The Emergency Room

After a few more miutes in silence, Seth turned a few corners and they arrived in the Emergency Bay at Orange County Hospital. A couple of nurses rushed out with a cart when they saw the car racing into Emergency. They started asking questions as Ryan took Marissa in his arms once more and removed her from the car. The nurses helped Ryan to carefully lay her on the cart and rush her inside. They asked heaps of questions and Ryan did his best to answer all of them but it was just such a huge blur now and all he wanted to do was be there for Marissa. He gripped Marissa's hand as tight as he could. "It's okay Riss. We're at the Hospital.They're gunna take care of you. Please just hold on...you just have to fight for me okay...i can't loose you" Ryan slowly let her hand go as the nurses pulled her into the Emergency Room and as he was told he was not allowed in he had no choice but to let her go and wait.

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Summer waited outside the Emergency Room with Ryan. She had sat down as she wasn't sure how much longer before her legs would give way. She watched as Ryan walked back and forth down the length of the waiting chairs outside Marissa's Emergency room. Seth had gone to park the car but said he would be back as soon as he found a place to park. To Summer it seemed to be taking him forever. She needed her boyfriend there. She was scared for Marissa and frankly Ryan was starting to make her nervous. But soon she was left sitting there on her own while someone took Ryan away to check him. He arrived back 20 minutes later with a few bandages and plasters around his wounds. He had cuts and bruises all over him but he didn't feel the pain. The only pain he felt was his heart breaking at the chance of losing Marissa. He put it at the back of his mind and tried to be positive for Marissa's sake. When the doctors let him go he went back out to the waiting area and just started passing again. It was beginnng to make Summer nauseous.

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Ring ring, ring ring. Pick up, Pick up. Yawn"Hell...Hello!?" Sandy answered tiredly. "Dad?!" Seth replied urgently. Sandy suddenly jerked awake as he looked at his clock and realised how late it was... and wondering why his son was calling at this hour. unless something is wrong! He detected the hint of urgency in his sons voice and something else...something... like sadness and discomfort. "What...what's wrong? What happened?" Sandy queried. "Is Summer okay?" Sandy questioned "Summers fine but we were on our way to see Marissa off at the airport coz Summ was real upset ...anyway cut a very long story short...we found Ryan and Marissa on the way there and ...Dad...I don't think Riss is gunna make it." Seth went from talking really fast to a slowing and saddened tone. "I think you should come here. I don't know how Ryan is coping and I think it would be better if you were here anyway" "okay where are you's?" Sandy was really worried and just wanted to get there. He knew they all needed him right now.

As he was talking he was walking around his and Kirsten's bedroom and began nudging her softly to wake her up. She moaned but then heard Sandy's voice...obviously on the phone. She looked at her bedside clock and jerked awake. Who would possibly call at this hour ...unless her boys were in trouble!She sat up trying to make sense of the one sided conversation.

"We're at Orange County Hospital in the Emergency Area." Seth replied "Good. You did the right thing son. And don't worry. They have the best Doctors there. Okay well we'll be there soon." "Okay but you haven't seen her Dad. She doesn't look too good..." Seth drifted of for a few seconds. "Anyway we'll see you soon. Bye" "Bye" Sandy replied.

Seth wasn't sure if she would live or die but he wouldn't give up his hopes...besides everyone wanted her to live...needed her to live...and that had to count for something right?!

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Sandy told Kirsten to get dressed. "What happened? Who are at the Hospital?... It's the boys isn't it?...Why are they at the hospital?" Kirsten asked...more than demands than actual questions..."I'll tell you on the way ..well as best i can...Seth didn't give me all the details so hurry up and get changed and we can get there and find out!" Sandy replied as he finished pulling on his clothes and walking for the keys and out to the car.

Seth returned and sat next to Summer. He draped his arm across her shoulders. He could sense how scared she was and he knew that Summer and Marissa had been best friends since they were little kids and he knew full well the strength of that strong bond that only they seemed to have. He was scared that if Marissa didn't make it then Summer might not make it either. All he could do was try and be there and at that moment comfort her the best he could.

"What took you so long?" Summer whispered to Seth's ear. Seth leaned in and replied "I called Dad, let him know what happened and where we are and got him to come down...I thought it would be best if he was here thats all"...After a moment Summer replied "Yea...It is". Summer looked at him amazed. The old Seth would freaked and been the childish one in a tough situation but he had just shown her how much he had changed. He did the mature thing and rung Sandy, the trusty adult who was always there when things went wrong and he had stayed calm and did all he could to help and be there for them."What!? Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?" Seth began rubbing his face. Summer grabbed his hands. She put their hands together and intwined there fingers into each others. "No. You're just so amazing Seth. You've really changed ...you know that!?" "For the better I hope?" Seth replied half joking, half stating."Yea. You've become more mature and responsible but you can still make me laugh. And i love it so much" "I love you too"

They sat there quietly for a while. ll wondering what was happening to Marissa, worrying about the outcomes and possibilities, but all too afraid to say anything to the others about it. Occasionally a nurse would walk out of Marissa's room and they'd all get up and rush over to bombard the poor nurses with questions about Marissa and what was happening or how she was doing. But the same answer always followed..."She is still in surgery and we are doing all we can but we will not know anymore til the surgery is finished and she has had time to rest.

Ryan couldn't take it. All he could do was think more and more about it all which in turn got him passing back and forth again. Summer and Seth watching him and feeling worse and worse the longer nothing was reported or happened.

"I think i'll go talk to him" Seth whispered to Summer."Okay" Summer said. She had been sitting there so long and her emotions were creeping up to her. She answered so quietly and Seth knew she was petrified of loosing her best friend. Her sister and could sense it was now scaring the shit out of her...now that she'd had time to process it all and realise the full extent of what was happening. It was the same for Ryan and him as well. "It's gonna be okay. She'll fight. I just know it" Seth said quietly and gave Summer a half smile to try and reassure her. Then he walked over to Ryan to see how he was coping.

"Hey man" Ryan just kept passing so Seth stood in his way to try and stop him moving up and down the corridor. "Do you mind stopping for a sec man!? You making me dizzy and we all know i can't keep up" He tried to joke. Ryan just looked up and stared intently at Seth. Ryan looked down again "Sorry. I ...I can't help it. What if she doesn't make it Seth?" Seth didn't know how to respond but he tried " I dunno man. I mean ...she will make it. She's fighting. I know it. She not gonna give up so she's gonna make it okay!?" Ryan paused for a second "But how do you know?" he was speaking so quietly and wouldn't look at anything but the floor. " Dude she loves you. She's gonna fight it" "You think so?" "Man I know so everyone knows how much you guys love each other. And you have both been through so much and are still in love with each other...even if you both wont admit it and arent dating right now ...you guys always have loved each other and you'd both do anything for the other ...and right now i bet Marissa is in there fighting and running anywhere but towards that light. Look you guys overcame everything else and I just know you's are going to pull through this...Shes gonna make it okay...Sides she has to coz i can't handle all the rage blackouts that Summer will get if Marissa leaves her."Seth tried to brighten it up a little. Ryan looked into his eyes "Thanks Seth. You're right. She's gonna make it. I shouldn't be thinking otherwise.She's gonna be fine" The last part was more of a statement to himself and he felt a fraction better. Now he had the bad thoughts out he could focus on the positives and hopefully somehow they would help Marissa.

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Just then Sandy and Kirsten arrived in the corridor. "How you coping kids?" "Hey Dad, Thanks for coming" "No Problem. I brought some coffees. Thought you'd all need one" Summer and Seth grabbed a cup from Kirsten who gave each of them a hug. "Thanks Mr and Mrs Cohen" They sat back down. Sandy walked over to Ryan "Hey son, how you coping?" "She's gotta make it Sandy. She's gotta." "I know. She's gonna fight her hardest Ryan. You know that!?" "yea I know... It's just such a nightmare" Sandy grabbed Ryan's coffee out of the cup holders. "Here. Thought you could use the coffee" "thanks" Ryan said in a saddened tone.

Sandy placed his arm over Ryan's shoulders and brought him to sit next to him and Kirsten, opposite Seth and Summer. "So what happened?" Kirsten asked gently. Ryan was too caught up in his thoughts again and Seth knew it would be too hard for him to explain again and Summer was in pain so he did his best to retell Ryans part of the story and then his own. "So is Marissa still in surgery?" Sandy asked "yea" Summer replied "Any news on hows its all going?" " NO! They won't TELL us ANYTHING! I can't take it anymore!" Ryan bursted out, surprising anyone.

Just then a Doctor came out. Sandy walked straight over to him "Are you Miss Cooper's parents?" he asked. "Her mother is on her way but I am her lawyer and there guardian" Sandy stated "Okay well the cash has caused a lot of damage to Miss Cooper's body. As she is so small the injuries she has incurred are more serious..." Sandy was getting annoyed. He hated how Doctors always prolonged the only information they needed to hear. "Look Doctor...?" "Doctor Peterson" The doctor responded. "Doctor Peterson, what injuries did she obtain? And what did you do in surgery?" The doctor looked down at Marissa's file. "She suffered minor brain haemorrhaging so we have withdrawn the excess blood on the brain and stopped the heamorrhage. She also suffered a fractured coller bones, neck, right arm, left leg and 2 ribs with 4 other ribs bruised. We have stabalised the collerbone and we are certain of it healing well. Her neck is n a neck-brace as well. As for her right arm we have plastered that and we with her left leg, it was badly crushed so we have placed the bones in the correct places and pinned them together. we will take out the pins in a month or so when it has healed properly. The ribs should heal well on their own. Miss Cooper also gained quiet a few cuts and bruises as you would expect but she had a bad gash on the right side of her head so we had to shave her head and put 7 stitches in place. We have tried to make her as comfortable as possible an placed her in the recovery room. However she IS in a coma and there isnt much more we can do for her but let her body rest and heal and hopefully she will wake up when her body has recovered." "But is she going to be okay? Is she going to make it?" Ryan interrupted " We are unable to tell at this moment..." "IS SHE GOING TO MAKE IT?" Ryan's tone of voice rising. "With the heamorrhaging that occurred it is possible that she could have some brain damage if she wakes up and she may have suffered a bit of damage to her neck so we will have to wait and see if she is paralysed." Ryan paused and then said "She IS going to wake up. I just know it and everythings going to be fine. Even if she does suffer those things. I gonna be there all the way!" "You're a brave and very noble young man. She is lucky to have you ...ALL of you. I'm sure, with all the support she seems to have, that she will make it too." Doctor Peterson paused to let that sink in. "Well I'm a very busy man and have many patients to attend to so if you'll excuse me. And goodluck!" And with that he was gone.

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Ryan stayed by her side the whole night. Kirsten and Sandy both tried to convince him to come home and rest. "She's going to be asleep for a verrrry long time Ryan. Come back tomorrow when you're rested. After you have showered, changed and have done telling the police what happened" They both pleaded "NO! I want to be here. Please. I won't sleep anyway and I will do all that tomorrow morning and talk to police tomorrow as well. Just ...please...I need to be here tonight. Besides the nurse said its good to have something familiar around. I want that to be me!" "Okay. I'll tell the nurses and tell them not to disturb you's tonight" Sandy replied "But we want you home by 8 oclock tomorrow morning okay sweetie" Kirsten added "okay"

Sandy, Kirsten, Seth and Summer were all about to go home when Julie rushed in. Her cheeks were stained with tears and her eyes were bright ready from crying "where's my baby?" Julie cried out. Sandy ran up to her and sat her down in one of the chairs. He told Kirsten, Seth and Summer to go home and he would be home soon. They left Sandy to explain it all to a distorted, histerical Julie. He told her about the accident, about how Ryan saved her and Seth and Summers part in it all, then he went on to tell her about Marissa's injuries. By the end of it Julie was histerical, crying and sobbing loudly and making everyone stare. "Can...Can I see her?" Julie asked "Sure. I'll take you to her. Ryan's with her at the moment" Ryan's with her!? Julie thought He saved her...again. I can't believe it. He must really love my baby.

Sandy knoked on the door first to let Ryan know. Sandy ducked his head in "Julie's coming. Just thought you would want to know" "Thanks" Sandy was just about to go when Ryan asked "Should I leave the room?" "No I think you can stay. Marissa needs you" And with that he ducked out and sat outside on the waiting chairs. "My baby..." Julie ran over to Marissa's side. "how could this happen?" Julie thought out loud. She picked up her daughters hand and held it in hers. "I'm sorry baby. You were just about to start a freash new life. I shouldn't have let you go. But then you would have resented me more. I had to let you go" Julie talked to her as if Ryan wasnt there. Ryan wondered if h should leave. "Did...did you want me to leave?" Ryan asked. Julie jumped at first, a little startled. "No. Please stay!" "O...Okay" Ryan stuttered unsure of himself. Julie never liked him and he found it weird that she would want him to stay...it almost sounded like she had pleaded him to stay. Ryan jumped as Julie began talking "Ryan. "I'm so sorry I was always so hard on you. To tell you the truth I didn't think you were good enough for my baby...but"There's a but!? Ryan thought "...but you have always been there for her. You are always saving her. And you did again to night. This time she almost died..." A tear escaped Julies eye but she held back ",,,,but you saved her and for that 'm eternally grateful. I know it hard to seem but i really am. Tonight I nearly lost my baby but you saved her life and I hate that it took me that to realise how good you really are Ryan!" They glanced at each other then at Marissa and then down again "It's okay" Ryan said shyly "No, its not. I shouldn't have been so hard on you. I just wanted the best for her. I always have. And I knew how much she loved you but I just...I dunno ...I didnt want it to happen ...but now I realise and KNOW how much you two love each other and how perfect you 2 are for each other" Julie finished. Ryan had sat there listening intently but rarely taking his eyes of Marissa. He sat quietly for a moment not sure what had caused Julie to change her opinion about him...and why so quickly. "I DO love her you know. More than anything in the world. I wish it was me here instead of her. That way she wouldnt be in pain. I should be here you know!?" Ryan finished. "I know...it took me a while but i know you love her. And I'm just sorry it took me this long to realise it! Ryan this isn't your fault you know!? Its that evil boy Volchok. And in a way I'm glad its her here not you..." Ryan was shocked she could say that "...coz otherwise Marissa would be the one sitting here waiting for you and if you didn't make it she would be the one crying and getting drunk every night and killing herself slowly. I wish neither of you were in this situation though. Its just so..." Julie tried to stifle her sniffles "...horrible". Ryan didn't know what to do. Should I say something or go hug her or...I dunno...I've never been good with this sort of stuff. "She's going to be okay!" Ryan responded not knowing what else to do to comfort her. This statement wasn't just t make Julie feel a little better ...it was also more or less a statement to himself...to make t easier on him. He didn't know what he would do without her so everytime that thought of her not making it he would say this out loud or quietly in his head to reassure himself.