Episode 5.11 – Leaving...
Lara sat in the doctors waiting room, wringing her hands nervously. It had been two days since her episode, and they'd been testing her ever since. Doctor Hansen walked out.
"Ms Gallagher?" Lara stood up and followed him into his office.
"Ms Gallagher, your results have indicated that you do indeed have Type 2 diabetes. Your friends actions the other evening may have saved your life, and your pancreas. You've be put on insulin, and have to monitor your blood glucose levels." Lara nodded.
"I remember the drill. I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, and there's a history of it in my family," Lara said quietly. Doctor Hansen looked at Lara strangely, but continued their conversation for a few more moments. Afterwards, after giving her the referrals for other doctors, he ushered her out. Lara walked out into the carpark, more in shock than anything. She thought she'd avoided that part of her genetics, but obviously not. It was more a hassle than she'd thought, and whilst she wasn't visibly upset, it was like finding out something in your car didn't work properly, a second hand engine. She slapped the steering wheel, and then pulled out of the carpark. She drove over to RSO, and parked in the drive. She walked upstairs slowly, and Dean met her at the top, concern and worry plastered across his face.
"How did your appointment go?" He asked, concerned.
"I'm a diabetic again. This time though, it's permanent," she said, taking her seat at her desk. She glanced around the room at the rest of the team, taking in their sour faces. Heidi looked like she was going to cry.
"I feel like I've missed something. What's going on?" She asked, confused.
"Michelle came in yesterday when you weren't here." Lara logged into her computer, wanting to type up her incident report.
"Oh? How was she?" Lara asked distractedly. Dean pulled her chair back, spinning her round so she faced him.
"Lara, Michelle's leaving. She's told Cam why, but she won't tell anyone anything else. You're the only one who can get through to her Lara." Vince came out of his office, cordless phone pressed to his ear.
"I need a team ready to head out to a traffic accident, just a minor extraction and a bit of medical assistance, and another team to head to a different accident. A car's driven into a shopfront, and the driver is trapped. The store was closed, so no-one else is injured. Dean, you and Lara take the shop front victim. Kate and Lachie can take the other. He thinks he's well enough to start doing things, and I'll stick him with Kate on the traffic incident. Jordan, Heidi," Vince called across the room. They turned to face him.
"What's up?" Heidi asked.
"I have twenty sets of dirty, grimy ropes and harnesses, and when the two teams get back, three patrols and a truck that need washing." Heidi groaned.
"Seriously Vince? Why us? Whenever we've been sick, you've brought us back into duties by making us wash the ropes and patrols. Why is it that Lachie gets to go out to a rescue?" Argued Heidi.
"Because Heidi-Ho, I'm the station co-ordinator, and what I say goes." Lachie and Kate got up and headed down the stairs, Dean and Lara in close pursuit. Kate felt light-headed, and ignored it. She'd had a lighter breakfast than usual, but thought nothing of it. Dean and Lara split off in a different direction as they headed out to their own accident. Kate opted to drive today, and Lachie read the report Vince had put together on the accident they were going to.
"So, according to reports, it's a two car crash; minor for the first driver, just a few cuts and bruises. The problem is the other driver; the front door is crushed in, putting pressure on the male's legs, and trapping him. Police are there re-directing traffic, and trying to keep our patient conscious," said Lachie. Kate turned the corner onto the main road, and screeched to a halt near the accident. It looked like the two cars had melted together. The silver Honda was a write-off for sure, and the other car didn't look much better. Kate jumped out of the patrol first, a little shaky, but powered on. Lachie pulled out the medi-kit, pushing himself to keep up with Kate. As he pulled it out, the combi-tool slipped out, hitting him in the stomach. He felt his stitches pull and rip, opening the wound. He hissed in pain as he felt the warm blood trickle down his shirt. He swore at himself for trying to take things too fast, and tried to stem the blood-flow as it stained his uniform. He pulled out the medi-kit and dragged it over to Kate, trying to keep up the heroics. She reached an arm inside the window of the car, and felt her patients pulse.
"I need the combi-tool Lachie as well," said Kate distracted. She retracted her arm, catching her sleeve on the jagged window edge. Lachie nodded, and walked back slowly to the patrol. He lifted his hand, dripping in blood, and cursed his stupidity. He grabbed his mobile and messaged Chase, hoping his little brother would come.
Chase, I need your help. It's urgent. He gave him the address, and leant heavily against the patrol. He sent another message to Jordan, knowing that Kate would need help. He got a reply almost instantly from Chase.
I'm on my way. ETA 5mins. Lachie hated doing this to Kate, and he felt like an idiot. He had convinced Vince that he was strong enough to get back in the field, but he was obviously wrong. He heard Kate yelling for him, asking for help. She was losing the patient. Jordan's patrol skidded to a halt, and he jumped out.
"Kate, what do you need?" He yelled.
"I need a defibrillator; he's just gone into cardiac arrest!" Lachie was glad Kate had Jordan to help. He closed his eyes just as Chase pulled up, and flung himself out of his car.
"Lachie!" Chase dropped down in front of Lachie.
"What did you do?" Chase asked, concerned. He noticed the dark stain blossoming on Lachie's shirt, and pulled it up. Chase grimaced, and reached up to the medi-kit in the back, pulling out a set of gauze pads. He pressed them onto the wound to try and stem the bleeding, and used his free hand to grab Lachie's radio.
"Chase to Rescue Base, I need an ambulance out here for Lachie," said Chase, putting pressure on the wound.
"Rescue Base to Chase, what happened? Ambulance is on its way," said Vince, feeling a little confused.
"He messaged me a few minutes ago, asking for help. I don't know what he did, but he's torn the stitches in his side, and the injuries bleeding fairly severely," answered Chase. The flashing lights and wailing siren pulled up near the patrol, and the two paramedics jumped out quickly, pulling out the gurney. Chase helped them load Lachie onto the gurney, and then watched as they left. Kate and Jordan were finishing up with their patient, loading him into the ambulance. He'd had several cardiac incidents while with Jordan and Kate, and she didn't have her bets hedged on him surviving. Chase jogged over to the pair as they were packing up.
"Chase? What are you doing here?" Asked Kate, hugging him quickly.
"Lachie asked me to come," he said, confused. Kate mirrored his facial expression.
"Why? Where is he? I was lucky Jordan…" Her voice trailed off, and she glanced at Jordan. He refused to meet her eyes.
"He told you to come, didn't he?" Jordan nodded, packing up the combi-tool. She turned to Chase.
"What happened?" She asked firmly.
"Lachie couldn't tell me, but I think he ripped his stitches out pulling out the combi-tool. I thought he wasn't supposed to be coming back to work just yet. He told me that he was still on desk duty for another three weeks. What was Vince doing sending him out here?" Chase asked, feeling tense.
"That… that was my fault," whispered Kate. Chase gave her a quick smile.
"It's alright; Lachie's a big boy. He should have known he wasn't well enough to start yet." Jordan climbed back into his patrol.
"I'll catch you round later Chase. Heidi says dinner at ours tonight, bring the boys, let Izzy have the night off. Kate, I'll see you back at base after you've seen Lachie." Chase and Kate nodded, and watched as Jordan left.
"I'll give you an update on Lachie if you like; head home and let Jess know what's going on?" Chase nodded.
"Thanks Kate. I'll talk to you later," said Chase, climbing into his car. He beeped the horn as he pulled out into the receding traffic. He made his way home in snail's paced traffic, thinking about what had happened today. He could still feel the exhilaration from having to help Lachie, how his training was still there. He missed the old days, being with his brothers. He sighed as he pulled into his driveway. He wished he could go back and change history, right back to when James had been taken by a carjacker, to when the bar was blown up. He wished he could go back.
Kate drove over to the hospital, and searched for a parking spot. At the rate RSO was spending time at the hospital, they should own a space. She finally found somewhere to park, and headed inside to find Lachie. She stopped at the nurse's station.
"A Lachie Gallagher was brought in by ambulance earlier; do you know where I could find him?" The nurse looked at her computer, scanning down the list of names.
"He'll be in room 403, but he's in surgery at the moment." The nurse grabbed the doctor as he walked past.
"This girl here is asking about patient Lachie Gallagher. Could you give her an update?" The doctor nodded, taking Kate to the side.
"Mr Gallagher is still in surgery at the moment, and will be in there for another hour or so. If you like, you can wait up here, or you can head out to lunch. Even when he returns from surgery, he'll take a little while to come out of the anaesthesia." Kate nodded, and the doctor left. She decided to go visit Sam, her brother. He was three wards away, and would be a welcome distraction while she waited. As she walked into the care area, Sam was doing some artwork with his carer, Lisa.
"Kate! Kate!" He yelled excitedly.
"Inside voice Sammy," said Lisa patiently. He covered his mouth, eyes wide.
"Hi Sammy. What are you up to?" She asked, pulling up a chair at the table.
"I drewed this, and… and I – I – I maded this," he said, stuttering. He showed Kate his two current artworks.
"He's almost up to his walking time Kate. Do you want to come with us?" Kate nodded.
"I'd love to. I've got a friend in surgery who's due out in a few minutes, so if we could head up to the surgical ward on our way, that'd be great," said Kate. Lisa bobbed her head.
"Sure, that's fine. It's raining outside a little, and he's had some trouble with his breathing at the moment, so we were going to stick to inside." Kate nodded, and took Sam's other hand.
"I miss you Sammy. Are you having fun?" Asked Kate as they slowly walked up to the fourth floor.
"I love Lisa," he said, giggling a little. Kate smiled at Lisa, who returned the grin.
"He's nice, and asks about your Dad everyday as well. Vince calls every night. He stopped asking for your mother after we banned her from the hospital." Kate looked at Lisa, confused.
"What? What did Vanessa do this time?" Asked Kate.
"Came in here ranting about your father, and started to complain about how poor we were. Sam freaked out at her, and we had to ask her to leave. After the third time, we banned her from the hospital altogether." Kate nodded, and they stopped outside Lachie's room. Kate stuck her head in, and waved at Lachie, who was lying awake in his bed.
"Sammy, I've got to go. Come and give me a hug and a kiss." Lisa moved aside, and allowed Kate and Sam to say goodbye for the day. Sam squished her in a tight hug, and kissed her on the cheek. He moved away, and waved as he and Lisa disappeared. Lachie didn't miss anything as he watched the interaction between Kate and Sam, and felt the jealousy rise through his being. Kate walked into Lachie's room, missing his stony face.
"Hey, how are you going babe?" Asked Kate, stroking back Lachie's hair. He took her hand, stopping her.
"What?" She asked, confused.
"Who was that?" He asked seriously, gripping her wrist tighter.
"Sam. Why?" She asked, trying to release his vice-like grip.
"How long have you known him?" She struggled with him.
"It feels like my whole life. Lachie, you're hurting me," Kate said, tears springing to her eyes. He released her, and gave her a shove. She stumbled a little, but stayed upright.
"Get out," he said quietly. Kate stared at him.
"What? Why?" She asked.
"You're seeing someone else at the same time you're seeing me? That's just… wrong, and unfair, to both of us," he said venomously.
"But Sam's my…" He cut her off.
"I don't want to hear it Kate. Get out; leave. I'll ring Chase to take me home later." Kate ran out of the ward, tears streaming down her face. He hadn't even let her explain herself. Sam was her brother, not her boyfriend. Lachie was being irrational, unfair. Kate slammed her door and rested her head against the steering wheel as she cried. He'd never yelled at her before, never gotten upset like that before now. She looked at her wrist, a dark circular bruise forming where Lachie had gripped her hard, anger coursing through him. She pulled out of the carpark and floored the accelerator, speeding up the road. She headed for her favourite beach, Tamarama, a crowded beach, but on a wet, grey day like today, would be fairly empty. She sped down the freeway, and took the back roads to get there. She could feel her stomach growling in hunger, and knew she should eat, but couldn't care. She didn't like Lachie being mad at her, but it was so hard to get a word in edgewise anymore. She thought he trusted her, to make the right decisions, to not betray him. Now she wasn't so sure. Kate pulled up near Tamarama, and climbed out of the patrol. All the warning signs were there, the nausea, fatigue, blurred vision. Kate knew she was on the way down to a hypo, but just didn't have the energy to care. She sat in the drizzling rain, watching the waves as they crashed to shore, and wished Lachie could just understand…
Jordan pulled into base, and Heidi met him.
"What were you doing?" She asked, hands wrapped around his waist.
"Lachie called, needed some help. I had to assist Kate in finishing the rescue whilst Chase finished up with Lachie, getting him into the ambulance." Heidi kissed him.
"Like a knight in shining armour, aren't you?" She asked, laughing. He tickled her and they fell, laughing like idiots. Vince came down the stairs.
"What the hell are you two doing?" He asked. Jordan stood up, and pulled Heidi to her feet.
"Nothing Vince," said Jordan, his face reddening.
"Get back to washing those ropes," said Vince, storming back up the stairs. A cab pulled up out the front, and Andy climbed out slowly. Heidi ran down the sloped driveway to her.
"Andy! It's great to see you back," said Heidi excitedly.
"Thanks Heidi, but I'm not staying for long. I'm here to pack up my desk." Andy watched as Heidi's face fell, and she disappeared up the stairs. Andy tried to avoid Vince and Cam, but it wasn't long before she was hauled in to face both of them.
"Where were you Andrea?" Asked Vince, voice light.
"I started packing the day we finished the rescue out in the mountains. I was aware my contract ended, and with no potential employment available here, I began the task of moving my belonging's back to Melbourne." Andy's voice was flat and monotonous, like she'd told the story many times before.
"Did you get a phone call that night?" Asked Cam, his voice just as light. Andy nodded her head.
"Yes, but I ignored it, and then went out drinking, to enjoy my last few nights in Sydney. After that, I don't really remember the next couple of days, just a crazy bus-driver who seemed to be having a heart-attack or something. He hit me before he went over the cliff. Oh my, Vince, is he alright? I didn't even check, I was too busy trying to get off the road so I didn't get hit again." Vince laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"The bus driver died, and so did some of the kids, but it is okay. We dealt with it, and we got the majority of the kids out. Including James Letourneau, Michelle's son." Cam scribbled notes on the page in front of him. Andy waited for one of them to say something, anything, but the silence echoed in the room. Finally she looked up at Vince.
"What?" She asked.
"You just passed your entrance interview into Rescue Special Ops Sydney Base. You're now officially a team member," said Vince proudly. Andy stared at them both, mouth gaping.
"Wha… are you… are you serious?" She asked in barely a whisper. Vince and Cam nodded.
"That's why we rang on Monday night. You didn't answer, and we knew something was going on, and we tried to get you. Your paperwork was approved by Head Office, and you've been part of the team for more than a week now. And we got your stuff back from Melbourne, and spoke to your landlady, and she's fine with you staying on for as long as you can pay the rent or decide to leave." Andy squealed, and jumped up, hugging Vince.
"Thank you so much!"
Kate was drenched, cold right through to the skin. She thought about getting up, going back to the patrol at least, but it all seemed too hard. She felt sweaty yet cold, and her head pounded, almost in time with the raging surf. She struggled to watch the lonely surfer on the waves, vision blurring rapidly. She was losing time, losing everything. She lay down on the cold sand, and waved down the offer of assistance from the surfer who was now making his way back up the beach. It was too late now. She wished, if anyone found her, that it was Lachie's arm that embraced her, brought her back, and told her he was sorry, for everything. She knew that wouldn't happen though. She felt her mind space out, and she started to drift, trying to hold onto something, a memory, anything. She came up blank, and pictured her father and Sam, two of her favourite people in the world. Kate felt a lone tear roll down her face, and ignored it, closing her eyes against the incessant rain pounding down on the sand and her cold body. She drifted off…
Her only regret was not telling everyone when it mattered the most…
Chase and Jess packed the boys into the back of their car, Izzy helping. They were heading to Jordan and Heidi's for dinner.
"Go out and have fun tonight," said Jess to Izzy as she locked the door. Izzy gave her a shy smile.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" She said softly. Jess nodded.
"We'll be fine Isabelle. Go, have fun!" Jess waved her away as Chase picked her up, sliding her into the front seat. He kissed her, savouring her.
"I love you Jess," he said, stroking back her hair.
"I love you too Chase, but if we don't move, we'll never make it to Heidi and Jordan's in time for dinner." He smiled at her, and closed her door, walking around. He climbed into the driver seat and backed out. Jordan and Heidi's house was only five, maybe ten minutes away. Chase glanced back, checking the boys, and smiled to himself as he focussed on the road.
"What?" Asked Jess, taking his hand.
"The boys are finally sleeping, and we didn't need Izzy to help us this time." Jess kissed the back of his hand as they pulled up out the front of the Zwitkowski home. Jordan met them out the front, and helped Jess into her chair. Heidi came out soon after, and took Elijah from Chase, and carried him inside.
"You can set them on our bed if you want," said Heidi, cradling the tired child in her arms. Chase nodded, and laid them down gently on Heidi and Jordan's bed. Riley snuffled a little, but once Eli was next to him, continued sleeping peacefully.
"You did well Chase," said Heidi, proud of her best friend. They had never seen Chase as the one to settle down and have kids, but here he was, and it suited him like nothing else. Jordan pushed Jess inside to the dining room.
"Wow, Jordan. You guys have done so much since I last saw the photos. It looks amazing!" Jordan smiled at her as he laid dishes of food down on the table. Chase and Heidi joined them, taking their seats.
"It's nice to be able to get together with you both, see the boys, and catch up," said Heidi, serving the salad. Jess smiled, and the started eating. Moments later, Eli and Riley started crying, and Chase set down his knife and fork. He walked into Heidi and Jordan's bedroom, Jordan close behind him. He picked up Riley, and Jordan took Elijah. Riley continued to squall, and the returned to the dining room. Jordan kept holding Elijah, feeling something new, almost bordering on want. Elijah snuggled into his chest, and Jordan was amazed at the tiny body resting with him. Chase's phone rang, and he passed Riley to Heidi as he answered his phone.
"Hello?"
"Chase, it's Lachie. I just found out Kate's been cheating on me, with some other guy," he said, anger still evident in his voice. Chase left the dining room, and sat in the loungeroom.
"Are you sure Lachie? Kate's always sworn that she would never do anything like that," said Chase, reclining in the chair.
"Yeah, she was kissing and hugging some guy called Sam. I kicked her out. I can't see her anymore Chase, not if she's seeing someone behind my back." Chase sat upright.
"Did you see him? Was he at the hospital, blond hair, about my height?"
"Chase, I can't believe you've known and not told me. I trusted you as my brother to not screw me over," Lachie said venomously.
"Lachie, listen to me, you've got it all wrong. Sam is Kate's…" Lachie cut him off.
"Give it a rest Chase. Forget it." Lachie hung up, leaving Chase confused. Then the realisation hit him. Lachie had never met Sam Marchello, and it hadn't twigged that the Sam Kate was seeing was her own brother. Chase stormed out into the dining room.
"Babe, what's going on?" Asked Jess, taking his hand. Heidi and Jordan were still playing with the twins.
"Just Lachie being an idiot. Never mind. Come on, let's eat!"
Vince stopped by to see Sam, and Lisa was still there with him.
"Dad!" Yelled Sam gleefully. Vince rarely came by, what with his busy work schedule, so this was somewhat of a treat for Sam.
"Sammy," said Vince, wrapping his arms around his nineteen year old son. Sam gripped him tightly, and then let go, stumbling back to Lisa.
"It's been a big day for Sam today," said Lisa, packing up his drawing equipment. Sam nodded.
"Oh, really? What happened?" Said Vince, smiling at Sam.
"Kate came by today; said she was waiting for a friend to come out of surgery. We went for our walk around the hospital, and we dropped her off at room 403." Lisa took Vince aside.
"Something happened though. When we were on our way back, we saw Kate leave the room, but she was in tears this time. I checked with the nurses on that floor; apparently a Lachie Gallagher is up there?" Vince balled his fists, angry.
"Sammy, Dad's got to go. I'll come back tomorrow and stay longer, or I'll ring." Sam yawned, trying valiantly to hide it, but failed. Lisa nodded to Vince.
"Probably a good idea. It's almost the end of visiting hours anyway." Vince nodded, gave Sam a quick hug, and then stormed up to Lachie's room.
"Gallagher, what did you do?" Vince asked furiously as he swung open Lachie's door.
"I told her to leave Vince; if she's going to cheat on me with some other guy, Sam, I want no part of it." Vince wished he could strangle Lachie, knock some sense into him.
"You idiot! The Sam you saw was my son, Sam Marchello. He's been here for over a year now because of a brain injury, and Kate was spending time with him while she waited for you to get out of surgery because you pushed yourself too hard again!" Vince panted a little, almost breathless. Lachie gulped.
"Oh."
"You need to make things right," said Vince, passing him his phone.
"What do I do?" He asked.
"Call her, tell her you were wrong. I don't care what you do as long as you make things right with her," said Vince, pulling up a chair. Lachie dialled her mobile, pressing the phone to his ear.
"I'm sorry. The person you are trying to reach is unavailable, or may have their phone switched off." Lachie pulled the phone away from his ear.
"I think her phone is switched off." Vince took the phone back from Lachie, and tried again himself. After listening to the same message, he tried his home number. Nothing. The line rang out, no-one picking up. A look of concern crossed his face, and he dialled Cam, who was still at the office.
"Cam Jackson, station manager Rescue Special Ops. What can I do for you?"
"Cam, it's Vince. Did Kate return back this afternoon?" Vince asked, pacing Lachie's room. Cam scrolled through the logs.
"According to our timesheets, she's still got a patrol out, and she never reported back. Why? What's going on?" Asked Cam, confused.
"Never mind. We're just trying to find her. Can you check the GPS locator on her patrol, find out where she is?" Vince heard the tapping of keys in the background, and waited with bated breath for the answer.
"Got it. According to her locator, she's near Tamarama beach," said Cam triumphantly.
"Thanks Cam." Vince hung up, and tucked his phone into his pocket, and started to head out.
"Wait, Vince, I've got to come with you," said Lachie, gritting his teeth as he sat up. Vince returned, and gently pushed Lachie down.
"You can't. You've got an injury that needs monitoring, and you are still receiving transfusions. You're not well enough to leave, and I wouldn't let you out in your condition. I'm sorry Lachie," said Vince apologetically. Lachie winced as he swung his legs back under the blankets.
"I'll let you know what's going on," said Vince, leaving the room. Lachie lay back against the pillow.
"I'm such an idiot!"
Jordan and the others were enjoying dessert when the phone rang. Jordan passed Elijah back to Chase as he picked it up.
"Jordan Zwitkowski."
"Jordan, it's Vince. Listen, I need you and Heidi to head over to Tamarama beach," Vince said quickly.
"What's going on?" Asked Jordan, confused. Heidi looked up at him, and he mouthed the word Vince to her. She nodded, and resumed playing with Riley.
"Kate never came back today after doing her rescue. She stopped in at the hospital to see Lachie, and they had a little misunderstanding. We can't get into contact with her, and her patrols GPS says that she's at Tamarama. You and Heidi live the closest, and I'll never get there. There's been an accident on the freeway, and traffics backed up for miles." Vince was agitated, to say the least.
"Yeah Vince, we'll head out there now. I know you want me to take Heidi, but I'll take Chase with me. They're over for dinner, and we can't exactly ditch them." Vince slapped his hands on the steering wheel.
"Jordan, I don't care if you take the bloody Queen with you instead of Heidi. Just get out there!" The phone call ended abruptly. Jordan looked at his guests and Heidi.
"Who was that?" Asked Jess, finishing her ice-cream.
"Vince. They lost contact with Kate, and they think she's at Tamarama beach. Vince wants us to go," said Jordan, motioning towards Heidi. She looked down at Riley, his pudgy arms waving at her, and then back at Jordan.
"But… they… us…" Jordan nodded.
"I'll take Chase. She's probably visiting a friend. We'll be fine, just like old times, right Chase?" Asked Jordan as he lightly punched Chase's arm.
"We'll be heading out for a kebab afterwards," joked Chase as they left, climbing into Jordan's SUV. Jordan pulled out, and they drove down towards Tamarama.
"Reckon she's just with one of the girls?" Asked Jordan, turning down the main road.
"Probably. Lachie told her he didn't want to see her anymore, cause he thought she was cheating on her." Jordan glanced over at Chase as he parked the vehicle.
"What?" He asked, killing the engine.
"It gets better. He thought she was cheating on him with Sam. Her own brother. That's what he rang about earlier, he was so angry about it. He wouldn't even let me talk." Chase crossed the road, rain pouring down, and peered inside the patrol. He motioned for Jordan to come over.
"What?" He asked, peering inside.
"The keys are still in the ignition. She never, ever leaves them in the ignition. Vince has taught her not to so patrols don't get stolen," said Chase. A gut feeling told him that something wasn't right. Jordan scanned the area, and a surfer jogged up to them.
"Hey, if you guys are looking for the girl who drove that here, she's asleep down on the beach," he said, leaving them to continue on his jaunt. Jordan scanned the beach, and saw a dark figure on the sand.
"Chase, grab the medi-kit out of Kate's patrol," said Jordan urgently, chucking Chase the keys. Chase flung open the doors, and grabbed Kate's pack and slammed the door. He sprinted after Jordan, slipping a little on the wet sand. Jordan reached her first. She was seizing violently, thrashing, sending handfuls of damp sand everywhere. Chase dropped the kit next to Jordan.
"Jordan, call triple-0. We're going to need an ambulance for her," said Chase. He felt like his sister was lying on the beach in distress, and it was freaking him out a little. He loosened Kate's shirt, allowing her the space to breathe. As she relaxed, she settled back on the sand, but didn't wake. Chase checked her pulse.
"Jordan, she's tachycardic. How long until the ambulance arrives?" Asked Chase, fumbling through the medi-pack for something to slow her heart down.
"They gave an estimate of two, maybe three minutes. We need to cardiovert." Chase nodded.
"Don't do this Kate!" The ambulance pulled up as Jordan and Chase moved her up the beach. The two paramedics joined them, loading her onto the gurney.
"Dry her off," ordered the female officer, tossing them a stack of towels. Jordan and Chase dried her down quickly, and the male paramedic pulled out the defibrillator.
"Charging," he called, watching the meter.
"Clear!" Kate's chest jumped, and her heart rate slowed.
"Successful cardioversion," said the female paramedic. She noticed the bracelet that had worked its way down, and flipped it over. As soon as she read it, she scrambled through the overhead compartments, searching for something. Chase leant in to read it – "Diabetes Type I." Chase glanced at Jordan.
"Did you know…?" Jordan shook his head. The female paramedic pushed them both out, slamming the doors. They sped away, lights flashing, sirens blaring. Jordan walked over to Kate's patrol, pulled out the keys, locked it, and shoved the keys in his pocket. He'd come out tomorrow and drive the patrol back. Chase was speechless, worried about Kate, furious at Lachie and his stupidity, and somehow exhilarated at doing another rescue. That was two in one day so far, and the adrenaline was pumping through his system.
"Come on, we better head back."
Vince pulled a U-turn, and headed back to the hospital he'd just left. Jordan had messaged him, telling him that the ambulance had picked her up, and that there was something seriously wrong. Vince was nervous, trying to think what could be wrong with his daughter. He pulled into the parking lot, and sprinted into the emergency area.
"My daughter, Kate Marchello, should be here, arrived by ambulance. Where can I find her?" Asked Vince breathlessly. The nurse directed him down the hall, where a swarm of doctors and nurses were around Kate. She was in the throes of another seizure, and he watched as they drove a needle into her thigh. Vince stepped back against the wall, allowing the doctors room to move. Another nurse watched the time, murmuring under her breath. A third nurse took him aside.
"Mr Marchello, were you aware that your daughter is a diabetic?" asked the nurse. Vince shook his head.
"I would know," he said vehemently. The nurse shook her head.
"According to your daughters medical records, she's was diagnosed diabetic when she was seven, and has been receiving treatment here when needed, and deals with her own insulin. Today was a hypoglycaemic event, that normally Kate would have treated on her own. She didn't though…" The nurse trailed off.
"Yeah, she's been under some stress at the moment. It's okay, just let it go," said Vince quietly. The nurse who had been timing, moved quickly as Kate's eyes snapped open, blinking rapidly against the bright lights. Vince stepped forward to the side of her bed, and squeezed her hand.
"Grommet, why didn't you ever tell me?" Asked Vince softly.
"Mum didn't want me to. It was right after you two separated, and doctors finally worked out why I was so tired and hungry and thirsty all the time. Mum made me swear never to tell you, and we never told Sam. I'm sorry Dad," said Kate, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Why did you let it get so bad Kate? I've never seen you in a hypo before, why did you let it go today?" Asked Vince, pulling up the chair beside her bed. She shivered a little, still damp and cold from the rain.
"I was upset Dad. I was angry at Lachie for not trusting me, annoyed at myself for not sticking up for myself and trying to set things straight. I just couldn't think anymore, and facing my life without Lachie there by my side just doesn't feel like a life worth living. He's like my rock, and without him near me, supporting me, I feel like my world's going to cave in." Vince kissed Kate on the forehead.
"I know."
Early the next morning, Lachie requested a wheelchair and a nurse to take him to see Kate. They acquiesced, knowing that if they didn't, he'd try to get there some other way and risk his stitches tearing again. Kate woke up, blinking sleepily as he was wheeled in. They parked him next to her bed, and he took her hand.
"Kate, I'm so sorry. I had no idea Sam was your brother, and I was jealous, seeing the love and caring in your eyes. I had never seen that in your eyes with me," he said sadly. Kate gripped his hand tighter.
"That's because it's how I look at you every day. I could never cheat on you Lach, ever. You should know that." She leant forward and kissed him on the lips.
"There's something I have to tell you though. Dad only found out last night, and Mum tried to get me to keep it a secret for so long." Lachie looked at her deep in the eyes, concerned.
"What is it?" He asked.
"I'm a diabetic. Have been since I was about seven. I had a hypoglycaemic episode after I left you yesterday, and rather than fixing it like I normally would, I just stopped caring. I was so upset that I just let the hypo go on, and I ended up here." Lachie smoothed back her blonde hair.
"Kate, I'm glad you told me, but it's okay. Your dad came up and explained it to me last night. Listen, I'm so sorry for yesterday…" Kate put a finger to his lips.
"Don't be," she said, stroking his cheek.
"Kate Marchello, I think I'm in love," said Lachie, smiling at her. She blushed, and smiled back at him.
"I love you too Lachie Gallagher."