Title: Shut upFandom: Danny Phantom
Character(s): Sam, Danny
Genre(s): General, Angst
Rating: G
Note: Inspired by a friend of mine.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but this story.
Written: 29 January 2007

Nurses and doctors scrambled here and there; people (wheelchairs, crutches, and by foot) made their way to where they were directed; who needed little to no attention sat or paced with bored, concerned, anguished, angered, impatient, or anguished expressions.

Others just didn't know what to do or feel.

She sat across from him, eyes downcast and turbulent.

He wanted to comfort her, but didn't know how.

"Sam."

She looked up with a blank face and vivid eyes.

"I'm sorry." He knew that it wasn't his fault and his apology sounded all the more pathetic because of that fact.

"Don't be." They were her first words in about an hour and they sounded strained and coarse.

"But I am." It was the truth. He felt somewhat responsible despite everything and all he wanted to do was to take away the pain he saw in her amethyst gaze.

She looked away from him, her bangs shadowing her eyes from sight. "Then you're just being stupid."

"I'm just concerned. I am your friend--"

"Then shut up and leave me alone!" Her eyes returned to him, blazing with self-hate, regret and sadness, flooding with unshed tears.

"You weren't even there! I don't need you here and neither does Tucker! SO GO ALREADY!!"

She pulled her legs up to her chest to hug them with trembling arms and buried her face into her knees with a shaky breath.

He watched as her muffled sobs racked her small frame.

He stood up from his seat and slowly made his way to her, reaching out a hand hesitantly. His palm met with her tousled hair, fingertips playing with her half ponytail.

She shifted under his touch, crying harder.

"I should have been there; I could have done something. If I hadn't been late--"

"Sh-shut up," she whispered through her sobs. "You w-weren't, I was. There wasn't a-anything you c-could have done."

"Sam--"

"Sh-shut up, Danny!" She sobbed, and then whimpered. "Just shut up."

The two friends stayed like that; one seated, curled into herself while the other desperately tried to break through her defenses and ease her pain.

They waited in that dreary hospital to see if their dear friend would make it through the night.