A/N - Thanks for reviews for last chapter. I'm so pleased people are still following this story! Please keep reviewing, with your thoughts and suggestions on where it's going!

ALEX

"Well someone got laid last night, good few days off then?" Arizona said, flashing Alex a bright smile as he walked towards her, fresh from completing his early morning rounds.

Cocking an eyebrow he didn't say anything, preferring to just smile to himself as he flicked through a patient chart. Was it really that obvious, he thought, that he'd had possibly the best sex of his life? He'd been more than a little sexually frustrated for a while anyway, having been celibate for a few months, trying to change his ways a little, before he'd even set eyes on Izzie. So, it felt like he'd literally been waiting weeks to sleep with a girl like Izzie, no make that his whole life, he thought as he smiled even more behind his patient chart.

"Let me guess, beer, late nights and random women? In that order," Arizona continued teasing.

Alex felt himself flinch a little. He'd never really had a problem with his reputation as the biggest womanizer in the hospital. Hell, he'd actively encouraged it at times, but now it felt just kind of wrong. He didn't want to think of himself like that anymore. More importantly he didn't want Izzie to think of him like that. For the first time in his life he'd got the feeling that he actually wanted a future with someone and he didn't want to screw it up. "Ah, I was just hanging out with Izzie and her kid," Alex said as casually as he could.

"Izzie, huh? As in the insanely hot wonder bra model? Wow, I'm impressed, Karev. Your doctoring skills sure made an impression on her. Or, maybe it was your other skills." She said her eyes twinkling even more.

"Whatever," Alex replied as he instantly had a flash back to the previous night with Izzie. He'd slept with more women than he cared to remember, most of them had actually been pretty non- memorable in fact, and he'd never really been overly bothered about pleasing them, his main objective had always been to get himself off and as quickly as possible. He never checked they were okay afterwards and he never hung around to cuddle if he could get away with it. He was in a word, an asshole. But with Izzie it had all been different, he'd waited a long time for her and not only had the sex blown his mind, the intimacy had overwhelmed him. She was hot, really hot. Her body was incredible, her face was beautiful, but that wasn't what had impressed him the most. It was the way she had responded to his touch, the way she had looked at him like he was the most important person in the world, and he had savoured every moment of her. Of exploring being with her, it had all felt so right, so natural. Just like the feeling he had got the first time he had seen her image on that advertising bill board and then the first time he had come face to face with her in the ER. He'd never believed in love in first sight, soul mates, or any of that crap, but now he was staring to think that maybe some things were meant to be. But he didn't want to get too carried away, he was more than aware that good things just didn't happen to him.

"Karev, Karev..I'm going to need you to come back down to earth. Because in precisely thirty minutes time, you're scrubbing in with me on a huge procedure for an emergency, transferring over from Seattle Pres that needs facial reconstruction." Arizona said to him, her face turning a little more serious as she thrusted another chart in to his hand.

"Hey, have you seen the new Plastic's God Webber has got in?" Dr Torres, Ortho Specialist said excitedly, interrupting them as she wandered over to where Alex and Arizona were stood.

Arizona eyed her suspiciously and Alex shifted uncomfortably, Callie Torres was her on/off girlfriend and Alex was more than a little used to being caught in the middle of one of their lovers tiffs. "You mean Mark Sloan from New York? He's taking the lead on our surgery today actually." Arizona said to Callie, causing Alex's ears to immediately prick up. Mark Sloan was Izzie's friend from New York.

"Hey, I'm on your service today," Lexie Grey suddenly said, appearing out of no-where, smiling at Alex as he shot her a confused look.

"Not working with Shepherd?" he replied, everyone knew Lexie's burning ambition was Nureo and she shadowed Shepherd religiously.

"Oh, he's a little quiet, so I thought maybe I should come and learn about another specialism today while I've got the chance. Plus, I heard you have a big surgery coming in," she added talking so quickly, Alex had to take a few seconds to mentally process exactly what she was saying.

"Grey, great, we could definitely use your expertise," Arizona suddenly said butting in to their conversation, before she turned her attention back to Callie again.

"Great job team, the surgery was an outstanding success, so I personally want to buy everyone a drink to celebrate." Mark Sloan said hours later after their surgery had finished, as he strode over to where Alex was stood with Arizona and Lexie.

Alex looked at Sloan as he stood grinning at them all. Sloan was nothing but self assured, confident and successful. He had the shit hot career, beautiful wife and endless amounts of effortless charm to match. He was the kind of guy Alex had despised most of his life, but secretly deep down had wanted nothing more than to be like.

"Oh, I'd love to, but I have a hot date, sorry" Arizona said smiling as Alex realized she must have resolved whatever it was that had been going on with her and Torres earlier.

"Yeah, I have plans too, sorry," Alex added as he felt a sudden rush of excitement at the thought of his night ahead with Izzie again.

"Well, I guess that just leaves me and you then kid," Sloan said, raising his eyebrows and grinning even wider at Lexie flashing his teeth as she smiled shyly back at him, and Alex didn't have to be a genius to work out what was going through Sloan's mind. He was a hot blooded male after all and Lexie was a good looking girl, there was no doubt about that. Alex also remembered Izzie saying something about Sloan being a bit of a player when his wife's back was turned too.

"Oh-Okay, sounds good," Lexie stammered, blushing even more as Mark walked away. Just as Callie Torres came bustling back over to their group, whispering something in Arizona's ear and within seconds they had both vanished.

"You do realize he's married?" Alex then said Lexie, with it just being the two of them, as he picked up some charts and she continued to stare dreamily after Sloan.

"Yes," Lexie quickly replied indignantly, adding, "Actually, I heard him say he was having marriage problems, that's one of the reasons that he's here."

"Really, well I wouldn't be so easily fooled and taken in by his talk if I were you. He's married to Izzie's best friend and she never mentioned anything about them having any kinds of problems."

Lexie didn't reply as she also picked up a chart and they both worked in silence for a moment. Before Alex cleared his throat and without looking up he said clumsily in a low voice, "So, umm...you're a chick, right. So, tell me, what's a guy supposed to do if a girl is cooking a meal for him? I mean is he supposed to bring something? Like, I dunno, a gift or whatever. Wine or some beers?" Bothering about stuff like that wasn't usually Alex's style, but he really liked Izzie, he wanted to impress her, and he didn't want to screw things up by appearing an ignorant douche later on when he turned up at her place.

Lexie's cheeks reddened a little as she swept her hair back and hissed. "Oh, you're asking my advice now, after insulting me and calling me an idiot."

"I never called you an idiot. What's the big freakin deal?" Alex replied defensively as he glanced across at her to see a look of almost hurt in her eyes.

"The big deal is, the guy who told me, and I quote, 'I don't do soppy chick's evenings' right after he stood me up once, no twice, after I slaved away cooking meals for him. Is now asking me for dating tips to spend a 'chicks evening' with another woman." Lexie spat at him in a fierce whisper.

Alex shifted uncomfortably, he was an ass he knew he was. Lexie had been just one in a long line of women he'd treated terribly. But back then he was lost, sex had just been his way of dealing with stuff, he'd never felt an emotional attraction. He had never intended to hurt her though, he thought, as he looked back at Lexie, his eyes displaying a little guilt and remorse. But he was never going to be any good at apologizing, so instead he snapped defensively back, "You know what, forget it," Feeling like an idiot as he closed the chart he had been scanning and looked away.

"I forgive you," Lexie then said quietly, still without looking at him. "I realize now that some things just aren't meant to be, right?"

"Err…right," Alex agreed meekly, sighing a little as he thought how he would never properly understand women.

"Flowers," Lexie then said firmly.

"What?" Alex said.

"You can't go wrong with flowers. Wine looks too forward like you're planning on getting her drunk, and chocolates are nice but she could be trying to avoid them. Flowers though say it all." Lexie said proudly.

"Okay, so what kind of flowers?" Alex said as he picked up another chart.

"Well, without knowing her tastes personally, I would say go for Oriental Lilies. You really can't go wrong with them. Classic, classy and beautiful."

"Thanks," Alex said gratefully as Lexie looked up at him meeting his eye and smiling.

"Ooh, Oriental Lilies, my favourite," Izzie said as she answered the door flashing Alex a bright smile that completely sucked the air out of his lungs. Leaving him just for a brief moment totally lost for words. Every time he saw her it was as though he had forgotten just how beautiful she was. Now was no exception either as he looked at her, unable to stop his eyes from sliding over her entire profile. She was wearing a short coral pink dress with a brown belt, setting off her stunning curves and sun kissed skin perfectly as her long glossy blond hair fell over her shoulders. She was every bit the supermodel.

"Like to come in? Dinner won't be long," she said opening the door wider, biting her lip a little shyly as her big eyes sparkled excitedly at him.

"Sure," he replied as he leaned in, kissing her on the cheek, breathing in her delicious scent in the process, causing an immediate stirring in his groin as he thought back to the night before. He was already more than ready for a repeat performance. Before he quickly composed himself as he saw the face of Izzie's pretty blonde daughter Sarah peering curiously at him from where she was stood in the kitchen doorway.

"Hi, Sarah," he said as he followed Izzie through the hall and in to her big round kitchen to where Sarah was stood.

Sarah didn't reply at first, causing Izzie to prompt her firmly, saying, "Sarah."

"Hi," Sarah eventually said a little sulkily as she turned her back on them and walked over to the kitchen table to switch on the large flat screen placed on the wall. Sinking her chin it to her hand as she flipped through the channels robotically, ignoring Alex and Izzie completely.

"Sorry, she's been a little grouchy all day, not sure what's got in to her," Izzie said quietly and a little embarrassed as she wandered over to arrange the flowers in a vase by the sink. Before taking a beer out of the fridge to hand to Alex, and then checking the timer on the oven as she went on to explain. "She wanted me to take her horse riding."

Alex felt his face automatically fill with concern as he switched back in to doctor mode, and Izzie quickly said, "I refused of course, I know she's not up to that yet. But I think she's just fed up being stuck at home all the time while she recovers. I guess she's just bored."

Alex walked back over to where Sarah was sat at the table and pulled out the chair next to her. This was new territory for him. He was used to fixing sick kids, to brushing off their moods and rudeness and handing them back to their parents when he had done his job. He was never too bothered what they thought of him really, as long as he did his job well at the end of the day. But here now, he knew he had to make a good impression with Izzie's kid. He didn't want to think about the consequences if he didn't, so he said. "You like horse riding, Sarah?" Pressing his lips together as he gave her a genuinely interested look.

"Yeah, I love it," Sarah replied her face lighting up a little as she said, "Denny bought me a horse back in New York, but Mom made me give him back," Her eyes narrowing a little as she flashed Izzie a moody look, and Alex immediately flinched at the mention of Izzie's ex. He already knew he was going to have trouble competing with the fantastic 'Denny Duqette'.

"Ah, that wasn't quite true was it? Tommy was never really yours was he?" Izzie said sternly.

"I could ride him whenever I wanted," Sarah said stubbornly pouting back at her mother.

"Listen, Miss, I told you if you do well at school this year, I'll look in to getting you a horse somewhere near here, we've already discussed that," Izzie said, as Alex looked at her catching her eye to give her a sympathetic smile. He could see this was difficult for her as Sarah's only parent.

"I'd rather just go back to my stables in New York," Sarah said even more sulkily, leaving Alex feeling distinctively uncomfortable as Izzie bought the plates of food over to the table and banged them down.

"So, perform any cool surgeries today?" Izzie said breaking the slightly uncomfortable silence as she turned to look at Alex.

"Actually, yes I did, with Dr Sloan too," Alex said smiling, as he looked at Sarah as she pushed her food around her plate moodily.

"Uncle Mark is here? Will he stop by and see us?" Sarah said excitedly looking up and Alex noticed she looked happier than she had all evening.

"I'm sure he will if he gets a chance before he goes home. But I would expect he's very busy working," Izzie said to Sarah as Alex suddenly felt uncomfortable again at the thought of what Mark Sloan was actually very possibly doing right at that moment and he didn't think it involved working.

"Sarah, baby, I really don't think Alex wants to watch a Justin Beiber documentary all evening," Izzie said to her daughter as later on the three of them were sat in the front room. Alex next to Izzie on the sofa, while Sarah lay on her front on the floor propped up on her elbows as she started at the screen, ignoring her Mother, causing Izzie to shake her head and say, "And, what have I said about getting to close to the screen too. Sarah, are you listening to me? Watch it later please, you're being rude, we have a guest."

"It's alright, I'm used to seeing this kind of stuff at the hospital all the time," Alex said laughing a little. He sensed Izzie couldn't relax while Sarah was playing up and he wanted to put her at ease. Despite Sarah's slight aloofness that evening she was still a little angel compared to some of the brats he encountered at work. Plus, he really didn't mind all that much, if it meant he got to spend more time with Izzie.

As they all stared at the screen in silence, Alex edged a little closer to Izzie on the sofa, brushing her knee with his as they both flinched a little with the sexual tension. It wouldn't be appropriate to get any closer with Sarah in the room, he knew that, but it didn't stop Izzie's presence from driving him a little crazy anyway, and he couldn't help but think about what he wanted to do to her as soon as he got the chance later. And as much as he was fond of Sarah, he silently willed her to go to bed soon, so he could finally be alone with Izzie as his physical need for her intensified by the second, and he gently reached for her hand, gripping it tightly as he rubbed his thumb against the inside of his palm. The instant bolt of electricity hitting him from her touch, turning him on even more.

...

"Sarah, I think its bed time, Missy," Izzie said as the movie her daughter had been watching eventually came to an end. Alex glanced across at Izzie to catch her eye for a split second, before she said again more sternly, "Sarah."

"Okay, okay," her daughter said reluctantly as she stood up and Izzie got up too, to follow her out of the room and up the stairs.

Moments later Izzie was back down. "She okay?" Alex said as he saw Izzie was clutching a glass of wine for herself and another beer for him

Izze nodded as she said, "She will be. I'm sorry about tonight, I just don't know what's got in to her recently. She's not normally this difficult, she's a good kid."

"Don't worry, she's fine and anyway difficult kids are my speciality," Alex said with a cocky but reassuring smile.

"You fancy watching a movie?" Izzie said, changing the subject.

"Sure," Alex replied as Izzie dimmed the lights and within seconds her head was snuggled against his shoulder as he felt his arm instinctively wrap around her drawing her closer. It felt like the most normal thing in the world as they both relaxed, staring at the screen in front of them.

The moving pictures in front of him quickly jumbled up in to a blur for Alex as he realized he simply couldn't concentrate. Without really thinking about what he was doing he then quickly found his hand slowly trailing lightly underneath Izzie's dress.

Responding eagerly, Izzie turned to him and within minutes his lips were pressed passionately in to hers, his tongue eagerly exploring her mouth as she ran her hand over the smooth skin under his shirt and he felt his fingers tangle up in her silky blond hair. As he felt himself getting increasingly turned on, she broke away from him, whispering breathlessly in his ear, "We should take this upstairs." Reminding Alex that her daughter was in the house and they needed to be careful, before they got too carried away.

"You okay?" Alex said his faced softened with content and slight vulnerability as later on he lay holding Izzie close to him in the dark, feeling nothing but completely satisfied as he sensed her trembling slightly against him, as they both took in the aftershocks of the mind-blowing sex they'd just had. Before he had met Izzie, Alex had always viewed sex as nothing but screwing, simply a means to an end. But now he most definitely knew what it was like to not just screw, but to actually make love. To feel physically and emotionally connected to another person. And although it was an amazing feeling, it also scared the hell out of him too.

"Iz," he repeated suddenly, as she didn't answer him, and he stroked the hair away from her eyes to gaze at her intensely his eyes full of concern. He could tell there was something troubling her and he wanted to know what it was.

"I'm sorry, it's just Sarah. I want her to be happy more than anything in the world. But I guess ever since we arrived here in Seattle she hasn't really been herself. I really thought I was making some progress with her. But since she's got out of hospital, apart from that day we took her to the movies, she's been so miserable again. I just don't know what to do for the best."

Alex suddenly felt an uneasy feeling in his stomach as he moved in closer to Izzie and said gently, "Maybe it's me?"

"No, no…..She adores you. She thinks you're great." Izzie said straight away reassuringly, adding, "She couldn't stop going on about how great you were when she was in the hospital, how she would be happy if I dated you."

Alex instantly felt warm inside again, not only hearing what she had just said, but hearing her acknowledge that they were officially dating for the first time. "You think we should cool it?" he went on to say anxiously, his dark eyes desperately searching her face as she looked away from him, her facial expression unreadable at first.

"No, she'll get used to it," Izzie eventually replied to his relief.

"Maybe she's just finding it hard, not having you all to herself anymore?" Alex suggested cautiously again, as he explained, "I remember the one and only guy my Mon tried to date after my Dad had taken off one time, I made the guy's life a living hell. Made certain he didn't stick around." If Alex was completely honest, his behaviour back then when he'd been a kid, hadn't been due to him not wanting another man to take his fathers place in the home, because quite frankly Alex despised his father. It was more that he didn't want another man to take his place in both the home and his mother's heart. Looking back now he could see how selfish he had been.

"No, this is different," Izzie said as her big cinnamon coloured eyes fixed on his face and she said, "I mean, it's not that we're not close as Mother and daughter, because I've always worked really hard to make sure that we are. But, I also know that I'm not really enough for her. One Christmas back in New York, not long after she'd first started school, the teacher asked the whole class to write their letters to Santa, to ask for what they wanted that year, so she could display them up on the classroom wall. All the other kids were asking for the usual things, the latest's toys, gadgets, bikes. But Sarah put on hers, 'All I want for Christmas is a Daddy and a baby brother'. Do you realize how terrible that made me feel?"

Alex didn't say anything at first as he kept his eyes fixed on her face, before he slowly brought her hand up to his mouth to kiss it. He could see how much she was beating herself up inside and he wished he could take her pain away as he said, "Iz, you're a good Mother, you do your best for her."

Izzie shook her head and said, "Well, maybe my best isn't good enough. I guess after Denny, she feels as though, if we ever get close to anyone again, they'll just end up leaving her too."

"You want me to talk to her?" Alex said slowly.

"Nah, hopefully she'll come around soon and she'll be happy again," Izzie said quietly, staring in to space again. Before she took a deep breath and went on to say, "She used to be so happy…..Not long after the Santa incident and I realized how lonely she was, I got with Denny and she really seemed happy then. It wasn't just that he got her horses and took her on expensive trips. She loved him. He was great with her. But then when we left, and he wasn't in her life anymore, she never forgave him, or me, I don't think."

Alex pulled away a little as he felt a slight twinge of jealousy at the mention of Izzie's ex. He had done an internet search for Denny Duqette recently, he was a handsome, successful Hollywood actor. Alex had even seen one or two of his movies. He was every woman's dream and Alex knew he could never ever compete with that. He made good money as a surgeon, but it would never been on the scale that Izzie was used to and he couldn't help but feel inferior in her eyes.

As if reading his thoughts, Izzie said. "Things were never right with Denny though. He wasn't an asshole, he was a good man. He was kind, generous and incredibly down to earth for someone in that industry. He gave me and Sarah everything we could possibly want. But those things aren't important to me. I've never been materialistic, I grew up in a trailer park. The glamorous lifestyle, the fast cars, the superficial friends, the world he lived in, it just wasn't for me, I always knew that. And being with him, I always felt as though something was missing, that a part of me wasn't there."

Alex didn't say anything, but his eyes flooded with emotion as he took in her words and she suddenly whispered, "Alex...I've never felt like that with you."

Alex had no control over his actions then as he put his hand up to cup the side of her face, drawing her lips in to his as they kissed frenziedly again.

Alex just couldn't stop thinking about that conversation with Izzie all the following day as he worked. He was certainly on a high from being with her, and from what she had said to him, no-one had ever reacted that way around him, trusted him so completely, looked at him like he wasn't just a smug ass or a douche bag, but like he really mattered. But he also knew that even though he may have won Izzie over, he still had some work to do with Sarah and that bothered him. She was such a sweet kid he didn't want to upset her in any way, he just wanted her to accept him.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket to ring Izzie, just as he saw her name flash up on the screen at the same time, and he put his phone to his ear, walking away to find a quiet corner.

"Hey," he said, as she replied quickly, "Hey, you're not busy are you? Have you got time to talk?"

"For you anytime," he replied. They'd agreed to see each other again at the weekend, to give Izzie some time with Sarah, but it hadn't even been 24 hours and he already missed her. What was happening to him? He barely recognised himself, he was like a different person around her, he thought.

"I just called to tell you, I can't see you at the weekend. I have to go away on Saturday. It's my agent, they need me to re-do a Bethany Whispers shoot in LA. I can't say no, I'll lose the contract. Plus, looks like I'll have to take Sarah with me too, as my Mom has decided to take a trip to Atlantic City with my Aunt and they won't be back until Sunday morning," she said sounding stressed.

"Iz, she shouldn't be flying, she's recovering from surgery," Alex quickly said seriously.

"What choice do I have, Alex? I can't lose Bethany Whispers. I need the money to pay for med school, to support Sarah." Izzie replied defensively and a little desperately.

"Well, I umm.. have the weekend off, remember? I can stop by and take care of her," Alex said quickly without even thinking about what he was saying. Take care of someone else's kid, when had he ever offered to do that before?

"No, Alex. I can't ask you to do that, I can't expect that. You don't even have kids, I mean.." Izzie muttered down the phone at him.

"Izzie, I'm a freakin paediatrician, I take care of kids all day. I think I'll cope," he replied.

"Okay, well if you're sure," Izzie said.

"I'm sure," Alex replied, instantly wondering whether he'd live to regret it.

"Okay, so you want to order a pizza or something? What's your favourite topping?" Alex said to Sarah, as she just shrugged back at him. Her eyes looking as though she was trying not to cry. Izzie had only been gone for half an hour, and although Alex was sure Sarah was used to her Mom leaving her from time to time, he felt that this was different. Here she was in a relatively strange city still, recovering from an operation and hospital stay, and she wanted her Mom. Plus, despite having been her doctor, he was still slightly unfamiliar territory to her.

Alex looked back across at Sarah, feeling a little helpless and slightly frustrated as she still remained silent. He put his hand up to rub his chin as he searched for something else to say to her. Quickly realizing although there was no disputing he was a great paediatric surgeon, paediatric psychologist maybe not so good. He'd definitely have his work cut out making the night ahead run smoothly.

"Mom doesn't really like me having pizza, says they're too carby," Sarah eventually said.

"Ah… there's nothing wrong with a few carbs now and then," he said smiling, making her smile a little back at him, as he carefully put the pizza menu in to her hand, raising his eyebrows and adding, "I won't say anything if you don't."

Taking the menu form Alex, Sarah looked at him a little suspiciously and it became even more obvious to him that he had his work cut out. He remembered what Meredith had said to him earlier, after she'd got over the fact that he was spending his Saturday night looking after someone else's kid, teasing that if she'd only known he was available for babysitting she would have taken advantage herself by now. But she had then said, that he had to just treat Sarah like he would anyone else, not like one of his young patients and not like a little kid, but to just try and find some common ground with her, but also to remember that he connected with kids better than anyone else she knew, so she was certain he would be just fine with Sarah. But despite Meredith's faith in him, Alex knew that this was different. He'd never wanted to build lasting relationships with the kids he treated in the hospital. Connecting with them over their treatments had seemed easy. Trying to gain the respect and trust of his girlfriends daughter was a whole new ball game.

"So, what do you normally do on a Saturday night?" He said curiously to Sarah.

"If Mom isn't working we normally watch a movie or something. Back in New York we used to see Aunt Addison and go shopping and stuff, but not so much here. Mom doesn't seem to want me to have any fun anymore." She said sulkily.

"That's not true, your Mom just wants the best for you, she's a wonderful person," Alex said.

"Huh, well, you would say that, because she's beautiful and because you looove her," Sarah teased as she smirked and peeked over at him cheekily.

Alex felt his cheeks redden a little with embarrassment as he shook his head and smiled saying, "Seriously, take it from someone whose Mom couldn't really care for them the way she should and from someone who spent pretty much their entire childhood wanting to run away, and even managed it once or twice….Your Mom does an amazing job and you're very lucky."

"You ran away?" Sarah said in shock. Her light brown eyes widening as her blonde hair fell over her cheek and he thought how she looked the spitting image of her beautiful mother.

"Yep, didn't get very far though," he replied chuckling.

"I'd be too scared to run away," Sarah quickly said still looking shocked.

"Yeah, I wasn't scared just stupid," Alex said again as they both laughed a little, before Sarah turned away again and looked down at the floor. "You know you shouldn't give your Mom too hard a time, she just wants you to be happy, she worries about you." Alex said more seriously this time.

"Well, I'll only really be happy back in New York," she replied

"You know, if you give us a chance, we're really not so bad here, you could be happy here too if you tried," Alex said gently.

Sarah sighed a little as she said, "That's just the problem, as soon as I get to like it somewhere, usually things change,"

Alex shifted uncomfortably he knew exactly what she was getting at. So he swallowed and said, "I know what it's like to be a scared, lonely kid, believe me I do, Sarah. And I know that you think if you let me in to your life now, that somehow I'll let you and your Mom down. That you'll get hurt and be disappointed, because that's what always happens. Now I wish I could tell you everything is going to work out just fine, but honestly no-one really has any way of knowing the future, and I can't say I'm perfect. But, I can say that I'm more serious about being with your Mom and making her happy, than I've ever been about anything in my life. And, well, it's early days and I can't speak for her. But I'll make a deal with you. I promise that I won't do anything to make her feel like she doesn't want me in your lives…If you promise that you'll give me and Seattle a chance." And as he stopped talking Alex looked back at the miniature version of Izzie sat in front of him, his heart racing a little as he waited for her to respond.

"Okay, I promise and Hawaiian" she said as she broke in to a wide grin.

"Err.." Alex said wrinkling his brow in confusion.

"My favourite topping, it's Hawaiian," she said as he caught her eye and grinned back at her, and she handed him back the pizza menu...