The Song Remains the Same

Chapter 18

Callie wasn't sure how long she'd managed to sleep, just that it hadn't been long, and she still felt bleary and tired after her first cup of coffee. She'd woken at nearly dawn, called Arizona right away without regard to the time, and now sat her vigil at Owen's bedside, flipping through his chart over and over, each time as fruitless as the last. If there was a way to help Owen here she couldn't see it. Raised voices outside the room drew her attention and Callie pushed herself to her feet wearily.

“Wha-?” Her question stopped almost as soon as she'd started to ask it. She'd met Owen's doctor the day before, but that wasn't who was yelling. Maybe she'd never actually met Teddy Altman but she recognized her immediately. “It's okay,” she interjected softly before anyone could call for security. “Teddy...”

She was even prettier than she'd been in the picture Callie had seen, her honey colored hair down in long curling waves past her shoulders. “Callie...” Clearly no introductions were necessary. “It's nice to finally meet you.” She wasn't smiling, her face serious. “It's not how I wanted it to happen.”

“No,” Callie agreed dryly. “When'd you get here?”

“Yesterday.” Sighing heavily Teddy turned toward Owen's room, leaning beside Callie and watching her friend breathing in the bed. “He was going to watch your team's surgery last night and we were supposed to meet at the airport. I heard about the crash before I was even off my plane.” She glanced sideways at the other woman. “I've seen you around but I figured it would be easier if I stayed out of your way.”

Callie shook her head, meeting her eyes. “I need help, so I'm glad you're here. Have you -?” She offered the folder in her hand.

Teddy took it gratefully. “They wouldn't give it to me. I'm not family.” She started reading as fast as she could.

“Well, they won't let me operate, so...” Callie groused.

“We'll figure this out,” said Teddy without looking up from the chart. “Do we have space to work?”

Having someone take the lead helped Callie gain some energy, feeling like she had help for the first time since she'd arrived in Boise. Yang had had her dislocated shoulder fixed and would have been all over this case but Ellis Grey had expressly forbidden it. She'd never felt so helpless in her life as she had the last two days. Teddy's arrival was proving to be a relief.

“Sure. I think Ellis has got us moved into a set of offices by now,” Callie said, laughing sarcastically. “This way.” She started to turn and hesitated, Teddy going up on her toes to avoid tripping over her. “Actually...” Callie gently removed the folder from her hands, Teddy's brows furrowing as she frowned in confusion. “Why don't you take a few minutes with him? I've got to go get some more coffee.”

Teddy's expression softened and Callie blinked as she was suddenly engulfed in a skinny, bony hug. The only person who hugged her anymore was Arizona and she was all softness and warmth. Teddy was wiry angles and bones. Callie still nearly melted into the embrace.

Realizing what she was doing exactly Teddy stepped back as quickly as she'd stepped forward. “Sorry,” she stammered. “I just – thank you.” Long hair fell across one eye as she ducked her head. “Everything Owen always said about you is right.”

Callie could just gape as the other woman retreated to Owen's room. She needed her coffee now and would make time for calling Arizona, unsure if her mind was still working right. Had that really just happened? Arizona answered on the second ring. “Teddy just hugged me.”

“Oh.” There had been no time for a greeting and Arizona was left without a clue how Callie was doing. “Um, are you okay with that?” she asked slowly, unsure what reaction to expect from that announcement.