Becky was in her room studying when her phone rang. The name Michael flashed up on the screen. She lifted the mobile and gave it a puzzled look. Mike never called her, it was always Sheila and after they'd chatted Sheila would pass the phone to Mike so he and Becky could catch up.

"Hello. Michael?"

"Hey, Becky." Mike paused. "Are you alone?"

"Yes." Becky chuckled. "Are you playing strict father and checking up that I'm behaving myself?"

"No." Mike quavered a laugh, and then paused before saying, "Becky, hun. I've got some bad news."

"What... news..?" The words struggled to leave her lips. "Mike..?"

It took him a moment to answer as he tried to decide, which way was the best approach. "I'm sorry, Becky. I'm just going to come out and say it. Linc's had an accident. At work. He fell and hit his head."

"Is he alright?" Becky swallowed a hard nugget that was caught in her throat. Blood thrummed through her veins as her heart rate lifted. He wasn't alright. She just knew it. Mike wouldn't have rung her if he was okay.

"He's being flown to Brisbane at this moment, Becky. Sheila and I are packing and will be driving there as soon as we can. I'll call Rob when I finish on the phone with you." He paused again, and then said, "I think you should get the first flight you can to Brisbane. Let me know when you land and I'll hopefully be there to pick you up."

"Is... is..." Becky's jaw quivered. She wiped tears from her eyes and pressed her phone hard against her ear to stop her hand from shaking as she asked, "Is... is... he... going to... die?"

Mike sucked back his anguish and murmured, "I don't know, Becky." He paused as he struggled to get the words out, "He fractured his skull. He's... he's unconscious and not responsive. Yet. But he's tough. You know Linc, he...he... won't... won't let this beat him, Becky. Can't... not Linc." Mike gulped back his breath and tried to put a positive note in his voice. "Try not to worry. They're flying him to the Princess Alexandra. The best hospital in the state for head traumas. He'll get specialist care." Mike sighed and wished he was there with her because trying to sound upbeat came across as a lie. So he said, "Get on a flight, Becky. As soon as you can."

"I will." Tears rolled down her face as she pulled the phone away from her ear, held it in both of her hands and whispered, "Bye..."

*****

Becky didn't remember calling Demi but she must have because Demi was sitting at her desk working on the computer.

As Becky tried to remember when she'd called her friend, Demi suddenly spun around to face her.

"Got one!"

"Huh?"

"A flight. It's the earliest I could get. I'm sorry but you won't fly out until ten tomorrow morning, landing in Brisbane at around twelve thirty." Demi cocked her head. "Becky. Are you alright? You look like you're going to be sick."

Becky lunged from the bed and ran to the toilet. She fell to her knees in front of the system and hugged the bowl. Her stomach heaved but nothing came up. She retched again. Nothing.

"When was the last time you ate?" Demi asked as she crouched down beside Becky and swept hair away from her face.

"I don't remember," Becky cried. "I don't even remember ringing you," she wailed.

"Hey. Come on. It's okay." Tears blurred Demi's vision. She wrapped her arms around Becky and held her close. "How about you have a shower while I order some food and later we'll pack you a bag."

A painful sob escaped Becky as she nodded against Demi's shoulder.

"I'm going to stay with you overnight and I'll drive you to the airport tomorrow, okay?"

"Kay," Becky murmured as Demi helped her stand.

*****

Becky cried all the way to the airport.

Demi reached over and patted her on the knee as she turned into the car park. She'd tried to say all the positive things she could think of but no matter what she said she knew none of it would mean anything until Becky's brother was in the clear.

"What are you doing?" Becky popped her head up, and then looked over at Demi.

"I'm coming in," Demi said as she pulled into a bay. "I know you said to just do a drop off but there is no way I'm letting you sit there by yourself until your flight is called.

"Thanks," Becky said on a heavy sigh. She tried to smile as she said, "You're the best."

"I know," Demi replied, smiled and nudged her head to the side. "Let's go. I'll buy you a scotch."

"Oh no, I couldn't stomach any alcohol right now."

"Okay." Demi pulled Becky's suitcase from the back seat. "A strong coffee then."

"Yeah." Becky nodded. "I think I need some caffeine."

They found a spare table and sat across from each other. "So," Demi said. "Is Rob going to be there?"

"I don't know." Becky lifted her shoulders, and then let them drop. "He knows. I'm sure Michael said he was going to ring him. Rob loves Linc. They were always close." Becky burst into tears. She slammed her hand to her lips to try and stem the mournful sound coming from her mouth.

Rushing around the table, Demi grabbed Becky. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she said as she embraced her friend. "I shouldn't have mentioned him."

"It's not that." Becky wiped her eyes. "It's the thought of Linc, laying there and maybe never waking up or if he does, that he's not going to be the same. Be my Linc." Again she let out a painful sound. "He's all I have. I couldn't bear to lose him."

"I don't know what to say to make you feel better," Demi whispered.

"There's nothing you can say." Becky gripped Demi's hand. "Just being here is enough."

*****

Rob had flown out of Melbourne at midnight. He'd sat in the hospital hallway since his arrival and was told Linc had been made comfortable overnight. Surgeons had examined his head injury and had placed Linc under observation overnight as they had wanted him stable before any surgery took place.

The hours had crawled by. Rob sat with his elbows on his thighs, his head hung with his hands clasped together between his knees. He couldn't look on his mother's face. Not now. The pain etched there broke his heart. She was pacing backwards and forwards tapping her fingers on her lips.

"Sheila," Michael murmured. "How about you come and sit down."

"I can't." She gasped. "I just can't." She spun to retrace her steps. "What am I going to say to Becky? I promised her." Sheila sobbed, "I promised her I'd take care of Linc." Her voice got louder as she declared, "I said I'd keep him safe."

"Mum." Rob stood up and gathered her in his arms. He pressed her to his chest and placed his chin on her head. "You have taken care of him. This was an accident. No one, especially Becky, will blame you." He rocked slowly from side to side. "He's going to be okay. I'm sure of it."

"No...." A painful wail caused Rob to jerk his head up. Becky was stood in the hall. Her bag landed on the floor with a loud bang. She folded at the waist and dropped to her knees in the middle of the corridor, her hands slunk to the linoleum. Rob's eyes connected with hers as she pleaded, "Please... please tell me he's not dead."

This is so heartbreaking. I can't bear to look. :(

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