It's been a month since the Davis Baker family met with Rebecca who kept her words and texted Brooke a few days after their meeting. However, she had asked her to meet with Samantha alone to get to know her a little before « moving on » with her life. Brooke didn't like the idea but figure dit wasn't her call to make but Sam's. The girl wasn't particularly thrilled about that but thought it was still a decent deal. She would appease her biological mother's mind and in return she would be 'free' from her. So Brooke was being very supportive of their relationship but she felt that Sam had been enjoying her meetings over the weeks and she was feeling more and more insecure to the extent that maybe adopting the teen was a mistake, that it would be selfish to do so. To make matters even worse, Julian was away in LA for a few weeks so she could only speak to him over the phone. Truth was Brooke felt a bit lonely lately. Her husband was out of state and she hardly saw her 'daughter' anymore. The young designer was put out of her thoughts when she heard someone entering her boutique. It was Sam.
« Hey » she greeted.
« Hi, what are you doing here ? » Brooke asked.
« I can leave if you want. » Sam retorked pointing at the door.
« No, sorry it's not what I meant. I just thought you'll be with your mother. » she explained.
« And I think I'm already with her. » the kid smirked and Brooke smiled a bit. « But you're right. I was supposed to meet with her but I postponed it. »
« Okay, why ? » her foster mother asked.
« Didn't feel like seing her today. » Sam said with a shrug while sitting down on the couch.
« Are you two good ? » Brooke asked, taking a sit next to her foster daugter on the sofa. Sam sighed. « Yeah, I guess so. » Brooke frowned. « It's just…how to say this ? I thought it wouldn't be such a big deal you know ? I mean I thought we would meet for a few days and once I'd answer all her questions she'd hand me the papers but…she just seems to stall or whatever. And now it's just small talks and casual things and this isn't our deal. » Sam shugged again and could tell Brooke was processing all the info.
« So, if I understand correctly, you're not interrested in those small talks. » Brooke asked to be sure. It was now Sam's turn to frown. « No, I'm not. I've never been interested. Wait – did you think all this time that I was enjoying seeing her ? » Sam said a bit loud, causing a few custumers to look their way.
« Well, I don't know. I thought there must have been a reason why you've been seeing her this much. » Brooke clumsily explained herself.
« Yes, you are the reason. I want to be yours legally even if Rebecca thinks it doesn't matter what a piece of papers says. » She muttered the last bit.
« Wait ! Hold on a sec. Rebecca said the papers were not important ? » Brooke asked worried and Sam caught that. « Well, it was more to say we already are a family and it's more important than some papers. » Sam tried to reassure. However, Brooke was not. « Well, she's right but adopting you is also a big deal and I want to be able to do that for so many reasons – and yes the most important one's because I love you. Did she say anything about not signing the papers ? »
« No, she didn't mention them which perhaps is my fault… I should've brought them up already. » Sam felt a bit guilty.
« No, not at all honey. She knows the deal and she shouldn't have stalled this much. » Brooke said placing a hand on Sam's knee.
« Anyway, I think I'll text her right now asking to sign the papers for our next meeting which happens to be tomorrow evening. » The teen said while picking up her phone and she started texting.
Oh you fool…
« Done ! » she exclaimed looking up. « Also, I dropped by to ask you out. Julian's away and I think we both could use a change of scenery if you feel like it. » Sam suggested.
« You know what ? It's the best idea I've heard today. Let's do that ! » Brooke responded with a smile.
No, not the best idea Brooke… And let me tell you why.
So both women agreed to eat at Fishermen's, a local restaurant downtown. They sat in front of each other and ordered their dishes.
« So how are you holding up with everyone out of town ? » Sam asked.
« Well thanks God I've got work…. And you, I mean those rare moments when you do me the honor of your presence that is. » Brooke said playfully.
« oh that's not fair, I'm not like always out or something. Besides school, occasionnally meeting my friends and Rebecca, I'm home ! » Sam replied and Brooke smiled at how easily she got her.
« Anyway, since you mentioned Rebecca, has she replied to your text ? » Brooke asked and Sam shook her head. « Not yet. But let's not talk about her please, I really want to enjoy this weird salad with pineapple and shrimps in it that I definitely didn't order. » She said taking a bite. Brooke looked at Sam's plate and realized it was indeed not what she had ordered. « Why are you eating it then ? » Brooke asked with a frown.
« Because I've never had a salad like that and I want to know who had the crazy idea to want it in the first place… Haven't you got an open-mind Brooke ? » she teased. Brooke shook her head. That girl I swear…
They talked some more but were soon interrupted by a loud BANG subsequently followed by shatters of glass from the window and a loud thud. And then, Brooke's scream.
« SAM ! » Brooke exclaimed horrified.
So see Brooke, that is why it wasn't the best idea…
At the hospital
Brooke was still in shock when she took a sit at Tree Hill hospital, praying for a doctor to tell her her Sam was okay. However, she doubted it as she recalled the blood coming out of her foster kid's chest, saw the panic in everyone's eyes and heard the tearful voice of one of the waiters had on the phone with 911 as she knelt, numbed and powerless down to her eyes closed teenager.
Brooke held her head between her knees. This doesn't make any sense. What's happenning ? She was pulled out of her thoughts by two police officers who wanted to take her statement and obtain more information about the night. She then took the female agent's card with her number on it and was asked if Sam had any enemies.
Enemies ? Sam ? My Sam ? that's absurd… Sam was the kindest person I've met in my life, as short as it was.
It was obvious to the police that this wasn't a random shot but Samantha was targetted. However, Brooke couldn't possibly imagine who would do something this cruel and especially to Samantha. She could swear her mind was on fire. The past two hours had gone from delightful to dreadful. The young woman was tired, stressed out and worried sick. Oh boy, and so was I. She didn't want to be alone but who could she call this late ? Her husband ? He was too far away. Haley ? Nathan ? The same goes with her friends. Even her mother was out of state for business. However, she knew she had to let them know eventually but not right now. Now, she wanted someone to wait with her and she surprised herself when one name popped into her head : Rebecca. After all, she deserved to know as well and most importantly she was in Tree Hill. Before she knew it she dialed her number.
« Allo ? » a tired voice answered.
« Hi hello, sorry to bother you this late- »
« Who's this ? »
« Sorry, hum…this is Brooke- »
« Oh Brooke, is something wrong with Samantha ? » How did she guess ? Of course, why would you call her this late otherwise ?
« Hmm, yes something terrible happenned. » she paused as her voice trailled off « she got hurt, badly. We're at the hospital. » Brooke managed to finish.
« Oh this is awful, I'm on my way. I mean if it's okay with you ? »
« Sure. Honestly, I could use the company right now. » Brookke answered with a nervous chuckle.
It wasn't long after they hung up when Rebecca took a sit next to Brooke in the waiting room.
« How's she doing ? » she looked concerned.
« I don't know. » Brooke shrugged and sounded defeated.
« Do they know who shot her ? » she asked and Brooke shook her head no. Then, a doctor called « Family of Samantha Walker ? » both women stood up. « My name is Dr. Reeze, I'm in charge of your daughter here -»
« Is she alive ? » Rebecca cut her short and Brooke found it a little disturbing.
« Yes she is. » Dr. Reeze reassured them.
« Oh thanks God. » Brooke whispered.
« However, she's extremely weak. The bullet nearly touched her heart, she got very lucky. » Dr. Reeze continued.
« But she'll be okay right ? » Brooke asked worriedly.
« If everyone follows our instructions very seriously then yes she should be okay. » Dr. Reeze informed.
Brooked smiled, she felt relieved. Sam was okay. « Alright, I've got to go now but I'll be back shortly to let you know when you can see her. » Brooke hold a hand to her heart feeling a weight had been lifted off. She turned to Rebecca who had become extremely quiet. « Are you alright ? » Rebecca who appeared to be in a daze answered back. « Yes, I'm fine. This is good news. » she smiled back.
« Sorry, I've got a few calls to make. » Brooke announced before going some place more private and called everyone to let them know what had happenned. Twenty minutes later, Dr. Reeze came back informing them they could briefly see the girl and had to stay quiet as she needed to rest and was asleep. Sam looked very vulnerable and rather pale. Her heartbeat was faint but was there. Even though she was happy her kid was alive, her heart ached at the view. It was so unlike Sam. She got closer and hold one of Sam's hand in hers rubbing it softly. After what seemed to be only five minutes, Dr. Reeze reappeared and kindly asked both women to leave the room.
« As you could see, your daughter's still very fragile. However, it would help if you're willing to give her blood. According to our files, Mrs. Dennis, you're a match. » Dr. Reeze said.
« Sure, whatever's needed. » Rebecca answered quietly.
« Also, visiting hours will start tomorrow at 7 am. Until then, I suggest you go home. »
Brooke didn't like the idea but it was what was best for Sam so beat it. Also, frankly, she could use some sleep too. « Take care of her, will you ? » Brooke addressed Dr. Reeze.
At the parking lot, Brooke thanked Rebecca for coming and agreeing to give blood to Sam the next day. Once she got in her car, Brooke couldn't shake the feeling that something went wrong with Rebecca tonight but couldn't exactly put her finger on it.