AN: We're on the home straight now. Thanks again for the reviews.
The Morning After - Chapter 4:
As soon as Oz had gone, Toby moved to sit by Richie's head and rested the fingers of his left hand on the boy's pulse. The near-silence in the tunnel was punctuated by the sound of strained breathing and the occasional quiet sob. A stab of doubt ran through Toby as he wondered what he'd be able to do one-handed if either boy got worse. Cautiously he shifted his right arm, testing his range of motion; he didn't get very far before the surge of pain quickly made him change his mind. For a while he sat, silently counting the pulse beneath his fingers as a distraction from the pain in his head and shoulder.
Toby didn't know how long it had been when a harsh rasping cough broke the quiet. He swore mentally to himself; he should have been paying attention to both patients. Shuffling round, he managed to support Ryan with his good arm as the coughs turned to gasps, and then retching.
"Hey, Ryan. Are you still with me?" he asked gently trying to keep the stress and worry from his voice.
The teenager spat a couple of times before he lifted his head. "Yeah," he replied weakly.
Toby rubbed him lightly on the back a couple of times. "I need you to tell me if you start to feel worse okay?" At Ryan's nod he moved back to his position at Ritchie's head. "So how did you find this place?" he asked, trying to get Ryan talking.
"Exploring," came the quiet reply.
Toby grimaced, not liking the slight slur in the boy's voice. "I used to hang out in a few places like this, mainly on the other side of the city." Mainly when he was running from kids that wanted to beat him up or foster families that didn't really want him. Ryan didn't respond, so Toby pushed on, "Ryan, can you tell me what happened today?"
That got a reaction. Toby winced as the boy's thoughts became louder, flaring up in panic and fear. He saw what happened at the same time as Ryan spoke. "I pushed him."
I killed him!
Toby took a deep breath and concentrated again on the pulse beneath his fingers, working to block out the intense thoughts. When he'd achieved some semblance of control, he turned back to Ryan. "You were fighting?" He phrased it as a question even though he knew the answer, and at the brief nod he continued. "Then it was an accident, it's not your fault."
Ryan looked at him, disbelief in his eyes. "He was going to stop me from coming here; they didn't want me around anymore." There was a muffled sob.
"Go on," Toby prompted.
"I hit him, pushed him and he fell. He said I was just a stupid kid." The tone was bitter, but Toby felt relieved; Ryan was talking and beginning to sound more coherent. "What about your other friends? The ones that rang us?" he asked.
"They aren't my friends, they do what Richie says. They ran away."
"And you stayed," Toby added.
Ryan moved closer and looked down at his injured friend. "Am I in trouble?" he asked quietly.
Toby smiled the question. "A bit maybe, but you stayed, and probably saved his life." Toby looked at the serious expression and added, "Anyway, I thought teenage boys were always trouble?"
Ryan snuffled a little laugh. "You were a kid once," he mumbled.
Toby laughed as well. "How do you think I know? I was always in trouble."
"Really?"
Toby could see Ryan's interest peak. Teenage kids seemed to be fascinated with the 'bad boy' image. He didn't think it would help the mood to go into details about his stormy childhood and the constant trail of foster homes. But he decided to throw out a few hints, if only to keep the conversation going. "Well I suppose it's nothing to be proud of, but I burnt down a few things, including a garage. I got caught breaking into a couple of places. Oh and there was an incident with a donkey at a farm park, I broke my leg in two places."
Ryan's eyes widened even more. "A donkey?"
"What donkey?" It was Oz, and Toby glanced round at him, relieved.
Cavalry is on its way, Oz thought. Then, aloud, "How are you guys doing? And what donkey?"
Toby smiled. "We're doing good aren't we?" At Ryan's nod he continued, "I got into a bit of a fight with one when I was growing up; let's just say I'm not all that keen on them now."
Oz grinned at Ryan as he knelt next to Toby, nudging him to the side so he could take his place at Richie's head. "Now that's a story I have to hear." Oz glanced sideways at Toby, his expression serious. Going to be little while partner. They need to find a good route in.
Toby nodded slightly to indicate he understood and shuffled out of Oz's way. He settled back down close just in case he was needed and then, taking in a deep breath, launched into the story.
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He was just finishing his story when Toby felt them. He trailed off and looked up abruptly, peering into the darkness of the tunnel. He couldn't distinguish individual thoughts, but people, a lot of people, were getting close now. Oz was watching him closely and Toby looked back to him. "They're here."
His partner turned round in time to see the first hints of torchlight breach the darkness. "About time. Hey! Guys! Over here!" Oz stood and flashed his torch a couple of times as the figures took shape in the arch of the gloomy tunnel.
*****************
He was pretty much sidelined once the help arrived. Dispatch had sent two crews and a full fire and rescue team, and none of them had use for an injured paramedic. He shifted out the way, cautiously leaning his left side against the tunnel wall as he sat with his eyes shut, listening to Oz update everyone on the situation.
With nothing to do, the adrenaline was beginning to wear off and Toby was starting to really feel his injuries. His headache had come back with a vengeance, not helped by the growing number of people in close proximity. He didn't have the energy to try to block out all the thoughts properly, so he rested his head against the wall and focused on the feeling of the cool bricks against his temple.
"Logan? Toby." A hand touched his knee and Toby opened his eyes to see one of the paramedics, Sara Murphy, kneeling in front of him. "Hey, mind if I check you out?" She gestured to his shoulder. God he looks out of it. Is Oz sure he isn't concussed?
Toby took a deep breath and tried to pull himself together; his head wasn't fine but it had nothing to do with concussion, and the last thing he need right now was an overnight stay in hospital. Steeling himself, Toby smiled as her. "Go ahead; I could use a second opinion from someone who knows what they are doing."
She grinned in response and he felt her worry dissipate a bit. Her exam was quick and efficient, though a little painful. He stole a quick glance at his exposed shoulder as she dug an ice pack out of her gear and winced; it was black and very swollen.
"Not looking so good huh." She handed him the ice pack and let him judge where to hold it and how much pressure to use. "I'm going to immobilize it before we extract yo…" she paused awkwardly, "before we get the boys out."
The shock of the ice on his shoulder was helping to clear his head. "Sara, I fell down a few stairs during a call out. I'm okay, just a bit banged up." He paused, enjoying the relief the ice pack was providing. "As you guys are going to rag on me for weeks about this can we start now and get it over with sooner?"
"Not a chance, mate."
"No."
"No way partner."
There were at least four different responses, and Toby groaned, "Thanks guys". He held as still as possible as Sara fitted the brace, trying not to clench his jaw at the pain. After she was done Sara looked at him, sheepishly biting her bottom lip. "Toby…"
"I can walk," he snapped before she could offer him another option; then, realizing his mistake, he added, "If that's what you were going to ask."
She shook her head at him but didn't push the issue. "Okay then, it'll save on trips back and forth anyway."
Looking round, Toby realized that Ryan was strapped on a backboard and ready to go, and Sara's partner was waiting for them. The others were still tending to Richie and bringing in the gear needed to cut him free. He knew he was in the way, and that it made sense to ride back with the first rig, but it annoyed him that he couldn't help out. He stood slowly, hoping despite the cramp and the pain in his shoulder that he was really alright to walk. Calling out a 'see you' to Oz he nodded at the other paramedics and then followed them back through the tunnels.
A set of rescue ladders and a hoist had been erected in front of the broken wooden steps, and Toby eyed them pensively as the backboard with Ryan on it was half-carried half-hoisted up to ground level. It was a bit of a struggle with one hand, but he managed the ladders without incident. He was grateful neither Sara nor her partner, who were waiting at the top, aired their thoughts.
When he reached the top he was surprised to see bright daylight flooding the factory. The big metal doors had been opened and sunlight streamed into the decrepit old building. Toby flinched and put his free hand up to shade his eyes while they adjusted. It was strange to think it was still morning; it felt like it should be later. A quick glance at his watch told him it had only been a couple of hours since his shift started; the whole ordeal had felt like it had taken days. As they left the factory, he was even more surprised to see several uniformed police holding back a crowd of onlookers and photographers. Ignoring the shouted requests from the press, Toby cast a longing look over to his rig--which was still parked where he and Oz had left it--and then awkwardly pulled himself into the waiting ambulance.
