SO SORRY! I am so sorry that you have had to wait. I hope you enjoy this!

Martin groaned as he rolled over to shut off his blaring alarm clock. Today was going to be the beginning of the worst job in the world. He wanted nothing to do with the Pane family. He cursed his stupidity, why couldn't he, for once, just keep his mouth shut? Why didn't he keep his opinions to himself? Why did Alex Pane ever have to cross his path? He grumbled as he pulled a shirt over his head. He was beginning to wish he had never saved Alex Pane's life.

Jen nervously paced by the doorway – she knew Alex would not be happy with her decision. She didn't really know how she was going to explain it to him. Alex had always been stubborn; he thought that he could do everything on his own. Jen knew that he would try and do things he was told he shouldn't, because the rules never applied to him. He was Alex Pane; he was tough and could handle any pain. Jen worried that Alex would seriously hurt himself if he was allowed to go home. She didn't want him to leave the hospital. Yet, giving into Alex's demands the hospital released him after only two days. Jen wasn't happy with the decision, but she had made her own. She was going to be sure Alex stayed down, because Dr. Martin would enforce it.

Jen felt horrible that Dr. Martin had got in trouble for telling her about Alex's condition. Alex had it under his medical files that no one could know anything in his medical files, not even Jen. Jen had never liked this, but Alex claimed to do it to protect her from worrying. Jen disagreed. Not knowing about Alex's medical state had caused her to worry more. However, she never got a chance to persuade Alex to let her see his medical files. So while her husband lay dying, no one would tell her anything, because of the HIPPA laws; no one, except Dr. Martin.

Dr. Martin had seen Jen's distress and assured her that Alex was fine. Jen begged for details, knowing full well that she was asking him to break the law. Dr. Martin had a good heart and he told her about Alex's condition. He even went as far to tell her the procedures that he had performed for Alex. Jen was so grateful that Dr. Martin had told her, but she also knew the consequences if someone found out.

Jen heard a moan and rushed inside Alex's room, "Alex! How are you feeling, Sweet Heart?"

Alex groaned, "Honestly, not so great, Jen."

Jen nodded her head, "I assume you wouldn't. The doctors say you will need a lot of rest."

Alex gave an exasperated sigh, "I know, but I have so much work to do."

Jen folded her arms, "Alex, you will not argue, you will get some rest. You just came home from the hospital last night. You heard what Dr. Martin said, it will take time."

Alex scowled, "But Jen, I don't have time."

"Then find some," Jen stated firmly.

"Jen," Alex protested.

"No, Alex. You almost died!" she took a deep, shaky breath, "I want to be sure you are alright."

Alex gently grabbed Jen's hand, "I am fine. Dr. Martin said I would be fine. I'll make a complete recovery."

"I want you to be safe. Alex, someone tried to kill you…" Jen whispered, lifting Alex's hand to her face.

"I know, I know. I worry about keeping you and Frank safe," Alex whispered.

"I know, but we still need you too, Alex! Do you know who tried to kill you? Why would they try to kill you?" Jen questioned.

Alex smiled, "Maybe they didn't like the table we gave them."

"Alex!" Jen gave an exasperated sigh, with a small smile, "I'm serious."

Alex's blue eyes grew very serious, "I don't know, Jen. I've never seen these men before in my life. It wouldn't make sense for them to kill me. Maybe kidnap and ransom, but not kill."

"Alex," Jen whispered gently, "What do we do?"

"I don't know, Jen. I really don't," Alex whispered.

Martin stood nervously at the front door. He couldn't believe the size of the driveway. It was probably twice the length of his entire street. His mouth gaped as he stared at the big, red door with the giant, gold handle. Martin could only dream of that wealth, contrary to popular belief, surgeons didn't really make all that much. He nervously shuffled his feet trying to summon up the courage to knock on the door, with the huge, gold knocking device – at least that is what he thought it was. Martin shook his head as he lifted the gold handle; he was definitely out of his element. He brought the handle down to give two solid raps on the door.

He stood there and waited, his heart pounding in his chest. For some reason, he felt like something major was going to happen, something life changing. Martin didn't know where this feeling came from, but it frightened him.

Jen perked up as she heard the knock on the door. She gracefully walked over to the door and pulled it open. A very nervous looking Martin stood in the doorway. She was surprised to see him in street clothes. He wore brown, corduroy pants, a long sleeved, blue, cotton shirt, and a brown, leather jacket that seemed a little too small. She stared, something about his attire was very familiar, but at the same time, shocking. She chided herself; surely she didn't think that Dr. Martin would come over in his white lab coat.

Martin stood, unsure, at the door, he knew immediately he didn't fit. Mrs. Pane was wearing an elaborate, silk dress, with equally elegant jewelry to match. He was stunned how the lilac color enhanced her warm brown eyes and black hair, which vaguely reminding him of his darling Freya.

"Come in, Dr. Martin, please," Jen smiled.

Martin walked in, trying to keep his mouth from dropping open. The house was like a castle! A very large, sparkling crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, shimmering like a thousand diamonds. All of the furniture was elegant and antique. There were red couches and white carpet. There was a grand, red carpeted stair case leading to the upstairs. Martin could only imagine how grand the upstairs was, if the front room looked like a museum.

"Welcome to our home," Jen gracefully gestured around the grand room.

Martin could only nod, "Uh, thank you."

Jen grinned, seeing Martin's shock.

"No wonder he thinks he is a king, he lives like one," Martin muttered under his breath.

Jen didn't seem to hear him, as she spoke, "So, let us go to the kitchen, where you can sign your contract."

Martin just nodded, staring at the crystal chandelier. He was strangely drawn to it. He had never seen something look more beautiful or mysterious.

Jen walked into the kitchen, her heart pounding. She was so anxious to have the contract signed, so Alex could not protest. She knew that her husband had integrity and he would not back out on a deal, no matter the cost.

Martin trudged into the kitchen, trying to keep his mouth from dropping open. The kitchen was equally stunning. All of the countertops were white granite. The sink and faucet were golden, instead of the silver one would expect in a normal kitchen. A grand skylight filled the room with light and caused the granite island to shimmer. The floor was white marble and not a speck of dirt stained the ground. There were red roses in the middle of the island, beside a white paper. Martin almost missed it, if it wasn't for the giant, red pen sitting upon it. He had never seen such a white kitchen, or any kitchen so clean, in his life.

"If you can just sign on this line," Jen smiled, handing Martin the red pen.

Martin took the fine tipped pen and paused, "What exactly am I agreeing to?"

Jen smiled, Martin was so much like Alex, "It is just an agreement you will work for us, for at least a year, in helping my husband recover completely. You will help with his daily tasks and whatever reasonable tasks he requests."

"Who determines what is reasonable?" Martin inquired.

Jen thought on this a moment – she hadn't considered that.

"I will be the mediator," Jen replied.

Martin nodded, satisfied.

Martin scrawled his name on the line and Jen sighed in relief. Now, she just had to explain it to her husband.

Author's Note: Again, so sorry for the wait and thank you to my supporters! :D More will come soon!