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Chapter 2

"You booked us a room at the Archfield?" I asked her.

"It's supposed to be really nice. Have you ever stayed there?"

"Just once." God I hope she doesn't ask me about lt.

"Maybe after we unpack, you could show me around."

"Sure, what do you want to see first?"

"Take me to Seattle Grace; I want to see where you worked."

"Why don't we go to Joe's instead?"

"Who is Joe?"

"Joe is a good friend of mine and he owns the bar across the street from the hospital."

"I can't wait to meet all your friends Alex." Honestly I can't wait to see some of the people that meant so much to me back then; I only hope they are as happy to see me.

Walking into Joe's was like stepping back in time. Nothing seemed to change.

"Alex? Oh my god, it really is you."

The minute I hear her voice I turn around and lift her off the ground with a hug. I'm so glad to see her. The last time we spoke she was mad at me for leaving, I can't really blame her, I was mad at myself too."

"What are you doing here?" She asks me.

"I'm here for the wedding."

"Oh." It might just be me, but I swear I heard something in her voice just then.

"Hi, I'm Alex's girlfriend Kelly."

"Oh sorry, Kelly this is Meredith."

"It's nice to meet you Meredith."

"You too. Do you want to join us for a drink?"

"Actually…"

I'm not ready to see her yet.

"We'd love to; I just can't wait to hear all about Alex's life here. He doesn't say much about it when I ask."

Meredith raises her eyebrows at me and all I can do is shrug my shoulders back at her. We follow her back to a table and I never thought I would be so relieved to see Cristina Yang sitting there all alone waiting for Meredith.

"Hey Yang."

"What are you doing here?" Despite the scowl on her face, I know she's missed me.

"He's here for the wedding." There it is again.

"Seriously?"

"Hi, I'm Kelly."

"Whatever." I missed her too.

"So, what's new around here?" I ask.

"Lexie is living at the house, in your old room."

"Who's Lexie?" Oh just someone I used to sleep with.

"She's Meredith's half sister. How about Bailey? How is she?"

"Bailey is fine."

"And the chief?"

"He finally retired, but he comes by all the time to check up on us."

"O'Malley?"

Okay I know that George and I never really got along. Who am I kidding? The guy got on my nerves. There were times that it felt like we could be friends, even though it never happened.

"George is fine."

"Great. How about you and McDreamy?" Cristina has got the biggest smirk on her face. I gotta stop calling that dude McDreamy.

"We're back together."

"Who's McDreamy?" Kelly asks me.

"It's a long story." I answer. "So Dr. Sloan is getting married huh?"

"Yeah."

"So who is the unlucky bride? Anyone I know?" They aren't looking at me, neither one of them will make eye contact. What is that all about?

"Alex? Hey when did you get here? Let me get you a drink, on the house."

"Joe, it's good to see you. How's the family?"

"They are great. Hi I'm Joe, and you are?"

"Kelly, I'm Alex's girlfriend."

After a while Kelly said she was getting tired and so we left for our hotel room. As we lie in bed that night trying to sleep, we could hear the couple next door having sex. They were loud and had been at it for almost an hour. Any other time I think it would have been amusing to listen to them. However it's been awkward between Kelly and me for so long that the sex has diminished lately. I will admit that it is mostly my fault. I have been dreaming of my ex-girlfriend almost every night and I have this extreme guilt when Kelly wants to be with me and all I can see is her. And there it is just like that, I'm thinking about my ex again. There is a pounding on the wall behind us and when Kelly rolls over and brushes her hand down my bare chest, reaching into my boxers I know that I have got to stop the noise from the next room. It's turning her on and I just can't do it. I hear her sigh as I throw the covers back and jump out of bed.

"Where are you going?" She asks me as I throw on a t-shirt and a pair of jeans.

"I'm going to ask them to quiet down."

"No your not, come back to bed."

"I've got to get some sleep and the only way that's gonna happen is if that stops soon."

She sits up in the bed as I open the door to the hallway. I can hear her call my name as the door swings shut behind me. I knock lightly at first and when there is no answer I pound on the door furiously. The door swings open and I feel like I have been kicked in the gut when I see her. She is wrapped up in a sheet. Her hair is wild and the sweat is glistening on her exposed skin. I don't think there is a place on her body that I have not explored; she is as beautiful as I have ever seen her. I almost forgot why I am standing here in the hallway at one in the morning. That is until I hear a voice from inside her room. When he comes into view he doesn't notice me at first. He is also wrapped in a sheet and she smiles as he wraps his arm around her waist and pulls her close to him, nuzzling and kissing her neck.

"Come back to bed." I think I'm going to be sick. He looks at me. "Karev, I'd tell you how great it is to see you but I'm kinda in the middle of something here." After I rip his head off!

"Alex, what are you doing here?"

"I'm staying here, in the next room." Please don't make me spell it out.

"Oh god, sorry. I promise we'll keep it down." God I'm so in love with her, this is bad.

"Is there anything else Karev?" You are such an ass!

"Why don't you go turn the shower on for me please? I'll be right in." she asks him.

"Okay, but don't take too long."

"Just a second, I promise." He kisses her cheek and I swear she looks really uncomfortable by all of this. I wait until he is gone to speak.

"So, Mark Sloan huh?"

"Yeah, look I'm sorry about the noise. Maybe we could meet for breakfast and catch up tomorrow?"

Say no, say no, say no!

"Okay, how about nine?" Stupid!

"I'll see you then."

"Goodnight Izzie."

"Goodnight Alex."