AN: Pretty AU idea, very different from the show with some elements the same then changed. As you read it'll make sense. Elizabeth and Patrick grew up together, best friends until he left to medical school and found better. Now he's back just as Elizabeth needs him the most.

Tragic Connection

Chapter 1

Elizabeth Webber rushed inside the hospital door; she managed to be late for the third time that week. Epiphany was going to kill her. She hauled butt into the locker room and crashed right into someone else. This was not her week. She looked up to apologize and found the only person who might be able to help her. "Patrick." She breathed, throwing her arms around him. "I thought you started Thursday."

He grinned. "It is Thursday. You alright?" he asked smoothly with his charming tone.

She sighed. "Not really but we'll talk later, I'm so late." She rushed to her locker, tossed her bag inside and clipped her badge to her chest. She smiled goodbye to Patrick and rushed back out the door. Seeing him had made her feel a hundred times better. Seeing your best friend after three years had that effect.

Elizabeth and Patrick grew up together inseparable but as they got older Patrick left to medical school and Elizabeth went through a series of mistakes with men and after trying to learn from those mistakes she decided to follow in her grandmother's steps and became a nurse to focus on her career and less on the other stuff. Patrick went on to become a famous neurosurgeon and left his roots in PC behind, until two weeks ago when over the phone he surprised Elizabeth with the fact he was moving back.

"This place is home, I told you you'd miss it." She had gloated over the phone.

"I've seen better then Port Charles, trust me but there's something it has that no other place has."

She rolled her eyes. "Me huh?" By the time Patrick Drake could start talking he was flirting. She had missed him terribly when he left but she'd never admit how happy he made her, the jokes would never end.

Epiphany was taking charge at the nurses' station; there was no bypassing the woman. "Nurse Webber, late again."

"I got caught up helping a woman outside then I rushed to the locker room to get ready for work." It wasn't the best lie but it wasn't bad either, she could add to it and make it more believable if need be.

Epiphany shook her head and passed over a stack of files. "Get to work."

"That wasn't too bad." Robin said as the head nurse walked away.

"Not yet." Elizabeth smiled weakly, first it would be the files and then the bedpans and whatever else none of the on time nurses wanted to handle.

"Hey I heard you know that new doctor, what's he like?" Robin asked as they stood alone.

"Patrick?" Elizabeth asked with a polite smile, she expected this; women asking about Patrick because they always did but Robin asking was a surprise. Robin wasn't the type to flirt and date easily and Patrick liked easy. She must've not met with him yet, they weren't each others type. "He's a great guy but isn't the definition of a bachelor." Elizabeth explained before turning her attention to the files. If Epiphany caught her socializing that was it.

"He's cute." Robin said sadly.

Elizabeth looked up to see the man in question strolling the hallway. "Go talk to him." She urged, it wasn't her place to decide if they would click or not, she simply hoped Patrick didn't break Robin's heart or anyone else at GH but that was asking too much.

She worked hard for the next few hours and barely saw any of her best friend but heard a lot about him. The men were impressed with Patrick's skill and felt he was an asset to have at General Hospital, the woman were smitten and also hesitate; Patrick Drake was a player. The gossip made Elizabeth smile; it was nice to have him back.

When she wasn't working Elizabeth was nervous. She had a big choice to make and no matter what lives would be changed, especially her own.

By the end of her shift she was so rattled with nerves she jumped at the chance to unload. Patrick was coming over for a welcome back dinner, as she got her place ready she thought about how she was going to tell him her news and what his reaction would be. He'd probably think she was the biggest idiot this side of the world, and he'd be right.

When he knocked on the door Elizabeth smoothed down her skirt and took a deep breath. "Hi."

"I'm going to sound like a broken record but are you alright?" he asked, worried. "Spit it out." He was used to seeing her more bubbly and excited, all day he had seen her nervous and scared.

She wrinkled her face. "Not yet, you just got here. How was your first day? Everyone I heard likes you."

Patrick grinned as they sat. "I have a date."

"You work fast."

"Of course." He joked then took her hand. "Tell me."

Elizabeth sighed, staring ahead. "I got involved with someone I shouldn't have. It was a mistake and we both knew that. He's back with his ex and I'm," she turned to her friend, the only person she could lean on. "pregnant." She laughed nervously now that her secret was out. Telling Patrick made it all the more real, she was having a baby.

Patrick's face drained of all color. "What?" he didn't know what else to say. When Elizabeth planned to have children this wasn't what they discussed. She had always fantasized about being married in a huge house for the child to run; a family. Glancing around her apartment this was far from the dream. "What are you going to do?" he asked once the shock faded and the truth sat in front of him; his best friend was having a baby and she needed him.

"I'm going to have this baby and be a single mom. I don't want the father to know." This she had given a lot of thought. She wanted her child, sure it wasn't planned but she loved it already.

"Why not?"

Elizabeth sighed deeply as she reminded herself she never kept secrets from Patrick. "He doesn't want to have a kid with me and I don't want this baby being resented by anyone. It was a stupid affair that went too far and now he's moved on. Dinner is done, we should eat before you have to go."

"Go?" Patrick questioned as he followed her to the kitchen.

"Yeah your date."

He had forgotten about that. "No I'll cancel. We have to talk about this."

"We have seven months before the baby gets here, we'll talk later. Now let's eat and you tell me about all the great places you've seen."

-

Isabelle A.