a/n: so here's a new chapter. i'm not fully happy with it, but whatever. also, i'm pretty close to done with this story, i think. but never fear, the ending of this story can only mean one thing... i have the first chapter of the prequel to "look after you" written! (still looking for a title, but i'll keep you posted) yep, that's right, when i'm done with this and "the happiest place on earth" (the final chapter almost being completely written) i will post that first chapter! but how 'bout i let you concentrate on this story. however, if you feel the need to get up and dance in happiness, far be it from me to stop you.

it's not mine. get the picture?

Addison managed to act civilized, even slightly friendly, towards Izzie, trying to pump her for information, but got nothing. She had sent her to prep a patient for surgery when Alex found her. "What was that?" he asked, clearly referring to her obvious anger towards him.

"Why are you even still talking to me?" she shot back. "Shouldn't you be off having sex in an on-call room or something?"

"What?"

"Don't you have a nurse or, I don't know, Izzie Stevens waiting for you in an on call room? You should probably go make sure they're still there."

"Addison, what are you talking about?"

"Just leave."

"Addie-"

"Don't call me that!"

"What the hell, Addison?"

"Leave me alone!"

"What the fuck is going on?!"

"Oh, like you don't know. I can't believe I actually believed you and your "I'll never hurt you" crap."

"I meant that! I still do!"

Addison nearly laughed at that one. "Nice, really, Alex. Just… nice."

"What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"You don't get to be angry! You don't get to kiss someone else and then expect to be able to get mad at me! You don't have that right!" She turned around and started to walk away.

Finally it dawned on Alex. Somehow she had heard about Izzie kissing him. "Addison-"

She whirled around and said three words that he never thought he'd hear her say to him. "I hate you."

"Addison-"

"Fuck off," she spat and walked away.

GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA

After her encounter with Alex, Addison lost all patience with Izzie. As she walked into the OR she announced, "Dr. Stevens, I won't be needing you after all."

"What?"

"Are you deaf or something? Get out of my OR!" Izzie just stared at her. "I didn't say just stand there, I said get out!" Izzie still just stood there. "Get out and while you're at it, get Yang for me. She's in the pit, I'm sure she'll adore the chance for surgery, even if it is neonatal. I expect her here in less than ten minutes. Don't make me page her," Addison warned.

"What the hell?" Izzie muttered under her breath as she exited the OR. She found Christina, sent her to Dr. Montgomery, and went to the tunnels to sulk.

She was just starting to get mad when Alex approached her. He looked around a hundred times more pissed than she felt. "Your girlfriend is a psychopathic bitch," she informed him.

"Not my girlfriend, thanks to you," he growled. "Are you happy now?"

"What are you talking about? Because I've already been yelled at once today for no apparent reason, and I don't need to be yelled at again."

"You told her! She thinks that I cheated on her, which I didn't! And the only person who knew about you kissing me was you. So you had to have told her and now you've fucked everything up!"

"I didn't tell her!" Izzie insisted. "Why the hell would I? We were in a crowded bar, anyone could have seen!"

"Exactly. They couldn't have if you'd never kissed me. It's all your fault."

Izzie looked serious. "Alex, I swear upon… I don't know, something really important, I am not trying to alienate you from your girlfriend. I was, but I'm not. You love her, I get that. Just stop screaming."

Alex calmed down. She was his friend after all, he did trust her. "Iz, I'm scared," he admitted.

"Of what?"

"Of being without her."

"Holy crap, Alex, she's turned you into a freaking romantic!" Izzie exclaimed. He shrugged. "Fine. I'll fix it. God. Stop looking at me like that. I can't stand to see you like this."

Alex didn't say anything, but nodded his thanks and continued to stare off into space.

GAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGAGA

It took some patience, but Izzie waited outside the door to the scrub room of Addison's OR until Addison's surgery was finished. She was fortunate enough to not get any pages and she hid anytime someone looked like they might ask her for something. She may not have liked Addison, but she cared for Alex and sometimes that was all that mattered.

She approached Addison the second she appeared. Addison saw her coming and turned to walk away. "Look, will you just listen to me? I know that I'm the last person in the world you want to talk to right now, but just listen."

Addison rolled her eyes, but years of good breeding made her turn around. "What?" she snapped.

Izzie tried to find a way to begin. "Um…" she stammered.

"Well?" Addison asked expectantly, looking more annoyed by the second.

"I love him, okay?" Izzie blurted. Addison winced and began to turn around. "I love him," Izzie pushed on. "But he doesn't love me. I kissed him, not the other way around. It's my fault, not his. He doesn't love me, he loves you." Addison looked skeptical. "It's true!" Izzie continued when she saw the expression on Addison's face. "Please, just talk to him. I don't want him with you, believe me, but I don't want him miserable more. So just talk to him." A flash of hope in Addison's eyes gave Izzie the courage to continue. "And he's miserable right now. Please, just make him happy again."

Addison smiled slightly, and the hope that she seemed filled with let Izzie see a little of what Alex saw in her. "Thanks, Izzie," she said. "That had to be hard." The funny thing was she actually did seem sympathetic.

"Nah, it was pretty easy once I got started," Izzie joked.

Addison laughed quietly. "Well, thanks anyways. Um, look, I know that this is unprofessional and you can't tell anyone, but if you ever want in on a surgery…"

Izzie realized just how much that had to hurt her. She was always so concerned with professionalism. Maybe there was more to her than just surgery and sex. "Thanks," Izzie said.

"Well, bye," Addison smiled and nearly ran off to find Alex (at least Izzie assumed that's where she was going).

Izzie sighed. Sometimes life sucked.

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-Lauren