'How do they think your dead?'

Izzie asked as she looked at Denny skeptically, trying to understand how this man had managed to survive a year without the support of his family.

'Well, I was meant to start with the clinic last year, right?'

He looked to Izzie to see if she was following his story, she nodded in understanding and sat near his side, subconciously holding his hand as she listened.

'But 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with the cardiomyopathy, I didnt tell my folks about it. I was still living in memphis with them and figured I could do the research and sort it out myself'

Izzie watched him intently as he spoke, a sad smile tugging her lips as she watched his expression change from one of mischief to regret.

'So, I left, told them to make a start on the clinic in Seattle and I would go beforehand to get myself situated, I started researching Dr Burke and decided to get myself sorted'

He chuckled as he spoke the final bit of his story to her.

'Last year, after realising that it had been 4 years and I was only deteriorating, I decided to get someone to phone my folks and tell them that I had already died in a freak accident, no remains so they couldnt ask for my body, only an ID..'

He rubbed his face with the hand that Izzie wasnt holding, attempting to compose his emotions and turned to look at Izzie, unshed tears filled his eyes as he spoke.

'I dont know how to tell them that I'm still alive.. They would probably have me go back home to recover, but..'

He turned away, biting his lip, how could he say that he doesnt want to leave her? Someone that he barely knew? How could he feel so close to a stranger after 30 hours of knowing her?

Izzie smiled softly and let out a soft chuckle as she spoke

'Well so long as you have someone to care for you daily and ensure you dont over work this new heart, then you wont need to go home.. but if it were me, and I had parents that wanted to care for me after having major surgery, then I would go home, as quickly as my new heart would beat'

Denny chuckled and nodded his head in understanding.

'Would this heart survive a flight to Memphis?'

At that point Izzie understood, Memphis 2,288 miles away, so far away that she would need 2 weeks off from the hospital just to visit him. She subconciously drew her hand away from his and chuckled nervously as she spoke, avoiding eye contact with him, she didnt want him to see the sadness in her eyes.

'That would be something that Dr Burke could answer, but judging on your stats and the fact that so far your body hasnt rejected this heart, then I dont see a reason why it couldnt, its a long recovery..'

She stood up and began looking at his monitors, avoiding his gaze as she carried on

'Obviously someone would have to be with you during the flight, Im pretty sure Dr Burke could arrange for someone to take you, so it shouldnt be much of an issue'

She looked at his chart, a flase smile plastered on her face as she finished her sentence.

'And who knows, maybe once your all better, you can come back and start working at the clinic'

He watched her intently, noting the changes in her demeanor, the need to busy herself, lack of eye contact and fake smile plastered on that beautiful face.

'Iz, what if I dont want to go to Memphis?'

'What? I- I mean, why wouldnt you?'

She looked at him, her eyes full of hope, the possibilities of what ifs, if he did decide to stay in Seattle.

He smiled at her, a look of confidence overcame him as he spoke.

'Why would I leave when a beautiful doctor clearly wants me, I mean, thats just something I cant pass up'

She laughed, covered her mouth and nodded her head in agreement

'Yeah that is sooo true, how could I not want you now, especially with this new heart and all'

He chuckled and smiled, that big smile that made his teeth twinkle in the artificial light.

Izzie blushed, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and sighed as she looked around, biting her lip. She spoke so quietly that he had difficulty picking up what she was saying.

'I cannot fall for a patient'

She looked at him, teeth still gnawing on her bottom lip, he smiled and lifted his arm to take her hand.

She took his hand and repeated, more softly as she came closer to him.

'I cannot fall for a patient'

He smiled, a smile so genuinely soft it caught her breath.

'You were always going to fall for me, Im a catch, I did tell you'

She laughed, situating herself on the bed near his side and blushed, shaking her head, she couldnt win, she was never going to win, in just the matter of 2 days, she had managed to fall head over heels for this sickly prince and thanks to the power of medicine, she was able to help with getting him better.

He watched her, gingerly lifing his hand to her face, watched the suprise look on her face, and genlty guided her down to meet his lips.

Just as their lips were about to meet, the sound of a throat being cleared broke Izzie away, she turned to see Dr Bailey with all the interns looking very curiously at Izzie and Denny.

'Dr Stevens, I thought you had the day off?'

Baileys stern voice gave even Denny the chills, Izzie chuckled nervously and looked between Denny and Bailey and then Alex and Meredith to then George and Cristina.

'Well.. uh.. I just came.. to..'

'I asked her to come and keep me company'

Denny spoke up with a grin that could kill a nun, Bailey looked between him and Izzie, a look of confusion and slight disapproval.

'Hmmhmm, alright people, what can you tell me about Mr Duquette here Dr... Karev'

Alex looked at Denny with utter disdain as he spoke.

'Mr Duquette, 36, had a heart transplant yesterday, stats are all normal, clearly..'

Dr Bailey turned to Alex, the frown evident on her face.

'And whats the next steps?'

'Well if he can keep himself from getting too over excited by Dr Stevens here'

'Dr Karev! Out!'

Alex turned to leave, not before giving one last glance to Izzie.

'Gladly'

'Alright, Denny, what do you want to do once you get out of here?'

Bailey asked Denny, a smile evident on her face, it had been a long time coming for Denny to get his heart transplant, and now that it was finally here, all the doctors that have worked his case were overjoyed by his recovery.

'Well, doc, I was thinking of staying in seattle, maybe visit my folks, but I can put that off..'

Denny chuckled nervously, eyeing Izzie up as he spoke.

Bailey watched him, watched him very intently, noting the blush to Izzies cheeks, the smile on Dennys face. This is wrong, but by god did this guy need something right for once, so for a change, Bailey did something that she never ever ever has done before.

'Ok, well, Dr Stevens, your down for your Annual Leave next week, so for the time being, you can keep an eye on Mr Duquette here and during your time off, it might be a good opportunity to go with Mr Duquette to Memphis'

Izzie looked at Bailey in utter confusion and shock.

'He cant go on his own and since you are the closest intern to work Dennys case then it would be best for you to go to keep an eye on his heart'

Bailey smirked as she walked over to Denny and Izzie, speaking in a much quieter voice.

'And once you are out of this hospital you are no longer a patient, but until then..'

She looked to Stevens and nodded an understanding look. Izzie blushed and bit her lip.

'Ofcourse Dr Bailey'

Bailey looked to Denny, the smile on her lips again as she asked

'Is that ok with you Denny?'

Dennys smile reached his eyes as he nodded

'Best news I could hear Doc... does that mean she gives me bed baths?'

He smirked and winked toward Izzie, causing her whole body to burn crimson.

Bailey chuckled and began to leave before adding

'Just another 2 days of obs and your free to go Denny'

'Thanks Bailey'

Denny was overjoyed by the news, he turned to look at Izzie as he spoke.

'Iz, get me the phone, I'll phone my folks'

Izzie smiled and nodded as she left to get the phone, she stopped as she reached the door, bit her lip and turned on her heel, stating one more time.

'I cannot fall for a patient'

She ran over to him, placing her hands on his face and met his lips with her own.

Denny was shocked by Izzies display of affection, but didn't get the time to enjoy it as, as soon as they were kissing, she was gone, leaving him to enjoy the adrenaline spike and the healthy fast heartbeat in his chest.

'Yep, she's in love with me'

He smiled as he watched her silhouette leave for the phone.

'And I'm head over heels for her..'