The monitor flat lined and he swore, shoving past the nurse and pulling open the man's shirt.

"I need the cart!"

The RN charged the defibrillator and handed him the paddles. He waited until the man nodded and took a deep breath.

"Clear!"

The jolt brought the body off the table and he looked to the monitor. A single pulse crossed the screen and they charged the defibrillator again.

"Clear!"

The body jerked under another jolt and the monitor read a weak monitor. Sighing with relief, he handed the paddles off and listened to the man's pulse.

"Take him up to ICU. I'll check in on him in half an hour."

The RN nodded and pushed the man out of the room. Taking a deep breath, he looked down at his blood covered jacket and he shook his head. Pulling off his bloody gloves, he tossed them away along with his coat and stepped out into the hall.

______________________________________________

"Mom! We need you in here!"

Katie put the dish in the drying rack and put the towel down. Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the living room and found the twins trying to reach something behind the couch. Smirking, she rolled her sleeves up further on her arms and pulled the couch out.

"I can't believe two strong boys like you can't move the couch yet."

Jared frowned and said, "I could but I need Timmy's help."

Timmy sighed and said, "I am worthless."

He flopped down onto the couch and held his head in his hands. Katie pulled him onto her lap and kissed his forehead.

"You are not worthless. You are still getting your strength back from your accident. You'll be up to speed soon enough."

Jared nodded with a weak smile and said, "She's right! Come on. Let's go upstairs and play with the legos."

Timmy's smile returned and they bounded up the stairs. Watching them disappear, Katie leaned around the couch and spotted what they were trying to get. Picking up the stuffed monkey, she looked at it and pushed the couch back into place. Sitting back down, she ran her hand over the monkey's face and sighed. It was the last gift the boys had received from their father before the family had lost him.

______________________________________________

The waitress called his number and he got to his feet. Reaching the counter, he picked up his order and returned to his seat.

"You seem out of it, Nick."

He looked up at her words and smirked, "Yeah, I guess."

Her blue eyes held his and she asked, "What is it then?"

He turned back to his food and took a bite. How could he answer a question he didn't even know the answer to. Taking a drink, he glanced at his watch and got to his feet. He bagged the food and pulled on his jacket.

"I'll see you at home, Meg."

She nodded slowly and said, "If you are ready to tell me what's wrong, please do."

He picked up his food and headed out the door. Walking down the street, he listened to the traffic blarring at each other and spotted the hospital up ahead. Another five hours and his shift would be over and he could be home, resting.

______________________________________________

"Katie, come on! We're late!"

Picking up her coat, she kissed the boys good-bye and said, "Coming."

Closing the door, she moved down the steps and hopped into the jeep. Mary frowned and pulled out of the driveway.

"We only have ten minutes to get there before the store closes."

"We'll be fine. They never close on time."

Mary looked at her and asked, "Have you heard anything from that doctor?"

She closed her eyes and said, "No. It's not a big deal either."

Mary grunted and said, "Sure, but if I had a chance to talk with him I would be looking for a chance to spend time again with him."

Katie chuckled and said, "I'm not you and that's why your brother and I married."

Mary laughed and they pulled into the parking lot outside the store with two minutes to spare. Getting outside, Mary rushed in and Katie got out, locking the vehicle. Turning around, she closed her jacket and took a deep breath. The store exploded and she was sent backwards onto the pavement. Her eyes wide, Katie forced herself off her feet and ran to the burning building.

"Mary!"

Hearing the fire truck alarms, she pulled her coat around her mouth and pushed her way into the flames. Moving around the burning place, she looked frantically for Mary. Spotting her leaning against the wall, she knelt next to her and shook her.

"Mary...get up. You have to get up."

Mary looked at her and said, "I'm so sorry, Katie."

Katie shook her head and said, "You're not dying on me."

Slipping Mary's arm around her, she lifted the woman to her feet and helped her to the exit. Timbers fell around them and she pushed them through the flames, escaping the building. Mary coughed hard and she led her over to the paramedics climbing out of an ambulance. They took her friend aside and began treating her wounds.

"Katie?"

Hearing her name called, she turned around and spotted Nick and Trent heading her way. She looked back at Mary and took a deep breath.

"You okay?"

Trent touched her shoulder while Nick knelt next to Mary. He inspected her wounds and the paramedics discussed with him in hushed voices.

"Don't worry. She'll make it. He knows what he is doing."

She looked up at Trent and he nodded with an encouraging smile. Turning her attention back to her friend, she felt her mind coming to a hault and the world's noise slowly disappearing.

"Katie, Katie look at me."

Looking up, she found Nick looking at her and the paramedics gone. She looked for Mary and found her gone along with Trent.

"Katie, look at me."

She looked back at Nick and he flashed a light in her eyes. Pulling away from the light, she swatted herself free and wiped sweat from her face. He touched her shoulder and she looked back at him.

"You were very brave rescuing her. She's going to be fine."

Her mind took in his words and she slowly said, "That's good."

He studied her dirty face and said, "Come with me to the hospital and we can get you cleaned up."

She shook her head and said, "I have to get back to the boys. They're with Mary's daughter."

Nick wrapped an arm around her shoulder and said, "Then let me drive you back. You're in no shape to drive."

She nodded and he began escorting her to Mary's jeep. As they approached the vehicle, she felt the earth shift beneath her and everything went black.

PGS