Author: Kelly (Emberdreamweaver)
Pairing: Elizabeth Webber and Patrick Drake
Rating: PG (M - NC17 as marked)

Disclaimer:

I own nothing related to or affiliated with Disney, ABC Daytime, or General Hospital. Characters are not mine; they are merely being borrowed.

AN:

So this is clearly a non-Liason fic. I have always loved the idea of Patrick and Elizabeth. Some recent personal events gave me the basic idea for this story. I started writing this fic for myself but after some encouragement I decided to post it.

I do have to say if you love Liason or Scrubs and can't see them in another pairing don't read this fic. It is not for you.

Otherwise I hope you enjoy.

~Kelly~

Background:

There isn't much I'm going to tell you at first you know I like a little mystery. I will say this is AU more than AH. Although I have used GH history here and there. As the fic progresses hopefully your questions will be answered. If not let me know.

Heart of the Matter

Chapter One

Elizabeth neared the house slowly. As she fiddled with her purse, she noticed Patrick's car in the driveway. At least she knew he was home. It had been a long day. Her shift had lasted over sixteen hours. Not usual for a doctor at General Hospital. Still today was worst than most.

Losing a patient was never easy but as a pediatrician, it was particularly hard. Losing someone who had barely lived seemed even more pointless. After leaving Elizabeth slowly walked home thankful she had not drove her car to work. She needed the time to sort out everything that had happened that day. Now all Elizabeth wanted was to see the one person who could make her feel better.

A light suddenly turned on in the front of the house and two people slowly came in to view. Elizabeth immediately realized what was happening and couldn't look away either.

Patrick was home all right but he was not alone. One of their colleagues Karen Wexler was there with him. The two were kissing passionately as Patrick lead them to the couch. Elizabeth watched as the scene became increasingly intimate. She watched as cloths quickly fell to the ground. It didn't take long before Elizabeth was watching them have sex.

Elizabeth quickly looked away feeling confused. Seeing Patrick with Karen made Elizabeth feel off balance. She could feel her chest tightening as if it were in a vice. She hated that he was with someone else, someone that was not her. Part of her wanted to confront him. However, that part lost out to her fear. She did not want to know why Patrick was with Karen. The last thing she wanted to hear was that he cared about the other woman. That knowledge might kill her. Elizabeth absentmindedly brushed a tear from her face. She looked around before heading towards her car. Even though the neighborhood was, quite the last thing she wanted was for someone to see her.

As she drove, Elizabeth began to think. Mostly about, her day and then she moved on to things that are more trivial. Anything to not remember the scene she just left behind. Unfortunately, the images were burned into her mind. There was little chance of forgetting them at least for now. Her thoughts turned into tears as she tried to pull herself together.

She had no idea what to do next. Elizabeth could not go back. Patrick obviously intended to keep his rendezvous a secret. That hurt almost as much as what he had done. Patrick of all people knew how she felt about lies. All they ever did was destroy the people they were meant to protect. For now though Elizabeth would let him keep his secret. Before she said anything to Patrick, she needed her thoughts in order. She did not want him to see her upset over him.

Right now, it seemed impossible to concentrate on driving let alone think. Elizabeth was feeling lightheaded and short of breath. The nauseousness she attributed to Patrick and Karen was getting worse. As a doctor Elizabeth knew, something very serious was wrong.

Reaching for her cell phone Elizabeth never took her eyes off the road. She dialed 911 and waited for an operator to pick up. However, by the time someone came on the line Elizabeth wasn't able to speak. She had lost control of her small car. It swerved wildly before traveling down the wrong side of the road. The car ended up in a shallow embankment several feet off the road. Despite wearing a seat belt, Elizabeth had hit her head. The last thing she heard was the operator asking what her emergency was.