Overview: Callie & Arizona are in a good place with their friendship and careers, but how long can their deceit last? Set around 18 months after their divorce, there was a custody battle but Callie never left Grey Sloan.

"Someone page Ortho."

"On it, Dr Robbins."

Arizona studied the chart in front of her, she'd already given the child one of her super magic smiles and reassured the parents, now she needed to confirm if he needed surgery. It was obvious there was severe damage to his arm, so she had no choice but to page her ex-wife.

As if by magic, "Hey, got an Ortho consult, what's up?"

Handing Callie the chart, she summarised the case in front of them, "Logan Samuels, six years old, fell from his treehouse whilst trying to escape his brother. I think there's some damage to his radius, it took the brunt of the fall, can you take a look?"

The Ortho surgeon took a delicate hold of the six year old's arm, careful not to put too much pressure and constantly looking up to give him a reassuring smile of her own. After she'd completed her initial assessment, she straightened up and confirmed her ex-wife's thoughts. "I agree, the swelling and bruising would indicate a break or a crack, and looking at the amount of swelling, my bets on a break, has an x-ray been ordered?"

"Yes, Brooks ordered one, so should be good to go when she comes back."

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In the OR, the x-ray had indeed confirmed a break to the radius, so the two surgeons scrubbed in together. They didn't both necessarily need to be there, especially since Arizona's change in speciality, but with Karev in another surgery, they took the opportunity to work together. Their relationship had improved ten-fold since the divorce and custody battle. Manier long conversations, and even joint therapy had helped them arrive to this good place. Whilst therapy hadn't saved their marriage, they still saw the good in it, they wanted to work on being the best co-parents they could, and both genuinely believed their strategy had worked.

After discussing the treatment and adorning their usual scrub caps, they stood opposite sides of their patient. The chat was light, remaining professional but dipping into personal subjects. They had originally thought keeping chat solely about Sofia was a good thing, but the therapist wasn't keen, instead he urged them to try and build a friendship.

"When was the last time we did surgery together?"

Arizona had to think, "Gosh, maybe six months ago? Which considering there are a lot of kids with broken bones out there, that's quite surprising." Her tone was light, "Have you been avoiding me Dr Torres?"

"Not at all Dr Robbins", she teased, "I've scrubbed in with Karev a few times, but when you ditch your speciality from tiny humans to those in tiny internal incubators, the likelihood of our patients crossing becomes next to zero."

The blonde couldn't fault that logic. "True."

Deciding to take the banter further, enjoying this new comfortable friendship, the brunette extended. "Wait, did you take the fellowship to get away from me?"

Looking up and quirking an eyebrow, "Damn, am I that transparent?"

They were both clearly smirking under their masks, whilst the topic of the fellowship had potentially been the nail in the coffin, the Ortho surgeon was still proud at how quickly her ex-wife had mastered the speciality. She knew she should have vocalised it at the time, but if truth be told, it wouldn't have saved their marriage. "You just don't like it because I'd end up the lead surgeon."

In mocked offence, "you wish, on a Peds case, I'm always the lead surgeon."

"Dr Robbins, when the surgery is focused on bones, ligament etc, you assist me."

"In your dreams, Torres."

If you had told them a year ago they'd be in this friendly back & forth place, they'd both have scoffed, rolled their eyes and laughed you out the room. All at the same time. But they'd both grown, learned from mistakes and took a joint road to redemption. It's possible it's the happiest they've both been since before the crash.

After 20 or so minutes of intense concentration, the topic changed to their most favourite. "Did Sofia tell you she was getting married?"

"I'm sorry what?!" The casual manner in which Callie asked, threw the blonde.

"Yeah, Michael in her class gave her a Haribo ring, now she says she's getting married."

"Do you think we have enough time to plan a wedding?"

"What? 15 years? I think so."

"So she said yes?"

"Well actually she said she'd think about it, says she doesn't want to get cooties…" Callie momentarily looked up to tease her ex-wife, again, "I think she'll ghost him."

Arizona quickly met her eyes, yep, the brunette had totally gone there. She knew Callie was ribbing her. "How come you know that's a thing but I didn't?"

"More to the point, how did Kepner know?"

"I mean its just rude right? You don't just leave the state without saying anything?"

"Oh yeah being ghosted sucks, but you know what sucks more?" Arizona's eyes quirked at Callie's question. "Kepner being cooler than you".

Both surgeons near enough lost it, Arizona even needed to take pause and step away from the patient. In response Callie looked at BokHee and gestured towards the giggling Peds surgeon, "Do you see what I have to put up with?"

The noise of the speaker being activated in the gallery sounded, pulling both surgeons from their little bubble, "I can hear you, you know."

They had been scolded by the redhead like naughty school children. Arizona composed herself and gave Callie a wry look, "Busted".

The brunette was enjoying herself too much to be embarrassed at getting caught, "Okay Kepner, who's in the gallery we can talk about?"

"Dr Wilson?"

The blonde scoffed, "Dr Torres is not going to take the mick out of her favourite resident."

Knowing this to be true, the Ortho surgeon thought about who she'd happily gossip about with her ex-wife, "Is Karev there? I know he had surgery but he's still possessive of his Peds patients and might have snuck in."

April looked round, "No, just some random interns."

"Random interns? Why Dr Kepner, when did you become so dismissive?" Arizona light-heartedly mocked her friend.

"Since they're interns, and one screwed up a blood pressure reading."

The blonde and the brunette found a flippant Kepner hilarious, but if they were being watched by the doctors of tomorrow, they had to keep it in. Their eyes met, daring the other to make a comment, egging their surgical partner on, wanting nothing more than to fall into another fit of giggles. However, they remained the sensible attendings they were as the surgery neared its conclusion.

"You know, its impressive that despite your change in specialties, you're still a hardcore Peds surgeon."

"Technically I'm General too you know, so I'm hardcore in three specialties".

"You are indeed Dr Robbins", Callie changed tact, "so when is the centre in Maryland opening?"

"In a few weeks", she sighed, "unfortunately it's during the school term, so Sofia will miss it." That was a kick in the teeth, she'd love to have their baby girl there.

Previously, Callie may have agreed that nothing was as important as Sofia's education, but she had softened. Life was too short; family time had been near non-existent due to their crumbling relationship. She wanted Sofia to see all the work Arizona had done, see her legacy first hand. "Are you sure? It would only be a day or two and it's the end of term, it's not like she's at an exam age, they'll mostly be watching movies and colouring."

Taken slightly aback, "I mean, I would love for her to be there, my mum is planning on coming so she could bring her. Would that be all right?"

Callie was genuine in her response, "well, I think it would be nice for her to see you open the second Robbins-Herman centre, when the third, fourth, fifth and 100th are opened, maybe she can sit one or two out."

Arizona blushed at her ex-wife's confidence in her work. "Okay, I'll think about it, I would love her to be there."

"Hey, the less she sees of that Michael kid the better."

"As long as she doesn't run up her treehouse to get away from him." Then realisation set in for the blonde. "You know you haven't finished building the treehouse in my garden yet right? She keeps saying she has an awesome one at yours but you're still to finish the one at mine."

"Are you pouting Dr Robbins?"

"Dr Torres, need I remind you that it's not something I can necessarily do. Plus apparently you made it all cool with some amazing dark green paint, she said if I did it, I'd muck it up."

"I'm not going up a tree when it's raining Dr Robbins. I'll slip, and I know I'm a badass, but even I can't fix my own bones. And your girly hands couldn't even crack the rib of a kitten."

"You're so morbid."

The surgery was successful, no complications and assuming the brothers put their fighting on hold, a full recovery was likely. After closing and scrubbing out, Callie went to speak to the boy's parents, Arizona had been called to the pit for a consult and as it turned out to be an Ortho case in the end, she could miss the debrief. Whilst making her way to the waiting room, the brunette fell into pace with a wandering Meredith Grey.

"So, I hear from April your surgery went well, was it okay working with Arizona?"

"You know, it was, it really was. I had fun in there, minus a child having the inside of his arm exposed. There was no awkwardness, bitterness or deep seething frustration. I swear to god Mer, I'm actually enjoying being friends with Arizona, and if you'd told me that a year ago...", she trailed off, she genuinely couldn't believe how much their relationship had developed.

The general surgeon quizzed further, "So no second chance at a reconciliation?"

"No, the topic had kinda been raised early days, but too much water has passed under the bridge, and we're both content with that. We risked Sofia's happiness and childhood by behaving how we did, from the crash to the custody battle and everything in between. We've made great progress in our therapy sessions. I will forever be proud of the work we've put in and grateful for the friendship we've formed."

Meredith was slightly surprised with her friend's confession; she had secretly thought they'd reunite. "Okay so no cheeseburger from Arizona, are you at least dating?"

Catching a cough in her throat, of course Meredith's mind would go there. Callie shrugged, "I've had a couple of dates, they've been fun, I'm just enjoying myself again, you know?"

"Whatever you say Callie, just give me notice when you need me to look after Sofia so you can grab a cheeseburger", she winked and left the shocked brunette with a knowing smirk.

Laughing at their exchange, Callie headed to the Ortho wing only to find Wilson beaming, handing her attending her lab coat as she exited the lift. The resident had managed to win her way back onto her service and they were both enjoying the ride. Whilst she wasn't a part of the child's surgery, Callie was always happy to accommodate Wilson's passion for the specialty. They made their way to the waiting room.

Callie smiled, for the first time in a long time, she was content.

"Ready to rock Ortho, Dr Wilson?"

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"So why haven't I seen you at any quiz nights Robbins? I thought we were having fun."

Arizona was stood at the nurse's station busy signing off charts when Richard approached. "With the new centre opening and Callie & I focusing all of our efforts on Sofia, I haven't had time. However," she wiggled her eyebrows, "I am enjoying the thrill of the hunt, solo."

"Are you sure? It's no secret you and Torres have been getting on, better than ever in fact. I don't want two of my best attendings going back to the dark place of a few years ago."

Looking up and giving it some thought, "Honestly? There was a time I thought it would work, but we had to let our heads rule our hearts. We both shared something great once, and we still could, it would just be in a different context. We're in a good place professionally and personally. I'm dating, she's dating, Sofia is doing well in school", then with genuine sentiment, "life is good."

"So, you're really happy at the place you're at with Dr Torres?"

Arizona wasn't sure where this line of questioning had come from. Previously, discussing her relationship with the brunette was too painful, but they were at peace. After signing off her last chart, she looked at her former Chief and gave one of the warmest smiles she had managed in years. "You know, I really am."

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"So, Dr Wilson, are you ready to lead on your first ACL surgery?"

"Are you serious?!"

"Of course", Callie was thrilled, "it's scheduled for 4pm, are you happy to talk to the patient and do pre-op checks? I'd expect you to have a hearty lunch beforehand, you can't be weak in Ortho."

"Yes Dr Torres! You won't regret it!"

Before Callie could relay the plan to Wilson, her pager went off. After taking a brief glance she looked apologetically at her favourite resident. "It's a 911, sorry", she turned to leave but reminded protégé "go eat and we'll meet at 2pm to discuss everything okay?"

"Sure thing Dr Torres!" And with that, Callie was gone.

"sUrE tHiNg Dr ToRrEs" came a mocking voice from behind her.

Without even looking, "shut up Alex", and she made her way to the canteen.

xxxxxxxxx

After receiving the 911 page, Callie made her way to the ordered destination. She opened the door to the on-call room and smiled at the perky, waiting sight in front of her.

"Hey you, ready for our lunch date?"

"Why of course, Dr Robbins."

Arizona handed Callie a tray consisting of lasagna, a strawberry yoghurt and a bottle of water.

Accepting the food, she queried, "didn't anyone say anything when you grabbed two lunches?"

"No, I made an intern get mine, I know what this hospital is like."

Callie turned round, locked the door and joined Arizona on one of the beds. Both surgeons were sat up straight, leaning against the wall with their legs stretched out. Feet slightly dangling over the edge.

"So, what's the special occasion? Have I missed something?"

Arizona flashed a full dimpled smile and gave her girlfriend an adoring look, "Happy ten month anniversary, Calliope."