Hey, Lexie. How are you?" Arizona asked her with a knowing smile. She'd gotten texts 24/7 from Mark about how excited he was to ask Lexie out, officially.
"I'm great Dr. Robbins, and you?" The intern was so polite Arizona couldn't help but shake her head and laugh at the conversations Mark and Lexie must have.
"I will be fantastic if Wallace's scans go well," she commented, turning them towards her patient's room. Picking favorites was a big no-no in the peds world, yet every time Arizona laid her eyes on that sweet boy in the bed, her heart couldn't help but scream favorite, favorite, favorite.
"Dr. Robbins," Wallace tried to jump up, but Arizona saw his mother flinch, trying to grab him.
"Hey, buddy! No need to jump up, Mr." Arizona teased but inched closer to his bed.
"Good news, bad news, Wallace. What do you want first?"
"Uhh good news, no bad news, no good…" He debated for himself.
"We'll take the bad news first Dr. Robbins," Wallace's mother chose for them, her heart clenching at the thought of any more bad news about her son's condition.
"Well, I do have a surgery Friday now, so while I won't be able to spend the morning with you, but in good news, I will be sure to stop by after my shift and maybeee bring a few extra things of jello because your stomach has been holding up these last two weeks." Arizona eased the family and beamed at Wallace who was shaking from excitement. Lexie stood back and tiled her head as the scene in front of her always tugged on her heart strings.
"Arizona," the mom started, but her husband pulled her back by the shoulder to take over before his wife revealed their surprise.
"We have a meeting with the chief and a board member scheduled for later about Wallace, and we would appreciate if you came."
"Oh, um of course, of course," Arizona tried to hide her nerves by focusing on Wallace and winking as she slid him a lollipop.
"Dr. Robbins, could you maybe show me how to skate Friday too," the boy cut in, and his parents couldn't help but laugh as Arizona verbally said no, but strongly shook her head yes.
"All right, I have to finish rounds with Dr. Grey, but let me know if there is anything you need, and I will be seeing you guys later," she finished, before skating out of the room to hear Wallace's little laugh.
"Callie shifted on her feet, leaning left to right. Her head was down, and her knuckles were white from clenching her hands too hard for too long. She took a few deep breaths, trying to slow her heart rate. Ever since that night in the bar, she's been avoiding Erica and Arizona. Surprisingly, Erica had been easier to avoid then she thought, but they were on a break anyway. It had started after yet another argument in front of her colleagues that had Webber ready to fire them both if they ever acted out in the hospital again. Just the thought of it had Callie sliding her back against the wall of the storage closet. She hugged around her knees and let her head fall down, needing a minute to bask in the darkness.
"The door swung open, throwing her into light that felt like a burn until she scrambled up and ended up face to face with Arizona who quickly shut the door to stop the harsh light from blinding Callie.
"I'm so sorry. I just have to grab something, but are you all right?" Arizona rushed out, taking another step towards Callie who couldn't back up when she was already glued to the wall. Forcing herself to swallow, Callie cleared her throat, pushing out a quick "yep, perfect. Everything is perfect."
"Okayyy," Arizona responded. She eyed Callie suspiciously, looking at her up and down to survey each piece of the surgeon. When Callie didn't move, Arizona went back to looking through the storage bins, trying to find extra gauze. Callie begged to be alone again, but when it became obvious the blonde couldn't find what she was looking for, Callie stepped up. She suppressed her laugh at Arizona's concentrated face. The blonde's eyebrows were scrunched, and she bit down on the left side of her lip.
"Here, let me help. What do you need?"
"Literally just gauze, so where the hell is it?" Arizona frantically pulled random shit from each bin. This time Callie couldn't help but laugh.
"Eh nurses just throw it anywhere," Callie said but got to work searching through the remaining bins.
Face to face with a huff, they both couldn't find any. Arizona looked ready to stomp her foot in frustration, much like Callie looked whenever she talked to Erica recently.
"How did you know you were gay?" Callie let out, surprised the words left her mouth, but in all honesty, she'd been replaying her first time with Erica over and over again. She'd replayed how she had yet to see the leaves on the trees or whatever Erica went on about, and while she knew, she knew she did hold love for the other blonde, she couldn't place if she was ever truly in love with her.
"Um," Arizona squinted at the question, confused by Callie's probing.
"I'm just…Erica's the first girl I've ever been with, and I don't know…" Callie trailed off, hoping it was enough for Arizona to just answer her damn question.
"Oh, honey. I never questioned my sexuality. I never liked boys…ever. I kissed my brother's best friend Nick when I was 5 and have yet to kiss a boy since. I chased girls around the playground in elementary school, I had crushes on girls in middle school who I threw notes to, in high school, I had a poster of Cindy Crawford, and I wasn't just looking at her mole. For me, it's the only thing besides surgery that has ever felt right, so it wasn't a surprise to my brother when I came out to him my freshmen year, and it wasn't a surprise to my parents when I brought my first girlfriend over before my prom." Arizona explained while Callie attentively listened, but Arizona knew her speech wasn't gonna help the struggling brunette before her.
"I know you might not have had those experiences. I don't think many people do, but I thought…okay I mean I don't think your relationship with Erica well enough to dive into this, but I thought you had your sexuality figured out." Arizona filled the space, trying to figure out the problem as Callie's silence grew.
"I can't kinda be a lesbian," Callie repeated. Her tone was robotic and distant, which concerned Arizona, but the blonde also couldn't help but laugh at how serious Callie said a false statement.
Changing tactics, Arizona stepped closer to her, forcing Callie to meet her gaze. She leaned a few centimeters further to hover her face near Callie's, lips plump and open with light breaths. When Callie didn't move away,
Arizona reached a hand up and tucked a stray piece of Callie' hair away before she tilted her head and caressed their lips together for a brief few seconds.
Pulling back, she spoke again.
"Callie, you're being too analytical which makes sense because you're a doctor, a good one. I don't know whoever told you that fucked ass statement, but I have a question for you: do you like kissing girls now that you've kissed more than one?"
"well…" Callie stumbled over her words, unable to get any actual thought out.
"Do they make you feel something? Do you want to keep kissing girls? It doesn't have to be so complicated. If you like guys, that's okay, Callie because most people do. If you like girls again, most people do, and you are okay. You can also like both and once again Callie that's 100% okay. You don't have to try and label yourself right now just do what feels right and be with who feels right and just because whoever you choose is a certain gender doesn't mean you're locked in forever to being straight or a lesbian. there's middle ground to everything. there's bisexuality for a reason. Callie, you're breathtakingly gorgeous. You have the whole world. It would be a waste to get lost in labels, just take what you want." With that, Arizona gasped in surprise when she felt the same plump enticing lips back on her.
"What are you doing," Arizona pulled back in a world of confusion.
"I'm taking what I want," Callie said like it was the easiest thing in the world, and with that, Arizona surrendered. She pushed Callie back into the wall of the storage closet and let her hands fly around the girl she's been unable to get her mind off of, which is why she slowed Callie's mouth down. She took the time to thread a hand in Callie's hair, playing with the thick, soft curls. Her other hand cupped Callie's cheek, softly caressing.
When they finally broke for air, Callie whined as Arizona kissed down her neck, pausing for a moment to bite at its base.
"Do you need any more help?" Arizona asked softly, her lips leaving Callie's skin but not her hands.
"I think I need another lesson," Callie giggled, diving back into Arizona, and this time, she didn't let the blonde slow down.
"Jesus, where the hell is Torres? I've been texting her to meet up for lunch or dinner and nothing," Addison huffed and before Mark could answer, she continued her rant.
"Did I do something? She has to be intentionally ignoring me by now."
"Surgery?" Mark asked, which only poked the beast.
"You don't think I didn't look at her schedule. She's been out for over two hours."
"Complications?" Mark supplied again but was also confused he hasn't seen his friend today either.
"Hey maybe Hahn and her are making up," he laughed and eyed her suggestively.
"I don't need the image," Addison started, but quickly slapped Mark to grab his attention.
"Oh, okay no need to hit me!" He rubbed his arm while Addison rolled her eyes, "no look there's Erica now."
"There goes that," Mark said in disappointment.
"I thought you didn't like Erica?"
"I can still appreciate the art of them together," he said, waggling his eyebrows. Addison fake gagged, "please stop talking right now before I seriously end our friendship."
"You wouldn't dare," he clutched at his heart before it dawned on him.
"Where's Arizona to defend me?"
"Huh, I haven't seen her all day either."
"Field trip to peds floor?" Mark asked excitedly, and Addison was happily ready to fulfill his wish.
"I want to tell her about my plan to ask Lexie out," Mark said continuing their conversation as they got out of the elevator. Before Addison could respond, Arizona walked out of a storage closet, running her fingers through her hair.
"Robbins, there you are!" Mark shouted, as he bolted over. In his haste, he didn't see the person behind Arizona dive back into the closet. She quickly smoothed down her hair and blocked the door.
"Hey, guys…" she tried to start nonchalantly as she leaned further on the door.
"Wait, I wanted to tell you about my plans for a date, but it appears you have one of your own," he said eyeing her.
"Huh, what no I just tipped over a shelf," she nervously explained and before Mark could comment again, Addison shrugged in agreement.
"Happens to me all the time. They're so damn flimsy, but my real question is have you seen Callie?"
Speaking of Callie choked behind the door, her mouth releasing an awkward squeak that Arizona quickly tried to replicate.
"No, I haven't seen her all day or all week actually. I never see Callie. We're not even…we're not even friends so like I don't know why you would ask me," Arizona awkwardly rambled on, waiting for someone to please shut her up, which the slight push of the door did.
Mark glanced at her weird behavior, "Jesus, Arizona," he started, and she gulped.
"Are you guys fighting again? I can't take it anymore," he finished.
"Please fighting after Arizona called her hot last week." Addison laughed, remembering the incident at Joe's.
"Or fighting after Arizona said she would do Torres first in who would you do."
"Or fighting after Arizona just about died when Callie tore her dress off to change into her scrubs in the elevator going down to the ER."
"or fighting when—"
"Stop! I'm begging you to stop, enough of that." Arizona pleaded, her cheeks pink with embarrassment as she swore she heard Callie laughing behind the door.
"But it's our favorite game," Mark fake pouted, and if Arizona didn't have to guard the door, she would've walked away long ago.
"Damn, I just don't know where she would be," Addison muttered, getting concerned at this point.
"Hmm, I think I heard that she sometimes goes to the basement to think about her research…I would try that." Arizona forced a lie from her mouth, trying to cover it up with her brightest smile that seemed to ease the surgeons.
"Yeah, wait she loves the basement. What were we thinking?" Mark huffed.
"I have a few more cases for the day, but I'll definitely see you two later." Arizona started to wave while also reaching for her phone.
She sent a quick text to Karev,
need quick favor—Addison and Mark are about to get in the elevator on the peds floor, run in with them and hit every single button. I don't even care if you stop it. Think of something or you're off my service, no questions
"All right, we can find Callie, maybe we could do a girls night while Mark asks his new girl on a date." Addison suggested, giving Mark a teasing smile.
"That's perfect. Let me know if Callie is okay, and you guys can come to my place if you want. I finally have it people ready."
"And Arizona don't forget to meet me before I want to tell you my date plan." Mark asked again.
"Of course, Mark. I have a meeting with the chief in an hour, so I'll find you after," she said softly, not wanting to brush off how important this was for him, even if she did have a lot going on right now.
"Perfect! See ya, Robbins." Mark and Addison both waved, heading towards the elevator that Karev was currently blocking. Shaking her head, Arizona fell back when the door opened, but Callie was quick to catch her.
"Coast clear?" Callie asked, keeping the blonde in her arms.
"Coast clear, now let's get you to the basement. I got Karev on guard duty." Arizona turned, grabbing Callie's hand and running to the staircase away from Addison, Mark, and Alex.
"You got Karev," Callie let out between laughs, letting the blonde pull her around the peds floor as stealthy as she could.
"Eh, he's loyal. He actually has what it takes for peds. I'm really excited." Arizona would take any moment to rave about her student, and Callie couldn't help but smile at the blonde's sincerity despite the fact that the same blonde was yanking her down step after step. Finally reaching the basement door, Arizona turned Callie to face her instead.
"Well, um I had fun," Arizona stammered out, unsure of what Callie was feeling.
"I had fun too, Arizona," Callie laughed, rolling her eyes.
"and I'll see you at girls night," she asked hopefully.
"Wow, I thought you usually didn't try and see your supply closet hook-ups again," Callie teased but after watching Arizona's face fall, she back pedaled.
"Of course, I will be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world, and maybe we can talk after." Callie tried sincerely, and Arizona brightened up.
"Okay, perfect. Perfect," Arizona assured herself, leaning up to place a gentle kiss on Callie's cheek before she felt her phone buzz.
Pulling away, she saw Karev text back.
Did all I could, Boss. They're about to get off at the basement. I think Sloan wants to beat my ass
Arizona let out a little laugh, her head tilting down as her hair fell around her face. Unable to resist, Callie pulled her in one more time before opening the door to the stairwell.
Arizona took her time going up the steps as her mind was finally able to process her day—she still had to have a meeting with the Chief and Wallace's parents. Running her fingers through her hair once again, she knew she was in no position to meet them without freshening up in the locker room where she could take the time to brush her hair and spray some perfume. Luckily, the trip was relatively quick and with heavy feet, she pushed herself towards the Chief's office. Trying to steel herself, she knew it was no use, the tears would inevitably come, so with a sigh, she opened the door. Immediately she was bombarded with Webber and the board member's probing.
"What the hell did you do, Robbins?"
"I swear, if you made any mistakes,"
They both grilled her, causing her stomach to plummet, and a few small tears to leave her eyes while she was unable to form a defense, completely oblivious as to what was in store for the hospital. Trying to concentrate on the chance at seeing Callie later, she sat down and played with her hands in silence until Wallace's parents arrived with Lexie running behind.
"Hello, nice to see you again," she got up to shake their hands, but the parents immediately dove into her arms. Looking at the chief and board member over their shoulders, she didn't know if she was smiling or if her mouth was stuck open.
"Good evening to all of you. We wanted to talk to all of you here today on the behalf of our gift to the hospital. Wallace, as you all know, has an incredibly special case. We didn't even think he'd get to see his sixth birthday, but…" Wallace's mother choked up, and Arizona moved to lay a soft hand on her shoulder while her husband took over.
"Now we're getting ready to celebrate Wallace's birthday Friday, all thanks to Dr. Robbins who will also be celebrating with us. Therefore, we would like to donate 25 million dollars to the pediatric surgery department of Seatle Grace, with 50% of the proceeds going towards a cure for Wallace's condition, and the other half can be used at the discretion of Dr. Robbins. Consider this an early birthday present." He carried on, but Arizona and Lexie hadn't processed a word after the donation.
Leaving the room in shock, Arizona made sure to hug and thank them both before Lexie jumped on top of her.
"Oh my god! Happy early birthday, Dr. Robbins," she squealed.
"Was that real?" Arizona gasped, and Lexie jumped on her again to assure the blonde that it was all too real.
"This is so exciting. I have to find Mark," Lexie started, but Arizona grabbed her.
"Wait, I don't…I don't celebrate my birthday. I don't like the fuss and the stress, so I haven't told anyone, and I would appreciate if you could keep it that way."
"But its your birthday—"
""Lexie, I'm serious."
"Okay," the intern mumbled, but still gave Arizona another hug, causing the blonde to smile again.