DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING, NOT EVEN THE HUSH HUSH CHARACTERS :(

THIS CHAPTER: NORA IS GOING HOME TOMORROW, BUT FIRST SHE HAS AN INTERROGATION, GRANDMA IS ON THE HOT SEAT. WILL SHE MAKE THINGS BETTER LIKE SHE ALWAYS DOES, OR WILL SHE SAY SOMETHING SHE REGRET? LOOKS LIKE BOTH PATCH AND NORA HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR EACH OTHER... READ AND REVIEW...PLEEEEEEAAAAASE! :) THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU TO ALL WHO READ/REVIEW/FOLLOW OR FAVORITE! I LOVE YOU GUYS 3

CHAPTER 24

PLEASE, NOT AGAIN!

I can tell by the way that grandma and Patch have been talking that the close bond they've always had has been magnified. If anyone would know what's going on with him it would likely be her. Aside from me, she's the one he is close to. The problem is going to be getting her alone, the one thing that hasn't changed is our friendship, Patch is loyal and protective of me to a fault, in fact, if I hadn't known him my whole life I'd be afraid and probably filing a restraining order because his 'protective instinct' has morphed into something bordering scary, Nora chuckled to herself. It was sweet that he cared so much she'd been hurt, even if it was a little too much maybe, he meant well.

Clista stopped by for her daily visit and when Patch dozed off in 'his chair' Nora wrote a small note she could pass to her grandma asking her to please try to send him on an errand, maybe home to gather more clothes for him and something for her like her own fluffy bathrobe, anything her grandma could think of that might give them a few moments alone to talk.

Since Patch wasn't forthcoming in what was going on she was going to find; it was interrogation time and grandma was about to be on the hot seat. She was even considering pulling Vee and Rixon in on it if she needed to. She wasn't sure how helpful they would be though, especially Rixon, since the brothers had never been that close after meeting Nora, she was a deep divide between them. Patch had something Rixon had always wanted, Nora. Rixon had tried persuading, pleading, bullying and then guilting her into a relationship he wanted to result in marriage through the years, and while she loved him, more as a brother and or casual friend, Nora never would have been with him, not even if she hadn't been in love with Patch. Rixon didn't understand that though, in his eyes it was Patch that was the problem and that was that. They had a solid, but shaky relationship now, they would always be there for each other, never let the other brother suffer because that's the way Clista had raised them to be and had Rixon been old enough and able he would have helped his big brother when he was booted out of their family, trouble was he was really too young and he to this day is pretty well under their fathers thumb. That made him a last ditch effort since he probably wouldn't have anything to add, interrogation or not, Nora thought.

What Nora didn't know about the 'Scooby Doo Gang' is that while she was unconscious grandma wasn't the only one noticing the changes in Patch. They had too. Unlike Nora, they saw it clear as day for what it was...Patch had finally taken his freakin' blinders off and saw what he'd missed all those years and could lose at any moment. They knew how much that would mean for the two of them given their history together, especially for Nora since she had loved Patch and wanted him to make her his for so long, putting up with even his rottenest behavior. They were starting to see what Nora had long known was lying buried inside of Patch under all his hurt, pain and pretenses, a man who would give his whole heart completely and freely, loving his partner more than the air he needed to survive. He had an old fashion love in a new age time, he was protective, loving, nurturing and supportive of Nora. They hadn't realized to what extent he still offered her those things previous to the accident, now they did and they had watched it bloom into something even more extraordinary. It looked to them that Nora may finally get back exactly what she had always hoped for, all her dreams coming true...that is if Patch ever got up the nerve to actually tell Nora... The gang had thought about taking bets on how long it would take him and what her first reaction would be, but in the end they had decided against it, it wasn't worth the risk of bringing them bad luck.

From the moment Nora had woken up and looked into Patch's hypnotizing eyes and gorgeous face she saw fear and another emotion she couldn't place, one he had never had with her before. The only thing she could think to describe it as being similar to is the way he used to look at Dabria before things came to light, back when he was in love with her. That couldn't be though, he wouldn't be giving her that look, it was slightly different though so she thought she might be way off on what the emotion was behind the look. The one she was certain of was the fear in his eyes. He couldn't hide that, it stood out like a giant neon flashing light because Patch Cipriano had no fear...ever. So what could he possible be afraid to tell her, especially when it came to her, his best friend? They told each other everything, the only thing she kept from him was her dreams of a married life with him, her being in love with him and not just loving him, that couldn't be his secret though, she knew that that was her secret and not a secret he would have.

When Patch excused himself to the restroom Nora slipped her grandma the note she had written. Clista read it and with a slight nod of her head gave Nora a look that said she would try her best. She had an idea that she knew what Nora wanted to talk about and there wasn't much she was going to share, it wasn't her place to divulge Patch's information and secrets. He had the right to tell Nora the things he had learned and decisions he had made about changing himself and their relationship, grandma believed. Clista thought she could at least alleviate some of the fear she saw in her grand-baby's eyes though. If she had only known then what she would find out later, if she had known her words were going to be misconstrued she would have found a way to word it differently. Soon it would be too late...

Patch rejoined them and after a little bit of visiting between the three of them and following Nora's routine rounds check up by the doctor, Clista spoke up.

"Patch dear, I haven't gotten any alone time with my sweet granddaughter and us girls have some catching up to do. She's going home tomorrow so maybe you could go by your place and get you both a change of clothes for her trip home and swing by my house on your way back if you wouldn't mind, I forgot one of my important medication that has to be taken at the exact time each day and I can't miss it. I would be grateful if you would pick it up and bring it with you, Stud." Clista gave him her sweetest smile and the puppy dog eyes that her granddaughter had learned from her. If there was anyone who could get him to leave Nora's side for more than the bathroom or shower it would only be their grandma. Patch knew how important her medicine was and she was right, Nora was going to need clothes to go home in, even though he had planned on sending one of the girls to pick her out an outfit. Nora wasn't going to die so there wasn't a concrete reason why he had to stay so he grudgingly agreed, besides, the fresh air would be nice so with a kiss to Nora's hand, cheeks, nose and forehead he headed off to gather the things grandma had asked for.

As soon as Nora was sure that Patch was out of hearing range she turned her gaze directly on her grandma and with her eyes locked on hers she said two little words.

"Spill it."

Clista knew exactly what Nora meant, but what could she say without giving Patch's feelings for her granddaughter away and yet relieve the fear she saw on her face? Patch had a right to tell Nora what he wanted to when he was ready, not her. She was struggling with how to word things when Nora spoke up. Never in her life had Clista struggled with the right words to say.

"He's found someone else again hasn't he, grandma?" She implored her, her heartache clear in her eyes and voice.

"No, not exactly dear." Clista tried to reassure her with her cryptic answer. Not at all sure she was going to succeed yet.

"Not exactly? What does that even mean?" Nora narrowed her eyes at Clista. "It's someone who he knew before, isn't it? One of those girls, that reporter? It had better not be Dabria or I swear I will..." Grandma cut her off.

"No honey, this person has been in his life for a very very long time." Nora missed the sparkle in her grandma's eyes, instead she was lost in thought for a moment sifting through memories for a name of who he still had contact with from long ago as she toyed with the hem of her blanket.

"Is he in love with her?" Her voice was thick with her fear that was building into panic. This couldn't be happening again, please God, don't let it happen again. She didn't think she could survive another Dabria, even if it was true love on the ladies part.

"Yes, I would dare say that a person couldn't be more in love with someone than he is with her. He has finally grown up and is ready to give up his naughty bachelor days to settle down with her and raise a family together, that is if she will accept him and agree to it."

Nora gazed out the hospital window as tears stung her eyes, she was happy for him, of course she was, he was her best friend how could she not want that for him...or at least she was trying to be happy for him. Here she was again though, about to have her heart shattered for the final time as he gave himself to this woman who wasn't her. After all they had been through together and all the women she had watched walk in and out of his bed her biggest fear, the one that crippled her and chilled her to the bone was coming true and there was nothing she could do...she was losing him, or at least his heart to this woman from long ago, whoever she was. This time it sounded sincere, permanent. The way her grandma had said it was as if she already knew and loved this woman! Nora felt so many things all at once, betrayal, loss, grief, happiness and love for him, jealousy, confusion, regret...so many things flashing through her.

"Nora, tragedy has a way of changing people, changing how they look and respond to things. You know that nothing and I mean nothing could ever come between you and Patch. He hasn't left your side in all the weeks you've been here. These chairs aren't built for comfort or lengthy stay's, but he had to be at your side holding your hand the whole time. Give him some credit dear, he will come around and tell you everything himself when he feels you are both ready. Just remember this, the best things come to those who wait when they least expect it and the things you wait for, the things you fight for, those are the things that are worth it, the things that are priceless.

Nora looked up from her wallowing just in time to catch a small smile and glint in her grandma's eyes. She knew more than she was letting on, Nora was certain of it and narrowed her eyes. Whatever it was, she didn't seem upset by it and she didn't look like she thought Nora would be either...hmm... What did that mean? If Nora wasn't already a mess now she was confused too. Why couldn't anyone just give her a straight answer?

Clista wanted to change the subject fast because she was in immediate danger of spilling everything she knew, she didn't keep secrets from Nora and she could see the storm of emotions in her granddaughters eyes. She felt she may have already said more than she should have.

"I think your friend Shadow has formed quite the...friendship...with Rixon since you have been in here."

Nora knew her grandma was deflecting, but if she felt Nora should wait for Patch then she had her reasons and it would be best in the long run to listen to her grandma's wisdom. She was just going to have to wait. Besides, the tone her grandmother spoke in let her know she wasn't going to get anymore information out of her right now.

"Really? I guess I never thought of them together, they have such opposite personalities. In all these years us kids have known each other I think they might have spent a total of twenty minutes together." She laughed as she considered broody Rixon with her friend, Shadow, the energizer bunny. "It would make sense that if anyone could bring Rixon out of himself and infuse some fun and good cheer it would be Shadow, and Rixon was down to earth enough that he could help keep her grounded in reality."

"The best couples are the one's that challenge each other to grow, that push us to be greater each day with their love and support, not the one's who are identical to us. Those relationships don't offer growth or opportunities for it, it may be comfortable, but who wants to settle for comfort when they can have love and passion with some spice in their life?" Her grandma's eyes danced at the last part. Clista definitely still had that passion and spice for life that her grandfather had carefully helped her cultivate throughout their entire marriage.

"Don't forget your welcome home party will be this weekend, your friends have put a lot of work into it." Clista had already given the invite to Tristan for Nora's party. She was going to give him one warning and if he didn't heed it she was sending him to talk to Patch so Patch could set the record straight on who owned whose heart now. If Tristan insisted on doing things the hard way she'd love to be a fly on the wall to hear what Patch would have to say, he had just admitted he wanted to make Nora his in the only way she hadn't been, and Clista knew he wasn't going to take kindly to being challenged now or ever.

Nora fell quiet again, lost in her thoughts and grandma for the second time in her life and in that day wasn't quite sure what to say. She was deeply concerned that her talk with her granddaughter might have been to stressful and depressing for her so soon. She felt like she might have made things worse instead of making them better for Nora. She was desperately trying to think of ways to salvage the situation when Patch returned with all the items she had requested. Saved by the bell!

"Are you okay, Angel?" Patch asked. He was concerned, she had avoided looking at him when he came in the room for the first time since she had opened her eyes. She was either lost in thought over something that was disturbing her, or she was upset with him. What had happened while he was gone, he wondered. Patch turned to Clista who just gave him a reassuring smile before quickly excusing herself for the night.

"I'm fine." Nora answered him quietly. Patch knew that 'fine' meant she was anything but fine, he also knew that the tone in her voice said she wasn't going to be opening up about what was wrong, at least not right now. He changed the subject.

"Are you excited to spring this place and go home tomorrow?" He was as excited as he was nervous about her release. He hoped that she would be open to staying in the Penthouse and love it as much as he had. He really did want to spoil her.

Nora glanced up at him and briefly met his eyes before looking away again. That meant she was still upset by whatever was bothering her, but when she spoke her voice held excitement and relief.

"As a matter of fact I am, it's like being in a prison in here, I don't know how you stood it for so long. I'm tired of them waking me up all the time and poking and prodding me. From now on when people say they'll get some rest in the hospital I'm going to correct them and tell them that is a lie. They say you need your rest in here, but then they don't give you any and the machines are loud. The food they serve wouldn't even be served in a maximum security prison, they'd consider it cruel and unusual punishment. Plus, I can't wait to get out of this ugly gown and into my own clothes again. There's nothing like your favorite comfy outfit compared to...well...this." She motioned her hands towards the hospital gown in disgust.

Patch rolled his eyes. "You're beautiful no matter what you're wearing, Angel, I'd find you sexy in a gunny sack or a paper bag, though I'd prefer you not cover your head. Your eyes captivate and hypnotize." He gave her his sexiest of smirks, the one promising the kind of trouble every lover wants and his eyes twinkled with mischief and love as he winked at Nora.

Nora's mouth fell open slightly at the shock of him flirting with her again for the first time since her accident. That genuine smile/smirk on his face and his warm and deep chuckle melted her heart. The way he looked at her was as if his feelings hadn't chained, not in a way to suggest he had found love with another woman. Patch still had that mystery look in his eyes though, the one she couldn't name.

Nora tried to remember back to what her grandma had said, something about people changing or things changing people. Had he changed so much from her accident that she couldn't read him any longer? That thought frightened her, they'd always been able to communicate without words, as if their minds were speaking to each other. Before leaving Clista had given her her patented 'don't worry dear' look she had, just like when she had bought him at the auction for her...

"Angeeel, woooohoooo! Earth to Nora! What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?" Patch was starting to panic. What had her so lost in thought all of a sudden that she avoided his eyes and often his face when they spoke now, and a minute ago she was staring off in space again not hearing a word he was saying. Nora had always paid attention to him, zeroing everything else out but him when they were together, especially when they were talking. Was she avoiding him, trying to give him a brush off without hurting his feelings? Had her feelings changed? Was he too late? God he prayed not. The way she was lost in space and avoiding he could tell she was deep deep in thought over something she wasn't sharing, at least not yet, and that made him very nervous. However, she had a death grip on his hand, refusing to let go of it which told him that his presence was needed, wanted even, and she didn't want him to leave, but something had his Angel stressed and he hated that.

Slowly Patch made his way from his chair to sit next to her carefully on her hospital bed. He avoided her IV and snuggled up to her, letting her rest her head on his chest over his heart while he held her as securely as he could without hurting her. After a time of sitting like that quietly together, both of their minds busy he kissed the op of her head.

"You know Angel, no one could ever replace you or change the love I have for you, right? You can talk to me about anything no matter what it is. Even if it's something like, I don't know, making me your next of kin and Power Of Attorney." He winked at her when her head snapped up and she looked at him with her big dove-gray doe eyes. The realization hit her he hadn't known and now he did.

Nora had definitely forgotten all about that. She had those papers drawn up a long time ago and only her grandma had known they existed...until now. Nora hadn't ever thought something would happen to her or that he or anyone else would find out, she was just playing it safe, being the responsible person she had always been. Cat's out of the bag now, she thought. She gazed up at him through her thick, long luscious eyelashes, pulling out all the stops with her best puppy dog face that she knew he found almost impossible to resist.

"You're not mad are you? That I forgot to tell you? That was a long time ago when we were first disowned that grandma helped me have them drawn up so we would know I'd be taken care of. There is no one I trust more with my life than you."

Had her eyes stayed locked on his, Nora would have seen that look of love in them and the tears that stung his eyes and maybe she would have put two and two together, but her eyes were drooping and she missed it. Patch thought about what it would have been like to have to exercise those rights, to have to decide on life support, organ donation or vegetative states. If he had lost her he would have lost his life in the sense that she was life to him, like the air he breathed in order to survive he needed Nora to truly live. Life without Nora wouldn't be life at all, he had only just figured out what that truly meant, how deep it went. She may have known all along about her love for him, but both of theirs was new to him. Patch felt her breathing even out and looked down to see his heartbeat had lulled his Angel to sleep, just like all the other times before in the years past. He watched her as she slept, her angelic face. She looked so at peace, as if she had no worries, instead she felt safe and sound. She fit perfectly snug to his body like two pieces of a puzzle. He could spend a lifetime studying her like this, but soon his eyelids grew heavy too and he dropped off into a deep sleep still holding her.

Nora's nurse stopped by to check on her and saw them curled up together and gathered the other nurse's to look at how sweet Patch and Nora looked. It was against hospital policy to allow anyone else in the patients beds, but not one of the nurses were willing to separate them after all the young couple had been through, after all Patch had done for Nora, proving his love for her. She would be going home the next day anyhow so they quietly shut the door and for the first time in seven weeks they were allowed to find peace and comfort again in each others arms.

Nora had been in the hospital for a long time, seven long weeks due to her extensive injuries and coma. She had two casts that would be removed before leaving for home, she would be very weak and need a lot of help. Everyone, including her and Patch knew that it would be him that cared for her. There was no way he would allow anyone else to even entertain the idea of someone else doing his job.

Nora had awoken first and as she watched Patch sleep the next morning she wondered to herself what he was doing with his job. How had he been there with her, never leaving her side and work so he could pay all of their bills? She had seen him on his computer and talking quietly, but intently to someone before hanging up and focusing back on her. What was that about? She knew it wasn't personal by his tone and body language. Patch still hadn't left other than for her grandmother the day before. She ran the tip of her index finger down the contoures of his beautiful face. He looked so sweet and innocent when he slept, like he hadn't been through hell and back again, experiencing things no one his age should ever have to go through. Nora knew all too well what he had been through, she had been at his side the whole time.

Nora placed a soft kiss against his smooth skin and her heart lurched and ached in her chest, wondering about this 'new love' that wasn't so new. She thought for the billionth time how very much she wanted him to be hers and hers alone, especially after all they had just gone through together. Did this 'not new' woman know about all of that? Nora had never heard him talk to anyone that sounded like a relationship conversation on his phone during her recovery, nor had she seen him texting anyone. That's interesting she thought, what could that mean, women as a general rule would most definitely not want 'their man' caring for another woman the way he had been her, especially if they had a 'benefits' sort of relationship like her and Patch. They would also be demanding to at least talk every so often...Nora was lost in those thoughts when she felt those penetrating eyes on her once more and she smiled.

Alrighty peeps, there you go, your newest chapter. What do you think? There is a lot of confusion going on, will Patch get the nerve up to talk to Nora in time? I know this internal dialogue has been dragging and I apologize for that, however Nora is going home in the next chapter, her 'new home' that she is unaware of, how will she react to that? Her welcome home party will be in this next chapter and we know who was invited by grandma Clista to attend... Please continue to review, let me know what you think, am I doing okay for my first story? Do you feel like you know these characters like you know your friends? Have I given you enough to guess how each might react or is it too much? I love and value your feedback and your comments, compliments and encouragement both light up my days, give me smiles, encourage me, inspire me, help me to write/update. It makes my whole day when I get a review so PLEASE! READ AND REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW! TY TY TY TY FOR READING AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE OR ARE REVIEWING :)

Please check out my other stories:

1. Damaged-Patch and Nora have been best friends since they were tiny kids and are now Juniors in high school. Patch's dad died when he was young and his now deceased mother was a drunk and abusive. Nora was the one who gave him a safe place to stay, food to eat and a shoulder to lean on when no one else cared. Nora's parents have many problems leading to a rotten home life. Together Patch and Nora form 'team badass' and rebel, often at school (think colored dye in the school pool), but they target those that have it coming to them, not innocent students and people. They really are all they can lean on, each others only real friend/family. As Nora's mom wants her to marry a guy she hates, he is a hot shot chouvenistic sexiest pig, but his dad is the mayor and that's good for the Grey's standing in the community. To get her mom and Dante off of her back she has Patch pose as her boyfriend, but when her world starts to quickly spiral out of control and high school drama happens will they survive the aftermath together as friends, as more than friends or will it cost them their relationship all together? *will have lemons, has drama, language, mild drinking and marijuana use* You were warned...

2. Inevitable- Patch and Nora have been best friends since birth and neighbors, when lust hits and both are plagued with improper dreams and fantasies of their best friend will they act on impulse or fight to keep each other as friends? Will things change when tragedy strikes and life ends as they've always known it? Who is Sargent Grey and why is he so interested in Patch and Nora's well being? Why does Nora have a different last name than the man she KNOWS is her biological father? Will her mother ever be released from the mental hospital her father, Hank Miller, drove her into? *LEMONS! ADULTS ONLY!*-this one is popular, but it takes me longer to update so please bare with me, I will finish it and I work on it often, but the story plot I like and as a new writer I want to do it justice and that may take me time. I want to give you the best I can with the lack of experience I have. This is a story I am posting without a rough draft written, Follow Your Heart and Damaged have both been all drafted out in detail so I can update a whooooole lot faster.

3. You Came With Him But You're Leaving With Me- Patch is a fallen angel who wants Nora so when his best friend Rixon and her best friend Vee who are dating throw a little gathering and invite Nora and her boyfriend, Scott who is a nephilium like Vee to have shots and play a game of spin the bottle dares with a goal of helping Patch and Nora get together by Daring them to more and more intimate acts will it work? Will Scott's presence and Patch's date for the night, Dabria who is in love with him, affect the outcome? Did she come with Scott and leave with Patch...willingly?-*MAJOR BIG TIME LEMONS AS EACH DAY GOES BY! ADULTS ONLY!*

4. Black Jack, Strip Man, Kiss, Tic Tac Toe-LEMONY GOODNESS ONE SHOTS FOR YOU ONE SHOT MA FANS

IF YOU LIKE THEM PLZ REVIEW THEM, IT'S THE ONLY WAY AS A NEW WRITER I WILL KNOW WHAT I'M DOING RIGHT AND WHAT TO WORK ON. :) DON'T FORGET TO FAV/FOLLOW IF YOU LIKE A STORY

TY TY TY-XOXO~~FALLING4THEFALLEN~~

*IF YOU LIKE THE BOOKS 'IMMORTAL INSTRUMENTS' OR ARE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER GREAT NEW AUTHOR CHECK OUT MY NEW FRIEND BOOKZRMYLIFE AND HER FIRST FANFIC ON JACE/CLARY- THESE WAKING DREAMS-It's her first story and the characters are well developed with a great plot unfolding that will be unexpected so give it a read and review :) Inspire her to continue and build her talent, I'd hate to lose a fanfic author with her potential 3