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Chapter 20

I watch as the paramedics leave quickly, taking Rodriguez. They have given him something for the pain, and he seems to be unconscious. I am surprised when Steph asks to check on Aldridge. But, after her shaky explanation, I think I understand why. She is searching for any reassurance, any kind of positive outcome from this day. So, I agree, and we move over to the doors.

I don't want to interrupt the captain, who is clearly busy on the two-way, so we wait to one side. The other officers don't question us, although they are clearly curious why we have come over. I feel a renewed rush of sympathy for Matthews as he passes us with a forced smile. He is continuing to work, so I hope he is coping, at least for the moment.

The captain's speculative looks at Steph's questions are ringing alarm bells. Does he suspect Steph or me having any involvement in this mess? But then he seems to see whatever he needs to reassure him and gives us a fairly detailed breakdown of what is going on. I am pleased that he tells us as much as he does. I want to know why this all happened to us today. Obviously, it will need detailed investigation from Aldridge and the elevator company. The rescue team is just here to get everyone safe and deal with the emergency. But it is still reassuring to hear the investigation will be ongoing.

The captain sends us back to the sofa to wait again, promising to come over and take our statements. Paperwork; the bane of everyone's existence! We wait again in silence.

The mood of everyone at the elevators seems to lift and we hear a muted cheer from the next floor. The captain's flash of a thumbs-up indicates everything is now locked down and all the crew and Aldridge are secure. I admit to a small rush of relief. Like Steph, I didn't want to see anyone else injured today.

The shocking, sudden, screeching sound breaks my train of thought. Oh shit! The thought is as clear in my mind as the visuals that accompany the noise. The top of the elevator car flashes past the still-open doors and it is obvious in a split second what is going to happen. The deafening, explosive crash is fortunately on the basement floor below us, but a cloud of dust and debris billows up and out of the open doors to settle over the shocked and immobile officers.

Steph and I sit in stunned disbelief, looking at the officers, who are still frozen in shock. Beside me, I can feel Steph start shaking and trembling. I pull her to me, but her tremors don't lessen.

I can see the car falling while we are lying on the floor. I can feel the crash and jolt as it hits the bottom. I can feel the pain and shock as we are badly injured. And, even worse, I can feel the grief and loss as if Steph dies in my arms.

I know that Steph is seeing and feeling the same things. We came so close to dying today. Closer than even we imagined. Closer than I have since my last deployment. So close. Yet far enough.

We are safe. We didn't fall. She didn't die.

I hug Steph tighter and murmur reassurances in Spanish as I watch the frantic shouts and conversations on the two-way radio. The crew looks like they are from a war zone now, dust-covered and working urgently to contain the situation. Slowly, gradually, I feel Steph's tremors lessen until she is cradled limply in my embrace. I look down at her in concern. Her gaze is fixed on the open doors and the still-swirling dust, but I am not sure she is really seeing it. Her eyes are glazed and blank, and I am starting to get concerned that she is going into shock.

"Steph! Steph! STEPH!" I call, quietly but firmly, and I turn her chin to look directly into her eyes. Slowly, her focus comes back to me, and I see the renewed tears leaking from her eyes. This day has just been too much for her. To be honest, it has been almost too much for me.

Steph whispers, "Oh, Carlos! We nearly died!" She starts to shake again slightly.

"But we didn't die, Steph!" I say urgently. "We didn't die. We are safe and sound, and so are all the crew. They got out before it fell. Everyone is safe."

Steph nods and takes a deep breath. I try to jostle her out of her misery a bit more. "The only casualties are our jackets," I tease, lightly caressing her cheek. Steph gives a tiny, watery chuckle, but I am impressed at her resilience and strength. I have had extensive training in emergency situations; taught my body to deal with the adrenaline rush and letdown. But Steph is a civilian, and untrained. Her ability to bounce back, even a little, is a credit to her emotional strength.

Suddenly, we are drawn from our little bubble, as I become aware of a presence in front of us, murmuring something quietly. Way to be aware of your surroundings, Ranger! I pull my focus back to the situation and see the captain squatting in front of the sofa. The captain gives us a small, grim smile and begins speaking again.

"Are you two ok?" He enquires. I nod at him, and Steph also gives a very small nod, wiping at her eyes. "I know that must have been very shocking to you both," he continues. "No doubt, you are thinking about how close a call you had. But you are both ok, and everyone involved is safe." He hesitates, and I suspect he is thinking of Rodriguez.

"I don't think I introduced myself before. I'm Tim Pearse," he says.

I respond, "Carlos Manoso and Stephanie Plum."

Pearse nods at each of us. "Firstly, Carlos and Stephanie, I want to thank you both for helping Raoul, Officer Rodriguez, during the accident." We both nod automatically. "I know you have both had a helluva day today, and you probably just want to go home. To be honest with you all I want to do is get to the hospital to see my crewman."

I can understand that; my first focus would be on my man as well. I make a mental note to check on Rodriguez' condition. I should be able to pull some strings to get some information, even if I have to go through slightly grey backchannels. Steph will want to know how he is doing, and I do as well. A brief thought flashes through my mind that, if his career with Newark FD is over, I might be able to offer him something. He was doing a good job, clearly intelligent and competent, and he is young enough to start over easily.

Pearse sighs, "There's a lot of paperwork that we need to complete though, reports I need to file, and we need to make sure the building is secure, and Aldridge has everything locked down. This latest episode of this is just going to cause even more problems. So, I don't think your reports are urgent, unless there's anything you feel you need to tell me immediately?"

He pauses for a response. I shake my head in reply, and see Steph shake her head as well. "No, can't think of anything," I add.

Pearse nods back to us, "So I'm wondering if I let you go home, if you'd be willing to come in to see me tomorrow at the station? I will just get the basics for now, names and addresses and phone numbers from you, and you will be free to go."

I nod again, agreeing that it's a good idea. We both need some rest and to let everything that has happened settle in our minds. No doubt our reports will be better when our minds are clearer and less traumatised.

Steph speaks up, mentioning she will have to drive from Trenton. She pauses, to add exhaustedly that she is not sure she can drive home. I see Pearse start to say something, probably going to offer to have someone drive her home, but I jump in before he can speak. "Don't worry about it Steph. I'll help you; we'll get it all sorted out."

I can see her puzzling through that declaration, but she is just too tired and overwhelmed to argue. I'm glad about that. I hope I will be able to convince her to stay tonight in Newark with me. It will make everything easier in the morning and somehow, I don't want to let her go today. If she won't stay, at least I will be the one to drive her home.

Pearse continues, "Ok, hang on a tick." He gets up and heads over where there is a pile of fire department gear and a couple of bags. He roots around in one of the bags and comes back with a notebook and pen. He asks us for our names and contact details and notes them down. He then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a billfold. He slides out two business cards, and hands one to each of us. He says, "That has my contact details at the station, and the address for tomorrow. If you can stop by around 10am, that would be great. I should have all the paperwork completed by then, and you can read through it and sign it. I might need to bring in someone else from the department as well to get a statement; brass will probably want to sit in, since an officer was injured in the line of duty. Not to mention the falling elevator."

We nod again. Pearse hesitates and then adds, "Look, I'm really sorry all this happened to you today. I know you might want to consider other legal options, either with the building owners or the department, so if you want to bring your own legal representation, I will understand."

I blink at this. He is right, I should probably contact my attorney. But Steph speaks up suddenly, "No, I'd never place any blame on the fire officers! They just did their job. No." She shakes her head vehemently.

I have to agree with that, "I can't see any blame for the department in this. If there is blame, it would go to the building and the elevator company, but even Aldridge just seemed to be doing his best in the circumstances." Steph nods. I continue, "I will talk to my lawyer, and I'll let you know if anyone will accompany us tomorrow. My lawyer is in Miami, so he might recommend someone local, but probably as long as we get copies of your reports and assurances there will be an investigation into what happened here today with the elevator, I don't see a major problem."

Pearse looks slightly relieved. "No problems. Ok then, I'll see you at ten-hundred tomorrow." I don't know if he can guess my military background, or if the fire department uses the same time schedule, but I glance at Steph to see if she got it. She looks puzzled for a moment, but then understanding crosses her face. Pearse had said 10am earlier, so I assume she worked out what he means.

I stand, feeling slightly stiff in my shoulders and arms, then offer my hand to help Steph stand as well. I hold my hand out to Pearse, who shakes it, and then shakes Steph's. I put my arm around her shoulders, and nod to Pearse. Pearse turns back to continue dealing with the situation, and I start to lead Steph to the doors. I feel her sigh deeply, and glance down at her. "Are you doing ok Babe?"

She nods, but says, "I need coffee." It makes me smile. I could use a coffee too.

So I murmur, "Good idea. Come on Babe, let's head out and get some coffee."

So question: When I originally envisioned this story, I only saw their meeting and the whole elevator saga. It has grown beyond that. So many of you want me to write about their date and setting up Rangeman Trenton, etc. I would like to do that. My muse seems to be on board as well.

So... the question is - just keep going OR write it as a sequel? Main reason for the sequel is it might change significantly in tone and style of writing. I have been describing everything in lots of detail, but if it goes to a more varied storyline, it may be less of the alternating viewpoints and intensity. Would that be better as a sequel? I can keep writing it as one story, if you all prefer, but I'm kind of intrigued by the sequel idea... Maybe I could write more than one, if my muse cooperates... Maybe adapt even more of canon to more episodic sequels?

Anyway, let me know what you think. There are still a few chapters left in this story; even if I decide to write a sequel this story will continue for at least three or four more chapters.

Cheers, Robyn