Izzie hadn't confided in anyone about her move to Boston but she knew that it was something that needed to be done sooner rather than later. After Denny had died she had applied for a research position at the Medical Research Institute. Although she had been accepted she deferred her commencement date after things started to turn around for her: but now that she was hurting again she didn't want to stay at Seattle Grace, the place where she had found and lost love twice.
As she made her way to the Chief's office she thought about her friends and the fact that eventhough she would leave they weren't alone: George had Callie: Meredith had Derek: Cristina had Burke: and Alex had Addison. She thought to herself that in fact she was the odd one out in their friendships as she was the only one who was now alone. She tried to justify leaving them by thinking to herself that although they would initially miss her they would move on: they didn't need her. The Chiefs door was open but she knocked anyway he looked up and he asked her to come in. "What can I do for you Stevens" he asked. She took a deep breath and said "Dr Webber … Chief I am here to let you know that I am resigning from Seattle Grace." At that the Chief stood up, placed his hands on his hips and said "Stevens what on earth are you talking about?" "Please Chief just sit down and hear me out." Izzie replied. As the Chief sat down in his chair she went on "I have been offered a position at the Medical Research Institute of Boston and I was waiting for the right time to accept it, and I think I have found the perfect moment." The Chief shook his head and raised his voce. "Its Dr Sloane isn't it. You people are unbelievable. The sexual need between my interns and my residents has been without doubt the most problematic thing I have had to deal with since the day I was made Chief." Izzie tried to comment but the Chief kept going "Not one of you displayed any restraint and this is what it has come too. I can't believe this Stevens, after everything you have gone through and all the hard work you have put in, in reclaiming the trust of everyone here you want to leave us."
As the Chief uttered those last five words his office door opened and it was Mark. "Did I hear right you are leaving?" Mark asked. "Get out Dr Sloane" the Chief yelled. "You have caused enough trouble so shut the door and leave." Mark closed the door and made his way to the steel railings in the corridor outside the Chiefs office. He threw the files on the floor and leaned over them and placed his head in his hands. Those who were in the corridor turned and looked at him but kept on their way. Addison came from behind him and asked "Mark what's wrong with you?" Without turning he yelled at her "Addison get the hell away from me … Just get the hell away from me". She was shocked at both his tone and his words. "What is wrong with you" she said. He turned around and looked her straight in the face "You are what's wrong with me. You and your crap has cost me. I don't want you near me so walk away …Now!" As his voice started to get louder and louder, the Chief ran out of his office and yelled "What the hell is going on here?" he looked at Mark and said "Just back off….. You too Addison just get out of here. I can't believe you people. You are in a hospital with sick people and you are supposed to be doctors, the leaders of this place and I find you yelling in the corridors." With that Addison, looking guilty yet concerned, started to make her way down the corridor when she asked the Chief "Why is he like this?" The Chief replied "Izzie Stevens has resigned and is permanently moving to Boston." Addison apologised and with her hands in the pockets of her white jacket walked away. The Chief went up to Mark and ordered him to go home if this was going to be his attitude all day. Mark said "No I'm staying; I have surgery in 2 hours." "Well" said the Chief "Pull yourself together and get out of my sight." Mark bent down and picked up his files, but before he left he asked the Chief "Can you convince her to stay?" The Chief knew that Mark was feeling miserable so he softened his tone" I wish I could, but she has made it clear to me that her mind is made up and she is leaving. Trust me I have tried everything." Both Mark and the Chief looked at eachother with a defeated face. The Chief put his hand on Mark's shoulder and said "I'm sorry." Mark smiled and said "Yeah, me too" and walked away.
The word of Izzie's resignation spread through the hospital before Izzie had the chance to tell her friends. As Izzie made her way to the cafeteria for lunch she got a mixed reception: from glares to well wishes and through all of this she tried to imagine the reaction of Meredith, George, Cristina and Alex. As she got there she saw the four of them sitting at their usual table, and took a moment to just watch them and in doing so couldn't help but smile. She slowly walked towards them when George saw her and put his head down. Izzie sat next to Meredith and it was Alex who made the first move. "Iz, all I want to say is why?" Meredith then added "I can't believe you hid this from us for so long. You don't have to do this you know. You may be trying to get away from McSteamy … but what about us?" It was at this point that George lifted his head and said "I can't believe you are leaving me; leaving us. I thought you were my best friend, but you couldn't even confide in me." Before Izzie could say anything, George picked up his tray and left. Cristina was the only one who hadn't said anything. Meredith gave her the glare so Cristina added "So what will you be doing when you get there?" "Cristina!" said Meredith "What?" she replied. Izzie at this point knew she needed to answer their questions. "I know that I should have told you along time ago but when things started working for me I didn't see a point in telling you. But now I can't be here: I can't walk the corridors of a place where I keep finding love and losing it. It hurts …. It just really hurts. I am sorry, but I won't be far and you always come and visit …. But I can't be here now." "I understand" said Meredith, "But it's just …. You can't leave us because of McSteamy". Alex looked at Izzie and said "Do you have to go now?" She smiled at him and said "I have to go now. I start there soon and the more I delay the harder it will get to leave."
As Izzie got up to leave she smiled at them and said "I am fine with this, and you guys will be fine without me here. I am sorry but I have to go". The tears were rolling down her cheeks when she ran out of the cafeteria. As she did this she bumped into someone. She stopped to say sorry but when she looked up it was Mark. They looked eachother in the eyes, obvious to everyone that they were yearning for eachother. Izzie took Mark's head in her hands and while their foreheads came together she whispered to him "Good bye" Mark tried to say something but she placed her fingers and his lips and said "I know what you are going to say …. So there's no need. Just let me go." Mark knew that he couldn't do anything and smiled as she walked away from him and the future he thought they would have shared together.
