Title: The Tale Of Arizona Robbins (6/?)

Author: Rosalie Duquesne

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I do not own the character Arizona Robbins or Calliope Torres, nor do I own the show Grey's Anatomy. This story is for entertainment purposes and not for monetary gain of any kind.

Summary: A story revealing the details of the life of Arizona Robbins from her teenage years to adulthood. CalZona in later chapters.

A/N: Okay, so now I'm kinda annoyed. You guys tell me to continue updating and I am using most of my free time to write the updates, and you don't review? Come on. I don't like to write if I'm not getting any feedback, cuz that just doesn't help me improve what skills I have. So can you please review on this one? The small amount of loyal readers I have? And btw…Joanne and AZ are only going to be together for a handful of the rest of the chps. Just wanted to go into detail about AZ's first relationship. Anyway…here you guys go. Please review, cuz I really feel like I'm wasting my time.

XXX

Trystan runs her fingers through Arizona's blonde locks, holding her close as she sleeps. She had called Trystan after she had gotten home, knowing that both she and her mother needed their space. The moment Trystan had arrived all she saw was the emotionally drained blonde that was once her perky best friend. She had simply led her upstairs, put on a bad movie and pulled Arizona to her side, stroking her hair until she fell asleep.

She really felt for Arizona; she knew how close she and her brother were despite their age difference. Since the first day she and Arizona had met the blonde talked constantly about her big brother and how great he was. Never having a sibling, Trystan could not even fathom how her best friend felt at the moment.

Just then, the phone rang. Gladly, Arizona was a heavy sleeper and only stirred though Trystan had let it ring almost four times.

"Robbins' home."

"Trys?"

"Hey, Jo. What's up?" Trystan said, trying not to move as to wake Arizona.

"Nothing, just calling to check on Ari. She told me Jason was leaving today."

"Yeah," Trystan answered, twirling a blonde lock, "he left this morning. Zona's sleeping though; she was exhausted when I got here."

"Okay," she heard Joanne sigh.

"You really like her don't you?"

"More than you can imagine," Joanne replied after a moment.

Trystan let out a sigh, "Jo, I don't want Zona to end up being one of-"

"It's more than that. She's more than that."

"I sure hope so."

"Just tell her to call me when she can okay? I'm a little worried."

"Got it."

XXX

Arizona slowly opened her eyes and rubbed them as she sat up on the couch.

"Morning sleeping beauty, well, more like evening."

She turned her head and saw Trystan in the doorway. She smiled lightly and fell back onto the couch. Trystan walked over and sat next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder to pull her close.

"Feeling any better?"

The blonde nodded, her face buried in Trystan's neck.

"You better, 'cuz you were out for like eight hours."

Arizona shot straight up, "Eight hours?"

Trystan nodded, "You've been out like a light since two this afternoon."

"Wait, what time is it?"

"A little after ten."

"Ten in the night?"

Trystan chuckled, "Yeah but don't worry. Your mom's by your gran, and I think you should call Joanne, she called like three times while you were asleep."

Arizona could sense a hint of annoyance in Trystan's voice when she mentioned Joanne calling more than even Arizona expected, but she chose to let it slide…for now. She simply groaned and dropped her head into her hands, "Ugh."

"Hey, didn't I say don't worry? Just breathe, it'll be okay."

Arizona looked up into Trystan's almost completely black eyes and sighed, "Thanks."

"Anytime, babe. But not now, 'cuz I gotta get home before mom blows a fuse, you know Beth."

Arizona rolled her eyes, "Yeah, you go ahead, I'm good."

"Call if anything, okay?"

"Okay."

"Pinky promise?" Trystan asked, pinky finger out.

Arizona smiled and linked their fingers, "Pinky promise."

XXX

"It's fine, mom. I'll just see you in the morning, okay?"

"Alright, Zony. Be careful."

"I will, love you."

"Love you, too. Bye."

"Bye."

Just as Arizona placed the receiver down, the doorbell rang. Not really in the mood for any company, she shuffled to the door, wondering who would be visiting after ten thirty. As she opened it her eyes widened slightly, her surprise evident upon seeing Joanne on the other side of the door.

"Sorry to stop by so late, but you never called back and I was really worried, but I thought you might still be asleep which is why I didn't come earli-"

Arizona put a finger to Joanne's lips, "I was now about to call you actually."

Joanne smiled against Arizona's finger, removing it with her hand and lacing their fingers. Arizona tugged her inside by their laced fingers and led her into the living room. She sat back on the couch, Joanne sitting to face her.

"How are you?"

"Better," the blonde replied after a brief pause.

"Trystan left?"

"Yeah, a little while ago."

"Did she help?"

Arizona played with the ends of her shorts, "She did her best, can't blame her for that."

Joanne placed a hand on Arizona's bare thigh, "Anything I can do?"

Shrugging her shoulders, Arizona stutters, "I- I don't know. I'm so tired, but I'm sick of sleeping. I slept all day."

Not knowing what else to say, Arizona hugs her knees to her chest and rests her chin on her knee caps.

"When Johnny left, I didn't know what to do with myself," Joanne began.

Arizona looked up into Joanne's eyes, only to have the brunette quickly divert her gaze.

"I know it's not the same, but he's like my brother. We used to talk every day before he deployed. Now it's every other week. I miss him more than I can bear. When he told me, I said I hated him. Right to his face."

She looked down at her hands, "Only thing I regret to this day. It was the last thing I told him before he left. I was so full of anger that I didn't realize how selfish I was being until it was too late."

A small smile came across her face, "But then he emailed me saying that it would take a lot more than my stubbornness and the army to drive us apart."

Arizona smiled at that, "He sounds great."

Looking into her blue eyes, Joanne replied, "He is. The closest relationship I've had with anyone. Can't imagine life without him."

"Sounds like me and Jase," Arizona replied with a sad smile.

Joanne cupped Arizona's cheek and turned her face to face her, "Boo, listen to me, okay? Jason did this for himself and for his country. That is the bravest thing he can do. You of all people should know that. You're acting like this did not make it any easier for him to leave."

Arizona opened her mouth to say something, but Joanne beat her to the punch, "I know it affects you, too. He knows it. But just be happy and pray for him. It's a lot easier than the road you're going down now, trust me."

Arizona looked concernedly into Joanne's eyes, knowing there's a story behind that statement.

"Okay?"

"Okay," the blonde replied after a short pause.

Joanne smiled and stroked her cheek with the pad of her thumb.

"Good," she whispered, leaning in and capturing her lips briefly once, twice, three times before pulling back, both of them smiling.

Then, a voice broke the silence.

"Good night, ladies."