I Do Believe 2/?
“The Electric Feel”
By C.

Callie/Erica
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Possible spoilers through to the middle of the season.
Disclaimer: Not mine, just playing with them.  I’ll promise to put them back before Thursdays.  As for this chapter’s soundtrack?  I put the blame solely on MGMT and their too-catchy-for-their-own-good album.
Notes: Basically my own take on all the rumors and spoilers from Season five.  As always, thanks to Beta-Extraordinaire.

* * *

This is what the world is for
Making electricity
…
I said ooh girl
Shock me like an electric eel
Baby girl
Turn me on with your electric feel

-MGMT, “Electric Feel”

* * *

Callie Torres marched herself through the front doors of Seattle Grace. The sun was shining, the weather was beautiful and she had a cup of coffee in her hand.  Today was the day.  She could feel it.  She felt it from the moment she woke up, she felt it when she pulled on her favorite shirt, and she felt it now as she walked briskly through the halls: this was the day she will ask Erica Hahn out for a date – because the flirting thing?  Only got them so far.

She rounded a corner towards the change room – only to find Erica Hahn, already starting her day, going through charts.  Perfect.  Callie squared her shoulders and set a smile on her face as she moved towards the blond.  “Hey,” She began, sidling up beside Erica, holding out the cup of coffee in her hand, “Brought you coffee.” 
“This, this is why you’re my favorite person at this hospital.” Erica replied, taking the cup and throwing Callie a smile before she turned back to her charts. 
“So…”
“Yes, Torres?”
“I was wondering…” Callie’s voice dropped off, dried up, and crawled away.  She couldn’t speak.  What was happening?  She was in control!  She was at one with the world and centered and powerful and she was going to ask Erica Hahn out.  So why couldn’t she speak?
“You were wondering?”  Hahn prompted, looking up to find Callie with a panicked look in her eyes. 
“Ia-uh-sh”  A few squeaky sounds came out as the brunette opened and closed her mouth. 
“Everything OK?” Hahn asked, her eyes on Callie as she slowly ran her tongue over the edge of her coffee cup.  Callie gulped as she watched Hahn’s mouth on the cup of coffee.  Why was this happening now? She had practiced it over and over in the car, finding the perfect balance between flirty and aggressive and yet here she was, unable to think about anything besides being jealous of Erica’s coffee cup and what it would be like to have Erica run her tongue over her instead.
“Listen, I gotta run,” Erica began, as she closed her last chart shut and tucked her pen away, “Want to finish your thought over dinner?”
“Dinner?”  Callie squeaked, “Or dinner dinner?”
“I don’t know,” Hahn smiled back, her blue eyes filled with mischief, “Whatever makes it a date.  That one.”  She started down the hall, and then turned back and called out over her shoulder, “Thanks for the coffee Torres!”

* * *

Callie stood at the front desk of the hospital and anxiously played with her keys as she waited for Erica Hahn.  She had no idea what to expect, all Erica said was to have someplace in mind for dinner and that she’d take care of the after-dinner entertainment.  She was starting to get the feeling that this ‘date’ thing was a bad idea.  She sighed and looked down at her outfit, was it even the right thing to wear? I mean, it’s what she’d wear if she were going out with Sloan, but this wasn’t Sloan, this was Erica.  Maybe Erica wouldn’t notice how the jeans hugged her hips, or how the boots made her legs look longer, and maybe she wouldn’t appreciate the blouse left unbuttoned just low enough to show a hint of black lace.  Maybe women didn’t notice things like –
“Hey,” A throaty voice interrupted from behind, “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting…”
“Me? Nah…” Callie turned around and an awkward moment passed between them as each woman took her time taking in the other. 
“You, ah, look – yeah.”  Callie stuttered, taking in the sight of Erica in a navy wrap-around dress hitting just above the knee and cut down to there… Women definitely notice things like that: like how Erica’s necklace dangled tantalizingly low, and how her blond curls were just a little curlier, and her lips a little glossier.  “I was about to say the same thing.”  Erica replied, ducking her head shyly, sneaking a peek at Callie.  “So, where are you taking me on our first date?”  Callie asked, leading the way out of the hospital into the cool night air “That’s not the deal Torres, just because you look –”
“Just because I look what?”  Callie asked, turning around and walking backwards so she could watch Erica squirm.
“Just because you look amazing doesn’t mean you’re getting out of it.  You’re taking me out to dinner, and I’m taking you somewhere afterwards!”  They reached Callie’s car and the brunette pinned her blond companion against the passenger’s door.  “You think I look amazing?”  She purred as brushed her body against Erica’s to open her door.  Erica’s stomach flipped and she took a deep breath before she got into the car.  This was going to be a long night.

    Callie drove them to a small Thai place downtown, it was plain, dark and non-descript but packed with bodies waiting for a seat.  Callie instinctively took Erica’s hand and led her through the people to the front of the line.  “I made reservations.”  She explained as the women were led to their table, “See, I’m capable of planning things!” she teased.  The spicy scent of food wafted towards them.  “I’m so hungry!”  Erica exclaimed, looking down at her menu, debating between the Drunken noodles and the pad-thai.  “I was gonna say,” Callie teased lightly, “I didn’t see you at lunch.  Where were you?”
“No where…” Erica answered, evading the question. 
“Were you getting ready for our date?”  Callie teased.
“I wouldn’t waste my energy, Torres!”  Erica retorted as she glanced around the other tables, eyeing their steaming dishes.  Callie watched her from over her menu and couldn’t help but smile wide.  “What?”  Erica asked, curious as to the source of the smile. “Nothing.”
“That smile is not nothing.  Spill, otherwise I’m taking our tickets and going without you.”
“Tickets?  To what?” Callie’s eyes gleamed – she’d been curious as to what Erica had planned for that evening.
“What were you smiling about?” Erica asked again.
“What are the tickets to?”  Callie countered, just as the waiter stopped by.  They quickly ordered and then returned to their face-off until finally Callie’s smile grew wider in the face of Erica’s determination not to speak first.  “Fine.  You win!”
“I always win.”  Erica responded.
“Because I let you.”  Callie explained.  “And I was smiling because… It’s silly.”
“Cal, tell me!”
“It’s stupid, it’s just that we’ve been out to eat a hundred times.  We’ve sat across from each other and we’ve eaten and we’ve talked and we’ve laughed – but this is our first date.”
“It is our first date.”  Erica answered cautiously.  “How are you feeling about that?”
“Honestly?”  Callie asked.
“Honestly.”
“Honestly, I’m – I don’t know.  I like that I know we can talk, and there won’t be any awkward pauses, but I’m nervous –”
“About?”  Their food arrived and both women eagerly dug in.
“Well – it’s still a date.  I’m nervous – what if I wore the wrong thing?  What if I say something stupid?  What if it’s the end of the night and you won’t want to kiss me – especially after my spicy noodles.  And then what if you do want to kiss me?  Will I do it right?  I don’t know – just ahhh stuff.”  Callie finished rambling and looked up at the calm stare of Erica Hahn and her blue eyes and her self-possessed smile.  “What?”  Callie asked, irritated at just how calm the blond could be. 
“Callie – you are wearing absolutely the right thing.”  Her eyes twinkled as she glanced down at Callie’s slightly unbuttoned shirt.  “Worring about saying something stupid has never stopped you before.” She teased, “And as for kissing you?”  Erica took a breath at the thought and slowly extended her leg under the table to touch Callie’s.  “You have nothing to worry about.  From what I remember your technique?  Flawless.”  Erica smiled and stroked Callie’s leg from under the table before she turned her attention back to her meal. 
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”  Callie laughed.
“Honestly, yes.”  Erica confessed as she ate her dinner.  “I mean, I’m having dinner with my best friend, who looks more amazing than I think she knows.  I know we’re taking it slow, but I have –” A slight blush rose to her cheeks as she lowered her eyes. “Thought about what it would be like to go out on a date, with you.”
“You have?”  Callie asked, leaning back in her chair to watch the unraveling of Erica Hahn.
“I have.  It started as a joke, when you finally told me what Addison told you.  But then,” Erica lowered her fork down and finally gathered the courage to look up at Callie, “I starting thinking about what it would be like.  You know, to be able to say how great you look, or to put my arm around your back, or…” Her voice died down and she lowered her eyes again.
“What?”  Callie asked, “Your arm around my back, or?”  She noticed the shift that the mood had taken – and she wasn’t sure where this conversation was going to go.
“You know,” Erica began, looking back up composed and calm behind her Dr. Hahn mask, “We should grab the cheque, otherwise we’ll be late.”
“Erica, you can –” Callie began, only to be cut short by a pleading look in her date’s eyes.  “We’ll grab the cheque.”

The quick walk in the brisk fall night restored the ease of the evening.  By the time they reached Callie’s car, they were back to laughing and sharing stories about their day.  Callie started her car and then stopped.
“What’s wrong?”  Erica asked, a look of worry on her face.
“I don’t know where we’re going.  If a certain someone had told me earlier, maybe I’d know.”
“Don’t worry,” Erica responded, fiddling with Callie’s iPod, “Just get onto Peterson, I’ll tell you when to turn.”
“You’re the boss!” Callie said, turning onto the road, bopping her head to the music. 
“I like how that sounds,” Hahn teased, “turn left.  And then right.”  Callie followed the given directions and eventually pulled into a warehouse packed with cars.  “You can park anywhere,” Erica instructed, digging through her purse for their tickets.  Callie quickly pulled into a spot and they got out of the car. 
“Where the hell are we?”  Callie asked, glancing around at all the cars.  Erica handed her their tickets and continued to walk as the brunette stopped to squeal: “Oh.  My.  God.  How?!?  How?!?  They’ve been sold out for weeks!  I know, I’ve checked!”  She rushed to catch up to the blond who tried to play off her delight in Callie’s reaction. 
“I’m glad you like it.”  Erica said modestly as they walked towards the entrance of the warehouse where smoke, music and the noise of the crowds spilled out.  Callie handed their tickets to the bouncer and they slipped in.  The place was packed with bodies, everyone excited, waiting for the band to take the stage.  Erica felt Callie wrap an arm around her waist and press herself against her back, her lips by her ear, causing Erica to blush for the umpteenth time that night.  “I’m gonna get us something to drink, OK?”
“OK.”  Erica stuttered, swallowing hard.  “I’ll try to grab us a spot closer to the stage.”  With a quick brush of her hand on Erica’s hip, Callie quickly left towards the bar at the back of the room.  Erica, meanwhile took advantage of the crowds shifting between sets and moved as close as she could to the stage.  Eventually Callie joined her, two beers in her hand.  “I still can’t believe you got these tickets!”  She exclaimed, passing forward a beer. “How did you know I wanted to see them?”
“Oh, I don’t know…” Erica responded, “You’ve only been playing their CD endlessly!  You’ve also changed the ringer on your phone… Oh, and you haven’t shut up about this concert and how you couldn’t get tickets for the last three weeks!”  Erica smiled back at Callie, taking a swig of her beer.  “Yeah,” Callie started, her smile growing at the sight of the lights going down on stage and the crowds pushing them closer to each other.  “But I still want to know how you got these tickets?”
“These tickets?  These incredibly sold out tickets?”  Erica teased, easing herself closer to Callie, “I know a guy.”
As the crowds began to cheer as the two members of MGMT took the stage, Callie wrapped her arm around Erica’s waist again, pulling her close and laughed, “Erica Hahn knows a guy.  I love it!”

* * *

The roar of the concert had faded – and now they found themselves in the silent hall in front of Callie and Cristina’s apartment.  “You didn’t have to drive me home, you know,” Callie said, a playful pout on her lips.  “Oh no?” Erica asked, playfully poking her friend in the shoulder.
“No.  I had two beers, and you had two beers.  We were even.”
“Except you had my two beers too.”
“Oh yeah.”  Callie smiled as she leaned against the doorframe.  An awkward pause fell between them - Callie was comfortable where she stood watching Erica while Erica stood rooted to the spot, unsure if she should go, stay or speak.  Finally a quiet “Thank you” passed through her lips. “For what?”  Callie asked, holding her hand out to bring Erica closer. “You know,” Erica began, leaning against the wall beside Callie, hand in hand.  “For saying yes, and for getting dressed up and for letting this be a real date.  This is new for both of us.  Thanks for going through this with me.”
“I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather go through this with.  Besides, you were right there with me.  You got all dressed up in that dress and you got tickets to one of my favorite bands and you,” Callie took a breath, “You made me feel – great.”
“I like making you feel great.” Erica revealed, a slow smile spreading through her face confessing the truth to Callie and herself at the same time.  “I like making you smile, and I like…” She looked down at their hands.
“Yeah, I like it too.”  Callie said, “I’m nervous about what this all means though.” 
“Oh?” Erica asked, her stomach dropping. 
“I just mean - We’ve been teasing and playing – but this was a date.  A real date.  This means we’ve stopped playing around.”
“I don’t play around, Callie.”  Erica spoke softly but intently.  She was used to the emotional yo-yo of talking with Callie.  If Callie didn’t know what she wanted, that was her problem, but she knew what she wanted.  She stepped closer to Callie and brushed her cheek with her hand and placed a whisper soft kiss against Callie’s lips.  “Good night.”

Erica took a step back from Callie and turned to go, only to have Callie pull her back.  “Finally,” Callie murmured, shoving Erica against the door and pressing her against it.  “I’ve been waiting all week for this.”  She brought her lips to the blonde’s, which eagerly parted ways for her.  The seriousness of the prior moments gave way to a heated exchange of hands tangled in hair, arms wrapped around waists, lips blazing trails down jaws to necks and exposed flesh.  It was as if the earth gave way under their feet.

Which it did.  Literally.

Within a split-second, they found themselves in a heap on the floor in Callie and Yang’s apartment as the door opened.  Confused and frustrated the women looked up at Yang’s shocked face as she held out a phone towards Callie.  “First off – you’re kissing my mentor.  Gross.  Second off – your parents won’t stop calling, heard of turning your phone on?  Third?  Cute dress.”  Cristina finished, turning on her heel and returning to the couch.  Callie quickly grabbed the phone and scrambled off of her date.  “Hi Mom!”  She greeted the voice on the other end.  “Yes, I’m still alive.”  She shot Erica an apologetic look as she helped the visibly uncomfortable woman up off the ground.  “No mom, I’m not kissing anyone!  You know Cristina and her LOUSY sense of humor –” She covered the mouthpiece with her hand “NOT TO MENTION TIMING!” She shouted over her shoulder.  “I’m really sorry Erica –”
“It’s fine.  Really.”  Erica said, in a way that made it clear that all was not really fine.  The deep red spread across her cheek made it quite evident that she was deeply embarrassed.  “I should get going, I’ll see you tomorrow.”  She quickly left the apartment and turned down the hall, ignoring Callie calling out behind her “How are you getting home?”  After a moment of staring down the hall at Erica’s empty path, Callie sighed and turned her focus back to the phone.  “Yes, I’m still here.”

- TBC