Chapter 22 –

Rachel moved her head at the same time as he eyes blinked several times until slowly she opened them fully and allowed her eyes to scan around the room, allowing herself a few moments to gauge that she was safe and not back in the house. A feeling that was quickly reinforced as she felt a warm hand take a hold of hers and squeeze it gently.

"Hey Rachel."

Zoe smiled as she moved closer to Rachel and stroked her cheek as she kept an eye on the monitors.

"How are you feeling?"

Zoe kept her hand on Rachel's cheek as she spoke, moving her gaze to meet Rachel's.

"Ok I guess."

Rachel spoke quietly, her throat still sore from the smoke inhalation but she managed a small smile as Zoe nodded her head and moved her hand from Rachel's cheek and rested it on her shoulder.

"Good if you have any pain then let us know, but for now just relax."

"Ok thank you."

"I'll go and let Sam know that you are awake, I expect that you'd like some company?"

Rachel shrugged her shoulders as she turned her head slightly away from Zoe but Zoe just tapped her shoulder tenderly before she left and Rachel quickly closed her eyes and tried to stop the tears from tumbling down once again.

Zoe stood in the corridor and took a deep breath before she reached up and ran her fingers through her hair, she watched as Dylan walked out of the staff room, knowing that Sam was in there she quickly wanted to ensure that they were both ok.

"Doctor Hanna?"

Zoe had her hand on the staff room door, her fingers wrapped around the handle when the unfamiliar voice interrupted her, mentally she banged her head on the door before she turned around and saw a woman smiling at her.

"Yes."

"Hello I'm Pam Hales, a social worker, I was hoping that I'd be able to have a talk with Rachel Carden please?"

Zoe frowned as she released her hand from the door and took a breath, carefully examining the woman's credentials before she replied.

"I'm afraid she isn't up to speaking to anyone at the moment, maybe if you left me your details I could keep you up to date with her progress."

"So she hasn't told you what happened to her?"

"I'm afraid I can't divulge any details of what Rachel has or hasn't said at the moment."

Zoe inwardly smiled broadly as she watched the frustration grow on the woman's face until finally she nodded and handed a card to Zoe.

"I'm going to speak to the police and I'll be back tomorrow if I haven't heard from you before. Obviously Rachel has been through a terrible ordeal and we need to get her settled into a home as quickly as possible."

Zoe nodded her head politely as she took the card, standing still until she was sure that the woman had left.

Sam recognised Zoe's voice as she listened to the conversation outside, she couldn't hear much but she could hear the sarcastic tone in Zoe's voice and that instantly brought a smile to her face, as the door opened Sam opened her eyes and looked at her friend.

"I need a fag!"

"What's happened Zoe, who was that?"

Sam quickly moved and sat up while Zoe poured herself a cup of coffee before she sat down next to Sam.

"Nosy social worker wanting to see Rachel."

"You sent her packing?"

"Uh huh. Dylan was in here?"

Zoe raised her eyebrows as she looked at Sam but just got a small nod of her head in response, instinctively Zoe reached an arm around Sam's back.

"Is everything ok?"

"Yes I think that we've managed to clear a few things up."

"Good I'm glad, I hate paperwork and sorting out different shifts for the two of you is a headache that I could do without."

Zoe grinned and was pleased to see Sam return the expression.

"So how are you feeling?"

Zoe carefully lifted up one of Sam's bandaged hands as she spoke, watching Sam's face for any hint of pain which she quickly spotted.

"I'm fine Zoe."

"Ok but I will be keeping a close eye on you Sam."

Sam nodded her head as Zoe gently let go of Sam's hand.

"How's Rachel?"

"Awake, that's why I originally came to see you."

Zoe watched as the smile quickly grew on Sam's face and the tension ebbed away.

"She's waiting for some company."

"Thanks Zoe."

Zoe nodded her head as Sam stood up.

"I'll be back to check on the both of you shortly."

Sam waved her bandaged hand in response as she left the sanctuary of the staff room.

Rachel had her head turned away from the door although she was still awake and had her eyes open but as she listened to the soft footsteps approaching she refused to move, forgetting that the bed was in the middle of the room as Sam walked around until she was focused in on Rachel.

"Well it's good to see you're awake again."

Sam smiled and spoke softly, pleased to see that Rachel offered her a small smile in return before she sat down in the chair.

"How are your hands?"

"They're fine Rachel."

"Have you spoken to the police yet?"

Sam quickly noticed how anxious Rachel had become and the thoughts of the social worker came rushing back.

"No and I don't want you to worry about that for the moment Rachel, you just need to relax."

"Ok."

"How about I go and get my laptop and we can watch some tv together?"

Sam watched as Rachel relaxed slightly and nodded her head.

"That's good but you are going to have to help me with the buttons."

"Thanks Sam."

"Not a problem Rachel, now hang on and I'll be back in a moment."

Sam grinned as Rachel smiled and shifted in the bed, watching Sam and keeping her eyes focused on her as she left the room, feeling slightly more reassured that she wasn't going to be abandoned and hurt again.