Chapter 9

A few minutes after Bailey leaves Alex looks around the empty room. His hand reaches into his pocket and he pulls out a small black box. He looks at it in his hand and then looks at Izzie. As if a dam bursts the tears start falling and before he can stop them Alex is sobbing onto the bed next to Izzie's stomach.

"I love you so much. I never told you." He cries unable to stop.

He doesn't know how long he sits there crying before he feels a small hand on his shoulder. Alex jerks his head up to see Meredith pulling a chair over to him. She sits down next to him and offers a gentle smile. Alex drops his head to look at his hands that are still playing with the box.

"I was going to propose tonight. I had the whole thing planned." He whispers keeping his head down.

"I was going to make dinner. I have never made dinner for anyone before. But I wanted it to be special. I even called my mom and got some recipes. I was going to cook her dinner." He pauses as more tears stream down his face.

"After dinner I was going to propose. I was going to ask her to be mine. To take the ring as a promise that when I can bring to a marriage what she'll be bringing. She's out of debt. I want to be out of debt and able give her a ring that she deserves when I ask her to marry me. But I couldn't help it. I wanted something special so she would know how much I love her and that I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

Meredith feels tears falling down her cheeks as she listens to Alex's words. She never knew how deeply he cares about Izzie. Meredith wisely keeps silent as Alex's gaze returns to Izzie.

"I never told her I loved her. Do you think she knows?" He asks sounding like a lost little boy keeping his eyes on Izzie.

"I'm sure she does. And when she wakes up you can tell her so she knows for sure." With those words Meredith quietly leaves the room.

After she's gone Alex puts the box back in his pocket stands up and grabs the clothes Joe bought. He quickly gets changed and walks around Izzie's bed. He checks to make sure no tubes are coming out of her right side that could be pulled before taking down the rail and crawling into bed next to her. Being careful of her ribs he places her hand on her stomach before intertwining his fingers with hers.

Bailey watches this from the doorway with a sad look on her face. She turns and goes to the nurse's station across the hall to get some work done, but still be close by if she is needed. About an hour later she spots Meredith, George, and Christina making their way towards Izzie's room.

"Hey! Stop right there!" She calls gesturing for the interns to come to her. All three look towards Izzie's room before going over to Bailey.

"Did something happen? Is that why you're not letting us go in?" George asks worriedly.

"No nothing changed. Just stay out for a few hours. Let him get some sleep." She turns to see Derek making his way over to Izzie's room. He stops in the doorway and smiles slightly. He looks to see Bailey bearing down on him.

"I'm just checking her vitals. I'll be really quick and quiet." Bailey nods and assent and she and the interns crowd the doorway and see Alex curled up in the bed with Izzie their hands intertwined. Normally George or Christina would make some kind of comment, but the picture before them is just too sad to say anything. Derek gets ready to leave the room causing them to scatter from the doorway.

"Everything is stable. Is she doesn't wake up today we'll take her down for some brain scans to see if there is any damage." Bailey looks at the clock and sighs.

"Okay you three you know I don't want to do this but we're two people short today. Get cleaned up and ready to go. Meredith I want you to take Izzie's patients in 4123, 4126 and 4127. Christina take Izzie's patient in 4230 and Alex's patients in 4230 and 4231. George take Alex's patient in 4222, 4227, and 4231." She says handing them files. "I'll try to pull some other interns to help, but until I can I need you to cover the slack."

Author's Note: Okay, okay I know this chapter is short, so I'll be adding a longer one later tonight. I couldn't help myself with Alex crying next to Izzie. I know many might not see it as manly, but I used to watch The X-Files and the first episode I saw had Mulder crying next to Scully's hospital bed. That scene has stayed with me throughout the years because it was so meaningful so this was my tribute to it.

I just want to thank everyone again for the reviews! I love reviews! Don't worry I won't keep you guys in suspense about Izzie for much longer!