Unexpected Song 1/?
Title: Unexpected Song 1/?
Author: GreysAddictJ
Pairing: Callie/Arizona
Rating: M/NC-17 (for later chapters)
Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. No infringement intended. Also, I don’t use a beta, so all mistakes are mine.
Summary: A/U - Arizona Robbins is a veteran musical theater composer with several Tonys to her name. But after a series of flops, she’s in serious need of a hit. Can rookie composer Callie Torres be the key to her success? Both hope for a hit, but discover that working together inspires more than just beautiful music. It’s also a loose modern retelling of one of my favorite novels. See if you catch on.
A/N: I swear I had this idea way before “Smash” was around. Just never got around to writing it.
* * * * *
It is a truth universally acknowledged that every musical theater composer must be in want of a Tony Award . . . or four.
Callie Torres fidgeted and tried to maintain some appearance of calmness as she waited outside Miranda Bailey’s office. Bailey’s bored-looking assistant was smacking her gum loudly and paging through some women’s magazine with the headline “101 Ways to Please Your Man” splashed across the cover in hot pink.
Callie picked up a magazine of her own, some rag dishing on which celebrity was in rehab, which one was cheating on her husband with a drag queen, and other salacious gossip. Callie flipped through it, not taking in what she was reading at all. She just needed something to occupy her hands with. Callie couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed and nervous. She was practically shaking with nervous energy. There was no other proper reaction to being summoned to the office of one of the most successful producers on Broadway. If you wanted a show done big, and if you wanted it done right, you hoped Miranda Bailey would take an interest. Callie’s eyes scanned the framed window cards on the wall, advertising the myriad hit shows that had made Bailey a legend in the business. She had no idea what exactly Miranda Bailey wanted with her, but there was no way she’d pass up the opportunity to meet the woman, let alone possibly work with her.
Callie tried to take deep breaths to steady her nerves while she waited. She stared at the door with “Miranda Bailey” painted in gold leaf on it. She wondered how much longer she’d have to wait. She was dying to know why she’d been called. She hoped it meant good things for her career. She desperately wanted to get up and pace, but she’d often been told that her “pee dance” did not make the best first impression.
Even though she was relatively new to the business and was still struggling for recognition, Callie had her dream. A spacious penthouse with stunning views of Central Park. A composing career successful enough to allow her such accommodations. And of course, the most important, a few Tony Awards on display on her immaculately polished baby grand piano. It wouldn’t hurt to have someone to share it all with, but that was less of a concern for her at the moment. She’d spent far too much time and energy on relationships that had crashed and burned. Right now, she needed to focus on her career.
She’d finally given in and thrown caution to the wind, deciding that doing what made her happy was more important than what made her parents happy. So she’d quit the family business, quit her corporate job, and had tried to make her name in the brutal and cut throat theater business. She’d had moderate success last year, after two years of struggling. She’d written a musical version of Romeo and Juliet and it had been put on with a modest budget at one of New York’s fringe musical theater festivals. It was a far cry from a commercial production at one of Broadway’s biggest theaters, but it was nothing to sneeze at either. Of course, no commercial producers had shown an interest in that show, so it had died a quiet death. However, at least her name was slowly getting out there. But even so, she needed a break. A big one. And she prayed that this meeting would be that big break.
A ring sounded from the desk of Bailey’s assistant. The bimbo paused mid-gum smack to pick up her phone. “Uh huh. Okay. Yeah. She’s here. No. Not yet. Okay.”
The bimbo hung up the receiver and waved to the door as she buried her nose back into her magazine. “You can go in now.” She said.
Callie looked around, as if expecting her to be talking to someone else. She still couldn’t quite believe she was there. Assuring herself that she was the only one in the waiting area, she stood, smoothed out any imaginary wrinkles in her form-fitting black skirt and strode towards the door. She hesitated just long enough to take a deep breath, then grasped the handle and headed in.
As she entered the room, Callie saw Miranda Bailey at her desk, finishing up a phone call. Bailey waved Callie over, gesturing to a nearby loveseat as she spoke. “Yes. Yes. I don’t care about your personal problems. Do you think I have time for that? Get it done or I’ll find someone else who will. I am not your therapist. Understood? Good. Don’t call me again until you’ve got some designs drawn up.” Bailey hung up the phone. She stood, rounded her desk and shook Callie’s hand.
“It’s good to meet you Calliope,” the diminutive woman said as she took Callie’s hand firmly in her own.
“Please, call me Callie.” Callie said, still in awe. She silently mused about the difference in Bailey’s physical stature and her stature in the theater community. This woman, no matter how short, demanded complete and utter respect.
Bailey nodded and returned to her desk, as Callie took a seat on the small loveseat located nearby. She sat patiently, hoping that Bailey would fill her in quick and put her out of her misery.
“So Callie, I saw your last work. Romeo and Juliet at the Fringe Festival.” Bailey began.
Callie’s heart began to race a little. Bailey had seen her work? The Miranda Bailey? She noticed that Bailey kept looking at her watch, a look of slight exasperation on her face, and she wondered what that meant.
“You wrote some beautiful tunes for that show. They were rough, and definitely needed more work, more refinement. But I saw promise there.” Bailey continued, eyeing the door.
Callie felt a flush start to creep over her skin. Miranda Bailey thought she showed promise. But where was this going?
“Anyway, I have a proposition for you. I’d hoped to have . . .” Bailey’s sentence was cut off as her phone rang. She answered it and began to speak.
Callie was trying to remain calm and patient. This meeting was clearly heading in a good direction. Bailey liked her work. And she had a proposition. This meeting could only get better from here.
“Yes. Send her in.” Bailey said and hung up the phone.
Callie was suddenly confused. Who was Bailey referring to? She didn’t have long to wait. A bubbly ball of blonde energy breezed into the room. And just about the last person Callie hoped to see. So much for the meeting getting better…
Arizona Robbins entered the room and strode across, greeting Bailey warmly. Callie watched as her former idol chatted with Bailey with an informal familiarity that Callie envied.
Arizona Robbins was one of the biggest names in the business. A young prodigy, she’d won her first Tony award at the age of 24. She’d since added two more to her mantle. Arizona was one of the best musical theater lyricists of her generation and had been a force to be reckoned with in the business, along with her now former writing partner, composer Joanne Delgado. Robbins and Delgado had been a modern-day Rodgers and Hammerstein. Hit after hit . . .until the last few years. Even though their success had trickled off, Callie still had admired the pair. She’d been a bit heartbroken when she heard they were taking time to work apart.
But that was beside the point. Callie’s days of idol worship of the woman before her were over. Her stomach was now in knots and not just because of her previous nervousness. She was confused, and angered, and hurt, and . . . just about every other emotion in the book.
Callie would never forget the day when her idol had crushed her dreams. When she’d heard that someone had asked THE Arizona Robbins what she’d thought of Callie’s Romeo and Juliet, Callie had been excited. Until she read the comment. She’d never forget those words. They were ingrained, word-for-word in her mind. “Her lyrics lack the depth and understanding and passion of someone who’s actually been in love.” She’d been devastated.
Callie was brought out of her reverie as Arizona finally turned to acknowledge her presence. “And who’s this?” Arizona asked.
“Where are my manners?” Bailey began. “This is Calliope . . . uh, Callie Torres. She’s a great new composer.”
Arizona shook Callie’s hand, no sign of recognition on her face.
Callie took her hand, jolted by the soft and sensual way that hand felt in her own. She flushed and managed to eke out a greeting. Of course Arizona wouldn’t remember her. She probably heard about and saw the works of many, many composers every year.
Arizona sized up the beautiful raven-haired woman before her. She silently wondered if they played for the same team. Definitely her type. She offered the woman a small smile and thought, if she wasn’t mistaken, that she saw a blush creep across the woman’s skin. After they greeted each other, she suppressed those thoughts and turned back to Miranda. Maybe another time. Right now, it was time for whatever business Bailey had in mind.
The two women sat down on the loveseat and waited for Bailey to get down to business. Callie struggled to focus. She was a whirlwind of emotions. She was in a room with two of the most respected women in the theater world. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel a bit of leftover hurt and anger towards the woman seated very near to her. She felt as though she could sense every minute movement and breath. And her scent. Why was the woman wearing so much perfume? Or maybe she was just hypersensitive because she was nervous and emotional. But that hint of citrusy . . . something . . . was rattling her. Callie shook it off and determinedly fixed her attention on Bailey, who cleared her throat and began to speak.
“Ladies. I have a business proposal for you. I’m looking to commission a musical version of Pride and Prejudice. Now, I know it’s a bit unorthodox, usually composing teams are pitching to me, not the other way around. But this is a story and a project that is close to my heart. “
“I don’t know . I’ve got other projects in the works.” Arizona began. After the rough end to her partnership with Joanne, she felt that she needed a break. And she had no idea who the woman next to her was, or what her credentials were.
Bailey held up a hand, cutting off Arizona’s protest. “Hear me out. I want this written. And you are the best lyricist in town.”
Callie, who had been too stunned to speak, finally found her voice. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was that she could not work with the woman sitting next to her. Not after that slight. If Arizona didn’t think highly of her work, there was no way they’d be able to collaborate effectively.
“I don’t think so, Miranda. I’d love the opportunity to work with you. But I think I’d be best working on my own.”
Again, Bailey cut off the protests. “Callie, let me be frank. You need a partner. Your music is beautiful, but your lyrics are clichéd at best. That’s where Arizona can help. I think you’d make a great team.”
“I can’t.” Callie said, stung by Bailey’s words, even if she knew they might be true. “I’m fine on my own.”
Arizona, who didn’t appreciate being blind-sided with a proposal to work with a newborn to the composing world, chimed in again. “Miranda. It looks like neither of us are really in a place where we want to explore a new partnership.”
“All right ladies. Let’s be real.” Bailey cut in. “You.” She said, pointing at Arizona. “Enough about your so-called projects, Arizona. You are a talented, talented woman. But your last two shows have flopped. You need a hit. And to do that, you need to find something new and different that works. Someone new to inspire you. Which is where Callie comes in”
Arizona opened her mouth to protest, but one look from Bailey and she shut it again.
“And you.” Bailey turned to Callie. “You should be thanking your lucky stars that I am taking an interest in you. Romeo and Juliet was good, but you are not great. Not yet anyway.”
Romeo and Juliet….recognition dawned on Arizona. She’d known that Callie’s name had sounded vaguely familiar. She remembered some haunting music from that show. About the only good thing about it.
Bailey continued speaking to Callie. “And I know your situation. You need a break. You need some support. Some success. Unless you want to end up waiting tables.” Bailey then addressed both of them. “So you both need to get over yourselves and agree to give this a try. Give it a six week trial. If it doesn’t work, I find someone else. No harm, no foul.” She slid contracts across her desk towards them.
Callie picked up the contract. It was more money than she’d seen since her father had cut her off. As much as working with the blonde next to her made her queasy, she didn’t think she could turn the offer down.
Arizona didn’t look at Bailey’s offer. It wasn’t about the money for her. She had plenty. It was about inspiration. About finding herself again. And maybe Bailey was right. And for whatever reason, the woman on the couch next to her intrigued her.
“Okay. I’ll do it.” Arizona said after a moment’s hesitation.
Bailey looked at Callie. “I’m in.” Callie said, her heart fluttering.
As they left the office, Callie and Arizona exchanged contact information. Arizona couldn’t help but smile. When Bailey wanted something, she sure knew how to make it happen.
Arizona glanced into Callie’s deep brown eyes and suppressed a sudden urge to jump the woman. This was already going to be awkward - no need to throw sexual tension into the mix as well. She offered her hand to Callie instead. “Well, Calliope, it should be interesting.”
Callie took Arizona’s hand in hers, she opened her mouth to correct Arizona’s use of her full name. But her words fell away as their hands touched. There was something about this woman that unnerved her. And Callie Torres did not get unnerved easily. Yet today, between Bailey and Arizona, she was nothing but a jumbled mess of nerves. And she didn’t like it one bit. Finally, she formed enough words to respond. “Yes, it should. I’ll be in touch.”
“Can’t wait.” Arizona said, just a hint of dimple peeking out from her cheeks.
Callie furrowed her brow and watched the woman walk away. Had she been flirting? Not that it mattered. She was straight. Very, very straight. She’d probably just been mistaken. She was such a blend of emotions. The word of the day was definitely confused…well, excited and confused and maybe a little scared. Callie had no idea where this journey would end, but she looked forward to it with a mixture of trepidation and eagerness. She’d been sucked into the path of the blonde whirlwind that was Arizona Robbins. And she already knew her life would never be the same.