Work Text:
“Hey Girl! Haven't heard from you in a while” Hen said with great enthusiasm. She had not heard from her friend in a few days. Athena had two 24 hour shifts in a row to make up for several officers being out sick.
“Hey” Hen immediately went on alert. She felt the tension in her friends voice. She knew right away that this was not a social call. With one word, she felt dread pour into her veins.
“‘Thena, tell me right now what is going on. Are you alright?” The panic started inching into Hen’s voice as she tried to keep it contained with all her might. The last thing she wanted to do was to get the rest of the 118 worried. Especially if nothing is wrong.
“Yes, I am fine. Tired, but fine. I got home about two hours ago. Honestly, I just want to go to bed and sleep for a month but I need to talk to you first” Athena said. Hen could hear the exhaustion in her voice. She had heard that the number of 911 calls have been off the charts for the last 24 hours when she came into work this morning. The first ten minutes of her being there was C shift telling them of all of their horror stories for the last 24 hours. Luckily, they had been on shift for a little over an hour and no calls yet.
“Hen, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to watch Bobby today. I was coming in the door when he was leaving and, well, he just did not look well. He was very pale and I could tell he did not get much sleep. He barely spoke to me. When I went to hug him goodbye, he seemed almost in pain. I know I can't ask you to go look him over, he would not let you even if I asked, but could you please just watch him today? Let me know if he is sick? I can't ask him, we both know what he will say”. Hen could tell how worried Athena was. It is not like her to call and ask someone to spy on her husband, she usually just did that on her own, but knowing how bad a patient Bobby was she knew that someone needed to keep an eye on him.
“Of course I will. Do you think he had a fever? Do you know if he ate or drank anything this morning?” Hen already had her paramedic cap on. Trying to evaluate Bobby without seeing him. She had not seen him this morning except for only a few seconds. Bobby walked into the the station and right to his office this morning, without even saying hi to anyone. Everyone just assumed that he was in a bad mood and left him alone.
“I dont know. He usually has a cup of coffee in the morning before heading to work, and then gets something for breakfast when he gets there, but the coffee had not been made yet. When I went to hug him goodbye, I put my arm around his waist, like I usually do, but that seemed to cause him some pain. He flinched when I touched him. It shocked me at first until I looked into his eyes and I saw the pain. I dont know if it is back acting up again or something else, but please just watch him today”. The longer they talked, the more anxious Athena was becoming. Hen knew that her friend needed to sleep and she would not be able to sleep until Bobby was taken care of.
“Athena, you know I will. I will call you if there is even a slight bit of concern. Please get some rest, you need it. We both know that if Bobby is sick, you are going to need your strength later to take care of him. He is more stubborn than all the rest of us put together! Remember that time he had the flu and tried to come in. He wanted to go out on calls with a bucket and a 103 fever!” Trying to get her friend to laugh and relax, they exchanged “Bobby is a really bad patient” stories for a few minutes.
As the stories were winding down, Athena let out a large yawn. “Go. Rest. I will take care of your man for you. Thena, he is like our father. There is no way any of us will let anything happen to him if we can stop it”.
“Thank you” Athena says very quietly. Conceding to the fact that if she did not get into bed soon,or she would fall asleep standing right where she is at. “Get some sleep, hun. We got you AND Bobby”.
Hen hung up the phone and just seconds later, the alarm rang.
_________________________
“We got a large fire in a two story family home. It looks like everyone is out of the home except for the dad. Hen, you and Chim go over to help the mom and kids. They said one of the kids has Asthma and might need some treatment for smoke. Eddie and Buck, I need you to go in and see if you can get the dad out. The mom said that he they believe that he is on the second floor in the southernmost bedroom of the house. Go!”
As Bobby yelled out their orders, Buck seemed to notice that there was something worrisome about their Captain. Normally, he would jump out of the truck, but this time he climbed out very slowly. Almost cautiously. He seemed to be moving very almost as though he was exhusted, almost like he needed a moment or two longer to process everything that was happening. This was not Captain Nash. Normally, he was quick, decisive about what needed to happen and then he made it happen. Not today and that worried Buck.
As Eddie and Buck were putting on their gear, Buck leaned over to Eddie and said “Do you think there is something wrong with Bobby? He seems kind of out of it today”.
Eddie, who had not noticed anything wrong with Bobby, glanced over at Bobby. “He seems ok. Kinda pale but other than that ok”.
This didn't calm Buck down but he knew he had a job to do, a person to save, so he decided to shelve it in his brain for later.
As Eddie and Buck entered the home to look for the dad, they went directly to the stairs.
“LAFD! CALL OUT!” said Eddie as loud as he could
LAFD! CALL OUT! Buck echoed but there was no response.
As they reached the top of the stairs, Eddie heard a faint sound. He was not sure, but it was possibly the dad calling for help. “Buck! Over here!”
Buck and Eddie ran into an obvious child’s bedroom, a small boy. The dad was frantic, screaming over and over again, “ANDY!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!??”
Buck reached the dad first and tried to calmly explain to him that all family members were outside waiting for him and they had to get him out of the house now.
“No, you don't understand, Andy likes to hide. Whenever something is wrong, no matter what it is, he hides. I got to find him! I can't leave without him!”
Eddie lunged to grab the frantic father, trying to drag him out of the house but the father fought back and ran out of the room. “Andy!! Andy!! Please answer me!!”
“Bobby, we have a situation”. Buck explained to Bobby over the radio how the dad would not believe him that his son had already escaped the house. That his son was not, in fact, hiding in the house but was safe, on the front lawn with his mother and sister.
“Ok. I am coming in. Please, keep an eye on him. We have to move quickly. We were able to get the fire under control but there are parts of the structure that are unstable. I don't want him, or you two, to get hurt”.
Eddie and Buck followed the dad around the house, trying several times to convince him to come with them. After just a few minutes, Bobby came up the stairs in his gear.
“Sir, my name is Captain Bobby Nash. I am the Captain of the 118. I am here to tell you that your wife, daughter and son are on the front lawn waiting for you. Your wife is on the phone. She wants to tell you something”. Bobby hands the father his cell phone. On the phone is a video call with Chim. The mother, Robin, was on the phone with both kids.
“Adam, I am outside. I have both Kelly and Andy out here. I need you to follow the instructions of the fire fighters and come outside. We love you and we need you safe”. The fear of loosing her husband showed on her face. She could not loose her husband, not like this. She needed him to listen to her.
Seeing peace flood Adam’s face, he looks up at Bobby. “Andy is safe?” he says as tears fall out of his eyes.
“Yes sir. Robin and Andy are just fine. Not a scratch on them. Kelly had to have some oxygen for a few minutes because of her asthma. But she is going to be fine. I have both of my paramedics look after them until you can get there”.
Relief floods into Adam causing him to stumble. Eddie and Buck each put one of Adam’s arms around their shoulders and start helping him down the stairs. As Bobby started to follow the men out of the home, parts of the ceiling started to rain down on them.
“Eddie! Buck! GO! Get him out of here! I am not sure how much longer this house is going to hold”! Bobby screams at his crew as they double time it down the stairs.
As Bobby was running down the stairs, the stairs collapsed under him sending him falling down the last few steps.
“BOBBY”!! Buck yells as he hears his Captain falling down the stairs. Pushing Adam onto Eddie, Buck falls back to help Bobby. Bobby is laying on the ground grabbing his stomach. Tears of pain are in his eyes. Buck helps Bobby to his feet and out the front door.
“What happened? Bobby, where does it hurt”? Chim says as they meet Bobby and Buck on the front lawn.
“I am ok, just had the wind knocked out of me”. Bobby says pushing Chims concerned hands away from him. He begins to start to walk away from them, but Chim grabs his arm lightly. Concerned for his friend.
“Just let me look you over just to make sure, Bobby, please”. Chim said.
“No. I am fine. Go look after the dad. Both the dad and Kelly will need to go to the hospital. That is one patient for you and one patient for Hen. No need to call someone for me. You have your orders. Move it”. With that Bobby walks away, stiffly. Still very much in pain.
“Did you notice how pale he is”? Buck whispers to his paramedic friend.
“Sure did. Also, when I grabbed his arm, I noticed he was very warm. Not a “I have recently been in a burning building warm” but a “I have a fever and I don't want to tell anyone I am sick” warm. When we get back to the house, I think Hen and I will need to go have a talk with our dear Captain. We might even bring our med bags to the conversation”. Chim said with growing concern for his friend.
“Let me know what you plan this, I need to be there”. Buck said the worry now etched in his brown. Buck has always thought of Bobby as his father. One of the few people on this planet who he knows he could not live without.
“You know we would never have fun without you”. Chim says patting Buck on the shoulder before walking away to stow his gear.
_____________________________
As Eddie was putting away his gear, he noticed that Bobby was around the back of the truck. He was leaning, heavily, against it with a hand gripping his stomach doubled over. Eddie was about to say something when he got a page from Hen asking to come help them with the family. Now Eddie knew that there was something wrong with Bobby and he planned on talking to Buck as soon as he could.
_________________________________
The family was safe, on their way to the hospital to get checked out, and the crew was on their way back to the firehouse. The ride was dead silent. Hen, Chim, Buck and Eddie were very concerned for their Captain. They kept exchanging glances of worry and apprehension. But did not want to talk about it where he could hear. Hen got out her phone, held it up to show the guys that she needed to talk to them and started a group text:
Hen: OK, what is wrong with Bobby?
Buck: I KNEW there was something wrong. He seems so pale and in pain!
Chim: Yea, he has a fever too.
Eddie: I saw him right before we left. He was grabbing his stomach.
Hen: Athena called me this morning, asking me to watch him today because she thought he was sick. We need to talk to him as soon as we get back. I know he is going to say he is fine, but he is not. Chim, dont put away your med back yet, just in case.
Chim: That is the plan.
As the firetruck pulled into the station, the 118 got out of the truck. Chim and Hen grabbed their gear and waited for Bobby to jump out of the Captians seat. But he didn't. The door remained closed, as if no one was there.
“Bobby?” Hen said.
No reply.
Sensing that there was something wrong, Eddie opened the truck and climbed back in. He was face to face with Bobby and noticed no response. He paled reaching out to lightly tap Bobby on the cheek in case he was just asleep. No response. Eddie began running his knuckles over his sternum trying to get a response from Bobby. “Bobby?” Eddie said, again no response. “He is nonresponsive! Get a gurney!”
Hen and Chim jumped into action, climbing back into the fire truck to work on their captain. Hen had moved into the drivers seat with Chim standing on the running board off the door. Chim grabbed the stethoscope and began gathering Bobby’s vitals.
“BP is 98/68” O2 is only 88! Buck grab some oxygen and a mask! He has very high fever of 103.7. Starting a line of fluids” Chim calls to the team.
“The lower right side of his abdomen is very extended, ridged. With these symptoms, I expect we have a ruptured appendix. We need to get him to the hospital immediately or he is going to die”
By now, Eddie and Buck have gotten a gurney next to the truck and started working on on a way how to lower Bobby onto it. Buck climbed into the back of the truck and moved behind the chair. Eddie replaced Chim on the running board once the IV was in place. Hen climbed in in front of Bobby and helped with the lift. “One, two, three lift!” Buck yells. The three team members lifts Bobby and with directions from Chim, they were able to lower him onto the gurney, and get Bobby secured. Chim started oxygen and ensured that the IV lines were secure.
While Hen was placing the heart monitor pads onto Bobby’s chest, she yelled, “Eddie, call dispatch and place the station on bypass due to an internal medical emergency. Buck, call Athena and let her know what happened. Have her meet us at the hospital. I will call the Chief and let him know what is going on”. Hen, already filling in as temporary Captain, yells out orders to her crew.
They follow them to the letter.
Buck and Eddie help Chim and Hen load Bobby up into the ambulance, shut the door, and climb into Buck’s SUV rushing off to meet them at the hospital.
_______________________
Athena, still very deep in sleep, hears her phone vibrating. Everyone she knows is either at school or at work right now so she gets concerned. Her brain, fighting sleep, makes out Bucks name on her caller ID. Dread fills her soul. The only reason he would be calling right now is if something happened to her Bobby.
Take a deep breath, she answers the phone. “Hello” she says with slight fear in her voice.
Buck doesn't respond right away. She hears him breathing, trying to find words, when he does all he says is “Athena…?”
Athena’s breath catches. She knows something has happened to her husband. Was he sicker than she thought? Did something happen on a call? She is terrified to respond. She takes a second to collect her thoughts, to gather the courage to respond and she says, “Buck, I need you to tell me right now what happened to Bobby. Is he ok? Where is he?”
Buck, sounding like a small, terrified, child responds, “We were on a call and he seemed kinda sick. We didn't think it was serious. He was sounding out orders and even came into the house to help us. We didn't realize how bad off he was until we got back to the firehouse. Athena, he was unconscious when we got back. Nothing would wake him up. “Thena…Hen thinks his appendix burst. We are on the way to the hospital now”.
Athena, now wide awake, was in shock. She knew that her husband was not feeling well. She knew that he seemed to be in pain and sick. Being around other officers, who were all fighting the flu at the same time, she never thought to take a minute and think if it could be anything but the flu. She took a second to think back to the last few days how when they were able to see each other, he seemed to decline each day. Bobby has always been notorious for not taking care of himself. It is even worse when she is working long shifts and he is home alone. She started to berate herself. She knew something was wrong with her husband! She knew that he needed to be watched over. She takes a few seconds to collect herself and simply responds, “which hospital?”
“Cedars” buck responds. His voice shook with fear. Having your appendix go bad is one thing but to have it burst is life threatening. Infection spreading through your body. Your own personal plague. Though it is survivable, if treated quickly, they don't know how long Bobby has been ill. Bobby has been home, by himself, for the last two days. Has he been sick this whole time? Has he been sick longer and the entire crew missed it?
“ I will meet you there”. Athena hangs up. Fear grips her every movement as she throws on the closest outfit and heads out the door.
________________________
“I am Athena Nash. My husband was brought in on an ambulance with his crew. He is the Captain of the 118. Can you tell me where he is?” Athena talks quietly to the receptionist in the ER. Seldom does Athena feel scared, vulnerable, but today she feels both. She is terrified that as she identifies herself, a doctor will come out of the doors to tell them that Bobby didn't make it.
“Thena!” Hen runs over to Athena and grabs her into a hug. “We brought Bobby in about 20 minutes ago. Athena, he has very high fever. His oxygen and BP were very low. I should have paid attention to what you asked me to do this morning and just stormed into his office demanding that he allow me to examine him. I just didn't have time since the alarm went off just a few seconds after we got off the phone. I knew he was sick and still didn't voice any concern when we went out on the call. If I had known, I would have made him stay behind. I am SO sorry Athena!” Hen was almost frantic with worry, concern, and fear. Hen felt like Bobby laying in the ER, fighting for his life, was her fault. If she had done what her gut was telling her to do and just go look over Bobby, they would not be here right now.
The two women hugged and took a few minutes to gather themselves. Athena, now collected, grabs her friend's cheeks and looks her right in the eyes and says, “If you would have left him behind, and he fell unconscious, who knows how long it would have been before he got help. I love him so much, but he is a stubborn bastard when it comes to self care. He drives me crazy that he will not take care of himself when he is sick. This is not the only time we landed in the ER because he would not take care of himself. Please don't blame yourself. We can blame him, together, when he gets better”
Hen chuckled, glancing up just in time to see a doctor walk into the ER waiting room. “I was told that Mrs. Nash has arrived?” he says to the entire waiting room waiting a response.
Squeezing Hen’s hand harder and slowly walking forward, Athena responds “I am Mrs. Nash”.
“Can you come with me please so we can discuss your husband's situation?” Athena, knowing it is not a good sign when they won't tell you the status of your loved one in a public setting, holds onto Hen with all of her dear life. She sees Hen glace over her shoulder into the waiting room where Athena sees, for the first time, the entire 118 waiting for news on Bobby.
“Can walk talk here? Bobby is the Captain of 118 and his entire crew, his family, are all right here”. Athena, sounding small and scared for one of the only times in her life. She squeezes Hen’s hand even harder. She notices Buck and Eddie starting to rise and walk over with a haunted look in their eyes.
“Of course. As you know, Mr. Nask came very sick. It was confirmed through blood tests and imagining that his appendix did burst. He survived the surgery to have it removed but he remains very ill. He is in the ICU with antibiotics and fluids running. Paramedic Wilson informed us, upon his arrival, that he is not to have narcotics. We understand that he is in recovery, and we don't want to hurt him in any way, so we chose to keep him sedated for at least the next 24 hours. If we don't he would be in extreme pain without medication. It will take a few weeks but he should make a complete recovery”.
All the air rushed out of Athena making her slightly dizzy. Eddie, putting a hand on her shoulder to steady her, asked “Can we see him? At least let Athena see him?”. Athena glances a look at Eddie, thanking him for asking the question that she was not yet ready to ask.
“Of course. No more than 2 people at a time please. I will have a nurse come and get you in a few minutes to show you where he is at”. The doctor took a few seconds to nod at each person, meeting their eyes and saying “he will be ok” with a firm handshake.
Eddie leads Athena over to the chairs and helps her sit down. She looks up and says, “thank you all for helping him today. Thank you for taking time to care for him, even though he won't do it for himself”. Tears start to fall freely out of her eyes as each member of the 118 took turns to hug her. Taking their turn to her how much they love her and how much they care for Bobby.
“I need to call May and Harry. I was supposed to have dinner with May tonight”. Athena starts to get up, rummaging through her purse, almost frantically.
“”Thena, I will call May”. Hen said as she nodded her head to someone behind Athena. A nurse was walking up to them. “Go see Bobby. Text us when you get there and tell us how he is. I will call May and tell her to come here instead”.
“Thank you” Athena responds very quietly and begins walking away with the nurse.
________________________________
Athena comes to the door of Bobby’s room and opens it, slowly. She lets out a small gasp as she sees him lying there, in the bed, so pale that he is the same color of the sheets. She has seen him in the hospital before, but never for a “non work related” incident. Something so normal as being sick. In their line of work, being injured happens often. Seldom do they get sick.
She pulls out her phone and takes a quick picture of Bobby. She sends it to the rest of his crew. She can feel her phone vibrate in response but she is not able to deal with the responses yet.
She needs to talk to Bobby.
She walks over slowly. Being careful to avoid all of the IV tubing, monitors, and oxygen that he is helping him heal. She reaches over and places a hand on his head. He has always loved it when she combs her fingers through his hair. Hoping that he might be able to feel her being there with him, she starts running her fingers through his hair. She speaks to him slowly and with love, “We are supposed to grow old together. This is not old. You can't die on me. I have been on the side of your hospital bed too many times in the short years we have been together. When you get better,” her voice hitches at this, “and you will get better, we are going to have a long talk about how you treat yourself. I need you to be healthy. I need you to take care of yourself. You were sick this morning. If your crew was not there to save you, you would have died. Please don't do this to me again. I need you”. She kisses his head as the tears continue to roll down her cheeks.
________________________
“Where is he!” May yells. The 118 crew, still sitting in the waiting room, jump as they hear her yelling. Her eyes wide in fear..
Buck, acting like the big brother he is to her, jumps up and wraps her into his arms. “Calm down. Your mom is with him now. He is allowed 2 visitors at a time. We all waited so you could go right in. He is in room 3412. He is going to be ok. It will just take some time” Buck explains to May calmly and clearly. Trying as hard has he can to not show the fear that has gripped him.
May’s age begins to show she looks Buck into his eyes and simply says, “I can't lose him Buck…”.
Buck starts to tear up and responds, “I know exactly what you mean”.
_______________________________
Athena looks up as the door to Bobby’s room slowly starts to open. She gives a light smile when she sees May's head pop through the opening.
“Come here baby,” Athena says quietly. Extending one army to welcome her baby into a hug. One hand, never leaving Bobby’s hand.
May runs into her mother's arms and begins to cry. The two women sit there until they both run out of tears. Athena runs her thumb against her daughter’s cheek, whipping away the tears. “The doctors say he will be ok. It will just take some time. They are keeping him sedated for the next 24 hours because they can't give him pain medication. They are going to try to let him wake up tomorrow afternoon”.
May nodding her head like the small child she feels right now simply responds “ok”. She walks over to the other side of the bed, grabbing Bobby’s other hand, and prepares for a long night.
_________________________
The 118 crew slowly go to their homes. Chief has called in B shift early and allowed A shift to go home due to the trauma of having to save their own Captain. Hen has called Karen and she has come to pick her up. Chim has done the same with Maddie. After they leave, Buck starts driving, taking Eddie to his home. Chris will be getting up for school soon and Eddie really needs a hug from his son.
The silence was broken when Eddie quietly asked Buck, “You know, we run into burning buildings all day long, every day. We always watch out for physical injuries with each other. We are able to see if one of us is burned or broken, but we can't see anything going on the inside until it is too late. Can you do me a favor?” Eddie pauses, not trying to show that that the events of the previous days have scared him, “If you are ever sick, even just a slight cold, would you please let me know? Please? I can't lose you, any of you”. Buck glances at his friend, knowing the fear that Eddie is showing is mirrored on his own face. Buck starts to tear up, knowing that they almost lost one of their own to something that if they were all paying attention too, could have seen the symptoms earlier.
After several minutes, Buck responds carefully and with deep thought, “As long as you promise to do the same. I think as a team we all need to make that promise to each other. Even Bobby”
“Even Bobby” Eddie whispers while nodding his head.
_____________________________
The next day, May and Athena remain at Bobby’s bedside. Both women, always keeping and hand on him, making sure that he is still with them. Buck had snuck back to Bobby’s room and brought them breakfast. May stepped out so she could call Harry and update him on Bobby’s condition.
“I never thanked you”. Athena said as she looked towards Buck. Buck noticing for the first time how tired and exhausted Athena was. “I need to thank you all for saving my husband's life. Bobby is so lucky to have you all around”
“Athena” Buck says, looking down at the floor almost ashamed at what he is going to say next, but it is the truth. He looks her straight in the eyes and responds, “He has saved each of us several times. It is us that owes him” tears start to flow out of his eyes as he doesn't know what to say from here but he doesn't have too.
“You..deserve..to be…saved…All of you…do”
Both Athena and Buck look up and into Bobby’s eyes. They are barely open but they are open. He does not seem to have any strength left to say anything more.
Athena stands up, kisses the top of his head and says, “Welcome back to me my love. When you get better, we are going to have a talk about what the words “sick days” mean. But for now, go back to sleep. We got you.”
Bobby goes back into a peaceful sleep.