Disclaimer- I do not own anything:-)


George looked out of his window at the brilliant blue sky and bright sun. The weather was uncharacteristic for Seattle. Putting on his black dress shirt he turned his attention to buttoning up the right buttons and not missing one.

After tucking in his shirt he turned to his dresser where he had laid out his black tie, tossing it around his neck he moved to his mirror where he started to tie the tie. He hadn't worn a tie since the mixer he went to for all the new interns... that had been almost two years ago and even then his mother had tied it for him.

Do you start with the left or right side? Does that even matter? Do you loop in towards you or away from you... do you even loop it? Crap. How do I... what is that? George turned towards his cracked door and took a big breath.

"Bacon?" He asked aloud.


Nope too slutty... more for a nightclub. Nah too much like my mother. Meredith rummaged through her closet trying to find something suitable to wear to the funeral. Finally she found a simple black dress. I forgot I had this. The little black dress went down to mid calf and had ¾ inch sleeves, simple yet elegant.

Meredith rummaged through her closet trying to find something suitable to wear to the funeral. Finally she found a simple black dress. . The little black dress went down to mid calf and had ¾ inch sleeves, simple yet elegant.

Today wasn't going to be easy on any of them. Despite Alex, all of the interns and hospital staff had adored Denny and his love for life. Meredith wasn't quite sure what to expect from Izzie. Today they would be coming face to face with the reality of Denny's death as well as his family- who had no idea who Izzie was.

Stepping into the dress she reached behind her and pulled the zipper up. Getting down on her knees she reached into the depths of her closet to pull out her black high heels. Standing up she lifted her left foot and slipped on the shoe and then did the same to her right.

Walking into the bathroom she ran a comb through her hair once again to make sure it would stay. She rarely wore her hair down except on certain occasions like this. Walking out of the bathroom and across the hall again she entered her room just to stick her head out the door as a smell wafted past her nose. Just as she leaned out of her door George leaned out of his.

"Bacon?" They asked each other at the same time.

Together the two walked down stairs and into the kitchen where Izzie was placing pancakes and bacon onto plates.

"There you are! I was just about to come get you guys," she looked at her friend's eyes and followed their stares to the plates in her hands.

"Oh yeah, well I... I think we should start our day off with a good breakfast," was all she said as she set the plates down at the table and took the apron she had on off.

"We should leave at ten to make it to the... to uh... the cemetery by 10:30," Izzie swallowed and continued on walking up to George.

"Anyway that gives us about half an hour to eat oh and I told Christina she could carpool with is so she should be here soon too. George you really need to learn how to do these things. Chin up," Izzie stopped mid sentence as she tied George's tie for him.

"Oh and Alex will be here too... the five of us will fit in your car right Mere?"

Meredith gave a small nod.

"Izzie, why don't you sit down and relax," George said pulling out a chair for her. Izzie nodded and sat down as tears welled up in her eyes.

"I- I tried to start the day off, you know positive. Try and lessen the impact you know? But it just- did- didn't work," Izzie sniffed as a solitary tear ran down her cheek.

Meredith sighed and bent down in front of her.

"Izzie, we will all be here for you every step of the way today ok? Do not worry about it. We are all here to support you."

Izzie gave a small nod and took the tissue George handed her. Soon after the doorbell rang. While George went to answer it Meredith helped Izzie to clear the table and get everything put away.

Christina walked in and hoisted herself up on the counter not paying much attention to the skirt she had on.

"I passed Alex's slow ass on the way here so he should be here soon," she said. Meredith gave her a look of 'show some sort of compassion here' as she nodded towards Izzie who just looked at her friend. Shortly after Christina arrived Alex walked in.

"Took you long enough," Christina said as she hoped down off the counter.

"You were going like 100!" Alex exclaimed.

"Can we go please?" Izzie asked grabbing her purse.

As everyone walked out the door Meredith lingered in the back making sure they hadn't forgot anything. Christina hung back as well waiting for her.

"Mere, I need to talk to you," she told her friend.

"It can wait. We really need to be here for Izzie today it's going to be a challenge for her," was all Meredith said unaware of exactly what Christina had to tell her.


The area designated for Denny's funeral was crowded with family and friends. As they pulled up to the service Meredith noticed all of the Seattle Grace attendants right away. Bailey and her husband were sitting in third row, while the Chief and Adel sat next to them. Meredith noticed Derek and Addison sitting towards the back looking rather awkward.

The five piled out of the car, Alex never leaving Izzie's side. She reached for his hand in support as they headed up towards the grave.

The service started and almost immediately Izzie was in tears laying her head on Meredith's shoulder silently sobbing.

Christina on the other side of Meredith reached over to Izzie and took her hand while Alex still held on to the other one. George sat on the other side of Alex looking from the different people making statements to Izzie.

Once Meredith turned to look at Izzie when she whispered something she caught Derek's eye behind her as he watched her and her friends. She held his gaze before breaking it and turning her attention back to the service.

As the all stood to drop a white rose on the casket Izzie kissed hers as she dropped it in. Wiping her tears she walked towards Alex who wrapped his arm around her in comfort.

After the service all five stood in a circle. Izzie's face showed no emotion. She was lost in her thoughts not quite sure what to think or feel. Looking to her left she saw an older woman being comforted by an older man. Breaking away from the group Izzie approached the two.

"Mr. and Mrs. Duquette?" She asked. The two looked up at her. Stretching out her arm to them she said,

"My name is Isobel Stevens, I was Denny's... Denny's doctor. I just want to tell you he was one of the most awesome men I have ever come in contact with. Please be proud of him and know that he touched all of our lives at Seattle Grace especially me."

Mr. Duquette took her hand and gave it a squeeze; Mrs. Duquette however grabbed Izzie in a hug.

"Thank you for all you did for our son. We are truly appreciative of all the hard work and time you put in for him,"

Izzie nodded at her,

"It was my pleasure," feeling another batch of fresh tears coming on Izzie excused herself and went back to her friends who were all waiting for her.

"Lets get out of here guys," she said. The five slowly moved back down to the car where they all got in and headed back towards Meredith, Izzie, and Georges house.

Arriving home they all changed with the exception of Christina and Alex, crowding into the living room they just sat in each others company reflecting on the afternoons events.

It was quite for almost twenty minutes before Izzie spoke up.

"You guys are the best," she whispered. They all turned to her in surprise.

"I mean, you have been nothing but supportive of me. Thank you, thank you for hanging in there with me and I promise I will get better. I will get better," Izzie gave a small smile tears in her eyes as she looked at each and everyone of her friends. Each gave a small nod.

George reached for the remote,

"TV?" He asked. Izzie nodded, Meredith got up to go and make some tea as George turned the TV on. Christina followed her in and shut the kitchen door.

"What's up?" Meredith asked turning to her.

"You know how I told you I needed to talk to you about something?" Christina started.

"Yes," Meredith replied reaching up for the tea in the cupboard.

"Well, last night I was leaving Preston's hospital room..." she stopped when Meredith turned around.

"Preston?" Meredith raised her eyebrows.

"It's weird isn't it? He wants me to "try it out" whatever the hell that means," Christina exclaimed happy that she found someone that agreed with her.

"Any way back to what I was saying. So I was leaving his room and guess who I saw totally going at it in the hall,"

Meredith turned from the teapot and looked at Christina,

"Do I want to know?" She asked

"Oh yeah," was the reply.

Meredith waved her on,

"Are you ready for this? Addison and McSteamy." Christina said proud that she had passed on the information

Meredith whirled around,

"WHAT!" she screamed.

"Shh!" Christina hissed looking towards the closed door.

"Oh my God!" Meredith exclaimed.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"What does this mean?" Meredith asked.

"Nothing. Who knows if McDreamy even knows," Christina said in a warning tone.

"True. And even if they were splitting up it's not like I'm going to run into Derek's arms," Meredith said pouring the tea into five cups.

"You so wish that were true," Christina laughed taking her cup.

"I know it's true! In fact..." The kitchen door opened and Alex walked in.

"Is that ready yet?" He asked pointing towards the tea.

"Yeah," Meredith replied handing him to mugs. Christina shrugged as Alex walked out and followed him. Meredith looked down at her own cup of tea. What was happening?


After the funeral Derek and Addison had returned home. Addison had been awkward and uncomfortable since she had returned from the hospital the night before. Derek had been irritable and almost silent for close to a week.

Addison couldn't stand the thick air anymore and she wanted to breathe. In order to breathe I need to start this thing. We both know its coming.

"Derek," she called out as he changed in the bathroom. All she got in response was a grunt.

"Can you come out here? I think we need to talk," she wrung her hands. Looking down at the ring on her left hand she carefully pulled it off and set it on the counter.

Derek emerged from the bathroom in jeans and a t-shirt.

"What is it Addie?" He asked stopping when he saw the rings on the counter. Realizing exactly what it was he sighed and sat down nodding his head.

Addison nodded as well and walked over to sit across from him.

"Things aren't the same as they used to be, we are different people," she started. Derek looked at her and put his hand up.

"I slept with Meredith on Prom night," he blurted out. Addison was taken aback. She had suspected it but really didn't think it was true.

Slowly nodding she replied,

"Last night Mark came to talk to me at work. I kissed him."

Derek's eyes got big but he also nodded.

"I didn't intend to come out here and fall in love with someone." He stated.

Addison gave him a small smile,

"I never intended to fall in love with Mark. I just needed someone Derek, and I thought by coming out here and trying to reconcile I would get you back but the thing is after Meredith I couldn't have you back. We can't help who we fall in love with I guess."

"I'm sorry Addie, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."

"And I'm sorry I thought that by sleeping with Mark I would make this whole thing better."

They nodded and were silent for a moment.

"What now Derek?" Addison asked suddenly scared.

"We sign those papers." Derek said pointing to the top of the fridge where he had kept the divorce papers. Addison turned and looked at them.

"I'm supposed to go and renew my contract with Richard tomorrow. I will tell him then that I am moving back to New York."

"I'm not going back to New York though Addie, I'm going to stay here," Derek replied.

"I know. It's what you need to do, and going back to New York is what I need to do." Addison replied.

"Look I will find a hotel tonight and..." Derek was interrupted when Addison shook her head.

"No, don't worry about it. I will call Mark."

Derek looked at his soon to be ex-wife.

"Okay," was all he said as he got up and moved towards the refrigerator and grabbed the papers. Sitting back down he reached over and grabbed a black pen off the counter and signed at all the spots he needed to; Addison took the pen from him and signed her name as well. Taking a deep breath she realized that for the first time in almost a year she could breathe.


Izzie slowly opened her eyes to the scene in front of her. She was lying on the couch, Alex on the floor next to her, Meredith was curled up asleep in the chair and George and Christina lay asleep almost directly in front of the TV which was still on showing some infomercial on a toothbrush.

Straining to see the clock above the TV she made out the different hands positions on the clock's face.

Three o'clock.

Once again she looked around the room at her friends. The people who have been with her through thick and thin and will continue to be there.

"Yeah," she said allowed

"I'm gonna be fine."


A/N Ok everyone this chapter was a little different. I really focused on Izzie and Addison with the exception of the Christina Meredith scene. Anyway that next few chapters will revolve mainly around Derek and Meredith- don't worry I haven't forgotten about them since it seems like they haven't really had any interaction. These past two chapters have been mainly transition chapters. I don't plan on taking forever to update again so maybe tomorrow or Friday I will have chapter nine up! I hope everyone's week is going well! Oh and thanks for all the great feedback, it is greatly appreciated.

-Loti