But Who's Going to Save You?
Chapter 8: A Rescue from the Rubble
A bead of sweat trickled down Michelle's hairline as she put her energy into standing upright to observe everything that was going on. The truth, although she would never admit it, was that she should be in a hospital. She knew she didn't feel right – her thoughts were battling their way through a mound of cotton wool and although she had outright lied to Dean as he bandaged her wrist up that she could barely feel it, it was taking a lot of effort not to cradle it against her.
Outside the worst of the casualties had been rushed off to hospital – with an ambulance standing by ready for Vince (and herself). Chase and Flick had successfully drained what was left in the fuel tank and were busy trying to secure the truck so they could soak the rest of the fuel up with some sand.
Inside, the ceiling was propped up. Cole was proving to be a surprisingly helpful and uncomplaining volunteer: Jordan was steadily hauling the air tanks out of the room to Cole who was taking them outside to an area Jake had set up – away from the building should the worst happen and the leaking fuel catch fire.
Slowly, Dean, Lara and Heidi were clearing what rubble away that they could. They had unearthed Vince's trapped foot, which thankfully he was able to wiggle. Unfortunately, that foot was not only broken, but blood was evidently having trouble reaching his toes. If they weren't careful, when they released it, Vince was going to get hit by a rather large quantity of build up toxins.
"You've gone quiet on me," Vince accused.
Michelle glanced down at the phone, her gaze falling on the current conversation time of forty eight minutes, and forced herself to smile. "That's not something I'd expect you to complain about," she responded. "I thought you'd want to sup on that air, anyway." Along with unearthing his foot, they had also managed to find a small hole – big enough to allow for an airline to be fed through to help counteract the fumes of the diesel.
"I'm a mutli-tasker, 'Chelle," Vince told her. "I can breath and listen at the same time."
Michelle barked out a laugh. "I'm fairly certain you have several ex-wives who would disagree with that."
Vince chuckled, it quickly turning into a cough. "You may be right about that. But if you could hurry things up a little, I wouldn't complain."
"You? Complain?" Michelle couldn't help but ask. "Never. And get that oxygen mask back on." She reached for the radio. "Rescue Portable Command to Rescue Portable 4. Sit-Rep."
"You need to let me bandage those knees up," Chase grunted as he and Felicity wedged a support under the truck's cabin.
"Way down on my list of priorities," Felicity brushed him off.
"Good job it is way up on mine," Jake interrupted them. He threw each of them a pair of overalls. "Waterproof," he added. "It may not be dangerous in small quantities, but I don't want you getting an infection – or worse."
Making sure the support was secure, Felicity stood, wincing slightly as the grazes moved, and brushed off what stones and dirt she could before pulling the trousers on. Even though they were several sizes too big, she was grateful. "What about the others?"
"They're already wearing them. I've also leant them some breathing apparatus', so don't you worry about them," Jake assured her before disappearing.
"That was unusually good of him," Chase muttered, watching him leave.
"Rescue Portable Command to Rescue Portable 4. Sit-rep."
"The truck is secure, Michelle," Chase replied. "We're going to get started on trying to soak up this spilt fuel."
"Leave it. Get someone else on it. I need you two inside with hats and BA's," Michelle told him. "We need you inside to help move this rubble."
"We'll be right in," Chase assured her. "Rescue Portable 4 out."
Leaving the spillage in the hands of a couple of willing firemen, Chase and Felicity hurried to grab the BAs from the Rescue vehicle and then into the damaged Fire Station. "Over here," Dean called.
Wordlessly, they joined in, removing the stone from the top of the mound and moving it to the far side of the room. At some point, Dean had established that the table Vince had been complaining about all morning was probably the thing that was keeping him from being crushed. Although they had to be careful not to move the wrong thing, less the ceiling or even the truck collapsed. Steadily, they were making headway and the table was slowly beginning to appear.
Finally, the only thing that needed removing was the table and the stone trapping Vince's leg – Dean had decided to keep it in place until he could access a vein to counteract the potassium which would go flooding into his leg once it was removed. Unfortunately, the table was still there, preventing them from freeing their boss.
"We're going to have cut this away," Dean decided. "Lara, get the saw from the truck. I'm sure I saw it in there earlier." She hurried away, returning minutes later with the tool in her hands. "Right, Jordan, Chase, I want you to be ready to help get the supports in as soon as Lara cuts the hole. The last thing we want is for this table to collapse in on itself. Heidi, I want you to be ready to help Jordan and Chase get the backboard in." He turned to Felicity. "I want you to be ready to inject the Sodium Bic when I remove this rock."
Felicity nodded, taking the syringe and container from Michelle. To Michelle, time seemed to slow. Instead of minutes, it seemed like hours passed as she watched Lara cut a hole in what was left of the table. Even Chase and Jordan hurrying in with the supports seemed like she was watching it in slow motion.
Michelle continued to take deep breathes. The fact was, this happened to her every time it came over the radio that one of the team was in trouble. It was like she backed into a bubble – words and sounds coming through muffled – while she tried to get her own thoughts organised. And then would come the joyful sound that would burst it. Said team member's voice.
"About bloody time," Vince muttered.
"Ready?" Dean asked Felicity. Slowly, he lifted the rock. As the built up toxins rushed back into Vince, he started fitting. "Flick, get that Sodium in!" Dean bellowed.
Michelle suddenly found herself back in the bubble. Vaguely she was aware of Felicity telling Dean it was going in, Dean telling her to push more… and then Vince took a deep breath.
In sheer exhaustion, Felicity settled down on the ground, her back against the Rescue Station. After rushing Vince and Michelle off to hospital, while Dean and Lara followed in the patrol car, she and the others had done their best to clear up around the fire station. The place was a state. After packing up their things into Felicity and Jordan's cars, and the back of Dean's truck, Jake had politely told them that there was no chance he would be helping out again.
Lucinda had also made a reappearance announcing that Cole was required to spend a night with the team's physician to make sure he hadn't obtained any injuries – despite the fact she and the others were happy to check him out for her.
By the time she had made it back to the station and shed herself of the fuel covered clothing, had a cool shower and dressed her wounds, outside it was dark and raining. She uncurled her legs, sticking them out from under the shelter the floor above gave, and into the rain.
"You look like I feel," Heidi groaned as she sat down next to her.
"I ache all over," Felicity agreed, quietly. "And I don't have the energy to drive home. I might just sleep here."
"Right there?" Heidi asked, mildly amused.
"Yup," Felicity agreed, closing her eyes.
"I never want to wash another car again," Heidi added.
"Even if it means you get to fly?" Felicity asked without opening her eyes. "Aside from the obvious of what happened after, I wouldn't be overly bothered if we had to do that again."
"So you can perve on Chase!" Heidi cackled.
Felicity turned to stare at the red head. "I was not perving," she informed her. "I'm engaged, remember?"
Heidi shrugged. "Doesn't stop you from looking."
Felicity took a deep breath. "Can I tell you a secret?"
"Oh my god, you do like him," Heidi squealed.
"Will you – shhhh," Felicity hushed her. "Not that. About the raffle."
Heidi sobered. "You're jealous Cole's going on a date?"
"No, I trust him," Felicity told her, her gaze moving to the rain falling on her ankles. "He rigged it. The name he pulled out was not the name he read out."
"Oh," Heidi blinked. "I didn't see that coming."
"The winner is his PR agent," Felicity added. "Apparently she bought a ticket, but it just… it feels wrong. Like I'm part of a con. I was going to say something to Michelle but after," she shook her head, gesturing vaguely with her arms. "I don't know what to do."
"Have you spoken to Cole about it?" Heidi asked, thoughtfully.
Felicity shrugged. "He said he did it for my benefit – so I would know he wasn't going out on a date with some crazy-ass woman. The thought had never crossed my mind. I'm just worried that if this comes out its Rescue that's going to get it in the neck, rather than Cole."
Heidi frowned. "I'd hold off on saying anything to Michelle, for now. If only four of us know, then I don't see how it could hurt anyone."
"I guess," Felicity agreed. "I just don't think things stay secret for long."
"Oh, they can," Heidi assured her, giving her arm a reassuring squeeze.
No, they don't, Felicity thought, knowing exactly what Heidi was implying. They never do.
Why, oh why, are they taking this show away from me? I don't know how much good it will do, but there is a petition going to save it - can't hurt, right? I'll put a link in my profile.
humey - it makes me laugh because it wasn't me, but if it was, I think I would be mortified. Mainly because I would have gone, "Andrew - we don't know each other, and we've never met, but he's my future husband." More Heidi/Jordan? Noted!
MMC Gang - Thank you. It sucks sooo much - I haven't been this excited about a show in years. (:c)
Asha331 - Yes, I will be including Lachie (eventually!) He'll probably just pop up out of nowhere, like he did in the show. I'm trying to focus on them all - it's just easier with Flick!
Miss Deeds - More Dean/Lara? Also noted. I stopped liking Cole! Still heard nothing on the job. I was hoping to hear something today, but no such luck. Hopefully tomorrow brings better news!
Righto, I think we need a little bit of fluffiness, right?