Thanks for reviews.

Just to clarify a few things. Alex started his intern year with Meredith, Cristina, George and Jackson and they are now all attendings. Meredith is married to Derek, Cristina is married to Owen. Ellis Grey is still working as a surgeon and is married to Webber who is chief of surgery. Addison is Izzie's best friend and is married to Mark, living in New York (they may make an appearance in Seattle though;) Lexie is a nureo resident and becomes Izzie's friend in Seattle.

ALEX

Alex closed the door to his office and gestured for Izzie to take a seat. She shook her head and looked at him, her eyes wide and terrified as she said. "Just tell me, what is it?"

"We've got the scan results…" He said, pausing. Alex loved the highs of working in ped's, healing sick kids, giving joy to their distraught parents. But the lows, delivering news like this, that was the worst part of his job. He'd known it had been bad when Lexie had paged him earlier, right after he'd finished his emergency surgery. She'd offered to go and tell Izzie herself, said she had a good rapport with her. But Alex had insisted he did it, he knew it wouldn't be easy, but he just felt that it was something he had to do.

Looking her directly in the eye, he said as gently as he could. "It shows a small mass in Sarah's spine. It's very rare, but Dr Shepherd has seen it before."

"Oh, God, no." Izzie said her hand flying up to her mouth.

"Dr Shepherd has reviewed it and he is confident he can remove it successfully, he's done the procedure on adults many times before, it's not a complicated operation. We don't know what it is yet, and most likely it will be benign, so try not to worry. Her symptoms and pain pattern wouldn't indicate anything else. But it does mean we will need to operate tomorrow morning and she will need to stay in hospital at least for another week or so recovery."

"Right, I see." Izzie said as a single tear slid down her cheek.

Alex shifted uncomfortably, as he said kindly. "Shepherd is honestly very experienced. He's one of the best nureo surgeons in the country, we're very lucky to have him here. "

"Will you be scrubbing in too?" Izzie said as she wiped the tear away with the back of her hand.

"Yes and Dr Grey," he said gently, his soft brown eyes desperately searching her face, looking for any small way he could possibly make her feel better.

As her eyes filled with more tears, Alex found he had no control over his actions as he took a step towards her and before he knew it his arms were around her and she was sobbing in to his chest. A damp wet patch spreading across his scrubs. It should have felt wrong, awkward, uncomfortable even, but comforting her had never felt so right to him as he brought his hand up to lightly stroke the back of her hair, breathing in her scent. Despite the terrible circumstances he wasn't sure if he'd ever felt more at ease with a woman in his arms, as her tense body slowly relaxed in to his.

Eventually they broke apart. "I'm sorry." Izzie said as she wiped her cheeks quickly with the back of her hands, rubbing at the smudged mascara underneath her eyes with her knuckles.

Alex really didn't know what to say, he'd never been any good with girls crying, normally he tried to get as far as possible away from them. But here with Izzie all he wanted to do was try and take her pain away, as he said, "Can I do anything? Call anyone? Your Mom perhaps?"

"Oh, no, my Mom will just freak out. I can't handle that right now. I'll think I'll just go outside get some fresh air and call me friend back in New York. " Izzie said as she forced a small smile.

"Right, well Dr Shepherd said he'll stop by when he's out of surgery later, if you've got any further questions." Alex said as she just nodded and bit her lip, whispering a quiet. "thanks."

It was a good hour later when stepping out in to the cold dark evening, fully changed and ready to leave for the night, Alex spotted Izzie again. She was stood by the hospital entrance staring in to space, her big round eyes vacant and distant and her long glossy blond hair falling down her back and around her shoulders as she clutched her phone tightly in her hand.

Alex had purposefully walked past Sarah's room before he'd left, to peer through the blinds, but Sarah had been fast asleep and Izzie no-where in sight. He'd hung around for a bit hoping she'd appear, because more than anything he'd wanted to check she was okay. But having no idea where she was and no way of contacting her, he'd turned to make his way home, or more likely to the bar across the street for a cold beer.

….

"Hey, you okay?" Alex said as he approached Izzie and she turned to look at him still with the same vacant look in her eye and she shivered a little. Alex immediately took his coat off and wrapped it around her shoulders. "You'll freeze out here. You should go back inside." He said kindly.

"Thanks," she said as she looked at him, adding. "I was just taking a moment, you know?"

Alex shifted a little then as he said a little awkwardly. "Umm...I was actually just going to go and grab a bite to eat. You want to join me?"

She shivered some more as she wrapped her arms around herself, hugging her chest tightly as she said. "Oh, thanks, but I'm not really hungry."

"You should eat. You need to keep your strength up. Sarah will be fine for a bit and they'll page me if anything happens." He said as he swallowed, what was he doing? He never, ever bothered about people like this. He did his job, damn well, he went through the motions and said all the right things to his patients' parents, but that was about it. Even with his own friends he acted like a selfish ass most of the time when they were going through personal stuff. He was so used to being labelled a douche it was just easier to live up to it. But he actually felt like he was a half decent human being here with Izzie, so perhaps he did have a heart after all.

Because even though he barely knew Izzie, he wanted to take care of her, as his eyes remained fixed on her beautiful face and eventually chewing her lip, she turned to him and said. "Okay, sure. I guess it would be good to get out for a bit."

….

As they walked in to the restaurant opposite the hospital, the waitress instantly gave Alex a curious look. Alex felt embarrassed, that particular waitress had seen him bring plenty of different women in there, normally when he was trying to get them in to bed and by the look on her face now she presumed Izzie was just another of his many conquests.

Izzie seemed oblivious to it though as Alex said awkwardly. "Table for two, ermm….somewhere quiet?"

"Sure, the table by the window is free." The waitress replied, grabbing two menus, unable to take her eyes off Izzie. Alex knew he would now be the subject of furious gossip here at the restaurant as well as everywhere in the hospital. But as they sat down he realised he really didn't care.

Sat opposite him, Izzie slid his jacket off carefully. He knew it was inappropriate but Alex couldn't help his eyes from sliding over her perfect cleavage and a trickle of arousal spread across him. They weren't on a date, he wasn't quite sure what they were on. But that didn't stop him from wanting her badly, and it was driving him slightly crazy.

He took a small sip of his beer as a sudden down pour of rain thrashed against the window and their food arrived.

Izzie smiled as she said. "People say it rains all the time in Seattle. But this is honestly the first time it's rained since I've been back."

"So, good decision to come back then?" Alex said curiously.

"I hope so, but ask me again in a few months' time. We were really settled in New York and Sarah has been so unhappy since we got here, I dunno, maybe if we'd stayed there then none of this would have happened." Izzie said miserably as she picked at the salad in front of her.

"You know that's not true." Alex replied.

She nodded then before changing the subject and saying, "So, tell me, Dr Karev, what do you do when you're not working?"

Alex wrinkled his forehead, that was a tough one. He really didn't have much of a life outside the hospital. His only friends were other doctors, he only ever went to the bar opposite the hospital, he never saw his family, he'd never had a serious relationship and he lived alone. Basically, apart from his career, his life was pretty meaningless.

He rubbed his forehead as he said. "I don't really get a lot of spare time. So, I just you know, hang out with my friends and stuff and sleep. I sleep a lot.." He said with a smirk, as she giggled and he felt good to see her relax a little.

"Well, I'm a baker. I bake any free time I get. Muffins, cupcakes, cookies. It's a great stress reliever, you should try it sometime. In fact some days every worktop in my kitchen is covered with baked goods."Izzie said, looking down at her drink and smiling.

"Well, I'd love to try your muffins one day." Alex said, as she raised her eyebrows and blushed and they both laughed.

…..

For a date that hadn't been a date, Alex was ashamed to admit he'd enjoyed himself a bit too much. As they stepped back out in to the cold evening, he offered Izzie his coat again. She shook her head as she said. "Oh. I'll be fine."

"Well, at least let me walk you back to the hospital then?" Alex said as they turned to walk back across the street.

...

"Thanks." Izzie said as she looked up at him once they'd reached the hospital entrance and a new downpour of rain started to fall around them.

"What for?" Alex replied as the rain water dripped out of his hair.

"For taking my mind off everything," Izzie said, adding." Because I'm not sure how,…what, I'm going to say to Sarah tomorrow.. and I'm…" She stopped then as her eyes filled with fresh tears.

Alex took a step towards her, he wanted to tell her everything was going to be ok and he really hoped it would be. But he didn't say anything as he moved even closer to her and their eyes locked together. He knew it was wrong, but his body seemed to have a mind of it's own, as his mouth hovered dangerously close to hers. The tears mixed with rain water as they continued to slide down her cheeks and a strand of her wet hair suddenly plastered itself across her lips, and he moved his thumb up to lightly brush it away so he could taste her as he leaned in to kiss her.

Pressing his body in to hers it all felt so right, so easy, as their kiss slowly sped up, his need for her intensifying as he put his hand up to caress the side of her face. Before she suddenly abruptly broke away from him, pushing him away with her hand, her eyes looking startled and a little guilty as she said quietly. "I'm sorry." And she turned to rush back in to the hospital entrance, leaving Alex alone in the rain.

Having hardly slept at all, going over and over the events of the previous night in his head. Alex arrived in to work at 7am the next morning to see his friends, Meredith, Cristina, George and Jackson, all stood bleary eyed, coffees in hand staring at the surgical board.

Looking at it too the first thing Alex saw was Sarah's name, her procedure with Shepherd was scheduled for later that morning and Alex immediately felt a little sick. He knew he'd screwed up the night before with Izzie. He hadn't meant to take advantage, it had just happened, but it wasn't how he had wanted to do things and he felt sure she wouldn't see him in the same way again and he felt nothing but annoyed with himself.

"So, Karev. Heard you took Isobel Stevens out last night? Still trying to sleep with her I see." Jackson said as he patted Alex on the back.

"Oh, please. Still sniffing around Barbie?" Cristina said as Alex scowled back at her.

"He's got no chance…" Jackson added, grinning.

"We were just chatting, alright." Alex said gruffly.

"Yeah, must have been a really interesting conversation you were having, when she was lying flat on her back." Cristina added, smirking.

"Look, it's not like that alright. Her kid is really sick. So just back off." Alex said moodily his cheeks reddening.

Cristina held her hands up then as she said. "Alright, take it easy man, we were just kidding."

"He's just pissed because he's going to lose the bet. He won't have slept with her by the end of the week." Jackson said, gesturing with his coffee in Alex's direction.

George, having been quiet up until this point turned to look at them all then as his mouth fell open and he said to Alex. "You had a bet on whether you could get Isobel Stevens in to bed or not?"

"That's low even by your standards, Alex. Whether she's an airhead or not." Meredith added with a slightly disapproving look.

Alex opened his mouth to protest, just as his eye caught Lexie stood next to George, he hadn't even noticed her come over and she gave him an icy glare as she said coldly. "We're about to do the briefing for Sarah Stevens."

...

Following Lexie in to Sarah's room, Alex felt a flood of nerves at seeing Izzie after the way she'd rushed off the night before after their kiss. He knew his timing hadn't been great, but he'd felt sure she felt the same way as him. He hadn't been imagining the spark between them the past few days, the subtle looks and accidental hand brushes. The way they'd connected.

But as soon as he saw Shepherd, Alex knew he had to put all personal feelings to one side. This was about saving Izzie's daughter. Nothing else.

"Okay, Ms Stevens, well we don't have lot of time. I stopped by last night to see you, but you weren't here." Shepherd said as Alex looked at Izzie to catch her eye for a split second before they both blushed and looked away.

"Right, well today is a beautiful morning for surgery and very soon, Sarah, we will put you gently to sleep and then when you wake up you'll be back in here with your Mom. Now, I just need to take you through the procedure…" Shepherd said addressing Sarah directly.

"Dr Shepherd, do you mind if we discuss that outside" Izzie said anxiously.

"Sure," Shepherd replied. As Sarah suddenly looked panicked as she said. "Don't leave me Mom."

"I'll only be a few minutes, baby, I promise then I'll be back." Izzie replied as she rubbed her daughter's arm.

"But, I don't want to be on my own." Sarah replied her voice shaking.

"I'll stay with her." Lexie said.

"No, no. You go with Shepherd, I'll stay here with Sarah." Alex quickly said.

"Okay," Lexie replied as she looked at Izzie, and Izzie looked back at Alex and nodded. Kissing Sarah on the forehead, as she walked out with Shepherd and Lexie, leaving Alex alone with Sarah.

…..

Alex walked over to stand by her bed as she said sweetly and politely. "Can you get me a strawberry milkshake please?"

"Ah, nice try, but I'm not that stupid kid." He said grinning.

"Ooow, my Mom won't let me have one either, she's mean." Sarah said, pouting.

"That's because you can't eat or drink before we put you to sleep, Sarah. So, you don't have bad dreams."

A look of panic crossed her young face, as she said quietly. "I'm scared, what's wrong with me? No-one will tell me."

Alex didn't say anything at first as she went on to say, her eyes pleading. "Please, Dr Karev. Tell me what's wrong with me? My Mom won't say anything, she treats me like a little kid. But I want to know, please."

Alex ran his hand through his hair. He knew Izzie didn't want to tell Sarah what was wrong with her and how bad it could possibly be, as she didn't want to scare her. Whether or not he agreed with that Alex knew he had to respect it.

"Your Mom, she's only trying to do what's best for you." Alex said gently as Sarah rolled her eyes.

"It's bad I know it is. I heard her crying in the middle of the night. If you tell me, I won't say that you said anything I promise. It can be our secret." The little blond girl said as she looked at him and her silky blond bangs fell across her big brown eyes.

Alex took a deep breath as he said. "Okay, well you know we have to do a procedure on your back, Sarah, to make you better. Well, it's because there is something inside you that's making you sick and we need to get it out to take a look at it so it doesn't make you more sick, okay?"

"Okay." She said, nodding her head, as she twisted her little hands together, her wide eyes fixated on Alex's face as he spoke and his heart went out to her. He knew only too well what it felt like as a kid to feel scared and alone, watching your mother cry as you realised it was all your fault and there was nothing you could do to make her better.

"Your Mom,….you want to know why she's so upset? She's upset because she doesn't want you to be upset…So, the best thing you can do is show her how brave you are and that you're not upset and then she won't have to worry so much."

"Okay," Sarah said again quietly, before she said. "What if it goes wrong?"

"It won't, because Dr Shepherd, Dr Grey and I will all be there and before you know it we'll all be back in this room….. and I promise then I'll get you the best strawberry milkshake in the whole of Seattle."

"Cool." She said her eyes widening.

"And you want to know something else? McDreamy, he's the best 'back doctor' in the whole of America….. " Alex said raising his eyebrows.

"I heard a nurse call him that earlier too." Sarah giggled, as Alex sniggered too and she said. "Dr Karev, if everyone call's Dr Shepherd, McDreamy, what do they call you?"

Alex was a little lost for words then as he rubbed his chin and said. "I'll tell you, but you promise not to tell anyone else…not even your Mom.."

"Promise." She said eagerly.

"They call me, Dr Evil Spawn." He said as Sarah put her hand up to her mouth and burst in to a fit of giggles.

"No way, you're not Evil Spawn. You're far too nice." She said.

"Well, thank you, Sarah, but not everyone thinks that…" Alex said smiling, as he shook his head, saying. "Hard as it is to believe, not everyone likes me."

"My Mom likes you." Sarah said with a little twinkle in her eye, adding. "You're blushing, Dr Karev." As he looked away feeling his cheeks burn.

"Seriously, she is different around you, she smiles and she seems happy. She hasn't been happy for a long time, she pretends to be, but I know the truth." Sarah said.

"Well, I think your Mom is very nice." Alex said to the little girl in front of him.

"All guys think my Mom is nice, she's hot. She's so pretty, when I was younger I used to think she was Cinderella." She stopped and sighed, as she went on to say. "But she never seems to like any guys herself though, not since Denny…" She trailed off then and Alex found himself desperate for her to continue. He wanted to know more about Izzie's history. Robbins had said she was engaged to an actor, but he hadn't asked Izzie about it himself.

"Denny Duqette, you must have heard of him? He's been in loads of movies, but Mom won't let me watch them. We lived with him in his big house in New York, until Mom made us move out. I was angry with her at first, but she kept saying she had to be true to herself and that one day I would understand." Sarah stopped talking then and just looked at Alex expectantly.

"Well, I think you're very wise for a girl your age." Alex said.

"Thanks, Evil Spawn." She said as she burst in to another fit of giggles, as Alex just shook his head in amusement at being such a joke to her and before he could say anything else the door swung open and Izzie walked back in followed by Shepherd and Lexie.

"Sounds like someone is having far too much fun in here." Izzie said to Sarah, as she broke in to a small smile, catching Alex's eye for a second as she mouthed "thanks." Lighting him up a little inside. He played it down, but connecting with and cheering up the sick kids that he treated, were amongst the things that he knew he did best.

"Okay, Dr Karev. The OR's ready." Dr Shepherd then said, as Alex saw a new scared look cross Sarah's little face and his eyes softened as he leaned in and said to her, "Okay, Sarah, I'll be seeing you very soon for that strawberry milkshake, remember…" And she nodded as he turned to walk out of the room, ready to scub in for her surgery.

...