A/N: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed. You are awesome and so inspiring, not just with your reviews but your own stories. So please, please keep it up. Don't own anything, all Shonda Rimes.
** TWELVE HOURS AGO **
"Did you know Izzie Stevens?"
That was the first surprising question. Amelia had followed it up with: "What's the deal with her and Meredith?"
Owen had hung up the phone slowly, his hand resting on the receiver.
"Izzie Stevens ... talk about a blast from the past."
He got up and tidied up a bit around the house, so Amelia wouldn't have to worry about it when she got home. He knows she's been pushing herself to figure out this Patient C mystery, and he has to admit it doesn't make much sense to him.
Why would Derek have taken this patient on? Why the passcode access? Why label the file 'Patient C'?
"I don't get it," he says ruefully, putting the last glass away in the cabinet. "It doesn't make sense."
He sat back down at his desk and sighed, tiredly. Amelia's restless fits of sleep have been keeping him awake too, though he has tried not to let on. He leans back in his chair and closes his eyes.
"Izzie Stevens ... " he murmurs, opening his eyes.
He sits a few more moments, just repeating "Izzie Stevens" over and over again.
He and Izzie were never really friends, but... He shivers, feeling the goosebumps tingle his skin as they crawl up his arms.
He reaches for his work bag sitting by the door and takes out his laptop. He knows the number that he had in his Contacts for her is no good. Apparently, after she left Seattle, she changed her phone number and email address, something both Meredith and Christina had been angry about. Meredith more so. Christina had just shrugged it off at the time, figuring Izzie was doing what was best for herself. She believed Izzie would get in touch with them when she was ready, but as days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months and the months rolled into a new year, Izzie never got in touch with them and, gradually, she was talked about less and less until no one really thought to mention her anymore. There didn't seem to be a reason to.
He types "Izzie Stevens" into the search engine. A link to a story about her having donated $7 million dollars to what was then known as Seattle Grace Memorial Hospital for the Free Clinic pops up, but nothing recent. He wasn't on staff then. Christina had told him that Izzie's fiance had left her the money. He didn't know much about Denny, other than he had been a transplant patient and died. Christina had never wanted to go into the details.
He brings up the national phone and address directory, typing in "Izzie Stevens". A listing for an "Isobel Stevens" shows a phone number, but no address.
"470, that's an Atlanta area code," he realizes startled. "What are the odds she'd be in Atlanta?"
He looks at his watch. It was approaching 9 p.m., which would mean it's almost midnight there. It was late, certainly too late to call, but... He eyes the phone, then looks again at his computer screen. He taps his fingers nervously on the phone's receiver, his knee shaking under the desk, as he continues to stare at the screen. He looks at his watch again.
"What's the worst that can happen?" he mutters as he picks up the phone and starts dialing. "She yells at me for waking her up and hangs up on me?"
He leans back in the chair, his fingers tapping, actually more like drumming, nervously against the desk.
This number is no longer in service. Please check the number and place your call again states the familiar automated recording.
Owen lets the receiver slide down off his ear.
** FIVE HOURS AGO **
"Why did you ask me about Izzie Stevens?"
That's what he had asked Amelia. She had just finished telling him that she had made no inroads in Derek's Patient C mystery and gave a distracted "Hmm...sorry" answer. And he wasn't completely satisfied with her "No reason" reply, though he was curious about the fact Derek and Meredith had argued about her four years ago. He didn't know Izzie had been in touch with anyone then.
"Where are you going with this?" Amelia had asked him and all he could reply was, "I'm not sure."
And he wasn't sure. He just knew that ever since Amelia asked him if he had known Izzie he hasn't been able to get her off of his mind. More to the point, he couldn't get the nagging question out of his head: Why was her name coming up now?
It was a little shy of five years ago that Izzie had left Seattle. He had also told Amelia that he thought it was strange Izzie never got in touch with anyone after leaving Seattle, but she had to have. After all, if Derek and Meredith had argued about her four years ago, then she must have been in touch with them. But that brought up another question: Why would Derek and Meredith not tell anyone they had been in touch with her?
"Why would they have kept that secret?" Owen mused aloud to himself, watching the rain cascade off the airport windows.
** FOUR-AND-A-HALF HOURS AGO **
"Who's Izzie Stevens?"
Owen jumps startled, as Nathan comes up around him, two coffees in hand.
"Didn't combat teach you not to sneak up on people like that?"
"Actually, combat taught me HOW to sneak up on people like that," Nathan replies as he hands him a coffee.
Owen notes Nathan is by himself. "Where's Karev?"
"Bathroom. Why?"
Owen shakes his head. "No reason." But he decides to play it safe and closes his laptop. He puts it in his bag and settles back in the chair in the terminal's waiting area. "Thanks for the coffee."
Nathan is eyeing Owen suspiciously. "So?" he finally asks.
"So?"
"So, who's Izzie Stevens? I saw you type her name in the 'Find A Doctor' national directory. Who is she?"
"A doctor."
"Ooo ... KAY."
Nathan is both confused and curious about Owen's clear reluctance to give him a straight answer. He takes a sip of his coffee. They're sitting quietly for a few moments when...
"Does this have to do with Megan?"
"No!" Owen quickly shakes his head.
Owen notices the doubtful look on his face. "Nathan, I promise you this has nothing to do with Megan."
Nathan nods, feeling only slightly relieved.
"Then who is this doctor and why are you looking her up?"
Owen sighs, annoyed, but he knows Nathan isn't going to let it go until he gets a satisfactory answer.
"She was a friend of Christina's and ... Christina ... is worried about her. I just thought I would try to find her."
It's not a lie, not really, Owen reasons to himself. He's sure Christina has been worried about Izzie over the years, but if she has been, she's never actually said so. It just seemed like the safest answer to give Nathan, who never knew Izzie, without opening a can of worms.
Nathan studies Owen, who is looking straight ahead as he takes another sip of his coffee. It's clearly not the whole story and, frankly, it's not like Owen to be so secretive.
"But why are you looking for her and not - "
"There's Alex," Owen says abruptly.
Nathan looks up to see Alex approaching.
"I think they're calling our flight," Alex says, grabbing his overnight bag.
Sure enough, just then, Owen and Nathan hear the call to board their flight. They get up and gather their things. As Alex heads to the Gate, Owen holds Nathan back.
"About Izzie Stevens," he says in a hoarse whisper, "do NOT mention her name in front of Alex."
Though it's a whisper, Owen's tone is strong, catching Nathan off-guard. He throws a quick glance at Nathan as he takes a step towards the Gate. "Okay?"
Nathan simply shrugs - "OK" - and the two men walk to the Gate.
** TWO HOURS AGO **
Who is Izzie Stevens?
Nathan had to admit his curiosity has been piqued.
The flight has been uneventful so far, but he feels an indiscernible tension in the air. He's sitting between Alex and Owen, playing Solitaire on his phone, but not really focusing. He looks between his travel companions. Something's about to happen ...
"Hey, watch it!" Alex says sharply as he feels a kick jolt the back of his seat.
Nathan looks behind them to see a six-year-old boy squirming in his seat. His mother smiles apologetically. "He's been sitting too long." He looks over at Alex, who simply shrugs and gives the mom a reassuring smile.
Alex's foul mood doesn't go unnoticed by Nathan, or Owen for that matter, who gave a quick sideways glance after Alex snapped at the boy.
"I'm just trying to focus," Alex says defensively taking in Nathan's 'It was just a rambunctious kid so what's your problem' glare.
"I just think this trip is a waste of time," he continues. "There are perfectly good Occupational and Physical Therapy centers closer to home. I mean this center - The Shep Mobility Network Center - has only been in existence like two years and it's on the other side of the country."
Nathan shakes his head in frustration while Owen pinches the bridge of his nose.
"Alex, we've been through this, Arizona has been through this," Nathan sighs. "Debbie Lawrence asked us to look into it. She had read about the DAOM System, which was created specifically for low-income families of children with moderate to severe limb deformities. This Center is the only place that has this system."
"This is a fact-finding trip, Alex." Owen adds. "We might find this place doesn't fit our needs or we don't meet their criteria. I mean they only take a small number of cases, but it has garnered a very good reputation in the short time it has been open."
"Besides, I thought gathering more information about this place was the whole point of you coming," Nathan smiles tightly.
"Nathan!" Owen says sharply.
"According to Arizona," he continues ignoring Owen, "that's your job."
Alex scowls at the not-so-subtle jibe.
"Look, I'm sorry ... " he shakes his head, looking away from Riggs and Hunt to compose himself. He seems to be blinking back tears.
He turns back to them now. "I'm just frustrated. I mean I can't practice medicine, don't know if I'll ever be able to again, things with Jo are a mess, and on top of that today is ..." His voice trails off, sighing heavily. "I'm sorry."
Crossing his legs, he shifts the weight of his body towards the aisle and opens the copy of the Seattle Times he brought with him.
"I take it this conversation is over," Nathan whispers to Owen, who simply rolls his eyes.
"And don't think that I don't know, Riggs, that you didn't want me coming," Alex says suddenly never looking away from the paper.
"I am officially out of this conversation now," Owen quips under his breath, turning to his blackberry.
Nathan rolls his eyes. Thanks a lot.
"Look Alex," he begins after exhaling another frustrated sigh, "I have nothing against you. You're Meredith's friend. Let's just ... it's an overnight trip, so ... let's just get along."
After Alex responds with a low grunt, he turns back to his phone and his game of Solitaire. Really wish I was solitary right now.
He and Alex have never really gotten along and after his relationship with Meredith became public it went downhill. He knows Alex thinks he's a player and just using Meredith. He and Meredith have cooled things down since his former girlfriend Megan came back, which Alex seems to think solidifies his opinion of him. He hasn't been able to convince him his feelings for Meredith are genuine, but he knows Alex is Meredith's best friend, or as she calls him "her person", so he has tried to get along for the sake of getting along.
Meredith ... Meredith is Alex's best friend ... And as such she would likely know his previous girlfriends. Owen said not to mention Izzie Stevens in front of Alex ... Is Izzie Stevens a former girlfriend?
He glances over to Owen, who is looking out the window, and then Alex, who is still reading the newspaper. Though Nathan thinks he's only pretending to since he hasn't turned the page once in fifteen minutes. Clearly it was an "I'm ignoring you" tactic. He shakes his head bemusedly before turning back to his phone. He closes his game and clicks on his "Messaging" icon. He scrolls down to Meredith's name.
HEY THERE, WE'RE EN ROUTE. SHOULD BE LANDING SOON. QUESTION: WHO IS IZZIE STEVENS? DO YOU KNOW HER?
Send.
He closes his phone, laying it on the food tray in front of him.
Who is Izzie Stevens? If Owen won't tell him, maybe Meredith will.
** 11:05 AM PACIFIC CENTRAL TIME / 2:05 PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME **
WHO IS IZZIE STEVENS?
Meredith was in the middle of washing dishes when the text came through. She creases her forehead trying to understand the meaning behind the question. Why would Nathan be asking about Izzie when he never knew her. Nevertheless, she answers him.
DID I KNOW IZZIE STEVENS?
Nathan sees the text appear on his phone.
YES. WENT THROUGH INTERNSHIP AND RESIDENCY WITH HER. WHY?
Nathan reads the text. His fingers are itching to start typing a reply, but... I don't know why. He just knows that his curiosity has been piqued about this woman, even though he has absolutely no idea who she is. He sets the phone back down, drumming his fingers on the tray. What does he reply?
"Do you mind?" Alex snaps.
Nathan sees he's looking down at his tapping fingers. "Sorry."
The Flight Attendant announces their descent into the Hatsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Trays need to be put back up and seats upright with seatbelts buckled. Phones placed on vibrate.
Nathan grabs his phone and puts it in his coat pocket, relieved he can't reply to Meredith just yet. This will give him time to come up with a reason why he is asking her about this Izzie Stevens person.
** 11:30 AM PACIFIC CENTRAL TIME **
"Izzie Stevens? Wasn't she a doctor here?"
Amelia inhales sharply, her hands forming fists in her pockets. She just wants something to go her way for once, but she's hit one roadblock after another. Now, Catherine is questioning her in a rather authoritative tone. She had hoped to talk to Richard alone about this, but was stuck bringing it up in front of Catherine and Ben as they have all converged in the lounge. Slowly, she exhales.
"She was," Amelia nods in confirmation, "but she was also a patient ... apparently."
"Yes, Stage 4 Melanoma that had spread to the brain," Richard supplies. "Touch and go for awhile, but she pulled through largely thanks to Drs. Shepherd and Yang."
"You and Bailey were also on the case, weren't you?" Amelia questions, and after Richard confirms they were, continues. "Would you know where her file is? I have a patient with a similar diagnosis and wanted to see how Derek approached it."
"Isn't it against HIPPA to look up a patient's file at random, especially a former patient?" Catherine questions sternly.
With Ben looking on curiously to this exchange, Amelia tries backpedaling. "Of course it is. I'm not looking to share her information with anyone. I just wanted to see how my brother approached it."
"The brother you hate being compared to," Catherine continues.
As Amelia grimaces, Richard tries intervening. "Catherine, there is nothing wrong with Amelia reviewing similar case histories," he reassures, adding meaningfully as he looks towards Amelia, "as long as HIPPA rules are not violated. In fact, I am sure Stevens would be thrilled to know her case is being used as a learning tool."
Amelia smiles uneasily listening to Richard and Catherine's back and forth. She, of course, knows from trying to access it on the mainframe that Izzie's file has been sealed by the hospital's legal department. She had only brought it up hoping to find out why it had been sealed before actually going to Legal. But from how Richard is responding she gets the sense he doesn't know the file's even been sealed, which she finds to be rather curious since one, he was one of the doctors on the case, and two, he was Chief of Surgery then. She also begins to wonder if, once again, she is "focusing on all the wrong things" as Derek had so rudely informed her.
Amelia sags down in her chair, massaging her temples. She is just about at her breaking point. She has done her best to try and find out who Patient C is and for what? It's not like Derek was grateful for her efforts when he told her that he had "Clearly" wasted her time "and my time!" Was there even time in the afterlife? She had meant to ask him, but then he told her to "Just forget it" and disappeared on her.
"Amelia?" Richard says looking at her rather concerned. "Did you hear me?"
"No, sorry, I didn't," she replies, feeling Richard's, Catherine's, and even Ben's eyes on her.
"I said Derek was the lead doctor on the case, so Stevens' file is probably in his office, which, of course, is your office now," he tells her.
"Right," Amelia nods, trying hard to hold it together, "It's just I looked all over the office and it doesn't seem to be there, so I thought maybe," she sighs heavily, "you or Bailey had it."
"Well, I don't. Maybe Bailey, but I don't know why she would," Richard replies.
"Well, thanks anyway," she says wearily as she gets up and leaves the lounge.
Outside the door, Amelia sighs heavily. She should just forget it like Derek told her to, but when did she ever listen to him. "Maybe this is the time for me to start," she murmurs under her breath. She's startled out of her thoughts by Ben.
"Hey, I couldn't help but hear what you were talking about," he tells Amelia, who only smiles politely at him, "and I think you should check with Miranda about this. I know she's been worried about a former patient of Derek's."
Amelia immediately perks up. "Bailey is worried about Izzie Stevens, why?"
"I don't know that it's Izzie," Ben clarifies. "She didn't tell me the patient's name or why she's worried. She just said she couldn't get in touch with this patient."
"Thanks for the info, Ben," she says appreciatively.
After Ben walks away, she ponders this information, wondering aloud, "If Bailey is worried about a former patient of Derek's, why wouldn't she come to me?"
** 2:45 EASTERN STANDARD TIME **
Izzie Stevens.
Owen shakes his head. Why can't he let this go?
They have gotten their car rental and have just enough time to check in at the hotel and make it to the Center for the meeting. Thankfully, the ride to the hotel is quiet. He looks over at Nathan and, through the rearview mirror, Alex. It was a long flight.
He didn't engage much on the plane, unable to shake the nagging feeling consuming him. He had wanted to continue his online search for Izzie, but knew it wasn't a good idea under the circumstances. Even though Nathan was sitting between him and Alex, he didn't want to chance Alex seeing that he was looking her up and his going off on him. Besides, Nathan is now curious about Izzie. He knows Nathan spent the whole flight chomping at the bit to ask him more about this, which is why he just spent time on his blackberry or looking out the window. The only Izzie-related thing he did was to send a text.
HEY, QUICK QUESTION: R U IN TOUCH AT ALL WITH IZZIE?
He checked his phone a few times, but hadn't received a reply. Not that he expected to, at least not right away. It usually took Christina some time to get back to him, that is, if she did at all. It occurred to him she might not reply and he, of course, has no reason to think she has been in touch with Izzie, especially now with her in Switzerland. He just felt like he had to put it out there.
He looks back over to Nathan. "You have the directions to the Center, right?"
Nathan pats his breast pocket.
Owen nods. He's actually looking forward to visiting the Center. From everything he's read about it, it has made a lot of strides in a short time with most of the journal articles giving it a five-star rating. The visit would be even better if he could just get Izzie off of his mind.
** 4:01 EASTERN STANDARD TIME / 10:01 PM CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME **
R U IN TOUCH AT ALL WITH IZZIE?
Christina reread the text after climbing into bed. She had just left a late-night meeting when the text from Owen came in and it had actually made her stop in her tracks as she wondered if Izzie was sick again. Then she realized that Owen was only asking her if she was in touch with Izzie, meaning that he wasn't? Well, truthfully, she wasn't sure if that is what it meant, but she did know that if Izzie was sick again and Owen knew this he'd call her, not text her. But why was he even asking about her?
IZZIE? ... KIND OF AN OUT OF THE BLUE QUESTION ISN'T IT? ... BUT TO ANSWER YOURS, NOT FOR A COUPLE YEARS.
The text from Christina came in just as he, Nathan, and Alex were lead into a conference room.
"Would you gentleman like any water or coffee?" asked the receptionist, to which they all murmured "no, thank you."
"Ok, then, Dr. Thomas should be in shortly."
"Is the Doctor who created the DAOM System on staff here?" Alex inquires as he opens his briefcase, pulling out his laptop and a notebook.
"Yes."
"Will we be able to meet with that doctor, or even the founder of this center? I'd like to get more background."
"I'm not sure, to be honest. There's a board meeting going on as we speak, but Dr. Thomas has been a part of the creating of the DAOM System and the establishment of this center from the beginning. I'm sure she will be able to tell you anything you want to know."
The three of them just nod their thanks and the receptionist takes her leave.
"What a bunch of crock!" Alex says, no sooner than the door has closed. "We can't meet the doctor who created the System or the founder of this center!"
Owen sighs heavily, massaging his right temple. "That is not what she said, Alex."
"Ok, I'm going to say it," Nathan says, briefly looking to Owen for support. But he just shrugs. "I don't think you should be here for the meeting."
"Excuse me?"
"You're on suspension, so really you shouldn't be here for the medical aspects - "
"Screw you, Riggs!"
"Alex! Nathan!" Owen admonishes, just as the door opens.
The three men turn startled and a little red-faced. They quickly recover, standing to greet their host.
"Sorry that Dr. Thomas and I kept you waiting ... "
Alex and Owen speak at the same time - "Izzie?" Alex gasps open-mouthed ... "Dr. Stevens?" Owen says questioningly.
Nathan throws sideway glances to both Alex and Owen, seeing their faces change from red to white. In fact, he's pretty sure Alex is about to pass out as all color slowly drains from his face. His eyes, though, has never left the beautiful doctor who has just entered the room.
"So you're Izzie Stevens?" he says sounding a bit awestruck.
He notices Izzie has stopped mid-stride into the room, closing the file in her hand. The surprise on her face mirrors Alex's and Owen's faces and, as she looks from one to the other, he sees her arms fold, almost as a protective shield, around her waist. She looks at him now, offering a small smile.
"Yes ... I'm ... Izzie Stevens," she sounds as if she's forcing the words out, "and this is ... " she turns her gaze squarely to Alex now "... a surprise."