From the moment he arrived at Sabrina's apartment, Patrick felt like something was off. Now that he and Sabrina had grown closer, she was generally very talkative and upbeat with him. Tonight, though, she seemed distracted and quiet. When they sat down to watch a movie, which had become a weekly routine, Patrick couldn't take it anymore and asked her what was up.

She said that her ex, who by all accounts was a possessive jerk, had shown up out of the blue. Knowing that what's-his-name merely showing up to say hello wouldn't distract Sabrina so badly, Patrick pressed her for more information. When Sabrina told him that the guy kissed her and wants her back, Patrick couldn't seem to comprehend it through the haze of jealousy that had bubbled to the surface. Patrick tried to cover his feelings, but as usual, Sabrina was too astute for her own good. It was, however, her comment about it being ridiculous that he could be jealous that spurred Patrick to action. Patrick was glad to be friends with Sabrina, but the possibility of her ex swooping back in made him realize that it wasn't enough. So, he kissed her.

Patrick could tell that he'd shocked her with his kiss, but, after a moment, she responded and began kissing him back. When he pulled her against him, she melted into his embrace and Patrick was hit by the biggest wave of lust he'd ever experienced. Sabrina was about as far from his "type" as a woman could be, yet she was affecting him as no other one had before. Patrick pulled away before he started something he couldn't finish.

He was trying to think of something witty and charming to say, but since he wasn't currently thinking with his brain, Sabrina beat him to the punch. "What was that about?"

Patrick, nearly recovered, said, "I want to be more than friends."

"Huh?"

"I like you, Sabrina, a lot. And, I can tell you like me, too." He touched her cheek gently and then ran his fingers down her neck. "If you didn't, you wouldn't have kissed me back like that … or be blushing like you are now."

Sabrina stepped back out of range and took a deep breath. "I do like you, Patrick. But I don't want to lose you … to lose our friendship when it doesn't work out."

"But what if it does?" he said as he stepped toward her and grabbed her hand, "Give this - us - a chance."

Sabrina was quiet for what felt like forever as she looked down at their joined hands. Just when Patrick began to fear she would balk, Sabrina whispered, "Alright."

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes. Okay," she said with a smile. And then he kissed her - again.

The Ball was two months away and Patrick still hadn't brought it up to Sabrina. In fact, the closer he got to her, the more he dreaded the damn thing. If she ever found out that he initially got close to her because of a bet, she might forgive him, but the trust they'd built since he saved her would evaporate. Sabrina would be hurt and he would be lost without her.

They'd actually kept the fact that they were together a secret. It hadn't been a conscious decision on either of their parts. Their relationship was going really well and Patrick had a feeling that was doing so at least partly because they'd kept it a secret. He knew that if they went public, Sabrina would feel insecure at the scrutiny they would receive from their co-workers and others in town - and that it would be his fault thanks to his reputation as a player. No one questioned Sabrina's extra cheerful moods thanks to her naturally sunny disposition, but it was getting harder for Patrick to keep his feelings private - thanks to Carlos.

Although Sabrina had blown him off, he continued to pursue her. Since she just told him that she wasn't interested, rather than the truth, he thought he could change her mind by sending her bouquets of flowers with mushy cards and other presents. Every time another bouquet (which ended up going to needy patients) was delivered to the nurses station amidst "Ooh's" and "Ahhs" from the other nurses working with Sabrina, Patrick wanted to puke. One day, when the guy showed up with a scratch on his arm trying to get face time with her, Patrick almost laid him out. Carlos picked up that there was more than friendship between him and Sabrina and managed to push every button he could to try to get a rise out of Patrick. It took Sabrina stepping in to diffuse the situation.

"So, what, the two of you are dating?" Carlos had asked angrily.

"If we are or aren't, Carlos, it's none of your business," Sabrina replied. "I'm not your girlfriend anymore, so back...the...hell...off."

"It is my business because I love you, Querida, and I want a future with you. Dr. Playboy here is just using you - secretly, I assume - until something better comes along. He's going to break your heart, Sabrina. Then what?"

"You son of a…" Patrick ground out ready to pounce on the guy.

Sabrina put a hand up to stop Patrick and said, "That may be true, but it's my heart and I don't love you anymore. Please, Carlos, just go."

Carlos gathered his jacket and said, "Fine, I'll go. For now. But don't expect me to give up."

After Carlos left, Patrick tried to reassure Sabrina that he wasn't using her. Although she said she knew he wasn't, the guy had planted seeds of doubt in Sabrina's head that he was going to have to work overtime to overcome