NOTE: This is an Alex and Jo story, although written in Izzie's POV it is not she who wins Karev. All of those who do not find joy and amusement in such scenarios should probably not continue reading this story (although it would be greatly appreciated all the same). Thank you bunches.

It had been a too long since Izzie Stevens had walked the hall of Seattle Grace Hospital, long enough for the institution inherit a new name, Grey-Sloan Memorial. She was not sure whether it was the blatant reminder of the lives taken from tragedy or the foreign title the hospital now boasted, but for some reason Izzie found it hard to say the new name aloud. But this was just one of the many things had she found strange while walking through the corridor to get to the NICU. Faces had become unrecognizable since leaving and basic amenities had been upgraded until she had little confidence in the course was going to reach her destination. This confusion was quickly solidified when Izzie had to go to such lows as to ask an intern for directions.

What had brought Isobel Stevens to this particular NICU, in this exact hospital? It was nothing of her choosing, in fact she had even been so bold enough to try and persuade her colleague to change her mind on bringing her. What did she need her there for anyway? But it was an especially rare opportunity for an OB surgeon to consult on a case such as this and how could any self-respecting professional pass it up? And so Dr. Stevens found herself flying first class of Seattle with the deep sense of dread that she would be leading herself into a head-on collision with the past she buried far behind her, or so she thought. Her colleague, the esteemed Dr. Sharon Hamilton, was predictably oblivious to the tension and apprehension that Izzie fought to keep bottled up inside herself. Neither empathy nor sympathy had ever been Dr. Hamilton's talents throughout her career and that was not about to change during this visit.

"Dr. Avery has been informed that his services will be required after separation of both limbs is complete." Dr. Arizona Robbins rattled off to the team of surgeons and nursing staff who would be present during surgery. They were gathered around the small bed that held 8 week old Lily Pierce, the little girl born with Siernomelia syndrome. Born with her legs fused together, the team would begin the first of many surgeries the child would need to gain function of both limbs.

Izzie continued to listen to Dr. Robbins with one ear while she let her eyes wander around the rest of the unit. It was very much the same as the NICU she spent much her time in at her own hospital, the only difference being that it was larger with the capability of treating for more patients. Scrubs identified the medical staff and ill-fitting, wrinkled clothing made the fretful parents of the tiny patients recognizable. Each filled bed had its own small entourage of adults, each one completely in tune the most miniscule of change that came from their infant. Every crib had a constant warden right next to it, all except for one. The incubator right across from Lily Pierce's bed was occupied by a small infant with no one nearby to monitor it compulsively. By the standards set by many of the newborns filling the unit, this infant was big, coming in a pound or so heavier than the dangerously premature babies around the room. But by average standards, those infants born with a healthy birth weight, this newborn was much too tiny. Izzie read the chart written in heavy black ink that recited the specifics of the patient from where she stood.

NAME: BABY GIRL KAREV

DOB: MARCH 8, 4:25 AM

WEIGHT: 4 LBS 2 OZ

PARENT(S): ALEX KAREV & JO WILSON

PHYSICIAN: DR. A. ROBBINS

Izzie accredited jet lag and a complete lack of sleep to the confusion she felt after reading the handwritten notes. Why would Alex Karev be listed as the parent when he should be the physician? Shoddy work from the interns was her first thought until she found herself rereading it. 'Baby Girl Karev' is what it said, she was so brand new she had not even been given a name more than her surname – Karev. "Oh God." Izzie groaned under breath.

"What is it Dr. Stevens?" Dr. Hamilton asked with no hint of interest in her voice. She turned back to face to face the woman, desperately searching for some excuse for her reaction but coming up short. She was a fish out of water with no way to get out of the situation. But before she could make herself look truly incompetent, Dr. Robbins interrupted.

"Karev!" She barked, eyeing someone behind the group. "I told you to go home half an hour ago." The entire collection of staff turned their attention toward the crib holding "Baby Girl Karev". Right in front of her, manipulating several functions of the machinery monitoring the small infant, Alex Karev stood stiffly next to the bed. He looked worse than he had ever been after a 30 hour shift, after working the pit during back to back shift or any other scenario Izzie had seen her ex-husband in. Dark circles under his eyes showed his exhaustion and his complete lack of coordination demonstrated the anxiety and concern he had for the small being next to him. Tough, stoic Alex Karev was a wreck.

"You were supposed to message me every 35 minutes," Alex matched Dr. Robbin's tone. "It's been 50 and I still haven't gotten anything. If you would stop playing Top Surgeon long enough I wouldn't have to worry."

"I sent you two messages 15 minutes ago Karev, a vitals update and the cutest picture of your daughter yawning." Robbins said patiently. Alex angrily pulled out his phone to check his messages, likely looking for satisfaction in proving her wrong. But the look on his face as he studied the screen said differently. Dr. Robbins had in fact him their scheduled update.

"Yeah, well, I still can't leave…who's going to watch her while you're parading around you groupies." Alex said stubbornly.

"I have not been more than 5 feet away from her since you left. Alex, she is in very capable hands. Go and sleep before you collapse on my NICU floor." Alex still remained rooted in his spot. "Go!"

"Fine." He finally sighed. "But you're kidding yourself if you think I am going home. I'm going to be with Jo, down the hall so if anything changes…"

"I will send every intern at my expense to come and get." Robbins goaded him. Alex offered her one last scowl before turning his attention back to his daughter. He slipped his hand in the round outlet that allowed him to place his large hand on the baby's small head. He remained there for several long seconds before he finally relinquished his position. As Alex glanced once more at the group with Dr. Robbins his eye caught Izzie's and for a moment their stare remained intact and she watched as every emotion passed over his face. Shock, amazement, confusion, were the ones that Izzie could identify, the rest were lost to her. But the one he was finally left with was exhaustion. He did not approach her, did not ask why she was there, where she had been all these years. He had no sort of interest to keep him there. He walked away just as easily as he had walked in. Alex Karev was here for the sole purpose of seeing "Baby Girl Karev", a child that was his but not hers, one that would never be hers. This is what finally sunk in, watching him leave the unit without a 'hello' or 'goodbye'. He had filled every void she had left him with, and then some. Why could she not do the same?