AN This is about Alex and what I suppose is hidden behind his cruel, sarcastic mask. I'm not a native speaker so sorry for my mistakes; I'll be as accurate as I can. Please read and review, I need your advice and criticism. This is going to be really angst but also romantic I hope. For those who were reading my fic about House, MD, I promise I'm going to update soon.

These night shifts were so long, so damned boring. Miranda sat on the floor reading the New England Journal of Medicine and desperately desiring to be at home with her little baby.

This was a quiet night and there were no patients waiting. The ER was silent and dark. Usually a doctor and a surgeon were supposed to be always present in the ER, but this night was so peaceful that Pamela Nott had just gone to the cafeteria on the other side of the street to buy something to eat and Miranda, the surgeon, was all alone.

She was drinking a cup of awful coffee when she saw someone coming towards her and she stood up.

She was surprised to see Alex Karev coming out of the dark corridor and even more surprised to see that he was holding a child in his arms.

"Karev! What the hell… tonight it wasn't your shift. You should be at home."

"Dr. Bailey, she's four and she's hardly breathing."

Miranda approached the little girl and noticed the child's situation was bad.

"Let's bring her to Trauma 1, we need to monitor her saturation."

They both run towards the room without talking. A nurse reached them and took the girl from Alex's arms.

"What's her name?"

"Catherine."

"Fine, Catherine, now we are going to take care of you."

The girl smiled weakly, barely able to open her eyes.

"Run blood tests." Miranda ordered. "Shit, O2 level in her blood is far too low." she said after having observed the monitor they had connected the child to.

"Tube 4."

"Dr. Bailey, don't…"

"Karev, shut up. This child can't breathe."

"But…"

"Shut up and help me."

As soon as they finish, Miranda started caressing the asleep child's soft hair.

"Don't worry, baby, don't worry, we'll take good care of you."

She turned her head and glanced at Alex, still standing behind her, silent and pale.

"Karev. Out of this room. Now."

"Dr. Bailey…"

"Karev. You must do what I order to you. I need her full medical history to admit her. The nurse is staying here."

"Fine."

As soon as they went out Alex collapsed onto a chair and put his head between his knees.

"Are you fine?"

"Just a moment… I think I'm going to…" he breathed deeply, and a minute later he lifted his head. "I'm fine."

"So, what's her problem?"

"Duchenne Dystrophy. I didn't think it was already damaging her breathing muscles."

"Maybe it isn't. We need to run some tests, but I'm sure you know the whole procedure very well."

"I do."

He stood up and turned his back to Miranda.

"Karev. Alex. Who's she?"

He didn't answer.

"Karev. You know I don't like to be nosy about personal business, but you need to tell me who this cute girl is to admit her."

"She's my daughter, Dr. Bailey." he whispered, and Miranda froze.

"Please, don't tell the others about her. I don't need their compassion, and neither I need yours."

"I'm calling Dr. Barrel, the paediatrician on call."

"Thanks."

"That's my job."

"Dr. Bailey. I'm not ready to lose her."

AN2 I know this seems pretty OC but it will get better. Please let me know your opinion, and if you have ideas or requests I'll be glad to hear them. Bye!