Title: Make It Without You
Author: y0ungalaska
Rating: T
Disclaimer: All copyrighted materials referenced within this fan-fiction are not mine. I do not own Grey's Anatomy or any characters of Grey's. This is for entertainment purposes only. I am not making any money out of this whatsoever. Any real people, places, events etc referenced in this work of fiction have been done so in an entirely fictional manner and is not meant to be libelous or defamatory.
A/N: So I just recently started posting here. Most of the time, I'm on the Calzona board, but I thought I'd give it a try. It's my second story and I'm flying by the seat of my pants here, so bear with me. I tend to start my chapters with song lyrics. Don't know how often I can update, but I've got people to kick me into gear. So here we go! Oh, and I need feedback like I need air… or something. Haha. =)
Part One: "Force-field, Super-shield, A.A. Junior High love affair is okay.
Jump on the big wagon cause I'm SOCAL. I'm big in every way. I'm running as fast as I can."
Arizona Robbins made her way out of the cab, tipped the driver and grabbed her bags. Looking up she read the sign, "Fairmont Heritage Place. This is home." She made her way through the double glass doors and up to the front desk.
"Hello, Miss. How can I help you?" The clerk spoke with a smile. It was contagious and soon enough, Arizona's dimples were in full effect. "I have a reservation. Robbins."
"Ah, yes." The attendant spoke. "Miss Robbins, here you are." She handed her the card-key and smiled once again. "Thank you for choosing Fairmont Heritage. We do hope that you enjoy your stay."
"Thank you." Arizona flashed a smile and made her way to the elevator. It had been a long day and an even longer week. She had taken a couple months off from her job and as soon as she got the go-ahead, she was on a plane, headed to San Francisco.
Her life back home was somewhat boring. She had been in a relationship for almost four years and up until three days ago, she had thought it would be a forever thing.
Amber Santiago. That was her ex-girlfriend's name; the name of the woman who held her heart in her hands. The woman who gave her everything and took it all away in one moment. The two women had met during the summer of '05 and there was an instant spark. Arizona was still hanging on to the remains of her last relationship, but soon found herself consumed by all that Amber was. In a very short time, the two women were inseparable. Other than work, you could find them joined at the hip in every sense of the word. Amber was a publicist, with very many accomplishments under her belt. She had been closeted for the first year of their relationship, but said that her love for Arizona could no longer be hidden. And so Arizona stood beside her as she came out to the world. At first, there were rumors and stories being told about her in the tabloids and such, which were to be expected, but Amber held her head high and never let them bring her down. She was a force to be reckoned with and Arizona loved it.
The second year of their relationship was pretty normal. The tabloids had left her alone and she was able to focus on her work without having people constantly trying to tear her down. She threw herself into her work. Day in and day out, Arizona watched as this woman became somewhat of a power lesbian. She had also started pitching more 'gay friendly' stories and surprisingly, people were picking them up like hot cakes. The two went to celebrate and she decided to pop the question, much to Arizona's surprise:
"I am so proud of you!" Arizona spoke with a huge grin. She was definitely proud of the woman sitting across from her. In just a short time, this woman had become everything to her. Eyeing her girlfriend from across the table, she could tell there was something running through her mind. "Amber?"
"Hmm?" Amber asked, turning her full attention to her girlfriend.
"Is everything okay?"
"What? Oh no. I mean, yes." Amber stuttered. "Everything is fine, love." She smiled. The entire night, she had been fidgeting with the ring in her pocket. She was trying so hard to find the right time to pop the question that she had been distracted.
"Yes everything is okay? Or no, it isn't?" Arizona asked.
"Baby, everything is fine. I assure you." Amber looked around and spotted the waiter making his way over to the table.
"May I refill your wine glasses?"
Arizona looked up and smiled her lovely dimpled smile. Amber looked to the waiter as he filled their glasses. He smiled and walked away and Amber looked up to see Arizona looking right at her.
"Arizona, I love you." The look on her girlfriend's face baited her to continue. "I know that this year had been hard what with having your name in the tabloids and all, but I think… no, I know that this is what I want. Forever." Arizona placed her fork on the plate and wiped her hands on the napkin in her lap. Amber rose from her seat and kneeled down in front of her girlfriend. She lightly fumbled with the box in her pocket before retrieving it and opening the little pink box. "We've been together for three years now and I know, in my heart, that I want this with you. You were everything to me when I couldn't be everything to you, but you stood beside me and without you, I would not have become the woman I am today. So, Arizona Robbins, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
They had been engaged for almost a year when Amber came home one night and took everything:
"So, I was thinking, for the honeymoon we can either do Hawaii or Paris. Though, Paris is really for lovers and that would be more like a wedding thing…I go with Hawaii, what do you think?" Arizona asked as she walked into their apartment.
Amber sat quietly on the davenport, her eyes fixated on the ring that she had been twirling around her finger for the last hour.
"Amber?" Arizona asked cautiously. She immediately noticed Amber's fixation the ring. "Amber?" she asked again, sitting next to her fiancée.
"I can't do this, Arizona."
"Can't do what? Hawaii? It doesn't have to be Hawaii, you know? It was just a suggest…" her words were cut off by the voice of her fiancée. "Not Hawaii, Arizona. This. Us. I can't do this anymore."
Arizona let out a breath she had no idea she was holding. Was this for real? "I'm sorry?"
Finally, Amber looked into those crystal blue eyes. "I love you, I do. I just… I feel like I can't breathe. I feel like…like this is too much too soon and I'm sorry. I know that this isn't the way to go about it, but I just need some space."
"Space? Amber, this was your idea." Arizona retorted.
"There's someone else."
She threw her bags near the dresser and immediately undressed and headed for the shower. She needed to wash all of the anger and fear, sadness and confusion away. Turning on the water, she stepped into the steaming shower and let the water take over her. Before she knew it, she was crouched in the corner, crying tears so thick; she could have started her own river.