NEVER LEAVING YOUR HEART ALONE

THE BOOK

"What do you think she wants to talk about?" George asked as he watched the movie.

"Who knows...I still can't believe she got married and didn't tell us." Izzie said with disappointment.

"I know. She's different now." George said with annoyance.

"It's McDreamy. I think Cristina is right for once. He's like a toxin." Izzie returned.

"No he's not. She's just happy, I guess. That's good. We should be happy for her." George said, trying to convince her. "Shhh, she's here." George said as he heard the door open.

"Hey guys." Meredith said as she plopped down on the sofa. "What are we watching?"

"Face transplant." Izzie told her as she handed her the popcorn. Meredith happily grabbed the bowl and began munching.

"Oh cool." Meredith said as she stared at the t.v. intently. She didn't even notice that Izzie and George had stopped watching and were now watching her. "What?" She asked as she looked over at them.

"Uh, you wanted to talk to us about something." George reminded her.

"Oh yeah..." Meredith said as she turned and looked at them. "The house should be done soon."

"What house?" George asked.

"Derek's...I mean, ours, on the property." Meredith explained as she looked back and forth between them.

"Oh." Izzie said with disappointment. "Oh!" She said, thinking about it. "So you're kicking us out..."

"Oh crap..." George said, with a new found realization. Meredith looked at the sadness in their faces.

"No! God no, guys. You're staying. That's what I wanted to ask you. I need someone to stay here, take care of the house. So will you?" Meredith asked. She watched their faces light up.

"Seriously?" Izzie asked with shock.

"Well, yeah. You guys didn't really think I was going to kick you out, did you?" She said with a laugh.

"I did." George admitted with a shrug.

"If you guys want someone else to move in with you, they can. But I want to know who it is first. And I want one room left empty." Meredith explained.

"Why? I mean, it's your house. Just...why?" Izzie asked.

"You never...just leave one bedroom empty..." Meredith said as she turned her attention back to the t.v. "We will be out next week." She said without turning her head. She heard the front door open. Derek and Anna walked in. Meredith got up and joined them. She gave Derek a soft kiss and they walked into the kitchen.

"This is..." Izzie started with a frown on her face.

"We're losing her." George said sadly. The had all had a good time, living together. And now she was leaving.

"It's like the end of an era." Izzie explained as a tear ran down her cheek.

"It's not like we won't see her everyday." George replied, trying to make her feel better.

"I am really going to miss Anna." Izzie continued.

"No kidding." George agreed. "You know what I won't miss?" She shook her head no. "The loud sleepless night..." He said as they both laughed.

"Yeah, that and the flooding." Izzie told him.

"Flooding?" George asked. Izzie pointed to the wall. "Oh...that's what happened. Oh my god. Yeah, not going to miss that!"