Izzie had been sitting on the couch in front of the TV all day, bowl of chips on her lap, TV control in her hand channel surfing. "Crap," click "crap," click "crap" click "crap. How can there be three hundred channels of nothing but crap?" she asked out loud getting fed up. The phone started ringing and Izzie tried to ignore it but after the eighth ring she gave in. "Hello"
"Izzie?" it was Meredith.
"You've reached Meredith, Izzie and George, sorry we cant' take your call right now but we'll get back to you as soon as we can."
"Izzie, we don't have an answering machine." Meredith said. Izzie could almost hear her cocking her eyebrow on the other end of the line.
"It was worth a try." Izzie sighed.
"Don't worry I'm not ringing to talk to you about last night or this morning, although I'd like to. I'm just letting you know I got roped into an extra surgery so I'm going to be late but Derek's still coming back normal time so can you tell him not to wait up for me for dinner? Oh and Izzie?"
"Yeah."
"How are you?"
"I'll pass it on. Goodbye."
"It was worth a try." Meredith sighed.
As soon as Izzie hung up the phone started ringing again. "What?" she snapped exasperated.
"Maybe this is isn't a good time." it was Alex.
"No, no I'm sorry, I thought you were Meredith, again." she added.
"I was just wondering where you were today, uh, are you okay?" Alex asked awkwardly.
"I'm fine, just a head cold, nothing really."
"Do you think you'll be over this head cold by, say, tomorrow night?"
"Maybe." Izzie smiled. "What time were you hoping I'd be better." she said playing along.
"Eight?"
"I think that sounds possible." Izzie smiled.
"I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah. Bye." as Izzie hung up the phone she heard a knock at the front door. "The party never stops for Izzie Stevens." she joked as she headed toward the door. Although her mood took a sudden turn as she saw who was on the other side. She just stood there looking at her father through the glass. She was curious to know why he was there, why he'd come to look for her after so many years but she didn't want to compromise her safety. In the end curiosity always got the better of her. She opened the door, "You know, you shouldn't be here." she stated, a grim look set to her face.
"I know, I just needed to see you, cricket." he sighed.
"Please, don't call me that."
"I'm sorry. Can we, talk?" he asked hopefully.
"What do you need dad? Money?"
"No, no. I wanted to see you, I missed you."
"No you didn't, there's always an ulterior motive."
"No, not this time sweetie. I've changed, I've cleaned myself up."
"That's what you said last time." Izzie whispered, tears rimming her eyes.
"Izzie, please, give me another chance." he pleaded.
"I'm sorry but I can't do that." she breathed.
"Izzie, I've changed." he growled. She could see he was starting to lose his temper and went to close the door but he got his hand behind it and yanked it open. "Why can't you and your mother see that!" he yelled forcing himself in.
"Dad, you've been drinking." Izzie smelt the bourbon on his breath. "Go home and sober up and we'll talk another time, I promise." she said starting to get scared as her father pushed her into the house. "Please go." she cried.
"Am I not good enough for you and your slut of a mother!" he yelled hitting her across the cheek. He had her on the floor, his arm pulled back ready to strike, when Derek grabbed him and threw him towards the door.
"Get out!" Derek yelled standing above his cowering body. Derek's face was filled with rage as he forced him outside. "If you know what's good for you you won't come back." he warned before slamming the door in his face. He turned to find Izzie sitting against the wall, knees to her chest, silently crying. He sat down next to her taking her into his arms. "Shh everything's all right now." he whispered soothingly.
"I'm, I'm sorry." she stuttered through sobs.
"Hey, hey, don't be. He's gone now, you're going to be fine. Okay?" he turned her head to his to look in her eyes and make sure she was listening. He could see the bruise forming on her cheek and kissed it lightly. She pulled his lips to his and kissed him softly. He pulled away in shock leaving Izzie to stutter.
"I'm, I'm, oh my god, I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I, uh, I..." But Derek was looking at the front door where Meredith was standing looking through the glass.
