Chapter 4
Arizona led Vivian to a quiet table in the corner of the busy cafeteria.
"The lasagne is usually pretty good here, I hope you enjoy it" She said as they took their seats, facing each other
"I'm sure I will. However bad it might be, it certainly won't be the worst food I ever had" Vivian countered with a small smile.
Arizona laughed.
"My brother Tim used to put on pounds when he was home from duty from all the food he devoured. He said that's what he missed most when away, not us, just good old fashioned home cooking"
Her wide smile changed to one of nostalgia as she recalled Tim and his visits home.
Vivian reached out and patted Arizona's arm in a comforting gesture. Having lost some close friends in Afghanistan over the years, she could certainly sympathise with Arizona's loss.
Appreciating the silent gesture, Arizona continued to talk about her brother and ask Vivian about her experiences in Afghanistan.
A few tables away Callie watched the duo, with a frown on her face.
"Who pissed you off Torres?" Alex grunted as he and Meredith joined Callie at her table.
Shaking her head she resumed eating her lunch.
Looking over at the table Alex exclaimed "Who's the hot chick with Robbins?"
"Alex" Meredith kicked him under the table.
"Ow" he shouted, rubbing his shin, "what the hell was that for?"
Meredith nodded her head towards Callie.
"Oh come on, Torres, you are not jealous?" he asked in disbelief.
Callie shook her head vigorously "Of course not, why would I be jealous?"
"Exactly" Alex agreed, shooting a baleful glance at Meredith.
"Torres here has been in a relationship for the past few months. This is the first time I've seen Robbins enjoying herself with a woman in a long time. No offence Callie, but she deserves to be happy"
"I know Alex but they only met today, so they are not dating" Callie said, looking over at her ex-wife, surprised at the laughter flowing freely between the two women.
"Well, she looks happy and if GI Jane swings her way then It won't be long before they start" Alex mumbled as he ate his sandwich.
Callie pushed her plate away, suddenly losing her appetite.
Seeing the despondent look on her friend's face Meredith asked "So how are things going with you and Gerard?"
"It's Jared and they're not, we broke up last night" Callie said quietly, meeting Meredith's concerned gaze
"We just didn't click" she sighed
"Well Robbins looks like she's clicking with-."
"Alex" Meredith barked, cutting him off.
"It's okay Meredith, Alex is right, she deserves to be happy" Callie excused herself, grabbed her tray and left.
"Alex, you can be such a moron" Meredith reprimanded him "At least show a bit of sensitivity"
"It's been 2 years since they're split. I thought Callie had moved on. Hell, she's even dated Marcantoni in Dermatology and had lunch with him in this cafeteria. Why do we have to walk on eggshells around her when it comes to Robbins?" He shook his head in frustration.
"This is the first time Callie has seen Arizona with someone else so it's bound to be hard" Meredith tried to placate him, knowing the huge protective feelings he had for Arizona.
"Whatever, see you later" he gulped down the last if his sandwich and left.
Meredith looked over at the women in deep conversation. She liked Arizona. The Peds surgeon had blazed her way into their lives with her smiley personality, her perkiness, rolling around the hospital corridors and bringing lightness to Callie Torres' dark life. Though she would always be Callie's friend first and foremost, Meredith actually had more in common with Arizona- both had lost siblings, both had miscarried, both had survived the plane crash. With Derek's death last year, Arizona was the only other plane crash survivor still in Seattle. When a big air plane crash made the news they would seek each other out. They might never discuss the plane crash but just being near each other gave some comfort, some sort of survivor's bonding.
And of course for Meredith, she would always be grateful to her for her daughter Zola. If Arizona had never gone to Africa, Zola would never have come into their lives. And during the dark days when it looked like Zola's adoption might fall through, Arizona kept them up to date on her medical issues, despite the risk of serious consequences for Arizona to share medical information with non-relatives.
Moving towards the table she smiled at Arizona. Alex was right, she deserved to be happy and for the first time in a long time Meredith could see how relaxed and content the blonde looked. Maybe this new woman was going to bring the old Arizona back.
"Sorry to interrupt" she said, standing beside their table. Both women looked up and smiled at her.
"Meredith, this is Vivian Emerson; Vivian , this is Doctor Meredith Grey" Arizona introduced them. They shook hands in greeting and Meredith turned to Arizona
"I have packed Zola's bag and left in at the day care" she said
Arizona nodded "great, I'm finishing at 4 so I'll take them home then, and drop them to school in the morning"
Meredith nodded her thanks and left.
Vivian had remained quiet during the exchange and looked at Arizona with eyebrows raised in question.
"Her daughter Zola is my daughter Sofia's best friend. They are having a sleepover in my place tonight" Arizona explained.
"Oh, you have a daughter?" Vivian asked
"Yes" Arizona said and Vivian was mesmerised by the dazzling smile that engulfed the blonde's face as she spoke with obvious love for her daughter.
"She's 5 and just started school. Callie and I share joint custody so she does a week with me , a week with Callie but we both get to see her almost everyday here in the hospital. Do you have any children? "
"No, I never thought of having them while I was in active service. The idea of being away from my child for months on end did not appeal to me at all. Now that I am based full time at home, I don't know. It's something I'd like to explore but I may have left it too late" Vivian said, surprised at herself for sharing such personal information with a virtual stranger. That is the effect Arizona Robbins had on her.
"I'm sure it's not too late to try" Arizona smiled, "there are so many options nowadays, if it's something you really want". Looking at her watch , she grimaced apologetically.
"I have a surgery scheduled in twenty minutes, I'd better go" she said.
After depositing their empty trays they faced each other outside the cafeteria.
"Well Major Emerson, Vivian" she corrected herself at the red-head's raised eyebrow "It was lovely to meet you, I enjoyed our lunch"
"Don't sound so surprised Arizona. I'm heading home tomorrow; I don't suppose you'd like to join me for a drink or dinner tonight?"
"I'm sorry. I have Sofia. I don't usually go out on the nights I have her. Making the most of my time, you know" Arizona offered a small smile, tinged with disappointment, having really enjoyed Vivian's company.
"Oh sure, I forgot. I'll be back in a few weeks to kick off my role in the program so how about then?" Vivian was not giving up
"I'd love to as long as it's not a week I don't have Sofia"
"It's the week of the 17th? Vivian responded hopefully
Doing the mental calculations in her head Arizona smiled "Yes! I don't have her that week so let's do something. You have my number. Call me when you have finalised your plans"
They both hugged, and held the moment for a bit longer than friends should.
Arizona closed her eyes and savoured the touch of another adult human. It had been so long since she'd felt someone's arms around her.
Pulling back, they both smiled before Arizona backed away and with a slight wave at Vivian, she turned and headed for her surgery.
Later that night, having finally gotten Sofia and Zola to sleep after a hectic evening of games and watching a Disney DVD, Arizona sunk into the hot bubble bath. Closing her eyes, she savoured the sensation of the hot water and aromatic bubbles soothing tired muscles. One of the pre-requisites for her new apartment was that it had a bath. She had to have some adaptions made because of her disability, but it was one of the few ways she found to relax. Standing in a shower was awkward with one leg, despite the bars in place so she usually washed quickly. But the bath was a sanctuary of sorts.
She also found that it was one of her favourite places to pleasure herself. Soft candle light, melodious music and with her eyes closed, she started slowly rubbing her hands down her chest, skimming her breasts, raking her nails across the sensitive flesh of her stomach. She imagined a lover worshipping her body. As always, the nameless lover behind her closed lids usually changed into her ex-wife. Tonight though, she deliberately envisaged a uniformed red head arousing her with long, smooth strokes of her fingers, pinching her nipples until she felt a light sting of pain. One hand moving between her legs, separating her folds. Arizona's mouth opened slightly as her breathing quickened. Her finger rubbed circles around her tight bundle of nerves, over and over, faster, harder. Slipping one then two fingers inside herself, she started plunging in and out while her thumb continued to massage her clit. Widening legs , even more ,she felt her climax building, that familiar tightening in her stomach. Throwing back her head, her movements quickened. The red head she pictured quickly morphed into the gorgeous ex- wife. The fair hands caressing her changed to long, strong caramel ones. The pink lips she had imagined kissing her neck changed to plump red lips, nipping and biting. At the brink of her climax, red hair turned to brown and green eyes turned to chocolate. As it hit, she breathed out the name, "Calliope, Oh God, Callie" stiffening in a brief moment of ecstasy before slumping back against the tub , sated. After a few minutes she removed her fingers from within and slammed her palm against the cooling water in frustration. 'Fuck!" she shouted to the empty room.
How the hell could she ever move on. She couldn't even get herself off without Callie invading her mind, taking over her body. And feeling helpless at her emotional stalemate, the tears slowly rolled down flushed cheeks.