A/N This is my first try at this, so bear with me. Please read, review, and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own no part of Crossing Jordan.
Chapter 1- Survival
Just as their lips part, the faint sound of helicopters could be heard. They stare at each other in disbelief. "It can't be." Jordan said in utter disbelief.
"It is Jordan, it is." Woody replied. The gang gathered together as the helicopter came in for its landing.
One of the crewmen came off to access the situation. "Who's in charge here?" Everyone looked between Jordan and Kate.
Kate spoke up, "she is. Well, actually our chief is, but he is seriously injured." They all began walking in the direction of Garret.
"He has internal bleeding and is slipping fast. We have to get him off now." Jordan said, the look of concern clear on her face. Two other crew members came to help them get Garret on the stretcher and loaded into the chopper. "We have room for one other person."
"Nige, go with him, you need your arm checked out. The rest of us are fine to wait," Jordan responded. Everyone nodded in agreement. Nigel started to disagree but one look from Kate and he stopped. He boarded the chopper with Garret.
"Unfortunately, due to the weather, the other chopper couldn't get up here. We have brought emergency supplies and are leaving one of our crewmen here with you to help prepare for the night. It looks like it will be mid-afternoon tomorrow before things will clear up enough to get back. We have to go before we can't make it out. Listen to Sergeant Miller. He can keep you all safe." With that the crewmen threw out 3 large duffle bags and the chopper took off. Woody came up behind Jordan, and felt her half collapse into him.
"Ok, we have everything we need to make it through even the worse night up here, but I need all of your help to get everything set up." With that the group helped set up the ECXT (Extreme Cold Weather Tent). This would be their home for the next 24 hours.
Once everyone was inside, Sergeant Miller began to debrief them on the next 24 hours. "This tent what the military uses in the most extreme conditions. We are expected to received about 12 inches of snow and have a wind chill of more than -40°. No one leaves this tent for any reason, we have everything we need here. The storm is expected to hit suddenly and ferociously and I don't want anyone caught outside in it. There are 5 of us left up here. We only have enough sleeping bags for 4 of us, so 2 will need to share." All eyes fell upon the obvious couple who would share. "I have enough food and water to last us at least 4 days. While the store is expected to be over within 24 these things can be unpredictable. I have also brought with me first aid supplies. Now I know that most of you were doctors. We need for each of you to pair up and check each other out thoroughly. Check for early signs of frostbite or other minor injuries. Don't hold anything back, we need to know of even the most minor things. Before we do that, I want to get something warm into each of you. This will be our only warm meal while we are up here, but I am sure you need something substantial to make up for what you haven't had up here. I have 3 thermoses of hot soup. There is also some bread. Take what you need, there is more than enough for all of us to share."
The group was rather quiet. Everyone was worried about Garret, but then again, the fear of whether they would make it off the mountain alive was still all too present.
"Jordan, come on, you have to eat." Woody said gently.
"I know, I just…." Her voice trailed off.
The group started separating out within the ECWT and quiet conversations were going on. Jordan and woody were off to one side. He had already eaten his share of the meal, and was coaxing her to eat as well. "Jordan we are all worried about Garret and Nigel. We are all afraid we won't make it off the mountain. Come on, you have to eat. We need each other to be strong," he said in a soft voice. He tilted her chin so that she was looking him in the eye, "I need you Jordan. I love you and I need you." A tear made its way down Woody's cheek.
With that Jordan took another bite, slowly finishing her meal. Just as she finished, the winds began to pick up.
"Well, before we lose the daylight, help check each other over. Check the extremities well, that is where frost bite is most likely to occur," Sergeant Miller said.
"We are doctors, we know where frostbite strikes first," Kate sassed back.
"Forgive her," Bug said glaring in her direction. "She tends to be a little…"
"A little what? What am I a little of Bug? A little angry that we are up here? A little scared that I will die in the present company? What exactly am I a little of?" Kate snapped back.
"Woah Kate, settle down. We are all frustrated. The Sergeant is right though, we need to make sure everyone is as healthy as we can be."
"Well, if you think I am showing anything to these guys, you are crazy!"
"Kate, you and I can go back over there and the guys can stay over here." They paired off. Each removed gloves and their boots and socks. No one appeared to be worse for the wear.
"Now, how is everyone feeling internally. Aches, pains?" The Sergeant asked as everyone reconvened. Everyone shook their heads, everyone except Jordan who tried to just ignore the question.
Just then, the wind began howling and the tent started to get very dark.
"Ok everyone, the storm is hitting. I would recommend that everyone begin making their way into their sleeping bags. Soon we will be in complete darkness until the storm passes. I'm giving everyone a flashlight, use it if you must, but try not to. There are facilities over here if you need to use the restroom. Otherwise, it is best if everyone stays in their bags.
Everyone did as they were told. Jordan and Woody positioned their sleeping bag slightly off to the side of the tent, while the others congregated in the middle. All were staring up at the top of the tent, wondering if they would make it out alive. The room was silent, except for the howling wind outside. The cold and fear had settled among those in the tent.
Jordan and Woody were snuggled into each others arms. He could feel the tension and fear in her body. "I love you" he said into her ear.
"I love you too Woody. I have from the moment we met. I know I have driven you away, more than a few times. I know that was wrong, but I guess I just wasn't ready then."
"Are you ready now?" He asked hesitantly, fearing she would say no.
"I am ready Woody. I have been so scared up here, all this time. I have been so scared something would happen to you. It took me back to when you were shot. I just couldn't envision my life without you. I have always felt that there was this piece that was missing. I assumed it was from my mom, and part of it is. But a larger part, a larger part of what is missing is you." She stopped, if she continued, she knew she would break down. They laid in silence for a while.
"I love you," said Woody as began to feel Jordan relax. No sooner had he begun to drift off to sleep when he heard a loud crack and a rumble in the distance.