Thank you guys. I'm so glad you've enjoyed the last two chapters. I have to say they were my favorite (despite the subject).

Thanks again for all your reviews.

I own nothing but Arizona and company. Marymo owns Alindra – I'm just borrowing her for the time being.

PTSD

Several weeks had passed since Arizona had awoken. The nation began their burial ritual for their fallen sisters. The American soldiers prepared for their own burial of their fallen friends. Both the Amazons and the American soldiers stood side by side as they both observed the funeral rites.

Slowly, the wounded soldiers were transported to the ships that had docked by the island, the Amazons gladly lending a helping hand. Several of them helped carry the caskets of the fallen onto the ship, a flag draped over them. Others saluted as the caskets were being carried by.

Alindra and Athena stayed close to Artemis after the funeral. It was no easy task since Artemis had emerged from her dazed state and was now unbearable to be around. Her temper flared at any given moment and Alindra had to bite her tongue from lashing out at her.

Athena, with all her infinite wisdom, was at a loss at how to help the red head and her wife. A small rift between the three of them had formed making it even harder to help each other.

Arizona was not immune either. She had her own bouts with mood swings following the funeral.

Diana knew that it would take some time for Arizona to adjust to her surroundings again but she felt as though the other woman was pulling further away.

This was a side Diana had never seen. And it hurt. She did her best to accommodate Arizona's moods but each day but it felt as though her heart were being used as a pin cushion.

For Arizona, she felt if she could distance herself long enough, she could shake this feeling of inadequacy…of failure; then she could get back to being herself again. She knew she was pushing Diana away although that wasn't her intention.

She just had a hard time finding her balance.

One particular morning had both women smiling one moment then it turned into a screaming match in a blink of an eye. It only ended when Arizona stormed out of their room leaving Diana with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Give her a little bit more time," Donna suggested softly as she wrapped an arm around her sister's shoulders. Philippus and Hippolyta came running in as Arizona was marching out.

"I'm trying…but she won't talk to me," Diana said brokenly as she wiped at her cheeks. Philippus had just about enough of her adopted daughter's attitude.

"I will speak with her," Philippus said through clenched teeth. She spun on her heel just as Hippolyta grabbed her wrist.

"Philippus, please… let them cool off. It's been…emotional for everyone the last few weeks. Give them time to figure this out on their own," Hippolyta pleaded softly. Philippus sighed heavily as she nodded.

She embraced Diana and reassured the young princess that everything would be fine. Philippus glanced at Hippolyta and prayed that it would be.

Arizona stalked though the crumbled city, barely registering the curious stares that she got as she marched through. Although the rebuilding had begun, it was a very slow process.

She needed to get away, to think…everything inside her felt like a mess. Arizona made her way towards the beach, carefully picking her way around debris. She slowed down and just walked along the shoreline, letting the water soak through her boots.

She stopped and stared out unto the ocean. She didn't realize she had been crying until she felt her tears slide down her neck. Arizona quickly, almost violently, wiped them away. She continued to stare at the water, wondering how things got so bad that she didn't hear Zeus calling to her.

"Arizona?" Zeus carefully reached out and touched Arizona's shoulder. The other woman jumped and snapped her head around. Zeus just threw his hands up in surrender.

"I'm sorry…did I interrupt you?" Zeus said with a small smile on his face. He had no idea how much of a foul mood she was in. Arizona bit her tongue and turned back to the water.

Zeus felt the air around him turn to frost. He sighed internally.

"I understand you're upset-"

"You understand nothing about me," Arizona spat not looking at Zeus. The big man was silent. He knew that Arizona would be upset. But never knew who much until now.

"You're confused about a lot of things," Zeus quickly held up a hand to stop Arizona from interrupting and continued on. "I may be of some help. I can make things…clearer for you…," Zeus offered. Arizona glared at him. She didn't want anything from this man but the muddled feelings were too much to handle.

"Where do I start?" Arizona asked, her temper receding slightly. Zeus felt the air return to normal.

"Any Where you li-"

"Fine…let's start with why you let my grandmother die," Arizona interrupted abruptly. And just like that, Zeus felt as if he were stepping on a landmine.

He opened his mouth to answer but Arizona's look hardened.

"Don't you dare give me some crap about trying to protect me." Zeus shut his mouth while Arizona crossed her arms and waited.

Sighing heavily, Zeus closed his eyes and went with the truth.

"Years prior to your grandmother being born, there was a prophecy. It frightened us but also gave us something to hope for," Zeus begun slowly. He glanced at Arizona and was glad to see the hardened look was gone.

"What did it say?" Arizona asked when Zeus didn't continue.

"The love of Poseidon must fall to stall the conclusion. Child of the Sea must bear the cross, in madness and betrayal she must not bend; a sacrifice of one will signal the end."

Zeus was quiet as he watched the tide roll in the draw back out. Arizona thought about what Zeus had shared.

The love of Poseidon must fall…Arizona closed her eyes and a tear slipped down her cheek as she finally understood.

"She had to die," she whispered. Zeus nodded.

"I'm sorry," he replied quietly. "As your grandmother grew older, my brother…your grandfather…he knew what it meant – the prophecy. We begged him not to interfere. But his love for her…it was far stronger than anything I've ever witnessed. He tried to warn her…I guess he hoped it would somehow change her mind."

Arizona looked at Zeus curiously and he smiled gently.

"Your grandfather fell deeply in love with your grandmother. So much so, that he even proposed to her."

Arizona's eyes widened. Zeus nodded as he grinned.

"She turned him down. Stubborn woman," Zeus said with a ghost of a smile on his face. She was strong and Zeus knew that not even the great sea god could ever make her do anything she didn't want to do. "Poseidon was crushed of course. But he didn't let that stop him. He pursued her for years. Your grandmother finally put her foot down…," Zeus' smile faded slightly at the memory.

"She knew that Poseidon would give up everything for her. She would never have let Poseidon give up his throne, not even for her. So one night was all she gave him…then she left him in the morning," Zeus said so softly, Arizona had to strain herself in order to hear.

"I had never seen him so…broken. He truly loved her. Even after he married Amphitrite, his thoughts were always of her."

Arizona shut her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"So my…grandfather…tried to warn her. And since they had history, he thought that he could convince her…of what?" Arizona was trying really hard to make sense of everything.

"I suppose he thought he could convince her to move to his realm. But he had no idea that she had given birth to your mother. When he did find out…he was more adamant that both your grandmother and mother move in with him. He wasn't going to take no for answer."

Arizona had to smirk at that.

"But he did."

Zeus sighed and nodding he answered tiredly, "Yes…yes he did. Your grandmother made him promise…made us all promise that if anything where to happen to her, we were to protect your mother and any children she may have. I must say…I was not used to being told what to do by a mortal," Zeus said with a chuckle.

"But we vowed to protect your mother should the prophecy ever come to light."

Arizona nodded in understanding. She was slowly piecing it all together. But then she remembered the rest of the prophecy.

"Child of the Sea must bear the cross, in madness and betrayal she must not bend; a sacrifice of one will signal the end…child of the sea…my mom?" Arizona asked skeptically.

Zeus nodded.

"At first we thought so. But then she didn't show any signs of being the child to bear the cross. For years we waited…we searched for some sign but it never came. So we forgot about the prophecy and for a moment, for one brief moment, we felt the weight lifted."

Zeus sighed as he clasped his hands behind his back then turned to face Arizona.

"Then you were born. Never had we ever felt so much fear and so much hope. Poseidon took one look at you, and he knew…he just knew that you were different." Zeus chuckled at a particular memory.

"He showed up on Olympus, with a box of these damn cigars and was passing them around. He wouldn't stop grinning like a fool…but there was no one more proud then he was. He loved you. There was no other child on this planet that was more loved then you. You meant more to him than any other being – other than your grandmother, of course."

Arizona swallowed the lump in her throat. The knowledge that her birth was celebrated on Olympus was a little much to take. She felt a little light headed at that thought. Zeus reached out to steady his great niece.

Inhaling deeply, Arizona ran a trembling hand through her hair.

"So…this whole thing was about…me?" She had a really hard time with that concept.

"Never doubt your worth Arizona Mitchell," he said softly. "Yes. Your grandmother figured it out right away. She also knew that when the time came, she would sacrifice her life for yours. Poseidon tried to reason with her. We all did. But the prophecy was very clear.

"The love of Poseidon must fall to stall the conclusion…If she hadn't done what she did…," Zeus stopped, not needing to say anymore. "We vowed to protect you; just as we had promised your grandmother."

Zeus looked directly at Arizona, making sure that she understood. When she nodded slightly, Zeus smiled sadly.

"And Epione? How does she fit in all of this?" Arizona asked, bitterness lacing the words. Zeus winced. "A sacrifice of one will signal the end…why her?"

Zeus sighed heavily. He wasn't sure how to explain that.

"Some things are a lot harder to understand..."

"Try me," Arizona stated her face hard.

Zeus nodded. He learned a long time ago that the Mitchell women preferred honesty above anything else.

"Epione's destiny was already written before she was even created. As was your grandmother's, your grandfather…and your ex-wife…" Zeus stole a glance at the younger woman. He couldn't blame her for being pissed.

"All this," Zeus swept his arms wide in front of him as he spoke, "all this was already pre-written before any of us were even created. It's not so much the ending that matters…it's the journey that you create by your own hand.

"Epione's…destiny was to love Artemis. And to teach her what it was to love…she fulfilled that. Now Artemis must learn how to continue to love...to receive and give love in return."

Zeus waited for the screaming to start. But when that didn't come, he looked over at Arizona. She was staring out at the ocean again, deep in thought.

"I am truly sorry, Arizona," Zeus whispered. Before he left her, he reached into thin air and handed Arizona Poseidon's trident.

"A wedding gift," he said softly. Arizona paused a moment before she carefully reached out and took the large armament. "Your grandfather made it just for you. And if I recall, he passed on whatever power he had left to you. That's why when you were wounded by this, it didn't kill you. You just needed a little bit more to heal yourself," Zeus said with a grin.

Arizona just stared down at it, her vision getting blurred.

"And a gift from me," Zeus said as he placed a gentle hand on Arizona's shoulder. They both glowed for a moment before the aura dimed. Arizona felt a sense of…completion with her.

Zeus smiled at Arizona's confusion.

"If you plan on living a long life with an amazon, you might want to start by having a longer life span," he said with a wink and a grin. Then before Arizona could even catch her breath, Zeus whispered to her, "There will be no more sacrifices. No more gods. Use your power wisely, Arizona. Thank you, child."

And with that, Zeus turned and walked away leaving Arizona alone.

It was getting dark when Arizona begun the long trek back to the palace. There was so much to take in, she felt as if her head would explode.

But she felt complete thanks to Zeus. She was still a little confused by all that. She was so lost in her thoughts that she was startled when a voice from the dark called out to her. Blinking, Arizona's eyes adjusted.

Io was sitting on a log with a fire blazing in front of her.

"May I join you?" Arizona asked carefully. Io looked up briefly from poking her fire and shrugged.

"If you wish."

Arizona nodded. She didn't feel ready to face Diana just yet and so she took up Io's offer. Sitting on the other end of the log, Arizona rested her forearms on her thighs as she leaned forward.

She stared intently into the fire. Io stole a glance at her and felt…pity for her. Io noticed the dark circles under Arizona's eyes which didn't help elevate the beaten look in the woman's eyes. Io just watched as Arizona ran a trembling hand through her hair.

Io heard the talk around the island from the other Amazons the last few weeks. It seemed that a few were losing their faith in the young woman. Io was sure that Arizona heard the whispers as well, if the argument earlier with Diana was any indication.

Arizona seemed to be losing in every direction, no one giving her the chance to breath and pick herself up again. Without saying a word, Io picked up a tin plate and scooped up a healthy portion of stew that was simmering in the large pot that was over the fire.

Handing it over to Arizona, Io just gave a firm 'eat' and scooped some for herself. Io grabbed a spoon and begun to eat. She noticed that Arizona hadn't moved.

"Eat. You will need whatever strength you have if you plan on speaking with the princess," Io said, her mouth partially full. Arizona stared at the other woman for a moment before picking up her spoon and slowly ate.

"I'm assuming you heard," Arizona said quietly. She didn't have the nerve to look at Io again, instead focusing on her plate, pushing the stew around. Io remained silent then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"The entire island heard," Io replied. Arizona swallowed and felt suddenly sick. Putting down her plate, Arizona fought the urge to puke. Io watched as Arizona paled and her shoulders slump.

"Words hurt Arizona. That's why you must make amends," Io said gently. Io then noticed the trident lying next to Arizona's feet and realized for the first time the amount of pressure Arizona must have been in.

Io just stared silently at Arizona.

"I don't know if I can do this anymore…" Arizona mumbled quietly as she shoved her hands into her hair.

Io remained silent for a moment before inhaling deeply.

"Then they win, Arizona. You will let them win…"

Arizona turned her head to stare at the other woman.

"Don't you hear what they say?" Arizona asked.

Io shrugged, "why should you care? You did something that no other power could have done. Yes, there is death, there is sacrifice but there is life. Because of your decisions, we have survived. So I ask you again. Why should you care what my sisters say?"

"Because Diana does!" Arizona shot back childishly. She slapped the palms of her hands over her eyes as she felt her tears fall.

Io shook her head.

"You silly woman! Diana knows they will never understand so she does not listen to the empty words. You sacrificed your life for ours…if the rest of my sisters cannot see that, then they were never my sister to begin with!" Io stated in clipped tones.

"Diana cares only for you. There is no one else who will come close to what you share with her. So go…go and speak with her. Tell her everything. She only wants to help you understand what it is you're going through," Io gently urged as she placed a hand on Arizona's shoulder.

Arizona looked down at the hand on her shoulder. Never would she have expected this from the other woman. Arizona suspected that Io felt the same. Sighing and nodding slowly, Arizona closed her eyes and agreed to speak with Diana.

Io smiled slightly; then with a light pat to Arizona's shoulder, Io pulled away.

Arizona got up and wiped at her pants. She turned to Io who had busied herself with cleaning off the remnants of their diner.

"Thanks," Arizona softly said. Io turned and gave her a nod and with that, returned to her cleaning.

"If…if you find you are ever in need of counsel, I will not hide the truth from you," Io offered gruffly. Arizona turned back and nodded. Both women silently understanding each other for the first time.

Arizona slowly walked back to the palace. As she got to the steps that led her to Diana's…their room, Arizona paused and took a deep breath. Squaring her shoulders, Arizona climbed the steps.

"I'm not proud of the things I said to you. I'm sorry for what I've said," Arizona said softly. Both women sat at the foot of the bed, side by side, not touching each other. Arizona had lowered her head as she spoke, silently conveying her shame at her childish behaviour.

Diana nodded silently. When Arizona had arrived earlier, she wasn't sure what to expect. Diana had been walking on eggshells around her wife the last few weeks and her emotions had been on guard the whole time.

But watching Arizona now, Diana knew that this moment would be different.

Diana was slow to respond.

"Did you mean them?" Diana whispered. She was terrified of what Arizona would say.

Arizona's head snapped up, her eyes filled with tears.

"NO!" She said with a shake of her head. "God no!" Arizona swallowed nervously as she slipped off the bed and fell to her knees in front of Diana. Arizona didn't dare touch her, as she felt unworthy of the simple action. Instead, she placed both hands next to Diana's thighs.

"I was angry with myself. I wanted you to hate me…," Arizona mumbled raggedly. Diana was not expecting that.

Diana slowly reached out and placed a hand gently on Arizona's lowered head, lovingly running her fingers through Arizona's hair. She almost cried out at the soft strands of hair through her fingers. It had been so long since she allowed herself this small pleasure.

"Why would you ever want me to hate you, Arizona?"

Arizona closed her eyes as she let the feel of Diana's fingers sooth her.

"They're all dead…Epione's dead…because of me…it was my fault…," Arizona said brokenly. Diana shut her eyes tight as she gently shook her head.

"Oh Arizona…no. This was never your fault. You saved us…my sisters are alive because of you. And I could never hate you. Never. I love you," Diana whispered vehemently.

"You should. I do," Arizona replied as she lifted her head. Diana gasped. Arizona's eyes were swollen and red. She had been crying.

Diana shook her head and reached out and cupped Arizona's face in her hands.

"Never."

Diana felt her own tears fall as she placed her lips gently against Arizona's. Slipping to her knees, Diana gathered Arizona in her arms and held her tightly against her whispering her love over and over.

"So…this makes you immortal?" Diana asked. Diana had carried Arizona to their bed when their knees began to protest at being on the floor for too long.

It had taken several starts, but Arizona managed to relay what Zeus had told her. Diana had listened intently, giving Arizona this time to vent as she went.

"I suppose," Arizona replied with a shrug. She hadn't really thought about it.

"You do know you're stuck with me forever," Diana smiled teasingly.

Arizona sighed. Diana knew how to disarm her with a smile.

"Yeah, I guess…"

"You guess? Thanks," Diana said dryly. Arizona grinned. She leaned in and gently kissed Diana's lips then turned serious.

"I need help," Arizona said quietly. Diana drew Arizona closer, pressing herself closer to her wife as if that could somehow ease Arizona's soul.

"I know. And we'll all help any way we can," Diana vowed.

This was a promise Diana intended to keep.