Picking up the Pieces


Characters: Matt Hunter, Nadine Crowell, Nikolas Cassadine, Elizabeth webber, etc.
Pairing: Matt Hunter/Nadine Crowell, Past Nadine Crowell/Nikolas Cassadine


Rating: PG, might change later
Diclaimer: I don't own the characters. The same goes for the bar. ABC and General Hospital have that honor.


Warnings: Language, slight violence
Summary: Nadine is suffering from a broken heart over her break up with Nikolas. Matt comes to her rescue after finding out what has happened between the ex-lovers. Can he help her mend her bruised heart?


Chapter One
March 2009
Courtyard, Kelly's Diner
"Cassadine!"
Nikolas turned to get clocked in the nose by an unexpected fist.
"What the Hell was that for?"
"Do you realize how damn lucky you were?" Another swing was launched at Nikolas' left eye, then a third - this time to his stomach. "Do you have any idea how much you've hurt her?"
"I should have known this was about Nadine." Nikolas sighed. "What did she tell you?"
"She didn't have to tell me anything. I should've known when she said Rebecca looked like your wife that you'd break her heart."
"It wasn't my intention –"
"Save it Cassadine. Just stay away from her! You've already done enough damage."


Mercy Hospital
Same afternoon
"What happened to your hand?"
"What do you think happened to it Liz. It ran into someone's face."
"Anyone I know?" she asked wrapping the knuckles in an ace bandage.
"Maybe."
"You gonna tell me who?" she asked. When Matt didn't answer she tried another approach. "You gonna make me guess?"
"It was that prince friend of yours."
"Nikolas? Why did you feel the need to hit him?"
"He deserved it." he told her looking down.
"I think I know what this is about." She said looking out into the hall as Nadine passed by on her way to a patient's room. "Or should I say who?"
"Now's not a good time to be talking about this. Are you done taping my hand?"
"Why don't you tell her?" she asked with a hint of concern. "I'm sure she'd appreciate what you did."
"I didn't do it for the appreciation."
"Then why?"
"I was angry about how he treated her. I saw it firsthand the night of the fire. You should've seen the look in her eyes when I told her that I thought her heart had been trampled."
"You actually said that to her? What were you thinking Matt?"
"I didn't say it to be mean. I was being concerned. But that look in her eyes, I just wanted to take that away."
"Oh. My. Goodness."
"What?"
"I don't know why I never saw it before." She said with a smile. "You love her don't you?"
Matt looked like a deer caught in headlights.
"You wanna say that a little louder? I don't need the whole hospital knowing my business."
"You mean you don't want a certain blonde nurse knowing your business." She teased. "What are you scared of?"
"Nothing. I just don't feel like making a fool of myself. Now's not the right time."
"Why not?"
"Liz, she just broke up with her jerk of a prince boyfriend. I'm not gonna be an even bigger tool by circling around her like a vulture."
"Do you really think she'll look at it that way?"
"I don't know. I just don't want her feeling pressured if I told her how I feel."
"Told who how you feel?" Nadine asked as she came into the room. "Liz, Robin needs you down the hall."
"Thanks." She turned to Matt. "I'll see you later. And put some ice on that hand."
"Sure. And thanks."
"So I take it you're the one who beat up my ex-boyfriend?" she asked tentatively, staring at his injured knuckles. "Well he probably deserved it since he was being such a jerk. Thanks, by the way."
"You don't have to be grateful. That's not why I did it. How'd you even know about it?"
"Saw him in the hallway and walked the other way." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead."
"How did it feel?"
"What?"
"Hitting him? I kind of wanted to do that myself but thought better of it."
"You're too dignified for that." He flexed hand to adjust the bandage. "It was that day I signed myself out as a patient wasn't it?"
"Was I that obvious?"
"More like caught off guard, especially when I mentioned the fire. If you need to talk about it, I'll be here."


I think I'll end chapter one right there. Please let me know what you think. I hope everyone enjoys this. Till next time…