"Brooke? Police are here lovely. Can you wake up?" Jake whispers as I pull myself up.
"I'm awake." He smiles.
"Can you make a statement?" I nod cautiously.
"I'm not leaving him though."
"No love, we just need you to come through to a quieter room." I nod as Jake helps me up.
"Don't worry, I'm coming with you. I'm going to be right there." He hugs me as he hands me the crutches before we follow the policewoman through to a small room.
"Okay dear, we just need you to tell us everything you remember, let's start from when Chris left you to go down the beach." I nod as I sit down. Jake puts an arm around me as I shake visibly.
"He went to help Jake with the flags.. Deano walked with me to the Tower then left to patrol the flags as Jesse arrived. I don't know where anyone else was.. We were too busy.. Even I could tell that and Jess struggled not to shout at me.. Apparently there was meant to be a storm so they weren't expecting many people. Everyone was doing so many rescues.. Then a crowd appeared where Jake and Chap were.." I take a deep breath before reliving one of the worst times of my life. "Jess radioed Chap asking him to have a look. I knew it was bad, I don't know how but I felt it.. Jess let me go to find Chap.. I don't know why he let me go, maybe he knew too, but I just had to see him.. I started walking but Jess drove by so he picked me up.. He was apologising then just said Chap was hit.. I couldn't react.. It hurt so much.." I shake my head as Jake pulls me closer. "The crowd had started to dissipate and Reidy was trying to get through. You appeared about the same time we got there. He was so cold.. His eyes were open and he was so so scared.. I lay his head against me but his eyes closed and I thought we were losing him.. We almost did.. Then we saw the knife.." I pull away from Jake as I realise- Chap is still there. Jake stands as I do.
"I think that's all you need." he tells them as I leave and he follows. "Brooke.. Take it slow. We're going to him now. He's okay. The guys are with him."
"Where?" I stop, suddenly confused.
"He's just down here.. Have you forgotten?"
"The beach.." I fall into him as relief washes over me.
"No Brooke he's safe here. Let's sit down." He pulls me to a chair as Deano emerges from the room.
"What's happened?" Jake just shakes his head. "He's okay Brooke. Most of the guys have gone home now but he's fine. I talked to the doctor and they think he's doing really well and he'll be back on the beach before you know it."
"We'll just sit here for a while." Jake pulls me closer. "We need you to relax Brooke. Chap wouldn't want you to be so worried."
"I'll rest if you let me see him." I drag myself to my feet but immediately fall as my ankles slide. Deano and Jake both join me.
"What do you need?" Jake asks as he supports me.
"Can you find ice?" Deano nods and runs to find some as I massage my ankles. The left one slides back easily enough but the right muscles are in spasm. Jake hugs me closer.
"You're okay. We'll go see Chap in a second then I'm taking you home. You can sleep and then we'll be back." I don't even have the energy to argue as Deano arrives back. He hands me the ice as I close my eyes, slowly managing to pull the joint back into place.
"Thank you.." I mutter as Jake keeps hold of me.
"Are you okay now?" I nod and pull away.
"Can we see him?"
"I don't know.. That might not be a good idea.." He stutters before Deano smiles.
"Brooke, he's okay but he's asleep. Why don't you go home?" Deano asks cautiously.
"Something has happened and you're trying to hide it." I mutter as I pull myself up from the floor and grab the crutches. They must not try to catch me up as I reach the door before either of them stop me. I knock quietly, in case one of the guys is still there, before entering. Whip stands awkwardly as I sit down. "He's okay.. Still asleep but he's okay.." I nod slowly. "Visiting is over soon. Will you go home to rest?" I shake my head. "You need to Brooke. He wouldn't want you to stay to the detriment of yourself." I take Chap's hand carefully as Whippet sighs and leaves, probably to discuss a plan to get me home.
"I love you, Chap. They're trying to make me leave you but I can't do this without you. I need you with me. Please don't go anywhere. I'm going to stay right here for as long as I can. I love you lifesaver.." I trail off as the tears drip down my face.
"Hey love.." A nurse stands in the doorway, "He's doing well. I think we can try to find a way to let you stay in here with him. If not, we have a small room where you can sleep before coming back here. Let me go sort this out for you." She smiles as she leaves. I sit in silence for a few minutes, watching his chest rise and fall evenly.
Jake stands in the doorway, looking concerned. "Brooke.. If it's really what you want they will let you stay. They've got a better chair to sleep in but we want you to be able to rest properly.. Chap would want it too.. Come back and sleep.. He can't look after you right now.." I shake my head.
"We'll be okay. Really, we will. Please let me stay. I need him Jake.. You can't understand this but I need him.." He steps forward and pulls me to him.
"You're doing amazingly okay? We need to leave now but just call if you want us." He smiles.
"You all need to rest and surf. He's okay and you don't need to worry." He nods as he leaves. I turn back to Chap, I wouldn't be here without him. Everything about chronic illness means no one is ever this close to me and I don't know how I survived all these years without him. I sit back in the new chair, keeping tight hold of his hand as my eyes start to close.
