Vocab:

SAR: Search and rescue aircraft

Riley sat in the corner of Captain McCall's office, resting her elbows on her knees while her hands supported her head. The past hour had been a blur, and her mind was still a muddled mess as she thought about what happened to Lucas and Farkle. She prayed that they would be found soon, before the storm got any worse out there. Her eyes drifted to the empty chair beside her. Maya had just gotten up a minute ago to get them both something to drink. Or was it closer to five minutes? Quite frankly, Riley couldn't remember and she didn't really care at the moment.

The rest of her family and Captain McCall were out in the common area of the office. She realized that in times like this, she could rely on her family to comfort her, but for some reason Riley would only let Maya anywhere near her. Perhaps it was because they were sharing a similar experience, or because Riley trusted Maya with information she never told her family. Whatever it was, Riley didn't know.

Both of her parents and McCall would come in every few minutes to check on the both of them. Riley would merely shrug them off and tell them she was fine, but they all knew she wasn't. The only time she would be, would be if they found them alive.

No, not if… when, Riley tried to convince herself, but who was she kidding? She eavesdropped on Captain McCall telling her parents that finding one, let alone both, in this type of weather wasn't the best of odds.

The sound of hurried footsteps coming towards her reached her ears. Riley looked up and saw a worried yet hopeful Maya standing in the doorway. "They found one of them," she breathed.

Riley shot up from her chair and followed Maya to the rest of the group. When they first arrived at the office, Captain McCall set up one of the phones on speaker so everyone could hear what was going on when the skipper of the Enterprise called them again.

She could hear the sounds of the storm coming over the phone's speaker, sending a chill down her spine.

"We have a raft," the pilot of the Viking announced.

"They have something, Capitan," the skipper radioed to them. "Coordinates."

"Thirty eight degrees thirty seven minutes north latitude; seventy four degrees thirty four minutes west longitude."

"Vector the SAR aircraft," Riley heard the Enterprise's captain order.

"Weather is getting worse," the air boss' voice informed. "The chopper could be outside the safe recovery zone."

"We'll reevaluate once we get to the scene. Prime flight vector the SAR bird."

A long pause came over the phone, making Riley wonder if something happened. Had they found one of them, or both? Did something happen to the search and rescue team? But the skipper's voice soon came back over the radio, making her feel a bit of relief.

"Viking, what's your speed."

"One hundred ten knots, one hundred feet."

"That's low and slow," the skipper thought aloud.

"It is, sir."

"Be careful, Paddles."

"Yes, sir. I'm going to drop flares for the Angel."

"Viking three oh four, this is Angel two one, what is your location?"

"I'm directly over them, Angel. I'll give you vectors in. Heading three five oh, three miles."

"Roger Viking."

"Got a strobe, I'm on top of it now."

"Angel, this is the captain, how's the weather?"

"Uh, ceiling is one hundred feet; swells now about thirty."

"How lucky do you feel, lieutenant?"

"Piece of cake, skipper."

Riley's heartbeat filled her ears as she heard the chopper lowering. It's okay, she thought. They're going to be alright… they're going to be alright, she repeated to herself, no matter how much she didn't believe it.

"We got him, we got him," the lieutenant announced, making Riley's heart jump into her throat. One of them was safe, and one should be nearby. That's how it worked, right? They should find the other one soon if all worked out. "Swimmer's in the water. He's coming up."

"Secure that hoist!" someone shouted in the background.

"It's Griffin, sir."

"Any sign of Friar?" the CO asked.

Another pause filled the room before the pilot of the Viking answered. "No."

"Where is Lieutenant Friar?" one of the crewmen asked Farkle. "Did you see him?"

All of them heard Farkle's voice mutter something, but it was impossible for them to decipher what he said over the speaker amongst his coughing.

"Farkle didn't see him eject sir, which means he could be another fifteen to twenty miles in any direction."

Cory wrapped an arm around Riley's shoulder as her mouth fell agape. A physical ache started to spread through her heart, making her feel completely numb. More tears stung her eyes as her mind tried to wrap around what she just heard. No… no, no, no! This can't be happening right now! It has to be a dream… someone please wake me up!

A gust of wind came over the loud speaker, along with the sound of the chopper's engine groaning as it struggled to maintain its course.

"What's happening, Angel?"

"We are getting pushed around, sir!"

"Can you keep her in the air?"

"I'm trying, sir. I'm trying!"

The ship's captain paused. "Viking, take another sweep of the area before coming back. We'll try again when the storm lets up."

"What?!" Riley blurted. "But what about Lucas? He's still down there; you can't give up on him yet!"

Captain McCall raised his hand to try and stop Riley, only if for a moment. "Thank you, skipper. Please inform us of any other information you may come up with."

"Will do," the captain responded just before McCall hung up the phone.

"How can you just let them stop the search when Lucas is still down there?!" Riley shouted.

"Riley…" Cory trailed, trying to help her calm down.

Captain McCall turned to face her. "I understand what you're going through right now, but what good is it going to do Lucas if they find him but can't rescue him under current conditions?"

As more tears filled her eyes, Riley simply nodded. She knew that she wasn't able to think clearly given the circumstances, but she still wished something more could be done at the moment.

"Don't worry, Riley," the aviator consoled. "They'll find him."

She nodded again before she turned around and headed back into the office. As much as she wanted to believe him, he wasn't sure. She could tell by his tone of voice. He wanted to believe it himself, but he couldn't. No one was sure on how Lucas was doing right now. No matter how much she wanted to believe their words, she couldn't.

Riley slumped down into the chair and wrapped her arms around her legs. Farkle was okay, but she couldn't let herself be happy. Not while Lucas was still out there, still fighting for his life. As time continued to crawl forward, Riley allowed the tears to fall down her face.

A/N: One of the boys is safe, one is still missing… what do you think will happen next? See you soon!