After their first time studying at Joe's Alex asked Izzie if it would be okay if they studied at his apartment. Izzie agreed knowing without his saying that Alex wanted to avoid people from the hospital realizing that he failed his test. Izzie knocks on Alex's door with her books in hand.

"Come on in. I just ordered Chinese if that's okay."

"That's fine. Where do you want these?" She asks holding up the books.

"Kitchen table. No where else to sit for now." The food arrives and they sit down at the table and start looking through the books.

"Okay what is an Atherectomy and who is most likely in need of it?" Izzie asks before taking a bite of her white rice. Alex answers and they continue back and forth with Izzie quizzing Alex. After noticing her yawning Alex stops answering her question and asks,

"Do you want to get going? Its getting late."

"No I'm fine, it was a long day."

"Yea. Here come on."

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere you'll be more comfortable." Alex answers leading her to the bedroom. Izzie stops in the doorway.

"You're so not funny."

"I'm serious. There's no furniture in the living room and you can't be comfortable sitting in some cheap kitchen chair. Make yourself comfortable. I'll be on my best behavior I swear. Unless of course you want me to be bad." He says with a wiggle of his eyebrows. He couldn't help himself, the words just came out.

"Never." Izzie replies before taking off her shoes and settling on the bed. "Okay lets get back to work."

The following week Izzie walks up to Alex's apartment and after being let in heads straight for his bedroom.

"I can't stay long tonight."

"That's fine. Pizza okay?" Alex asks grabbing the phone.

"Yea." After the food arrives Alex brings it into the room and sits on his bed. Izzie lies down across the bed and lays her head in his lap. Alex starts a sharp breath, but says nothing for fear of her moving.

"Okay so what do you do if you have a patient with heart arrthymias and difficulties breathing?" She asks taking a bit of her pizza. After two hours they are both silent as they each read through the textbooks, with Izzie still using Alex's lap as a pillow.

"I feel so dumb sometimes. I don't remember half of this stuff." Izzie says breaking the silence. Alex scoffs, but keeps his attention on his book.

"I'm serious." Izzie continues, turning her head to look at Alex.

"Christina is like a dictionary. I can't remember half the stuff she does, it's daunting."

"Ahem."

"Oh shut up, you're going to pass this test because you know all of the stuff, you just needed a reminder that's all." She checks her watch and grimaces. "I have to get going or the bulldogs will be coming after me. I'll see you tomorrow." She says getting up and gathering up her stuff.

"You need a ride home?"

"No I'll catch a cab."

"Call me when you get back."

"Worried about me?"

"No, just don't want cops knocking on my door saying I was the last person to see you alive."

"Har har."

"Just call okay?"

"Will do." Izzie grabs her bag and heads out the door.

It has been over a month since Izzie offered to help Alex pass his test. They still hadn't put a name on what they were doing. Not that either one mentions what they are doing, but nonetheless Alex wants it out in the open, so for tonight he made reservations to take Izzie out to the fancy Italian restaurant near his apartment before they get to the books.

"Hey Stevens." Alex calls spying Izzie getting ready to head out for the night.

"Yea?" She stops walking and waits for Alex to catch up.

"Tonight, dress up okay?"

"Why?"

"Just dress up. And don't eat anything before you come over."

"Okay." Izzie smiles before looking behind her. "I have to go Meredith and George can get impatient. I'll see you later." She walks out of the hospital and meets up with George and Meredith who were waiting for her.

"What was that about?" Meredith asks.

"Nothing, just friends making plans. That's all." Meredith smiles knowingly, but wisely keeps her thoughts to herself.

Izzie steps out of the cab in front of Alex's building and nervously swipes a hand down her dress hoping that it isn't too much. She quickly heads up to Alex's apartment, books in hand and knocks on the door.

"Good you're on time. Let's go before we're late." Alex grabs Izzie's books and puts them on the kitchen table before grabbing his keys and Izzie's hand and leading her back outside. "Are you up to a walk? Not to cold out for you?" Alex asks Izzie when they reach the street.

"No, I'm fine. Alex where are we going?"

"We my dear have a date tonight. Italian food and wine." Izzie smiles as Alex continues to hold her hand and they walk to the Italian restaurant down the street from Alex's apartment building. After the food arrives, Alex leans forward in his seat.

"So what are we doing here Stevens?"

"We're eating Alex."

"That's not what I mean. Are we in a relationship or are you just taking pity on me?"

"What do you think we're in?"

"What I may call one thing you may call it something else."

"I know I'm not helping you out of pity." "So if I called you my girlfriend you wouldn't go running and screaming in the other direction?"

"Not at the moment no. But then again knowing you, in the future I'm sure running and screaming will be needed."

"Oh screaming will definitely be a part of our relationship." Alex replies with a wiggle of his brows.

"Apparently the running part will be coming faster then I expected."

"So after this test thing is done and out of the way I want us to have a relationship. A nice, normal open relationship."

"Isn't that what we have now? I mean I'm not seeing anyone else and I haven't heard anything about you in the rumor mill for awhile so I figure you're doing the same. So since we are only seeing each other doesn't that count as a relationship?"

"Yes, but it's a secret. It's a secret only because you don't want anyone to know about the test. Hell I'm out of excuses about why I'm never home on my nights off. George swears you hypnotized me or something. He doesn't believe me when I tell him I'm meeting friends or seeing a movie or meeting you for drinks with other people. He thinks I'm sleeping with you but too afraid to tell him."

"Who the hell cares what O'Malley thinks."

"You will once he finds out that we're going out. Then you'll have to make friends Alex and promise never to hurt me or George will yell and scream and threaten to disfigure the other side of your face." Izzie answers sweetly.

"You're too funny. Let's get the check and head back." Izzie agrees and soon they're on their way back to Alex's apartment. Alex has his arm low around Izzie's waist as they joke the whole way back. Back inside his apartment Alex pulled Izzie into his bedroom shutting the door behind them. He guides Izzie over to the bed, but when he thinks he can take it to the next level, Izzie sidesteps him and grabs the books.

"Just because we're official, does not mean we are rushing into this. Now back to the books. Have you made an appointment to take the test?"

"Two months. Come on we should celebrate."

"We are, by studying."

"Are you sure you're not a nerd?"

"Funny. Come on let's get to work." Alex shuffles his way back to the bed and sits down and pats his lap.

"Gonna join me?" Izzie laughs before sitting cross ways in his lap. "Okay Chapter 34…"

Three hours later Alex pulls the book from Izzie's fingers. She nodded off about an hour ago and as much as he wanted her, Alex respected her enough to let her decide.

"Izzie, Izzie." He whispers.

"Hmm?" "You fell asleep."

"Oh, what time is it?" she asks groggily as she sits up.

"Late. Come on, let me take you home."

"Okay." Alex drives Izzie home and pulls in front of the house. He walks Izzie to the door and before she goes in, leans in to kiss her. When Izzie doesn't object, he deepens the kiss. When they pull away, they smile at each other.

"Just something to get through the day." Alex whispers leaning his forehead against Izzie's. Izzie nods, before leaning in and giving him a light kiss goodbye before she heads inside.