-One Hour Earlier-

Brooke arrived at the hospital having quickly parked the car locking it and then sprinting into the hospital running up to the desk then following the signs to the accident and emergency department. As she arrived at the reception area of A & E she asked the receptionist where her sister was, she headed in the direction that the receptionist had pointed to getting closer to the room she could heard what seemed to be doctors or nurses trying to calm someone down, she knew all too well that Alexis didn't like being around unfamiliar people letting alone being touched by unfamiliar people whether they were doctors or not she didn't know the difference they were all just strange people to Alexis. Sensing that they may have been trying to calm Alexis she rushed towards the room the voices were coming from as she entered the room she saw a handful or nurses and doctors all of their attention was focused on one corner of the room Brooke rushed into the room and gently moved one of the nurses out of the way so she could get through as she did Brooke instantly saw Alexis curled up in the corner holding what looked like a doctors stethoscope as she stepped forward Alexis swung the stethoscope at Brooke shouting NO as she did. Slightly shocked at Alexis' response Brooke took a step back looking at Lexi she opened her hands wide then stretched them out showing that she wasn't holding anything that could hurt Alexis she then calmly spoke looking Alexis dead in the eyes ,

"Lexi, it's Brooky" Again showing Alexis her hands the tattoos on her wrist clear for Lexi to see "Look I'm not gonna hurt you….." Alexis looked at Brooke slightly confused tears falling from her eyes "Charlie told me that you got hurt on the beach"

"Brooke Lied" Alexis responded

"When did I lie Lexi?" Brooke asked not sure when she had lied to Alexis

"Brooke said Lexi not get hurt, but Lexi did get hurt Brooke lied"

"I know that I said that Lexi and I am really sorry that I wasn't there for you when you needed me, but if you let me and the doctors help you I PROMISE I won't let anybody else hurt you and I'll find whoever that did this to you and they'll be punished" Alexis looked at Brooke's hands and slowly began to move forward as she did Brooke reached her hand forward holding it out so Alexis could grab hold if she wanted to, as Lexi saw Brooke's hand held out to her she took a second and then grabbed hold of it then wrapping her arms around Brooke's waist squeezing her tightly.

Once Alexis had calmed down more Brooke got her into the hospital bed like the doctors and nurses had been trying to do before she had arrived, the nurse had talked her through what examinations and tests they needed to conduct on Alexis as part of the police procedures for any that she could explain what was going to happen to Alexis before it took place in order to reduce the stress it would place on Alexis as well as hopefully reducing the fear she may feel, Alexis was seemingly calmer than before but she was still not ok with anyone placing their hands on her or trying to take blood or a sample without Brooke being in the room with her holding her hand.

After Brooke had explained all of the tests and examinations to Alexis the nurse began to conduct them being very sure and careful to explain every single step to Alexis as she performed it though it didn't seem to matter Alexis was tightly gripping onto Brooke's hand her eyes locked onto Brooke's every movement every time Brooke would smile Alexis would do exactly the same thing back to her, after all the exams had been performed Brooke was informed that the police wanted to talk to Alexis in further detail but that they had informed the police that Alexis wasn't ready to see anyone other than family at the present time.

Back at the house

Joey and Charlie were sitting in the garden waiting for Taylor to finish eating her food they were both as silent as the evening air they knew that they had a lot to talk about but at this present moment in time they both just wanted to be near each other, for Joey it just seemed to help knowing that Charlie was there to help her with whatever she needed whether it be to talk or just a hug Charlie was there, she needed that support so much at this moment in time that no matter word she thought of in her head it wasn't the right one to explain the fear and the worry for what Alexis would have to go through in her recovery, all she was hoping for at this moment in time was that Alexis hadn't been raped she knew how hard it was to get over something like that it was probably the hardest thing she had ever done she didn't know how Lexi would cope with something like that she struggled to understand certain aspects of adult life as it was. As if sensing Joey's fears Charlie gently look hold of her hand squeezing it gently she wanted to say something anything to make Joey feel better than she did but she knew that no matter what she said it wouldn't mean anything until all of the examination had been completed by the doctors and they knew for sure whether or not Alexis had been sexually assaulted. She was about to say something although she didn't actually know what until Joey looked at her, those eyes of hers so filled with fear and worry that it was almost like the light inside them had been switched off although it was heartbreaking to see she still smiled brightly at Joey her heart broke a little more when Joey smiled back at her she never thought it would be possible for someone's smile to be so beautiful yet filled with so much pain and sadness at the same time. She again went to speak but this time was interrupted by voices shouting loudly in the kitchen mainly she could hear Taylor shouting at someone

"She's in hospital because of you it's all your fucking fault"

That was all Charlie and Joey needed to hear they both jumped to their feet and ran into the kitchen, Charlie was the first to enter the kitchen as she did she saw Frankee standing at the far end of the kitchen near the dinner table and Taylor standing on the other side near the kitchen sink her eyes fully locked on Frankee she was about to ask what was going to ask what was going on but before she could formulate the words Frankee responded to Taylors comment saying "What the hell are you on about? You must be drunk just like your mother" Before either her or Joey had the chance to digest what Frankee had said Taylor launched herself at Frankee before she could lay a hand on Frankee Charlie had intercepted her grabbing her firmly around the waist and pulling her back towards the kitchen sink where she had been stood before after a few seconds Taylor stopped fighting against Charlies hold, once Taylor was a little calmer Charlie let go of her grip around Taylors waist. Looking at Taylor she softly said "You need to stay calm Taylor I know you're angry but this isn't what anyone wants or needs at the moment, ok?"

"Ok, I'll try and stay calm I promise I just wanna see my sister" Taylor honestly replied tears filling up her eyes as the sadness became evident on her face

"I know" Charlie sympathetically replied as she placed a gentle arm around Taylor's shoulders as she did Taylor gently lowered her head onto Charlie's shoulder, since the moment they had shared in the garden at the hospital they had both developed a kind of friendship with each other they had seen more of each other as Joey's court case had approached as well as the investigation into Brooke's and then Mel's attacks Charlie had become more of a regular at the house especially as her and Joey seemed to be friends again. Softly squeezing Taylors shoulders Charlie looked down and softly said "Why don't I drive you to the hospital now?"

TO BE CONTINUED