A/N – I am not a medical expert – making it up as I go along. Pardon any discrepancies.

If you're not a fan of Sarah Webber, of course you're not going to enjoy this story!

Chapter Two

"See, Avery? Mommy told you that Dr. Webber was only going to look at you for now," Ava said gently, lifting a tear eyed Avery into her arms after Sarah gave her a quick examination.

"MAMA!" Avery cried harder, holding out her arms to Carly.

Carly pursed her lips, trying hard to hide a smirk as Ava's face sank into despair at Avery's word and desire for Carly over Ava. Carly stepped forward and lifted Avery carefully from Ava's arms. "It's okay, baby. Mama's here with Mommy and Daddy," she soothed, running her fingers through Avery's hair.

Ava swallowed hard to control her anger and then turned towards Sarah. "So?"

Sarah offered a small smile. "Upon an initial examination, Avery is a very sick little girl," she said honestly. "She's a fighter, though, and has a good sense of spirit. I'm going to need some time to review her charts before I can give you a full answer as to treatment, however."

Ava nodded, feeling a bit of relief that Sarah was here and focused on her daughter's case. "Thank you so much, Dr. Webber."

"In the meantime, Sonny mentioned that Avery has five siblings who are very concerned about her, " Sarah continued, looking around at the three of them, her face stern. "While I'm sure they're dying to see her and be with her, that's not what's best for Avery. This is a sterile environment," she noted, taking in the yellow plastic gowns and masks everyone had to wear when visiting. "The less visitors, the better. I'm restricting Avery to visits from her parents only."

"Biological parents?" Ava inquired innocently.

Carly and Sonny both shot a look of daggers at her, but before either of them opened their mouth, Sarah answered. "No, Mrs. Jerome. Avery clearly feels comfortable with Carly's presence, so I am limiting visits to you, Sonny and Carly only. In addition to medical personnel, of course." Sarah made a note on Avery's chart and closed it. "I will be back to speak with you once I've reviewed the rest of her chart. Does anyone have any questions in the meantime?" All three shook their heads. "Very good. I'll be back soon."

After Sarah left the room, Sonny levelled a stare at Ava. "Do not start playing games, Ava. I tolerate your presence here because you're Avery's mother and I believe it would be beneficial for our daughter to have her mother here. As you can see, Avery really wants Carly here too. If you try to jeopardize what is best for our daughter because of your petty jealousy, I will make sure you are not allowed near Avery either. Do I make myself clear?"

Ava's lips curled into a sneer but she stopped the instinctive retort from escaping her lips, knowing she'd never exist if she was kept away from Avery during her illness. "Yes, you make yourself clear," she muttered. "Well, since I'm not needed here, I'll head…. " Ava trailed off, realizing no one cared where she was headed. "I'll see you later." Ava left Avery's room and headed down the hallway.

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Nikolas watched as Sarah exited Avery's room. Curiosity had him following her down the hallway. "Well, hello, stranger."

Sarah stopped walking and turned to face Nikolas, her face wary. "Hi, Nikolas. Long time, no see."

"That's exactly what I was thinking. It's been almost 6 years since you were last in Port Charles, and now suddenly you're here." Nikolas eyed her speculatively.

Sarah sighed and resumed walking. "I'm here for a case."

"Right." Nikolas walked alongside her. "Congratulations, by the way. Pediatric Specialist. You've worked hard."

"I have, actually. Thanks for noticing." A trace of bitterness seeped from Sarah's tone. Just before they reached the Nurses Station, Sarah whirled around to face him. "What do you want, Nikolas? It's not like you've, or anyone else from this town, have reached out to me either. So my silence is also your silence. So why are you walking beside me right now, pretending to be friendly and interested in my life?"

Nikolas could feel her hurt and saw the unshed tears in the depth of her blue eyes. "Sarah, it's not like we've been enemies," he offered finally.

"You and Lucky have always been Liz's friends, not mine," Sarah reminded him. She gestured briefly at her eyes, refusing the tears access to fall. It had been a longer six years than Nikolas even realized. Not that she'd admit anything specific to him. "I see my sister has forgiven me for Lucky."

Nikolas sighed. "Elizabeth and Lucky," he paused, trying to come up with a good way to explain what he wanted to say. "They were like Luke and Laura, to an extent."

"I know – the next great love story." Sarah rolled her eyes. "Except, they weren't together. And Liz acted like Lucky was her property, her pawn. And she's held it against me since then that Lucky would dare have feelings for me. Because I am so un-loveable compared to Saint Liz, you know. "

Nikolas wanted to hug her, to take away the pain that Sarah felt. He didn't know if Sarah was aware of his affair with Elizabeth, and he didn't plan on telling her. Knowing Elizabeth had cheated on Lucky with his brother would likely ease Sarah's pain – but at a cost Nikolas wasn't willing to take. "My brother truly loved you," he said instead. "Regardless of what Elizabeth said or did, Lucky loved you for you, Sarah. Not as Liz's sister, not as a replacement for his "Laura". Lucky loved Sarah Webber for who Sarah Webber is."

Sarah gave him a shaky smile. "Thanks, Nikolas. My sister is lucky to have a level headed friend in her life. I wish our friendship would've lasted once we stopped dating."

Nikolas chuckled. "We were kids, Sarah. We didn't know how to remain friends after that emotional turmoil of dating."

Sarah joined his soft laughter. "Hormones and puberty sucked," she agreed. "Anyway, I have to go and read up on Avery Corinthos' case. The faster I can help this little girl, the faster I can get out of Port Charles and away from Elizabeth."

"If you need anything, call me." Nikolas grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from the nurses desk and jotted down his phone number. He handed it to Sarah with a smile. "Don't be a stranger anymore, Sarah."

Sarah took the paper and smiled as she headed to the Nurses Station to look for the office she'd be working in while she was in town.

"Well, wasn't that cozy."

Nikolas cringed and turned to face Ava. "Now, paramour, don't go getting all possessive or anything," Nikolas teased gently, seeing Ava's face and knowing she was about to explode. "And most certainly don't take out any anger at Sonny or Carly on me."

Ava softened at his words. True, she'd been about to blow a gasket. Because of Sonny and Carly, though, not because of the conversation she'd overheard between Nikolas and Sarah. "Old flame?" she remarked instead.

Nikolas took Ava's hand and led her to a bench. "Very old," he said with a chuckle. "We were teenagers when we dated, if you could call it that. Fast forward a bunch of years and Sarah fell in love with my brother, Lucky. Elizabeth considered it a betrayed since she was falling for Lucky again. She never considered the fact that he was in love with Sarah, not her. She cut them both out of her life, and Sarah and Lucky eventually fizzled out. Sarah left town, and here we are six years later. Elizabeth still hasn't forgiven Sarah."

"Even though Elizabeth slept with you, Lucky's brother. While she was with Lucky." Ava frowned and then smiled wryly. "How is she so beloved in this town and I'm the town pariah when she's a bigger hypocrite than I am?"

Nikolas couldn't supress the laughter that crossed his lips. "Let's not compare you and Liz, shall we?" He was amused. His face sobered slightly. "Yes, Elizabeth is being a hypocrite. I don't think she's thought beyond Lucky being the one great love of her life. She feels Sarah should not have stepped towards that, in any way."

"I thought Jason was the one great love of her life?" Ava sighed, frowning. "This is all so confusing. Elizabeth should just be grateful she even has a sister. Sisters before misters, you know. If Sarah wants to make amends, especially considering Elizabeth did the same thing, maybe Elizabeth forgive and forget. If something happens to either of them, the other will regret it."

Nikolas stared intently at Ava, not saying a word. "What?" Ava finally asked, unable to stand it any longer.

"When you let go of all the anger and all the vindictiveness you have, you are a very wise and special woman," Nikolas answered quietly. "I wish you'd let this side of you show more often, that's all."

Ava blew a kiss his way, smiling. "It's hard to be myself around people I know that hate me," she said.

Nikolas lifted their joined hands and brushed a soft kiss across her knuckles. "Spencer and I are very lucky men, then. Now – why don't you call Kiki and update her? I know she's been waiting for news about Avery."

Ava pulled out her cell phone with a soft groan. "I can't believe I forgot to call Kiki!" She leaned over and kissed Nikolas' cheek. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

Nikolas watched her head down the hallway for some privacy, pulling out his own cell phone to call and check in on Spencer. Sarah's arrival in town had unsettled things a bit – hopefully they'd settle back down.