The Los Angeles Train Crash

[andrea]

Chapter 15

Thanks Rav for the reviews.

******

​

Jen was okay that her and Patrick left from where the rest of the group was at, they both walked into the tunnel again.

“Should we be looking for Chester or anyone else?” Jen asked making Patrick stop as she stopped too.

“We’re looking for a way out. If we find anyone along the way that would be even better”

“Ok, do you mind if we just stop for a minute and rest, please?”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah” he said

“Thank you” she kneeled down on the ground and Patrick pulled out a water bottle that he grab before they took off, handing it to Jen.

“Here” she grabbed it. He then took other one out of his jacket for himself and he sat down, “You know, I left the train because I thought -- thought you wouldn’t want to watch that baby be born”

“Yeah, I don’t think I would have wanted to. I just hopped that they make it through ok” she said and then took a drink of water.

“Robin, she seems like she knows what she’s doing”

“Yeah, she’s very cool in a crisis. Very clam”

“So are you” he said

“Oh, come on”

“Ok, all right. Maybe not clam, but your very cool in a crisis” he said and they sat in silent for a little bit. Then Patrick reached into his pocket and pulled out the St. Christopher necklace, “You know, I gave one of these to Sam, my sister, a long time ago. It was just like this one”

“What did you give it to her for, if you don’t mind me asking?” Jen asked

“No, she was leaving to go to California to come and live with Chester”

“Wait, your sister is Samantha Bennington, Chester’s ex-wife”

“Yep, actually there getting married again” he said “But, the wedding has been on hold because of her mental illness. I don’t think that I should be thinking what I’m thinking about this necklace”

“What? That it’s Sam’s and she’s trapped down here with us and we don’t know”

“Yes, but she’s not and she safe back at Rose Lawn”

******

​

Sam came up to the cliff that Patrick, Jen and Robin had walked across and stopped when she looked down. She then reached up to her neck for her necklace and felt nothing. Looking down slightly, she moved her hand to the side and to the back of her neck to see if the chain was hanging down here instead of in front. The chain wasn’t there and she looked to seeing if she wanted to go back to look for it but she wasn’t going to take the chance of being found, “Oh man” she said to herself, knowing that if her brother found out that she lost it he would be mad at her. Not knowing what she should do, she leaned down to think.

******

​

Rob came back to Talinda and saw that she was kneeling down on the floor. She held the arm that had the blood on it close to her.

“I think I found a path. It takes us down to the train tracks. You, ok or --” he said

“I’m fine, let’s go” she said about to get up but he stopped her.

“Ok, wait, we could wait a few minutes”

“You know, it’s our last great adventure together. Let’s make the most of it”

“We’re going to be okay”

“Are we?”

Rob shook his head, “Come on” he said and helped Talinda, who made a painful face. Once they were up they walked together with there one arm around each other. Talinda was breathing heavily and slowed down her breathing so it wasn’t noticeable. They were walking not really paying attention when somebody ran into them. Talinda cried out since her left hand dug into the bruise. Rob looked at who it was and saw that it was Chester.

“Chester? What -- what are you doing here?”

******

​

On the antique train, Anna was leaned up against a chair as Mike knocked a couch to the ground, making more room and went back to Anna as Robin was on the floor getting a cloth blanket spread out and put the stuff that she had on the blanket as Monica came back in the room with more supplies.

“Were in luck I found a fishing kit and also a min sewing kit” she said setting in on the blanket along with a bottle of vodka, as Robin pulled out a rubber band out of her pocket and put her hair in a pony tail.

“Well, that doesn’t sound reassuring” Anna said.

“I think that the fishing line will be better for the sutures” Robin said to Monica.

“If you say so” Anna said

“Ok, Anna, if you’re not sure about this you needed to say something right now” Mike said.

“There’s no choice here, is there? Just get it over with”

“Get me a tray for the instruments and towels if you can find any” Robin told Monica.

“What about the anesthetic?” Mike asked and Monica grabbed the vodka bottle and brought it over to him.

“A bunch of these survived the crash. Here” he took hold of the bottle.

“That can’t be good for the baby” Anna said.

Robin walked over and kneeled next to Monica, “Anna, none of this is good for the baby, but were trapped, and I don’t think anyone will be coming to rescue us, so we don’t have that may options” she said as Anna grab the beck of the bottle that Mike was holding and started to unscrew the cap.

“In that case, bottoms up” she took the whole bottle from Mike and started to drink some.

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 15

“What did you say to get Karen a ride to the hospital?” Phoenix asked Brad as they both walked down the tunnel.

“That we give the reporter an interview if Karen got a ride to the hospital”

“You did what! Why you do that Brad, you don’t know if Joe’s going to make it”

“You really think I’m going to do. I lied to the reporter. There not really get an interview from us” he said as he looked around the tunnel.

“Looks like this is cave in, as well” Phoenix said as they moved into an other area to take a different tunnel

“The whole mountain crumbing from the inside” he moved to the side to go into the next tunnel as Phoenix stopped.

“Make you wonder why the railroad didn’t update the tunnel years ago”

“Yeah, well…” Brad started to say when he saw Linsey on the ground, “Linsey. Linsey!” he rushed up to her.

“What? She’s here?” Phoenix asked coming into the area seeing his wife on the floor which made him freeze. Brad got down on the grounded and checked her pulse and felt one.

“Linsey?” he called out to her.

******

​

Karen had arrived to the hospital and had changed into a used nurse’s outfit that was given to her by Joe’s nurses, Amber. She cleaned herself up as best as she could, really only getting her face, neck, arms, and hand. Before getting cleaned up, Amber told her that he was almost done with his surgery. She now got on to Joe’s floor and walked to his room after being told that he was coming out of surgery. When she reached his room she looked into the windows and didn’t see him in there, “Oh good, where is he?” she said to herself and turned around to her right and saw him being wheeled, “Hey, Joe. Oh baby – so how is he?” she asked the people who were wheeling him when she went to his side.

“He had some complication during surgery. We need to monitor him for awhile” the doctor said to her as she moved out of the way so they could wheel him through the door. Once they got Joe wheeled through the door and up to the wall Karen came in and went back to his side, grabbing his hand, “Hey, baby. I’m here” she said and he pulled of his oxygen mask, “I’m not going to leave you, ok?”

“Some trip, huh?” he asked her.

******

​

Back at the Glencoe Tunnel, Anna handed the bottle back to Mike, who then put the cap back on. Monica came up to him handing him a cloth blanket and took the bottle from him as he grabbed the towel, “Thanks, Monica. It’s all right. It’s all right”. Monica went back over to Robin who was getting the rest of the stuff spread out as Mike opened the cloth blanket all the way.

“Looks like you could use a drink of that” Anna said to him as she pointed to the vodka bottle that was over with Robin and Monica.

“Well, I think you need it more” he said putting the blanket on her legs.

“Hmm, that’s true” she slid down so that her head rested on the chair and Mike put his hand on her stomach, “That way if you sober there be no embarrassing declaration of what you done”

“Your not going to let me live that down, that time I made a fool out of myself during that interview, are you?”

“No, no. It doesn’t matter” she said moving up a little.

“No, it mater, Anna, it does matter”

“I’m going to die. It doesn’t mater what you so when your drunk, you could so what ever you want”

“You’re not going to die”

“Everyone going to die sooner or later, Mike, I’m just going to die sooner”

“Anna listen, you’ve survived being married to me and me being a work-alcoholic. I think a c-section, in the middle of a cave is – is pales to comparison” he said as she leaned her head back down on the chair.

“You should really be more fatalistic. It cuts the little disappointments out of life” she said turning her head a little to the left, starting to feel her eyes getting heavy.

“Look at me, your not going to die”

“Promise me you’ll take care of our daughter” she looked back at him.

“Of course I will. I love her and I love you”

“I know I’m dreaming” she said closing her eyes and turned her head to the left again.

“Tie off as many bleeders as you can. Keep the blood out of my way. We’ll work as quickly as possible” Robin said to Monica as they bother were putting gloves on.

“Ok”

“The risk is obvious, but we can get Anna and her baby out of her alive”

******

​

Sam slowly walked onto the commuter train holding the gun that she still had with her out in cased Hector popped out since she didn’t see him on the floor like she left him. She continued walking and saw another gun on the floor, but she stopped when she heard voices.

“Hey, all right. Look out. Be careful” the voice said and she turned around going behind some chairs and suite cases.

The voice belonged to Rob as he, Talinda, and Chester came on the car. Neither one of them knew that Sam was hiding, “This car looks like it blew up” Talinda said.

“It must of happen in the collision” Chester said as they walked further into the car.

Talinda coughed, “I just hope everyone got out alive”

“The rescue team must have been here” Rob said.

Looking down at the floor Talinda saw the gun, “Rob, Chester look” she said as she picking it up, letting out a grunt from her side hurting her.

“A gun? Who dropped that? Had to be a cop” Chester said, knowing from his own father being of an officer himself that it had to be some kind of an official gun.

“No, it’s not standard police issues, who’d bring this kind of gun on a train?” Talinda said holding it out.

 

[Ravynlee]

Excellent - as always! I'm like - omg! The baby! Anna! Sam! Talinda! Joe! Well, Joe seems to be coming out of the woods okay now, that's a relief. But Anna's soooo close - will she live or die? It's sweet she and Mike are seemingly working their issues out. But hopefully Talinda gets some help soon or...? *gasp* The gun! *waiting for someone to jump out like a spooky part of a movie* Hehe. Great. Cliffhanger moments. What's about to happen next??? Can't wait to see. Wow.

-Rav

 

[Fainting_LP_Fan890]

Very nice. I just read the whole thing, and I must say I'm impressed with where this is going. I love the plot, it keeps me on edge. I do suggest that you maybe spell check, because I do find a few typos here and there. Other then that, I think it's really good, and I'm waiting for more.

-Lyssa < 33

 

[andrea]

Chapter 16

Sorry about the wait, I've been busy with homework, taking midterms and going to work. But luckly I have next week off from school for spring break so I'll be writing more. I hope you guys enjoy this update.

******

​

Phoenix got down on the ground, coming closer to Linsey putting his hand on her cheek. Brad moved back a little to give Phoenix some room.

“Linsey?” Phoenix called out.

A low moan came out for Linsey as she slowly woke up.

“Are you all right?” Brad said.

“You ok?” Phoenix asked her too.

“Phoenix? Oh --” she said and grabbed her forehead, winching as it started hurting.

“I’m right here” he said.

“Ow” she let out as she slowly got up. Phoenix had his hand on the back of her head in case she really didn’t have a lot of strength and fell back down.

“You ok?” Brad asked her again.

“Yeah--” she said sitting up, still holding her forehead as Phoenix moved his hand a little.

“Sit up” he said.

“Yeah, I think so” she sat up all the way.

“What -- what are you doing here? Your suppose to be back with the other”

“Yeah, Anna -- she’s in labor. They have to perform a c-section. There running out of time. I need to get help” she said moving her hand from her forehead.

“You said that you would stay put until I came back with the rescue crew”

“I know, but I wanted to find my own way out”

“Yeah, but, **** it, you need to be a little more careful of yourself”

“I am all right”

“So what happen?” Brad asked trying to stop them from getting into an argument.

“I don’t know, I just must have tripped and hit my head”

“That’s because these tunnels are death traps. Nobody should be wondering them alone” Phoenix said standing up.

“Yeah, well, you did” Linsey said.

“Especially you” Phoenix said, this was the first time he ever had gotten really mad at her.

“All right, listen…that’s enough. We get that your concerned about Linsey, Phoenix and I know that this is a hard situation that were in, but will you relax and let her do what she believes is right?” Brad said.

******

​

Patrick and Jen came to the cliff and were slowly walked across the cliff when Patrick stopped as he felt little light head.

“Hey, are you ok?” Jen asked him when she saw that she stopped walking.

“Yeah, I’m -- I’m fine” Patrick said and Jen took a quick gland to her left.

“We’re going to end up back at the commuter train” Jen said looking back at him.

“Well, maybe the rescue worker have reached it by now”

“Right, I think we should just keep on moving” Jen took a step.

“Just be careful this whole place is unstable”

“All right, but we got to keep going” Jen said continuing walking but stopped when she heard some rumbling, “Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold on a second”

The rumbling stopped, “It’s okay” Patrick said. Suddenly he felt this major headache come on and it made him step back a little unstable. As he was about to grab his forehead he stumble foreword, falling off the cliff landing on the ground below unconsciousness.

“Patrick -- Patrick!” Jen shouted out kneeling down close to the ledge, “Patrick! Patrick, please, come on, answer me, please?” Jen said trying to find away to grab on to the ledge so she could get down, “ All right hold on” she got over the ledge holding on to the corner, stepping down on a piece of the ledge that was sticking out as Patrick continued to lay unconscious.

******

​

At the triage area, the volunteer helper that asked for the maps, had got them and had been going over them for sometime. When the police commissioner came running by he stopped, “I appreciate you trying to help, but were trying to keep this area clear. And your wasting your time” he said and ran back to were he was going.

The volunteer stood up and crouched back down when he saw something on the map, “Why didn’t I see this earlier? There is away of helping these people”

******

​

Back at Community and Missions hospital, Karen was sitting slightly on Joe’s bed holding his hand, “Phoenix and Brad got us out of the tunnel and then Brad got me here on T.V. news helicopter. I just knew I had to be here with you when you woke up, because all that matters…is being with you” she said and Joe closed his eyes, she kept watching Joe when suddenly his monitor started to make an alarming sound.

******

​

Meanwhile back at the tunnel, rocks were falling down where Brad, Phoenix, and Linsey were at. When it stopped, Phoenix grabbed Linsey’s arm helping her up, “Let’s get out of here” he said.

“Wait! What about Brad?” Linsey said not seeing him.

“Come on. Come on”

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know Linsey” he said as they walk into another area.

Linsey then saw Brad, “Oh my, ***” she said when she saw that there were rocks around him and a beam was across him, “Oh my, ***. We have to get him out of here” she said going to lift the beam.

“Linsey, Linsey --” Phoenix said going over to her.

“Just go. Just go” Brad said since there might be another cave in.

“Let me do it” Phoenix said not wanting her to lift up the beam.

“Just go. There’s no time. Just get out, now!” Brad said.

“No! Were going to get you out of here, I can’t leave you here” Linsey said

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 16

“Anna? Hey, Mrs. Shinoda” Mike paused thinking of something to say “I’ve heard you sing a couple times before when you thought I wasn’t around. I think you got a better voice then me” he said wanting to get her to make a remark but she didn’t, “She’s out.” Robin stood up holding her hands out as she walked over, while Monica grabbed the tray and vodka bottle, crawling over to them on her knees. Anna was already set up with a cloth blanket covering her upper body and legs, only exposing her stomach since her dress had already been pulled back to the top of her stomach.

As Robin and Monica were coming over a lamp that was on the wall spark, which made Robin, Monica and Mike look at it for a quick second. Robin then kneeled down as Mike moved a little to his left giving Monica some room, “Ok. Mike can you get the light please?” Robin asked.

“Yep” he said grabbing the flash light that Monica brought over.

“Vodka” Robin said holding her hands out for Monica to pour the vodka on.

“Don’t let them died, ok?” Mike said looking at Anna.

“Listen to me. Look at me. I’m going to do my best, ok? But I need your help. Don’t panic. If you want to save Anna and the baby, just stay clam and follow directions”

“Ok” he said looking at her, “I’ll do whatever it takes”

Robin turned to her left side so that it would be easier to work, all the while holding her hands out with the gloves on which were now soaked in vodka, “Ok were ready?” she asked as Monica was moving behind her to go to Robin’s other side but went back to where she originally was at.

“Yea” Mike said.

“Ok. Knife, please?” Robin asked and Monica hand it to her, “Monica you cleaned it off with the vodka?” she asked not wanting to infect Anna and the baby with a non-sterilized knife.

“Yes”

“Ok, can you pour some of the vodka on Anna’s stomach so it would help the incision from infecting” Robin said and Monica moved, bring the vodka bottle with her so now she was in front of Anna, she then did what she was told. After that she set the bottle down, “Ok, now I want you to pulled her underwear to about her thighs so the material doesn’t get in the way of the incision, because the incisions going to be along the pubic line”

Once that was done, Robin took the knife that was open and pressed it on Anna’s stomach about a couple inches above the pubic line and started making a horizontal cut in her skin, which made Mike look away.

******

​

On the commuter train, Sam was still hiding from Rob, Talinda, and Chester, when there was a sound of rocks falling, which had made the train its self rock. Talinda, Rob and Chester grabbed a hold of some chairs as the train rocked a little, when it stopped they let go.

“There’s been another cave-in” Talinda said.

“Then let’s head south” Rob said.

“No. Hey, we should stay here were at lest were semi protected”

“Talinda, Rob’s right. I’m not going to stay here with this tunnel burying me alive. My son needs me. Sam may never get out of Rose Lawn. I’m the only parent my son has left” Chester said as Sam heard what he said, remembering when he put her in Rose Lawn.

(Flashback)

Chester opened the door to Sam’s room letting her in. When they walked in, Chester saw that the room was painted of a rose pink color.


“Nice color, huh?” Chester asked.

 


“Yea, yea it makes me fill warm” she said turning her head to look at him and then she turned her whole body.

 


“When you wake up in the mornings, you’ve got a beautiful garden”

 


“I know, I know…” she said walking over to the window that was in her room “I see a couple butterflies are starting to settle into hibernation”

 


“You just love those butterflies” he said smiling.

 


She laughed “I know, I like too watch them out of Draven’s window in the afternoons around March” she smiled walking back over to him “I love the way they look so peaceful and I also love the colors on there winds, all the bright color mixed together” she finished saying as Chester looked down.

 


“I’m sorry, I promised that I’d --” he started to say but stopped when he looked up at Sam seeing that she was about to cry.

 


“Oh, yeah, promises…people break promises all the time. You know, what you going to do?” she asked.

 


“If there anything you know, anything you want --” he said stopping himself again.

 


“You know what I want Chester” she said.

 


“Draven need his mother to be well” he said putting his hand into his pocket pulling out a black bracelet boxes “and I got something to remind you of us. I order it a couple weeks ago” he said taking it out of the boxes and walked up to her, “It’s a -- It’s a birthstone bracelet it has your, mine and Draven birthstone on it” he handed it to her, “But what I want is for you to put it on your wrist so that when you look at it --”

 


“I love this bracelet” she said starting to put it on.

 


“Well, you know --”

 


“Will you tell Draven that I love him when you see him tomorrow” she said.

 


“Let the doctors help you, you do that for me, okay?” he said/asked her then he turned around and started walking toward the door.

 


“And um Chester….” Sam said behind him and he stopped, turning back around and saw her lick her lips and mouth ‘I Love You’ those three words that he’d been waiting for her to say since they had gotten back together.

 


“I love you too” he said starting to getting watery eyes but not wanting to show it, “Uh okay” he turned around and walked out of the room leaving Sam behind.

(End of Flashback)

Sam signed and moved her body a little causing herself to hit one of the suite cases that was near her. Rob, Talinda, and Chester all looked to there right when they heard something be knocked down.

“You there that?” Rob asked

“Oh, yeah, there somebody else on this train” Talinda said as she was holding her side. Sam flinched at that since she just gave her self way.

“Who’s there?” Chester called out.

 

[andrea]

Chapter 17

Note: I should have mention this when I frist started this story that the year all this is happen is 2008.

******

​

At the hospital, as Joe’s monitor went from an alarming sound to a flat line, Karen quickly let go of his hand and run to the door, “Doctor! Doctor! We need help!” she yelled.

As soon as saying that, his doctor and Amber run into the room and the doctor started doing chest compressions, as Amber took of his oxygen mask, putting on an oxygen pump over his mouth. While this was going on, Karen stood by the door watching.

******

​

“You dig a shaft hear…” the volunteer helper said pointing on the map to the police commissioner and a rescue worker, “You find the main tunnel there, and you start bring people through there”

“That’s a long way” the police commissioner said.

“We’re going to be digging, but not the entire way. The mountain is full of cavities and passageways” he said letting go of the map since he had it up against an ambiance vehicle.

“And water lines. We have to be careful or we risk flooding the tunnel” The rescue worker said as he took the map and followed the volunteer helper and commissioner.

“And the shaft has to be narrow to avoid another collapse” the commissioner said.

“It’s only debatable up to one person”

“If you’re thinking of volunteer, forget it. I’m not sending a civilian”

“I own mines in South America. I know what I’m doing”

“You’re not certificated in search-and-rescue”

“I’m certificated in search-and-rescue, I’ll go” the police commissioner’s detective said.

******

​

“This whole place is about to cave-in, get out!” Brad said to Phoenix and Linsey as he heard some rumbling.

“I’m not leaving you” Linsey said.

“Then were all going to die here” Phoenix said to her.

******

​

“We have to work quickly…” Robin said as she made another incision on Anna’s uterus, now she was able to reach the baby, “In the O.R. they be cauterizing each tissues layer controlling the bleeding. Monica, keep the incision clear and retract, just like I showed you” she said and Monica grabbed a towel and put under the lower put of the incision. Robin was finding it hard to see and saw that she was losing light, “Get the light over here, Mike, please.” Mike looked up since he was looking down.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” he said moving the light so Robin could see, “*** I never could be a doctor” he added as he saw Robin’s hand in Anna’s stomach.

“Were going to save them” Monica said to him still hold the towel she was using against the incision to keep it clear.

“We have to”

“Were all most there” Robin said seeing the placenta sac and she cut it open finally seeing that baby, “Oh --”

“What wrong?” Mike asked.

“There’s a problem”

******

​

“Who’s there?” Chester called out after he, Rob, and Talinda heard something fall down.

“Come on out and identify yourself” Talinda said. Sam stayed hidden not moving anymore.

“Who ever it is…were stuck down here just like you are. Maybe we can help each other. We could find other passenger, and wait for the rescue team to find us.” Chester said.

Because of Sam’s break down she didn’t believe a word he said and closed her eyes hearing Chester’s voice in her head, ‘Sam may never get out of Rose Lawn, (echo) Rose Lawn’ not wanting to believe what he said she moved her hands, as the bracelet she had gotten from Chester came off, grabbing the suite case and threw it at the three of them. Rob and Talinda dunked down voiding the suite case as Chester kneeled down since he was behind Rob and Talinda and looked to where the suite case came for and saw a black/blond high light hair women running off the train.

“Hey lady waited up!” he shouted getting up going over Rob and Talinda as they slowly got up, going over to the exit about to follow the women, but he was stopped. He turned around and saw that it was Rob.

“Don’t go after that person Chester you don’t know if you can trust her” he said.

All Chester could do was nod, knowing that Rob was right. He looked down when something catch his eyes. Kneeling down he picked what it was off the floor, seeing that it was a ring, but there was something about this ring that seem so familiar to him.

(Flashback)

Draven gave Sam a plate with cake on it that was for the end of the 2006/2007 tour, and ran back to where Chester was at and stood with him. Chester then made sure that Leticia, Draven’s babysitter was near him as he went back to watching Sam as she was just about to go eat her cake when she stopped before getting any thing on her fork She set the fork down on the plate and then he saw her go and pick the ring off the cake.

 


“Oh my ***” Chester heard her said as saw her grip her plate higher, since she was close to dropping it. Then she set it on the floor and looked up at him, locking eyes with him as he took a deep breath and started walking toward her. When he reached her, he stood in front of her and then got down on one knee.


“Sam, I know that our first time didn’t really work out, when we did separate I realized that I didn’t want to lose you and I knew that there might not be a chance in us being to together again. When you were in the hospital a while ago I realized how much you really do mean to me and I was glad that we did give each other another chance at being together again but what I’m trying to ask you is…” he paused for a little bit, “Samantha will you marry me again?” he asked.

 


For a while she didn’t say anything ‘She not going to want to marry me again’ he thought to himself when he heard some of the guys telling her to say something. Then she started to shake her head, “Yes, yes I’ll marry you” she said.


Right after she said that he took the ring she was holding and grab a napkin to wiping the remaining frosting that was from the cake off and then he took her left hand and slipped it on her ring finger. Once the ring was on he leaned into her giving her a kiss, as she return the kiss back he heard everyone clapping.

(End of Flashback)

“Chester? Are you okay?” he heard as he felt some one put there hand on his shoulder and he looked in front of him and saw Talinda kneeling down in front of him.

“Yea, there’s just something about this ring that made me think of Sam” he said.

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 17

Meanwhile at the hospital, Amber and doctor frantically tried to get Joe’s heart beat back, “Come on, Joe don’t do this to me” Karen said to herself.

“Do you want to use another milligram of EPI?” Amber asked the doctor who was still doing chest compressions.

“No. Give me the paddles change at 360” The doctor said.

“Ok, all right” Amber said quickly moving the oxygen pump and went to untie his hospital gown at his shoulder. A second nurse that was in the room moved the cart that had the paddles on it closer to the doctor and his nurse.

The doctor turned around and grabbed the paddles from the second nurse and rubbed them together, warming them up as Amber finished pulling back Joe’s gown. Then the doctor placed one paddle on his chest and the other one just below his armpit, “Clear” he said and pressed the buttons on each paddle at the same time. They waited for a few seconds and nothing happen. Amber looked at the monitor and saw that nothing changed. The doctor them placed the paddle back on Joe and pressed the buttons at the same time again. Karen was watching the whole time, all the while thinking that she was losing Joe, when his monitor stopped flat lining and started making a normal rhythm sound.

“We got a pulse” the doctor said and Karen breathed out in relief that Joe was okay.

******

​

At the triage area, they were getting ready to set the plan in motion of getting into the tunnel a different way. While this plan was going on the rest of the rescue crew where still going to keep digging at the south entrance.

The police detective who volunteered to go was putting a harness on, as the police commissioner walked up to him, “All right, listen, don’t get suck in the middle of the mountain. We’ve got enough to do, without having to get you out.” He said and then walked away.

“I know what I’m doing” the detective said.

******

​

“If I lift this thing can you crawl out underneath?” Phoenix asked Brad.

“I don’t know. I’ll try”

“Here, let me help” Linsey said

“No, Linsey, Linsey, come on, come on, just back up against the wall!” Phoenix said.

“But, Phoenix you can’t do it alone!”

“He right, Linsey, just do it. Don’t risk hurting yourself” Brad said

“I know, but --”

“Look, there no time to argue, ok? We have to move. Now back up” Phoenix said. Linsey looked at Brad and Phoenix then she got up and moved back. Phoenix got ready to pull the beam up.

“Get her out of here” Brad said wanting them to leave.

“We will” he said not wanting to leave his friend behind “Get ready to push” Phoenix said and then he started to pull it up as Brad pushed on it. As Linsey was looking at them from afar there was a rumbling sound, Phoenix looked up but it was too late to move.

“Get down!” Phoenix said to Linsey as she screamed when the rocks started to fall down.

******

​

Meanwhile Jen was trying to get Patrick to wake up, “Patrick, wake up, please? Wake up” she said grabbing his jacket so she could get him up, “Come on, please?...I have to get you to Robin, ok?” she tried turning him over but he was so heavy, just all dead weight, “I have to get you to Robin so you can get better. Listen to my voice. Listen to my voice, please? Help me, Patrick, please” she grabbed his left side to try and turn him over, but she still couldn’t turn him over. She looked around and made a choice to leave and get someone to help her, “I’ll get help” she said and get up and ran off not knowing that a drain pipe was leaking fluid.

******

​

“What? Robin what’s the problem?” Mike asked.

“The baby’s lodged in the birth canal. I don’t know how I’m going to get her out” Robin said trying to move her finger under the baby so she could turn her slightly.

“Well you got to do something”

“I’m going to make a bigger incision. Monica, knife” Monica reached behind her and grabbed the knife handing it to Robin. Robin then made the incision about an inch bigger on each side. As that was going on Anna moaned.

Mike looked at her and she turned her head to the left, “Anna is waking up”

“Ok, were almost there” Robin said turning the baby around slightly as her forehead came out of the birth canal.

“Come on” Mike said to himself as he was looking down at Robin, still holding the flash light.

“I’ve got the cord tired, Mike. Grab the scissors and cut it.” she said holding the baby’s back with one hand and the umbilical cord with the other. Mike set down the flash light and grabbed the scissors that Monica handed him.

“Let me --”

“Yeah”

“Anywhere? Here?” he asked not knowing where to cut.

“Right” she said as he moved the scissors a little, “Yeah, right there” she said when he was at where she want him cut. He pressed down on the scissors hard, since the umbilical cord is known to be hard like a muscle, cutting it. Mike then moved back a little as Robin lifted the baby’s head out of Anna’s stomach and then the whole body. Monica put a towel under the baby and Robin covered her more. Robin smiled, “It’s a girl” she said confirming what Mike and Anna already knew.

“Oh -- ok. It’s -- its ok. Ok” he said and Robin placed the baby in his arms. Monica smiled as the whole thing was going on. Once the baby was in his arms, Robin went to stitch Anna up, “Hey, little girl!” Mike said as he looked down at his daughter. He frowned when he noticed that something was wrong about her, “Robin?” he called out and she turned her head to look at him, “Robin, something wrong. She’s not breathing” he said and he looked at her.

 

[Ravynlee]

*gasp!* *double gasp!* OMG!

THE BABY!!!

Man, you always leave me hanging - no fair damnit! Hehe, very clever.

Heavy, as always. I particularly loved just the simple little details of Anna's labour - as traumatic as that is - and Mike not knowing what to do sort of thing. That was well written. For some reason that stuck with me. And the vision of his little daughter... not breathing. I can just like picture that moment where it's so tense everyone else would be in essence holding their breath too... my ***, you capture the essence of the drama so well! *hugs to you* Love the roller-coaster ride, as always.

Can't wait for more. Keep it coming!

-Rav

 

[andrea]

Chapter 18

“The airways may be block with fluid. Put your mouth over the baby’s and suck like your sucking threw a straw” Robin said to Mike.

“Ok” and he lifted his left elbow up higher and lowered his mouth over his daughter’s. He moved his right hand to the side of her head and started to suck. When he felt a little bit of fluid touch his lips, he let go and wiped his hand over his lips, “Like that?” he asked Robin as she was watching him and still cleaning Anna up, getting ready to stitch her up.

“Yeah, just be gentle, ok? Not to hard” she said as she looked back down.

“Ok” he said and continued what he was doing just a little gentler.

“Here the sutures and the bandages” Monica said showing them to Robin and set it on the floor close to Anna’s legs.

“Ok. Good, yeah. I need the flash light again” she said and Monica went to grab it.

Mike took his mouth off his daughter’s and looked down, “Robin, it’s not working. She’s still not breathing”

“Just put your mouth over the baby’s and gentle breathe”

Mike did that, blowing some air into her mouth. He lifted his head up, “Come on, sweetheart” He lowered his head, gently blowing some more in her mouth, “Come on sweetheart. Come on breathe, breathe” he said almost wanting to cry that he was losing his daughter. He lowered his head again, giving her some air again. Monica looked over to Mike as he lifted his head up and then a soft cry filled the room, “Its working. It’s working. It’s just -- she’s got color back in her face” he said as he smiled that his daughter was alive.

Robin took a quick glance at Mike and then looked back down, “Anna is hemorrhaging. We have to apply more pressure, ok? She can’t afford to lose anymore blood” she said to Monica. Mike looked at them even as the baby continued to cry. Monica nodded her head and pushed her hand down on Anna’s stomach as Robin continued to work on stopping the bleeding.

******

​

When the cave-in stopped, Linsey got up slowly and looked in front of her, “Oh my ***!” she said as she saw big rocks where Brad was at, the rocks had buried him alive, “Brad! Brad! Phoenix, come help me” she called out looking behind her as Phoenix came up. Phoenix and Linsey tried to lift the rocks up, but they were too heavy.

“It’s to big to move” Phoenix said as Linsey leaned down to see if she could push the rock up that she was trying to get up.

“Brad!” she called as did Phoenix. Linsey leaned back up and looked at her hand when she felt something wet. What she saw made her freak out, there was blood on it.

“Oh, my *** -- Oh, my ***, Phoenix. Oh --” she said as she started hyperventilating.

“It could just be from a cut” Phoenix said trying to clam her down.

“No -- look at these rocks! How are we going to get him out? Oh, my *** Brad!”

Phoenix looked up as he heard a rumbling sound, “Linsey, it’s going to cave -- come on” he said as he grabbed her arm.

“No! No!” she yelled as he pulled her back, making them go into the tunnel they previously were in as the rocks fall down.

******

​

Back on the commuter train, Rob walked back on the train after he went to look around the train. Talinda coughed getting up as did Chester, “This place is deserted, no sign of anyone”

“We should keep moving. Find are way back to the others” Talinda said. Rob didn’t say anything and turned to start walking and Talinda and Chester followed him. All three of them walked not knowing that Sam’s bracelet was on the floor.

******

​

Jen ran through the tunnel, as Sam hid when she heard her coming. When Jen was gone, Sam came out and walked the way Jen came from. The fluid that was leaking out of the drain pipe was now surrounding Patrick’s unconscious body.

******

​

At the hospital, Joe woke up and turned his head slightly, “Karen” he called. Amber was in his room checking on his monitor when she heard him.

“Hey, welcome back. You gave us quite a scared” she said.

“What happened?”

“You had a little set back”

“Oh, boy” he said and then looked around the room, “Where’s Karen?”

“She went to get some coffee. She’s only been gone for three minutes, which is the longest she’s been out of this room since you got out of surgery” she said as Karen walked back into the room.

“Hey, babe, how are you?” Karen asked Joe setting her coffee down on his table tray.

“Good, now that you’re here” he said slowly, since his throat was dry, “Thanks for saving me”

“It wasn’t just me, it also was Brad. He found away out of that tunnel when everyone said it couldn’t have been done” she said setting down on the side of his bed.

“I’ll be back in awhile to check on him” Amber said to Karen and walked out of the room.

“I love you, Karen” Joe said.

Karen grabbed his hand and smiled “I love you too”

******

​

Linsey was walking ahead of Phoenix, as they walked into a different tunnel. Linsey stopped to take a break.

“You okay?” Phoenix asked her.

She shook her head “We left him. Phoenix, we promised that we wouldn’t and we did”

“We did everything we could for Brad, ok? The whole place caved-in, Linsey”

“What if Brad still alive?” she said turning to look at him.

“He wanted us to save are self”

“You know, they say that before you think you’re going to die, your life flashes before your eyes. When all those started to fall, I -- I started to think about my life as if it were the last. I didn’t want it to happen, so I choice to only safe myself instead of helping Brad”

“No, no, no -- There was no choice, ok? We did, we did everything we could to try and get Brad out” Phoenix said and Linsey walked forward, walking pass Phoenix.

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 18

On the antique train, Robin successful managed to stop Anna’s hemorrhaging and stitched her up. All of Anna’s clothes that were pulled back during the delivery were place back to where there originally were at. The towel that was on her legs was still covering her and now over her still stretched out stomach. Now Robin was waiting for her to wake up.

“Come on, Anna. Stay with us” Robin said as she watched her.

Mike was holding the baby as he walked around outside of the train, trying to stop her from crying. He walked in from where Joe used to be at into the area Anna was in before she was moved onto the train. Linsey and Phoenix had walked into the area and heard a baby crying loudly.

“Shh, shh, shh” Mike said gently rocking the baby as he walked.

“The baby” Linsey said.

Mike looked up and saw them “Hi, yeah, a girl”

“How’s Anna?” Phoenix asked

“She -- we had to do a c-section”

“What do you mean ‘we’?”

“Monica’s cousin, Robin, she’s a doctor”

“Her cousin was on the train?”

“Yeah, I -- uh, I guess she was coming to see Monica, but, yeah she performed the c-section along with Monica. They were really incredibly”

“So, Anna is ok?” Phoenix asked

“Yeah, well, there trying -- there trying to control the bleeding. I just can’t seem to make her stop crying. It’s all right, pumpkin” Mike said trying to clam her down but didn’t seem to help.

“Hey, you must be exhausted, Mike. Why don’t you let me take her?” Linsey said/asked.

“Ok. Go ahead” he said and walked closer to Linsey.

“I got her” Linsey said as Mike gentle placed her in Linsey’s arms.

“Watch her head, watch her head, easy” he said as the baby was finally in her arms.

“Hey, sweetheart, hey” Linsey said to the baby.

“Hey, you’re doing it” Mike said as the baby clamed down and stopped crying.

“Welcome to the world” she said as she turned around and walked a little bit as the baby fussed, “Yeah, shh. Everything’s going to be okay. Your mommy and daddy love you. It’s going to be okay” she continued as the baby cooed taking a real liking to Linsey.

Mike was watching Linsey and looked down when she mention the mommy part. Phoenix looked at Mike and saw the look on his face. He knew that he was scared that Anna wasn’t going to make it after all, “You know how stubborn Anna is, Mike” he said.

“Yeah”

“You know, she’ll never abandon this child. She’ll make it”

“Yeah, I know, I know, Phoenix. I was saying the same thing to myself, but Robin had very little to work with. We don’t know when were going to get out of here”

“Anna knows -- Anna knows that she has everything to live for”

“Yeah, that -- that’s what I’m trying to pray for and hope” he said as Monica came into the area.

“Phoenix? Did you ever make it out of the tunnel?” she asked as she came up to him. Mike moved out of the way so she could get by.

“Yeah, briefly. You know, there putting together a huge rescue operation. There trying to get us out.

“And you came back to bring us some encouragement?”

“Something like that, yeah” he said as he turned too looked at Linsey who was facing him, finding it hard to tell Monica about Brad.

“Brad came back, too” Linsey said.

Monica looked at Phoenix and then back at Linsey, “Then where is he?”

******

​

“There has to be other survivors” Rob said with his arm around Talinda’s shoulder. Talinda was holding her side and Chester was by her.

“And hopefully a way out” Talinda said having trouble breathing. They looked in front of them seeing Jen coming. They stopped walking.

“Chester, Patrick, Sam’s brother, needs help” she said when she reached them.

“Where’d you come from?” he asked not caring if she was a fan or not.

“A passageway back there” she said pointing behind her.

Patrick’s body was surrounded more by the fluid. Sam came into the area and saw him, “Patrick? Patrick?” she said as she run into the fluid and went over his body to his other side and grabbed his arm, “Patrick, come on” she said as she turned him onto his left side, “Patrick, come on, come on. Wake up, wake up.” she touched his chest as his eyes open a little bit, “Patrick!” He had trouble keeping his eyes open and his version was blurry so he couldn’t make out who it was in front of him, but he knew that there was something familiar about the woman. Sam kept looking at him and touched his face with her hand, seeing that something wasn’t right about him.

******

​

Mike walked up to Linsey and took his daughter. He sensed that Phoenix and Linsey were going to tell Monica something and he wanted to give them some privacy, “Thanks, Linsey. She’s asleep. Thanks” he said and turned around going back on the train to see Anna.

“What -- what about Brad?” Monica asked.

“There was a cave-in” Phoenix said

“Look, I said I stay with him and I would have but, Monica, rocks started falling, we couldn’t see him. Everything started to collapse and --”

“No” Monica said almost started to cry not wanting to hear Linsey say that her husband was dead.

 

[andrea]

Chapter 19

“I was on this commuter train when it crash” Jen said to Chester, Rob, and Talinda, explaining the situation.

“What’s Patrick doing here?” Talinda asked. For a minute Chester didn’t understand how Talinda know about Patrick, but then remember Sam and Talinda used to be best friends in high school before Talinda’s accident.

“He was on the train and helped me get Robin out from under the chair she was pinned under. We got her out and went to find away out. But he had a seizure and he collapsed, and then he fell off a ledged. Chester, Patrick need your help I can’t move him”

“Wait, who’s Robin? Where is she?” Chester asked.

“Robin? Robin is Monica’s cousin. She’s with Anna and Monica at the antique train. They are relatively safe, but Patrick is not. Please, please, come on. We have to get to Patrick. Help him, please” she said and grabbed Chester’s arm pulling him to follow her in the passageway as Rob and Talinda walked behind them.

******

​

Outside in the triage area, the commissioner walked up to the volunteer who told them about a different way of getting in the tunnel, “It was a good ideal of dig that rescues shaft”

“How soon till you reach the passengers?”

“Crews are working as fast as they can without triggering a collapses”

“Thanks for the update” he said a started to walk away.

“Now you can update me on something. Why have you taken just an interest in this? What’s down in the tunnel you want to get out, someone close to you or someone you don’t want me to get to first?”

“I just want to help. Is it so wrong for me to want to help?”

“No, but we’ll handle this rescue” the commissioner said and walked away.

******

​

Over to Sam and Patrick, Sam helped drag Patrick out of the fluid and on to some dry ground, “Come on. Ohh, were almost there, come on.” She said as Patrick helped push himself slightly. When she got him halfway out she stopped and had him lay on her legs. Patrick looked at her but was still having a hard time figuring who this woman was. He closed his eyes and fell into unconsciousness again. Sam stopped his head from falling to the side really quick. She kept watching him with a sad look on her face. She didn’t want to lose her brother because he was the only person that was there for her when there parents divorce

(Flashback)

Sam walked down the hall of her childhood home trying to block out her parents bricking at each other. When she reached the end of the hall, she stood facing her brother, Patrick’s bedroom door. She knocked on the door and mumble ‘come in’ came from inside. Once she was granted permission to come in she opened the door and slipped in closing it behind her. What she saw her brother doing shocked her. He was putting his stuff in a box and there were more all over he’s room.

 


“Patrick? What you doing?” she asked

 


He stopped what he was doing and set down what was in his hands on the bed. Then he turned around and walked a little closer to her, putting his hands on her shoulders, “Sam you knew I would be moving out. I just decide sooner, I can’t stand mom and dad yelling at each other all the time”

 


“No! I don’t want you to move at all. I’ll have nobody left to talk to. Sandra’s dead. I can’t talk to mom or dad with getting yelled at for nothing…Patrick please let me move in with you, I’m almost old enough to live on my own” Sam begged him

 


“You know I can’t, Sam, mom will have a fit. You know mom wants you to live with her when she and dad finally get a divorce. You also have a couple more months left of school before you graduate, so Sam please hang on, don’t give up”

 


“I already gave up, Patrick. I gave up the day Sandra and I got into a fight. I made her get into her car and crash on the side of the road. It’s all my fault that she’s dead. My best friends is gone, Patrick.

 


“No Sam, it’s not your fault. You didn’t know she was going to lose control of her car. So don’t blame yourself”

 


“It’s is my fault. Sandra’s dead. She’s dead” she said and started to cry, repeating the words she’s dead over and over.

 


Patrick moved his hands from her shoulders and brought her into a hug, letting her cry on his shoulder. His sister was still blaming herself for Sandra Grace’s death in a tragic car accident that she thinks she caused when they got into a fight over a boy Sam liked. But they ever knew that Sandra faked her death and was really Talinda Bentley, until Talinda herself told Sam.

(End of Flashback)

Sam felt like crying and looked down at her brother as she run her hand down his check.

******

​

“I need you to stay as still as possible so you don’t pull any of the stitch, ok?” Robin said to Anna who was now a wake.

“Can I hold her?” Anna asked

“I think it would be better to wait till we get you to a hospital”

“I want to see her” she said and then looked in front of her and saw Mike walking in holding the baby.

“Hey. She wants to see you, too” Mike said as he looked at the baby, walking further into the train car. Anna was in awe on how Mike looked holding her. Robin got up so Mike could kneel down next to Anna. The baby made a noise as Mike kneeled down on his knees, “Look, Anna. We have a beautiful baby girl” he said moving his arm little higher so Anna could see the baby as she made another sound, which made Mike laugh a little.

“She’s beautiful” Anna said when she saw her.

‘The first time ever I saw your face…’

“Yeah -- Just like her mother” he said looking at the baby then at Anna.

“Oh --” Anna moved her right arm up to touch the baby.

‘I thought the sun rose in your eyes…’

“You did an amazing job, Anna. I’m telling you, you gave birth to a healthy baby girl underneath the worst possible circumstances.” he said as he looked back at the baby and then back at Anna, “Now it’s time for you to heal, ok, and get well”

“She’s a miracle, she’s beautiful!”

‘And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave…’

“You did everything -- did everything, just right. I mean look at her -- she’s all pink and wrinkly and I bet she’s at least 10 pounds” he looked at the baby the whole time he said that.

Anna felt like crying. She was so glad that her daughter was okay. Now she knew she had to fight to keep living, “She’s strong!” she said still having her hand on the baby.

‘To the dark and the endless skies my love…’

Mike looked at her, “Yea, just like her mother”

“What are we going to call her?”

“I don’t know” Mike said softly looking at the baby.

“She’s a fighter, determine to be born”

“That’s for sure”

“How about ‘Jennifer’?” she said and Mike looked at her and at the baby.

“Our little miracle” Mike said and then looked at Anna.

‘The first time ever I kissed your mouth


I felt the earth move though my head


Like the trembling heart of a captive bird


And I was dead at my command, my love…’

Anna smiled at that and looked at Mike, taking her eyes off of Jennifer. Mike leaned down and gave Anna a kiss which she gladly returned. He let go and gave her a light kiss on her forehead.

‘The first time ever I lay with you


And felt your heart so close to mine


The first time ever I saw your face


Your face, your face, your face’

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 19

In the triage area, the commissioner got some word on the process of the rescue shaft and went to tell his detective who volunteer to go down into the tunnel.

“They have broken thought the tunnel. We’re ready to send you down” he said to he detective who was sitting down off to the side waiting to down the shaft.

“Ok” he got up.

“Here” the commissioner hand him some rope which the detective took a put on his shoulder, “If you think it’s going to collapse, give me a shout or a couple of tugs on the rope and will pull you out, ok?”

“Yeah, good” the detective said as they walk towards the shaft.

******

​

Back in the tunnel, Phoenix and Linsey were trying to tell Monica more on what really happen.

“I did everything I could to try and get Brad out, but the whole place caved-in” Phoenix said as Monica walked a little and the stopped turning around.

“Did you see him after that?” Monica asked not wanting to believe what they were saying was true.

“No”

“Then he could still be alive”

“Listen, he was pinned under a beam, ok? And then rocks started coming down on him”

“You survived” Monica said almost start to cry as Linsey felt like too.

“Because I was able to get out of the way, ok. Brad couldn’t move”

“Oh, ***, Monica, I’m so sorry” Linsey said as that was Monica breaking point and she started to cry at the thought of Brad being dead. Linsey walked up to her and gave her a hug as she continued to cry.

******

​

“You were right, Anna. You know, we could never get are priorities quite straight but that all change in on miraculous moment” Mike said as Anna moved her index finger over Jennifer’s face.

“The bricking and squabbling and hurting each other --”

“Yeah”

“Doesn’t matter at all now, all that matters is Jennifer”

“Yeah, this is our family, huh? You me, and Jennifer”

“It’s our family”

“All that matters from this moment forward is you getting better, and the three of us getting out of here and to home, because -- because your daughter needs you, Anna, and you and I need each other, too.

******

​

In the tunnel, Chester, Jen, Rob and Talinda were walking to reach Patrick, “Do you know what Patrick was on the train for?” Chester asked

“No he never told me” Jen said as both Chester and she stopped walking to take a break. Rob let Talinda go in front of him.

“How much further till we reach him?” Chester asked as Talinda walked over to a wall, holding her side.

“Not much” Jen said.

Talinda made a face since her side was really hurting her, “Oh --”

“You ok, Talinda?” Chester asked. Rob walked closer to her as Jen looked at her.

“Yeah, I just need to catch my breath for a second”

“She got hurt in the crash.” Rob said to Jen who was still looking at Talinda.

“I’ll go check around” Chester said.

“Ok” Jen said and Chester walked away, “Hey, look at you -- you’re bleeding. Are you sure you’re alright?” Jen put her hand under Talinda’s chin to hold face up to see the cut that was on her lip.

Talinda moved her hand up to her lip moving Jen hand away as Jen moved it to Talinda’s shoulder, “Yeah…” Talinda said moving her hand away “…I just cut my lip when I fell, I’m fine” she prayed that Jen wouldn’t question her anymore.

“Talinda?” Rob question knowing that his wife just lied to Jen, because she never fell down from what he remembered. He couldn’t question her anymore because Chester came back.

“All right, hey -- everything’s clear. Let’s go” he said walking up to them.

“All right, come on. Come on, we’re close” Jen said walking forward as Rob help Talinda.

“This way, this way, this way” Chester said turning her around and they all started to walk.

A hided Sam came out when she heard their voices fade away. She sighed at the thought of leaving Patrick behind, but she knew she had to in order for her not to be found. Sam looked up was she heard a rumbling and saw that there was a hold. A rope came down followed by the detective, “Hey, stay there” he said calling out to her, holding a flash light, which made Sam more her hand up to her face to block out the light that was shining in her face, “Look, you safe” he said when he got all the way to the ground and unhooked himself off the rope, “Look, I’m here to get you out” he said walking up to her.

******

Lyrics – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Celine Dion, Miracle)

 

[andrea]

Chapter 20

This chapter is dedicated is Ravynlee! Thank for all the reviews.

******

​

At the hospital, Karen was still with Joe. She hadn’t left since the time she went and got her coffee, which she had forgotten all about and was probably cold. Joe looked around the room, “This room is all wrong” he said

“What do you mean?” Karen asked

“Well, we suppose to be in the airport sending Talinda and Rob off to Hawaii, lucky people. We should go there for our honeymoon, have dinner by candle light, drink champion --”

“And watch the stars twinkle like little diamonds outside our window”

“Look at me now -- lying in a hospital bed”

“Yes, getting better by the minute, also getting ready to spend the next 50-plus years with me, and whatever little crumb snatchers we decide to have” she said laughing a little bit.

“I still own you a romantic getaway”

“Who said this isn’t romantic?” she asked and moved to laid sideways next to Joe.

Joe laughed a little a put his right across her back and held on her side as Karen was careful putting her right hand on his chest and laid her head on his shoulder.

“How do you always do that?”

“Do what?” she asked.

“All ways see the bright side”

“It’s easy – I have you” she said and moved her head to look at him for a few seconds and he kissed her forehead.

At the nurses’ station, Amber picked up Joe’s chart and started walking towards his room. The elevator door open and nurse Ravyn walked and saw Amber just leaving the nurses station and walked up to her. She and Amber had met at nursing school and when they found out that they both worked at the same hospital, there was an instead friendship.

“Hey Amber are you on a break? I was thinking if you were, we could go down to the cafeteria and grab something to eat”

“No. I take it that you are. I’m actually on my way to check on my patient. Are there any newborn?” she asked as they walked the hall to Joe’s room. The reason Amber asked her that last question was because Rav worked on the maternity ward floor.

“Yeah, three newborns in the last hour, and total of 25 newborns since we have been in emergency mode, luckily none of them were related to the crash. So is your patient from the crash?”

“Yes, he came in with a piece of the train track jabbed in his lower abdomen”

Rav winched just thinking of the site of that. They came up to the door stopped when they saw Joe and Karen, “Wait a minute that’s -- that’s Joe Hahn, from…holy **** it’s really is true. Linkin Park was involved in the crash. Oh, my *** that means Rob’s still in the tunnel. Oh, my *** that’s not good” Rav started hyperventilating.

“Wow, clam down ranter. I’m sure your ranting will still be need.” Amber said calling her by the nickname that’s been with her since she’s been a fan of Rob Bourdon, “Hey though wasn’t said that Mike’s wife was pregnant?”

“Huh? Oh yea. Yeah their baby is to be coming soon….” Rav said and paused for a little bit “If the bands on that train, then that could means there wives are too. Then that might mean Anna could be coming to the maternity ward.”

******

​

“You know, the guys are going to want to spoil her” Mike said to Anna.

“I know, thought I’m more worried about Joe. Did I tell you Karen told me he wants to corrupt are daughter with his frog obsession?”

“Yeah, I’m worried about more than just Joe. There’s Brad with his ‘like’ thing, Chester with his, well you know. Jennifer, there something that you have to know about this family and it’s that you inherit a lot of crazy uncles”

“But there funny. Very funny” Anna said.

“Oh, there funny”

Robin walked back into the room, “Excuse me, I need to examine Anna”

“Ok, I’ll – I’ll just step out of the room. All right, I’ll be back” Mike said to Anna and moved to give her a kiss then let her kiss the baby’s head.

“Ok, dad. Oh, my gosh” she said when he got up.

“Thanks, Robin” he said and then walked away.

“Mm-hmm. How are you filling?” Robin asked kneeling down.

“About the same”

“Your baby is adorable”

“Thank you, thank you for everything. And I think she’s adorable too”

Robin grabbed Anna’s right hand and squeezed the tip of her finger, “Can you fill that?” she asked

“Uh-hu”

“Ok” Robin let go of her hand and reached for her foot pulling back the towel a little and squeezed the tip of her toe, “How about that? Can you feel that?”

“Uh-hu” Anna shook her head.

Robin then let go of her toe and put both her hands on Anna’s stomach and push on it slightly, “And is this painful for you?”

“Not too bad”

“Ok, just try and get some rest, and I’ll be back in a little bit to check on you”

“Ok, thanks” Anna said and closed her eyes. Robin got up and walk toward the door, putting her hand on her forehead sighing at what she just saw with Anna. Mike walked back into the room and saw Robin, “Hey, you all done? Anna seems a lot better, you know? She’s not as pale as she was before”

Robin moved her hand, “Mike, there’s no easy way to say this. Anna isn’t getting any better. If help doesn’t arrive soon, she’s going to die.”

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 20

Outside of the train, Linsey let go of Monica. Monica walked a little bit still in shock.

“It shouldn’t of happen” Linsey said turning to face Phoenix.

“It’s no one’s fault” he said. Monica kneeled down as her legs felt like they were going to give out. Once she got on the ground she started to cry again, “Hey” Phoenix knelt down next to Monica and put his arm around her, trying to console his band mate’s wife. Linsey watched the whole thing and brought her hands up to her face as she felt like crying.

There was sound of coughing and Phoenix looked behind him and could see a shadow on the train of a person. As the person came closer there come a cough again, which then made Monica look and all three of them saw that it was Brad. Linsey was in shock at how Brad survived the cave-in.

Monica quickly got up, “Brad!” she said and ran up to him throwing her arms around him as he did the same thing. Phoenix and Linsey stood a little of the side watching the reunion.

******

​

Jen, Chester, Rob and Talinda got to the area were Jen left Patrick at and Jen saw that the area he was in was completely filled with the fluid.

“It was completely dry when I left him” Jen said kneeling down beside Patrick putting her hands on his face.

“One of these cave-ins must have ruptured a water pipe” Chester said looking up at the ledge.

“He fell into the bottom and he was unconscious, and I tried to move him, but I couldn’t. Oh, my ***. Hey” Jen said when she saw him opening his eyes, “Thank *** you woke up”

Patrick groan as he sat up a little, “I -- I saw her”

“Who?” Jen questioned.

“I saw Sam” he said. Jen looked up at Chester as he looked at Patrick.

******

​

“Ok, good work. My partner’s got the first two. He’s bringing them to triage” a police officer said to the volunteer who then watched to see who was coming. The detective came walking with a women who look older then Sam. A medical personal helped walk the second women, who had a blanket covering her head. A second medical personal stopped him to take a look at the women. The volunteer walked up to her to take a look, as the medical people walked away knowing that they probably knew each other. He pulled back the blanket off her head and was glad to see that it was Sam, “Sam”

“Dad?” she said and the hug him, glad to see someone she knew. Her dad, who had been volunteering the whole time, hugged his daughter back.

******

​

Patrick slowly got up with Jen’s help, “I was in the water. Sam -- she pulled me clear. She was yelling at me. We made it and I guess -- I guess I passed out.” Patrick explained to his soon-to-be brother-in-law again.

“Are you sure it was Sam?” Jen asked.

“Yeah” he said. Talinda looked at Chester and he looked at her too and then back at Patrick, “It explains the St. Christopher medal” he said taking it out of his jacket, “I gave one to Sam years ago, just as she was finally going to join you in California”

“Where did you find it?” Talinda asked.

“One of the tunnels” Patrick handed the necklace to Chester so he could look at it.

“Well, so that would – that would have to mean that Sam escaped from Rose Lawn and somehow wound up on the train” Talinda said.

“Not possible” Chester said still looking at the necklace, really not wanting to believe that his fiancée escape Rose Lawn when she promised to get better.

******

​

Outside in the triage area, Sam’s dad had her sit down so he could talk to her, “Tell me what happen, why did you leave Rose Lawn?”

“There was a man, and he was going to use me to hurt Chester and the rest of the band”

“One of the people from the record company?”

“Yeah, this guy, I’ve seen before. His name is Hector. He told me that when Chester or one of the guys showed up to visit me, that he was going to kill them. So I ran away and jump on the train. I went to warn Chester, but then Hector was following me and I saw him on the train. I think he caused the crash”

******

​

“I knew that they were wrong, that you weren’t dead. I knew in my heart that you were still in this world” Monica said to Brad and then let him go. Brad let out a grunt and grabbed his stomach since it hurt from the beams and rocks. He sat down on the rock that was close to him with help from Monica. She then kneeled in front of him, “Thank *** you’re okay. I’ve never been happy to see you in my life. I thought I lost you” she said as Phoenix and Linsey continued to watch.

“No, you’re wrong” Mike said.

“I wish I were” Robin said.

“No, you don’t know, Anna. She has a will of iron”

“It’s not a matter of will at this point. Anna she -- she lost so much blood during the delivery. She needs a dozen things I can’t give her --”

“Ok, no, no. You don’t have to repeat it because I just -- I don’t accept what you have to say”

“Mike?” Anna called out.

“I’m right -- I’m right here” he said and walked over to her.

“Jennifer --”

“She’s here -- she’s here with me” he said kneeling down, “Can you see her? Huh?”

“I want to. I’m just so far away” she opened her eyes, “Something’s wrong”

“No” Mike said and Robin kneeled down next to him.

“What’s happening to me?” Anna asked.

“Nothing” Mike said not wanting to believe what Robin had said to him was really happing, that he was losing his wife, “It’s just -- It’s been a little overwhelming, that’s all”

Anna looked at him and turned her head to look at Robin, “I’m dying aren’t I?”

“You’re not dying. I mean, that’s crazy, especially when you’ve been given the best reason in the world to live” Mike said.

“You’re a terrible liar. How do you get to be such a great musician?”

“See? Right there you’re – you’re complementing me as a musician. That just proves that you delusional, not dying”

“I want you hold her. I want to hold my little girl”

“Ok” he said and moved closer to her.

“Wait, whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on” Robin said and helped Anna move up a little, so that she was sit up a little better, “There”

“You ready?” Mike asked Anna who nodded her head and then moved her arms out, “Ok. Here you go. There’s mommy” he said slowly placing the baby in her arms.

Once the baby was in her arms she brought her close to her face and then moved her so she could see her face, “She beautiful and wanted and so meant to be. Whatever they did to bring you here, they did the right thing” Anna said and looked at Robin who brought her hand up to her face and wiped some tries that fell down her face, “It’s ok” and she looked back at Jennifer, “I’ve waited for you for such a long time. I’m just going to hold you right next to my heart” she said and moved the baby closer to her and closed her eyes for a little bit.

 

[Ravynlee]

OMG, there's so much of this that just moved me. I wanted to laugh, I wanted to cry... laughed a little more... just... wow.

“You’re a terrible liar. How do you get to be such a great musician?”

That cracked me up. Amid all the drama and tension I thought that was just a classic one-liner. Eased the mood a little without making it corny. Sweet.

The Flashback of Sam's where she was blaming herself for her friend's death and the twist that I so didn't see coming about Talinda's true self and how they entertwined, just blew me straight out of the water. I was like *jaw-dropped* Whoa! Can't top that one.

Except when I thought Brad had been killed.

Or when Robin told Mike Anna was dying... *sobs*

Rob overhearing Talinda's lie made me stop and think too. Man, she's digging a deeper hole for herself... silly girl.

As for my part in it - I can understand that a band like LP having millions of fans all over the planet would undoubtedly mean they will have fans in all diverse walks of life - including doctors or in this case nurses. I wonder how they deal with that - I guess a degree of professionalism is involved in some respects. Servants don't squeal excitably when tending the Queen, right?

I guess I'm just stoked I saw myself there really. Just hope I as a character (being a ranter that I am) don't do anything dumb to look like a complete *** in front of my fav band. Joe Hahn would be the kind of patient who would play on that... evil man. Haha.

But all in all, just awesome as always. And I love the drama. Oh ***, how I love the drama. The heartache and the joy with Jennifer's delivery just stuck with me. That's just pure angst and I love it. Keep it coming.

:thumbsup:

*hugs*

-Rav

 

[andrea]

Chapter 21

“A lot of people walk around with St. Christopher medals. Anyone could have just dropped it." Chester said.

“Yeah, I mean, you have to admit it’s quite a coincidence” Talinda said.

“If Sam -- you know, if she was missing from Rose Lawn I would of heard about it”

“Unless they didn’t know she was gone” Talinda said.

Patrick started filling light head again and almost fell over. Jen grabbed him and Chester came closer to also help him from falling down, “Hey, hey, hey, hey --”

“Are you all right?” Chester asked.

“Yeah, I’m fine, I’m fine”

“No you’re not ok. You’re not fine, Patrick. You can barely stand. You’re lucky to be alive. You’re pushing it, ok? I’m going to go get some help. Will the three of you please take him to Robin, ok? She could probably help --” Jen said.

“No, no, I’m not letting you go alone. I’m going with you” Patrick said.

“You’re only going to slow me down. Please don’t do that.” Jen said.

“You know what? Patrick has a point, Jen. You’re not going into gods-knows-what without some sort of back up. I’m going with you” Talinda said.

“You – you are in no better condition than he is in, so please let me do it” Jen said.

“What does that mean?” Rob asked.

“‘What does that mean?’ It means I could cover more ground on my own, that’s what I mean” Jen said and started to walk but Patrick stop her.

“Just be careful” he said.

“I promise” she said and than walked away. Talinda moved closer to Rob putting her arms around him as he did the same.

******

​

In a different tunnel, a fire fighter walked up to Hector, who was standing in the middle of the tunnel.

“Hey, buddy, you alone?” the fireman ask walking up to him.

“Yeah. Are you the Calvary?” Hector asked.

“Yeah, we’re getting ready to drop lines and gather survivors. We’re finally going to be able to haul you people out of here” The fireman took the bag of his shoulder and reached in and took out a water bottle, “Have some water” he handed it to Hector.

“Thank you” Hector took it from him, “It that what your carrying, water for the victims?” he asked.

“These are explosives --”

“Oh”

“In case we have to blast are way through the debris to reach the survivors” he said putting the bad back on his shoulder.

“Oh” Hector said and the fireman walked away. Hector watched him and smiled what he was going to do next.

******

​

“Is Draven okay?” Sam asked her dad as they were still sitting in the triage area.

“Your son is fine” her dad said.

“What if Hector gets out of the tunnel? He could go after him”

“Draven is at your mother’s with Leticia”

“Then we have to make sure, because Hector is evil and he hates Chester. Could you please call mom and make sure he’s okay?”

“Sam, I need to know every detail you didn’t tell me--”

“Look, I would call myself, but everyone thinks I’m crazy and everyone want to send me back to--”

“Excuse me, ma’am? I need to ask you some questions” The commissioner said walking up to Sam and her father.

******

​

Robin got up and walked to the door to get into the train, when Anna opened her eyes back up and continued to talk to Jennifer.

“I don’t want you to think that life is always going to be this scary. It won’t, I promise. You’re going to have so many adventures. And you’re going to discover so many things – fuzzy caterpillars” Mike laughed a little at that, “And rainbows and the sound of church bells” Anna stopped as she felt like crying, “I’ve made a very good choice of dads for you” Mike had to stopped himself from crying too, “All you need to do is look into his eyes” Anna said as she looked at Mike, “And realize that everything you need will be right there. And he’s going to be the one person in this world that you could depend on” Mike looked down. Anna had to stop herself from crying and then looked back down at the baby, “For bumps and buries and birthday and boys”

Mike quickly looked up, “Wow, watch that – that doesn’t really sit well with me. Boys – she going to have to wait till she’s at lest 30, Anna, ok?” he said touching her arm.

“He going to have trouble facing the fact that the 12 year old boys are going to be lining up --”

“12? Are you trying to give up a heart attack?” Robin was listening to the whole conversation and wiped her tries away.

“You can handle it, and him” she said to the baby, “I want so much to see her grow up and blossom!” she cry out looking at Mike and moved the baby closer to her, “I’m not going to lie to you, Jennifer. It appears that my time s running out”

 

[andrea]

Continuing Chapter 21

Jen kneeled down to look at the knocked out fireman and check his pulse. She looked at the rest of the fireman and stopped when she saw a bomb on him. She touched the wires trying to remember what wire to defuse. Hector slowly walked up to her and kneeled down touching her hair, “Hello, sweetness” he said which made her freezes and turned to look at him and saw him holding a switch. He grabbed her arm, “Let me help you up” he said pulling her up.

“All right, all right. What will it take to make you go away?” she said.

“You’ll never figure it out, sweetness” he said.

“No. Get out of my way” Jen tried walking away, but Hector grabbed both her arms and pulled her back. She fought back and he let her go when she stopped.

“Hey, hey. Shh, shh, shh. You know, some rescue worker showed up with a pack of explosives, just when I need them. I press this button” he said holding the switch as Jen looked down at the bomb on the firefighter, “And our whole world ends --” he snapped his fingers, “Like that, you can’t fight fate, sweetness. You can’t fight it” he said.

Jen grabbed both his arms and kneed him, making him fall on top of her, but she was quick to push him off as he was doubling over in pain and quickly went to grab the switch and tried to get up. Hector got on to his side a grabbed her making her let go of the switch. She turned around and pushed him, then turned to find the switch. Hector reached over her and grabbed her arm thinking she had already found the switch again, but she didn’t. He let go and moved his arm finding the switch as Jen grabbed his hand and fought with him for a little bit when the button was hit.

******

​

“I would think your questions could wait. This women has been traumatized” Sam’s father said to the commissioner.

“There are doctors here, I’ll make sure she gets whatever help she need after I question her”

Sam moved her hand to her face wanting to block out the sounds around her, “Look, it won’t take long, her answers could be important” the commissioner said.

The detective ran up to them, “Commissioner? There’s been an explosion at the new rescue site. We need to get over there now”

“Let’s go. Let’s go” the commissioner said and they ran to see what happen.

Once they were gone Sam’s father turned to her and helped her up, “Thank *** there was an explosion. I just hope that everyone in there is okay, but we need to get you out of here before they come back” he said to Sam and walked her out of the triage area.

******

​

Inside the tunnel, Phoenix, Linsey, Monica and Brad who was getting up heard the explosion and they all looked to where they heard it come from.

“Another explosion” Phoenix said.

“We need to get Anna and her baby out of here right now” Brad said finishing getting up as he held on to his shoulder. They turned around when they hear something coming out of the train and saw that it was Robin.

“Robin?” Phoenix called out not knowing if this was the person Mike was talking about.

“Hey” she said when she saw them and walked over to her cousin’s husband and gave him a hug.

“Robin, hey” he said hugging her back.

“It’s a strange place for a reunion” she said to him.

“Yeah, yeah. I know. I’m not complaining, thought. They said that you saved Anna and they baby. Is it okay to go in there?” he asked.

“There’s something that you needed to know first” Robin said.

Inside the train, Anna was still holding the baby, “I’ve taken a long time to imagine a glories life for you. I’ve dreamt it, and it done, Jennifer. A life full of friends and love and – and career and a family all your own. It’s a life built on a foundation, out of the most amazing memoirs that outweigh the regret, because in the end, there are always some. And If *** is very good, somewhere in you memory there will be a little piece of me” she said almost crying and Mike moved his hand for her arm to her face, “And your dad will help you with that”

“Yes, I will”

“I want so much for her to know me!” she cried out turning her head to look at Mike. That was it for her, after trying so head not to cry she let it all out burring her face in Jennifer’s towel, “Take her” Mike moved a little closer to her not sure if she meant it because she wasn’t letting go of Jennifer, “Take her” she said again and he got on his knees and put his arms under the baby gentle lifting the baby out of her arms.

“Ok, all right. Shh, shh, shh, come on”

“And go” Mike looked at his wife surprised at what she said.

“Oh, Anna, I’m not leaving you”

“Yes you are”

“No, I’m not”

“You’re going to take her and put Jennifer first and you’re going to go. GO! Go”

“I don’t understand. If they can find a way out, why can’t they find away in?” Robin said walking a little and stopped putting her arm across her forehead and sighed, “You know, we don’t even have a stretcher. We can’t pick up Anna. It could jostle her and possibly rupture the sutures” Mike walked of the train and stood at the tracks listen to what they were staying.

“Oh, gosh, I wish there was some way we could help” Linsey said.

“There is” Mike said and everyone turned to look at him. He started walking down the rocks that were near the track, “Its okay. I got her” he said when Phoenix tried helping him so he wouldn’t lose him balance. When Mike got to the ground he stepped closer to Brad, “I want you to make sure that Anna and my daughter live”

“Ok” Brad said.

“It’s not good” Mike said and then Brad took off to go into the train to see his band mate/best friend’s wife. Mike looked down at Jennifer and kissed her forehead when she made a cooing sound, “Linsey, um – I don’t want to leave my wife alone, so I want you to take Jennifer and keep her safe, make sure she gets out, and – and keep her until I – until I can come get her”

“Yeah, of course, I’ll be happy to help” Linsey said.

“Thank you” Mike said and took a step closer to Linsey, “Ok sweetheart, you’re going to your aunt Linsey now”

“Hi, baby” Linsey said as Mike slowly placed Jennifer in her arms.

“Watch her”

“I got her, I got her” she said as Monica turned around and headed up to the tracks, “Hey, Jennifer. Hey. I’m Linsey” she said to Jennifer.

Mike sat down on the rock Brad had sat on and leaned down bring his right hand up to his face. Phoenix walked up to him and put his hand on his shoulder and knelt in front of him as Mike leaned up wiping his eyes, “Listen, Mike – don’t let Anna go, ok? You just – you just keep to her until we come back with help” Phoenix said.

“I don’t want to lose her, Phoenix” Mike said.

“You won’t, you won’t. You know Anna, ok? She not about to – to leave her brand new baby motherless, ok? So you keep her here and leave the rest to use, ok?” Mike looked at Robin who was looking at him and nodded to Phoenix.

 

[Ravynlee]

The suspense! The drama! What the **** is Mike doing??? I hope he gets his pretty-lil-**** back in time to save/look after his wife and daughter!

Having said that I'm like hanging on the edge of my seat here. Well, figuratively. Surely the explosion didn't *gasp* kill anyone, did it? (Except Hector, pathetic excuse for a human being he is - grr! )

Oh - I wanna know what happens! I need answers! I need closure! I need... to take a few deep breaths and calm down a little.

XD

Great as always. More?

-Rav

 

[andrea]

Chapter 22

Brad sat down next to Anna and took a hold of her hand, “This is unacceptable. You don’t get to give up, you understand me? To many people care about you, especially that beautiful baby girl you just had”

“I don’t exactly have a choice here” Anna said.

“And, **** it, I’m not saying good-bye to you”

“I’m so proud of you. You’re a wonderful man”

“No, I’m not. I’m completely misguided and having too many mistakes. That’s what I’m trying to tell you, Anna. I -- I need you here. You understand me? I need you here to give me reality checks”

“You have a good heart, Brad. Listen to it. It’s all the reality check you need” she said moving her eyes to look behind Brad and he turned around seeing Monica standing in the door way looking like she was going to cry.

Outside of the train, Phoenix came up to his wife, “You ready?”

“Yea”

Phoenix turned around and saw Robin holding out a bottle of water for him. He took it, “Hey, Robin, you’ll be happy to get out of here”

“Oh, I can’t go. I have to stay here in case I can be of help”

“Are you sure -- are you sure that’s a good idea?” Phoenix asked.

“Yes” Robin said shaking her head. Mike was picking up a blanket to take with him back onto the train listening to what they were saying.

“Ok” Phoenix said.

Mike walked up to Linsey to check on his daughter when Brad and Monica stared coming out of the train.

“I’d feel a lot better if I know you were out here” Brad said helping her down the rocks.

“The fewer people you have to deal with, the faster you could go” Monica said.

“Monica, come on. It’s not like you can’t keep up”

“I think I could be more productive here”

“Please, Monica, Please --”

“It’s my job, Brad, I need to help” she said and walked away going back on the train.

“Ok sweetheart, I’m sorry I got to leave you, but I’m sure your aunt Linsey here is going to treat you like the precious little cargo that you are. It’s just I -- I need to be with mommy more right. I love you, baby girl, and I swear after this I’m never letting you out of my sight again” Mike said and then leaned down and gave his daughter a kiss on the forehead, “I’m really grateful. Thank you” he leaned up and said to Linsey getting watery eyed.

“Hey. I’m going to take good care of her” Linsey said.

“I know you will”

“Come on. Time to go” Phoenix said touching her shoulder.

“Come on. It’s ok, shh” Linsey said turning around and started walking as Brad and Phoenix followed her. Mike stood there until he couldn’t see them anymore.

Robin walked out of the train, since she had went back in right after her cousin did and saw that Mike was standing out there. Not wanting to disturbed him as he was slightly grieving she walked over to a first aid kit that was open from Monica using and started to look for what she needed.

Mike saw her and walked up to her, “Robin, tell me there’s still a chance, however small it maybe. I mean give me -- give me something I can work with here”

“Mike, I’m at such a disadvantage. I -- I can’t monitor Anna’s vitals, I can’t take her temperature --”

“Which means basically its all guess work right? There’s still a hope that she could -- she could hang on till the rescue crew arrive?” Mike asked as Robin turned around to finally face him.

“If a person’s will is strong enough --”

“Huh” Mike let out an uncomfortable laugh.

“You know, anything is possible, but --” she started to said but stop.

“Will she be in pain?”

“The best thing that we can hope for is that she falls asleep”

“Thanks” he said as couple tries ran down his face. He turned around and slowly started to head back to the train. Monica came out of the train and headed over to Robin, I’m going to go through the luggage again, see what I can find” she said kneeling down near a bag.

“Yea, I’ll help you” Robin said to her cousin and walked over to another bag and started looking through it. Robin stopped and looked up feeling sad about Mike probably losing the love of his life.

Mike walked to the door of the train and saw that Anna had her eyes were closed. The thought of her going in her sleep came to his head and he quickly walked over to her and kneeled down, “Anna?” he called out softly and was relieved when she opened her eyes.

“Monica said that you did what I asked you to do”

“Yeah”

“That would be a first”

“Phoenix, Brad, and Linsey are going to make sure that Jennifer gets out safe” Mike said as he started to open the blanket that he had with him.

“And you?” she asked

“I’m right here” he put the blanket on her legs.

“Then you only did half of what I asked you to do”

“Oh, well, what can I tell you? It still gives me perverse pleasure -- defying you” Mike said sitting down all the way.

Anna grabbed his hand and brought it up to her face resting it against her check. She then turned her head and kissed his hand, “I’m grateful that you’re here” she said bringing her right hand up to his face.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else” he said.