An:/ hi guys!
First of all, I wish you all a wonderful year. I hope 2016 will get Calzona back together...
In this chapter, things are evolving faster and Arizona wil find herself in an uncomfortable situation...
Thanks a lot for your follow, fav and reviews. I love to read them! They gave me the will to going on that story! So feel free to comment!
Nina aka Buda help me again. Thanks a lot!
Hope you'll like it!
...
Friday night
Sometimes you think you're going to get good advice a from person you're close to. Your friends, your family... They are supposed to know you, they're supposed to support and understand you. But for Arizona, it wasn't the reality.
Her family was far away and she couldn't say she had a lot of close friend. Of course there was Alex and April, but they both were in a delicate situation in their private life and she dind't want to bother them with her problems.
And by the way, she wasn't really the kind of person who talked easily about herself, or her problems. She was more the kind who kept everything inside, trying to make people believe everything was alright.
It's not easy to let yourself go when you're not used to. But that night, as she find herself alone at her place, it was too hard. And she had been drinking a little.
So when her roommate was back from a difficult shift, he simply sat on the couch with her, without a word and sighed.
Arizona stood up and grabbed a glass for him, served them two shot of tequilla. She sat back and toasted with him, drinking it in a shot before wincing.
« Rough day ? » She asked.
« Yeah... » Andrew simply replied, serving them another shot.
They were living in that house for several month now but have never spend time together. Andrew was often at the hospital, trying to be around any interesting case.
Arizona looked at him and noticed his preoccupied eyes. She knew that gaze. It was a mix of exhaustion, tension, frustruation and anger that all surgeons can feel when they lose a patient or when they have been unable to help them properly.
« A family came in. The parents and two kids. We couldn't save them. Just one kid made it, but he's in pretty bad shape... » Andrew explained as he emptied his glasses.
« You can't save them all unfortunately... » Arizona whispered, emptying her glass too and serving Andrew an another shot as she kept the bottle for her.
Andrew looked at her and raised his eyebrow. Arizona was now drinking the bottle. She stopped only when the lack of air became an issue.
« Wow... » Andrew said. « I guess I'm not the only one who had a bad day... »
« Yep... » She simply stated, leading the bottle to her lips again.
« You're not supposed to have your daughter this weekend ? »
« No she's with her mother. » Arizona said, wiping her mouth and putting the bottle on the coffee table. « The good mother you know. No wait you don't know the whole story, you weren't even there... »
Andrew shrugged and took the bottle and served himself a shot. « I don't need to know it Dr Robbins... »
« Hey, you can call me Arizona you know. » Arizona mumbled as the alcohol was begining to affect her. « I am the bad one in that relationship you know ? »
« I might have heard that kind of gossip, but don't worry, I never take it for granted. » Andrew said. « And from what I know of you, you're a nice person. »
Arizona laughed and grabbed the bottle again, drinking a huge sipe before putting it loudly on the table.
« I was the one who broke us. But then she wanted me back, suddenly. I was sure she wouldn't want it, but she did. » Arizona mumbled to Andrew who didn't get eveything but noded in agreement. « So we got back together. It was hard, she was still mad at me. But then we buy a house and it was still hard but eventually we seemed to be alright. I thought we were out of danger. »
Arizona paused and wiped her mouth. She didn't want to think about Callie right now. She wanted to forget about her and to focus on who she thought was important for her : Andy.
« Anyway... She dumped me after having sex with me the night before and after I literaly put myself out there and made her a declaration of love ... She moved on so fast... we divorced and I sank. » Arizona admitted, tears on edge of her eyes. « I was miserable for so long. I was alone and sad... And she was... And then she met that perfect little Penny and she was sooooo happy, like for ever happy. And me... »
Andrew who was serving himself a shot turned his look to Arizona who was now crying. She accepted the bottle, and emptied it, a m*** escaping as the last drop fell in her mouth.
« And so I moved my a** and Webber help me ! You know ? »
« Yeah... » Andrew replied, not understanding what Richard was doing in the middle of that story.
« So now I found someone I like and care about and then she's here with her beautiful brown eyes, telling me she loves me... »
Andrew sighed and tuned his gaze to her roommate. « That sucks... »
« Yeah... »
« Is Andy the hot brunette from the comic store ? » He asked.
Arizona gasped and looked at him. « What ? How do you ? »
« The nurses... They were... talking about her. And You. » He confessed.
« Sometimes I really hate this place ! » Arizona said, standing up and heading to her room.
...
« And so... What about now ? » Leah asked Penny as the two women were settled on her couch.
« I don't know. It's really over. I mean really... » Penny said. « I know now that I was just some kind of rebound girl for her... »
«Rebound from who ? She was divorced for years, and after what you know, she haven't been involved in any serious relationship, except with you... » Leah stated.
« Does it really matter ? » Pennys whispered. « I can focus on my residency now. I'm going to focus on that. »
« You're sure you're okay ? » Leah worried.
Penny sighed and looked at the ceiling. « It's weird but I kind of relieved. Since that dinner at Grey's, nothing had been the same with her, you know ? I mean, she was supportive and caring. But something changed that night. »
« You're free now ! » Leah teased her.
Penny noded sadly and take her phone out of her pocket. « She was nice though. »
« What are you doing ? »
« Deleting her text... I'm not a sentimental person. And I need to free some memory from that phone. » Penny smiled. « She was kind and most of all, she was gorgeous... »
« I have never found her attractive. » Leah pouted a little, turning her gaze.
« Thank you Leah. » Penny said.
« For what ? »
« You've been here for me. We barely know each other, but you have take time to listen to me. » Penny said. « And more than that ! »
Leah blushed as she notices Penny's smirk. « I... I like to help people. » She mumbled.
« Yeah, I notice that. And you're really good at it. » Penny said, coming closer.
« I... I don't think it's a good idea Penny. You are upset, and it's not a ... » Leah tried to say but Penny was now kissing her neck. « I don't think it's a good... »
« It's totally a good idea... »
...
Saturday morning
Callie was at her place, drinking a cup of coffee while Sofia was eating her cereal. She was off for the day and she had offered Meredith to look after Zola so the two friends can spent the day together. Sofia was not supposed to have the weekend with her but she was happy to have her.
As the doorbell rang, she put her mug on the kitchen counter and walked to the door, letting Meredith and her three kids enter.
« Hey Callie ! » Zola and Bailey said, smiling at her.
« Hey guys ! How are you doing ? Sofia is finishing her breakfast, she's in the kitchen. » Callie explained them as they rushed to meet their friend.
« I could have kept Zola at the day care you know ? » Meredith said, pushing the stroller further in the appartment.
« It's perfect, I need distraction and Sofia is here, so she was thrilled when I told her Zola was coming. » Callie said walking to the kitchen with Meredith who was now carrying Ellis on her lap.
« I thought she was with Arizona this weekend... » Meredith stated. « Something happen ? »
« I screwed up... » Callie said. « One more time. Would you like a cup of coffee ? »
« Sure... I don't start my shift until noon. » Meredith Said, putting Ellis back in her seat as she reached for Callie who was trying to restrain her tears. « Wanna talk about it ? »
« I pushed her. I wanted to know if she was feeling the same way. » Callie said, wiping the tears in the corner of her eye.
« You were having your monthly dinner with Sofia right ? » Meredit asked carefully.
« Yeah. But the atmosphere was tense, and awkward. She was cold and she wasn't talking to me. » Callie explained.
« I think she was just taken back. You know how she is. She hates to be made to the fact. » Meredith tried to reassure her friend. « I told you she might need time to process it. »
« She's mad. She told me her... Andy broke up with her. » Callie said. « She said she cared about her. She said I have no right to tell her I love her now. »
Meredith took the mug Callie just handed her and listened to her friend. She knew Callie wasn't a real patient person and she knew that her position wasn't really easy to handle, but she also knew that she could be a little clumsy sometimes.
« Callie, listen, I'm not the best person to give you some advice, but I think Arizona is right. » She said frankly.
Callie gasped at her friend words. « What do you mean ? »
« You ended things with her when she wanted to fight for you as a couple » Meredith said. « Have you ever tried to think what she's been throught ? »
« Are you kidding me ? » Callie said, raising her eybrows. « What are you talking about ? Did she try to think what I've been throught when she dumped me to go to Africa ? Or when she cheated on me ? »
« It has nothing to do with that Callie ! » Meredith said.
« Really ? So what ? » Callie asked, putting her hand on her hips.
« After you split up, she saw you move on pretty fast... » Meredith said, receiving a dark glare from her friend. « Hey ! I'm not judging you, i'm just trying to say that it surely wasn't easy for her. You didn't want to be with her and then BAM you're dating, even if it was nothing serious... »
« I'm not going to apologize for having a social life out of the hospital for god sake ! » Callie cut her of. « I needed to do it... »
« I know ! And one more time I'm not judging at all ! » Meredit repeated. « But try to remember what it had done to you when you heard she slept with Murphy... »
« It's not the same thing at all ! »
« I know, it's not a contest Callie, but I think she slept with that girl because she never thought you would take her back. »
« Wait... I'm missing the point... What are you really trying to tell me ? That I am the bad one ? »
« No, that's not what I meant... And I'm kind of lost in my own explanation now because of you : You can't keep cutting me off ! » Meredith said. « Anyway, I think she was just getting used to thinking about a new life by meeting that girl. »
« You mean ? »
« Yeah, I think she was moving forward, for real... » Meredith said.
« She told me she had been waiting for me. She thought I would be back sooner or later. » Callie said sadly. « But... »
« But you didn't, And you moved on, dating and gushing about your several partners all over the hospital... »
Callie swallowed hard, realising how awkward it must have been for Arizona.
« I wasn't doing it on purpose ! I swear ! I didn't want to hurt her ! » Callie said.
« Maybe not consciously... » Meredith said, shrugging.
« But she never said anything about it. She was almost supportive. »
« What else could have she done ? » Meredith said. « But don't get me wrong ! I'm not blaming you. It's just that I think she's not ready to hear you telling her you love her. »
Callie sighed and sat on the kitchen stool, putting her face in her hands and groaning in anger.
« I hate walking on eggshel like that ! » Callie grumbled.
« That's why it's not going to be easy. Even if she still loves you. I think you're going to have to fight for her. »
Callie sighed deeper and eventually looked at Meredith. « Since when are you that kind of love adviser ? »
« I am not a love adviser ! At all ! » Meredith laughed. « But answer me. Are you going to fight to get her back ? Do you want to ? »
« Of course I want to... But I don't know how to do that... »
...
Saturday night
Arizona had just finished her shift and was about to leave the hospital when she found Amelia, alone in the lobby. She was lost in her thought and had apparently been crying.
She looked at her for a minute and approached her slowly.
« Hey... »
« Oh, it's you... » Amelia jumped in surprise.
« Are you okay ? » Arizona worried.
« No... I don't know where to go... Meredith kicked me out last week, Owen is barely talking to me... I've been staying here since, but I can't stand it anymore... » Amelia confessed.
Arizona smiled sadly at her. She knew that feeling so well. It happened the same thing to her when she left home after that fateful night where Callie walked away from her.
« Do you want to crash on my couch ? » She proposed. « You know, like you used to when we were at Hopkins... »
« When I was too drunk to walk back to my appartment... » Amelia laughed.
« Yeah... » Arizona sated.
« We can go and have a drink if you want. »
« Amelia... »
« Don't worry, I'll take a club soda. » She smiled.
...
« You ordered a soda too ? » Amelia asked in surpise.
« Yeah... I drink a little too much last night... » Arizona shamely confessed.
« Oh... » Amelia said, thinking she was maybe too intrusive.
She knew Arizona was a private person, but she didn't want to feel uncomfortable with her.
« Yep... The girl I was seeing... She let me down... » Arizona said, needing to talk.
« I'm sorry... It was the comic store girl ? » Amelia asked.
« Is there anybody who doesn't know anything about her in that fricking hospital ? » Arizona grumbled.
« I remember you when we were young. » Amelia said. « You were so... »
« So ? »
« I don't know... You were always on top, at the hospital or during the parties. You were a player. You always had a date... »
« It was a lifetime ago... »
« What happenned? » Amelia teased her.
« Callie Torres... » Arizona sighed.
Amelia smiled and felt sorry for her friend.
« Is that you Dr Shepperd ? » A familiar voice said behind Arizona.
« Yes... Do I know you ? » Amelia asked as Arizona turned to face the woman.
« Arizona ? »
« Andy ? What are you doing here ? » Arizona asked.
« I am celebrating a friend's birthday... » She replied. « And yes I know you Dr Sheperd because you treated my brother last year ! Anton Marquez. »
« Oh yeah... » Amelia replied, fakely remembered. « How is he doing ? »
« He's doing great. » Andy replied with a big smile. « So you two know each other ? »
« We're working in the same hospital... » Arizona simply replied, feeling uncomfortable.
Amelia smiled and decided to give the two women some privacy.
« I have to go to the bathroom. I'm sorry... » She said, puring a friendly hand on Arizona's shoulder before leaving the two of them.
« It was nice to see you... » Andy sadly said, as she was about to walk away, but Arizona grabbed her hand.
« Andy... Please wait... »
...
Sunday night
The dinner was going smoothly, both women trying to avoid talking about their relationship and what happened two days before.
They were in a little greek restaurant not so far from Arizona's place. Andy was talking most of time. She was telling Arizona about her brother and his brain surgery. It was not a big surgery but for Andy, Amelia was the one who saved her brother.
« She's a really gifted surgeon. » Arizona said. « But she's having a rough time. That's why I offered her to have a drink. »
« You don't have to explain anyting to me Arizona. You're free to do whatever you want... »
« Talking about what I want... » Arizona suddenly said in a seriously tone. « I want to be with you... »
« What ? » Andy asked, taken aback by the blonde revelation.
« I don't want us to end... » Arizona repeated. « I like you. And you were right, Callie told me something that I didn't expected and it made me mad... »
« What was it ? She's still in love with you ? »
Arizona gasped. Why was everybody seemed to know everything about her private life ?
« Yeah... » Arizona mumbled. « And sometimes, I panick in the moment. I misjudged the situation. And that's what I've done with you. And I'm sorry for that... »
« Do you love her ? » Andy simply asked back.
« I don't know... » Arizona honestly replied. « I don't think so. It's just some nostalgic feelings. We were together for almost 6 years you know... We have a kid... »
« So you're telling me you don't know if you still love her ? » Andy asked « So what do you want from me ? Because I'm kinda lost here Arizona... »
« I know... I'm sorry. I guess I'm lost too. » Arizona whispered. « But I know one thing, it's that I like you... »
« I like you too. But I don't want to get involved deeper with you and to be dumped in a few weeks because you would get back with her... » Andy explained.
« I get that. But can we try ? Can we give us another chance ? Even if I can't promise you anything serious ? We were good at taking it slow... » Arizona teased.
« I think that we can take it a little slower than where we were. I'd like to get to know you more... » Andy confessed. « But if you're not in it or if you figure that you don't want me, please let me know... I wouldn't like to kill you... » Andy teased back.
« I'm sorry Andy... This is so messed up... » Arizona said. « I don't want to hurt you. »
« I'm grown up Arizona. I can take care of myself... » Andy smiled.
« So can I take you to dinner on wednesday ? » Arizona asked shily.
« Okay... But remember ! Take it slow... »
...
Monday Morning
It was monday and Callie was back at work. Her talk with Meredith had confused her a little but it had also helped her.
But as she was thinking back to what her friend told her, she couldn't prevent but feeling ashamed about the way she had put Penny in Arizona's face. She didn't mean to hurt her, but little sentences were coming mind throught her mind.
You can dial back the entuthiasm...
Read the room...
We all want to meet her, mostly me...
« Typical Robbins way to make believe everything's is alright... » She mumbled as she put her labcoat on.
« Callie Torres ! Can't you just answer the page ! » Bailey yelled at her as she entered the attending's lounge.
« What is it Bailey ? » Callie asked, annoyed by the chief way to speak to her. She took her pager from her pocket and notice the battery was off. « Oh crap... »
She showed it to Bailey who sighed in exasperation. « You should have notice it ! » she mumbled, handing Callie a tablet. « It's a case for you ! 9 years old coming in with several bone fractures after a simple fall while playing outside with his brother. Robbins is with him in the pit, he's getting all sets of CT right now ! So move your ass down there and give us your knowledge ! »
« Great ! Exactly what I needed ! » Callie grumbled.
« I beg you pardon ? » Bailey said, giving Callie a deathly glare.
« I'm on my way boss ! » She fakely smiled before leaving the room.
As she reached the room, she noticed from far Arizona and Amelia Shepperd focused on a screen. She sighed in relief. At least, she wouldn't be alone with the blonde for the moment. Callie stopped and decided to wait a little before entering the pit.
« And I think it's going to be alright... » Arizona said with a little grin on her face.
« That's a good thing for you Arizona. » Amelia replied. « I'm happy for you. »
« It's not totally done yet. But we talked. And I told her how I felt, and she told me how she felt. We're going to need to talk a lot more, but we will figure this out ! » Arizona said, seemingly happy.
Callie knitted her eyebrows nervously and tried to know who Arizona was talking about. But she quickly smiled realizing that she was probably that person.
« I'm tired of being alone and if everybody around me is able to take their life in their hand,I can do that, with her. » Arizona said with a self-conviced tone that made Callie smiled harder.
« I don't really know her but she seemed to be nice. And Hot ! » Amelia teased a little.
« She is ! » Arizona blushed.
« I remember when I treated her brother, but I had no clue of who she was before she told me his name. Guess she's got a pretty good memory ! »
« I have never met Anton. But I guess I will one day... » Arizona said.
« Yeah... He was a nice guy, really athletic, green piercing eyes, just like Andy... »
Callie's grin immediately dessapeared and she let her arm dropped.
« Well there's nothing for me on that case, so I'm going to let you... » Amelia stated. « And the next time you want to have a drink late at night, call me ! I love that, even if I only drink soda... »
« Count on me ! Are you sleeping at my place tonight? »
"If you're okay with it, I'd like too..." Amelia said.
"See you tonight so!" Arizona greeted her.
Amelia left the room and almost bumped in an upset Callie. The two women were still in a cold relationship since the dinner. Amelia wouldn't forgive Callie to take Penny's defense in front of everybody and she wouldn't listen to her when she tried to talk to her.
« Dr Torres... » She coldly greeted Callie who simply nodded and looked at her walking away.
She shook her head and tried to remain professional before going in.
« Hey » she simply said, making Arizona turning her gaze to her.
« Hey... » Arizona awkwardly replied. « I thought Cheng was on the case. Whatever... Can you have a look at this ? »
Callie noded and swallowed hard before sitting next to Arizona. Her ex wife was totally in Doctor mood, so she was going to do the same. The screen was between them and she couldn't help but to look at Arizona's profile. Her knitted eyebrows, her perfects lips visibly tensed by the focus on the screen and her old antic of scratching her neck nervously when she wasn't able to diagnose.
« So, what do you think ? » She suddenly asked as Callie hadn't look at the pictures yet.
« Oh, uh... » Callie mumbled. « It's... I don't know. I need more results... »
Arizona stared at her and sighed. « Listen Callie, if you're not ready to keep it professional, I can give the case to Karev, or you give it to someone else... » Arizona said.
« No, it's okay... I'm looking at the CT... »
She tried to focused but was once again lost in he thought. Her eyes were on Arizona's hand now. She was showing her something on the screen and Callie wannted to take it and kiss it.
« What do you think about that ? Seemed weird to me? » Arizona said, waiting for an answer. « Hey you hearing me Callie ? »
« I'm sorry... » Callie said.
« What ? »
« I'm sorry. I'm pushy, I'm a bad listener. I should have asked you on a date before rushing things and telling you I love you. » Callie said.
« What the hell ? »
« I know that my track record is shit, but yours is too... » Callie insisted as Arizona looked at her with unbelieving gaze. « I want to start fresh with you Arizona. I want to get the chance to know who you are now. I want another chance, for us. »
She grabbed Arizona's hand and looked directly in her eyes. « I know I hurt you and I know I've been a jerk but I think I deserve a second chance. »
« Callie please... Don't do it again... » Arizona pleaded, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
« I love you. I want to show you how much I love you. » Callie whispered, kissing Arizona's hands. « Please... I gave you second chances. I believe in second chance. »
Arizona closed her eyes and felt electricity running throught her body as Callie's lips touched her skin. She had missed it for so long that she could lose control of herself at any time.
« Calliope... Look what happened the last time... » she whispered.
Hearing Arizona calling her full name made Callie smiled. She leaned her cheek again Arizona palm for a second and closed her eyes.
« I can't I'm sorry. » Arizona said pulling her han away, and looking at Callie with Sadness. « I don't want to hurt you, but I can't be with you. I want to try something with Andy. I like her. I saw her Saturday night and we had dinner yesterday. I told her the truth and she understand. She agreed to carry on things with me. And That's what I'm going to do. »
« I'm going to fight for you. » Callie simply replied.
Arizona remained stunned and bit her lower lip as she took time to notice the assurance and conviction in Callie's eyes.
« I'm going to call Karev. » She said, standing up and taking her phone before leaving the room.
...