The bus terminal was loud and people shouted across the loading dock. Birds hopped around stealing crumbs and stray cats chased after them.

"Anything interesting today?"

His eyes narrowed and he looked up from the paper in front of him. A young woman stood watching him with curiosity on her face. Her green eyes sparkled with a strange warm glow. He looked away and turned the page.

"No."

She looked around and asked, "Mind if I sit?"

He focused on the print in front of him and said, "Not my property."

She flicked hair out of her face and sat down quietly next to him. Pulling a book out from her bag, she opened it to her marked page and settled down to read. He finished the article and folded the paper up silently. Looking over at the woman next to him, he found her lost in the book and got to his feet. His bus's arrival was any minute and he pulled his jacket up on his shoulders.

"Bus for New York now arriving at dock 8."

He saw her close her book with the bookmark holding her place. She slipped the book into her bag and got to her feet. Her black hair fell in her face and she brushed it aside as she waited next to him for the bus. It came into view and he moved to the boarding line. The bus came to a stop and the air brakes squealed as they were put in place.

The door opened and passengers began boarding. He pulled out his bus ticket and handed it to the driver as he boarded. Taking a seat in the middle section, he pulled an envelope out of his jacket and opened it. He caught sight of the woman as she moved to the back of the bus and took a seat in the corner. He returned to the letter in his hand and read the contents.

______________________________________________

The fields were covered in snow and the sky was a bleak gray. Children's laughter filled the air and she looked up from her book. She watched the twins chase each other around with snowballs and hit each other in the back. They gave up on the snowball fight and began building a snowman. She returned back to her book and took a drink from her hot chocolate beside her.

The hot liquid warmed her cool body and she put the mug aside. Finishing the chapter, she closed her book and got to her feet. She folded up the blanket and carried it inside. Resting it on the couch to warm, she put her book down and slipped on her boots. Pulling on her winter coat and gloves, she opened the door and stepped back outside.

The laughter stopped and she looked down at the kids. Timmy was on his back and Jared was sitting next to him, shaking him.

"Get up!"

She ran off the porch and over to them. Jared looked up at her and she knelt next to Timmy. He was breathing rapidly and his eyes were wide with fear. A bloodstain was growing on his chest and she held her hand up to her mouth. Jared ran into the house and she took a deep breath as she ripped off her jacket.

Rapidly she wrapped it around Timmy's body and held him against her. Her chest ached as she rocked him in her arms and looked around. A voice penetrated her thoughts and she looked up. Her neighbor Mary was running to her and her daughter followed behind.

"Katie! Katie!"

Her eyes blurred with tears and she felt Mary wrap a jacket around her. She looked up just in time to see Jared coming back and groaned. Mary's daughter nodded and stopped him, lifting him into her arms.

"Your mom is with him. Let's get you inside and warm you up."

Jared shook his head and said, "I won't leave them."

Mary met her daughter's gaze and said, "Take him in Angie."

His protests hit Katie hard and she closed her eyes as she held Timmy closer to him. His breathing was barely noticable and she shook her head.

"Hang in there baby. Hang in there."

Sirens penetrated the air and Mary got to her feet as the EMS pulled up. The men jumped out and raced over to Katie. They pulled Timmy from her tight embrace and put him on a stretcher.

"We have to get him to the ER."

She looked up and asked, "What is it?"

A blonde-haired man caught her gaze and said, "His lung has been pierced. We need to keep the other lung from filling up with the blood."

She slowly got to her feet and said, "I'm coming with you."

The man nodded slowly and she followed him into the back of the ambulance. Mary waved to her and she looked back at Timmy.

"We'll meet you there!"

Katie looked back as the door swung closed and the ambulance pulled away. Taking his hand, she took a deep breath and prayed for a miracle.

______________________________________________

"Mom!"

Looking up, she saw Jared running her way and she welcomed him into her arms. He was trembling just as much as her and she held tighter to him. Running her hand through his hair, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"How long?"

She looked up at Mary and said, "An hour so far."

Jared looked up at her and said, "I should've paid more attention. It's my fault."

She shook her head and said, "Oh no baby. It's not your fault. Accidents happen."

He shook his head and she kissed his forehead. Holding him in her lap, she looked back to the ER doors and took a deep breath.

______________________________________________

"Looks credible. What about you?"

His blue eyes met his gaze and he said, "I'm the only one you've got."

The man chuckled and said, "You're what they said. Full of yourself. I like you, kid."

His eyes narrowed and he said, "The name is Nick."

The man laughed and said, "Welcome aboard. You start now. Let me show you around."

He nodded and followed the man to the check in counter. A doctor walked past them quickly and into the ER room. His eyes narrowed and he looked back at the man next to him.

"An accident out in the country. Kid with pierced lung. Been in there well over an hour."

He looked back at the door and heard, "They know what they're doing."

Nick looked back at him and shrugged. The man shook his head with a laugh and led him down the hallway.

"Dr. Trent, report to the ER immediately."

Hearing the man's sigh, he smirked and said, "I thought so."

Trent chuckled and said, "No time better than the present to see you at work. Let's go."

Nick followed him down the hall to the ER room and stepped inside. The doctors were covered in the kid's blood and his vitals were still falling. He growled and pulled on gloves as a nurse technician slipped a robe around him. Stepping up to the table, he heard Trent introduce him and he assessed the wound.

PGS