Chapter.13.

Vince followed Matt into the cabin shortly afterwards, unable to hide his shock, he knelt down and placed his hand on Matt's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze of comfort and reassurance.

"I think she's fading Vince...I think I'm gonna lose her..." Matt cried in pain

"Paramedics are about to land Matt, they're just overhead, they're gonna land as close as possible"

As gently as he could, he scooped C.J up into his arms and slowly stood up.

"Vince could you grab that blanket from the chair there, she's incredibly cold... "

Vince nodded and gently wrapped the blanket around C.J. tucking it in around her as best as he possibly could, whilst Matt held her. Vince looked up and said "I can hear the helicopter, come on let's get her out of here, I'll stay here and have forensics come up here, leave it with me. I'll come over and meet you at the hospital as soon as I can."

Matt nodded quietly, pain etched across his face

"Thanks Vince...we need to get that Cody Wohl and quickly"

"APB is out on him, all state borders have been notified, we think its him Matt but until C.J is able to speak we can only speculate until lab and forensics confirm...but please buddy focus all your energy on C.J. leave this with me ok...leave it to the police" Vince begged him.

Vince could feel Matt's fury, it was practically tangible but more so his fear and complete agony. Cradled in his arms was C.J, the one women Vince knew Matt had always cared for and loved the most, and probably always would. Ever since Vince had known them both, they had this very special and unique bond. He recalled the time when they first moved to L.A and Matt's first run in with the LAPD, C.J had stepped in quietly and calmly and resolved the situation paving the way for them being the best of friends they were today. Matt was protective towards all his friends, but when it came to C.J it was on a whole different level.

Vince walked back inside the cabin, and picked up the 'Ace of diamonds' playing card which lay face up in the pool of C.J's blood. Vince quietly picked it up and placed it into a second plastic evidence bag. His heart heavy and filled with fear he walked back outside to join Matt.

Matt held her limp lifeless body his arms whilst he waited for the paramedic helicopter to land, her arms hanging lifelessly at his sides. He looked down at her mutilated body bleeding profusely through the blanket and prayed for a miracle and then held her tightly in his arms. The helicopter was set down close by to the log cabin where they had found her and two paramedics jumped out carrying a stretcher.

The moment paramedics had gently extricated C.J from Matt's arms where he had been cradling her and laid her onto the stretcher, life for Matt went into slow motion. He watched on helplessly while drips were pulled out and she was quickly wired up to a number of monitors. Vince stood by the side of him and watched the agony on his friends face as C.J's life hung in the balance.

"We're taking her to LA memorial, it's the only place that can deal with the severity of this injury" a paramedic explained to Matt.

"I'm coming with you, I'm not leaving her" Matt replied adamantly.

The paramedic hesitated but agreed "Ok but just you..."

"I'll meet you there" Vince called to Matt, as the helicopter doors were closed

"Please...please do all you can...it's her birthday today, her 30th it was supposed to be a special day...but now...now all I want to see is her surviving this day...please"

"We'll do all we can, I can only promise you that" the paramedic nodded seeing the agony written across Matt's face and understanding what he was going through. "...I know this is hard for you, but we'll do everything we possibly can"

The paramedic motioned to the pilot they were almost ready and the rota blades begun to whirr into action. Covering C.J with a blanket to keep her warm they moved her towards the side door of the helicopter and deftly lifted her in. Her face had gone ashen and her lips pale, her breathing remaining shallow and laboured. Matt followed in behind her and sat as close to her as he could. With the rota-blades turning at full speed, the helicopter began to rise up and move off, with the paramedics continuing to work on C.J as fast as they were able.

After seeing the forensics onto the ranch and up to the cabin, Vince made his way back down to the ranch where he met Bo and Lamar, both their faces pale with fear having seen all the activity around them and knowing something awful had happened.

"Vince ...please tell us what's happened...no one is telling us a thing" Bo begged

"Hey guys...it's not good, but you know that. C.J's been stabbed multiple times and lost a hell of a lot of blood. Its gonna be touch and go if she makes it as far as the hospital, it's not looking good though...I'm really sorry...I know you have known her for years"

"Known her since she was knee high to a grasshopper...since she was in elementary school" Lamar said subdued. "Do you need a lift to the hospital Vince" Lamar continued

"That would be good, thanks...I just need to make a call and then I'm ready to go, thanks both of you and I'm sorry the news isn't good...really am. I gotta tell Mama" Vince said quietly as he made his way into the ranch house.

Picking up the phone he made the call he was dreading the most. Vince called Mama and asked her to meet him there, telling her what had happened and C.J's condition when they left. Mama's tears slid down her face as her thoughts turned to C.J.

"We're losing her, she's arresting..." a paramedic said raising his voice

Matt looked at them, panic and confusion mixed with fear was written across his face as he watched one of the paramedics move to set up the portable defibrillator and switch it on. A high pitched noise followed and the paramedics spoke to each other calmly but quickly

"Ok stay back" as one of them placed the pads over C.J's upper chest and pressed the button

"Oh please God, Please... please don't take her now" Matt prayed.

Matt swallowed hard, and closed his eyes, which were now filling with tears. C.J. lay unconscious, less than a few feet away from him, unaware of the activity around her, her life beginning to ebb away right in front of him and he was powerless to do anything. What should have been a quiet day of celebration was turning into a fight for life.

C.J's body jolted with the shock but her heart remained in arrest. The line running through the centre on the portable machine remained static.