Author's Note: Thanks so much to those of you who keep reading and reviewing. I know that things aren't that far yet, but it'll change. Anyway, this chapter takes place two days after. Hope you enjoy!


Izzie stood brushing her teeth in the mirror when the door opened. Jumping she looked over to see Alex standing there. "You can't knock?"

"You brush your teeth with the door closed?"Alex retorted, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. His hands moved to his pajama pants, adjusting the waist. They were currently the only thing he wore.

Izzie's hand stilled her toothbrush, still keeping it in her mouth. Her eyes locked with his, not moving.

Alex raised an eyebrow after several moments without her saying anything. "Something wrong, Iz?"

"No, but I'm brushing my teeth. Is there something I can help you with?"Izzie asked, turning her attention back to the sink.

Confidantly, Alex propped himself up against the doorframe. "I went downstairs, and there wasn't any food...I thought maybe something was wrong with you."

"You thought something was wrong because I didn't cook a million pancakes?"Izzie asked, spitting out her toothpaste. Rinsing her mouth, she turned to look at him.

"Well, no. But considering the fact that it's been that way since...well, a long time...I was hoping that you were okay."Alex replied, genuinely concerned. He could tell by the way she was acting that something was going on, or that something had happened. Ever since she tried to kiss him, she seemed jittery. Jumpy, even. He had hoped he could at leats try and approach the subject. "So..."

Setting her toothbrush back where it belonged, Izzie turned back towards him. "So what?"She asked, hand on her hip. "Alex?"

"Nothing."Alex said, knowing that it wasn't the right time to bring it up.

"If you're hungry..."Izzie said, walking past him into the hallway. "I can go and whip you something up. But we have to get to work as soon as possible."

"Why are you in such a hurry?"Alex asked.

"It's...It's Hannah. I spoke with her father, and he says that if I have time on my lunch break, I can stop by. It won't be for long, because they'll be taking her for tests shortly afterward."Izzie replied, shrugging. "But it's something."

Alex nodded, smiling. "It's something. I'm gonna...I'll be right out."Alex said, shutting the door. Just as he did, the door to Meredith's room opened, and exhausted looking Meredith

"Hey Mer...you okay?"Izzie asked, spotting the look on her face.

"I'm fine. Is there coffee?"Meredith asked, frowning at the bathroom door. "Alex?"

"Yeah. He'll be right out. Um...I set the coffee up, but I didn't start it. Do you want to go downstairs, grab a cup?"Izzie asked, leading the way. Once they were in the kitchen, she turned on the coffee pot, then opened the cabinet, pulling out two bowls. "Cereal?"

"Fine with me."Meredith replied, sitting at a stool by the kitchen island. She sighed, leaning her face against her palm.

"McDreamy problems?"Izzie asked, pouring Fruit Loops into her bowl. She passed the box to Meredith, then went to the fridge to grab some milk.

"More like McDad problems."Meredith mused, reaching for the cereal box.

"Thatcher, huh?"Izzie asked, handing Meredith a spoon.

Taking it from her, Meredith poured milk into her bowl. "He called me yesterday. Actually, he showed up at the hospital. He...wants to do some dinner thing. It's part of this whole trying to get to know each other deal."

"Is it what you want?"Izzie asked, taking a spoonful of cereal into her mouth.

Meredith shrugged, her spoon hanging in the air. "I guess. I've been fine without him and everything, so why now?"

"Maybe he's finally trying to see. Mer, after everything that's happened, everything in you life...shouldn't you be happy about something good happening?"Izzie asked. She walked to the coffee pot, pouring them each a cup.

"I guess. I just-how do you do it?"Meredith asked. "How do you...reconnect...with someone that you've barely talked to?"

Izzie paused, looking around. "You...you're seriously asking me?"

"Well, I just...you have Hannah, you know. And I know you've been talking to her. Or at least trying to. I guess I thought maybe..."Meredith trailed off, stirring the colored loops with her spoon. "I'm sorry if it seems insensitive."Meredith said, taking a sip.

"No, no..."Izzie insisted. Shrugging, she let out a sigh. "You don't have to know the rules. There really aren't any. If you want it, you...try and go for it. If you don't, well...then you don't. It's hard, Mer...trying to get back in touch. Sometimes it doesn't work. Well..."She trailed off, watching as Derek entered the room. "Fruit loops?"She asked, extending the box towards him.

Derek laughed, smiling as he reached Meredith. "No thanks. Are you out of Museli?"He asked, walking towards the cabinets. Reaching for the box, he saw that they weren't. "You know you didn't have to stop talking on my account."

"It's fine. I was going to get dressed. Get ready for work."Izzie said, sending a quizzical look Meredith way. "You haven't-"

"No. Alex..."Meredith said, forcing a smile as he entered the kitchen. "It's your turn on groceries this week. We're low on milk..."She said, passing it to Derek.

"I'll be sure to remember that. That is, unless Iz chooses to remind me again. A few times. Either way, I'm sure I'll remember."Alex said as Izzie slapped him on the arm. "Izzie...what was that for?"

"You're being mean. And yes, of course I'll remind you."Izzie said, flashing a smile in his direction before turning to wash her bowl. When Derek and Meredith left the room, she turned back towards him. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what?"Alex asked, concerned at her sudden change in behavior.

"Slapping you or whatever. I didn't mean to hurt you."Izzie said, crossing her arms.

"It's okay, Izzie. I'm a tough guy. Look, you don't...you don't have to act all strong about everything, okay? If you're upset, it's okay to let people know."Alex said, squeezing her shoulder.

"Thanks, Alex."Izzie replied. "I'm going to head up...get something on, and then we can leave. Well, that is if you need a ride..."

"Sure. The car's had issues lately."Alex replied, watching Izzie as she walked out of the kitchen.


Izzie had been assigned to Burke that day, so she scrubbed in with him early that morning. Alex was working with Addison, and had assisted in a C-section shortly after he arrived. The day seemed to be moving on regularly, noone missing a beat. George seemed to be a little off, and Izzie noticed when she bumped into him in the hallways after the surgery with Burke the way he seemed to avoid her.

She wanted to believe it was nothing. She wanted to think for a minute that maybe everything would be fine with them one day, but Izzie decided that until that moment, she'd let him be the one to take the first step. She wasn't willing to let herself breakdown or get too distracted. If she needed a friend, Izzie knew she had Meredith and Alex, and she knew that it would be all she needed.

"Hey..."Meredith said, catching up to her in the hallway. "Lunch?"

"Um, thanks. I have something to do first."Izzie said, pausing. She sighed, offering at apolegetic smile. "Hannah."

"Oh. Hannah. Um...okay. Well then, later?"Meredith asked. "And by the way, what was that thing with you and Alex this morning?"

"What thing?"Izzie asked, acting like she hadn't noticed.

"You two were...smiling, you hit him...not to mention the fact that he managed to know all of this before anyone else. Is something going on?"Meredith asked, hoping it didn't seem like she was pressuring her.

Izzie looked up, Cristina approaching them. "Hi."

"Hi. So, you worked with Burke, right?"Cristina asked, seeming as if she were expecting something.

"Yeah, why?"Izzie asked. "Because seriously, the last thing I need is to be brought into your drama. Are you two not talking again?"

"Sort of. Well, it doesn't matter. Look, I just...I want to know if Burke seemed...upset. Aggravated, maybe?"Cristina asked.

"Cristina..."Meredith said.

"Well, she was working with him. Look, I'm not trying to drag you into whatever drama it is that you think I have. I just want to know. He won't tell me, and we're supposed to be doing this whole relationship thing."

"Then shouldn't you at least ask him?"Izzie asked, exhausted. She knew she wouldn't have long for lunch, so she'd have to get up as soon as possible if she wanted to see her. "Look, Cristina...he seemed fine. He was focused on the surgery. Now if you'll excuse me, I have something to take care of. Mer, can you save me a spot?"


Izzie stood outside Hannah's room, pausing before she knocked. While she knew she wanted to speak with her, it was in that moment that she realized that she didn't really have a clue as to what about. Yes, she wanted to get to know her. She was afterall her child. Well, she used to be-Izzie reminded herself, taking a deep breath before knocking.

"Doctor Stevens. Come in..."

"Hi Hannah...thank you."Izzie said, turning towards Hannah's father. "I know that you didn't have to let me in to see her, but I'm grateful that you did."

"You're welcome, Doctor Stevens. My wife will be back in a minute, and the nurse said they're coming for Hannah in about a half hour for testing. So...whatever it is you have to say-"

"I'll make it quick."Izzie insisted, walking back toward's Hannah's bed. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired."Hannah replied, cuddling her pink bear closer to her. She watched as Izzie sat down in the chair next to her bed before continuing. "How are you?"

Izzie smiled, happy that Hannah seemed genuinely concerned. "I'm okay. I think...I-"Izzie said, reaching into her pocket. She pulled out an envelope out of her pocket. Opening it, she pulled out a folded piece of paper. "-wanted to give you this. I know you probably don't like staying in the hospital that much, so I thought maybe you could put it up on your wall. This room could use a little decorating."

Hannah offered a weak smile, opening it up. It was a picture of a bear amongst flowers, the sun beaming down. "It's pretty."

"It is. Do you want me to-"Izzie asked, watching as Hannah's father approached.

"Hannah..I could go find some tape. Do you want me to hang it?"He asked, knowing Izzie wanted a moment, yet still wanting to stay in the room.

"Why didn't you come in yesterday?"Hannah asked, worried.

"Well...I-"Izzie said, clearing her throat. "I've been busy. And I knew that you were going to have another surgery. It's important to get your rest as well as your happiness up. That's why I brought you a picture...I um...colored it myself."

Hannah managed a soft giggle. "It's cute."

"I hoped you would like it."Izzie said, brushing the fur of Hannah's bear. "You know I had a bear like that when I was little?"

"You did?"Hannah asked.

"Yeah. It was brown, though. I called him Franky."Izzie said, smiling. "What's your bear's name?"

"I don't know. I never gave her a name."Hannah replied. "Does Franky have to be just a boy's name?"

Izzie shrugged, knowing what she was getting at. Blinking back tears that flitered into her eyes, she was aware of Hannah's father carefully perched in the corner, trying to focus on a magazine. "It doesn't have to be. What do you think? Oh...I know...Francine, maybe?"

"Francine."Hannah said, adjusting the bow. She coughed, careful to cover her mouth.

Izzie reached to grab her a cup of water. "Here, drink some of this."

"Thanks, Izzie."Hannah said, just as her mother entered the room.

"Well, I had to look..but I found one."

Izzie turned to see what she was talking about. In her hands looked to be a baked good of some kind.

"Yay! Can I have it?"Hannah asked. "I love muffins."

"Yes, I know you do. And I know that they make you feel better. I'll tell you what...they're coming to perform the tests. But as soon as you get back, I'll give it to you, okay?"

Hannah smiled. "Okay."

Knowing she had to leave, Izzie smiled sadly. "Well, I guess that means I should go. I'll...see you later."


Through the rest of the day, Izzie monitored her and Burke's patient, as well as offer assistance in the clinic. When the work day was over, Izzie, Meredith, Alex, and Cristina decided to again head to Joe's. They were going again, and Izzie took it as a signal that maybe things were again returning to normal. That is, until she saw George walk in the door.

"I just...I don't get it you know. She just stood there, tilting her head pretending to be all disappointed. She has to realize that there's such a thing as doctor-patient confidentiality."Cristina said, glass in hand. She had been explaining the story of what had happened with the friend of a patient earlier that day.

"People these days..."Alex mused.

"Speak for yourself. So, have you done the shopping yet?"Meredith asked.

"I'll get to it."Alex spoked defensively, worried as he saw the look on Izzie's face.

Izzie stood, clearing her throat. "I'll be right back."She said, making her way towards the door. "Are you going to join us or just stand back and watch?"

"Izzie..."

"No, George. I just...I don't get it. You know? Yes, we...made a mistake. Okay? I'm trying the best that I can to live with it. It doesn't mean that I have to like it, but what I really don't like is the fact that I lost my friend in the process. Now if you're willing to sit down and have a drink with your friends, then maybe this will work out after all."

George's eyes grew darker, apparently determined to say something. "Izzie, that's not it at all..."

"Then what is it, George? Could you try and clue me in here?"Izzie asked, on the verge of sounding desperate.

"It's Callie. She's leaving."