Author's Notes: PLEASE don't flame me! I know it's been over a year since I updated. In that time I moved, changed jobs, got engaged, planned on moving again, and called off an engagment... so things were a little hectic around here. I did hit a case of writer's block with this, but once I started on my other story Filling In the Blanks, my muse returned for this one. I've gotten a few more chapters pounded out, and I replaced Chapter 13 and all of it's funy formatting. I'll try to update more, just please be patient. I will never completely abandon a story. There's usually a good reason if I let them lie dormant for a while.

Anyway -- enjoy Chapter 14! Feedback is always appreciated:)

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Unexpected Developments

CHAPTER 14:

Joe walked quietly into Vanessa's room. He paused at the door, taking in her small frame in the big bed. Other than an oxygen mask hiding her beautiful face, she looked fine. Her eyes were closed and she seemed to resting peacefully. Joe walked up to the side of her bed and gently picked up his hand in hers.

At the contact, Vanessa's eyes opened and she saw Joe's worried face staring back at her. Through the mask, she protested weakly, "You're not supposed to see me until tomorrow!"

Joe laughed at his fiancé's comment. "Silly," he replied. "Do you think anything could stop me from seeing you after the phone call I got? I had to make sure you were alright."

"Sorry to worry you," she said, a hint of a smile visible behind the foggy mask. "What happened?"

Joe sighed as he sat on the edge of the bed. He pushed a rogue lock of hair off her face and answered softly, "Someone put something in your drink."

Vanessa's eyes searched his questioningly. "Who?"

"It was the girl that stepped up to the bar while you and Nancy were waiting on your drinks. Nancy gave me a pretty good description of her, and I'm pretty sure it was Special Agent Matthews." He patted Vanessa's hand as he continued, "But don't you worry, there are a lot of people out there right now tracking her down."

"Tell Nancy thank you," she instructed him, and Joe nodded that he would. "So it's over?" she whispered.

"It will be nothing more than a bad dream, as soon as they pick her up," he said, gathering her in his arms for a hug. "God, Van. I'm just so happy your okay. I don't know what I would've done if ..."

"Don't even finish that thought," Vanessa smiled as she put her hand on Joe's cheek. "You can't get rid of me that easy," she whispered.

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"Take me home?" Nancy suggested to Frank, heavily leaning on him for support. "It's been a long day."

"Sure. Give me Van's keys. I'll leave her car with Joe, that way he has a way to get home when the nurses kick him out tonight," Frank smiled, knowing it would take an army of nurses to get Joe to leave Vanessa's side.

Nancy placed the car keys in Frank's hand and told him, "Tell Vanessa I'm glad she's okay."

"Will do," Frank replied.

Nancy watched Frank as he exited the waiting room. Making her way to a chair to sit, she realized just how exhausted she really was. The day's events had taken a toll on her and all she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep for hours. She closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair, her head resting against the cool tile of the wall. Only seconds passed, or so it seemed, until Frank reappeared at her side.

He smiled down at her and held out his hand, "Ready?"

Nancy opened her eyes reluctantly and she placed her hand in his outstretched one. "More than ready," she replied, as she was helped to her feet.

As she stood, the world suddenly began to spin around her. Black spots dotted her vision, and she sunk her fingers into Frank's arm for support. "Frank, I think I'm gonna..." was all she managed to say before she went limp in his arms.

Reacting quickly, Frank managed to hold on to her before she could hit the floor. "Nurse!" he called out desperately. Assuming the worse, Frank heart raced as the thought of Nancy being drugged as well ran through his mind.

A nurse quickly ran from behind the counter and helped Frank lower Nancy back into her chair. "What happened?" the nurse, whose name tag read Sue, asked. She checked Nancy's pulse as she waited for Frank to answer.

"I don't know," Frank stammered in confusion. "She was fine, and then she just passed out." He took a deep breath to calm himself and informed the nurse that Nancy was pregnant.

Just then, Nancy's eyes fluttered open, and quickly closed once more. She pressed a hand to her forehead and asked "What happened?"

Frank knelt by Nancy's chair. "You just about gave me a heart attack, that's what happened." Letting out a deep sigh he continued, "You passed out on me."

The nurse smiled at the worried man and his girlfriend. "Let me go grab the doctor and have him check her out."

Frank nodded, his eyes never leaving Nancy. She looked pale and her forehead felt clammy to his touch.

"I don't feel so good," she moaned lightly.

"The doctor will be right out," Frank assured her. "Maybe you and Van can share a room," he laughed worriedly.

Nancy shook her head, trying to shake the woozy feeling that had suddenly overcome her moments before. "You're not funny," she retorted lightly, resting her head once more against the cool tile of the wall.

Smoothing back her hair from her face he chuckled slightly once more, "And here I thought that you loved me for my wicked sense of humor." The humor left his voice when he asked, "Nan, is it possible you were slipped something, too?"

"I don't think so," she responded, eyes still shut. "If I had, don't you think it would've hit me before now?"

Before Frank could reply, the nurse reappeared with the doctor that they had spoken with earlier. The older man glanced down at Frank and Nancy and asked gently, "What happened?"

"I passed out," Nancy informed him succinctly.

A bemused grin passed over the doctor's face as he looked down at Nancy. "I have a pretty good suspicion that the stress of the day has just taken its toll on you, given your condition. However, let's take you back and run a few tests just to make sure."

Nancy sighed, "Is that really necessary?"

Frank looked pointedly at Nancy, "Yes, it's really necessary. When you get your medical license then you can decide whether or not you want to run a few tests."

Nancy opened her mouth to protest, then thought better of it. "Fine," she replied wearily, "lead the way."