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 5

"Hello Jim," his mother spoke to Jim softly as he was sitting at Shawna's bedside holding her hand.

"Mom. You scared me," he said as he jumped.

"Sorry sweetheart. She's going to be fine, she has her own guardian angels watching her."

"Really?"

"Yes, Jim, she does," she said with a smile as she watched her son just hold Shawna's hand. "You really love her don't you?"

"Yes, I love her," he said and then he squeezed Shawna's hand a little tighter. "She needs to wake up."

"She will honey. Jim how do you honestly feel about this young lady being a police officer?"

"I worry about her but I can't tell her. When the last guy told her he wanted her to leave the department, she dumped him the same night when she went took the job with the sheriff's department."

"Sweetheart, then don't tell her you want her to quit, just let her know you worry about her and you want her to be careful." Meanwhile, Shawna was having her own personal visit from her guardian angels, her mother and grandmother.

"Shawna it's mom. You need to wake up."

"I don't want to wake up. I just want to sleep."

"Now Shawna JoAnn Williams, you have people who are worried about you so I want you to wake up soon."

"Mom, everyone has gone home, it's hospital policy."

"Really? Then who is the young man sitting at your bedside and holding your hand." Shawna's spirit looked over when she felt someone was holding her hand.

"Jim? What is he doing here?"

"He refused to go home. The doctor said he would allow him to stay tonight but no more. He's very worried about you Shawna. He blames himself for you running into the restaurant and getting hurt," her mother said.

"He seems to care for you very deeply," her grandmother said as she appeared.

"He shouldn't blame himself, I ran inside because it's my job. He's a very sweet guy who treats me with respect. I know he worries because I'm a cop but he's never said one word to me about it. I'm afraid I might lose him after this."

"Nonsense!" her grandmother replied. "If he loves you then you won't lose him. He might be scared but I think you can help him work through it. Just let him know you know he worries about you and you're always careful but there is still a chance of you getting hurt on the job."

"He's not the only one worried about you," her mother said.

"What are you talking about?"

"The two paramedics who were on the scene are also worried."

"What two paramedics?"

"The two from Los Angeles."

"Johnny and Roy?"

"Yes, those two."

"How would they know I was hurt?"

"They are working up here at another station and responded when the explosion happened."

"Oh no!"

"Oh yes," her mother said and then sighed. "I don't think the dark haired paramedic was too thrilled when he found out you were dating someone else already."

"It's not like I went looking for Jim, we just met at a crime scene. It had been three months since I broke up with Johnny so what's his problem?"

"I think his problem is he's still in love with you. He was afraid of losing you like this man is afraid and you pushed Johnny away," her grandmother said as she pointed a finger at Shawna.

"I didn't push him away, I broke up with him. He knew I was a police officer when we started dating and then when I had the opportunity to better myself with a career move, HE told me he wanted me to quit my job."

"And so you broke up with him because of what he said?" her mother asked.

"Not exactly what he said but how he said it. If he'd just talked to me about my career move, then maybe we could've worked something out. But instead, he tells me to quit my job. I'm sorry mother, but no man is going to tell me to quit being a cop. Yes, I know my job is dangerous and it's a risk I'm willing to take, but I'm not careless with what I do and I never will be. Johnny had a lot of room to talk, I've seen him at a fire scene and he would risk his life to make sure a building was empty or to rescue someone in trouble. Now if that's not the pot calling the kettle black then I don't know what is."

"Yes but Shawna,"

"And don't try and tell me it's because he's a man he's allowed to risk his life and I'm supposed to write parking tickets or sit behind a desk. It's not going to happen. I like helping people and yes I know there are other jobs not as dangerous but they are not for me."

"Did you tell Johnny how you felt the night you broke up with him?"

"No," Shawna replied softly as she thought back to the night they had the fight and she told him to leave.

"So then both of you are at fault," her grandmother said.

"Yes, I guess we both are to blame. I just don't want to make the same mistake with Jim. I know what he does for a living is dangerous also but we've made it work for six months and I hate for this accident to ruin our relationship."

"Then when you wake up in the morning, tell him exactly how you feel and you know how he feels."

"Now you get some rest and we'll see you in the morning. And don't worry about Jim, he's got his own guardian angel with him tonight," her mother said as Shawna drifted back off to sleep and she swore she felt her mother kiss her cheek.

The sun was starting to rise when Shawna began to wake up. She looked over and noticed Jim asleep in the chair next to her bed with a light weight blanket over him, she assumed one of the nurses had brought it during the night. She reached over, lightly touched his cheek and called his name.

"Jim." He never moved. She tried again. "Jim." This time he moved slightly. "Jim." He slowly opened his eyes. "Good morning," she spoke with the smile he loved.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

"I'm sorry I worried you last night."

"I'm just glad you're OK. When I saw the second explosion, I didn't know if I would ever see you again. I know your two friends are worried about also."

"My two friends?" she asked not wanting Jim to know she knew about Johnny and Roy.

"They said they're from Los Angeles. Two paramedics, one dark haired and one light haired. They said they've known you for a couple of years."

"It would have to be Johnny and Roy."

"Johnny and Roy?" he questioned hoping she would be honest with him.

"Johnny Gage and Roy DeSoto. They are two paramedic friends from Los Angeles. I dated Johnny for a while until I became a sheriff's deputy."

"I see," he said as he stood and went over to the window.

"Jim, Johnny and I had a past."

"Had? I think he still loves you and would like to get you back."

"Johnny and I are history."

"Then I guess he doesn't know that because he and his partner are on their way up here. I'm going to go and get some coffee. I'll be back later." He leaned down and kissed her cheek and left the room.

"Jim, please don't go," she said almost pleading with him.

"I think your friend would like to talk with you alone."

"I love you," she said as she blinked hard to keep the tears from falling.

"I love you too," he said as he turned and walked out of the hospital room.

"Please let him come back," Shawna whispered, "Please let him come back." She wiped her eyes before the tears started to fall. Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Shawna knew who was standing on the other side.