Disclaimer- I don't own General Hospital or any of the characters.

Chapter Ten

Brenda moaned slightly. She didn't dare open her eyes yet. Someone was gently stroking her hair and it felt so good to be taken care of. For a few minutes she forgot she was in the hospital. Slowly she opened her eyes and saw Jason staring intensely at her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

It was dark outside now, the door to her room was closed, it was just her and Jason and she wasn't even the slightest bit scared.

"It's okay. It's my fault," she whispered back.

"No. It's not. Nothing is your fault, Brenda." He brushed the hair off her forehead but didn't remove his hand from the tangle of her hair.

"I really messed things up this time didn't I?" He only shook his head. "I bet you were surprised you got the phone call and everything with Emmy. I should have warned you. Thank you for taking care of her."

"You're welcome."

She stared back at him, not sure what to say next, or afraid of what she might say next.

"I need someplace to stay. I know that we're not married anymore, and if you have a girlfriend or wife or whatever, I understand, I can stay at the Quartermaine's …" she stopped when he held up his hand shaking his head.

"It's fine. No child of mine is going to be living with the Quartermaine's."

Brenda smiled slightly.

"You know she's not really yours right. Because that would mean we had to sleep together."

"Shut up," he whispered.

She slowly closed her eyes and opened them again with a sigh.

"You can stay with me as long as you like," he told her.

"Thank you," she said before closing her eyes again, this time leaving them closed.

"Just rest. You need your strength."

Jason watched her sleep for hours. He needed to catch up with Lois, bring Emmy home and get her into some sort of routine, less work for Brenda when she came home. Home. It sounded better by the minute. He watched her a few more minutes, her deep breathing a perfect indication that she was fast asleep again. He slowly released her hand that was clasped in his and disappeared out of the room into the darkened corridor.

---

Brenda was standing by the window in her room the next morning when a nurse came in carrying a tray of food.

"Breakfast," she told Brenda.

"I'm not hungry," Brenda replied without turning around.

"Dr. Drake said you had to eat three meals a day for the next two days or he wasn't going to release you."

"I'll handle Dr.Drake," Brenda told her.

She waiting until the nurse left the room, closing the door before turning around and glancing at the tray on the table. She walked over and lifted the lid. Stale hospital food. She picked up a piece of toast and took a bite out before tossing it back onto the plate. She thought about drinking the orange juice but knowing Patrick, he probably injected morphine in before serving it to her. She jumped slightly when there was a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Brenda asked, looking at the scrubs to make sure she looked somewhat presentable.

The door slowly opened and a paper bag appeared followed by Coop.

"Hi," he said. Brenda just looked at him. "I brought you some breakfast. Blueberry scone and a coffee, black."

"You are a lifesaver," she said as he handed her the cup of coffee and the bag. She sat down on her bed and opened the bag. Coop took a seat in the chair next to the bed.

"How are you feeling?"

"Good. What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I live in Port Charles." She looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "What have you heard?"

"Not much lately. I almost didn't recognize you."

"I only did from the pictures."

"How did you know I was here?" she asked taking a drink of her coffee.

"Julia. Who found out from Lois. She can't come," he told her.

"Typical Julia. We have a better relationship from a distance," Brenda said.

"She just opened the new branch in LA. I guess things are pretty busy."

"Don't make excuses for her Cooper," Brenda said.

"I'm not. Just relaying the message."

Brenda didn't say anything as she nibbled on the scone. The partially open door, came fully open as Patrick walked in.

"Visiting hour is over," he said sternly.

"Excuse me," Brenda said sliding off the bed. "You're not my father."

"Until you start eating decent meals and obeying doctors orders, no visitors," he told her.

"I'm eating, Dr. Drake," she smirked.

"Coffee and a scone don't count as a rounded out meal. I'm sorry, but you need to leave," he said to Cooper.

"I'll see you later," he told Brenda.

She didn't say anything as he walked out of the hospital room.

"You know the more you try to control me, the harder I'm going to make this one you," she told Patrick coming toe to toe with him.

"I'm looking out for your health. I don't care about the rest," he said. "I am doing everything I can to make sure Robin's big sister heals perfectly. You aren't making that easy. You should be sitting in that bed resting, eating whatever is put in front of you, and not arguing."

"But she's so good at it," Sonny said slowly walking in. Brenda glanced at him with question.

"Get back in that bed," he told Brenda. After a few quick seconds of stare-down she finally complied. "I will be back in fifteen minutes. Do not move from that bed."

"Yes, father," Brenda called as he walked out. She rolled her eyes and laid her head back on the bed.

"Giving the new doctor a hard time?" Sonny asked approaching the bed.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I heard someone worked a miracle and you were awake. Feisty as ever. At least you still have your personality."

"I'm not in the mood, Sonny. Does Carly know you're here?" she asked.

"Don't worry about Carly."

Brenda looked at him quizzically.

"Carly and I are divorced."

"Hmmm, and to think of all you gave up for her." Brenda closed her eyes. She lay on hand over her stomach.

"Are you in pain?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Sonny. Why are you here?"

"I told you. I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine. Patrick's letting me out in a couple days."

"I saw Coop at the elevator. Was here visiting you?"

"What's it to you?"

"Nothing," he shrugged. "Just curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat."

"Is he another one of your secret boyfriends?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Brenda crossed her arms over her chest and tried not to wince.

"Maybe you shouldn't move so much," he suggested.

"Maybe it's time you left," she told him.

"Okay." He held up his hands. "Feel better."

He walked out of the room without an argument.

Brenda sighed and covered her eyes with her forearm. She wished herself back into the past. Years ago when things were different, uncomplicated.

"I heard your giving Patrick a hard time," Robin said walking into the room with a smile and her own cup of coffee.

"I am so sick of this room," Brenda mumbled not removing her arm.

"How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted."

"Still no pain?"

"My face hurts. My stomach hurts."

"Let Patrick give you something stronger. Just for a couple days."

"Robin, I don't do pain meds, remember."

"I know, but if it's monitored." Brenda shook her head. "Aspirin?"

"I'll think about it."

"I just saw Sonny leave."

Brenda groaned. "Do I still have a guard at my door?"

"Max hasn't left your side in days." Brenda opened one eye and looked at her. "Except when Jason is here."

"Jason's never here. I've seen him twice," Brenda said sitting up more fully.

"He spends more time here when you're asleep. He barely left your side when you were unconscious. He was really worried."

"Jason hates me. It's only out of obligation," Brenda told Robin.

"Don't be so sure about that. The way he is with your little girl, you would think that he was waiting his whole life for the opportunity."

"Robin, Jason and I are complete opposites. I trusted him to do the right thing by me and my baby when it was needed."

"Just give it time. You have both been hurt in the past. Maybe all you both need is someone who feels your pain."

Brenda look at Robin, eyes wide, and she always started laughing.

"You're joking right? Jason and I will never be anything more than tolerant of each other for the time we have to be."

Robin just shrugged. People on the outside could see more than those on the inside.

"I'm going back to work. If you can keep a secret, just do what Patrick says today and I'll convince him to let you go home tomorrow."

Brenda smiled. "Cross my heart."

"See you later," Robin said before walking out of Brenda's room.