Izzie felt strong arms lift her up and into the cold night air.
"Denny," she whispered, hoping the events of a few hours ago had just been a dream.
"No, Iz, it's me. Denny's dead Izzie. I'm sorry. I know it's hard. But you're not dreaming, he's not coming back."
Alex. Now she remembered. He had held her as she cried. When no one else knew what to do with her, Alex had showed up. And she was glad. As mad as she was at him, she needed him right now. He knew her. She was no longer a surgeon. But if she wanted to be a person again, she might actually need his help.
"Izzie, where are your pajamas. We need to get you out of that dress."
She looked up, surprised. They were standing in her room. Alex slowly lowered her on to the quilit covering her bed.
"Wait, Alex don't! Come back! You can't leave! I'm all alone, please don't leave!"
She felt the panic rising in her chest. She couldn't be alone. The minute she was left with her thoughts, things would become all too clear.
"Shhh, Iz. I'm right here. I won't leave. I promise." She felt his hand gently rub her back, reaching out to tuck a piece of her hair behind her ear. Alex slowly unzipped her dress and pulled it off, slipping a tanktop over her head and a pair of flannel pants onto her legs.
Izzie was vaguely aware of the fact that she was letting Alex undress her; that he was looking at her naked body and not taking advantage of her. A faint smile crossed her lips. Hmmm, she thought, maybe he has changed. Just a little. Not that I care. I still love Denny...right?
As she began to ponder this small sliver of doubt that had just been aroused in her mind, she felt the quilt being pulled over her, and a warm body crawling into the spot next to her on her bed.
"Don't worry, Izzie. I'm just going to hold you, ok? I'm here."
She had never seen him like this. He looked almost caring, and she wouldn't have believed it was the same Alex Karev, save the handsome face and the hard six-pack she could feel beneath her palm. And there was a hint of sadness in his gaze. Was it possible that he really cared for her? That he was sorry? Then why didn't he say it?
The tears began to fall from her eyes as she realized for the third time that night that Denny was rally gone. She felt Alex's grip around her waist tighten just a little, and she buried her face into her chest.
"Shhh Izzie. It's going to be ok. I'm here for you. You're going to be ok."
And right then, with him holding her, and her feeling completely safe and protected, she felt for the first time since Denny's heart stopped that everything might be ok after all.