Chapter Three

Unbeknownst to both of Dr. Callahan and Dr. Allister, a military cargo pilot had heard the whole conversation while standing just inside his buddies hospital room with the door slightly open and preceded to call his CO about taking the Callahan family to Chicago.

"Burch"

"Sir, this is Lt. Abraham Stevens, do we have any cargo planes leaving San Antonio in the next few hours?"

Colonel Elijah Burch expressed confusion over Lt. Stevens question. Normally a higher ranking officer would be asking for a cargo plane to deliver cargo to a different base. However, Lt. Stevens question had him stumped, "What do you need the cargo plane for?

"Have you ever heard of T.C. Callahan?"

Colonel Burch sat up straighter, of course he heard of Captain Callahan. If he had his way and the if higher ups would let him he would have given Callahan his gold oak leaves* a long time ago. "Yes, I have heard of him."

"Callahan's family is here in Texas, sir, and they are needing a ride up to Chicago. They are going to visit a friend by the name of Kelly Severide."

Colonel Burch had heard of Severide through the fire crews on the base. Some of his people were from Chicago and had to re-certify, not on the base, but where they were from as well as to stay firefighters with Chicago and the Army. To everyone he had talked to, Severide was firm but fair. He would tell what was wrong and then he expected you to fix it the next session of training. He didn't play favorites. Severide treated each one equally whether they were female or male. Burch would get Callahan to Chicago one way or the other. "I can figure something out. Have you told Captain Callahan about this?"

"No, sir. I wanted to get the details and the okay from you before I presented it to him."

"Approval granted. Let me talk to the Captain, Stevens."

"Yes, sir." Stevens exited the exam room and walked over to the doctors at the nurses lounge. "Dr. Callahan?"

T.C. turned to look at the Lieutenant, who brought in the CW. "What can I do for you Lt.?"

"My CO wants to talk to you." Stevens was having a hard time keeping a straight face because of his excitement.

T.C. groaned under his breath. He was sure he was going to get some ribbing from his colleagues after this phone call. T.C. tended to buck back at the brass because of their version of right and wrong. T.C. motioned for the Lieutenant to hand him his cell phone, which he did."This is Callahan"

"Callahan, this Colonel Burch. You and your family will be traveling with our troops, who will be dropping off medical supplies for the Great Lakes Training Center."

Before even opening his mouth T.C. heard the Colonel speak again.

"Yes it is a Naval Base, however, your pilot has allotted us the opportunity to help the Navy in their medical needs. Lieutenant Stevens will be your pilot. He is one of my best. He also has medical training and works well with others. When CW Deems has recovered he will be joining you and his unit in Chicago. The cargo plane will be ready in two hours, will your family be able to make the deadline?"

"Yes, sir, we will." Surprise was written all over T.C.'s face. He was so shocked that Jordan thought something was really wrong. In fact it was just the opposite.

"Good, see you on base Captain." Then the Colonel hung up the phone effectively ending the conversation. He needed to make another phone call and this time he wasn't backing down. Colonel Burch was going to give Callahan his oak leaves if it was the last thing he did in the military. Callahan personified "leave no man behind" whether it was military personnel or civilians.

A/N:_

Gold Oak leaves on the collar of a service member is recognizing you are a Major (Army, Marine, Air Force) Lieutenant Commander (Navy and Coast Guard). CW stands for Chief Warrant Officer.