Callie (Sara Ramirez) was stuck between a rock and a hard place in “Grey’s Anatomy,” Season 12, episode 6, when the orthopedic surgeon was forced to choose sides between Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Penny (Samantha Sloyan). However, the decision became quite clear of whose back she should have when Callie heard Meredith venting to Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) about how “dangerous” Penny is as the so-called killer of Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey).

“She doesn’t belong here,” Mer told her sister, revealing that as hard as she “tried to rise above” it all, she just couldn’t overlook the mistakes Penny had made.

“You’re being a bully,” Callie said after storming out of the bathroom stall. “That’s not teaching ... that’s being mean and small.”

After Callie put Meredith in her place, she tracked down Penny (despite the fact that the two had barely spoke since the dinner party from hell). She apologized to her girlfriend for not sticking by her side after Penny’s past was revealed. Penny accepted Callie’s sincere apology, saying she understood why Callie had emotionally and physically strayed from her after learning the truth.

During an interview with Variety, Sloyan revealed that she believes Penny regrets not telling Callie sooner about what happened that tragic night at Dillard.

“She cares deeply about Callie and would have shared it with her at some point. But it can be hard to let people see the parts of ourselves we are ashamed of,” the actress explained. “When it’s Meredith who opens the door at the dinner party, and Penny finds out not only that Callie knew Derek but how important he was to her, I think Penny wishes she had had the courage to tell her sooner.”

So, how will the death of Derek affect their relationship moving forward? Well, Sloyan dished to the Hollywood Reporter that she thinks Penny and Callie are both “willing to take a risk” to see where their chemistry will take them.

“But it is a risk,” Sloyan reiterated. “So much is still unknown between them. The relationship was still very new when all this happened, but I think Penny really saw a future with her. I think Penny is very grateful to still have Callie in her life.”

“Grey’s Anatomy” airs on ABC Thursday nights at 8 p.m. EST.

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