Chapter Five-
Chase woke up the next morning, Jess cuddled up next to him. He was content, euphorically happy. He felt a kiss on his cheek, and realised she had woken up.
"Morning," he said quietly. She snuggled in closer to him, his bare chest warmed by her. He looked over at the bedside clock, then came back and kissed Jess again.
"I've got to leave in half an hour, or risk being late to work. If I'm late again, Vince will kill me." Jess shifted, allowing him room to get up.
"You go shower, I'll make you breakfast." Chase nodded to her, and dashed into the bathroom. Jess smiled to herself. She felt so lucky having Chase as her boyfriend. She crawled out of bed, and padded to the kitchen.
Chase ran from the bathroom into the kitchen, hair still dripping. Jess flipped another pancake onto the pile she'd made for Chase. He went to grab them and run out the door. Jess stopped him.
"You have time. Stop and eat for five minutes." He nodded, and sat at the table. Jess brought his breakfast over for him, and sat across from him.
"What are you doing today?" Asked Chase through a mouthful of pancake. She giggled a little.
"Just doing a little shopping; do you mind if I do dinner tonight?" She asked. Chase nodded.
"That's fine. Lachie will probably be back tonight." Chase finished his plate, and put it in the kitchen. He gave Jess a peck on the cheek, and ran out the door. Jess cleaned up, and got dressed. She had to grab a few things before she made dinner for Chase and Lachie tonight, and get a few clothes from home as well. She pulled out of the driveway, and headed for the mall. Traffic was heavy, and she pulled out of her lane into the next. She never saw it coming.
Chase made it to work with minutes to spare. Vince met him at the door, watching the time.
"Nice work Chase. Here on time for a change." Chase smiled, and headed up to his desk. Michelle kept giving him paperwork to fill out, and he was a little over all of it. After half an hour, Vince tramped up the stairs, and leant over Chase's desk.
"Where's your brother today?" He asked. Chase looked confused.
"Dean? I have no idea." Vince shook his head.
"Not Dean, Lachie. He's never usually late. Do you know where he is?" Chase shook his head, just as he heard the front door go. Vince stepped back and peered over the railing.
"You two are late." He said gruffly. Lachie nodded.
"Yeah, we know Vince. It won't happen again." Vince bobbed his head.
"Good! Now get onto your paperwork. Michelle would like it done by today if we can." His phone rang on his desk, and he picked it up. Chase leaned over to Lachie's desk.
"What's going on?" He asked quietly.
"Nothing you should worry your pretty head over Chasie. How was your night with Jess?" Chase's face became enflamed. Lachie laughed and slapped him on the back. Vince put down his phone.
"Chase, Lachie, MVA. You two should be right; take Grommet if you can, she needs the training." The two of them ran down the stairs, and jumped in one of the patrols, Chase grabbing Kate on the way. They sped away, sirens going.
"What's this accident?" Asked Kate. Lachie answered whilst Chase navigated the traffic.
"MVA. We're waiting for Vince to tell us any extra details, but for now, we just need to get there." Kate nodded. Chase's radio crackled.
"Rescue Base to Rescue Portable Four, Chase, I've got the name of the patient here."
"Rescue Portable Four, go ahead Vince." Vince pulled out a slip of paper.
"A Jessica Turner is in the small vehicle. It was hit by a truck, and you've got to get her out of the wreckage." Lachie looked at Chase. His knuckles were turning white as he gripped the steering wheel tighter. Lachie put a hand on his arm.
"Pull over Chase; let me drive." Chase pulled onto the side of the road and turned off the ignition. Lachie climbed out and transferred with Chase. Kate watched on, confused. Chase got in the passenger side, shaking. Their radios crackled.
"Rescue Base, what's going on? You guys should be there now. Where are you?" Asked Vince, his voice tinny through the radio. Lachie responded.
"Rescue Portable Seven to Rescue Base, Vince, that patient is Chase's girlfriend. We're on our way now." Lachie floored the accelerator, rushing to get to the accident site, not only for Jess's sake, but for Chase's as well. When they arrived, crowds were swarming the area. Chase ran to the car.
"Jess!" He called. Lachie pulled him back, and let Kate run forward with a medi-kit.
"Chase, you being there won't do any good for the moment. You take the crowd control; let Grommet and I deal with Jess. We'll call you over if we need you." He nodded, trying to regain control. Lachie released him and headed over to Kate.
"How's she doing?" He asked.
"She's bleeding a little, probably has a mild concussion. I've given her oxygen. I'm more worried about her spine, and the possible injury to her legs from the dash." Lachie nodded.
"Good assessment Kate." Jess started to stir.
"Jess. Jess. Stay with us." She pulled off the oxygen mask.
"Where's Chase?" She asked.
"He's here, he's just doing something for us. Can you tell us how you're feeling?"
"I can't feel my legs." Lachie looked at Kate, who got up and sprinted to the patrol. Chase saw her.
"What's going on?" He called. Kate didn't answer him; she didn't know if she should. She grabbed the combi-tool and took it back to Lachie. While she was gone Lachie had secured a cervical collar around her neck. Chase came running over, and skidded to a halt. He looked Jess.
"Babe, are you ok?" She tried to shake her head, but the collar wouldn't allow her.
"Chase," She whispered.
"I can't feel my legs."