A/N: Hope you enjoy. There aren't many ghosts in this fic. I felt Melinda had enough to deal with. Oh, and I took some liberties with Jim's occupation. =)


I wake up with a scream in my throat, eyes wide, heart beating rapidly. The dream I was having was intense but I can't remember it at this second. I am so used to the strange images in my mind that I know that should not have awaken me. I lay in bed for a moment to try to determine what has brought me from sleep when I hear it- a knocking on the front door.

I look at the clock and see it's a little past five in the morning. I roll my eyes and grab my wrap to head down the stairs to admit Jim.

I smile as I open the door. "Forget your keys again?" It takes me a second to realize Jim is not the one standing on the porch. It is Jim's captain and Tim. "It's a little early for a house call, isn't it?" I ask them,

The captain grimaces. "Melinda, there's been an accident."

I feel ice run all the way to my stomach. "Where is he?"

"He was rushed to the hospital--"

I interrupt. "I'm going to change. I'll be right back." I fly up the stairs and grab the first pair of jeans and shirt I see. The men are right where I left them, hovering in the doorway. "Take me to him," I demand and they are quick to comply.

They try to fill the silence with small talk as we rush to the hospital Jim is in. I ignore them and attempt to keep my mind blank as I watch the scenery fly by.

At the hospital, Tim sits with me in the ICU waiting room while the captain tries to ascertain some news.

"Is there anybody I can call for you, Melinda?" Tim is asking. "Delia is at her mother's but I'm sure she'll come..."

"No." I shake my head. "She's on vacation."

The silence once again weights heavy on me. At some point we are told Jim's in surgery and a cup of coffee is place in my hands. I am shaking so hard I put the full cup on the table next to me to keep from spilling it.

I hear a familiar voice, albeit hushed, and look up to see Professor Rick Payne walking towards me. I stand and take in his comfort as he places his long arms around me. "What are you doing here?"

"I got a call."

Tim stands as well. "That was me. I've heard Delia say you were friends and I found his number in your phone. I hope you don't mind."

I have to smile as I extract myself and sit back down. "Payne's always a distraction."

He sit next to me. "I'm not sure what to make of such a statement so I choose to take it as a compliment and use it to the best of my abilities."

My eyes land on the captain as he approaches. "No word, yet, I'm afraid."

"What happened?" Payne asks what I can not.

"We were fighting a fire on the north side. The building was collapsing but Jim said he heard a baby inside. Before I could stop him, he ran back inside."

Tim looks at me before glancing down at his hands to keep his eyes from reading too much from me. "The place fell in right after that. By the time the place was settled over half the roof had fallen."

I make a small noise and I feel Payne's hand covering mine. I move my fingers to intertwine with his for silent support.

The captain continues. "As soon as we could we ran in and found Jim. He had been knocked unconscious by a support beam and his oxygen mask was on the baby.

I find my voice. "How is the baby?"

"She's in critical condition but they have hope."

None of the two firemen want to continue so Payne begins to relate historical accounts of infants being saved and growing up to be extraordinary. "In some instances, Melinda, the rescuee becomes psychologically attached to the rescuer and is brought back to them through the forces of time.

"Some sects of the world teach that for someone to save your life deserves your loyalty for the rest of your years and the yours of your children and children's children. Once that bond is established as long as the blood ties are there the bond never dies."

Payne is always enthusiastic about his line of work and I wonder, not for the first time, if his lecture is performed with that kind of dedication. He is often dropping hints for me to come to his class. Perhaps I should. Even when he thinks I'm positively insane he still believes in me. He is a good friend.

A doctor comes by at one point to let us know Jim is still in surgery but his vitals are stable. Dawn breaks around us and the change in shift offers different staff members to watch go about their daily routine.

I see a woman who is faithfully following a doctor, happy as could be. It isn't until the doctor goes through the swinging door and she follows with the doors going through her that I realize she is not on the living plane. At the moment she is content and not my concern.

I am losing the battle with my tired eyes and I finally give in for a slight minute and lean my head back on the chair. The sounds turn into undecided murmurs of noise that help coax me into a dreamless sleep.

"Melinda," comes a soft voice, breaking into my consciousness.

"Hm?"

"There's someone here to talk to you."

I rouse myself to open my eyes and find my head is resting on Payne's t-shirted shoulder. I sit straight up, blushing. "sorry."

He gives me a Payne trademark grin. "Glad to be of some use."

Tim touches my other arm and I turn to see a doctor wearing blue scrubs pulling up a chair to sit across from me. "Mrs. Clancey? I'm Dr. Robert Taylor. I'm the attending on your husbands case."

I release my hand from Payne's to shake the doctors. "How is Jim?" I ask bluntly.

Dr. Taylor grimaces. "He's out of surgery but his vital signs are weak and he is still unconscious. Later today I have a MRI set to see if there is a medical reason for the coma that we need to keep an eye on."

I know the doctor won't have an answer but I have to ask. "How long do you think he will be unconscious?"

The young doctor shrugged. "Hours, days, weeks, There's no way to tell for certain. I'm keeping him in ICU for now until his vitals become more stable. As soon as I know something you will too."

"Thank you," I whisper as he stands and takes his leave, the rest of us silent in prayers.