A/N: For those of you that have been asking and sending prayers and good thoughts, thank you. We have an update. Sadly, the cancer is back, full stop. The metastasis in her leg has also grown. Bone cancer is often common in connection with breast cancer. We are waiting now to see what kind of course of treatment will be done. It is scary, but we are both determined the cancer will NOT win. Please, in what ever form is your personal choice, continue to send prayers and healing thoughts to my spouse, Chris. Thank you also for all the great reviews you are giving this story... my writing is about the only thing keeping me sane right now. THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU ALL! Susan, AKA Lady Dragonsblood.
Bret suddenly stopped. They were about fifteen minutes from the campsite. It felt like all his blood had turned to ice. "Adam!" was all he said before he took off at a furious running pace. Shawn and Hunter looked at each other, they too started to run. Shawn prayed with every step that nothing was seriously wrong.
With a rapid movement, Wade took his knife from its sheath on his belt. He stepped on the snake's head before it could strike again. He cut the head off the deadly viper, the now headless body flopped in the grass.
It only took seconds. Wade picked Adam up, bridal style, grabbed the art bag and ran. He had to get Adam back to the camp. He knew Hunter had brought anti-venom with him. It was all the Englishman could think of as he ran with all his might. Adam was limp in his arms. In a way, that was good, it would slow the flow of the venom.
Bret arrived at the empty campsite first. He was out of breath from the run. No one had been in the camp for a while, the fire was nearly out. He didn't care! Where was Adam? And that fucking Englishman? Shawn and Hunter arrived shortly after Bret. They were both a bit winded, but not too badly, after all they worked out at the gym in their basement almost every day. Bret worked out at the equipment they had at the station.
"Where in the fucking hell are they? If that fucking Englishman has hurt my boy, I'll kill him. I swear to God, I. Will. Kill. Him." Bret was living up to his bearish nickname. He was absolutely shaking with rage.
Shawn ignored his friends cursing, he had to admit, he was a tad worried about the situation himself. He went to Bret and put a calming hand on his shoulder. Hunter took his own mind off things by building up the campfire.
"Buddy, just get a grip on yourself. He probably just went for a hike. You know Adam forgets the time of day when he's painting," Shawn used his soft, smooth pastor's voice. He knew Bret, he had no doubt he would carry out his threat if Wade had harmed Adam in any way.
"HELP! HELP! ADAM..." Wade's voice echoed into the camp, then faded again. Three heads turned toward the voice that came from the woods. Wade soon came into view, he was carrying Adam in his arms. They knew something was wrong, Adam was as limp as a rag doll.
"Oh my God," Bret muttered as his feet started running towards the Englishman carrying his lover.
"Snakebite! Adam was bit!" Wade panted out. He gladly handed Adam over to Bret. Any further and he would have collapsed. Wade was drenched in sweat, both from running and from fright.
Bret carried Adam into the camp. "Here, bring him in here," Shawn called out from the flap of the couple's tent. Hunter already had the first aid kit and his medical bag in hand. They had been in the small supply tent.
Bret gently laid Adam on the sleeping bag. Adam's left hand was swollen, the bite was red and angry-looking. Shawn started to cut the sleeve off of Adam's long-sleeved shirt. Hunter and Wade entered the tent. Bret was on his knees with Adam's head in his lap, he was gently stroking the blond's brow. Tears of fear streamed down his face.
"What the fuck happened? What kind of snake?" Bret asked in a tear filled, but angry tone. It was all Barrett's fault, he was sure about that.
Wade briefly explained what had happened, "... it was a rattlesnake, big. I killed it," the Englishman spoke flatly. There was no pride in his voice, only fear.
"Damn. One of the fangs hit a vein. Shawn, we've got to get him to the hospital. I'll start a drip with anti-venom, but get one of the horses ready," Hunter was all physician, as he began to prepare the medicine to give to Adam.
Shawn knew Bret was useless to get a horse ready and Wade didn't know how, so he got up to do it. As he left the tent a sudden thought came to his mind. Hunter had the needle ready to slip into the vein in the back of Adam's uninjured right hand.
"Wait! Hunter, NO! I just remembered, he's allergic to horses! You can't use that!" Shawn had pulled Hunter's hand away from Adam.
"Oh my God, you're right. I don't normally recommend this, but I'm going to use a tourniquet. Wade, time this for thirty minutes," Hunter said shakily. He'd nearly given Adam the wrong medicine. Wade looked at his watch. With a pen that was in the first aid kit, he wrote the time down on the back of his hand. Shawn gave Adam a glance, then hurried out to get one of the horses ready.
As luck would have it, Alberto Del Rio, the Park Ranger, rode into the camp. Shawn explained the dangerous situation. Del Rio didn't hesitate, he spurred his horse in the direction of the road. Shawn had told him to ride as fast as possible, call for the Med One chopper and Gene Jones, the Stable Master. They had to get Adam to the hospital in Denver as quickly as possible
In the tent, Adam was starting to wake up. He was thrashing a bit as he tried to waken. "No, no baby, be still, please be still," Bret spoke through his tears of fear. He had to be strong for Adam.
"Wha... what happened? Oh, I... don't... feel.. good," Adam spoke in broken whispers. He felt a gentle hand on his brow, he knew it was Bret. He calmed down and lay still.
Bret looked at Hunter, the Doctor nodded, better that Adam knew the truth. "You were bitten by a rattlesnake, remember? You're okay, but you have to keep calm and keep still. We're going to get you out of here. I love you, Sugar. Just be strong for me," the Captain's words were soft and his tone reflected more confidence than he had.
"Hunter, how bad?" Adam asked in his weakened voice. He fought to stay calm, even as ill as he felt, he knew keeping calm would slow the venom down.
"You're going to be alright. I won't lie though, one fang hit a vein. I don't know how much venom you got. I can't give you the anti-venom, it's made from horse serum. We'll get you to the hospital soon," Hunter spoke honestly, but more like a worried father than a physician.
Shawn came back into the tent, "Alberto happened by. He's riding fast for help. I told him to call Med One. We want him, where we can treat him. I also told Alberto to call Gene, we have to go back too," he filled everyone in on what had happened.
"Thank God for Alberto. We've all forgotten, yes we have cell phones, but no charges. No telling how long we would have had to wait for help," Hunter said as he once again took Adam's blood pressure and pulse. He made notes in a little notebook he kept in his medical bag.
"Mine is solar, department got them for us..." Bret said absent-mindedly. He wasn't bragging on the ultra modern technology, he was just trying to think of something to say.
"Hunter, thirty minutes in five," Wade said as he looked at his watch. He felt responsible this had happened. He probably angered the snake as he looked for that damn pencil, when he kicked at the clump of deep grass.
"Buddy, you're going to have to ride with him. Keep him still as possible. The trail is too rough for a travois, he'd bounce too much," Shawn explained to the firefighter.
If the route had been easier, Shawn would have made a travois. The travois was an idea from the Native Americans of the plains. It was made from the poles of the tipi. Three poles were made into an "A" frame, then a hide or blanket was tied to the frame which was harnessed to a horse or large dog. The Native American's used the travois to carry their belongings, very young children, or the sick and elderly. It would have been ideal for Adam, but the trail was too rough and rocky.
"I can do that. Can't the chopper land over there? That area, between here and the creek? That's wide open," Bret asked in a questioning tone. Surely that would be better than trying to ride Adam out.
"Alberto said there's a storm moving in. While it's okay down here, so far, the upper level winds are too much to get into this valley. We're in a bad place for cross winds. It's more of a valley than you realize. It's just safer to ride him out. Alberto flies, so I trust him to know. If he won't risk landing here, Med One certainly won't," Shawn said as he started packing up what things he could in their tent. He also needed to do something else. His nursing skills would be more useful later, at the hospital.
"Don't... feel... good. So... cold... cold," Adam whimpered, as he lay so deathly still. While he was cold inside, his body was burning with fever. His allergies to all kinds of animals wasn't helping. About the only animal he wasn't allergic to was dogs.
Wade got a blanket to cover Adam with. Bret growled, "I'll take care of him. Don't touch him, ever!" he meant it. If he disliked Wade before, he absolutely hated the Brit now. The man let his precious boy get bit.
Wade backed off. He'd never seen such hatred for him in another man's eye; it unnerved him. "Hunter, time." he spoke flatly as Bret finished covering Adam.
"Okay, fifteen minutes from... now!" Hunter ordered as Wade pushed the timer button on his watch. Hunter removed the tourniquet. Adam let out a whimper of pain.
"Easy son, easy. You're doing great. Just relax," Hunter said gently. Bret kept tenderly stroking Adam's brow. Hunter used an ear thermometer to check Adam's feverish state. He also again took his colleagues blood pressure and pulse rate. He wrote all the numbers down in the little notebook.
"How's he doing? Hunter? Don't play doctor with me! Tell me!" Bret said with more worry than anger. He wasn't going to be left hanging like he'd been with Davy. They'd have to put him in jail to keep him away from Adam.
Shawn stopped what he what he was doing and moved to Bret's side. "Buddy, give Hunt a chance. He's doing all he can. And there isn't much any of us can do, except keep Adam as calm and quiet as possible. He needs the synthetic anti-venom. I just hope we have some," Shawn bit his lip, he hadn't meant to say that last part out loud.
"What do you mean, Heartbreaker? If you have some?!" Bret asked. This time he was angry.
"It's okay. We have some. I saw it when I took this. I wish I would have remembered his allergy to horses. It's okay, Buddy. His pulse is a little rapid, but his pressure is okay. Adam's fever is only one hundred one. Nothing is critical. Just keep him quiet. And Buddy, I'm not playing doctor, you know what Adam means to us," Hunter's tone was almost hurt. He knew Bret only said those things out of fear and worry. He had to remember, he had the ability as a doctor, to not take things personal, especially from hurting friends.
"I'm sorry, Trips. I know you love Adam. It's just... I waited for hours to be with Davy. I'm telling you this now, up front. You'll have to put me in fucking jail to keep me away from Adam, understand?" Bret's tone had lost its anger, but not its firmness.
"Okay. I promise you can stay, unless you get in the way of what's best for Adam," Hunter agreed. He knew by Bret's look, he would go to jail if he had to.
"Listen. Bret, you're not going to like this, but hear me out," Shawn said as he again went to kneel by his long time friend. He waited for Bret to look at him, then continued. "There won't be room in the chopper for all of us. I'll have to come back here and finish packing the camp. I'll need help. I'll need you..." Shawn was interrupted by Bret, who was trying, for Adam's sake, not to explode.
"No way. No fucking way, Shawn. Wade can do it. I'm not leaving Adam alone for one minute! Forget it!" Bret growled like the bear he was when it came to his cub.
"Bear... lis... ten... to Shawn," Adam whimpered out. He felt terrible. He could feel the poison coursing through his body.
Bret gently kissed Adam's brow, "Alright baby, you just keep still and quiet," his tone with Adam was different. It was gentle, soft and loving. He nodded for Shawn to go on.
"I know I'm asking you to do something very hard. Look, Wade doesn't know how to break a camp, but he is a doctor. He needs to go in case Hunter needs help. I need you, because you know how to break camp. If we do it right, we can ride out faster. Gene will be here, we'll get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Please, Buddy. I need your help. Adam needs this," Shawn explained as best he could. He wasn't lying, he did need Bret.
"Please... Bear. Help Shawn. I'll be. Okay. Rest better. Knowing Shawn. Not here. Alone. For me? Bret. I love. You," Adam's voice was weaker than before, the toxins were affecting his body. He needed the anti-venom as soon as possible.
Shawn couldn't have been more grateful to anyone than he was to Adam at that moment. He waited for Bret's reply to Adam's request.
Bret sighed, "If that's what you want, my Sugar. I'll be with you at the hospital as soon as possible. Okay, Shawn, but only because Adam wants it. I won't upset him. I love you, Adam. Just... Oh God, please..." his tears flowed again. He couldn't live if something happened to his precious, sweet bit of Sugar, his beloved Adam.
Shawn sighed with relief, "Thanks, Buddy. I promise, you'll get back to Adam." There was nothing he could do now except keep tearing down and packing up the camp, so Shawn went back to work.
"Fifteen minutes," Wade said as he looked at Hunter. He'd sat there watching the minutes tick by slowly.
Hunter deftly reapplied the tourniquet. Wade set his watch for thirty minutes. "Okay, now we can move him. Bret, carry him out, but try not to move him too much. We will have to stop to do the tourniquet. I don't want him jostled while it's off. Wade, give a shout at twenty-five minutes. Bret, you'll dismount and lay Adam down. It will take a bit of time, but it's safer, especially with a vein hit," Hunter spoke in his doctor's tone. He wanted his instructions followed to the letter.
They moved swiftly and traveled as light as possible. Wade carried the first aid kit, Hunter his doctor's bag. Shawn had a pack with blankets, water and a few energy bars, his rifle over his shoulder. After all, they were still in the wilderness. Bret easily lifted Adam, bridal style. He carried Adam out to the waiting horse. Shawn had chosen the more sure-footed mare, May.
Bret handed Adam to Hunter, gently, then mounted the horse who only wore her harness. He slid back as far as he could, nearly on May's broad rump. He got his feet into the straps of the harness for make shift stirrups. Hunter gently lifted Adam up to Bret. Adam whimpered. Oh he felt so sick, so very sick. Bret cooed softly in Adam's ear as he settled his boy against his muscular chest. Shawn would lead the horse, leaving Bret's hands free to hold Adam.
The sun was lower in the sky as they started out. It meant Shawn and Bret would be breaking camp in the dark, but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered but getting Adam to safety as quickly as possible.
Shawn made sure Skip's picket line was secure. It had been decided, that it was better to just take one horse. No point in having them both worn out from a double trip. This way, Skip would be rested, and able to carry a heavier load "I only hope nothing gets at Skip. At least he's near the fire. No, choice, let's go," Shawn said as he led the way. The journey out of the woods had begun.
At the point where the campers would emerge from the woods there was all kinds of activity. Del Rio had called the Colorado State Police. They would block the road. It was the only place with enough room for the U of C Hospital Med One chopper to land.
Alberto also had two other horses waiting. He would help whoever went back to break up the camp. It would be faster on horseback. He had no idea exactly when they would emerge. Del Rio figured roughly three hours. It would take Med One forty minutes to arrive. The chopper would leave the hospital in an hour and half. Then, if they had too, would circle over head till needed.
What Shawn and others didn't know, was that ten miles up the road, at Ranger Headquarters, another helicopter was waiting. Alberto would fly any of the campers, not on the medical chopper, back to Denver. He was glad to do anything to help Shawn. He might even get a chance to see Ricardo, briefly.
The camping party stopped every twenty-five minutes and waited for Adam's blood to flow for fifteen minutes in and out of his hand. Hunter was getting a bit worried, the skin around the bite was turning dark shades of purple. He was fighting not only for Adam's life, but his hand as well. Amputation sometimes had to happen with poisonous bites. Time was of the essence. Hunter was glad they hadn't been any deeper into the wilderness.
Finally, he campers were sighted. Alberto spied them with his binoculars. He told the troopers to shut the road half a mile up and down. He radioed to Med One and told the pilot, a crafty Viet Nam war medic, named Steve Austin, where to land. Med One had circled over head for about fifteen minutes.
The approaching storm was holding off, it had stalled a bit, crossing the Continental Divide. The Divide was at the crest of the Rocky Mountains. Rain that fell on the west, flowed in rivers that eventually wound up in the Pacific Ocean. Rain that fell on the eastern slope wound up, the same way, in the Atlantic Ocean. Nature is a marvelous thing.
The air thundered, not from the storm, but from the rotors, as the huge Med One helicopter landed right in the middle of State Highway 96. The trees blew like the storm was overhead. Austin expertly landed the chopper. He powered the engines down, nearly bringing the huge rotor blades to a stop. He always kept the chopper running, it saved time. It was easier to power up than it was to make a cold restart.
The huge door opened. There were electronic noises as the special gurney was pushed out through the door. A team of two Emergency Medical Techs and two nurses, came out of the chopper. Even though they were picking up two doctors, there was still a doctor on board, it was standard practice. Doctor Paul Heyman stepped out of Med One.
The EMTs, Lance Cade and by chance another Lance, whose last name was Storm, pushed the gurney over to the waving Park Ranger. The two nurses, Amy Dumas and Sunny Stritch followed. They all looked worried. They knew one of their own was in trouble. Not only that, it was the sweet and much respected Doctor Adam Copeland.
The campers looked harried, worried, frantic and yet, relieved. They were extremely pleased to see their colleagues waiting for them.
The two Lances went to get Adam. He had fallen asleep during the last part of the trip. Bret didn't want to let his lover go, fear gripped his heart.
"Please, sir. We have to get him on the gurney, so he can go to the hospital. You need to let him go," EMT Storm said in a soft, calm tone. He'd seen this many times in his career. The patients loved one feared, if they let go, they'd never see their loved one again. It had to be handled gently, yet quickly.
"No. He's finally sleeping. I can't... I... just... can't," Bret's words faded into near silent sobs. Tears again rained down his high, ruddy cheekbones. He held Adam firmly in his arms.
Shawn had gone to talk to Alberto, while Hunter and Wade spoke to Heyman. They were unaware of Bret's actions.
Storm tried again," you want Doctor Copeland to get the treatment he needs, don't you? To do that, he has to go to the hospital. Please, Captain Hart, let us take him. I promise, he'll be safe."
"What if he... like Davy? I... love him so much. I can't let him go, I'm too... afraid," Bret's voice hesitated. All he could think of was, if he let Adam go, he'd lose him; forever.
Shawn finally realized something was wrong. Adam should have been loaded into the chopper by now. He looked over and saw Adam was still on the horse, with Bret holding him. He had to do something, and quickly. He went to his friend.
"Please, Captain... hi Shawn. Maybe you can help. Captain Hart won't let us take Doctor Copeland," EMT Cade explained. EMT Storm had gone to explain to the waiting nurses what was going on.
Shawn walked up to May. He put his hand on Bret's knee, "Buddy. Let him go. The longer you keep him here, the greater the chance he could die. With treatment, as quick as possible, he'll recover, but he has to go now. I have some good news. As soon as we break camp, Alberto is going to fly us directly to the hospital. Buddy, you love him, but let him go. Please?" Shawn hoped he got through. He also knew if something happened to Adam, Bret would crack.
It was like something inside Bret snapped. He realized he was being an absolute fool, "I don't know what happened. Here, please, treat him gently," Bret gave his sleeping lover a kiss, then let the EMT's take Adam. He slid off the horse. He was able to hold Adam's uninjured hand as they walked.
Hunter, Wade and Paul looked at Adam before he was loaded onto Med One. The nurses were taking his vital signs. Hunter gave them the pages of the notebook he'd kept Adam's record on.
"His fever is spiking and his blood pressure had dropped. We've got to get him to the hospital. You know we have to test him for the synthetic anti-venom. Get him loaded, STAT," Heyman said as he took over Adam's care.
Bret knew he had to let Adam go, "I love you, Adam. I'll be there soon," he bent down and kissed his lover's lips. When he did, Adam's eyes fluttered open.
"Bear? What's... happening... sick... feel... so sick," Adam's voice was a broken, airy, whining whisper. He managed a slight smile and barely noticeable squeeze to Bret's hand.
"Your going to the hospital. Hunter will be with you. Remember, Shawn and I have to go break camp. Del Rio will fly us back. You won't even have time to miss me. Adam, I love you. Fight this, Sugar. I love you so damn much," Bret said with a near prayer like tone. He bent down and kissed Adam's pale lips. The lips felt so warm, the fever was worse.
"Love you, Bear, love you. Come... soon," Adam eyes finally released the tears that he'd held off. He tried not to be scared, but he was terrified and he felt like death barely warmed over.
Bret had to turn away. Soon the sound of the helicopter powering up filled the air. Bret, Shawn, Alberto and a State Trooper watched from the road side. When the Med One chopper was air-borne, the Trooper radioed to his colleagues to open the road.
Bret watched the chopper vanish. "Please God, let him be alright. Davy, please watch over him, please," Bret felt a hand on his shoulder. He knew without looking it was Shawn.
"He's in God's hands. Hunter is there, too. Come on, we're loosing what tiny bit of daylight we have left," Shawn said softly. He and Bret mounted the waiting horses. They headed towards the camp.
At the camp, the three men quickly packed. May and Skip stood steady as Shawn expertly loaded their backs. It was about 15 minutes till total darkness when Shawn spoke. "I'll be back. I have something to do," he took off into the woods with a spot flashlight. His rifle slung over his shoulder, along with a small day pack.
"He's passed out again. He must have gotten a major dose of venom in his blood. I'm worried, about his hand. He's apparently more allergic than most," Doctor Heyman said in a worried tone.
Wade spoke for the first time, since leaving the camp, "It's all my fault. He wanted to be a surgeon, now; his hand. If he lo... it's my fault," he put his head in his hands. He felt so guilty. Wade knew he'd probably angered the snake and then Adam was mentally distracted by all his putting doubts in his mind. His perfect plan had backfired. Now, he could really lose Adam; for good.
Hunter placed his hand on Wade's shoulder. They sat side by side, next to the gurney. "Don't Wade. It's not your fault. We'll do all we can to save his hand. You need to be strong. Adam needs us all to be strong," the older doctor said softly.
"I kicked the clump of grass! I angered the snake! How can it not be my fault. All because of a pencil!" Wade nearly wailed, his thoughts were interrupted by Nurse Dumas.
"His pressure is dropping. Can't we start an IV?" Amy's voice was full of worry. She took his pressure again just to be sure.
Heyman spoke worriedly as well, "We have to wait, if we can. We don't know what kind of anti-venom he can take. It doesn't mix with certain meds."
"Yes, I forgot, we don't have snake bites like this in England. It's even worse in that case," Wade said with another sigh.
Wade looked at Adam, the blond had spoken to him, "What? I didn't hear you, Sunshine," he took Adam's right hand in his.
"Not your fault. I reached, without looking. My... fault," Adam struggled to repeat his words. It was getting harder for him to talk. It felt like his throat was closing. He began to gasp for air.
"His airway is closing! Get the oxygen started. We may have to do a treache!" Hunter said almost frantically. The toxin from the venom was running full force through Adam's body.
Sunny and Amy worked quickly to get the oxygen started. Doing a treache in the chopper was possible, but not ideal. Hopefully it wouldn't be needed.
Shawn returned to the camp. "Ready?" he asked. He gave no clue about why he'd gone into the woods, but his expression was serious.
Bret and Alberto said they were ready. The three men mounted their horses. Shawn led Skip, Bret led May. They followed Del Rio who had a special spot light that lit their way like day light. Still, the going was slow, and in a couple of places they had to stop, dismount and walk.
Finally, as the time neared midnight, the riders emerged from the woods. Gene was there to take his horses back to the stable. He was also going to take all their camping gear. Gene would take care of any perishable food, air out the coolers then pack it all into Hunter's truck. Shawn paid him an extra bonus if Gene would have the truck driven to their house down in Denver. Gene agreed, but refused the bonus.
Shawn, Bret and Alberto then rode on to the Ranger Station. By the time they arrived it was two in the morning. Lighting lit up the skies to the west. Alberto called to check the weather. If they left now, they would avoid the storm. Once they were in the air, Bret collapsed. Shawn smiled, Bret was leaning on his shoulder. It made the nurse think back to their college years. He, Bret and Hunter had been through a lot together. God forbid if something should happen to Adam, they'd get through it together. That's the way friendships worked. Soon the lights of Denver came into full view.
Med One had landed on the roof of the University of Colorado Hospital. Adam was rushed down to his own Emergency Department. Dolph Ziggler was the lead physician on duty until Doctor Heyman returned at least. Ziggler had made sure Trauma One was ready.
The Phlebotomist was there to draw and fast run Adam's blood samples when he took them. The quicker the samples could be analyzed the quicker Adam could get the proper medications.
Adam was transferred from the Med One gurney to a hospital bed. Things were very hectic, but it was an organized chaos. The ill physician was quickly stripped and put into a hospital gown. He was then hooked up to a bank of monitors.
Everyone was worried, Adam was nearly as white as the sheets. His blood pressure was very low, his fever had risen to one hundred three. His breathing was shallow and extremely labored. His bitten hand was swollen, the area of the bite was so purple it was almost black.
Once at the hospital, Hunter took over Adam's care. Some worried that he was too emotionally attached, but they also knew Doctor Helmsley had the most experience and was the best choice.
"Draw six and them tested, STAT!" Hunter barked to the Phlebotomist. With a nod, the man started drawing the required samples of Adam's blood.
Adam whimpered when the needle was inserted into the vein in his right forearm. After the Phlebotomist struck the vein, a small plastic tube with a thin catheter was inserted. A nurse taped it down. The tube would be used to later feed Adam the IV meds that would hopefully save his life.
Until the samples could be analyzed, there wasn't much they could do for Adam except keep him as still and quiet as possible.
Alberto expertly landed the Ranger One helicopter on the roof of the ambulance bay. Normally Med One rested there, but it was still on the roof of the main building.
"Alberto, thank you so much for everything. We will have you and Ricardo to dinner when all this settles. Fly safe," Shawn said as he gave the Park Ranger a hug.
"Yes, thank so much," Bret said with a handshake to Del Rio. All he wanted was to get to Adam.
"Glad to be of help. My prayers for Adam. Keep me posted. I gotta fly. Need to beat the storm. Tell Ricardo I'm sorry I couldn't stay. Good luck," The Ranger said as he climbed back into the helicopter. Shawn and Bret went into the ambulance building from a trap door in the roof. Del Rio took off for his home Ranger Station.
Bret and Shawn ran into the Bella twins, Ricardo and Drew on the way through the building. "How is Adam?" the four spoke at the same time. Word had quickly spread about the beloved Doctor Copeland.
"We don't know yet. Ricardo, Alberto said sorry, but he's racing a storm back to the Ranger Station. He'll call you later. We've got to get to Adam. We'll let you know about how he's doing," Shawn said friendly but quickly. Bret was pulling at his sleeve to hurry Shawn up.
They rushed downstairs, through the ambulance bay out to the parking lot and a short walk to the main building. Since Shawn didn't have his key card, they had to go in through the main Emergency entrance. AJ Lee was on duty, she had a worried expression on her face.
Shawn stopped at AJ's desk, "Look I need to call Jason Copeland..er Reso, take Bret to Adam, tell anyone that objects that I promised Adam, Bret could be back there with him. Buddy, I'll be right there, Jason needs to know and be here," the nurse instructed the clerk, then picked up the phone to call Adam's brother.
AJ led Bret to the trauma room. Before she could say anything, she was paged back to her desk. A pager went off when a button on the check in desk was pushed. AJ wore the pater when she left her desk.
Bret went into the room where Adam was. There was only one nurse with the fallen physician. Hunter and Wade had gone to quickly shower and change into scrubs. Paul Heyman was with one nurse checking on a new patient. Dolph and his nurse were taking a much-needed break.
Beth Phoenix was watching the monitors. She didn't see Bret come in and sit on the small rolling stool next to Adam's bed. He moved so quietly she didn't even hear him. Bret's heart nearly stopped, Adam looked so sick and pale, he almost looked... dead.
"My precious, dearest, Sugar. I'm here, your grumpy Bear is here," Bret held Adam's uninjured hand and stroked his brow gently. He was so worried.
Beth spun around quickly when she heard Captain Hart's voice. She knew he wouldn't have been allowed in, unless given clearance, so she let him be, but she spoke to the worried looking man.
"He's holding his own, for now. We're waiting for the blood allergy tests. anti-venom can be more deadly than the real venom if he's allergic," Beth explained as simply as she could.
"He's barely breathing, he's burning up, his hand looks horrible, he's so pale. He's so..." Bret's tears came again as he laid his head on the bed. Even though Adam was beautiful, right now he was so ill-looking. It ripped Bret's heart from his chest.
"I know. It won't be much longer, then we can start his treatment. You did the best thing for him, by keeping him so still and quiet. Lucky too, he was with you all," Beth spoke as she wrote down the numbers from the machines onto Adam's chart.
Bret looked up, Adam's hand had begun to tremble, he thought his boy was trying to speak. Suddenly his body began to jerk. Adam was gasping for breath, but his throat had sealed shut.
All the monitors started beeping in alarm. Beth flew to the phone on the wall, "DOCTOR HELMSLEY TO TRAUMA ONE STAT! CODE BLUE!" she repeated the message then rushed to Adam's side.
Bret looked on in wide-eyed horror. Adam's eyes had rolled up into his head, his body was in a full seizure. He couldn't breathe, his lips were blue.
"No baby boy, not again! Adam don't die!" Bret's voice was a wail of grief.