Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or 'Cheers' because if I did, I wouldn't be writing this, I'd be basking in my royalties

The rays of sunlight were poking through the blandly coloured blinds in the waiting room, causing Sam to wake up. The last 24 hours seemed like such a painful blur to him. as he got up, he craned his neck and stretched, the plastic chairs in the hospital had not given him the best nights sleep in the world.

Where's Diane? he thought, is she okay?

The intern was back, giving Sam a cup of coffee. They had made a connection over the past 24 hours but all he cared about was Diane.

"Where's Diane?" he asked, sleepily

"Intensive care. The doctors managed to revive her but she is in a deep coma. I can take you to her if you want"

Sam simply nodded, not sure as to what to say.

He followed the intern up the stairs and to Diane's room. He stared through the glass at her.

How could he go in? he thought. Her image reflected in his eyes. She looked so different. So weak. That wasn't his Diane, that was someone else, someone broken.

He reluctantly opened the door, moving towards her bed slowly. She wasn't even breathing for herself. Air being pumped into and around her lungs because she couldn't do it herself.

"Diane, I know you can't hear me but I just want you to know, I love you and I'm sorry"

He wanted to respond in a demonstration of love but she didn't. She couldn't.

"Diane. I am never going to leave you, I promise"

Diane just lay in her bed, motionless.

I have to call Helen, he thought. Helen Chambers, Diane's mother would be devastated

He whispered something to Diane, picking up her phonebook from her handbag

He went outside, placing a quarter in the payphone and dialling the number. When he couldn't get through, he slammed the phone against the wall, angry and upset.

The intern who seemed to be playing minder to him came over to calm him down and redialled the number for him.

"Hello? Mrs Chambers? It's Sam Malone, Diane's boyfriend. She's been in an accident Mrs Chambers. She was hit by a car. I'm at the hospital now. She's in a coma, it's pretty bad. okay, I'll see you soon, bye"

Sam hung up the phone, crying. he went back to Diane's room, telling her that Helen would be here soon and she shouldn't worry

"I'm sorry" he whispered "So so sorrry"

Helen Chambers arrived about an hour later. She had been crying in the car. Rushing into diane's room, she immediately moved pass Sam to her daughter, holding her hand, smoothing her hair and telling her it would be okay.

"Diane, Oh Diane, please please wake up. Please wake up" she cried in a fit of tears.

"Sam put his hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her.

"How did this happen?" She sobbed

"Diane ran out of the bar and got hit by a car" said Sam, tears filling his eyes

"Why was she running out?" asked Helen, desperate for answers

"We had been fighting"

"So this is your fault then!" screamed Helen, slapping Sam all over his arms and face and screaming at him hysterically. Suddenly she stopped and broke down in Sam's arms.

"I didn't intend to hurt her. I stayed with her the whole time. I'm sorry"

Helen sat down ans wiped her eyes. "Sorry for lashing out at you Sam. What's wrong with her?"

"Punctured lung, broken bones, fractures.." said Sam, trailing off

Helen just nodded, crying for her little girl