A/N: Thank you as always for the reviews etc. For the last chapter and I again I appreciate the constructive criticism that I receive! I get that this story might not be for everyone, but for those of you that are enjoying it as much as me I am truly grateful.

Thanks to Char for beta-ing and being super awesome 3

After a few days, Arizona was feeling a bit better about herself; although her troubles were still very much her own, Tim had laid off slightly. She was trying to avoid thinking about Callie as much as possible, that fact proving virtually impossible as every conversation Tim had either with her or their parents revolved around his girlfriend. He even started asking Arizona's advice about dates and whether he should do certain things; Arizona tried her best to remain neutral, to say everything a little sister was meant to say. All the time she was trying to ignore the voice at the back of head that wished it was her taking Callie on a date and not her brother.

'Soccer squads been posted!' Teddy called as she ran past Arizona in the school corridor. Instantly setting off after her best friend, Arizona saw the crowd gathered around the notice boards; obviously other teams had been posted at the same time as well. Pushing her way through, Arizona stood next to Teddy, her eyes immediately finding both of their names as forwards on the training roster. 'Yes!' Teddy turned, bumping fists with Arizona at the sight of their names as first choice forwards.

'Any major shocks?' Arizona asked looking at the rest of the list properly. Lauren's name was down on the list as first choice midfield.

'Ohh, that new kid Erica's ousted Emmy as first choice keeper, that is not going to go down well.'

Arizona laughed at Teddy's theatrics before something caught her attention out the corner of her eye. Callie was studying the softball team sheet next to them; her face lighting up in a smile as she obviously read her name on the team sheet. Suddenly, Callie's eyes were on her, Arizona realising she'd been caught staring, coughed and tried to quickly recover, 'You get on?'

'Course,' Callie replied. 'You?'

'Never in doubt,' Arizona replied with a wink as she grabbed Teddy's arm and led them away from the team sheet fray. Had she just winked at Callie? What was it about het that kept Arizona coming back for more even when she knew there was no chance?

'Woahhh, where are we going in such a hurry?' Teddy questioned.

'Physics Theodora, physics,' Arizona replied. She really didn't want to explain the real reason. Ever.

X

'See you tomorrow!' Teddy said, waving goodbye to Arizona as the school day came to a close. 'First soccer practice of the season...it's going to be a good one, I can feel it!'

'You say that every year Teds!' Arizona called back. Laughing to herself, she headed over to the parking lot and her brother's jeep, groaning when she saw Tim was stood next to it with his group of friends. They may have cleared the air slightly between them, but Arizona was still no fan of the friends he kept; apart from Callie of course.

'Hey, it's blondie!' Mark Sloan's smug grin spotted her heading over first.

'Mark,' she nodded in greeting. 'You ready T?'

'Yup,' Tim replied, pulling in Callie for another kiss before he sent her away with a tap of her ass. 'See you all tomorrow.'

Arizona watched them all head off; Callie and Addison breaking off from Mark and Derek to head home. Tim climbed into the driver's seat, throwing his bag in the back before starting up the engine.

'Cal said you made the soccer team,' Tim said. 'Congrats kid.'

Arizona smiled, 'Thanks Tim. I didn't see the football list, you get on?'

Tim nodded, 'You're talking to the captain.'

'Seriously?! Tim that's awesome, Dad will love this.'

'Who's your captain this season?'

'Lucy Smallwood from last year,' Arizona replied.

'She's good,' Tim said. 'Many newbies?'

'A couple,' Arizona replied. 'You?'

'Quite a lot actually,' Tim answered. 'Coach said he was thinking about setting up a thirds we've got so many. One new kid I don't like; Alex Karev.'

'I think he's in my bio class...scruffy looking guy?'

'That's the one,' Tim replied. 'Him and Mark got into a fight in the tryouts.'

'Must have been good enough if the coach put him in Tim,' Arizona replied.

'Just needs an attitude adjustment,' Tim said. 'Mark and Derek said they'd sort him out.'

Arizona rolled her eyes, 'I don't get why you hang around with them Tim, they're total douchebags.'

'Hey come on, you don't know them,' Tim replied in defence. 'If you got to know them I think you'd like them too.'

'I seriously doubt that,' Arizona replied.

'I make the effort with Teddy don't I?'

'Mainly because you stare at her boobs T,' Arizona said.

'Well...fine...but can't you stare at Mark's...pecs and Derek's hair?! It's the same thing isn't it?'

Arizona saw her chance to say something about her sexuality and watched it fly by, she wasn't ready to have that conversation yet. 'There's more to people than what they look like Tim, I'm not going to start liking Mark and Derek just because they're good looking.'

'Ahh see, you admit they're good looking,' Tim said, nudging his sister.

'They've obviously got some good genes in them yes,' Arizona said. 'What about Addison?'

'What about her?'

'Well she's a total bitch! Last year I saw her throw a tantrum because someone had trod on one of her freaking pom poms!'

Tim laughed, 'That sounds like Red...don't let all that crap fool you. She's clever. You know she aces all her classes; she's not just a dumb cheerleader Arizona, she just knows how to play the crowd.' Arizona just shrugged; she wasn't sure she believed Tim about Addison in the slightest. 'Owen Hunt got on the team again this year...he's so quiet and broody.'

Arizona shrugged, 'He's like that in class too.'

'Isn't it him that teddy follows around with goo-goo eyes?'

Arizona laughed, 'Is it that obvious?'

'Um, yeah,' Tim replied.

'Well don't tell her that, she'll be mortified,' Arizona replied. 'She thinks that me and her are the only ones who know.'

Tim laughed again, 'I think you'd have to be blind to miss it.' Arizona laughed too, glad that her and her brother were talking like they used to again; it felt good. 'I missed this.'

'What?' Arizona asked.

'Me and you actually talking,' Tim said. 'I'm sorry, it's my fault we didn't over the summer.'

'At least you've got your head out your ass now,' Arizona replied.

'Heyyy, come on. You were always hanging around with that girl anyway, what was her name?'

'Joanne,' Arizona said instantly.

'Yeah her; what happened to her anyway? She keep in touch?'

'No,' Arizona replied, looking out of the window so her brother couldn't see her face.

'You guys get into a fight?'

'No, just one of those things I guess,' Arizona replied, breathing a sigh of relief when Tim pulled into their drive so she could hop out and avoid any more questions.

'You wanna throw some ball? I'll even stretch to kicking around your round ball if you want?' Tim asked, grinning at the look he received from his sister.

'Let me get changed and you're on,' Arizona replied, quickly heading upstairs to change into some shorts and a vest top, glad that something else had come along to distract her from her thoughts yet again.

X

'Right ladies, listen up,' Coach Webber said, scanning the latest soccer recruits stood around him. 'I don't need to remind you all of what happened at the end of last season. To get through to the final and then come away empty handed was...unacceptable...and there shall be no repeat of that this season. We're here to win. Agreed?' A chorus of hell yeahs sounded out, 'With the new talent we've got coming onto the team this year, I think we can all agree that this season is most definitely ours for the taking. Old girls, take the new team members under your wing...help them...push them. That's what I need from you all; push each other, push me and in turn I'll push you all to be the best that you can individually and as a unit. Right...two laps of the pitch; Lucy lead them.'

Arizona set off at the back, as she always did. She was always quite content to plod around on the warm up laps, saving her full ability in speed and stamina for the drills and practice that coach was going to put them through. Teddy was the opposite and liked to be right at the front setting the pace for the rest of the team.

'So, you gonna take me under your wing then?'

Arizona whipped her head to the left, finding the new girl Lauren jogging along next to her, 'Oh I'm sure you know your way around the soccer field better than me.'

'Not sure about that,' Lauren replied. 'I saw you in tryouts...I reckon you could teach me a trick or two.'

Arizona found herself smiling, glad that she could excuse the blush on her cheeks to the autumn air against her hot cheeks. Glancing to the left again, she let her eyes travel down the other blonde's body, appreciating the way that the navy blue tank top was riding up and revealing the toned abs beneath. Travelling downwards, she found seriously short shorts that fit tight around defined thighs. Snapping her eyes back up to Lauren's face, Arizona bit her lip when she realised she'd totally been caught out. 'What are you doing handing back here with me anyway?' Arizona asked, looking back in front of her.

'Enjoying the view,' Lauren replied, a cheeky smile spreading across her face as she pushed forwards slightly to join with the next group in front of them. Arizona couldn't help but smile at the attention she had just received from Lauren and now it was Arizona's turn to once again enjoy the view as her eyes tracked Lauren's long legs as they easily kept pace with some of the front runners. As their second lap drew to a close, coach had them doing their normal drills; the sweat soon dripping off of them as they fought to prove that they deserved their place in the starting line-up.

After some five-a-side matches, Webber called it time for the session, informing them that as of the following week and onwards, training would take place on Tuesdays and Fridays after school with him expecting them to keep their own personal fitness up during the rest of the week. Game days would be Wednesday nights or Saturdays depending on the opposition and their first game was in two weeks; Webber saying her would post the team within due course.

Arizona was jogged over to pick up some cones, smiling when she saw Lauren was picking the line parallel to hers. She was about to open her mouth to say something when Teddy called over to her, 'Hey Zo, I'm really sorry but we can't give you a ride tonight...Dad says we've got to pick Mum up from some work thing.'

'It's fine Teds, don't worry,' Arizona replied genuinely. 'I'll see you after the weekend.'

'Wanna shoot some tomorrow?'

'Yeah, come round at like two?' Arizona replied.

'See you tomorrow then,' Teddy said, realising Lauren was stood behind Arizona she added, 'See you Lauren.'

'Bye Teddy,' Lauren replied, continuing to grab her line of cones. 'So, you need a ride?'

Arizona picked up her last cone and looked across to Lauren, 'I'm um, I'm good thanks.'

'Oh come on, I don't bite...and I live past you anyway.'

'You know where I live?' Arizona asked, raising a sceptical eyebrow.

'More I know where the Colonel lives,' Lauren replied, stepping into pace alongside Arizona.

Arizona nodded in understanding, 'You live on the base.'

'Yep, my Dad just transferred here from New York,' Lauren explained. 'Captain Boswell?'

'I think I've heard my Dad mention him,' Arizona replied.

'So, yeah...you want a ride?'

Arizona smiled, 'Sure, that'd be awesome thanks Lauren.'

'Anytime,' Lauren replied. The two headed over to the store room, throwing the cones before grabbing their bags and headed to the parking lot.

'So, how's your first week gone?' Arizona asked, making small talk as they walked across the school grounds to Lauren's car.

'Good, getting better with every passing day,' Lauren said.

'How long are you here for?' Arizona asked, very mindful of what happened last time she got close to a military daughter.

'As far as I know, this is a permanent thing,' Lauren replied. 'I think Dad got as bored of the big city as me.'

'And your Mom?'

'She died a few years ago.'

'Crap, I'm sorry,' Arizona said. 'I didn't think...'

'It's okay,' Lauren replied, a sad, reflective smile appearing on her face. 'Honestly, I think living in the same house that we had shared with her...going to the same places that she used to go with us...it got too much for me and Dad. When the opportunity came for him to transfer to Seattle, we both jumped at the chance.'

Arizona nodded, 'Well I hope Seattle becomes all you both want it to be...it's a good city, good school and it's the best base I've been on.'

'What about you?' Are you here permanently?'

Arizona nodded, 'I think Dad knows that if he tried to move me and Tim, my brother, now then he'd have a real fight on his hands; I think he's got tired of relocating anyway, it's more hassle than it's worth.'

Lauren nodded, 'This is me.' Arizona couldn't help but smile when she saw that they'd stopped in front of a navy blue old style VW beetle. 'I know it's old b-'

'It's brilliant!' Arizona exclaimed, already opening the passenger seat and climbing inside.

Lauren laughed as she climbed into the driver's seat, 'I've never had anyone react like that to my car.'

'God knows why!' Arizona replied. 'I love it, I can't wait till I turn 16...having to get rides off my brother all the time is just degrading.'

'Well at least now you have another option,' Lauren replied. 'You got long to wait before you hit sixteen?'

Arizona shook her head, 'Late next month.'

'Not long then,' Lauren agreed as she turned the key and pulled out of the lot.

'Thanks for this,' Arizona said.

'Don't mention it,' Lauren replied, her hand grazing over Arizona's thigh as she went to shift up.

Arizona's mouth went dry despite her brain telling her that she was reading far too much into an accidental brush of skin.

'So...a name like Arizona has got to have a story to it?' Lauren continued, her hand now resting on the stick.

'You think? Most people instantly assume I'm named after the state...but you're right. I was named after the battleship.'

'Pearl Harbour?'

'Yes,' Arizona nodded. 'My Granddad drowned on her after he'd rescued nineteen men.'

'A hero then.'

Arizona smiled softly, 'A good man in a storm.'

'I like that.'

'My Dad's not a man of many words,' Arizona said. 'But when he puts a few together, he usually comes up with something good.'

Lauren smiled, 'My dad's the same; he king of improved at the whole thing with my mom dying.'

'I take it you have no brothers or sisters?' Arizona asked.

'Nah, just me and the old man.'

Arizona nodded, she didn't want to push the subject of Lauren's Mom as she had no clue what actually happened to her and she didn't feel it was her place to ask questions unless Lauren readily talked about it.

'You want to follow them into the military?' Lauren asked.

Arizona shook her head, 'Got my heart set on being a surgeon.'

'Yeah? That's awesome...hard work...but awesome,' Lauren said.

'You?'

Lauren shrugged, 'Once I thought I wanted to follow my Dad...become the best of the best and all that...then I think I'd really just like to travel...but if I'm honest with myself and promise you won't laugh?' Arizona shook her head. 'I want to be a fire fighter.'

Arizona's eyebrows rose, 'Ok, not what I was expecting...'

'My Mom, she died in a fire in her office block,' Lauren continued, Arizona's head turning as she watched her intently. 'She was stuck on her floor, the fire blocked the staircase...no one could get to her in time...most people say that should have put me off, but the thought that I could make a difference, stop a family going through what me and my Dad went through...that drives me to pursue it even more I think.'

'Then do it,' Arizona said. 'If you want it as much as you say you do Lauren...then you should go for it.'

'Yeah? Most people laugh when I tell them that's my goal.'

'Even more reason to do it,' Arizona replied. 'Don't let anyone stand in your way Lauren, just because they think it doesn't fit the norm or whatever, if you want to do it, then go for it; screw everyone else.'

'You sound like you know what you're talking about,' Lauren replied.

'Yeah I do don't I,' Arizona replied, her eyes staring out of the window as she thought about the advice she had just given Lauren. She was a hypocrite really; she wasn't exactly 'going for it' or 'screwing everyone else' when it came to her own life and the parts of her she was too scared to reveal. Realising that they were pulling up outside of her house, Arizona turned to Lauren with a smile, 'Thanks for the ride Lauren.'

'Any time,' Lauren replied honestly, her dazzling smile flashing at Arizona.

Biting her lip, Arizona took a chance, 'Me and Teddy are going to shoot some tomorrow...um...here...do you want to come along?'

Lauren smiled, 'Yeah sure, that'd be cool.'

'Awesome,' Arizona replied. 'See you tomorrow Lauren.'

'See you Arizona.'

Giving one last smile, Arizona climbed out of the car, giving a small wave as Lauren headed off. Arizona couldn't help but smile as she thought about the older girl; but still she knew she was holding herself back; not just scared about the fact that Lauren was a girl at school, but also that she was another military girl. Even though that was the only thing in common between Lauren and Joanne, it still but Arizona on edge. She couldn't go through what she went through with Jo again, she couldn't fall for someone and then lose them as quickly as she found them. Lauren was different though; she was more confident, more sure of herself; cocky almost but that made Arizona like her all the more.

Turning on her heel, Arizona headed onto the front porch and through the front door; the smell of her Mom's cooking filling her senses as always.

'That you Arizona?'

'Yeah!' Arizona called through, kicking off her shoes and dropping her stuff by the door. Heading through to the living area, Arizona's step faltered slightly when she saw Callie seated at the table along with her Dad and Tim. Suddenly feeling very self-conscious of the fact that she was still in her very sweaty kit, Arizona said, 'I'll go shower first.'

'No time!' Barbara said, appearing with plates full of food and placing them first in front of Daniel and Callie before her children.

'Oh come on Mom, I smell like crap,' Arizona said.

'Sit down Arizona.' Arizona rolled her eyes but headed into the kitchen to wash her hands before sitting down anyway; her Dad's tone leaving no room for argument. Sitting in her usual seat, Arizona found that she was sat opposite Callie, unable to change her place when her Mom filled the only other empty seat.

'Did Teddy drop you home dear? You should've invited her in,' Barbara said.

Arizona shook her head,' Teddy's Dad had to pick her Mom up...Lauren gave me a lift home?'

'Lauren?' Barbara asked as she handed around the dish of vegetables, firstly to Callie.

'She's on the soccer team,' Arizona replied. 'Her Dad is Sergeant Boswell?'

'Ohh Graham? He's just moved to the base,' Daniel said. 'He's a good man.'

'Lauren Boswell?' Tim now joined in.

'Yup,' Arizona replied simply.

'She's a bit weird that one; watch her,' Tim said, nudging Callie with his elbow as they both quietly laughed to themselves.

Arizona rolled her eyes, 'Just cause she's new T doesn't mean you can instantly write her off.'

'I'm not!' Tim replied, 'But you can tell when someone's weird and that girl is weird. Am I right Cal?'

'She is a little odd,' Callie says in agreement, causing Arizona to simply roll her eyes once more.

'Why?' Arizona asked, her gaze directed at Callie rather than her brother.

'What?'

'Why is she odd?' Arizona repeats, her eyebrows rose in silent challenge.

'I dunno,' Callie replied, caught off by Arizona's questioning. 'She just seems a bit of a loner I suppose...'

'Just because she's quiet and doesn't try to fit it in with you lot doesn't mean she's odd,' Arizona said.

'Give it a rest kid,' Tim cut in, shooting Arizona a death glare at her showing him up in front of his girlfriend.

'Why?' Arizona shot out, suddenly finding a fight rise within her that she didn't know she had. 'I'm quiet and keep myself to myself...does that made me weird too?'

Tim snorted, 'Well now you mention it kid...'

Arizona laughed sarcastically, shaking her head from side to side, 'You're a jackass Tim.'

'Arizona!' Barbara cuts in, unsure at how the conversation had all of a sudden escalated into this.

'What?' Arizona replied, her head turning to her Mom. 'I can't defend my friend?'

'She's not your friend,' Tim replied with a scoff. 'She only just started this week.'

Arizona dug her fingers into her forehead, 'So I can't call her a friend after a week, but you can call her odd and weird after the same amount of time?' She looked expectantly across to Tim and then Callie, both sat with their mouths floundering as neither came up with an answer.

'That's what I thought,' Arizona said, putting her cutlery down with a clank she pushed up from her seat. 'I'm going to bed.'

'Arizona, finish your dinner.'

'I'm not hungry,' Arizona replied, heading around the table she grabbed her bags from the front door before popping her head back around the corner. 'Teddy and Lauren are coming around tomorrow to train, just so you know.' Ignoring the shouts from both her parents to come back down to the table and finish her dinner, Arizona headed upstairs, shutting her door quickly behind her and throwing the lock across. Stripping her kit off quickly, Arizona tossed them into the wash basket before heading through to her ensuite, turning the shower on, she left the water running cold initially; only turning up the heat when her muscles began to burn from the lower temperature.

She was so fed up with her brother and his mood swings; one minute he was a doting big brother; the next he was being a total jackass apparently to simply impress his girlfriend. Turning the shower off she grabbed her towel and wrapped it securely around her body, heading back into her room, her movements heavy with the frustration she was feeling. She was fed up with Tim and his mood swings; one minute he was being the big brother that she loved dearly; the next he was being the jackass that he was at school. If she was honest with herself though, she wasn't just angry at him; she was also pissed at Callie. She'd thought she was different; that Callie wasn't one to conform to the views of those around her; or maybe, the simple explanation was that Calliope Torres wasn't the girl that Arizona thought she was and that she didn't belong on the pedestal Arizona had put her on.

Shaking her head, Arizona rifled through her drawers, groaning when she found that her Mom hadn't gotten round to putting any clean pyjamas in her room. Hoping that everyone was still downstairs, Arizona checked all the vital parts were covered with her towel and unlocked her door. Heading through to her parents room, Arizona was relieved to see the washing basket sat on her parents bed, quickly finding a pair of her shorts and a tank top. Heading out of the room and closing the door behind her, Arizona didn't see the other person coming towards her before it was too late, 'Crap!' Arizona exclaimed, barely able to hold onto her towel as another body slammed into her front. As her eyes shot up, Arizona really wanted the ground to open up and swallow her when she saw a sheepish looking Callie in front of her.

'Sorry, didn't see you there,' Callie said, Arizona noticing that her eyes were darting around, looking anywhere but at the blonde. 'Just needed the bathroom.'

'Well I'm sure you know where it is,' Arizona replied, side-stepping to move around Callie and back to the safety of her room.

'We were just messing,' Callie's voice sounded behind her; Arizona turning and looking at the Latina. 'Tim and me...about Lauren...we were just messing.'

Arizona shrugged, 'You don't have to explain yourself to me...just don't expect me to sit there and let you crap on someone who I class as a friend...frankly on anyone just because you and my brother think they're different. I can take you throwing digs at me, but not people who aren't even there to stick up for themselves, that's just low.'

Callie's brow creased, 'That's not what we were doing...'

'You were,' Arizona replied simply. 'Anyway, you don't have to explain yourself to me.' With that, she closed the door behind her, giving herself a pat on the back for definitely coming out the better person in that round. Dropping her towel she quickly pulled on the shorts and tank top she had picked up previously, running a hand through her wet hair as she threw herself down on the bed and pulled out her phone.

'Callie is round here AGAIN. Her and Tim were digging on new-girl Lauren...total bitches. Is it ok if Lauren comes round to shoot tomorrow, she gave me a lift home, thought it was only fair to ask? Xx' I tap out the text to Teddy.

'God, doesn't Callie have a home to go to?! Yeah that's cool, she seems nice? Xx'

'Yeah she seems cool, her Dad's on the base too, just moved here so she doesn't know anyone. I know all too well what that's like. Xx'

'Yeah brat ;) I'll see you tomorrow then Zo. Xx'

'Look forward to it. Xx'

Putting her phone down, Arizona found herself once more staring at her ceiling, losing herself in her thoughts as she tried to process the raging emotions she was feeling; feelings for Lauren, feelings for Joanne and those nagging feelings for Callie that just wouldn't go away.