Thanks to all who have read and reviewed! I hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Disclaimer- I do not own Grey's Anatomy
"So you think it's fine to just walk out like that?"
"No."
"You have a job to do and you're supposed to do it."
"I know."
"Then tell me why you thinks it's fine to just walk out when you feel like it."
Izzie sighed impatiently. "I'm sorry. I just-"
"Just what?" Bailey said, hands on her hips.
"I know that man," Izzie said. "And we aren't the best of friends."
Bailey observed her. "I see. So you just walk out."
"I'm sorry," Izzie said again exasperatedly. " I just can't- I can't be near him. And I really mean it when I say that."
"Who is he?" Bailey asked curiously.
"Someone I knew growing up," Izzie said shortly.
Bailey sighed. "Alright. Fine. George took him up to CT, so you have no excuse why you can't go in there now."
"Okay," Izzie sighed, and turned back to go to the clinic.
"And no more walking out!" Bailey called after her.
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Izzie joined Meredith, Cristina, Alex and George at lunch. She sat down without saying anything or looking at them. Her thoughts were somewhere else.
"What was up with you walking out like that?" George asked her. "It was like you were afraid of that guy."
Izzie just looked at him.
"Who?" Meredith asked curiously.
"You're not, are you?" George asked, ignoring Mer.
"Just drop it, okay?" Izzie said. "He's nobody."
"Who?" Mer asked again impatiently.
"No one," Izzie said, giving George a warning look. He gave up and dropped the subject.
"So how's the wedding planning going?" he asked Cristina.
"Horrible," Cristina said dully. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
"Oh come on," Mer said. "It'll be great."
"Yeah," Cristina laughed.
Al Chambers sat down at a table not far from theirs. Izzie seen this.
" Oh my god," she sighed, putting her hands to her face.
"What is it?" Alex asked.
Al smiled and waved. The others didn't notice this; they were looking at Izzie.
"Iz?" Alex said.
"It's nothing," she said, bringing her hands down, feeling quite angry that she had reacted that way. "I was just thinking about something."
George noticed Izzie looking past them. He followed her gaze. She was looking at the patient they had treated earlier. He looked back at Izzie. She looked at him and realized he had seen her looking at Al.
"What-?" he started, but she cut him off, standing up. "I have some work to do."
"Izzie-" George said, making to stand up too.
"By myself," she said, and walked away.
"What's up with her?" Alex asked.
"I don't know," George said, watching Al follow Izzie with his eyes.
But he wanted to find out.
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Izzie sat by herself in the on-call room. She couldn't let this get to her. She couldn't have anyone find anything out about Al; if they did, she wouldn't be the only one who'd have to face him, and she knew that was a fact. Al was not one to underestimate or take jokingly. He wasn't afraid of doing anything; he knew people were too afraid of him to make a sound. He made sure that his secrets were kept. And anyone who tried to fight against him- they better have a good plan up their sleeve.
She knew that George was going to try to pry something out of her; she would have to make sure he dropped it and worry about his own problems. Let her deal with hers.
Once it was time to get back to work, she left the on-call room, face impassive. She went on with her day.
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She closed her locker, ready to go home for the night, he passed them all, including George, who tried to say something, without comment. She made her way out of the hospital without speaking to anybody. The night was calm and quiet. She was glad to just go home and put the day behind her.
"Going home already?"
Izzie jumped and turned around. He grinned at her.
"It's funny," he said. "Turns out there was nothing wrong with me. Just need to slow down on the drinking."
"Why can't you just leave?" Izzie said pleadingly. "I really don't have the time for this."
"Yes, so busy with your doctor life," Al said. "I'm very impressed. You actually made it."
"Yes I did," she said. "You can't be here. You can't."
"Well I think I can," he said. "Since when have I listened to you?"
He came closer.
"Get away from me!" she said, and slapped him across the face.
George stopped on the other side of the parking lot.
Al rubbed his face, now looking angry enough to frighten her.
"My, aren't you something," he said. He seen George looking at them. "I'm not leaving. I'm not done with you."
He walked away into the night.
