Coming Of Age

by Lisa

This page was last updated on 06/24/01

Scene 10

Station 51

The crew is busily cleaning their gear after the morning's run when Roy arrives. He tells Johnny he wants to inspect the troops. Johnny lines them up and begins the roll call.

"Lopez, our engineer. Dwyer, Bellingham, and Norrell. Our paramedics, Wilson and his new partner Kim Tyler."

Roy stops in front of Kim looking her steadily in the face while she returns the gaze. "What do you think of 51 so far?" he asks.

"Its fine,sir," she replies.

The rest of the crew watches as Roy replies, "That's good to hear. Your crew looks good Chief Gage. You are dismissed. However, Paramedic Tyler, I would like to speak with you and Chief Gage."

Kim stood clenching her jaw standing still as a board with a look of despair on her face. Knowing that she and Johnny are in serious trouble. Johnny assigns the crew their tasks. "Wilson, you and Dwyer get the rec room ship shape and the rest of you work in the hose room. We used a lot of hose this morning."

The crew disperses and Trey, uncharacteristically, pats Kim on the shoulder and walks off. Roy looks at her and says, "After you," and motions toward the office.

Johnny falls in along side of her with Roy bringing up the rear. Kim whispers, "We've had it now," to Johnny.

He whispers back, "I tend to agree with you on this one," after seeing the look on Roy's face.

They enter the office and Roy shuts the door. Kim, stands, waiting for the inevitable and Johnny takes his seat, his face reflecting the apprehension he is feeling at this moment. Roy walks over to Kim, facing her side as she looks forward and sternly asks, "I just want to know one thing? Why didn't you call Mom and me when Brent was killed?"

Kim, astonished at what she's heard replies, "Because, I couldn't stand hearing the lecture on why I shouldn't be a paramedic. With everything else that was going on at the time, it was something I just couldn't handle."

"I understand why you feel that way, but Kimberly, we love you and all that would have mattered then is us being there for you." Roy reaches over and puts his arms around Kim's shoulders and gathers her in a bear hug. Kim, unable to resist the safe feeling of being held by her dad returns the hug and buries her face in his shoulder.

Roy thinks "Oh, it feels so good to hold my baby girl again!" He squeezes her tight, and pats the back of her head and breaks the hold he has on her to look at her and smile "Are you okay? Let's sit down and talk. We have lots to talk about."

Kim emotionally replies, "I guess we do." She sits down as does Roy.

Johnny, sitting there all this time in astonished silence splutters, "I don't know what to think about all of this."

Roy, looks at him and laughs, "Well, don't get all sappy yet."

"Dad, would you have really been there and not turned the occasion into an argument over my being a paramedic?" asks Kim.

Roy, thinking his answer over carefully, replies, "Well, I know its easy to say now that I wouldn't have, and I would have really done my best not to, but I won't pretend that I am happy with either one of you right now."

Kim's face falls and Johnny frowns. "Roy, I know what you must think"

Roy interrupts him. "No, you can't know how I feel. My best friend of almost 30 years goes behind my back and hires my daughter without telling me and knowing how I feel about it. Not to mention the fact that for what I assume has been the whole 5 years you've known where Kim has been and never said a word! Do you have any idea how betrayed I feel?!"

Johnny and Kim look at one another. Johnny swallows, "Roy, we never meant for you to be hurt."

Kim interrupts Johnny. "Dad, don't blame Cap for this. When I left 5 years ago, you and I hated one another. You have never recognized the fact that I am an adult now and this is my chosen profession. I didn't want anyone to know where I was, but Cap insisted. He didn't want me to be completely isolated from my past. At the time, I wasn't happy with Cap for insisting, but as the years went by, I was glad that I still had him to talk to and to keep up with you and Mom. This hasn't been easy for either one of us." By now Kim is standing, pacing around the room as she speaks.

"I will tell you now before you start any of the arguments. The last 5 years haven't changed my mind about being a paramedic. Its my calling, what I love to do! I know the risks of being a paramedic. Remember I grew up a paramedic's daughter. I wasted 6 years of my life going to college, trying to find something that suited me. Ignoring what I really wanted to do but I've found it and I am not giving it up!"

Roy heatedly replies, "But it's too dangerous. Look at what its cost you already! I won't have a daughter of mine doing this!"

Kim yells back at him, "It's too bad that you feel this way. I'm not changing my mind. I knew you would use Brent's death against me. Brent knew the risks. We all do. It doesn't change a thing. I have accepted Brent's death and I'm trying to move on. It's part of the job but that doesn't mean that I don't miss him or ache with the hurt of his loss. You haven't said one word about that. I came back because life is too short for us to be fighting all of the time. I wanted you and Mom so bad at times over the years but I knew you hadn't changed. Well, let me tell you something, I am back and I am doing what I want with my life! You had better either decide to accept me as I am or not and make your peace with it. I want my family back! Its up to you now."

Roy gets up and walks over to her. "But I want you to be safe....." at that very moment the tones sound.

"Squad 51, man trapped. 1801 Northshire, cross street Oak, timeout 15:05"

Kim tells Roy, "I have to go now, the ball is in your court now. Decide if you want me as I am or not."

With that said, she leaves. The squad pulls out and leaves Johnny and Roy to pick up the pieces of their friendship.

Roy stands watching the squad pull out and turns around to look at Johnny. He sits down, sighs and puts his head in his hands.

Johnny, visibly saddened, asks, "Well, nothing has changed then has it?"

Roy looks up, replies, "No, I guess it hasn't."

"I want to explain how all of this happened."

Roy starts to say something but Johnny stops him "No, hear me out. I know you feel hurt and betrayed but that was never mine or Kim's intentions. I was the one who insisted that she keep in touch. I've been a part of your children's lives since you and I became partners and I love them as if they were my own. I couldn't bear the thought of her being somewhere all alone.

I stayed out of the argument when Kim chose to become a paramedic and I've often wondered if I should have stepped in then and maybe now we wouldn't be having all of this fighting. But anyway, you are going to have to realize that she is an adult and has chosen her path in life. I know that from a father's standpoint that isn't easy to swallow because you want her safe and protected. Right?"

Roy nods his head "yes" as Johnny continues, "But you can't protect her forever. She has fought a long hard road and proven herself to be one very capable FF/PM." Johnny grins as he tells Roy, "And why do you think she is so capable? Because she had you for a father. You two are so much alike its unreal. You both have that DeSoto fire and strength that makes you such good paramedics. When I see Kim out on a rescue, it's just like being with you 20 or so years ago.

We've been best friends and part of one another's lives for so long, and I know I'm butting in here, but you have to mend your fences with Kim. She has missed you and Joanne so much. It nearly killed her not to call you when Brent died, but she was afraid. Afraid you would lay a lecture on her and she knew she couldn't handle it. Can't you see how precious life is and to spend it fighting like this is a waste?

As for Kim coming to 51, when I went out for the funeral, I had a serious discussion with her about the estrangement between you two. She admitted that she wanted to make peace with you and that she and Brent were planning a trip to LA to see you to make things right. Brent never let up on her, and I wasn't about to let that effort stop. Kim also admitted that she wanted to come back to LA to live, and I offered her the job here. Not just to get her back home but because she's the paramedic that fit the need here at 51. I hope that in time you realize that I was trying to be there for Kim as you would have under any other circumstances." With that Johnny settles back in his chair.

Roy, contemplating what Johnny has said, replies, "I have to admit I was angry with you for keeping her whereabouts a secret and hiring her, because I assumed you would take my side. But I should have realized that you wouldn''t. I guess with your staying out of this argument enabled you to look at things differently. But I also have to admit that I'm glad she is back home even if she is a paramedic."

Roy, gets up, walks around the room, "Is she really that good?" he asks.

"Yes, she is. You should ride with the squad one day and see for yourself," Johnny tells him.

"I guess it's time I made a decision then, but I have all of these conflicting emotions right now. Happy because she's back. We've missed her so much. Pride because she has turned into such a good person and a paramedic too. Anger because of the secrecy that has been going on. Betrayal because of your role in this. I want her to be safe but she isn't a baby anymore, so I guess it's time I let go despite my reservations and give her my blessings," Roy replies.

"Well, it's about time," Johnny tells him. "But I think you should wait until Kim's off duty and then discuss it with her. By then you will have both cooled off and hopefully can talk without yelling at one another."

"I think you're right," Roy says.

"I just have to know though," Johnny asks, suddenly serious, "are we still best pals?"

Roy looks at him and smiles, "Yes, we are still best pals. However much it may have hurt, I realize that you were just trying to take care of my daughter. Kim has been lucky to have you there for all of these years just as I have." With that, he reaches over and thumps Johnny on the shoulder.

Johnny, relieved, returns the thump. "That's a relief. I was a little worried for a while."

Roy looks at his watch to check the time, realizes how late it is, and gets up to leave. "I have to get back to the office or they will be wondering what happened to me. Take care of my daughter, Junior." He grins.

"You bet Pally," Johnny replies, and with that Roy leaves. Johnny wearily settles back in his chair going over the events of the day.

Later the Same day.

Kim and Trey are heading back the station. They had been out on continuous runs since leaving earlier. Kim is staring pensively out of the passenger window. Trey looks over at her and asks, "What is bugging you? You have been in a foul mood ever since we left the station."

Kim frowns, "What is it to you anyway? You have made it clear that you don't want me for a partner. Only partners that care about one another ask questions like that."

Trey scowls, replies, "Look, I know that I deserve that. I haven't made things easy for you to join the crew here and I apologize for that. I have just been going through a hard time losing Brendan and I guess when you were assigned here it just hit home that he is never coming back and despite my feelings I do sincerely care about what you are feeling. I hope that you can accept that for what it's worth and maybe want to be my partner on a permanent basis.Its not easy for me to say this considering how rotten I have been to you."

Kim bites her lip and softly replies, "Look, I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have bitten your head off. Its not your fault I'm in such a rotten mood but I have to say I really don't want to talk about it right now. It has nothing to do with you but I do appreciate your honesty about our working relationship. I guess I can give it a try. I will be honest though, I don't trust you very much right now. Something we will have to overcome. Fair enough?"

Trey grins, "Fair enough," he says as they back into the station.

"How about some chow? It's Lopez's night to cook but he usually gets his dad to cater it for us. I'll almost bet its Irish Stew."

Kim grins, thinking about the Marco she remembers from her younger years. "Sounds good enough to me," she tells Trey.

They get out of the squad and Johnny walks up, "I need you two to come in the office for just a minute." They follow him in and he turns around and sits down. "I have something very sad to tell you." They look at him with wariness, waiting for the latest tragedy to unfold. "Dr. Brackett called just after you two left Rampart. He just got a call from the retirement community where Dixie lives. She passed away last night in her sleep."

Trey's shoulders sag with sadness and Kim stands there looking at Johnny, her face turning white, trying to comprehend all of this. All of a sudden its too much, dealing with Roy, Trey, losing Brent. . . it's as though everyone she cares about is abandoning her. She faints. Trey catches her as Johnny jumps up. Together they put her on the floor and Trey runs to the squad and grabs the drug box while Johnny calls in a still alarm to LA.

Trey drops down on the floor beside her and checks her vitals. "She's stable, Cap. I think it's just from the shock. She has been pretty upset the last few hours."

"I have no doubt about that and hearing about Dixie was the last thing she needed," Johnny replies. Trey breaks out the ammonia vial and holds it under Kim's nose which promptly awakens her. She comes up swinging at Trey who ducks, and then pins her arms down.

"Hey it's okay Kim, take it easy. It's just me," he tells her. Johnny helps him hold her down. She looks up at the two of them, groans, "I'm okay. I'm sorry. I guess it's just the shock of hearing about Dixie. How is Dr. Brackett?"

"He is pretty devastated but seems to be okay. He is going to let us know when the arrangements are made," Johnny reports.

Trey wearily replies, "I can't believe it either. Dixie was such a good person. It was bad enough when she retired but to know she is gone. I just don't know. I think there has been enough dying around here for a while."

Kim listening, breaks into tears. Johnny helps her sit up and holds her for a minute, knowing that she is reliving the loss of Brent again. " Are you going to be okay? I can call for a back up and let you go home for the rest of your shift if you would like?"

"No," she replies, "Dixie wouldn't have wanted me to wallow in this. I'll be okay. I just need a few minutes. If you two will help me up, I'll go fix my face and be ready to eat."

They help her up and she gets her balance. She waves off any more assistance from them and walks to the dorm to repair the damage. Trey and Johnny watch her with concern in their faces apparent.

Trey asks," how did Kim know Dixie? I thought she wasn't originally from here?" '

"Kim grew up here and knew Dixie through her family," Johnny tells him, "and of course, you are not to let Kim know that I have told you that."

"Yes sir," Trey replies. Trey is beginning to see the pieces falling together, Johnny knowing so much about Kim's past, the meeting with Chief DeSoto, and now with Dixie's passing. Puzzled, he wonders how it all falls together but now isn't the time to ponder the connections.

Johnny calls in to LA to cancel the still alarm and then tells Trey they need to eat while they can. Kim joins them in the rec room, pale but steady, with Johnny keeping a careful eye on her the whole time. Just as they are finishing, the tones sound, "Station 51, structure fire. 11232 W. Northshire. Cross street Westing, time out 2100," and they are off again.

Scene 12

The crew gathers in the rec room as they begin a new shift, jostling one another out of the way in order to get to the coffee pot. Lopez and Dwyer are bragging about their hot dates. Kim gets her cup and sits down on the couch silently brooding over the last few days. She knows she has finally reached her breaking point (but maybe she has been breaking all along and has just been denying it) and its time to make a few decisions here.

Trey walks over and sits down, "How is it going? I didn't see you at the memorial service yesterday."

"I know, I worked at 110's so those guys could go." She sips her coffee trying to ignore what he is leading up to.

"Well, I missed you being there," he tells her. "One of those things I guess. Not my forte right now," Kim sarcastically replies.

Trey frowns and starts to reply but Johnny walks in, "Good morning, everyone. It's time to get the day started. Tyler, Wilson, I want you two to do fire inspections this morning while the rest of you work in the hose room and cleaning the engine. C-shift was out most of the night and didn't get a chance to do much. You two stop by the office and get your inspection list. Okay, get busy."

Everyone goes to their respective duties. Kim and Trey follow Johnny to the office and pick up their list. "Trey, you go ahead. I want to talk to Kim a minute," Johnny orders.

Trey leaves the office and Kim hangs around waiting to hear what Johnny has to say. "I didn''t see you yesterday at the memorial."

"I worked at 110's so they could attend. Trey has already been this route this morning. Just not my forte right now," she states.

"Do I detect a little bitterness there? Don't let the bitterness get the better of you. You have been through too much and fought too hard to give in to it now," Johnny replies.

Kim explodes, "How dare you tell me that? I have every right to be bitter. How do you know where I stand? Good ol' Kim, just keeps on being a brave soldier. No one ever bothers to look past the front. I couldn't handle going because it's reliving Brent's death all over again! I knew Dad would be there and he'd be after me again. He's left messages on the answering machine nonstop for the last 2 days. Warming up for another round I'm sure and ...."

Johnny interrupts her, "You are out of line and I won't stand for it. I was worried about you when you didn't show up and so was your Dad. I know you've been through a lot but apparently its beginning to affect your attitude. It looks like I've been mistaken about how well you've been coping, and in view of that, I'm putting you on administrative leave after this shift. You need the time to get things in perspective again and be able to focus on your responsibilities here when you return...."

Kim furiously interrupts, "Is that all? All the leave in the world isn't going to help right now. I'm so mad I could scream. Mad at you, Dad, Trey and Brent for dying and leaving me behind!"

"ENOUGH!" roars Johnny "You have gone too far!"

Kim starts to say something.

"Don't! If you say anything else, I'll have to get the disciplinary board involved and I don't want it to go that far. Now get out of here before we both say something we'll regret. Tell Trey to be back here by noon. You're dismissed."

Kim stands there stunned for a moment and then turns around and walks out. A moment later, the squad roars to life and leaves.

Kim and Trey are just leaving their last inspection site of the morning when the tones sound. "Stations 51, 36, 110. Truck 127, Ladder 210, Deluge 115. Battalion 6. Industrial Fire 5136 Oceanside Drive, Oceanside Industrial Park. Cross street Marina. Time out 11:15."

"LA, Squad 51, 10-4," and they are on their way.

When they arrive, the other units are already there and setting up. Trey pulls up next to the Engine and they report in. Johnny assigns them to rescue duty.

"Tyler, Wilson, get your gear and make a sweep of the Northeast section of the first floor. Reports are that everyone is out, but we need to make sure. Take Dwyer with you as back up. Dwyer, go with Tyler and Wilson as back up," he yells.

Dwyer drops his hose and runs over. Kim and Trey and getting their gear on and just at that moment an explosion is heard inside the building.

"LA, Station 51 requesting a 3rd alarm assignment to our location. Major explosion at our location."

"10-4 51," LA responds.

Roy walks up to Johnny, "What is the status?"

"Well, I just requested another alarm and the engine crew is working on the Northeast exposure. Wilson, Tyler and Dwyer are getting ready to go in and make a sweep..."

Roy looks at him with dread written on his face.

"Roy, you can't stop this. She has a job to do..."

"I know, it's just..."

Johnny impatiently interrupts him, "Roy, she'll be okay, let her go!"

Roy shrugs, walks toward the squad, watching Kim get her turnout gear on, stops, watches her get ready. Somehow she senses someone is watching her and looks up. Their eyes meet.

Roy's filled with concern saying, "Be careful, I love you. I'm proud of you. Do a good job."

Kim's twinkling in reply, "Don't worry Dad. I'm okay. I love you too. I know its costing you to let me go."

Just then Trey yells, "Would you come on Tyler!"

Kim grins, puts her helmet on and runs to catch up.

Roy stands watching her go, praying, "Lord, she's in Your Hands now. Please let her be safe. I can't protect her anymore," and walks back to take charge.

Chief Stoker arrives to oversee the operations. "Roy, what is the status?"

"Well, we have just called in additional manpower and things are under control for the moment."

"Good, let's review these floorplans and the MSDS sheets on the chemicals stored in there," and they begin their planning.

Meanwhile, the trio is searching, yet to find anyone trapped. They have one large room left to search as the fire is becoming more intense and Trey feels it in his bones that they are in jeopardy. He can feel a flashover or explosion coming. He yells to Kim and Dwyer to hurry. Dwyer and Trey are searching the corners of the room and Kim is about to check out a large door where suddenly there is an explosion on the other side of the door, blowing it off its hinges and Kim with it across the room. Trey and Dwyer are thrown to the floor.

Trey jumps up screaming, "Kim, Dwyer are you okay?"

"I'm over here and okay," yells Dwyer.

He gets up and meets Trey in the middle of the room. Flames are pouring in the open doorway and its becoming increasingly obvious that the building is about to go. "Have you seen Kim?"

"No, let's look around." They walk about 10 feet away and come across the door. Dwyer just happens to see Kim's gloved hand underneath it.

"Trey she's under the door! Help me lift it off!"

Together they lift the door and there she is, unconscious. Trey thinking "Not again. I can't survive losing another one." The inside of her mask is covered with blood. Trey quickly checks to see if she is alive and finds a pulse (albeit a weak and thready one) and wilts with relief. "She's alive!"

"Great!" Dwyer replies. Trey quickly checks to see if she has any obvious broken bones, neck or back injuries.

"Come on Kim wake up! Kim, can you hear me?"

Just at that moment Trey notices her airpack has stopped registering. "Her pack's stopped! Help me get it off!"

Together they cut the pack from behind and cut the straps off of her mask. As it falls away, the lacerations around her mouth and face become apparent. Kim groans and opens her eyes as the mask falls away. '

"Hey Kim, can you hear me? Where do you hurt?" Trey inquires anxiously because they are running out of time. Kim's getting her bearings. She is so dizzy and it hurts so much to even think about breathing. Why can't Trey just leave her where she is? Trey's voice breaks in again "Answer me! We need to get you out of here, but I have to make sure you're okay to move first!"

"I hurt everywhere but my head and side hurt the worst," she gasps.

"Wiggle your fingers and toes for me!" She does and he asks, "Do you think you can walk out?"

"No, I can't, just leave me here. You two go on," she splutters.

"I won't leave you! Dwyer help me stand her up!" Together they pick her up with Trey supporting her head and back. She nearly collapses but they catch her and form a chair with their arms and carry her out. She leans against Trey and they slowly maneuver their way out.

They burst out of the building colliding with Bellingham who gasps with surprise. "Go get a backboard, C-collar, trauma box and biophone and put it beside the squad!" Trey orders.

He runs off to get everything and they make their way to the squad and lower Kim to the backboard. Trey takes her turnout and helmet off and snaps the C-Collar in place before laying her down. "Better now?" he asks.

"Yes, better," Kim grimaces.

Trey immobilizes her head and neck and moves on to getting her vitals as he tells Bellingham, "go get Cap and tell him we have a Code I and need an ambulance STAT." He turns back to Kim, "Don't pass out on me Kim. You have to stay awake. You can do it."

"No, so tired, just want to sleep," she replies.

"No you can't, stay awake and watch me so you can tell me if my bedside manner doesn't meet your standards. Tell me if this hurts." He proceeds to do a more thorough neurological exam and then checks her for internal injuries. He palpates her left side and she screams in pain and passes out, confirming his worst fears.

Johnny comes running up about that time with fear and worry written on his face and drops to his knees beside her. "Kim?, Trey, what happened?"

Trey explains about the explosion and Kim being thrown across the room with the door landing on her. "Why didn't you call for help?" he asks.

"Kim had the HT and we couldn't find it after the explosion. Is the ambulance on its way?"

"Yes, it is. What's her condition?"

Trey hesitates, frowns, "Her B/P is 80/50, pulse 110 and thready, respiration is 30 and shallow. Pupils are reactive but sluggish and somewhat dilated and she's drifting in and out of consciousness."

They look each other in the eyes confirming the worst. Trey calls Rampart. "Rampart, come in Rampart, this is County 51."

Meanwhile at Rampart, Doctor Brackett is at the base station helping out as he sometimes does when the call comes through. "This is Rampart, go ahead 51."

"Rampart, we have a 32 year old female victim with injuries received from an explosion. Vitals are B/P 80/50, pulse 110 and thready, respiration is 30 and shallow. Pupils are reactive but sluggish and somewhat dilated and she is drifting in and out of consciousness but does respond to commands. Victim also has lacerations about the face and mouth. Abdomen is tender in the left lower and upper quadrants to palpation. Request IV of Ringers lactate, and to apply anti shock trousers. Victim is immobilized on back board with C-collar and sandbags."

Doctor Brackett listens and replies, "Confirm request 51. Start 2 IV's of Ringers, one in each arm. Apply shock trousers, 6 liters of O2 and monitor vitals closely. Be prepared to intubate to maintain airway. 51, send us an EKG."

"10-4 Rampart," Trey hooks up the EKG and sends the strip.

Doctor Brackett looks it over. "Okay, 51, get her in STAT!"

"10-4 Rampart." Johnny gently touches Kim's shoulder. "Kim, wake up!" She grimaces, opens her eyes and looks at him. Trey is assembling all of his supplies and beginning to start the IV's.

"I really made a mess of it this time," she whispers breathlessly.

"No, you didn't. Just one of those things that happened. Trey's going to get you taken care of and you'll be back harassing us before you know it," he replies emotionally.

"I hope so. Where is Dad?"

"He's over there with Chief Stoker. Do you want him?"

"Yes, I'm sorry Cap."

"It's okay, hang on." He reaches for his HT and radios in "Battalion Chief DeSoto, this is Engine 51. Please report to my location."

Trey looks up from the IV with a question in his eyes, the puzzle is starting to fall together but he isn't sure he's heard right. "Is Chief DeSoto related to Kim?"

Kim gasps, "He's my dad. Now my secret is out."

Trey rocks back on his heels with his mouth falling open. He never thought about that. What a shock! but he hasn't got time to worry about it now. Kim's slipping and they have to work fast to keep her alive. The HT crackles to life as Roy responds, "10-4 Engine 51."

Johnny takes the other IV from Trey and inserts it in Kim's left arm thinking, "Roy's worst fear come true and it will kill him if we can't save her and maybe me too."

Together Trey and Johnny are putting on the anti shock trousers when Roy walks up.

"What's wrong, Johnny?" And then he sees the scene before him. His face drains of color. Johnny jumps up, goes to him. "Johnny, what happened? I didn't know Kim was your Code I."

"I didn't either. There was an explosion and she was knocked across the room and the door landed on her. She's badly hurt but she's asking for you. Don't be mean. Tell her you love her. She needs to hear it."

With that, Roy drops down beside her. "Kimberly, honey, it's Dad. Wake up!"

Kim smiles best she can as she opens her eyes. "Well, tell me you told me so."

Roy's face falls. "No, I'm not. As you tried to make me see it's just part of the job but don't worry about it right now. You concentrate on getting better. I love you. I always have. We'll talk about this later. Save your strength."

"Okay, will you stay with me?" she asks.

"Yes, I will." As she is trying to talk she suddenly gasps, "I can't breathe!" and goes into respiratory arrest. Trey jumps up with the intubation kit and intubates her quickly, attaching the oxygen to the intubation tube. He listens to her lungs and hears the appropriate breath sounds and heaves a sigh of relief. Roy, stunned, sits there numb as he watches.

Trey calls in to Rampart. "Rampart, come in Rampart."

Doctor Brackett answers, "Go ahead 51."

"Rampart, victim has gone into respiratory arrest and we have intubated. Victim has good breath sounds and we will be transporting momentarily."

"10-4 51. We'll be ready for you."

"10-4 Rampart."

Doctor Brackett turns to Doctor Morton. "Mike, you had better get the trauma team ready. Sounds like 51 has a ruptured spleen. Set up for 10 units of O positive from the blood bank. They are transporting now. I'll help out too."

"All right." He turns around and has the trauma team paged and tells Sarah to get Trauma 1 ready. She runs off to do his bidding.

Meanwhile, the ambulance has arrived and they have loaded Kim into the ambulance. "Dwyer, follow with the squad."

Roy is getting in the ambulance with Trey. "I'm going with you. I can't leave her."

"I understand, Sir," Trey replies.

"Johnny, tell Mike where I'm going, okay?"

"Will do. Take care of her."

"You bet."

"I'll be there as soon as I can," and with that the ambulance speeds off leaving Johnny watching after it's long gone.

Scene 12

En route to Rampart.

Trey is busily monitoring Kim's vitals. Roy is watching in a stunned silence. Trey calls in an update and ETA to Rampart, "Rampart this is County 51, how do you read?"

"This is Rampart, go ahead 51," Doctor Brackett responds.

"Rampart, vitals are BP 70/40, pulse 120 and thready, respiration's are assisted.The victim has been unconscious and unresponsive to any stimuli since intubation. Pupils are still reactive but increasingly sluggish. The right pupil is becoming more dilated. Our ETA is 4 minutes."

"10-4 51, continue treatment as ordered. When you arrive, take the victim directly to Trauma 1."

"10-4 Rampart."

"She's slipping isn't she?" Roy asks.

Trey hangs his head for a moment, not knowing quite how to answer that. "Yes sir, I'm afraid she is. I think you've known that all along."

Roy swallows hard, "You're right, I knew it but was hoping that you would tell me otherwise. A parent's denial that this can't really be happening."

"Sir...." Trey begins but they arrive at Rampart ending the discussion.

Scene 13

Rampart

The ambulance backs into the bay and Dr. Brackett and Sarah throw open the doors before the attendants have a chance to. Dwyer pulls up and hurries to help them. They help Trey and Roy get Kim out of the ambulance. Trey is bagging her to keep her oxygen going. Dr. Brackett and Sarah gasp when they see it's Kim.

"What happened Trey?!" Doctor Brackett exclaims.

Trey quickly explains about the explosion and gives him an update on Kim's condition. Doctor Brackett does a quick assessment as they roll down the hall toward Trauma 1. "Sarah, get a neurologist down here stat!" he orders.

She runs ahead. He looks up as they turn into the Trauma room to see Roy following them. "What are you doing here? Decide to be a paramedic again?"

"I wish it were that simple. Kim is my daughter," Doctor Brackett stops in his tracks, shocked, now remembering why Kim had been so familiar to him.

"I'm sorry Roy, we'll do our best for her."

They swing into the Trauma room where Doctor Morton and the rest of the team are waiting. Doctor Morton exclaims, "What happened here?"

Once again Trey explains. "Okay people, on my count lets move her," Doctor Brackett orders.

Everyone grabs the backboard. "On 3. 1, 2, 3," and with that they heft the backboard over to the gurney. The respiratory therapist hooks Kim up to the ventilator. Trey steps back beside Roy as Doctor Brackett checks her neurological status while Doctor Morton checks her abdomen.

"Her abdomen is rigid. We need to get her to surgery right now! I need a CBC, SMA7, EKG, arterial blood gases, type and cross match at least 6 units of blood. I also need at CT of her abdomen stat!"

"Add a CT of the skull as well, Mike. Where is that neurologist?! She's got a major head injury," Doctor Brackett barks. Roy gasps as he listens.

Doctor Brackett looks around and orders, "Roy, you have to leave. You don't need to be here right now. I'll keep you posted on her condition."

"I'm not leaving. I promised her I wouldn't."

"Trey, get him out of here now!" Trey takes Roy and pulls him out of the room.

They burst out into the hallway with Roy fighting Trey every inch of the way. "Let me go! I have to be there with her. I promised her!"

"Sir, it's time to let Doctor Brackett and Doctor Morton do what they need to. You know as well as I do there is nothing else you can do. It's up to them now and your being there isn't going to make one bit difference. Kim knows you're here," Trey firmly replies.

Roy stops fighting Trey and slumps against the wall. "I know, but..."

"I understand, but there's nothing either one of us can do right now, so let's go wait in the lounge. You've known Doctor Brackett longer than any of us and you know he'll do everything possible to save her and he'll keep us posted on her condition," Trey interrupts.

Roy, looking lost and hopeless, looks at Trey. "Yes, you're right, let's go to lounge," and they head off in that direction.

Meanwhile in Trauma 1, the neurologist has finally arrived and checked Kim out. "It doesn't look good, Kel," Doctor Maxwell replies. "She's got a severe concussion from the force of the explosion. From what I can tell, her brain is swelling fast and it's affecting the areas that control her respiration and heart rate the most. I'm going to start her on massive doses of steroids in hopes of slowing it down but..."

"What's the bottom line?" Doctor Brackett interrupts.

Doctor Maxwell looks up at Doctor Brackett. "If we don't slow the swelling down and then reverse it soon, she won't survive. I know that she has internal injuries and you are ready to take her to the OR, but repairing those injuries won't help if we can't stop the swelling."

"Bob, can she survive the surgery?" Doctor Brackett asks.

"I don't know. Right now, I would say not, but if there is any chance to control the swelling, she will have to have surgery to keep her from dying from the internal injuries."

Doctor Brackett frowning, weighing the options, "If there's any chance of survival we have to operate now and take that risk of losing her. Okay then people, let's get her to OR now!"

Doctor Maxwell orders his meds, "Give her 100 mg Prednisone IV now and continue loading doses on the hour!"

"Mike, you take her on to the OR and I'll be right there. I'm going to talk to Roy and Trey," Doctor Brackett orders as he leaves the room.

In the lounge, Trey is nervously pacing the room while Roy sits with his head in his hands. Just as Trey is about to say something, Doctor Brackett bursts in the room. Roy jumps up and Trey hurries over. "Roy, Trey, I want you both to sit down."

"How is she?" Roy interrupts.

"Sit down and let's talk," Doctor Brackett replies. They sit down and Doctor Brackett begins, "I want you both to understand how serious Kim's injuries are. She has internal bleeding which we suspect is a ruptured spleen and she is on her way to the OR right now so we can repair that. But the real problem here is the head injury she suffered. The force of the explosion was so great that she has a severe concussion injury to her brain. The severity of the injury is causing her brain to swell rapidly. It's affecting the areas of the brain that control respiration and heart rate the most. The neurologist has started her on massive doses of steroids to counteract the swelling."

Roy and Trey's faces whiten as Doctor Brackett goes on, knowing that Kim's injuries may be fatal. "What are her chances?" Roy asks.

Doctor Brackett swallows hard, and lowers his head before replying. "Not good. The odds are that she won't survive the surgery, but if there is any chance that we can control and or reverse the swelling associated with the head injury, we have to operate in order to control the internal injuries. So you understand either way we go one of the injuries she has sustained may kill her?"

After a pause, Roy whispers, "Yes."

Trey nods his head, unable to speak himself. "If she survives the surgery will she have a chance?"

"Roy, at this point, I don't know. It will depend on how she comes through the surgery and how strong her will to live is. I know she's got that DeSoto iron will but after the battering she's taken, I just don't know. Now I had better get to the OR," and he stands up.

"Doc, I..." Roy sputters.

"I know, hang in there," and with that Doctor Brackett leaves.

Trey and Roy look at one another shell shocked. Trey thinking "its happened again" and Roy "My baby! I can't stand this. All of my worst nightmares come true. A waste of all these years and now I may lose her forever." They slump back in their chairs and begin the long wait.

The Waiting Hours

Hours have passed and still no word. Trey and Roy both immersed in their own thoughts and miseries. Trey inwardly kicking himself for being such a jerk and Roy alternating between grief and anger. Grief that only a parent knows and anger that this happened and at Johnny for hiring Kim and putting her in danger. Deep down he knows that this could have happened to anyone, but right now he isn't thinking calmly but with the hurt and grief only a parent knows.

He had tried to reach Chris but was told that Professor DeSoto was out on a hiking trip with his students in the Grand Tetons and wasn't expected back for another 48 hours; but what to do about reaching Joanne who at this moment is in the Pacific Ocean on a Hawaiian cruise with her sisters. A ship to shore phone call would be the immediate thing to do but Joanne would have no way off the ship for at least another three days. He could call her but she would be in agony with no way to get back to LA so he decides to make the decision after surgery. At least then he could tell her if Kim was still alive.

"Sir," Trey breaks into his musings.

He looks up. "Yes, Trey?"

"May I ask why the secrecy about you and Kim being related?"

Roy sighs, "Well, it's a long story, but you must not discuss this with the rest of the crew."

"I won't."

"Kim has always been fascinated by the paramedic program. When she was small she always said that she wanted to be a paramedic. Despite the fact I was proud of her interest, I always discouraged her for obvious reasons. She was my baby and I couldn't bear the thought of her being a paramedic. She went to college and graduated but was unhappy with her career. Against my wishes, she became a firefighter/paramedic. That was five years ago. We had a terrible argument over it and she left town. I didn't know where she was until a few days ago when I came to the station. Chief Gage, however, had kept in touch with her and was responsible for getting her back here."

Trey, looking at Roy, "That is a tough situation to deal with but Kim never thought about it I don't think. I haven't known her long but she loves being a paramedic. It's like she was meant to be one. It could have been any one of us out there. You know that as well as I do. I won't say its easy. This is second time I have been through this in the last few months."

"I know, but it's never easy when it's your child," Roy replies.

At that moment Johnny, Stoker and Marco walk in the lounge. "How is she?" they ask in unison.

Roy looks Johnny in the face, "Dying."

All three of them visibly react. "What?!" Johnny exclaims.

"She has a severe head injury and internal bleeding. She's in surgery right now but the head injury is the main concern right now. Her brain is swelling and they don't feel she will survive the surgery because of it. They won't know her chances until after the surgery. If she survives that is," Roy tells them sternly.

"Roy..." Johnny begins, but Roy interrupts him, "Don't 'Roy' me. This is as much your fault as anyone else's. You knew how I felt about things and yet you went ahead and encouraged her and hired her! Now my baby is dying and all because you...."

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Trey yells. "I won't stand here and listen to you two fight. Kim is in there fighting for her life and all you two are concerned about is yourselves. You had better get over it. It could have been any of us in there. I told you that already. Now let's sit down and cool off and pray that she makes it." And with that he returns to his chair.

Stoker pulls Johnny off to a chair and Marco makes Roy sit down.

The waiting continues as Stoker tries to calm Johnny down and Marco tries to talk some sense to Roy.

"Johnny, you know he didn't mean it. He's upset like we all are right now. It's the same feeling we all get when one of our people go down only worse because it's his child," Stoker reassures him.

"I know, Mike, but I could have let her stay and sent Dwyer and Wilson in..." Johnny replies.

"You have to stop beating yourself up over this. You're the Chief and it's your call on your personnel. Once Roy calms down he will realize this. He's angry right now and just wants to lash out and unfortunately you are his target," Stoker says.

"I know. Thanks for listening," Johnny replies.

Stoker smiles. "Anytime, we've been friends a lot of years."

Meanwhile, Marco is telling Roy, "You can't blame Gage for this. You know this is a part of the job. I know its difficult when its your child. I have the same fears everytime I hear of a fire and worry that Juan may be in the thick of things. You've got a lot of unresolved issues with Kim, but you have to focus on her recovery right now. We are all here for you and that includes Gage too."

Roy sheepishly replies, "You're right Marco. I was angry at myself and took it out on Johnny. I really don't blame him."

"Then you need to tell him that. He will forgive you."

"You sure about that?"

"Yes, I'm sure. You know Gage. He is just waiting to hear it. Come on and let's tell him."

Together they get up, walked across the room to Johnny and Mike. "Johnny?" Roy says.

Johnny looks up, "Yeah?"

"Hey, I'm sorry. I was angry about everything and I took it out on you. It's not your fault. Like Kim said, a part of the job. Can you forgive me?" he asks.

Johnny smiles a sad smile. "Yeah, I can forgive you. I can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing in your place." Johnny stands up to accept Roy's handshake but hugs him instead. The two draw apart, relieved they have mended this break but still saddened by the circumstances.

Trey, who has been watching, "Well, its about time!" They all chuckle just a little.

"Who's minding the station?" Roy asks.

"Mike called Captain Stanley to come take over for the rest of the shift. Dwyer took the squad back for the backup crew. Marco here had shown up with food for all of us and when he heard about Kim he came with us to wait," Johnny replies.

"Marco, Mike, I appreciate all you've done," Roy says.

"Don't mention it."

"Anytime," they reply.

Johnny takes note of Trey off in his corner of the world and walks over. "How you doing?" he asks.

Trey shrugs, "Okay, I guess. I feel pretty rotten about this whole thing."

"Why? Its not your fault," Johnny replies.

"Yes, but I have been so wrapped up in my own misery that I was horrible to Kim and now she may die and I can't tell her how sorry I am."

"Trey, you can't do that. She knew what you were going through. She's been fighting it herself. If you want to make it up to her don't wallow in it. Stay strong....." and at that moment Doctor Brackett walks in.

Scene 14

Doctor Brackett walks in and they all jump up and meet him, the unasked question hanging in the air. Doctor Brackett smiles. "She made it through."

They all wilt with relief and slap one another on the back congratulating one another. "Gentlemen, Gentlemen. Let's not get carried away now. The next few hours are crucial. Sit down."

They all sit down and Doctor Brackett gives them the latest news. "She made it through the surgery. Her spleen was ruptured and we've removed it but there was a tremendous blood loss and it's put an additional strain on her. Her head injury hasn't worsened or improved but she is in a coma. She has been taken directly to SICU and is in the process of getting settled in. She will be there until there is improvement in her condition."

"What are her chances now?" Roy asks.

Doctor Brackett hedges, "Well, it's hard to say. The fact she survived the surgery is a plus but the head injury can go either way. I would say that for right now, the longer she holds on without any worsening in her condition increases her odds. If she holds on until morning we should have a better estimate of her chances then. The next 12-18 hours are very critical."

The guys look at one another, their relief fading as they listen. "Can I see her?" Roy asks.

"Yes, but only for a few minutes. I have to tell you that she's taken one heck of a battering and it shows. She is badly bruised and her face is swollen almost beyond recognition. We've repaired the facial lacerations as well," Doctor Brackett replies.

"I still want to see her."

"Okay, then. I'll come and get you when she's settled."

With that, Doctor Brackett gets up to leave. "Doc, thanks for everything you've done," Roy stammers.

"Don't thank me. Thank your little girl. She's definitely a DeSoto through and through," Doctor Brackett smiles as he leaves.

Roy turns to Johnny, Trey, Mike and Marco. "Well, one hurdle passed. More to go," he sighs.

"Yeah, but we'll be here with you won't we guys?" Johnny replies.

"Yep, we will," they reply in unison and they settle down to wait until they can see Kim.

Scene 15

SICU

Roy, Trey, Johnny, Marco and Mike are waiting anxiously for Doctor Brackett outside the SICU. He had called down to the lounge a few minutes before to say that they could see Kim for a few minutes. Doctor Brackett appears through the door. "I can only let two of you go back there at a time. Who do you want to go with you Roy?"

Roy looks at Johnny. "Will you go with me?"

"Yes."

"Okay then, it's settled," Doctor Brackett replies. "The rest of you wait here and we will be right back." He leads Roy and Johnny through the doors and stops just outside Kim's door. He turns to them both. "I want to warn you again, she's taken a battering and it shows. She really doesn't look like the Kim we all know."

Roy and Johnny nod and then walk through the door. They stop short at the sight before them. A gray, swollen, bruised person with tubes and wires running everywhere. Roy leans against Johnny for support as Johnny tries to keep from gasping aloud his shock.

"Oh, my God!" Roy whispers, "She looks so bad!"

"I know," a shaken Johnny replies.

Doctor Brackett walks up behind them. "Are you two okay? I know this is a shock to you."

They look a long moment at Kim before replying. "Yes, we're okay," Roy replies. "I guess I didn't expect this."

"Me either," Johnny replies.

"You are never prepared enough for it," Doctor Brackett says. They nod their heads in agreement.

Roy, at last, finds his voice, "Can I touch her?"

"Yes, but be gentle with her," Doctor Brackett replies.

Roy walks over to the bed and gently brushes her hair off of her forehead. He stands there with the anguish in his heart apparent. He leans over and whispers "Kimberly, I love you and I'm right here. I won't leave you. You're a fighter. Don't give up now. Johnny, Trey, Marco, and Mike are all here. We are all here for you." With that he leans over and kisses her forehead gently and steps back beside Johnny and Doctor Brackett. "Doctor Brackett, can I stay here with her? I can't leave her. You know I wouldn't get in the way," Roy pleads.

Doctor Brackett frowns, hesitantly replies, "Roy, it's against the rules and you know it. Johnny told me about what's been going on with you and Kim, so I'm going to break the rules this one time and allow you to stay on one condition." Roy looks at him expectantly. "That if Kim's condition should worsen that you'll leave the room."

Roy swallows hard. "If that's what it takes, then I agree."

"Okay, it's settled. I'll let the nurses know," and Doctor Brackett leaves the room.

Roy looks at Johnny. "Can you run over to the house and pack some clothes and things for me?"

"Sure," Johnny replies. "Are you sure you want to stay here?"

"I have to. If something happens and I'm not here..." Roy trails off.

"Okay then, I just wanted to make sure. Let's go out so the others can come in." They leave the room for just a minute.

They walk outside of the room. Trey, Marco and Mike look at them hesitantly. "It's okay if you go in. She looks really bad, it may be a shock when you first see her," Roy tells them. "Doctor Brackett has agreed to let me stay with her so Johnny's going to get some gear for me."

Marco looks at Mike. "If it's okay with you, I think Mike and I will wait until she's out of the SICU."

Roy nods his head. "Trey, you should go see her. I'll go with you," Johnny says.

Trey nods his head and they take off. They walk in and Trey just stops and looks. "She doesn't look good at all."

"I know."

He walks over to her and whispers to her, "Tyler, you better hurry up and get better. Otherwise, I'm going to have to put up with Bryce and you know I can't stand him. Don't give up." He walks out of the room with Johnny following him. They rejoin the others and then split up. Roy, back to Kim's room, Johnny to get Roy's gear and Mike, Marco and Trey to the waiting room to wait out the next hours.

The waiting continues. Roy spending the long hours at Kim's bedside while the others are camped out in the waiting room. All of them taking turns when Roy can be persuaded to leave Kim for a moment to eat or take a short break. Johnny wanders in the room and Roy looks up. "How is she?" he asks.

"About the same, which I guess is good," Roy replies.

"Roy, I'm so sorry this happened. I should have listened to you and kept her out of the building."

Roy reaches over and thumps Johnny on the shoulder. "It's not your fault Junior. It's part of the risk factor of the job."

"Yeah, I guess you're right there," Johnny grins.

"I hate to say this, but this brings back a lot of memories of all the times I spent waiting to see if you were going to be okay," Roy reminisces.

"Yeah," laughs Johnny, "you did spend a lot of time waiting around when I got hurt."

They both chuckle as they go back over the years of their partnership. Johnny stands up to leave. "Well, I had better get back to the other guys. You need anything?"

Roy shakes his head no. "Just your prayers that she makes it through."

"You got it. See ya."

The long hours of the night have finally passed. Kim holding rock steady as the night wore on. Roy is waiting with the rest of the group as Doctors Brackett, Morton, and Maxwell had made him leave the room when they came in to make rounds. The strain of the last hours is finally getting to Roy. He is pacing nervously around the room telling Johnny, "I don't know if I can stand to hear what they'll have to say. She's made it this far and if it's not good news, I don't think I can stand it."

"Roy, it's going to be all right one way or the other. Brackett said if she made it through the night that was a good sign. Let's not jump to conclusions until we hear what he has to say."

At that moment the doctors walk in the waiting room. The group rushes over to them. Doctor Brackett looks at Roy. "We think she's going to make it." The group cheers as Roy wilts and sits down as if the air has been let out of a tire.

"Really?" he asks.

"Yes, she's survived this far and she's showing signs of recovery from the internal injuries and...." Doctor Maxwell breaks in, "it looks as though the swelling is starting to recede just a little which is a good sign. However, we are going to keep her in a drug induced coma for a few more days to give her more healing time. After that, we will slowly bring her out of the coma. But you have to remember there may be permanent effects of this head injury which we won't know until she regains consciousness. Or she may recover fully with no impairment at all."

"So she's not totally out of the woods yet but is making strides towards recovery," inserts Doctor Morton.

"I just don't know what to say," Roy exclaims.

"Don't say anything. I would say a Higher being had a hand in all of this. Not to mention the fact your daughter is pretty tough," Doctor Brackett chuckles. "Now, I think you should all go home and get some sleep. There's still a long wait ahead of us all."

"Hear, hear," Trey replies.

"I agree, but first I'm going to go call the station and let them know." He leaves to do that. Mike and Marco make their farewells and leave with the promise of returning later in the day. Roy thanks them for all of their support. The doctors leave and finally it's just Johnny and Roy.

"Well, I think I'm going to run home and then come back this afternoon and give you a break," Johnny says.

"That's fine. Johnny, thanks for being here for me. I don't know what I would have done without you," Roy replies.

"Hey, don't worry about it. It's nothing. The least I can do since you spent all that time waiting for me," Johnny grins. They both chuckle.

"See you later Pally."

"Okay, Junior," and with that Johnny leaves and Roy goes back to Kim's bedside.

Scene 16

Four Days Later.

Four long days have passed. Roy is diligently keeping his vigil at Kim's bedside. Johnny, Trey, Marco and Mike have been coming by as much as possible to give Roy a break. Even Captain Stanley had come by to visit, much saddened by the circumstances.

Kim had continued to slowly improve even though she was still in a coma. Doctor Maxwell had started to bring her out of the drug induced coma two days before when she had started to breathe on her own again and had been extubated. They had hoped she would have regained consciousness by now, but as Doctor Maxwell had explained; with the severity of the head injury it could be a while yet, but as in any case, the longer she stayed in the coma it lessens her chances of a full recovery.

Roy was pondering all of this as he continued his watch over his daughter. He had finally reached Chris who at this moment was on his way to LA from Montana and would arrive sometime tomorrow.

But his hardest moment had been when he had finally been able to reach Joanne this morning. The ship had finally docked in Hawaii and the cruise line had established the call for him. He wanders back to that conversation.

"Roy, why on earth are you calling?" Joanne had asked.

"Honey, I have made arrangements for you to get a flight out this evening to LA and Johnny will pick you up at LAX...."

"Will you please tell me why?! You are alarming me Roy DeSoto!" Joanne interrupted.

"There is no easy way to tell you. Kim was seriously injured in an explosion the day after you left. She's been in a coma ever since. She has a bad head injury and internal injuries...."

"OH NO, NOT MY BABY! " screams Joanne, crying.

"Honey, Honey, please try to control yourself. I am so sorry I'm not there with you!" Roy tells her.

"How did it happen?"

"Kim is a FF/PM out of 51 now. I didn't know that until just before the accident. She went to check out a building and it exploded. Her partner pulled her out but she was hurt badly. She survived surgery for the internal injuries but she had a bad head injury. But she is improving and breathing on her own now but still in a coma," Roy explains.

"Why didn't you call me before now?" she asks.

"Because I knew you would have no way off of that ship and I didn't want you to be miserable worrying about her and having no way to get home," he tells her.

Joanne sniffs a time or two before replying, "I guess I understand why but you should have called."

"I know, honey, but I didn't want you to be in agony worrying but we can talk about it when you get home. There is a ticket waiting for you at the United gate. The plane leaves at 5:50 pm and gets into LAX about midnight. Johnny will be there waiting for you and will bring you straight here to Rampart. I haven't left here since she was brought in. Chris is on his way home, too," Roy replies.

"Okay, I'll be there soon. Tell her I love her. I love you too," Joanne cries.

"I love you too and I'll tell her. See you later," Roy replies huskily and the connection is broken.

It had almost been too much for him hearing Joanne cry and being unable to comfort her. He can tell he's just about at his endurance limit. He picks up his book and tries to get comfortable in that fold up chair that's been his home for the last few days; however, he reads just a few lines before sleep overtakes him and he nods off. The book slips from his grasp and drops to the floor with a loud bang, causing Kim to jump but no one is around to witness the first spontaneous movement she's made in days.

The suddenness of the book dropping and banging penetrated Kim's consciousness. "What on earth was that? And where am I?" she wondered. Only then becoming aware of the pounding pain in her head, the fiery rawness of her throat, the seam in her abdomen and the general soreness of her whole being. "What's happened? Why do I feel like I'm trapped? I know I'm lying down but where? Why do I feel like I've been through a meat grinder? I've got to open my eyes. Somehow, someway. Okay, Tyler, on the count of 3 you are going to open your eyes. 1, 2, 3 Open!"

She tries mightily but can only squint at the brightness in the room, quickly closing them again. "Oh! That was a bust! Come on, Tyler, just once more you can do it." Hoping the pep talk will give her the energy she needs to try she opens her eyes once more. This time she manages to keep her eyes open and look around the room. "I'm in a hospital room! But why?"

Just then her glance takes in Roy, sound asleep in his chair. "Oh no, whatever happened must have been horrible. Dad's here and I know it must have taken a catastrophe to get him here. I wonder how long he's been here?"

The pain in her body is becoming unbearable. She knows that she has got to get something soon to control it. She raises a hand to her forehead and feels the bandages on her head and face and starts to get really worried. Can she get her voice loud enough to wake Roy or should she try to find the call bell? Summoning every ounce of her being, she tries to talk but it comes out a hoarse whisper "Dad!" So she painfully swallows and tries again. "DAD!" she croaks.

Roy stirs, thinking he must be dreaming that he hears Kim calling him but then he hears her again "DAD!" He sits up and looks and there is Kim awake and looking at him.

"Kimberly! You're awake!" He says as he jumps up to the side of her bed.

"I hurt Dad! Can you help me?"

"Yes, hang on baby," and he runs to the door and yells down the hall, "She's awake! Get Doctor Brackett!"

Sarah comes running in. "She's in a lot of pain. Can you get something for her?" he asks.

"Just as soon as Doctor Brackett comes," she replies.

At that moment all three of the doctors rush in. "Roy, you have to leave so we can check her out," Doctor Brackett orders.

"Okay, I'll leave, but let me tell her I'm leaving."

He walks over to Kim, "Honey, I have to step out so the doctors can take care of you, but I'll be right outside."

"All right Dad," she whispers and then he steps out so the doctors can care for her.

Johnny comes striding down the hall only to see Roy sitting outside Kim's door with his head in his hands. Alarmed, Johnny quickly approaches Roy. "What's wrong?"

Roy looks up at him. "She regained consciousness about an hour ago."

"She did? That's great!" Johnny exclaims.

"I hope it is. They won't let me back in there. I'm afraid something's wrong and they're not telling me," Roy replies.

"Let's not jump to any conclusions until we know what's happening. Doctor Brackett may just be checking her out thoroughly before talking to us. You have to admit she was badly injured and he'll want to be sure before making any diagnosis," Johnny explains.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Roy replies.

Another hour passes and both Johnny and Roy are beginning to get really anxious. By now they are pacing the hall and just as they start down the hall again, Doctor Brackett and Doctor Maxwell step out of the room.

"How is she?" They ask in unison.

"Let's sit down and talk," Doctor Brackett replies. They all sit down and Doctor Brackett begins, "I'm sorry it took so long for us to get back to you, but we wanted to evaluate her thoroughly before talking with you. She's in a lot of pain but we're trying to control the pain with the least amount of medication possible so that she won't slip back into the coma. Her physical status is about what we expected but the head injury has improved substantially and right now there are no apparent physical side effects from the head injury. But neurologically there seems to be some impairment."

"What kind of impairment?" Roy asks.

Doctor Maxwell breaks in, "With the type of concussion injury she sustained, it's not unusual for there to be no memory of how the injury occurred. But in Kim's case, she has no memory of approximately the last few months. She has no memory of why she is in LA and is asking where Brent is? She was quite upset that we couldn't answer her questions."

"Oh, no!" Johnny groans. "She's lost about four months of her life."

"What?" Exclaim both Doctors Brackett and Maxwell.

"Let me explain. Kim was a FF/PM in the Midwest until about 4 months ago. She married her partner, Brent Tyler, about 3 years ago. Brent was killed in an explosion similar to the one she was in. After the funeral, she decided to move back to LA to be closer to her family. I went out for the funeral and offered her the job at 51."

"That's not good that she doesn't remember all of that. Had she been distraught or extremely stressed in the days leading up to the accident?" inquires Doctor Maxwell.

Roy and Johnny look sheepishly at one another. "Yes, she had been," Johnny replies.

"I didn't know Kim was here," interrupts Roy. "I found out she was here at a fire and one thing led to another and we had another argument. One that had topped all of the others. We hadn't talked since she left 5 years ago. Johnny made me see that Kim has to lead her life as she sees fit and I was trying to reconcile with her. He tells me that she was really distraught over Dixie's passing as well. All of this happened that same day."

He pauses and Johnny picks up, "And the day of the accident, I tried to talk her about why she hadn't come to the memorial service for Dixie and she went ballistic. To the point that I placed her on administrative leave after that last shift... but then she got hurt."

The doctors exchange glances after hearing all of this. "It could be a combination of amnesia and stress then. She may have finally reached her breaking point after all of the strain she's been under. The thing is that we have to determine what is actually amnesia and what is being blocked from the stress factor," Doctor Maxwell replies.

"So what do we do?" Roy asks.

"Well, I think we should tread very carefully and not upset her. Take things slowly. It might be best if Johnny goes in first to see her and see what he can do to help her remember. You can go in with him but stay in the background. If she gets upset, we'll sedate her immediately. It will put too much strain on her if she gets upset. Is that okay with you two?" Doctor Maxwell asks.

They look at one another. "Yeah, if that's what we have to do, we'll do it."

"Okay then, let's go talk to her," and they head to her room.

Scene 17

Johnny pauses just before entering Kim's room.

"What's wrong, Johnny?" Roy anxiously inquires.

"Man, I just don't know if I can do this again. It was bad enough that I got there after Brent was killed, but to have to tell her as if it had just happened. The coward in me wishes it were you that were having to do this. Sounds familiar doesn't it?" Johnny ruefully chuckles, remembering all those many years ago when his friend Drew was killed in an accident and he was the one to tell his wife, Pam, that Drew had died.

"No, Junior, you're just human. I can tell her, but she won't believe me. She doesn't even realize why she's here. But I'll tell her if you want me to?" Roy replies. Johnny contemplates this proposal a moment but realizes he has to do this because he's the only one Kim's had any contact with for so long before now.

"No, I'll do it. Just having a momentary lapse," he replies.

Roy grins. "Just natural reactions Junior. We'll be right here to help if you need us," he says as they walk into her room.

Johnny, Roy, and Doctor Brackett step inside her room and Johnny steps up to Kim's bedside. Sarah is busily checking the various pieces of equipment and as he steps up, she turns to look at him, the concern apparent. She pats him on the shoulder as she speaks. "Kim, there's someone here to see you." She steps back.

Kim opens her eyes and sees Johnny there softly smiling. "Well, look who's awake."

Kim wanly smiles. "Yeah, I am"

"How do you feel?"

"Like I've been pulled through a meat grinder," she grimaces.

"Understandable, given all that you've been through," he replies.

Kim suddenly frowns. "Johnny, where's Brent? And what I am doing here in LA? Did you have me brought here?"

Johnny swallows, asks "What do you remember about all of this?"

"I don't remember anything except Cap and Clark bringing Brent out and then I have this vague memory of looking up at the underside of someone's chin in an ambulance, but it's more like a dream than anything. I wasn't in the building when it exploded so how could I have been hurt?"

Johnny pulls the bedrail down and sits on the bed taking Kim's hand in his. "Kim, what I have to tell you is very difficult and I want you to listen carefully to what I have to say."

"I can handle it, but first, is my Dad still here? I want him," she interrupts.

Roy and Doctor Brackett look at one another as Johnny tries to think of something to stall with. Doctor Brackett nods his permission and Roy steps up. "I'm right here. I haven't left you."

"Dad, what is going on here? Why are you here?" she asks.

He reaches over and smoothes her hair back from her face, "Let Johnny tell you what's going on." He walks to the other side of the bed and takes her other hand, holding on tightly, knowing his daughter's world is about to fall apart a second time.

"Kim, what you remember about Brent being in that explosion happened about 4 months ago is true. You weren't in that building. You were outside taking care of a burn victim." He swallows hard. "And Brent was killed in that explosion."

Kim looks at him first and then Roy. "No, you're lying to me! Where is Brent?! Dad, why is Johnny lying to me?"

Roy replies, "No, honey, unfortunately Johnny is not lying to you. Brent was killed in that explosion and after the funeral you decided to move back here and you've been working out of 51 for Johnny for the last few months."

Kim, with the tears running down her face, "then how did I get hurt?"

"You, your partner Trey, and Dwyer were making a sweep and there was an explosion and you were badly injured. You've been in a coma for five days and we weren't sure you would survive there for a little while," Johnny softly replies.

Kim looks at them with the disbelief and hurt in her soul screaming at her. It's just too much. "No, Brent's not dead. Someone help me out of this bed. I have to find him!" She tries to get up.

Roy and Johnny both try to keep her still as Doctor Brackett hurriedly fills a syringe with a tranquilizer. "Kim, you have to stay still! You can't get up! You've had some major surgery and you haven't mended yet!"

"Let me go! You're both lying to me! "

Doctor Brackett quickly injects the tranquilizer and she stops struggling against them as it takes effect. "I think you can let go of her now," Doctor Brackett states as the tranquilizer has taken effect and Kim is now unconscious.

They let go of her and gently lay her down, both of them shaking and white over the turn of events. "Well, what now?" Roy asks as Johnny sits down in a chair with his head in his hands.

"I don't know," Doctor Brackett replies. "It's obvious that she has some major memory loss and the emotional trauma associated with it is not going to help." He looks over at Johnny. "Are you all right Johnny?"

"Yeah, I will be. I can't stand seeing her like this," he replies. Roy walks over to him and thumps him on the back.

"I know."

"Well, for right now let her rest and when she wakes up, we'll have to take it very slowly for a while," states Doctor Brackett "I wish I could do something more to help because we're all hurting over this."

"You got that right Doc," Johnny replies.

"Well, I have to go make rounds, so I'll see you two later."

Doctor Brackett leaves and Johnny stands up to leave too. "I'm going to head out to 51 for a while and then I'll go pick Joanne up if that's okay with you."

"That's fine. I'm sorry you had to do that," Roy replies.

"It's okay, but it's like I told you earlier, I love her as if she were my child and it hurts terribly to see her going through all of this."

"Yeah," Roy whispers.

"See you later," Johnny says solemnly on his way out, leaving Roy alone again with his sad vigil.

Johnny finally runs Trey down in the dorm. "Are you hiding from Bryce?'" he asks.

Trey looks up from the boots he's polishing and groans, "Yes, he's driving me crazy. I couldn't stand to watch him polish the drug box any longer."

Johnny laughs as he sits down on the end of the bench. "I know the feeling well. His old man used to drive all of us crazy too."

Trey just shakes his head as he continues to polish the boots "How's Kim? I didn't go by earlier," he asks.

Johnny drops his glance before replying. "She came out of the coma earlier today."

"She did? How is she?" Trey asks.

"Not good. Physically she's about what they expected, but neurologically, she's a mess," Johnny explains.

"And what do you mean by 'a mess,' Cap?" Trey inquires.

"Well, she has no memory of about the last 4 months. She doesn't know why she's here or what happened to her husband. Roy and I told her though and they had to sedate her because she got so upset."

Trey gets up and opens his locker, his back to Johnny. "That's bad" he replies and then he punches his locker door.

Johnny rises, walks over to him. "It's not your fault this happened. You can't punish yourself. We've been through this before. Kim's accident, Brendan's death, it's all part of a little thing called 'Fate.' Those of us that are left behind can beat ourselves up over it but its not going to change anything that's happened."

Trey turns and looks Johnny square in the eyes. "But Cap...."

"Don't 'but Cap me,' Trey. You have to let it go. When Kim's memory comes back and she finds out you've blamed yourself for it, she'll have your hide. You want to help her, then don't wallow in this. Move past it. She's going to need our support even more as she struggles to overcome this setback," states Johnny.

Trey swallows and nods his head. "Yeah, you're right Cap. It's just been so hard."

"I know. And I've been so busy trying to be here, at the office and the hospital, you kind of got pushed to the side. I didn't mean for that to happen," Johnny replies.

"It's okay, Cap. You've been pretty busy," smiles Trey. "But what about Kim? Will her memory come back?"

"Doctor Brackett thinks it will. It may be a matter of time and how quickly she recovers." Johnny looks at his watch. "I''ve got to go now, though. I need to run home and change before I head out to the airport to pick up Kim's mom. Come by the hospital tomorrow and see Kim. It may help her to see you. Maybe jog her memory a little." He stands to leave.

"Okay, I will. Thanks for making me see what's important, Cap," Trey replies.

"Anytime. See you later," Johnny replies as he leaves Trey.

Scene 18

Rampart- SICU

Johnny and Joanne come walking up the hall to Kim's room only to find Roy standing outside of it. Roy holds out his arms to Joanne and she runs to him to be comforted by his hug. "How is she? Johnny told me she regained consciousness earlier but she doesn't remember what happened."

"That's true. She's holding her own. They've kept her sedated most of the evening, but she woke up a little while ago and refused any more meds. Doctor Morton is in there now having a discussion with her over this latest argument," chuckles Roy.

Johnny grins. "Oh, really? And who do you think is winning?"

"Right now it's an even toss up I would think," Roy replies.

"I just don't see the humor in this right now, you two," interrupts Joanne.

"It's okay, Joanne. I think after the last few days we're just relieved to see her arguing," Johnny replies.

"Johnny filled me in on the events of the last few days and how you found out about Kim being here. I have to confess that I talked to her the day I left, but I had no idea she was here in LA, and especially a paramedic out of 51. I was supposed to have lunch with her when I got back. I just thought she was coming back to visit or something," Joanne explains.

"Why didn't you tell me she had called?" Roy asks.

"You had already gone to work and I was leaving the house when the phone rang. I didn't have time to call and tell you before I got on the ship."

"But...." begins Roy.

"Don't 'but' me Roy DeSoto. I think we're about even on keeping things from one another. I didn't have time to let you know, but you waited how long to call me and tell me my daughter may be dying?" Interjects Joanne

"I know, I know," Roy replies, "but I couldn't get you off of that ship and I knew you would go nuts with worry. It wasn't the best thing for me to do, but the best I could come up with at the time. Forgive me?"

Joanne sniffs a time or two, contemplating all of this. "I will forgive you, you know I will," she replies.

Roy reaches over and gives her a hug. "I'm so glad to be home. When can I see her?"

"Just as soon as Doctor Morton lets us go in."

"Well I'm glad to see all is forgiven on the home front," states Johnny.

They all laugh a little. "We didn't mean to forget you, Johnny. Matter of fact, I don't think we will be able to repay you for all that you've done for us. You've been there above and beyond for Kim for all of these years and now the last few days. I don't know what I would have done without you myself," Roy replies.

"Hey, it's okay. What are partners for? You would have done the same for me I'm sure," Johnny replies. "Now, let's sit down and wait for Doctor Morton."

A few more minutes pass and Doctor Morton finally comes out of the room shaking his head. They look up at him with worry written into their expressions. "She's okay. Her condition hasn't worsened. I just can't believe someone who's been through what she has can be so stubborn."

They wilt with relief and then laugh. "And just why do you say that?" laughs Roy.

"That daughter of yours can argue with a brick wall. She is absolutely refusing any more sedation and limited amounts of pain medication. Swears she's just fine, etc. I had to remind her of the scene we went through earlier and that her body can't handle any undue stress right now. I finally convinced her that she has to continue with the pain meds for a little longer but that as long as she stays calm, we'll forego the sedation. But I did increase the amounts of her pain meds just a little so that she will be fairly comfortable," Doctor Morton explains.

Johnny, Joanne and Roy all laugh a little. "Sounds like your daughter all right. You're pretty sneaky Doc," laughs Johnny.

Doctor Morton shrugs. "Got to do what you have to. Ordinarily I wouldn't do that but she has to stay fairly calm."

"Can I go see her now?" inquires Joanne.

"Yes, but it's late, so don't stay too long if you can. She's just had her meds and she will be going back to sleep soon," Doctor Morton replies. "I have to get back downstairs. Have me paged if you need me," he says as he departs. The trio heads to see Kim.

Just as he's about to open the door, Roy stops. "Joanne, she's been through a rough time and it shows. She looks a lot better than she did a few days ago but she still doesn't look like our Kimberly."

"I can handle it," Joanne tells him and they step into the room with Johnny following them. Joanne steps up to the bed and sees her sleeping daughter, still black and blue and swollen. She gasps and begins to cry. Roy steps up beside her and holds her. "Roy, she looks so bad," Joanne cries.

"I know, but she really is better. Right Johnny?"

"Yeah, she's much better," Johnny replies.

Kim has been lying there listening to them as they come in, trying to wake up. She wants her Mom so bad and all she can hear is her crying. Pulling deep inside for that last burst of energy and at that moment she manages to whisper, unable to open her eyes. "Don't cry, Mom. I'm really okay. Dad, tell her."

"Oh, honey, I didn't mean to wake you up."

Kim opens her eyes. "It's okay Mom, but don't cry. So tired. Can't keep my eyes open..." and she drifts back to sleep.

"It's all right, Kim, I'll be right here with Dad," whispers Joanne. She turns back to Johnny and Roy and they leave the room. Joanne sits down for a moment as Johnny and Roy discuss the latest turn of events.

"Are you both staying tonight?" Johnny asks.

"It looks like we will be," replies Roy.

"Then I'm going to head on home. Call me if you need me."

"I will, thanks again Johnny for everything you've done," Roy says.

"You're welcome," Johnny replies and goes over and gives Joanne a hug, bids her goodbye and leaves as Roy and Joanne go back to Kim's room to settle down for the night.

Going Home

Johnny gets in the Rover and heads home. Lord, he's tired. The last few days have been torturous to say the least, and today was the last straw; wondering how this is going to work out if Roy and Kim can keep this fragile peace together as she recovers? If Trey is going to hold to his word and not give in to his guilt again? And the most important thing of all, will Kim be able to remember all that she's been through?

It had taken all he had today to tell her Brent was dead and he's not sure he's got the strength to go through it again in the coming days. Maybe he should call Captain Andrews and see if he can get through to Kim what's happened. Or maybe even her in-laws? He knows he's her only link to her past right now but his strength is running out. He's been running on adrenaline for too long now.

He sighs as he drives on, thinking that he's taking tomorrow off and getting away from all of this for a little while.

Scene 19

The Next Day.

For the first time in days, Kim is alone. When she woke up this morning, she had found not only Roy, but Joanne as well. She had been astonished to learn that Roy had been there since the accident happened. But after all the explanations had been made, she had asked that both of them go home and get some rest. She could see the toll it had taken on Roy.

After much discussion, they had both reluctantly agreed even though she reassured them that all she would probably do herself is sleep, given the fact that she is capable of little else right now. Roy and Joanne had made her promise that if she needed them, she was to call. And she had given that promise as they left her.

She was relieved to be alone to think things through finally. "Brent couldn't be dead. It just couldn't be true. But on the other hand, Johnny wouldn't lie to her either. How on earth was she going to find out what really happened? Should she call Captain Andrews or call her in-laws? If she calls her in-laws and it's true, she knows she will add to their grief. And if she calls Cap, he will worry about what's going on with her and he doesn't have time for that. How frustrating not to be able to remember what's happened!" she thinks.

Adding to her frustration was the fact that she is so physically unable to do anything right now and the fact she is dependent upon the pain medication for a little longer. Pondering the situation, she finally decides that as soon as she can stand up she's out of there. "I will have to find out on my own what's really happened here. Let's see now, if I can get Johnny to bring my civilian clothes from the station...." she begins planning only to be interrupted by a knock at the door.

Furious at the interruption, Kim sighs and yells, "Come in!"

The door slowly opens and in walks Trey. "Hey, Tyler, how are you?"

"Who are you?" As she narrows her eyes and looks him over suspiciously, Trey's face falls. Johnny had warned him that this would be her reaction but he had hoped that it wouldn't be.

"I'm Trey Wilson, your partner."

"Well, I don't remember you. I'm sorry if that's not the answer you were looking for," she caustically replies.

Trey's heart sinks. Not only does she not remember him, but she's so abrupt. "I just wanted to come by and see you. This is the first time in days you've been awake and I wanted to let you know if you needed anything, I'm available. So, I guess I'll be heading out then." He turns to leave.

Kim, feeling just the slightest bit guilty for her outburst, "Wait! Thanks for coming by. I really don't remember you," she adds.

Trey smiles, "I know, but you will someday. The offer still stands. You can reach me through the station," and he leaves.

Kim sighs. "More complications," she thinks and returns to her plotting.

Later that same day.

The day had worn on with Kim plotting her next moves, interrupted only by necessary sleep, tests, and questions. Doctor Brackett was standing in the nurses station with her chart, frowning over what he sees there when Roy comes in. "Doctor Brackett, how is she?" he inquires.

"Hey, Roy," Doctor Brackett replies, "she's okay. She's been awake most of the day and we've kept her pretty busy too, running tests, and working with her to see what she does remember."

"And what did you find out?" Roy hesitantly asks, afraid that it may be bad news.

"We've run CT scans, MRI's and repeated routine x-rays and none of them have shown any kind of visible injury or blood clot that could be causing her to have the memory loss. It's not uncommon though for this to be a result of the concussion injury, you know that, and as of right now, the tests confirm that. As well, the injury has caused some type of personality change..."

"Personality change?" interrupts Roy.

"Yes, a personality change. This, too, is not uncommon with the type of injury she's sustained. To put it mildly, she's being a bit on the troublesome side right now...."

"What do you mean by troublesome?"

"Well, she's uncommunicative, withdrawn, sullen. I could go on and on. Totally the opposite of her usual sunny self. How much of that can be attributed to the accident I don't know. It could be because of the emotional state she's in right now too," explains Doctor Brackett.

Roy sighs, shakes his head, "So what are we supposed to do?"

Doctor Brackett shrugs, "Proceed as best you can. Tread carefully. There is no way of knowing how she will react to anything right now, but the only thing in our favor is that she doesn't want to be sedated and she realizes to avoid that, she has to stay calm."

"Oh, so you heard about that?" grins Roy.

Despite his worry, Doctor Brackett chuckles. "Yes, I did, but right now it's in our favor."

"Okay, Doc, I'll do the best I can. See you later," and with that Roy leaves.

Roy knocks on the door and Kim yells, "Come in!" He takes a deep breath and enters, not knowing the reception he may receive. Kim looks at him and smiles. "Hi Dad."

"Hi yourself," he says as he stoops over to kiss her forehead, "how goes it today?"

"Oh, it's okay, I guess. They've kept me busy today with all of their questions and tests and other things," she replies.

"Yeah, I heard. Doctor Bracket stopped me in the hall."

Kim swallows hard and looks at her hands. "What did Doctor Brackett tell you?"

"Just that you had been awake and about the tests, etc. Why?" He asks with the cold hand of fear settling in his chest.

"I just thought he might have told you that I'm being moved to the Rehab Unit tomorrow."

"Why Rehab?"

"Because I have to relearn how to walk and I've improved enough to be out of the SICU now."

"Oh, Kimberly!"

"Now, Dad, don't go ballistic on me. I can't handle it right now!" Kim roars.

"I'm not going to. Its just a shock. Is it paralysis?" he asks, with the dread settling in his throat.

"No, it's not. I have all the right signals and sensation, it's just that my brain is still a little fuzzy with its instructions so we have to help it along. Doctor Maxwell feels like its only temporary and so far the tests show the same thing. It could be worse."

Roy sighs, "You're right."

"Where's Mom?" she asks.

"At home waiting on Chris. He called about an hour ago and said he would be here soon. As soon as he gets here they will be on over."

"You called Chris, too?!" exclaims Kim.

"Yes, I did. At the time you were not expected to live and I couldn't not call him. He's your brother and he needed to know," explains Roy.

Kim frowns, looks away. "I'm sorry, it's just that my whole world as I remember it is gone and I wake up, you are here, Mom's here, Johnny too and it's just a little unnerving."

"Its okay, I understand. I think I would have been a little unnerved too to wake up and find all of us here," smiles Roy.

"Thanks, Dad. I don't know what happened in the days before the accident but I want to tell you how much I appreciate you being here." Kim hesitantly tells him.

Roy reaches over and lifts her chin so he can see her eyes "It's okay. As much as I didn't want this to happen to you, I wouldn't abandon you. You're my baby, remember, even though you may be all grown up."

They both chuckle a little. "I know that we have a lot to talk about but now is not the time. You are still mending and it can wait. Right now let's call a truce and let it go at that for the time being." Roy requests.

Kim thinks a minute before answering, "I think I can handle that. I know that I can't handle anything else," and she bursts into tears.

Roy puts the rail down and gathers her in his arms. "What is it baby?" he asks as he holds her tight.

"I was just thinking about Brent. He wanted us to be together so much and now he's not here to see us together, however fragile it may be."

Roy ponders this before replying. "I think that Brent knows. Remember, he will always be a part of you and I am sure he's watching over you, too."

"I sure hope so," she replies. "Will you hold me for a while, Dad? It feels so good to feel safe for just a little while."

"Sure I will," Roy replies, choking back the tears for all of the suffering Kim's going through. Anything to alleviate it for a few moments.

Kim settled into the crook of Roy's arm as she asked, "Dad, were you there when I got hurt?"

"Yes."

"Did Johnny make you come with me?"

"No, you asked me to stay with you. You were conscious for a little while after the accident and I was able to talk to you for just a few minutes before you passed out. Do you remember any of that?" he asks.

Kim frowns, "No I don't, I wish I could. But...."

"Hey, now is not the time to talk about it. You need your rest and you are upset on top of it. So you rest now, okay, and we will talk later," he tells her.

"Okay, Dad," and she leans against him and rapidly falls asleep. Roy settles in and he, too, drifts off and this is how Chris and Joanne find them.

Chris just stops in his tracks, "Mom, look! Sssh! Don't wake them!"

Joanne just looks, thinking, "What a tragedy this had to happen to get those two back together."

"Mom, she looks terrible."

"I know, son, but according to Dad and Johnny, she's much better," Joanne replies.

Roy awakens as he hears them whispering and gingerly slides out of Kim's grasp, cautioning them to be quiet. When he has successfully gotten out of Kim's grasp, he walks over to them, motions them out of the door, leaving it open slightly so he can keep an eye on her.

"Son, it's good to see you," he says as he grasps Chris's hand and thumps him a time or two on the shoulder.

"Dad, she...."

"I know, but she really is doing okay. She had just drifted off to sleep a little while ago so let's try to be quiet and not wake her," explains Roy. "She's being moved to Rehab tomorrow."

"Why, Rehab, Roy?" asks Joanne.

"Because she has to learn to how walk again."

"Oh no! Is she paralyzed?" cries Joanne.

"No, it's just an after effect of the head injury and the doctors feel it's temporary. But you have to be strong for her right now."

"We will, Dad, right Mom?" interrupts Chris. "It's all we can do."

"Yes, we will. It was just a shock that's all," replies Joanne.

Roy smiles. "That's the spirit. Let's sit down and visit while she rests and when she wakes up we will visit. Now, Chris, tell me about this trip of yours..." and they all sit down to wait out Kim's nap.

The long night passed. Despite how tired he was, Chris had made Roy and Joanne go home; he would stay with her. Besides that, he just couldn't get over the fact that Kim was home, hurt and going through all of this. She had finally awakened during the course of the night and grinned when she saw him. "Little Brother, what are you doing here?"

"You're awake! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. If anyone else asks those questions again, I will have them thrown out!" she laughs.

"Okay, okay. I have to go through the routine you know. I just got here," he tells her.

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing."

"It doesn't look like nothing to me. You look like you've been beaten. The whole family has been camped out here for days looks like."

Kim frowns. "I know, it's a little hard to swallow. I go from one extreme to the other."

"Yeah, I heard," Chris solemnly replies. "I'm sorry about Brent."

"Thanks, it's just kind of hard to grasp right now and then waking up to find myself here in LA and Mom and Dad and Johnny hovering. Not to mention everyone else. I keep waiting for Dad to explode and ...."

"I don't think he will," interrupts Chris. "He's had a big shock just like the rest of us and from what I've been told, Johnny's been laying a pretty heavy trip on him about getting his act together. I know that you've been through a lot but its time that you get your act together too. You and Dad are so much alike, stubborn, determined to get your own way. Now, you've been through a lot losing Brent and all, but I don't think if you hadn't wanted to be a family again you wouldn't have let Johnny talk you into coming home, right?" Kim nods yes. "So you need to keep your end of the bargain and make a new relationship with Dad. He hasn't left your side hardly since this happened. So you will right?"

"I'll try, but right now I don't know if I have the strength to deal with it. I can't remember anything and its so frustrating! Everything is in such upheaval."

"I know, but I am telling you that Dad is the only one that can help you now. Its been great Johnny's been there for you all of these years and this family can't ever repay the debt that is owed to him for that, but Johnny's done all he can do. It's up to you and Dad to finish it and finish it right. If you don't do it now this family will never be together again."

Kim, crying, "I know, but it's so hard."

"I agree but we're all here for you. Now, I know this probably wasn't the right time to talk to you about all of this but I wasn't sure that I would have the privacy to talk to you about it so let's dry those tears and talk about happier times." He reaches over with a tissue and wipes her tears.

She laughs through her tears. "Okay, but I think I'll skip the rest, so tired, just want to sleep."

"All right, then, you sleep and if you need me I'm right here," Chris had told her and she went back to sleep. He sighs, looks over at his still sleeping sister, and hopes that this all works out and their family can be one again.

Scene 20

Several days have passed. The strain has just about gotten the best of her. The hospital staff had complained about her attitude so much that Doctor Brackett had become extremely disgruntled. He had taken her to task one morning after a particularly disagreeable physical therapy session.

"Just what the heck do you think you're doing? Being disagreeable and mean to the staff isn't going to help you recover any faster. If anything, it's going to slow you down. What do you have to say for yourself?" he yelled.

Kim frowned. "I don't have anything to say. I just want out of here! I'm tired of being told how to walk, how to this, how to that. All I want is my life back. And on top of it all, I have this psychologist in here telling me to talk about my innermost feelings. I don't have any innermost feelings right now except to get my life back in shape!"

"I understand, but if you would spend one iota of that energy into getting better you would already be out of that door and getting back to your life. As it is, I have to find someone who is willing to supervise your therapy. You've been such a brat that everyone has thrown in the towel," Doctor Brackett fumes.

At that moment a voice speaks from the door. "I will"

Doctor Brackett and Kim look toward the door to see Trey, in uniform, standing there. "What?" they both exclaim.

"I will. I can come on my days off and maybe we can make some other arrangement for the days when I'm working."

"Why would you want to do that?" sneers Kim. "I hardly know who you are."

"Because, you are my partner and it's the least I can do."

"Don't be doing it out of some guilt trip to make yourself feel good. I don't want your pity," snaps Kim.

"I'm not doing this out of pity. You seem to have the corner market on pity. The Kim I knew wouldn't waste a moment on pity. She would be out and on top of things. You would do good to forget about wallowing in it," Trey snaps back.

"Hey, that's enough, you two!" yells Doctor Brackett. "I won't stand for it. This is a hospital, not a school yard and the focus needs to be on getting Kim back on the road to recovery."

Kim and Trey both sheepishly look at one another. "How bout it? Can you stand me being your therapist? Look at it this way, when you get ready to come back to work, we won't have to break one another in again."

"Why, you insufferable...." fumes Kim.

"I take that as a yes," smiles Trey. He turns to Doctor Brackett. "When do you want me here? I'm off tomorrow and the next day."

Doctor Brackett grins, "Kim, as Trey is the only one willing to work with you at the moment, he's it. Be here about 9 tomorrow morning."

"Okay, you won't regret this. Got to run. See you tomorrow," and he leaves.

Kim looks at Doctor Brackett and starts to say something. "Don't!" he roars, "If you don't like the arrangements, that's too bad. You have gotten yourself into this mess by acting the way you have. I have to go too. Try to be nicer to the staff from now on." he walks out the door leaving Kim fuming over the predicament she's in.

Kim is resting, or more accurately, still fuming when Johnny comes in. It's the first time since Joanne had gotten home that she had seen him. "May I come in?" he asks as he knocks on the door.

"Yes," she replies. "Where have you been?"

"I took a little time off."

"I can understand that. From what I've been able to gather, it's been a pretty rough few days."

"Yeah, it has been," he softly replies. "What's this I hear about you being a brat?"

Kim frowns, "Not you too!"

"Yes, me too. You know better than to act this way. I know you've been through a lot but that doesn't give you any reason to be as unreasonable you've been. Have you given any thought to how things will be once you've recovered and gone back to work? You will be working with a lot of these people and do you think that it'll be easy given how you've acted? I've heard about Trey helping with your physical therapy because no one else will. You can consider this an order from your Chief. Shape up!"

Kim, turning all shades of red during Johnny's lecture, looks away from him. "You're right. I'll try to do better. I guess I've been wallowing pretty deep in self pity haven't I?"

"Yeah, you have been and I'm not saying you haven't been entitled but enough is enough. Okay?"

"Okay," Kim sheepishly replies.

"Now, I hear you've had lots of visitors."

"Yeah. Mom, Dad, Chris, the whole crew, Trey, Chief Stoker, Marco Lopez and even Captain Stanley. Everyone but you," she says as she looks at him.

"I know, but I had to fall back, regroup. And another thing, you needed your dad. I can' t take his place forever, and he's here now. It would have crossed the boundaries of our friendship for me to have done that."

"I know," she softly whispers. "I have to say this before we go any further. I'm sorry I was so rotten to you the other night. I know that you were in a very difficult position telling me about Brent. Dad said you were devastated and I am sorry for what I said. I think that's been eating at me a lot. You've been there for me through thick and thin and I can't ever repay you for that." She reaches over to give him a hug.

Johnny hugs her back hard and throatily replies, "I know it wasn't easy for you to say that, but I appreciate it. You know, I would do anything I could for you but it's time now for your dad to be there for you. Don't get me wrong, I'll always be there if you need me, but it's time you mended things with your dad."

"Yeah, I know, that's what Chris said before he left to go home. It's all I've heard since I've regained consciousness."

Johnny smiles, "Then you know it's time then, but enough now. Tell me what else has been happening while I've been gone." They settle down for a visit...

TO BE CONTINUED

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