TITLE: Grey's Anatomy – "Out Here On My Own"

SUMMARY: Doctor Arizona Robbins has finally come to a decision after years of attempting to regain the love of her ex-wife. She didn't have the epiphany on her own; it was ungraciously shoved in her face by others. Is it finally time to move on and find some happiness or is she preordained to be alone?

Pairings: Arizona Robbins & Jaimie Miller; Callie Torres & Taylor Gordon.

RATING: M for mature readers.

DISCLAIMER: The television characters are owned by Creator Shonda Rhimes, ShondaLand, The Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studios. I have merely taken them out to play and will return them unscathed once my Muse is done. All original characters belong to the author. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is gained from this storytelling.

A/N: Please feel free to review, follow or favour. Thanks to those who have taken the time to leave a comment and are enjoying this tale. Apologies for the delay in between chapters, but work has been full on and spare time rare.

Chapter 35

Friday 14th April

After being farewelled by friends at the hospital, Jaimie was driven home by her mother and assisted to the main bedroom. Beverley placed Jaimie's duffle bag on the end of the bed and turned to her.

"Is there anything else I can help you with love?"

"No thanks mum. I'm beat and am going to take a nap. Arizona will be home in four hours, so I'm good to go."

Moving to the head of the bed, Beverley turned down the linen, "Okay I'll leave you to it and see you tomorrow for dinner."

"Thanks … thanks for all you've done. I have to say, it's a tad overwhelming to finally be home."

Going to her daughter, Beverley carefully embraced her, "Would you like me to stay until you fall asleep?"

"Yes please, I really don't want to be on my own," admitted a tearful Jaimie.

With a slight smile, Beverley ushered Jaimie to the mattress, "Get comfortable and I'll fetch you a glass of iced water so you can take a painkiller."

Easing onto the bed gradually, Jaimie gave her mother a sly grin, "Could you please heat up some of your chicken noodle soup for me?"

"Of course I can; I'll even read to you."

"I don't think you have to go that fair mum."

An hour later, Jaimie was forced to eat those words as she drifted off to her mother's melodious voice while reading pages from the novel Arizona had gifted Jaimie for her birthday.

Jaime slept through until the morning and sighed when she felt Arizona's body nestled into her flank. Gingerly reaching over with her right hand, Jaimie skimmed fingertips over blonde curls framing her fiancée's relaxed face. "You are my greatest love," she whispered before retracting her hand and sliding off the mattress.

Experiencing a dull ache in her right shoulder, Jaimie digested two tablets and washed then down with the remaining water positioned on the bedside table. Since stepping up her physio exercises, her rebuilt appendage had been under increased pressure and Jaimie was often left with an ache the following day.

Making her way to the ensuite, Jaimie took her time in showering and preparing for the day. Returning to the bedroom, she carefully settled on her left side and draped an arm over Arizona's hip. With contentment washing over her, Jaimie proceeded to watch over Arizona for the next fifty minutes until long blonde lashed eyelids began to flutter.

Arizona was greeted with an enormous grin and sparkling green eyes, "Good morning honey and welcome home."

"Hi there and I'm so relived to be here. I had the best sleep last night."

Cupping a hand under Jaimie's chin, Arizona smile faded, "Your mom said you overdid it at therapy before you were discharged."

"Yes and I learnt my lesson. I was a bit sore, but a warm shower and pain pills helped. I'm sorry I wasn't awake when you arrived home."

Gently running the pad of her thumb over the curve of Jaimie's jaw, Arizona explained, "I was actually delayed due to an emergency in the Pit."

Black eyebrows rose, "So I didn't miss out on anything?"

"No and I missed these morning chats."

"Needless to say, I did too."

Pulling back her hand, Arizona sat up, "I just need to use the bathroom then I'll be back."

"I like that idea and I'll cook you some breakfast once we've caught up."

Gathering her crutches, Arizona stood and looked down at Jaimie, "You must be hungry."

"Not really. Now hurry up so we can cuddle and kiss."

"I like the sound of that and in case you have forgotten, I love you."

"I could never forget that my love."

A beaming Arizona entered the ensuite while Jaimie propped herself up against the headboard.

So set the routine for Arizona and Jaimie for the next eight weeks. Apart from visits to the hospital for work, physio and visits with Tim, the couple remained close to one another. There was a cavalcade of visitors to the house as Jaimie and Timothy continued to recover.

On the tenth of June Teddy flew in to celebrate her birthday and the following day, a boat party turned into an engagement celebration after Luke proposed overnight. Timothy's daily sessions with Doctor Wyatt saw an improvement to his mental health and on the thirtieth of June he was discharged from Grey+Sloan Memorial Hospital after Callie removed his leg casts. He was scheduled to return Monday for physio while Jaimie was to start back at work.

-o-

Arizona drove them to the hospital and she firmly held onto Jaimie's hand as they entered the main lobby. Her eyes filled with tears as a large banner hoisted above the reception desk came into view. In bold lettering, the words formed a welcome home message for Jaimie.

"Crikey," whispered Jaimie as her fellow co-workers approached and offered warm wishes and embraces.

Miranda was the last in line and she was all smiles as she handed Jaimie her lab coat, "It's good to have on board Doctor Miller."

"Thanks Chief."

"You're welcome and I'll meet you in the skills lab at one o'clock."

"I'll be there with bells on."

As the group dispersed, Arizona retook Jaimie's left hand and gave her a deep dimpled smile, "I had no idea that was planned."

Returning the grin twofold, Jaimie suggested, "My guess is April organised it."

"I'm sure you're correct," replied Arizona while leading her fiancée towards the elevators. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm eager to get back into the ER and nervous as a cat in a room filled with rocking chairs about picking up a scalpel."

Stepping into the now empty car, a giggling Arizona pulled Jaimie onto her chest, "After all the practicing you have been doing at home the past week; I'm sure you'll be more than fine in the skills lad and Baily will return you to surgery in no time at all."

The doors slid closed and Jaimie pecked Arizona on the tip of her nose, "Thank you for the sterling words of encouragement my love."

"You are welcome."

"I love you," said Jaimie prior to dropping a swift kiss to Arizona's lips. "And I still owe you a break on the yacht."

"I love you more and it's been too hectic to find the time to get away," responded Arizona as the lift came to a halt.

Exiting hand in hand, the happy couple went to the Attending's Lounge to prepare for the day before going their separate ways.

-o-

Arizona had just finished afternoon rounds when she received a text message from Callie asking her to attend the Physio Room located in the Orthopaedic Ward. Checking the time on her wristwatch, Arizona saw it was time for Timothy's first scheduled session. Several days earlier, Arizona had offered to be there as moral support for her brother, but having had the submission declined; Arizona felt some degree of concern in regards to the summons.

Rushing to her destination, Arizona entered the suite to find a stone faced Timothy sitting in his wheelchair with arms crossed against his chest and a less than impressed Callie standing in front of him with her arms positioned in similar fashion. It appeared there was a Mexican standoff taking place and Arizona silently cursed her brother's and ex-wife's pigheadedness.

Drawing nearer, she asked, "Is there some kind of problem?"

Callie nodded without turning to her, "Your brother has managed to abuse not one, but two of my Physiotherapists and is refusing to cooperate."

"Tim?" questioned Arizona while glaring a death ray at him.

Cringing at his sister's no nonsense disapproval, Timothy snarled as tears rolled down his face, "The first fucker hurt me and the second was no better. I don't need this shit and can do it on my own if everyone would leave me the fuck alone."

Steeling herself against the pain that was stabbing at her heart, Arizona took a deep breath and attempted to be the voice of reason, "Of course it hurts Tim. Until today all you've been doing exercise wise has been preparing your legs for this. This is where you have to put in the hard yards and suck it up."

Closing his eyes, Timothy gripped the arm rests, "I know that, but I can't fucking walk. I can't even stand up Sis. I'm fucking useless. "

As sorrow at seeing Timothy take a huge step back in his mental health improvement coupled with images of her own struggle to walk again invading her mind; Arizona placed a comforting hand on her brother's right shoulder. He pulled away and tears sprang to her eyes, "It's going to take time Tim. Every step you take will be a tiny victory, but you have to be patient."

"I told him that," reiterated Callie. "Of course with the mood he is in, I only received a tirade of insults. I thought it best if you tried to make Tim understand how difficult this part of his recovery will be."

"Thanks Callie," returned Arizona in a broken tone. "Can you leave us alone?"

"I'll drop back later," Callie answered as she squeezed Arizona's forearm and headed for the double door exit.

Once she was gone, Arizona knelt in front of the wheelchair and locked onto angry blue orbs, "Callie is trying to help you. I realise you are frustrated, but you need to stop pushing away the people trying to assist you. Where are mom and dad, I thought they were supposed to be here with you?"

"I sent them home. I didn't want them to witness how pathetic I have become."

"Jesus Tim, I need you to snap out of this self-depreciating attitude and put in the effort."

Placing his hands on the wheels, Timothy pushed away and seethed, "What the fuck would you know? You weren't tortured for ten fucking years and forced to live in a god damn hole in the ground for seven of those years. You got to live your dreams and walk and run on your two perfectly functioning legs."

Having been where Timothy was, Arizona straightened up and stared at the man who psychologically, was a shadow of the man she remembered, "I've experienced some of your pain. I spent four days in the woods after our plane fell out of the sky and watched as bugs crawled around inside my thigh eating my flesh because my broken femur was sticking out of my skin. I had to listen to wild animals fighting over the body of a dear friend at night while doing my best in keeping the love of her life alive and not being able to move. I tried to keep our pilot Jerry awake even though we both knew he was not going to make it. My torture doesn't compare to yours, but I made the mistake of turning my back on the offers of help and ended up losing my wife and becoming a fucking monster. So yes, I do know what you are going through because we are just as stubborn as one another."

Timothy gulped in several breaths as the teardrops continued to fall, "Your leg mended and you can walk. You go jogging every morning and are a brilliant Surgeon. It doesn't compare."

"Bullshit! I spent four months on my back in this very hospital after my wife couldn't save my leg. The infection was killing me and I crashed. She saved my life by ordering Alex to amputate, so drop get off the pity train, swallow your pride and get off your ass."

A gamut of emotions wrestled across Timothy's features as his sister's words started to form sentences in his overawed brain, "Oh fuck Ari, I had no idea. I'm so sorry."

"Don't be sorry, just be the good man in a storm you were raised to be and step away from the depression. You dear brother, are suffering PTSD and I am an expert on that subject."

Several minutes of silence followed as siblings cried on each other's shoulders before Timothy pulled back and wiped his eyes, "Can you forgive me for hurting you?"

"I already have."

"Will you help me Ari?"

Fortified by the request, Arizona smiled through her tears, "I'll with you every step of the way. How about I get Adam and Callie to come back and we begin again?"

"Sounds good and why didn't you tell me about your leg sooner?"

"You had enough to contend with."

"True and I really am sorry for being a prick."

"It's fine and I totally comprehend what you are dealing with Tim."

"This will sound really bad, but knowing you have suffered, does help me. You really can relate and share your experiences with me."

"I know what you mean and hopefully this little tantrum will be a turning point for you."

"Yeah, I have a long road ahead."

"Yes you do."

"I love you Sis."

"I love you too and Callie and I will get you through this, okay."

Unbeknown to the pair, a shattered lone figure had witnessed Timothy's breakdown and heard every word; particularly the last oath made by Arizona. By the time Arizona and Tim withdrew from their embrace, the onlooker had gone.

-o-

Arizona assisted Timothy alongside Callie and Adam and after an hour, her brother had managed to get up using the hand rails of the parallel bars for support and everyone was pleased with his progress. Over the course of the next four days, and additional therapy; Timothy took twelve steps after being able to bear weight on his repaired limbs. His sister cried, as did Callie and Adam. The herculean effort had left the foursome exhausted, but nevertheless elated and optimistic.

After shift on Friday, Arizona picked Sofia up from school and drove home. She was busy preparing dinner hours later when her daughter joined her in the kitchen.

"Finished your homework sweetie?" Arizona asked as Sofia climbed onto a counter stool.

"Yes mama. Where is Jaimie?"

Glancing at the wall clock, Arizona saw it was sixty minutes past the time Jaimie's shift was due to end, "She is probably still at the hospital Little Miss."

Sofia's bottom lip dropped, "I miss her. She hasn't been here all week and hasn't read to me once."

"I miss her too, but she's been busy with work."

Jaimie didn't arrive home until Arizona went to bed, as had been the routine for the past five nights, and only stayed long enough to pack a duffle bag with enough clothes for the weekend. Before leaving the house, she left a note on the bedside bureau on Arizona's side of the bed informing her she was going fishing with her father and mother.

-o-

Up Next: Is trouble brewing?