(Revised) Chapter 1

Boys are so lucky! Arizona thought as she first moved around in her breeches and shirt that her brother managed to get for her. It had been a little over four months since President Lincoln's Inaugural Ball and just after three months since the war began at Fort Sumter. Right after the South won Fort Sumter, President Lincoln asked for around 75,000 men to fight for ninety days, thinking the war would be short and quick. Timothy straight away volunteered. However, three months came and went and it did not look as though the war would be ending anytime soon. Timothy was on his first leave before he would go back to fight. When he returned, Arizona begged him to help her. She wanted to help. She wanted to be a soldier. So he did.

When she arrived home today from her trip into town, Timothy was waiting for her and told her that he got an extra outfit of his for her. She ran as quickly as she could upstairs to try on her new clothes. She took in her figure in the mirror, adding a coat to her ensemble. Not bad…not bad at all. She did a 360 turn, getting used to the snug pants that allowed her much more motion than the hot and stuffy dresses did. She did a couple jumping jacks and giggled at the freedom she now enjoyed. She heard a knock on the door and quickly went behind the door.

Opening it just a crack, so that whoever was outside her room wouldn't see what she was wearing, she looked to see green eyes staring back at her.

"Tim!" she squealed and swung the door open. She launched herself at her brother, enveloping him in a crushing hug. "What do you think?" Arizona asked, taking a step backward and spinning so that her brother could take in her appearance.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was looking in a mirror!" he winked at her. "Once you trim your hair and wrap your chest you will have no problems passing for a young soldier now. Although, I would try to keep the giggling at a minimum if I were you," he told her, laughing. "Ow!" Rubbing his arm where his sister just punched him, he shot her a glare.

"But you really think I can get away with it?" She had to know. She didn't really want to pretend to be a man. In fact, she was quite feminine (though she found she did enjoy the freedom pants allowed). Sure, the dresses she had to wear weighed a lot, and God, those corsets made it hard to breath at times, but there was no denying that they looked beautiful...especially on other women. Tim was the only one who knew her secret. It was something that was practically unheard of, and when it was, it was not taken well.

"I know it. You look just like me...and I am most definitely a man. Besides, we already have it planned out that you will be my cousin, so that would explain the family resemblance," he smiled at her, "but you should probably finish up here and wait till mama is in bed and do something with your hair. I think shoulder length will be acceptable... And then get to bed. I have to go tomorrow to get you signed up and then still have time to report for training and you're coming with me, so it will be a really early morning if we're to get out of here before you're seen." He smiles at her, "Tomorrow Sis. Tomorrow you become a soldier to help keep this country together."

She grinned widely at him, her dimples popping. Arizona couldn't wait to fight for the United States. Her father had always been in the military, a strong supporter of the Union. She grew up learning about the beauty of this land, and when it came time to keep the land and its people as one, she wanted to help. The problem was that she was a woman. So she enlisted the help of her brother, who was twenty and only a year older than her, to help sneak her in.

Tim was very hesitant when Arizona first begged for his help. He loved his sister very much, and they were very close; he wouldn't be able to handle it if something were to happen to her. However, because he grew up in the same house as her, and he himself wanted to help keep this beautiful country whole, he understood why it was so important for her. So he managed to scrape up some of his old clothes for Arizona to wear and decided to take her with to his training station.

He looked at her, and really did think she would be able to pass off as a young man. He returned her smile, matching dimple and all. He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Just promise me you'll be careful, and stick with me as much as you can."

She looked him in his green eyes, and taking his sudden serious tone to heart, replied honestly, "I promise."

And with that, they parted ways for the night, leaving Arizona to change into her night shirt. She folded up the breeches, shirt and waistcoat and placed it back under her bed next to her shoes and stockings. She took the scissors she grabbed earlier and went to the mirror to cut her hair. Looking at her reflection, she frowned. Her hair was down to her breasts and silky smooth...she would really miss it. But hey, it's just hair and will grow back someday, she told herself, and with that she cut her golden locks just above shoulder length. She sighed looking at all her hair on the floor around her. She quickly swept it up before shaking her head at the loss. She decided to just get into bed. Once under her covers she shut her eyes. Tomorrow, she would fight for what she believed. Tomorrow, she would be a soldier.

As Arizona lay in bed, her mind wandered to the Inaugural Ball and the gorgeous figure of one Calliope Torres entered her mind. She really was a sight to behold. Arizona knew that if given the chance, she could get lost in the raven haired beauty's chocolate brown eyes. She replayed that night in her head, and frowned when she remembered the mousy man. She wondered who he was to Calliope. A friend? A courter? Dare she think it...Fiancé? Arizona scowled at that thought, though she knew she had no right to be jealous. It's not like anything could ever happen between them anyway. As she started to drift off, she thought about the man and hoped that he was at least kind.

For what seems like the millionth time, Arizona fell asleep thinking of a pair of deep brown eyes.

Arizona jerked awake suddenly out of a deep sleep. She looked around, wondering why she awoke so suddenly. Then she heard it. Heavy breathing. She stiffened, and listened close, trying to determine where it was coming from. It was definitely to her right. She very slowly and very quietly reached for the water pitcher that was on the small table on the left side of her bed. She grabbed it and swung it across her body towards the heavy breathing. As she almost made contact, a strong hand grabbed her wrist and stopped her from hitting them. He put his other hand over her mouth, preventing her from screaming.

"It's just me."

Arizona relaxed immediately, and the person let her go.

"OUCH!" What was that for!?" Tim rubbed his arm where his sister always ended up hitting him.

"Timothy Robbins! What the hell is wrong with you!? Why are you sneaking into my room in the middle of the night and breathing all creepy-like and stuff?"

"Awe, come on. The look on your face! It was so worth it!" Timothy doubled over trying to quiet his laughing.

"Ha. Ha. Ha." Arizona did not appreciate being woken up scared like that. She almost had a heart attack for Pete's sake! "But seriously, why are you here at this time? I feel like I just fell asleep a few minutes ago..."

"We have to get going. We have quite the distance to travel before we get to the recruiting station we need to go to."

"Where exactly?" Arizona asked and added as an afterthought, "and why so far away again?"

Timothy let out an annoyed sigh. "We already went over this. We have to ride to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for two reasons; one, we need to ride somewhere where we are less known. If we just waltz to the recruitment center in town, there's no way they won't know who you are. Two, Harrisburg is where they asked for my help training new soldiers. I figure this way I'll be able to keep an eye on you while training."

She nodded, remembering this conversation from before. "Sorry. I sometimes forget things when I'm not fully awake. You know. Three hours before the sun even comes up," she said giving him a steely gaze.

"Yeah, yeah. Get your stuff and I'll meet you downstairs," he says and then turns and leaves her room.

Arizona reached under her bed and pulled out her new clothes. She quickly changed into her knickers and grabbed her wrap. She pinned it together and then wrapped it tightly around her chest a few times until she was reasonably flat. Speaking of chests... Arizona thought and her mind automatically snapped to Calliope, and her very feminine parts. Arizona thought of how curvy she was and her mind was dying to see what she looked like under that dress... She put on her shirt, buttoned it and tucked it in. After putting on her stockings and shoes, she grabbed the bag she packed the day before and her coat and headed out the door.

"What took you so long!? We have to get going before Ma wakes up...and it's a long trip," he stated. Of course their mother knew they were leaving today, however she thought that Tim was helping Arizona move further north, where there isn't likely to be much conflict, before going to help train soldiers. They were being sneaky because it would be quite a shock to their mother to find Arizona with cut hair wearing men's clothing.

"Sorry...I got caught up thinking about..." she blushed, and tried to think of a good excuse for her delay, "stuff..." she finished lamely.

He stared at her for a second with narrowed eyes. Then something clicked in his brain and he smirked at her. "'Stuff' doesn't happen to have to do with a Ms. Torres, does it?" he asked, already pretty sure of the answer.

Her blush deepened and her jaw dropped open, "Hhh...How did you know?" she asked her brother incredulously. I mean...it's been months since I've met her, and even then I only talked to her for about ten minutes...ten wonderful, amazing, stunning-

"You've only mentioned her a few dozen times after the ball, each time with gooey eyes. I'm not an idiot Arizona," he says with a smirk.

Arizona just huffs and walks past him, making sure to bump his shoulder on her way by. Once outside, they head over to the stables to get the horses they would be riding to Harrisburg. It would take about eight hours on horseback to get from their home in Fredericks, Maryland to the recruiting station in Harrisburg. Tim hoped to get there around 1 o'clock in the afternoon.

Arizona leads her horse out of the stable and prepared him for the day's travels. She was excited for the ride and getting even more excited to become a soldier. She mounts her horse, which she takes note, is much easier in pants. She looks over to her brother who had just mounted his own horse. He trots up next to her and stops.

"Are you ready?" he asks.

"As I'll ever be," she replied. She looked at her home. She knew she'd probably be back soon, surely this war would not last too much longer, but she still felt a little sad to be leaving her home. The Robbins' were by no means rich, but they were pretty well off, and their house was fairly nice. Her and her brother had their own rooms on the second floor, as well as their parents, and a guest room. Downstairs, they had a very nice kitchen, dining room, and lounge area. She grew up in this home, and she would definitely miss it. Looking away from her home, she looked back at Tim. "Let's do this."

"Oh, and here, you'll need this," he said and he smiled at her, handing her a hat.

She grabbed it and set it on her head. Nodding her head with a smile, they took off for Harrisburg.

XXX

Throughout the day, the two conversed lightly, sometimes not even talking at all. They talked about the war, their father, what the war would be like and other similar topics. About seven hours after they left, with hardly a break, they started to near the city. With every mile they grew closer, Arizona grew more anxious. She knew this is what she wanted to do...no, needed to do, but she was still nervous. After another hour, they made it into the city.

"Here we are," her brother said, coming to a stop a few blocks from the recruiting center. They slide off the horses and tied them up on the posts. "Wanna get some lunch before we sign you up?"

Arizona nodded. It was about one, and other than some jerky and a couple apples they brought, they had hardly eaten all day.

They walked down the street and entered a restaurant to get some food. "I think we deserve some good eating. Want a steak? It's on me..." he trailed off, looking at his sister.

"Well I certainly won't turn down a steak! Especially if you're buying!" she laughed.

Together, the siblings sat down at the counter and ordered their meal. They talked a little more until their meals came, and then they were silent while they inhaled the food. After about forty-five minutes, they were both stuffed full and ready to leave.

Exiting the building, they walked the rest of the way to the recruiting center. There was a small line of young men, not too many today though. She and Tim went to join them, the butterflies in her stomach fluttering away. She was so nervous and excited at the same time! Finally they were second in line. She watched the young gentleman in front of her sign up.

"Welcome to the Union Army son," the recruiter said, while handing the man a deep blue Union uniform. "Meet here tomorrow at noon. Bring your uniform and a small bag of personal items if you have one. You will be assigned a training station and transported there tomorrow."

"Thank-you sir," the man said with a nod, and then walked away.

"Timothy Robbins! Is that you, you son of a gun!?" the recruiter shouted at Arizona's brother.

"It sure is Albert! And how are you doing today? Getting a lot of recruits are ya?" Timothy answered him.

"Sure, sure" Albert said. "We could always use some more though!"

"Well, it just so happens I can help with that." Timothy wraps his arm around Arizona's shoulders and gives her a big squeeze. "This young man here is my cousin, Aaron Robbins," he says, using the name they both agreed on.

Arizona smiled at Albert. "I would like to join the Union Army sir," she said, remembering to try and lower her voice. She also gave a small smile to the man, popping the dimples a bit.

Albert regarded her for an instant, looking back and forth between the siblings. Arizona gulped, wondering if she was already busted before she even got signed up. But her nerves disappeared when Albert broke into a huge grin. "Well I know the Union will have a better chance with another Robbins on our side," he said, laughing at the end. "Come here sonny, and we'll get you all set."

She smiled and sighed the sheet of paper, only hesitating a moment before signing under her new name. Timothy grinned at her as Albert handed over her new uniform. She was so excited. She was officially a soldier. She could fight for what she thought was right, and got to do it alongside her brother.

"Alright, Mr. Aaron Robbins, meet here at this same place tomorrow at noon. Bring your uniform and any personal belongings you may want. You will be assigned to your training station and be transported there tomorrow," he leans in conspiratorially, "And I heard through the rumor weed that it'll be your uncle here tomorrow," Albert says with a grin.

At this, Arizona's face fell, and she turned a sickly pale color. She looked to her left at her brother, seeing that he looked as bad as she felt. Their father would see them here tomorrow, and he wasn't supposed to know.

AN: I don't own Grey's anatomy characters. And Let me know what you guys think of the story! All constructive criticism welcome!