Author's Note: This is my take on what should have happened last August after Kate got bit by the snake. I started this story a looong time ago and I just got the inspiration to finally finish it. Feedback's greatly appreciated!

Roommates

"You're being discharged today."

It was like music to Kate Howard's ears. If there was anything she hated more than being bored, it was being bored in a hospital. Her boss had insisted that she did not work while in the hospital, and no amount of bribing could persuade her good-for-nothing assistant, Clarice, otherwise. And there were only so many reruns of I Love Lucy a girl could take before she started getting a tad restless.

So, when Nurse Epiphany came in to tell Kate the good news of her being released from the hospital, Kate nearly jumped up and hugged the woman! She was free at last! She got up, gathered her things, and was about to make a run from the door when Epiphany suddenly stopped her.

"Freeze! Just where do you think you're going?" Epiphany demanded.

"I'm getting out of here. You said I was free to go."

"Is there anyone coming to give you a ride home?"

"Yes, my assistant, Clarice, should be waiting with the car outside right now."

"All right then. And you know that you should stick to bed rest for the rest of the week?"

"Yes, I'm aware of this already! Can I please leave now?" Kate wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.

"You can leave as soon as you get into this." Epiphany said as she went out into the hall and brought in a wheelchair.

"A wheelchair? You can't be serious, really, I'm fine. I promise you I can walk a few steps from the hallway to the elevator to the door outside. This is unnecessary."

"Look, I am not going to be responsible for you assuming you're in perfect shape, taking a step into the hallway, getting a dizzy spell and falling, hitting your head and receiving a concussion, therefore having to spend more time in this place. So get in." Epiphany glared at Kate, daring her to disagree.

Kate sighed and reluctantly got into the wheelchair and Epiphany proceeded to wheel her down the elevator and hallway.

The exit doors were in clear site now. Kate could barely contain her excitement at the thought of being able to go home, and change out of the ghastly tee-shirt and sweatpants Clarice had packed her. Honestly, Kate thought to herself, what is the point in having an assistant if she can't even pick out attractive, comfortable clothes for me to wear?!

Epiphany interrupted her thoughts as they made their way closer and closer to the exit. "Now, you're sure that there's someone here for you to take you home?"

"Yes, I am absolutely sure. My assista--" Kate abruptly stopped talking as the exit doors opened, and instead of Clarice standing there waiting by her car to take her home as was the original plan, Sonny was standing by his car, with a big grin on his face.

"What are you doing here? Where's Clarice?" Kate said confusedly.

"There was some sort of family emergency. She had to rush home. She said she tried to get a hold of you, but you didn't answer your phone."

Kate pulled her phone out of her purse and frowned. "Oh the battery must have died."

Sonny continued to grin at her. It wasn't a normal, happy grin; it was the grin of someone who had more news to divulge and was going to enjoy every moment of divulging it.

"Okay, Corinthos, out with it! What else do you have to tell me?"

"Well, Clarice is going to be out of town until next week, and according to her, you are supposed to be on bed rest for the rest of this week. So, being the thoughtful person that Clarice is, she asked me if I could take care of you until you no longer need bed rest. And me, being the compassionate, loving person I am, agreed to take care of you for the week. So you're living with me till the end of the week."

"Oh nonsense! I don't even need anyone to take care of me anyway! I'm perfectly fine!" At that, Kate stood up, and immediately regretted it, because suddenly everything was dizzy, and she found herself falling into Sonny's arms.

"Unless you're willing to go with this nice man now, you're coming back into the hospital with me. Make a decision now, Miss Howard. I've got to get back to work."

Well, anything was better than going back into the hospital with Epiphany.

"Fine, I'll go with Mr. Corinthos."

Epiphany smirked at Kate and Sonny, for he was still holding her from when she had the dizzy spell.

"Good. I'm glad. Take good care of her, Mr. Corinthos."

Sonny picked Kate up and placed her in the backseat of the car. "Oh, I plan on it Epiphany, believe me, I plan on it."

To be continued. ..