Writer's Note:

"In the shadowed corners of desire, attraction isn't just a flicker but a voracious flame. It devours reason and sanity, leaving behind only the dark hunger of souls ensnared in its perilous allure."

Next Day

The soft sunlight filtering through the diaphanous curtains cast an amber glow over the sprawling living room. Carina, her slender fingers clutching the edge of a mahogany table, tried to keep her composure. But her rising chest gave away the turmoil within her.

Arizona stood by the bay windows, her back turned to Carina, her fingers curling and uncurling, trying to quell the storm of emotions building inside her. "You honestly expect me to embark on an affair just to fuel a story for you?" she said, her voice tight.

Carina, a picture of restless energy, paced the length of the room. "I think it can be an adventure for us, a way to reignite the spark," she said, but her eyes, a shade too calculating, belied her words.

Arizona turned, her blue eyes piercing. "This is about your career, Carina, not us. Don't insult my intelligence by dressing it up as a 'marriage-saving' scheme."

A hint of frustration crept into Carina's voice. "Do you have any idea what it's like to watch your work, your passion, crumble before you? To be told you're no longer relevant? This could be our way out."

Arizona shook her head, her blonde locks shimmering in the soft light. "Your way out Carina, it's only you, there's no 'our' in it."

Carina stopped pacing and sighed, trying a different approach. She needs to convince Arizona at any cost. "I thought... I think maybe we could rediscover each other through this. Find the passion we lost."

Arizona's laugh was sharp and hollow. "By me being with someone else?"

"You've changed, Arizona. Heck even I have changed! I think maybe... maybe if you felt something, anything, with someone else, it might bring you back to me."

The sheer audacity of the claim left Arizona momentarily stunned. "You really believe that? Me being with someone else will bring me back to YOU?"

Carina's voice softened, but her gaze remained steely. "Maybe it's a desperate move. But I'm fighting for us."

Arizona's voice trembled with anger and disbelief. "You throw this twisted plot my way and claim you're fighting for 'us'?!"

A shadow passed over Carina's face as her hands clenched at her sides. "God Damn! You're just like Lexie," she muttered, almost to herself.

Arizona's posture stiffened. "What did you just say?"

Carina looked up, defiant. "Lexie never understood. She was my lawyer but she never grasped how reality shapes fiction. How life's raw, unfiltered moments make the best stories."

Arizona's heart raced. "Is that why you fired her? Is that why you never wanted her to come with us to Seattle?"

Carina's eyes darted away, refusing to meet Arizona's gaze. "She didn't get it. None of you do."

Arizona took a deep breath, trying to contain the whirlwind of emotions threatening to spill over. "You're playing with real lives, Carina. Not just characters in a book."

"And what about our lives?" Carina's voice broke. "Are we just characters in a tragic story, destined for an unhappy ending?"

The weight of their shared history, the love and pain, hung heavy in the room. Both stood, worlds apart yet bound by the threads of the past, lost in the labyrinth of their emotions.

Arizona's voice was clearer this time, her tone demanding. "Why did we really leave New York, Carina?"

Carina's gaze remained stubbornly fixed on the floor. "I told you, I needed a change of scenery. Somewhere, some place new, where I could find inspiration."

Arizona's steps echoed in the high-ceilinged room as she closed the distance between them. "There's more to it than that. Isn't it? Why did you fire Lexie? What aren't you telling me?"

Carina looked up, her dark eyes blazing. "You never understood, Arizona. You never got how suffocated I felt. I needed a fresh start. But it seems wherever I go, the past clings to me!"

Arizona's voice softened, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. "Lexie is my family. Our family. If you had issues, you should have talked to me."

Carina's voice broke, a mixture of anger and desperation. "I wanted... I needed to be away from everything familiar, to create something new. But all you ever did was cling to the familiar!"

"Is this about your books?" Arizona's eyes narrowed. "Or is there something else?"

For a brief moment, Carina looked vulnerable. "I can't end my career with just three books, Arizona. I won't. But you... you never got it. You never understood the pressure, the expectation. Everyone waiting for me to fail….."

Arizona's brow furrowed. "I have always been by your side, supporting you. How can you say that?"

Carina's voice rose, her words infused with bitterness. "While you were saving lives, becoming the hero, I was slowly becoming the forgotten author. But you were too engrossed in your world to see it."

Arizona's voice wavered, clearly stung. "So, this is my fault now? For being passionate about my job?"

Carina sighed, her shoulders drooping. "No. It's not your fault. It's mine. I thought moving would solve everything. But all it did was pull us further apart."

The distance between them felt insurmountable. Arizona whispered, her voice choking, "You pushed me away Carina, you did it! We were done before we even moved here…"

Carina's jaw clenched, she held back the words she wanted to say, instead settled for, "We are both passionate about our work Arizona. How does me taking steps to revive my career is so wrong in your eyes?"

The question hung between them like a fragile glass ornament, ready to shatter at the slightest touch. Arizona felt helpless, it was like they were moving in circles.

The orthopaedic wing was awash with a tense energy, palpable enough for anyone to sense the moment they walked in. Residents were darting about with extra urgency, while nurses exchanged worried glances. The epicentre of it all was Dr. Callie Torres.

Inside her office, Callie sat hunched over, glaring at patient files as if they were personal enemies. The images of last night played over and over in her mind - the way she had taken the lead, guiding Arizona into a dance that was far more intimate than she had intended, and the stolen kiss on the rooftop that followed. She sighed heavily, raking her fingers through her dark curls.

There was a sharp knock on the door. "Come in!" Callie snapped, not looking up.

The door swung open to reveal Dr. Addison Montgomery. She stepped inside, eyebrows raised as she surveyed the scene. "Is World War III about to start in ortho? Because the interns seem to think so," Addison remarked with a light chuckle as she made her way inside and closed the door behind her.

Callie rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair. "They need to toughen up. If they can't handle some stress, they're in the wrong profession."

Addison leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms. "This isn't about them being soft, Callie. Something's got you riled up. Want to talk about it?"

Callie looked away, her gaze settling on the distant Seattle skyline. "It's nothing," she replied curtly.

Addison tilted her head, studying Callie for a long moment. "Is this about Robbins?" she ventured.

Callie's jaw tightened. She remained silent for a beat, then muttered, "She hasn't come to the hospital today."

A slow realisation dawned on Addison. "And….?"

Callie took a deep breath, her fingers drumming anxiously on the table. "I…I don't know. I just thought I'll see her today and apologise."

Addison's eyes widened slightly, "Oh."

"Yeah," Callie sighed, her voice heavy with regret. "But it seems like she's avoiding me, and I don't blame her."

Addison moved closer, pulling up a chair beside Callie. "Look, Robbins might just need some space. We don't know what's going on in her life."

Callie met Addison's eyes, the frustration evident. "That's the thing, Addie. I wish I did know. I wish she'd just talk to me."

Addison placed a comforting hand on Callie's shoulder. "Give her time, Callie. If there's one thing I know about Arizona Robbins, it's that she doesn't run away from things for long."

Callie nodded slowly, hoping Addison was right.

The house was quiet, except for the soft ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. Carina sat in her dimly lit study, surrounded by old leather-bound books and a soft, melancholy glow emitted by the solitary table lamp. She raked her fingers through her dark hair, thoughts swarming her mind like a maddening whirlwind.

She needed this story. The idea was now an itch she couldn't ignore. The reality blending with fiction, the raw intensity of emotions - it had the potential to be her masterpiece. But Arizona, was proving to be a challenging puzzle.

Carina leaned back in her chair, her fingers gently tapping on the wooden armrests. She thought about taking an emotional route, because clearly fighting Arizona had been futile thus far. Perhaps she could share her feelings of despair and desolation, the numbing sensation of the walls closing in around her. She could make Arizona see how the story, as unconventional and complex as it might seem, was her lifeline.

Rising from the chair, Carina walked over to the window. The drizzling Seattle rain outside painted the world in a palette of greys. The weight of her determination settled within her. She would challenge Arizona again, and she would make her understand.

"Arizona," Carina began when she found her wife in the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "We need to talk."

Arizona's azure eyes looked up, weary from last night's arguments, yet still guarded. "I thought we did. Quite extensively."

"This isn't about the affair or the story, not directly," Carina said softly, trying to mask the desperation in her voice. "It's about us, and about me."

Arizona's posture stiffened, but she set her coffee down, giving Carina her full attention.

"I feel trapped, Arizona," Carina began, her voice quivering. "Trapped in my own expectations, in the shadows of my past works. I need this story to breathe, to feel alive again."

Arizona's expression was a mix of concern and confusion. "Then write the story with your imagination Carina? Why the heck do you want me to start an affair?"

Carina closed the distance between them, grabbing Arizona's hands. "Because I as an author need to feel it to write those emotions. I need to see it. I need it to be real. I need it to be raw. The passion, the forbidden allure, the guilt – it's life, Arizona. It's the kind of intense, visceral emotion that writers dream of capturing."

Arizona gently extracted her hands, her eyes searching Carina's. "But at what cost? At the cost of our marriage? At the cost of my own sanity and reputation?"

Carina's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "No. But if you trust me, if you believe in us, we can navigate this together. We can turn this story into something beautiful."

The silence stretched between them, filled with the uncertainty of the future.

"And if it goes wrong?" Arizona whispered, vulnerability evident in her voice. "If this story tears us further apart, then what?"

Arizona closed her eyes, she knew there's barely anything in their relationship worth saving. But she can't be the person that deliberately destroys a relationship or someone else for that matter.

The monotonous hum of the hospital's vent system provided a stark backdrop to Callie's pensive mood. For the second day running, the familiar face of Arizona Robbins was absent. The floors of Seattle Grace Mercy West had seen many dramas, but this one felt especially intimate and poignant.

Ensconced within the confines of the on-call room, Callie mulled over her tumultuous feelings. The room, with its drab walls and bare essentials, reflected her current state of mind — everything was reduced to its most basic, and all she could think of was Arizona.

"Why is she avoiding me? It was just a damn kiss," Callie murmured, flopping onto the bunk, her face buried in her hands. The weight of the last few days pressed heavily upon her, the shared looks, the undeniable attraction, and the dance at the gala — everything had felt so real.

She replayed the kiss in her mind, feeling the same rush of emotions. Arizona's soft lips, the surprise, and then the sudden pull away. "If it was one-sided? Why can't she face me?" Callie mused aloud, frustration evident in her voice.

Pushing herself off the bed, she began to pace. The rhythmic sound of her shoes on the linoleum was the only noise apart from her own increasingly frantic thoughts. She felt trapped, not only in the small room but also in her own head.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed, breaking the cycle of her thoughts. Picking it up, she saw a message from Addison,

'Hey, wanna grab a drink with me tonight?'

Callie sighed and typed back,

'I don't know….I don't feel like going out!'

Addison replied swiftly,

'I get it. But torturing yourself isn't going to help. Come out, get a break.'

Chewing on her lip, Callie pondered. A drink might just be the distraction she needed. But before replying, another thought struck her.

'I can't be the only person in this whole damn world who has developed a stupid crush….who has feelings that aren't reciprocated. I can handle this. I'm a Torres, after all.'

Callie quickly sent out a message that she will meet Addison at Joe's directly.

A few minutes later, Addison's response popped up,

'That's the spirit! But the drinks offer is only for a limited time. So you better hurry up!'

Chuckling, Callie typed, "Fine. Give me 30 minutes."

Setting her phone down, Callie glanced around the on-call room, the weight in her chest a bit lighter. Tomorrow was a new day. If Arizona was around, great. If not, she'd find a way to move forward. She had her work, her friends, and her pride. She would get through this. She's Callie freaking Torres!

The evening light painted the room in a warm, golden hue, dust particles dancing playfully in the sunbeams.

Arizona sat on the window sill of their bedroom, her gaze fixed on the dancing leaves outside. The serene scene outside was in stark contrast to the chaos that was storming inside her. Carina stood across the room, wringing her hands nervously.

"Arizona," Carina began, taking tentative steps towards her, "I'm sorry for everything. I shouldn't have pushed you. I just...I thought..."

Arizona's eyes flickered to meet Carina's, raw pain evident in them. "Nope. You just thought using another person, manipulating our emotions would be the solution to our problems?"

Carina's voice quivered, but she forced herself to maintain eye contact. "I thought if we could rekindle what we once had, it might save us. Our marriage is falling apart, and I'm desperate, Arizona."

Arizona knew Carina was lying.

She sighed, the weight of the world pressing down on her shoulders. "Dragging someone else into our mess won't save our marriage. If anything, it might destroy it further."

Running her fingers through her hair, Carina tried a different approach. "I want to build a family with you, Arizona. A future. But this darkness I'm in, this writer's block, it's suffocating me. We need a spark. Something to reignite us."

Another lie.

Arizona shook her head, her voice firm. "We can't use Callie as a pawn in our game, Carina. She deserves better. She's pure, genuine. You…we can't hurt her."

Carina's desperation was palpable. "I see the way you look at her. There's an attraction, a connection. All I'm asking is for you to act on it. Maybe, just maybe, it could lead to something beautiful for all of us."

Arizona's face crumpled, torn between her emerging feelings for Callie and her commitment to Carina. "Feelings can't be orchestrated, Carina. And what you're suggesting, it's not fair to any of us."

Carina approached Arizona, her fingers lightly touching her arm. "I just want us to be happy again. To find our way back to each other."

The emotion in Carina's voice was evident, but whether it was genuine concern for their relationship or manipulation was unclear. Arizona looked into Carina's eyes, trying to find the woman she fell in love with.

"We can't hurt others to heal ourselves," Arizona whispered, tears filling her eyes. "We need to find another way."

Carina looked defeated but nodded. She knew she can't push Arizona further tonight.

The sun was gently peeking through the cloud cover, its rays intermittently bathing the city in a warm, muted glow. Arizona could hear the familiar sounds of the kitchen – the hiss of the frying pan, the soft hum of the refrigerator, and the rhythmic clinking of silverware. As she descended the stairs, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted up to greet her.

Carina was at the stove, flipping pancakes, her focus entirely on her task. Setting the breakfast on the table, she glanced up at Arizona, her eyes searching for some sign, some hint of acknowledgment. "I made your favourite," she remarked softly, attempting to bridge the chasm that had opened between them.

Arizona took a seat, her gaze fixed on the plate in front of her. "Thank you," she replied, her voice barely audible, but she made no move to eat.

Carina cleared her throat, steeling herself for the conversation she had been dreading. "Arizona, I hope you'll give some thought to what I suggested."

Avoiding Carina's eyes, Arizona picked up her keys. She was hoping that after two days of constant arguments, Carina would let go of her stupid idea, but it was clear that Carina isn't going to.

"I've got to head to the hospital," Arizona replied curtly, standing up abruptly. The breakfast suddenly looked unappetising.

"Arizona," Carina pleaded, reaching out to grasp her hand, but Arizona pulled away, leaving the house without another word.

As Arizona drove, the city sights became a blur, her mind in turmoil. Needing to speak to someone, she dialled Lexie's number. Almost instantly, Lexie picked up. "Arizona? Is everything okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Arizona replied, "I'm good Lex. How have you been?"

Lexie hesitated. "Worried about you, actually. Has Carina been... alright?"

Arizona let out a sigh as she swiveled her car around the roundabout. "It's complicated."

"I noticed her behaviour changing before you both left New York Arizona. Especially around her writing…I hope you two are at least on mend" Lexie admitted.

"Writers are like that Lex, they are always way too passionate about their work," Arizona defended, though doubt tinged her voice.

"There's a fine line between passion and obsession, Arizona," Lexie said softly. "Her second book... It caused a lot of legal issues…. She was lucky her third book, 'Tempting Fate' was a hit and I was able to paint a clean picture of her….but look what I got in return…she fired me for challenging her ideas."

Confused, Arizona pressed, "Second book? But it was a simple story about a teen overcoming trauma. What issues are you talking about?"

Lexie hesitated, her lawyer instincts kicking in. "I can't go into detail Arizona. I'm bound by contracts, you know."

Feeling a new sense of concern, Arizona decided to drop the topic for now.

"Have you been keeping up with your meds, Lex?"

The change of subject brought a soft chuckle from Lexie. "Yes Arizona, I'm taking my meds daily. Even if I forget, your daily texts are always there to remind me of the same."

"Good," Arizona murmured, a smile touching her lips. "You know, I'd love to see you soon."

Lexie's voice brightened. "I was planning a visit to Seattle. I have been missing my big sister too."

Hearing that, a warmth enveloped Arizona. "Can't wait, Lex."

As they ended the call, Arizona's worries didn't vanish, but she felt a renewed sense of determination. Whatever the future held, she wasn't alone.

The cold, sterile environment of the operation theater provided little respite for Arizona as she stepped in, her mind a whirl of thoughts. Even though her body was in the present moment, preparing for a surgery with Alex and Teddy, her heart was trapped in the all consuming and charging couple of days she had had.

As Arizona began to scrub her hands, Alex leaned over, his face sporting a mischievous smirk, "So Robbins, I saw that steamy dance the other night with that new Ortho goddess. Seems like someone's getting their groove back!"

Arizona rolled her eyes but didn't respond, hoping the topic would be dropped. She carefully held up her hands and entered the operation theatre with Alex and Teddy following her. As she got gowned and gloved, Teddy, ever the playful one, chimed in, "Come on, Arizona. Alex is right. It's been ages since I've seen that sparkle in your eyes. That Ortho doc surely knows how to light your fire."

Feeling the heat rise to her cheeks, Arizona finally retorted, "It was just a dance, guys. Let's keep it professional here."

Alex shrugged, a sly smile playing on his lips, as he took the position on the opposite side of the operation table as the assisting surgeon, "It might have been 'just a dance' but the chemistry was off the charts. And I've heard the hospital grapevine buzzing about you two ever since."

Arizona's patience was wearing thin. "Enough, Alex. We're here for surgery, not gossip."

The surgery began as all three surgeons meticulously got started on the procedure.

Half way through it, Teddy, sensing Arizona's discomfort, decided to approach the topic more gently.

"Arizona, all we're saying is that life is too short to stay single or spend your time on people who don't deserve you. Sometimes, you have to take a chance, especially if it might lead to happiness."

Sighing, Arizona looked away, her blue eyes clouded with a myriad of emotions. "It's complicated, Teddy."

Teddy took a deep breath, her voice softening, "I know. I've been there. Pining over Owen, hoping every day that he'd look at me the way he looked at Cristina. But sometimes, we have to accept the truth and find happiness elsewhere."

Arizona's hand stilled for a moment. She knew that the situation with Carina wasn't perfect. Their relationship was strained, to say the least. "I'm not….it's not. I'm not deluding myself Teddy. My situation is different."

Teddy nodded her head in understanding, "Sometimes, Arizona, it's not about one-sided love. It's about recognizing when it's time to move on for the sake of our own happiness. Only you can decide what's right for you."

Arizona nodded slowly, her thoughts once again drifting to the gala night and the intense moments she shared with Callie. She had decisions to make, and while the future was uncertain, she hoped she would find the right path.

Pushing the thoughts aside, she masked her emotions with a professional demeanor. "Alright, let's focus on the surgery."

Alex and Teddy nodded in agreement, the three of them moving in unison with the procedure on hand, their shared purpose momentarily pushing personal dilemmas to the background.

The surgery had been intense, the precision required had left Arizona both mentally and physically drained. As she slipped out of her scrubs and into her comfortable jeans and T-shirt, the weight of the day's events seemed to press down on her even more. She grabbed her leather jacket and put it on, feeling its familiar coolness on her fingertips, a stark contrast to the warmth of the thoughts threatening to consume her.

Just as she was making her way out of the locker room, hoping for a solitary drive home, Richard's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Dr. Robbins, wait up!" Richard called out.

Arizona turned, forcing a smile on her face. "Hey, Chief. What's up?"

Richard hesitated for a moment, studying her carefully. "We got an interesting proposition today. But if you are on your way out, we can discuss this tomorrow…."

Arizona raised an eyebrow, and added, "It's fine Chief, I'm not in a hurry…"

"One of the donors from the gala has proposed a significant donation, but it comes with certain terms and conditions," he began.

Arizona tilted her head curiously. "What kind of terms?"

Richard took a deep breath, "He wants a joint venture between Peds and Ortho. A new unit in this hospital, set up for kids with club feet. And he insists that you and Dr. Torres lead the project."

Arizona took a moment to gather her thoughts before replying, "That's...unexpected. But if it's for the benefit of the hospital, of course, I'm in."

Richard smiled warmly. "I thought you'd say that. Remember, it's not just about donations, it's about doing something substantial to bring in change."

Arizona chuckled half-heartedly, "Of course, Chief. I'm passionate about this cause and if I can do anything to bring any kind of change, I'll be truly grateful."

Richard gave her a nod of appreciation and then told her how he had mailed the proposal to both of them. "…..I'll leave the rest of the details to you both then. Have a good evening."

As he walked away, Arizona found herself leaning against the lockers, trying to calm the racing of her heart. She told herself it was just a project, just work. But deep down, she couldn't shake off the nervous anticipation bubbling within her at the thought of working closely with Callie. She needed to brace herself for the professional and personal challenges that lay ahead.

The hospital's mood always oscillated between chaos and tranquillity. Today, it felt more like a silent tension. The labyrinthine corridors of the hospital echoed the silent steps as Arizona made her way towards the Ortho wing. She had never been particularly nervous about approaching someone, but today felt different. The hallway leading to Callie's office felt unusually long and stifling, each step heavier than the last. Taking a deep breath, Arizona stopped in front of the door, noting its slightly ajar position.

She raised her hand to knock softly, her own hesitation visible in the almost-tentative sound her knuckles produced.

"I said I'm busy!" came Callie's sharp retort, her tone revealing her assumption that it was another intern pestering her.

Taking a deep breath, Arizona gently pushed the door open, only to find Callie's back turned towards her, engrossed in the luminescent glow of X-ray images on the screen. The dim light of the office gave Callie a soft outline, emphasising her posture and her attire. Arizona's eyes, almost involuntarily, raked up and down through Callie's curves. Her green plaid shirt was tucked neatly into a black form fitting jeans, with its sleeves rolled up until the elbows. Callie had her hair down in waves and it was clear to Arizona that the Latina was about to head out.

Feeling someone's presence, Callie turned around, her face registering surprise which swiftly morphed into a guarded expression as she saw Arizona.

Arizona's gaze uncharacteristically lingered on Callie's partly open top buttons of the shirt, her heart rate quickening just by a notch. Time seemed to slow as Arizona drank in the view, feeling an all-too-familiar flutter in her stomach.

Callie sensed the prolonged gaze and felt frustrated.

This was the gaze that started all this.

"Can I help you?" Callie began, her voice laced with mild irritation. As she looked at Arizona, her annoyance seemed to transform into something else — surprise, mixed with a hint of discomfort, because Arizona's eyes were not moving up.

It took Arizona a moment too long to respond. Lost, her azure eyes had travelled up from Callie's open collar shirt and were now fixated on her ruby lips, which looked exceptionally enticing under the dim glow of the X-ray light.

Clearing her throat to break the trance, Callie ventured again, "Arizona? Is there something you want?"

Snapping back to the present, Arizona blinked a few times, the professional demeanour she was known for slowly resurfacing. "Yes, uh, Dr. Webber mentioned a new joint venture project. I'm sure you have checked your mails. Uh…between Peds and Ortho," she began, her voice quivering slightly, betraying her nervousness.

Callie raised an eyebrow. "Oh? I haven't actually. My shift is over and I'm headed to a party."

A heavy silence ensued, filled only by the hum of the X-ray machine. Arizona looked intently at Callie. She tried not to, but all she could do was look at the woman before her. She knew it was wrong, she knew she was staring, she knew she was complicating things further but she couldn't stop.

As if drawn by a magnetic pull, as if in a trance, Arizona found herself taking small, hesitant steps towards Callie, captivated by the other woman's beauty. Callie's eyes went wide, confusion and frustration evident in them. Each step Arizona took forward, Callie took one backward, seemingly unaware of the wall quickly closing in behind her.

Arizona's gaze never left Callie's face, honing in on those tantalising lips she'd tasted on the night of the gala. Her earlier resolve to maintain a professional decorum was crumbling beneath the weight of her attraction.

Callie was puzzled, her expression a mix of bewilderment and frustration. She couldn't decipher Arizona's intentions, but her heart raced, and her chest heaved with anticipation.

As Arizona continued her slow approach, the space between them diminishing, Callie retreated, unable to escape the magnetic force that drew them together. Her back soon met the wall, and her breaths came quicker, the raspy sounds filling the room.

Then, it happened. Arizona crossed the invisible boundary of decorum, and their proximity intensified. Callie's mind raced, her pulse quickened, Arizona's presence bore down on her, irresistibly drawing her in.

Arizona's eyes locked onto Callie's lips. She couldn't tear her gaze away. Her lips inched closer to Callie, the allure too strong to resist. Her desire to taste those lips again, to feel the heat of that forbidden kiss, overwhelmed her.

As the distance closed, Callie's breath hitched, and her chest tightened as she turned her face away. She couldn't believe what was happening. She'd told herself that she shouldn't let this go any further, that she will apologise to Arizona for her behaviour during the gala and they will amicably agree to stay professional going further.

Arizona's lips brushed against Callie's cheek, and she hesitated there, so close yet not quite making contact. Callie's breaths were shallow, her skin tingling as if on fire. She could feel Arizona's warmth, almost taste the desire in the air.

And then, Arizona whispered, her voice a breathless plea, "Kiss me."

Callie's heart pounded in her chest, and for a moment, she considered it. The memory of their first kiss from the gala night played in her mind like a forbidden melody. She was tempted, more tempted than she'd ever been in her life.

But reason prevailed, and Callie knew she had to resist. With a trembling voice, she managed to say, "You're with someone."

Arizona's voice, soft and insistent, brushed against Callie's ear, "Do you care?"

Callie's chest tightened even more. She knew she cared, perhaps too much, and she couldn't let herself be drawn into this dangerous whirlwind of desire.

The room's atmosphere was thick with electric tension, making the space between Callie and Arizona feel incredibly small. It was as if they existed in a world of their own, where nothing else mattered except the potent attraction drawing them closer. Arizona's proximity was both a test and a temptation for Callie, her resolve being put on the line.

Callie was trying to find the strength, the willpower to resist. But as she turned her face, meeting Arizona's intense gaze, all semblance of resistance seemed to wane. It was a look that promised endless desire, a depth of passion she had never felt before. Arizona's touch felt like fire, burning yet inviting as her fingers traced the expanse of Callie's arms, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. Every inch of Callie's skin tingled with the sensation, the very air between them sizzling with an intensity that was palpable.

Arizona's fingers deftly twined in Callie's hair, tugging her closer with a gentle, yet insistent pull. "Kiss me," she demanded again, her voice laced with an urgency that Callie could feel down to her very core.

Callie's eyes locked onto Arizona's, seeing the raw need mirrored in them. "You…You're not single," she tried to reason again, her voice trembling.

Arizona, with a look of sheer determination, challenged her with that simple question again, "Do you care?"

It was a question, a dare, and an invitation - all in one.

The intensity of the moment weighed heavily on Callie. It felt like an eternity passed in those few seconds. The warmth of Arizona's breath on her face, the gentle tug on her hair, the irresistible draw of those lips - it was all too much.

The next few seconds seemed to blur. Callie felt a dizzying rush as Arizona closed the distance between them. Their lips met in a fiery clash of passion and raw emotion. The world around them faded into insignificance as the intensity of their kiss took over.

Callie melted into it, her defences crumbling. Her hands found Arizona's waist, holding her close as their lips danced a passionate ballet. Their kiss was fiery, an all-consuming blaze of desire that seemed to set the room ablaze.

The connection between them deepened as Arizona angled Callie's head just right, seeking greater intimacy. Their tongues met in a sultry dance, exploring and teasing. Their breaths mingled, hearts raced, and the world outside ceased to exist.

The sensation was intoxicating, both overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time.

When they finally broke apart, gasping for breath, their eyes met. Searching, questioning, wondering. The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air. "What does this mean?" Callie whispered, her voice full of uncertainty and hope.

Without uttering a word, Arizona responded by pulling Callie into another deep, passionate kiss. This time their lips crashed together at much greater force, their mouths hungry and desperate for each other. They devoured each other's lips, biting and tugging, demanding. Saliva mixed with their moans as they sucked and explored, lost in a world of raw desire.

Their mouths moved with an urgency, their tongues swirling and tangling, seeking out every hidden crevice, every sweet spot. Arizona sucked and nibbled on Callie's lips with abandon, leaving them swollen and red.

Callie moaned into Arizona's mouth, the sound vibrating through Arizona, fueling her desire. She gripped Arizona's waist tightly, pulling her flush against herself, feeling the heat radiating from her core. Their lips never parted, their tongues never ceased their dance, as they explored each other with an insatiable hunger.

Their lips molded together perfectly, a dance of give and take, each seeking solace in the other. With every touch and every caress, one thing was clear - neither could pull away now.

It was a kiss that consumed them, that ignited a fire deep within their souls, and left them craving more.

And in that moment, as their lips finally parted, they were left breathless, their eyes locked in a haze of desire, knowing that this was only the beginning….

The dam had broken, and there was no stopping the flood of emotions that followed.

AN 1 - I hope the longer chapter makes it up for the long wait.

AN 2 - So….why exactly did Arizona kissed Callie?

AN 3 - Just to clarify. Carina is an author. She writes fiction. She has written 3 books. Her last book was 'Tempting Fate' which was a NYT best seller and won her awards. Her previous two books, though hit, were not of her third book's calibre. None of her previous books had anything to do with Callie and Arizona. If things are still confusing, I can answer your queries around this story on Tumblr or Twitter.

Tumblr / Twitter - Calliopeins