Disclaimer: DON'T OWN IT!

"California?" Meredith gasped. "Are you serious?"

Alex finishe dpacking everything- including his pager- into his bag and tossed it over his shoulder.

"Listen Mer, I would much rather stay here, but she's promising me an experimental surgery," he shrugged, heading out the door of the Resident locker room and into the hallway.

"Experimenting to see how much of her servant you are that is! You can't go to California!" Meredith called, chasing after him.

She picked up her pace to keep up with his long strides.

"Yes I can and I will. Look Mer, I don't know why you are so upset, but I don't mind going to California. She said I was her most reliable doctor."

"More like most available," Meredith muttered under her breath.

Alex stopped and rolled his eyes. Meredith almost walked right past him but froze when she realized he stopped walking.

"Come on Mer," Alex sighed. "Just give it a rest. Tell me what's really bugging you and then I will leave."

Meredith looked down at the ground and then slowly back up at Alex. "Izzie left. George is dead. I'm losing you guys one by one. I'm afraid that maybe you'll fall in love with California and not come back."

"Now what in the world would give you that idea?" Alex quuestioned, making a confused face.

"Because you're not happy. Ever since Izzie left, you haven't been the same. You're all dark and twisty again. You slept with my sister, tried to sleep with April. Screwed random nurses... just promise me you won't fall in love with California and leave us."

Alex let out a breath slowly and leaned back against the wall. He ran his finegrs through his hair. "I'm not going anywhere," he sighed. "I promise."

"Alright," Meredith whispered.

A nurse ran by with a crash cart and Meredith's pager started beeping. Alex put a hand on her shoulder and smiled before he turned and headed for the elevator that would bring him to the roof. He hit the button for the floor he needed stepped back. Right before the doors could shut, someone yelled, "Hold the doors!"

A hand flew in between the doors to the elevator and a cute nurse ran in. She had brown hair to her shoulders and freckles painting her face. The doors shut behind her as she hit the button for the floor she needed. "Sorry," she murmured.

Alex couldn't help but smirk. He turned on the 'Alex charm', leaning back against the wall and crossing his arms. "No problem. So where are you heading to?"

"The OR," the nurse responded.

"I take it that you're new here?" Alex offered, trying to make conversation.

"Yeah," New girl said. "My name is Kaitlin."

"Well Kaitlin, today must be your lucky day because-

He was cut off as the doors flew open and Kaitlin said, "That's my floor! I'll see you around."

She jumped out and was gone before he could say anything else. "Crap," Alex muttered.

When the doors opened the next time, he walked out onto the roof and spotted the chopper. "Here we go," he grumbled, and walked over to get onto the hellicopter.

"Room 2433," Alex whispered. "Where the hell is that?"

"Can I help you?" a woman asked from behind him.

Alex turned to see a doctor who must have been in her forties, but must have run into a lot of stress. There was heavy set wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. Her eyes were grey but shinig with life. She had light brown hair that was cut just to her shoulders, but was packed with hairproducts.

"Um yes, I'm looking for Kevin Joanes, room 2433, I believe," Alex explained, very unsure of himself.

"Ah yes, Dr. Karev!" the woman said. "I'm Jannet Merley. We've been expecting you."

Isn't that exactly what they say in those alien movies? Alex pondered.

"Follow me," Dr. Merley said cheerfully in her scratchy voice, and then took off down the hall.

Alex had to jog just to keep up with her. "Dr. Robinson told me she was sending her best doctor," Dr. Merley went on as they walked. "When she performed that amazing surgery on him she saved his life, but she was loaded up with patients and said that she would send someone reliable to come and check up on Kevin. He's been doing amazing. All the yellow has faded from his skin and the kidneys are working better than ever."

"Great," Alex said. "So I guess there isn't much to check up about."

"I think his parents just want to know for sure that he'll be okay."

Alex sighed deeply. "Here it is," Dr. Merley announced, motioning to a room.

Alex opened up the door to see a boy -nine years old- lying in bed, plaing with a gameboy, and his parents who were sitting next to the bed, talking with him.

"Helllo I'm Alex Karev," Alex greeted, earning the attention from everyone in the room. "I work for Dr. Robbins. I'm here to check up on Kevin," Alex said.

"Well he's looking great," Alex assured, putting his stethescope away.

"Thank God," Mrs. Joanes gasped out.

"Thank you so much," Mr. Joanes added. "Dr. RObbins is amazing."

"Yes she is," Alex agreed. "Anyways, I should be on my name."

"Thank you," Mrs. Joanes repeated and proceded to hug Alex.

Once Alex left the room, Dr. Merley snatched him to the side and looked him straight in the eyes.

"Did you say you were Alex Karev?" she demanded.

"Um yes... why?"

"Do you by any chance know an Izzie Stevens?"

Alex's stomach twisted at that name. "Yes..." he answered, unsure. "Why do you ask?"

She had tears in her eyes. "Because she says your name in her sleep every night."

"I'm sorry... what?"

"Mayeb you should follow me," Dr. Merley whispered, grabbing Alex's hand and yanking him all the way down the hallway, all the way to the cancer ward, where is stomach dropped into his feet.

She stopped in front of a door and Alex peeked through the window, hesitantly, only to find his worst nightmare lying in the bed.

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