Author's note: I was really dissappointed in this year's Grey's Anatomy finale, so I decided to change a few things and start on Season 4.

- George passed his intern exam and accepted the job at Mercy West.

- Bailey was named chief resident.

- Alex never "fell in love" with Ava and she never fell in love with him. (who really believed that anyway?)

- Addison is staying in Seattle but still wants to make a change.

- Lexie Grey? No way.

Also, I'm not really good with the surgical stuff, so that will be limited. This is my first fanfiction. Please read and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Do You Have a Little Time

Izzie (voiceover): As humans, we have a natural desire to want more than we need. The basic essentials – a roof, clothing –

Cut to Derek's trailer. Derek pulls a navy sweater over his head.

Izzie (VO): - a warm body.

Cut to Mark's room at the hotel. Mark sits up in bed and rubs his eyes.

Camera pans to reveal Nurse Olivia sleeping next to him.

Izzie (VO): But for most of us, that is never enough. As humans, we will always want more.

Cut to George and Callie's bathroom. George brushes his teeth in the mirror, obviously lost in thought. Callie comes up behind him, putting on her earrings, shaking him out of his reverie. They smile at each other through the mirror and she kisses him on the cheek.

Izzie (VO): And sometimes, all we really want is a little peace and quiet.

Cut to Izzie's room. Izzie is in her bed, eyes open, listening to strange sounds coming through the wall next door.

Cut to Alex's room. Alex is clearly in the throes of passion, his back to the camera. Alex finally rolls off to reveal Addison, exhausted. She looks over to her left at Alex, who has closed his eyes and is breathing heavily. Addison wiggles out of the bed and has finished snapping her bra on when Alex looks up.

Alex: Hey, why don't you stick around? I'll take a quick shower and we can drive to the hospital together.

Addison: (uncomfortable and finishing getting dressed) Oh, no, really that's fine. I have some stuff to pick up at my place anyways. So umm thanks for the…sex…and I will see you at work. (Addison pivots on her heel and leaves the room. Outside, she rolls her eyes at her behavior and quickly walks away.)

Inside Alex's room. Alex sighs and rests his head back on his pillow, staring at the ceiling.

Flashback (one week ago)

Burke and Cristina's wedding. Alex sidles up to Addison, sitting alone in a pew.

Addison: I always find it confusing. If you know the bride and the groom, which side do you sit on?

Alex: I just try to find the hottest chick in the room and sit by her.

Addison: Stop.

Alex: Do you want to ditch the reception and grab a drink?

Addison: Stop it. You don't want me.

Alex: Maybe I do. (Turns to Addison) Look, I know you hate me and that you probably don't give a damn what I have to say, but you should know that I let Ava, I mean Rebecca, go today. In that crazy head of yours you probably think I'm in love with her or something (Addison rolls her eyes) but the truth is she was the person who let me know how stupid I was for not going after you. It was clear to her what wasn't clear to me. That you are the one I want.

Addison looks at him, reading his face. Alex looks back at her with determination. Addison sighs.

Addison: Soliloquies aren't you strong suit Karev. But since you made such a valiant effort, I'll go get a drink with you. It doesn't look like there's going to be a wedding anyway.

End Flashback

Meredith's kitchen. Alex enters dressed for work. Izzie is making pancakes.

Izzie: (doesn't look up from her cooking) Late night?

Alex: (slightly embarrassed) Uh yeah. Sorry if I kept you up. Some girl from Joe's, you know…

Izzie: Right, some girl from the bar. And is this the same girl who's been over three nights this week and looks strangely like a red-headed neo-natal surgeon from Seattle Grace Hospital? (Izzie looks up at Alex expectantly)

Alex: (shoves a pancake in his mouth and chews while he thinks of what to say) Alright you caught me, happy? It's not like I'm the first intern in this house to sleep with an attending!

Izzie: (smirks) It doesn't sound like you guys got much sleeping done.

Alex tries to look offended but then laughs. Izzie starts laughing too. Alex throws a pancake at her. Izzie gives a faux-shocked look and Alex grins. He then looks out the window, thinking.

Izzie: Does she know how you feel about her?

Alex: (shaken from his thoughts) What? Oh no, it's umm, well it's just sex, she made that perfectly clear, so there's nothing…

Izzie: (interrupting) Okay you know that's a load of crap right? (looks at Alex sympathetically) You've been in this weird state for the past week, it's obvious something's on your mind. And we both know that when it comes to attractive girls (Izzie motions to herself with a silly face) you're a little… subnormal.

Alex rolls his eyes and looks back to the window.

Cut to hospital. Bailey is handing out charts to Izzie, Alex, Meredith, and Christina.

Bailey: (in a stern manner) You all may have passed your intern exams, but don't go gettin' a big head. As far as everyone in this hospital is concerned, you're still at the bottom of the food chain. All work for the next three months must be done in pairs, or with an attending present. Stevens, you're with Shepherd. (Hands Izzie her chart and Izzie exits). Grey, you're with Torres. Yang, you've been requested by Doctor Marlow, our new head of cardiothoracic surgery. (Christina glances nervously at Meredith, who nods at her. Bailey looks back at her remaining charts)

Alex: Doctor Bailey, what should I do?

Bailey: Oh, Karev. Well, I guess you're with me.

Alex: Umm, what about Doctor Montgomery?

Bailey: (doesn't look up) Doctor Montgomery won't be in until this afternoon. Come on, let's get down to the clinic. (She and Alex exit)

Cut to another part of the hospital. Izzie and Derek enter a patient's room.

Derek: (motions to patient and reads chart that Izzie has handed to him) Ethan Boyd, age 28, admitted last night for lower back pain. MRI showed a lumbar disc herniation between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebral bodies. Dr. Stevens, please fill Mr. Boyd in on the surgery we will be performing today.

Izzie: We will be inserting an artificial disc replacement into your spine. The disc has been developed will reduce or eliminate the pain while still allowing motion in those segments of the spine. It should prevent premature breakdown in adjacent levels of the lower spine.

The patient winces but smiles.

Izzie: Is there anyone we can call to drive you home after the surgery? You'll be here for a couple of days to recover, but we still don't recommend that you drive yourself.

A girl rushes into the room carrying a coat and purse.

Girl:(hysterical) Oh my god, baby, what's going on? I flew back from San Francisco as soon as the doctor called me! How are you? What's wrong? (Girl is stroking patient's face and kissing his forehead, oblivious to Derek and Izzie who look are looking on, clearly uncomfortable.)

Derek: Ahem, umm I'm Dr. Shepherd, and this is Dr. Stevens. We were actually just explaining the surgical procedure to your…

Girl: Fiancée.

Derek: Right. (Gives an awkward look as Izzie watches him) Well, your, umm, fiancée, is having a very minor procedure. Actually, it's a major procedure but we perform it all the time so there's no need to worry. If there are no more questions…(Derek pauses, but the patient and the girl are completely engrossed in each other)…then I will see you in surgery. (Derek and Izzie leave the room)

Outside. Derek passes the chart back to Izzie and they stare through the window at the happy couple.

Derek: The OR is scheduled for one. Take your lunch break and I will see you in an hour. (Makes to leave, but turns back to Izzie, who is still staring through the window) It's kind of hard to watch, isn't it? Like the proverbial train wreck?

Izzie: (lost in thought) The honeymoon phase. It never lasts. You'd think since we know that we just wouldn't bother anymore.

Derek nods and looks at Izzie for a moment and then walks away.

Cut to another part of the hospital. Colin Marlow and Christina exit a patient's room.

Christina: (annoyed) Are you here to gloat?

Colin Marlow: Well, no. I'm actually here to do my job. They're paying me quite a lot of money to work here since it seems their old cardio surgeon skipped town (looks at Christina knowingly).

Christina: (angry) Okay, fine. You want to take passive-aggressive jabs at me? That's totally fine. Well here's something for you. Either give me some surgeries with lots of stuff to cut up or I'm finding another doctor for the rest of day.

Colin Marlow: (amused) Ah, and what will you tell Doctor Bailey?

Christina: I will tell her that creepy old Brits make me sick!

Colin Marlow: (smiling) Now, you and I both know that isn't true. Come on, I have a scheduled aortic valve replacement in twenty minutes.

Cut to cafeteria. Izzie is eating lunch. Meredith plops her tray down and begins to pick at her food. Izzie raises her eyebrows.

Izzie: Uh, hi Mere.

Meredith: Hi.

Izzie: …Rough day? (Meredith glares) Well, Alex and I were just wondering when you were thinking of coming back to the house, I mean it's been, like, a week.

Meredith: Oh? Right, right. I don't really know when I'll be back. I mean, Christina is…well, I just think I need to be over there, okay?

Izzie: (nodding) Yeah, fine. Well, let me know if there's anything I can do okay? Listen, I've got to run. Surgery.

Meredith: Yeah, yeah totally. See you.

Meredith continues to eat and think.

Flashback (one week ago)

Meredith is in a back room in the church, looking around. Derek enters.

Derek:Meredith.

Meredith: (not looking at him) Have you seen Christina?

Derek: Meredith.

Meredith:Because she was here when I went up to make the announcement. Did she go home? God, what if Burke's there?

Derek: Meredith.

Meredith: What?!

Derek: Are we going to talk about this? I just, I need to know that we're going to talk about this.

Meredith: (finally looks up at him) Derek, I cannot do this now. Today is Christina's wedding day and the guy she was supposed to marry, left. I can't even believe this is happening –

Derek: Meredith, listen to me. Just stop thinking about everyone else for a minute. What do you want? If it's not me, tell me right now, because I can't wait forever while you figure out that you actually deserve a happy ending. (Looks at Meredith, pleadingly)

Meredith: (looks at Derek sadly, slowly begins shaking her head) I have to go. (Meredith grabs her keys and rushes out of the room)

End Flashback

Nurse's station. Callie is sitting at the desk looking over some papers. Addison walks in looking sharp in a sleek black pantsuit. Addison leans over the counter in front of Callie.

Addison: Hey.

Callie: (looks up) Hey yourself. (Looks over Addison) What's the occasion?

Addison:I just wanted to look professional. Anyways, what did I miss this morning?

Callie: Nothing much. Two C-sections, but Murphy and Karev covered them. I am so insanely bored. Can you believe no one in the city of Seattle has had a compound fracture today? I'm only staying here because it's George's first week of work and I promised I'd pick him up later.

Addison: He looked like he was having a good time this morning.

Callie: (looks at Addison closely) Wait, you were at Mercy West this morning?

Addison: (looks down, embarrassed) Yes. Actually, you are looking at the new chief of surgery and specialist of obstetrics and gynecology of Mercy West Hospital (smiles bashfully).

Callie: (stares at Addison for a moment before jumping out of her chair to hug her) Oh my God! Congratulations! Well that explains the suit. Wow, I didn't even know they were looking for a new chief.

Addison: Well, they were very discrete about contacting me. (breaks into a huge smile) I'm so happy, I really am. I feel like I really needed a reason to stay because things have just not been going my way lately. That job down in LA was starting to look pretty tempting…

Callie: (smiling) Well I for one am glad you're staying. And it's nice to know George has a familiar face over there, as long as it's not Izzie Stevens. (Callie's smile fades)

Addison frowns at Callie with sympathy but doesn't say anything.

Doctor's locker room. Addison takes off her suit jacket and puts on her lab coat. Alex barges through the door.

Addison: (surprised) Karev!

Alex: (trying to get calm, look cool) Doctor Montgomery. So, where were you this morning?

Addison: Oh, I had something important to do. But it sounds like you did a fine job on your own.

Addison smiles warmly at him before returning to button her lab coat. Alex quickly backs her up against a locker. Addison looks at him, puzzled. Alex leans in and starts kissing her. After a moment, Addison opens her eyes and pushes him away.

Addison: Mmpf…Alex!... I mean Karev. (Addison pauses, looks at him, trying to think of what to say) Well, it's just you usually page me before this sort of thing.

Addison's pager goes off. She picks it up and looks at it. It's from Alex. Addison smiles at him awkwardly.

Addison: Well, I'm sorry Karev. I really have to get to my rounds to make up for this morning.

Addison turns to leave. Alex runs his hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. Addison turns back to Alex.

Addison: Karev, you should know that I took a job at Mercy West today. I already gave notice to Dr. Webber. So I think it's best if we just stop whatever it is that we're doing here. I mean, it's not like I'm your girlfriend or anything. You'll do fine without me here…as a teacher, I mean. I think you're ready.

Alex: Right. Well, we'll all miss you…as a teacher. Congratulations.

Addison nods at him and exits. Alex bangs his head against a locker.

Part of the hospital. Izzie is looking in on Ethan Boyd, who has come out of surgery. His fiancée is by his bedside. Derek enters and stands beside Izzie.

Derek: So how was your first neurosurgery since becoming a real doctor? (Derek smiles)

Izzie: It was good. (as if trying to convince herself) It's good to be where I am, you know? I mean I passed my intern exam, who knows where I'll end up…I really have a great life. I'm just gonna focus on my career.

Derek: (nodding) Of course, I mean once you have the great job, the rest is gravy, right?

They meet eyes and both start laughing.

Derek: (sarcastically) Wow, it seems like we both really know what we're talking about.

Izzie: (serious, staring back through the window but not really looking at anything) Maybe we do. Maybe the world just works in some screwed up way so that we're never satisfied. Like the person you'd give your right arm for would just as soon give their right arm to someone else entirely.

Derek nods and stares in through the window as well.

Hospital hallway. Alex and Bailey are staring at the surgery board.

Bailey: You did a good job today, Karev. Murphy said you were a regular pro with the cesareans. (Glances at Alex, who remains silent) It's a lot different when you're the one holding the scalpel, huh?

Alex: It's…heavier.

Bailey: I guess that's a good way to describe it. It feels that way because you're holding a patient's trust in your hands. They're trusting that you're gonna do your job well. And trust can be a heavy thing. (Alex looks at Dr. Bailey, who is still looking at the surgery board) People who've had their trust broken too many times, well, it can be hard for them to let people in, to help them. That's why it's important for us to do our best job possible as surgeons. (Alex nods) Good night, Doctor Karev.

Locker room. Christina is putting on her shoes. Meredith enters and sits down next to her.

Meredith: (exhausted) If I ever make another splint again, it will be too soon. Callie had me practice all day since there weren't any surgeries.

Christina: What's up her butt?

Meredith: Nothing, she was oddly chipper.

Cristina: They offered Marlow Burke's job.

Meredith: Oh. (pauses for a few moments) So he's gone for good?

Cristina: (bitterly) That's how it looks, which is fine. It's better this way, you know? I am completely free and now I don't have to worry about when he'll pop up again.

They sit in silence for a while. Finally, Meredith swings her bag over her shoulder.

Meredith: Come on, let's go home.

Flashback (4 days ago)

Izzie and Alex are in the locker room changing into their scrubs.

Izzie: So do you think she'll come in today?

The door immediately swings open to reveal Meredith, followed closely by Christina.

Meredith: Hey.

Izzie: Hey.

Alex: Hey.

Christina: Hey.

Awkward silence ensues.

Christina: Okay, this is ridiculous. I'm totally fine, so wipe that sorry look off your face, Iz. Now if you would excuse me, there are plenty of people who need to be cut open and I have to get changed. (Christina exits to the bathroom.)

Izzie: (looks at Meredith) Still nothing from Burke?

Meredith shakes her head.

End Flashback

Joe's Bar. Callie and George enter, smiling and holding hands. They walk up to the bar. The Smith's "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" is playing faintly in the background.

George: Two beers please.

Callie: No, my treat. It was your first day of work. (pauses) Two beers please. (George smiles at her. They get their drinks and sit down at a table.)

George: So do you want to hear all about it?

Callie: Yes!

George: Well… (George begins to tell Callie about his day)

Camera pans over to door, where Izzie and Alex enter. Izzie sees George and Callie smiling and laughing. She is obviously uncomfortable.

Izzie: Alex, are you sure we can't just get a drink at home?

Alex: No, I did a mental inventory check, and we have no hard liquor at the house. Come on, I need tequila. And you look like you could use some too. (They sit down at the bar)

Cut to Burke and Christina's bedroom. Meredith and Christina are in bed staring at the ceiling. Meredith's eyes finally close but Christina's stay open and she continues to stare.

Izzie (voiceover): See that's the thing about being human. When we finally get what we want, it can feel like the world is finally falling into place.

Cut to Addison's hotel room. Addison is in her bathrobe holding a glass of wine.

Addison looks over Mercy West papers and smiles.

Izzie (VO): But of course, we will always go right on to wanting something else.

Cut to Callie and George at Joe's. They are laughing. George looks over and sees Izzie at the bar.

Izzie (VO): And for some of us, the real question becomes, will we be okay if we don't get what we want?

Cut to Izzie and Alex. Both are nursing their respective drinks, staring down at the bar. Izzie puts her hand over Alex's.

Grey's Anatomy

Soundtrack to this episode:

Dido "Do You Have A Little Time" (opening scenes)

Built to Spill "Liar"

Beck "True Love Will Find You In the End" (ending scenes)