"Well, well... I would like to make a toast, to Cooper's toast, about love. But, wait a minute, what could Nathan and Haley possibly know about love? I mean, they're only seventeen, right? Right Cooper? You see, Cooper seems to think a seventeen-year old couldn't possibly know anything about love. Of course, you know, that didn't stop him from having sex with me. Right? To sex with Cooper!" The worlds played over and over in Rachel's mind. She shut her eyes trying to shut her mind off. Slow tears made their way down her cheeks. She hears someone behind her and takes a deep breath trying her best to calm her tears and even her breath.
"I know you're not asleep Rachel," Comes Brooke's voice. Rachel doesn't turn, and she hears Brooke sigh deeply. "I brought your house key back. It's nice, big empty, no parents, kinda like the one I had." Brooke pauses and Rachel still doesn't move, "Okay I'm just going to lay the key down." Rachel hears the key hit the table beside the bed, and Brooke turn to leave.
Rachel sets up, "Keep it," Brooke turns to look at Rachel, "I mean you're kinda homeless, and I'm kinda all alone, so why not just stay with me?"
"Are you sure?" Brooke asks setting down beside the bed.
"Yeah, you should stay with me; we can be totally bitchy together." Rachel smiles slightly.
"Deal," Brooke smiles. "So how are you?"
"I'm um, I screwed up Brooke." Rachel sighs. "I really thought I could love him, maybe I did love him. I just kinda didn't know what to do."
"Look, trust me; I'm the queen of screw ups. It's not like the wreck was your fault." Brooke says.
Images of her grabbing the wheel flashed before Rachel's eyes, and her breath caught in the throat. She shakes them from her mind, wiping her tears, "Right." She says softly.
A silence falls between the two girls. Neither knowing what to say, or how to start it. Both girls lost in thoughts of their own. Flashes of what she remembers flash through Rachel's head. Words she had yelled at Cooper. Suddenly the urge to see him overtook her. Slowly and without a word she pulls the cover back and puts on the house shoes Brooke brought. Still without a word she puts on the robe, and leaves. Brooke just watches, but knows not to say anything. Rachel makes her way down the hall and into Cooper's room. He's in a coma, and he's hooked up to all kinds of machines. Tears flood Rachel's face, "I'm sorry" she repeats over and over between sobs. She leans her head over onto his chest, as sobs overtake her……
"Just give me the damn papers!" Rachel screams at the nurse, "I was released an hour ago!" Rachel is fuming. She's ready to get the hell out of here.
"I'm sorry you can't be released unless somebody is here to pick you up Mrs. Gatina. We can't release you unless we know somebody will watch you." The nurse gently pushes Rachel back into a setting position on the bed. "When somebody comes to pick you up then you can go."
"Bitch," Rachel crosses her arms across her chest. She picks up the phone and dials Brooke's number again, still no answer.
"Somebody said you needed to be picked up," comes a voice from the door. "Same old Rachel."
Rachel's eyes move to the door, "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Picking up my sister." The person steps closer into the room where Rachel can survey her.
"Heather" Rachel says quietly rolling her eyes, "figures you would show up."
'Rachel," Heather voice is soft, "Mom said you were in the hospital. I wanted to make sure you weren't like dying or something."
"Well I'm not so just go on." Rachel shoots her a look.
"I'm not leaving without you. Besides, I kinda don't have a choice but to stay." Heather sets down next to Rachel.
"And why is that?" Rachel looks at the brown haired girl setting next to her.
"They sold my house, without tell me before hand." Heather says taking a deep breath. "Look I'll take the spare bedroom, and you won't know I'm there. But Mom and Dad are insisting that I stay or else they take my credit cards and bank account away."
"Fine, just take me home." Rachel says getting up.
"You're free to go," the nurse smiles, "Want a wheel chair?"
"Hell no, I can walk" Rachel says brushing past the nurse.
"I hope she wasn't in here to have the bitch removed, cause it's still there," Heather says and leaves.
Heather sees her sister duck into a room a little ways up. Heather stands in the door watching her sister lean over some guy's body. She can see her sister's shoulders move up and down as she sobs. Slowly Heather goes into the room, setting her sister's bags down, she puts her arms around her sister. Neither of them says anything for a long moment; the only noise in the room is Rachel's sobs and the machines beeping. Slowly Rachel pulls back, "I thought I loved him, and I couldn't deal with him not loving me back. I gave this lame ass speak at the wedding, stole the limo, and we were arguing. I grabbed the wheel and that's the last thing I remember. I done this, all because he couldn't love me." Rachel sobs slightly.
"Sissy, it's okay. I promise you that everything will be okay. Just calm down." Heather rubs Rachel's back soothingly, "I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."
"I'm glad," Rachel pulls back and wipes her eyes, "You and me against the world again right?"
"Right," Heather hugs her sister again, "Now let's get you out of the God forsaken hospital." The two turn and leave.
"I agree, I'm starving," Rachel says with a slight laugh, "Hospital food is gross."
"You would know" Heather looks sideways at her sister, "You look great. Aside from the fact that it looks like you haven't slept in weeks and you're thinner then the last time I saw you."
"Gees thanks," Rachel rolls her eyes, "I'm the perfect weight, and the sleep thing is nothing that a little make up won't cure."
"You mean if you can quiet trying long enough to apply it?" Heather steps into the elevator.
"You're a bitch." Rachel looks sideways at her sister, "Looks like I rubbed off on you."
"Much to our Mother's dismay." Heather laughs.
"You look great too though. Look like you always did actually." Rachel's eyes travel over her sister slim figure, up to her bright green eyes. Those eyes matched Rachel's own in every way, and Rachel new they could see right through her. "Brooke Davis is staying at the house too." Rachel says.
"Who is she?" Heather asks climbing out of the elevator.
"She's a bitch I met," Rachel shrugs, "She's kinda homeless."
"So you're letting her stay with you?" Heather says unlocking the car and throwing Rachel's bag in.
"Well yeah, I didn't want to stay alone." Rachel says getting in.
Heather climbs behind the wheel, "But you aren't alone." Heather says.
"I know, but still. She's homeless, and she could be fun to have around. I really like messing with her." Rachel smirks.
"You mean you like making her life a living hell?" Heather says with a laugh.
"Well, I gotta entertain myself somehow." Rachel shrugs.
Heather rolls her eyes, pulling up in front of the house. "Is that her car?"
"Yeah, I wonder why she didn't answer her phone." Rachel frowns.
"Maybe she new you were calling." Heather suggests climbing out of the car and grabbing Rachel's bag, "So what exactly am I supposed to be watching you for?"
"Oh you know, passing out, being extra bitchy, seizures, I donno." Rachel says opening the door and leading the way up the stairs. She pauses in the door way of her bedroom. She sees Brooke lying on the bed, and can tell she's crying. "Hey give us a sec." Rachel says. Heather nods, setting Rachel's bag down. Heather turns and leaves, Rachel waits until she is out of eat shot before turning her attention back to Brooke. "Hey hoe, what's up?"
Brooke turns and sets up, "Luke and I broke up."
"That sucks, but come on he's not worth crying over is he?" Rachel sets down on her own bed.
"What if he's the love of my life?" Brooke sighs.
"You don't need love, you need fun" Rachel says smirking. "And now that I'm out of the hospital we can have us a little fun."
"No you can't Sis." Heather says from the door, "Sorry to interrupt, but the bedroom down the hall is all mine right?"
Both girls look at the door, "Brooke, meet Heather my sister." Rachel motions to the door, "Heather this is Brooke Davis."
"Hi," Heather nods toward Brooke, "now Sis, you're supposed to be resting."
"I don't need you to take care of me," Rachel says getting up and moving her bag.
"Because you've done so great at that yourself." Heather rolls her eyes, "Sissy," Heather takes the bag from Rachel. "Just tell me one thing,"
"What?" Rachel puts her hands on her hips.
"You said you were hungry, you still hungry?" Heather asks putting the bag down on the bed.
"Yeah why?" Rachel's voice is irritated.
"Because I thought we might go get something to eat," Heather shrugs, "And maybe you could come, help me keep her outta trouble." Heather looks at Brooke, "Besides, nothing, and I do mean nothing, cures a broken heart, which I'm assuming is why you are crying, like shopping. And the mall does happen to have food."
Rachel laughs, "You got it all worked out huh?"
"Well I try," Heather turns to face Rachel and Brooke, "Know off your sorry weepy ass," She looks at Brooke, "And you get out of this damn feel sorry for yourself trip you're on and get dressed. Both of you are coming shopping no excuses." And with that Heather leaves.
"Wow, she's you, with brown hair." Brooke says laughing slightly.
"Yeah, sometimes I hate her." Rachel says looking at Brooke, "She's not taking no for an answer."
"Then lets go." Brooke gets up.
Heather, Brooke and Rachel as walking through the mall laughing. "I can't believe you told the sales lady that Heather!" Brooke turns to look at her astonished,
"Well, Red isn't my color!" Heather laughs. "And that dress was not my style. She just wanted to sell the damn thing."
"Trust me when it come to sales ladies, I'm surprised that they don't all run a hide when it comes to her. Oh!" Rachel squeals running into a shop, "These are so my color!"
"There black whore underwear, don't you have enough?" Heather asks watching her sister.
"Never enough," Brooke says smirking at Heather.
Heather rolls her eyes, "Well then." Heather makes her way into the store watching to two girls.
Rachel is about to pick up a pair of underwear when she feels her stomach lurch. She covers her mouth running to the back of the store to the bathroom. She makes it just in time. Heather sees it, but Brooke doesn't. Heather makes her way to follow her sister; she finds her leaning over the toilet puking. Slowly Heather moves her hair out of the way and rubs her back soothingly. Ten minutes later Rachel leans against the wall; Heather gets up and wets a paper towel. She hands it to Rachel, "You okay?"
"Yeah, just something I ate." Rachel says taking the paper towel, and laying it on her forehead.
"I haven't seen you this sick since you had the first surgery. You couldn't keep anything down." Heather says leaning against the sink.
"So I puked Heather it's not big deal," Rachel starts to get up but is too weak.
"Sissy, you would tell me if it were something else right?" Heather asks helping her up.
"Of course," Rachel moves to rinse her mouth out. "I wouldn't hide something from you."
Rachel rinses her mouth out and they leave the bathroom. Brooke is still looking through the clothes. Heather leads Rachel to where Brooke is, "Hey Brooke," She says, "We need to get going Rachel is feeling well."
Brooke turns to looks at them, seeing Rachel's pale expression, "Okay, I just need to pay."
"We'll meet you in the car," Heather says leading Rachel to the door. Before they can get to the car another round of nausea overtakes Rachel. She ducks into the bathroom, and Heather sighs following. By the time they make it to the car Brooke is already there. "Pit stop" Heather says as Brooke looks questioningly.
"I'm going home, and going to bed and never getting up again," Rachel says climbing in the back of the car.
Heather gets behind the wheel, "We'll be home soon Sis." Heather says with a slightly sigh, "I new better then to bring you out like this."
"It's not you're fault I'm puking Heather," Rachel rolls her eyes.
Brooke is quiet on the way home. When they get there, Heather helps Rachel to her room and pulls the covers back while Rachel puts on some sweat pants and a tank top. Finally she climbs under the covers and Heather pulls the up over her. Heather sets down on the side of the bed rubbing Rachel's back until she is sure Rachel is sleeping. Slowly she gets up and sneaks out of the room. Brooke is setting on the couch when Heather walks into the living room.
"She okay?" Brooke asks looking at Heather.
"Yeah, just stress probably. She does that sometimes." Heather says with a sigh, "She's sleeping."
"Good," Brooke says turning her attention back to the T.V. "I just hope she's not pregnant."
Heather raises an eye brow, "Pregnant?"
"Well you can't believe that your sister is a virgin can you?" Brooke says with a slight laugh, "And she swears that she was sick last week which is why she missed cheer practice."
Heather looks toward the stairs, "I'm sure she's not." She says softly, "I'm sure she would tell me."
Rachel woke in a cold sweat, she had been dreaming about the accident. She forced her breathe to slow down and closes her eyes, It was just a dream Rachel, get a grip she thinks. She runs a hand through her tangled hair. She's about to lay back down when the nausea hits her. Rachel shoots up and just makes it to the bathroom. Brooke wakes to the sound of Rachel puking, she sets up and from her place she can see Rachel bent over the toilet. She sighs wondering if she should help her or not. Slowly she gets up and makes her way to Heather's room. She shakes her, and Heather turns over not opening her eyes, "This better be good."
"Rachel's sick again," Brooke says.
Heather shoots up in the bed, "What?!"
"She's puking," Brooke says as Heather sighs and get up. "I didn't know what to do."
"It's okay, I'll handle it. Just go get some saltine crackers from the kitchen." Heather says and gets up. Heather walks into the bathroom to find Rachel still leaning over the toilet, "Thought you said it was something you ate?" She says setting down and holding back Rachel's hair.
"It's everything I eat," Rachel says not looking at her.
Heather sighs, "How far along?"
"I don't know I didn't ask." Rachel says before another wave hits her.
Heather waits until Rachel is done, "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know," Rachel sets back.
Heather moves to get her a wet wash rag. "I'm behind you whatever you decide." She says handing it to Rachel.
"Well I don't have to decide today," Rachel sighs, slowly she lifts herself up.
Heather watches as Rachel rinses her mouth out and splashes her face. Rachel walks past Heather and sets down on the bed just as Brooke comes in. She hands the crackers to Heather, "You okay?" she asks Rachel.
"Peachy," Rachel says with a sigh.
"Here Sissy," Heather hands the crackers to Rachel, "They'll settle your stomach, and prevent dry heaves."
"Great, I puke and you expect me to eat." Rachel glares at Heather.
"They help and you know it." Heather says pushing the crackers toward Rachel. "They'll settle it down, I promise."
Rachel takes the crackers, slowly placing one in her mouth, "They damn well better" she mumbles.
Brooke sets down on her own bed; Heather takes a seat on the foot of Rachel's bed facing Brooke. Rachel turns and leans against the headboard with pillows propped behind her. None of them say anything for a long moment. "Why don't I take this room, you take my room Brooke?" Heather finally says.
"No," Rachel shakes her head, "I'm fine. Lets all just go back to bed."
"Because I'm so sure she wants to wake up to the sound of you puking every morning," Heather rolls her eyes.
"It's just a one time thing okay, I'm sorry that the two of you got woke up." Rachel puts the crackers on the table beside the bed. "All better, you were right, that settled my stomach."
Rachel woke up around noon, Heather was curled up beside her, Brooke's bed was empty. Slowly Rachel gets out of bed, leaving Heather to sleep. She slips out of the room, and down the stairs finding Brooke setting in the living room. "Hey whore," She says before setting down.
"Nice to see you're back to you're old self." Brooke says looking her over. "You're sister is worried."
"Yeah well, I didn't ask her to come here and fix this or me." Rachel shoots at Brooke.
"She finally fell asleep a couple hours ago." Brooke turns her attention back to the T.V.
Rachel sighs, "She's exhausted huh?"
"After you keeping her up most of the night talking, and then waking her up this morning, yeah" Brooke doesn't look at Rachel.
"I gotta go do something, could you watch out for her?" Rachel asks.
"Sure, I got nothing else to do." Brooke says.
"Thanks I owe you B." Rachel says getting up and heading back to her room.
Rachel had quickly dressed and headed to the hospital, she walks into Cooper's room to find his awake. "You're awake," She says.
"Yeah" he doesn't look at her.
"Good, I'm glad, I was worried." Rachel puts her hands in her pockets and looks at the floor. "You're gonna be okay?" she asks softly.
"Yeah, you okay? The baby?" Cooper asks.
Rachel sighing thinking about whether or not she wants to tell him the truth. 'I lied" She says finally. "There is no baby."
"Get out! Get the hell out!" Cooper yells.
Rachel feels tears in her eyes, she's taken aback and doesn't move. "I'm sorry," She says gently.
"Get out!" Cooper says again.
Slowly Rachel turns to leave. She makes her way to the doctor's office, and signs in. Finally the doctor calls her back, she's setting in the exam room in the gown when the doctor comes in. "Okay here's the deal doc, I want an abortion." She says as soon as she sees him.
"Mrs. Gatina, I'm afraid I can't do that until you have healed from the accident." The doctor says. "Why don't you lay back?"
Rachel does, "What do you mean you can't do it?"
"Until you're body has healed from the accident you were in I can't do an abortion," the doctor presses lightly on her lower abdomen. "Let me know if this hurts."
"You're going to make me puke," Rachel feels a wave of nausea come over her.
"It's okay, just breath deeply," the doctor says gently. "I'm going to see if we can find a heart beat and find out how far along you are." He pulls the ultrasound machine to him, 'This won't hurt, it'll just be cold."
Rachel nods, she doesn't really think about what he's saying. She doesn't look at the screen until she hears a soft heart beat fill the room. Her eyes get big, "Is that the baby?"
"Yes it is," The doctor says, "Mrs. Gatina, are you sure you want an abortion?"
Rachel's heart races as her eyes land on the screen, "No, I'm not" she says softly. "It can't do it, I can't be a murderer."
"Then we'll need to talk about prenatal care." The doctor says smiling slightly.
"Shit" Rachel says still watching the screen.
