Waiting for the Sun to Rise

Author: Hula Hoop Queen

Rating: T

Pairing: Spashley

Disclaimer: I do not own South of Nowhere. If I did, I would be working my tail off to find a new station for it. Damn The –N! I do own the original characters and places that I have created.

Summary: The citizens of Corsica are dealing the aftermath of Adien's rampage. Spencer finds the courage to be herself with the support of Ashley and some new friends.

This is the sequel to Fury, which was my first South of Nowhere fan fic. If you have not read it, you should read that first in order to be able to follow this story which is very AU.

There are some new characters that will be coming into the mix. I have based their looks, with the exception of one, on established film actors. If you are unfamiliar with the actors that I have casted, check out their Internet Movie Database page for their pictures.

Bill Abbott is played by Mark Wahlberg.

Alana Bowen is played by me! Send me a message if you want me to send you a picture of me.

Danielle Collins is played by Jurnee Smollett

Waiting for the Sun to Rise

Chapter 1

"I think we're all set here," Paula Carlin said, shaking the nurse's hand, "thank you for all your help, Nurse Holmes.

"No problem," the nurse smiled politely. She was friendly woman, a little bit older than Paula with short auburn hair and green eyes. "Like I said before, call me Ruth. I insist. We'll take great care of your daughter, Dr. and Mr. Carlin. She'll be walking out of here in no time."

"I hope so," Spencer mumbled, who sitting on yet another hospital bed only this time it was new room in a completely different building. She and her parents had spent all afternoon touring and getting her settled into the Gregory Johnson Rehabilitation Center.

"You will, just stay positive and work as hard as you can," Arthur said with encouragement.

"I'll try my best, Dad."

"That's all we're asking of you, sweetie." Paula said. "Listen to the therapists and take your time. Don't feel like you have to rush through everything, okay?"

"Okay."

Paula kissed Spencer on the cheek. "We have to get going but we'll see you tomorrow. Good night."

"Good night."

"We love you, Spence." Arthur said, giving Spencer a huge, warm hug. "Good night."

Spencer squeezed her with father with as much strength she could bear. "Good night. I love you both, too. Say hi to Glen and Clay for me."

"We will." Arthur began to let Spencer go but she clung to him even tighter.

"I don't want you to leave," Spencer said in absolute desperation. "Just a few more minutes, please. I don't like being alone these days."

"I can stay with you for a little bit." Ruth said softly, rushing over to the other side of the bed.

"You're in good hands here," Paula soothed, running her fingers through Spencer's hair. . "Don't worry. We'll be back soon. I'll make sure that the boys come too."

"It's going to be just fine." Arthur said, planting a kiss on Spencer's forehead. "Trust us."

He patted her back, kissed the top of her head and released his grip of her. He and Paula smiled, waved goodbye and walked unhurriedly out of the room. Spencer rolled onto her left side and curled into ball, keeping her face hidden with her arm.

"What's on your mind?" Ruth asked after several minutes of quietness.

"I miss my family," Spencer sniffled and Ruth thought it sounded like she was trying to choke back tears. "I miss my school, my friends… everything. I've been in the hospital for a month, having surgery done on my hip, when I'm supposed to be fighting with my brother over the remote control, going to class, getting ready for prom… Oh god, I'm going to miss prom because that evil, psychotic asshole!"

"I'm so sorry." Ruth said, patting Spencer's shoulder. "Who were you planning on going with?"

"Just a really good friend of mine."

"You were going to the prom with a friend?" Ruth said in astonishment. "I figured that all the boys would be asking you to go them. You're such a pretty girl. Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Thank you. No, I don't have a boyfriend." Spencer said with complete honesty.

Should I tell her the truth?Spencer thought. I don't want to lie to her, she's so nice. I'm tired of lying to everyone, anyway. I feel so bad about hiding who I am. Okay, here goes nothing.

"I was going to go with my girlfriend," Spencer said, drawing out her words.

"That's nice. A lot of girls go to the prom with their girlfriends these days, I've noticed."

"When I say girlfriend, I don't mean my best friend, although she really is my best friend but at the same time, she's more than just a friend."

"I think I know what you mean…"

"Yeah, you're right," Spencer caught her off. "I'm gay."

"You should talk to the girl who shares the other side of this room. I don't where she went off to but…"

"She's right here, "a voice said at the door. Spencer and Ruth turned around in time to see a girl in a wheelchair push her way into the room. She was a petite and black, with thick, dark hair that ran down to her upper back. Her skin was a rich brown color; it reminded Spencer of the milk chocolate bunnies she got every year for Easter.

"Hi, Alana," Ruth greeted warmly, "this is Spencer Carlin; she's going to be sharing the room with you. Spencer met Alana Bowen, your new roommate."

"It's nice to meet you," Alana smiled, her brown eyes bright with friendliness. She scooted her chair closer to Spencer's bed and shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet you, too." Spencer couldn't help but not to smile back. Alana's smile was infectious. She was clearly in a great mood.

"I'll let you two get acquainted," Ruth said, heading towards the door. "If either of you need anything, press the call button. Miss Alana needs to keep that mind because she doesn't always ask for help when she needs it."

"You're right," Alana said, "I do need to work on that."

"I'll see you ladies later." Ruth winked at them and left.

"So," Alana said, after a beat, "What brings you here?"

"I was shot in the hip by the school outcast."

"Wait a minute, do you go to Corsica High?"

"Yep."

"I knew your name sounded familiar, I heard about the Corsica shooting on news. It was all that people could talk about for weeks. It's just starting to become an old topic of discussion now."

"It's anything but old news to me; I'm still living with the aftermath of it."

"I'm still living with the aftermath of my injury, too. It was three months ago."

"What happened?"

"Some drunken idiot ran a red light and hit the car I was in. He ran us off the road and straight into a tree."

Spencer gasped in shock.

"I've had five surgeries to get my spine realigned. I also needed eighty stitches in my head."

"Oh my God. Who was driving?"

"My girlfriend, Danielle, she broke her wrist and got a bunch of cuts and bruises. By using the term girlfriend, I mean she's my significant other."

"That's why Ruth wanted me to talk you. I'm gay, too."

Now it was Alana's turn to gasp, this time in wonder. "It's a small world after all," she sang and Spencer began to giggle.

"No, don't laugh, I'm serious. Think about it. It just so happens that two young crippled lesbians are assigned to the same room. How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"Me too. We have so much in common already. What's your girlfriend's name?"

"Ashley."

"Is she a hottie?"

"Yeah, with a smokin' hot body. What about Danielle?"

"She's slender and absolutely gorgeous. She's looks like she could be an actress or something. You'll see her tomorrow. She always visits after me after school."

"Ashley told me she would stop by tomorrow, too. To give me the assignments I need to catch up on."

"Awesome, then we can have own little teenage lesbian powwow!"

Spencer and Alana talked most of the night about anything and everything that popped into their heads. As they eventually drifted off to sleep, Spencer didn't feel so lonely anymore.