The tent was stifling hot. That was the first thing Chris noticed upon waking. Looking around at the other occupied cots, she tried to figure out what time it was. The sun was up, that much she could tell by the light coming in the tent windows. To her right she found Johnny, sleeping soundly with his right arm thrown over his eyes. To her left she found Roy.
The older paramedic was lying on his side facing her. He too was asleep but as she watched his face grimaced in pain from time to time. She suddenly felt really bad for trying to drag the man out into the waste land again. The sad, unadulterated truth was that she needed them. There wasn't a hope in hell of her finding the hills or her brother without their help. And she was going to do anything she had to to find Paul.
Two cots away Captain Stanley sat up and ran his hands over his face. Even from this distance Chris could see that the man was still very tired. Hell, she was still tired. Giving in, she sank back onto the cot and tried to ignore the heat. Ten minutes later she was sound asleep again.
Captain Stanley looked at the woman as she slept. He'd asked at Battalion about his family and had been told that they were safe in a secondary camp further along the beach. He was very relieved to find out that they were okay but he desperately wanted to see them. It seemed like it had been years.
Sighing, he stood up and headed toward the showers again. He didn't think he'd ever take showering for granted any time soon. It felt so wonderful to be clean. Along the way he met up with Jon and Ponch. The two CHP officers were also feeling the need to get clean. They chatted amicably as they walked through the camp.
The showers were especially busy so they were forced to wait for their turn. Captain Stanley turned his attention to Jon's injuries. He noticed the heavily bandaged ankle and the crutch. He also noticed the sling and the bandaged arm. "You've had a rough time of it," Hank stated.
"We were riding our motors along the freeway when the first earthquake hit. There wasn't a lot between the pavement and my skin when I was sliding along," Jon responded. He was feeling better thanks to the days of rest but he felt even better now that Ponch was safe. The guilt of not going with his partner had been nearly paralyzing.
"I'm sure if we went up to the freeway we'd find our motors within a few hundred feet," Ponch said. "It's good to be home."
XXXXX
He couldn't stand it anymore. Sucking air between clenched teeth, Roy forced himself out of the cot. It felt like his ribs were on fire. He closed his eyes as he rode the waves of pain. Frustrated, he left the tent once he could move again and headed for the medical tent. Roy was going to have to get some help for the pain if he wanted to go with Chris. Hopefully Dr. Brackett wasn't going to hold it against him.
"Hi, Roy," Dixie said as he entered. She immediately picked up on the paramedic's discomfort. "Here, sit down."
"Thanks, Dix," Roy responded as he accepted the seat she indicated. It was higher than the cot so he was going to have less trouble getting back up again. "I was hoping you could give me something for the pain. My ribs are killing me."
"I'm sure Dr. Brackett would prescribe a pain killer for you. Just wait here and I'll be right back," Dixie said. She placed a reassuring hand on the paramedic's shoulder on her way by.
Roy looked around the tent. A few feet away Mike was sleeping fitfully. Instantly Roy felt guilty that he hadn't asked about his friend's condition. Then Dixie was back with Kelly Brackett and Joe Early bringing up the rear.
"Hi, Roy, how are you feeling today?" Dr. Brackett asked as he came up to the man. He took in the pale skin on Roy's face and the pinched look of his blue eyes. He must really be hurting if he was willing to come looking for something to ease it.
"I've been better," Roy admitted. Without preamble, Kel pulled Roy's smock up and re-examined the offending ribs. Roy hissed as the doctor palpated the worst one of the three.
"I really wish you'd reconsider go off on this search, Roy. You need to give your body time to heal," Kel Brackett said. The bruising was down slightly from when he'd first examined the paramedic but he was still pretty sore. In a rapid succession of thoughts, Kel considered all of the treatment options.
"I could rewrap your ribs to give them more stability and put you on pain killers. That's about all I can do for you if you insist on this," he said, looking at the paramedic with concern. Kel really wished the man would change his mind.
"The pain killers would be appreciated. I think I'll pass on the tape, it limits my mobility and itches like hell if it gets wet," Roy responded, a lopsided grin on his face.
"Okay, if that's what you want." Sighing in resignation, Dr. Brackett set about getting the prescription.
"Thanks, Doc." Roy sat back slightly in the cot and waited. He was part way there.
