Alex slammed his car door and jammed the key into the ignition. He wanted nothing more than to be home. He wanted so desperately to see his darling Jen, with her warm brown eyes and gentle smile. Today had been a difficult day, and he wanted nothing more than to hear her gentle voice soothe him as it always did. The engine growled, waking from its long sleep, and squealed as Alex tore out of the parking lot.

He sighed, enjoying the wind blow through his blonde hair as he cruised along the road. He still couldn't believe what had happened at work and he wanted so desperately to vent to Jen. He could imagine the conversation they would have when he got home. Jen would be standing at the great mansion door in her fine red silk dress. She would be wearing dangling gold earrings that would swirl like her curly black hair. She would smile when he'd pull up, pretty as a princess.

Jen would ask, "How was work today?"

In turn, Alex would respond, "Terrible! Today we found our two leaks. They have been giving away company secrets and reaping profit under our noses for two years! I can't believe that they would do such a thing! I thought I treated my workers well, I try and be a good boss, but sometimes I feel like I am just not meant to be a leader. "

Jen would probably take her hand and rub his back trying to make his stress melt away, just listening.

"It is so hard being part of such a big company, let alone the CEO. Why did I become CEO of Knights Furniture?" Alex would ask.

Jen would whisper her wise response, "Alex. You know you are a good leader. You care about your workers and you care about your customers. You are one of the best CEOs out there and everyone knows it. You are a natural born leader, Alex, and I know that you will do what is good for the company."

"But why did they betray the company like that?" Alex would ask, deflated.

"Sometimes we can't always understand people's motives," Jen would whisper, laying her head on his back.

He could just see her soothing him, already he felt more relaxed, and he wanted to be home. The conversation would go just like that, and somehow he would find the strength to go on. Jen was always there for him and he wanted to be with her now.

He shook his head, he needed to focus. He looked into his rearview mirror and stared at a dark olive green car following behind him. The small car was driving slow and deliberate, like it was actually following him. Alex frowned as he sped up slightly, watching the car carefully. The car sped up as well. Alex quickly turned down a neighborhood street. The green car followed, its tires squealing. Alex quickly turned down another road. He looked back and watched the small car accelerate. He knew, without a doubt, he was being followed. He stepped on the gas, trying to watch for children at the same moment. The car screeched its tires as it sped after Alex's nice red sports car. Alex kept glancing back, trying to ensure he could lose the car.

He heard a thundering sound, and looked back in shock. He watched a bullet graze the side of his car. They were shooting at him! Obviously he had managed to tick these guys off pretty good if they wanted him dead. He swerved the wheel back and forth, trying to avoid the gun fire. Suddenly an identical car swerved in front of him, causing Alex to have to swing wide. Two gun shots rang out and Alex grunted in pain. A burning sensation filled his chest as he tried to avoid the other olive green car. At that same moment, his right front tire gave out. Alex's sport car, unable to accept the rapid change rolled once, narrowly missing the car that had pulled out in front of him. Alex hung upside down, stunned at his new predicament.

He couldn't move. His chest burned and throbbed as he felt sticky, hot liquid ooze through his white shirt. He groaned as he hung only by his seatbelt and cried out in pain when he tried to move his right leg. He looked down and winced. The hood of his car was crumpled like a tin can. It was supposed to ensure the safety of the driver, but unfortunately it had caved in on his foot. His leg was trapped. He groaned, leaning his head back on the head rest. He closed his eyes and listened to the commotion.

"Hurry, we need to finish this before someone comes out," one gruff voice barked.

"We shouldn't have done it in a neighborhood, someone could help him," a voice whined.

"Do you really think they can, once we finish? He'll be lucky if a surgeon can fix his face for his funeral when we're done," the gruff voice laughed.

Alex didn't like the sound of this, but he felt horrible. His head swam as he struggled to stay awake. He just wanted to sink into unconsciousness. He listened to so some sort of fluid drip onto the ground and the glug of liquid rushing onto his car. He smelled the fumes, and silently cursed. They were dumping gasoline on his car. The fumes were causing his head to throb even more, but he knew he had to stay awake. He listened carefully to the scuffling of feet and the gas cans being emptied. He heard a chuckle, a click, and then he felt the heat.

Fire leapt all around the car and danced through the leather seats. The seats melted and began to drip like a hybrid of rubber cement and hot glue. He groaned as the heat began to burn his face. He lifted his arms trying to protect his face and to stop smelling the fumes. To his relief, he heard the cars speed away and he set to work. He unfastened his seat belt, and cursed as his head hit the roof of the car. His leg throbbed, still being stuck under the crushed metal of what used to be the hood. He set to work, trying to waste no time as he knew it would be a matter of minutes before the car exploded, with its full tank of gas.

He pulled off his suit jacket, so it would be out of his way, in the mean time trying to tweak his leg free. He cried out as his leg stayed stuck. He panted heavily, thinking of Jen. She would never forgive him if he didn't come home, and he would never forgive himself. He could feel the bullet wedged in his chest and wondered just how close it was to his heart. He put on hand on his chest, and pulled it away. He was bleeding way too much. He took both of his hands and yanked his leg upward. He let loose a scream as he heard his leg crack. He began to slowly drag himself through his open window. His hands clawed at the gravel as he dragged himself out. His chest ran against the ground, gathering loose pebbles into his wound. He knew it wasn't good to invite infection like that, but he had to get out. He gritted his teeth as he tried to ignore his screaming leg. He let out a cry of triumph and pain as he pulled his leg loose. He clenched his fingers into fists and pushed himself through the window, his leg trailing uselessly behind him.

He wasted no time and energy, army crawling to the center of the road. When he lacked the strength to crawl he began to roll. He felt the gravel dig into his wounds and tear at his flaming, bare arms. He fought the tears creeping to his eyes as his body screamed in agony. Exhausted, he lay on his back and sighed. He turned his back to his car as it exploded into a roaring flame. He flinched as pieces flew around him and sparks landed on his already burned arms. He lay on his back breathing heavily. He moved his scraped hands to his pant pocket. He pulled out his red touchscreen phone and typed in his password. He proceeded to make his call, 9-1-1.

"911 what is your emergency?" a voice began to speak.

"I don't have time for formalities. My name is Alexander Pane and I am in trouble. I'm on 200 West on Bankard Street. I need medical help immediately. I have been shot and there is a fire. Hurry…" Alex gasped.

He heard the voice frantically try and ask him some more detailed questions, but he couldn't stay awake any longer. He just prayed that help would arrive soon and sank into the welcoming darkness…..

Martin took a deep breath before he entered the room. He wasn't sure if he was ready to see this patient again. He had been awake half the night with worry, the image of the man's state when he had arrived at the hospital had haunted his sleep. Martin had never seen a man look so battered and bruised, but so noble at the same time. Martin closed his eyes and hesitated at the door. He remembered very clearly what the man had looked like. There had been a cut by his forehead, a minor scrape and bump compared to all the other injuries. The man's head was fine, but his chest had been bleeding greatly. Martin had to cut open the wound a little more to remove the bullet and pieces of gravel he had managed to get wedged in there. The man's leg was difficult to fix and he knew it would take time. Time wasn't something men like this patient took lightly. Martin knew of this man's fame and knew his type. He was a businessman, a rich, wealthy, stuck up business man. A business man that would try and change the news Martin was going to bring him. He wasn't ready to face him, but he knew he must. At least the man's wife, Jen, was more than understanding. Martin grabbed the handle and strode in.

Alex looked down at his bandaged arms in shock, trying to remember where he was. The incident came back in a flash and he winced, remembering his painfully, narrow escape. He heard the blue door click open and he watched the lean doctor walk in. He stared coldly at the frail man.

The doctor was pasty white and had dark black hair. He looked frail and useless; gawky and awkward. He didn't really look like a confident surgeon, except for his eyes. The doctor's eyes were a piercing blue and seemed wise and mysterious. Alex almost felt he knew this man from somewhere. He frowned, trying to think; surely he had never met this man before.

Alex shook his head slightly, trying to clear his mind. His mind felt foggy still and he still felt horrible. He hated being in hospitals. He didn't feel any pain, but he knew he wasn't healed up yet. He knew that his business would fall behind if he stayed absent too long and he had to get back ASAP. He didn't have a choice. This doctor better have brought him good news.

"How are we feeling today?" Martin smiled.

"I'm in a hospital bed and drugged up. How am I supposed to feel?" Alex retorted.

Martin was slightly stunned at the venom in the patient's voice. Yes, being in a hospital bed was no fun, but at least he was taken care of. He had saved this man's life and did he get any thanks? Of course not, that was all you could expect from a clot pole!

"I'm sorry. Is there a way we can make you more comfortable?" Martin asked through a cheesy smile.

Alex sensed the doctor's act immediately and it infuriated him further.

"I am Alex Pane and I demand better treatment than this," Alex shouted.

"What more would you like? I have saved your life, you are fed, and you have pain killers to dull your pain. What else can I give you?" Martin asked, growing more and more irritated.

This patient just knew where all of Martin's buttons were and he was intent on pushing every single one of them. Martin struggled to contain his anger, knowing that the patient was just irritated.

Alex knew the doctor was right. This man had saved his life and he really had done his best to make him comfortable. He had no right to be angry with the doctor, it wasn't his fault he was here, and he wasn't the one that had tried to kill him.

Alex sighed, he just wanted to see Jen. JEN! Oh no, where was she! How was she?

"My wife, Jen…" Alex began to state, trying to sit up.

"Rest," Martin stated. "She is fine. She is in the waiting room."

"I want to see her," Alex demanded.

Martin nodded, "Yes I know, but that will happen in due time. First, I need to talk to you."

Alex nodded, "So be it."

"Do you remember your accident at all Mr. Pane?" Martin asked.

"It was no accident," Alex hissed.

"Do you remember?" Martin pressed ignoring Alex's protest.

"Yes," Alex stated.

"Will you please tell me about it?" Martin asked.

Alex's blue eyes grew darker as he scowled at the doctor, "Why don't you tell me about my injuries, my recovery time, like you should, and leave the criminal act to the officers?"

Martin's blue eyes seemed to pierce Alex's heart as he responded calmly, "I need to hear your story to double check my estimate of when you will recover."

Alex nodded, "Very well. To make a long story short, I was driving and I was shot at. I was shot in the chest and my car rolled. The villains lit my car on fire and left me to burn. My leg was trapped under my hood and I had to wrench it free. I crawled out my open car window and dragged myself across the road. Then I called 9-1-1."

Martin nodded, "Well you are very lucky to be alive, Mr. Pane. Your injuries were very severe and it will take time for you to recover."

"How much time?" Alex demanded.

"Well with your leg alone, we are looking at a couple of months," Martin stated.

"MONTHS! "Alex roared, "MONTHS! I don't have months. I only have a couple of days."

"You have fractured your leg in five different places. If you use it too much, you'll have permanent problems for the rest of your life. Plus, it will take even more time for you to recover a second time," Martin sighed, trying to make the stubborn businessman understand.

Martin knew time was money for businessmen, and he knew Alex wasn't happy. However, he knew, as a doctor, time was something someone paid for health. He knew that Alex would disagree, but luckily his wife supported Martin's advice. If anyone would be able to convince Alex, it would be his wife.

Alex scowled and Martin took a deep breath and continued, "You have stitches in your chest, where we had to dig out the bullet that grazed one of your arteries. It is still a mystery how we were able to close it and you didn't die at immediate contact. I think the bullet barely grazed the artery. You also have 2nd degree burns along your arms that will take time to heal. I'm sorry Mr. Pane."

"Look, Doc. I don't have time," Alex began to protest.

Martin's eyes flashed dangerously, his voice filled with wisdom beyond his years, "Then I would suggest you find some."

Alex stared at the doctor in surprise.

Martin calmly walked away and opened the door, "Mrs. Pane, you can see him now." He turned back and looked at Alex one last time, before his wife came rushing through the door.

Alex stared back at the doctor, shocked at the change in the doctor's eyes. The doctor seemed sincerely worried for Alex and Alex didn't know how to respond. He watched the doctor leave the room as his darling Jen ran in and gave him a hug. He couldn't shake the feeling that the doctor was so much more than he seemed.

Author's Note:

Ok, I do realize that some of the things Martin does, is totally against hospital procedures, but it will be addressed in Chapter 3. I promise it is intentional and I do realize his methods are unorthodox. Also, disclaimer, I do not own Merlin. Thank you for reading. :)