Chapter 11

The residents lounge was mostly empty; only being occupied by Jo, Stephanie, Ben Warren, and Leah.

Stephanie was worried for her friend. Bailey had shooed her away after she, against Dr. Steven's wishes, came with her to the chief's office. "Did you get in a lot of trouble?" This peeked Leah and Ben's interest; though Ben was subtler.

"In trouble with what?" Leah asked with her usual nosiness.

"Jo got written up by Steven's and she almost punched her," Stephanie informed her.

'Did she get sent to Bailey?" Leah pulled her scrub top off.

'Duh. But I don't know what happened. So tell us," Steph was eager to know.

Ben wanted to know what Miranda had done. His wife could be a little harsh sometimes.

Knowing they wouldn't leave her alone until she told them, she said, "Gave me a warning and said I could switch with someone else tomorrow so I won't be on her service. I'll ask Alex."

"You talking about me?" Speaking of the devil. Alex was standing there; leaning against the doorframe.

Leah, shirtless, squeaked and turned around rapidly.

Stephanie put her hands on her hips. "Get out Karev," she said sassily.

He was amused. "Now, Edwards. Is that the way to talk to your superior?"

Stephanie looked around. "I don't see one so yeah, it's fine."

Alex chuckled. Despite not knowing them very well, he enjoyed the company of Jo's friends. They reminded him of how he and his friends during their younger years.

Staring at Jo, he said, "You coming? Robbin's is leaving soon."

She sprang into action: hurriedly tying her shoes, she said distractedly, "Make sure she doesn't leave. I'll meet you by the nurse's station."

Shrugging in his typical Alex fashion, he told her, "Hurry up." He left without another word.

"Robbins, wait!" he panted. He leaned against the counter at the nurse's station for support. I'm getting too old for this.

Arizona turned around in surprise. "You alright, Karev? You're a bit winded."

He rolled his eyes. "No kidding."

She looked at watch and glanced at him. "So, what's up?"

Now that he caught his breath, he stood up straighter. "Jo wanted to ask you something."

Arizona raised an eyebrow. "And, where is she?"

"She's coming,' he assured her.

"Dr. Robbins!" Jo, like Alex, jogged to catch up to her. She was completely out of breath; she wasn't a runner. "I was wondering..." she trailed off, suddenly feeling shy.

"Yes?" Arizona waved her hand so Jo would continue.

"Would you be my bridesmaid?" Jo mumbled. Talking to her boss about cases was one thing; but conversing about something else was much more intimidating.

Arizona's jaw dropped and she stood like that for a minute: gaping.

Alex put his hands over Jo's ears.

'She's gonna blow," he muttered.

Arizona let out a very loud and girly squeal.

"Yes!" she practically screamed. "Of course!" she pushed Alex away from Jo so she could engulf her in a hug. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes-"

"We get it," Alex snorted. "You're doing it."

Jo elbowed his side roughly. He gasped a bit from the pain.

"Be nice," she told him sternly.

"Fine," he rolled his eyes again with a smile.

Arizona was impressed. "She sure keeps you in line, Karev."

Jo patted her fiancée's arm. "It took a lot of work. Every once in a while I let him off the leash for some freedom."

"Shut up," Another eye roll.

Arizona laughed until tears came to her eyes.

"Oh," she wiped the tears away. "That's the best thing I've ever heard. She's a keeper, Karev. Of course, you already know that."

Alex smiled softly. "I sure do." He hugged Jo from behind and rested his head on hers.

Smiling her perky Arizona smile, she asked excitedly, "Who are your other bridesmaids?"

'Steph and possibly Shane," Jo felt the butterflies in her stomach. In exactly six days she was getting married to the love of her life. She wanted to go on the rooftop and shout.

Arizona gazed at her watch again. 'Sorry, got to go. I'm picking up Sofia at the airport. I want to hear more wedding plans tomorrow!" she called over her shoulder as she headed to the elevators.

Jo, still in Alex's arms, looked up at him. "You're amazing, you know that, right?" They shared a kiss. It was exhilarating. Exciting. Every time they kissed it felt like the first time. Nobody made her feel this way except Alex. Alex made her feel like she mattered.

Alex pressed a kiss to her temple. "So are you. I love you much, Jo."

Jo's heart soared. She felt like a schoolgirl.

"I love you too, Alex," she closed her eyes to savor the moment. One of many moments.
"Why don't we go home," he suggested. "We need sleep."

Jo let out an "Mhm" though she was skeptical of his motives. He was looking jittery almost. And Alex never just went to sleep without sex; unless he was dead tired or one of them wasn't home. She shrugged it off and started walking to the elevators but Alex grabbed her hand. "Let's take the stairs," he said with a bit of urgency.

Okay, something was definitely up. "But that's the long way," Jo glanced at him suspiciously. "You never go that way after a long shift." She was right and he knew it. He shifted a bit, uncomfortably. Did he not expect to be questioned?

"Let's just go." Now he was pleading.

"Why?"

"Be-because," he stuttered "I'm tired." He was pouting now.

"If you're so tired than take the elevator," Jo was beginning to get impatient.

"No," he protested. "Let's take the stairs."

"You take the stairs and I'll take the elevator!" She exclaimed. "I'm tired of arguing."

"Arguing about what?" Stephanie appeared; carrying her bag of dirty scrubs. "What did you do now?" she directed her question to Alex.

'I," he emphasized, "did nothing. She won't cooperate."

Jo stared at him incredulously. "I won't cooperate?"

"I should go," Steph mumbled under her breath. She really didn't want to be in the middle of their fight.

"Yes you!" Alex huffed. "Why can't you just take the stairs?"

"Why can't you just take the elevator?" Jo shot back.

Stephanie looked at the both of them like they'd grown a second head. "That's what you're arguing about? Seriously?"

The couple crossed their arms stubbornly.

"I'm living with a bunch of kindergartners," Steph rubbed her face tiredly.

"Look," she began. "If he's so persistent than just take the stairs! It's one time, right?" she looked at Alex for confirmation.

'Right," he nodded.

"Just do it please," she begged Jo. "I don't want to hear you guys fighting tonight."

Jo mumbled something about Alex sleeping on the couch and headed in the direction of the stairs; visibly annoyed.

Alex grinned widely, which, if Steph was being honest, creeped her out. "Thanks, Edwards," he sounded sincere.

"You're welcome," she was so confused. Alex Karev was a mystery that Steph was sure she'd never figure out.

Alex Joined Jo when she was halfway down the long flight of stairs. His heart was racing and he was sure he looked nervous.

He nudged her shoulder.

"What?" Jo snapped grumpily.

Alex blinked. She was just in a good mood; just telling him that she loved him. Chicks were strange creatures.

"What's up with you?"

Jo sighed.

"I'm tired, Alex. And hungry. I just want to be in bed."
He frowned for a moment before yawning an obnoxious (and clearly fake) yawn.

"Yeah, I'm tired too," his face lit up; he had and idea.

"Wanna spoon?" he smirked. They were outside now; nearly to the car.

Jo laughed sarcastically. "Gonna be hard to do that if you're not in bed."

'Why won't I be in bed?"

"You're sleeping on the couch," she told him matter-of-factly.

"You can't be serious," he scowled.

Jo hopped in the car, leaning her head on the window. When the car didn't start, she looks to see Alex was still outside; arms crossed with a pouty look on his handsome face. She bit back a grin. Pouty Alex was adorable.

'Dude," her voice is muffled from the window still being up but she knows he can hear her. 'Get in. I thought we were going home?"

For what seemed like the hundredth time that night, he rolled his eyes and obliged.

The car ride was silent for the most part. Alex was in deep thought and Jo was almost nodding off.

He glanced over to her. "Don't fall asleep."

"Why?" she groaned loudly. "I told you I'm tired."

"I don't want to have to carry you inside."

"Wow, what a romantic you are," Jo said sarcastically. She would be lying if his comment wasn't a little hurtful.

'We're here," he said as he put the car in park. "Don't get out yet."

Jo stared blankly when he opened the car door for her.

"Oh, now you're nice."

"Just open the door, princess," he followed her to the door.

"Fine, whatever. I swear, if we weren't getting married soon I'd-" her jaw dropped when she opened the door.

"Oh, Alex!' she cried.

I wanted to address something: one of the reviews I got today (that has since been deleted) was extremely rude. I'm all for constructive criticism but that review had none of that.

If any of you don't like the Izzie bashing than please don't read this. The review said that it was childish for and author to do that-in no way am I trying to act that way.

Anyways, thank you to all who are loving this story! I'm trying to at least update every other day, if not every day.