Thank you to my guest reviewer and Beth for consistently reviewing my story. Again, getting my readers' reviews makes my day.
Because these next few chapters are so short, I'm going to try to post two at a time, every other day for a while, so be on the lookout for these more frequent updates. Let me know what you think.
Cristina searched for a jacket on the ground, finding one with ease as Mark found a piece of clothing to form a makeshift sling for Cristina. The pain was intense, but not nearly as intense as before. The adrenaline was gone, and she was cold and aching, but she had to try and save Lexie. She had one hand under the plane and one hand in the sling, completely useless. "One, two, three!" His last word echoed through the forest as she and Mark pushed with excruciating effort, screaming as they used every fiber of their strength to move the debris off of Lexie. They released. No budge. "Again!" He shouted, and they pushed again. No budge. Lexie gasped a breath from underneath, her adrenaline wearing off as well. She knew she was going to die there. "Dammit," Mark said releasing his hold on the plane.
Cristina regained her composure. Owen would have a cool, calm exterior, she decided, and so would she. She had to keep cool. She was the only one with a clear head; the only one who was not distracted by her lover being crushed by a plane or missing in the wilderness. She was their only hope. "Lexie, run it down for me." She had to ensure Lexie was still lucid.
Lexie looked at her, focused on the task at hand. "My legs and pelvis are crushed," she said, each word interrupted with quick, heavy gasps. "And I can't feel my other arm, so I'm not sure it's even there anymore, and my chest feels like it's going to explode, so it's probably a massive…hemothorax," she concluded. Cristina looked at her, worriedly, fearing the worst.
Mark interrupted her thoughts. "We-We gotta…We gotta get the oxygen from the plane." It was as if he finally understood the gravity of Lexie's situation; like he just accepted that her wounds were not only critical, but likely fatal. His breathing increased as he gestured toward the plane. "And fluids. She needs water bottles." His voice rose as he tried to think of anything else the plane wreckage could offer. Cristina looked at him with sympathy. She knew as well as he or anyone else did that Lexie was not coming out of this. "And uh-uh-the tubes! The oxygen tubes. We can get her fluids." He grabbed Cristina's shoulder, pleading with her. "Go-go get them," he said, trying to push her in the direction of the crash site. "Why aren't you doing anything?" Cristina looked at him, her lips pursed shut and her eyes begging him to make the conclusion himself so she wouldn't have to say it.
"She knows," a voice came from below the debris. "She knows it won't help," Lexie said, her voice small and weak.
Mark turned his attention back to Lexie. "No," he said resolutely. "You are going to be fine," he said through gritted teeth. "Stop," he said louder, shaking a desperate finger at her. "You're going to be fine," he yelled, begging her to agree. This outburst enraged Mark, and he screamed at Cristina, "Go! Go get them!"
She calmly approached Mark and gently pushed him back so that she could talk to Lexie. She saw her hopeless condition and thought they should save their resources to save those that could survive. That's what Owen would have done. Why waste what little resources they had on someone who was undoubtedly going to die? Then she saw Lexie's labored breathing; the unmatched fear in her eyes; her shivering from the cold. She thought of Meredith, and how much she would hate Cristina if she didn't do everything she could to save her sister. "I'm gonna be right back," she finally said, her eyes welling with tears. No, Lexie wasn't going to make it, and Cristina could not be soft, here. She knew she couldn't help Lexie, but she could help the others.
Cristina stood up then, squeezing Mark on the shoulder as she passed him. He immediately replaced her next to Lexie, whispering sweet, encouraging words to the dying doctor. Cristina looked at them for a moment, her heart heavy. She turned then, and headed for the crash site, knowing Lexie would not be alive when she returned.