Disclaimer: The show Grey's Anatomy is not mine, and neither are the characters, I am not receiving any profit from this work. Everyone in this story belongs to Shondaland. I'm just going to play with the characters for a bit. I'll return them in tact... mostly. T for language and content.

A/N. Thank you again for your comments xox.

I hear you, I'll try for longer chapters, I tried today but my brain got tired. So this one is just a reprieve before the drama. Let me know, your thoughts.

...-...

Arizona viewed herself in the mirror as the light from early dawn streamed through the window, allowing enough visibility to survey her shoulder. She studied the ink newly imprinted on her skin. Now where had that come from? On the left side of her back there was a fiery bird. Outlined in deep red ink, the wings of the bird stretched fully over one shoulder, it's other wing stretched just into the right side of her back. The bird's tail curled upwards also stopping just before her spine. The bird's head tilted downwards, reflective. The beak and talons were the same red brown colour and both looked fierce, a warning. The bird was yellow, orange and red. Together the impression was one of fire. Written underneath the tattoo were the words, "It is always the darkest before the dawn". It was a reference to her favourite line from Lord of the Rings. The Phoenix was beautiful, it was shocking and hardcore, it was awesome. Sheesh, how much had this thing cost? The detail of the work was incredible. It hurt like hell. It hadn't hurt last night. She had been pretty wasted last night, trying to escape her wife's cruel words.

Arizona applied the lotion the tattoo artist had given her for her back. Then she reapplied the dressing, covering the tattoo up. The doctor part of her brain told her that it would not be good if it got infected. She hoped it wouldn't be noticed at work on Monday, she was sick of being the subject of gossip. But if it was, so what? She could now be a cheating, slutty, tattooed, perky, crippled, awesome Paeds surgeon. What's one more label? Bring it, it was for Tim, Nick and herself! She grinned and then groaned, nursing her head. She was dehydrated, that's why she had woken up in the first place. Gingerly walking over her bathroom bag, Arizona located her packet of Advil. She took out four tablets. Gulping two herself she quickly refilled the glass and crept into April's room. She woke the redhead who sat bolt upright, nursing her head and made her swallow the two remaining tablets before leaving her to sleep. April's nighty hitched up as she sat up giving Arizona a view of her lower back which had a similar dressing to her shoulder. So they both got tattoos. That was quite amusing. Closing the door Arizona walked into the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee, shaking her head. As she placed the coffee on brew images of the previous night swam in front of her eyes.

"...April, I'd get a Phoenix!" She had said excitedly.

"A phoenix? That's amaaaazing! ... Arizona... what's a Phoenix!?" April had asked.

"Mythological bird thingy. It gets old and dies and then is reborn out of fire. It's super! Haven't you seen Harry Potter?"

"No, I was too busy studying to watch kids movies" April raised her brow.

"Says your Pixar collection! I have to watch kids movies, it's my job." Arizona pouted. "Nick always called me Phoenix after the city" she hiccuped. "It didn't matter how many times I talked about the battleship...I miss him, April."

April had given her a hug before pulling her into the tattoo parlour. All of this had occurred last night.

Last night Leah and her had danced. Callie and her had danced, their bodies pressed close, moving slowly. Kissing Callie felt so good and yet so messed up. They couldn't stay apart from each other and yet they couldn't talk. Not one action without hurting the other. She shivered, no one could kiss like Callie or make her feel the way Callie did. Arizona, in that moment had never wanted to kiss anyone ever again. And then Callie had whispered in her ear and broken the spell. "After you finish fucking your intern tonight come and see me, I could use the company and you make me horny as hell. I haven't had sex in months," she had said. Wow, that had been like ice water thrown on her face. She had pushed Callie away and found April, dragging her outside. Those word hurt more than a slap ever could. She probably deserved the slap, she had launched herself at Callie and attached herself to her mouth, uninvited, starting this horrible dance. Callie had kissed her back, and now things were worse between them then before, each using sex as a weapon. She hadn't been able to help it. Callie had been so beautiful standing there, eyes sparkling in anger. She sighed, she didn't even know how to start to make amends. Actually, no she had made a start. She had stopped sleeping with Leah. It had been a mistake to dance with Leah. She had seen Callie at the bar and wanted to get closer to her. Fearing rejection she had let Leah dance with her. That was stupid. She made bad decisions when she was drunk. It got her the attention she desired but not the result she wanted. She wanted to make up with Callie, she wanted to get her daughter back. It was time to act. This situation needed to be resolved. It was time to have a talk with Leah on Monday, the women was becoming a little scary.

However this weekend was all about her. This weekend she was going to choose a flat and get her own space. There were a few possibilities on offer. One place was ideal, centred near April and the hospital, 99 Paradise road, Arizona liked the sound of it. It was perfect. An open space, with wooden floors and a small garden for Sophia to play in. "I could buy chickens, I have a thing for chickens", Arizona thought to herself. Arizona was planning to make a bid for it this morning. She would need to customise it. No more incidents like the bath. This place needed hand rails, and non slip persian carpets and lots of places to sit. She pushed the French plunger down and made two steaming mugs of coffee. Arizona left one in April's room before moving to sit in the lounge. Soon she would start the preparations for the day. Right now it was a good time to just be still.

-.-

"I got the place April!" Arizona told her friend on the phone, late that morning, "I can move in right away!"

"That's awesome, are you allowed to modify it?"

"Yeah, I can do anything I want. I didn't just rent the place, I bought it, can you come shopping with me?"

"I'd love to".

-.-

That weekend they had shopped and had fun. It was exactly what both of them needed. It was a good way to cleanse the soul to get ready for the inevitable drama Monday would bring. Boxes were delivered and orders were made for different modifications. April went bonkers putting different coloured sticky notes marking out things the place would need. All colour coded, April style. It cost a fortune. Arizona could afford it though, her income as a surgeon was quite substantial. She also still had a tidy sum from the settlement, a few million which she hadn't spent on the settlement. It came in handy now. It helped secure her independence.

All too soon the weekend was over. Monday was here. Time for the real world.

Shit.

-.-