A/N: I wanted to take the time to thank those of you that have been such loyal readers. You keep me going and inspired to keep publishing. I am glad you are enjoying this story, it has been a joy to write. I love my characters and I hope it shows. THANK YOU so much again to all of you who are reading and reviewing! Have a great day, Lady Dragonsblood.
Things at the University of Colorado Hospital were in full swing. They had gone on a STAGE ONE ALERT as soon as the Med One chopper was called to a fire at an apartment building. Shawn, who had been called in at the last-minute, was setting up Trauma Room one. He was preparing to receive Mrs. Williams. Wade Barrett walked into the room.
"I'm sorry I had to call you, Shawn. I didn't know what else to do when Maria and Natalya both called in sick," Wade spoke in an apologetic tone.
"It's alright, I'm used to it. I just hope more won't come down with that flu. Hunter will be here soon. He always comes when the chopper goes out, it's his duty. Now, I've prepared for the woman. I'll set up treatment two for the others. Nothing too serious from what I understand," Shawn said to the Englishman. Shawn was glad Hunter was coming, he just didn't have complete confidence in Barrett.
"Alright. I guess things are under control. Helicopter should be here shortly. I'll go up to the pad," Wade said as he left the room. While Shawn was nice enough, Wade had the feeling the nurse just simply didn't like him. He didn't want to be on Shawn's bad side, because of Hunter.
Shawn watched Wade leave. He just wished he could figure out what it was about Wade that put his nerves on alert. Until then, he'd just have to keep an eye on things. Well, he had to work to do, he had to get it done.
At the Heritage Heights apartment building, time seemed to stand still, even the wind. It was only a few seconds, then all hell broke loose.
Adam was simply frozen, he couldn't make his body move, and he didn't want to. He knew there was no way Bret or the others could be alive. He felt utterly broken inside.
The dust and debris of the collapsed building floated around in the wind. Smoke and flames rose from the fallen building, sparks and embers scattered like fireflies against the black sky.
The firefighters of Stations 51, 32 and 19 were still manning their hoses. Chief Lawler was pacing, the smoke was so thick he couldn't even see where the gallons of water were landing.
There was a burst of activity as suddenly five people slowly emerged from the parting curtain of smoke. Bret and the Uso's had managed to get Mr. and Mrs. Jones out of the building just as it fell. It was close, but they made it.
Adam snapped back to reality when the cheers and shouts of the crowd watching the fire reached his ears. He nearly fainted when he saw Bret emerging from the smoke. He was reminded of a white knight, thwarting death at the last possible moment.
At some point, the doctors feet started moving, at a run, towards his friend. "Are you alright? You scared me!" Adam nearly wept as he hugged Bret. He was so happy his friend was safe. He heart now leapt with joy.
Bret's face would have been flushed if it wasn't covered with dirt and soot. To be honest, he was just as happy to see Adam. As he spoke, his voice was a bit raspy from the smoke he'd inhaled. "I'm fine. This is Mr. Jones. He and his wife need to be checked," Bret's words were cut off by a sudden coughing fit. He had breathed in a lot of smoke.
"Of course, and you three too, come on. All of you. Now, Doctor's orders," Adam said firmly, a smile stayed plastered on his face. He led the five people to the medical area. Another ambulance was pulling up as they arrived.
Adam quickly but accurately checked Mr. and Mrs. Jones. The couple was medically fine. Hiding under the wet blankets had saved their lives. They did agree to go to the hospital, after all, they really had no other place to go.
Mrs. Jones was already fussing over the little boy, worried about his burns. Mr. Jones was lamenting how the landlord had only done basic work on the building over the years. He was thinking about a lawsuit.
The Uso cousins were also given the all clear and refused to go to the hospital. Adam agreed, he knew firefighters were capable of breathing in a bit more smoke than the average person. So, with a promise, that if they felt worse later, they would go for a check at the hospital, Adam went to see to Bret.
Captain Hart was still coughing a bit, "Adam, I'm alright. I don't need to go to the hospital," he nearly growled at his friend.
"Don't you growl at me, you old Bear. You are going to the hospital, or I'll tell Chief Lawler you refuse," Adam said firmly, in his full doctor's tone.
Bret let out a bit of a laugh, "Alright, alright. You win. I'll admit, I don't feel the best. I need to see the Chief now though," Bret said with a sigh as he stood. The fire wasn't out yet and wouldn't be for a while. At least it was under control.
"Sit back down! That's what radios are for. You don't need to go back into that smoke!" Adam called out to Bret's retreating form.
Bret just kept going, he cared about Adam but work was first. He coughed a bit as he walked towards the command center and Chief Lawler. When he saw the burning pile of rubble he realized, once again, he'd been lucky.
"Good work, son. You alright?" Jerry asked the Captain of Station 51. He was worried, Bret didn't look so good.
"Fine, I'm fine. Doc is making me go to the hospital. I didn't want to go till I cleared it with you, or this was under control," the Captain said in between coughs. Bret had to take a sip of water.
"Things under control. That wind finally died down a bit. This is going to be investigated. I think the wiring must have shorted. You go to the hospital. I'll tell Cena to take your rig back to the Station when we clear out.
"Okay. I'll keep you posted from the Station. I don't plan on staying in the hospital. Yep I agree, something about this fire bothers me as well," Bret said thoughtfully, between coughing fits.
Chief Lawler nodded in agreement, "Get to the hospital. Cena and Brooks can handle things. If needs be, I'll call in Neidhart. Just relax and take care of yourself," the Chief's tone was fatherly as he spoke.
"Alright, alright. Good grief, just a little smoke inhalation is all. Keep your head up," Bret said with a pat to Lawler's shoulder. Hart left the Chief to do his job and went back to where Adam was.
Adam was seeing to the loading of the ambulances. The two young men and the mother and son were in the largest, newest ambulance. Mr and Mrs. Jones were loaded into the second ambulance.
"Okay. I'm all yours. Sorry, but I had to talk to the Chief. John will take the SUV to the Station. Where do you want me?" Bret spoke with a sheepish smile. He could tell Adam was very upset with him.
"I ought to make it hurt when I draw blood at the hospital. Come on, lay down on the gurney. It's regulations," Adam said with a smile. He wasn't really mad, he knew duty came first to Bret, he admired him for it. Bret meekly obeyed Adam as he lay on the gurney. While R-Truth strapped the Captain safely to the bed, Adam gathered up his medical bag. He then got into the ambulance and sat in the jump seat next to Bret. They were off, lights and sirens going.
The three ambulances made a beeline for the University of Colorado Hospital. It was about a twenty-five minute ride during the traffic times but as it was after midnight, the trip was quick. They pulled into the Emergency Services unloading area. Shawn had his team ready and waiting. The nurse wasn't surprised to see Adam jump out of the last ambulance.
"They said you were the doctor on scene. Mrs. Williams is doing very well. Now, fill me in. Wait, that's Buddy! He injured?" Shawn asked worriedly as he saw Bret in the ambulance.
"Good. She flat lined for a while. No, smoke inhalation, he needs a few blood/oxygen level tests. The boy has second degree burns on his hand, first on his arm. The two young men just need a check, as do the Jones'. All in all, for as horrible as the fire was, everyone was very lucky. Come on, I want Bret checked. Wade handling things alright?" Adam asked as he gave Shawn the details about the victims. They were following the line of gurneys into the hospital.
"Hunter came in when Med One was sent for. Wade is doing fine," Shawn replied as they got to the Emergency room.
Adam directed Bret's gurney into treatment room four. Shawn took over the care of the others. Adam smiled, the little boy was telling Shawn about the fire as they entered a treatment room.
"So, what now? Please, don't make me pee in a cup," Bret said with a cough as he moved from the gurney to the bed in the room.
"Thanks, Ron. You guys did great. I appreciate you," Adam said with a pat to the EMT's back. Ron thanked Adam and left. He had to help get the ambulance ready for the next call.
Adam turned to his patient, "no, none of that. I want to draw some blood, take some X-rays. Maybe give you a mentholated breathing treatment. Can you change or do you need help?" Adam explained as he held out a hospital gown to the firefighter.
"You could help me," Bret said in a bit of a flirting tone and a sly wink, as he started to undress. Adam was a bit shocked, was Bret actually flirting with him? No, it was just his imagination. It was just Bret being friendly, still, he felt his face flush. His snapped up when Shawn came into the room.
"I'll help him, Adam. The others are well in control. Come on Buddy, let's get you changed," Shawn said in his full nurses tone.
Adam left while Shawn got Bret ready. He went up the hall to his office. He could tell Wade had been there. Things on his desk were moved. He took his spare doctor's coat from a hanger in his tiny closet. He took his spare ID badge from his desk. Adam also picked up a medical chart that would now be Bret's and headed back to his patient.
Shawn had helped Bret changed into the hospital gown. Bret was now lying on the exam bed. Shawn had raised the bed so Bret was almost sitting up. It was easier for him to breathe.
"Draw three vials and call X-ray. Prep a mentholated breathing treatment too, please. Feeling better?" Adam gave Shawn his instructions, then spoke to Bret. He started making notes in the chart.
"Got it," Shawn responded. He took the chart from Adam. The nurse wrote down Bret's pulse and breathing rates. Shawn then went to do as the doctor ordered.
While Shawn went to call the X-ray department, Bret spoke. "Yes, I do. Not coughing as much. Look Adam, you did a great job tonight. I'm glad you were there. Mrs. Williams is alive because of you. They told me while you were checking the others. I'm proud of you, Sugar," Bret spoke openly and honestly. He was proud of Adam. For the first time, he was starting to think of the doctor in a different light. The Captain realized he had... romantic feelings for Adam. Now he wasn't sure what to do. He was confused.
Adam turned away from Bret, he pretended to fiddle with some papers on the chart. He was blushing furiously. Maybe it wasn't his imagination earlier, maybe Bret was flirting with him. He wasn't sure if he minded, after all, Bret had looked so handsome and heroic earlier when he appeared out of the smoke and debris of the fire.
The doctor cleared his throat, "Just doing my job," he paused, then turned to look at Bret. "I was proud of you too. You looked like a... a white knight walking those people out of the fire. Um... yeah, Shawn will be right with you to draw some blood. It's the best way of making sure your oxygen level is okay," Adam's tone was almost shy at first, then began to sound more professional as he went on. He'd managed to regain his composure.
Adam excused himself, he really did want to check on Mrs. Williams and he needed the field treatment paper he'd used at the scene. He passed a returning Shawn on the way.
"They can take him a soon as I draw the blood samples," Shawn informed the doctor.
"Good. I'm going to check on Mrs. Williams. Let me know when your done in X-ray," Adam said with a smile. He moved on to where Mrs. Williams was being treated.
Shawn watched Adam curiously. The young man seemed to almost be floating down the hall, and that smile. That was no ordinary smile. He went into Bret's room. Bret was wearing the same smile. Shawn knew for sure something was up.
"Okay, Buddy. What's going on? And remember, I'm holding a needle," Shawn said coyly as he prepared Bret's arm to draw the blood sample.
Bret knit his brow in confusion, "Nothing Heartbreaker, nothing. What are you talking about?" he winced as Shawn gently poked his vein with the needle. Shawn snickered as he removed the Velcro band from Bret's upper arm. As he did, the blood freely flowed into the vial.
"With Adam. Come on Bret, every time you two are around each other, you light up like the Fourth of July," Shawn said lightly. He filled the third and last vial. He then removed the needle and bandaged the tiny prick.
Bret let out a guffaw, "We just had a moment, Shawn. As friends. I told him what a great job he did with that woman at the scene. He told me the same. We caught each other off guard with compliments," Hart explained as honestly as possible.
"Bret, you do know, it's okay to fall in love again," Shawn said as he took the tray with the blood samples and left the room. He was headed to the lab for the analysis of Bret's oxygen levels.
Bret lay back against the bed, his arms behind his head. He coughed a few times. He thought about Shawn's parting words. Sure he thought Adam was cute, warm, caring, funny, most of all a good friend, but his heart lay in a grave at the Fairmont Cemetery, in the Firefighters section. Davy was his love, and that was that.
Adam walked into the treatment room where Mrs. Williams was. Hunter and Wade were talking to her husband in the corner. Mr. Williams was smiling as he listened to the two doctors. He smiled even brighter when he saw Adam standing next to his wife's bed.
"You! It's you! My Tally is going to live because of you!" Mr. Williams nearly shouted as he stood up. He went to Adam and started hugging him.
Wade growled on the inside as he watched Adam being hero worshiped like a golden god. He'd have to work three or four times harder to tarnish Adam in Hunter's eyes. Especially since Hunter was beaming like a proud father.
"Doctor Copeland, it seems you had a bit of excitement this evening," Wade said in a very proper accent. He always sounded "posh" around patients.
"He saved my wife's life. Thank you again, Doctor. They said because of you, she's going to recover," Mr. Williams said as he hugged Adam again.
"It wasn't just me, Mr. Williams. Nikki and Zack worked just as hard as I did. I'm pleased she will be okay. I need to see her field paper," Adam said as he took the chart from the foot of her bed.
"Yes, yes. You all saved my Tally," Mr. Williams said with another smile. He then sat by his wife and held her hand.
"You and the others did well, son. I'm proud of you. Fortunate that you went to dinner at the station tonight. She's going to be fine, a bit of recovery time, but no serious treatment will be needed. Here's the field report," Hunter said as he pointed out the paper in the chart Adam was holding.
Adam took the paper. "I'll type it up later. Sorry it's sloppy, I was kind of busy," Adam said with a bit of a laugh. He folded the report and put it in the pocket of his medical coat.
Hunter laughed, "Yeah it is a bit sloppy. But it's hard in the field. I'm working on getting programs for our Smartphones that will enable us to do all our paper work easily," the head doctor explained to the two physicians.
"That would be wonderful. Electronic signatures that can't get lost," Adam added in a thoughtful tone. Losing that paper still bothered him. His thoughts were changed when his phone beeped.
"Oh good, Bret's back from X-ray. I need to go check them," Adam explained as he went to the door.
"Buddy? He okay?" Hunter's tone was full of concern. It matched the look on his face.
"Yes, Hunt. He was so heroic..." Adam went on to briefly retell the nights events involving Bret. He almost glowed as he told the story, a fact Hunter missed but Wade didn't.
"Tell him I'll be by to see him later. Oh yes, the others have been discharged. A van came to pick them up. Chief Lawler arranged for a temporary emergency shelter for the apartment residents," Hunter said as Adam opened the door to leave.
"Good. I worried about where everyone was going to stay. I'll tell Bret. See you," Adam said as he left the room. He nearly ran down the hall to Bret's room. When Adam entered the room, Shawn and Bret were laughing about some incident that happened during a football game in college. Both Bret and Hunter played on the team for a while.
"Hi. Hunter said he'd be in to see you soon. Also, Chief Lawler has arranged for a temporary shelter for the apartment residents. Now, let's look at these," Adam explained as he turned on the X-ray reading light. The light was on a special frame on the wall. He snapped the four X-rays in place and looked at them carefully. Shawn came to look as well. He also gave Adam the first blood test reports.
"Do you two have to look so serious? Is something wrong?" Bret finally asked. There was a nervous twinge to his tone. Maybe there really was something wrong.
Adam turned to Bret and smiled, his hazel eyes sparkled, "Nope. You're just fine, at least your lungs are healthy. I want you to take a thirty minute breathing treatment. Then you'll be as fit as a fiddle," he said as he held Bret's hand. He'd moved to the bedside to speak to his patient. Without either of them realizing it, they'd laced their fingers together.
"Okay. I'll be a good boy, just for you. Will I be able to go back to the station tonight?" Bret asked as his thumb gently caressed the back of Adam's hand.
"Yeah, I'll even give you a lift. Now, I have to do a bit of paper work. Shawn will be here for the treatment. See you soon," Adam said with a squeeze of Bret's hand and a gentle caress to the firefighter's forehead. Had they been alone, he would have kissed Bret's cheek, happy his friend was okay.
Shawn watched the exchange between Bret and Adam. It was even more clear than ever, they had feelings for each other, deeper than friendship.
Bret's eyes followed Adam out of the door. "Just a friend Heartbreaker, just a good, dear friend. I thought about what you said, but Davy boy was the only one for me. Besides Adam may not show it, but he's still really torn up about that rock star bastard. Oh, sorry Shawn," Bret said with a tone of finality. He might have "feelings" for Adam, but nothing nearing love.
"Remember, the night he... died? You promised Davy something. Did you lie to him on his death-bed?" Shawn knew he was being a bit hard, but sometimes tough love was necessary. Especially with extremely stubborn people.
With an exhale of the mentholated, heated oxygen he'd breathed into his lungs, Bret sighed. "I remember Shawn. I didn't lie to Davy, ever. You aren't being fair. It's... I can't love someone else Shawn. We never should have made that promise. I only promised to try, it was easy to say, but..." Bret's words were broken with pent-up emotion. The tears rolled down his cheeks. Davy's death was fresh in his heart, too fresh.
Shawn felt bad, but the words had to be said, Bret needed love and needed to give love. He wrapped his arm around his friend's shoulder and just let him cry. He needed that too.
Adam opened the door to his office, he was startled by Wade, who was siting behind his desk, the center drawer open. Wade looked up, he kept the surprise at being caught in the drawer off his face. After all, they did share the office. He took a pen out of the drawer, then casually closed it.
"Give me a second and you can have the chair. Hunter said my office will be ready in a couple of weeks. So, you went to the firehouse tonight? I don't remember you telling me about that during our date this afternoon. If we're going to have a dating relationship, I think it's important to mention things like that, don't you?" Wade asked, his brow raised. He was unhappy about a lot of things. The firehouse and Adam getting all the praise when he wasn't officially on duty were the main things.
"No problem. I'm sorry, Wade. You are right. I should have told you. I just didn't want you to think there was anything more than friendship between Bret and I. He'd promised me a tour of the Station a while ago. Next time something like that comes up, I'll tell you. Um... Wade, listen I don't meant to sound, snotty, but I don't like people in my desk," Adam's tone was contrite. He did feel guilty, well a little.
"Sorry about your desk. I needed a pen is all. Okay, I didn't mean to sound so... bossy. I just don't want to see anyone hurt you again," Wade was sorry. He didn't mean to sound like a jealous idiot. Wade got up and moved from Adam's desk. On the way to the door he stopped in front of the beautiful blond. He bent down and kissed Adam. Adam accepted the kiss, he owed it to the man, he deepened it.
Neither of them heard the door creak open, Shawn was surprised, and maybe a bit disappointed, he'd thought Adam had feelings for Bret. He felt a bit foolish. Shawn shut the door without a sound. The two kissing doctors broke apart when a knock sounded on the door. Adam moved to his desk, Wade, near the door opened it.
"Adam, Captain Hart's treatment is done, he hasn't coughed since. He's probably ready to get out of here. You know what a grouchy bear he can be," Shawn said with a bit of a laugh. Neither man saw Barrett roll his eyes.
"Thank you, Shawn. Yes, he can be. Please tell him to get dressed, I'll have his discharge papers ready by then. Oh Wade, I promised Bret I'd take him back to the station. I'll talk to you later," Adam said with a wink to Wade and a smile and nod to Shawn.
Adam sat down as the two men left. He started preparing Bret's papers. He hung his coat over the back of the desk chair.
Wade followed Shawn as far as the break room, he needed a cup of tea before he started his own round of paper work. Well, at least Adam told him about taking Bret later. Still, he needed to do something else...
"Okay, you can get dressed. Adam will get you back to the station as soon as your discharge is ready. Hey, I'm sorry about before. We just all want to see you happy again, even Davy, you know that," Shawn said softly as he handed Bret his smoky smelling uniform.
"I know, Shawn. Let's just drop it, but thanks for being there, you know, letting me cry. Ugh, these do stink, oh well, can't be helped. I'll be ready shortly," Bret said with his own soft smile. He knew his friend meant well, he held no grudge against the nurse. Shawn was more like a brother, as was Hunt, he would have been lost many times over the years without them.
Adam finished Bret's paperwork. The rest could wait. He decided he'd come back after dropping Bret off. He had a couple of hours of paper work, then he could get some sleep.
Soon they were in a taxi heading towards Station 51. Adam had forgotten his car was at the Station in all the chaos of the evening. He was just glad there was a cab in the rank at the hospital. During the ride, Bret and Adam chatted about the evenings events. Adam was even more proud of Bret when the Captain told his story about finding and helping the Jones'.
The firehouse was quiet as the cab pulled in. The huge garage door was closed, through the windows Bret could see the light on in his office. Either John was still up or they had left it on for him.
The sun was just starting to change the colors of the eastern sky. Over head and to the west the stars still twinkled like jewels. They seemed to reflect in Adam's eyes. The doctor had gotten out of the cab, paid and walked with Bret to the smaller door that led to the garage of Station 51.
"You're sure you're up to going back to work? I can still give you an excuse paper," Adam said softly as he leaned against the brick wall of the fire station.
Bret placed his hand next to Adam's head and leaned in a bit, "I'm fine, Sugar. If I honestly needed a day off, I'd tell you. I promise," those two words made him quiver inside. Maybe Shawn was right.
He and Davy had talked a long time that night. The living wills had been an easy decision. What was hard was talking about finding love and happiness again. In the end, each man promised to keep the other in their heart and not to spend their lives alone and bitter. A person needed to be loved, and give love.
Adam noticed the distant look in Bret's eyes. "Hey, Bear? What's wrong?" his voice was full of deep concern.
"Nothing, really. Just thinking about something someone said to me tonight. Made me think of something I promised Davy, one night, a few years ago," Bret said in a thoughtful tone.
"Oh? I'll listen if you need to talk," Adam said honestly. He would always be there for his friend.
Bret sighed, "We promised each other, we wouldn't spend our lives alone, if something happened to one of us. Seeing those two couples tonight at the fire..." his words faded. He felt like he wasn't making any sense.
"That wasn't easy I'm sure. But as long as you keep Davy in your heart; we've discussed this, I'm sure you don't want to keep hearing about it," Adam said with a smile. The last thing he wanted was to keep causing Bret pain by constantly bringing up Davy, unless of course he needed to talk.
"Thanks, Sugar. You are a good friend, a very good..." Bret couldn't stand it any longer. Shawn had made him realize that he had feelings for Adam, feelings that needed to be...
Captain Hart leaned in and kissed Adam's soft lips. It was not a kiss between friends, like the ones they shared before, when they were lonely. This was a lover's kiss, full of heated passion.
Bret's arms wrapped around Adam's waist, he pulled the doctor in, Adam's body fit against him perfectly. He deepened the kiss as his tongue lapped at Adam's lips begging to be let into the warm silk of his mouth.
Adam gasped a bit when Bret's mouth was suddenly on his, but his heart told him not to worry about it. When Bret pulled him in, his arms went around the older man's shoulders. He melted against Bret. When the Captains tongue begged, Adam parted his lips and drew Bret's tongue into his mouth.
Adam knew one thing, this was no kiss of friendship, it was a kiss of passion. He had to admit, through the depths of his foggy brain, he felt things for Bret.
Their tongues explored as they tangled together. Bret's hands slid up Adam's spine as he pulled him in even closer. Adam's fingers toyed with Bret's curls at the base of his neck. Soft moans were swallowed up by the firefighter's deep rumbling growls of pleasure.
The doctor and fireman kept kissing as the eastern sky grew even lighter, a soft golden glow lit the couple. Adam was pressed against the brick wall by Bret's body. His hands rested on Bret's hips. The weight of the fireman's body felt so good, felt so safe and... right, oh so right. The couple finally broke apart. It was time for words.
Bret's fingers brushed a few strands of Adam's hair from the physician's eyes, "So what do you think, Sugar?" his words were soft. His breath warm against Adam's cheek.
Adam looked up at Bret through his long, butterfly lashes, "I think, that was really nice," he too spoke in a soft whisper.
"Yes, it was. I... we have some thinking to do. Let's do that, okay? I'm off Monday, are you?" Bret asked as his hands rested on Adam's lithe hips.
"Yes, actually I'm off Monday and Tuesday. Bear, I... yes, thinking, then talk. Breakfast Monday? Your place?" Adam asked the older man. His eyes so full of emotion.
Bret nodded and kissed Adam again. They said goodbye, rather reluctantly. Both their minds flew, they couldn't wait till Monday morning.
Wade Barrett sat at the desk he shared with Adam. He needed to find something, anything he could use against Adam. He sighed as Adam's doctors coat fell off the back of the chair.
"He should have hung this up. I hate untidiness. You'll learn, Sunshine, you'll learn. Oh, what's this?" Wade spoke to himself as he picked up the wayward coat. A piece of paper stuck part way out of the pocket.
Barrett grabbed the paper; it was the field report on Mrs. Katala Williams. "You little beauty! I have a nice, safe place for you. In a file, in my flat," he folded the paper and put it in his already open brief case. Wade then hung the coat on the back of the chair, a wicked smirk on his face.