The Song Remains the Same

Chapter 3

Scanning the crowded cafeteria for a place to sit Arizona found herself grinning when Callie waved her over, happily taking the seat beside her at the small round table. “How are you?” The matching smile she was learning to expect from Callie was absent today. She looked morose, sad, moving her food around her plate without taking a bite. “What's wrong?” she asked when Callie just sighed and forced a smile.

“I think Addison's going to leave,” Callie said, shrugging as though it didn't mean anything to her. Arizona knew it did. “I'm sure you heard.”

Arizona had heard the talk that Addison Montgomery Shepherd might be leaving, returning to New York with her as yet unborn baby and that baby's father. She'd also heard rumors that Richard Webber was trying to talk his wife into offering the Plastic surgeon a contract. Ellis Grey seemed to collect brilliant surgeons. And Mark Sloan had quite the reputation – as a surgeon and as a bit of a ladies man. The way things were going around here lately he'd fit right in. “I'm sorry, Callie. I know she's your friend. She'll be around for a few more weeks though. She won't fly this late in her pregnancy,” she reasoned, hoping to be reassuring. Callie didn't look comforted. “Is something else wrong?” Arizona asked, leaning forward and speaking softly. They were friends and Callie clearly needed someone to talk to.

They'd hung out in the lounge in between surgeries, chatted casually at the coffee cart on a daily basis in the weeks since their friendship had started. But Callie had things she didn't talk about. She told stories about her kids, talked about her surgeries, her research and papers she was reading. Arizona had noticed that she did not talk about her husband.

“Callie, you know you can talk to me.” As much as she didn't want to talk about Owen Hunt, she did want to see Callie happy, see her smile.

Callie shook her head, mustering another weak smile. “You don't need to hear about -”

“I asked, didn't I?” interjected Arizona softly. “You're my friend. And there's something bothering you. If you don't want to talk that's okay, but if you have something you want to talk about, I'll listen.” She could understand not wanting to share something personal at work though. Arizona gestured toward their mostly untouched trays. “What if we ditch these and go out to lunch?” she suggested lightly.

“Play hookie?” Callie questioned with a laugh, a genuine smile peeking out. And she desperately wished she could do it, but she had a surgery she needed to be sure Yang was ready for. The younger Dr. Grey appeared to have abandoned her service in favor of Neuro. Meredith and Cristina had become inseparable though. Which was actually okay with her because she spent all her free time in the hospital with Arizona now that Addison was tangled up in the mess she'd made of her life. Right now she had to sigh, shaking her head again. “I can't. I wish I could, believe me, but how about we get a drink some night this week though?” she asked hopefully. “Thursday, maybe?”

Arizona smiled. “Sure. That would be great. Just let me know if you can work it out.” Callie looked relieved, poking up a bite on her fork. “So what have you got going on that you need Yang's help?” Arizona asked, teasing.

Callie's mouth fell open, the corners of her mouth curling. “Oh please! Like I need any help from Yang!” she denied, shoving lightly at Arizona's shoulder with her free hand. “I am Callie Torres! I am a Cardio god! I mean, Yang is good -”

“But she's no Callie Torres,” Arizona agreed, smirking.

“She wishes!” Callie was laughing now, her earlier mood pushed away by Arizona's presence. It had only been a few weeks since their first night out together, but the friendship had grown quickly. And being around Arizona made her feel good in a way that nothing else did. It was nice, spending time with her new friend. Being with Arizona felt uncomplicated, easy, and it made her happy.