Saving Private Robbins
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended by this story, I do not own the plot or the script from Saving Private Ryan, nor do I own the characters from the Series Grey's Anatomy. No infringement intended. The story and characters are used purely for fun and are not used for any kind of profit.
(For the sake of this story, women served on the frontline. I don't have extensive knowledge of the finer details of WW2 apologises in advance for any mistakes)
Chapter 13
1 month later…
Callie's Point Of View…
One month, it has only been one month since Arizona left but it feels like a lifetime ago. I can barely remember how her hair smelt or how her hand felt when her fingers were laced with mine. The hours that pass feel like days, the days feel like months. Time is a bitter thing, it makes you forget.
If watching Arizona leave had been hard the news that followed felt like a body blow…
'We're not going on any easy mission are we?' I asked Addison as we stood watching the plane take off. The plane that was taking Arizona out of my life.
'No' She replied.
'What is it Addison?' The silence that hung between us told me more than any words would. This was a serious mission, one that even she was afraid of.
'They've discovered concentration camps, in Germany. We're being flown out in two days to try and take control of them' Addison's eyes never left the plane.
'Concentration camps?' I repeated. We'd hear rumours about them but….
'Their real Cal, they have been slaughtering innocent people…children'
'Jesus'
Addison's eyes finally meet mines. 'We are going to help those people, as many as we can'
'We can't do this alone'
'We will have a 200 hundred strong army behind us'
'You're not worried about us taking control are you?' I say carefully.
'No. I'm more worried about what we will see when we get there. The intelligence I have been given…' She doesn't finish her sentence.
I know that what we have experienced so far, will have in no way prepared us, for what we are about to undertake…
2 months later
Arizona's Point Of View…
The look on my mother's face when she answered the door to see me standing in front of her is one I will never forget. We both held each other tightly as we collapsed onto the wooden porch. It was in that one single moment I was glad to be home.
My mother noticed I had lost a lot of weight. This gave her a new focus; she could fuss again and find something to focus her attention on. I was happy to let her. The house was bare of food and usual household supplies. As I made my way up to my room I noticed the little job that's needed doing round the house before I left had turned into big things. At least I would be busy with my time while I waited.
Two months have passed since I landed on American soil, I've wrote countless letters to Callie but have yet to receive a reply, my head is telling me that if she has been assigned a secret mission she won't receive any mail until she returns home, my heart is telling me that maybe she is trying to forget…
I keep hearing on the news about the recent discovery of concentration camps in Germany, about how our best troops have been sent in to disband these hideous places. The detail we receive over the radio is limited but it is just enough to leave me enormously anxious.
Not a minute passes that I don't think about her, where she is, what she is doing, if she's safe…
The memory of her smile keeps me going through the day, and the thoughts of her kisses, her touch keep me going through the night.
I hope she thinks about me too…
1 month later
Callie's Point Of View…
Despite everything I have experienced during this war nothing could have prepared me for the horror I have witnessed in recent weeks. I never would have believed that this kind of brutality could be inflected on people by other human beings. Barbaric does not begin to cover what my eyes are seeing.
Through all of this, the only thing that keeps me going is my fading memory of Arizona, and the belief that somewhere out there, she is thinking about me, waiting for me. I have so many reasons to make it home, but she is at the top of my list.
'Keep moving!' I bark as the German soldiers march past me two by two.
I can't look any of them in the eye, knowing what they have seen, what they have ordered to be done is too terrible for me to contemplate.
'Torres!' I see Mark approach me.
'What's going on?' I ask, my gun still trained on the passing soldiers.
'We're going home' He shouts.
'What?' My voice comes out as a whisper.
'We. Are. Going. Home!' He grabs me gently by the shoulders and looks me directly in the eyes. 'It's over Callie. Germany have surrendered!' He pulls me into a tight hug.
I can't think straight. I can't believe this is finally over.
'Once our operation is finished here, we're being deployed back to base camp' I see his eyes look past me at the soldiers behind me. 'Soon this hell will all be behind'.
For the first time since Arizona left I feel my spirits lifted…I can see my light at the end of the tunnel I've been stuck in.
2 months later
Arizona's Point Of View…
It's over, it is finally all over. I look over at my mother as we listen to news breaking on the wireless. I see the tears fill her eyes.
I always thought that when I heard this news I would scream or shout, jump around, do my victory dance in relief that this dark stage of my life if finally over. But instead I remain seated in my chair, my body and thoughts numb and empty.
Now she has no excuse not to come and find me…
3 months later
'What's the first thing you're going to do when you get home?' Lexie asks Mark as the two carry their packs on to the plane that was finally going to take them home.
'I'm thinking drink lots and lots of American beer' Lexie laughs softly before Mark stops and turns to face her. 'And then ask you out' He says suddenly very serious.
'You want to ask me out?' She whispers her eyes never leaving Marks.
Mark smiles and Lexie watches as his eyes sparkle, the first real smile she has seen since she met him all those months ago.
'Not right now' He replies and Lexie breaks the eye contact. Mark gently lifts her chin with his hand, forcing Lexie's eyes to meet his. 'I can't ask you right now, as much as I want to. I'm still your commanding officer. However once we get back home and are debriefed, I'm just a normal every day guy who would really like a chance to get to know you'
Mark watches as Lexie's cheek turn pink slightly.
'Well maybe this every day girl would like to get to know this every day guy too'
They both turn as they watch the doors open signalling the plane was ready to be boarded.
'Let's do this' Mark says as he begins to walk to the plane. Lexie bumps his shoulder as she rushes towards the door.
'Let the adventure begins' She throws a wink Mark's way as she climbs on board the plane.
'Oh boy' Mark mumbles while trying desperately to keep the grin off his face.
Callie and Addison stand back as they watch their unit board the plane.
'Strawberry milkshake'
'What?' Callie turns to look at her Captain who is still staring straight ahead.
'Strawberry milkshake' She repeats simply.
'You're going to have to help me out here Addie' Callie asks, the confusion clear in her voice.
'That has been the one thing that I haven't been able to stop thinking about since this war started. I remember the last one I had, it was in this cute little diner in my home town. It tasted amazing'
'Sounds nice' Callie laughed.
'Hey don't mock, my thoughts of strawberry milkshakes has got me through some pretty tough times while we've been out here'
'I get that' Callie said thinking about how her thoughts of Arizona had gotten her through her darkest days.
'I don't even need to ask what go you through the last part of this war' Addison added with a small grin. She watches as the smile on Callie's face slowly starts to fade. 'Want to talk about it?' She asks simply.
'I wish I knew what was going to happen next'
'Well we're going to get on that plane, fly home, see our family and friends and forget all about this war' Addison replies simply.
'Easier said then done'
'Perhaps'
'What if she's changed her mind Addison' Callie says quietly.
'Cal…'
'9 months have past, what if she's forgotten about me, or met someone else. Or decided that what we had was a fling and now she realises she doesn't want anything serious…'
Addison gently gripped her friends shoulder and looked into her eyes.
'Take a breath' Callie sighs heavily before looking at her friend. 'I really, really doubt that Arizona's feelings have changed. I watched the way she looked at you Callie, that look is rare. But if things have changed, then you will face it, just like you've faced everything else in your life, with your head held high' Callie nods firmly. It was only going to be a matter of time before she found out exactly where she stood with Arizona. 'It's better to have loved and lost then never loved at all'.
'Thank you'
The two turn their attention back to the plane and watched as Alex helps Meredith with her pack.
'You owe me' Addison states.
'I do?'
'Yeah, just imagine if Bailey had found you that night in the woods' Addison said, fighting to keep the smile from her lips.
'You saw?' Callie groaned loudly.
'I saw enough. Enough for you to help me find that diner and shout me a strawberry milkshake'
'Consider it done'
'Everything will have changed Cal' Fear creeping into her voice.
'We'll get through it, we all have each other. This won't break us' Callie said firmly.
'Come on' Addison threw her pack over her shoulder. 'Let's go home'.
48 Hours Later…
The Bailey-Montgomery company stood outside the aircraft hanger. The flight had been hot and uncomfortable. The debrief had been long and tedious. But now the Unit stood together, finally on American soil as normal civilians.
'Well this feels weird' Alex said lifting his sunglasses into his head. Their army issued combats were now replaced with their own personal belongings they had left behind what felt like a lifetime ago.
They all had the same feeling on unease, like they were pretending to be who they used to be.
'Good weird though' Meredith adds.
Alex smiles and nods. 'Yeah'.
'What happens now?' Teddy asks her eyes looking around the group.
'We go home' Addison answers. 'Back to our lives'
'We just forget?' The anger in Teddy's voice isn't lost on the group.
'We'll never forget, but we all need to move on. We have to move on'
'I'm ready to move on' Lexie speaks up breaking the tension. Her hand reaching out for Mark's. Callie's eyes go wide as she looks at Mark who just shrugs.
'Think we'll see each other again?' Alex asks.
'I like to think so' Callie replies.
'Guess this is it then' Alex holds his hand out Addison. 'It's been an honour to be part of this Unit' Addison shakes it firmly.
'You're a good man Alex' The group turns as they see a red sports car pull up a little way from them. They watch as a blonde haired woman jumps out the car.
'That's my ride' And before anyone can say another word Alex takes off running in the direction of the woman.
Throwing his bag down from his shoulder he lifts the woman up in his arms, swinging her round excitedly before kissing her passionately.
'So that's Izzie' Meredith states.
'That's Izzie' Callie replies.
Alex waves one last time before throwing his bag in the car and taking off with his girlfriend.
'We should get going if we want to catch that train' Mark says looking at Lexie and Meredith.
Meredith nods. 'Derek is going to be waiting' The excitement clear in her voice.
'Thank you, for joining our Unit, and making it stronger' Addison says.
Mark and Callie stand slightly back as Meredith, Lexie, Teddy and Addison exchanged their goodbyes.
'Lexie huh?' Callie smirks.
'Hey I was professional the entire time over there. But I'm not a soldier anymore' He winks smugly.
'Be good to her Mark, she's a sweet person'
'I will Cal, there is something about her, I feel differently about her'. Callie hears the sincerity in his voice and it makes her happy. Happy that her friend has found something special.
'I'm pleased for you, really'
'What about you? I mean this is the beginning your happy ending right?'
'Yeah, maybe' Callie answers cautiously.
'There's no maybe about it' Mark pulls his friend into a tight hug before whispering in her ear. 'Don't let your fear hold you back Callie, go and find her'.
'You're a good friend Mark' The two pull apart and Callie watches as Mark, Lexie and Meredith begin to walk away from the hanger. She would see her old friend again of that she had no doubt. And when she did that would be the start of another new chapter in their lives.
'So are we going to have to push and shove you until leave or are you going to go and find your woman under your own steam?' Teddy asks bluntly.
'I don't know what you're talking about?' Callie says playing dumb.
'Get out of here Torres, go and find Arizona and live happily ever after. Seriously, I expected you to take off running to find her as soon as the plane doors opened'.
'The thought crossed my mind'
'Go' Teddy says simply.
Callie turns to Addison. 'No goodbye's' her voice thick with emotion.
'I'll see you soon' Callie hugs her closely. 'I still owe you that shake'
Addison lightly punches Callie on the arm as they break apart.
'Tell Arizona I said hi ok'
Callie nods before walking away in search of her dream.
'And then there was two' Teddy said turning to face Addison.
'And then there was two' Addison repeats, a smile playing across her lips.
'Fancy grabbing a beer?' Teddy asks while running her hand through her hair.
'I thought you were never going to ask' Addison says pulling the other woman in the direction of the nearest town.
X
Decades would passed before the Bailey-Montgomery company stood all together again…
Izzie made and honest man of Alex a year later. The two settled down in Alex's home town. To everyone's surprise Alex took to family life like a duck to water. He purchased farm land and became one of the most successful farmers in the North West. Two boys and one girl became the focus of Alex's life. He and Izzie never looked back.
Meredith met Derek at the station, sweeping his sweetheart off her feet they returned home to Seattle where Meredith soon fell pregnant. The couple would be blessed with four children in total, three girls and one boy. Meredith went on to become a nurse, her experiences on the battlefield driving her to continue to save lives.
Lexie and Mark experienced a whirl wind romance, 2 months after returning home from France the pair married in Vegas in a shot gun wedding. Nobody thought it would last. But Mark stood by his words. He was a changed man, and a man that was madly in love with Lexie Grey. Mark and Lexie joined Meredith and Derek in Seattle for short time before moving to Washington. Mark joined the local law enforcement while Lexie like her sister went on to a medical career, only as a mid wife. The couple had two children, one boy and one girl.
Teddy and Addison travelled the United States together, the pair became inseparable. The war had created a bond between them that couldn't be broken. The pair ended up settling in New York. Addison went on to pursue her career in the Military, training new recruits through their basic training. Teddy struggled to readjust to normal life, but after a number of years soul searching on her travels she decided to write about her experiences on the battlefield becoming a New York Times Best Seller.
X
The farm house that been a dot in the distance the first time Callie saw it had now turned into a large wooden family farm house. Someone had taken great pride in this home, the wood was clearly freshly painted white and the gardens' surrounding the property was kept neatly trimmed.
The pack Callie had been carrying suddenly become increasingly heavy on her back, she blamed this for the reason her pace had slowed almost to a stop. She was almost a stones throw away from the front door but her feet were now refusing to move.
After leaving the hanger Callie had returned home to Miami. Seeing her friends and family again had brought her back to life. Sitting in her old room her mother brought to her all the letters that been sent to Callie since the war had started. Once the war was declared over, her mail had been released to her home address.
4 hours passed before she emerged from her room. She had read and reread the letters Arizona had sent her since she returned home. Her words were bold and her feelings clear. Callie left the next morning for the address that every single letter had been sent from.
Now here she stood, at that very address…
X
The plumbing under the sink had been playing up for over a week, and now as Arizona laid under the sink with the slow 'drip drip' of the now evident leak on her forehead, she could see why.
'Found the problem mom' She said reaching for her tools blindly. Her mother bent down and passed her the spanner she knew her daughter was looking for.
'You're awfully quiet, is everything ok?' Arizona asked as she tightened one of the lose bolts in the pipe.
The day Arizona had returned home from war had been one of the most glorious days her mother had ever experienced. After losing her husband and three sons Barbara Robbins didn't know how much more grief her soul could handle. But as she held her daughter in her arms that day she knew she still had a reason for living.
As the days and weeks past Barbara noticed a change in Arizona. Of course the war had changed her daughter, but it wasn't down to that she was sure. She was her mother, she could sense the quiet sorrow that Arizona tried so desperately to hide. Despite asking her numerous times, Arizona always insisted that she was fine. Her mother knew differently.
And now as Barbara Robbins looked out of her kitchen window onto her front porch she saw the reason for her daughters sorrow. Call it mother's instinct but the young woman stood staring at her home like it might sallow her whole was the reason behind not her daughters sorrow, but rather heartache. She knew because this woman's face wore the same expression as her daughter.
'Mom is everything ok?' Arizona asked climbing out from under the sink she came to stand next to her mother to see what had her so distracted.
Arizona's Point Of View…
For the past 15 minutes my mother had been completely mute, I decided to climb out from under the sink to see what the problem was. It was then that I saw her.
Calliope Torres was stood a couple meters back from my front door. She had found me.
My mothers eye found mine and she simply nodded before leaving the kitchen.
I don't think I've ever moved so past, I almost ripped the front door off its hinges as I ran towards her as fast as I could. Leaping from the porch her arms found their way around my waist as she held me close.
I don't know how long we stood like that. My arms around her neck pulling us together as close as humanly possible…
Callie's Point Of View…
Everything seemed to happen in a blur, one minute I was stood staring at Arizona's front door, the next she was in my arms.
She felt incredible. All my faded memories were suddenly brought back to the forefront of my mind in vivid colour.
Dreams really do happen in the day time.
Slowly we both ease apart. Her eyes are still the most amazing colour of blue I have ever seen, I could drown in them.
Her voice snaps me from my gaze as I hear her whisper 'You came'
Without thinking my heart replies 'I will always find you. I love you Private Arizona Robbins'.
The smile that spreads across her face tells me I've said the right thing, it also tells me before she even speaks that she feels the same too…
Arizona's Point Of View…
SHE LOVES ME! The words I've dreamed about hearing are now my reality. Nothing else matters to me right now except this moment.
I pressed my lips to hers, I had forgotten how soft her lips were. I can't help the moan that escapes my mouth. I feel her tongue trace my lower lips silently seeking entrance. As I feel her tongue glide against my own I feel my legs go weak. She makes me feel things I didn't even know were possible.
God I have never wanted anyone as much as I want her right now.
It is only the sound of my mother clearing her throat behind us that brings my thoughts back to the present.
I pull away and see Callie's cheeks blush a deep shade of pink.
I quickly take her hand in mine. I give her a reassuring squeeze before turning to face my mother.
'Mom, I'd like you to meet First Sergeant Calliope Torres'.
My mother steps forward with her hand out stretched and Callie moves to meet her. Instead of shaking her hand my mother pulls her into a bear hug and whispers something I can't quite hear.
My mother smiles brightly looking at us both. 'Welcome to our family Calliope'.
X
Arizona and Callie never looked back from that day. Barbara Robbins accepted Callie into her family without hesitation. She had returned the light into her daughter's eyes and for that she would be forever grateful.
Callie's family found it a little harder to accept Callie's choices. It took 10 years, a daughter and a lot of tears before they finally reconciled. Their family finally coming together as one.
Arizona's dream house was turned into a reality when Callie purchased the house she had seen in dreams. It would be the house they would live in forever. They raised their daughter in that house they shared laughter and tears, heated words and passionate forgiveness all under that roof.
Nether could have imagined that when the orders came through for Callie's company to find Private Robbins, this would have been the end result.
Happily ever after they lived because good things, happen to good people.
Present Day…
Callie's Point Of View…
The afternoon sun was starting to hang low in the summer sky as I got out of the car. The drive had been quiet, no one really knowing what to say. It was a long walk to the memorial sight, but one I was determined to make with the help of the one person who for the majority of my life had always been there, right by my side.
I felt her arm link through mine, as our family followed closely behind us. We walked in silence, the overwhelming feeling of emotions crushing our desire to speak. As the fields came into sight I felt my chest start to tighten.
Seeing the rows and rows and rows of white crosses, equally spaced apart, all exactly the same size really hit home to me how lucky I was. I tightened my hand on her arm, smiling as I felt her hold me closer.
We passed name after name, despite not knowing or recognising the names I knew we would have shared a similar experience. It was then I saw the name I had been looking for. I stopped, standing to face the cross; dropping to one knee my fingers traced the name engraved on the white marble.
I struggled to suppress the sob desperate to escape my lips. I looked up and found immediate comfort in her baby blue eyes, we would both never forget that day.
67 years ago was the last time we'd seen her.
Captain Miranda Bailey had been my Captain, my friend and my guide.
I turn to see Arizona by my side. 'Everyone's arriving'. I look behind her to see Captain Mark Sloan with Corporal Lexie Grey, their grown children stood on either side of them accompanied by their partners and their grand children. It's a beautiful sight.
Their closely followed by Corporal Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd, their family in tow.
Private Alex Karev and his wife Izzie arrived next with Staff Sergeant Teddy Altman and Captain Addison Montgomery.
Over 50 years had past since we had all stood together outside the air hanger. We had all changed but we would be forever bonded through our experiences. Something others would never understand.
Together the Bailey-Montgomery Company and their future generations stand side by side and pay their respects to Captain Miranda Bailey and Corporal Christina Yang who 55years to the day sacrificed their lives for their country.
The End
So there it is the final chapter. I just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone who has put this story on alert, made it a favourite and left reviews. I had loved writing this story and I am beyond pleased that so many people seemed to enjoy the idea too. I have a few ideas lurking for future stories that I'm hoping to put down on paper. So look out for some new material in the future. Again thank you.