Next Chapter. Not very long, or interesting but its here.

Sam Macpherson sat in the hospital waiting room, alone for the moment. Mike and Jane were both pacing outside Brooke's door, and Harrison, Mary Cherry; etc had all left, after much persuasion.

At that moment a doctor entered the room, glancing around quickly and coming over to Sam.

"Sam, Sam Macpherson?" he asked.

"Yes that's me" Sam stood up, clearing her throat.

"Follow me please"

Sam hurried after the doctor his nametag said Doctor Stevens.

Doctor Stevens lead her over to where Mike and Jane were standing, and Sam hugged them both.

"Well, I must say your daughter was very lucky. She suffered some broken ribs, bruising and a broken leg, but other than that she is fine. She's still sleeping at the moment, but the minute she wakes up, you can go in and see her.

Sam sighed in relief and exchanged smiles with the adults.

Sam was relieved that Brooke was okay, and quickly extracted a promise from Mike and Jane that she could visit Brooke first.

The waiting time seemed to fly by, and before she knew it Sam was being ushered into a hospital room.

"Brooke" she said.

"Hi Sam" Brooke said, smiling faintly.

"Are you alright?" Sam said seeming to spring to like again, coming over to her bed and sitting down in the chair next to it.

"I'm fine, just a bit groggy. Brooke reassured her, "And I have a cast you can sign" she added.

Sam stayed and chatted nervously with Brooke for a bit longer, before Brooke interrupted her. "So what are you going to do when you go home?"

Sam looked torn.

"I was going to go over to... Harrison's" she said, softly.

Brooke looked at her, trying to work out why she had the feeling that was a big deal.

"Oh, that's right. Harrison picked you didn't he?" she remembered at last.

"This isn't easy. Whatever I say, it's going to hurt someone." Harrison said, nervously.

"Sam, you are my best friend. I've been in love with you since we were little. Your funny, intelligent, you understand me like no one else.

'Brooke, you're a great girl I really like you. You've changed so much this year, from a stuck up 'popular' kid, to a genuine all around nice person. I know there's someone for you, closer than you think- at this Brooke made to interrupt but he waved her into silence again. "But I'm afraid, it's not me."

Brooke came back to the present. "Sam, don't worry. I don't mind, I've realised…I don't like Harrison like that, I was just confused about what I wanted." she said softly, realizing why Sam looked so awkward.

Sam smiled slightly, "You mean it?" she asked. "Yes" Brooke said. They looked at each other, and burst out laughing, Brooke stopping quickly as it hurt her head.

"Look, I have to go, but I'll come back and see you tomorrow" said Sam, leaning down and hugging Brooke tightly.

Then Mike and Jane came in, and they talked for about half an hour, and then all three went home.

Brooke sighed, leaning back on her pillows, closing her eyes and feeling the aching throb of her headache come back full force. Just as she reached the thin line separating awake from asleep there was a knock on the door, and she wearily pulled her eyes open again.

A policewoman stuck her head around the door. "You awake? We've been wanting to talk to you"

Brooke sighed. A sympathetic smile appeared on the policewoman's face.

"I guess your sick of visitors hey? Still tired. Sorry, just a few questions then I'll leave you in peace. My name's Helene Segara. Detective-Inspector Segara"

Brooke sat up, frowning as a wave of dizziness hit her.

"Do you remember the accident?" Inspector Segara asked sympathetically.

"Yes"

"Can you tell me what happened please?"

"Well" Brooke hesitated.

"I was coming out of the cafe, and Sam and Harrison came after me. They should be able to tell you," she said.

The police officer smiled slightly. "Yes, unfortunately, they didn't see you until after the car hit, and none of the other witnesses actually saw the moment of impact either (A.N Yes I know thats unlikely but use your imagination) so we can't verify the facts."

The policewomen paused. "You know Nicole Julian don't you, she's a friend of yours?"

Brooke sighed, her headache suddenly doubling in intensity.

"Look, I'm tired, and my head hurts, I can't talk now." she explained, lying down again, facing away from the detective inspector.

"Okay, we'll come back later," said Helene obligingly, leaving the room.

Brooke reached out and grabbed the water beside her bed, taking a sip, then lying down and closing her eyes, dimly aware of a nurse coming in and darkening the room for her.

Nicole stood in a corner of her room, slipping into some new clothes. Her ankle now swathed in a bandage, she leaned heavily on crutches. 'Her 'mother' had made sure her daughter was well cared for at their doctor, who had doubtless been paid well to keep quiet' Nicole thought bitterly.

She glanced once more around her immaculate room, and headed out, sighing in frustration when she encountered the stairs. Carefully checking there was no one in sight, Nicole started down the stairs, slipping near the bottom and falling forward. "Fuck!" she hissed, biting her lip until it bled. Gripping hard on the banister she hauled herself up, still clutching her crutches. Finally she stumbled outside, and climbed awkwardly into her car. "Lucky it wasn't my right ankle." she said out loud.

10 minutes later Nicole was driving around and around the hospital block.

She tensed suddenly, seeing a very familiar brunette leave the hospital, ducking her head and hoping not to be seen. Sam didn't notice her and she watched as they drove away.

'What are you doing Nicki? Either you get in there or you leave, don't just dither' A voice in her said sounding suspiciously like her grandmother.

'I'm going crazy' Nicole thought. 'I've spent more time in the last two days talking to myself than I ever have in my whole life.'

Nicole opened the cardoor, and headed toward the hospital doors.