So here I am. Writing fanction, something I haven't done for about…three years? The following is what I believe the third season should be. Forgive my loose handle on the characters; it's been a while since the season finale. I'll get into the groove eventually.

George and Alex did not look at each other as they followed Izzie out of the hospital. Her dress flew out behind her gracefully as her long strides broke into a run. George paused before quickening his step, unsure of what to do, and therefore Alex caught up to her as she finally collapsed in the middle of the empty parking lot. She crumpled like a wilted flower, her face hidden in her hands. She wept loudly as Alex knelt to comfort her. George, seeing the intent look of caring on Alex's face, stopped a few feet away from them and watched. He could tell how Alex felt and did not want to intrude on something that was obviously so important to him.

"Izzie," Alex said. She did not reply, but her sobs became silent, as she looked up at him, her face in sheer agony. He put his hands on her shoulders to steady her and keep her upright. "Let me take you home." She stared at him, sniffling. George backed up, slowly. His heart wanted to be where Alex was, in the position to comfort his best friend. What right did Alex have, taking her home when she lived with him? But then his brain took over. He knew very well how much Alex liked Izzie. And so he let Alex pick her up again. He let Alex take her to his car, and he let them drive off.

"Meredith?"

"Meredith?"

She stood there, her mouth open. Well. This was great. Just what she needed. But really, what could she have expected after somewhat accidental prom sex?

She looked at Finn, the smart choice. He was perfect. Completely understanding, kind to a fault, charming, and (perhaps most importantly) he was handsome.

She looked at Derek. He was emotionally confused, inconsistent, wishy-washy, and a proven liar. How could she be attracted to that walking tragedy? He made a noise in his throat, almost as if he had heard this last thought. Finn became impatient.

"She came here with me," he reminded Derek.

"Well she's leaving with me. Mere, we have to talk."

"Are you seriously gonna take this?" Finn asked her. Finn was obviously a little jealous, and (although flattered) Meredith did not want this argument to go any further. She inched towards Finn. Derek stepped forward.

"I'm sorry, but this is a little important," he said, impatiently. "Meredith? Let's go." McDreamy played the seniority card at exactly the right moment. Finn stepped forward.

"No. I have had it with you two. Let it go man, she wants me!"

"Um, 'man,' I thought I told you. I need to speak with her."

"Why do you have to pursue this?"

"Why do you have to blow this up?"

"Guys," Meredith said in disbelief. "C'mon. This isn't high school."

Derek took another stop forward, practically nose to nose with Finn. It was at this moment both George and Addison came back into the hospital. Meredith jumped next to Finn, to quiet any suspicion Addison may have formed.

Derek and Finn did not notice Addison or George, who stopped their entrance in confusion. "De-"Addison began questioningly, just as Derek pushed Finn.

"You need to back off," he said angrily.

"You need to chill!" Finn said, getting up slowly, obviously not wanting to continue the fight.

"Meredith. We…uh…need to get home. For Izzie," George said, getting nervous from all the hostility.

Meredith faltered before saying definitively, "You're right. Finn?"

"I'll drive you home."

"Good." She said, looking at McDreamy defiantly. He suddenly looked very tired, and very defeated. His puppy dog face had eyes only for Meredith as she turned and walked out of the hospital with George and Finn, never looking back. Addison and Derek were alone.

"Um, what was that about?" she said, laughing nervously.

"Nothing," he mumbled angrily. "Let's go."

"Okay," she said, not wanting to cause any more trouble.

Alex hated the silence in the car, broken only by the occasional sniffle or rustle of Izzie's dress. She looked outside the car window thoughtfully. He drove up to her house, which was completely dark and very sad-looking, almost as if it too was in mourning.

He stayed in the driver's seat after he turned off the ignition, his hands still on the steering wheel. He wanted to say something; the silence between them grew uncomfortably long. He got out and opened the door for Izzie, who refused to move. He picked her up yet again, silently, and carried her into the house, which was unlocked. He carried her upstairs to her room, and laid her on the bed. Her face was devoid of emotion. Pausing for a moment, he sat her up and helped her out of her dress, which she let him do. All the will had left her long ago. He rummaged in her dresser and found pajamas, which he helped her into.

He pulled the covers down and helped her get under them, tucking her in with such tenderness that Izzie almost thought he was Denny. Happily she pretended he was him as he sat down on the bed and laid down next to her, putting his arm around her in as friendly a way as he could. She nudged her back gently against his chest as she quickly fell asleep, exhausted after the day's events. Alex stayed awake, wishing he could see her tearstained face in calm sleep.

George led the way as he, Meredith, and Finn exited the hospital. George hated the tension and his earnest departure displayed this. Meredith suddenly stopped, and reached for Finn's shoulder to stop him. George noticed them stopping and got in the car anyway to give them their privacy.

"Finn…I don't know if you should…um…go home with me tonight." He looked at her, his eyes asking the reason. Meredith scrambled for a lie. "Because…Izzie, she…well, she's really upset, and I'd just hate for you to have to see her like that, and…"

"You need some time to think about what just happened with me and Derek," he said knowingly.

Meredith smiled at his ever-speedy understanding. "Yes. I'm sorry, it's just that-"

"Say no more. I know when a woman needs her space. Tell you what…will you call me tomorrow?"

"Yes," she said.

"Great." He leaned in to kiss her cheek, but thought better of it and gave her a weak one-arm hug instead. "Talk to you then." He turned, got into his car, and drove off.

Mere went quickly to the car. She opened the front door and found George in the driver's seat. "I can drive, I'm fine."

"No, you're not," George said patiently. He held out his hand for the keys, which Meredith surrendered reluctantly.

After they had driven in silence for a few moments, George turned to her. "What was that back there?"

Meredith pointedly looked the other way. "What…what was what?"

George turned back to the road, slightly ticked off that she wouldn't just talk. "You know what. Why was Dr. Shepard so mad at your date?"

"Umm…George," she said, trying to prepare. "Derek and I…during the prom we…um…"

"What? What did you do during prom?" George insisted.

"We kind of…did something…in another room of the hospital…that I'm…not particularly proud of."

George put on the brakes so quickly that the car behind them honked violently. George and Mere rocked back and forth with the car. "What? Meredith! How could you be so stupid?" She was surprised by his reaction.

"I actually didn't think it was that awful," she said defensively. "I mean, no one knows…except Callie…"

"Callie was there!"

"She walked in on us," Meredith explained quickly.

"Meredith, I thought you were done with him," George said evenly as he started driving again.

"I am. I mean…I was. I don't know." She felt a little uneasy opening up to George, but felt that she had to talk to someone. "I thought I was, but I think that was only because I told myself that I was. Now I don't know what to think about him."

"Meredith," he said, very forcefully. "You have to let him go. You can't keep teasing him like this, he'll go crazy."

"You're right," she lied, gazing out the window much like Izzie did half an hour before.