Standard disclaimers applied. See Chapter 1 for further details.

Author's Note: Lyrics borrowed from Rascal Flatts' "What Hurts the Most," which don't belong to me.

CHAPTER 10 The Hurt Comes in Seeing You

The time when Ann and Frederick actually spoke directly to each other was at work. They were after all, working in the same hospital. She was transferring four-year Matthew from the pediatrics ward down to the OR for his tonsillectomy. Normally, she would be on the med-surg floor, but she was just filling for one of the nurses who called in sick.

It was Matthew's first surgery. It was quite stressful for him to see all these doctors and nurses around him, gowned in face masks and head coverings, so that only their eyes were visible. He put up quite a resistance, when Mei wheeled him down from his room down to the OR. He wanted Mommy, not a petite nurse who was dressed in the ugly shade of green - customary OR scrubs. He certainly didn't want to stay in his bed and found that pulling on Ann's hair to be far more amusing to pass his time.

The usual trek down the elevator seemed so much longer and Matthew was ignoring everything that she was saying. "Matthew, sit down. Matt ..."

Before the four year old had a chance to hurt himself, he was sufficiently pulled away from her. His hands were untangled from her hair. Ann turned around to find her rescuer to be none other than Dr. Frederick Wentworth! Apparently, he had gotten onto the elevator from behind her.

"Derick!" A slip of tongue on her part, but he appeared just as startled as she was. "Mei!"

"I didn't know you worked here," he managed to blurt out.

"I'm a RN."

"Yes, I can see that."

Matthew divert his attention to this new visitor, "I want my mommy."

"You will see her before you go home today," Frederick assured him.

"But, I want my mommy."

"Nurse Mei will take care of you, right now."

"I don't like her," Matthew shot back.

"Do you trust me, buddy?"

A nod, and Frederick said, "I say you can trust her too."

"Like you, mister?"

It was such an innocent question. Perhaps, it was better for the both of them that the elevator doors opened once again for the OR floor. Frederick wasn't obligated to answer and Ann could live in ignorance of Frederick's feelings for her.

What hurts the most
Was being so close
And having so much to say
And watching you walk away
And never knowing
What could have been

Frederick was going to meet with Georgia and Fitz for an early supper, just at the end of his shift. He was desperately in need of doing some shopping for his apartment, but he had little time with being on call for the past week because another doctor was on vacation.

In this instance, Georgia had given instructions earlier for a buffet downtown. He was glad for the chance to loosen his tie and discard his stethoscope for a hearty meal. Glancing at his watch, he thanked the small graces that he was on time for once without the interruption from his pager. Frederick found Fitz easy enough, as he was leaning against the bar area, chatting it up with the bartender. Upon hearing the door chiming, Fitz glanced over and signaled Frederick near. "About time Ricker."

"What? I'm on time. Besides, Georgia is not here."

"Nope and she won't be. She ditched me for some last minute change in plans. I didn't bother asking especially when she starts raving like some hormonal teenager. From the sound of it, she found some alcove that was featuring some new local talent, so she called to cancel. Funny, it was her idea to come to this place."

"So, it's me and you tonight?"

"And Will, if I can convince him to venture outside the office for two minutes."

Frederick nodded, as they headed over to the buffet counter. As the men grabbed two empty plates, it was only then that Frederick noticed what nationality of food were being served.

"She didn't tell me that it's going to be Chinese food."

"Actually, it's more Asian - there's some Thai stuff two aisles over on your left and some Japanese two aisles to the right. Besides what does it matter, you eat anything that looks remotely edible."

Fitz glanced up to see Frederick's incredulous expression. "What? Sue me for checking out the foods before grabbing a beer."

"Actually, I don't really care, anything is better than frozen dinners from my freezer. I haven't done grocery shopping for a good week and half now."

The men loaded up plates before heading over to their table. For a moment, there was silence as they sampled their fares. Frederick glanced over at Fitz's choice of fried vegetables and rice along with sweet and sour chicken balls and commented, "I hope you know that chicken balls aren't really Chinese food. It's more Westernized than actually being remotely Asian."

"Says who? Last I checked, you aren't Chinese."

"Well Mei is," Frederick shot back before he realized exactly what he had said.

Fitz took a swig of his beer and said dryly, "You mean Ann? Yeah, she's Chinese."

Frederick pushed the small grain of rice on his plate and said, "It's just a statement, Fitz."

"You know Ricker, we've been best friends for how long before college? Don't you think I deserve an explanation after eight years? I mean I didn't get a single email from you when you went to university."

Frederick clasped Fitz on the shoulder and said, solemnly, " From day one, I was won over by that basketball net that your parents bought you. We had some crazy times, but it was circumstance and time that got in the way, Fitz. Stuff happens that neither of us have very happy memories about, but we are both here and alive."

"So, we live to wreak havoc for next couple of decades or so?" Fitz asked.

"Of course, modern medicine does wonders to perpetuate the human life expectancy." With that, there was any need for further explanations.

Even though going on with you gone still upsets me
There are days every now and again I pretend I'm ok
But that's not what gets me

They were interrupted by Will Darcy. "Sorry I'm late. I had to fight some twenty-something with a Mustang for a parking spot."

"So, did you win, old man?"

Will spared his cousin a look that would seriously require Frederick's medical expertise. "Clearly."

Turning his attention to the other man at the table, Will's eyes lit up in recognition, "Ricker! Long time no see."

"Likewise, Will."

Through a couple rounds of food, the three men were catching up on their respective personal and professional lives. "So, you two are done with this business contract?" asked Frederick.

The cousins nodded but it was Will who launched into a verbose narrative about a certain lawyer.

"Liz was very resourceful. Even though she was busy with some of her own cases and planning for Jane's wedding, she finished everything on time. You know ..."

"I do, Will. I'm in the office too and I know all about how you make nice with Liz Bennet."

"Any time now, you can stop being an idiot, Richard."

The cousins bickered liked two old maids who had nothing to do but to exchange insults. Frederick smiled at this and Will's good fortune, but all the same, he could not help feeling left out of their merry circle.

It's hard to deal with the pain of losing you everywhere I go
But I'm doin' It
It's hard to force that smile when I see our old friends and I'm alone

End of Chapter 10

AN: Ok, I really appreciate everyone's reviews. I'm trying to work in more P&P scenes, but sadly to say it's not in this one, but I'm sure you guys don't mind the little male bonding scene. ;) r/r and let me know what you guys think.