I own nothing. All characters/storylines belong to Shonda. I'm simply 'borrowing' them.

Chapter One

ARIZONA'S POV:

Growing up, I never took much time to think about how I wanted my life to play out. I never gave too much thought to my future, outside of my career, but as I grew, as I matured, I became increasingly concerned that I didn't have a plan. Friends around me knew what they wanted in their lives. They knew what they were, who they were. Me? Not at all. I knew I wanted to help prepare people for their future. I knew I wanted to head into the teaching profession, but that was all. I'd never thought about my home life. Did I want a family? Did I want a house full of animals? Maybe a ranch? I'd grown up in a loving family, and although it had been the most wonderful childhood, I'd never thought about me being that person. The head of the house.

Friends around me were already planning their wedding day. They were dating the person they believed they'd spend the rest of their lives with. I was too busy getting my college work perfected. I'd always strived for perfection. From a young age, it was drilled into me. Dad would check my work thoroughly. He wanted me to be the best possible version of myself that I could. He didn't pressure me. He didn't hound me. He simply loved me. He still does.

Knowing that my friends were settling down in one way or another, I'd felt an ache settle at one point in my life. I'd felt that loneliness I never believed I'd face. I dated, and sure, it was fun, but I never found that spark. I never felt that connection with anyone I'd dated. I slept around, and I flirted my way through university. Thankfully, I didn't have to worry about getting caught pregnant. Being gay will lessen that chance significantly. All I wanted was to feel that something with another person. Feel the love my friends harped on about daily, but it never came.

So now, I find myself walking into the first day of my new job, in Miami. Miles away from my home, from my family, and from my friends. It's a new start. Nobody knows me here. Clean slate. Sat tapping my fingers against the steering wheel of my Audi, I felt that anxiety hit me square in the stomach. I'd never suffered from anxiety, and truth be told, I'm pretty perky and outgoing. So why now? Why do I have a feeling that I'm not going to settle so soon here? Maybe it's the change of state? Maybe it's the change of environment? I don't know, and as I check the clock, I realise I don't have time to sit and think about it. Ten minutes and my new life begins. My new life away from all that I know. I love my parents, I really do, but a fresh start may be just what I need. I'm twenty-eight and I have no idea what I want in my life. I'm twenty-eight and I'm the loneliest I've ever felt.

Arizona Robbins. Twenty-eight… and no idea how the next year of my life is going to pan out. No time like the present, I guess.

"That would be wonderful. Thank you for all of your help." I smile at the ageing bald guy who seems to be having a hard time keeping his greying eyes off of my chest. Having been given everything I need for my first day; my timetable, my room number, everything but my last will and testament to sign, I'm ready and I'm turning to head down the hall to room seven.

Weaving my way through the growing crowd of students, I find that not a lot of them have many manners. We'll have to change that. What happened to respect. Glancing at the doors of my new 'professional' home, I find my classroom with ease and stop to take in the sight I'm about to leave behind in the manic halls of Mount University. Peering through the glass framed by a hardwood door, I find a few of my students have already found their seats and are patiently waiting for me. Those guys look eager. Just what I like to see. Smiling, I straighten myself out, check the strap of my bag resting on my shoulder, clear my throat and turn the handle.

Greeted by a few confused faces, I make my way over to the large desk in front of the board hanging on the wall and place my bag on it. "Good morning."

"Uh, who are you?" A dirty blonde haired student asks.

"Professor Robbins." I smile. "And you are?"

"Oh, Teddy. Altman." The student simply shrugs and goes back to her conversation. So, she has a little attitude.

"Miss Altman, are the rest of your class usually late?" I raise an eyebrow as she rolls her eyes and turns back to face me.

"Pretty much, yeah." She laughs.

"Well, that's about to change," I mumble to myself. No slacking in my class. Taking a seat behind my desk, I cross my legs and wait patiently for the rest of my students to arrive.

The sound of laughter echoing in the now empty hallways piqued my interest, and as I turned in my seat to wait for the group of students to enter, I find them piling through the door resembling a group of children.

Rolling my eyes, I stare intently at the four girls barrelling through the classroom without a care in the world. Clearing my throat, I find one of them turn back to face me. Smirking, the dark haired student gives me a wave before making her way to her own desk.

"I don't know about you girls, but I don't appreciate being kept waiting." Standing from my seat, and place my palm flat on the desk and lean forward. "That will be the last time you are late to my class. If it happens again, you simply won't enter the room. You will fail."

"Jeez, who rattled your cage?"

Eying the same student I received a smirk from only moments ago, and round the desk and take a seat at the edge. "That would be you, Miss?"

"Torres." She stated flatly. "Who are you, anyway? Where is the old dude we usually have for this class?"

"The old dude?" My eyes widening, I cannot believe the disrespect I have witnessed so far this morning.

"Yeah, Professor, uh, Wicks?" Turning to her friends, the brunette shrugs. "It was Wicks, right?"

"Professor Wicks has fallen ill and at this time, it is unlikely that he will be returning," I state as I refuse to lose the gaze of the group of girls. "I will be here for the foreseeable. Professor Robbins."

"Wow, at least he didn't have a stick up his ass. May have been pervy but her?" Altman mumbles, clearly not very well.

"What was that, Miss Altman?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Oh, I just said it's great to have you here."

"Mm, I have great hearing. You would do well to remember that." Returning back to my seat, I pull out a textbook and instruct my students to do the same. Satisfied that I have their attention, I direct them to page 33 and have them read through the literature.

Sitting back in my seat, I take in the faces of my students. Must remember the ones who I have to keep my eye on. Most of them doing as they've been asked, I find the same brunette with the attitude giving me the once over. Switching my gaze to the students at the back of the class, their heads are buried in their books. Whether they are actually reading is anyone's guess, but in time, I'll know. I like my students to interact during class. All of them. No one will sit at the back and take it all in. Every student will have an active role, and every student will pass. I didn't spend my time setting out lesson plans for the sake of it. They're here to learn, and I'm here to teach.

Bringing my gaze back to the class, I find the brunette still sat watching me. She's going to be a handful. "Is there a problem, Miss Torres?"

"N-No." Her dark curls shaking, I notice the immediate blush creeping up her neck. "Sorry." Her head down and her foot tapping against the floor, I smile. Already got one of them a little frightened.

It wasn't my usual approach. I'm generally a happy and relaxed person, but these students don't know what respect is, and until they respect me, I'll hold this persona. If it means it lasts all year, then so be it. I know it won't. I know once they realise that I'm simply here to do my job, they will pay attention, and they will do what is asked of them.

Today, I will simply sit and observe. Today I will take in all I believe I need to. They may think that they have an easy pass, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

Thirty minutes later, I clear my throat and catch the attention of my students. "Okay, guys. Friday you will be tested. Take this book, read it back to back, and know your stuff. Don't bother putting it under your bed until Thursday night. I'll know." Giving them a dimpled smile, I watched them intently as their mouths fall open. Clearly, the last teacher they had couldn't control them. It is obvious that they came to this class today with no intention of doing anything.

"B-But-" Altman begins.

"I don't want to hear it. You will work just as hard in my class as you do in all of the others."

"Fineee." The dirty blonde whines.

"Age, Altman?" I ask.

"T-Twenty."

"You may want to act it. Whining won't work in my class. This isn't preschool." Standing I round my desk once more and take a seat at the edge. Crossing my legs, and resting my hands on my knee, I glance around the class. "Look, guys. Here's the deal." Running my fingers through my hair, I give every one of them a hard stare. "I'm a nice person. I'm a great teacher. What I don't appreciate is laziness. If you co-operate, we will all get along just fine. Rewards for excellent work are something I often give out. Field trips, achievement dinners. The more we get along, the more fun we will all have. You may all be adults now, but in this room, you are here to learn. Got it?"

Catching a few shrugs here and there, I fix my gaze on Altman, Torres, and their friends. All sat silently. Just what I like to see. "If nobody has anything to say, you are free to leave. Next time I see you all, you will be on time, correct?" Gaining a few nods, I flash my smile and dismiss the class.

Pulling my bag from the floor, I go about the business of putting my belongings away and pull out my cell phone. Knowing that I am yet to step foot in my new office, I find that I have a couple of hours to spare.

Slipping the strap of my bag over my shoulder, I turn to leave but I'm stopped by one of my students. "Miss Torres, may I help you?"

"I-I, uh, I just wanted to apologise for earlier."

"Apology accepted." I give a nod. "I trust you will be on time to my next class."

"Of course. Definitely." The brunette agreed. "C-Could I ask you something?"

"Sure." I smile as I motion for her to follow me to the door.

"Do you, uh, do you provide extra help to your students? I'm just so behind."

"Coming to class late usually results in being left behind," I state, softly. "But yes, if you need a little extra help, I would be happy to give you extra work and work with you outside of class."

I can see the wheels turning in her head. She wants help but her friends probably have different ideas. "Why are you behind…sorry, I didn't catch your first name?

"Oh, Callie." Extending her hand, I take it in my own and give her a firm handshake. Wow. Strong but…soft. "I just, I kinda got in with the wrong crowd. I mean, they are great friends, but they aren't all that bothered when it comes to getting their work done. They don't need the motivation most of us do. Comes naturally I guess."

"I see." Releasing my grip on her hand, I feel… different? When first meeting this student, I felt a lack of respect and interest pour from her brown eyes. It is clear to me now that it was a show for her friends. Too often students get caught up in the wrong group, Callie here seems to be one of those students. "When would you like to get started, Callie?"

"As soon as possible, Professor Robbins." The brunette smiled. "I used to get really good grades. I know my stuff. I guess I just let myself down lately."

"Honesty is always a good start," I state. "I'm happy you have been honest with me."

"We don't have a class with you now for two days." Callie seemed a little… deflated?

"That's okay. I have free time most days. When you are available, come by my office and give me some times. I'll see what I can work with. How's that?" Receiving a huge smile from the brunette, I feel my stomach somersault. Wow, t-that's some smile.

"That would be great. T-Thank you." Turning to leave, Callie glanced over her shoulder. "Sorry again for earlier."

Day one, and I have already converted one of them. Great start, Arizona. Great start. Knowing that I can get through to some of my students leaves me feeling a little accomplished. I know I'm a great teacher, and I know my students enjoy their classes but sometimes, there is one that just needs a little push. This year, that seems to be Callie Torres. Callie Torres with the awesome smile. I always knew why I chose university teaching. It's so much easier to teach students of this age.

So, read and review, guys. My chapters for this fic won't be as long as my other fics. That is because I don't want to do two different POV's in one chapter. I feel it will flow better if it's just one per chapter.

As always, I love to hear your reviews. The more I get, the sooner I'm likely to update. Also, 'I Will Be' will be updated within the next few days.

Chapter Two is ready. Let me know if you guys want it! Tonight? I have th first three chapters ready to go...