Station 51, Station 18, commercial fire alarm at the Martin-Smith Warehouse, 12570 Industrial Avenue. Time out 1403.
Stations 51 and 18 arrived on scene at about the same time. It was a large warehouse that was in the process of being renovated for a new owner. Building material and equipment was everywhere. There was no smoke showing and the workers appeared to be gathered in the parking lot. Captain Stanley was approached by a man in a hard hat and they were joined by Captain Tacy.
As they discussed the situation, everyone else waited. Roy, KJ and the others talked among themselves. KJ was working overtime for Johnny because he had the flu. Roy had found it easier to work with her than he thought he would. Although he had met her on several occasions, this was the first time he'd had a chance to work with her or any of the women. She sure made a much better substitute than Brice
"I wonder if it's a false alarm?" Marco asked.
"No way to tell just yet," Chet replied.
The Captains walked back to their crews. "Everyone is accounted for," Stanley said. "But we need to check for any sign of fire. Roy and KJ you take the north side, Chet and Marco you take the west."
"Pidge and Kelly you take the East, and Yates and Crenshaw, you take the South," Tacy finished.
Everyone nodded and headed for the building. As they entered the building, there were obvious signs of construction everywhere.
* * * * * * * * * *
The search took about twenty minutes, no evidence of a fire was found and everyone was heading out. Marco stopped as he crossed the floor of one of the large storage rooms.
"What's up?" Chet asked.
"I'm not sure," Marco answered. "You go on, I'll be out in a minute."
Chet shrugged his shoulders and headed out. Marco continued to look at the floor. He didn't remember that crack being there when they had entered to search.
"Where's Marco?" Stanley asked as Chet joined the others in the main room.
"He's still in the store room, Cap," Chet answered. "There's no fire, he just wanted to check on something."
"Well, go get him," Stanley said. "We can't wait around here all day."
"I'll go get him, Cap," KJ said and she turned and jogged toward the door. Chet was relieved, he didn't want to make the long, round trip, again. As Karen walked in, she saw him kneeling near the left side of the room. It looked like he was inspecting the floor. He looked up as she came in.
"Cap, wants you up front," she said.
He nodded and waved her over. "Come here, KJ, I want to get your opinion on something." She headed over to him and looked where he was pointing. "I'm sure this crack wasn't here when Chet and I entered this room." He pointed to the building materials stacked around them. "I wonder if the floor has been weakened and all this stuff is too much for it?"
KJ knealt down beside him. She could see that the crack was recent, it hadn't turned the ugly grey from exposure to dirt and grime. "It does look recent," she agreed. "But are you sure it wasn't here when you came in?"
"Not positive," Marco said, "but I'm pretty sure."
"Then you should let Cap know so he can get a building inspector out here."
They both stood and headed for the door. They hadn't gone more than a couple feet when they heard a loud cracking noise. They looked at each other and started to run, but it was too late, the floor opened beneath them.
* * * * * * * * * *
The whole building rumbled and shook. Everyone's first thought was that they were having an earthquake. Then they saw dust and debris come pouring out of the door at the back of the building.
"Oh my God! Lopez and Jacobs!" Stanley yelled.
Everyone ran for the storage room. What they saw made them stop short. There was a hole in the floor about twenty feet across and fifteen feet wide. It was filled with the building materials that had been in the area when the floor collapsed. Karen and Marco were no where to be seen.
Everyone stood still for about a half a second, too shocked by what they saw to move. Tacy and Stanley recovered first.
"We need ropes and ladders," Stanley orderd. Chet, Barb Yates, and Delila Crenshaw ran for the engines.
"I'll get the gear," Roy said and headed for the squad.
"Right behind you," Cassie said.
"Pidge, you stay here," Tacy orderd. "If we can talk to them, I want you near by."
Captain Stanley reached for his handi talki. "LA, Engine 51, we've had a floor collapse at our location. We have a Code I, two firefighters trapped in the rubble. Request another alarm for manpower and two ambulances."
"10-4, 51."
* * * * * * * * * *
The sound was deafing and then silence. Marco slowly opened his eyes, surprised that he was still alive. He pulled his flashlight out of his pocket. As he looked around, he saw that he was in what amounted to a small pocket in the debris. In the dim light, he could tell it was about two and a half feet high and six feet wide, not nearly enough room to sit up. He tried to move but found that his legs were pinned at about mid-thigh. He could move his toes and there wasn't much pain, so he didn't think they were broken.
Then his eyes fell on a motionless figure next to him. "Karen!" She was lying face down on the ground. Her body was at about a fortyfive degree angle to him with her head near his left side. Debris covered her from the waist down. He reached over to check her pulse, being careful not to move her head in case she had a neck injury. He breathed a sigh of relief, she was alive, but when he pulled his hand back he saw blood.
* * * * * * * * * *
Captain Stanley carefully made his way around the edge of the hole. He had left the others behind until he could check the floor's stability and the conditions at the edge of the opening. Tacy had insisted on going with him, but he had refused, saying, "If something happens, we can't afford to lose both Captains." Tacy had reluctantly agreed. She knew he was right, but Damn! she hated waiting.
Stanley laid down on his stomach and inched his way forward. He looked over the edge hoping to find any sign of his people. What he saw didn't look good.
"Lopez! Jacobs!" he shouted. "Can you hear me?!"
"Cap?!" he heard Marco shout back.
"Thank God!" he thought. "Hang on, pal, we'll get you out of there," Cap shouted back. "Are you hurt?"
His face creased with worry when he heard that they were both pinned down and that KJ was unconscious. "Cap I don't suppose you could get us an HT down here, could you? It would really help us out," Lopez finished.
"I'll see what we can do," Stanley said. "I'm going back to talk with the others. Don't worry, we'll be back as soon as we can." With that, Hank backed away from the opening and made his way to the others.
"How are they doing?" Tacy asked.
"They're alive," Stanley said, and he filled them in on the situation, making sure to direct the medical information at the paramedics. "Now, it appears to be some kind of sink hole. The edge of the floor is not on solid ground, it hangs over about a foot and a half. We're going to have to move slow and easy. No more than two people side by side at any given time. We don't know how stable the cement is around the edge." The others stood quietly and waited for him to finish. "And, we're going to have to do this by hand. That floor won't support any heavy equipment."
* * * * * * * * * *
Marco reached out and touched KJ's shoulder, she stirred.
"KJ?" he asked. "KJ, can you hear me?"
Karen tried to move but found she couldn't, something was holding her down. She opened her eyes slowly and had to blink several times to get them to focus. "What the hell happened?" she thought to herself.
"Marco?" she asked as she slowly lifted her head.
"Shhhhh. Take it easy," he said. "You're going to be alright. Do you remember what happened?"
Karen layed her head back down and closed her eyes. The pain in her head was making concentrating difficult. Then she remembered the floor giving way. "Oh Shit!" she said.
"I agree," Marco said with a slight smile. The fact that she remembered was a good sign. "How are you feeling?"
"I've had better days," she said slowly, trying to assess her own injuries. "My head's killing me. My ribs hurt. And my legs feel like they're asleep. I can still feel them, they're just sorta......numb."
Marco's face was grim. He had hoped that her injuries weren't much more serious than his. But with her legs and her chest involved, he knew that she could be in trouble.
"What's our situation?" Karen asked. From her postion she couldn't see much of their surroundings.
Marco looked around again. "Not too good," he said. "The hole we fell into is pretty much full of lumber and plywood, with some concrete thrown in for good measure. But, I've talked with Cap, and they're working on getting us out of here. He's also going to try and get us an HT so we don't have to yell."
"Good," she said, "I don't think my head could take much yelling right now."
Marco laughed quietly, "I think I can understand that."
Karen's head was starting to clear and she lifted it and looked at Marco. "How are you doing?" she asked.
"I'll live....I think," he said in an attempt at humor. "My legs are pinned, same as yours and my ribs hurt, but I didn't loose consciousness." Normally he would have given a vague answer, but he knew KJ wouldn't accept it. The paramedic in her would demand details.
Karen nodded and rested her head on her arms. "There just has to be a better way to meet guys," she said, with a smile. "Cave-ins are just too damn hard on the body."
* * * * * * * * * *
Up above Stanley, Tacy, and Chief MacConakee were discussing strategy. It was decided that the two smallest fire fighters would be the ones to go into the hole and hand the debris out to the others, one piece at a time. They would be secured by lifelines to the steel beams over head. An extra line would be used to lift pieces that were too heavy or too awkward for the firefighters to move.
Cassie and Tinker, Station 18's engineer, were the smallest personnel on site and would be the ones in the hole. Chet was not happy about this. He was feeling guilty because Karen had gone to get Marco instead of him. He knew he shouldn't have left him. He also didn't like the idea of his sister working in such a dangerous place. Besides it would be something she would hold over his head. When he tried to convince Captain Stanley that he should be out there, he almost lost his head.
"I said NO, Kelly," Cap almost yelled. "First of all, they're lighter than you are. And second, I need two people out there that can work together as a team. And you and Cassie can't get within a mile of each other without a fight breaking out."
Chet had tried to push the point, but Stanley was not in the mood for sibling rivalry. "The decision has been made, Kelly," he snapped. "Live with it."
The other engine companies, that hadn't worked much with Station 18, were skeptical about the ability of these two women to move the debris and lift it up to them. They had serious doubts when they saw how small Tinker was. She knew exactly what they were thinking. She'd dealt with it most of her life. She cherished the surprised looks on their faces when she started tossing up pieces of lumber with very little effort.
* * * * * * * * * *
Down below, they could hear the others working. Even though it was bringing down dust and small pieces of junk, it was a wonderful sound.
Marco wasn't a paramedic, but he knew Karen wasn't doing too good. He was pretty sure she had a concussion and his EMT training told him that she needed to stay awake. He tried to keep her conscious by talking to her, but it wasn't working too well. She kept drifting in and out. When she was conscious, she was coherent, but everytime she would close her eyes, his heart sank.
"Karen," he said. "Come on, girl, stay awake."
"I'm trying, Marco, I'm trying," she said as she tried moving again. But, this time something was different. "Marco," she said, trying to control her panic. "I can't feel my legs."
"What?!"
"I can't feel my legs anymore," she said again, her voice cracking.
Marco reached out and took hold of her hand. "It's okay, Karen," he said, trying to reassure her. "They'll get us out of here and then they'll get you fixed up."
She just nodded. She was afraid that if she said anything, she'd start crying. Something that she did her best not to do at work.
* * * * * * * * * *
Time seemed to have stopped. He could hear the others working above and he know they were going as fast as they could. But it seemed to be taking forever.
Marco kept a close watch on Karen, checking her pulse and respiration every few minutes when she was out. She was unconscious again, when he saw a light above him. He looked up to see Cassie looking down through a small opening. He waved up at her, she was about six feet above him.
"How's it going?" Cassie shouted down.
"Not too good. Karen keeps drifting in and out of consciousness, and now she can't feel her legs," he yelled back.
That was not what Cassie hoped to hear. From what Marco had said, KJ was in serious condition and it would be at least a couple more hours before they could actually reach them. "Marco, if I get you the gear, do you think you could get some vitals?"
"I think so," he replied. "Can you send down an HT, so we don't have to shout. When she's awake, KJ has a headache that won't take much."
"Okay, standby," Cassie said, reaching for her own handi talki. "HT 18, this is Kelly, we've broken through. There's a small opening and we can see Lopez. Send me an handi talki and a basic medkit, so I can pass it down and we can get some vitals? Also, a flashlight would be good."
"10-4," Tacy replied. "What's their situation?" She listened to Cassie's reply as Roy headed over with the gear she requested.
The first thing he did when he got the medkit was bandage KJ's head wound, being careful not to move her neck too much. And, although it wasn't easy, he twisted around to get some vitals. She came to as he was cutting away the sleeve of her turnout coat.
"Oh man," she groaned, "how long was I out this time?"
"About ten minutes or so," he said.
"Damn it," she said, queitly. "This is not good."
"No," he agreed as he finished getting her blood pressure. Then he got her pulse and respiration.
"What are they?" she asked.
"Don't you worry about that," he said, "you're not the paramedic on this one."
"Don't pull that crap with me, Marco," she said. "Besides, I'll hear them when you pass them over the radio."
"Then you'll just have to stay awake long enough to hear them," Marco said with a smile, as he began taking his own vitals.
"HT 51, this is Lopez."
"Go ahead, Marco," they heard Captain Stanley reply.
"I have vitals on Jacobs and myself."
"Standby, I'll get one of the paramedics," Stanley handed the HT to Pidge.
"Lopez, this is Pidge. Go ahead with the vitals."
* * * * * * * * * *
Pidge handed the slip of paper to Roy so he could pass the vitals to Rampart. "Rampart, this is Squad 51," he said.
"Squad 51, this is Rampart," he heard Brackett's voice on the handset
"Rampart, Squad 51, we have two victims of a floor collapse. Both victims are firefighters, vitals to follow."
Brackett frowned as he listened to the vitals. The man's vitals were okay, but the woman was in serious condition. "We have no physical contact with the patients. The vitals are being passed by the male firefighter. He's an EMT."
"10-4, 51. Any idea on when you'll reach them?" Brackett asked.
"Negative, Rampart," Roy replied. "But it will probably be a couple of hours."
Brackett heard the concern in Roy's voice, it mirrored his own. "10-4, 51. When you do get to them, start an IV with Ringers on the woman and take spinal precautions. Start an IV with normal saline TKO on the man."
"10-4, Rampart." Roy put down the handset and headed toward the pit to help the others.
* * * * * * * * * *
Marco kept his hand on Karen's back, as much to let her know she wasn't alone, as to monitor her breathing. He felt her shiver. "Karen?" he asked.
"I'm just a little cold," she said quietly.
He patted her shoulder and picked up the HT. "HT 51, this is Lopez."
"Go ahead, pal."
"Cap, can we get a couple of blankets down here? KJ's getting a chill," he said.
Roy and Pidge looked at each other. "Damn!" Roy said. The two captains looked at him.
"It sounds like KJ's trying to going into shock," Pidge explained. The others nodded.
"On their way," Stanley replied. "Do you need anything else?"
"Only time, Cap," Marco said as he looked over at Karen. "Only time."
* * * * * * * * * *
They had a little trouble getting the blankets down to them. It took a couple of tries, before they could get them past some of the debris. With Karen's help, Marco was able to get one of the blankets under her, then he covered her with the other.
"Thanks, Marco," she said.
"Not a problem, you just hang in there, okay?"
"I'll do my best," KJ replied.
Marco reached out and gave her hand a squeeze. "Your best is pretty damn good," he said. "I can't ask for more than that."
Karen smiled, "Thanks."
* * * * * * * * * *
The latest set of vitals continued to show a slow, but steady decline in Karen's condition. Her periods of unconsciousness were becoming longer and more frequent. Everyone was hot, tired and on edge. They knew they had to take it slow or they could bring it all down on top of them. But, that same caution might take too long.
They were only about four feet above Marco's head now. The opening was about two feet wide. Cassie could see Marco clearly, and talking to him was alot easier, but she really wanted to get a look at KJ. "HT 18, this is Kelly"
"This is HT 18, go ahead," Tacy said.
Cassie took a deep breath. She wasn't sure how her Captain was going to react to her suggestion. "Cap, we have an opening big enough for me to get through, but there's no room for me to sit or stand once I get down there. I'd like to go in head first and try to start an IV on Karen."
Captain Tacy looked at Stanley and MacConakee. She could see that they were as torn about the idea as she was. They didn't want to endanger another firefighter, but they knew Jacobs needed treatment. "Can you start an IV while you're upside down?" she asked.
"I don't know, Cap," Cassie replied. "But, I'd like to try."
"Standby. Lopez, how stable are the sides where you are?" Tacy asked.
"HT 18, this is Lopez. The sides are pretty stable," she heard him say. "As long as she doesn't do a lot of banging around, she should be okay."
Tacy sighed, she really didn't like the idea of Cassie getting trapped upside down. But then...... "Okay, Kelly," she said. "Just make sure you take it slow and easy. We don't need anyone else in trouble."
"I'll be careful, Cap," Cassie promised.
Roy, who had been assisting with debris removal grabbed the drug box and slowly moved towards the opening. He tossed Cassie the IV that Rampart had ordered earlier. Then he handed Tinker the reserve oxygen bottle off the engine. It was smaller that the ones on the squads and would work better in a tight spot. Cassie lowered the IV and oxygen down to Marco. Then several firefighters took hold of her lifeline. When they indicated that they were ready, Cassie took a deep breath and kicked into a handstand. Tinker took hold of her legs to help steady her. Then Cassie carefully lowered herself until she felt the line take her wieght. She guided herself as the others slowly lowered her down, being careful not to knock anything loose.
As soon as he could reach her, Marco helped guide her down. When Cassie's head was about a foot off the ground, he pressed the mic button. "Okay, that's enough," he said and Cassie's descent stopped.
Marco started to laugh. Kelly's red hair was in disaray from the work she had been doing above and her single braid was hanging down like a tail. Cassie gave him a questioning look. "I'm sorry," he said, "it's just the first time I've seen your face as red as your hair."
"Cute," she said as she made a face. "Now, help me get a look at KJ."
Marco steadied her in one position so she could use both hands on Karen. She got the oxygen started and took another set of vitals. Then she started setting up the IV.
"Damn it!" she said, a few seconds later.
"What's wrong?" Marco asked.
"I can't get a good angle to start the IV," she said. Her frustration was obvious. "You better let Cap know."
Marco took a deep breath, he wasn't about to let Karen die for lack of something as simple as an IV. "Let me try," he said quietly.
Cassie twisted around and looked at him, she couldn't believe what she had just heard. "I can't let you do that, you're not certified. It could cost you your job."
"And not doing it may cost KJ her life," he said firmly. "I'm willing to take that chance."
"You know it could cost me my job as well, don't you?" she asked.
"I won't tell, if you won't," he said seriously.
Cassie shook her head. "I must be crazy for even considering this," she thought. "Have you ever established an IV before?" she asked.
"No," he admitted. "But, I've watch John and Roy do it hundreds of times, and I think I've got the idea. If you'll help, I'm willing to give it a try."
Cassie nodded, she handed Marco the needle. "Be careful you don't get yourself or me," she said. Marco took the needle and twisted himself around to get the angle he needed. "Now take it easy." Cassie said. "Keep the needle almost parallel to the arm, with a very slight angle."
Marco took another deep breath and let it out slowly. He had never done anything like this before and he was fighting to keep his hands from shaking. "Careful, now," Cassie said. "Slow and easy."
Marco inserted the needle, and by some miracle, got the vein the first time. Cassie taped the IV into place and removed the restrictive band. Marco sat back and wiped the sweat from his forehead. He looked at his hands, he was shaking like a leaf. Cassie reached out and patted his arm. "You did a great job," she said. "Ever think about becoming a paramedic?"
"No thanks!" he said, still shaking. "You can kept it."
Cassie laughed. "Well, if you ever change your mind, just let me know. Now, how about getting me out of here. My head's about to explode."
Marco smiled and reached for the HT. "HT 18, this is Lopez. The IV's been established. Take her up."
As Cassie began her ascent, she looked down at Marco. "Do me a favor and get a new set of vitals in about five minutes, so we can see if the IV's helping."
"You got it," he said.
* * * * * * * * * *
Karen vitals showed improvement after the IV had been in place for a few minutes. After about fifteen minutes, she regained consciousness again. "How're you feeling?" Marco asked.
"My head still hurts, but not as bad as it did," she said. Then she noticed the oxygen and IV. "How.....?"
"Cassie came down for a few minutes," he said. "You missed a good show. She was hanging upside down by a lifeline. Her face was almost as red as her hair."
Karen started to laugh, but stopped and sucked in her breath. The movement made her ribs hurt and didn't do much for her head either. Marco reached for her. "You ok?" he asked.
KJ nodded, she had to settle for a smile. "I wish I could have seen that," she said finally.
"You just take it easy," Marco said. "They'll get us out of here in a bit."
"How close are they?" KJ asked.
"Only about three feet above us," he said looking up. "It's been moving pretty quick. The lower stuff seems to be more stable than the upper stuff was."
"Hey, Sleeping Beauty's awake," she heard Cassie's voice come from above. From her position on the ground, she couldn't look up to see her.
"Well if it isn't my upside down angel," KJ said with a smile. Cassie gave Marco a dirty look. Marco just smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "I always knew you'd look good in red," she finished.
"You had to give her all the details, didn't you?" Cassie said to Marco.
"What can I say? It would have been a great picture," he said with a smile.
Cassie stuck her tongue out at Marco and then turned her attention back to KJ. "How you doing, girl?"
"I've had better days," she replied.
"I'll bet. Do you have any pain in your back?" Cassie asked.
"No," Karen said. "I just can't feel my legs. They may just be asleep. That's what it felt like at first, anyway, tingly and numb like they were going to sleep."
"Okay," Cassie nodded. "How's the head?"
"I have one whopper of a headache, but it's not as bad as it was," KJ answered. "The O2 and the IV seems to be helping. Thanks."
"Anytime," Cassie said. "We'll be down to get you shortly."
"Good. As much as I enjoy Marco's company, I'm not too thrilled with the surroundings."
"Excuuusssseee Meeee! My company isn't good enough to compensate for the lack of scenery?" Marco said, with a smile and mock indignation. "I'm hurt."
Cassie laughed. Karen would have laughed to if it didn't hurt to do so.
* * * * * * * * * *
About a half an hour later, they were close enough to see if the port-a-power could lift up the debris pinning Marco's legs. Cassie helped Marco into a saftey belt. Then she potitioned the port-a-power under the debris near his legs and began to pump it. There was a lot of creaking and groaning as the wood began to move. Marco felt the pressure being lifted and he was able to move his legs. After a few more inches, the others were able to pull him up and out.
As he started to move, he looked over at KJ. "You hang in there," he ordered. "I expect to see you upstairs."
"Yes, sir," she replied, with a half salute. Then with a smile, she said. "I'll see you topside, I promise."
"I'll be waiting for you," he said as he disappeared out the hole.
As he cleared the opening, a cheer rose up from the gathered firefighters. Cassie and Tinker helped guide him over to Roy and Pidge. He looked at Cassie. "Take good care of her, will you?"
"Don't worry, Marco, I will," Cassie said. Then she grabbed the drug box and headed back to KJ.
Marco's eyes lit on the waiting backboard. "Come on, guys," he protested. "I don't need that thing. I only have some sore ribs."
"Don't cry about it, Marco. You know the rules," Pidge said in a no nonsense tone. "Especially since you fell about fifteen feet, and have been buried for almost seven hours."
"But those things are so damn uncomfortable," he complained.
"I don't recall comfort being one of the requirements," she replied.
"Roy!" Marco pleaded with his friend. "Can't you make her see reason."
Roy held up his hands, "If there's one thing I've learned about women, it's not to argue with them. Especially, when they get 'that' tone in their voice," he said with a laugh.
Marco looked helplessly from Roy to Pidge and back. Then he sighed, he knew he had been beat.
* * * * * * * * * *
Once Marco was out of the way, Cassie lowered herself down next to KJ. "How you doing?" she asked, as she changed out the IV bag.
"About the same," KJ answered. "Now that he's out, is Marco alright?"
Cassie looked out the hole and smiled. "He's arguing with Liz about being put on a backboard," she said. "And he's losing."
Karen chuckled carefully. "He doesn't know who he's tangling with."
"Most people don't know it's not healthy to argue with Mother Pidge," Cassie said with a smile.
"Ahhh, But they usually learn very quickly," KJ said.
"True," Cassie laughed as she took another set of vitals.
"Cassie?"
"Hmmmm?"
"I'm not really looking forward to them getting me out of here," KJ said in almost a whisper.
Cassie stopped taking her blood pressure. "Why?" she asked surprised.
"If my legs are just alseep, they're going to hurt like hell when they wake up. And, if they're not......" her voice trailed off.
Cassie took hold of her friend's hand. "I know," she said, gently. "But, either way, we'll get through it. Okay?"
"Sure," KJ said, giving a slight smile.
* * * * * * * * * *
Meanwhile, Pidge had her hands full with Marco. He refused to be transported until KJ was out. He even refused to listen to Captain Stanley's orders. "I promised her I'd be here when she got out, and I intend to keep that promise," he said stubbornly. When Liz had tried to force him, he just dug his heels in deeper. "I let you strap me to this contraption," he said, referring to the backboard, "but that's as far as I'm going to go until KJ's out of there."
Everyone understood how he felt. After conferring with Rampart, it was decided that, unless his condition started to deteriorate, it would do no harm for him to wait. They should be able to get Jacobs out in the next twenty minutes or so.
With Cassie working on KJ, Mike Stoker was now helping Tinker move debris. They were down to the last couple of layers and everyone was feeling the pressure.
Roy had joined Cassie to help with Karen. They were trying to keep things light. Even though she didn't say anything, they could tell KJ was scared. Her breathing was slowly getting faster and so was her pulse. Then the word came that they were ready to lift the lumber off her legs. Cassie felt Karen tense and took hold of her friend's hand.
"You ready for this?" she asked.
"I don't have much choice, do I?" KJ answered, her voice shaking.
Roy gave the thumbs up and they started the last part of the operation. Tinker and Stoker moved several pieces of plywood that were strapped together. There were still 2x6's lying across her legs, but the release of pressure from the plywood let the blood start flowing again. KJ cried out in pain as the feeling returned to her legs. It felt like thousands of needles were stabbing her all at once.
The pain was too much and she couldn't hold back the tears. Cassie could only hang onto her hand and give her something to squeeze. Roy was trying to keep her from moving around, but wasn't having much luck, she was in too much pain. And because of her head injury, they couldn't give her anything for the pain.
The others moved as fast as possible to get the remaining debris off her. And even though they were trying to careful, every touch or movement sent more pain shooting down her legs. Finally, between her head and her legs, she couldn't take anymore. When she lost consciousness, Cassie and Roy, both let out a sigh of relief. It was extremely difficult to see their friend hurting so bad and not be able to do anything for her.
They quickly got her immobilized and hoisted out of the hole. When Marco heard the second round of cheering he knew KJ was out. He sent up a silent Thank You, his prayers had been answered. Once she was out they quickly placed her and Marco in the waiting ambulances and headed for Rampart.
* * * * * * * * * *
When KJ came to at the hospital, she found Nurse McCall standing next to her. She smiled when she saw Karen was awake.
"Welcome Back," she said. "How you feeling?"
"Like death warmed over," Karen replied.
Dixie laughed. "That's understandable," she said
"How bad is the damage?" she asked.
"You are a very lucky woman," Dixie explained. "You've got a moderate concussion, a couple of cracked ribs and a pair of very bruised and swollen legs, but no spinal damage. Dr. Brackett has prescribed some pain medicine and muscle relaxers if you need them. It's not uncommon to have painful muscle spasms after what you've been through."
Karen closed her eyes. "Thank God," she said. "I thought I was going to be paralyzed." She opened her eyes. "How's Marco?" she asked.
"He's fine. They'll be keeping him overnight for observation, but it looks like he got out of this with only a couple of cracked ribs and a few bumps and bruises," Dixie replied. "You on the other hand, will be with us for a few days."
KJ sucked in her breath as a muscle spasm hit her right leg. "Ohhh! You .... weren't .... kidding." she said, through gritted teeth. Dixie saw her face pale as the pain hit her. The nurse quickly gave her the prescribed medication and it wasn't long before KJ was asleep.
* * * * * * * * * *
Karen slept most of the night. Waking a couple of times to painful spasms, but the drugs took care of that fairly quickly. Now it was early afternoon, and she was trying to deal with the pain as long as possible without the drugs. She knew she needed the rest, but she hated drug induced sleep. It never seemed as satisfying as the real thing.
She was watching TV when there was a knock on the door. She looked up to see Marco peek in. He smiled as he entered the room. "How's Kave-in KJ today?" he asked.
"Fine." she replied with a smile. "But what's this Cave-in garbage?"
"That's Kave-in with a 'K'," he said with a smile. "Thanks to Cassie, it's apparently becoming your new nickname."
KJ rolled her eyes. "I'm going to kill her," she said, then a smile crossed her face. "Two can play that game. I think "Angel Red" would be a fitting nickname for an upside down, redheaded, angel, don't you?"
Marco raised his hands. "Keep me out of this," he said with a big smile. "The last thing I need to do is get on Cassie's bad side."
Karen laughed for several seconds, then she became serious. "Marco, I want to thank you for everything you did," she said.
"I didn't do anything," he said, shyly.
She took hold of his hand. "Cassie came by this morning. She told me what you did," She felt him tense a bit. "Don't worry, Marco, I won't say anything. I'm grateful. If you hadn't done what you did, I might not have made it out of there."
Marco didn't know what to say. It was the first time he had been thanked for breaking the rules. KJ leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She laughed when she saw him blush.
"You sure you don't want to be a paramedic?" she asked, with a smile. "From what Cassie told me, you'd make a good one."
Marco raised his hand to stop her. "I'm through playing paramedic," he said shaking his head. "I'm happy just being a firefighter."
