"Look, no one is perfect all of the time. You did what you thought was best at the time. The good news is, you will be fine. Tony wasn't really hurt, and the woman is critical but stable. You gave her a fighting chance, Pauli. Tell me the rest of it. I know there's more."

She flushed but went on, "Well, yeah, when Tony yelled, I looked up and this big guy was coming at me with a knife. I ducked but he still got my forehead, ten st.i.tches for that one. I grabbed his arm with the knife and managed to disarm him, but when I used a shoulder throw on him, he shifted on me. I got him down but he pulled on my arm enough to dislocate my shoulder. Tony took it from there and kept him down until the cops got there and took over. I went back to the patient and kept pressure on her wound with my good arm until the other crew got there."

Caity gasped and I turned in time to see her stand up. Quickly, I went to her just in case she started to pa.s.s out again but she pushed me away. She went to Pauli and I wasn't sure if she was going to slap her or praise her. Honestly, I don't know if she was sure until the words started coming.

"Pauline Connor! You mean to tell me that you went charging in to a scene without verifying scene safety? Then you disarm an armed man, getting hurt in the process, and you still took care of your patient while having a dislocated shoulder?"

I had ever seen Caity like this and I wasn't sure what to do. If it had been anyone else, I could have told them to stand down, but this was family and I wasn't getting in the crossfire unless I had no choice. I couldn't believe how quickly Pauli sat up at the use of her full name. That part was at least a little amusing.

"Um, yeah. I'm sorry, Sis, I really didn't think. It all happened so fast and if I hadn't gone in, she would have bled out before the cops got there and dealt with the guy."

Her eyes bright with unshed tears still, Caity looked at her sister and leaned down to kiss her above the bandage.

"Pauli, I love you. I am so very glad that you will be fine but you scared the h.e.l.l out of me. I am so proud of you too! While I wish you had been more careful, you kept your head, protected yourself, your partner and the patient. Even injured, you took care of that poor woman. You really are something special." She paused then added, "But do me a favor? Don't do it again!"

Pauli and I both laughed and she agreed to do her best to avoid future incidents. The truth was, as a dispatcher she knew that the dispatch center had no idea they were sending a team into a dangerous place. Other than waiting for PD, they had done their job. Knowing the politics of the department, someone would spin this into a more heroic tale than it was and the two medics would receive commendations.

I mock glared at Pauli and she quickly sat up and stopped laughing. I let her stew a minute before coming closer to her and leaning in to make sure she understood me very clearly. "Paramedic Connor, you will stay in the hospital until the medical staff provides you with a proper discharge. At that time, you will stay with your sister and me until you are in better shape. Is that understood?" As I finished, I relaxed my face and gave her a wink.

A look of relief pa.s.sed over her face and she smiled. "You bet, Donny. Thanks, you had me going there for a minute. But wait, will there be room, isn't Spike staying there too?"

I had forgotten that Pauli didn't know that Spike was in a room just a few floors above our heads. I couldn't tell her that and besides, I had the room either way. "She's still a resident in the Hotel Connor-Donovan, but there is still room for family."

Caity gave my hand a squeeze, I suppose in thanks, but either way, Pauli was my family, and I would always try to help family. Pauli looked tired, so we told her that Caity had to get to work soon and took our leave. In truth, we headed upstairs first to check on Kristy before leaving.

In the elevator Caity leaned against me and I gave her a hug. "You okay, babe?"

She stood up straight again and replied, "Yes, but thank you for everything you did in there. I was a wreck when I saw her. All I could think was, 'Dear Lord, not her too!' I just flashed on losing our father on the job, you know?"

"I know, that's why I kept an eye on you. I think that's why Pauli looked worried about you too. But this isn't like with your father, she is going to be just fine in a few weeks."

She sighed as we walked off the elevator a few minutes later. "I know, but sometimes I hate that the two most important people in my world work for the same department that cost me my father."

I was silent for a moment. I would give up my job for her if I had to, but the problem was that I loved my job. It was part of my ident.i.ty. Caity was part of my soul though, and it was an easy contest. I pulled her to the side of the hallway to talk a bit more. "Do you want me to resign? Is that it?"

"I wouldn't ask you to do that, baby! I would never consider asking you to leave the department."

"I know, but I'm offering, you didn't ask. Would you like me to resign? I can teach, I can go back to school and become a physician's a.s.sistant. I don't care what I end up doing. I just want you to be happy and stay with me."

She looked at me like I had grown an extra head. "Chloe, I'm sorry if I gave you the idea that I want you to quit. Would I like to keep you safe? Of course, but being a paramedic is part of who you are. I know that and I knew it long before I fell in love with you. I love you for being willing to give it up, but I can't ask you to give up something that means so much to you. I like everything about who you are as a person, that includes your desire to save lives and help people."

"Are you sure? I promise to do my best to stay safe but I can't promise anything. I'll never be rich doing this either."

When I said that, she started chuckling. "I surely never thought about money when I fell for you, Donovan! My family has been fire service for so long that our blood has soot in it. I know the risks and I know that loving a member of the department means that there is a lot of love and some risk. But loving a member of the department means accepting the good and bad parts of the job, the hours, the risk, the extended family, the constant stories, and the obsession with new toys for your med kits and ambulances."

I had to grin then, because it was true. We never stopped telling stories and talking about new gear. "Okay, you've got my number. Thanks, baby, for understanding me so well."

"No need to thank me, and of course I have your number! It's the same as mine now." She threw me a wink and headed for the door to Kristy's room before I knew what had happened. All I could do was laugh.

I followed Caity into Kristy's hospital room and was happy to see her sitting up in a chair reading a book. When we entered the room, she smiled at us in greeting. "Hey guys, thanks for stopping in. What's going on?"

She sounded cheerful, not at all like the confused person from the call the other day. "We're good. How about you? Any idea when we can spring you from this joint?" I leaned against the wall and motioned to Caity to take the other chair in the room.

She shrugged her shoulders, shook her head, and said, "Nope, you know doctors never commit to a date of release. We have done some good work while I've been in here. The private room helps with sessions and I've been able to think. The doc has done that hypnosis stuff on me a few times now and we started figuring out some of what happened to me." Her face grew dark, like storm clouds had just rolled over the whole sky.

Caity spoke up, reaching a hand out to touch Kristy's sleeve. "You don't have to tell us about anything you don't want to, but if you do want to talk, we're both willing to listen, anytime."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, buddy, if you need anything, just let me know. I just want to help out and get you back with us at the station."

Kristy looked at me sadly. "I might not come back, Donny. I just don't know if I can go back after all of this. I'm sure it has gotten around that I'm in here. Besides, I just don't know if I have it in me anymore."

Shocked doesn't begin to cover what I felt after hearing the best medic around giving up so easily. "First off, Tony has grown up a lot since that suspension. He actually offered his help with whatever was going on and has kept his mouth shut about it. No one knows you were the patient on that call or what happened. Pauli has kept her mouth shut too, though she did come to me to ask if you would be willing to let her visit. I told her I'd talk to you about her coming by the house."

That reminded me of the little problem of both women staying with us, and that Pauli would soon know that Kristy wasn't with us right now. Quickly, I filled her in on that information and asked how she wanted me to handle it.

"I hate to lie to the kid. I know she won't say anything, so go ahead and tell her. She can visit if she wants to see me. I think I'd like that. She's a good medic and a good kid."

Caity smiled. "Thanks, Kristy. I'll bring her by when I pick her up from here tomorrow. I've got to get to work, but if you need us to bring anything, or if you want to talk, just call either one of us."

"Got it, I'm not ready yet. It isn't you guys, I just can't deal with some of the stuff the doc and I are talking through right now. If you could bring a few books over, that would be good. The television sucks and I'm bored."

I stepped in at that point. "Look, I'm gonna run Caity home to get her car, then I have some errands to run anyway. Why don't I bring you some books while I'm out? Any requests?"

"Nope, just about anything that isn't medical related. Some history stuff or biographies would be nice."

"You got it, I just happen to have a few things I think you might like. I'll also bring some of those Soduko books you like, might as well grow your brain while you're in here." Her addiction to those number games was well known.

"Great, thanks. I'll see you later."

As we left, I felt Caity take my hand. I wasn't sure which one of us was giving or receiving comfort at that point. Maybe it was a little of each for both of us, but it helped. By the time we got home, Caity had just enough time to change and get to work. I did some ch.o.r.es, grabbed the books I promised Kristy, and headed to the store to get the Soduko books.

As I pulled in to the hospital lot for the second time that day, I decided to go see what was going on with Pauli while I was there. I checked in the ER first but found she had been moved to a room, so I headed upstairs. I knocked on the doorframe of her room and went in to find two investigators from Internal Affairs asking her questions.

"What's going on here?" I asked, feeling my temper rise.

"And you are?" asked the older guy standing closest to me.

"I'm her field supervisor and I don't appreciate you coming in here to bother her while she is recovering from serious injuries.'

"We have a job to do, just as you do. Why don't you let us finish up and we can go on our way," he suggested.

Pauli looked worn out as well as p.i.s.sed off. I decided to stand my ground with these two pests. "I don't think so. According to the department guidelines, she is ent.i.tled to have a representative present while being questioned. I'm that rep, right Pauli?"

"Yup, I asked to call you and they wouldn't let me, Donny."

That got me steamed. "You were denied your right to a representative?" I turned to the two men with a glare. "I want your names, badge numbers, and supervisor's name. I want it right now, and then, I want you two investigators to get the h.e.l.l out of this room. Got it?" I was using my best command voice and it seemed to be working.

The younger guy shot a look at his partner before pulling a business card out of his jacket. He scribbled some information on the back, handed it to me, and then tried to apologize.

"Look, I don't want any ha.s.sles. We weren't denying her her rights! We simply didn't see a need to bother you. All we wanted was some basic information for our report. That's it, nice and simple stuff."

I pocketed the card without looking at it. Instead, I turned my glare back on him as he rambled on. "I don't care. Now, get out and don't come back until you are called back, clear?"

The older guy sneered at me. "You don't control us. You don't outrank us either. I don't know who you think you are but- "I'll tell you exactly who I think I am. I'm her," I pointed at Pauli, "supervisor, which means that she is under my protection. You will not risk her health for your gain. After she has had some rest, I will call you back to finish your interview. Now get out before I call security in here."

The younger guy mumbled some apologies as he pushed his partner out of the room. I turned to Pauli and noticed that she did look worn out. "You okay, kid? What were they after?"

Pauli shook her head slightly, "I don't know, Donny. I'm worn out, but I'm not hurting too badly. They came in, waving department badges and asking questions. I asked to make a phone call to you and they refused. Actually, right after that is when you came in."

"What did they ask before I got here? Any idea what they were after?" It didn't make sense that they were that gungho to investigate this incident.

"They asked for a run down of how the call happened, where my partner was located, and what the patient's injuries were. I didn't tell them anything. I didn't know them. I didn't get a good look at their ID, and I wasn't going to talk without someone else being present. For all I know, they were trying to trick me into giving away confidential information."

I tried to rea.s.sure her. "You did the right thing. I don't know what they were fishing for, but I don't like their manners or tactics. I'm gonna borrow your phone and call the captain about this."

I dialed in to the station first. Gina answered so I asked her if the captain was in yet.

"He just got back a few minutes ago. Have you seen Pauli yet? How's she doing?"

"She's doing fine and I'm actually standing right next to her. Do you want to talk to her?"

"Yes, please. Thanks, Donny. I'll get the captain for you after I talk to her, I promise."

"That's fine, Gina, I can wait a minute. Here she is."

I handed the phone to Pauli and stepped over to the window for a minute to think about how I should approach this with the captain. I did my best not to listen to Pauli's side of the conversation but I heard her speaking softly and an almost whispered, "I'll see you later," before she called me back to the phone.

"Thanks, Donny, I'll go grab the Cap now for you, hold one."

"Copy that," I smiled at her use of radio terms and even wider when I realized that I had followed her lead and answered in the same manner.

A gruff voice came on the line, "This is Captain Williams, what can I do for you?"

"Hey, Cap, it's Donny. I think you should know that I found IA in Connor's hospital room giving her a hard time."

I heard him grumble and the squeak of his chair as I imagined him leaning back in it. "Just wonderful! What the h.e.l.l did they want from her?"

"I'm not sure, Cap, but they were asking for information on today's incident, including patient information. They also refused to let her call anyone in as a representative to sit with her. It was just luck that I came in when I did."

He sighed and I could hear him shuffling some papers. "Just wonderful, something else to add to this f.u.c.ked up day! Tell me the rest."

"I got their names and badges, told them we would be in touch when she was healthier, and chased them out. I think you can expect a complaint about me being a bully."

I gave him the information on the two IA guys and filled him in on Pauli's condition before we hung up. When I turned to face Pauli, she was sound asleep. I wrote her a note and left it for her before I headed up to see Kristy.

When I got there, the door was closed with a note taped to it. The note said to check in at the nurses' station so I did. "What's going on with Kristy? Why do I have to check in here first?"

"She's in session with the doctor. You can wait, or you can come back later."

I looked at the time and decided I had to get going so I could run my errands and cook a great meal for my date night with Caity. "I have to run. Can you just make sure she gets this? It's just some books and stuff."

The nurse a.s.sured me that she would take care of it. I started a mental checklist of all the things I needed to accomplish before going home. With a sigh, I got in my car and started my errands.

CHAPTER 13.

I CHECKED my watch and decided that I had time to make my own bread, so I skipped the bakery and headed home. After unloading the groceries, I washed up and started the bread machine on the dough cycle. I decided to make a pasta salad for dinner to keep it lighter for such a late meal. I boiled the penne and thawed a box of carrots and peas. I chopped up some Monterey Jack cheese, halved grape tomatoes, and some leftover grilled chicken. To this, I added some par boiled broccoli. I made a light dressing with some Italian dressing seasoning, thyme vinegar, olive oil, tarragon, and a little honey to balance the acid. Once everything was mixed together I put it in the refrigerator to cool down and cleaned up the kitchen.

I decided to throw a burger on the grill for my lunch, even though it was close to three in the afternoon. I figured we would eat a late dinner and a late lunch worked out well. While I was grilling, I heard my cell phone ring and ran into the house to grab it. I missed it but it was the station house so I dialed the number while rescuing my burger from the grill. Gina answered and I kidded with her, "What, they only let the probies answer the phones these days?"

She laughed. "Actually, I'm the one that called you just now, so I figured it would be you calling back."

I brought my burger back inside and started putting together a salad to go with it while I talked on the phone. "Well, you got me, so what can I do for you, Probie?" I loved ribbing her about the probie thing as she was a big NCIS fan and the term was used on that show constantly.

"I was wondering, would you have time to talk to me in person in a little while? Please, say no if it is a problem. I know it's your day off, but I'm getting off shift in a few minutes and I wanted to ask you something that I don't want to talk about on the phone or in the station."

Puzzled but, after a check on the dough and the clock, I realized I had a few hours before Caity got home so I told her to come over after her shift, then hung up to enjoy my lunch. I wondered what Gina could possibly have to say that couldn't wait and had to be done in private. Deciding that time would tell, I bit into my burger and pushed everything else from my mind.

I made a pitcher of lemonade and brought out some ice, a couple of gla.s.ses, and some cheese and crackers to the patio. Gina was sitting under the umbrella waiting for me. I decided we should get started. "So, what brings you to my patio, Gina? I suspect you didn't just miss running with me." I gave her a grin, trying to loosen things up a bit since she looked tense.

Gina fidgeted with her lemonade gla.s.s and looked everywhere but at me. After waiting for a minute, she finally asked a question. "How well do you know Pauli?"

Well, that wasn't the question I had expected to hear, though with the way life had been going lately, maybe I should have.

"In what way? I've worked with her for a few years. I've gotten to know her more through her sister. I guess I need to know why you're asking."

Gina blushed. I didn't know she was capable of blushing but I heard a warning bell in my head when I saw it happen. "I guess I was curious about her. You know, what she likes, what she doesn't like. I wanted to get her a get well present but I wasn't sure what to get her."

I looked Gina up and down, trying to make sense of her question. "Why not just get her balloons or flowers. Something simple like that would work."

Gina shook her head. "I don't want to do something that everyone else would do. What else would she like? Does she like any games? Anything special you can think of at all?"

"What's going on, Gina? Get her a plant or something. What's the big deal? I don't get it."

Gina fussed with her gla.s.s some more, shifted around in her seat and generally showed no signs of talking.