I get Amezona is a strange ship and some people just can't wrap their head around it. That's fine, but it's your choice whether you read or not. If you don't like it, maybe don't read? For people who like the ship and my work, enjoy!
Arizona's POV
Passing Amelia's room for the second time that day, I notice she seems rather miserable. I really hope Dr. Koracick hasn't said she can't go home, I mean she'd be surrounded by doctors. It makes sense that she should be allowed to continue her recovery in the comfort of, well not a hospital bed. I know the pain all too well, being stuck in this place as a patient, seeing people you work with feeling sorry for you, day in, day out. It's degrading and downright depressing to say the very least.
"Did he say you couldn't go home? I'll go kick his ass if he did." I say cautiously, not wanting to scare Amelia, especially since I'm probably the last person she expects to see again today.
"What's this? Not busy today?" She asks me, clearly making reference to me being in the area and making an effort to start a conversation with her, not once but twice in a single day.
"I am actually. Just passing and you looked glum." I say, not caring to explain myself any further.
"Oh no, I'm allowed home. I just, I don't know where home is." Amelia tells me as confusion spread involuntarily across my facial features. I don't pry though, I stand silently waiting. If the brunette wants to elaborate, she will.
"Owen and I broke up." She clarifies.
"Oh." I say. I want to be sympathetic, but I don't really know how. They have been on rocky ground for quite some time now. Thankfully I'm saved by my pager, giving me the perfect excuse to escape the discussion of failing relationships.
"Sorry, got to run. But, if you need a place to stay, I have an extra room." I offer kindly, quickly making my exit.
Making my way down the hall towards my next emergency of the day, I can't help but think about Amelia and just how roughly she's had it the last few years. I remember her at med school, she was perky and happy, we had become friends for a little while, even with the difference in years between us. She had been there when Timothy had died, even brought me doughnuts sometimes, knowing they helped. But when Derek died, I was so wrapped up in everything that was going on with Callie. I was such a bad friend so her.
Maybe that's why I have stopped by her room twice today, because I feel badly about my own shortcomings as a friend to Amelia. We had become close again, briefly, when she was working on Herman's case, but soon after, with my break up from Callie and her taking Sofia away, our friendship again, fizzled into thin air.
This time though, this time I fully intend to be the caring and supportive friend that Amelia deserves. The way she was for me, all those years ago.
Hours later, having averted many emergency situations and save a handful of tiny humans and pregnant mothers, I head to Joe's, to unwind from the days stress.
Making my way towards the bar, I'm positive I spot Amelia sat at the bar, my mind automatically causing me to worry about the brunette. I move towards her and occupy the stool beside her.
"Hi." I say, a little bit too perkily.
"Oh, Hi Arizona." Amelia greets me in return, somewhat less enthusiastic.
"Aren't you supposed to be home resting?" I ask carefully, not wanting to irritate the woman beside me.
"I am, but it's a mad house, I needed some time away from there." Amelia answers exasperatedly.
"I see. The kids or the adults?" I ask, knowing all too well from my very brief stay in that house just how crazy it can be.
"Both." Amelia chuckles, sipping her drink, my eyebrow instinctively raising at her, hoping she isn't drinking.
"It's just water." Amelia clarifies, obviously noticing my look.
"Sorry, I didn't." I start to say, only for the woman beside me to interrupt me.
"It's ok. I get it. I'm still an alcoholic, and I've just had major brain surgery. I get it." She says sadly, her gaze dropping to her glass. Shaking my head at myself, I ask Amelia if I can get her another and she chuckles at me, whilst nodding.
"So you've escaped the mad house for a while, but why here? Why not go for a walk?" I ask, trying not to pry too much, but hoping Amelia will open up to me.
"It's familiar, comforting. I am me, but I don't feel like the me I know. This bar, these people, they're so familiar, normal feeling. I needed normalcy. Not crazy, apparently I've had enough crazy over the last few years." Amelia tells me, surprised by her own openness.
"I guess I understand that. When Eliza left me, this was the first place I came. I needed the comfort." I say, sipping on my own drink that's just arrived in front of me.
"So why are you here tonight? Comfort or another reason?" Amelia asks me, her eyes trained on my every move.
"Just unwinding. Hard day." I tell her, not caring to discuss work in great detail.
"I guess that's the norm for people that aren't alcoholics." Amelia responds, chuckling to herself again.
"You're too hard on yourself you know?" I tell Amelia, waiting for her to acknowledge what I've just said before continuing with my reasoning for saying that.
"Mmmm" Amelia grunts.
"You are, you're sat in a bar full of alcohol, drinking water. And as if I don't remember all those nights out when we were in med school. How many times did you make sure I got home safely when I was far too drunk. You could regularly go out and not drink, or not get drunk to the point you couldn't remember anything. I on the other hand, really couldn't." I say sincerely.
"Someone had to look out for you, and you were having a hard time of it." Amelia states flatly, her eyes meeting mine for a split second as she remembers the past.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, you know, with Derek." I say, my guilt suddenly becoming overwhelming.
"I understand. We weren't close anymore. I miss that." Amelia says, turning on her stool to face me properly.
"It's no excuse, I should have tried harder. I let my own problems come between our friendship. I always did. But Amelia, I'm always here, if you need someone." I tell her, feeling a little better about myself for doing the right thing.
"Life gets in the way sometimes." Amelia responds pointedly.
"You're not wrong. But I meant what I said earlier, if you need a place to stay, with less craziness, DeLuca is nearly always at the hospital, and I have the spare room. It's yours if you want." I offer again.
"I may just take you up on that off you know. I love the kids, but I could really use the peace and quiet sometimes." Amelia says.
"Anytime you want it. Just let me know." I tell her again, smiling as I do.
"I should get home, Meredith will be thinking I've gone off the wagon again and we've only just got back to a good place." The brunette tells me, finishing her glass of water in one large gulp.
"Goodnight Amelia." I say, giving my new found old friend the biggest smile I can muster.
"Goodnight Arizona." Amelia says, carefully climbing down from her stool and leaving the bar quickly.
Sitting by myself, I quietly finish my drink, mulling over the days events. The surgeries, the conversation with Amelia, the past. I think about it all, taking a few minutes for myself as I contemplate.
Finishing my drink, I place my empty glass down on the bar.
"Did you want another Arizona?" Joe asks me. I motion no to him and stand, making my own way from the bar and back towards the hospital parking lot and my car.
Climbing into the car, I fire up the engine and begin my fairly short drive home. Happy with the way my day had turned out. Grateful to have had the chance to reconcile with Amelia outside of the hospital as well.
So the response from chapter one has been completely astounding. You guys are awesome. I love reading your reviews, especially since most of them are positive. Thank you. Hit review ;) x