AN: Well, I missed my target by a week, but still not too bad, considering...Anyway, here's their first official date. Enjoy and have a great day.

About ten minutes later found me leaning against the island next to her as she arranged some ingredients. "So, what can I help with?" I asked as I plucked a grape from the provided bunch and tossed it in my mouth.

"Um, nothing. I think I have it under control." Callie answered distractedly as she flitted around the kitchen, gathering supplies.

"I want to help." I insisted, scanning over the items and attempting to determine her intentions.

Callie paused and glanced at me. With a spreading grin, she sauntered up to me until her front brushed mine. "Ok. You can help by staying as close as possible. You can talk to me, laugh a lot, and throw in a few well placed touches. Deal?"

Squinting my eyes, I studied her in mock consideration, "Define 'well placed touches'."

Callie smirked, "If you don't know how to touch a woman, I can't help you." Watching me cock my head and arch a brow, she smirked again, "Nothing crazy, just a hand on my arm, maybe a kiss on the cheek. Acceptable?"

With a quick lick of my lips just to mess with her, I finally nodded, "I suppose. Deal." After she smiled and stepped away, I pulled in a calming breath. "So, are you gonna tell me what you're assembling this evening?"

"I'm making honey Sriracha chicken, rice, and veggie bowls. Not super fancy, but it just might make you want me even more." Callie waggled her eyebrows as she poured rice into a pot.

"You're awfully confident of yourself."

"Well, I'm also making dessert. So, yes, I'm quite confident that I'll have you wrapped around my finger by the end of the evening." She turned the dials on the stove, sparking a flame to life under the pot of water and rice.

Biting my lip around my grin as my mind rolled straight into the gutter, I couldn't refrain from teasing, "Just one finger? I'm generally partial to more..." The suppressed grin morph-ed into an enthusiastic chuckle when Callie promptly fumbled the skillet she carried; the loud clang as it clashed with the counter-top punctuating the impact of the comment. "You alright over there?" I managed to ask through my lingering giggles.

Callie turned, a light blush coloring her cheeks as she propped a hand on her hip. Narrowing her eyes, she growled, "Yeah, just peachy. When I said talk to me, I didn't mean like that."

Smiling wide, I nodded, "Ah, yes. But, you did say to laugh. That time was simply at your expense." When she rolled her eyes and returned to the stove, I quietly added, "Plus, it's true."

"Oh, jeez."

I noticed how her muscles were stiff and her hands slightly trembled, causing me to grant mercy. "Alright, I'm done. Dinner sounds amazing, where did you learn to make it?"

Callie visibly relaxed, "It's kind of a random story. During our intern year, Emily and I lived on the seventh floor of this, sort of, decent apartment complex." Intrigued, I eased myself up to sit on the part of the counter she wasn't using, and listened intently. "A few doors down lived this little old woman, Katrina. She was interesting. She certainly didn't approve of two women being together, and constantly asked if we were still living in sin." Noticing me open my mouth to voice my disgust, she halted me with a raised fork, "But, the way she approached it was so casual and weirdly affectionate, that we couldn't be mad at her. It was like, 'Good morning, Callie. Still living in sin with that girl? Alright. Lovely weather we're having'. Or, 'Hello, Emily. Are you sinning today? Alright. You and Callie come over for dinner'. Or, 'Can I persuade you to come to service with me today to reconsider your lifestyle? No, alright, more room in Heaven for me and mine'. Or, 'Your family is from Miami, right? Well, at least you're already used to heat. Here's some of my fresh peach jam'."

"Wow." I shook my head, observing as Callie grilled up pieces of marinated chicken.

"Yeah, well, one night I was working late, so Emily went over there for dinner. When I got home, she said that Katrina taught her this new recipe and she couldn't wait to make it for me. Three incredibly horrible attempts later, I asked if we should go ask Katrina about it again. She said absolutely not, she was going to get it on her own. How she managed to ruin it two more times, I'll never know. But, she did eventually get it, and taught me how. Truthfully, I could have made it correctly the first time I watched her do it, but it was so important to her, that I just let her work it out and teach me."

I studied her as she added spices to the rice, and cut up vegetables. "I like listening to you talk about her."

Callie paused, casting a sidelong glance at me, "It doesn't bother you?"

Smiling softly, I shook my head, "No. She's part of your past, a past that made you who you are right now. And, I like who you are now." After she grinned and blushed just a bit, I smirked and added, "I mean, I'll admit that there's a very tiny, stupid part of me that wants to hit her with a brick for ever touching you...but, yeah, for the most part it doesn't bother me."

A loud, beautiful laugh came from the brunette at the stove. "I suppose I should be upset by you threatening my late fiance, but I'll let it go this time." As I grinned, she turned down the flame on the rice, and started to chop zucchini. "So, tell me, what is your favorite thing to cook? I mean, I know you don't much, but I know you can. Is there one particular thing you enjoy making?" Sweeping zucchini pieces into her cupped palm, she dropped them into a sizzling pan,and turned to me.

Considering it for a moment, I nodded, "Yeah, there is. It may sound kind of silly, but meat loaf. My grandmother had this amazing recipe." I paused with a fond expression. After a few seconds, Callie squeezed my knee and offered a comforting smile. "She passed away when I was in college." Squeezing her hand in return, I continued, "Anyway, she had this recipe for meat loaf that was fantastic. I've tweaked it a little over the years, like switching from beef to turkey, and adding a few seasonings, but mostly I still make it like her. And, making it reminds me of her, so it's comforting to cook and to eat."

Moving on to chopping red bell peppers and mushrooms, she smiled, "Will you make it for me sometime?"

With distracted answer of, "If you're good", I studied her closely as she finished cutting the vegetables. I found myself admiring how she moved. Each movement fluid and purposeful with practiced precision. Her well defined, and extremely feminine, curves added a sensual effect to normally mundane activities. I couldn't determine if she was even aware that she was doing it, but she hummed softly as she stirred, and swayed to an imaginary beat. My stomach fluttered with a strange combination of anxiety and excitement. Carefully slipping down to the floor, I walked up behind her as she dumped the rest of the vegetables into the pan. My fingers trembled just slightly as I let them brush her hips and I leaned in close to her ear. She stiffened at initial contact, but quickly relaxed into the touch. Gathering my courage, and pushing away my nerves, I pressed a gentle kiss just below her ear, "Can I at least set the table?"

Since I couldn't tear my eyes away from the soft skin of her neck, I saw her throat shift harshly as she swallowed. I could see the flush deepen the color of her skin down to her chest. Her voice came out soft with just a tint of husk. "Um, yeah. That would be great. Thanks."

Grinning, I slowly pushed away from her and moved to open the cabinet with the dishes. Selecting two medium sized bowls and two wine glasses, I brought them to the table. Setting out my favorite maroon placemats, I set out the bowls, silverware, glasses, and napkins. Contemplating the set up, I spun around and opened the bottom cabinet. I chose three small, maroon, black cheery and vanilla scented candles and added them to the middle of the table. Walking around the counter, I gently nudged Callie's hip with my own, "Can I get in this drawer real quick?"

Callie smiled and leaned to her right, "Of course."

After retrieving the lighter, I let my hand run across her strong back as I walked back around the counter to light the candles. It surprised me to realize that date behavior came relatively easy with Callie. Though it made me a bit nervous, I had no problem flirting, suggesting, or touching. It came almost naturally. "Shit."

"You okay?" Callie smirked from the counter.

Shaking my hand, I nodded, "Yep, just burnt my finger a bit." Satisfied that the table was ready, I plugged my phone into my stereo. "Music?"

"Sure. AC/DC is fine." Callie called cheekily as she stirred the rice.

Rolling my eyes, I shook my head, "I don't think so. We don't have to go smooth jazz or anything, but AC/DC seems like a bit much."

"What if I find the heavy metal beats sexy?"

I smiled as I continued to scroll through my Pandora stations, "I'm sure you do." Stopping on a station, I pressed play and set down the phone, "How about this?" The opening notes of Everywhere filtered through the apartment.

Callie tilted her head, listening intently, "Fleetwood Mac?"

I nodded, "Yeah, similar era, still rock, but a little softer."

"Perfect."

"Alright, next question; red or white wine?" I pulled a bottle of red from the wine rack, and a bottle of white from the fridge.

Callie glanced up from sauteeing the vegetables, "I prefer red, but white is better with this."

"I have a Reisling, will that work?" I asked as I slipped the red back into its spot.

"Yep, that's perfect." Pouring us both a glass, I handed her one, our fingers brushing intentionally as she took it. With a smile, I took mine and reclaimed my spot on the counter. After setting down wooden spoon she had been using to stir, she took a sip of her wine and walked over to me. "It's good, thank you." When I nodded in return, she stepped closer, her stomach pressing lightly into my knees. I bit my lip as she set her glass next to me and very softly ran her hands down my thighs to rest on my knees. I briefly acknowledged that I didn't even flinch when her fingers had drug over the edge of my prothesis. Her eyes sparkled brightly as she looked up into my eyes. "I'll admit, I kind of like this angle."

Grinning through my fluttering stomach, I let my thighs ease apart, "Yeah? What exactly do you like about it?"

Reading the cue, she stepped forward again, settling gently between my legs, her chest nearly touching my front. "I like being able to look up into your eyes; which look suspiciously like they're twinkling at me right now."

I ran my hands up her arms to rest on her shoulders, "What else?"

"I like how the extra height seems to make you a bit more confident, and I like being this close to you." Her warm palms ran back up my thighs to settle on my hips. A tingling flush spread from beneath her hands, up my torso and chest, and down my thighs. My stomach flipped. I didn't know when I had become so open and responsive to her and her affection, but couldn't seem to care about the answer.

"I like you this close, too." Licking my lips, I took a small risk. Tangling my fingers in her hair, I tenderly tugged her closer until her breath was washing over my lips. "I'd really like to kiss you." I whispered shakily.

"Go for it." Her voice came just as quiet. I instantly surged forward, my lips closing eagerly over hers. Unlike our first kiss, this one wasn't desperate and angry, or a surprising challenge. Unlike our second kiss, this one wasn't quiet and questing, or careful and quick. This kiss matched the intensity of the first two, the tenderness of the second, and the determination of the first. Hands gripped whatever they could reach, mine tangling feverishly in raven waves, and hers gathering my shirt into tight fists. Mouths immediately opened to curious tongues, and lungs squeezed gasps of pleasure into the warming kitchen. My legs wrapped loosely around her hips, urging her just a little closer. I could feel my core heating against her stomach, and my pulse racing through my veins.

Just as my shirt began bunching and inching up under her flexing fingers, an incessant thought made me pull back breathlessly. It took a few moments of pulling oxygen in before I could realize what made me end our kiss. My voice was rough as I gasped out, "What's that smell?"

Callie panted while her forehead pressed against mine, "What?"

"The smell...like something's burning." I answered, my eyes still closed as we shared quickened breaths.

Suddenly, she yanked back, "Dammit, the chicken!" Callie whirled around and strode to the stove, mumbling under breath. She jerked the burner off, then leaned against the counter, shoulders slumped. "So, I, uh, ruined the chicken." I couldn't stop the giggle that bubbled up from deep within me. The sight of a slightly kiss disheveled Callie mourning the loss of dinner was just too much. Callie turned toward me and propped a hand on her hip. "It's not funny, Goldielocks. I've never burnt chicken before."

A new wave of laughter caused me to snort at her declaration. When her eyes narrowed, but amusement echoed in her dark eyes, I gasped out, "It's a little funny. And, it's really no big deal. We can eat the veggies and rice. Plus, it's not like it's your fault. I take a large part of the blame."

Callie grinned, "I didn't say it was my fault. I definitely blame you. If you weren't sitting there all cute and flirty, I wouldn't have burnt it." Her grin widened, "Plus, you're a really awesome kisser. It's very distracting."

Biting my lip again, I smirked, "Do you want me to apologize for any of that?"

Callie shrugged, "Nope. Just making sure we're on the same page." She grabbed the skillet and tossed the burnt chicken in the trash. Placing the dirty pan in the sink, Callie slipped on two pot holders and picked up the rice. "Since there is no more chicken to wait for, dinner is ready. I've got the rice, will you get the vegetables?"

I nodded and slid down to the floor, "Of course."

After sitting down and serving our food, I took a bite. Humming in appreciation, I mumbled, "Chicken or not, this is fantastic."

Callie sipped her wine, "Eh, it's not as good as I was hoping, but thank you."

"So, you'll no longer have me wrapped around your finger?" I teased around another bite.

She chuckled, "I'm not worried. I still have dessert up my sleeve."

"Which is...?" I prompted as I sipped my wine.

"A surprise." Callie finished with a smirk.

Setting down my glass, I arched a brow, "Is it burnable? Because I don't want to get my hopes up..."

Callie scoffed and tossed piece of zucchini at me, "I don't burn things!"

Gently brandishing my fork, I pointed out calmly, "You burned the chicken."

"Which was your fault."

"I don't think so." I retorted casually, taking another forkful of rice into my mouth.

Callie's jaw dropped comically, "What?! You just took responsibility for distracting me enough to ruin the chicken."

"I'm nearly certain I didn't. You must have misunderstood." My flippant response inspired a glare from the beautiful brunette across from me. Warmth spread from my chest to my eyes, undoubtedly causing them to sparkle with my delight.

After a few more moments of stormy dark eyes focused on me, she cleared her throat and leaned back with a deep breath. "I know you're just trying to get a rise out of me...so, when you make that meat loaf for me, know that I plan on wearing a very revealing shirt, and flirting with you so shamelessly that you'll have to make out with me. Then, we'll see how well your dinner fairs." She finished her promise slash threat with crossed arms across her chest.

A genuine laugh surged up from within me and burst out. "I'll look forward to it." Mirth filled warmed air around us. Smirking, I leaned folded arms on the table, "Ok, in all seriousness-" Callie mimicked my position and nodded for me to continue, "-what are we having for dessert?"

Callie rolled her eyes and pushed her emptied bowl away. "Well, you're going to help me make it, so I guess it's time to find out."

As we gathered the dishes to bring to the sink, I questioned with mock exasperation, "You're going to impress me by making me help with making dessert? Interesting approach."

A bright grin flashed at me from my former nurse, "It is, and effective. I have to teach you how to make it, and my teaching methods are-" She paused as she pressed up against my back to lower her bowl into the sink in front of me. Her lips hovered next to my ear, her voice low, "-very hands on...and the product is delicious. So, yes, I believe having you help will aid my endeavor."

A warm shiver ricocheted up and down my spine. "Fair enough."

Only ten minutes later found our flirty banter dissolved into a tense stand off. I bit my tongue so hard I feared I'd draw blood. And, Callie's glowering expression of disbelief and annoyance held me rooted to the spot. When she finally spoke, her words came out gruff and accusing, "I gave you one job. All you had to do was stir the powdered sugar and vanilla into the cream...what the hell happened?"

Gulping roughly, I struggled to withhold my giggles as I watched the globs of white cream drip down her face. Her hair and shirt were heavily splotched as well, and she didn't look pleased. "W-well...I did warn you to give me more space..."

Callie gestured widely, "How much space do you need to make whipped cream?!"

"A hell of a lot more than you touching my ass!"

A light blush cover her cheeks before she answered pointedly, "I was not touching your ass."

Shrugging, I relented, "Well, almost my ass." When she dramatically rolled her eyes and angrily wiped some cream off her jaw, I sighed, "Regardless of ass or not, it surprised me, and my arm jerked which led to-" I waved my hand over the mess that was Callie Torres, "-all that." I snorted at her disgruntled expression.

"It's not funny."

Deep chuckles began escaping my grinning mouth, "Yeah, it really is, Calliope. And, do you know what makes it almost hilarious?"

Half-heartedly attempting to brush off her shirt, Callie grunted, "No, enlighten me."

"I think your chocolate is burning..."

Dark locks shook as her head snapped up to look at me, then whip to the stove where she had been melting chocolate chunks. "Dammit!" I nearly couldn't breathe through my laughter. Callie looked so adorable as she pouted over her second ruined dish of the night. "Arizona!"

Sobering up enough to talk to her, I stepped into her personal space with a towel. I started to dab at her face and hair, "Hey. Look, I'm sorry, I don't mean to tease you or anything. It just doesn't really matter. Of course, I would have loved to taste your homemade chocolate mousse, but that's not why I wanted to have dinner with you. It's not why you're here." Having tenderly cleared her face of the majority of cream, I started running it over her hair. My voice lowered to almost a whisper, "I haven't laughed like that in a while, so whether or not we have dessert, tonight is still a success." Noticing a trickle of sugary cream I had missed trailing down her neck, I smirked and leaned forward. With just a hint of hesitation, I began kissing up her neck, cleaning up the sticky sweetness as I went. A low moan vibrated the skin under my lips and drew my body closer. Warm hands rested on my hips, lightly flexing into the flesh there. Pulling away only an inch, I breathed across her neck, "Am I forgiven?"

Callie sighed, "Um, yeah. We're good." As I retreated a few steps, each of us wore bright grins. "Alright, let's see how your whipped cream is turning out, and at least we can have some of that with the strawberries and almonds that I had brought to go on top of the mousse."

"It's not burnt..." I smirked, "But, now that you're going to touch it..."

"Shut up." She swiped her finger through the cream in the bowl, then sucked the finger into her mouth. My mouth simultaneously dried up and watered at the sight. Locking her eyes with mine, she slowly removed the finger from between her lips with a hum of approval. "Not bad." When I rolled my eyes, but didn't look away from her burning brown eyes, she scooped another dollop on her finger. Extending her finger toward me, she smirked, "Wanna try?"

I swallowed roughly and started to lean forward. Before I could open my mouth to accept her offer, she quickly dabbed the cream on my nose, then smeared it down my chin and over my cheeks. My jaw dropped, "Calliope!"

Callie laughed loudly, "And, now we're even. Well, closer to even."

"But, mine was on accident." I whined with a pout.

She grinned and pulled me close, instantly kissing the sweet mess off my face. She ended with a gentle kiss on my lips. "There all better." After ensuring I was smiling, Callie swiftly poured the mixture into a whipped cream container/dispenser, charged it with nitrous, and shook it several times. She grabbed two small bowls, squirted a generous amount of whipped cream into them, tossed a few strawberries in each, then sprinkled shaved almonds on top. "Ta da. Strange and delicious dessert."

"Thank you." Feeling comfortably elated, I simply pushed myself up to sit on the counter again, deeming it the place to eat my treat.

"How very casual of you." Callie commented as she eyed my movement with a fond smile.

"Come on, Callie. Live on the wild side, you know you want to." I patted the counter next to me.

A quick eye roll preceded her small hop onto the spot next to me, "I don't know if this is actually considered the wild side, but I do want to be next to you."

Smiling warmly, I picked a strawberry from my bowl, covered it in whipped cream, and took a bite. "Mousse or no, this is awesome." The brunette next to me nodded her agreement with a soft hum. Gazing at the side of her face, I waited until she glanced at me, "Thank you for tonight, Callie. I know everything didn't go as plan, starting with the plan itself. But, it was perfect."

Her tongue darted out to catch a bit of white on her lip, "You're very welcome. If you're not trying kick me out, what do you say we take our makeshift dessert and wine to the couch and watch a stupid movie?"

I nodded, "I say, absolutely."

Hopping down from the counter, she offered her hand to me, "Good. I've really been wanting to try that move where I pretend to stretch and put my arm around you, then pretend to sneeze and touch your boob."

I followed her to the living room shaking my head, "Don't you dare."

"I'm definitely going to."

AN: What did you think?