Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing in the following with exception to the story idea and some oc characters.
Author's notes: Thanks to lynxlan for the beta over lunch hour today.
The helicopter I had in mind when I wrote the rescue was the Cormorant CH0149 helicopter. It has 2 rescue hoists, a sophisticated ice protection system, and a very large storage capacity. It can carry up to 12 loaded stretchers at one time. It also handles very well in high winds. Again I know nothing about medicine so I tried to be accurate and believable. Also I know nothing about helicopters but did do some research and tried to make it believable.
Enjoy
Trust and Faith
By infinite shadow
Day 14 December 18
Caleb got up early and headed downstairs to do Tai Chi with Sammy but was surprised when he didn't find him in the living room. He headed upstairs to get the tyke up for the exercise routine. After easing the door open he found the boy sitting on the bed holding two pieces of paper. Angel looked over at him and wagged her tail in greeting.
"Hey Tiger. Ready to do some Tai Chi?" he asked brightly as he walked into the room.
Sammy shook his head.
"Why not? I did the routine for years before I told Jim it was a crappy waste of time and that I wanted to do more kick boxing," he said with a big smile on his face. "Then Jim kicked my butt and we went back to practicing. But that's another story for another time."
He sighed when he didn't get a response from the boy. "What have you got there?" Caleb asked pointing to the paper in his hands.
"Dean made it for me," Sammy said quietly.
"And what is it for?" Caleb asked.
"Ten sleeps," Sammy said. "He promised ten sleeps and they'd be back."
Sammy lifted his face and Caleb was surprised at what he saw. He'd expected tears but what he saw was an all out fury. Not once had he ever seen Sammy mad, frustrated but never angry.
"He lied to me," he said his little face scrunched up in anger. "Dean lied to me and he never lies to me. Do all hunters lie?"
"Now hold on there Sammy. Hunts don't always go as planned. Sometimes they take longer due to unforeseen circumstances," Caleb said. "Hunters don't lie to other hunters. You need to rely on the Hunter community Sammy. You are a part of that community."
"Then where are they Caleb? Why aren't they here? Daddy always calls when he's hunting," Sammy said as the rage slowly dissolved from his face. "One ring then nothing. Then the phone rings again and that way we know it's Dad. He always calls. Why hasn't Daddy called?"
"I don't know kiddo. But from what Pastor Jim told me they are up in the mountains. Maybe the power and phones are out. Maybe there's been an avalanche that's keeping them from getting here. I'm not all seeing you know," he said.
"Pastor Jim said only God is all seeing," Sammy said then turned away. "Daddy doesn't believe in God. Neither does Dean."
"Well that may be true. But what I can tell you is that John, Dean and Jesse will be home soon. Don't you want to surprise your Daddy by showing him the Tai Chi moves you know?" Caleb asked.
"You sure they're coming back?" Sammy asked uncertainly.
"Positive," Caleb said with a confidence he wasn't sure he felt.
Sammy sighed and carefully put the paper on the small table in the room. "Ok. Lets go do Tai Chi."
0000000000000
The morning broke clear and cold. Doc took the battered looking satellite phone and called for an extraction from search and rescue. The line was very staticy but the coordinates were successfully relayed and received.
An hour later a chopper could be heard in the distance and Shane hurried outside to get the pilot's attention.
The helicopter got as close to the rock face as they could and began to lower a rescue basket with a man inside. It was close enough that Shane could reach out and grab the basket and directed it to settle on the large pathway just outside of the cave entrance.
"We can't hover for long. It's not safe to keep the helicopter this close to the rock wall with these winds," the man yelled as he hopped out of the basket.
"They're in the back of the cave. Follow me," Shane said then ran towards the back room.
The medic began to follow and slowed as soon as he saw Don lying nearby.
"Jesse's hurt badly. He's back here," Shane said when he realized the man had stopped following him.
"I'm fine," Don said waving the man off. "Follow my son."
The medic nodded and hurried to follow after the boy. He paused as he saw the condition of Jesse and then was by the man's side in an instant.
"Which one of you is the doctor that called this in?" the medic asked.
"I did. This man is in serious need of medical attention. We had to drain a lung full of blood," Doc said. "He goes first."
The medic looked over at him and saw a portable stretcher had been put together and the two other men were preparing to move Jesse onto it.
The medic grimaced as he took Jesse's vitals. "We need to get you all aboard the copter fast. There's another storm approaching. We only have one shot at getting all of you out of here."
He helped them move Jesse onto the stretcher then took hold off on end while Joshua took the other side. They carried him out towards the rescue basket.
Shane and the Doc assisted John to his feet and helped him walk to the entrance of the cave. They watched as Jesse was gently lowered into the basket by Joshua and the medic. The medic motioned upwards and the basket was hoisted back up to the rescue helicopter.
"Ok. Sir you are next and then you," the medic said to John and Joshua. "Then you and your son sir. Then the doc and I will come up last. Be ready."
The basket was lowered and John was helped into the basket. Then he was hoisted up to the cabin of the helicopter. The motion was repeated again and again until everyone was on board. The helicopter flew back away from the mountain and then headed towards the closest medical center.
Shane sat beside the window watching the scenery fly past. He never thought in a thousand years that he'd get to ride on a helicopter and knew that Eric would be jealous that he missed out. He wished his brother was here with him to share the experience. He glanced over to where his father lay on a stretcher. Don's eyes were closed and he'd been hooked up to an IV. John was next to him his wrist had been splinted and his other hand had been attached to an IV. Jesse was on the other side but he couldn't see him. All of the search and rescue members, Joshua and the Doc were all crowded around him. Shane wasn't sure if the man would wake up.
The helicopter set down in a field next to a small county hospital. Slowly everyone inside disembarked with the help of the doctors and nurses that were waiting for them. The head doctor took one look at Jesse and motioned the medic over.
"We're just a small community hospital. We cannot treat him here. His wounds are too extensive," he stated.
"We know. We just got clearance to take him to the trauma center. He and the Doc won't be staying," the medic yelled over the noise of the helicopter. "Get them clear. We're taking off."
The doctor nodded and made sure everyone was back off of the field and headed towards the medical center.
"No! Where's Jesse?" John demanded as the helicopter took off from the landing pad.
"They're taking him to the regional trauma center," the doctor said. "He'll be in much better hands there. You need to lie down sir."
John laid back down on the gurney and allowed himself to be taken into the building. He stared straight up from where he layat the passing overhead lights as he was rushed into a curtained off exam area. Exhausted he let the medical staff do what they needed to do barely registering their ministrations. He barely grunted answers at their questions and at some point he realized Joshua was nearby as he could hear him answering the questions in his place.
"Thank you sir," a nurse said.
Joshua's face came into focus. "Josh?" John said.
"Yeah buddy it's me. Hang tight ok? These people are going to take good care of you. Don't give them too much trouble," Joshua said.
"Get to Dean," John said just as a nurse added something to his IV line.
"You'll be fine John," Joshua said softly as his friends eyes started to close.
"No… My boys," John said as he slipped into sleep.
"They're fine. You'll see them soon," Joshua said.
"I'm sorry sir, but you will have go back to the waiting room," a nurse said as stepped up beside him checking John's vitals.
"Ok," Joshua said not moving from John's side.
"You're friend will be all right," she said smiling at him.
Joshua sighed. "How long will his surgery be?" he asked tiredly.
"It shouldn't be too long," she said. "There seems be some extra trauma around the injury but it shouldn't complicate the surgery."
Joshua nodded as he rubbed at one eye. "Ok. Thank you," he said softly and left the exam cubicle.
He headed back to the waiting room expecting to see Shane still sitting there but the boy was no where in sight. Joshua went looking for him and found him in his father's exam cubicle. He was about to go back to the waiting room satisfied that the young teen was ok when he was called back.
"Joshua?" Shane said loudly enough to get his attention but not loud enough to disturb the other patients.
"You doing ok kid?" Joshua asked.
Shane smiled. "Yeah I'm fine. Dad wants you," he said.
Joshua nodded and followed Shane back into the curtained off exam room.
"Hey Joshua," Don said with a big grin on his face.
"Don," Joshua said with a small smile as he noticed the glassy eyes. The man looked like he was seriously high on pain meds.
"How are you feeling?" Joshua asked.
"He's loopy," Shane said with a big grin.
"I'm good," Don said happily. "This doesn't hurt at all."
"Yeah I'll bet," Joshua said as he glanced at the man's bandaged chest. There was gauzing completely wrapped around his middle.
Shane's cocky grin slipped a little as he shifted a little closer to his father. His gaze locked on the white wrapping on his father.
A doctor came into the cubicle. "I'm sorry but the gentleman here needs to get some rest."
"N-no," Shane said shakily as he grabbed his father's hand and his smile fell away completely. "I told him I wouldn't leave him."
"Shane it's ok," Don said softly. "I'm not going anywhere buddy. Just gonna close my eyes and get some rest. Why don't you go get cleaned up and I'll see you in a little while."
"But," Shane protested softly. He wished his brother was here. Eric was the more responsible and level headed one. He wasn't sure how to deal with this on his own.
"Come on Shane. We'll wash up and get something to eat," Joshua said as he placed a hand gently on the young man's shoulder.
"Everything will be ok Shane. Go with Joshua," he said as he squeezed his son's hand slightly. "We'll be home with you giving Eric a hard time before you know it."
Shane looked at his father for a few moments before nodding.
Don looked up at Joshua.
"It's ok. I'll bring him back soon," Joshua promised.
"Thanks," Don said as he yawned.
0000000000000
John's eyes slowly fluttered open. He stared up at the white ceiling for a moment before the memories of the past adventure came crashing down around him. He tried to move into a sitting position but found he was attached to an IV and his other arm was in a cast and restrained in a sling.
His head sunk back into his pillow as he rooted around with his good hand for the bed remote.
"Well it's about friggin' time you opened your eyes. Thought you were gonna sleep forever," Joshua said quietly.
The bed started to move slowly and John fought against dizziness as he was brought up to a semi-sitting position.
"Josh?" John said.
"In the flesh," Joshua said. "Go back to sleep John. You've only been out a short time."
"Dean?" John asked.
"I haven't left yet. They've been keeping Don for observation but it looks like he'll be released soon. I'll go with them and check on Dean," Joshua said.
"I'm going too," John said as he tried to swing his legs over the side of the bed. He only accomplished getting one slightly over the side and the other tangled in the sheet. He dropped his head back onto the pillow and closed his eyes.
"Knock it off soldier. You're staying put. Doctor's orders you dumb ass," Jesse said as he moved to the side of the bed stopping him from getting out of the bed.
"You're a vet not a doctor," John fired back.
"I'm both for when the occasion calls for it. Today I'm a doctor. Your doctor. And my ruling is that if you get out of that bed I'm gonna sedate you into next week," Joshua said.
John opened one eye at him. "You can't be serious."
"Try me fly boy," he shot back slightly a littleheatedly.
"How about this. You can sedate me when we get back to where Dean is. Get me the damn AMA or I'll get it when you leave and I'll meet you back at Shane's."
"You don't know where that is," Joshua said slightly uncertain. He wouldn't put it past his friend to get the AMA. But he thought he had that covered when John didn't know where Dean actually was staying.
"I can figure it out," John said sitting up fully on his own.
"Hey," Shane said as he came into the room pushing his father in a wheel chair. "Dad's been sprung."
"Joshua. Now," John growled.
Joshua brought his hands in mock surrender. "Fine. But it's your own funeral you stupid, stubborn, obstinate, self centered," he started to say and his tirade was cut off as he left the room and headed for the nurses station.
"How are you feeling?" Shane asked.
"I'll live," John said quietly.
"Well that's good cause you're little boy misses you," Shane said softly.
John brought his head up to look at the boy. "How is he really?"
"Well I'm sure he's in much better condition than what we left him in. We'll fill you in on the ride home, but basically he was hypothermic, we warmed him up and treated his injuries. He responded well to treatment and my other son Eric should have him more aware, and possibly walking around the house by now," Don said.
"Ok. And you are?" John asked.
"Oh right. We didn't get a chance to meet in the cave. I'm Don," he said as he extended a hand in greeting. "I'm Shane's father."
John shakily shook the man's hand. "You found my son?"
"Yeah we did. Me and my boys," he said quietly.
John nodded. "Thank you for taking him in and helping him."
Don shrugged. "No problem. It's what we do here."
John smiled slightly at him then closed his eyes for a moment. "Do you know what day it is?" he asked.
"December 18th," Shane said.
John sighed heavily. "I need to get back."
"You shouldn't be going anywhere in your condition," Don said surprised that the man wanted out so soon after his surgery. In fact he still looked half out of it from the anesthesia.
"Yeah well you'll soon learn how well he listens," Joshua said as he came back into the room. "You're all set. Just sign the forms and we're gone."
"Great," John said taking the papers from his friend. He squinted at the paper but couldn't seem to focus on it.
"If I have to point out where you have to sign I'm gonna tear up those papers," Joshua warned.
"Don't get your panties in a knot. I got it," John said and grabbed the pen from his friend.
It had taken time for John to get dressed and to get a wheel chair to take him down to the hospital's lobby. They called a cab and left the hospital. It was about four in the morning when they got to Don's house. Shane tried to get John to lay down into his room but he wouldn't go until he'd checked on Dean.
Shane led the exhausted man to his brother's room. Eric looked up at the figures that entered the room.
"You're back," he said and sat up. He'd been sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor in case Dean needed him in the night.
"Yup," Shane said. "You'll never guess what happened."
"Who are you?" Eric asked giving the injured man a good once over.
"I'm John, Dean's father," he said. "How's my boy?"
"Very much improved sir. I have been able to get some water into him and some broth. He's talking a little more and staying awake longer. But he's still sleeping a lot," Eric said as he got up and walked towards them. "Do you want to sit with him for a bit?"
"Yeah," John said softly.
Eric nodded. "I'll go see if I can find Dad," he said and pushed his brother out of the room ahead of him.
John stood there just inside the door watching Dean sleep. He walked softly towards his son and stopped next to the bed. Reaching out he ran a hand over the boy's hair leaving his hand on his cheek for a moment. Dean shifted in his sleep and leaned into his father's hand.
"Dean I'm sorry," John whispered. "You weren't ready for any of this but you saved us all."
John swallowed heavily and took a deep breath.
"Hey," a voice said quietly from behind him. "Your doctor is ordering bed rest. Now. No arguments or I will follow through on my original threat of sedating you into next week."
"I should stay with him," John said just above a whisper.
Dean shifted in his sleep moving closer to his father.
"No. John you won't do him any good if you don't try and get better. Getting better includes sleep. Now," Josh said as he stepped up beside him.
John sighed heavily and his shoulders drooped slightly. "Fine," he said softly. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep his eyes open for much longer.
Shane appeared in the room a moment later and showed John to his room so he could lie down. The young teen watched for a moment hesitant to leave in case he needed some help.
"Do you need anything?" Shane asked softly.
"No. I'll be fine. Thanks," John said then stretched out on the bed and fell asleep almost instantly.
"Well then I guess I'll take you to the guest room," Shane said as he looked at Joshua.
"Just show me the way kid. I feel like I could sleep for a week," Joshua said around a yawn.
Once Joshua was settled Shane went into his brother's room. Eric was there speaking softly with his father.
"Everyone settled?" Don asked.
"Yeah Dad," Shane said as he yawned.
"Take the floor or the couch. Which do you want?" Eric asked.
"Couch," Shane said.
"It's already made up," Eric said. "Go get some sleep and you can tell me all about it tomorrow."
"Thanks bro," Shane said then left the room.
"Get some rest Dad," Eric said.
"What about you?" Don asked. "How much sleep have you gotten since we left?"
Eric shrugged. "Enough. I'm not the one who returned battered and bruised. Go to bed."
Don nodded. "Try to get some sleep, ok?"
"I will," Eric said as his Dad left the room. Then he got back into his sleeping bag and went to sleep.