A/N: Sorry once again with the delays, I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year, this story is almost over, just a couple more chapters left. Please read and review as always.
Chapter Nine –
August quickly gave way to September, followed closely by a beautiful October as all the leaves began to change. Dave and Kurt were enjoying their new little family, while neither one spoke of forever yet, there was a hint there of something that Dave hoped would blossom further into a life and future with Kurt Hummel.
But as Dave stepped into the bedroom, looking at the fire licking the sides of the walls, he realized he'd underestimated what fate thought of him and Kurt Hummel.
It was a fire on the outskirts of New York, they pulled the truck to a stop in front of the blazing fire, and he studied the house for a moment before nodding to his men. Dave glanced over at a two children standing by the ambulance, "Is anyone left inside?" Dave asked the girl, she was probably in her late teens, her face covered with soot and tears. She was holding onto a smaller boy, probably about ten.
The teen nodded, "My dad, my mom is away at a conference," she cried.
"What's going on?" Jim walked up behind him.
Dave cursed under his breath, "Let's go, we've got someone inside, we're looking for a male about—" He called into his radio.
"Thirty," The teen provided.
Jim clapped Dave on the shoulder, "Let's go. Go in the same way we came out," stated Jim. Dave nodded as they gently smacked helmets together then pulled their masks on. Dave considered how the movies man firefighting out to be rather glorious at times. What they didn't say was the first things that hit you. The absolute stifling heat, sure it makes sense, fire equals hot, thus it would be hot in the house. But it wasn't just that, the gear firefighters wore was around thirty to sixty pounds of additional weight, and it was all fire proof, in most cases that meant that it trapped the heat in as much as it kept it out.
"I'm going upstairs," Dave called over his radio, testing the stairs to make sure they'd hold his weight. Heading upstairs into the hallway, he made note of a couple weakened floor boards, the fire hadn't originated from upstairs that much was for sure. It was lapping up the sides of the wall and through the banister though. The house would be a complete loss.
Remaining close to the wall, which would have additional support, he headed for the closed bedroom door at the opposite end of the hall, from what he assumed was the kids' bedroom, as both of those doors were open. He knocked on the door, before pushing it open.
Stepping through the room, he looked down at the bed and found the man still asleep, as if he'd never even woken up. "How does anyone miss this," he muttered, he took off his glove and reached out to check a pulse, feel his heart stop when he realized there wasn't one. "I need a back board in here!" Dave ordered over his radio.
A moment later two of the other men came in, "He's not breathing, and he's got no pulse, lets get him out." They quickly rolled the man onto the backboard and he watched the two carrying him through the hallway as carefully as they could. He quickly headed to follow them, when he heard a terrifying creak and crack beneath his feet at the hallway. The two other firemen stopped, looking at him. "Get him out, get him out now!" He commanded he knew what could happen. The floor wouldn't take the weight of four grown men; maybe by them leaving he'd be okay. He watched them leave; waiting an extra moment to make sure they got down the stairs before he took another step. The next step was too much. He cried out as the floor collapsed beneath him, taking him down. He felt as if he wasn't in his body any longer as he felt his body connect with what felt like concrete seconds later. His head smacking against the floor.
"Dave! DAVE!" Jim yelled across the radio as he raced down the stairs.
"Jim!" Len shouted, "Be careful damn it! We don't need two knuckle heads down."
"Has anyone located Dave?" Charlie, their Captain called over the radio, "We're trying to drench the flames, I'm ordering two more men in to start the water works."
"He just fell more than a story," Jim was trying not to panic as they searched frantically for their fallen comrade.
"He's going to be fine, remain calm, Henderson. You know better."
"Captain, this building isn't stable," Henry, the third fire fighter called as they stepped into the room with the hose, spraying everything down. "The whole thing could come down on us."
"We're not losing him!" Shouted Jim.
Charlie stood outside the building, his stomach churning as he waited for four of his ten men to come back out, bringing along the fifth man. He hated moments like this. It was every fireman's worst nightmare, a fallen brother. Dave was his boy; he'd watched David go from just a trainee to a rookie to an exceptional fireman. He loved all his men, but Dave held a special spot in his heart. "Come on, kid, come on," he murmured under his breath.
"We've found him!" Len's voice broke across the radio, "Possible spine and neck injuries we need that neck brace!" Len called as he snapped his fingers at another fireman that had just come in the fiery blaze. "Give me the med kit, we'll pull him out, you stay in here with Henry and help put the fire out, the more guys we've got on the fire the better," he directed the rookie who gave him a nervous nod.
"I've got a weak and rapid pulse," Jim stated as they carefully rolled Dave onto the back board and placed the brace around his neck. "I'm hearing wheezing, do you hear that?"
Len leaned over and listened for a minute, "Punctured lung?"
"Sounds like it, can we move him?"
"Let's go," Len stated as the two men lifted the board, "Captain, this is McKay, we're bringing Karofsky out." A moment later the two men stepped out of the building, between them the back board carrying Dave's unconscious form.
"Get me the stretcher!" Frank didn't hesitate as he hurried over to help the boys. They got Dave on the stretcher and two of their fellow EMS hurried on their diagnosis.
"He's got a thready pulse, possible shock, severe head trauma, and possible pnuemothorax," Jim rattled off as he watched two of the second shift guys work on his friend.
"Peg?" Carson asked, one of the EMS as he glanced over at her, she shook her head, "He's in cardiac arrest, lets get him on the wagon and go!" She ordered.
"James, go with him, you're no good to us here if you're head isn't in the game." Frank was doing it far more for his and Jim's benefit than he'd ever admit. There was no way he wasn't letting one of his men follow and see how he was. Jim barely acknowledge him as he hopped into the back of the ambulance where they were trying to revive his best friend. Frank turned back to the blazing house and sighed heavily. He hated days like these.
"Sir," one of the other EMS from the first ambulance stepped over to him. "The father didn't make it."
"Thank you, take me to the kids, get me precinct 32, they have a child services rep on the staff there, someone needs to watch out for these kids while they wait for their mom to get home."
"Yes, Captain."
o0o
Kurt was on a late shift, later than normal for him, he'd had a few run-overs and since Chris was at Rachel's for the afternoon and evening, he hadn't worried about getting home promptly. He was sitting behind the nurse's desk in the ER, looking over some patients' charts when the call came in.
"Trauma Alert ETA 5 minutes. Trauma Alert ETA 5 minutes."
Kurt pulled his feet off the desk when his phone vibrated in his pocket, he looked down to see Noah was calling him. "What the hell?" He answered, "I'm a little busy."
"I wanted to tell you before you saw it on the news or coming in your ER, it's Karofsky."
"What's Dave?"
"There was a fire on the East side, something happened and the house started to collapse, he was injured. They're bringing it to your hospital. Jim is going to be with him."
Kurt felt his world begin to spin, a moment later the ER doors hissed open. "What have we got?" Dr. Scott, one of Kurt's friends called.
He was unconscious, his face was covered in soot, one side of his head was covered in blood, they'd immobilized his neck and had a pressure bandage to his temple with the blood on it. An IV was already started. "Male, Caucasian, age, thirty-three, and sustained head wound, unconscious since leaving the scene. Multiple other minor lacerations, pneumothorax, broken ribs, sprained right arm."
Dr. Scott stood with the ER doors open, he looked over at gave Kurt a tight smile, "We'll take care of him, Kurt."
"Kurt?" A voice behind him startled him from his thoughts. Kurt turned and looked at the man who'd been speaking to him. It was Jim, Kurt took a moment to really look at Jim, he was handsome, probably around six foot, with kind eyes, he'd taken off his jacket and his helmet, but he still had his dark blue shirt and pants on. "Kurt?"
"Yes," Kurt managed to force out, trying not to let his voice waver. "Sorry."
"Jim Henderson," Jim offered, sticking his hand out. "We met at the picnic a few weeks back. I was with Dave in the building when it collapsed."
"What…" Kurt took a slow breath, feeling shaky.
"Kurt, sit down, I'll clock you out," Katie, his friend and favorite nurse had appeared what felt like out of nowhere, gently pushing him into a chair.
Kurt did as instructed, the other firemen sitting beside him. "What happened?" Kurt spoke again, trying to wrap his head around everything.
"We went in, typical search and rescue for us. We were told a person was still in there. Dave found him on the second floor, but the fire had probably originated around that area, because the floor boards were unstable. Dave ordered the rest of the fireman out with the victim. He thought maybe getting the rest of them out would allow him to get out safely. He were wrong. He heard the cracking then floor collapsed. He only hit one floor below, and we got him to safety, but…I'm really sorry."
Kurt nodded closing his eyes, "Is…is this…does this happen a lot?"
"No," Jim answered from where he now sat on Kurt's other side. "No it doesn't. And Dave is one of the best, he's been here long enough to know how to be careful. Unfortunately sometimes shit happens."
"Yeah." His thoughts moved to Ellie and Chris and suddenly he felt sick, "Ellie…someone needs to get Ellie."
Jim held up his hand, "You stay here, I'll call my wife to go pick her up. Do you want us to get your son too?"
"Yes…I'll call his mother to let her know Tori will get her."
But Noah Puckerman was already on it, he'd spoken to the Fire Chief as well as his own boss who'd given him the okay. He was on his way to the school, he pulled up in front of the school, sirens off but lights going and ran into the school. "Officer Puckerman, is everything all right?" The principal questioned from where she'd been monitoring the hallway.
"No, I'm here for Ellie Karofsky and Christopher Hummel."
Her brows furrowed, "This is very unusual—"
"David was injured; we need to get them to the hospital now."
She nodded, "Very well, I'll make sure to check both students out, you may go." She headed to the main office while Noah hurried down the hallway to find his wife's classroom. He looked into the room, they were in the middle of reading time clearly, his wife glanced up in the doorway and her eyes grew concerned.
Noah strengthened his resolve, before he gripped the handle and stepped inside. "Kids, you all remember my husband, Officer Puckerman." Noah waved at the chorus of 'Hi Officer Puckerman.' Meanwhile, Cheryl made her way over to him, "What's wrong? You look sick?"
He stepped closer, "David was hurt on the scene of a fire, I'm here for Ellie, and Christopher."
"Is…is he going to be all right?"
Noah shrugged, "I don't know yet baby." He whispered, without hesitation he dropped a kiss to her head, aware it was unprofessional but days like this made him appreciate his ex even though they weren't still together.
"I'll get their things, I'll be over as soon as schools out."
"Thanks, and will you let Rachel know if you get a moment?"
She nodded, "Of course." She turned back to the class, "Ellie, Chris could you two come over here please?"
The two kids stood, gripping one another's hands, they were clueless, they could sense something was wrong. Noah knelt down in front of them, looking directly at Ellie. "Baby…" he sighed, "Ellie, sweetie, there's been an accident."
"Uncle Dave?" She whispered, her eyes growing damp.
"Yeah, he's at the hospital right now with Uncle Kurt, but we need to get you there, okay?"
"Okay," she whimpered.
Chris grabbed her hand tighter, "I'm coming," he stated as if to protect her.
"I know kiddo, let's get your stuff and go, okay?"
A few minutes later, with another quick parting kiss from his ex, Noah got both kids in the cruiser and headed to the hospital, all too aware of the quiet whimpers from the back. He sympathized with her, the fear even he felt right now. It was always painful to think about losing someone, especially a firefighter or cop.
With two kids in tow, Ellie on his hip, and Chris gripping his hand, Noah stepped into the waiting room a few minutes later. Kurt was seated; head leaned back against the wall, eyes closed. Jim was sitting there as well, looking solemn as he held a cell phone against his ear. "Daddy," Chris whimpered.
Kurt's head shot up and he opened his blue green eyes to see his kids, "Ellie, come here you," he reached out for Chris and Ellie, both of them rapidly hurrying over to him as he cuddled them close.
"Is Uncle Dave gonna die?" Ellie whimpered.
"I don't know, sweetheart," Kurt replied, he couldn't lie to a child, it wasn't in his nature. He couldn't find it in his heart to tell her yes at the risk that he wouldn't be. Instead he held them both on his lap, arms around their waist and hoped that that would be enough for now.
"Kurt?" Dr. Scott's voice startled them sometime later. In the past hour that they'd been sitting there several other firemen had come as well as couple other cops from the force who'd seen what transpired. "Could I have a word with you?"
Kurt nodded, allowing Noah to take the two kids off his lap, Jim stood as well, following Kurt. They stepped over to a more private corner where they wouldn't be heard. "How…how is he?" Kurt asked, feeling his stomach churn again.
"He's in critical condition right now," Dr. Scott sighed, "I'm sorry, guys I wanted to give you better news, but I can't. He's critical right now, his lungs sustained some smoke damage on top of the punctured lung. We have him on a ventilator to help his lungs, but our primary concern is risk of either infection or pneumonia. His head injury was also very worrisome, he hasn't regained consciousness, and there's some signs of swelling. We're doing what we can to keep that down."
"When will he wake up?" Jim asked.
This all felt too familiar, Kurt felt like he was standing in Lima Memorial again, listening to his father's diagnosis. "We don't know if he will," Dr. Scott explained. "The sooner he wakes the better off he is. We've taken care of all his minor injuries. All we can do now is wait," Dr. Scott paused before he looked at Kurt, "It may not be a bad idea to call his parents."
"Okay."
"Take a few days off, Kurt, we'll handle your patients."
Kurt just nodded, still feeling like he was outside his body. This shouldn't be happening, couldn't be happening. He felt his hands shaking, "Come on, Kurt, lets go take a seat. Dr. Scott when can we go see him?"
"He's in recovery right now, we just fixed the pnuemothorax, as soon as we've got him settled in the ICU, then you can see him. I would strongly caution you from letting his niece inside."
"Thank you," was all Jim said as he gently led Kurt back into the waiting room. All eyes were on them as Kurt was pushed ever so gently into a plastic chair. Jim pushed his head down, seeing that Kurt was starting to hyperventilate.
"I can't do this again," he whimpered.
Noah sat the kids back in the chair and stepped over to them, "Tell me he isn't dead," Noah whispered.
"No, he's critical though. He's in a coma."
Noah reached out and wrapped both his arms around Kurt, pulling him close. They hadn't been supportive back when it had been his father in the hospital; this was his chance now to be supportive. "I'm going to go let Ellie know…and call his folks."
Noah just nodded as he rubbed Kurt's back. Kurt wasn't much of an affectionate individual, but Noah wasn't about to sit by and let him suffer alone. "Kurt, your dad came out fine, I'm sure Dave will too."
Kurt looked up and watched as Ellie cried in Jim's arms, he held her close, trying to console the child. Even Chris looked desolate as he tried to hide his own tears. "I…" Kurt just closed his eyes. He hadn't thought it would be so terrifying. Sure he'd been wise enough to know there was the possibility that Dave could get injured on the job, but he hadn't really been honest with himself at the real possibility it was.
"Rachel called while you were back there, she just got out of rehearsals, but she's on her way," Noah provided quietly.
"Thank you."
