AN:

Two quick things. First I really did try to not make Lucky an ass. Really. However he wouldn't cooperate. Second thanks for all the positive feedback. It helps to know soemone beside me is enjoying this fic.

~Kelly~

PS
Roomie,
You crack me up!

Chapter Four

Patrick watched Elizabeth sleep most of the night. For some reason he couldn't make himself leave. Maybe it was because Elizabeth had helped him through so much. It only seemed right to do the same for her.

During the night, Patrick tried to figure out why Elizabeth couldn't seem to look at him. He did not understand it. Maybe she was embarrassed about her condition. It certainly made some sense to Patrick. He had dealt with patients who felt the same way. As a doctor, it could not have been easy for Elizabeth to wake up in the hospital. But for some reason Patrick got the feeling it was more.

"Did you stay here all night?" Elizabeth asked when she opened her eyes to find Patrick sitting at her bedside.

"Yeah. It didn't seem right to leave you alone."

"I'm fine. You should go get Emma and go home." Patrick didn't seem eager to believe Elizabeth. "All I'm going to do is sleep. That can't be fun to watch."

"Alright I'll go. Try not to give the poor nurses a hard time."

"I wouldn't dream of it." Elizabeth said thinking about Epiphany General Hospital's tough head nurse. It was no secret that the woman practically ran the hospital. The last thing anyone wanted to do was be on her bad side. "Patrick one more thing. Could you not mention this to anyone?"

"The wreck or your heart attack?"

"Both." She said hopefully.

"That doesn't make any sense. We both know you won't be able to work for a few weeks if not longer."

"I know. I am going to call Dr. Quartermaine and tell him. It's just... I would rather the whole hospital didn't know. Please?"

"I guess I can do that." Patrick promised making a brief note to call Karen later.

"Thank you. Now go get your daughter and try to not fight with Mac."

"I don't think that's going to happen." Patrick said shaking his head.

"I know."

"Get some rest." Patrick ordered gently before kissing Elizabeth on the top of her head. Even though it was a familiar act, it only served to increase the tension between them.

Once Patrick was gone, Elizabeth let out a long sigh. She could not forget seeing Patrick with Karen. Not that she hadn't tried. Eventually Elizabeth would have to tell Patrick what she saw. It was the only way to get past the awkwardness she felt. Patrick's friendship meant too much to toss away over something so ridiculous.

Until then Elizabeth had to figure out why she reacted the way she did. On the outside, it made no sense. It wasn't as if Patrick had cheated on her. Still that is what it had felt like to watch them. Which only left her more confused. In the four years, she knew him Elizabeth never thought of Patrick that way. She was certain he would say the same thing. Sure Patrick had flirted with her relentlessly but it was something he did to all the female staff even now. It was as if the man couldn't help himself. Everyone knew it didn't mean anything.

The only thing Elizabeth could think of was the time they spent together. Patrick was right in saying they were best friends. They counted on each other in a way unlike anyone else. Maybe it was because they were the only parents in their circle of friends. Although if Elizabeth was honest it started before that. Lucky had been the first one to point notice it. He had been so sure Elizabeth was cheating with Patrick. Now Elizabeth had to wonder if there wasn't something to Lucky's paranoia.

Just thinking of Lucky made her groan. She was going to have to call him. With her being stuck here for two days someone had to watch Cam. At least during the day her son would be at day camp. Hopefully Lucky wasn't going to be an ass.

"Spencer." Lucky said with his usual greeting.

"Hey Lucky it's Elizabeth. I need a favor."

"You want me to take Cameron."

Elizabeth sighed at Lucky's attitude trying to keep calm. This was really the last thing she needed. "Lucky I don't want to fight with you."

"So why can't you take Cameron? And I swear Elizabeth if you say work..."

"I was in a car accident last night. The doctor is keeping me for a few days."

"Are you alright?" Lucky had the decency to ask.

"Yeah."

"Then why can't you come home?"

"Lucky please. It's only two more nights."

"You know this means I have to cancel my plans right?" The man snapped coldly. All he could think about was how this affected him.

"I know but I didn't plan this."

"Fine. I'll watch him but you owe me for this." Lucky snapped slamming down the phone.

Part of Elizabeth wanted to cry at Lucky's behavior. She knew however, it wouldn't do any good. She could not change Lucky. It had taken her years and a very messy divorce to learn that. There were time Elizabeth hated relying him but he was her only option.

After a few moments Elizabeth pulled herself together enough make another call. At least she knew Alan Quartermaine would make her cry. Well she didn't think so anyways. The General Hospital chief of staff was kind man. It also helped he was Emily and Jason's father.

It took several minutes of waiting before she actually spoke to Dr. Quartermaine. As she explained the full situation, the older man became worried. After insisting he speak personally to her doctor, Alan agreed to give Elizabeth all the time off, she needed. Thankfully, she had several weeks of used vacation days. He assured Elizabeth the gossip mill would not hear about her accident from him. As they hung up Alan made her promise to take care of herself. While Alan wasn't a cardiologist, his wife was.

The whole morning had been trying and Elizabeth was exhausted. It did not take long for Elizabeth to fall in to a peaceful sleep.