Love Again - Klena

Love is Hard

Days before flashforward from previous chapter

"What is going on?"- Elena asked Zach as she tried to get out of the ER and was stopped by a couple of men with protective masks, locking the doors out to other part of the hospital.

"I don't know. I will call Kinney."- Zach said and dialed Chief's number. 

But then then Dr Kinney's voice could be heard on the loudspeaker-

"Your attention please. If I could have your attention. In accordance with public health regulations, HopeZion is under quarantine. I repeat, this hospital is now under quarantine. All patients and staff must remain where they are. Movement is fully restricted. Do not leave your room. Do not approach or touch another person. These measures are purely precautionary. We have no reason to believe that anyone is at risk, and we are working to end the lock down as quickly as possible. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding."

"Wow"- Zach remarked.

"Hm"- Elena muttered now taking her phone. She called Klaus now telling him what was going on and that she would be running late. 

"Are you all right?"- he asked worried.

"Yes, I am fine."- she now explained a little bit about the procedure and added-"So, you go to the exhibition opening."

"No. I won't be going without you. I can see the exhibition tomorrow. Just come around if you want after everything is sorted."

"Ok. See you later then."

Elena then went to help the nurses and other ER doctors to calm some agitated patients down. 

In the meantime, on the OR floor, Joel and Alex, who were exposed to the patient with the virus, were checking if they had any symptoms. They were fine, but another doctor was not well. They isolated him in the OR. 

Alex went on worrying about her fiance, who was laying in coma-

"Charlie's defenses are down, if he catches this- I - huh- can't believe all this-"

"He is going to be fine."- Joel said to Alex, nervously walking back and forth from one part of the scrubbing area to the other.

"Why are you walking down like lion in the cage? Where is Maggie? Did you call Maggie?"

"I don't know."- Joel replied. 

"You don't know?"

"I've kind of been a little preoccupied."

Alex now looked at him gone out- "What?"

"Sorry, that sounded really cruel. No, I  have not- called Maggie."- he said with a little sigh. 

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You've been cheating on her, haven't you?"- Alex shot at Joel.

"Why- why would you assume that?"- he tried to deny what was so apparent. And Alex could read him like a book. 

"Because I know you Joel. That's why you haven't called her. You feel guilty, so you are avoiding her."

"Ok- wow- this is - like blindsiding-"

"You don't need to try to make it better for me, you are unbelievable. You did this all through med school. Even before we dated. It's a pattern. You take something very beautiful and you screw it up."

"It's none of your business."- Joel now got a little defensive. 

"You are right. It's none of my business. It's Maggie's business and I feel sorry for her."