EPISODE 5.1 – From Melbourne to Sydney
Disclaimer – I don't own the Rescue Series, but miss it dearly since it left TV. I don't own the characters either, but Jessica and Mikayla are my own creations.
Lara awoke to a screaming child again at four am, and swung her legs out of bed, trying to swipe the sleep from her eyes. Exhaustion was catching up to her quickly, and she was supposed to be going back to work in a few weeks. She stumbled from her bed, and walked into the nursery.
"Mikayla," she said blearily. She picked up the crying child, and tried to soothe her. Mikayla's volume increased, and Lara could feel her stress levels rising. She started crying herself, mostly out of total fatigue and frustration.
"Please, Mikayla, what can I do? I've tried feeding you, changing you, rocking you to sleep. What more can I do?" Mikayla screamed louder. Lara put her down in the crib again, and left the room in tears. She dialled Michelle's mobile. She answered on the first ring.
"Lara? What's up?" Michelle said groggily.
"Michelle, I can't stop her crying. I've done everything, and I just can't stop her." Michelle sat up in bed, and threw the covers off.
"I'll be there shortly Lara." She hung up, glad that this week was Ian's week with James. She pulled on a tracksuit, and climbed into her car. She drove over to Lara's, and found her on the floor, rocking gently. Michelle touched her shoulder.
"Let me sit with her. You go and get some sleep, you look terrible. How long has she been like this?" Asked Michelle, helping Lara to her feet.
"Almost a month, and I just can't stop her from crying," sobbed Lara. Michelle guided her to her bedroom, and covered her with the blankets.
"Let me deal with her for a little while. I'm not on today, so I'll be right." Lara drifted off while Michelle was talking, and Michelle tip-toed out of the room. She opened the door to Mikayla's nursery, and entered to find the screaming baby. She picked her up, and rocked her gently, trying to soothe her. She turned the TV on low, and stretched out on the couch, Mikayla on her chest. She covered them both with a blanket to keep them warm, and settled down to watch a re-run. Mikayla whimpered for half an hour longer, and eventually settled, the sound of Michelle's heartbeat lulling her into a sense of security, and she fell asleep. Michelle tried to pick her up to move her, and she snuffled a little. Michelle resigned herself to staying on the couch, and her heavy eyes started to close.
When Lara woke at ten, she felt refreshed. Tired, but better. She sat up in bed, and listened for the crying. It was silent. She got up, worried about what might have happened, and found Michelle on the couch, Mikayla asleep on her chest. She smiled, and lifted Mikayla off. She opened her big green eyes and looked at Lara. She smiled at her.
"Now why did you sleep for Michelle and not for me?" She asked. Michelle stirred on the lounge.
"Hey, how did you sleep?" She asked. Lara looked at her.
"Better now. Thank you. I thought I was going crazy from no sleep." Michelle rubbed her eyes.
"That's alright. Try sleeping with her on your chest. She likes to be able to hear your heartbeat. It's like music to a baby's ears." Michelle threw back the blanket, and padded into Lara's kitchen, flipping on the kettle.
"What happened to you and Dean sharing an apartment, or moving into his place?" Asked Michelle as she made tea. Lara put Mikayla on the floor with some of her baby toys, and joined Michelle in the kitchen, taking a mug from her and sitting at the table.
"I thought it was happening, but his house isn't really set up for Mikayla, and the apartment really isn't big enough for all three of us." Michelle put down her mug.
"You know how to fix that, don't you?" Lara shook her head.
"No, how?" Michelle leant across the table, looking at her.
"You let us girls back in to Dean's place. We'll have Mikayla's room fixed up in no time there, and you'll have Dean to support you." Lara set her mug on the table and smiled at Michelle gratefully.
"Sure."
Jordan awoke with Heidi next to him, snuggled into his chest. He kissed her on the forehead, and she stirred.
"Hey, how are you…" Heidi bolted from the warm bed into the bathroom before Jordan could finish his sentence. Jordan could hear retching, and climbed out of bed. He came in to the bathroom, and held back her tresses of hair as she threw up. Jordan rubbed her back, and after a few minutes, she leant back. Jordan grabbed a handtowel and dampened it, passing it to her. She wiped her face clean.
"Are you okay?" He asked. She nodded, and looked nervously at her hands.
"What is it?" He queried, looking concerned. She met his eyes, her own filled with tears.
"Jordan, I'm so sorry." He took in her face, confusion on his face, and settled on the floor next to her, wrapping his arm around her.
"What are you sorry about? You've been sick before, it's okay." She shook her head.
"No, it's not that. It's worse." He racked his brains, trying to think about what could be worse than her being sick. She started to cry harder.
"What can be worse? Babe, you're confusing me." She shook with sobs, and Jordan tried to calm her down, holding her close, and kissed the top of her ginger head. It had to be something bad, and he could feel it in his gut. He rubbed her arms as she tried to re-compose herself. Eventually her sobs subsided, calming down to just hiccups. She looked at Jordan, pain in her eyes.
"Jordan, I'm pregnant."
Jess sat at her new desk, admiring the cleanliness and spacious area. Her chair fitted perfectly under the desk, and the new lift system worked beautifully. Chase stood behind her, arms around her.
"Do you like it all?" She nodded.
"Yes. I can't wait to start working." Vince came over, a hefty stack of paperwork in his arms. He dumped it on Jess's desk.
"There you go. Michelle's rung, she's not coming in today." Dean walked up the stairs.
"Heidi and Jordan aren't coming in today either. Taking a relief day." Vince sighed.
"Together? Guess we know what they're doing then." Lachie laughed from his desk as he played solitaire, having finished his paperwork. Dean settled himself at his desk, and began filling out an incident report. Almost three months had gone by since Lara had her baby, and Nicole had been put in jail, and it was only now they were finally getting on top of the paperwork. Footsteps sounded from the stairs, and Vince looked at everyone. A young woman, no more than twenty one, appeared at the top of the stairs.
"May I help you?" Asked Vince, curious as to whom she was, and why she was here. She stuck out a hand.
"I'm Andrea Taylor. I've been transferred from Melbourne up here to Sydney as part of a training program. I'm looking for Michelle Letourneau, she's supposed to be my supervisor." Jess pulled herself out from under her desk, and pushed herself towards Andrea.
"Hi, I'm Michelle's second in charge, Jess. Michelle's not coming in today, can I help you with something?" Andrea pulled out papers from her bag.
"Here are my transfer papers." Jess took them, and checked them over, then handed them to Vince. He looked over them, and then looked up at Andy.
"I think everything's in order. Lachie, show Andrea her locker downstairs, and we'll give her one of the casuals desks, around the corner." Lachie nodded, and led Andrea downstairs.
"So, Andrea…" She stopped him.
"Call me Andy. Andrea is what my mother calls me." Lachie laughed.
"So, Andy, what brings you to Sydney?" He asked.
"A training program. This is the best unit in all of Australia, and most people would give their houses just to work with you guys." She shoved her gear into the locker that he indicated, and slammed it shut.
"I mean, some of the stuff you guys have done is incredible. I'm happy that out of the four thousand candidates that I was one of the lucky ones." She smiled at him as they walked back upstairs. Lachie showed her the desk she was to use, and sat across from her.
"So how long do you guys get to train with us?" He asked.
"Between three to six months. It depends on how everything's going, and as to whether we're working well with the team we're assigned to. If we are, we're given an extension. If not, we're transferred back to our old station." Lachie nodded. Dean stuck his head around the corner.
"Let's go. We've got an MVA to attend." He motioned for them to follow. Kate appeared downstairs, back from her psychologist appointment.
"What's the go Dean?" She asked.
"MVA. You're with Lachie, Andy's with me." She nodded. Dean pulled out a radio from his desk, and tossed it to Andy.
"You're Rescue Portable Eight. Don't lose it, or it comes out of your pay check." He led her down to the patrols, and they climbed in. He sped away from HQ, and turned into the already thickening afternoon traffic.
"Now's your time to shine. You get to show us what you're made of." Andy nodded, already nervous. Lachie and Kate followed Dean's patrol, and within minutes, arrived at the accident scene. Dean jumped out.
"Lachie, assess. Andy, tell me what you think we should be doing." Kate stood with them. Andy took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.
"Ok, um. We need to work out who we need to get out first, and what's the best course of action." She looked at Dean, and he nodded approvingly.
"Yep. What else?" She glanced at Kate. Her first day here and she'd already been thrown into the deep end.
"We need to be aware of the fuel that's been spilt?" She was grasping at straws now. Dean patted her on the back.
"Yes, but no. It's alright, I'm only asking." Lachie came back.
"Three patients. One head injury, another crush, and a query spinal." Andy nodded, mentally writing down all the information. Dean turned to Andy.
"Who do you think needs our attention first?" She thought about it.
"If we put a collar on the query spinal, we can work on the other two. The head injury is dangerous, and the crush injury stands the potential of losing limbs." Lachie was amazed.
"She's good Dean." He nodded.
"Alright, Kate, Lachie, take the spinal and head injury. We'll take the crush." Lachie and Kate nodded, and moved towards their patient. Andy switched into rescue mode, and looked over the car. The victim's legs were trapped by the dashboard, and the blood flow was heavily restricted.
"We'll need a combi-tool and a sodium bicarbonate solution on hand. Oxygen is recommended." Dean just stared at Andy. She waited, and then realised she wasn't in charge anymore.
"Oh. I'm sorry, I'm used to just having to do things. I forgot I was in a new team." Dean shook his head.
"No, you're fine. I'll grab those things for you." He jumped up and ran to the patrol. Andy checked the man over.
"Sir, what's your name?"
"Phillip. Phillip Neal." She nodded, and checked over the rest of his body.
"Do you remember what happened?" He shook his head.
"Not really."
"You were in a bit of an accident, and your legs have been trapped by the dash. Don't worry, we'll get you out." The man started to panic, and struggled to pull his own legs free, but to no avail. He stopped, eyes wide with fear.
"No, get me out. Please, get me out!"
Andy ignored the man's panic, and continued to work on him. Dean held the man down as Andy drove the combi-tool into the framework of the car. It lifted, complaining heavily as it rose. Phillip started seizing, and Dean administered the sodium bicarbonate in the attempt to reverse the effects. His legs were badly crushed, Andy could see that, but with hospital care and some physiotherapy, he'd probably be ok. Ambulance's screeched past them, and one pulled up to a halt near Dean and Andy. Two paramedics jumped out from the front cabin, and helped Andy and Dean transfer Phillip onto a gurney, and into the back of the ambulance. Andy filled them in on details, better than Dean himself could have done it. As they ambulance pulled away, sirens blaring, Dean shook hands with Andy.
"Welcome to the team," he said, smiling. She blushed slightly.
"Thanks." Lachie and Kate joined them, having finished with both of their patients. Lachie spoke to Andy.
"Why don't we pick up lunch before we head back, and you can tell us about yourself?"
Lara bundled Mikayla up, getting her ready to go out. She was heading to HQ to visit Jess, and to show Mikayla off for the first time in public. She also had paperwork to fill out. Michelle appeared at the nursery door. She was driving all three of them over to Rescue Base. She wanted to see how Jess was doing.
"Are you ready?" She asked. Lara nodded, and hoisted Mikayla up, and lifted the baby bag up as well. Michelle walked out the door, and Lara locked it awkwardly behind her.
"Thanks for taking us over Michelle." Michelle waved her hand at her.
"It's alright. I wanted to see how Jess was going anyway, and you've given me the excuse to go over." Lara smiled as she buckled Mikayla in, and then climbed into the front seat. Michelle started the engine, and pulled away from the apartment block.
"So how do you think she's doing?" Asked Lara.
"Well, remembering my first day, possibly overwhelmed. There's so much to do that you don't know about." Michelle pulled into the carpark at base, just as the two teams pulled in. Lara got out, and unclipped Mikayla. Dean came over, and kissed Lara's forehead.
"How was last night?" He asked, gently taking Mikayla from her.
"The same as the night before, and the night before that. Screaming in the early hours of morning. I ended up ringing Michelle this morning, I was so exhausted." Dean looked at Mikayla, who stared back at him with jade-green eyes.
"Did you keep your mother up again? Tsk tsk." She waved her arms around, and Dean smiled at her. Lara was relieved to be able to hand her over to someone.
"So what are you doing here?" He asked, still looking at Mikayla.
"I've got to fill in some forms before I can come back to work, and I've got to look at where we're going to set her up here." Dean glanced at Lara.
"She's coming to work?" Lara nodded.
"Vince is fine with it, and Head Office actually gave the thumbs up for it to happen. They don't want to have to replace anyone in our unit, so anything they can do to keep us together, they'll do." Dean headed up the stairs. Andy stood to the side, feeling a little awkward.
"Dean? Who's this?" Asked Lara. Andy stepped forward.
"I'm Andrea Taylor. I'm a transfer from Melbourne, part of a training program being run by Head Office." Lara shook her hand.
"I'm Lara Knight." Andy gasped.
"The Lara Knight? We know all about you in Melbourne RSO. You're like a celebrity." Lara smiled awkwardly, and Andy followed her upstairs.
"And here's our youngest team member!" Said Vince as he took Mikayla from Dean. Michelle stood behind Jess.
"How's everything going?" She asked, as she pulled a chair up to Jess's desk. Jess smiled weakly at her.
"How did you manage this before? There's so much to do."
"It's all to do with time management. You learn how to do it eventually. Anything major happen?" Jess shook her head.
"Only the newbie that you didn't tell me about. That was a very awkward moment when she came in. I had no idea who she was and she wanted you."
"Oh, she arrived? I didn't think she'd be coming this week." Jess nodded, and motioned over in Andy's direction. She was talking to Lachie. Michelle thanked Jess and stood up.
"Andrea Taylor? Hi, I'm Michelle Letourneau. Come into my office." Andy nodded, and followed Michelle into the glass walled room.
"So, Andy. Glad you could make it this week, we weren't expecting you." Andy bobbed her head.
"I thought so. It's alright. Lachie showed me around, and Dean took me out on a rescue today." Michelle sat behind her desk, and scribbled some notes.
"How did you find the rescue? Was it within your capabilities?"
"Of course. I found it rather easy, it was just different to be working with a new team. I'm used to being in a slightly dysfunctional force, and you all work so well together. It was rather exciting for things to happen so smoothly." Michelle laughed.
"Doesn't always happen like that." Michelle's intercom beeped on her desk, and she punched the button.
"What's up Jess?" She asked, still scrawling notes on her paperwork.
"Heidi's on the line. She sounds upset, and says it's urgent."
"Okay," she said distractedly. Andy looked at her.
"Heidi?" Michelle waved an arm at her.
"Yes, Heidi. I'm finished with you now Andy. I'll catch up with you once a month to see how you're going." Andy thanked Michelle, and left the room. Michelle picked up her phone, and heard Heidi crying almost instantly. Michelle grew concerned.
"Heidi? What's wrong?"
"He's gone Michelle." Michelle looked confused.
"Who's gone Heidi? What's going on?" Heidi sobbed into the phone.
"Jordan's gone. I told him I was pregnant, and he got up and left, and I haven't heard from him."
"Heidi, you've got to calm down. I'm sending Chase over to you now, and he'll bring you back here." Heidi hung up and Michelle walked out of her office.
"Chase, can you dash over to Heidi's and pick her up? Dean, Lachie, I need you over here." Chase looked worried.
"What's wrong with Heidi?" He asked.
"I'd prefer not to tell you, just go and pick her up." Chase grabbed his keys, and ran down the stairs. Dean and Lachie congregated near Michelle.
"What's going on?" They asked.
"Jordan's done a runner. Can you two go and check out his favourite haunts? Take Andy and Grommet with you, and do it in teams. Keep us informed." Vince handed Mikayla back to Lara as the two teams disappeared downstairs.
"I'll ring all the local pubs and clubs and see if anyone's seen him." Michelle nodded.
"Thanks Vince." He sat at his desk, and picked up his phone. Michelle turned to Jess.
"I want you to man the radio while Vince is on the phone." Jess looked at her.
"Are you sure? I mean, do you think I'm ready?" Michelle nodded.
"You'll be fine." Lara stood up. Mikayla was getting fussy, and she tried to calm her down.
"Are you alright with her?" Asked Michelle. Lara nodded.
"I think so," Lara answered. She pulled a bottled out of Mikayla's bag, and put it in the microwave to heat it up. She fed Mikayla quickly, and she fell asleep in Lara's arms, almost finished. They heard a car outside, and then Chase brought Heidi upstairs. Lara passed Mikayla to Michelle, and hugged Heidi.
"Hun, what's going on?" She asked, wrapping her arms around her best friend.
"I had to tell Jordan that I'm pregnant, and he left. I don't know what to do." Lara sat her down on the nearest desk chair.
"Heidi, calm down. It's alright. He'll come back eventually." Heidi sniffled, and then continued to sob. Michelle brought over some tissues for her, and she blew her nose loudly into them.
"I'm sorry." Lara laughed a little.
"What are you sorry for Heidi? We're here to support you, and help you."
Dean and Andy drove around town, looking at Jordan's regular hang-outs.
"So what's Jordan like?" Asked Andy, staring out the window.
"Oh, you know. A bit of a wild fire, but ever since he met Heidi, they've both calmed down a little." She nodded.
"Rescue Portable Seven to Rescue Portable Eight. Andy, we think we've found him. He's crashed his car, and it's not looking good." Dean slammed on the brakes, and reversed out of the street they were in. He pulled off his own radio.
"Rescue Portable One to Rescue Portable Six, Lachie, is there any sign of him?" Static crackled back at him, and then Lachie's voice broke the silence.
"Dean, we can see him. He's not in a good way." Kate and Lachie climbed out of the patrol. Jordan's precious lime green car was crumpled against a telegraph pole, and the skid marks on the road indicated that he had swerved to avoid something. They ran forward to his car. Jordan was slumped over the steering wheel, bloody and bruised.
"Rescue Portable Six to Rescue Portable One, Dean, you and Andy need to get here ASAP."
"Copy that Lachie." Kate checked him over.
"He's got a pulse, but it's thready and weak." Lachie nodded.
"Rescue Portable Six to Rescue Base, Vince, we need an ambulance, and quick." A female voice answered him.
"Rescue Base to Rescue Portable Six, Lachie, I'm dispatching an ambulance now."
"Thanks Jess." Dean and Andy's patrol skidded to a halt, and both of them got out.
"Is he alright?" Asked Dean. Kate shook her head.
"I need a cervical collar, and I think he's got a concussion." Jordan's eyes fluttered.
"Hey mate, welcome back to reality," said Lachie. Jordan could feel his world spinning, and his stomach churned with nausea. He heaved, and Kate was only just quick enough to get out of range as he vomited in the car. He couldn't move his head, and started to struggle to breathe. Andy cut in front of Kate, and cleared up around his face. The lacerations on his face continued to bleed as he lay there, panting slightly. Dean took action.
"Okay, spinal collar, spine board, combi-tool." The ambulance stopped nearby to them, and the paramedics waited for their cue from Dean. Lachie brought over the combi-tool, and wedged it into the space between the door and the frame, and flipped the switch. In minutes he had the door opened, and threw the tool aside. Kate brought over the spine board, and handed Andy a spinal collar. She carefully wrapped it around Jordan's neck, making sure he didn't shift. Working with Kate, they carefully transferred Jordan onto the spine board, and his breathing went haywire. Andy pulled an oxygen mask out of her kit, and snapped it over Jordan's face.
"Come on Jordan, don't leave us now." He blacked out again, and then seized. Kate and Andy rolled him into the recovery position as he came out of it, and threw up again. The paramedics took the places of Andy and Kate, and put Jordan in the ambulance.
"Rescue Portable One to Rescue Base, he's in the ambulance on the way to the hospital."
"Copy that. Thanks Dean." Jess lent back, and dropped the headset on the desk. She glanced over at Heidi.
"He's on his way to the hospital now, Heidi." Heidi nodded, and stood up, making her way to the bathroom. She stopped on her way, and doubled over, clutching her stomach. Lara came over to her, and knelt down beside her as Heidi dropped to the floor.
"Heidi, are you okay?" She shook her head, and panted a little.
"Please, not again." Heidi dashed into the bathroom and locked the door. Lara knocked on the door.
"Heidi. Heidi, come on." Heidi sat in the bathroom. She knew what was going on. It had happened before, and she just hadn't told anybody. She'd had a check-up at the doctors and was told she was at almost two months, and now it was happening again. She was losing the baby. She clutched her stomach as another wave of cramps hit her, and the tears rolled down her face. She'd never wanted anything more than this, and now, her chance at motherhood was being snatched away from her again. She splashed cold water on her face, and sobbed louder. She didn't want this to happen.
"Heidi, talk to me. What's going on?" Lara leant against the door. Michelle looked at Lara, and shrugged her shoulders. Jess looked at the rest of the team, slightly confused as to what's going on. Chase stood up, and put his hands on Jess's wheelchair.
"I think we might go." She nodded, and he wheeled her into the lift, making a quiet exit. Vince got up and knocked on the bathroom door as well.
"Heidi-Ho, come on." She opened the door, and Lara fell inside. Heidi's face was tear-streaked and puffy, and her hair was a mess. Vince held out his arms, and Heidi fell into them, weeping. He held her close, and rocked her slightly. Lara rubbed her back.
"Heidi, what's going on?" Asked Lara quietly. Heidi shook her head. She wasn't ready to explain to the rest of the world. Dean, Andy, Kate and Lachie arrived back, and looked slightly confused as to what was going on. Dean took Mikayla off Michelle, and Lara stood up.
"Call me if you need to babe," said Lara. She walked out with Dean. Kate waited patiently for her father, sitting at his desk. Heidi pushed him away.
"Are you alright?" He asked. She shook her head.
"Lachie, can you take her home?" Asked Michelle. He nodded, and wrapped an arm around Heidi, and led her downstairs to the car. She was trying to compose herself, but failed miserably. The car trip back to her place was quiet, punctuated only by sniffles from Heidi. He pulled up out the front of her house.
"Are you sure you'll be okay." She nodded.
"I'll be fine. Thanks for dropping me home." She climbed out, and watched as Lachie drove away. She unlocked the front door with shaky hands, and stepped inside. The tears flowed faster now she was alone. She kicked a chair viciously as she walked past into the bedroom. She fell onto the bed, and cried her heart out, wishing Jordan was there with her.
Jordan awoke the next morning to a splitting headache. The nurse came in and checked his IV drips.
"How are you this morning sir?" He rubbed his head, upsetting the cuts on his face. She grabbed his hand, pulling it away from his face.
"Be careful, you don't want to break those open," she said, smiling. He sat up, looking for Heidi.
"Did my girlfriend come in last night?" The nurse shook her head.
"No-one came in last night. Is there someone I can ring for you?" Jordan shook his head, regretting it when stars sprang into his eyes. He knew if Heidi hadn't of come last night, then she wouldn't be coming at all. She was probably still angry at him for leaving so abruptly. The nurse glanced at him, and left. Lachie sidled in after she left.
"Hey Jordan, how you doing?" He shrugged his shoulder.
"Got a bit of a headache, but I'll be alright." He was quiet. Lachie took a seat next to his bed.
"Has Heidi talked to you at all since yesterday?" Jordan shook his head.
"No. She's probably still angry for me leaving yesterday."
"Something happened last night. None of the girls will talk about it, and Heidi's not answering her phone."
"What happened?" Asked Jordan.
"I have no idea, I was busy saving you from your destroyed car." Jordan sighed.
"I'm not ready to be a dad. I lied when I told her she could have kids, and I would be okay with it, but I'm just not. I had to get out, needed some time to think. I just drove, not really thinking about what I was doing. I didn't see the other driver until I swerved and tried to brake. After that, I remember some chick looking after me." Lachie snickered.
"Yeah, that's Andy."
"Andy?" Asked Jordan.
"New trainee from Melbourne. She's pretty smokin'. That's not the point though mate. I think Heidi's hurt by what you did. She rang Michelle in hysterics last night, and Chase had to bring her to HQ. She was in a panic over where you'd gone, and what she'd said. You really need to talk to her. Last night was the quietest car trip back to your place I've ever had to go through, and Heidi being quiet means there's something serious going on." Jordan nodded.
"I need to get out of here," said Jordan, tugging at his IV lines. A nurse came in as the alarms sounded.
"Sir, you need to leave the lines in." He shook his head.
"What I need to do is get to my girlfriend."
"You mean you want to be discharged?" Jordan nodded his head.
"The doctor recommends you stay here for another night." Jordan shook his head.
"No, I need to go." The nurse sighed and left. Minutes later she returned with paperwork. She handed it to him unhappily, and he scrawled his name on the line. She unhooked his lines, and he climbed out of the bed, unsteady.
"Mate, I really think you should stick around a little longer," said Lachie, concerned.
"No. I need you to drop me off at Heidi's house." Lachie shrugged his shoulders, and led Jordan out of the hospital. He climbed into his car, and they arrived at Heidi's after ten minutes. Jordan got out.
"Thanks Lachie. I owe you." Lachie drove away, and Jordan jogged up to the door. He pulled out his keys and opened the door.
"Heidi?" He called. A sob responded to his call. He closed the front door.
"Heidi, where are you?" He checked room as he walked past, and realised she was in the master bedroom. He pushed the door open gently, and found Heidi curled up into a ball, sobbing. He sat on the bed.
"Heidi, what's going on?" She sniffled, and tried to get herself under control. She looked a mess, but Jordan thought she still looked beautiful. He gathered her up in his arms.
"You don't have to worry anymore." He felt confused.
"Worry about what?" He asked. She cried harder, and started hiccupping.
"I lost the baby Jordan." He felt his heart breaking, and wished he hadn't left last night. Heidi had needed him, and he'd only been concerned with himself. He kissed the top of her head, never wanting to let her go.
"I'm so sorry Heidi." She pushed him away.
"Get out," she said quietly, wiping her eyes.
"What?" He asked, trying to draw her closer. She pushed him away, and yelled at him angrily.
"Get out!"
Chase and Jess awoke around the same time the next morning, Chase's phone ringing. He leant over and picked it up blearily.
"Hello?"
"Chase, it's Jordan. Did Heidi come into work yesterday?" Jordan hadn't been allowed in yesterday, as he was still deemed medically unfit. He would get clearance today or tomorrow.
"Um, don't think so. We were pretty flat out yesterday." Chase rolled over to Jess.
"Babe, did Heidi come in yesterday?" She nodded her head.
"She filed for about a month's leave." Chase looked shocked.
"You didn't think to tell me?"
"I was tired last night too. It didn't cross my mind." Chase rolled flat on his back.
"I don't think she's coming back for at least a month. Jess said she asked for a month's leave. Do you know why?"
"Nope. Well, sorry to have woken you so early." Jordan sounded disheartened.
"It's cool. See you later today." Chase hung up and moved back over next to Jess, and leant in to kiss her. She shook her head.
"No Chase. I'm not feeling well today. I think it was what we had for dinner last night, it didn't sit well with me." She just felt nauseated. Chase nodded, and got up, kissing her lightly on the forehead.
"I think I'll make breakfast for a change."
Michelle came into the office early, to file some paperwork. She checked Jess's desk for what she was looking for, and found Heidi's leave form on the desk. She scanned through it as Vince walked up the stairs.
"What's this?" She asked. Vince peered over her shoulder.
"Heidi's absence form. I didn't know she was applying for leave."
"Well, apparently she is, and Jess signed it off." Vince sighed.
"I guess I'll have to re-arrange the teams." Unfamiliar footsteps sounded up the stairwell.
"Maybe you won't." A young man stood at the top of the stairs.
"Michelle Letourneau?" He asked. Michelle nodded. He pulled a bundle of papers out of his bag.
"Lucas Hansen. I'm one of the team members from Melbourne, coming up as part of the training program. I believe Andy Taylor has already arrived." Michelle nodded, and checked his forms.
"Okay Lucas, everything seems to be in order. Vince here will show you your locker, and your desk, and we'll assign you to a team later." Lucas nodded, and followed Vince down the stairs. Michelle sat at her desk, and ran her fingers through her hair. She wasn't even supposed to be in today, and already her teams were looking shattered. Lachie came up the stairs, and looked at Michelle, and then sat at his desk quietly. More of the team trickled in during the hour, and sat quietly at their desks. Jess came in a little late, Chase behind her. Michelle stuck her head out of her office.
"Jess." She wheeled herself inside.
"What's wrong Michelle?"
"Did Heidi give you any reason for this absence?" She asked, waving the papers in front of her. Jess shook her head.
"No, she was upset though." Michelle nodded.
"Thanks Jess." Jess left the office, and wheeled herself out to her own desk, and started her own pile of paperwork. Vince gathered the team in the main office, and Michelle came out to meet with them.
"Alright, I've re-arranged the teams for the next month. With Heidi's absence, I've had to change them up a little, but we should be alright. Dean, Lara's coming back this week, so you two are back on the same team. Chase, you can work with Andy. Jordan, meet Lucas, your new partner, and Kate and Lachie are still teamed together." Lachie groaned. He wanted to be paired with Andy. Kate glared at him, and stormed off down stairs. Lachie was oblivious to the moment.
"Alright Vince, they're your teams. I'm going to finish some work, and head out." He nodded. Michelle returned to her office, and sat at her desk. She began filling in paperwork, but had to stop when the words began swimming in front of her. She flipped off her computer, and put her head on her arms.
"I'll just sleep for a moment," she mumbled to herself, and drifted off. Dean knocked on the door, and saw Michelle slumped over her desk. He opened the door quietly, and tip-toed in carefully. She was still breathing, so she hadn't died or anything. He laid a hand on her forehead, and flinched when he realised how warm she was. He shook her gently, trying to wake her.
"Michelle, wake up. I think you should go home. You're running a temperature." She woke suddenly, and wiped her eyes.
"That sounds like a good idea," she murmured. Dean nodded, and helped her down stairs. She made it to her car, and rested her head on her steering wheel. She'd never felt worse in her life. She floated off to sleep again…