DISCLAIMER: I do not own these characters.

Four

General Hospital was quiet. No other major emergencies in the middle of the night. She checked her watch. It was nearly 3am. Tomorrow she would fight through the jet lag, maybe get a quick nap if she was lucky. The sun would be coming up in London. People would be getting ready for work, having breakfast, sending their kids off to school.

The nurse's station was empty, but she knew where she was going. The hallway was lightly lit, nothing too bright so the patients could sleep. She still hated hospitals. Too many visits, too many people she knew that were dying or injured. She stopped outside the open doorway to his room. He was asleep.

What did she feel for him today? Anger, pity, sadness, hope.

She slid a Polaroid photo out of her pocket and brushed her fingers over Emily's face. She remembered that say so well. The photo shoot in Central Park. While Brenda and Jax had a private moment, the make-up artist tended to Emily and her photographer took some photos of her to take home and remember. It was their girl's vacation. Her and Robin and Emily. All of them had been so happy. Things were really good then.

"Visiting hours are over," Patrick said walking up to her making her jump a little.

"I know," Brenda whispered taking a look at Sonny lying helpless hooked up the all the machines. "I just wanted to leave this," she said hesitating briefly before stepping into the room, walking to the bedside table, and propping the photo up next to a lamp. She resisted the urge to run her fingers through his hair or touch his hand.

"Do you know Sonny?" Patrick asked her as she walked out of the room.

"I used to," she said slowly walking back down the hall.

"Patrick Drake," he said holding out his hand with a smile.

"Brenda," she said shaking his hand, but no smile.

"I thought you looked familiar. I've heard a lot about you," he said. She stopped in the middle of the hallway and looked at him curiously. "Robin and I used to date."

"That's right. Sorry, it's been a long night," she said.

"It's pretty late, or early, depending on how you look at it," he reminded her.

"I just flew in from London. I haven't adjusted to the time yet," she told him as she started back down the hall towards the elevators.

"Does Robin know you're here?" he asked once they reached the nurse's station.

"I've been with family all day. I was going to call her tomorrow."

"Hold that thought," he said. "Stay right here." He disappeared down the opposite hall. Brenda leaned against the nurse's station wall and put her hands in her coat pockets. She wasn't standing alone in the silence for long.

"Patrick, what's so important? I was having a dream that this whole nightmare never happened. I wish I could return," Robin complained pulling her hair into a pony tail.

"Nurse's station," he said as they rounded the corner.

Robin and Brenda's eyes met and both of them almost started to cry instantly. Brenda walked over to her and they hugged for a long time, like they hadn't seen each other since high school.

"I can't believe you're here," Robin said pulling back.

"Me either," Brenda said. They walked over to the couches and sat down.

For the first time in a long time, Patrick felt like he helped Robin, gave her something she really needed.

"What are you doing here so early?" Robin asked.

"Couldn't sleep. The house was so quiet," Brenda said leaning back against the couch. "Why aren't you at home in your own bed?"

"We've been busy with the whole black and white ball mess. One of our nurse's was shot. Emily. Monica taking time. We're short staffed. Patrick and I have offered to work some extra shifts. I wanted to make sure I would have time off for the funeral. It was the least I could do."

"What happened at the ball?" Brenda asked, leaning forward to listen to her friend.

"This madman named Anthony Zacchara snuck onto the island and started attacking people. Emily was the only one who died, but I guess they now thing there were two killers, plus a bunch of shooters. Leyla was shot. Sonny was shot. Ric Lansing was stabbed. Luke had a heart attack. Tracey was pushed down a flight of stairs. Nikolas was beat up pretty bad. Alexis ended up with appendicitis. Carly was strangled and almost died …" Robin trailed off at the half smile that started across Brenda's face.

"There is nothing wrong about being happy that she almost died. She's trouble," Brenda said.

"I know. The point is, within an hour of the ball starting a storm came through and stranded everyone. If Jason hadn't shown up when he did, it could have been a lot worse. More people could have ended up dead."

"But you're okay?"

"I'm fine. Exhausted, but fine. How long as you in town for?" Robin asked. Brenda shrugged. "Long enough for the funeral and then escape without anyone noticing?"

"I don't know about that. It's been a rough year on the family. I'll stay as long as I'm needed." Brenda glanced at her watch then back at her friend. "I should go. Edward's going to wonder where I am for breakfast."

They stood up and hugged.

"So I'll see you at the funeral?" Robin asked.

"You can see me sooner than that," Brenda said with a smile before walking to the elevators.