Part 12: Arizona

Arizona looked up from where he was putting his goggles on to see Alabama removing clothes and couldn’t help the little flutter that sprang in his gut. That was until he saw the nasty graze she had on her shoulder blade. He stood and started to walk towards them just as Wasp began to order Zebra to do something, cutting in.

“Wasp, let me. You guys should get moving before the sun sets.” He told her, one of his hands raised slightly to indicate he was serious.

“Are you sure you-” She started

“I’m sure.” He nodded briskly. “We’ll meet you there as soon as we’re done here. You guys stay, and we run the risk of them finding us again. A smaller group has a better chance.” He finished quickly.

“All right.” Wasp replied with a shrug. “But if there’s any more, ahem, flat tires, make sure to call and tell me.” She told him sternly. “Babydoll’s with you guys too?”

“Yep.” He told her quickly, not willing to give up the little girl for anything.

“All right then. Take her in the back and start cleaning up, we’ll head out I guess.” Wasp said shrugging again. “Come on y’all, let’s get moving.”

They all left while Arizona carried Babydoll inside with Alabama following suit, her clothes in her hand. Soon they heard the engines as everyone left, desperate to make it back before dark.

    Arizona set Babydoll on the ground and took off his leather jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders to help keep her warm. Then he turned to see Alabama standing there. She was super skinny and malnourished and it actually made him cringe. Then he turned to a cabinet to take out the medical supplies he would need.
    He pulled out everything he would need and set them on a table. He felt sorry for her. She was tiny while he wasn’t. He didnt eat much, but he obviously ate more than she did even though he was all muscle. She jumped onto the counter and turned from him. He examined the wound closely before he took and wet a guaze and began to pat it clean, being careful not to press to hard.
    She folded her arms “I know how skinny I am. You don’t need to say it.” She said glancing over her shoulder at him. He sighed and placed a large hand on her skinny waist just under her ribs. He started to speak but she cut him off, “I saw that face you made.”
    “I wasn’t going to say anything. I know it must have been hard finding food, and you probably decided to not eat so that someone else could. I understand that.” He closed his eyes for a few seconds then opened them again. “But you know what, we have loads of food and you’re gonna be fat in no time.” He said with a small smile trying to lighten the mood as he set the dirty gauze down and picked up some clean ones to put over her wound.
    “Doubt it.” She snickered “I’d rather Mighty Mouse and Baby ate. Then I’ll get fat.” She told him. He smiled a bit more and gave her waist the tiniest of squeezes.
    “So... are we never gonna talk about what happened in the van again, or...?” She said the paused.
    “You’re all gonna be fat.” He told her then took his hand from her waist to hold the bandage while he finished taping it on.  “There, you will be good as new in no time.” He said and started to pick the supplies up not meeting her eyes anymore. He seemed nervous at her last comment and hoped his change of topic would work, even if he didn’t really want it to.
    “I’ll take that as a no.” She said with a shrug, putting her clothes back on. As he walked away he was mentally beating himself to a pulp for brushing it off so simply. But he didn’t know what else to do.
    “I’m gonna go see if the water works.. it should since we are so close to the Basket.” He said and walked off already pulling his anarchy shirt off showing off his back along with a many array of scars. He turned a corner just as his hands started to work on his belt. Then moments later there was a loud screech then the sound of running water.
    The cold water washed over Arizona’s whole frame causing goose bumps to rise all over him. He stood with his face under the water and ran his hands through his drenched hair. He let his mind imagine all the things he had done that day being washed away, dragged from his body and sucked down the drain. He held on to that moment in the van though when their lips met. He squeezed his eyes closed and sank to the floor hugging his knees. He felt stupid, he felt like a jerk. He felt many things, but most of all he felt like he had betrayed Solar by kissing her back, by even wanting to do it, by thinking about, by even wanting to do it again.
    He knew this was silly, Solar didn’t like him, she was head over heals in love with that jerk Bird Song, and it seemed like nothing could be done. He sat there on the ground, water washing over him for maybe thirty minutes before he finally stopped the water. He used his Anarchy shirt to dry himself before putting his pants and belt back on, then dried his hair with his shirt and walked back into the main part to find Alabama singing and dancing around with Babydoll. He grinned and leaned against the door jam to listen and watch silently, his arms crossed over his bare chest.
    After a few moments he walked forward and wrapped his arms around her and Babydoll at the same time, smiling. He assumed that she had known he was there, especially since Babydoll had been waving at him. “Having fun?” He asked as he hugged her tight against his frame from behind.
    “She’s out already, keep your voice down” She said as she relaxed against him then turned in his arms to face him. “So you’ve decided to talk about it?” She asked and he could feel the light color rising into his cheeks.
    He opened his mouth to say something but decided against it. “Yeah, I think we should talk about it.” He told her finally.
    “Well, I don’t know about you,” She said moving slightly “but I’m done talking.” then she stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. He felt the same feeling from before in his gut, then the strange feeling that he was betraying Solar. But he quickly shoved that away and kissed her back with some force, his eyes slipping closed as he pulled her ever closer. He jumped as Babydoll moved in her sleep and smiled down at Alabama.
    “We gotta stop doing this.” She said shaking her head. “This child’s gonna pay big bucks for therapy one day.” She said with a smile while Arizona cringed in his mind from the word Therapy. “If, y’know, the world ever goes back to normal.”
    “Here, let me see her.” He said and started to take the still sleeping girl from her. He then turned back to where his jacket still lay on the ground and set Babydoll on it, giving her forehead a light kiss before he stood back up and faced Alabama again, looking positively awkward and nervous again.
    “I keep forgetting that goddamned thing’s there.” She said through gritted teeth after she yelped slightly. His smile faded at this, the muscle jumping in his jaw again.
    “Sorry, I think the pain pills were in Cyanide’s truck....” He said feeling and sounding awkward. He was at a total loss and felt like an idiot.

“I don’t take pills anyway.” She said and started to reach for Babydoll but stopped pain crossing her face.

“Can you...” She motioned to her. “We should probably get moving, the sun’s setting.”

Arizona whipped his head around to look at the window and cursed loudly. “No, we wouldn’t make it before dark, and Drac Vans.. well their headlights don’t actually work since they don’t leave Battery City after dark.. I’ll radio Wasp and let her know we will be there first thing tomorrow... I hope you can handle the looks you might get.” He paused as if thinking. “Some of the Killjoys like to spread nasty rumours if two people are out alone. Sorry.” He said, looking down at his boots, feeling genuinely sorry.

“We learned our lesson as far as radios go after that flat tire, eh?” She said grinning mischievously. “And honey, I killed seven Dracs today, there’s no way I’m scared of some stupid rumor mill.”  she finished with a smirk.

“Well, alright, if you want people thinking we fucked then fine.” He said, then frowned. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that.” He said and turned around.

“You know what, I liked you better after you got out of the shower, go take another one.” She said and gave him a small shove towards the shower. He grinned and scooped her up quickly.

“Or you can go shower while I radio Wasp before she assumes things as well.” He said chuckling.

“I think she’s gonna assume either way, she’ll just think it’s worse, considering we’re camping out here.” She said and ran a hand through her beautiful blonde hair. He smiled at her. “I made quite a reputation for myself in the, what, 24 hours I’ve known y’all?” She said

“You sure did, but uh, I rather like the impressions I’ve been getting. Get cleaned up while I get the mattress out and radio Wasp.” He said and set her down, turning away before she could distract him anymore.

Out at the van he opened the driver side and climbed in, a foot dangling out of the open door. The sun was halfway behind the horizon now and despite how Arizona wanted to get back and avoid any snide remarks or even be away anymore he didn’t want to risk it. He turned the ignigtion and started up the radio and waited while the static finally died down.

“Wasp.” He said then waited but the voice he got was both a bit of a surprise but also slightly reassuring.

“Arizona, my boy! Where are you? Waspy is rather worried.” Neon Zombie’s thick and deep voice echoed around him.

“Sorry Neon, let her know that cleaning that wound took longer. It was a lot nastier than it looked.” He said already feeling his cheeks warm. “And, add that nothing is going to happen between the ‘hormonal teenagers’ because we have Babydoll.” He added, hoping it would help.

“Alright, when are you gonna be here tomorrow?”

“We are leaving at the first sign of light so maybe 6:45 BC time.”

“Aight. Well, behave. Good to know you’re doing well.” He said and Arizona could hear the smile in his voice.

“You too Neon, glad to know Zone 4 didn’t dust you.”

“Not yet anyway.” he replied with a chuckled. The static ensued shortly later so Arizona turned off the van and walked around towards the back. He reopened it and grabbed a mattress. He carried the mattress in with little trouble and set it in a large storage room in the back making sure they would be extra safe just in case. Then he went back outside and began rummaging through the boxes. He found a box of cheerios that was still good and a can of spaghetti O’s and another can of ravioli. He put them in a pillow case then grabbed some sheets and several covers. He set them to the side in a pile then climbed further in the back going through boxes. He eventually found a box of clothes and pulled out a fresh pair of boxers and a pair of cotton pants that had some silly looking baby with a football head all over them. Shortly after that he grabbed all of that and headed back inside.

Arizona walked back in and towards the back storage room and set about putting sheets on the mattress then laid the blankets over top. He put the food down on top then grabbed his change of boxers and walked back out to find Alabama singing again. “You said there was soap?” He asked wanting to take another shower if there was.

“Yeah, I found some.” She shook her hair and little droplets landed on his neck and bare chest “I don’t think I’ve been this clean since before the Takeover. You Killjoys have it good.”

“We don’t have it that good, sunshine.” He told her then walked around her and back to the shower area.

“Well, better than we had it 24 hours ago. At least we were together then...” He could hear the hurt in her voice as the tears started  “What did Wasp say? We still need to bury G.I...” Arizona turned around and pulled her into his arms.

“It happens. We just have to move on, forget the past. G.I, well I’m sure he is up in heaven or whatever there is after having a party. Don’t dwell to much, its ok to cry, but don’t blame yourself. Blaming yourself can be a bad thing, trust me on that, I know..” He said then kissed the top of her head, holding her close. Tears fell onto his arms a few moments later then she turned towards him her tears wetting his chest.

“You don’t understand,” She said through sobs “It’s my fault. I was the one who had to do the right thing. I had to save the day. And you and Zebra and everybody else can tell me it’s not my fault, but if he hadn’t been covering my ass so I could play hero, then he’d still be-” He ran his hand down her hair shaking his head. She beat her fists into his chest so he grabbed them as he pushed her back and into the wall. He held her there her wrists in his strong hands and got into her face.

“I do understand, you have no idea how much I understand what it’s like to feel like someones death is your fault. To think everyday, maybe, if I did something different, or, maybe if I didn’t do it at all they might be alive. But, feeling that, or thinking that, it’s not good, it tears you apart. And you can’t let yourself keep feeling that way. I brutally beat a man to death today because it was the only way to get rid of the anger I had bottled up inside. I let myself think the wrong way for to long, and look at me,” He paused and swallowed shaking his head. “I’m psychotic, “ He started to say more but stopped clenching his teeth together, that muscle jumping in his jaw again.

“No, you’re not.” She looked at him right in the eye and it was hard for him not to look away “He threatened your family, and you fought back. They  would’ve killed every last one of them.You got carried away. It’s not your fault.” He dropped his head and closed his eyes trying to calm his breathing.

“Alabama, I killed them, I killed my mother and my sister, I was stupid, and they saw me..” He finally looked up at her, he had tears falling from his eyes though there was anger deep in them. “That was my fault, what happened to G.I. was not your fault, it was an accident.” He let her go and turned away from her rubbing his hands over his face trying to stop the tears.

“What?” She was soon in front of him holding his arms “What happened?”

“I.....” He sighed and shook his head. “I was scared, and we didnt have anywhere to go, no food. I was the strongest among the three of us so... I went out looking for food and some Dracs followed me back and they blew up the building they were in” He managed to say after a while. “I’m a horrible person, and....” He didn’t finish since she cut him off with a hug. “Look, what I’m saying is, don’t blame yourself unless you meant to do it. That explosion almost killed me, and it killed my family. Wasp found me and I must have been minutes from dead.” He told her completely avoiding her gaze.

“You’re not a horrible person.” she said into his chest. “You’re an awesome person, living in an incredibly shitty world.” she gazed at him before reaching up and pulling his face down to her own, kissing him. This time it was more forceful he pulled her closer to himself, hungrily moving his mouth against hers. He couldn’t get enough of her. He didn’t want to let her go but there was a sound.

They heard someone banging on the metal table and jumped apart, Alabama pulled her rayguns and aimed them towards the noise.

“Damn it!” she yelled, dropping the rayguns as Arizona chuckled. Babydoll had woken up and was stomping her heels on the metal table, clapping.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” she said shaking her head.

“Oh come here Baby. I bet you’re hungry.” Arizona said and walked over to the little girl picking her up and straddling her to his waist. She hugged her arms around his neck while he smiled seeming to have forgotten the last few minutes.

“You’re awfully good at catching us in the act.” She stated and tapped Babydoll’s nose.

“Yeah she must have PMS or something.” He said being totally serious. She started to laugh at him “What?

“You’re kidding, right?” She asked laughing hard still. “Three-year olds don’t PMS” She said laughing still “That doesn’t show up until puberty.”

“Oh. Then what the hell is PMS?” He asked really confused.

“I think I’m gonna let Wasp explain that one to you.” She said treading lightly “Go shower, I’ll see if I can start a fire.” She said as she took Babydoll. He nodded and grabbed the dark green boxers and cotton pants that had the silly evil looking baby on them and headed for the bathroom.

In the shower room Arizona once again removed his clothes and stepped under the water. He poured soap over his green hair and lathered it up really good before letting it sit there. As he let the soap soak he poured more into his hand and lathered it all over his body. He made sure to scrub extra hard in every crook and crevice. After that he rinsed it all off before he turned the water off and dried himself. He then slipped on the green boxers revelling in the cleanness of them. Soon after that he pulled on the cotton bottoms and found them to be a bit to short. He sighed and shrugged. They were cozy despite the length. He walked back to where Babydoll and Alabama would be.

“You’re just too damn tall, huh?” She said with a giggle at his pants. He rubbed his neck his cheeks flushing.

“Yeah, I don’t know why, everyone else seems so short compared to me.” He said with a shrug before sitting down.

Babydoll sat between them and started playing with a toy. “Well, at least she doesn’t choose favorites.” Alabama said while Arizona watched her play with a fond smile. After a while Alabama checked the food

“It’s warm.” She said

“Hold on.” Arizona ran into the back room, returning with two mismatching spoons. “Here.” He handed Alabama one before tossing the other can onto the fire to warm. She ate slowly, feeding Babydoll first. The little girl ate hungrily for a short while before pushing away the next spoonful that came near her. Alabama offered the two-thirds of a can that was left to Arizona.He pushed it back towards me.

“Nah, you eat it.”

“You’re kidding me, right?” She said glaring “Eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Eat.” She said threateningly

“I’m not hungry.”

“EAT!”  

“I’m not hungry.” He replied, grinning. She looked ticked, but he really wasn’t hungry, he didn’t each much as it was, not unless Wasp had him ordered to be tied up and force fed. He simply thought he should eat after everyone had eaten at least two servings, which didn’t happen. The next thing he knew she was tackling him down. She sat on his chest, her knees pinning his arms down. He struggled slightly and opened his mouth to protest but instead got a mouthful of mush and sauce.

“You’re gonna eat it whether you like it or not!” She wasted no time in shoving another mouth full in his mouth. He had almost no time to swallow between spoonfuls. He squirmed around some more and managed to get his arms free. He set the can down with the spoon in it and grabbed her shoulders. He then rolled her over and pinned her down.

“Damn you and your brute strength.” She grinned, squirming. “If I was 20 pounds heavier-” He cut her off as he kissed her mouth. It was obvious that she wasn’t prepared but she soon matched his lips. They kissed until she broke it off to look over at the little girl who was smiling at them.

“Seriously, some shrink could make a fortune.” She moved her arms and released them from his grip then flinched at her wound. He moved off of her and picked up the two cans.

“Here.” Arizona handed her a can. “I’ll eat the rest of this,” he held up his can “if you eat all of that.” He pointed to the other, fuller can.

“Fine.” She stated then began eating as Arizona did, though he ate slowly barely managing to finish it without gagging. He really didn’t like eating for some reason. He always felt nauseous.

“Y’know, I was with G.I. my entire life, it feels like.” she smiled at him. “It’s hard to believe someone like that could ever get dusted out at all. He was like a superhero to me, considering he found me.” she looked over at Arizona, who was stroking Babydoll’s hair and watching her intently.

“How did he find you?” Arizona said softly, the dying fire reflecting off his face. He’d left his goggles off, allowing his deep green and blue flecked eyes to be seen reflecting the dying fire.

“Well, back in 2012, my parents were scientists researching medicines for the government. When the nuking started and BL/Ind took over, my parents naturally joined them, not seeing the harm. Back then, people still believed in the company, even without the drugs. But my mom and dad must’ve figured out what they were planning to use their research for, so my mom refused, taking her secrets home and hiding them. Where, I have no idea, but she hid me in the linen closet when Dracs knocked on the door one day, trying to keep me safe.” Her eyes glistened as tears threatened. “Anyway, they shot her when she refused to show them where she hid the research. I saw through the slats in the closet. They found me about an hour later and dragged me outside, when G.I. came up behind them and shot them both. He carried me out of the city and back to the original gang. Saved my life, really.” she blinked back tears. “He was a lab tech for my parents, so he told me all about them over the years. I lived with him and his college friends for years, some of which had found Disco and Mighty Mouse right after I showed up. The old gang members died off slowly after awhile, though, leaving just G.I. and all us kids." she shrugged. "I got my name from Mother Mayeye, the closest thing to a mom I had after the explosions. It's a pretty funny story actually. Before the takeover, my mom and dad and I had lived in Alabama, which gave me a really heavy accent. Mayeye called me Alabama from it. They would laugh and/or cower in fear when I got angry, because I would go around breaking things and swearing with my accent. Mayeye used to say to me when I got upset, ‘Alabama, you're just like napalm; when you get angry, everything around you gets burned.’ The name just sorta stuck, I guess." she shrugged again. “At least some good came out of all this.” she looked around the room. “I mean, Disco and Mighty Mouse found their mom, we’re much better off now, I met you...” She didn’t finish, simply let that hang around them in the night.

“I don’t understand you.” He studied her closely, confused. “You... you saw what I... did to the man in a Drac mask today. How could you let me within 100 feet of you? How could you stand to... touch me.” Arizona looked at his hands, seemingly repulsed by his own existence. He was disgusted with himself, everything he had done.

“Hey.” Her cold hands rested on his cheeks forcing him to look at her. “What I see is the way you play with Babydoll, the way you defend Solar,” She bit her lip before continuing, “the way you and I... we just work. You’re a fucked up kid, just like me, just like every one of us. You’re not a horrible person, you’re not a monster. You’re Toxic Arizona. Arizona for short.” She grinned at him. “Don’t forget it, either.” He smiled and then kissed her, soft and slow. Soon after they stopped and looked down at Babydoll who slept between them her little thumb in her mouth. Arizona lightly pulled it from her mouth.

“That’s bad for your teeth Baby..” He said softly before looking back up to Alabama

“You want to talk about fucked-up kids, she’s got a great story.” She stated then looked at the sleeping form. “We were patrolling the Zones about two years ago or so, looking for food by a building that just went down from bombings when Mighty Mouse runs back to us, a baby in her hands, screaming for us to help her. Mayeye opened her airway again and got her breathing, eventually nursing her. Her own baby had gotten ghosted a little bit before, so she nursed her...” She had a thoughtful look on her face looking from Arizona to Babydoll.

“No...” She shook her head as if disregarding some thought. “I need to stop spinning these conspiracy theories. Here, I’ll take first watch. Get some sleep, I’ll wake you up later.” She kissed him before he could object then left. He sighed and laid down next Babydoll and pulled her into his arms her face buried into his chest. He didn’t sleep. He never really did, he was always thinking to much, too stressed, so he lay there listening to Babydoll breathing. Although about 15 minutes later his eyes drifted shut as the breathing of the little girl calmed him and lulled him to sleep.