Even before the noise of the explosion had cleared his ears , Sean was back through the window of the classroom , closely followed by Connor and Thomas .All three ran through the classroom into the corridor , they were met with the sight of three bodies on the floor face down .
" Connor grab Walter , Thomas you grab the other guy and i will take Paige . " Sean shouted his orders in a commanding voice .
Each of them picked up their respective people and carried them into the classroom , placed them gently on the floor , making pillows for them using their coats .
Sean walked over to the window and called the dentist over .
" We have three people who were knocked out by the shock wave caused by the last explosion . Get in here now and see what you can do , my son and daughter are two of them."
The dentist was hesitant to climb back in . Sean reached out and grabbed him by his lapels on his jacket and pulled him real close to the window .
"You will come in here NOW and do what you can , i am not ready yet to loose any more children . " His voice was not loud but carried an icy chill that made the dentist act immediately and he began to climb in the window . Once inside he checked all three .
" It would seem none have broken bones except that one with a broken leg , but that was pre the last explosion , one i had checked in the computer room . They should all begin to come round soon but they will most likely have headaches . "
As he was finishing they heard a groan come from Paige , soon followed with a groan from Walter . Sean and the dentist ran over to them .
" Paige , Walter are you alright . " Shouted Sean .
" What happened i feel i was hit by a bus . " Replied Paige .
" Thank god you are alright . " Said a concerned Sean .
" Were is Walter , Walter , Walter . " Paige was beginning to panic .
" It is alright my sweet girl , he his next to you . He as not recovered as quick as you . " Sean explained .
Paige rolled onto her side and saw her beloved Walter on his back next to her , she pulled herself on top of him and planted a kiss on his lips . After about fifteen seconds , Walter gave a sudden jerk his eyes flew open , but all he could see now was Paige's eyes but could feel her lips on his , so he immediately began to return the kiss .
" Get a room you two . " Joked Connor .
" Yea get a room . " Repeated Thomas .
Walter and Paige both laughed . Paige rolled off Walter , who then made an attempt to sit up , but he found the room start to spin .
" Take it easy son , you may have concussion from the blast . " Advised Sean .
While this had been happening the dentist was trying to bring Steve round . He was at this time using smelling salts to bring him round , they seemed to be working as he began to shake his head . Paige was sitting up with no real problem , Walter tried again to sit up this time he managed it without much trouble .
" We need to get everyone clear before another explosion occurs . " Sean urged .
Walter stood but needed to hold onto a chair to keep his balance , Paige was having a similar problem . Steve was now awake , but would need help because of his broken leg . Sean stood looking at the three of them .
" First we need to get you three out of the window , we can then arrange help for those who need it in the open . " Sean ordered , he had decided someone needed to take charge , as neither Walter or Paige were capable at the moment .
" A good decision dad , i will let you get on with it . " Walter told him .
Once they were all out and seated on the bank , Sean instructed Connor and Thomas to create a chair with their arms the same as Walter and Paige had done to carry Steve . The two people who had been unconscious were designated a rescuer each . Walter and Paige decided they would support each other .
They all set of towards the end of the school , Paige and Walter in the lead with Sean no more than two steps behind them , just in case . They had reached the detour around the smoke which meant climbing up a steep bank of grass to be able to bypass the smoke . Sean saw immediately Walter and Paige were beginning to struggle a little , he picked up his pace and stepped in between them both and said some simple words .
" Each put an arm around my shoulders and let me be your support up up the bank . "
Both Walter and Paige did as he said , they both turned to and said with sincerity .
" Thank you dad . "
They soon reached the peak of the bank , the downward trip was easier but the three of them went down together . Once they reached the flat part again Sean began to remove himself from the middle of them , so they could support each other again , before he could leave , Paige reached over and gave him a kiss on the cheek .
" Thank you again dad ."
Sean had a tear in his eye , which he blinked away before speaking .
" I never gave Walter the support he needed when he was young , to pigheaded i suppose . But seeing what i have seen you do for him i am determined to give both of you all the support i can in the future . So i should be thanking you . "
Walter had been listening to his father a tear came to his eyes and a lump in his throat , so much so he could not speak . All he could do was hug Paige and bury his head into her shoulder .
" Are you alright Walter ?" Asked Paige with concern in her voice .
All Walter could manage at the moment was a garbled . " Yes. "
They continued to walk back to the front of the school , as they turned the corner they heard a siren approaching at speed .
" It seems that the cavalry as arrived . " Suggested Sean .
A now fully recovered Walter answered .
"That's only one siren , so i don't think they will much help . "
They reached the front of the school when a car pulled up the siren still going .
" That is a Garda vehicle ." Stated Sean
" As i said not much use . " Replied Walter , Paige looked at him and rather sternly just said .
" Walter ."
Walter immediately began to backstep much to the amusement of Sean .
" No , what i meant , not much use with regard to the major problem which we still have with the fire that is still burning . "
" Now that is much better Walter . " Said a smiling Paige in a much sweeter voice .
During the time Paige had been away , Father O'Connor had arranged with some of his parishioners to boil water in a large urn in the church hall kitchen and bring it over close to the triage area , together with two five gallon containers of cold water . He had also arranged with others to make sandwiches for the rescuers and some of the rescued people who would not need serious medical aid . Louise and her three medical assistants were just waiting for Walter and Paige to come back . Both Megan and Louise had been passed fit by the nurse , but had stayed with Louise to offer any help they could .
Walter and Paige appeared round the corner of the school , just as the Garda got out of the car . Walter turned to Sean .
" Dad can you get all of these people over to the triage area , while Paige and myself go and see the Garda . "
" Sure son , just watch you say to the Garda , a lot of them tend to think they know better than anyone else . "
Paige smiled at Sean . " I think i can keep him under control . "
" You had better ." Said a smiling Sean .
Walter and Paige walked towards the Garda . While Sean led his little group to the triage area and Louise .
As Walter and Paige approached the Garda , his right hand resting on the handle of his gun , he wore on his right hip , his left arm hung loose , his whole demeanor one of , I am in charge . This stance immediately made Walter feel confrontational , Paige noticed the change in Walter's demeanor and whispered in his ear .
" Steady Walter , he his an official , so do not confront him , let me do the talking . "
Walter looked across at Paige and in a quiet yet sincere voice . " That is another reason , i love you so much , you know how to keep me out of trouble . "
Once they got close enough to speak and not shout , Paige began the introductions .
" Good afternoon my name is Paige Dineen and this is Walter O'Brian , we have managed to rescue twenty two people out of the school and a further fourteen people who were caught out by the first explosion out on one of the fields at the back of the school . We have also had a triage area set up were the injured are being treated until the rest of the emergency services arrive . The biggest problem now is the fire and the toxic smoke it is emitting . "
The officer had not moved or interrupted during Paige's speech . He waited about thirty seconds before answering .
" Well you seem well organized , do you have any news when the other emergency services will be here ? "
This time Walter took over the story .
" Nothing is getting through from the North because of a twenty car accident on the main Dublin to Cork road . The closest one from the south was sixty minutes away , when we arrived . " Walter checked his watch and was surprised they had only been there for forty minutes . " So i suppose they should be here in about another twenty minutes . "
The officer again just stood there for a moment before speaking .
"First my name is Officer McConnor , i was just the first available person that could be sent and expected to see total chaos , but what i see is a well organized rescue attempt . There is nothing for me to do except wait for the other service's to arrive . Could i ask how you know what to do . "
Paige jumped in first , just in case Walter decided to be Walter .
" We were both members of an American Homeland emergency response team . To be honest this was very minor to what we are used to . "
" Oh !" Was all Officer McConnor could manage .
" Lets go over to the triage area and you can meet Louise and Sean , Walter's parents who have been working with us . " Suggested Paige
"That is ok with me , but what about the fire . " Asked Officer McConner .
" Due to the possibility of the smoke being toxic , without the correct breathing apparatus we cannot take the risk of trying to fight it . " Explained Walter .
" Ok , lets go . "Replied Officer McConnor .
The three of them made their way over to the triage area . As soon as they arrived , Louise stopped what she was doing and went over and hugged Paige and then Walter , she stepped back and looked at them both .
" I am so glad you are both safe . "
" Well we have Sean , Connor and Thomas to thank for all their help . " Said Walter with real conviction in his voice . Walter then called Sean over .
" Mom , dad this is officer McConnor ."
" Very pleased to meet you , you have done a grand job with so little to work with . " He congratulated them .
Sean was quick to speak .
" None of this would have been possible without the organizational skills of Walter and Paige ." As Sean finished speaking they heard a cacophony of sirens approaching . Officer McConner turned to Walter and Paige .
" Would you two mind coming with me to explain to the fire chief and the ambulance people what has happened . "
" It would be our pleasure to go with you . " Said Paige .
Officer McConnor closely followed by Walter and Paige made their way over to a fleet of emergency vehicles that had just arrived , two fire engines , three ambulances and two more Garda cars .
Officer McConnor made his way to the fire officer in charge and explained to him who Walter and Paige were . Walter explained the situation to the fire chief telling him about the possibility of the toxic smoke and that they had removed all the people who were in the building . The fire chief immediately instructed the fire fighters to put on their hazard suits and breathing gear .
While Walter was explaining all this to the fire chief Paige had made her way over to the ambulance crews and advised them about the triage area they had set up and what injuries to expect . The three ambulance crews thanked her and made their way over to the triage area .
Officer McConnor then introduced Walter and Paige to the other two Garda who had just arrived and explained what they had managed to do between them .
All of them seemed impressed at what they had achieved with so little equipment and manpower at their disposal . Paige stepped in to explain that what they had done here was a simple task compared to some of the Homeland jobs as well as some private jobs .
As there was little any of the Garda could do, they began asking questions as to what they had actually been involved with . Paige looked at Walter , who just shrugged his shoulders before saying .
" As long as they are not covered by the secrets act we signed , i see no problem relating a couple of cases . Maybe the Christmas dam and the Mexican Nuclear Power station . "
Paige rested against the bonnet of one of the Garda's vehicle and began to tell them about the Christmas dam . By the time she had finished telling them the story , they were in shock . Once she had finished the story of the Mexican Nuclear Power Station , they were all dumbfounded . One by one all the officers came up to shake Walter and Paige's hand .
While Paige had kept the Garda occupied with her stories , the fire fighters had got the blaze under control . The fire it self had not been that large and was contained in the science lab. , it would appear most of the damage had been caused by a mixture of chemicals exploding and it was these mixtures that was causing the black cloud and not smoke from the fire . The fire chief explained to Paige and Walter that the black cloud had been toxic and if anyone had inhaled it , death would have been the likely outcome .
Walter and Paige said their goodbyes to the Garda and the fire chief and made their way back to Louise and Sean .
" That made today a bit different , don't you think . " Said Paige as she side hugged Walter .
" I really think mom and dad came through with flying colors today and what a surprise , Connor and Thomas turned out to be . " Replied Walter as he returned the hug to Paige .
Louise and Sean were trying to help the injured ,who did not need a vist to hospital , to be comfortable while arrangements were being made to get them all home . A few of the computer students had come in their own cars , which were parked in the school car park , at the opposite end of the school from the science lab. However due to the shock of the explosions none felt as if they wanted to drive . Some of the crowd had come forward and had agreed to provide transport to get them all home .
The football team , with the exception of the lad with the ankle injury , who had been taken to hospital , had either called their parents or they were already there .
The rescuers including Connor and Thomas were busy tidying up the triage area . Most of the first aid kits , had been used so what was left were being put in a black binliners , ready to be put in the rubbish bins . Father O'Connol arranged for the urn and water containers to be returned to the church hall .
Walter shouted as load as he could .
" THANK YOU EVERYONE . "
All the people who were still there began clapping and raising their hands to Walter and Paige .
Two hours later they were back at the farm . Louise insisted they stayed for something to eat and drink , neither Walter or Paige put up any objections . Louise soon had coffee made , while the others were drinking their coffee , she managed to assemble a selection of sandwiches and cut up a fruit cake she had baked a couple of days ago .
They all had their fill , Louise cleared away the table and insisted Walter and Paige should sit on the sofa . They had only been sitting on the sofa for a few minutes , Walter had his arm around Paige who had her head on Walter's shoulder . When both of them closed their eyes within a couple of minutes they were sleeping . Louise and Sean came back and saw a beautiful sight the two lovers fast asleep in each others arms . Louise walked over to one of the chairs and pulled a blanket off it and gently put it over the two lovers then indicated to Sean to leave the living room .
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