Disclaimer: Do I REALLY have to write one for EVERY chapter?

For anyone who is still (for some reason) reading this story and actually cares what's happening, sorry for taking so loooong! Whew, all this evil homework really takes up a lot of time. Oh my gosh - I just saw Once Upon A Time In Mexico today, it was sooooo awesome! How damn hot was he?! - Even when his eyes were . . . err . . . drilled out (mega ouchyness!). Lets face it, he still looked damn good! *sigh* ( Once again, thank you to those who have read and reviewed my story!

Sam stared at the ambulance with tears welling in his eyes as it pulled away from the driveway. Sam felt that it was all his fault that this had happened in the first place. He didn't know what he would do if Joon . . . if she . . . Sam refused to even think about it. 'No, she'll ... she'll be all right...I hope'.

Sam leaned back against a large oak tree, sinking slowly to the ground in sorrowful depression. He couldn't hold back the tears any longer. And for a while, Sam just sat there, his face buried in his folded arms - until Ruthy slowly and cautiously made her way across the lawn towards him. Ruthy didn't want to crowd him, and figured Sam probably didn't want to see her as it was, in her opinion, all her fault Joon was in hospital. "Sam" Ruthy called out softly, "Sam?" Sam rubbed his eyes and looked up at her, "Come on, I'll drive you to the hospital. Would you like that?" She held out her hand, which Sam hesitantly took. Sam dusted off his trousers and Ruthy handed him his hat and cane. He gave a small, weak smile as he graciously accepted them. As they trudged languidly to Ruthy's car, she tenderly placed a reassuring arm around Sam's shoulder. Sam looked at her "What if she
doesn't want to see us? See me?" Sam asked with a trembling voice.
"Well, we'll get in there somehow. . ."

* * *

Sam followed Ruthy as she flung open the doors to the hospital and approached the receptionist with a determined glint in her eye. "We're
here to see Juniper Pearl. What room is she in?" The woman looked up at Ruthy and inquired "family or friends?" "Friends" Ruthy replied.
The woman pulled out a clip board and skimmed over it quickly. "I'm sorry, family only". With that, she turned away and went back to what she had been doing. Sam turned to Ruthy, biting his lip anxiously, mouthing 'what-do-we-do-now?' "But I've GOT to see her, I . . . I have to explain - "
"I'm sorry" the woman responded coldly, cutting off Sam mid-sentence "there is nothing I can do". Sam and Ruthy exchanged knowing glances, nodding secretively.

In a sudden rage, Ruthy slammed her hand on the desk "Listen lady" she began in a bearly restrained voice "just tell us what room she's in, all right?!" Before the woman could answer, Sam began talking crazily to himself "He was mine, HE WAS MINE!!!!" Sam melodramatically whipped his head around wildly "NO!" he answered shaking his head "Cindy you're sick, Cindy you need help" The woman backed slowly out of her chair and dashed to the phone located on the back wall. Taking the opportune moment, Ruthy grabbed the clip board and scanned it hastily before the woman turned around. "No Cindy . . . AHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHH AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Sam screamed at the top of his lungs as he mimed stabbing himself in an insane frenzy. Ruthy turned and winked at Sam, who immediately stopped.
"What the?! Are you all right young man?" the woman asked, frowning slightly. "Mmm hmm" Sam replied innocently. The woman just stood there in shock as Sam gentlemanly tipped his hat, and left the hospital arm in arm with Ruthy.

* * *

Once outside, Sam and Ruthy strolled nonchalantly down the stairs and moved towards a gigantic tree. Gesturing towards the roots, they sat down to discuss their line of action. Ruthy shook her head "Why couldn't they have taken Joon to the hospital where Benny's friend works? Would have been a lot easier." Sam nodded in agreement.

"You're never going to let me live that whole Prom Queen Mutilator thing down, are you?" Ruthy laughed. Sam grinned sheepishly. "So, uh . . what room is she in?" Sam inquired as Ruthy checked her watch. "186. I think it might be the one up there" Ruthy pointed to the room on the top floor next to the tree they were sitting on. Sam craned his neck upward. "Aw, it'll a piece of cake! Carrot I hope. Mmm..."
Ruthy gently took Sam's hand in hers and gazed deeply into his eyes. "Sam, I really am so terribly sorry about all this. It is all my - " Sam held a finger to her lips before she could utter another word. "Please don't. It isn't your fault Ruthy. Really." Sam replied softly, smiling sadly. Ruthy nodded, feeling a little relieved that Sam didn't hate her. Now she only had to confront Joon . . . All in due time.

"Come on, we better get back soon if we . . . if, you, are to do this thing. You better have a quick bite down at the diner first, then you'll be ready" Ruthy said, wiping her eyes a little. Sam gingerly got up from the ground, and together they once more made their way to Ruthy's car.
Just as he was about to get in the car, Sam turned once more to glance back at the hospital.

'I'll be back soon Joon, you'll see . . . "

Oooh ahhh the polt thickens, all will be revealed . . . On a random note - how fantastically slendiferous is Big Fish, and Once Upon A Time In Mexico?! Love it!!!! *Sigh*

Oh my gosh! They just announced the Oscars . . . and Johnny didn't win. The academy only care about artsy fartsy films - OK, not really, because the awesome Lord of the Rings just won 11 awards, but still . . . it would have been heaps cool of Johnny could've won. But there is no doubt he will receive many more Oscar nods in the future!