Rosie stared at the plain white floor of the hospital as she rested her head in her hands. Her heart was heavy and her emotions like a whirlwind. One minute she wanted to cry uncontrollably and the next she felt nothing short of numb – senseless almost. Worry, panic and fear flooded her system as she waited outside the room where the doctors and nurses were working on her baby brother whom she could only assume was an orphan now. If her Dad and Alice had survived that then she would call Max and tell him everything was a big mistake. She shook her head sadly as a tear escaped; she doubted she'd be doing that somehow.

Suddenly the doors burst open and Rosie, fearing the worst and that there was some complication with Robert, bolted upright expecting to see a number of doctors rushing through. Her thoughts however were suppressed as she saw a panicked Dup run through. He was panting for air as he rested one hand on the wall, trying to catch his breath enough to tell her what she needed to hear.

"Your Dad, Alice... they made it. Well, they made it through the fire."

"What?" Rosie gasped, "They are alive?"

"Just... tonight is critical for them both." Dup explained, "Rosie, they might not make it through the night."

"But they made it..." Rosie protested, "No way would they ever die. Not after escaping..."

"The doctor suggests that... we..." Dup stopped and composed himself, "Go and say anything we want to say. They're in a room together up on this ward." He told her softly handing over a small card. "I can stay here with Robert."

"I... Thanks Dup." Rosie sighed patting his arm, "I'll come back and..."

"It's ok, I've said my words." Dup told her, "The rest of the family are on their way."

Rosie nodded before stalking out of the children's ward and up towards the place Dup had directed her too. She felt like a robot – she wasn't thinking or processing anything of her own accord, she was simply doing what she was programmed to do naturally. Every part of her was numb. Her Dad and Alice could die? Her Dad and her the woman who had been her Mum for the past few years were fighting for their lives? She shivered slightly at the prospect of life without them. She'd been prepared for Dup telling her they were dead, or as prepared as anyone could be, but to be alive and then told they could die? She swallowed thickly. They had to come through this.

She didn't waste any time as she reached their room; she knew that she was going to hate what she saw and also knew that if she didn't just walk in she'd probably lose her bottle. She opened the door with closed eyes before turning and shutting the door, facing it for a few moments before finally and slowly turning around to look at her parents.

She gasped almost inaudibly as she gazed upon them. They looked frail and so much older than they truly were. Both were covered in burns and bandages, wires hooked them up to various bleeping machines. She walked forward slowly, standing in between both their beds.

"I don't really know what to say... or who to start with so I guess I'll just wing it." Rosie said scratchily to them. "I just want to thank you both. You've both been so supportive and always been there for me and that means more than anything to me. I love you both and I just..." Rosie's voice broke and tears escaped her eyes, "Please pull through this." She cried before moving towards her father, taking his hand.

"Dad, you always tell me never to give up, now it's your turn." She whispered, kissing his hand, "We all need you..."

She turned to Alice, moving some stray hair out of her step mother's face, "Alice, you've never let me down. You can't let me down now... we need you too."

She looked around the room and grabbed a chair, placing it in the middle of their two beds. She rested her hands flat against her knees looking at both of them in turn before shaking her head.

"You two have to pull through this; you can't die with things the way they were." Rosie told them passionately, "You can't leave Robert alone in this world. What is life without you? What is Leopards Den without you? We've all been blessed with your love and support over these years but Robert? He needs to be blessed with that. You need to guide him just as you've both guided me and everyone else. Dad, you've been a constant in my life and despite everything that's happened, not matter how bad, you've always put me first. Alice, you've been more than a step mother to me; you've been my friend and you've always been there for me, even before you and Dad got together. I need you. I need you both."

As Rosie finished she moved one of her hands to wipe her eyes, swiping furiously at the tears that had taken over. She stood up, moving the chair robotically back to where it had originally been before turning to Alice. She gazed at her for a moment before leaning down and kissing her cheek lightly. She smiled before turning to her father; once more she gazed at him, observing his sleeping face. She sighed before kissing his forehead.

"I love you... both of you." Rosie whispered before leaving the room.

She glanced around and noticed a sign to the children's ward at the end of the corridor pointing right. She shook her head before slowly beginning to walk forward ready to go and look after her little brother. It was then she noted the payphone to the left and before she could even protest she'd turned and found her way to it.

A/N – Who could Rosie be phoning?

And will Danice survive?

A/N Extra :P – I apologize for the lack of updates etc, I'm so busy with exams and horses and everything it's just crazy!