A/N: Hi, everyone. Sorry for the delay again: school has been ridiculous lately, and I had a pretty bad case of writer's block for a while. :( But, I'm excited about where the story is at and where it's going, so I'll be writing more often (I think). As always, comments/criticism are much appreciated. Hope you enjoy!

Izzie pushed open the door to Joe's bar at exactly 8:00 later that evening. She was exhausted, but she could not stop smiling.

Jared's surgery had gone perfectly, and Izzie was filled with delight and accomplishment when she saw the gratuitous and relieved expression on Melissa's face. It was a feeling of elation that she experienced every time she saved a life, and one that she remembered in order to survive her toughest days.

"I can't begin to thank you, Dr. Stevens," the mother had said. "And, I'm sorry if he was a bit rude. Ever since his father died, he has tried so hard to be tough, even when it comes to injuries."

"It's okay. He'll be fine now."

After finishing up with her patient, Izzie had half-run to the pharmacy, eager to obtain her next clue. There, the pharmacist, Dr. Sandra Lyons, had greeted Izzie with a mischievous grin. "I think I have something for you."

"Seriously?" Izzie had asked, somewhat surprised; she hadn't expected the mystery person to have accomplices. Sandra gave Izzie a piece of paper that was folded exactly like the first note, with her name written in similar chicken scratch on the top. Izzie took the paper and immediately opened it. Compared to the others, it was short:

RAOBDRO

"What does it say?" Izzie turned around to see Sandra leaning over the pharmacy counter, clearly curious about the paper's contents.

"Um, it's just…nothing! Nothing," Izzie said quickly, putting the paper in her pocket with the others.

Sandra responded with a pout. "Sorry. Well, good luck, I guess. The person who gave it to me…well, nevermind. Good luck." The pharmacist turned back to the wall lined with shelves full of drugs, and Izzie walked off in the opposite direction.

After a routine appendectomy that Dr. Bailey had allowed Izzie to, for the most part, perform herself, she had cleaned up in the locker room and headed to Joe's. She didn't drink much, but she wasn't on call that night, and it had been a great day worthy of a glass of wine or two.

She sat down at the bar, ordered a glass of white zinfandel, and began trying to unscramble the letters from the note. She assumed that's what was intended, and in any case, it was the only thing that made sense.

"Hey, Iz."

Izzie turned to the left to find the source of the voice, and her heart jumped slightly. It was Alex.

"Hey," was all she could reply. Despite their short-lived relationship—if one could even call it that—she could not help feel a tiny twinge of desire upon seeing his face. There was something about Alex that ceaselessly drew her to him.

"Not on call tonight?" he asked.

"Nope."

"Oh." He turned back to stare at the shelf full of various liquors behind the bar, and Izzie experienced a sharp pang in her chest. This conversation was actually an improvement on the interactions they had been having ever since Rebecca had re-entered and subsequently left Alex's life; in fact, she was surprised he was speaking to her at all. Normally, he would have barely glanced at her before turning away, abhorrence written on every aspect of his face.

At that moment, Izzie couldn't help but be furious with Meredith. She had been the one to imply that she knew about Alex crying to Izzie after Rebecca had been forced into the psychiatric ward, and Alex had apparently not forgiven Izzie for revealing one of his weakest moments to someone else. Ugh, Meredith. She is sad and dramatic enough on her own without rubbing off on other people.

The ire quickly passed, however, for Izzie was almost incapable of holding a grudge against anyone, and she knew it. She heard a soft clink and was pleased to see that her drink had been placed in front of her. Taking a sip, she suddenly had an idea.

"Alex…"

"What?" he snapped. Izzie ignored his sudden mood change: she was used to it at this point.

"I was wondering…Do you want to help me with something?"

"Unless it involves me scrubbing in on an advanced surgery or that hot chick sitting across the bar, no, I don't."

Again, Izzie ignored his comment. "It's a riddle."

"Seriously, Iz? What is this, third grade?"

"Just help me Alex, please," she implored.

He took a swig from his beer and turned back to face the shelves of liquor. Izzie waited for a few seconds, noticing that he seemed to be contemplating something. When he didn't answer, she mentally kicked herself for believing that he would actually want to help her. God, he is such a jackass.

"Fine," Alex said. Izzie turned to face him, surprised but satisfied.

"Well, what is it?" he pressed, obviously impatient, as usual.

Izzie pulled out the note and set it on the bar between them so they could both see it.

"A note? Damn, this really is third grade. Where the hell did you get this?" Alex asked without looking up.

Izzie paused. She didn't really want to tell anyone about this treasure hunt because a miniscule part of her agreed with Alex on it being somewhat childish and silly; yet, she was so certain that it wasn't Alex who was leaving the clues, she saw no reason not to explain it to him.

"I found one in my locker this morning, and they've been leading me to different places around the hospital. It's actually been pretty fun. I think it's George who is doing it."

"O'Malley is definitely pansy enough," Alex said. After staring at the paper for a few more seconds, he finished off his beer and set it down on the bar. Then, without warning, he stood up and started putting his jacket on.

"Where are you going?" Izzie demanded.

"Home. Early shift in the morning," he answered. "Thanks Joe," he added, looking at the bartender, who nodded in response.

"God, Alex, you are such a jackass," Izzie said in annoyance.

He shrugged. "Whatever."

As Alex walked away, Izzie turned back around and stared at her glass of wine before downing it in one gulp. When she took out her wallet to pay the tab, however, she heard Alex's voice again.

"By the way, Iz, the answer is 'O.R. Board.'"

Izzie immediately turned towards the door, but all she saw was an empty entranceway.