Okay, guys, I'm seriously hedging my bets here with this one. I've had this written up for weeks, but I honestly wasn't sure I should post it. Nothing to lose…I hope. I'm sure many of you won't read it, and that's fine, but anyone who wants me to continue … simply hit the review button at the end and I'll see what I can do.

Please, No hate for this fic. If you don't like it, just don't read it. It's not rocket science.

Here goes nothing…..

I own nothing. All characters/storylines belong to Shonda. I'm simply 'borrowing' them.

Chapter One

ARIZONA'S POV

It's been so long. So long since I've dated. So long since I've even thought about another woman. So long since I've done what I wanted to do. Typical of my life…the one person I'd happily spend time with right now is hated by the majority of the hospital. I get it, kinda. I mean, if I was in Richard's position, I'd be pissed too. Eliza is here to do her job, though. Surely people understand that. Even I'm beginning to understand it. I can't help but feel that he should be looking a little closer to home where his issues are concerned. His wife? His Chief? They started all of this, so why is Eliza the one on the receiving end of all this hate? Why is she the one who is getting the cold shoulder from the attendings? I know I'm not innocent in all of this. I, too, had issues with her in the beginning, but I'm finding myself drawn to her. I want to go for coffee with her, and I want to openly speak to her around the hospital. I'm torn.

Maybe it's time for me to do what I want to do. Maybe it's time for me to stop thinking about everyone else before myself. I'm tired of going home alone every night. I'm tired of crashing at the hospital because the thought of going home is too depressing. I miss Sofia. I'll always miss her. Going home just makes me miss her a whole lot more. Maybe this could be the fresh start I need. Maybe it could take my mind off of the fact that my daughter is in another state.

Would Sofia even like Eliza? Oh, come on. You are getting way ahead of yourself, Robbins. Nothing is likely to even come of this so I don't know why I'm worrying. I don't know why I'm even thinking about the hot new doctor.

That's a total lie. I know exactly why I'm thinking about it. About her. She has piqued my interest and now I want to know more. I don't know when I managed to turn into some loner, but I have to stop this. My old life has gone. I have moved on and I'm past it all. I need to step out into the open again. It's time to go and explore. It's time to…fly.

"She just, she irritates me. I cannot and I will not give her my time." Meredith continues talking to me but in all honesty, I'm not listening to her. I'm tired of hearing about Eliza Minnick, and I'm ready to crash right now. "Doesn't she irritate you, too?"

"Sure. Yeah." Shrugging, I quicken my pace and try to find the nearest empty on-call room.

"Robbins!" Grey stops in front of me and almost causes me to knock her over. "Are you even listening to a word I'm saying?"

"Honestly?" Raising an eyebrow I can see the frustration on her face. "No, Meredith. No, I'm not listening to you."

"Why not? I thought we were all in this together? An army or whatever Avery is calling us!" She scoffs and I simply roll my eyes. This is all becoming boring very quickly.

"I'm tired, Meredith. I could use some sleep right now."

"You're avoiding my question." Giving me an incredulous look, she refuses to move out of my way.

Sidestepping her, I leave her standing in the corridor as I continue on my journey to find sleep. "I'm not interested, Grey. It really is as simple as that."

Rounding the corner I leave her to think about what I've just said. I was being honest. I don't care anymore. Sure, Richard is my friend, but I need to think about me from now on. I have to live my own life. Not everybody else's.

Settling back on the bottom bunk of an unfamiliar on call room, I kick off my shoes and hope to god that my pager gives me a break for a little while. I just need to recharge. An hour tops. Chances are, it won't happen…but a girl has to try, right?

Closing my eyes, I think about the past six or so months of my life. At first, it was hard. Some days I found it difficult to even make it into work. I'd lost everything. My relationship, my marriage, a friendship, and in a way…my daughter. I like to think that I still had a friendship with my daughter's other mother, but I'm not entirely sure that was the case. Too much has happened, and too much has been said. It's best that we live totally separate lives and only communicate where Sofia is concerned.

I speak to my daughter every day when possible, and she honestly makes all of my decisions worthwhile. She is happy, and that makes me happy. Of course, I would love her to be here with me but it isn't that way, and that was because of my decision. A decision I first regretted, but once I knew she was safe and happy, I settled, and I knew that we could all be happy. Happy in some weird messed up way, at least.

Eyes becoming heavier, I finally feel sleep taking over me, and I'm not going to lie…it feels good.

Stepping out of my final surgery for the day, I'm thankful that I'd taken my nap earlier. The original plan was to stay here tonight, but having reflected on my awful life, I've decided to head home for the night. Once again, I've had people down my ear about Eliza and my patience is really beginning to wear thin. Soon I'm going to say some not nice things to the people who are supposed to be the grown-ups in this place. It's boring, and it's becoming predictable. How can they be mad at her for simply doing her job? What is their problem?

"Hey, Robbins!" Jackson calls from behind me.

"Goodnight, Jackson." Without even looking back, I keep walking and make my way towards the elevator.

"Wait up, Arizona. We are meeting downstairs to discuss today."

"And what exactly happened today?" Rolling my eyes, Jackson senses that I'm not in the mood for their hate tonight.

"Minnick happened. Everything is about Minnick lately."

"Well count me out of your meeting. I'm headed home and I have no intentions of staying any longer than I need to." Giving him my best fake smile, I turn on my heel and head off.

"Wait, we do need you." He scoffs.

"No, you don't. To be honest, I don't want to be a part of this anymore, Jackson. Maybe once you can all act like adults, you will see that Eliza isn't the bad guy here."

"Well, who the hell is then?" He asks as though it is the question of the year.

"Uh, your mother?" I laugh and push the elevator button. "She started all of this, Jackson. Not Minnick. Please, don't bother including me in any more of your schemes. I'm done with it. I have my own problems and my own life to be concerned with."

"Oh, well then I guess that's you done." He shrugs and walks away. The elevator doors opening, I'm a little relieved. I wasn't expecting confrontation tonight, and I'm quite surprised it went as smoothly as it did.

Knowing that I'm finally free from the grip of Jackson Avery, I feel a little lighter. I have put my foot down, and I'm not backing down. If they want to take Minnick down, I won't be helping them. Taking her out? Maybe.

Reaching the entrance to Grey Sloan, I leave through the double doors and smile as the cool night air hits me. It burns my lungs, but it feels good. It feels…alive. Leaning back against the wall which separates the hospital from the parking lot, I wrap my arms around myself and take a minute before I head to my car.

Do I really want to do this? Do I really want to get involved with the woman who everyone hates? The old Arizona would have jumped at that opportunity, but I feel that I am a different person now. I've been through enough to last me a lifetime. What if we do go somewhere, and then she leaves? I'm not sure I can take any more people leaving me. It seems to be becoming a habit in my life.

But she said that we could be something. Does that mean that she wants us to be something? Does that mean that she isn't leaving? I guess there is only one way to find out. She clearly enjoys the thrill of it. Telling me it was fun kinda confirmed that for me this morning.

How is it fun? What is fun about being secretive? I mean sure, there is an element of fun to it, but not when the secrecy is caused by people hating you. I don't get it. It's not fun. I don't want it to be like that. It's not fun.

"Oh hey, I was just texting you." Brought out of my thoughts by the woman who was consuming them, I turn to find Eliza…cell phone in hand.

"It's not fun." I sigh. "No, this is…it's not fun."

Furrowing her brow, Eliza falls into step with me. "I'm sorry I don't understand."

"I don't like pretending not to like you, and I don't like listening to the awful things that people have to say about you."

Stopping me, she turns me around to face her. "What do they say?"

"Because I know that your not awful and they should know, they should know tha-"

"Arizona."

"Because you're nice, and you're smart, and you're funny and you care. You care about the students. Maybe even more than I do. And you have this brilliant way of making your victories their victories. And you're good for this place, and you're good for them and they should know that."

"Arizona, stop."

"I just think it's not-" I swear if she cuts me off one more time, I'm going to scream.

"I need you to stop. So, I can kiss you…"

"Oh." Wait, what? Did she just? Yeah, she did.

"Stop."

I'm giving in. I'm giving in right now, and no matter who walks out of that door and sees, I don't care. She interests me, and she wants my company and attention. Who am I to deny that? Truth be told, I want the exact same thing. Her lips pressing against my own, my head is spinning. I haven't felt this way in a long time. I haven't felt that connection with another woman in what feels like forever. The butterflies? The spark? It's there. It's there and it's all I've wanted to feel since my marriage ended and I was officially alone. Right now, I could kiss her forever. Eliza Minnick has gotten my attention.

Waking to the sound of my alarm clock, I feel…settled? Lighter? I can't quite put my finger on it, but I feel different. Last night I kissed Eliza Minnick, and I'd like to say that I regret it, but I totally don't. It felt…right. It felt like I should be doing it. Do I care what the others think? Not anymore. I'm tired of plotting against her. She's smart, she's beautiful, and honestly? I want to see her again. More than again, actually.

Slipping out of bed, I shrug on my robe and pull my hair up into a messy bun. Did she enjoy what happened last night? I'd thought about inviting her back to my place for coffee, but I didn't want to seem like a slut. I'm sure people will have their opinions when they find out, which I'm sure will be soon, but I'm honestly past caring. I've gone through enough over the years to know when people's opinions matter, and when they don't. This is one of those times when everyone else is irrelevant. Sure, they are all my friends, but they need to look past the issues with Dr. Minnick and see Eliza instead. She's awesome. It really is as simple as that. Pulling out my cell, I decide to test the water a little.

Hey, sorry for going crazy on you last night. A x

Setting my cell down on the kitchen island, I start a pot of coffee and wait for my cell to buzz. If it doesn't, I know last night shouldn't have happened. God, I hope she replies. My heart pounding as I hear that buzzing I was waiting for, I leave it for a moment while I pour out my coffee.

Satisfied that I don't look desperate after a couple of minutes have passed, I unlock my cell and hold my breath. I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but I close my eyes and take a moment.

Don't be. It was adorable. YOU are adorable when you ramble. E x

Really? I didn't mean to ramble. I get that way sometimes when I'm nervous. A x

Nervous? E x

Mmhmm. A x

So, I make you nervous? E x

Maybe…just a little. A x

Well then, I must try harder if it's just a little. E x

Okay, so that's kinda hot. She seems very sure of herself, and I like it. I like her…a lot. Grabbing my coffee, I set it down on the coffee table and pull a throw down from the back of the couch. Wrapping myself up in it, I grab the TV controller and my cell. It's all I'm going to need for the next few hours. Maybe the entire day. I have the next two days off, and right now, I'm happy to spend it relaxed at home.

I wonder if Eliza likes to relax on her day off?

So, what's the verdict, guys? Are you wanting more of this, or am I throwing this one in the trash? You know what to do.