The Song Remains the Same

Chapter 10

Quiet nights at home were becoming synonymous with restlessness in Callie Torres' mind. There were no kids around to distract her but she found herself completely unable to take advantage of it and relax. Because she'd been kissed by the woman she was crazy about, and by her not quite ex-husband in the span of hours the day before. At least not having to get the kids up (as well as the entirely nonexistent chance that she'd oversleep) meant that she was actually early for the morning meeting.

In fact, she was pacing the floor in front of the coffee cart on the second floor when the rest of her fellow Attendings started arriving. Arizona spotted her as she came off the elevator, smiling as she crossed the lobby. “Callie, hey! Good morning.”

Callie's brisk pace halted, her eyes wide. “Hey!”

“You're here early,” Arizona observed cheerfully, stepping up to the coffee cart and placing her order. “Do you want a cup? Or have you already had a few today?” Her tone was light, teasing.

“Owen kissed me last night.” Callie hadn't meant to say it but it just burst free. Well, she had meant to say it, she'd just meant to find a better time and place to tell Arizona about the kiss than just blurting it out as soon as she saw her. Arizona's back was to her and Callie cursed not being able to see her face, read her expression. Her shoulders looked stiff though.

Arizona blinked, forcing a smile for the benefit of the confused barista, and took her coffee. “Oh,” she said as she turned around slowly. “Okay...”

“I didn't – it didn't – I'm sorry,” Callie stammered, walking backward as Arizona moved forward.

“You don't have to apologize,” said Arizona, trying and failing to keep her tone light. Callie caught her arm as she attempted to brush past her. “He's your husband.”

“Ex-husband,” Callie stated immediately. “I don't even know why it happened. He said it was habit or something, but that's crazy because he hasn't kissed me in months!” She swallowed hard. “And I'm sorry it happened. Because the only person I want kissing me, that I want to kiss, is you,” she said seriously, her eyes locked on Arizona's.

Arizona could see the earnestness, the sincerity, in Callie's eyes. She could understand perfectly well why Owen had kissed Callie. And Callie was standing in front of her, had told her what happened and still stated that she didn't want to kiss Owen, just her. Reaching up, she swiped the thumb of her free hand gently across Callie's bottom lip. “I guess I can't blame him,” she mused softly, speaking quietly so they wouldn't be overheard. The news of the divorce somehow hadn't spread yet. Of course, if anyone saw them it would be obvious that something was going on between them. “You're a pretty great kisser.”

Callie looked pleased, blinking. “Yeah?” Arizona smiled and nodded silently. “But it's been forever since we've kissed, me and Owen, I mean. Even here at work it's just been on the cheek, for show.” She sighed, confused by the gesture from her husband. “Why now?”

“Because he's losing you,” Arizona answered, her eyes drinking in Callie's face. “No matter how bad things have gotten, you've been the steadiest part of his life, Callie. And now that's over.”

“So he kisses me?” Callie asked in disbelief. “Because we're breaking up?”

Arizona's smile didn't slip. “One last kiss. I get it.”