She had simply missed the turn.

It was the most idiotic thing since Patsy had done it a million times. However she supposed that Mrs. Hendrix's utterly false labor was easy to blame. And that it was 3 am in the morning. Still, she felt like she still shouldn't have crashed her bike. Fred would kill her.

As she lay on the ground her first instinct was to make a quick injury assessment. Her nursing training clicked in as she went through her internal checklist. Breathing was laboured but seemed okay. Consciousness indicated that her head was alright. She had instinctively covered it as she hit the ground and rolled onto her side. Her legs were scuffed but they were able to move. Rolling onto her back, she looked into the early morning light. The streets were empty and the sky still dark.

Patsy audibly huffed as she tried to sit up. Yes, it seemed that she was going to be able to walk away from this. But looking over she knew that her left arm was not supposed to bend that way.

It looked like she'd be taking a break for awhile.


Patsy had no idea how long it had taken her to shuffle back to Nonnatus house. Every step had been an effort. However, a long time ago Patsy had learned to compartmentalize pain. It was like flipping a switch on the part of your body that only wanted to scream. She had learned long ago in Japan that if you focused on a goal in front of you then you could block out anything else.

All she had to do was focus.

Heading toward the large imposing and austere doors she saw the light of activity. The nuns had to be starting their morning routine. It was also possible that Nurse Crane would be milling about since she was next on shift. And because she always insisted on a grapefruit first thing in the morning. Patsy got the door open with her one functioning arm and a loud groan.

From the look on Sister Winifred's face, she must have been a gruesome sight.

"Nurse Mount!" She winced as she rushed toward her.

"It seems that I'll need an ambulance" Patsy groaned as she leaned back against the door. Everything turned to black as she collapsed in the hallway.


She woke up groaningly in a hospital bed with Dr. Turner standing over her.

"Welcome back Nurse Mount" he grinned.

Suddenly every bump and bruise decided to scream at once all over her body. Clearing her dry throat, she noted that she had been changed into a hospital gown. Terrified that she did not remember any of it, she thanked the lord that her scanties had at least been clean. Looking around the women's ward she noted how different the place looked from her reclined position.

"Um, Dr. Turner, where's my uniform?" She asked anxiously.

He laughed while making notes on her chart.

"Oh don't worry. One of the sisters took it but I fear it's unrecoverable-the ambulance drivers had to cut it off you so…" he finished off.

Patsy felt a heat creep up her neck. Her lips pursed tightly.

"Delighted to hear that everyone got a little peak" she said coldly. She visibly shuddered at the thought.

"You gave the sisters quite a shock. But it turned out you looked worse than it actually was. Your left arm, of course, was set while you were out. We'll get you to x-ray and put a cast on it. I fear the babies of Poplar will have to be born without you for awhile" Dr. Turner filled her in.

"I suppose you've got my med file there" she observed.

"Well, it is noted here that you have scarring. Although it wasn't fresh so it was unlikely caused by the accident. It looked like…"

"Abuse, Dr. Turner? It was but from a long time ago…" she sighed. She detested this conversation every time. The shorter it was, the better.

"In Japan right? I seem to recall that you were interned…" he flipped through her file that was secured to a clipboard. She remembered having to submit her medical details when she had applied for the nursing school. The psychological assessment that she had to endure was a pure joy. Over the years Patsy had learned very well how to paper over the details and put a brave face on her past tragedy. Only Deels got to see her naked self-scars and all.

"Yes, well, that was a long time ago" she shut down his line of questioning with a sharp nod.

Gracefully, he took the hint and moved on. She really just wanted this conversation to end. Honestly, there was only one person that she desperately needed to see.

"You have an x-ray scheduled for that arm. Meanwhile, you're here for the night Nurse Mount…" he insisted. Seeing a swift rebuke in her face, he chuckled.

"Nurses make the worst patients" he smirked as he signed off on her chart. Patsy could do nothing but pout. As he walked away he paused for a moment.

"Oh and by the way Fred miraculously found your bike" he tossed over his shoulder. "That curve is rough" He said wryly.

Patsy huffed in indignation as he left the ward.


She made a quick a scan of the other nurses. Patsy looked over the night shift and didn't recognize anyone. It had been a few years since she'd worked at the London and the turnover rate for nurses was high. Frankly, she didn't blame them for leaving. It was hard work, especially in the more difficult departments. She didn't know how Delia put up with it all.

Delia.

She had to get to her somehow.

"Is that you Patsy Mount?" She was startled out of her thoughts by a high shrill voice. A voice one could never forget. Turning toward the sound she pushed a smile onto her face.

"Barb, is that you? Didn't know you were still down here" she responded.

"Yeah, well it was you who abandoned us. Looks like you've gotten yourself into a scrape" the woman laughed. Patsy looked her over and slowly remembered Barbara Stewart from a few years ago. Some those nurses could be real catty witches. However she recalled the woman as a bit nervous, but not altogether intolerable.

"Who says you need two arms anyway" Patsy smiled jokingly. Boarding school had taught her how to be socially pleasant. Especially if you needed something. "Hey, Barbara could you do me a favor? Delia Busby is somewhere around here. Can you find her for me? It's ever so important" she asked trying to not sound as desperate as she felt.

"Still thick as thieves you two" she winked and nodded. "I've seen her tonight up in Male Surgical. If she's not in theater, I'll see if I can grab her for you" she replied. "Now, let's get you to x-ray. That arm's not going to plaster itself" she helped the red-head out of bed.


A/N: Reviews are always welcome (and more likely to get you the second part quicker...)