Author's Note: Here's a short Gizzie one shot. It's what I would have liked to happen at the end of 5x17.

Always Here

They were all in the locker room getting ready to go home. Izzie stood in the doorway staring at her friends. They all had things going on in their lives, how could she tell them she had cancer? She wished she could just say, "Hey guys, have a good night. Oh, by the way I have cancer." If only it was that simple.

She smiled at Meredith when she came up to her. "Good night, Iz." said Meredith smiling as she exited the room.

"Night." said Izzie softly.

George walked up to his friend and slightly smiled. He knew something was wrong, and he wished she could just tell him. He noticed she had a look of uncertainty on her face, mixed with a hint of fear.

He needed to say something, "Um... I've been keeping my distance since you're with Alex, but I just want to let you know, I'm still here, still care."

Izzie smiled feeling a little better, despite the dreadful news she had hanging over her head. "Thanks George."

"You don't want to talk about it?" asked George, wishing she would just tell him what was wrong.

"Not yet." said Izzie. The truth was she would love to tell him, but she didn't want to worry him. He is her best friend, and she knows this will eat him up inside with worry.

He sighed disappointed, "Okay, good night."

"Night." said Izzie smiling slightly to reassure him that she was alright. He looked unconvinced and worried. He then slowly walked away. Of course George knew something was wrong, he knew her better than she knew herself. Something made her change her mind, and turn around to call him.

"George, wait."

He turned around and stared at her.

She sighed nervously before saying, "There is something I want to tell you, but not here. We need to be somewhere where it's just you and me."

"Okay." said George staring intently at her.

"Okay." said Izzie before grabbing his hand and pulling him into an empty on-call room.

"Okay, you better sit down." said Izzie. He nodded before sitting down on one of the beds. He was terrified of what she was going to say next.

She began pacing the floor, unsure how to tell him. "Iz, just say it." said George standing up. He took her hand in his and squeezed it urging her to go on.

"Okay, here it is. I'm patient X. I have stage four metastatic melanoma. It has spread to my brain, liver and skin. I may only have months to live. There's only a 5% survival rate." After she got out what she needed to, she let the tears flow. George, who now had tears in his worried and frightened eyes, took her in his arms and held her tight.

"You're going to get through this. I know it." whispered George.

"I don't know. I don't think I'm strong enough."

"You are Izzie. I know you are, and I'm going to be here for you every step of the way. I've always been here and I'm always going to be, no matter what."

"Promise." asked Izzie.

"I promise." said George holding her tighter against him. There they stood for a long time, holding each other, crying. If anyone saw them like this, they may get the wrong idea. But all they were for now, was two best friends with an unbreakable bond, ready to be there for each other no matter what.