"What the hell happened?" Derek rattled the handle as he shouted to his sister through the grate. The door didn't budge and he frowned using his shoulder to try and force it open. "Amy, why is it locked?" He glanced down at the water that was escaping, throwing his gaze back up to Owen who looked equally perplexed.

"Sort of a... long story," she called out, clenching her jaw to try and keep her teeth from chattering, "doors not locked... it's stuck."

"Here-" Owen handed Derek his phone and the surgeon angled it against the grate trying to get a better look inside. He couldn't see much but he could hear the sound of splashing water and he pressed his fist into the middle slat trying to widen the gap.

"Damn-" he cursed as the metal sliced his hand, ignoring the cut as he pressed the phone back up. It hadn't made much of a difference. It was still pitch black inside but he thought he caught a ripple in the darkness and he shook his head trying to get a better grasp of the situation. "Is there any way you can get the door open from the inside?"

The question sent a wave of frustration rushing through her. If there was, didn't he think she would have done it by now?

She bit back the sarcastic reply knowing it wasn't going to help. She was just cold and scared but seeing the light flickering in the dark was a small comfort and she attempted to free herself again, wincing as the frame bit into her sides. "No, no chance-" she confirmed feeling an edge of panic creep into her voice, "I'm sort of... wedged. I mean, I can't really move... at all... so nope, not happening."

Derek recognized the rambling as a deflection tactic and his heart sank heavily in his chest. He'd grown up with her, knew every trait and tell, and his instincts told him that she was leaving something out. Given the dampness of his shoes there was only one obvious answer. "Amy, how much water is in there?"

She took a shallow breath not wanting to panic him but there wasn't really any way to sugar coat it. The level had risen at least an inch since he'd found her and it wouldn't be long before it was above her shoulders. "Enough to be a problem."

Owen picked up on the note of fear underlining her tone and instinctively moved to stand beside Derek. The fact she was willing to admit she was in trouble meant it had to be bad and he tried pushing the door with her brother, both of them quickly realizing that whatever was blocking it wasn't going to be moved by sheer force.

"Amelia?" He called through the grate desperate to hear her voice. He and Derek would come up with something but in the meantime he needed to reassure himself that she was still with them.

"Hunt?" Confusion followed by relief slammed into her and despite everything her heart fluttered at the sound of his voice. Just knowing he was out there made her feel better and the sudden urge to cry sprung from nowhere taking her by surprise. Shock and exhaustion were probably a key factor but whatever the reason, it wasn't helping her keep a clear head. She needed to stay focused and she forced a smile hoping it would instill some confidence and mask the sudden rush of emotion. "Update... flooding is definitely a priority."

The joke didn't ease the knot lodged firmly in his throat. He knew they needed to keep a level head but trying to assess the situation through a closed door was painfully frustrating he swallowed roughly, unable to hide his concern, "are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Little cold... not sure about the rest-" she admitted, not really able to help him with an assessment. Her body was almost completely numb and even though she was doing her best to keep her blood circulating, flexing her fingers was starting to become a challenge. If she did have any injuries, the only way she was going to find out about them would be by getting out of the water and she'd gladly take a few broken ribs if it meant she could be on the other-side of the door, safe and warm in his arms.

Owen nodded wishing he could see what they were dealing with. Even though she was talking and seemed coherent he needed more information and he ran his fingers along the sides of the door looking for a way in. The hinges were on the wrong side facing inwards and even though a power-tool could probably cut through the metal it was going to take time to find one. "Amelia, listen to me... how high is the water, how much time do you think we have?"

She screwed her eyes shut wishing she didn't have to think about the answer. Not enough was the first thought that came to mind but she swallowed the response in favor of something that was actually useful. "Shoulder level... maybe ten minutes, give or take."

Owen drew in a sharp breath, mirroring Dereks concerned expression as they stepped away from door. The water was rising too quickly, they needed a plan and they need one now but ten minutes didn't give them a lot of options. "Ideas?"

Derek's gaze landed on the fire extinguisher at corner junction and he moved ripping it from the wall without hesitation. It was medium sized and heavy enough, and he splashed back through the water hoping the plan would work.

Owen moved to the side flinching as Derek slammed the metal cylinder into the door. He brought it down again and again, repeating the action in the hope it would knock something loose but nothing happened and at the rate he was going the foam inside was probably going to combust.

"Okay Derek, stop-" Owen stepped forward, laying a hand on the man's arm. They needed to think of something else and his gaze searched desperately for an answer. They could try switching off the water at the mains but again that was going to take time. What they needed was another way into the room and the answer suddenly dawned on him. "Amelia-" he called through the grate, hating the idea of leaving her but not having any another choice, "we're going to get you out of there, just hang tight okay."

The confidence in his voice was reassuring and she closed her eyes, trying to ignore the water as it started lapping above her shoulders. She trusted him and she forced herself to keep repeating the mantra as his voice moved away from the door.

"I think I can get to her." Owen started towards the facilities closet that they'd passed on the way through. It was the closet room to the one she was in and if he was right it would give them the access they needed.

"How?" Derek followed him, completely lost. He had no idea what the man was planning and his frustrations piqued when the question went unanswered.

Owen stopped outside the door and thrust it open, lifting his hand and pointing up to the ventilation shaft, "through there."

Derek glanced at the entrance to the manhole and immediately shook his head. Not only was is a bad idea, it was dangerous and stupid. "No-" he protested adamantly, "there could be live wires, the passage could be unstable from water damage... if it gives way you could crush her."

He knew there were risks but they needed to move quickly and if they couldn't get in through the door then the vent was their next best option. "We don't have time to try anything else-" he stressed the point, shrugging out of his lab coat and kicking off his shoes. If they didn't do something now then it could be too late.

Derek grabbed Owen's arm and was surprised when the man turned sharply, narrowing his gaze in a threatening manner. If it hadn't been for the concern brimming behind his anger, Derek thought they might have come to blows and he eased off dropping his hand. He understood. It was his sister in there...

But for the first time he was starting to get a sense of just how much she meant to Owen as well. "Going up there could get you both killed.

"We need to do something-" he reiterated the point as stuffed his phone in his pocket, "if we don't she's going to drown in there."

The truth hit Derek hard and as much as he wished there was a safer option there wasn't. This was it and he breathed out slowly, linking his fingers together to create a makeshift step in order to give the other doctor a boost. "Be careful."

Owen gave a slight nod as he lifted his leg and used his arms to hoist himself up.

Careful had moved to number one on his list of priorities.

AN: Hi guys! Sorry for another short chapter... it's been a busy week and with that in mind, happy St Patrick's Day! I've already stayed up later than I should have so please forgive me any typos or things that don't make sense ;) And thank you again for the reviews! :) xx