Chapter Three-
"Dammit Lachie, don't give up on me now. Breathe!" Dean started CPR on his brother, praying that it would work. The ambulance crews showed up for Bree and Jack, and took them away to RPA. Jake Hudson pulled out his own mobile, and dialled triple-zero. They would need an ambulance for Lachie, and he was pretty sure neither of the Gallagher's nor Jordan would think to arrange that. Jordan started the compressions on Lachie, counting under his breath. Chase wrung his hands in despair. He didn't want to lose his brother, not now.

"Come on Lachie, you can do it!" Nothing. Then, as Jordan pulled his hands away, Lachie's chest rose on its own. Dean grabbed an oxygen mask, and placed it over Lachie's head. He was still unconscious, but was starting to come around.

"What? What's going on?" His voice was muffled by the mask.

"Just lay there Lachie. Relax. You collapsed after rescuing Bree from the building, and you've got mild smoke inhalation. The ambos will pick you up in about five minutes." Lachie ripped the mask off his face.

"No. I don't want to go." Dean and Chase looked incredulous.

"You're refusing treatment?"

"Yep." He struggled to stand, Jordan supporting him.

"We still have one kid to find. Let's find him, get out of here, and then maybe I'll consider some kind of medical treatment." Dean and Chase looked at each other. It wasn't ideal, but they needed to find Jesse, and then get of there so the police and fire crews could clean up the damage.

"Ok. You stay with me though, so I can keep an eye on you. Chase, Jordan. We're going to head over and check the drama department. Can you two check the library?"

"Sure Dean." Chase glared at Lachie, who shrugged his shoulders. He had no intention of getting medical treatment, but he had to say something to convince his two brothers to leave him alone. The two teams separated, Jake in tow with Dean and Lachie.

"Jesse. Jesse Davis."

"Can you hear me? We're with Rescue Special Operations." Dean and Lachie looked at each other. No sound. Then out of the corner of his eye, Dean noticed someone huddled in the corner. He pointed them out to Lachie. He nodded, and started to circle around, blocking all exits.

"Jesse?"

"Go away."

"Jesse, it's ok, we're here to get you out."

"Team Delta to Team Alpha, Dean, there's no-one here in the library. Just a bunch of books."

"Copy that Team Alpha. I think we found Jesse in the drama department. Do you want to meet us up here?" Lachie spoke quietly into his radio, not wanting to frighten the already spooked boy.

"Jesse, it's ok. We got every-one out. They'll be fine, now we need to get you out so we can treat you." Jesse nodded, then tried to bolt for the stairwell. Lachie tackled him to the ground.

"Listen mate. We just want to treat you. Let us treat you, and you can go, whatever you want to do." Jesse stopped struggling and Lachie released him. They led him down the stairs outside, where Chase and Jordan met them. Jesse tensed in Dean's grip.

"Chill mate. They're friends. A part of the team." Jesse relaxed. Jordan and Chase led Jesse over to a bench outside the student centre, and checked him over.

"He's only got a superficial laceration on his head. Possible concussion, but I can't be sure."

"I don't want to go in an ambulance." Chase looked at Jordan.

"What is with people and ambulances today?" Jordan shrugged.

"You don't want to go, then you need to sign a release form say that you refused treatment."

"Yeah, whatever. Hurry up and give it to me so I can go." Chase and Jordan exchanged glances, then handed Jesse the necessary paperwork so he could be released. After a few minutes, he handed it back to them signed and completed. They nodded at him, and he quickly left.

"Come on guys, let's pack up." Jake slapped Dean on the back.

"Nice working with you again Gallagher. I've got to clean up the mess that some bastards left me with." Dean grinned, and put his hand on Jake's back.

"Have fun mate." Jake laughed, and jogged off towards his truck.

"Lachie, you're with me. We're heading straight to the hospital. Jordan, you take the other patrol and Chase, you take Vince's truck."

"Mate, I'm fine. Take Jordan with you to the hospital, I'll take the patrol."

"You sure Lachie?"

"Yeah mate, I'm fine. I'll see you back at HQ." Lachie waved away Dean's concerns. Chase finished loading up the second patrol, and jumped into Vince's truck.

"See you back at HQ Lachie!" Chase sped out of the carpark.

"Yeah, yeah," muttered Lachie under his breath, as he turned the patrol out of the gates.

RPA Hospital:

"Michelle, what's going on?" Jordan charged into the ICU. Michelle grabbed him around the tops of his arms.

"Calm down Jordan. She's not regained consciousness yet. They're still trying to check her over. She hasn't got a bleed on the brain, which is good news. They're just monitoring her now, and they'll check her mental status when she wakes up. She just needs time to heal Jordan." He nodded.

"Can I still go in there?"

"Of course Jordan." Dean stayed outside with Michelle.

"How's Vince?"

"He's alright now. Feeling a little stupid because of what happened, but otherwise. His heart's doing better too, but he's on desk work. No more joining you out on rescues anymore, it's too dangerous." Dean nodded.

"I have to agree with you there Michelle. He's fine co-ordinating, but if there's the possibility this could happen again, then we can't have him doing active duties." A familiar voice interrupted their conversation.

"Dean?" Dean turned around to see Lara Knight standing in the hall.

"Lara! What are you doing here?" He embraced her lightly.

"I heard that Heidi was in hospital. I was going to come in and find out why."

"From who? Wait… Jake Hudson." She nodded.

"So why are you all here? Other than Heidi of course."

"Vince is in here too." Lara gasped.

"What happened?"

"He was assisting us at a rescue out at Drummoyne, and had a heart attack.

"Is he alright?"

"He's alright now, but he was belaying Heidi down a wall when it happened. He let go of her rope, and she cracked her head on the concrete, and bruised her shins." Lara looked shocked.

"Is she awake yet?" Asked Lara.

"No. Vince is, if you feel like going up and convincing him that he's not as stupid as he thinks he is," answered Michelle. Lara nodded, and left.

"Is there any…?"

"No Michelle." Dean's phone jingled in his pocket. He pulled it out, and read the caller ID: Chase.

"Yeah, what's up Chase?" Dean sounded annoyed

"Is Lachie with you?"

"No Chase. He was supposed to be there with you at HQ."

"Yeah, well, he's not."

"Is the patrol there?"

"Nope. Just Vince's truck." Dean pondered this, then heard a phone ringing in the background.

"Chase, what's that?"

"It's Vince's desk phone."

"Answer it. It might be a rescue."

"Alright! Keep your pants on; I'll be back in few minutes." Chase put his mobile on his desk and reached for Vince's phone.

"Hello, Rescue Special Ops." Chase answered the phone as professionally as he could.

"What?"

"Where?"

"Ok, thank you." Chase hung up and sat heavily in the office chair. He picked up his mobile.

"Dean, I know where Lachie is."

"Where?"

"He crashed the patrol into a telegraph pole. Someone just called it in to us."

"Ok Chase. Log it in the books and take the Rescue truck. I'll meet you there." Dean almost dropped his phone; his hands were shaking so much. Michelle looked at him.

"What's up Dean?"

"Lachie's been in an accident." She gasped, just as Lara came out of the elevator.

"Vince is asl… What's going on guys?" She asked, noting their concerned faces.

"Lachie's been in an accident. Chase and I are about to head out there now, Jordan will stay here with Heidi." Dean answered, heading towards the lift.

"Could you use a hand?" He turned back.

"Are you offering?" She smiled.

"Maybe."

"Come on then."

North Shore Sydney:

With blaring sirens, Dean and Lara sped towards the North Shore. Chase had messaged Dean the details, and would meet him there.

"There, I see it!" Lara called. Dean slammed on the brakes, and jumped out of the patrol, dashing towards Lachie. Lara got out, and started to assess the situation.

"Lachie! Lachie!" The car was smoking slightly, steam pouring from the engine bay. The front window was smashed, and the front of the car was crumpled like a tin can. Chase pulled up minutes later. He sprinted for the smashed patrol as well; concern for his brother the only force driving him faster. Lara took control, catching Chase before he got to Lachie.

"Chase. We need the combi-tool to get the driver door off and the medi-kits. Can you grab them, and bring them over. Dean, can you help Chase? Set up a perimeter until the police get here."

"But Lach…"

"No buts. Just do it!" Lara took charge of the situation, knowing the boys were a little stressed over what was happening. She started to assess Lachie. Chase brought over a medi-kit for her, then set about clearing the area.

"Lachie. Can you hear me mate?" He stirred in the passenger seat. Lara pulled out the monitor, and attached the various wires to him.

"Wha.. happened?"

"You were in a bit of an accident. Do you remember your full name?" She put an oxygen mask over his nose and mouth.

"Lachie… Lachie Gallagher." He started to panic a little when he realised he was trapped. "Shh Lachie. It's alright. Take a deep breath. Do you remember what happened?"

"I was driving, then everything blacked out. Next thing I know, you're here, and I've done some damage to the patrol."

"Ok, good. Can you feel your legs and arms?" He started to nod.

"Don't nod! Don't move your head. Let me put a collar on you first."

"Alright." She fastened a collar around his neck, making sure it was secure.

"Do you remember anything else today?"

"It's all a bit fuzzy." He started to slur his words.

"Lachie? You alright?"

"Yea… Jus' tire…"

"Don't go to sleep on me. Stay awake." She leant away from Lachie and yelled at Chase.

"Chase, hurry up with the combi-tool. We've got to get him out of here now." Chase sped over with the combi-tool.

"Lar… don' leav…"

"I'm not leaving Lachie. I'm right here." Chase found purchase in the door frame, and switched the combi-tool on, wrenching the door from the frame. As he tore it off, Lachie dropped unconscious, monitors beeping. Chase pulled the door off and placed it to the side.

"Lara!" She pushed Chase aside.

"No pulse." She checked his airways.

"Not breathing either. Dean!"

"What?"

"Grab the defib, he's in cardiac arrest." Dean was beside Lara in seconds, and placed the defibrillator next to her.

"Take over the compressions. I'll set-up the defib." As Lara tore the packaging off the pads, her phone rang. It was Michelle. Lara pressed it to her ear, holding it up with her shoulder.

"Lara, what's going on?"

"I'm a little busy Michelle."

"Put me on speaker then." Lara put the phone down, and pressed speakerphone.

"Dean, Chase? Sit-rep." Michelle's voice sounded tinny through the phone speakers. Chase answered her.

"Lachie's gone into cardiac arrest. We're trying to revive him." Michelle was quiet.

"Ready?"

"Clear!"

"Shocking!" Called Lara. Lachie's body tensed as the shock pulsed through him, and then relaxed.

"I've got a pulse!" A wave of relief flowed through the trio attending Lachie, and an ambulance pulled up beside them. As they transferred over, Lara picked up her phone, and switched off the speaker, putting it back up against her ear.

"So Michelle, I've been thinking about coming back to Rescue."