Note: And the first chapter got cut off. I didn't know there was a limit – so chapter one continues.

Robin grinned. "It would have been a sight, but April saw it. Heard it. She knows that she matters. That people care about her, and that's what is important."

"That it is," Patrick agreed with a nod.

"Well," Robin sighed, "I have rounds. See you around?" she asked hopefully.

"Are you kidding me? I fully expect to go head-to-head with you over the Holzman case later today," he replied looking forward to the battle.

"You have to give the protocol more time to work," Robin told him falling easily back into their repartee.

"You always say that," Patrick pointed out as they headed out of the locker room.

Robin scowled slightly, "We'll pick this up later," she promised as they turned to head in opposite directions.

"I look forward to it," he replied. There was a bounce in his step as he made his way to the nurses station to pick up his charts. For the first time since he'd be infected Patrick was in good mood, an optimistic mood. He was even pleased to see Emily behind the nurses station organizing the day's charts. Approaching her he began to sing, "You make the earth move under my feet."

A chortled escaped Emily. "Keep that up Dr. Drake and I really will have to tell people how lame you are," she warned.

"No one would believe you," he stated confidently as he reached for his charts.

"Probably not," Emily agreed smiling up at him. She was pleased to see him looking so relaxed. "Your suave ways are legend here after all."

"They're not just legend here," he preened.

"Yes, I'm sure there are tales of Dr. Patrick 'Hottie' Drake all over the medical world," Emily teased.

"Hottie?" he queried with a crooked grin.

Emily felt herself blush, but was saved from having to respond to Patrick when Sonny called her name. "Emily," he smiled awkwardly as he approached the nurses station. His voice caused her heart to tighten. "Sonny," she answered his greeting somewhat breathless.

Sonny glanced past Emily and saw Patrick standing behind her. There was fierce look on the younger man's face that he couldn't interpret. "If you have moment," he said turning his attention back to Emily, "could I speak with you privately?"

"Yeah, of course," she answered. Though her reply had been quick there was uncertainty in her voice and Sonny hated that he put it there. "Robin already has Mrs. Holzman's chart," she told Patrick before scooting around the counter to join him.

Emily vaguely heard Patrick's, "Thanks," as she walked with Sonny to the small alcove with a plush chair and loveseat. Her nerves were on edge as she purposely sat in the chair so that there could be a small amount of physical distance between them. She could see the worry on his handsome face as he sat down across from her. Instinctively she asked, "What's wrong?"

!BREAK!

Feeling frazzled and confused Elizabeth looked around the tenth floor nurses station hoping to see her best friend. She desperately needed to confide in Emily. Though how much she would actually end up telling her was still up for debate. Emily HAD to know that Lucky was addicted to pain pills and that he cheated her on and that she had left him. At least that was her intention. After her night with Jason – God, how am I going to tell Em that I slept with her brother? – not to mention her talk with Nikolas this morning Elizabeth wasn't certain if she should try and forgive Lucky, let alone if she wanted to.

Yes, she loved her husband, more then anything. But the image of Lucky in bed with Maxie was permanently ingrained in her memory and she wasn't certain it was something she could get over. Part of her wanted to try. Lucky needed her, but the thought of raising her son with a cheating drug addict turned her stomach. That, Elizabeth knew, she could not do.

After gazing around quickly and not spotting her friend, Elizabeth made a bee-line for Patrick. He appeared to be reviewing a file and she hoped that he might have seen Emily. "Hey Patrick," she greeted him. He was flashing her a smile as she steamrolled over his reply and asked, "Have you seen Emily?"

His smile didn't falter. "Good morning to you too."

"Sorry," Elizabeth apologized dragging an agitated hand through her long chestnut tress, "I just really need to talk to her."

Knowing flashed in his eyes and she felt the heat of embarrassment stain her cheeks. She'd been the one to tell Patrick about Lucky, but confiding in him had been different before. Safer, for some reason she couldn't pinpoint, but she didn't feel that way at the moment. Patrick was a friend, but not the kind she really need right now. She needed someone who knew her and Lucky almost better then they knew themselves, someone one without bias Nikolas had, someone who always seemed to know what to say so that everything made sense – she needed Emily.

"You just missed her," he related. "Sonny showed up and they spoke briefly. Next thing Emily was begging Epiphany to get out of her shift. I've never seen anyone sweet talk her before, but Emily managed. I wonder if she promised Epiphany her first born or something?"

"Perfect," Elizabeth muttered unable to appreciate Patrick's attempt at humor. "Just perfect."

"Hey, everything all right?" Patrick asked leaning closer, concern shimmering in his hazel eyes. If it had just been mild interest Elizabeth would have balked but he seemed to care. Really care.

"No," she sighed. "I'm about a zillion miles from all right. In fact, I don't think I'll ever be near it again."

"Look I'm not Emily." That remark drew a snort of laughter from Elizabeth, "You are taller," she teased feeling somewhat normal for the first time in twenty-four hours.

"Don't forget prettier," Patrick kidded.

Smiling Elizabeth asked, "Are you sure you want to lend an ear for this?"

"For you, not a problem. How about some toxic coffee from the cafeteria?"

"Sounds great actually," she replied allowing him to steer her towards the elevator. "Though you might need something stronger then coffee by the time I'm through," she warned him as they stepped onto the empty elevator.

"And why's that?" Patrick inquired.

Elizabeth pushed the button for the cafeteria and waited for the doors to close before answering, "I complicated an already messy situation last night. After I left here I went to see an old friend – Jason Morgan, and well one thing led to another and we slept together."

There was ding as the doors slid open. "What was … You're going to have to run that by me again," he said as they stepped off the elevator, "because I could have sworn you just said –"

"Hey, not so loud Drake," Elizabeth warned. She gave a meaningful glance to all the people around them.

"Right. Sorry," Patrick muttered. "Something stronger would be good right about now, but since neither of us can indulge at the moment how about we find a private corner and you can start from the beginning?"

!BREAK!

"Emily I could be dying. You of all people know what it is like facing this disease. Sometimes it takes a hold of you and doesn't let go."

"I know that Alexis, but it doesn't mean that it will with you. And, it doesn't mean you have to face this alone. You have Ric—"

"Ha! Yeah, I have Ric. My oh so loving husband who slept with my daughter last night. Great support system I have there."

The conversation she had with Alexis was still swimming in her mind as she rode the elevator up to the penthouse. Emily's heart broke for Alexis, but her first thought after the bombshell had been dropped was of Jason. Her brother loved Sam, in away she'd never seen him love a woman before, and she slept with his worst enemy. Emily wanted to hate her for that, but Jason had been the one to push Sam away. Not exactly into Ric's arms, but what had he expected? For Sam to never be with another person again?

Even though she promised Alexis not to tell anyone after she got her settled down, Emily knew she had to go to Jason. He had to know. And not just because he was her brother. The last time she kept quiet about an affair she'd seen things ended up blowing up in everyone's face. It wasn't a position she wanted to be in again.

"I'll tell them about the cancer. I have to really. Kristina and Molly are going to need Ric and Sam now more then ever. And if I die—"

"Alexis don't talk like that. You have to fight this. I know staying positive is hard, but you have to hold onto everyone you love and everything you care about and use that to keep fighting. You can survive this."

"Believe me Emily, I want to. I don't want to leave my girls, but I have to be practical. That's who I am. I have to make sure that my girls will be safe and together no matter what. Whether I survive this cancer or not that's my job, because I'm their MOTHER."

So Alexis wasn't going to tell Sam and Ric she knew about their affair. That was her choice and Emily doubted that Jason would go around telling people. Of course there was always a chance he might go after Ric. That was a very real possibility and it worried her.

She would just have to explain that Alexis needed Ric right now. She needed her husband and her daughter to get through her illness like she had needed him. He wouldn't like it, but he'd leave Ric alone. At least for the time being.

Even though she was unsure of her actions, not to mention her motivations, Emily hurried off the elevator and knocked on Jason's door. The sight the greeted her stunned Emily. Jason stood inside the penthouse shoulders bent with anguish on his face. He knew, was all she could think. "Hi," she said rather lamely before stepping through the doorway and wrapping her arms around him.

Jason sighed and closed the door before he returned her embrace. Lifting her eyes she met his gaze, "I guess I don't need to tell you about Sam," she said softly.

"How did …" he started to question. Instead of finishing he shook his head and told her: "I don't really want to talk about this now Emily."

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to," she replied. "I'm just here. Okay?"

"I appreciate that, but I don't want you here right now." Seeing the flash of hurt on her face he clarified, "I don't want anyone here."

"So you rather be alone and miserable? Or is this because we're still not okay?" she challenged.

He scrubbed a hand over his tired face. "We're okay Emily."

"Then let me help you," she implored.

"There isn't anything you can do. It happened."

"And that's it? Sam slept with Ric," she stated and watched him flinch at her words. Softening her tone she continued, "Jase, I how that feels. Seeing that – it rips out your heart and leaves you raw."

"I can't do this Emily," he said his voice strained. "I can't talk about my feelings. It doesn't change anything."

"I know," Emily sighed, wishing she had the words to help her brother. "I just …" What?, Emily wondered. She wanted to help her brother. To be his rock like he'd been hers in the past. "I'm here Jason. Whatever you need I'm here for you," she said dropping her gaze she surveyed the apartment. It was a mess and the wreckage made her breath catch. "I just wanted to tell you that."

"I know," he replied touching her shoulder. She lifted her gaze back to him and smiled hesitantly. She could see love and appreciation in his blue eyes along with the anguish he felt. They were things he would never vocalize, but then again they had never really needed words. They just knew. "If you want to help someone you should help Elizabeth," he told her.

"Elizabeth?" she questioned. First Patrick had mentioned something and now Jason. "Why would she need my help?"

Surprise flashed in Jason's eyes. "She hasn't told you?"

"Apparently not," Emily said agitated. It had been one hell of a morning so far. Seeing Sonny again and talking to him all the while pretending like their relationship hadn't happened. That she didn't love him and miss him so much that it physically hurt. Then going to Alexis. Comforting and assuring her when she knew the odds of survival better then anyone, and now this?

"You should go see her," he advised her. "She needs you right now,"

"Why?"

"That's for Elizabeth—"

"Jason please don't give me that crap now," Emily snapped. "I have to know what's going on. Now."

"It's Lucky," he said resignation in his voice. "He's addicted to his pain medication and is having an affair," he told her in his quick, succinct way.

"Oh," Emily breathed out completely floored by the news. "I knew Lucky was … God. I have to – are sure you're you don't want me to stay?"

"Yeah."

"All right. Look, I'm going to be back tonight with dinner and I don't want any arguments. I know your refrigerator is bare and you won't order in so I'm brining you dinner. And I promise, no talking, except for another pool lesson. Okay?"

"Okay," he agreed.

"Good," Emily replied giving him a quick hug before heading out. She heard her cell phone beep as she waited impatiently for the elevator. Odd she hadn't even heard it ring. Hearing Patrick's voice on the on message surprised her. "Hi Emily, it's Patrick. We need talk. Give me a call?"

Emily shook her head at his request. What could Patrick Drake want to talk to her about? Well, whatever it was it would have to wait. "Sorry Patrick," she mumbled escaping out of her message system before dialing a familiar number. "Hey Lucky, it's Em," she said after two rings. "Yeah, we need to talk."