Everything was a blur. As Gemma drifted in and out of consciousness, all she could make out were unfamiliar voices and the stars in the sky. A loud and steady ringing filled her ears as a throbbing headache banged at her temple. There was a stinging pain across her chest that got irritated when she breathed in and her shirt to brush up against it.

When she woke fully conscious again, she was staring at a white ceiling. She felt numb to the scene playing around her as she gazed at the cracks and brown stains from old water damage. She was only snapped out of it when she jumped at the touch of cold fingers on her right forearm.

The gentle gesture came from an unrecognizable woman who looked to be in her later thirties. She had straight brown hair pulled back in a ponytail and long bangs that almost covered her eyebrows. She wore a white doctor's coat and her gentle, brown eyes almost reminded Gemma of Luke's. Gemma saw the woman's lips move, but didn't comprehend she was talking to her until a few moments later.

"I know you're confused right now, but I assure you you're safe," the woman began.

Gemma looked around the room she was in as she tuned out the rest of what the woman was saying. The walls were a plain beige color and the floors clean, white tile. The plastic, green couch and pair of chairs in the corner almost reminded her of a hospital room. She looked to her left to find a window, revealing an early sunset on the horizon.

I thought it was nighttime…

"Miss?" She felt her arm being shaken and she looked back over to the woman.

"Miss? Do you remember your name?" she asked, a concerned look on her face.

"Ah..," Gemma began, feeling a wave of pain flood her temples again as she squinted her eyes. "Gemma," she said once the pain had subsided. She had a feeling this woman could be trusted, so she didn't mind giving her real name.

"My name is Lauren and I'm sorry about the pain. We did the best we could after you were in that accident…" the presumably doctor said, motioning with her hands Gemma's bandage on her head.

Suddenly Gemma sat up, remembering what had happened to her.

"Whoa, take it easy. You don't want to undo your stitches," Lauren calmly warned.

"Where's my group? Where did you take them?"

Lauren sat on the edge of the bed lightly, not wanting to make Gemma uncomfortable.

"They're all safe, just as you. But, I need to tell you what happened so you can understand the situation better."

Gemma reluctantly nodded, curious to what she had to say.

"My group, we live in a little community inside of a small township hospital. Where we're at right now," Lauren began, looking around the room a bit before making eye contact with Gemma again. "While a few of the members were out on a recruiting run, they saw the car you were in spin out of control and crash into a tree after trying to avoid a walker. They quickly rushed you guys out of the vehicle. And you, because you were wearing your seatbelt…," the woman hesitated, wiping her bangs with her hand just for them to fall again. "You were in almost the best condition."

Gemma's eyes widened as she replayed what she remembered of the crash over in her mind. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice shaking a bit.

Lauren's eyes went to Gemma's stomach and she thought it was best to give the good news before the bad news. "Your baby is perfectly fine and you should heal in a few weeks. The woman in your group, however… She went through the front window when the car hit the tree. She's in the worst condition of the other three, and has yet to have woken up."

Gemma's eyes flooded with tears before she could process what Lauren had told her. "But… no, she can't be… she's my sister. She's all the family I have left," Gemma began rambling as she looked to her feet.

"I'm sorry," Lauren said quietly, placing her hand on top of Gemma's.

"Where's Nick?" she asked, her eyes glossy with tears as she looked at Lauren again.

"The dark haired young man?"

Gemma nodded.

"He's in the next room recovering himself. His heartbeat is stable now and he's on strong pain relievers for his injuries. He talks an awful lot about you," she added with a faint smile, trying to lighten the situation the best she could.

"Can I see him?"

Lauren sighed as she thought. "Yes, but you're reunion is going to be bittersweet since you will only be able to talk. He has to stay in bed and rest while his damages heal. He cracked two ribs, which should heal soon enough, but that's only if he gets the sufficient rest he needs. Your friend Luke spends his time in there when he's not visiting your other group member… Ada…"

"Adelaide."

"Yes, Adelaide."

"How is he?" Gemma asked, fearing the worst after hearing what happened to Nick and Adelaide.

"He's fine. The air bag protected him from any major injuries; he left with barely a scratch."

Lauren stood up and helped Gemma off the hospital bed and helped her walk as her leg muscles were shaky from not moving for such a long period of time. As they made their way out of the room and through the hallway, Gemma noticed a few looks from people she didn't know. She ignored them as her heart raced to see Nick and Luke again.

"Gemma!" Luke exclaimed as he stood up from the chair next to Nick's bed after the door opened. He quickly walked over and embraced the tired girl after Lauren had stepped aside. He wrapped his arms around and pulled her into his chest.

"Ow," the blond-haired girl complained quietly when he touched her head.

"Oh, shit, sorry," he said, backing off again as Gemma winced in pain from a reoccurring throbbing in her head. She playfully punched him as her eyes filled with tears again, so happy to be back with someone familiar.

Luke helped her over to the chair next to the bed Nick was sleeping in and gently woke him up. Once he opened his eyes and found Gemma sitting there, he grinned his big goofy grin that she fell in love with. "You're awake!" he croaked sleepily.

She could see the exhaustion in his blue eyes. She held his hand, still silent as a tear rolled down her face.

Nick placed his other hand on top of hers to comfort her the best he could, wincing in pain a bit. "I was so worried," he spoke quietly, almost in a whispered.

Gemma couldn't help but break down seeing the condition he was in and placed her face on his hands as she cried.

Nick had to look away, not wanting to see her in pain and able to do nothing to comfort her.

Luke kneeled down beside her and rubbed her back comfortingly. He couldn't help but feel guilty; he was the one who had been driving recklessly. He had put all of their lives at risk and wasn't even sure if the love of his life would ever wake up.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered.

A/N:

Hey guys sorry this was a short one but the next one will be around 2,000 words like some of the past ones have been, I promise. Please leave a review and let me know how you feel about the story so far, since it's no longer following the game! Thanks!

~WalkingDeadCrazy