This chapter is told from Mike's point of view.

"Tracy come here…"

Just as I came into the living room that one moment that was due to change everything Gus called for Tracy- and suddenly there were voices coming from everywhere.

"What on earth is going on in here, please?"

Well, I could at least try and silent everyone. Because Tracy had her back against me and it didn't seem as if she could…

But that was always easier said than done in a place like this.

Still, something changed- all of a sudden Tracy collapsed, right in front of me. And I barely had the time to catch her as she fell.

And then, while Sapphire gave a small scream in chock. And- while I was still holding her and tried to hold her up from the floor at least she started shaking of a seizure.

Without barely thinking of it, I ran a hand over her forehead…

"You're absolutely burning up…" I mumbled to myself. "How could I have missed this?"

Of course I realized Tracy didn't hear me. And I realized that her position- half on the floor and half held up could be nothing but uncomfortable. And while she moved- shook and shook and shook I realized I could do nothing else than to slowly, sink her down onto to the floor matt.

"Aren't we supposed to put something in her mouth?" Tee suddenly asked- but I was barely conscious enough to know it was her and not maybe Liam or Toby. "Or try to hold her still?"

"This page…" Toby had been the only one to get by the computer. "…Say don't do any of those. It says, put something soft- like a pillow under her head…" Sapphire took one of the couch and handed it to me. "…And then… roll her onto her side, so if she starts throwing up she doesn't get choked.." Toby kept mumbling to himself as he read. "…move away furniture standing close… check! No tie or necklace! No glasses…"

"Okay, all of you… get out of here…"

I hadn't meant to yell at them. They were just as worried as I was, and I hated yelling at them for any reason.

"GET OUT! If there's anything Tracy needs right now it's an audience."

For just a second I thought about calling Cam, then I remembered Tracy telling me she was in New York. But she'd still want to know if something like this would happen…

"It's okay.." I stroke Tracy's forehead carefully, and it was absolutely boiling warm- but it didn't feel as if what I said was anywhere near correct. "…You're okay. You'll be okay… I'm here…"

"It says…" Toby was still by the computer. "It says… call an ambulance if the person has never had a seizure before, or if it lasts more than three minutes."

Three minutes? It felt like hours had passed since I had come into the living room.

But Tracy had for certain never had any seizures. We had known each other for what felt like eternity and if she had had any then I would know about them.

But her temperature was so high…

I did know, after working with children for my whole adult life, that toddlers and babies could get temperatures so high they caused the seizures. Their bodies just couldn't fight the abnormal heats.

But those were for young kids?

What about Tracy?

I was the care worker, the boss- I was supposed to always know what to do!

"You call 999." I told Toby. "Or…get out. Just get out of here."

And then, just as Toby left the room. As on a given signal Tracy stopped moving just as sudden as it had started. Then, while unconscious still she was left sprawled on the floor, panting but otherwise completely still.

"Tracy?" As carefully and tenderly as I could I wiped my hand over her cheek. "Sapph?" I could sense the others still right outside the doors. "Sapphire?" The dark-skinned girl, who I had never seen looking so worried came into the door. "Can you go and get a cloth? Soaked?... You're absolutely burning up." I didn't even know if that last was for Tracy to hear- myself, Sapphire or anyone else outside of the room. But Sapphire at least did as she was told and it felt like something to do then only sit and watch when I could lay the wet cloth against Tracy's forehead.

"Tracy?" I tried, when she suddenly moaned. "Tracy? Can you hear me?"

"Wha…" She opened her eyes slightly. But quickly shut them again and moaned again.

"You had a seizure… The ambulance is on its way."

"I…. no…." Tracy whimpered a few noises, gasping for breath after every one. "No…."

"You'll have to go to the hospital." I ran my hand over her forehead for the billionth time. "Your temperature is very high… You should have told me." I scolded myself, she was probably too delirious to even remember but this just wasn't the right time to scold her for anything. "But don't you worry… You're going to be okay." Tracy whimpered something again. "You don't have to say anything… the ambulance is on its way."

I didn't even know why I said it one more time…

"No…" Tracy whimpered before she took a few deeps breath, at last she sighed some and spoke clearer again. "…I don't want to go. I don't want ambulance. I don't want hospital…. Nothing wrong with me!"

"I'm sorry Trace. But if…"

If there was nothing wrong really she wouldn't have had a seizure from the start.

I didn't want to scare her by saying anything wrong. But I just couldn't think of anything else to say. Thankfully, I was interrupted when I heard the ambulance pull over in front of the house, and then Gina talking to a paramedic. Then footsteps leading towards us in the living room.

"What's happened here?" Two paramedics came around the corner and into the room, one man and one woman. "Hello… my name is John, this is my colleague Tara… And wow! There are a lot of kids here, we thought there might be a kid who's had a seizure. But as it turns out… Anyway…" He turned his head and scratched the back of his head. "I think we might go to the ambulance right away, with the doors closed that one will give you more privacy than right here. Now… does that sound good to you? Can you stand up? We can get the stretcher."

I was about to tell all I could lift her up and carry her. After all, I had lifted the kids many times, as well as carried Lily down the stairs. And it wasn't that Tracy was tall or heavy.

She wasn't a child anymore though…

"I can stand."

Tracy had answered the question herself before I had had the time to decide on anything. And even though she was still mostly reliant on me for support, she did put her feet on the floor- and with some help managed to raise until she stood.

"Yeah…" I supported as she stood. "…That's my girl."

Tracy was actually just as much, leaned against my shoulder than she was standing up. But anyway, this wasn't the time to say anything about it for obvious reasons. And while we made our way through the hallway, where the children stood lined up on each side Tracy didn't look as if she saw them at all.

"There we go… " John said, while he and Tara had gotten the stretcher out of their ambulance. "Now, you just sit here." He looked towards the kids that had all followed us outside and were now as silent as they never were… While Tracy got into the ambulance so she'd get some privacy at least, Gus was holding his notebook on one hand and writing frantically. But other than that- it was Gina and the kids looking so worriedly towards me and the ambulance.

I was about to get into the front of the ambulance and go with Tracy to the hospital, now she needed me more than she had ever had before. But I couldn't leave Gina- my only care worker alone and with a whole group of worried kids.

But when I turned to Tracy she only looked towards me, but there was a look in her eyes as if she was reaching out for me.

There was really no way for me to do this right. But I had to decide right now because Tracy was going straight to thee A&E.

Seconds seemed endless while I paused…

"I'll go call the social workers…" I told Tracy at last. "So that at least one of them can stay here. As soon as they come I'll go straight to the hospital."

Tears were rising in Tracy's eyes, but I knew there was no alternative for me to do this. And while John went into the back of the ambulance, Tara got into the front seat and it felt as every meter in between myself and Tracy were miles.

"Come on kids…" I turned towards the kids at last. "I know you all thought that was really scary…"

I know I thought so too.

I just didn't want to scare them even more.

"Come on. Let's go inside. I'll call up Rob or Sarah, one of them can come here and I'll go to the hospital…"

But every second away from Tracy felt so long.

Random fact

There it is! First aid during a seizure… loads of people think you're supposed to put something in their mouth or hold them down- both of these are myths that could end up doing more harm than good.