A/N: Hello Readers! This is just a little fic idea that I couldn't get out of my head so I decided to try to realise it.

There are inaccuracies such as Meredith still living in the dream house but that's just the way my brain thought of it. Set some time after the dinner party but there's no custody battle or New York.

I've got more planned out which I'll upload very soon.

Feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Tell me what it is that I have to do

I'm always searching through a crowded room

You're always trying to find your way to me

We can go somewhere no one else will see

So take me somewhere

Love Like This - Xana

Arizona was questioning why she chose to attend this party, even before she had entered the house.

Approaching the doorway, she reminded herself that she wasn't doing this for her, it was for Cristina – it was her birthday party. Or more accurately, an excuse to drink a ridiculous amount of tequila and dance on the dining room table. Cristina was back in Seattle for a few weeks, so naturally, a party was required.

The blonde considered herself fashionably late, hoping to ensure that Cristina and her other friends were sober enough to recognise that she came, but inebriated enough to not notice how little time she would be present.

Arizona was simply attending to show her face before making a subtle exit after about an hour or so. That was the plan.

It's a good, safe plan. Easy peasy. Hopefully...

The blonde knew well enough even an hour would be too much in the presence of her ex-wife and her 'perfect' Penny.

Arizona found herself stood near the door of Meredith's family home, fidgeting with a pull on her trouser pocket with one hand and holding a rather expensive bottle of tequila with her other - a fitting gift for the birthday girl.

The house Derek had designed was beautiful, however currently slightly tainted by the pounding of bass so loud it was seemingly vibrating the foundations. Regardless, it was still a more sophisticated building than Meredith's previous home which had felt very much like a frat house. The sounds of far more people than she was comfortable being around, singing, or perhaps screaming, could be heard as she waited by the door. Feeling the buzz beneath her feet, Arizona contemplated turning straight back around, getting in her car and driving to the hospital.

They need more staff surely?

Some emergency would likely come in and boom, convenient excuse to not be at this party. On a Saturday night, she'd rather be at the hospital consulting on some drunken teens that have haphazardly injured themselves, an inevitable occurrence on a weekend. Seemingly half the hospital was at this party, leaving Grey Sloan undoubtably unstaffed. Really, as a member of the board, it was her duty to cover their shortage, right?

No! You can't leave! You spent three freakin' hours getting ready! You look hot!

Arizona knew when she agreed to attend that she had to look her best. She couldn't go 'party' with her close friends, colleagues, and… ex-wife, without looking fantastic. With this in mind, she'd chosen to wear her favourite pair of tapered midnight blue trousers that did wonders for her ass, a matching blazer and a white tucked vest. This vest happened to provide an enticing view of her cleavage and a hint of the lacy red bra she was wearing. While not exactly 'party' attire, the outfit was professional enough when surrounded by many unruly interns and less senior colleagues.

What are you waiting for? Just open the door, walk inside, and face the music. Literally.

She was very much aware of what held her back. Calliope would be there. Callie had already informed her that Sofia was with a babysitter tonight, so of course her 'happier than ever' ex-wife would attend, and she'd surely bring her girlfriend.

It wasn't that she hadn't seen Callie recently. Arizona had seen her when when handing over Sofia, she'd seen her around the hospital – in the OR, the cafeteria, the lobby, meetings, consults. She'd heard her beautiful laugh from across the room, and witnessed many of her public displays of affection with Penny.

She'd seen the woman just about everywhere.

However, Callie didn't see her anymore. Callie left, walked out, moved on. The brunette was happy and free. She was no longer suffocated by Arizona and the wedding band that she had clearly viewed as a prison wrapped around her ring finger for so many years.

Arizona, however, was not free, she did not walk out, and she certainly hadn't moved on. How could she? How could she move on from her stunning, earth-shatteringly beautiful ex-wife.

However, Callie didn't love her anymore; she may even hate her – but the blonde could never feel that way. She knew she'd broken Callie, betrayed their marriage. She was the reason Calliope wasn't hers anymore. That redhead resident was the one calling her Calliope now.

How long have I been standing here?

Come on, you coward. Open the damn door!

Before she could act, Meredith Grey came barrelling through the front door, arms linked with Cristina's, cackling with laughter and stumbling. Arizona was pulled out of her revelry by the shriek of-

"Roller-girl!" Cristina barged into the blonde with her available arm wrapping around Arizona's shoulders. Arizona's immediate focus was maintaining her balance from Cristina's haphazard 'hug' and somehow managing not to drop the bottle of tequila she'd brought.

"Happy Birth-" Arizona was interrupted by Cristina grasping the bottle out of Arizona's hand, "Get inside woman! We needed more freakin' tequila like, an hour ago."

Arizona didn't have time to respond before she was dragged inside the house, one arm linked with Cristina and the other with Meredith.

"You're late!' Meredith exclaimed, turning to Arizona. "What took you so long? It's my own damn house and I don't even know half of the people here! I need all the familiar faces I can get."

Cristina sighed, slurring, "Considering this party is for me, I know like five people here." Meredith responded with a squeal, "Probably because everyone else is dead!"

The twisted sisters, as they were so accurately named, simultaneously let go of Arizona as they doubled over in drunken laughter, clinging to each other and surprisingly not falling on their faces.

Wow. I am far too sober for this.

Now released from the grasp of Meredith and Cristina, she scanned the overcrowded room.

I am not looking for Callie. No no, definitely not looking for Callie. Just for some kind of bar, for alcohol, obviously.

Trailing her gaze across the room, the blonde found herself overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people, the distinct lack of Callie, and…

Huzzah! Alcohol!

Arizona clocked the very large cluster of cider cans, bottles of beer and liquor on the kitchen island. It took less than a second from noticing it before Arizona was be-lining in that direction.

The music became even louder as the speakers blasted the popular tune of 'Get Low'. The blonde bopped her head along to the song as she manoeuvred through the crowd of people dancing, grinding and inevitably spilling their drinks as they jumped around, scream-shouting the lyrics.

Managing to access the kitchen island, Arizona grabbed a bottle of beer. She didn't pay attention to the brand - it didn't matter, but she did appreciate the convenience of the twist cap before throwing the bottle back and gulping down at least half of the bottle. Arizona felt some of the tension in her shoulders release. Turning to face the crowd, she pressed her back against the island and rested an elbow on its surface.

Where is she?

Arizona mentally chastised herself. She shouldn't be wanting to see her ex-wife, she should want to avoid her as much as physically possible. Maybe it was the anxiety of potentially seeing her flaunting her happiness, embracing her girlfriend and swaying her hips for Penny on the improvised dance floor.

Her thoughts were interrupted as Alex approached, standing next to her with a bottle in hand.

"Robbins! Nice to see you somewhere other than the hospital for once" Alex shouted, leaning towards Arizona.

The blonde recognised the genuine surprise in his voice. He wasn't wrong, she'd barely left the grounds of Grey Sloan. Her house was too… quiet. Especially when Sofia was with Callie. She couldn't bare it. Even when Sofia was with her, sleep was difficult.

Arizona thought she would have adjusted to sleeping alone at some point since the divorce, but any peaceful slumber evaded her. Instead, her mind was filled with thoughts of the woman used to lie on the other side of the bed. Vivid memories of the comfort she'd once felt. Calliope's warmth, the feeling of those plump lips caressing her bare shoulders in the morning, tangled up together. It was always followed by thoughts of the pain Arizona had caused and the ways in which they had broken each other. Any rest she achieved in her empty bed resulted in fitful sleep, tossing and turning, torturing herself imagining her once-wife with another woman.

Sleeping at the hospital was easier. If she slept in an on-call room, it was because she was too exhausted to stand let alone think.

"Alex, it's good to see you. Why am I not surprised you're at a party?" Arizona smirked at her friend.

"Hey! I'm not that bad, I've matured in my old age!" The blonde jokingly scoffed at his response, knowing to a great extent – he had.

Arizona was relieved to see that Alex wasn't anywhere near as drunk as the majority of the other guests. She smiled towards him as they clinked beer bottles and simultaneously swigged some of their respective drinks. Looking over at Alex, she felt the need to ask a question. Apparently, the liquid courage was having an adverse affect on her, influencing Arizona to do the exact opposite of what she wanted.

Don't ask. Don't ask.

Do. Not. Ask.

"Is Callie here?"

Damnit.

"Yeah, with Penny, they were here when I arrived, haven't seen them in a while though".

Arizona released a sigh of relief. They'd probably left meaning she wouldn't have to watch them bump and grind and look all lovey-dovey. Not that she cared, Arizona reminded herself, trying to ignore the pang of jealousy that sank in her stomach.

Just as she'd accepted that she wouldn't be seeing her wife, ex-wife, tonight; Arizona turned her head to the crowd, finding the woman in question looking in her direction. Her gaze locked onto Callie. The brunette was surrounded by people dancing, standing still amongst them and staring directly at Arizona.

Arizona felt time slow, seconds feeling like hours wrapped up in the gaze of her ex-wife.

God, she's stunning.

Callie's hair was down, perfectly styled waves cascading past her shoulders. A painted red bottom lip pinched ever so slightly by her teeth with an indescribable expression adorning her face.

She's looking at me. Is she looking at me?

No. Definitely not.

She's probably looking at… Karev?

Arizona swiftly averted her eyes away, choosing to fixate on an ornate lamp. Not pining or staring adoringly at Callie. Much better, much less interaction with her ex.

Yes, lamp, lovely colours, with no beautiful, pained eyes fixated at me. Wait, pained?

No, you're over-thinking it, she wasn't staring at you Robbins!

She mentally shook herself, trying to reset her mind. It was too early to leave the party, and she didn't want to be so weak that she couldn't even make eye-contact with Callie without bolting. She had to get used to this, they had been separated long enough and she needed to get over herself. Callie was with Penny, Arizona was alone, and that was fine. Everything was fine. As long as Callie was happy, she could be happy.

"Oh - trouble in paradise, 12 O'Clock" Alex remarked, pulling Arizona away from her analysis of the lamp.

"What?"

Alex pointed towards Penny, who was storming out of the room looking visibly upset. She noticed that Callie was no longer stood in the crowd. Rather, her ex-wife was practically chasing the redhead, appearing to be more annoyed than anything as her girlfriend left the room.

Before Arizona could comprehend her own actions, she'd downed the last of her beer, discarded the bottle and walked across the lounge, following the couple out of the room.