Sorry it's been awhile, but sometimes life gets in the way...I just want to thank the readers and reviewers who have followed me throughout my fic, especially Ayshen (the one who I can always count on to read anything I've written!) and 2kool4skool (who just happens to usually write my favorite stories on the site). Cheers to y'all.

"She's going to be alright, she's going to be alright," Georgie murmured to a weeping Maxie, who was hunched over in a chair next to her younger sister. The blonde was the only one who visibly emotional, the others stricken numb by the unexpected turn of events.

"You hear that, son?" Noah asked, resting his hand on Patrick's back. "Robin is going to be fine. She's probably just exhausted, and this is her body's way of reacting."

Patrick gaped at his father, astonished that his father seemed to momentarily forget his chosen occupation. "I'm not just another one of your patients," he reminded Noah softly, not wanting to upset the girls further. "I am a surgeon. I know how bad this is. Robin is in real trouble."

Mac was pacing steadily behind them, making a bath from one end of the row of plastic chairs to the other. His head was bent down, his eyes glued to the tiles beneath his scuffed boots. He hadn't said anything since Robin had rushed into the emergency room, electing to keep his anger at bay in fear of blowing up at the wrong person. Finally, knowing that he was on the brink of losing his cool, he asked Georgie to take Maxie downstairs to get him some coffee. Once his daughters had disappeared, he regarded Patrick gingerly. "Alright, tell me the truth. How bad is it?"

"It's not good," he answered truthfully. "Robin's immune system is so weak. Her body has been through a lot of trauma. Emily and Carly did a great job considering the elements, but it wasn't sterile by any means. It's likely that she has suffered from some sort of an infection. They won't know how bad it is until they get in to inspect her wounds."

"Dammit," Mac muttered, covering his tired face with his hands. "I knew something wasn't right, but she seemed so vibrant, so happy. I didn't want to hold her back."

"I should have known better," Patrick added. "I knew the repercussions this could have on her, and I pushed forward anyhow. I asked her to marry me, and when she said she didn't want to wait, I didn't argue. I was so desperate to give her what she wanted that I ignored what she needed."

"You couldn't have known, Patrick," Noah tried to comfort her. "I've been a doctor for thirty years, and even I didn't see it. We ran all the tests, and everything indicated that she was fine."

"I don't care what the numbers said!" he exclaimed. "I knew in my heart that she wasn't fine. I just wanted to believe that she was."

Mac looked over at him. "You're not to blame anymore than I am," Mac assured him. "If I had been doing my job better, the hostage situation would have never even taken place. Robin wouldn't have been shot, and we wouldn't be here."

"You two could play the 'What if?' game all day long, but the result is still going to be the same," Noah declared. "Robin was in that hotel, and she was shot. Patrick proposed, and she accepted. Now, they're married, and she is in that operating room fighting for her life. She wouldn't want either of you to sit here and blame yourself."

"I know you're right, but I don't know what else to do," Mac admitted. "I've spent the last decade worrying that I was going to lose her to an uncontrollable disease. Even then, I thought that I would have time to say goodbye. I never even considered that she could die in a blink of an eye."

Patrick stood up, throwing his hands in the air in defeat. "I have to do something," he decided aloud. "I want to have something to give Robin when she wakes up. I want to be able to make her feel an ounce better."

"You married her, Patrick," Mac retorted. "I'm fairly certain that is more than enough."

"No," he shook his head, "I have to take an HIV test. She's been after me for so long, and I've always told her that I needed to do it for myself. Well, like always, I was wrong. I need to do this for her just as much as I need to do it for me."

Noah and Mac watched as he strode over to the nurse's station to request a lab technician. A moment later, they could hear someone being paged to meet Patrick in a private room used by doctor's to sleep during their shifts. As he closed the door behind him, he looked back at the two worried men one last time. They saw a very quiet fear in his usually stoic eyes, indicating that maybe all was not quite right with the world just yet. In fact, until both husband and wife were given a clean bill of health, neither father was certain when it would be again.

Dillon chased Lulu toward the hospital, trying to lighten the mood before they headed into the place she had grown to hate. The pale walls were lifeless, matching the dreary mood outside. The stout nurse was posted behind the desk and nodded curtly when Lulu identified herself as Laura Spencer's daughter. They were led silently toward a hallway, left to navigate the corridor alone.

"Thanks again for coming with me," she whispered. "I know that this isn't probably what you had in mind for today, but it means the world to me."

"Being with you is all that I wanted to do today, the setting doesn't really matter," he smiled. "And if there is anything you need when we get in there, you let me know."

"I will," she promised, happy that she could truly count on him once again. As they passed a window, she stopped to peer out at the blinding white snow. "Wow, it's really coming down out there."

"Maybe we'll get lucky and be snowed in," he teased. "We'd be forced to seek refuge in a room here and be isolated from the rest of the world."

"Oh, that would be horrible," she cried sarcastically, grinning widely as she traced her finger along the solid wood pane.

He joined her at the window, watching together as the snow floated toward the ground. Glimpsing in the glass, he could see their reflection smiling back at him in the shiny surface. "I see us," he said, pointing to the window.

Lulu looked up and smiled at him in the glass, slipping her arm through his in response. "Look at them," she murmured, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"I only see her," he replied, kissing her blonde hair absently. "Are you ready?"

She nodded, keeping her arm looped through his as they stopped outside Laura's door. Lulu signed the chart neatly before slipping inside the room. Rocking back and forth, Laura didn't acknowledge their presence, an expected but disappointing response for Lulu. Kneeling in front of the rocking chair, she reached up and took her mother's hands in hers. Dillon stayed off to the side, perching on the edge of the bed. "Hi, Mom," she said softly. "I'm sorry it's been awhile since I've come by, but so much has been going on. I'm sure Dad will fill you in on the details if he hasn't already, which is good because I don't want to remember that right now."

"I brought Dillon with me to see you," she continued. "I think you'd like that. You had very kind things to say about him when you were back, so I'm pretty sure you liked him. I know you know that I did." She allowed her eyes to temporarily shift from her mother to him. "We're together now. I don't know that I've ever felt this safe, this loved."

"I'm still trying to figure out who did this to you, Mom. I meant what I said when I promised you that I was going to clear your name. Dillon has been helping me. I don't think I could do this without him," she admitted. "His presence has kept me from going over the edge more than once. Without him, I'd probably be making myself crazy with this mystery. Either way, we're going to figure this out."

Dillon scooted off the bed and moved next to Lulu. He leaned back on his heels and looked up at the catatonic blonde. "Laura, I think you'd be so proud of your daughter if you were here. Every single day, I am surprised by her strength. I am truly in awe of how much she can endure and still come out whole on the other end. I feel so blessed to be a part of her life."

"The most important part of my life," she corrected him. "Well, we can't really stay long. The snow is coming down, and I want us to get home before it gets too heavy. I promise that I will be by to see you sooner. I love you." Gently, Lulu laid a kiss on her mother's cheek and followed Dillon out into the hallway. They both knew the tears were only moments away when he folded her into his embrace. And as they came, he was there was again to help her hold on.

Across town, Lucky and Emily were headed slowly back toward Kelly's, neither exactly sure where they were going to call home now that their lives were changed forever. Lucky pulled the car to a stop in the back parking lot, turning off the engine as Emily slipped her coat back on over her narrow shoulders. "Let's make a run for it," he chuckled, throwing the door open and jogging around to meet her. Taking her hand, they slowly navigated through the snow-covered parking lot, glad to escape into the warmth of the cozy café.

The lights were off and a closed sign was in the door when they reached the front entrance. Slipping a keychain from his pocket, he quickly unlocked the door and let Emily through the door. Shaking flakes from her long hair, she latched the door closed again once Lucky was inside. "Looks like we have the place to ourselves," she said.

He helped her from her coat and hung it along with his on the wooden coat rack. "Apparently so," he agreed, walking toward the kitchen. He turned a single light on over the counter, not wanting to turn on too many in case anyone thought the restaurant was open. Reaching below the register, he retrieved a few candles and lined them along the surface. Striking a match, a warm glow soon filled the quiet dining room. "What do you say to some hot chocolate?"

"That would be perfect," she responded, following him into the kitchen. Filling a stainless steel kettle with hot water, she turned on the stove while he retrieved cocoa powder from a shelf.

Throwing a bag of tiny marshmallows at her, Lucky winked cheekily as he pulled a can of whipped cream from the refrigerator. "Marshmallows for you, whipped cream for me."

"You remember how I like my cocoa? How sweet!"

"And how you like your coffee," he revealed, "with a dash of cream and a lump of sugar."

"You like yours black and tinny, like the kind you can find in a gas station," she told him. "I never understood how you could drink that stuff."

"I'm a Spencer, we're not picky by nature. You kind of learn to take what you can get."

"Well, I know one thing you can get," she purred, sidling up next to you. Latching one hand around his neck, she started to pull his mouth toward hers when the kettle whistled loudly. "I guess it's hot."

"It certainly is," he agreed, his gaze not leaving hers. She bit her bottom lip and moved toward the stove. Spooning chocolate into two mugs, Lucky held them out for her to pour in the water. Once both mugs were mixed to their preference, they took them to the counter and sat closely next to each other.

"I think that this may have been the longest day of my life," Emily sighed. Lucky looked at her and chuckled, his blue eyes suddenly so alive. Confused, she couldn't figure out what could be so funny. "What are you laughing at?"

"You," he said, holding a napkin holder toward her face.

Emily glanced at her reflection and saw that a huge blob of whipped cream was now adorning the tip of her nose. She couldn't help but giggle. "Get it off."

"Gladly," he retorted, leaning forward and licking it off her sticky skin. "Though, I would much rather lick it off a different part of your body."

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Spencer."

"Nothing about your body even closely resembles the gutter."

"Funny man," she replied sarcastically, elbowing him in the ribs gently. "Now, you've offended me. I'm not an object, Lucky."

He smiled at her ploy, well aware that she was joking. "Well, Ms. Quartermaine, let me extend my sincerest apologies. Whatever can I do to make it up to you?"

"Hmm," she pondered, tapping her index finger against her temple as she pretended to think. "I think a dance might be in order."

"A dance? I think I can manage that," he said, pulling a quarter from his pocket. He walked to the jukebox and scanned the playlist, finally settling on the blues song from earlier. Dropping the coin into the slot, he punched the button and turned to face her. Her eyes lit up as the opening strains of the song rang out. Pulling her into his arms, he enjoyed the riff of the slow blues guitar as she hummed along, the sound vibrating against his chest.

"This is our song now," she decided softly.

"We have a song."

"We have a we," she whispered just as his lips met hers. The kiss quickly intensified as they stopped dancing, not noticing when the room was silent once again. Her hands traveled beneath his sweater and up his strong, bare back. His fingers found a home through her belt loops, her body taut beneath his touch. After a few moments, she pulled away breathless. "We have to stop."

"Em…"

"I don't want us to make any mistakes here, Lucky," she replied. "This, us, means everything to me. I want us to do this the right way. I know that there isn't anything I don't know about you, but I think we both need some time to get used to this. You have no idea how much I want to be with you tonight, but we can't sleep together yet. It just wouldn't be right."

"Can we at least sleep together?"

"I just told you that we couldn't, weren't you listening to me?"

"No, I meant just sleep. I just want to hold you tonight, Em. I just need to have you in my arms."

She smiled and nodded before faking a yawn. "I suddenly feel very tired. What do you say we go upstairs and use the bed in your old room?"

Lucky walked over and blew out the candle. "No."

"Lucky, I said that I would sleep with you."

"That's not what I meant," he smiled as he turned off the overhead light. He could just see the outline of her body as he walked over to lead her up the stairs. "I want us to have a fresh beginning. I want to take you somewhere neither of us has ever been, and since we're confined to Kelly's because of the snow, I guess a new bedroom will have to do."

Nikolas was asleep in the living room when Elizabeth came back downstairs. His son was also asleep, his small body resting on Nikolas' chest. They looked so much a like with their dark hair and flawless skin. Leaning against the doorframe, she couldn't help but fall just a little more in love with him. He truly was a magnificent man, and she wasn't sure how she had gone so long without recognizing it.

As Spencer stirred in his sleep, Nikolas was shaken from his slumber. He looked up at where Elizabeth was watching him and smiled sleepily. "Hello."

"I just put Cameron down for the evening," she told him. "Do you want me to take Spencer up? There's too much snow for you to go back to the island tonight."

Nikolas shook his head. "Why don't we do it together?" he asked, carefully lifting Spencer. They walked up the stairs and placed the sleeping infant into his crib. Elizabeth leaned over the edge and kissed his downy hair softly while Nikolas pulled Cam's blanket up to his chin. Switching sides, Nikolas bade his son a goodnight while Liz kissed hers once again.

"Well, I think they're down for the count," Nikolas laughed as they closed the door behind them.

Liz nodded. "It's been a long day for everyone."

"Are you tired? I could sleep on the couch."

"Not yet," she assured him. "Let's go downstairs and sit by the fire. I need to unwind a bit before I try to sleep. The baby is too busy for me to sleep right now." They collapsed on the sofa next to each other, both of them enjoying the easy silence filling the warm living room. "I need to tell you something."

"Just promise me that there aren't any more secrets."

"No, it isn't that," she replied quietly. "I've told you everything."

"Then, what is it?"

She looked down at her hands, which were folded in her lap. "I have done so many things wrong. My choices have been poor and seemingly selfish. I know that you understand my reasons, but it doesn't make them right. I honestly don't understand how you could even want to be with me."

"We talked about this, Elizabeth. I won't pretend to be glad that you did what you did, but it's not up to me to hold it against you. My being in love with you has nothing to do with that. I fell in love with you because of your heart, and I know your intentions were good. You are a good mother, Liz, and a good woman. No matter what anyone believes, this doesn't change that."

"People are going to say horrible things about me, and I guess I actually probably deserve it. I know how difficult it is to defend what I've done. I judged Carly so horribly when she did it with Michael, but I understand why she did it now. She just wanted to protect him."

"I've managed to forgive her from keeping Spencer from me," Nikolas replied. "She was Courtney's best friend. A part of her thought she was just protecting Spencer from my family. Considering the fact that he was kidnapped by Helena, I can't say I blame her. I might have done the same thing if the situation was reversed and I was Jax."

"You couldn't do that, you have too much honor."

"Becoming a parent changes you, Liz, you know that," he said. "You do whatever you have to do to protect your child, even if it means changing everything about yourself. I would do whatever it takes if it meant keeping Spencer safe."

"I have to tell Jason."

"And you will tell him," Nikolas added. "You don't have to go through this alone; I've already told you that I'll be with you every step of the way. From here on out, everything that happens to you, happens to me. We're in this life together."

"Sam is going to be involved in this, Nikolas. I know she is your cousin, I don't want this to cause any tension between you two."

"She is going to be upset, there's no denying that," Nikolas countered. "She's my family, which matters since I don't have much of it. For the sake of Alexis and the girls, I have to get along with her."

"Of course," Elizabeth agreed, "I just wish that it didn't have to hurt her, too. She told me that she can't have a baby. I know that this is going to kill her."

"I had no idea."

"No one did when she told me, not even Jason. I'm sure she's told him by now," she revealed. "How could I have done this?"

"Stop it," Nikolas ordered firmly. "I am in love with you, and I'm not going to let you do this to yourself. You have to stop."

"I deserve this."

"You deserve to have a man who loves you and only you," Nikolas retorted. "You deserve to have someone who isn't going to cheat on you or use you to deal with his own pain. You deserve to have someone who wants to share his life with you and your children, someone who will protect you with his own life. You deserve to be happy."

"You're right, Nik. I have my family – Grams, Cam, Spencer, this baby, you…I am going to be happy," she said resolutely, "and I'm going to be happy with you."