Chapter 19 - Sign Away

"Your knee is bouncing. You're nervous." Placing her hand on the blonde's knee. "Stop. Bouncing."

"I'm sorry. It's just. I haven't seen the lieutenant since my brother passed away. And he's so damn intimidating. I hate that."

"Relax. You've known this guy your whole life Arizona. I'm sure you'll be okay. This is only to discuss where we're going after fifth year."

Holding her grip on her best friend's bouncing leg it finally settled. Teddy was right, this was just a simple conversation about their future as naval surgeons and where they intend to spend next year.

They both had inevitably decided to go overseas long before Tim had passed. Long before the war had even grown to this capacity. Teddy also grew up a military brat; both of her parents were higher ups in the armed forces. Her mother was a retired Navy nurse and her father was an Army drill sergeant. There was a mixture of pride and pressure for the slender dirty blonde to serve her country, seeing as her three older siblings did the same, so should she. Combine that with the fact her mother had perished on 9/11, she had more of a vendetta than legacy on some days.

"Altman."

Teddy jumped up, adjusting her posture and straightening out her camouflage navy cap, and headed towards the office in the back of the recruiting center.

Arizona's knee began to bounce ferociously again. Deeply breathing again, it's just a meeting. You'll tell the lieutenant the plan and it's done. Yup. Easy peasy Robbins.

Teddy came marching back from the office. Apparently her thoughts were much longer and in depth than she thought, nearly 20 minutes had passed since Teddy went in.

"Robbins."

Clearing her throat and standing to meet Teddy, "G said she would pick us up from here in 30 minutes. Which is probably how long I'll take. So I'll see you on the other side I guess?"

Teddy giggled at her friend, "You know you're being a big baby. Just relax. This isn't anything big, well it's huge. But relax. I'm getting coffee next door, see you in a few."

Nodding, she began her march to the back of the recruiting center. It was nostalgic and bittersweet. This was the same office she went to nearly 12 years before. The only difference was her brother was by her side and now he wasn't here to race her to the back.

Saluting her recruiting officer, "Good morning, Lt. Chapman."

He acknowledged her presence, "At ease Robbins."

Removing her cap and sitting before the man she gulped deep.

"How's fifth year Doctor Robbins?"

She remained flat and to the point, leaving no room for emotion, "Busy, but good Sir."

"That's good to hear. Glad Dr. Thompson and MGH are keeping you busy. Now, you know why you're here. And I wanted to talk to you about the paths you can go. From what you've expressed in previous meetings you are still very willing and interested to go to active war. Is this still true?"

"Sir, yes Sir." The answer came out more harsh and blunt then she intended.

"Have you spoken with the colonel regarding your decision?"

Thinking to herself, Ah, shit. The colonel. Nope, haven't given ma or pa a good ring, in oh let's call it a week. They know I am going regardless.

"Sir, I haven't spoken with him regarding this particular meeting but they have known my feelings about deploying. I am 110% confident in this choice Sir. It's my duty as a surgeon of the US Navy."

Rapping his fingers together, he leaned back in his chair and studied the blonde intently. It sent shivers down Arizona's spine.

"Okay Doctor." He nodded again, "This is off the record what we are going to discuss from here on out. Okay?"

"Yes sir." Arizona gulped, great, now I get to be reprimanded by my recruiting officer and my dad's military buddy.

"Your dad, the Colonel and I, spent a great deal of time together when I was just starting out in the military. When we were stationed in the Middle East for training, he was an excellent leader and instructor. One of the best men out there. We were in the middle of hostile zones, but he stayed training with us when he very damn well could be on a cozy base in the middle of paradise. One thing he always said that kept him going was his wife, your mother. And then, that all changed when she became pregnant."

Arizona listened intently to this man's rendition of her father's story. Typically, a talk like this is a big no-no, but Lt. Chapman was a well-respected Naval Officer, moreover, a good friend to the Colonel.

"He changed and for the better. I've never seen another man more excited than he was. When he found out he was getting 'Two for one', I swear I saw him shed a small tear from the excitement. And then, you and your brother were born a month too early. Your father caught the first plane out of Iraq to see your mother. The fear I saw in the moment before he left was unlike anything else. And that's when he vowed he'd never let anything come between him and his family. Ever."

She knew this story, she's heard it dozens of times in the past. Aside from the risks of having twins, the stress Barbra Robbins endured during her pregnancy while her husband was in a pseudo war zone didn't help her cause. Her blood pressure sky rocketed one afternoon and she collapsed. In order to save herself and the twins, she was forced to have an emergency C-section four weeks before the due date. Despite being premature, both twins survived as did their mom.

"I know you already know the rest of this story Arizona. Your father gave up combat so he could stay on the base with his family. Something he enjoyed so much he gave up, just to be with his wife and children. But, hear me out. When your brother honorably gave his life for this country I felt your father's world completely shatter for a moment. I am not going to lecture you on why you should or should not deploy. It's clear you've made this decision long before now. Just know, you have a family that would be absolutely devastated if they lost their daughter. A man whom I greatly respect and admire, would be crushed."

Arizona furrowed her brows together and took in everything the lieutenant said. She hadn't considered what would happen if she perished overseas what her family would do. She was at peace with the fact that death was inexorable – she saw it every day. Selfish was the first word that came to mind, because she was being quite selfish when she thought of it like this. She was the only child in her family remaining. What would her family do if she did die? Words always seem to have a different meaning when the fall from another mouth. But what the lieutenant didn't understand that this was her decision that wouldn't be changed because of unforeseen events.

Arizona couldn't live with herself knowing her own flesh and blood died because of a lack of medical professionals over there. She was a surgeon, a damn good surgeon at that. Why shouldn't the men and women protecting their country, ensuring she had a chance to become a surgeon, deserve to get the best treatment possible? The best surgeon possible? Why didn't they deserve that much?

"With all due respect Lieutenant Chapman, I understand your voice in the matter. I understand your admiration for my father and regard for his family." She paused for a moment to take a breather and reevaluate her next statement. "What I want to make perfectly clear is that my choice is not one in haste, or disregard to them. I want this more than anything. I want to help those soldiers, who continually warrant our safety, and provide them the best care and treatment possible. Knowing that my brother fought to make sure I could safely become a trained surgeon, only to succumb there, ratifies to me that I need to go."

Arizona's blood was pumping through her veins. The adrenaline rush after admitting those thoughts gave her a complex unlike any other. She was going to go to war. She was going to save lives. She was going to make a difference far beyond anything she could do in Boston, let alone the U.S.

"Well, Doctor, I need you to sign. One year deployment pending you pass 5th year and your boards next year. We'll meet again in four months to see how everything is going."

And there it was, the dotted line that required her John Hancock. She was confirming that this time next year, she would be in the Middle East. Without further hesitating she took the pen from her recruiter's hand and signed in black ink. There's no turning back now…

XXX

Arizona made way to meet her best friends, who were having some sort of heated discussion over coffee.

"Hey, look who showed up! GI Barbie!" Sitting down G was almost as tall as Arizona, she playfully elbowed the blonde in the ribs and pulled over a chair, "Sit down, Cuddles and I were just talking about your date with Miami. So, how did it go?"

"It went well, awesome actually!" She smiled widely and replayed the kiss the two woman shared in her head again. "She's really just, awesome." Arizona must have looked like a love sick teen because Teddy had to snap her fingers in front of her face to bring her back to reality.

"Awwww-some Arizona? Ouu, someone has a crush!" Teddy began to throw sugar packets at her friend, "Are you going to go on another date with the aww-some Callie?"

Arizona flung the packets back, "I don't know, she wants too. I-I can't date. It doesn't make sense for me to date anyone right now. I am coming out of a four year relationship."

"Please Arizona, you look like a love sick teenager. You like her like her. Don't lie to us." G just egged her on. "Come on, what's a second date going to do? Just go already."

"No, no. I cannot get into a relationship at all."

"You're starting to sound like G here Arizona. Just go on a date."

"Yeah, what Cuddles said, go on a date! By the third date she won't taste like me anymore so you can slide right in. OW!"

Arizona sucker punched G in the shoulder while Teddy threw a handful of sugar packets at her.

"You are SO VILE G!" Teddy pipped in.

"Yes, you are literally like a horny teenage boy. Gross. Let's go. I have a consult at 1030."

The trio left the café and headed to MGH. Arizona sat in the backseat of the Range Rover while Teddy rode shot-gun. It gave her time to sort out the myriad of thoughts running through her head. That's it. I am going to deploy next year. Going to the sand box. She tried to stop thinking about deploying, but couldn't help what flooded her thoughts after, and you have a gorgeous Latina wanting to take you on a second date or more. A gorgeous Latina. Who's just awesome. And Amazing. And funny…Shit Robbins. You can't do this to yourself or to her. If G is right about anything it's being in a relationship while you're deployed. It's the absolute worst thing in the world. God I will not put that beautiful soul through that torture. No way.

"Arizona? You there?" G looked at her friend who was clearly preoccupied with her own thoughts.

Peaking up and smiling, "Yes, what G?"

"Okay, so I have a serious question to ask you." Arizona nodded "Do you think I could get with Callie's roommate Addison?"

Arizona lunged into the front seat and starting punching G in the arm "What is wrong with you!? You are the biggest slut ever! Just keep it in your damn pants! And besides, she's straightest as straight comes. Like straighter than Teddy, you pig!"

All Teddy could do was bust out laughing, "Ow, ow, okay. Well sorry, thanks for the encouragement battleship! And thanks for helping me there Teddy." G rolled her eyes. "Okay, well here we are. First stop, MGH Emergency."

"Thanks for the lift G, I'm sure we'll see you around. And you owe me a dinner!" Teddy called out.

"Don't worry, I'm going to be in the morgue this morning!" She smiled disparagingly. "So I'll probably see the both of you ladies before I leave. And Arizona, go on that second date!"

"Yeah, yeah. See you around G!"

The two women made way through the ER of MGH to check in with their nurses to see if they were immediately needed anywhere. But before they could change out of their matching navy camouflage fatigues, Arizona was paged to the pit, by Callie.

"I got a 9-1-1 page from Callie saying I am needed in the ER. Weird." Arizona looked skeptically at Teddy.

"Well, maybe someone is looking for you? I doubt she'd jump your bones down there or maybe-"

"No, no. I'll just run down. I'm sure it's nothing major. I'll catch up with you in a few."

Callie paced back and forth in front of a closed curtain, waiting for the blonde to show up. Arizona glided through the department and saw a rather tense looking Latina.

"Dr. Torres, is everything okay?"

Callie couldn't breath – no this is not okay. She was never a woman who swooned over uniforms but the way those Navy fatigues fit the blonde and made those eyes pop – sent Callie's heart into over drive. Her throat was dry and mind was foggy all the sudden. How does she make that uniform so, so delicious?

"Ah-uh" It came out as a gasp of air instead of a word. She cleared her throat, "Um, yeah…There's two women looking for you."

Arizona's eyes nearly fell out of her head, "Two, two women? For me? Who are they? Wait – why do they need me? And why are you here?"

Callie didn't know how to answer any of those questions. Her panties were in a bunch, literally. Aside from the two women on the other side of the curtain waiting for Arizona who completely threw her for a loop with her uniform get up, she had no idea as to why they would need her anyways.

"Callie, are you okay? You look pale?"

"No, I just this, those women. One looks familiar. Like really familiar and has the same last name as G."

"Wait, What!? Do you have the patient chart?" Callie handed over the chart and it indeed was who she thought and hoped it wasn't. Going through the patient information and seeing exactly what brought her here she looked back at Callie who looked awe struck still.

"So, who is it?" Callie asked.

"Giuseppina von Ingersleben, also likes to go by 'Jo-Jo', is G's older sister. Have you told G about this, because do NOT mention this to her."

"No, no. I didn't make the connection really until now I guess. Um, so she wants to see you I guess."

"Who else is she with?"

Callie shrugged. Arizona tucked the chart under her arm and began to rub her temples. "This is not how my day was supposed to start."

Callie felt partially guilty for springing this on Arizona. Clearly there was a reason why this bothered her so much and it was evident that there was bad blood between the two siblings. The extent of what Callie knew about the other von Ingersleben was limited too, 'She's in rehab in Florida', and that was it.

So, deciding to re-do Arizona's morning she took the chart from her arm, "Dr. Torres, what are you doing?"

"Restarting your morning, now shush. Turn around and walk back over here again."

"What-?"

"Just do it." Now she was sending the Torres glare to the blonde. Uniform or not, that glare could scare anybody into doing anything.

Arizona reluctantly withdrew from her spot, not wanting to cause a scene between her and Callie, she did a quick lap around the ER and stopped behind Callie.

Clearing her throat to alert Callie, "Mmhm, Dr. Torres, you paged me. Is everything okay?"

"Well, first, good morning Dr. Robbins or should I say Lieutenant Robbins?" She seductively husked, "I have a patient here who claims to know you and wanted to see you ASAP. Here are their charts."

Arizona blushed when she heard Callie refer to her as Lieutenant. Granted she wasn't at that pay grade just yet, it was still sexy as hell. "Excuse my insolence Dr. Torres, good morning to you as well. And thank you." She took the charts and re-read them a second time. "Multiple spiral fractures to the right arm, broken nose, apparent defensive wounds. And she's two months pregnant. Wow."

That reality sunk in deep for the blonde.

"I know. But, she's clean currently, we had to do a drug and alcohol test. And has been taking neonatal vitamins apparently. She seems okay aside from the obvious abuse, the fetus is okay as well."

"Except she was more than likely beat by her baby's dad or drug dealer." She took a deep breath and looked at the curtain but couldn't move. Someone was tugging on the lapels of her uniform and she didn't want it to end.

Callie could see the distraught look in the blue emeralds. Whatever history was had between her best friend and sister, this situation was rather heart breaking. In an attempt to brighten her up, "You know, Dr. Robbins, this uniform makes your eyes look unbelievable. Not to mention you make blue camouflage seem irresistible." She smiled at the woman opposite her. It was all true what she said, and she wanted to make it known, openly, how she felt.

Arizona was caught off guard, she was very reserved in her 'PDA' – and by reserved there was none. But for whatever reason, Calliope made her want to express PDA in every sort of way. "Thank you Dr. Torres." She flashed a dimply smile at her that she could just tell drove the brunette wild with desire.

"CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GET ME A DOCTOR NOW?"

Being broken out of the slightly romantic moment Arizona was reminded why she was brought there in the first place. Callie giggled and nodded towards the curtain. Leading the soldier to her agitated patient, she pulled back the curtain to confirm to the other von Ingersleben sister that she in fact did get Dr. Robbins.

"Ms. Von Ingersleben, I brought Dr. Robbins as you requested. She can't stay long but she would like to see you now, is that okay?"

The elder brunette looked to her left at the dirty blonde sitting beside her, who nodded in encouragement.

"Yes, please send her in." Jo-jo sat up in bed to greet the doctor.

Callie went around the curtain to wave Arizona in. Stepping further into the room, Arizona made way in.

She opened her mouth but words didn't formulate. Actually, nothing formulated. She went into tunnel vision and zoomed in directly to the person sitting next to Jo-jo.

"Glad to see you still look hot as shit in your Navy fatigues, Dr. Robbins"

Arizona closed her eyes, this was absolutely NOT how I wanted to start my shift

AN: As always, thank you for reading