The Number One Rule

These good fellows don't belong to me but I promise when I'm done to pick um up, dust um off and with a kiss on the cheek return them safely home.

"Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without water, about eight minutes without air, but only for one second without hope."

Chapter 12

Everyone drove their own vehicle and met in the ER parking lot. Nothing was really said between them as they waited on each other before heading inside and up to the ICU. It was an unspoken bond they held to support each other through thick and thin.

Hank approached the desk, "We were called because of KC McConnikee."

"Yes, her father is expecting you. Dr. Brackett said that everyone could come in together for this one time," she said curtly, obviously not happy that they could have such special privileges.

Hank nodded and told her thank you, choosing to ignore the rude attitude she displayed thinking she must be new around there.

He went back into the waiting room to get everyone else, "We can all go in." They seemed to be held down with some type of sticky substance as they all moved slowly out of their chairs to stand. Most eyes were held to the ground, all holding back the tears.

They filed into the small room once again that held them not very long before. Johnny and Roy tried to read the monitors to find out how she was doing but their attention was drawn to the Chief. His eyes were red, obviously from shedding many tears after they left.

He motioned to them, "Come closer, she needs to know that you are here."

The men reluctently moved closer to the bed, gathering around her delicate form. The only sound in the room was the methodical cycling of the ventilator. Most were afraid to even look at her, focusing on the equipment, the curtains, the sheets. Anything but to see her broken body, face to face again. Each man trying to face the silent goodbye in his own heart.

"Tiana honey, 51 is here to see you again. I told you they would be back, they wouldn't forget about you," her father spoke with an anticipation that caught their attention.

Their breath quickened as they began to understand the tears of her father. She opened her eyes. They all stood motionless as if their very heartbeats would break the spell that seemed cast in the room.

Roy was closest to her and bent down close to her, "KC? Can you hear me?"

With a subtle nod she shook her head at Roy. That was the confirmation that they weren't imagining things and everyone let out a huge sigh. Their minds suddenly full of questions.

Johnny probably looked the most stunned. He had made her promise to hang in there and not give up but that's what he had done. So many things had gone wrong; so many bad things had happened he had lost hope in himself and in his job. He moved closer to her, feeling a need to touch her, to know that she was really still there. He gave her a crooked Gage smile, "bout time you decided to wake back up young lady."

She squeezed his hand and sent sparks of energy through him that had been gone for days now. Looking back to Hank with a big grin, "Cap, she's awake."

Hank wanted to toss him an 'I see that you twit' but knew that John's excitement was well deserved, even if it did lead to some babbling. Hank moved forward, "We're all her with you KC, okay? Keep fighting," Hank added, almost choking on his words.

Her eyes scanned the room, locking on each of the men who had worked so hard to save her life. She wanted to tell them it was going to be okay but for now the looks on their faces spoke their understanding. Now worn out, she gave them a little smile around the tube in her mouth and a wink before going back to sleep.

Hank turned to the Chief, "When?"

"Hank, it was right after all of you left. Her vital signs stabilized. She started to breathe on her own. Then first thing this morning she woke up. She has Dr. Brackett flabbergasted. He can't believe she even made it through the night."

Hank took the Chief's shoulder, "I'm so happy for you. I knew she had it in her. She's been feisty since she was running around the fire station in pigtails."

As they moved to the waiting room Chet shook his head, "Doc was sure she wouldn't make it. I saw it in his eyes last night. How?"

"Ah amigo, the power of family, love and prayer can work miracles. Haven't you figured that out yet in this line of business?" Marco said, taking him by the shoulder as they walked.

"The doctors did a miracle Cap," Mike said, his eyes glassed over from the shock.

"No son, you men were the miracle." Mike heard the Chief behind him before he turned to return to his daughter.

Once again Hank gathered up his men and they walked down the hall. He watched them, following behind, as they headed for the elevator. There was a renewed bounce in their steps, slapping of shoulders, and revived life in their voices. Then he realized that KC may think that they had saved her but Hank knew that in this past night, she had saved them.

EPILOGUE:

"Chet, I swear! If you don't quit messing up my uniforms I'm gonna kill ya," Johnny said as he shook the water out of his hair, from the water bomb, making sure he got Chet with the rainfall.

"Johnny boy, you're just sore cause your such an easy pigeon is all," Chet jabbed back at him.

Johnny just grumbled under his breath as Hank came past him with a box in his hands.

"Chet, you have a present that was left for you at the door," he said as he laid it down on the table in front of Chet.

Johnny stopped, "Chet got a present?" The amazement in his voice was not disguised.

"Yep, says here 'Special Delivery- Chester B'," Marco said as he read the name tag on the box.

Johnny chuckled under his breath…Chester B.

"I heard that Johnny," Chet said as he reached out and slid the box closer to him. Untying the bow he slid it off the lid. Chet was grinning from ear to ear that he had a secret admirer. Of course the other guys were jealous.

As soon as he took off the top of the box he was promptly doused in the face with a giant wad of grape jam. As he wiped off the sticky, oozing stuff from his eyes Mike reached into the box and picked up a note.

My Dear Chet,

Thanks for getting me out of that jam a few weeks ago. Thought I would repay the service.

Lovingly, KC

Everyone died laughing at the shock on Chet's face but it was Johnny who saw her in the doorway first.

"KC!!" He went running over to her and gave her a hug so big he picked her up off the ground. That was promptly followed by hugs all around.

Now, they had all kept tabs on her progress as she recovered but no one had really seen her for the last few weeks. Once she left the hospital she had gone to stay with her aunt who nursed her through her final days of rehabilitation with her dad at her side.

They couldn't stop staring at her. She looked awesome, fit and trim, healthy and glowing with a radiance that outshined them all. It was hard to believe it was the same girl.

"KC, are you doing ok? Everything healed up?" Roy asked with an edge of concern.

"Sure am Roy. Had my final check up with Dr. Brackett today and he says I'm fit as a fiddle," she just beamed with happiness.

She nudged Chet, "No hard feelings?"

He laughed, "Of course not, but the Phantom never forgets you know." He winked at her.

Laughing back, "Careful there. Make sure the Phantom knows he's dealing with a fire station queen here."

"That's true Chet, you upset the queen and you bring down the wrath of the district King," Marco reminded him.

"Well, I was just coming by to check on you guys and to let you know I was back in town. I'm sure I will see you around more often," she said with a wink and a smile.

"Just so long as it's us calling for you and not you calling for us," Roy added.

"Definitely!" She laughed.

She headed out the door into the bay and like Santa disappearing into the night she exclaimed, "Oh and see you tonight for our hot date babe!"

Everyone got quiet. Then looked at Johnny who just shrugged his shoulders.

"Johnny please don't tell me you're dating her," Roy said with dread in his heart. Johnny and dating was not a very consistent thing and last thing he needed was the Chief thinking his little KC was not happy because of Johnny.

Johnny's eyes got wide, "Whoa there partner, now I like her and all but I'm not dumb enough to date the Chief's little girl."

Their eyes scanned the room, looking for the guilty face when they all seemed to rest on Mike. But it wasn't a face of guilt but one of pure smiles.

THE END