I don't own "The Rockford Files" or "Emergency", I'm just borrowing the characters. I'm not making any money from this story. I do own the story and the character of Lt. Shawna Williams. Any characters not mentioned on either show are pulled from thin air and belong solely to me. I would love feedback and crave it, so I know whether to keep working on this story.

Thanks, Karen

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Chapter 4

Johnny walked into the treatment room where Shawna was, pulled up a seat, and took her hand in his. He didn't say a word for a minute or so, he was just sat watching her quietly breathing. He then took her hand in his and gently rubbed his thumb over the back of her right hand. He noticed the bruise on her cheek and the short cast on her left hand. He then gently touched her cheek and softly spoke to her watching the EKG monitor.

"Shawna, it's Johnny. Sweetheart, you've got a few people here who are worried about you. We need you to wake up. I need you to wake up. I didn't want to see you get hurt being a police officer. I guess you got hurt any way, not only by me but by your job also. I know I don't deserve a second chance but I'd like one if you and that Rockford guy aren't serious." He noticed the EKG monitor spike when he mentioned Jim's name.

"Johnny, we're ready to move her to the fourth floor," the doctor spoke as he walked in the room.

"OK." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. "Please wake up sweetheart. We need you." He turned, walked out the door, and noticed Roy, Rocky and Jim all waiting patiently.

"The sheriff is on his way. He said he had heard one of his officers had been injured in an explosion but no one told him it was Shawna." Roy told Johnny when he walked out. "I've called us available in case they need us." He saw the disappointment in his partner's eyes but he knew it was what they needed to do.

"OK."

"So how do you two know Shawna?" Rocky asked as they took a separate elevator to the fourth floor.

"We met at a 211 one night about two years ago. Johnny got hurt when a bullet ricocheted and hit him in the chest. She began medical procedures in the field and I jumped her case." Roy told them and then he noticed Jim's jaw tense when he mentioned jumping her case.

"But she knew exactly what she was doing and saved my life. I know the doctor at Rampart wasn't happy about her riding in with me instead of Roy but once he got to know her, his attitude toward her changed."

"So you're telling me neither one of you two liked her even though she saved your life and then some doctor didn't like the fact she did something he had no control over?"

"That's right," Johnny spoke quietly.

"Shawna took a big risk when she began to administer the IV and drugs to Johnny without a doctor's consent. We had no knowledge of who she was or what she knew and for all we knew, she could've killed Johnny." Roy defended their actions.

"So even though she was a lieutenant, you still questioned her?"

"Yes we did but at the time, Shawna was a sergeant. We found out at Rampart she actually knew what she was doing. We also found out she helped practice at three of the area hospitals in Los Angeles. Once we learned all of this, and Johnny made it through surgery without any complications, we found her and apologized to her." They were standing outside of the room waiting for the doctor to get her settled.

"So then if she liked the LAPD why did she join the sheriff's department?" Rocky asked.

"Shawna didn't like being held back by boundaries when she was after a criminal. For the most part, she could chase a criminal throughout the state and no other jurisdiction said a word to her because of her successful arrest record." Johnny answered.

"She told me the same thing. She said the sheriff was at the station one night and offered her a promotion and a new job as a county cop," Jim said.

"That's the night she and I broke up." Johnny said softly. Jim heard him but never said a word.

"You can each have 10 minutes and then you'll have to come back tomorrow." the doctor told them when he came out of the room.

"I'm not leaving her," Jim said as he looked through the window at the machine monitoring her heartbeat.

"Mr. Rockford, I can't let you stay here. It's against hospital policy," the doctor urged him. "Besides, you're in no condition to be spending the night at the hospital."

"He's right," they heard a male voice say and turned to see Sheriff Chris Jacobs standing nearby. "Shawna needs her rest and so do all of you. I know these two are on call but I'm sure your father would like to go home once you are done here."

"I can take a cab if Jimmy wants to stay with Shawna. I'm sure she will be more relaxed when she wakes up if she isn't alone."

"Thanks dad."

"Mr. Rockford I have to insist," the doctor started.

"Look doctor, I know what your hospital policy is but I'm not leaving her. I was there when she got hurt and I want to be here when she wakes up." The doctor looked at him and then at the sheriff who just shrugged his shoulders.

"OK, Mr. Rockford. I'll let the nurse know you are spending the night with Lt. Williams. Ten minutes for the rest of you gentlemen." He turned and walked to the nurses station. Roy went in first and sat down beside Shawna's bed.

"Shawna it's Roy. Sweetheart we need you to wake up. We're worried about you." he told her his voice cracking just a little. He stayed in with Shawna until his ten minutes were up. Johnny went in next.

"Oh Shawna," he said as he took her hand in his and gently rubbed this thumb over the back of her hand. "This is why I didn't want you being a cop," he told her as he watched the EKG monitor and her heart rate began to increase. Johnny knew this happened to her when she became upset. "Relax Shawna, just relax. I'm sorry sweetheart." Johnny stayed with Shawna until his time was up. He walked out and then he and Roy left to go back to the station.

"Hey Shawna, it's Rocky," he sat in the chair beside her bed and held her hand. "You've got a few people worried about you. I know those paramedics are worried but Jimmy is beside himself with worry. He hates the fact he couldn't help you and it did all the officer could do to keep him out of the building." Rocky held her hand and said a silent prayer and then walked out when his time was up. "Jimmy, she looks so pale."

"I know dad, I know. She's weak from being pinned under the beam. The doctor said the sooner she wakes the better she'll be."

"Mr. Rockford, I'll take you home so you don't have to worry about getting a cab," Chris said after Jim and Rocky stopped talking.

"Thanks Sheriff Jacobs. Shawna always speaks highly of you. Jimmy you call me if there is any change at all and I mean any change."

"I will dad. I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks Chris for giving Rocky a ride home."

"It's not a problem. Shawna would be very upset if she knew Rocky took a cab home and I was here. Look Jim, after you call your dad I want you to call me. I want to know when she wakes up."

"Why? You're not going to jump her case are you?" Jim tensed a little thinking about Shawna being in trouble with the sheriff.

"No, Jim, I'm not going to jump her case. I want to know why she felt the need to run into the building after the first explosion."

"She said it was her job," Jim said as he turned toward the window and looked at Shawna.

"Sounds like Shawna," Chris said with a smile. "Risks her life to save others. I've told her I didn't like her risking her life like she does, but she would just give me her charming smile, say 'Don't worry' and then leave."

"Sounds like Shawna," Jim and Rocky both agreed. Chris and Rocky left the hospital and Jim went into Shawna's room to wait and pray. It was a few minutes later when he saw his mother's spirit again.