Chapter 18 –

Sam suddenly pulled Rachel back, clutching her close to her own body as she turned and looked around for another way out. Reaching up Sam wiped her brow, the intense heat from the fire was becoming too much and as she coughed she knew that they had to get out.

"Rachel!"

Sam felt Rachel's body started to go limp against her, desperately Sam tried to get a response but Rachel gave her nothing in reply.

"Crap!"

Sam wrapped her arms around Rachel and lifted her up, unsurprised at how light the young girl was, Sam cradled Rachel's head on her shoulder before she moved closer to the broken window, taking a deep breath as she sprinted through the burning curtains. Coughing and spluttering Sam collapsed on the grass outside, lying beside Rachel she stared up at the sky, hearing the sirens rapidly approaching she knew that they had managed to escape.

Tess stood still for a moment after she replaced the red receiver, her mouth slightly open in shock, an action that didn't go unnoticed as Fletch wandered over and hovered behind her.

"Tess?"

Tess heard the voice and recognised it but she didn't turn around straight away, she took a few more seconds to compose herself before she spoke quietly.

"Do you know where Doctor Hanna is?"

"Heading outside for a smoke."

Tess just nodded her head as she walked away, ignoring Fletch's attempts to talk and to find out what was going on. Quickly Tess spotted Zoe and walked over, keeping her voice low as she spoke.

"We've got four victims coming in from a house fire."

"Ok we'll need to get resus clear, do we know how bad they are?"

Tess shook her head before she reached out and placed a hand on Zoe's arm.

"What is it Tess?"

"Sam is one of the victims and she's coming in with a young girl."

"Rachel."

Zoe quickly dropped her cigarette as she spoke, stomping it out with the toe of her shoe before she looked at Tess and saw the concern on Tess's face.

"Get everyone together we need to brief them before the ambulances arrive."

Tess nodded her head as the two of them walked back in, both of them wondering how badly hurt Sam and Rachel were and how Sam had found and rescued the girl.

Sam removed the oxygen mask and leant forward only to be greeted by a firm hand that stopped her in her tracks.

"Let me help Jeff!"

Sam pleaded as she looked at the paramedic but he shook his head before he reached and placed the oxygen mask back onto Sam's face.

"I'm sorry Sam but trust me you need to keep that on. You're not going to be able to help her if you need further treatment."

Sam reluctantly nodded her head as Jeff smiled at her before he turned his attentions back to Rachel, she hated to admit defeat but Sam knew how much smoke she had inhaled and the burns on her hands were beginning to sting.

"We're here Sam."

Sam nodded her head as she felt the ambulance slow down, she removed her mask and looked sternly at Jeff.

"Take Rachel in first, I'll follow."

"Sam..."

Jeff stopped and gave up trying to reason with Sam, he had to get Rachel out as the doors opened and he saw Zoe, Linda and Dylan waiting for them.

Sam sat on the bed, her eyes focused on the bed next to her where Rachel laid, with Zoe and Linda treating her, she could feel his hands on her but she couldn't bring herself to look at him.

"What happened Sam?"

Zoe spoke as she removed Sam's coat off from Rachel, wincing as she laid eyes on Rachel's naked body, she didn't turn around just listened carefully for Sam's reply .

"I followed Dominic from here, he led me to a house where he went in."

"So you went in to rescue her?"

Zoe raised her eyebrows as she listened to Dylan's curt response, it wasn't ideal to have him treat his ex-wife but Tom was busy in cubicles with the Detective and the other girl although their injuries were not as serious as Sam's and Rachel's.

"Dylan."

Dylan took a breath before he turned to Robyn who was standing next to him.

"Check her oxygen levels and re-dress the hands we may need to get plastics down to have a look."

Dylan turned and looked at Sam, offering her a faint smile as he gently ensured that the oxygen mask was placed correctly before he spoke quietly.

"You need to stop thinking that you can save everyone Sam, it wasn't your fault that you lost him."

"He had a name Dylan."

Sam yanked down the mask before she spoke, her emotions bubbling over as she felt the tears begin to trickle down her cheek.

"I know Sam, I was there."

Dylan turned and walked out of resus, leaving Robyn to wonder what was going on before the young student turned and placed a comforting hand on Sam's shoulder.

"Sam?"

Zoe quickly wandered over to the other bed and stood in front of the young doctor.

"Rachel?"

"She's stable Sam."

Sam nodded her head as Robyn edged backwards and towards Linda, unsure of what was going on and not understanding the dynamics of the people she just watched as Zoe put her hands on top of Sam's shoulders, unable to take a hold of her hands because of the burns.

"Are you ok Sam?"

Sam nodded her head as the tears continued to trickle down her face, Zoe mentally kicked herself for allowing Dylan to treat Sam, the animosity between the two of them had been growing over the last few weeks but with Dominic also now gone she had been left with no other choice. Gently Zoe reached around and embraced her friend, feeling the tears hit her neck Zoe swallowed hard.

"He was called George, George Keogh, I was eight months pregnant when he died."

Zoe was unable to stop her own tears from falling as she held on tight to Sam, trying desperately to offer Sam some kind of comfort.