This is my first Wizards story and I hope you like it. I haven't read any stories similar to this so I hope I'm giving you something a little different to read. Alex wakes up from an accident to find that reality isn't what she thought. Now, she has to sort through her memories to find out what is real, what was a dream and how close the two can be. Please read and review. Let me know what you think.

*I don't own Wizards of Waverly Place or its characters, just my story*

Chapter 1 – A Different World

"Is she going to be okay?"

"Why isn't she waking up?"

"Come on Alex. Open your eyes. We miss you."

"Coma…" "Six weeks…" "May not wake…"

"Alex…"

Through the almost impenetrable black fog she hears snippets of words which jumble together in an indecipherable mess. Frustrated with her confusion, she tries to listen harder but it's no use. The blackness engulfs her once more, pulling her down into nothingness.

"Alex…" Again the voice stirs her but she is unable to respond. "Alex, you need to wake up." The urgency of the words strikes her and she struggles to open her eyes or say a word. "Alex, please." This voice that calls to her fills her with warmth and love. Her mother's love. "Alex." It's just a whisper to her ears but she feels compelled to answer.

Fighting her way through the layers of darkness, she manages to finally move her lips forming a single word without sound. "Mom." Nothing. She tries again, determined to make her mother hear her. "Mom." A scratchy, guttural sound but still recognizable.

"Alex." A cautious whisper, full of hope and joy. "Alex, I heard you. Please wake up."

Slowly, Alex manages to open her eyes a sliver and is blinded by the bright white lights overhead. She groans in pain. "Too bright."

"I got it baby." A shuffling noise and footsteps, then the lights dim. Alex hears a door open and her mother shouting at someone. "She's awake! She's awake!" Her mother returns and grasps her cold hand tightly. "I've been so worried."

Alex opens her eyes more and takes in the blurred shapes around her. Blinking rapidly, her vision clears. She's lying on a white bed in a white room with several scary looking machines beeping and buzzing around her, connected to her with wires and tubes. Besides her, still holding her hand, is her mother but not the one she remembers, though she knows it's the same person. This mother has dark circles under her eyes, wrinkled clothes and a gaunt look to her features.

"Mom, what happened?" Before her mother can answer, several people in white lab coats with medical ID badges and clipboards walk in the room. They stare at her with varying degrees of disbelief and excitement. An hour later and more confused, Alex is left alone with her mother with the promised of more tests to come for their miracle patient.

"Mom?" Alex, feeling drained but unwilling to fall asleep just yet, turns her head towards her mother. "Why am I in the hospital? Where is everyone?"

"You don't remember?" Her mother sighs and sits down on the edge of the bed taking Alex's hand again. "We were in a car accident. A drunk driver ran a red light and hit us. Unfortunately, it was on the passenger side where you were sitting." Tears escape her mother's brown eyes. "He wasn't wearing his seat belt and died instantly. I was so scared that I'd lost you. The doctors didn't give much hope for your recovery, saying you probably wouldn't wake up."

"How hurt am I?" Alex worriedly tries to look at the rest of her body, checking to make sure all limbs, fingers and toes are accounted for.

"Most of the damage has healed and nothing is permanent except for a few scars." Her mom reassures her. "You are going to have to go through a lot of physical therapy."

"Where is everyone?" The room is quiet and her mother stares at her in confusion.

"Who are you talking about?" Her mother rubs her arm and lays a gentle hand on her face. "Most of your friends stopped visiting a few weeks ago. The only one who still comes every day after school is Harper."

"What about Dad, Justin and Max?" Alex's eyes begin to close in exhaustion but pop open at her mother's next words.

"Baby, your dad died ten years ago and who are Justin and Max?" Looking into her mother's eyes, Alex can see genuine confusion and concern.

"I'm dreaming right?" Panicking, Alex looks wildly about the room. "This is a dream. It isn't real."

"You aren't dreaming." Her mom grasps both of Alex's hands and holds them firmly. "You are here with me and I want you to tell me what is wrong?"

"They weren't real?" Alex whimpers in anguish. "They're gone."

"Who are you talking about?" Standing up, her mother leans over Alex to look into her eyes. "Should I get the doctor?"

"No." Calming herself, Alex hides her broken heart as best she can. "It was just a dream I had. Don't worry about it, but can I ask you one more thing?"

"Sure, baby. Anything."

"Am I a wizard?" Alex holds her breath and hopes her mother doesn't think she's gone insane. Although, at the moment, Alex isn't too sure she hasn't.

"What kind of question is that?" Alex looks up sharply, as her mother laughs. "Of course, you're a wizard. You've only been training with me and your Uncle Ernesto since your powers first came to you."

"Training with YOU and UNCLE ERNESTO?" Shock evident on her face, Alex stares at her mother.

"Well, who do you think would train you?" Her mother laughs again.

"Sorry, I was just checking." Alex shakes her head in wonder. "I had some pretty vivid dreams and I wanted to make sure of what is real and what was just in my head."

"Speaking of magic, I have something for you." Pulling out a silver stick with a sapphire on the tip, her mother hand it to Alex. "I thought you might like to have your wand back. Just remember to keep it out of sight."

"Thanks Mom." Alex tucks the wand away safely and promptly falls asleep, too tired to mull over all that she'd been told.

Like it? Love it? Hate it? Please review and let me know. Thanks for reading.