AN: Hey, ladies. No excuses. Just your next chapter. Thanks for hangin' in there.

555-1637

I stared at the numbers scrawled in blue ink. After she moved in, Callie had written her number on a post it and put it on my fridge. She even drew a heart over the 'i' to annoy me. A full two weeks had passed since I spoke with her, and the unthinkable option of calling her was starting to look very attractive. Those numbers taunted me as I leaned back against the counter and sipped my iced tea.

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All I had to do was push those numbers on my phone and I could talk to her. But, even as I thought that thought, I had no idea what I would say to her if I did. Anything I came up with sounded ridiculous and inadequate. I wanted to tell her that I missed her. I wanted to tell her that I wanted her to come back. I wanted to tell her that I wanted to kiss her again. But, I had no idea how I was supposed to tell her those things. I sent her away in the most heartless way possible. She probably thought I hated her and had no interest in seeing her again. And, worse, probably had no interest in seeing me again.

Sighing and rolling my eyes at myself, I set my cup in the sink. As I ran my fingers through my hair, someone knocked on my door. Ever since Callie had left, every time someone knocked on my door, my stomach fluttered, a tiny flicker of hope that Callie stood on the other side. I hobbled toward the door. With physical therapy and Heather's help, I had finally been able to walk on my prothesis. It was slow going and uncomfortable, but I was doing it. When I first took a step, my heart soaring with accomplishment, I immediately looked up for Callie's dazzling smile, but it wasn't there. That moment managed to startle me, piss me off, and make me sad all at once. I was looking for her in my happy moments as well as my lonely ones. I hated that. I hated wanting her.

Finally reaching the door, I yanked it open, holding my breath as I revealed my visitor. I couldn't help my heart dropping a bit as I took in the dark blonde hair behind my door, "Hey, Teddy."

"You could at least sound a little excited to see me." Teddy huffed as she entered.

Smiling, I shut the door behind her, "I'm sorry, I am happy to see you."

"You were just hoping I was someone else?" Teddy almost mumbled, as if she wasn't fully committed to the comment.

Shooting her a warning glance, "Don't start."

Conceding for the moment, she watched as I led her into the living room, "Check you out walking around. I'm amazed at how well you're doing with your prothesis."

I grunted as I slumped onto the recliner, "I'm doing ok, but it still hurts like a bitch."

"Yeah, unfortunately, that's normal." Teddy nodded as she stretched on the couch.

"Well, I hate normal." I muttered as I gingerly massaged my thigh above the leg.

"Clearly. So, you're going back to work in a few days, right?"

Sucking in a breath, I nodded, "Yep. Nothing too exciting, just paperwork and consults, but I'm so ready to be back in a hospital...I think."

"You think?" Teddy questioned curiously.

Taking a moment to try and formulate what I meant, I finally answered, "Yeah, I mean, I want to work again. But, every single thing in my life has changed since the crash. By that logic, I have to expect that surgery won't be the same, either. Somehow operating and helping tiny humans will be different now...and the thought that that change might be bad, breaks my heart and fills me with un-tameable anxiety." I sighed loudly at my latest addition to my 'woe is me' spiel.

"Wow, that was dramatic..." Teddy sighed. When I shot her a shocked look, she laughed, "I'm kidding. And, you're right. It will probably be different, but I am certain you can handle it with grace and charm...or, you'll just handle it." Teddy laughed again at my disgruntled expression. "Seriously, Arizona, I have every confidence that you can get through this. And, I'm sorry that this has made you doubt surgery. But, try not to worry too much about it until you go back and see what happens."

"Yeah, yeah, easy peasy." In the few moments of silence that passed, my eyes drifted toward the fridge.

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"Have you heard from her?" Teddy's voice broke the quiet in a manner that coaxed me not to fight her inquiry.

"Uh, no. No, I haven't." I said in nearly a whisper. "Have you?" I hated how hopeful my voice came out.

"Um, yeah, actually, I've talked to her a few times." Teddy answered, shifting to an upright position.

I waited several seconds for her to continue, when she didn't, I cleared my throat and tried to sound casual, "Oh, yeah? What'd she say? I mean, how is she?"

Teddy studied my face closely, making me uncomfortable. "Not much." After I clenched my jaw in frustration and disappointment, she added, "Are you ever going to tell me what happened with you two? I've known you both for a while and I know there's more to the story than 'it just didn't work out'".

"What makes you think there's some huge scandal or something?" I snapped in a last ditch effort to not disclose that particular story.

"Because you've had this wounded puppy look since she left and she's been all sullen and determined. You're both just...off. I figure the only thing that could make that happen was something big." Teddy stated confidently.

Getting distracted for a moment, I asked, "Determined? What'd you mean?" For some reason, that word seemed important, like it meant something.

Teddy shook her head, "That's her business. Tell me, Arizona."

I rubbed the back of my neck. I knew I could hold out on her, I'm pretty damn stubborn. However, part of me really just needed to talk it out. "The day I got my prothesis..." I started, but paused trying to mentally recreate what had happened that day. Teddy came over and sat on the arm of my chair, placing her hand on my back. "When we got home, we started fighting about...whatever the hell we fight about...she said something about staying here for the wrong reasons. I asked her what those reasons were. And she...she kissed me." Teddy's hand stilled from softly rubbing my back, but she didn't speak yet. "And...I'm not talking about a sweet, little kiss...but, like a super intense, life changing kiss... it was too much-too soon, so I kicked her out...and, she-she left."

"Wow." That was her whole response.

Resting my face in my palms with my elbows propped on my knees, I mumbled, "That's all you have to say?"

"Are you in love with her?" Teddy promptly asked.

Looking up, I replied, "No."

"But, you like her."

That one wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "I don't know...maybe. There's just so much going on, I can't quite work out what I'm feeling or what I want..."

She slid down to squish next to me on the plush chair, putting her arm around my shoulders, "Ok. Well, let's break it down a little."

"What do you mean?" I asked as I laid my head on her shoulder, soaking up the comfort she offered.

"We're going to work on one thing at a time and try to sort out what you want..." She paused for a minute, then asked, "So, first...Do you miss her?"

"Yes."

"Ok, good. Do you feel that she helped you?"

"Yes."

"Did you kiss her back?"

Glancing at her face for a second, I answered, "Yeah."

"Did you like kissing her?"

I groaned, "Come on, Teddy..."

"Hey, I'm being an awesome friend and helping you figure out how you feel, take it or leave it." Teddy squeezed my arm briefly.

"Fine..." I rolled my eyes, and sighed, "Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, I liked kissing her, you perv." I grumbled.

Teddy chuckled lightly, "Do you...want to kiss her again?"

I took a few seconds to consider that question, but I didn't really need the time, "Yeah, I do...But, I can't tell how I really feel...I mean, maybe I'm just projecting or confusing things with my recovery and everything. I-"

"Wait, wait, stop there. We're doing baby steps, remember? We sorted out that you miss her, liked kissing her, and would like the opportunity to try it again. Correct?" Teddy pushed me back to look into my face.

"Uh, yeah. I think that's where we're at." I unconsciously rubbed my left thigh.

"Ok, then let's form a plan of action around that." Teddy stated as if it were not a big deal. "And, I think I have the perfect plan."

"And, what would that be?" I asked, finding myself more interested than I expected.

"Call her."

I rolled my eyes and shoved her shoulder, "Well, geez, you're a genius. I never even thought about that."

Teddy shrugged, "I assumed you had thought about it, but I also assumed you were not going to do it. Am I wrong?"

"No, you're not wrong...Of course, I'm not going to call her..what in the world would I say to her?" I asked, dejectedly.

"Oh, I have no freakin' clue, but I'm guessing, some sort of apology and confession of some of the things we just discussed should be part of it." Teddy responded lightly.

I chewed on my lip as I considered her answer. An answer that was not entirely helpful considering I had already thought of all that. Finally, I shook my head, "No. I can't." When I saw her open her mouth to argue, I cut her off, "Not because I don't want to, but because I'm not ready. I'm going back to work in a few days, and I'm going to have a whole new mess of stuff to deal with. I want to work that out before I reach out to Callie again. It's not fair to her if I end up using her as a punching bag again while I go through all these changes and try to figure out how to deal with my new life. Maybe once I get settled and am stable enough to really talk to her, I'll call... But, until then I'm just going to have to deal with this situation that I created."

"Yeah, I guess that makes sense..." She threw her arms around my shoulders, and raised her voice to a high pitched, sugary sweet coo, "I just want you to be happy!" As she dramatically nuzzled and squeezed me, I struggled and laughed until I could barely breathe. When she finally let go, I playfully shoved her off the chair. Through her own giggles, Teddy added, "There. That's much better. I saw the dimples."

After a few moments of gazing at her grinning face, I answered, "Thanks, Teddy."

"You're welcome. Now, I have to get going..." She gave me a thoughtful look as she shrugged on her jacket, "You know...you are different."

I cocked my head, having not expected that comment, "How so?"

"Well...you still seem sad and little lost, but you're not that angry, depressed, hopeless Arizona that you were a little while ago...You've got more of your real self back..."

Giving her a shy, half grin, I nodded, "Yeah..."

"On that note, I'm leaving. See ya at work."

I waved as she closed the door behind her. I thought about her comment. She was right. I

wasn't in the same place I was a few months ago. All the feelings of anger and loss were still in me somewhere, but they weren't my controlling emotions anymore. Maybe time was healing those wounds. Maybe getting my prothesis had helped alleviate some of the notions of inadequacy and loss. Maybe-

555-1637

Frustration pulled another dramatic sigh from my lungs. Or maybe it was the insane woman that came tearing through my life and changed everything. And, that's the scariest maybe of all.

AN: I know this was another slower chapter, but I needed it to get to the next chapter, where it will start to pick up, I promise. Have a great day and let me know what you thought.