Author's Note: This story may seem a bit similar to my earlier story "A Hospital Confession," and it is sort of the same premise in reverse. But this is an idea that came to me and wouldn't go away. I felt it needed to be done. This is dedicated with love and appreciation for Anika (BaronessBlixen) for her amazing support and encouragement of my stories. Thank you for everything, including my newfound Once obsession! ;) Hope you enjoy!
Daphne couldn't help humming to herself as she walked out of her favorite coffee shop. It was only a few more days till Christmas, and somehow, she was in a good mood. It wasn't that the Crane men were treating her any differently than usual. It just seemed as if she had decided it didn't matter. She was determined to enjoy the holiday no matter what.
Unfortunately, while Daphne's mind was elsewhere, she failed to notice the puddle right outside Nervosa. The next thing she knew, she was on the pavement. Immediately, she moved to get up. She had fallen before, and it wasn't really a big deal to her. Except that the moment she moved her leg, she felt a sharp pain in her knee. She was definitely not OK.
"Are you all right?"
Daphne winced as she answered the stranger's question. "No."
The woman nodded. "I'll get you some help then." With that, the woman went back inside the coffee shop, returning a second later with a barista.
"Daphne, is there someone we should call?"
Daphne nodded. She knew another passer-by was already calling an ambulance. "Dr. Crane," she whispered.
The barista turned to one of her coworkers. "Which one does she mean?"
"The younger one, I guess," the waiter answered with a shrug. "He's always hanging around her."
Before Daphne knew what was happening, she was being loaded into an ambulance. The paramedics who rode with her were nice, but she wasn't in the mood to talk.
"Once we get you to the hospital, they'll fix you up good as new. Then you'll be able to go out with your boyfriend and do all the things you did before."
"Me boyfriend?" Daphne asked. "I don't have a boyfriend."
The young paramedic scoffed. "A girl like you doesn't have a boyfriend? Impossible!"
"Well, at the moment, I'm a bit busy to be worrying about me social life!" Daphne answered, not caring if she was rude.
Luckily, they were at the hospital now, and she was quickly taken inside. The doctors immediately began talking about wanting to X-ray her knee to see how bad it was. Much to Daphne's frustration, no one seemed to understand how much pain she was in. She would never be able to lie still for X-rays in this much pain. Eventually, she got through to a nurse, who finally offered her painkillers. This allowed the doctors to get the pictures they needed, but the drugs made her feel quite tired very quickly. Just as she gave into sleep, she heard a familiar voice.
"Where's Daphne? I got a call that she was here."