Immersed: Alex Karev✓

The Date.

Alex thought maybe he was just as nervous as Cassandra, but that wasn't the case. He took her shaking hands in his and they walked down the street, out of the hospital. She was pulling her oxygen tank behind her, a small purse on her upper shoulder.

"I never knew Ovarian cancer would cause shortness of breath, but it does. The cancer is spreading according to my latest scan."

"I saw. I'm sorry."

"I'm dying, I came to terms with that a long time ago." they stopped in front of a nice restaurant that wasn't far from the hospital and Alex opened the door from the brunette getting her outside of the cold Seattle air and they went inside. She waited for him and the couple walked up to the podium that belonged to the hostess. 

"I have a reservation under Karev." he retook Cassandra's hand and tried to warm it up as best as possible, but it was difficult because his own his were cold. 

"Of course, Dr. Karev, your table is ready for you two right now. Right this way." the restaurant was crowded, it was a Friday night and people were looking at the sick girl with the tank of oxygen following behind her, not bothering to be subtle about it. Before sitting Alex took off Cassandra's coat and set it on the back of her chair, he gestured her to sit and he pushed in her chair.

"Can I be honest?"

"If you say you didn't take me as a gentleman, you're right. I asked Derek for some help." Cassandra smiled.

"I like your honesty. A lot." Alex moved the oxygen tank around so it was nearly completely under the table. He took his own coat and took a seat. The waiter came over and looked at the couple.

"Hello, welcome to Belle Stelle. Can here on this sheet is our extensive wine and liquor list. On the other side is over twenty-six draft beers that are all local. I'll get you some water to start out with and give you a minute or so to take a look"  Cassandra was overwhelmed, she never drank before so she looked up at Alex for help.

"We can start out easy. I don't need a drunk date. I noticed on your list, going to a real party. I can set that up and we'll get you drunk there." Cassandra smiled. The waiter came back with their water and looked at them both.

"I think we are gonna try whatever you say the best bottle of wine in this place is." Cassandra said suddenly, not giving Alex a chance.

"Absolutely ma'am. May I see both of your IDs?" Alex pulled out his wallet and Cassandra's shaking hands pulled out her own ID from her purse and and showed the waiter. He smiled, "before I go get that for you, let me go over our chef special for this evening; it's four courses. It starts out with a bread and tomato soup, then follows with a chicken risotto with saffron, following that is a wonder beef braised in red wine, then for dessert is our delicious tiramisu. I'll go get your wine, you can look over our everyday menu choices or if you'd like the chef's special for this evening." 

"I couldn't tell you what any of what he said was." Alex confessed.

"Lots of rich people words. But I bet it'd all be delicious. Let's do it." Cassandra said.

"Are you a secret rich kid."

"I did tell you I went to private school right?" Cassandra said, "when I die, my entire trust if unmarried goes to the hospital to allow them more money for research."

"Do you plan on marrying before you die?"

"I have so many people lining up at my door right now, it wouldn't surprise me if I got married tomorrow." Cassandra said with a smile.

"You never know. Someone just be secretly in love with you."

"What a love story, Alex. I love you, Cassandra even though I know you're dying and that we won't live a long life together. I still love you and I want to waste my time and marry you."