"Aside from these bruises and a few scrapes I think you're going to be just fine Mike." Dr. Early finished examining Mike's back and was satisfied and relieved that there was no sign of serious internal or spinal injury. "If you have any pain I recommend a couple aspirin and an ice pack."

"Thanks Doc." Mike slipped his shirts back on, also relieved to know he didn't suffer an serious injury in the blast. "What about Roy and Johnny?"

"Well, Johnny had to have a chest tube inserted to reinflate a collapsed lung. He's still on the respirator but his vitals are all stable and there's no sign that his lung had been punctured." Dr. Early sighed a little as he prepared to talk about Roy. "As for Roy, he's still unconscious and has a hairline fracture to his occipital bone, that's here;" He motioned with his hand. "on the back of the skull."

"Is he... When will he wake up?"

"I don't know. Soon, I think. Like Johnny his vitals are all stable, but there just hasn't been any sign of consciousness. Yet."

Marco began silently praying for his downed colleagues.

"Do either of you know what happened to Roy?"

Mike shook his head. "No."

Marco didn't know either but he wanted to let Dr. Early know what he saw. "I didn't see what happened to Roy, how he got injured, but Johnny was carrying him over his shoulder down the stairwell. Whatever happened Roy was unconscious before we were reunited in the hotel."

"Hm, sounds like I should be asking Johnny about Roy."

"But... can he answer?"

"Doubt it. But I have to try." Dr. Early held the door open for the two patched up firefighters. "Why don't you two go take it easy out in the waiting room. I'll let you know if anything changes."

"Yeah, good idea. Thanks Doc."

Mike and Marco walked out of the exam room and into the waiting room where JoAnne was sitting, now with Captain Stanley.

"Cap, you okay?" Mike asked sincerely as he took the seat next to his commanding officer.

"I'm fine. A bump on the head and a few stitches. How about you?"

"A few bruises. Marco here broke his nose in the explosion."

"Yeah," Marco gingerly put his hand to his sore nose. "my eyes are still watering!"

Hank laughed a little. "Well, Chet was just wheeled off to get his broken ankle set in a cast. Now we're waiting for an update on Roy and Johnny."

"Same."

Mike spoke up. "Anybody want some coffee?"

"Good idea, Mike." Hank liked that idea very much. "I think we could all use a little pick-me-up."

"Johnny? Can you hear me?" Dr. Early was leaning over the resting paramedic still laying on the exam table. "Open your eyes, please."

Dixie had been keeping an eye on Johnny. She had been observing carefully Johnny, knowing that the injured paramedic had an unfortunate susceptibility for respiratory infections. Standing next to Dr. Early she watched eagerly for Johnny to wake up.

Slowly Johnny's dark brown eyes fluttered open. It took him a few seconds but he finally focused on Dr. Early's face and became alert. He tried to speak but Dixie calmly stopped him. "No, no. Don't try to say anything. You have a tube down your throat."

Johnny's hands instinctively reached for the tube, as a result Dixie gently grabbed his hands. "No, don't do that, either. You know better."

Dr. Early put his hand on Johnny's shoulder. "Johnny, if you can understand what I'm saying, blink."

Johnny blinked once and kept his focus on Dr. Early.

"Good. Johnny, do you know what happened to Roy in the fire? Do you know how he became injured?"

Johny blinked again.

"Good. Was he caught in the blast."

Johnny didn't blink, instead he slightly shook his head 'no'.

"Was he hit by debris or falling beams?"

Again, Johnny didn't blink.

"Was he thrown against a wall or onto the floor?"

Still 'no'.

"Did he fall?"

Johnny blinked and squeezed Dixie's hands tightly, to ensure they understood his answer.

"He did fall. Okay. How far? Did he fall down the stairs?"

No.

"What about... Did you he fall through the floor?"

Yes.

"And when he landed, he land on his back, right?"

Yes.

"Okay Johnny, that helps. Based on Roy's injuries and what you've told me he's suffering from a grade 3 concussion. He's still unconscious but he IS stable."

Johnny closed his eyes, glad to know Roy was still alive and being treated.

"Now, I need you to rest. Dr. Brackett will be back shortly. We'd like to get you off the respirator as soon as possible, but you've suffered six fracture ribs. We don't want your lung to collapse again. Alright?"

Johnny opened his eyes just long enough to blink and answer 'yes'.

"Take it easy. I'll see you later."

Dixie could feel the guilt that was needlessly filling Johnny's heart. "Johnny, don't do that to yourself. You couldn't have done any more for him than anyone else."

Johnny still felt guilty.

Dixie took a cool damp cloth and ran it over his face gently. "You found Roy, you picked him up and carried him to safety, all the while you were suffering injuries of your own. The fact that you were even able to pick him up at all is incredible."

Johnny locked his brown eyes onto her blue eyes.

"Let me ask you something. If your roles had been reversed, if you had fallen through the floor and Roy had to carry you to safety, would you let him blame himself for what happened?"

Johnny shook his head 'no'.

"Exactly. Everything will be fine, trust me."

Johnny blinked once more.

...to be continued...