(no subject)

[coconutextract.livejournal.com]

The Izzie walking into Bar tonight is walking without the noticeable bounce in her step. Gone is the makeup she normally wears - her face is wan and pale. She's not even in her scrubs. Her outfit consists of sweatpants and a bulky hoodie. Her hair is pulled back in a ponytail away from her face.

At least, she thinks to herself with a wry smile, she still has hair.

Izzie Stevens is dying, and she doesn't have much time left.

Comments

[blueshifted.livejournal.com]

Barney doesn't exactly bite his lip, but he comes close. What he does instead is very carefully wrap an arm around Izzie. Barney Calhoun gives good hugs, and it's the sort of thing she could use right now.

[coconutextract.livejournal.com]

Hugs do help, and she accepts this one readily, though she wills herself to hold back the tears. There've been too many of those this week.

[blueshifted.livejournal.com]

It happens, sometimes. And Barney won't tell a soul.

[coconutextract.livejournal.com]

There might be one or two tears that slip out then, but they're left against the fabric of Barney's coat, and when she pulls away to look at him, there they remain.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be crying all over you like this."

[blueshifted.livejournal.com]

"It's okay," he assures her. "I'd rather you cry all over me than have to cry alone. It's just the kind of person I am."

[coconutextract.livejournal.com]

"You're a good person," Izzie insists, realizing the words as she's saying them.

Like Denny, her brain adds for her.

[blueshifted.livejournal.com]

"I just try... to be a good friend, is all," Barney replies. "When my friends need me."

[coconutextract.livejournal.com]

"Thank you," she murmurs. "I - thank you."

[blueshifted.livejournal.com]

"No problem."

A beat, and he gives her a little squeeze. (She's so fragile.)

"And if there's anything more I can do, just lemme know, okay? I'm not going back home for a while, at least."

[coconutextract.livejournal.com]

There's the obvious reason why Izzie doesn't exactly feel like going back to Seattle.

Because maybe, if time stops here, so will the spread of the cancer.

The corner of her mouth twitches into a half-smile. "Just being here - it's... I really appreciate it."

[blueshifted.livejournal.com]

"And I'm sure everyone here is glad you can come here," he says. "I know I am."

[[Sorry, this got lost in my inbox!]]