Meredith

Meredith had just finished a long hard day at work so she decided to go to the bar across the street and burse a beer. Maybe even baby one, two, three or a case, however many it took to get through to not rememner this whole month of hell that was called Derek and his wife. She walked in and sat at the bar.

"Scotch on the rocks.."

Jack

"Mind if I join you?" Jack asked as he caught site of Merideth at the bar. He slumped down onto the barstole next to her and threw his hands on counter. "Same." he told the bartender as he looked over a Merideth, his cheek slightly hurting.

"Hard day at work?" he asked with a playful yet sad smirk. He had come back here to get Addison back, but it looked like he was going to be here a while.

Cristina

Dr. Cristina Yang made her way into Joes and placed her coat on a coat rack. "Joe, get me a cosmo!"

Joe started to make her drink. "Good or bad day?"

"Oh, I had a GREAT day." Cristina replied sarcastically as she made her way to the counter and took a seat. "I had a patient throw up on me, tripped while carrying a bed pan. Oh yeah and then as a practical joke, one of the interns that it would be funny to put a fake heart in my lunch tray hidden under my food. I am telling you if I find out who is responsible for that there is going to be a new food item on that menu the next day."

Joe chuckled as he handed Cristina her drink. "Then I would classify that definitely as a bad day." He motioned to Meredith. "Looks like Meredith's night could get interesting."

Cristina took a sip of her drink before looking down the counter. "Oh great. That's the last thing she needs right now." She sighed. "Well, looks like it's up to me as usual to save the day." She waved to Meredith. "Meredith, hey! How's it going?"

Tag: Meredith

George

George headed over to Joe's after work, hoping that the others were there, really hoping that Meredith would be there.

And she was. With some other guy. She didn't need another guy right now. No other guy. As much as it sucked to say that.

He headed over to them and Christina.

"Hey," he said a little awkwardly as he joined them,"What's going on?"

And then he eyed this new guy.

Cristina

OOC: Just so you know Cristina hadn't actually gone over there yet she was just waving toward Meredith :P

BIC: "What's going on?" Cristina asked as she turned to George. "Well, what's going on is that apparently Meredith is choosing to ignore me." She shrugged her shoulders as she took a sip of her drink. "Apparently the guy next to her is more important than friends." She took another drink. "So, what is going on in the life of Dr. George O'Malley? Oh wait, you're here aren't you? Well, at least you aren't at home on the couch watching television and eating a microwaved meal." She patted his shoulder. "You're moving up there, George. Way to go."

Meredith

Meredith gulped her drink down before her eyes started to water.

"Oh it was a pleasant day at the hospital, watching people getting hacked on and things like that, at least I did a surgery today... Did I tell you I'm an intern? I do surgeries? Yep, that's what I do, day in, day out... What do you do... and I didn't catch your name? Mines Meredith... Meredith Grey."

ALEX


Alex still had about twenty minutes left for his shift. He was walking around checking on people and writing up their charts. It's been a long day. He wanted to ask Izzie if she wanted to go out to dinner tonight. Rounding the corner, he ran into her. "Izzie, I'm sorry I wasn't looking to where I was going." he smiled at her. "Glad I ran into you though." He paused and glanced around before saying anything more. "Want to go to dinner tonight? Maybe a movie?" He stood there waiting for a reply from her.

Izzie

Slamming her locker shut, Izzie picked up her purse, quickly wound her scarf around her neck, and buttoned up her tweed trench. It had been a long day and she was more than tired; she was feeling a bit depressed, which was unusal for her. But she had lost a patient, a cute little boy who had been diagnosed with an inoperable tumor that his parents were hoping Dr. Shepherd would be willing to try and remove. Sammie had died before McDreamy had gotten the chance, though, and it broke Izzie's heart. Trying to push his face from her mind, she sighed and walked out of the locker room, not really paying attention to where she was going as she turned the corner.

"Alex! Hi," Izzie said, a smile brightening her face as she ran into her boyfriend. Boyfriend... it was still odd to think of him that way. "Um, actually, I'm kind of tired. It's been a bad day. Would you mind just going over to Joe's and grabbing a drink, then heading home?" Izzie suddenly realized that she had just referred to her house like it was their home. Praying he would overlook the slip-up, she smiled a bit hesitantly, eyes unsure.

ALEX

Alex smiled at Izzie. "that's sounds good to me. Let me put these charts back and punch out. And of course change." He looked over his shoulder before stepping forward, resting a hand on her arm. "Everything ok today?" He wanted to call her sweetie or honey but didn't think right now was the time to do that.

Izzie

Following Alex back towards the locker room, Izzie tried to summon a smile. "Yeah, it was okay," she said. "I lost a patient, but that happens to the best of us, right? Anyway, I just want to go relax for a little while at Joe's, then go home and get some sleep." She hung in the doorway, waiting for Alex to finish changing so they could go. Izzie had rarely felt more like getting the hell out of Seattle Grace.

ALEX

Alex stood there changing. "I lost a patien before too. Happenes when we lest expect it to." It was the worst feeling,losing someone like that. "At least we did everything we could." He finished and shut his locker. He walked over to her. "Lets get out of here." He rested his hand on her lower back as he headed towards the front door. There it was where he punched out for the day.

Izzie

Enjoying the warm pressure of Alex's hand on her back, Izzie smiled at him and said, "Yeah, I'm past due to stop in at Joe's. I think that George and Cristina said they were heading over there, too." Sliding her hand down his arm so that they ended up clasping hands, Izzie waited for the automatic doors to whiz open, then headed out into the crisp Seattle night, enjoying the cool breeze after being inside the stale hospital all day.

Swinging Alex's hand lightly, she asked, "How was your day?" It surprised her how easy their relationship had become after it's somewhat rocky beginning.

ALEX

Alex held her hand as they walked to Joe's. "Oh, you know.. same ol same ol." he smiled at her and opened the door with his free hand, letting her walk in first. "one drink then we can get something and take back home." He just wanted to relax and being home would help a lot.

walking in he saw Cristina and George already sitting in there. "Want to go sit with them?" He asked.

Jack

Jack took a long gulp of his drink before turing to Meredith again.

"Jack. Jack Larson." he said as she stuck out a hand, a rye smile on his face.

Izzie

A bit nervous about how Cristina and George were going to react to seeing them together, Izzie pasted on a smile and said, "Sure." Waving to her friends, she led the way across the bar and took a seat next to Cristina. Trying to act nonchalent, she said, "Hey guys, how's it going? Joe, could I have a beer, please? Whatever's on tap is fine. Thanks."

Absorbed in her own issues, she didn't notice Meredith and Jack down at the end of the bar until after her first sip of beer. "Oh, whoa, he's hot," she said to Cristina, wondering what was up. "Any ideas what's going on down there?"

ALEX

Alex also orderd a beer. It was something he needed right now. Keeping a hold of Izzie's hand he looked at the others.

Alex turned his head and looked at Izzie. "Hot?" he paused, he knew now wasn't the time to get jelouse."Who's hot?" he asked hoping to cover his tracks.

Cristina

Cristina took another sip of her cosmo. "Oh hey Izzie. Sorry it appears that I...zoned out there for a second." She regarded Alex for a minute as he held Izzie's hand and then cleared her throat. "Yeah, I agree that the guy down there is hot but we both know what that means for Meredith." She took another sip. "Hi, I'm Meredith Grey and I'm a doctor. Oh a doctor, really? Are all doctors as sexy as you? Let's have a few drinks and then go to my place." She paused. "Cut to next morning. Well it was nice meeting you. Call me." She snorted and then took another drink. "Such is the social life of Dr. Meredith Grey." She tilted her head. "So....what's up with you and Alex? Taking in the social life scene?"

Izzie

Laughing as Cristina went through her Meredith impersonation, Izzie toook a sip of her beer and squeezed Alex's hand. She hadn't meant to just blurt out that Meredith's new boytoy was hot, she just wasn't used to having a boyfriend to be jealous about stuff like that. Leaning in, she grinned at Alex and said, "Don't worry. You're way hotter than him. Besides, you've got the hottest girl in the room, so you win, right?"

Sitting back up and taking another swig, Izzie choked a little when Cristina asked her last question. "Um, yeah, taking in the social scene, that's us," she replied, grinning at Alex again. "You know, just socializing... and holding hands. No big deal."

Cristina

OOC: Ok I do have to admit that impersonation was pretty funny!lol

BIC: "Yeah, sure." Cristina replied. "Just hanging out at a bar with a fellow co-worker, holding hands, looking all lovey dovey. No big deal, really." She pushed Izzie on the shoulder playfully. "Just kiddin', Izzie. Hell, at least you got Alex to come here. You know Burke will take me out to some fancy restaurant where I can't even read the language yet he will not be seen here. I mean...is there something wrong with just wanting to go to a bar and have a drink and not want to eat? Do we ALWAYS have to go someplace to eat? Maybe I just want to come back here and get plastered. And maybe just maybe I don't want to hear some stuck up waiter asking And what kind of dressing would like on your Ceasar salad? It's a damn Cesar salad there is NO dressing on it except for Cesar dressing!!"

ALEX

Alex smiled and laughed as he listened to Cristina and Izzie talk about dates. "Maybe I should take you out someplace nice. Something we haven't done lately." He rubbed her lower back as they sat there.

It was good to get out and not care who saw them together. This could be the girl he hoped he'd meet one day. He was thankful that she could stand him.

Meredith

Meredith gulped the drink down and lifted a hand for another.

"So, new in town?"

Social Worker & Alex

Ms. Lucy Davis walked into Joe's bar and looked around.

Alex sat next to Izzie and took a sip of his beer.

She went to the bar and asked for Doctor Alex Karev. He pointed towards the blond. She put a smile on her face and walked the few paces to the couple, "Doctor Karev?"

Alex looked up at the women. "Who's asking?"

She pasted the smile on, "Ms. Lucy Davis, social worker."

"Social Worker?" He asked alittle confused. "Why is a social worker looing for me?"

She swallowed and give him a once over.... Blinking rapidly, she replied, "To give you your little girl, Doctor."

Alex about chocked on his own spit. "WHAT!? "

Her jaw tightened, "Your two-year-old daughter, Doctor Karev. I don't think I can be more plainer than that."

"There must be a mistake. I don't have a child." He told her. He didn't know what was going on. It all seemed like a joke.

She laid down a picture on the bar. It looked like a minature version of him but with tiny Shirley Temple curls, "You think so?"

He glanced down at the picture and was shocked. "She's cute.. but She's not mine. I'm sorry. I would know if I had a child out there. Don't you think?"

"How many women do you think you sleep with, Sir? Do you keep count? Records to see if your sperm always never find their destination route to the womens privates?" she asked, blunt but truthful.

He glanced over at Izzie. He didn't know where thie was going with the social worker. "Ok, so what if she is mine.. What are you doing here?" He was still trying to wrap his mind around all of this.

"The mother of the little girl, Isabella Tiffany Karev, is dead of cancer and you are her only living relative. So, it is your job now to raise her, protect her, and care for her."

Alex's mouth dropped opened. He couldn't believe this. He remembered Isabella. She was nice. They got a long great for about 7 months, then they went their own ways because it wasn't working out for them. She must have been pregnant when she left.

"She left you with a two-year-old who will be three in exactly two months to the day, named Destiny Anne Karev."

"I can't believe this." He closed his eyes a moment. He then looked up at her. "I have no clue what or how to take care of a two year old."

"Well, you can start with getting married. You are a doctor, young, have a record of being a ... err, "stud".... so we are requiring you are married to have her released in your care or she will be put upu for adoption by the end of the month,"

"You're giving me a month to get married?"

She nodded, "27 days actually, before the papers have to be signed, I'm sorry but it took long to her here than I expected."

"This doesn't seem right."

She pulled some papers from her purse and layed them out, "It's all there in black and white for you."

He looked at the papers. He glanced up at Izzie, wondering what she's thinking right now, but yet half scared to know.

"I'll do what I can. You have a number that I can call if I have questions?"

"1-555-376-895, ext. 35," she said, flashing a card out for him.

He wrote that on a piece of paper and nodded his head at her. "Thanks."

"Welcome, I need an answer in two days so I know what to do with her since I am taking care of her currently."

"Ok"

He was still shocked. He knew Cristina and Izzie where both watching and listening to them. What are they going to say or think? Maybe he wouldn't take the child. Then his life would be back to the way it was. He couldn't just ask someone to marry him and be a step mom.

Izzie

Laughing again, she said to Cristina, "You're really anal about that dressing, huh?" Then, leaning into towards Alex again, Izzie let Cristina's ranting voice fade into the background as she smiled at him. "Mmm, that sounds nice," she replied. "But then, I would have to get all dressed up, and you would just ruin it a few hours la--"

Izzie stopped as the woman called out to Alex, and pulled away from him. Something about the look of Ms. Davis automatically put her back up. Looking at Cristina, eyes full of apprehension, Izzie simply picked up her beer and took another sip. Only to be choking on it moments later. Beer dripping down her chin, she softly laid her glass back down on the bar, careful not to splash the picture. Her ears were ringing, the words coming through all weird and tinny. Isabella... dead... Destiny... two years, only two... Alex's baby... married? Oh my god. Twenty-seven days. Oh my god.

Ignoring Alex as he looked at her, Izzie pulled a crumpled twenty out of her purse and laid it gently on the bar, then stood up. Finally making eye contact with Alex, she stuck out her hand, a mute sign for him to be quiet. "Shut up. Just shut up. Don't say a fucking word," she said, face frozen, eyes devoid of emotion. "To think I was almost-- no, nope, not even going there. Just-- just-- you need to deal with this, Alex. Because she deserves to have a father. But don't even think about coming after me. Because I just-- oh, god."

As her face began to crumple and eyes began to tear, Izzie walked blindly from the bar.

Cristina

As Cristina had sat drinking her cosmo, she too had been curious about the woman that walked into the bar and took Alex over to a corner to talk. That of course was never a good thing to happen when one was out with someone they liked. And she could tell from the facial expression on Alex that it was not a pleasant conversation.

Oh boy so much for a pleasant get together at the bar

As she continued to drink, she watched Izzie and Alex's interaction. She couldn't hear all the words but she would hear Izzie's tone and it was NOT good. And then when she saw her tears? Obviously that other woman was NOT Alex's mother.

She rose from her stool and walked to Izzie, taking her by the arm gently. "Izzie, is everything ok? Do you need someone to talk to? Because if you do, I can leave here right now."

ALEX

Alex wanted to talk to Izzie about this. He knew she needed to know some things. When she rose her hand to stop him from talking he listened. But when she told him to deal with this on his own, he knew he lost her. As he watched her walk out of the bar he felt numb. His life was falling apart. He knew he couldn't talk to Cristina about this, she had followed Izzie out.

He looked around the bar and saw Meredith sitting there. He wasn't sure if she saw what went on. Maybe he could talk to her. He grabbed the papers and walked over to her. "Meredith, can I talk to you?" He asked.

Meredith

Meredith's eyes widened.

She signaled for a glass of water and gave Mr. Larson a full kiss on the mouth. Who cares, right?

"What's up, Alex? What did you do to Izzy to make her go off crying? That's isn't cool, Alex. Izzy is our friend, remember and YOUR .. what?"

ALEX

Alex sat down next to her. "Um...ex-girlfriend now. You could say." He sighed and hung his head. He could feel a headache coming on. "I don't know what to do....I'm so clueless Mere..." He glanced up at her.

He then told her everything that had just happened. From the social worker, to him having a little girl who's now two and then Izzie leaving. Oh, and who could forget about the marrying someone in like 20 some days. "Anyways Meredith.. " He knew it was a long shoot but he asked it anyways. "Marry me?" He smiled, he was half joking anyways. "Don't listen to me. I can't think right now. I don't even know if I want to take care of this child." He glanced down at the papers and saw the picture. "I don't know what to do." He spoke in a whisper.

Izzie
<tag Cristina>

She shook off Cristina's arm, not because she didn't need a little comforting, but because she couldn't stand being touched in that minute. Izzie kept walking out of the bar, talking to Cristina at the same time. "I don't know," she said, tears making her voice thick and wavery. "I don't know what I need right now. But-- but yeah, please, come with me?"

Finally hitting the door of the bar, she pushed it open and picked up her speed, enjoying the cooling sensation of the wind drying her tears. Then Izzie stopped and sat on a bench, head in her hands, waiting for Cristina to get her things together and join her. Her mind was slowing down, and, rather unfortunately, words were beginning to make sense again. He has a kid, a little girl. She was so cute, precious, with those sausage curls. Oh god, Alex has a kid. The tears started to come hotter and faster, pouring down her cheeks. She searched through her purse and came up with a ragged tissue, then just tossed it back into her bag and gave up, burying her face in her hands.

Izzie had realized something, right as she heard the words that had reduced her to crying on a bench outside of the bar. I love Alex. I'm in love with him, and he has a daughter he didn't even know about. And he has to get married. Why is this-- I mean, it is a big deal, but-- why is this hitting me so hard? It's not his fault, is it? But he barely remembered her, and her name was Isabella, just like mine. Does that mean he's not going to remember me in two years, or two months, or two weeks, or whenever he's done with me?

Not having any of the answers, Izzie just kept on crying, hoping that Cristina or George would be able to help her figure this mess out.

Cristina

Cristina was surprised when Izzie brushed off her arm. Now she definitely knew something was wrong. "Sure Izzie. Let me just go pay Joe for my drink and I'll be right back."

She hurried back into the bar even though there was now an uneasiness about it. Taking out her wallet, she glanced at George. "George, I'm sorry to cut our evening so short but something has come up. Not that you're not used to drinking alone, I'm sure." She nudged his shoulder playfully. "Just kidding. Look I'll talk to you tomorrow morning ok?"

She then took out some money and placed it on the counter. "Thanks for the drink, Joe. Next time I'll try something a little bit stronger. But you had a good recommendation tonight."

She turned to leave and then looked at George. "Oh and George? Try to make sure that Meredith doesn't leave with that scum bag at the bar. And I'm not talking about Alex either."

Turning back around she headed out of the bar and back to Izzie who was on the bench. "Izzie, are you ready? Is there any particular place you want to go?"

Jack

"Well sort of." Jack answered Meredith's question about being new in town. He couldn't quiet call being here for a couple of weeks to get the love his life new in town. He would probably be leaving soon anyway. He took another deep qulp of his drink and slammed it down on the counter, giving a sigh of satisfaction. He watched as a women walked up the bar and asked for some doctor he didn't. He raised an eyebrow he hear cursing from where the women had just walked and watched as a blonde haired girl stormd out of the bar, her eyes brimmed with tears. He raised a skeptical eyebrow and looked back at Meredith just in time for her to kiss him, full on his mouth. He resisted for second, shock growing inside him. What was she doing? She must be drunk, he finally decided and kissed her back a little before breaking apart. He watched as she ignored him and turned to the guy that had just sat down beside her and the two engaged in heavy conversation. He sighed heavily, wondering what in the hell was wrong with this place before taking another gulp of his drink.

Izzie

Looking up at the sound of Cristina's voice, she smiled with relief. Just the sight of a person that cared about her made her feel ten times better. "Home," she replied, rising from the bench. "I want to go home. Um... did you ride your bike in today? Cause I caught a ride with George, so I don't have my car. Or, um, I guess we could just walk. But it is kind of far. Not too far, but, you know, far. What do you want to do?"

She knew she was pretty much babbling, but Izzie didn't feel up to moderating her conversation right then. She just wanted to get home, get into some old ratty pjs, and curl up on the couch with an afghan and a pint of The Gobfather.

Cristina

Cristina had to pause for a moment.

How did I get to work today? Oh yeah....Burke. Ok this is not tragic.

"Actually, I came to work with Burke. But...it's ok. I'll just text message him that I went with you and he will be fine with that." She glanced around. "In the meantime, I'm going to do something I never have had to do since I started working here." She whistled and raised her hand. "Hey, taxi!"

She watched as a taxi came up to the curb. "Ok, just so you know I have no idea what the taxis are like here so no complaints. We're together so at least we don't have to worry about rape. I can take him from the front and you can take him from the back." She opened the door.

Meredith

Meredith lowered her hand to stroke Jack's cheek. "Give me a few minutes, okay? Thanks."

She turned her full attention to Alex.

"You are asking me to MARRY YOU? Alex! I'm Meredith! Not Izzy! Ask Izzy! I mean, you aren't going to ask Christina cause Preston would KILL you.... and that leaves just me.... and I.... I'm so fucked up, my life... with Derek and Addison... what WOULD I do with a child and husband? I'd make a TERRIBLE wife!

Jack

Jack nodded to Meredith and watched as she turned around again. He cocked an eyebrow when he heard the word marry, and child. This was definatly a weird bunch, he decided before turning to the bar tender.

"Can I get a rum and coke?" he asked, he need something else right now. He nodded and thanked the bar tender as the drink was sat down in front of him. He downed have of it in one shot and gasped for breathe when he was done before finishing off the rest of it. He was going to be hammered by the end of this night.

ALEX

Alex sighed. "I'm sorry Mere, I'm screwed up right now. I really don't know what to do. And besides, I can't ask her. She just left me. She hates me. It's not my fault, I didn't even know I had a kid." he took a breath. "She probably hates kids or something. If I knew.. I would have told her, honest." He shook his head. "I have no clue what to do." He glanced around the bar for a moment.

Looking back at Meredith he spoke again. "I don't want to lose her though, I....I love her." He made a weird face. "Sorry, that's just the first time I've said it. But it's the truth. I love her." He took her hands in his. "How do I make this better? Hell worse comes to worse, I will ask Cristina just SO Burke kills me." he teased.

Izzie

"A taxi's just fine with me," she replied, wiping her nose on her sleeve. Izzie wasn't exactly worried about cleanliness right then. Sliding into the back of the cab, she gave the driver her address, then leaned her head against the cool window, waiting for Cristina to get in, too. Izzie didn't talk at all during the ride, knowing that if she started talking she would never stop, and rather unwilling to air all of her problems in front of the driver that was a bit too interested in checking them out in the rearview mirror.

Finally they reached the house. Izzie dug in her purse, coming up with another rumpled twenty, and handed it to the driver. "Keep it," she said, wanting out of the stale cab and back into the fresh air. Hopping out, she turned to Cristina while searching for her keys, and the rant began.

"I know that it's not his fault, you know? I mean, okay, he has a kid, a lot of people have kids. But it's just-- just-- he barely remembered her! He had a kid with her, and he barely remembered her! How many people do you have to sleep with before you start forgetting their names?" she said, having a difficult time fitting the key into the lock. "How long is it going to take before he gets bored and totally forgets me, Cristina?"

~George~

George's face fell first and he watched Meredith with this "hot" guy and then as a woman came in for Alex, and things just got worse.

Maybe it was completely womanly of him, but something about sitting at Joe's and trying to enjoy a beer while his friend was in pain, didn't sit right with him.

He felt torn between blowing up at Alex and going after the girls. Izzie had looked devastated. He had no clue what had happened, but he knew it really wasn't good when Christina came in and said she was leaving.

And for a moment, he simply fumed at Alex, watching him with Meredith now. And he wanted to know what ahd happened. What had he done? What was going on?

And then like a ton of bricks, it hit him.

The girls ahd left. Izzie had come with him. This ahd the potential to become monumentally bad. What if they walked home? Anything could happen.

"Hey, thanks Joe, see you later," he mummbled, throwing some money on the counter, just because, and heading out to his car. he hoped that Cristina had brought her bike. Or that they had found another ride. Another SAFE ride.

He hurried to his car and got in, tkaing the most direct route to their house, hoping to see them if they'd decided to walk. And when he reached home with no sign of the girls, he started to panic a little. But maybe they were already here.

He walked into the house, torn between calling out for them and quietly seeking them out. Afterall he didn't want to get yelled at for being a jerk in a sensitive situation.

Cristina

Each time that the taxi driver looked back at them in the rearview mirror, Cristina gave him the most psychotic look she could muster. She figured if the man thought she looked psychotic that he would just leave them alone. But it was also hard for her to do that when her friend was sitting next to her and obviously quite hurt. The silence between them was deafening and Cristina was not one who particularly liked silence either.

Which is why she was relieved as hell when the taxi cab finally pulled up to it's destination. She watched as Izzie took care of the fare and before stepping out of the cab, gave him another psychotic look. She then walked back toward Izzie.

As Cristina listened to the rant, her eyes widened and then she put up a hand. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. You're saying that Alex has a kid? He...has a kid but he barely remembers who the woman is that he slept with?" She reached into her purse and pulled out her keys. Pulling up a particular one, she placed it in the lock. "What can I say? Meredith has had so many....incidents that she needs to talk on that she just gave me my own key so she doesn't need to come to the door."

Unlocking and opening the door, she gently led Izzie inside and over to the couch. "Ok, now sit down and catch your breath for a minute. Ok, first things first, I have not personally slept with that many men and I can remember their names. Therefore I really can't answer that first question. Second of all...well we have to face facts in that men don't think like we do. I mean as much as I care for Preston, sometimes he drives me nuts! I realize that no one on this planet is perfect but with men....they just push boundaries sometimes. And if Alex were to forget you then he wasn't worth it to begin with, Izzie. I think what you need to do is sit down and ask yourself is this a relationship worth pursuing if it's going to cost you so much pain?"

OOC: Big joint Izzie/Alex/George/Social Worker/Alex's Kid Post Here. BIC:

Sitting down on the sofa like she was told, she listened to Cristina, then replied, "That's just the problem, Cristina. It is worth the pain. I mean, I was hoping it was worth it, that he was worth it. And now all of this happens, and I just don't know anymore." Standing up, she walked back towards the kitchen, started a pot of coffee and was searching through the freezer for her ice cream when she heard the door open. "I really hope that is George," she said to Cristina, then called out. "Hey, whoever that is, we're back here!"

George heard Izzie call out to him as he entered the apartment. She at least sounded better than she had looked earlier. Still upset, but not all racking sobs. Although he supposed upset was upset and it didn't really make a difference. He moved to the kitchen and gave a small wave to Cristina before looking over at Izzie. It was still pretty bad. And it killed him to see her so upset. It almost made him want to go back to the bar and yell at Alex. Even if he had no clue what he was yelling about. Now he needed to come up with something to say. Something at least a little intelligent. Are you okay, seemed far from appropriate. It was obvious she wasn't . And was she at the hugging place, or not yet. So instead, he guided her to a seat in the kitchen before finding her ice cream for her and making her a bowl. he set it down in front of her. "So what's going on?" he asked her gently, hoping she'd wanna talk about it, but totally cool, if she just wanted to eat her ice cream and sit in silence. Although he couldn't resist sending a curious glance in Cristina's direction.

"Oh, hey, George," Izzie said, shooting him a weak smile as she let him guide her to a stool and plunk her ice cream down. "Thanks. Um... a lot's going on." She was slowly recovering from her shock, and was moving on to being a little bit embarrassed for sobbing all over the place. Dipping up a spoonful of Gobfather, she slowly swallowed it, and then looked at her best friend. "Alex has a kid. A little girl, named Destiny, who has to be the cutest thing I've ever seen. She's two. George... Alex has a kid." Feeling the tears well up again, she tried to angrily wipe them away, but no luck. They started running down her face, slower this time, and dripping into her ice cream bowl.

Of anything she could've said, that was the one thing that could've shocked him into speechlessness. But now was not the time to fumble around or be speechless. But what was he supposed to say? Gee, I'm sorry, didn't seem right, but it was the only thing springing to mind. Okay, George, think. Just think. Alex had a kid. Okay, so not so unreasonable. He did sleepa round. But what's past was past. Not that any of that would help Izzie right now. "Asshole," was all that he could mutter while he thought the problem over. Even if it was unintentional, he'd really hurt Izzie here, and that made him an asshole. When he noticed Izzie crying harder, he moved to sit next to her, still not sure what to say. "Hey," he said, putting his hand on her back, trying to reassure her,"This will all work out..." Eventually. It would all work out, eventually. "Sooner than you think," he promised. Besides Alex ahving a kid wasn't really the end of the world, was it? It just meant that now he ahd to really step up to the plate. Be an adult.

*RING* * RING* goes the telephone.

"But it's not going to all just work out, George!" Izzie exploded, standing up from the counter, but not forgetting her ice cream. She waved the spoon about, emphasizing her words. "Not only does he have a kid, but he has to get MARRIED now if he wants to keep her! MARRIED, George! And if he even thinks of asking me, I'll-- I'll-- I'll ram this spoon right up his-- would someone answer that phone?!"

George was taken aback by Izzie's outburst. Maybe he deserved parts of it, but still taken aback. And the speechlessness, it ahd come again. He sighed. How come the phone never rang when you wanted it to? But always rang when you needed a minute? "I got it," he said to Izzie, moving to answer the phone. "Hello?"

"Yes, Izzie Stevens, please," the social worker said on the other end.

"Can I ask who's calling?" George asked, not liking that a voice he didn't even remotely recognize was on the toher end. Izzie didn't need anything else to rile her up right now, or upset her.

"It better not be Alex," Izzie warned from the background, still brandishing the spoon. "If it is, just hang up! I mean it, George!"

"This is Lucy Davis, a social worker, I really need to speak with her please."

George covered up the receiver and looked at Cristina and then Izzie, not wanting to be the ebarer of bad news. he ahd a feeling this was one of those kill the messenger moments. "It's the social worker," he said in hushed tones, not knowing if he should ahng up, or give the phone to Izzie, or try to field the call.

Izzie slowly sat back down, placing the spoon and bowl on the counter. "Why would she be calling here?" she asked. "It doesn't make any sense. Does she want to talk to me?"

"Yeah," George siad with a nod, ignorign the questions to which he didn't ahve any answers. "Do you wanna take it?"

"Um, yeah, sure," she replied, holding out her hand for the phone. Izzie was still kind of surprised the social worker would be calling her, but she wanted to know why more than she didn't want to talk to the lady.

Alex was sitting there looking at her. He needed to speak with Izzie even if it wasn't what she wanted. "Mere, I need to fix this. And I have to do it now rather then later. "

Taking the portable from George, she said, "Hello?"

"Yes, hello, is this Izzie Stevens, the Doctor from Steattle Grace?"

"Yes," she replied, trying to strengthen her voice, which was a bit hoarse after all the crying and yelling. "May I ask what your name is?"

"Lucy.... Lucy Davis, I'm a social worker here in New Orleans... I am in posession of a small child but she isn't what I am calling about. I'm calling in reference to your co-worker, Alex Karev."

"What about Dr. Karev?" she asked, worried that this woman was going to start asking her about Alex's character or something. Lord knows, in her state of mind, she would have a hard time saying anything nice.

"I'm calling because I need references you see. To make sure, if he can come through on his part, giving him his daughter is still the right thing to do. I have to speak to Dr. Burke, Dr. Sheperd, Dr. O'Malley, Dr. Grey, and Dr. Yang as well besides his superiors.... before I make my final decision."

Meredith nodded, "Okay, go to Izzie's and fix it, okay? I got this guy to handle anyway, I got my cell if you need me," she said with a fierce hug.

Alex hugged her back. "Thanks Mere. I'll see you later." He said and paid for the drink and ran out of the bar. Getting in his car he drove over to Izzie's place. Driving the speed limit. He didn't want to get a speeding ticket or in an accident. that was the last thing he needed.

"Oh," Izzie replied, her worst fears realized. "Well, Dr. Yang and Dr. O'Malley are here with me, and this is where Dr. Grey lives too, so you can talk to them when we're finished. But I don't know what kind of reference I can give."

"Oh good, so... what can you tell me about him? Do you think he'd make a good father? His night habits? Women? Sleeping around? Work hours, Etc?"

George heard frantic knocking on the door. What now? Couldn't they just ahve a minute or two to sort things out ebfore the outside world moved in like vultures. Izzie didn't need all of these distractions right now. He opened the door to see Alex. And the hits just kept on coming. He closed the door and moved out onto the porch. As absurd as the thought was. hew as going to do everything in his power to keep Alex from going into the house, at least tonight. Izzie didn't need this tonight. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice colder than he even intended.

Izzie almost choked on air, and her eyes grew round. Sleeping around? Women? Oh god, she was in trouble now. What to say, what to say... "I think Alex would make a very good father," she replied, words sticking in her throat. "He's, um... nice. And- and- and smart. So that helps, right?" She gave a nervous laugh.

"I need the truth, Ms. Stevens, we do routine checks and if we find it was a lie, Destiny will be removed without notice."

Alex looked at George. "George, I need to talk to her. It's very important." He stood there looking at him but then trying to look inside too.

"That is the truth!" Izzie said, voice becoming heated. Who the hell did this chick think she was? "Alex is a good person, Ms. Davis. He would do the best he could for his daughter,
I know that for sure. And that means that he would work his ass off to make her happy, because for doctors, failure isn't an option. So what else do you want to know?"

"Well, how many hours a day and night does it work? Does he have many women callers? Would he be there for her birthdays? Show plays?"

George felt, well, defeated. Izzie was broken up in there. And tlaking to Alex, actually tlaking to him, he was sure would help. But he wasn't sure she could handle it tonight, that actual speaking would occur. She'd probably yell, be angry, say something she'd regret. That wouldn't help anyone or anything here. And he knew that the girl isnide would ahte him forever if he simply elt Alex walk on in and shake up her world for the second time tonight. But looking at Alex, well, he almost looked desperate. Be strong O'Malley. "Look, tonight's not a good night..." he tried to be tactful about it, tried not to yell at Alex for reducing Izzie to tears earlier, for being a stupid jerk....the list went on.

"I think he would be, yes," Izzie replied, not wanting to lie, but not wanting to give the bald truth either. "And he works quite a few hours, we all do. But he would make time for a daughter."

She sighed, "And the women, Ms. Stevens? He can't have women pararding around. I have some literature here from sources, ex-girlfriends saying he is a playboy to say the least."


"Look, I screwed up. I know that. I need to fix it now. It's now or never." he took a breath. "Please, I love her George, I don't want to lose her."

"He's not a playboy," she said. "He's just like any other guy. And he hasn't been playing around lately. Or at least he better not have been." The last part she mumbled under her breath, then caught herself, and said, "He wouldn't do anything to hurt his daughter, Ms. Davis. I know that for sure."

"Alright, can you put someone else on the phone, please and thank you for your time," she said in a nice voice.

"Sure," Izzie replied, hoping she hadn't made things worse. "George?" She looked around the kitchen, realizing for the first time he had gone. Distantly hearing his voice coming from the front of the house, she said, "Hold on just a second." She plugged the mouthpiece with her palm to muffle any noise, and then to the front door and opened it, peering out. "George?" she said again. "Are you out here?"

Alex heard Izzie's voice and turned to look at where the sound came from.

Why did it ahve to be now? WHy not even tomorrow? First thing in the morning? At least then Izzie would be rested, maybe more clearheaded.
"You screwed up?" he said indignantly to Alex. "You screwed up?" he shook his head,"You did so much more than screw up. She hasn't stopped crying yet. And here you are trying to play prince charming, hoping to sweep her off her feet again...trying to make light of the situation...You can't just laugh this off and pretend like it was a bad joke.." He hoped Alex realized he actually had to deal with this.

Alex just shook his head at George. He couldn't wait on this.

"You aren't fixing this now, no matter what." It was biger than that. And then he ehard Izzie's voice. She sounded small to him even now. He turned aorund, trying to usher her into the house.

Izzie had heard the end of George's conversation, and realized Alex must be out there. "No, George," she said, stepping out onto the porch. "Here, take it. She wants to talk to you. Be nice, okay?" She handed George the phone, and then stood looking at Alex. "What do you want?" she finally asked.

"Hello?" George answered the phone,s till mad at Alex, and worried about what might happen on the front porch.

"Yes, hello?"

"We need to talk. " He paused to look at her. "Just because this happened, doesn't mean I want to lose you." He took a step towards her. "Izzie, I love you." He finally told her.

"Who is this?" George asked, feeling completely frazzled,"The social worker?" Still?

"Yes, may I ask who I am speaking to?"

"Are you kidding me?!" she asked, eyes flashing. "You tell me this now? Tonight? Right after I find out you have a kid with another woman? Oh, great timing, Alex. Just perfect." Her voice had become bitter, and she turned from him, running her hands through her hair, trying to think.

"George...O'Malley, George O'Malley," George responded.

"This is Lucy Davis, I need to speak with you about Alex Karev's character references if you have a moment."

Goerge ran his ahdn through his hair, trying to heed Izzie's advice. be nice. "Yeah, I ahve a minute." He must sound so rude, but he was beyond worried about Izzie right now.

"Does Mr. Karev sleep around?"

"Look, I'm sorry. If I had known I had a child, I would have told you. But that doesn't explain why I didn't tell you I was married before."

"You were married! Oh my god! Are you kidding me?" Izzie said, knowing she was really repeating herself. But she had no idea that his was coming. "This is unbelievable, Alex. Just unbelievable. Right when I let myself trust you again, this is all just dumped in my lap. That's what I get for dating the bad boy, isn't it?"

Does Alex sleep around? let me laugh now. That's putting it lightly. But that wasn't being nice. "He's a single guy," George answered,"A normal, single guy. He does what normal single guys do...but until recently, he was in a relationship.
No sleeping around." It wasn't a total lie. but it wasn't the truth either.

"I see... and how many hours a day does he work, total?"

"He's a doctor," George said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. These were ridiculous questions. "But he would be there for his daughter..."

He sighed. What else was he supposed to do. "I'm sorry. I'm pretty sure even you have something your not telling me. Everyone does. So why does this make a difference?"

He hoped anyway. he didn't think Alex was that clueless. "And he has peopel here that would help him..."

"Oh, I don't know, Alex," Izzie said, voice muffled as she sat on the floor of the porch, back propped up against the wall, head in her hands again. "It's just different. I mean, how would you react if you found out I had been married before? And had a kid? And didn't tell you about it, then go, woops, sorry, but I love you... would you know what to do, either?"

"That's in the past. Things happen. All that matters now is now." He sat down next to her but more or less facing her.

"Honestly, this isn't about who will help him, this is about HIM doing it. If HE can not be there, basically all the time she needs it. Daycare, fevers, nightmares, plays, naps, pottys, crying, love, kisses, time outs, etc, then he can't have her. If instead, his life is his work and women, he has no time for Destiny and she is better off being adopted."

"And right now, you need to take care of your daughter," Izzie said, looking up at him, face streaked with tears. "Do you know who that is on the phone? That's the social worker, Ms. Davis, and she's calling everyone and checking up on you, asking all kinds of questions. You need to decide right now if you want your daughter, Alex, because Ms. Davis sounds more than willing to take her away from you."

"If picking her means losing you.. I can't do it." He told Izzie.

"She's your kid, Alex," Izzie said, strangely angry with him for being so willing to give Destiny up. "You can't just turn away from her like she's nothing. That's not right, and you know it."

"What? NO," George siad,"I didn't say that." he hated what he was about to say becuase he was so amd at Alex,"Alex would be a great dad. No one plans to be a dad. You can't judge the kind of parent he will be on how he behaves now. I mean partying teenagers get pregnant and rise to the occassion...." he was getting off topic. "All I'm saying is nobody lives their lives so that they look good on paper incase they discover they ahve children somewhere. But that doesn't mean that they can't change the way they live their lives, so they can have those kids around. And Alex would do that. he'd step up. He'd be a good dad."

He reached over and took her hand in his. "I don't want to lose you either."

She reluctantly let him take her hand. "No one's saying you'll loose me, Alex," Izzie replied. "I'm mad at you right now, and confused, and sort of hurt, I guess, but I-- I think that I'm not walking away."

"I'm afraid we have no choice, Mr. O'Malley. Pregnant teenagers are different from the situation Mr. Karev is in, I agree but the law is different too. I'm afraid so far, my facts don't find he's step to the plate. He didn't even ask to see her once throughout our whole conversation."

"Good, I don't think I can deal with that." He smiled at her somewhat. "Um, Would you mind going with me in the morning to see her?"

"Because you surprised him," George siad,"I'm sure fi you tlaked to him now...he'd say differently..." Although George couldn't say he was entirely impressed with this new bit of information himself.

Alex knew that if he asked her right now to marry him that she wouldn't because of everything that has gone on. Taking a few days to get back on track sounded good.

"You mean to see Destiny?" she asked. "She's in Seattle? Um... sure, I guess." Izzie wasn't positive about what she was doing, but she couldn't let Alex just walk away from his daughter, either. She knew how horrible it was to do that and didn't wish it on her worst enemy, much less the man she was in love with. "Did you make an appointment with the social worker to see her yet?"

"Alright, well, I'll let you go, Mr. O'Malley and speak to the others later, thank you for your time."

"no, I was going to call her but I wanted to talk with you first."

"Well, get the phone from George, she's on it right now," Izzie said, standing up. "Hurry, hurry, it's late, and you might not be able to get a hold of her tomorrow. George!" She went into the house, still shouting for her friend.

Alex stood up and followed Izzie into the house.

"Bye," George siad about to ahng up when Izzie yelled for him. Hew asn't sure how tof eel about the phone call he just had, but he was curious about the commotion Izzie was causing. Was she okay? "Yeah," he asked, walkign towards the door, the phone momentarily forgotten.

"Is Ms. Davis still on the phone?" Izzie said, spotting it in George's hand. "Alex needs to talk to her." She forgot that she had probably scared George half to death earlier, and was now acting like everything was okay. She just wanted to fix things with Alex and his daughter before worrying about her relationship with him.

"Ummm....yeah," George said, handing her the phone, wodnering what the hell was going on.

"Here, Alex, you talk to her," Izzie said, passing the phone off to him, then shooting George a bit of a smile as she waited to hear what Alex was going to say.

Alex took the phone from her and smiled some. "Hi, Ms. Davis?" He asked, wanted to make sure it was her.

Lucy shifted the phone to her right ear, "Yes?"

"Hi, um.. It's Alex Karev." He told her. "I um, was just wondering. Can my girlfriend and I stop by in the morning to see Destiny?" He asked, wanting to know if it would be ok.

"And who is your girlfriend?" she asked, taking notes.

"Oh crap, George, I didn't tell her I was dating him," Izzie whispered. "I was so pissed off at the time, and well, things change, but you don't think she's going to take points off or something, do you?"

Alex swallowed. "Izzie Stevens."

"I'm sure she won't," George siad, trying to be reassuring, but he really didn't know how these things worked. He'd mentioned him in a relationship, although it probably sounded like a pat thing, not a current thing.

"I see... Alright, come at 9 AM, SHARP, she will have finished her breakfeast by then and will be playing. 540 Plaxton Street."

Izzie was slightly reassured by George's statement, but not to the point she felt perfectly comfortable. Her impression of this Ms. Davis was that she was just looking for a reason to keep Alex's child from him.

"Thank you. We will be there at 9.' He glanced over at Izzie and smiled.

He said as he finished writing the address down.

The smile from Alex reassured her a hell of a lot more. "So, what did she say?" Izzie asked. "Where are we going at nine?"

"Night Ms Davis, Thanks again." He hung up the phone and looked at Izzie more.

George gave Izzie a curious look. "Going where?"

"We're going to 540 Plaxton Street at 9 in the morning."

"To see Destiny?" Izzie said, more of a statement than a question, really, but she wanted confirmation. She smiled at Alex, suddenly excited to see what a child of his would be like. It was weird, to go from so upset with him in one minute, to so strangely happy the next, but she couldn't help it, and really didn't want to.

*RING*

Alex looked at the phone and then at Izzie. He turned it on and put it to his ear. "Hello?"

"Mr. Karev?" a frantic voice asked on the other side.

"Oh god, who could this be now?" Izzie thought, slightly worried. Tonight was not boding well as far as news went.

"Yes, who's this?" He asked.

"This is Seattle Grace Hospital, PICU. Lucy Davis asked for us to call you as you are needed as soon as possible to come, please."

"What's wrong?" He looked at Izzie this whole time with a worried look on his face.

Izzie watched as Alex's face transformed with worry. She was right to dislike this call, it seemed. "Oh god, please, not any more bad new, please, please, please," Izzie murmured, slightly unsure if she was praying or begging.

"I'm sorry, I can't reveal details as you aren't offically a guardian. Your presence is requested as soon as possible, thank you," the young girl said as she hung up.

"What is it?" Izzie asked. "What's wrong? Something happened, I know. Come on, Alex, say something." She twisted her fingers, worry reflected in her own face now.

"she wouldn't say, just that I had to be there." He looked at her as he laid the phone on the counter. "Come with me?" he asked. He didn't want to be alone at a time like this.

"Sure," Izzie replied, looking around for her purse. "Where are we going?"

"To the hospital." It dawned on him that he didn't tell her that part. "I'm sorry. Man, I’ve been on edge lately."

Izzie's face paled, and she went swiftly into the kitchen, picking up her purse, then back into the living room. "I understand. Let's go, then," she said, then headed out the door. "Did something happen to one of your patients?"

"I don't think so." He said and got in the car and started it, then thinking he should have got the door for her but he was in a hurry.

Opening her own door and sliding in, Izzie strapped on her seat belt and said, "Step on it, then. Who was that on the phone, if it wasn't for a patient?" She knew something horrible must have happened simply from the look on his face, but couldn't understand what was going on.

Lucy waited anxiously for Alex to arrive.

"Ms Davis. The Social worker." He said as he drove to the hospital.

"Why would she be at the hospital?" Izzie said, a little slow on the pick-up. Then it dawned on her. "Oh god, not Destiny?"

He didn't say anything. As he arrived at the hospital he parked the car and locked it as he got out. He looked at Izzie and then ran into the hospital. Not wanting to waist time.

Running with him, just barely on his heels, Izzie headed into Seattle Grace. Going past the registration desk, they both headed for the elevator; she reached out and punched the up button. "What floor is she on?" she asked.

"PICU" He said and watched the floors to light up as the elevator came down to them.

Izzie's face became even whiter, but she didn't say anything. Finally the elevator reached the ground and, after a rush of people got off, she and Alex got on. Pushing the button for the PICU floor, Izzie stepped back next to him and grabbed his hand, not sure if it was more for her comfort or his.

Alex smiled at her, glad she was here with him.

As they went up, Izzie couldn't stop her foot from tapping nervously. The elevator stopped again, and they stepped off simultaneously, then headed to the right towards the administration desk for the PICU floor.

He put his hand on the counter and looked at the nurse. "I'm looking for a Ms Lucy Davis. She called me down here."

The nurse smiled and pointed, "She's pacing over there, waiting for you."

He turned and looked at her. "thank you." He said and still holding Izzie's hand he walked over to her. "Ms Davis." He took a breath. "what’s wrong?"

Izzie hung on Alex's hand, standing a bit behind him as she studied the social worker's face. Ms. Davis looked scared out of her mind, and being that this was the PICU, Izzie didn't blame her.

Alex couldn't breath as he waited for her to tell them what was wrong.

She turned, her eyes wide, her face white. "Destiny needs you to be ..... " She took a breath. "She needs you, Mr. Karev, whether or not you want to be a father or not... She.... She has to have a heart transplant but luckily she finally got to the top of the list tonight!"

His heart jumped up to his throat. "What? I thought she was healthy?"

She shook her head, "I never said she was perfect. Otherwise, she is, except her heart."

"Oh my god," Izzie chimed in, unable to stop herself. "You still should have told him this earlier! There might have been something we could do! But I guess, as long as she's getting a heart now... who's on the surgical team?"

She looked at her file, "Doctor Addison Shepherd and Doctor Preston Burke."

Alex nodded his head. "They're good." He kept a hold of Izzie's hand.

"She is prepped for surgery tomorrow but she has been screaming for her mommy all night...."

"Yeah, they are the best," Izzie said. "I want to scrub in, though. And we need to call Cristina, and Mer, and George. They should all be here." Then, at Ms. Davis's words, she said, "But first we'll go to Destiny."

"She's in there," she said pointing as you could hear wails for "Mommy!"

Still gripping Alex's hand, Izzie nodded at Ms. Davis, then pulled him towards the room. She hesitated slightly at the threshold, then just stepped in, smile firmly in place. The kid was tiny, wasted away by the disease, her curls taking over her shrunken little face; she had tubes everywhere. "Hi," she said softly, brushing a finger down her cheek. "My name's Izzie." Then she looked back at Alex. "This is your daddy. His name is Alex."

"Mommy!" she screamed. Mommy was almost the only word she could say besides owwwwwww and Daddy and Meeeee and Noooooo.

At the word, "Izzie" she brightened, "Mommy?"

"Oh god," Izzie whispered, turning to look at Alex again, eyes full of horror. "I forgot, forgot that we had the same name. Say something, Alex."

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" she said, putting her arms out to be held.

Alex stepped forward. "Destiny, mommy can't be here." He sat on the bed and took her tiny hand in his.

She looked at the big hand over hers and cocked her head. "Ooooooooooo."

He reached up and brushed her hair back from her face.

She smiled and stuck her thumb in her mouth and sucked.

Izzie smiled at the two of them, eyes filling with tears again, hand over her mouth to cover the fact she was shaking. This was just too much for one night. She moved to the side and began checking her monitors and IV bags, needing something to do.

Her other hand curled into a fist in Alex's.

"How are you feeling sweetie? You ok?" He hated this to be the first time to see her.

"Iccccccccky," she whispered coughing.

He pulled the blankets up around her more.

"Boo-Boo ....... Momma Boo-Boo.... Moommaaa Byyyyeeee-Byyyeee..... Des Bye-Bye?" she asked.

Izzie came back to the bedside, and rested a hand on Alex's shoulder. ""Yes, honey, your momma went bye-bye. But your daddy's here now," she said softly, not wanting to jumpstart the wailing again. "Everything looks okay." The last part was directed more to Alex.

It was weird, he understood her. "No, Your not going bye bye. You're getting better in the morning." He glanced up at her. "thanks."

Her eyes widened, "With Daddy?"

"Yes, when you get better you'll be with me."

"Oys? Utter?" she nodded, asking.

"I'm going to go talk to Ms. Davis," Izzie said, patting Alex's shoulder again. He didn't need her right now, he needed to bond with Destiny, and he was doing just fine on his own.

"Utter?"

He didn't know what she was asking for with that one.

"I believe she means her teddy bear and toys,” Ms. Davis commented from the doorway.

"Can we talk?" Izzie asked the social worker, gesturing towards the hallway. She had a few things to say to the rigid Ms. Davis.

She nodded and left the room, "What can I do for you?"

"Well, first off, you can tell me what exactly is wrong with Destiny's heart," Izzie said. "I am a doctor, you know, and so is Alex. You should have told him she was sick."

"No, I shouldn't have when he wasn't concerned for her but for himself when I told him about her, shock or not, Ms. Stevens and she has a loose value."

Alex smiled at her. "I'll make sure you get those ok sweetie?"

"Om for Des?" she asked.

He wasn't too good with kid talk. He nodded his head at her. He didn’t want to disappoint her.

"A loose valve? Okay," she replied. "And even if he was concerned with himself, which I doubt as I was right there when he was talking to you, and I didn't get that at all, you shouldn't withhold the fact that his child has a life-threatening disease, no matter what his reaction. And if you thought he was so dismissive of his daughter, why did you call him, anyway? She's going to get a new heart, isn't she, so what's the big deal, right?"

She smiled a huge smiled. He'd have a room for her. Or space. Which in her little mind, was good enough for her.

"I'm not going to leave your side. I'll be right here with you through all of this,” Alex said.

Her lips thinned, "Because she screaming for her mother and her mother is dead and that child may not live through that surgery and I'm not heartless not to at least let him see her. Now, are you so bitchy that you have anything more to say on the subject?"

Izzie laughed. "Oh, I'M the bitchy one? Take a look in a mirror, sweetheart," she replied. "But whatever, we're not going to agree on this. What are you planning to do with her after the surgery? She's going to need a lot of care, more than some government facility can provide."

"Well, if he can't take care of her, there are special places that take medically challenged adopted children and until then, she will be in my care as she has been for the past nine months that it has taken me to track him down."

"Oh, he can take care of her," Izzie informed Ms. Davis. "Is there anything else you need to know to convince you of that, besides the fact he rushed down here like a bat out of hell?"

She rolled her eyes, "Work... How will he care for her and work a full shift, that is my main concern right now..."

"We'll split shifts, so we're not working at the same time, and I'll take care of her when he can't," Izzie said, suddenly making a rash decision. "That way she'll have someone home with her that she knows all the time, and she won't have to go into daycare or something like that. Anything else?"

"Okay, you win ... One last thing.... Well, two.... Where will you live and who is he going to marry so she has a full-time mother?"

Destiny sucked her thumb, "Love O..."

He smiled at her. "I love you too Princess." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"Um..." Izzie said, looking around, needing time. Then she just sighed and gave up. "I'll marry Alex, I'll be her mother. We can move into my house, I'm sure my roommates won't mind. And that's an extra support system for Destiny, an extended family, I guess."

"If it happens and I get the marriage certificates and legal documents saying he is moved into your roomates house in 27 days, then she is yours."

"You'll have it by the end of the week," Izzie said, then, deciding the conversation was finished, headed back into Destiny's hospital room. "How are we doing in here?" she asked, smile firmly planted on her face.

"Izzie.... Adddy.... Love O....." she murmured as she fell into a deep sleep.

ALEX

Alex smiled at her and pushed some more of her hair back. "I love you too sweetie. Now get some rest. I'll be here when you get up." He kissed her cheek and turned to look at Izzie. She was standing at the end of the bed. Standing up he laid Destiny's hand on the bed and walked over to Izzie. "thank you for being here with me." He hugged her.

Glancing out to the hall he saw Ms Davis standing there. "So, what did you want to talk to her about? What's her problem?" He asked. Not sure if he missed something or not.