AN: Sorry about the what was posted in the last few days, I just got my computer fixed and all my files are mixed up. This is the real update, not what was here before. So here we are again, did you like my last chapter ending? So we fast forward a few days to Gallant's return and the plane crash. Not too many changes from the episode, but I will not include Gates in this story I despise his character with every fiber of my being. (Takes deep breath) Now that I have finished my rant, enjoy the chapter.
Back at County General, Neela is trying to keep a straight face around everyone; the only one's that know about the pregnancy are Abby and Luka. Ray has been on her back about over working herself, and not sleeping. Her surgical rotation is starting to get the best of her, as the days go on. Sitting in the break room, Neela is trying to stretch during her short break, when Ray walks in a looks at her mug on the table.
"That better be decaf, otherwise I pouring it out." said Ray
"It's not even coffee, I'm drinking hot chocolate." said Neela rolling her eyes at him.
He pulls up a chair and sits down next to her; he looks at the dark lines under her eyes.
"How have you been sleeping, better question, have you been sleeping?" asked Ray since he'd been working opposite shifts from her, he hadn't seen her since she told him about the baby.
"Not much, I've been having problems with my back lately, but I've more paramedic runs today. So I've just got to suck it up." said Neela
"You don't have to work so hard at this. Everyone knows how good you are as a doctor; you should be relaxing, not playing super doc."said Ray
"This is my last day of paramedic runs, I'll be off work for the next two days, so I'll relax then, but now I've gotta go. I love you." said Neela as she kissed him on the cheek and headed out the door.
Shaking his head at her, he sat down to finish his notation before he went home to get started on his surprise for her.
Meanwhile...
On a flight from Norfolk, VA to Chicago, Michael Gallant thinks about how he's gonna surprise Neela. In his carry on bag he had his permanent transfer papers, and his County General security badges.
Back at County
"Ray, I know you're off but your patient is still screaming for demoral." said Sam
"Give him this script for five Naproxen and turf him. I'm out of here, don't look for me or Neela for the next few days." said Ray as he grabbed his jacket and left.
Six hours later
The night went slow for Neela on the paramedic run so they decided to stop for a quick bite to eat and another rest room break for Neela. As she came back to the rig, they heard the plane landing.
"We're too far from O'Hare for that to be good, we might wanna go take a look." said Ruben
Before he could finish his statement, the loud scream of the planes engines, and the building it landed on collapsing, could be heard for miles away. They jumped into the rig and rushed to the scene, calling all available aid that they could. One woman screaming at the top of her lungs for her children grabbed Neela by the arm.
"Help me find my kids, they're on the second floor, please help me." said the woman
Neela forgot everything around her and rushed into the building to bring people out, the found the woman's daughter and brought her out. The girl ran to her mother.
"My brother was upstairs with Mrs. Porter, he always checks on her at night." said the girl
"Where upstairs? What's his name?" asked Neela
"Jamal, Mrs. Porter lives on the 5th floor." said the girl
Neela rushed into the building and took the steps two at a time, by now the building fire had gotten worse, most of the 6th floor had caved in, when she made it to the 5th floor, her lungs were screaming for fresh air. She heard Jamal screaming for help at the end of the hallway, if she could just reach him, the air was too thick to see anything. She took a step forward and felt the floor drop from beneath her, as the pain shot through her back and legs she cried out in agony.
"My baby!" said Neela as the darkness took over her.
The paramedics rushed into the building to find any survivors, the fire fighters called for Neela repeatedly but got no answer. One of the guys radioed county for an ETA and victim count, they needed a doc out in the field with them.
"County General, what's the problem?" said Sam as she answered dispatch
"Rasgotra ran into the building, we haven't found her yet. We sent a woman and her daughter to you, we need a doc to come back in the rig." said Ruben
"Sure, how many are we looking at, we can take about 25 critical." said Sam as she waved down Pratt as he passed by her.
After she got off with dispatch, she explained to Pratt what was happening, and sent him as a ride on with the paramedics. She then went through the call list and contacted every staff member that was off that night to come in for the rush, and then she looked for Ray's number.
Over at their apartment, Ray had just gotten dinner out of the oven when the phone rag, he answered, what he was told ruined his whole night, he dropped the pan he was holding along with the phone as he ran out the door and caught the first taxi he saw. His chest burning with the pain in his heart for the fear of what could have happened to Neela and the baby.
Back at the crash site, Pratt waited as they pulled Neela out of the building.
"Her vitals are low, steady pulse, but we can't get her to wake up. Her blood oxygen is extremely low." said Ruben
"Send her to County, I've got to make a phone call." said Pratt
He stepped out of the waydialed a number. His call went straight to voice mail
"Mike, this is Greg, Neela was sent to County, call me as soon as you can." said Pratt
Back at County, Luka prepped the staff on what was happening. Everyone was worried about if they had found Neela or not when they heard dispatch
"We've got Neela, steady pulse, 100/60 pressure, possible smoke inhalation, unconscious. E.T.A 6 minutes." said Pratt
"Okay people, you heard it. Prep trauma two, get the portable ultra sound, and don't let Ray into that trauma room." said Luka
The short ride to County seemed like a slow nightmare to Ray, mentally yelling at himself for letting her work so hard.
'Why now when they were so happy together? I knew she was pushing herself too hard, but I didn't try to stop her.' thought Ray
Once they finally pulled up to County, Ray threw some cash at the driver and raced to the ER just as the rig pulled up. Seeing Neela on the gurney made his stomach lurch, before he could try to help out, Jerry pulled him into the admit area.
"Luka doesn't want you in there, you've just got to wait out here." said Jerry
"Thanks for being here, but you can go home now Ray. She doesn't need you anymore, I'm here for her." said Mike as he walked up to them
AN: Dum, dum, dum. Now all hell is gonna break loose!! Sorry but you're just gonna have to wait until next chapter to see what happens. Now do me a favor and hit that little review button.