CHAPTER ONE

OFF DUTY

Part One

Walking along the florescent corridors of Seattle Grace, Izzie Stevens made her way to the locker room. She was ready to clock out from yet another double shift. Usually such long hours made her anticipate the comfort of going home to her queen size bed. Yet, tonight was different. Her assigned patients were all uncharacteristically cooperative, and she managed to get on Bailey's good side by taking care of some last minute sutures. Tonight she wanted to celebrate by drinking, and catching a midnight monster flick while crunching on some micro-popcorn. All in all, she actually had a good day! The realization made her smile, as she began to whistle and turn a corner.

"Meredith…let me explain, Addison…we're legally separated." It was Derek's whispered voice from a distance.

"What the hell?" Izzie's lips moved in silent shock, as she peeked to see both he and Meredith standing in an isolated corner away from the locker room.

"And that makes it okay? Listen, I can't even begin to process this because I've been on call for forty-eight hours!" Meredith's voice tensed, and nearly broke into a scream. "I'm exhausted, Derek. So I'll spare you the bullshit. Go to hell." With that Meredith took several paces away and towards Izzie's direction.

Without the slightest doubt, instinctively, Izzie quickly began to walk towards the locker room. She held a convincing look of exhaustion, and yawned. All the while, Meredith brushed past her without the slightest hint of suspicion.

"Hey, wait!" Derek immediately came into view, paused, and looked surprised at Izzie. His face slightly concerned, as he shrugged his shoulders. "Scheduling conflicts." His quick attempt of distraction.

"Yeah, must have your hands full," Izzie's eyes narrowed with disdain before pushing through into the locker room.

Part Two

Driving past the house, Izzie had seen that Meredith was home; the light at her window made a silhouette outline of her movements as she took a scrunchy out of her hair.

For a moment, Izzie contemplated having some kind of "girl" talk with Meredith; get her to talk about Derek and clear things up. But Izzie was never quite good at the sort of Oprah-reclaim your-independent-spirit kind of pep talks. No, what Meredith needed was time alone; that and peace and quiet.

The option for late night TV and brewski at the house was out of the question, but Izzie knew a good alternative.

The Elbow Room was small ma and pa restaurant turned neighborhood bar. She had discovered it while grabbing groceries across the street one day. Izzie liked the simple décor and ever staple of beer nuts and pretzels. It was the place she sought after her usually chaotic days. Considering it was a Friday night, she knew it would be busy with rowdy football fanatics.

"Stevens!" It was Hal, the regular bartender who welcomed Izzie as she walked in amid the semi-packed room. Eyes following her to the bar, she gave Hal a wide smile before plopping down on the high-chair.

"Busy night?" she let out before laughing, it was a comfort zone being in the crowded room with people who weren't lying on stretchers.

"We've still got specials running. Miller light & long islands half off." Throwing a towel over his shoulder, Izzie took the time to lean in and weigh her options.

"I'd like to buy the lady a long island, Hal."

Turning, Izzie met face to face with a guy whose eyes were the bluest she'd ever seen. Observing him from head to toe, she knew he had to be a frat jock; not that the lettermen jacket he wore gave it away.

"Uh, thanks…" her voice drifted off as she forced a smile. He seemed nice but those are the kinds you watch out for in bars.

"So what's your name—" before she could finish, he immediately sat next to her. Huh, fairly confident this one.

"You're that model, right?" he began. Strike one. "You're really hotter in person…" Strike two. "You know, if you're looking to party later on tonight—" Strike three. Izzie had had it.

"You don't waste time do you?" she remarked while pushing away from the bar and getting on her feet to walk away.

"So, what? You think you're too good for me?" his voice got gruff, and she knew he'd soon do his angry reject man dance of how all women were bitches. Blah-blah. Izzie had heard and seen it all on the faces of the men she turned away.

"You're right. That's exactly the point."

"Cold bitch!" He spat loud enough for half the room to hear. People paused, and Izzie cast a sideways smile to put off the awkwardness.

"There a problem?" The voice all familiar drew Izzie to a halt as she turned around to see Derek standing by the doorway. Please don't let him try to rescue me. Last thing I need! Izzie squirmed as Derek made his way over.

"What are you going to do about it, preppy?" his implied threat only served to make him cliche, and ridiculous. What is this? The fifth grade? Izzie smirked.

"You're a regular here, right? Seen you play pool." Derek walked over to the man, and laid down some bills on the

counter. "Let's play for it. I win, you apologize."

"And if I win?"

"Keep the cash, and I buy rounds of drinks." Derek kept calm but held to his cold stare.

"Fine." He shook his head and laughed, "You should know, won league championships three years in a row." With that he got Hal to hand over his cue from behind the bar.

Shock wore off quickly, and Izzie came to Derek's side immediately, "I don't need your help on this, Derek. What the hell are you doing?"

"Having fun." He smiled sweetly much to her chagrin, "Settle down, Izzie."

Izzie just stared at him, searching for traces of sincerity, "I didn't ask for this. It's your money. " She brushed past him and towards the row of pool tables.