AN:
Thanks to all the people who have given out quirky fic a chance. It makes years of work worth it. Really years. It's not funny.
So this is the first real Elizabeth and Matt interaction of the fic. It also has a little Scrub scene for of you fans out there.
By the way I forgot to mention a few things.
1. Robin doesn't have PPD. Guza totally screwed that story line up (as usual) so it's not going to happen in this fic.
2. The kiss on the hospital roof between Elizabeth & Lucky didn't happen. (Lisa insisted)
3. There is no Rebecca or Ethan.
Okay I think that's it. Don't forget to leave lots of comments. Or notes of scolding because this was posted late.
Enjoy,
Kelly and Lisa
Chapter Three Mercy Hospital February, 2009
5:20 AM EST
Elizabeth sighed as she leaned back on to the bed. After two days in the hospital she was bored out of her mind. While she enjoyed being a nurse being a patient still sucked. Especially with Patrick Drake as your doctor. It seemed as if the neurosurgeon was reluctant in allowing Elizabeth to leave. Until he changed his mind she was trapped with nothing to do.
The only good thing about this situation was Lucky hadn't returned. She hated how awkward things were between them especially because of the boys. However it wouldn't be fair to give Lucky any false hope. Elizabeth knew she could never consider a relationship with Lucky ever again.
Just as Elizabeth finally started to drift off she heard a soft knock. "Hello?"
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Robin watched as Patrick flipped through several charts. Despite everything that had happened her husband seemed almost happy. She immediately began to get nervous. This wasn't GH and Patrick didn't have the freedom he did there. "What have you done?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." he said trying unsuccessfully to wipe the smirk off his face. He doubted Matt would appreciate him telling anyone about their conversation even if it was Robin.
"Don't try that with me Patrick Drake. I know you've done something."
"I'm hurt you don't trust me." Patrick pouted causing Robin to roll her eyes. Of everyone she would be the person to bust him fist. Damn! Why did his wife have to be working today? "Fine I may have done something. Don't give me that look Robin it wasn't bad."
"Why don't you let me be the judge of that?" she pushed trying not to expect the worst. Patrick was too smug for it to be nothing. He had the same look he got after a successful surgery. Except Robin knew his only patients were the ones non-critical brought over from GH. It seemed Mercy didn't want the other doctor interfering in their hospital.
"All I did was be a good brother to Matt." Patrick explained simply. He hoped the vague answer would appease his wife although he doubted it would work. "I thought you would be proud of me."
Robin sighed at the statement. The truth was she was proud of Patrick for making an effort with Matt especially since the younger man didn't always make it easy. Still the idea of Matt and Patrick working together- it was worrying. "I would be if I thought there wasn't more to it."
He shrugged not really sure how to answer his wife. "Matt has a crush on someone and I gave him some advice."
This was surprising information. Last Robin heard Matt was interested in Maxie. He had been pestering her for a date just before the bio-toxin incident. "Who?" she asked curious who Matt was interested in now. Especially if her husband was giving him relationship advice. Poor Matt.
"Come on Robin," Patrick said rolling his eyes and picking up another chart. "you can't expect me to tell you that."
"I can and I do especially since you're about to bust." she teased knowing how big of a gossip her husband was.
"You got me there." he admitted without shame. Part of him was dying to tell the entire hospital about Matt's crush. The rest wanted didn't want Matt upset with him.
"Well?"
Eh. What the hell? Too bad for Matt his wife was scarier. After another moment if silence he looked around the quite hub. Telling Robin was one thing telling the entire hospital was another. "Elizabeth." Robin stood shocked for a moment before laughing. "What is so funny?"
"Nothing." she managed in between laughs. When she finally pulled herself together she said, "It's just I can't imagine them two together."
"Kinda like us?" he teased giving her long brown hair a light tug.
"Worse." she said smacking his chest. "Patrick you know Elizabeth's getting over a broken heart. There's a real chance of Matt getting hurt."
"I know but maybe this is what they both need."
"Maybe." she said even though she wasn't convinced. Robin had come to like Matt and Elizabeth was good friend. She didn't want either of them hurt.
"He isn't a player like me Robin,and he isn't Lucky Spencer either." Patrick said hoping to lighten he mood of their conversation.
"Which happens to be one of his finer qualities." she agreed letting out a soft laugh.
"I hope you mean Spencer."
"Maybe." she shrugged and smiled. "Seriously though do you think Matt chasing after Elizabeth is a good idea?"
Patrick thought about it for a moment. If anyone could use some fun it was Elizabeth especially after the last year. "Yeah I do actually. You should have seen him talk about Elizabeth. It was almost..." he paused for a moment searching for the right word. "I don't know... sweet."
"And Elizabeth?"
Patrick sighed at his wife's persistence. Clearly she wasn't going to let this go. "I haven't had a chance to speak with her but I'd guess that she has no clue."
"Even if she did Matt would have to push." Robin pointed out carefully. She just couldn't see how someone she cared about wasn't going to get hurt.
"Yeah," Patrick said scratching the back of his neck. Elizabeth was nothing if not stubborn. "I warned him about that."
"And?"
"As much as we all pretend otherwise Matt is Drake."
"Which means what exactly?" she asked letting out an exasperated huff. It was good thing they were at work because other wise her husband would be in huge trouble.
Patrick couldn't help but smirk at the question. "That the chase is half the fun."
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Matt shifted nervously as he stood outside Elizabeth's room. He was seriously rethinking the idea of checking on her again. However Matt couldn't seem to get Patrick's words out of his head. He never expected his brother's approval let alone encouragement. Maybe that was the reason Matt wasn't sneaking around anymore. Taking another deep breath he raised his hand to knock.
"Hello?" a soft voice filtered through the door.
He slowly pushed the door open and smiled shyly at Elizabeth. "Hi. How are you feeling?"
"Good." Elizabeth said before shrugging. "Well better anyways. What about you?"
Not knowing how to answer Matt ignored her question and instead said, "I think I'm driving Patrick crazy."
She laughed at the admission. Patrick tended to make most of his patients crazy so she figured this was a nice change. "You too huh?"
"Yeah," he said shuffling uncomfortably. "but I guess he means well."
Elizabeth nodded her head at his statement. Patrick had become one of her closest friends. "That's true. But I can't tell you how much I miss my boys."
"You're a good mother."
It was Elizabeth's turn to sigh. She didn't feel like a good mother at the moment. "It doesn't always feel that way. I mean I've made a lot of mistakes."
"No one's perfect Elizabeth but you love those boys. Years from now that's all that will matter."
"I certainly hope so."
"Trust me even with Noah and all of that..." he paused, stuffing his hands in the robe pockets, and shrugged. "I didn't have a horrible childhood."
"I hope you're right."
"I am." Matt said attempting to reassure the woman sitting in front of him. Maybe if he made her feel better it would help with his own guilt.
"You never answered my question." Elizabeth pointing out changing the subject.
"Which one?"
"How are you?" she asked again watching as her colleague stiffened at the question.
"Doesn't matter." he said awkwardly after a few moments of silence.
"And why is that?"
"Because Layla and Andy died." Matt pointed out pausing to take a deep breath. "Because you nearly died." he finished quietly. He almost couldn't get the words out practically chocking on the guilt and self-loathing.
"Dr. Hunter..." Elizabeth started but stopped shaking her head. "Matt what happened... it wasn't your fault."
"That's sweet of you to say but we both know it was my decision that caused all this." he his agreed pushing down the urge to run. Knowing she didn't blame him made him feel weird. And he wanted to understand why.
"Matt there's no way you could have known what would happen."
"I should have waited... I..."
"I'm not going to let you blame yourself." Elizabeth interrupted firmly. No matter what Matt said she knew none of this was his fault. "Sure you made a decision not to wait for the x-ray but it happens especially in emergence situations."
"It was the wrong decision." he snapped back immediately regretting it. The tone however didn't seem to even faze Elizabeth.
"Maybe but you were trying to save someone's life."
He on the very edge of her bed suddenly feeling tired. He didn't have the energy to fight with her. Still Matt felt the need to make her understand. "A lot of good that did anyone. I killed two people tonight I nearly killed you."
"I don't blame you Matt. No one does. Please don't blame yourself."
"I don't know how not to." he admitted so softly he was sure Elizabeth hadn't head him.
"Just take it one day at a time."
"Sounds like good advice." Matt said looking down at his hands. For some reason when said it wasn't his fault Matt almost believed her. "I know this is probably sudden and feel free to say no but... um... could I take you out sometime?"
"Like... like a date?" she blurted out nearly speechless from shock. Matt Hunter had asked her the very last question she ever expected.
"Or as friends." he said hurriedly. Since he didn't know Elizabeth well he wasn't sure what to make of her reaction. "I don't want to pressure you."
"You're not it's just," Elizabeth paused for a moment to think about the last few months. She knew she needed to move past Jason. Maybe going out with Matt was the first step in doing just that. "A date sounds great."
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Almost Four Days Earlier January 30, 2009
Mercy Hospital
4:45 AM EST
It had been a long night and she was really starting to feel it as she stepped off the elevator on the sixth floor. She thought she'd stop in and check on Elizabeth and maybe Dr. Hunter. They were both on this floor. Rounding the corner from the elevator to the Nurse's Station she delivered the charts she'd brought up for the fifth floor.
"How's everyone doing," she looked at the woman's name badge, "Anna?"
The dark-haired Asian woman gave her a soft smile, "All the ones that came in from your place seem to be doing all right. A few small scares but everyone seems to be resting quietly, now."
Nadine nodded, "I guess the worst is over," she stifled a small yawn.
Anna smiled at her, "You must be exhausted. We made up some beds in the doctor's lounge on three for anyone who wants to catch some sleep."
"Oh, that's great," Nadine gave her a cheerful grin, "I may just go home, though, and I'm not that far from here."
"Did you want to check in on the GH group," Anna asked handing her the list of names and room locations.
Nadine took the list, "Thanks. I'm going to do that now, I'll get vitals."
Anna nodded, "Great, thanks."
Nadine took off on her rounds and as she went down the list of the patients from GH she was able to look in on Elizabeth who seemed to be drifting off to sleep. Dr. Hunter a few doors down was restless and after exchanging a few words she swiftly continued checking off the people on her list.
Until she rounded the South corner she'd forgotten that Dr. Quartermaine was on this floor. There he was, Jason Morgan, standing right outside his mother's room. She stood and watched him for a moment before walking into her patient's room. They'd exchanged a short nod as she entered.
Checking the settings on the monitors and the IV's and making her notations she was in the room for only a few minutes. Glancing at her watch she realized that he'd probably been standing outside that room for almost half an hour. Finishing her work, she leaned on the door frame and looked searchingly at him for a moment.
"Why don't you go in?"
Jason shook his head and gave her a small smile, "She might not want me in there."
She had a searing memory flash of that winter night when he tried to stop a bomber who was holding GH hostage. His mother's words had been bitter and hateful when she called him a hitman and announced he worked for a notorious gangster and said he was the reason his sister was dead. But then she remembered him sitting at her side when she'd been brought in from a car accident.
"You know, Mr. Morgan," her soft southern drawl drew his attention, "my Aunt Rayleen, she's always saying how what's said about a person can be belied by their actions."
His brows shot up, "I'm not sure what that's supposed to mean, Nurse Crowell," he looked back into his mother's room.
Nadine shrugged, "I know that she said awful things to you when you tried to diffuse that bomb, but you did a good thing that night," she said softly.
"She just said what was true." His eyes didn't flicker from watching his mother.
She had to admit to being surprised by his matter-of-fact compliance with what his mother said about him. She'd heard from Mr. Jackal that his master was really quite honest and steadfast.
"So, you're going to just stand here," she questioned curiously. She tried not to show how much she was intrigued by him.
He nodded, and his eyes hadn't left his mother for more than seconds since she'd approached. In his own way he was devoted. She estimated he'd been up to visit his mother at least half a dozen times. He dipped his head and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You must be exhausted," she said quietly.
Jason shrugged, "I'd like to be here when she wakes, but I don't want Spinelli to be alone either."
She smiled over at him, "I think you may fall over yourself, Mr. Morgan, if you don't get some sleep."
He gave her a small smirk, "I'll be fine." He looked back into his mother's room, "I don't need that much sleep."
"Well, it's good to know we have our very own superman," she chuckled softly as she pushed herself off the door. She got a funny satisfaction of seeing him quirk a brow at her.
"You going back down," she ticked her head toward the elevator. He nodded and after looking in on his mother one last time and followed her.
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Jason still had the young nurse's playful barbs on his mind while walked back to Spinelli's room. Playing tag with her barbs was the fear in his mother's voice when she'd asked if he had anything to do with the toxic poison that had been unleashed into GH. He would never admit to anyone how much it hurt that she'd think that about him, but it had and it did.
It was to be expected though. At least, that's what he kept telling himself. How could he fault her when it was right in line with the life he led? How could he blame her for thinking the worst of him?
He was keeping her grandson from her, while strangers knew of him. He'd taken her only other grandson away from her and might as well have killed him. He couldn't blame her at all, and didn't. But that didn't make it hurt less.
He'd been sitting in the chair in the corner of Spinelli's room for about thirty minutes when his friend finally woke.
It took the younger man a few moments to focus on his whereabouts. His hand was blindly searching for the small hand of Maxie Jones who'd been with him when he was sedated. Jason had encouraged her take advantage of one of the beds in the doctor's lounge.
"Maxie's, in the doctor's lounge getting some sleep," he said quietly as he came over to the bed, "I'll have someone get her for you."
"Stone Cold," he was surprised as the scratchiness of his voice. But he smiled at his mentor shyly, "You have stayed with the Jackal," his smile grew broader, "I am gratified that you would keep a vigil by my bedside for me," he went to move his hand but found it tethered to an IV.
"You need to take it easy," Jason ignored his effusive greeting, "you breathed in a lot of smoke," he explained, "and the fire singed the lining of your throat."
Spinelli nodded, "I understand," he kept his voice low.
"Good." He watched his mentor rub the back of his neck as Jason pressed the Nurse's Call Button. And he could see the exhaustion on his face and in his posture.
"But what of your matriarch," he asked as his brain cleared, "What of your patriarch, the Fair Maternal One, the Valkyrie, the Goddess," he searched his master's eyes, "is all well?"
Jason allowed himself a small smile, "Yes, Spinelli, everyone's doing fine," he pulled over the small wheeled stool and sat down, "Edward is at home, and so is Sam. Carly's home, too. My mother is one floor up and last I checked she was resting comfortably."
Spinelli's brows shot up, "And you are not with your matriarch? You chose to sit by the bedside of your loyal grasshopper," his awe was palpable and not lost on Jason.
The Mob Boss shook his head, "You are not my grasshopper, Spinelli. And I've gone up to see my mother every hour and they're to call me as soon as she wakes."
"But you should be with your venerable parent," he gently admonished his mentor and friend.
Jason shrugged slightly, "She thought that I had something to do with the poison," he dropped his gaze for a moment, "I don't think I'm the first person she'd want to see."
Spinelli could see how much his mother's assumption hurt his friend and wondered, again, how it was that people thought Jason Morgan had no feelings. He took his cue from his friend and moved on. He pointed to Jason's shoulder, "How is the wound?"
"His wound is fine, Mr. Jackal," her soft sing-song voice preceded her into the room, "it's time to check on you," she gave him a broad smile.
Jason rose from the stool and stepped away from the bed as she breezed in. "I'll wait outside."
"Oh, that's fine, Mr. Morgan," Nadine was already changing the IV bag and checking the monitors again. Jason walked to the Nurse's Station and pulled out his cell in the open area to dial Maxie and wake her up. Her voice lost its sleepiness as she grasped that he was telling her that Spinelli was awake.
He tensed as he felt a tap on his shoulder and wheeled around to find Epiphany holding out a cup of steaming hot coffee.
"You really should get some rest yourself, Mr. Morgan," she tsked, "even you need sleep, hmm?"
Jason nodded as he took a deep sip of the hot but tasteless brew, "Yeah."
The brusque nurse could hear the fatigue in his voice. He still wore the soot of his earlier escapades at GH. She knew how hard he'd worked with Patrick to get the patients out of GH and to also keep the criminal element reined in and that took considerable doing.
Epiphany bustled around the counter and came to stand before him, she reached for the cup she'd just proffered and took it from him setting it on the counter. She was unmoved by his slight surprise.
She grabbed his upper arm, "Come on," she propelled him in the direction of the patient's rooms, "you need to sleep. How you going to get that Trevor Lansing or that Anthony Zacchara, if you're dead on your feet," she admonished, "just ridiculous going back and forth between rooms all night and then expecting to be able to do your job," she kept gently berating him. "How are you going to shoot straight if you can't even see straight," she propelled him passed Nurse Crowell and into one of the empty rooms.
Jason was so exhausted and so taken aback that he'd not yet protested.
Epiphany got behind him and grabbed the back of his jacket. She turned to her young colleague, "Well, give a woman a hand here."
Nadine responded quickly and grabbed the other side of the heavy leather jacket. Between the two women and very little resistance from the exhausted Mobster they managed to get it off him.
"Bed, Mr. Morgan," the two urged in tandem, and gave him a small push onto the freshly made hospital bed.
The small push was all he needed as he stretched his body out. He tried to protest as the two nurses stripped his boots off, but the sleep he's been fighting finally won.
