A/N: I've decided to do something new with my vignettes, just in case you want to skip them depending on which genres and pairings you like: I'll include the latest vignette in the story summary, and write the genre and pairing before the vignette begins. A huge thanks to all my reviewers so far and please keep reviewing!

Disclaimer: -stuffs characters into closet- Not mine!

Life Support

Genre: Tragedy/Romance

Pairing: C/Z

Zoey leaned against the glass and steel of the hospital window, her breath fogging the view. It just wasn't fair. For her to be standing there, completely healthy, while her little brother fought for his life wasn't right. Last night, Dustin had been hit by a car while riding his bicycle across the street. The driver had been drunk and ran a red light; Zoey was just glad that he was in prison, waiting for his sentence. Just then, she felt hands on her shoulders. She turned around, and saw the people she needed most right now. They were all there: Nicole, Lola, Chase, Micheal, Quinn, even Logan was there.

She wiped her eyes and smiled. "What are you guys doing here? Shouldn't you be in class?"

Nicole said, "Dean Rivers let us out for today. We wanted to be there for you and Dustin."

Zoey couldn't help it; the tears started flowing down her cheeks again. "Oh, you guys... You didn't have to do this."

Chase smiled at her. "Did you think we'd let you go through this by yourself?"

The emotion was too overwhelming for Zoey and she buried her head in her hands. Nicole was the first to envelop her in a hug; one by one, everyone joined. Zoey finally said, "Well, my parents are flying out here now. They should be here tomorrow morning." As they stood in silence, a doctor entered. He was an elderly man, with a kind face.

"Miss Zoey Brooks?" he asked. She stepped forward. "Yes, I'm Zoey."

The doctor said, "Your brother is out of surgery now. He mostly suffered head trauma and internal bleeding; he seems to be out of danger now, but I'd like to keep him here for quite a while, just to make sure that he doesn't suffer any complications. Also, he needs quite a bit of dental work, because his mouth hit the handlebars of his bicycle, but I'll discuss that with your parents when they arrive. They'll be coming tomorrow, right?"

She nodded.

"Good. I'm sorry that I can't discuss more with you, but since you're a minor..."

"I understand," she said solemnly.

"Well, we will be moving him to a new room in a few minutes. I'll tell you where it is when he comes out."

She sighed. "Thank you," she said, and the doctor left. She turned to her friends.

"Zoey, why do you look even sadder?" Quinn inquired.

"Yeah, the doctor said there's a good chance that Dustin will be okay!" Lola said.

Zoey looked through the window again, watching the surgeons cleaning the operating room. "This shouldn't have happened in the first place. Because of one sick freak, my brother has to go through this pain. He could have complications for the rest of his life! He might not even survive..."

---12:00 AM---

She hadn't even been able to sleep. After arguing and pleading with the doctor, he'd finally allowed her friends into Dustin's hospital room with her. She always sat by his side, though, holding his small hand. While the others had gone to sleep hours ago, Zoey just couldn't. Not when her brother's life was on the line.

"You'll be fine, Dustin. You've just got to be!"

As Zoey felt a hand clasping her shoulder, she heard the words, "He will be. And so will you." It was Chase.

She stood up, finally looking at someone other than Dustin. "I'm so scared, Chase," she said, looking back at her brother.

"I know. We all are. But, Zo, you have to get some sleep. You'll kill yourself if you keep this up."

"But- what if- what if something happens to him and I wake up and he's gone?"

"He won't be gone. I promise, all right?" he said reassuringly. She threw her arms around his neck and began to cry again.

Chase's chest heaved. I always wanted to be able to hold her, but not because of this. "Dustin's a tough little guy, Zoey. He'll pull through, I promise. He'll be okay." Chase finally wrapped his arms around Zoey, shielding her from all her fears.

"We'll be okay."