Quickly, the helpers are on the scene and Street's rescue is in full swing.
"Come on Chris, I'll prop you up." Deacon reaches under her arm, but Chris stands rooted to the spot.
"I'm not leaving until I'm sure Street is on this gurney and he's okay." She clarifies.
"Chris, they're doing a good job here and you need to be taken care of. Let's go. You can't help here anyway." Gently but firmly, he ushers her out and she is very weakened.
At the ambulance, her shoulder is first treated and the doctor is amazed when she tells him how she put it back herself with Street's help. After a Gilchrist bandage is applied, she sees Street finally being carried out of the building. He is unconscious, has a temporary tourniquet around his abdomen and an IV through which NaCl is being inserted. Despite being forbidden to do so, Chris jumps up and runs to the other ambulance.
"How is he? Is he stable?" She takes his hand and strokes the back of his hand with her thumb.
"Chris you're supposed to be resting." Will tries to hold her by the shoulders and lead her away.
"Don't touch me! I'm going with him to the hospital. I'm fine!" She glares angrily at Will and snorts.
Once at the hospital, the doctors also want to admit Chris as a patient, but she just wants to see Street.
"Chris, he's going into surgery now and there's nothing you can do but wait with us. You are hurt and need rest. Please don't be so stubborn and agree. You can visit him here as a patient, too, can't you?" Luca speaks to her with the tongues of angels and the others of the team agree with him.
"Alright, fine by me. I can't argue anymore, I'm just done." She finally admits. "But as soon as he's out of surgery, I want to see him." She adds.
"Promise." Hondo replies.
Two hours have already passed. Chris, Deacon, Hondo, Tan, Luca and Will sit in the waiting area and the tension and worry is palpable.
Chris has her head leaning against Luca's shoulder and her eyes are closed. The strong pain medication is making her terribly tired, but she doesn't want to wait in her hospital bed for news.
As the operating doctor approaches her, everyone stands and waits anxiously.
"Are you all here for James Street?" He wants to know and the others nod. "The surgery went well, the splinter was removed without a problem and miraculously no organs were injured." Everyone exhales in relief and a slight smile settles on their lips.
"Can, can I see him?" Chris is nervous.
"Yes, but not for too long, he is very weakened." The doctor moves on and Chris follows him to Street's room.
She knocks tentatively on the door and when she opens it and enters, he greets her with a weak smile.
"Hey." He croaks, because the tube and the anesthesia have made his voice pretty groggy.
"Hey. How are you doing? Are you in a lot of pain?" She sits down at the edge of the bed and immediately they both reach for each other's hand.
"I'm okay. Tired, but okay. How are you? You look exhausted." He states.
"I'm fine. The painkillers just make me a little tired." There is silence for a moment and they both look deeply into each other's eyes.
"Hey, don't cry. It's all good." Is it Street who takes her hand and kisses the back of it. "What's wrong Chris?" He frowns.
"I was so scared out of my mind for you. When you passed out and I didn't know if we were going to get out in time, and I saw you - " But he interrupts her.
"Sssssshhhtt. Come here." He lifts an arm and Chris snuggles into his side as best as she can. He kisses the top of her head. "You're not getting rid of me that fast, you hear me." He rests his chin on top of her head. She has her eyes closed, enjoying his warmth, his touch and the regular rise and fall of his chest.
"I love you so much Jim."
"I love you too and I was scared as hell for you. I'm so glad you're okay." Again he kisses the top of her head.
The months go by quickly and everything is back on track. Chris was discharged two days after the explosion and had to take it easy for another month until her shoulder healed. Street had to stay in the hospital for a total of two weeks and also had a longer recovery ahead of her.
In the meantime, half a year has passed and the move has finally been made. If the two hadn't had their friends, they would probably still be sleeping between boxes and cartons today.
Today is the housewarming party and both teams are invited. Chris and Street are so looking forward to it and can hardly wait until everyone is there.
Chris's apartment hasn't changed much. Street has put up some personal pictures and items and got half of the closet.
One by one, all the guests trickle in and are greeted warmly. The hosts have put together a Guatemalan buffet and everyone neatly digs in.
"Well Chris, you've outdone yourself with this food." Will praises and already gets the second helping.
"Yeah, well, I couldn't have done any better." Luca says and everyone starts laughing.
Another knock at the door makes Chris and Street sit up and take notice and yes, two or three guests are indeed still missing. When Street opens the door, a loving smile immediately appears on his lips, because when he sees the little daughter of Bonnie and Tan, his heart opens.
"Hey you three, glad it worked out." Briefly, he hugs the couple and unceremoniously takes the maxicosi from Bonnie.
"Hello little princess." Street unfastens the seat belts and pulls out little Ruby Fae Tan. Her soft cooing makes him beam and he looks at her in love.
"Well Chris I'd say you have some serious competition." Tan laughs and all three of them watch Street.
"Yeah, I can see that. Once Ruby gets here I'm a write off." She giggles and has to grin at the sight of her boyfriend.
"Honey don't worry, you're still my number one." He grins and sends her an air kiss.
"Your place is so cozy. You guys really did a good job with it." Bonnie notes, happy to be able to sit without a baby for a few minutes.