Dr. Brackett found Brice sitting at the large circular table in the doctor's lounge meticulously restocking the drug box. "Brice?" He addressed the paramedic as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "Hank collapsed in the parking lot a few minutes ago. Can you tell me anything that happened at the scene that may be affecting him?"

Brice looked up from the drug box to give the seasoned doctor his full attention. "When the explosion tore through the hotel Captain Stanley was outside of the building, approximately fifteen feet away, containing the scene. He was knocked back about ten feet and landed on his back, striking his head on the ground in the process."

"Was he wearing his helmet?" Dr. Brackett asked as took a sip of coffee.

"Yes, but the force of the explosion knocked his helmet loose."

"I see. How long was he unconscious, do you know?"

"Chief McConike was tending to him in less than a minute. From what I could see from the makeshift triage center, and from what I had been told by other firefighters who witnessed this incident, Chief has him awake and talking in about three minutes."

"No bleeding in the ears or the nose, only from the gash in the back of his head." Dr. Brackett wanted to confirm the initial examination.

"Correct." Brice folded his hands together. "He was suffering from an expected headache as well as bouts of dizziness. Chief made him sit down and rest before he lost consciousness and collapsed."

"Alright, thanks Brice. That should-"

Dixie opened the door to the doctor's lounge and focused on Dr. Brackett. "Kel, 45 is on the line, Johnny's gone in respiratory arrest."

Dr. Brackett hastily put his cup on the table and followed Dixie out of the lounge and to the bay station. Dr. Morton was on the line, speaking to Bellingham.

"Mike, what's going on?"

"From what Bellingham has stated Johnny's suffering from a collapsed lung."

"Tension pneumothorax?"

Mike nodded. "Sounds like it."

"Alright, thanks Mike. I'll take it from here, go check on Hank."

"Yeah," He handed Dr. Brackett the pad of paper with Johnny's vitals. "if you need me just ask."

"45; this is Rampart, give me update." Dr. Brackett opened the line again as he read the notes.

'10-4 Rampart. No breath sounds on the right, cyanosis is present. Inserting endotracheal tube has been inserted. Victim's breathing has improved, cyanosis diminishing.'

"10-4 45, what's your E.T.A.?"

'E.T.A. is: five minutes.'

"10-4, 45." Dr. Brackett turned to look at Dixie who was standing beside him. "Dix, I want a chest x-ray set up."

"I'll have exam room three ready."

"Thanks, I'll be with Joe examining Roy. Let me know as soon as they arrive."

"You got it, Kel."

Dr. Morton was looking over Hank's skull x-rays when the downed firefighter began to regain consciousness. The attending nurse informed the good doctor as she gently put her hands on Hank's shoulders to keep him from sitting up.

"Easy Hank, you have a pretty nasty bump."

"And headache to match..." Hank retorted as he pressed his hands to his eyes. "Can I get something for the pain?"

"Sure. Hank, do you know where you are?"

"Uh, last I knew I was... in the parking lot outside of the hospital. Right?"

"Right. Do you know where you are now?"

"Inside the hospital?"

"Right again." He clicked on his pen flashlight. "Open your eyes, I want to check your pupils."

Hank obeyed the request and did his best not to shut his eyes again because of the painfully bright light.

"Hank, you have a mild concussion and need to take it easy. Now, you've managed to avoid any fractures to your skull but head injuries are serious nonetheless. After I close the laceration on the back of your head I'm ordering you to a full week of bed rest."

"A full week? Isn't that a little-"

"I should make it two, but I get the feeling the department is going to do that anyway."

"Great..." Hank hated being sick, let alone the 'patient'. "How're my men? Roy, Johnny, Mike, Marco and Chet?"

"Well, Roy is across the hall with Dr. Early, I'll go ask for an update if you'd like."

"Please. But, what about the others?"

"From what I've been told by Brice and Bellingham Chet has a break in his left ankle, Marco has a broken nose and Mike has a bruised and scraped up back."

"And Johnny?"

Dr. Morton sighed and put his hand on Hank's shoulder. "I'm not going to lie to you and I'm now going to sugar coat it, I respect you too much. Johnny has gone in respiratory arrest. All signs point to a collapsed lung."

Hank closed his eyes and turned away. "That poor guy just can't seem to get out of the way of danger..."

"That's his job though, isn't it?"

"I guess so, but he shouldn't be the one who always gets knocked down or blown up or-"

"Hank, take it easy. I've seen Johnny recover from some pretty nasty injuries, but not once I have I seen him break stride or lose any confidence. He loves what he does for a living."

"Yeah..." Hank swallowed the sicking sense of guilt welling up in his stomach. "Could you go check on Roy, please?"

"Yeah. Nurse give him some aspirin from the pain and clean the laceration, prepare for sutures."

"Yes doctor."

Walking out of the exam room and crossing the hall to where Roy was being treated, Dr. Morton caught a glance of Johnny being wheeled in on the gurney.

"Joe, how's Roy?"

"Still unconscious." His answer was solemn.

"Well, Johnny was just wheeled in. I think he might be in trouble."

...to be continued...