Bill Avery stood outside the emergency room entrance in the frigid Seattle air. There was so much history between him and the Thornton/Stanton clan. He would be there the moment they arrived. He just wished he had better news.
A truck followed by a stylish sedan drove into the parking lot. It was dark, but Bill would know Charlotte's silhouette anywhere.
Abigail and Clara were out of the truck before it was even fully in park. They rushed towards him, calling out his name as soon as they saw him.
"Tell us he's not dead, Chief Avery! Please!" Clara begged.
"He's not. Pete's hurt bad, but he's alive."
"Oh, thank goodness!" Abigail cried. "Clara, let's go. Maybe we can see him?" The question was to Bill.
"Probably not right away, but they can give you more information inside. Go, I'll talk to Charlotte."
"Bill!" Charlotte ran up followed by her family.
"Pete's hurt bad but he's alive."
"Thank the Lord," she sighed. "Where's Jack?"
Bill let out a deep sigh.
"Bill!" She yelled. "Where's my son?"
"I don't know."
Elizabeth felt her heart plummet to the ground. Charlotte wrapped her arms around Elizabeth and her children. What did Bill mean, he didn't know?
"Oh, come on now!" Lee yelled stepping closer. "That's not good enough."
"According to the men, Jack is still inside the building. Apparently he was with Pete when the floors above began to collapse. Part of the flaming ceiling landed on Pete. Jack uncovered him and carried him out to a paramedic but then ran back inside just before… before more debris fell."
The women gasped.
"The exit became blocked and… we just need to be patient."
"What about the radios?" Tom asked. "Firemen always have their radios on!"
"That's true, yes. Jack said he was blocked off and was looking for another way. Not long after it was radio silence."
Tom swore.
"Ma, give me the keys."
"Why, son?"
"I'm going to the fire. I'm getting Jack."
"No you're not." She said calmly. "We'll go inside and wait with your aunt for news."
"No! I'm getting my brother." He grabbed the keys from her purse.
"Tommy!"
Lee ran after him, "Tom, I know you're scared."
"Don't tell me how I am feeling!" He cried, falling on his knees in the snowy pavement. "I need my brother. Please God, you have my dad. Don't take Jack too."
Elizabeth and Rosie clung to Charlotte.
Lee helped Tom up and walked with him back to the rest of the family. Charlotte wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.
"Let's go inside. We do this as a family, okay?" She turned to Elizabeth, placing a hand on her cheek. "We're family."
…..
Jack startled awake. It took a second for his brain to catch up for him to realize where he was. He was still in the building.
With a grunt, he pushed the debris off his legs and chest.
"Thornton to engine 2, over," he said into the radio. "Thornton to engine 2."
He looked at the device. It was busted.
"Crap," he groaned, standing up. His whole body hurt. "Jesse?" He yelled. "Jesse Fylnn, where are you, rookie?
Jack searched the area for his fellow firefighter as well as a way out. There was more smoke than flames where he was which seemed promising.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a boot sticking out from under a pile of floor and ceiling materials. It was Jesse.
"Come on champ," Jack said, helping the young man to his feet. "Time to go home."
"Ugh," Jesse groaned. "Do you have the guy?"
"What guy?"
"Right before the ceiling fell, there was a guy."
Jack leaned Jesse against a pile of debris. "I'll look. Put your oxygen mask on alright?"
Again he looked around, but saw nothing. A hole in the floor told him he was at least three stories up.
"Help!" A voice called from below. "Help us!"
"Sir!" Jack yelled as he shined his flashlight, finding the man. "What's your name?"
"James. My son and I are stuck. I think my leg is broken… I don't know how to get out."
"We'll be right there. Don't move!"
Jack rushed over and gave Jesse a hand up. Jesse was feeling stronger, thankfully. Jack wasn't sure how he'd get everyone out otherwise.
"Let's go, rookie. Time to work."
…
Elizabeth sat in the waiting room holding Charlotte's hand. With the other, she played with her infinity necklace charm. The one Jack made her in Haiti.
They'd been there almost an hour now. No word of Jack or anything new on Pete.
"It won't always be like this," Charlotte spoke softly to Elizabeth. "The job is scary and dangerous but most of the time, I promise, it's not like this. Little injuries sure, but not like this."
Elizabeth smiled weakly at the woman. "I won't be scared off, don't worry. I love him too much."
"I'm glad."
"Can I tell you something silly?" Elizabeth asked.
"I like silly, go on."
"I think Jack's going to be okay. I mean, I was terrified when we got the news, and I still am but, I just have this feeling."
"That's not too silly. I felt that way with Tom. He had a few scares in his career. In the end though, it was cancer. Crazy isn't it?"
The thundering sound of footsteps running down the hall caused them all to look up.
Elizabeth stood, her heart pounding. Then the root of the sound came into view.
"Jack!" She cried out. "Jack!"
She leapt out of her chair and rushed towards him, throwing her arms around him.
"Careful, babe," he said with a wince.
"Oh no! Are you hurt?"
"Nah. Only a little. I was referring to how dirty I am."
He was still fully dressed in his uniform which was covered in soot.
The rest of the family came over. Jack hugged his mom and sister without letting go of Elizabeth. Then he did the same with Tom.
"Excuse me, sir?" A nurse appeared behind them. "I'm sorry but you need to get checked out."
"I know, but I needed to see my family first."
"I understand but the paramedics said you had some burns and a possible concussion. Come with me, please."
"Just give me a sec, please?" His voice stern yet polite. "Aunt Abigail, how's Pete?"
"We don't know. He was burnt badly but thanks to you, they were able to help him quickly."
"He shouldn't have been hurt at all. I'm sorry."
"Oh Jack, my sweet nephew." Abigail came closer and placed her palm on Jack's dirty, scraped cheek. "You did all you could, Jack. Thank you."
Everyone stood huddled together in silence for a few moments.
"Uh, dude, you're bleeding."
"Huh?" Jack touched his head where Tom was pointing. "Guess I should get checked out."
"Can I come with you?" Elizabeth asked.
With a loving smile, Jack kissed her forehead. "Please."
She clung to his hand as the doctor checked him out. He was still her handsome Jack, even hurt and dirty.
"You okay, babe?" he asked.
"I'm better now that I can be with you."
"I'm sorry. I know it must have been scary."
"It was but I was just telling your mom that I had this feeling inside. I knew you were okay."
"I'm glad."
She softly pressed her lips to his cheek and then lips, forgetting the doctor was in the room. "I love you."
"I love you. Ah!", he winced at the doctor's prodding of his head wound. "Easy, Doc."
"Sorry," the doctor chuckled. "I'll be back. I'm gonna see about getting you into CT to check that head and we'll take care of the stitches and take a look at those burns on your back. Sit tight."
"Not going anywhere." Jack groaned as he adjusted his back on the gurney. The doctor had put a temporary bandage on it with some ointment but it still hurt like a beast.
"How bad does your back feel?"
"Like it's still burning. I think my adrenaline wore off after I saw you." He took her hand and kissed it.
Jack shivered, so she let go for a moment to grab him a blanket.
"Here. It's cold in here and here you are without a shirt."
"Feels strange. I'm cold but the burns on my back and even this little one on my shoulder is like a heatwave."
"What can I do?"
"Just sit with me."
An Hour Later…
Charlotte sat in the waiting room, Rosie and Lee asleep at her one side, Bill anxiously sitting on the other. Abigail and Clara were just taken back to see Pete. His arms and part of his chest had burns on them of varying degrees. They were only allowed to see him for a few minutes at a time so he could rest.
"It will be a bit before Pete's back at work, huh?" Charlotte asked Bill.
"Yeah. He needs to take his time though. We'll figure it out, and if he decides not to come back, he has my blessing."
"I don't know that he'll go that route. This is all he and Jack ever wanted to be. Though I can't say I'd complain about not having to worry so much if they did choose another path. Is that bad?"
"No, Tom wouldn't think so either. He always said family comes first."
"He was good that way."
"Yes."
Charlotte's phone buzzed in her hand.
"It's Lizzie. Jack has a concussion and some burns. He'll have to stay overnight."
"That's good." Bill stood and walked over to the windows, watching the snow fall.
"Bill? You're not blaming yourself, are you?"
"For what?"
She walked over and slipped her hand into his and gave it a squeeze before letting go. "It's not as if they didn't want to fight fires, Bill. They love it. It's not your fault that they got hurt."
"I know. Doesn't make it any easier, though. They are like sons to me, Charlotte. It hurts me when they are hurting."
"They're lucky to have you as their boss."
He turned his head and gazed at her. "I'm the lucky one."
"Mom?" Rosie said tiredly. "Any news?"
"Yes," Charlotte and Bill moved to stand a few feet apart. "Jack's okay but he has a concussion and some burns so he'll have to stay overnight."
"Okay. I'll run home and get some things for him and Elizabeth. I'm assuming she's staying too."
"I don't know, but you are probably right. Text her and see what they need. I'm going to stay with Abigail tonight."
"I'll stay too, mom." Tom said.
Rosie got a list of items from everyone and went to the car with Lee.
"Lee, do you think something was up with Mom and Bill?"
"I didn't notice anything. It's probably just all that going on right now. It's got to bring up memories."
"You're probably right. Something just seemed ... weird. I should text Jack!"
"No, you shouldn't. Let him and Lizzie rest. It's been a long night. Whatever is going on between Bill and your mom can wait a day or so."
"If you say so."
"I do," he smiled. "Would you have a problem if there was something?" Lee asked, opening the car door for his fiance."
"No… but… well." She huffed. "He's not Dad."
"No, he's not." Lee leaned over and kissed her. "It will be okay. Just remember, whenever, if ever, your mom decides to move on, give her the love and support she's given us all these years, okay?"
She nodded. "I'll try. Please, don't let me say anything hurtful and ridiculous."
Lee laughed. "If only I had that power."
….
After another hour, Jack was settled into a room for the night. He laid in the hospital bed with his arm holding Elizabeth close to his body. Their foreheads touched. It wasn't the most comfortable, thanks to his injuries, but this was what he needed. The feel of her soft body melding with his was the best medicine he could ask for.
"I love you," he whispered, leaving a few feathery kisses on her lips.
"I love you, too," she whispered back.
The young lovebirds exchanged light, tired kisses until Elizabeth, exhausted both emotionally and physically, fell asleep in Jack's arms.
The door cracked open a few minutes later. It was Bill. Jack placed a finger to his lips to indicate for Bill to be quiet.
"I got sleeping beauty here," Jack said with a tired grin, then he whispered. "How's Pete and Jesse?"
"They're okay. Pete's the worst off but even he should be alright, barring an infection."
"Good."
"You did good, Jack. Minus the part where you scared your family to death." They both laughed. "You did good."
"Thank you, sir."
Bill patted Jack's leg that laid under the blanket. "Will you be able to keep your burns clean when you're back in Haiti? I know they aren't terribly severe but still."
"About that," Jack looked at Elizabeth to make sure she was still asleep. "I think I need to stay here. Take some of the shifts Jesse and Pete can't do."
"That's a nice thought, but you know you're hurt, right?"
"I'm a fast recoverer, you know that."
"You're also as stubborn as your father was. That I most definitely know."
"I made a commitment, this station is like my family."
"I feel the same way. Look Jack, your dedication to the station has always been admirable, but sometimes you gotta focus on taking care of you. You and that woman in your arms. You want a life with her right?"
"More than anything."
"Then do just that, Jack. The station will be here when you get back."
"Okay." But he still wasn't sure. It felt as if he was abandoning his brothers when they needed him most.
He tried to imagine what Elizabeth would say if he told her he was staying home for a bit. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she would support him but it wouldn't be easy for either of them.
The next morning, Jack woke up feeling stiff and in pain. The next thing he noticed was that he was alone.
"Angel?"
"I sent her to grab some lunch with Clara," his mom spoke.
"Lunch? How long was I out?"
"A while," she laughed. "It's okay. The head doc will be in later and well as the plastics guy to look at your burns. They suspect you'll be going home soon after."
"Good." Jack moved his legs over the side of the bed and stood.
"Where are you going, son?"
"To see Pete and Jesse."
"Okay, let me get you a wheelchair."
"No need, just going to put on a t-shirt and walk. Are they both in the burn unit?"
"Yes. If you won't take a wheelchair can I at least walk with you?"
"Sure, Ma." She helped him get his shirt over his head and then he stood up, wincing.
He offered his arm and she slid her hand into his elbow. "You're planning to stay here, aren't you?" she asked as they walked slowly.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because I know you, son. You are a most honorable man and I know how you feel about your friends."
"The thought has crossed my mind, yes." She nodded but held her tongue. "What do you think I should do?"
"I'm not going to answer that. You're a grown man, Jack. I stopped making decisions for you long ago."
"That never stopped you from giving your opinion."
"Sass."
"I respect your opinions, Ma."
"Have you prayed about the decision?"
"Yes. A lot."
"Then you will make a good one. I have no doubt."
"Thanks."
….
Elizabeth and Clara sat across from each other, both poking at the pasta plates and not eating much.
"Whatcha thinking about?" Clara asked, but Elizabeth was in her own head. "Elizabeth?"
"Sorry," she shook her head. "I was thinking about Jack. He's in no shape to head back to Haiti tomorrow."
"Maybe he can rearrange for a flight next week."
"Maybe, but I know him. He won't leave the station short-handed. His heart is torn between Seattle and Haiti. It's so hard for him."
"Are you… okay if he stays longer? Will you stay too?"
"I don't know."
She wanted to. The idea of being apart from Jack for an unknown period of time was painful at this point. She sighed, thinking to herself that if their love was as strong as she thought it was, they could handle whatever came. That was marriage. Through thick and thin, sickness and health. The reality of their situation was she wasn't sure she could stay.
The new school term would be starting up again in Hopes Landing. Elizabeth was the only teacher there, and had made a commitment to Frank and the people there. If Jack was in Pete's shoes, she would stay in a heartbeat, but Jack, although hurt, would be fine.
"We should go check on the guys," Elizabeth said as she began cleaning up from her lunch.
"Good idea. Maybe Pete will be awake some this afternoon. Those meds they have him on have him sleeping so much."
"That's good though, right? He needs time to relax and let his body heal."
"Yes, and it cuts the pain down some. Goodness, I burned my hand at Abigail's a week ago and I cried like a baby, it hurt so much. That tiny burn was such a fraction of what Pete is going through. I can barely stand it."
Elizabeth reached across the table and took Clara's hand. "He's got this. He's a fighter."
"I know. Thank you though, I needed to hear that."
….
Jack sat in a chair next to Pete's bed. He'd been there for almost 20 minutes and the whole time, Pete was asleep. It was a lot for Jack to take in. All the bandages and burns, the beeping of monitors and IV lines.
Suddenly, Pete groaned.
"Pete," Jack began. "I got you. You're safe."
"Damn it hurts," he tried to laugh, but it was painful. The burns on his chest restricted his movement making his breathing shallow. "How many are down?"
"Jesse's in the room next door. I also heard from the Chief that Connor was admitted but was released this morning. Both his hands were burned trying to get a rescue. He'll be off active duty for a few weeks."
"And you?" He closed his eyes as he spoke.
"My back's a bit messed up with burns and my shoulder. All I need is a new jacket and I'll be back in it."
"Try that answer again," Charlotte said with a smirk.
"Assuming I get cleared from a doc," he added. "Right now this t-shirt really doesn't feel great against my skin."
"Maybe you should be on desk duty then," Pete smiled. "That shirt weighs a lot less than all that gear."
"True."
"Just be careful alright, Jack? I won't be able to be there to have your back for a bit."
"I know, and I will."
Pete was already drifting back to sleep. "Thanks… for pulling me out."
"Of course! Nothing could have stopped me."
"If it wasn't… for you… I may not get... to... meet my...kid."
Jack and Charlotte shared surprised looks.
"Petie?" Charlotte asked. "Did you just say…"
"Uh… oh… Don't tell Clara I… spilled… the beans…."
A soft giggle came from the doorway behind them. "Way to go, love," Clara said smiling.
With his eyes closed, Pete smiled. "Sorry... beautiful."
Hugs began all around for Clara as Pete drifted back into a deep sleep. "We really wanted to keep it a secret until I was further along. I guess that's over though."
"Are you alright, sweetie? Is the baby?" Charlotte asked.
"Yeah, I asked an OB to check me this morning. Everything is fine. Now all I need is for Pete to heal."
"I will," he groaned, mostly asleep. "Can't leave the team down a man."
"Try not to worry about it, Pete. I got you."
Elizabeth looked at Jack and she just knew. He wasn't coming back to Haiti. At least, not for now.
