Ch 25

Jo groaned when she felt something press against her neck. She waved her hand at it and it stopped momentarily. Much to her annoyance, it happened again; only this time, it touched her lips as well.

"Hmm-Alex?" she half opened her eyelid and saw Alex hovering over her, smiling softly.

"Good morning," he kissed her lips tenderly. "How did you sleep?"

"Better than I have in a while," she responded truthfully, running her fingers through his tousled hair.

"Good," he quickly pecked her lips. Standing up, he threw a t-shirt on. "You might want to get up," he motioned toward the clock. She gasped. They had to leave in seven minutes! "Why didn't you wake me sooner!" she hurriedly stripped from her pajamas and threw on her street clothes.

He shrugged. "You looked to peaceful." Jo couldn't help but smile. Alex was sweet even when he didn't mean to be.

"So," Cristina pushed the door open and barged in. Jo had gotten used to her doing this so she didn't even squeal at the fact that she hadn't put her shirt on yet. "I see you two are back together."

Alex glared at her. "Don't you know how to knock?"

"I'll knock when you learn to put pants on," Cristina retorted. "Put that thing away. No one needs to see that."

Jo snickered at the furious yet forced calm expression on Alex's face.

"Get out," he snarled.

"So is the wedding on or off?" Cristina asked, ignoring Alex completely.

"It's on," Jo confirmed brightly.

Cristina nodded curtly. "Good. Now I won't have to watch Evil Spawn mope around like some girl."

"I do not mope!"

JolexJolexJolex

Jo couldn't help but smirk at the incredulous facial expression Izzie had when she saw them walking into work that morning holding hands. The blonde was at the nurse's station, flipping through charts all the while watching the couple with beady eyes.

Jo broke away from Alex's hand, winked, and sashayed over to Izzie. The blonde looked startled. She backed up a bit as Jo leaned on the counter.

"Look," she said sweetly, "I have had enough of this. You've been nothing but horrible since you've arrived."

"Jo," Alex didn't want her to do anything she would regret. 'Don't."

"No, Alex. I need to do this," Jo's eyes bore into Izzie's. "Listen to me when I say that you will never marry Alex. You will never flirt with him. You will never, and I mean never, come into our house again and rip your shirt off when you see me coming," Jo heard the gasps from behind her and her smirk widened. Izzie became noticeably pale. "Oh and that little stunt trying to get me fired was real cute. And you know what, I don't care what everyone thinks about me. I've got friends and a great fiancee. I'm about to take my boards. I don't have time for your petty drama. Grow up." With that, Jo grabbed Alex's hand again and made her way to the locker room; feeling satisfied when the whispers and laughter began.

"That was amazing!" Stephanie said through her laughter. 'Did you see her face? I thought she was going to faint!"

Jo allowed herself to grin. Izzie Stevens sure hadn't expected that; and frankly, neither had anyone else.

"Jo," Ben and Shane came jogging in. "Is it true that you laid into Stevens?" Ben asked.

"You bet she did!" Stephanie said excitedly before Jo could answer.

"Wow," Ben nodded in approval. Even Shane looked impressed.

"Guys, I'm not gonna get fired, am I?" Jo asked abruptly, looking worried. "I just talked back to a superior!"

"I'd hardly call Stevens a superior," Stephanie snorted.

'Steph, this is serious," Jo chided.

"I don't think you'll get in trouble," Leah Murphy awkwardly stood in the doorway.

Stephanie glared at her, daring her to speaking out of line.

"Really?" Jo said, forgetting that she wasn't talking to Leah at the moment.

Leah nodded. "She's getting yelled at by Bailey."

Thank you Bailey.

"Oh." Jo watched Leah go to her locker, avoiding everyone's stare's. But before she opened her locker, she bit her lip and whirled around to face Jo.

"I'm sorry I believed her and not you. I should've asked you first before listening to some stupid rumors. I'm sorry for what I said about you and Karev. It was uncalled for. I understand if you hate me and don't want me at the wedding. Again, I'm sorry."

Jo was speechless. Leah Murphy was not one to apologize. Jo didn't know if the apology or her sincere sounding tone was more astounding.

"That's okay," she choked out. 'I forgive you. And of course I want you at the wedding," she smiled somewhat awkwardly at her.

Stephanie stared at Jo then flickered her gaze to Leah.

"You're just going to forgive her?' she hissed at Jo, quietly. "Just like that?"

'Yes," Jo said simply. At Stephanie's look of incredulity, she added, "I'm tired of the fighting. I just want to be married and have some peace."

Stephanie wanted to interrogate her more but knew better. An angry Jo could be worse than an angry Leah. So she just smiled and nodded. "I hear ya."

The residents quickly dressed and were ready to head out for the day.

"I'll go tell Cross the truth," Leah promised as she headed in the opposite direction.

"That was weird," Stephanie declared once Leah was out of hearing range.

"Very," Jo agreed. She brightened up when Alex came into view.

"Hey," she stood on her tip toes to gently caress her lips with his. What was meant to be a small kiss turned into more rough kisses. Stephanie cleared her throat from behind them. The couple reluctantly broke away.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Alex scowled.

"I'm with you, today," she replied, with raised eyebrows. "Shouldn't you know that?"

"Shut up," he grumbled. He kissed Jo one more time before walking away. 'I'll see you later!" he called over his shoulder.

A feeling of excitement fluttered in Jo's stomach. Things were finally getting back on track. And the best part was that by tomorrow afternoon, she would be Mrs. Alex Karev.

Life was sweet.

Okay, short I know and not much action but I PROMISE next chapter will be better. For those excited for the wedding, it's getting close! Only a few more chapters until then!