I had this update already to go as soon as I had the other chapter done.

A quick shout out to marymo9 – I think you'll like the introduction of a particular character near the end. Lol. Consider it my xmas gift to you. Lol.

Have a merry Christmas everyone!

Tough Love

"Umpf!"

Arizona's face was firmly planted into the ground. She had gotten up early that morning, long before Epione was due in the infirmary, and made her way to the garden. She was determined more then ever to walk off this island. If that was possible. The only problem was, was the walking part.

Pushing herself up on shaky arms, Arizona got her feet under her again and took a moment to steady herself. She let out a puff of air and wiped the sweat from her forehead and started all over again.

Since the last visit from the Queen and Philippus, Ari had been feeling on edge. She was slightly more irritable and was prone to lashing out at the smallest provocations. The doctor had kept her promise and gave Arizona the space she needed. Still, Epione was always around to pick her up when she fell, literally.

Arizona missed Diana greatly. She didn't even know the damn woman and she was missing her. How could she miss someone she didn't even know? And who was this Io? Her frustration was boiling over when Arizona miscalculated and felt her knee give out and she found herself kissing the dirt once more. She felt a twinge of pain shoot through her injured leg and knew it wasn't good.

Clenching a fist, Arizona punched the ground next to her a few times wincing when she felt pain in her hand. Closing her eyes, Arizona just didn't want to do this anymore. She was just so tired. She let out a defeated sigh and just laid there feeling helpless.

She rested her forehead on the ground and waited for Epione to come and help her up. Like always.

WWWWWWWW

It was a good half hour before Epione arrived. The doctor noticed the empty bed and sighed. She glanced to her left and saw the prone body sprawled on the ground and felt her heart break.

The last few days were hard to watch. Arizona had become withdrawn and angry. It was a far cry from what she was used to seeing. But she was used to it; after all she is married to Artemis.

Epione stood at the entry way to the garden and contemplated going out there. The first time she did Arizona lashed out at her. The following times afterward Epione got an ear full. But the doctor in her objected to seeing anyone like that.

She steeled her nerves and made her way outside. She knelt down next to Arizona and placed a hand on her shoulder. The younger woman looked up and Epione felt her heart break all over again. Epione could see the pain and the shame in Arizona's eyes.

"Let's get you up," Epione said gently. Arizona struggled to stand and the doctor used all her strength to help Arizona back to bed. Neither of them spoke knowing there was nothing to say. Once on the bed Arizona just glanced in the opposite direction; her hands resting on her stomach. Epione placed a hand on top of Arizona's and gave them a squeeze. Arizona didn't react.

Epione hesitated for a brief moment then knew it was best to let Arizona rest.

WWWWWWWW

"Epione?" Artemis wandered through the infirmary looking for her wife. It was just a little after the lunch hour and the redhead wanted to spend a few moments alone with her.

"She's gone to check on one of the elders. She should be back in a little while," replied one of the nurse's. Artemis sighed and nodded.

"I will be back then." Artemis turned on her heel and was about to stride out the infirmary when she saw the empty bed. Artemis, just then, heard a thud followed by a string of curses.

Artemis glanced in the general direction of the sounds then stopped short of entering the garden. What she saw before her surprised her. Arizona was struggling to get back on her feet. Artemis was impressed at the determination of the woman. She also felt a twinge of pride.

Artemis watched for several minutes before Arizona hit the ground again. This time it sound a lot more painful then it looked. The red head was torn. The last few nights Epione had been exhausted as she explained Arizona's distance and changing mood. At first Artemis wanted to march over and give the Captain a good beating.

But Epione made her promise not to. The young doctor wanted to give her patient a little time and space to work through what was bothering her before they stepped in.

So there she was, watching quietly as Arizona attempted to get back up. Arizona had almost made it when Artemis saw Arizona's leg twist awkwardly and heard a yelp of pain from the other woman as she came crashing down on her back.

In an instant Artemis was by her side. She slipped her hands underneath Arizona's armpits and pulled the woman to her feet with ease.

"Should you be doing this on your own?" Artemis asked gently. Arizona snapped her head around, not realizing who the woman was that helped her. Sweat was pouring down her face and her face was flushed indicating to Artemis that the other woman had been at this a while.

Arizona ripped her arms away from Artemis' grip causing her to stumble slightly. Artemis, out of reaction, quickly held on.

"Lemmie go!" growled in annoyance. Arizona tried to yank her arm away but she almost fell over again. Artemis raised an eyebrow.

"Gladly." Artemis dropped the arm as if it were on fire. "You shouldn't be doing this on your own," Artemis said neutrally.

"Why do you care?" Arizona spat. Artemis had to bite her tongue from saying what she really wanted to say.

"Because my wife does! You know, the woman that's been here since you crashed landed," Artemis growled. The smart come back died on Arizona's lips as she swallowed. She had the presents of mind to look slightly ashamed.

Artemis felt her temper fade slowly. She knew what it was like to feel useless. She has had countless injuries and if it weren't for Epione, she most likely would not have survived any of them. She also knew that she wasn't the easiest woman to be around when she did get hurt.

Artemis stood her full height as she stared down at Arizona's bent head.

"If you are willing, I can help you. But it is entirely up to you," Artemis offered. Arizona looked at Artemis.

"I…I don't know…," Arizona said a little hesitantly. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing.

"I promise you, I will not let you fall on your face," Artemis assured. Arizona seemed to think about it. "Maybe your ass but never your face," Artemis added with a smirk. Arizona blushed.

"Artemis!" Both women turned at the voice. Epione jogged into the garden with a worried expression.

"What are you doing here?" The doctor asked surprised.

Arizona watched as Artemis' features softened at the site of the doctor. It was astonishing to see the transformation in front of your eyes. Artemis smiled wildly at her wife. She held out her arms as Epione easily slipped into them.

"I came to see you my love," Artemis said lovingly as she placed a chastened kiss on the doctor's forehead. Epione relaxed somewhat but still looked worried. She shot a glance at Arizona who took a sudden interest in her shoes.

"Is everything alright?" Epione asked quietly. Artemis nodded.

"I just gave the captain something to think about," Artemis replied as she placed a tender kiss on her wife's lips.

"What? What is it?" Epione tried not to sound worried or anxious. But knowing Artemis, it undoubtedly involved pain. Smiling down at the woman, Artemis gave her wife a gentle squeeze.

"I offered my help," Artemis stated simply. Epione knew her wife's heart was in the right place and she loved her even more for it, but Epione highly doubted that Artemis's 'help' was what Arizona needed.

"Define 'help'," Epione asked dryly. Artemis laughed. How she loved her wife's humour.

"Are you worried I'll hurt her?" Artemis knew Epione too well as she read the expression on her wife's face. Epione just raised her eyebrows. Arizona cleared her throat as she stood awkwardly a few feet away. Artemis glanced at Arizona and thought for a moment.

"I may know of someone that is more…suitable for this task," Artemis suggested mischievously.

"And who might that be?" Epione asked.

"Don't worry love. She is perfect."

And with that both women managed to get Arizona back to her bed.

"Epione, mind if I speak with you for a moment?" Artemis asked as Epione begun to check over Arizona. Nodding, Epione motioned for a nurse to go over Arizona's charts as she made her way to Artemis.

They walked quietly out unto the balcony of the infirmary.

"What is troubling you?"

Artemis was silent for a minute.

"When exactly was the last time Diana came to see her?" Artemis asked as she jerked her head towards Arizona.

Sighing, Epione nodded in understanding.

"Almost a month." Artemis looked troubled.

"I heard from Philippus that she is helping Io." Nodding, Epione bit her lower lip.

"I know. It's no secret how Io feels about Diana. Why would the Queen even agree to it?"

Artemis shrugged her shoulders. Leaning down, she gave her wife a quick peck on the lips.

"I don't know. I'll find out how far along Diana and Io is in their investigation. I should be the one to do that anyways. In the mean time, I will need to see about that volunteer I had in mind. I'll send her here if she agrees," Artemis said with a wink and gave Epione another kiss and took her leave.

Epione stood outside for a moment then hurried back inside. She had a lot of work to catch up on if she wanted to make it home before nightfall.

WWWWWWWW

It took some doing, but Artemis finally found the person she was looking for. She grinned as she heard familiar sounds coming from the small little house up ahead.

Coming to a full stop just outside the door Artemis raised her hand and knocked loud enough for the occupants inside to hear over the noise.

There was a brief moment of silence then a slight thud of a body falling to the ground before a long slew of curses could be heard from inside. Artemis grinned wildly as she heard footsteps. The door flew open just as the woman before her was clumsily covering herself up.

"What!" Artemis noted the flush of skin and the slight dampness of sweat on the woman's forehead. She was angry. And that made Artemis smile brightly.

"Am I interrupting?" The red head said cheekily. The woman gave her a scowl that could have taken out a Titan.

"What do you want?" The woman demanded.

"I have a…proposition for you," Artemis said with a wide grin. The woman just remained silent as she continued to glare.

"You've heard about our…uh…guest?" The woman nodded slowly.

"Of course I have. It's all over the island."

"Well, she could use a little help…more rehabilitation." The woman seemed to consider this.

"What do you want from me? I'm General not a nurse," the woman replied. Nodding, Artemis agreed.

"Yes. But you have the most patience. That's more then I can say for myself…or so I've been told," Artemis said with a smirk.

Seemingly satisfied with that answer, the woman contemplated the idea. Slowly nodding, the woman agreed.

"Thank you. I will head back to the infirmary and let Epione know," Artemis said with curt nod. She turned on her heel and took a few steps before she stopped. The woman was about to shut the door when Artemis called out.

"Oh and Alindra?" Artemis waited until she got Alindra's full attention once more. Then with a naughty grin, Artemis said loudly, "Say hello to Athena for me!" She quickly heard what sounded like a plate dropping and Alindra blushed as her eyes widened and slammed the door shut.

Artemis threw her head back and laughed out loud. She walked back to the infirmary. She grinned. She couldn't wait to tell Epione about Alindra.

WWWWWWWW