Ok, so it's been a long time since I updated. I actually had to go back and read my last chapter to remember what was going on. Not so good. I'll try to be better about updates, but with school and everything else, I can't promise anything.

Oh, and btw, I don't own Grey's. If I did, there would be way more lexzie action than there has been this season. But judging from the previews, it's looking up.

"Ashley," Alex called, walking cautiously into the guest bedroom, where his sister was lying on the bed, facing the wall.

"Go away."

"I'm not going anywhere, Ash. I know you're mad at me. I know you don't get why I didn't go to the funeral, why I'm not moping around crying. Dammit, if I knew I'd tell you." There was no response from the silent form on the bed.

"I was happy. I'd finally gotten my life figured out. I had friends, I had the girl of my dreams, I was in one of the best surgical intern programs in the country. And then I get a phone call, and that whole world comes crashing down, and suddenly the past that I tried so hard to forget is right back staring me in the face."

Slowly, Ashley rolled over to face Alex.

"That's just it. You ran away from your past, your family. You got to forget what it was like to hear your mom cry every night. You didn't have to live with the memories of your abusive father all around you. But I did."

"Ash," Alex said, a look of anguish on his face.

"No. You just shut up. I didn't get to run away. I worked three jobs to support Mom and me. And that was fine. Because my big brother was off being a surgeon, saving people's lives. But you couldn't save Mom's. You couldn't even be bothered to come back when she had cancer. She was dying, and all she wanted was to see you. What kind of son can't grant his mother's dying wish?"

"A son who's just like his father."

"Alex, no that's not what I meant."

"No, Ash, it's okay. It's true. I'm an ass. I have one hell of a temper, and have a pretty good track record when it comes to hurting people I love. I'd say that makes me pretty much the spitting image of our jackass of a Dad. I'm sorry, Ashley."

"Alex, no, don't say that. You're not Dad. You're nothing like him."

"Yeah, and how do you know? How do you know that I'm not going to turn out exactly like him?" Alex was staring at the opposite wall, toying with the fringe on the bedspread.

"Because of what you just said. Dad would never have admitted that he loved us. He did, at least I think he did. But he didn't know how to show it, so instead he drank. But you don't do that Alex. You spent my whole childhood protecting me and mom from him. If it wasn't for you, he might have kept it up until he killed Mom. And I could see it when you looked at Izzie. You care about her, Alex. You would never let anything or anyone hurt her. Dad never loved anyone the way you love Izzie."

Alex just nodded, the tears now running freely down his face.

"But you have to let her in. You have to tell he what's going on with you, how you're feeling. Otherwise, how do you expect her to understand?"

"Well this is just perfect. I'm getting relationship advise from my younger sister. And it's decent advise, too. Don't you dare tell anyone about this."

"Whatever you say Alex. Just one more piece of advise."

"Yeah?"

"Go get your girl."

Okay, so no Alex/Izzie. But do you like Ashley more? Okay, well I do. She's like a mini Alex. Except a girl. And she told him what he needed to hear about Izzie.

So please review. Even if it's just to tell me that this is awful. Because then at least I know you're reading. So review. I'll try to have a lexzie scene up soon.