Flight (Calzona)

Two

Overnight, the panic of the flight set in. She didn't even need to close her eyes to reimagine the plane crash, her body in full panic mode simply by packing her case. The phantom pain in her residual limb returning with full force, tears streaming down her face as she forced her body to recognise the limb that had been lost. Her skin still crawling with the memories of bugs eating at her exposed flesh flooded her mind while flushing hot and cold between the freezing temperature that surrounded them and the infection setting her body on fire from the inside out. No part of Arizona could escape the feeling of being back in the woods, no part of her could shut off the feelings of the trauma she suffered in those four long days.

By morning, Arizona hadn't a minutes sleep, she was exhausted, petrified and didn't know how she was going to make it through the day.

She paced the length of the house wondering how she was going to do it. She considered sleeping tablets, popping them jusy before boarding but her anxiety and the lack of control quickly discarded that idea. What if she woke in the woods again? She could have a few drinks to settle her nerves but would turning up drunk really be ideal? She definitely couldn't have dealt with the crash the way she did if she had been drunk. She had already downloaded a few podcasts and music which would be her lifeline but she wasn't sure it would be enough.

As the morning went on, Arizona quickly realised that she couldn't do it.

Arizona- I can't do it. I thought I could but I can't. I can't get on a plane. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry

Callie had been expecting the message, she was more than aware of Arizona's fear due to her previous experience and that's why she was currently sat at JKF Airport waiting to board a flight to Seattle to bring Arizona back to New York with her. She wasn't planning on telling her that but she had a feeling it would be needed.

Callie- you can. I know you can. One step at a time. Can you just make it to the airport?

Arizona- yeah, I just can't, I can't get on the plane Callie

Callie- it's all going to be ok. I'm just going into surgery so I won't be able to talk until about an hour before you fly. Please just go to the airport, check in and I'll call as soon as I'm out. I promise

Arizona- ok, I'll try

Of course Callie wasn't going into surgery but it was believable to Arizona. She spent the next hours pacing before finally calling an Uber to take her to the airport. Her breathing was irregular but like Callie said, one step at a time. She needed to get to the airport at least, she needed to push herself to breaking point. She had to do everything in her power to get to Sofia without backing out.

While Arizona was in the Uber, Callie's flight was preparing to land. She couldn't wait to hit the ground to know if Arizona had made it or if she was going to have a mad dash to get her and make it back to the airport in time for their flight. Callie had called the airline, explaining she was booking separately from Arizona but asked if they could be seated together and upgrading their seats to make Arizona as comfortable as possible, the company gladly agreeing. Being on the same flight wouldn't be enough, Arizona would need her right next to her.

As soon as her cell signal kicked in Callie called "I did it, I'm at the airport. I checked in and I'm at gate 108" Arizona answered without any form of greeting. "I'm so proud of you. You can do this, I'm going to be with you every step of the way Arizona" that's all she could wish for, Callie next to her on her first flight since the crash "I wish you were, but can you just talk to me for as long as possible? About anything at all" Callie of course agreed. She had disembarked from her flight, re checked in and was heading towards gate 108 remaining on the phone as promised.