Chapter 1
If Only Someone took Notice – Tired Smile
Calliope Torres ended their marriage. Arizona was broken. Shattered. And lost. She moved out of their house and moved in to the Archfield Hotel.
Arizona now buries herself in her work to keep her busy and avoid breaking down completely. She was miserable but no one could know. She wouldn't show weakness. No one cared for her she had no friends. No one to turn to. No one to talk to. No one on her side. And she was ok with that. She preferred it that way. Without any form of friendship with anyone she could focus on what was important, Saving Lives. So she focused on her work and her patients.
Her smile no longer reached her eyes, her once bright and warm blue eyes were now icy cold and dull. She drowned herself with work that Dr. Herman gave her, never complaining just pushing through past her limits to save every patient she could.
She spent most of her time in the hospital. She barely slept, barely ate. She was a shadow of her once bubbly, cheery, happy self. She became an emotionless robot.
Dr. Herman told her she had spoken to Dr. Amelia Shepherd about her tumor and was going to have brain surgery. And all Arizona said in reply in a cold tone was "good for you. Just don't die." And walked away to her next patient.
She avoided Callie as much as possible. Only speaking to her when and if necessary for work or Sofia.
A few weeks after Dr. Herman told her about her pending brain surgery, Dr. Amelia Shepherd approaches her.
"Hey Dr. Robbins." Amelia said with a wide smile.
Without turning from the file she was reading and in her now robotic professional and emotionless voice "what can I do for you Dr. Sheppard?" She asked.
Having heard about Arizona's new persona post-divorce, Amelia smoothly and coolly asked "was wondering if you'd like to join me for coffee?"
"I don't have time for coffee. If that is all, I have patients to see. Have a good day Dr. Shepherd" Arizona replied and walked away without a glance back.
Later that day a board meeting was call. Dr. Avery was discussing the list of candidates for the new Chief of Surgery as Owen was stepping down from the post. Dr. Avery "Dr. Robbins do you know a Sandra Wild from John Hopkins?"
Everyone was looking at her including Callie.
As usual in a cold robotic emotionless tone, Arizona replied "Yes, she is a brilliant surgeon and would be a great asset to our hospital. Did she apply for this position?"
"No but she was recommended by someone. I think if everyone agrees we could and should contact her and get her in for an interview. Please have a look at her resume and tell me what you all think." Said Jackson
Everyone agreed to contact Sandra Wild and the meeting was over. Arizona was the first to leave the board room and headed straight for her next consult. Behind her Meredith accidentally bumped into her, causing Arizona to stumble and fall. Apologizing profuriously Meredith helped her up.
"I am so sorry. Are you alright?"
Arizona brushed her off with a cold "it's fine" and walked off.
Callie and Miranda came up behind Meredith and asked what happened.
And Meredith explained what had just occurred with a somewhat bewildered and confused expression.
"God Arizona has change her tone was so cold. If this had happened before she would be all smiles and joke it off but now she just... I don't know it's like she isn't who she was." Meredith said.
Callie looked on sadly know she had caused this new version of Arizona to appear.
"I wish we could get the old Robbins back." Said Bailey "she used to be so bubbly and happy all the time ... Now she is like a ... I don't know what to describe her as" shaking her head they all walked off back to their work.
Dr. Herman and Dr. Shepherd entered the doctor's lounge chatting about Herman's tumor and surgery. They stopped in their tracks when they saw Arizona talking on the phone.
"..Yes that is what I want... Of course... Just for a month... Yes I will book my ticket to Malawi tonight and get the first flight out... Yes thank you Dr. Martin. I will see you soon... Yes thank you goodbye."
Disconnecting the call Arizona looked up to see not only Amelia and Nicole but Meredith and Callie standing in the lounge doorway.
"What are you all looking at?" Arizona asked in a cold voice
Everyone being too stunned to say anything Meredith recovered first and asked "You're going to Africa?"
"Yes. Now if you'll excuse me I have work to do!" Said Arizona and push past the Doctors and walked out of the lounge
Arizona avoided everyone the rest of the day. At the end of her shift she informed Jackson of her travel plans for Africa. She would be leaving the next day after Dr. Herman's brain surgery and returning in a month. After that she left the hospital and head to the hotel.
The next day everyone one was busy and anxious about Dr. Herman's surgery. After it was done everyone was relieved, Amelia had done brilliantly. The surgery was successful.
Arizona left the hospital and headed for Africa straight after the surgery. She didn't notice or hear Meredith and Callie following her and calling her name. She was too fast for them to catch up.
A month later she returned to Seattle and back to the hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital entrance she found herself surrounded by Meredith and Amelia and Derek.
Before anyone was able to greet her, another voice was heard
"Dr. Robbins, it's good to see you."
Looking towards the new voice Arizona stood frozen at the sight of who spoke. Dr. Sandra Wild walked right up to Arizona and pulled her in to a warm embrace.
Getting over her shock Arizona acknowledged her greeting albeit surprised by the sudden hug "Dr. Wild, pleasure to meet you. It's been a whiles."
"Yes it has been. When I started here three weeks ago I was informed you were in Africa. I also heard about what took place there. How are you doing? You should have taken a few weeks off before coming back." Sandra said
"Yes I was in Malawi. I am fine. I have recovered. No need for an extended break. I have lives to save. Anyway I better get started with my patients. It was good to see you. I hope you have settled well and like our hospital. I shall be heading off now. See you around." Said Arizona turning to the others who were still there watching the interaction between the two with stunned expressions "Doctors, have a good day" and with that she walked away.
"Well that was interesting. She used to be more lively and bubbly from what I remember. This was not the Arizona Robbins I expected." Muttered Sandra
"Yeah well she changed over the past year. This was a calmer version of her new persona that we have experienced so far." Said Meredith
"She shouldn't be here she should be resting after what happened in Malawi." Said Amelia
Two day after Arizona had landed in Malawi there was a shooting in which Arizona was shot in the stomach while saving a woman from being injured in the shooting.
The doctors all went their separate ways to start off their day. Again no one cared enough to approach Arizona.
As the morning progressed people became aware of Arizona's presence at the hospital. Callie met her at the nurses' station while grabbing patient files.
"Hey I heard you were back. How was Malawi?" Callie asked
"Fine. Are you free for a consult, I have a 23 weeks pregnant woman who fell down the stairs and broken her ankle?" Replies Arizona in her normal hard emotionless voice.
"Uh yeah I am sure lead the way" Callie said
