Doc Note: To be clear, 'Need' is basically a bit of a re-write of that dark kitchen, alcohol vent-needing, GEORGETOTALLYNEEDSIZZIE scene. Actually, I changed one line. But I still like it. xD

021: Secret

Continuity: Late Season One

Izzie stared at George.

George stared back.

"Don't tell anyone."

"I can't believe I just saw that..."

"You're the one that always goes on about privacy in the bathroom," she reminded him as she wrapped the towel more firmly around her body, catching his eyes wandering again. "George, stop staring at my ass."

He blinked. "Sorry. It's just weird."

"Promise me you won't tell anyone. It was...a spur of the moment thing."

"Don't worry about it, Izzie," George murmured grabbing his toothbrush. "I won't tell anyone that you have 'Michael Jackson's Girl' tattooed on your ass..."

"I was drunk!"

022: Emotion

Continuity: During My Favorite Mistake

They'd had an entire conversation without words. Actions spoke louder than words. Izzie's hand on his cheek. Moving her hand, holding it only for a second, and then leaving. She must think he wanted nothing to do with that night.

But he was lying. He was lying to Izzie and to himself.

After he left the linen closet, George slid down the wall and sat, head in his hands. The rush of emotions he'd felt when Izzie's hand brushed his cheek was insane.

He was only sure of one thing.

There couldn't possibly be a more complicated emotion than love.

023: Dream

Continuity: After Wishin' and Hopin'

Sometimes, she'd jam her eyes shut until she could only see white and then open them again. This was a ritual Izzie had used since she was five years old. Maybe, if you closed your eyes and wished hard enough, you'd wake up from your terrible dream safe in your own bed. Or in Izzie's case, in George's bed.

Unfortunately, when Izzie caught sight of the O'Malleys walking hand in hand down the hallway, she knew this was no dream. It might classify as a nightmare, however.

In this nightmare, George was happy.

So, why wasn't she happy for him?

024: Want

Continuity: After Time After Time

I want you to want me.

"... I still miss you, not the sex. It was not tragic, George. But I'll live without it. But I won't make it if you can't be my friend."

Izzie needed George to be her friend. She needed that security blanket.

But that didn't mean she didn't want the sex. She wanted it to the point of breaking down in linen closets.

Here she was, sitting in the dark, wanting him.

But George didn't want her. He wanted Callie.

And while Izzie needed George to be her friend, she wanted him to be something more.

025: (Author's Choice Four) Need

Continuity: During Scars and Souvenirs

"I need you to get over yourself. I need you to start liking my wife. I need you to like her because sometimes I don't and I need you to talk me back into it. You say you're my friend and that's the job."

"Okay."

"I need to vent, and I need it to be Okay."

"Okay."

"And I need to vent with alcohol." George held up a bottle of bourbon. Izzie moved through to pour the alcohol into glasses. His hand caught her wrist. Their eyes met in the darkness.

"I just need you. To be there for me."