Back at the Ranch.
Sam was visiting Brooke in the hospital. It was late and visiting hours were actually over, but the nurses either hadn't noticed that Sam was still there or hadn't the heart to ask her to leave.
Brooke slipped into a coma after her surgery three months ago and showed no signs of stirring. The doctors said that they couldn't tell how extensive the brain damage was, but they were sure she wasn't brain-dead. The EEG showed some activity, too much for someone to be written off.
Sam was telling Brooke about her and Harrison, their friendship had survived his choosing Brooke over her – at least on paper – but they didn't spend much time together anymore. Of course, the fact that Sam spent as much time as they would allow her with Brooke was a factor to, but Sam didn't mention the last part. Instead, she told Brooke how Josh and Lily had separately for awhile, but pulled it together at the last minute. She didn't mention how much she had actually helped them through their marital problems. She told Brooke how Nicole had been arrested, but, despite Brooke's injuries, got a wrist-slap for her troubles, claiming it was an accident.
Mike has testified to Nicole's rant at the Palace, but, snake-like, Nicole convinced everyone she was only going to the prom to make a scene and destroy Brooke socially. Hitting her was an accident. After all, hadn't Brooke run out into the middle of the street?
Despite the turmoil, everyone was trying to move on. School was starting up, but everyone was dreading walking the halls of Kennedy High without Brooke there.
Then Brooke woke up.