When Alex heard Jimmy's screaming she ran over to where Kim lay crumpled in a heap. She grabbed Kim under her arms and half dragged, half carried her to the relative safety of the bathroom where Bosco was still trying to wake up Faith and Ty.
"What happened?" Bosco asked.
"I don't know, I left her talking to Jimmy and she just collapsed." Alex replied. "Kim, Kim wake-up." Kim's eyelids fluttered but didn't open.
"Common Jimmy, we need you in here." Bosco mumbled. Finally they heard the sound of splintering wood and heard Jimmy's voice clearly.
"Bosco! Taylor! Where are you?"
"Here, in the bathroom. Hurry up Doherty' Alex called out in reply as she started to grab a hold of Ty to drag him out.
"Get Kim out." Bosco told the firefighter, "We've got the other two." Jimmy didn't need anymore encouragement as he heard sirens approaching the scene. He scooped Kim into his arms and headed for the door.
"I'm going to be late picking up Joey. He's waiting for me." Kim mumbled. Jimmy shushed her,
"Kim, your mom has Joey, its ok. I am going to get us out of here. Hang on." Kim nestled closer to Jimmy and slipped back out of consciousness. Jimmy tore down the stairs as fast as he dared and out the front door. He delivered Kim to a paramedic's waiting arms but wouldn't leave her side as they examined her.
"Jimmy." Jimmy turned to the person calling his name.
"Hey Cap." He said distractedly.
"How many are there left in the apartment Jimmy?" the Captain asked.
"Bosco, Davis, Yokas and Taylor are in there still." He replied, eyes still on his fiancé
"Is Taylor conscious?" the Captain continued to press for information, concerned for his firefighter and realizing that she was the only one in the apartment who would know what exactly to do in such a dangerous fire.
"Yeah, and Boscorelli too.' Jimmy supplied. The Captain turned and began shouting orders to his men, some of whom ran into the building. Jimmy continued to stare at Kim, praying for her safety and hopped into the ambulance to sit with her on the way to the hospital.
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Before Bosco had a chance to suggest that he carry Ty out and she take the lighter Faith, Alex was out the bathroom door, Ty over her shoulder in a fireman's carry.
"Whoa' Bosco thought, impressed as he watched her leave. A moan from Faith refocused his attention on the task at hand.
"Where am I?" Bosco's newly awakened partner asked.
"Faith? Are you ok? Can you walk?" he questioned.
"I'm so dizzy." She replied and tried to stand, but fell before she even made it to her feet.
"I guess not." Bosco answered his own question. He reached down and tried to lift her the same way Jimmy had easily picked up Kim. He got her up to his knees and had to put her down again and rethink his plan.
"Maybe Taylor grabbed Davis because he's lighter." Bosco remarked.
"Oh thanks Bos! I've had two kids, what were you expecting?" Faith retorted, only slightly amazed that Bosco still had an attitude after all they'd been through.
"How about if I support you and you can try to walk." he suggested.
"Ok, if you think that's the best way." Faith replied, somewhat sarcastic. Bosco helped her to her feet and she put her hand around his shoulder. The pair approached the front door slowly. Bosco helped Faith over the same burning debris he'd originally crossed to get to her and they finally reached the stairwell which was by now also on fire. They were so focused on their goal of reaching the exit that neither noticed Alex had never made it out under Ty's weight.
*********************************
Alex set Ty down to take a breather as Bosco and Faith walked right past her and out the door.
'Screw the carrying; I'm going to have to drag you. Why do you have to be so big?" She asked the still unconscious Ty.
"And now I'm talking to myself, this day just gets better and better." She added. She took and deep breath and gripped Ty under his arms and started to drag him to the exit. The left leg of his pants brushed through a flame and caught fire. Alex put him down again, careful of his head and jumped on his leg to smother the flame.
"When is this going to end?" she screamed to no one. Then she looked at the helpless Ty, and running on pure adrenaline, she dragged him the rest of the way to the stairs. Once there she turned and started down backwards, Ty's feet bumping on each stair as they descended. She was so focused on getting Ty out of harm's way that she didn't even acknowledge the firemen she passed on her way down the stairs. They did however, notice her and radioed down to the street so the paramedics would be ready. When she finally burst through the front door, she collapsed, Ty's head landing on her lap. Her mind was swimming and the world seemed to move in slow motion. She was barely aware of what was happening around her as Doc and Carlos grabbed Ty and put him on a gurney. She absently followed them to the ambulance and sat silently in the back as Carlos worked on Ty and Doc sped to Angel of Mercy Hospital.
"Alex. Hey, Taylor, are you ok?" Carlos asked a trance-like Alex as a single tear slipped down her cheek and washed a path clean in the soot on her face.