Chapter 38

Regina held her head in her hands. This could not come up again. "Under no circumstances can the secret come out Daniel," Regina said.

"I know," Daniel said. "Did you ever tell Erica?"

Regina shook her head no. "She didn't ask so I never offered to explain. It was in the past and it was supposed to stay there. I'm going to call her."

She dialed and a man's voice answered. "Hello," Mark said.

"I'm trying to reach my daughter, an Erica Richards."

"I'm Dr. Mark Chambers. I admitted your daughter a couple of hours ago," he replied.

"Well, is she okay?"

"Mrs. Richards, your daughter has a concussion and is being kept overnight for observation. She should be just fine to go home tomorrow."

"Thank you and please tell her that I called," Regina said and hung up. She turned to Daniel. "She has a concussion. I'm going up there."

"I'll come with you," Daniel offered.

"No. It's better that I go and discuss what she did. She may not want to talk with you being in the room considering last time you snapped at the police station."

"Fine but call me when you get there," Daniel said. "Wait, are you driving?"

"Yes. Using magic apparently is going to be risky. It's better I do things to normal way," Regina explained. She went upstairs to pack.

Back in New York, Mark watched over Erica as she slept. She looked so peaceful and content. He wondered why anyone would want to hurt her. He heard a knock on the door. He turned to see Andrea and Emily standing there.

Their eyes immediately landed on Erica. Andrea walked in first. "What happened?"

"There was an altercation of some sort. Apparently, she was saving her client," Mark whispered. "I remember Andrea. May I ask who you are?"

"A friend," Andrea said as she moved some hair out of Erica's face.

"May we sit with her?" asked Emily.

Mark nodded. "For a few." Mark headed out. He looked one more time before walking back to his office.

"Why didn't she tell us where she was going?" Emily wondered aloud. "How did this even happen?"

Andrea had a pretty good idea but didn't voice her opinions. "I don't know."

Erica heard voices and she whispered, "Mark."

Andrea got up. "No honey, it's Andrea. Emily's here too."

Erica slowly opened her eyes to see her friends looking down at her. "Hi," she said weakly.

"You don't have to talk right now," Andrea said.

"How did you know I was here?" Erica asked.

"Your client called Emily and she in turn called me," Andrea explained. "Eri, save your strength."

They watched for another hour and Emily left. Andrea sat in a chair reading a magazine. She was on her third one. "Andrea," Erica called. She put the magazine down and sat on the edge of the bed.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Alright. I'm sure you want an explanation."

"I have a pretty good idea and I assume it involves magic," Andrea said arching an eyebrow.

"Don't lecture me. I know it was stupid."

"Then why did you do it?" Andrea questioned.

"He hurt Michelle and then he came after me. I snapped."

"You do know that he could rat you out to the police," Andrea warned.

Erica sighed. "He already did and to Kimberly Winters. She started asking questions about Scott. Look, she might try to ask you something."

"My lips are sealed. I know nothing anyway," Andrea said.

"And you'll never know. Somebody close to me needs deniability."

"Understood. I see that handsome doctor was by your bedside when we came in," Andrea teased. "There may be hope for you after all."

Erica rolled her eyes. "There won't be any hope if this thing doesn't go away."

The next morning…

Andrea brought Erica a change of clothes. She offered to take a half a day and drive Erica home but she insisted she could take a cab. Erica changed clothes and waited for her discharge papers to come.

She heard a knock on the door and Mark entered. "Hi Erica."

She smiled. "Hi."

"I brought you breakfast. The hospital food isn't the best sometimes," Mark said.

"I know." He handed her the bag and she thanked him. "Thank you for catching me in the hallway," she said.

"I'm just glad I was there," he said.

"Speaking of being somewhere, why are you here? I'm sure there are other patients who are more important."

"Well, I wanted to check on you especially after that cop came and questioned you. I wasn't comfortable leaving you with her," he admitted.

"I can handle her. It's sweet of you to look after me."

"When are you getting out of here?" asked Mark.

"As soon as my discharge papers come," Erica replied.

"Do you need a ride?" he asked.

"No, I'm catching a cab." He didn't like that and she could tell. She laughed. "It's not like I got into a major accident. I'm a big girl. I think I can handle getting inside a cab and going home."

"Of course you can. I just-

"You're concerned. I promise I will call you and let you know that I'm home safe. Deal?" she said holding out her hand.

"Deal," he said shaking it. Erica felt warmth flooding through her body and pulled back. She couldn't do this with anyone.

Mark saw her retreat and he wondered what pain was behind those brown eyes of hers. "I can wait here if you like," he said. She nodded and looked off into space for a moment. She sighed. This wasn't fair to him. She had to stop this before anything started.

"Mark," she called. "I'm sorry but this isn't going to work."

He creased his eyebrows. "What won't work?"

"Us," she said.

"There's an us," he questioned.

Erica rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. Our...whatever this is can't extend past doctor and patient. You deserve better."

Mark wasn't sure if he should be offended or not. "No offense but I think I can decide if you are worth the risk."

"Trust me I'm not," she said letting her gaze wander towards the door. Where are those discharge papers?

He looked at her briefly. This woman intrigued him. On one hand, she helped save two lives and yet she couldn't move beyond some past. He wished he could make her see how much he wanted to get to know her.

The nurse came in with discharge papers and Erica signed them. She gathered her belongings and was about to head to the door. "Are you sure there's no one I can call?"

"I'm here," Regina interrupted. Erica was surprised to see her standing there. Mark looked between them. Yes, they were definitely related. They both shared the same eyes. They both had striking features about them.

Regina went up to her daughter and hugged her. "I'm glad you are all right." She turned to Mark. "Are you Dr. Chambers?"

"Yes ma'am. Please call me Mark," he said.

Regina held onto her daughter. "Well, Mark. Thank you for treating her."

"You're welcome Mrs. Richards," he said. She nodded in response.

"Are you ready to go?" Erica said yes and they left.

Once in the car, neither of them said a word. Erica sighed because she knew her mother was going to blow a fuse. They settled into her apartment and Regina checked the refrigerator to see if she had enough food. She checked the rest of the apartment for anything strange. Once she was satisfied with her search, she went back to the living room.

Regina folded her arms. "Explain in full detail."

Erica said, "I know it was foolish but I had no choice. My client hadn't shown up for court and I went over to her house. Mom, you should have seen her. She was cowering on the floor. I just reacted. I jumped on him and he pinned me against the wall."

Regina suppressed her anger. "Go on," she said.

"Well, Michelle tried to intervene. He swung at her with a knife and cut her cheek. That's when I really snapped. We had words then he flung me across the table. He jerked me forward and that's when I used magic."

Regina rubbed her forehead. "You were protecting a client. Sweetheart, I can admire that but how does Winters come in?"

"She happens to be the one who looked into Michelle's case. The guy who beat her up mentioned me."

"He said you did magic and that automatically made her think of that other bastard," she sneered.

Erica nodded. "That's not all. I pulled out his heart."

"Erica!" Regina scolded.

"I know but all I did was speak to it," she retorted.

"Erica, that only works at home or the Enchanted Forest and you're in neither of those places," she yelled. "What happened to not doing magic for somebody could see us? Now, we have to cover our tracks and we can't do it magically here. I could erase her memories but I have a feeling that won't work."

"I'm sorry mom," she whispered.

Regina sighed. "Who else knows? Besides your client."

"Andrea guessed," Erica admitted.

"She won't say anything though. What about your client? I want to meet her."

"Mom, she's freaked out," Erica said not wanting her mother to do anything.

"And freaked out people talk. If they didn't we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Mother," Erica warned.

Regina narrowed her eyes. "Don't mother me. Your father and I are going to work on that cop not finding out the truth. In the meantime, you will live your life and not mention one word of this to anyone. Now, I have something to do."

"What?" Erica asked.

"You'll see." Regina went to the mirror besides Erica's closet door. She waved her hand and Michelle appeared. With a flick of her wrist, Michelle was in Erica's apartment.

Michelle looked around at the new surroundings. Her eyes landed on Erica who just shook her head disapprovingly.

"Michelle," Regina said. She looked at Regina suddenly frightened.

"No need to be frightened dear," she said. "I wanted to talk with you about what you saw yesterday."

"Yes ma'am," Michelle said shakily.

"Have you told anyone else?" Regina asked. Her movements mirrored those of a queen who dared anybody to lie to her.

"No. I haven't said a word," she said.

Regina got in her face. "Are you lying to me?" Michelle shrunk back and shook her head no.

"Good because I don't want you saying anything. My daughter's life is on the line. If that cop comes asking questions you say nothing remotely damning. If you do, I will know and the last thing you want is for me to appear on your doorstep."

The woman stayed quiet and Regina knew she had her. "Are we clear dear?"

Michelle nodded yes.

"Perfect. Remember not one word," Regina sneered. "I'm glad we understand each other." She magicked Michelle back to her house.

Erica was about to respond when Regina said, "You'll thank me later."