Trouble Don't (File Two of The First Responders Files)

Chapter Three

"What does that mean?" Carlos asked. "Is he gonna be OK?"

"Sir," Patel turned and gently pushed him towards the door. "You should step out and let us work." Carlos stumbled to the doorway, watching the doctors swarm TK. "If he goes into asystole, get ready to cardiovert!"

***

A cup of coffee being placed on the table in front of him jolted Kelly from his thoughts, and he looked up as Tommy sat down next to him. "How bad is it?" she asked gently.

"Bad," Kelly admitted, taking the coffee and taking a long drink. Across the cafeteria, Nancy had pulled up a chair right next to Sylvie, the two paramedics with their heads inclined towards each other. "I mean, the doctors are running more tests to determine how bad it is . . . but they seemed to have a pretty clear idea when they told us to find Owen."

"We won't know anything until they know," Tommy patted Kelly's arm. "Have a little faith, Captain."

Kelly scoffed. "Chief Abrams released us from shift the moment he heard what happened to TK. I'm not working right now, no need to call me that."

"Sure thing," Tommy smirked. "Captain."

Kelly chuckled, which was the exact reaction she had hoped to get from him. "In that case, thanks for coming, Captain." Tommy rolled her eyes fondly as she took a sip of her tea. "I thought you'd be going home to Evie and Izzy right now."

"I thought about staying there," Tommy admitted. "But they said to stay here with TK. And if I could, give him a few hugs from them."

Kelly sighed. "You have such amazing kids." He looked down at his coffee, absently tracing the lid. "It should've been me out on that pond."

"You're the captain, Kelly," Tommy shook her head. "You call the shots."

"And what kind of captain am I if I'm not willing to take those shots?" Kelly challenged.

"You already are that kind of captain," Tommy countered. "Buck and TK have seen you risk your life for your men. You're the commanding officer who knows ice rescues, and you did everything you could. Because of you, a little boy gets to go home and hug his mom."

"And because of me, someone else's kid is dying in a hospital bed right now," Kelly huffed.

"Oh, are we gonna play that game?" Tommy's eyebrows raised. "Tell me, if you asked TK if he would choose his life or the boys, which life do you think he would pick to save?"

"The boy's," Kelly answered without hesitation.

"And I bet my girls' lives he would pick that every time you asked," Tommy nodded. "You're his captain, Kelly, and you knew TK was the man to send instead of Buck. When he went through the ice, you were the one who made sure everyone pulled him back up. You did everything right."

Kelly sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It's gonna be hard to think that when Owen comes walking through the hospital doors, Tommy."

Tommy rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. "Have you been able to reach him?"

Kelly silently shook his head. "Everything's been going to voicemail. All the cell towers are down. Which is why you should go be with your girls."

"Owen was there for me on the worst day of my life," Tommy shook her head. "I'm going to be here for him."

***

Manuel jolted awake at the tap on his face, and Owen smiled bitterly. "Morning, sunshine," he said, tilting his head back to look at the bump rapidly forming on his head. "You don't look like you have a concussion, but if your forehead feels anything like mine, good. Some agua? We have a long journey ahead of us, probably best to hydrate." Manuel's face twisted in disgust at the offer. "Suit yourself," Owen shrugged and turned, clapping his hands to gather everyone. "Alright, everybody, let's go!"