Chapter 3
Comma, the plan and wakening up

Code:
' ' thought
" " pretty self explained (dialogue)
MSN...MSN msn messenger covo
FLASHBACK bit self explanatory
8 8 -singing
(A/N)-author note

Disclaimer: I don't own Rugrats or all grown up. I don't own Teen ranch, Romeo and Juliet, Michelle McManus, David Sneddon or their songs. I own CJ and have based Andy, Jane, Juilian and Rich on true life people. Oh and CJ's guitar will appear in the chapter and I own it!

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"She's going to be ok" said Andy trying to reassure Tommy. Tommy buried his head into his hands. He couldn't believe this was happening. He wanted to bury himself. Pretending it wasn't happening.

'Why CJ? Why not me?' thought Tommy

"I let her down!" said Tommy. Andy looked surprised.

"What make you say that?" asked Andy. Tommy looked up. His eyes looked like they were ready to cry. All puffy and red.

"I notice bruises when she was in gym but I never thought of ask where she got them," spoke Tommy. Andy placed his hand on Tommy's shoulder.

"You didn't let her down. In fact you were there when she needed you. You said about when she stood up for your bro. What did you do when you saw her getting beaten up by they bullies?" asked Andy.

"I stopped them and then said if they hurt her or my brother then they'd pay for it!" said Tommy.

"See you were there! CJ is a really hidden person. She hasn't always been. Since Auntie Katie and Uncle Campbell died" said Andy.

"Her mum and dad?" asked Tommy. Andy nodded as he removed of his glasses to wipe his eyes and put them back on.

"Andrew Oakland and Thomas Pickles?" asked a doctor as they entered the relative's room. They both stood up. The doctor led them out. To CJ's cubical. CJ was tied to many machines.

"Clarissa-Jane is still alive but she did have a near death when her heart stopped but we managed to restart it. She in a comma" said the doctor. Tommy went pale as he pressed his hands on the window of CJ's cubical.

"How long is she likely to be in a comma for?" asked Andy.

"It varies Mr Oakland. Between weeks and months. CJ will fight through it though and she has been through the worse of it!" said the doctor. Tommy began to let a few tears fall down his face.

"It's ok to cry Tommy!" said Andy as he put his hand on Tommy's shoulder. Tommy removed this in anger.

"It's not! CJ wouldn't want me to cry about her! I've let her down! I have to go" shouted Tommy as he ran out.

"Tommy wait!" said Andy as he followed Tommy. They went to the front entrance. Tommy sat on the wall.

"Look Tommy I know you're upset about CJ but she wouldn't want you to be like this" said Andy.

"How well do you know her?" snapped Tommy. Andy sat beside him

"I've know her all her life and nearly of my life. Even thought I was only four I remember the day I saw her in the hospital. She looked peaceful when she was asleep back then it seamed no one would ever hurt her. Then CJ's Auntie Magi, my Auntie Katie's half sister fostered her. Mum only trusted Auntie Magi once when she lived in Scotland and she slapped Tim and I across the face because we got homework wrong and then we told mum and she made sure we never saw her again. She was really weary about me going out to see CJ" said Andy.

"Oh" said Tommy. Andy looked over his glasses.

"When I found out Auntie Magi was fostering CJ I was angry. I asked mum and dad about it but they said about how social work said thought it would be best for CJ to start a new life in a new country. I would have fostered her but I'm too young" said Andy.

"Plus you can't foster cousins" said Tommy.

"In Scotland you can" said Andy. Tommy wiped his eyes.

"Look I can see how much my cuz means to you! She's a fighter Tommy. It's not easy for her but she needs her friends around her. Now more than ever" said Andy.

"I know but I'm not good enough for CJ! She deserves better" said Tommy.

"CJ has the best she can get from her friends" said Andy.

"Are you going to the house?" asked Tommy. Andy nodded

"Can I come with you and get stuff for CJ?" asked Tommy.

"Ok, but bring a couple of friends, safety in numbers," said Andy. Tommy nodded. Tommy went to a pay phone and called his house.

"Hello pickle residence" answered DiDi.

"Hey mom. Sorry to call late and I'm sorry I'm not home" said Tommy.

"THOMAS PICKLES WHERE ARE YOU?" screamed DiDi

"Mom my friend got sent into hospital. She got attacked" Tommy spoke without crying

"Oh dear are you ok?" worried DiDi.

"Yes I'm fine. Her auntie hurt her but she's in a comma. Her cousin is here and he's getting stuff for her. I'll be with him," spoke Tommy in a hurry.

"No Tommy! I don't want her hurting you" screeched DiDi.

"Mom it's ok! Her cousin will be there and he knows what she's like! They're only related due to CJ's mum in a half sis way" said Tommy.

"Will you ask any other friends along?" asked DiDi.

"Yeah I'm doing that just now. I thought calling you first would be a good idea" said Tommy.

"Ok Tommy. Be careful I don't want you in hospital too" said DiDi

"Thanks mom" said Tommy as he hung up. He dialled Chucky and Kimmi's house, Phil and Lil's, Angelica's then Suzie's.

Tommy waited outside the hospital with Andy.

"What happened to CJ?" asked Kimmi as she came with her brother.

"Her auntie hurt her!" said Tommy. Kimmi's face went pale.

"I should have told someone!" whispered Kimmi. Phil and Lil came then Suzie with Angelica.

"Right We need to get CJ's stuff from the house so I made up a plan" said Tommy as they got to the neighbourhood.

"Woh ok so why are we making a plan?" asked Phil

"Because we are unsure if her auntie will be there. The same one who put her in hospital" said Tommy.

"Right Phil, Angelica and Lil perfect assign meant for you guys ring the door bell if she answers act like your selling cookies." Said Tommy as he handed over cookie boxes. Phil grabbed them.

"Got it" said Phil and Lil at the same time.

"Kimmi, Chucky and Suzie will come with me and Andy at the back door" said Tommy.

"Ok pickles!" said Angelica

"Let's go" said Phil. Tommy, Suzie, Chucky, Andy and Kimmi went to the back garden. Tommy gave the thumbs up. Phil and Lil rang the door bell. Auntie Magi came out

"What you kids wanting?" asked Auntie Magi, drunk as a skunk.

"Sorry to disturb you beautiful madam but we are part of a youth club who are selling cookies" said Phil.

"Tasty chocolate and toffee" said Lil.

"Sorry not interested" said Auntie Magi as she was about to close the door as Angelica began to fake cry as she made up a sad story about how she her family were broke and she had to get grants to go the youth club and they were faced with money problems.

Mean while the gang go inside the house.

"Right we don't have long!" said Tommy.

"Right so basic requirements," said Andy. The gang split up in CJ's room. Suzie found a photo frame with a picture of CJ, Andy, two ladies, two men and about four kids. Andy looked over.

"I never knew CJ kept that photo!" said Andy.

"She looks happy" said Suzie. Andy smiled.

"That was her 15th birthday. She was up as staff and those are my brothers at the front and my mum and dad and her mum and dad" said Andy as he pointed out people.

"Will I take it?" asked Suzie.

"Yeah! It's the only pic I think she's got of them" said Andy as he put it in the black bag.

Kimmi saw the guitar. It was red in the centre as it faded to black. It shined like new in the light as it rested on sheets of music and a blue book and the case lay underneath the chair.

"What about this?" asked Kimmi as she lifted the guitar. Andy nodded frantically

"Yes! She loves that guitar so much! Better put it in the case with her music" said Andy. Kimmi carefully put the guitar and the music into the case. Andy held onto this.

"Right got everything?" asked Tommy. Andy put a handful of clothes into the black bag. He nodded.

"We better split!" said Tommy as he opened the window. Down below him were Phil, Lil and angelica still selling the cookies.

"Ok mam that will come to $15 dollars and 20 cents" said Phil. Auntie Magi gave over money.

"Thank you mam! have a nice day" said Lil as Auntie Magi left the door. Tommy threw down the black bag full of clothes. Lil caught this. Tommy climbed the drain followed by Andy, Kimmi and Suzie. Chucky stood at the window scared.

"Come on Chucky!" said Tommy. Chucky slowly climbed halfway down the drain then jumped down to the ground.

"Right let's split" said Tommy as he went ahead followed by the rest.

"I can't believe we just robbed a house" said Chucky.

"We didn't rob it. We were getting stuff for CJ!" said Tommy

"It's a shame about her thought I mean she might not wake up for a while" said Kimmi. Tommy felt down about this.

"What happened to her?" asked Angelica.

"She came home and got beaten up by her auntie" said Kimmi

"Andy found her and called an ambulance" said Lil. Andy noticed Tommy wasn't speaking.

"Hey you ok?" asked Andy.

"Yeah just worried about CJ" said Tommy as they got near the hospital.

"Right I think you guys better go before your parents worry about you. Get some shut eye and you can come back tomorrow" said Andy. Everyone except Tommy left.

"I want to stay" said Tommy.

"Tommy you need sleep" said Andy.

"I'll phone mom and say I'm staying here. Come on Andy. I really care about her" said Tommy. Andy hated to admit it but he was defeated.

"Ok" said Andy as he went to CJ's cubical. Andy hated to see machines attached to his baby cousin.

"Mr Oakland she's managing to breath on her own so she is off the ventilator" said the doctor.

"I brought some stuff she may need later" said Andy as he put the black bag and guitar case beside the bed.

"I'll leave time alone with your cousin" said the doctor. She left the room Andy sat down on a chair.

"You owe us CJ! We risked life and limb for you to get your stuff. We got your guitar, your song book and other stuff for you. Auntie Magi was in but we played the best plan ever. You would have loved it CJ" said Andy. A tear fell down his face. He hated to see his cousin hurt and tied to machines. Suddenly he had a flash back.

(FLASHBACK)

CJ was inside the cubical as she saw her mum tied to a machine she sat down singing songs to try and wake her up. CJ's face was bruised and cut from the accident and she had her arm in a sling. Andy was beside her.

"CJ, I'm afraid to say we tired to get her to live but she's now brain dead. You're her next of kin. So if you want the machines switched off then say so" said the doctor. CJ looked teary eyed to her mum. The rain began to lash as CJ nodded for the machine to be switched off. CJ went pale and her eyes ran with tears. She cuddled into her cousin as Andy rocked her calmly.

"Mum I'll see you in heaven! I'll be fine here" cried CJ

(END OF FLASHBACK)

"ANDY" shouted Tommy. Andy snapped out of his flash back.

"Sorry Tommy I was miles away. Thanks" said Andy as he toke the coffee off of Tommy.

"It's weird how she looks like she's asleep off the ventilator" said Tommy as he sat down.

"I remember once when CJ was about 10 or 11 and I was about 14 or 15 and it was her first time as a camper. I was staffing and my friend Emily was her group leader and I got her to plant a fake spider on her bed. But CJ wasn't scared of it! CJ oddly likes spiders and bugs" said Andy.

"Yeah in Biology she was the only girl willing to touch the maggots. She even gave me one to put down Angelica's back after she put a fake spider in my pudding during school lunch" said Tommy. Andy laughed.

"Typical CJ. Such a tomboy" said Andy.

"Yeah though the first time I met her she was wearing a skirt" said Tommy.

"Yeah she tried to be girlie at times" said Andy.

'She's hot for someone just trying to be girlie' thought Tommy as he stroked CJ's cold face.

"Do you fancy my cousin?" asked Andy. Tommy looked confused at Andy's way of speaking.

"I mean do you have a crush on her?" asked Andy.

"No! No! She's just a mate! That's what girls in our grade keep thinking as well" said Tommy as he went red.

"So what's with the red? You know you can tell me I'm not going to give the big cousin lecture" said Andy.

"Yeah but I have no chance!" muttered Tommy.

"Never say that! I think my cousin really likes you! I know they type of guys she likes. She is single since her mum and dad died. She's moaning about being single. You're in for a chance!" said Andy.

"Yeah look don't tell her right!" said Tommy. Andy crossed his fingers behind is back.

"Ok I won't" said Andy has he started to plot a plan in his head. Tommy wasn't bothered. He cared that CJ got better. CJ meant the world to him. He let her down but he wanted to be there for her.

"Is there any more stories about you guys when you were little?" asked Tommy.

"Yeah when she was about 10 and my little brother Zac was about 4 it was April fool's day me and CJ had a pelage to pull as many pranks as we could. But CJ pulled the best prank with a help from Zac. He saw that I had my CDs out in the kitchen and the same with CJ's and he mixed them up moving them to different cases and in my CD that I was going to use for a talent show he put a CD of nursery rhymes that he had and instead of Wannabe by the Spice Girls it played Mary had a little lamb and Zac and CJ held a sign saying April Fool!" said Andy. Tommy was laughing hard.

"That is a class prank" said Tommy.

"Yeah the Oaklands and the Petals are known for prank playing" said Andy. Tommy looked at CJ.

"I have a phone call to make," said Andy as he left the room knowing Tommy wanted time with CJ.

Andy went to the pay phone and dialled Teen Ranch's number.

"Hello Teen ranch Julian speaking" said the voice on the end of the phone

"Hey Julian is my mum there it's Andy" said Andy

"Oh yeah sure I'll put you through to your mum" said the voice on the other end.

"Hello Andy" said a female voice

"Hey mum. Auntie Magi had been abusing CJ. She's in a comma in hospital!" said Andy

"Right ok I'll get in contact with CJ's social worker here. Get in contact with the social worker in America. We'll pray for CJ and phone us if anything happens" said the woman at the end of the phone

"Ok mum!" said Andy

"Take care and no chatting up the nurses" said the woman on the end of the phone.

"I won't chat up the nurses! You too mum bye" said Andy has he hung up. He went back to CJ's cubical. Tommy had fallen asleep holding CJ's hand on the side of the bed. Andy smiled as he went beside CJ's bed on the other side.

The next morning Tommy woke up and saw Andy wasn't there. He came in with food and two cups of coffee.

"Here you look like you need it" said Andy as he gave Tommy the cup.

"Thanks" said Tommy as he slowly drank it. Andy sat and drank his.

"I phoned my mum. She's going to get in contact with CJ's social worker in Scotland and I've to get in contact with her social worker here. Do you know who that is?" asked Andy

"She never mentioned any social worker" said Tommy as he drank his coffee.

"Ok I'll phone mum then" said Andy.

"Hey guys" said Kimmi as she was holding a fruit basket.

"Hey Kimmi" said Tommy.

"Did you sleep?" asked Andy.

"Not really. I was really worried about CJ." said Kimmi as she placed the fruit basket on to of the cupboard.

"She's off the ventilator so she's breathing on her own," said Andy. Kimmi pulled a chair beside Tommy.

"Tommy no offence you look roughed up" said Kimmi.

"None taken. I'll go home and get showered and changed" said Tommy as he left the cubical.

"He's really worried about her" said Andy.

"Yeah they're good mates!" said Kimmi.

"Tommy really likes CJ in a crush way" said Andy. Kimmi had a mischief smile on her face.

"CJ really likes Tommy as well and they are playing lead roles in Romeo and Juliet in school" said Kimmi.

"Looks like we have a set of lovers on our hands" said Andy. Kimmi's smile faded when she looked at CJ.

"She's looks so pale and lifeless" said Kimmi. Andy gave a half smile.

"I know! She'll be ok thought Kimmi. She's a fighter. Besides God will be with her! She even said so herself about God making her invincible" said Andy.

"How do you know that's true? CJ is lying her struggling to live yet you can go on how God's protecting her. How can you say that?" said Kimmi.

"I have to ask you Kimmi when you look out at a sunrise or sunset and you're thinking "this is beautiful" can you really think it's all an accident?" asked Andy. Kimmi was stunned.

"I know it won't be easy to be strong for CJ but I'm here for at least a month and I'm always going to pray for CJ! She's my little cousin and I'm not going to give up on her now!" said Andy. Kimmi nodded as she wiped the tears. Tommy came back changed and looking less rough.

"Hey" said Tommy as he pulled a chair on the same side as Kimmi.

"Well I'm going to go! Chucky will come later and so will Phil and Lil. Chucky is working his shift at the Java Lava and Phil and Lil are at their grandparents" said Kimmi.

"Take care Kimmi" said Tommy.

"Tommy CJ will get better! She's a fighter. You should now that" said Kimmi as she left.

"What does Kimmi mean by that?" said Andy in a mocking tone. Tommy gave him a "no not in that way" look

"No Angelica was teasing the group and CJ warned Angelica if she didn't shut up she would make her face every colour of the rainbow and she did punch a guy in the school for calling her a freak and a cow" said Tommy. Andy smiled.

"I'm going to phone mum to say about the ventilator" said Andy as he left the room. Tommy grabbed CJ's hand.

"It's scary to see you lifeless! I mean usually your motto is vibrant and colours but to see you like this isn't you! I wish I asked you sooner now! I wish I was there! I let you down CJ! I should have been there! I'll make it up I promise! Just don't go!" said Tommy as he cried. A tear fell on CJ's cheek.

"Tommy you never let me down" whispered CJ as she woke up. Tommy couldn't believe it. He cried as he cuddled.

Aww that's so sweet but is the sweetness about to turn bitter? Find out in Love is like a blossoming flower