are today...and I really like where we are today," she finished with a smile.
Callie half-smiled and let Arizona continue.
"So, enough of this. Because it's long forgotten and forgiven, and I'd say we're pretty darn good about telling each other what's on our minds by now," Arizona said chuckling.
"Like how ridiculously hot I think you look tonight?" Callie chuckled, "Well, every night, really..." She trailed off as her eyes raked up and down the length of Arizona's body.
"Sweet talker," Arizona said smirking and kissing Callie lightly, "Oh! I have an idea!"
Callie chuckled at Arizona's sudden mood change, "Okay, what's that?"
Arizona grabbed the bandana off the blanket and started to tie it around Callie's eyes.
"Hey! What's this for?" Callie asked laughing.
"You got to blindfold me," Arizona said finishing the tie and whispered, "so now it's my turn."
"Okay," Callie said going along with it, "And what exactly are we going to do?"
Arizona dug through the basket to the section with all the candy Callie had packed and pulled out the skittles. "You're going to guess the color of the skittle I put in your mouth!" she said excitedly.
Callie chuckled. "Okay, fine."
"You could sound more excited about it," Arizona said scoffing.
"I'll be more excited when this blindfold comes off," Callie laughed.
"Now you know how it feels," Arizona said nodding even though Callie couldn't see her, "Okay, first skittle." She put one in Callie's mouth gently and let Callie chew and mull over it.
"Yellow. Definitely yellow," Callie said nodding.
"Well, that one was easy," Arizona said rolling her eyes as she gently put another one in.
Before she could get her hand away Callie clasped her mouth over Arizona's pointer finger and grasped her wrist to hold it there as she slid the skittle off and gently played with the digit using her tongue and teeth, reveling in the soft feel of Arizona's skin and her unique, sweet taste.
Arizona gulped. Maybe this was a bad idea.
Callie slowly released the digit and hummed in satisfaction, "Green."
Arizona swallowed and rasped out, "Yes, that was green..."
Callie chuckled as she felt Arizona quickly put in another skittle, barely making contact with her this time. She knew what she was doing to the poor girl.
"Purple," Callie said nodding. She got no response. "Arizona?"
Suddenly hands were around her neck and lips attacked her own. Arizona immediately pushed her tongue into Callie's awaiting mouth and reveled in the taste of skittles with a mixture of something else entirely that was distinctly Callie. She gently released and rasped out, "Yep, definitely purple..." Her breasts were heaving up and down just below Callie's face.
Callie slowly slid the bandana off. Arizona could see they were shades darker than before the bandana was put on, and she quickly reclaimed Callie's lips, pushing her onto her back. Their bodies quickly molded together as one as their lips moved against each others. Callie's hands automatically wrapped around Arizona, pulling her closer. Her hands gently lifted the grey shirt up as she rubbed Arizona's sides up and down until they found the small of her back. Arizona's hands were in a similar position as one hand kneaded at the flesh of Callie's hip and the other gripped at her neck and cheek. Arizona gasped into Callie's mouth as Callie's hand found its way under her jeans and squeezed at the bare flesh. Arizona's hand slowly made it's way up and dipped into Callie's shirt from above, and that same hand cupped a breast-filled bra, teasing the flesh there. Callie moaned into Arizona's mouth at the feeling of Arizona's hands all over her. She felt dizzy. Arizona released Callie's lips only to kiss her way down Callie's jawline, nibbling and licking the caramel skin until she reached her neck.
"Arizona," Callie gasped, "Remind me why we're taking it slow again?"
"I don't know," Arizona mumbled against Callie's skin.
"Me neither," Callie moaned as her other hand found its way into Arizona's jeans, pulling her ass roughly against her body.
"Something about...respectability and being ready," Arizona muttered before reclaiming Callie's lips with her own.
"Dumb reasons," Callie mumbled into her mouth.
Arizona hummed. Her entire body was on fire and alive at Callie's touch. Somehow, her brain caught up with what they were doing and it took all her willpower to pull away gently. She cupped Callie's cheek. Calliope was truly beautiful. She scanned the caramel skin accented by the light glow of the candles and the black hair splayed out on the blanket, the rise and fall of Callie's chest, her swollen lips...everything was beautiful. "They're not dumb reasons though," Arizona whispered regretfully.
"I know," Callie said wiping blonde hair away from her face and cupping a fair cheek, "It's just hard to remember those reasons sometimes," she said sighing.
"I know, I know," Arizona murmured rolling off Callie. They both groaned at the loss of contact. Arizona continued, "I just have the hardest time controlling myself around you, especially when you go and, you know, breathe."
Callie laughed at this and pulled Arizona's body close to her, kissing the crown of her head and playing withe the blonde locks. "It will be worth the wait," she murmured.
"Yes, it will," Arizona hummed in agreement tossing one leg over Callie's and hugging her body closer.
They lied in that position for a while, and Arizona sighed contently.
"What?" Callie whispered.
"Nothing, I'm just...so happy. Are you?" Arizona asked looking up at Callie.
"Of course," she said pecking Arizona lightly, "but that sigh seemed a little sad."
"No, it's just..." Arizona trailed off, "This moment. It's one of those moments that are so perfect and wonderful, and you know you'll never forget it. You're just so unbelievably happy that you feel like you'll never be this happy ever again and the happiness is just...overwhelming. I know that doesn't make much sense." She leaned up slightly so that she was looking down at Callie.
Callie smiled and played withe blonde locks cascading around Arizona. "No, it doesn't...but it does to me."
Arizona smiled and leaned down to kiss Callie softly.
"If we're being respectable and all, I should probably get you home," Callie commented.
Arizona groaned and hugged Callie closer. "I don't wanna."
Callie chuckled and said, "I know, me neither. But it is 4:30 in the morning."
"Already?" Arizona asked incredulously, "That went too fast."
"Agreed."
"Alright," Arizona grunted attempting to get up and held a hand out for Callie, "I guess I'll let you take me home."
They walked hand in hand quietly to Arizona's apartment, both smiling and basking in their happiness.
"Thank you for tonight, Calliope," Arizona said as they turned to face each other.
"Anything for you," Callie murmured rubbing her thumbs over Arizona's hands.
They both leaned in to kiss each other softly, unhurriedly, and passionately. "Come inside," Arizona breathed against Callie's lips.
"But I thought you said-"
"I know what I said," Arizona said cutting her off, "But...it's late. You shouldn't drive. I'm closer to the hospital anyway, Owen's at the house watching the kids, and I haven't seen you in a week and I'm not ready to say goodbye yet..." Arizona pouted.
"You sure?" Callie asked searching Arizona's eyes.
Arizona nodded and whispered, "Absolutely. Please?"
"Honey, you don't have to ask me twice," Callie said smiling. Arizona's smile grew as she fumbled around for her keys and they entered the apartment.
"I'll just get you a change of clothes real quick," Arizona said as they walked into her bedroom. Callie glanced around and gulped. They were treading dangerous waters just by being in a room with a bed. Arizona tossed her pajamas.
"I'll just...change out there," Callie said pointing over her shoulder awkwardly.
"You don't have to," Arizona said innocently gripping at the bottom of her shirt.
"No, no, I think I do," Callie said quickly turning and walking out of the room away from a smirking Arizona.
Once Arizona changed into her plaid shorts and cami, she made her way to the doorway and blatantly stared at Callie. She loved the sight of Callie in her own shorts and T-shirt. She had to bite her lip to stifle a moan. Callie looked up and gulped at the look Arizona was giving her. She tugged nervously on the T-shirt and said, "Um, I guess I'll just...sleep on the couch."
Arizona grinned at Callie's nervousness and walked away from the door frame toward her saying, "You will do no such thing."
"But, I just-I thought-"
Arizona put one finger over Callie's lips, silencing her and whispered, "I just want you to hold me tonight."
A smile slowly spread across Callie's face as she whispered back, "Okay."
Arizona interlocked their hands and tugged Callie toward the bedroom. They slid under the covered and faced each other, intertwining their bodies. They just laid there looking at each other for a long time, listening to each other's breathing, and taking note of every detail of each other's faces.
Callie felt her heart swell looking at this woman. Those three words were on the tip of her tongue, just begging to be released. "Arizona?"
"Hm?"
But it was too soon. Callie knew it was too soon to be saying those three words, no matter how much she felt them. She held her tongue and answered, "Goodnight."
Arizona smiled and replied softly, "Goodnight, Calliope." She knew that wasn't what Callie was going to say, but she didn't push it. She had a vague idea of what Callie wanted to say, because Arizona felt it too. But she couldn't be certain. And she was content to just be in this moment and fall into a peaceful slumber with the girl she secretly loved in her arms.
Also, creds to the author of For Love and Softball because that's where I got the "Battleship" name idea from. Too good to not use. Hope you all enjoyed. Let me know what you think! It's all bliss right now, and of course there will be some drama later, but I just love writing the happy stuff for these two (: