Author's Note: My computer seems to have an odd habit of double posting the first line of everything I write, so I apologise if you have to read this apology twice. Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter, feedback is always good to hear. Here's the next chapter for you, and I have to say, don't always expect them this quickly – I'm just trying to get you hooked you know, normally I'm a bit rubbish at the whole updating thing!
Disclaimer: As before
After his conversation with Izzie, he had found himself wanting to act on his impulsive decision to leave. That afternoon, in a brief lull between patients, he picked up a surgical journal and flicked through the appointments section for inspiration. Then something had jumped out at him. It sounded good, in fact, it sounded really good.
His next stop had been a conversation with Bailey, now Chief of Surgery.
'Alex, come in.' He'd felt the hint of a smile at the use of his first name. It had come for the first time when she'd called him in to inform him that he was being appointed Chief of Neo-Natal Surgery and it sounded weird even now, but he was getting used to it. She now expected him to call her Miranda in return and treated him almost as an equal. So did most of the other department heads, except Sloan of course. But then, he was an asshole by nature. An asshole who didn't like vanilla lattes.
He let himself into her office and took a seat. 'Thank you for finding the time to see me, I know you're busy.'
'Not a problem Alex. You said you wanted my advice about something?'
'Yes, Miranda, I did.' He paused, shifted in his seat nervously for a moment and fiddled with his stethoscope. 'I… I've seen a job that I'm interested in but I don't know if I'm qualified enough to go for it.'
Bailey had been surprised, but she only let it show for a second. 'What is it?' she asked, neatly sidestepping the more obvious question of why he wanted to leave. Although Miranda was pretty perceptive, maybe she knew the answer already.
'It's a Consultant of Neo-Natal Surgery position at a big paediatric hospital in London. I don't know exactly what sort of hierarchy they have over there; would I be qualified to go in at Consultant level? The size of the paycheck sort of implies it's a pretty senior position.'
Miranda pursed her lips and considered her answer. Alex Karev had been a revelation to her over eight years he had been at Seattle Grace, well, for the last seven of them anyway. In his early intern days, he had been nothing out of the ordinary, not in comparison to the likes of Yang and Stevens, but since he had been in Neo-Natal, he'd been a different doctor. Of course, he'd had a good teacher in the early days, but he had developed an extraordinary personal drive as well. She would never have guessed he'd had such dedication in him.
'Well, I'd be very disappointed to lose you from here Alex, but we'll talk about that in a minute. In reply to your question, certainly you're on the young side to be a consultant, but you're also on the young side to be a department chief and that hasn't stopped you, so I would say yes, you would be qualified.'
He remembered he had breathed a deep sigh of relief when she'd told him that. What had started as a vague inclination for a change of scene had swiftly blossomed into a real desire for, as Izzie put it, a new start and there was something about this job that, even in a three line advertisement, sounded right.
'Thank you Miranda. I'm really pleased to hear you say that.'
The older woman leaned forward in her chair and rested her elbows on her desk. It was frightening how much the look in her eyes mirrored Izzie's. What was it with interfering women? 'What's brought all this on, Alex? Are you not happy here?'
'In terms of my job, yes I am. I'm incredibly proud of what I've achieved here and I enjoy what I do. The fact that I'm only thirty three and a department chief is something that I appreciate a lot, and I don't know any other hospital would have given me that opportunity. But… I don't feel Seattle holds anything for me anymore.'
'I'm sorry to hear that.'
'I'm not sorry for it. If… I've spent my time here completely focused on my work and I wouldn't be where I am now otherwise. But I want more than that.'
'As your friend, I'm glad to hear that,' she'd replied. "Friend?", Alex thought dubiously, but it was nice to know he had her support. 'But as your superior, I'd like to say that although I know it's not about the money, I'm sure the board would be happy to negotiate something if it means keeping you here,' Bailey had offered.
He'd grinned, a lopsided smile that reminded Miranda of the intern he used to be before he'd turned into the exceptionally talented, but dangerously workaholic doctor he was now. And then she realised. He saw the moment in her eyes when she joined the dots and he knew then that she had sussed his reason for leaving. It was his reason for everything, although he would never admit it.
'You're right, it's not about the money,' he replied, 'but thank you for the offer. It's nice to know that I'm so appreciated.'
'You are Alex. You're a gifted physician.'
'So you think I have a shout at this job in London then?'
'Well, put it this way, if my reference has anything to do with it, you will do.'
He'd got up to leave then, and thanking her, had reached the door, thinking that was going to be it. Then, as if on cue…
'Are you sure about London?'
He turned, sighed. 'You too Miranda? I've already had this from Izzie.'
'Well perhaps if enough people say it, you might think about it. Your references would get you into any hospital you wanted, why don't you consider something…' Her train of speech petered out.
'Go on, at least say it to me.'
'Well, if that's the reason you're leaving, why London, why not California?'
'It was seven years ago. I need a new start, not to step back in time. That won't get me anywhere.' He had seen the doubtful look in her eyes. 'I mean it Miranda. I'm not going to California.'
'Not even to say goodbye.'
'No. Not even to say goodbye.'