Dreams Come Alive In Coral Valley

Hart coughed as his body slowly returned to consciousness. While he’d tried to make sense of what was happening, there was no mistaking the fiery rage that had fallen upon the airport. Moments earlier he’d been speaking with Special Agent Lawson and then the world ripped apart so to speak. The last thing he could remember was the ground shaking before him. Now however, he lay in the midst of debris and turmoil with the sounds of tortured and terrified cries surrounding him. The disaster had burst out of control, spilling over the airport with each desperate sound.

“Jenna,” he mouthed straining to pull himself up from the place he’d dropped to on the floor when the ceiling came crashing in over him. He turned his head to his side, seeing Agent Lawson sprawled out beside him. Making his way over to search for the man’s pulse, he noticed the thick line of blood that soaked over the man’s forehead. There was no denying the blank expression on Lawson’s face as he’d been a casualty of the disaster that had swept over the Coral Valley airport.

Using the strength in his arms to pull himself up on unsteady legs, Hart stepped forward hoping to maneuver his way through the wreckage. The distinct smell of burning and charred bodies before him, caused him to gag in the moment. Whatever had happened had happened fast and even now Hart couldn’t make sense of it. One second all was well and then the next, well the world fell apart. He continued forward hoping to find Jenna amidst the wreckage, but instead he was beckoned by the sounds before him.

Turning his attention to the moving hand before him, he noticed an arm popping up from underneath the pieces of ceiling that had fallen. Rushing over to aid the man trapped underneath Hart coughed finding his lungs full of the smoke that had surrounded him. It took all of his strength to get the heavy, broken pieces off of the man, but still Hart didn’t give up. When he’d freed the man from the rubble before him, he leaned forward, urging the man up.

“Can you walk,” Hart questioned taking note of the severe burns already eating away at the man on his arm.

“I don’t know,” the man admitted with a cough, “I think my leg is broken.”

“What’s your name,” Hart questioned using his own strength to prop up the man beside him.

“Gabe,” he replied with a cough, his body shaky with the movement he made.

“Alright Gabe listen to me,” Hart began urging the man to lean onto him, “I’m going to get you out of here, but we’re going to have to work as a team. Tell me which leg you think is broken and we’ll work around it.”

“The left one,” Gabe coughed out while Hart moved around to help Gabe. Together the two men began to push through the fire praying that there would be a way to escape the madness that surrounded them.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cameron’s eyes adjusted to his surroundings and while he’d strained to understand what had just happened, there weren’t words that could even begin to explain what was going on before him. The world was ablaze, the heat of the bomb’s obvious destruction tearing the airport apart. He could clearly recall where he’d been watching Jade, but now, well there was nothing but confusion. Jade was no where to be spotted and as he looked up from where he lay on the ground, he half recognized the spot before him. He was certain that he was somewhere near the restaurant that hadn’t been anywhere near him before the blast. Still with the fires burning around him and the screams of terror mixing together, Cameron knew there was only one thing to do--escape. Clawing at the ground beneath him, Cameron rolled over onto his side before using a piece of discarded ceiling to prop himself up.

“You can do this,” he urged himself on feeling his legs get him up again. He could see small flames on his jacket sleeve and within a matter of seconds, he discarded the jacket opting to toss it aside in a haste before it caused him more problems. Shaking his head when a crackling noise rose above, Cameron stepped just out of the way long enough to watch drywall crumble to the very spot he’d just been in.

Shaking his head, Cameron walked away ready to make his great exit when a voice from the wreckage captured his attention. He couldn’t quite make out much from the muffled sound, but more so he noticed the body shifting beneath a wooden piece before him. The woman seemed to writhe for a moment before she collapsed. It was then when Cameron turned to leave until something occurred to him. Spinning around again, he recognized the woman before him. It was Jenna. Immediately a rush of conflicting thoughts washed over him. Should he leave her to die, then it would most certainly destroy Douglas, yet if he let her live, well there would be a certain debt she would owe him--a certain shift in her perspective where he was concerned. Taking in a slow breath, Cameron headed in Jenna’s direction watching her attempt to break free from where she’d been trapped.

Kneeling down beside her, Cameron reached for a piece of the discarded drywall. A sigh of relief swept over Jenna’s features until she lifted her eyes to see the man before her.

“Let me help you with this,” Cameron suggested tossing another piece that had covered her up before now.

“Cameron,” she blinked back with obvious confusion. She felt a pain rip right up over her leg, reaching into her abdomen when he attempted to move something else. She arched back in agony, “don’t…please…it hurts…”

“It’s going to hurt a lot more if I stop,” Cameron informed her point blank--tossing the piece of wreckage aside only to discover the gaping wound over her abdomen. Her blood soaked shirt clearly revealed where she’d been hit the most during the blast. At first Cameron looked around for someone to help, but alas he couldn’t see much through the thick smoke. Reaching around for the jacket he’d discarded, he tore away at the remaining material getting enough of it to tie around Jenna’s center. Once he’d secured a knot around her waist, he reached out for her.

“What are you…” she questioned groggily, smoke causing her eyes to water.

“Just trust me,” Cameron whispered pulling her completely into his arms.

“That’s asking a lot,” she coughed out in response feeling her body weak from the blood loss.

“Yeah well, try for once,” he decided turning around only to be met by the heated flames before him. He side stepped seeing a line to an exit before him. He just prayed that they would find a way to make it out alive considering that he was far from finishing what he’d set out to do in Coral Valley.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The smoke and fire rage with fury inside the airport as the injured and dead lay side by side. Ken lays motionless under fallen debris as smoke covers him with a deadly blanket and the fire inches ever closer. Suddenly he stirs and moans weakly.

Ken: Caitlin...

He slowly awakens disoriented and confused. He struggles to sit up pushing the debris away. He looks around holding his throbbing head as he tries to get his bearings.

Ken: What the hell...?

He moves his hand away from his head and sees it's red with blood he wipes it on his torn shirt then still dazed and confused struggles to stand wincing at the pain in his body.

Ken: Caitlin?! What the hell happened here?

Suddenly the memories come flooding back. The air plane ride, the arriving at the air port, and then the sudden and deafening blast followed by his body being jolted into the air. He remembers coming crashing down with a violent thud and then total blackness. Ken starts to panic.

Ken: CAITLIN! CAITLIN WHERE ARE YOU?!

Ignoring his injures he starts to frantically move ruble around searching desperately for her.

Ken: Caitlin! CAITLIN, HONEY, WHERE ARE YOU!

Suddenly Ken's search is interrupted by a horribly agonized scream. The scream is so painful and terrified that it sends chills down Ken's back. He turns and to his horror sees a person completely engulfed in flames running through the debris. Thinking fast he removes his damaged coat, runs towards the person and tackles them to the ground. Then using the coat quickly manages to get the fire out, but the person is very badly burned, to the point where their facial features are severally changed. He looks down at the victim as they lay there moaning.

Ken: Can you hear me? What's your name?

The person just moans. He then notices a charred purse nearby and panics.

Ken: Caitlin?!

He grabs the purse and looks for Identification. He breaths a sigh of relief when he sees the picture on the ID while charred can still be made out. It's not Caitlin, but rather Heather.

He shakes his head as he looks at her.

Ken: I can't even recognize you.

He gently lifts Heather into his arms continuing to ignore the pain in his body and begins to carry her.

Ken: I'll get you some help, and find someone to help me find Caitlin.

He walks through the fiery remains wondering if there is any hope at all for Caitlin.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Brant awakes to the panicked screams, and falling fiery debris around him. His face pressed into the cold floor a heavy pressure covering his body, as smoke and flames close in around him. Groaning in pain his mind flashes back to the events of the evening. His survival instincts kick in with a mighty groan he manages to raise himself and force some of the debris off of him. Slowly and painfully he crawls out from under a part of the ceiling. He looks around trying to gather his bearings. His head injury makes him dizzy and his vision blurry. Looking around at the destruction he shivers.

Brant: Blake?!

He winces at the pain caused by his yelling. Then coughs as the smoke continues to fill his lungs.

Brant: I...I have to -- to get... get out of here!

He tries to stand quickly, but nearly falls his body weakened. Grabbing onto a still standing wall he slowly starts to walk hoping to find a way out. As he walks the smoke becomes thicker until it's almost blinded him, but the light from the ever threatening fire allows him to see the horrors it's left in it's path.

Brant: God, if this isn't hell I don't know what is?

He winces in pain as he continues on. Then suddenly he spots a door. But laying face down, right in front of the door with blood everywhere is a man.

Brant has no choice but to encounter him if he's going to get out.

Brant: The guy’s probably dead.

He starts to try and step over him, but the mans coat sleeve is caught in the door.

Brant: Oh just great, a corpse is going to get me killed!

He shakily tries to pull the mans coat from the door and when he does this the man moans making Brant jump in shock. Having helped dislodge the man’s arm, he makes a decision.

Brant: No sense in leaving you here since you're alive.

So with all the strength he has left he pulls the man out the door with him. He then shakily pulls him down the steps then exhausted from his injures and the effort of getting himself and this man out he falls to the ground. It is now he finally looks at the mans face.

Brant: Seth?! Holy shit!

Just then two EMT teams race over to the men and begin trying to help. One team takes Seth while the other tends to Brant.

Brant: Take care of him, my kid sister loves that man!

The EMT's nod as they move a still mostly unconscious Seth onto a stretcher. The other team tends to Brant.

EMT: Sir can you tell us what your injuries are?

Brant looks at them as if they're nuts.

Brant: Isn't that you're job? Look, I was trapped in a burning inferno. My head hurts, my vision is blurry and my body feels like it was hit by a Mac truck! Figure it out!

He winces as he lays back on the gurney.

The EMT's nod as they continue to treat him and take him over to an ambulance.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As the rain, lightening and thunder pound the earth in an effort to not be outdone by the raging chaos at the airport. A frantic Blake runs through the mess. Everywhere she looks there is fire. Collapsing structures, injured and dead people surround her. The screams of those in agony and screams of terror almost drown out the angry sirens and urgent shouts of police and fire fighters. People run blindly trampling on others as they flee for their lives. Blake runs right along with them searching desperately for her loved ones in a state of pure panic ignoring her own injures. Tears of distress race down her dirt filled face and intertwine with her bloody injures making her look even more hurt then she is.

Blake: KEN! BRANT! SETH! CAITLIN! ZACK! WHERE ARE YOU?! OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD! WHERE ARE YOU!

She stops standing in the middle of the obliterated remains of the airport as chaos reigns over all. Then suddenly amidst all the pain and panic she hears a scream that sounds somewhat familiar coming from the exterior of what is left of the huge structure. Afraid it is someone she loves she races towards the sound. When she gets outside she looks around desperately trying to determine which cry for help it was she recognized. Finally looking up into the storm filled night sky she freezes.

In front of her is a damaged, but standing outside staircase people once used to get off planes. Dangling precariously from the very top by only one hand is a very scared and hurt Joanna screaming frantically. If she falls she will fall directly into the raging fire. Her other hand grips her swollen stomach, as tears pour down in a torrent.

Joanna: HELP! GOD, PLEASE HELP! SOMEONE ANYONE HELP US! SAVE ME AND MY BABY! PLEASE, SOMEONE DON'T LET US DIE!

Blake looks around and seeing no one even remotely able to help makes a decision. As her heart pounds wildly with fear she gathers up all her courage and runs up the damaged stairs as they sway back and forth unsteadily.

Blake: HANG ON!

She reaches the top and kneels down by Joanna's hand. As the lightening flashes around her and the heat from the fire intensifies Blake reaches for Joanna's hand, but just as she does Joanna's hand starts to slip. Joanna screams in horror as she begins to fall to a fiery death. Suddenly she stops falling as Blake manages to grab hold of Joanna's hair.

Blake lays at the top of the stairs both hands through the rail gripping her hair. Tears race down her face as she tries to stay calm.

Blake: Grab my hand! I can't hold your hair like this much longer! Grab my hand, or wrist just something!

Joanna cries hysterically.

Joanna: I CAN'T! I CAN'T! OH, GOD, MY BABY, MY BABY!

Blake: Think of your baby and try! Come on, grab my wrist!

Focusing on her baby she puts all her strength into trying to reach Blake, but she simply can't. She begins crying even more hysterically then before. As Blake tries to ignore the rickety stairs swaying more and more, the fire and the lightening, along with fear for her loved ones. She takes a deep breath and hand over hand pulling hard on Joanna's hair manages to work her hands down to the base of Joanna's head allowing a petrified Joanna to finally grab on. Willing herself to stay calm Blake grabs Joanna's hand and with almost super human strength begins dragging her to safety.

Joanna: My, baby! My Baby! Oh, God, my baby!

Blake: You're baby is going to be okay! You both are!

Blake finally pulls Joanna all the way onto the top of the staircase.

Blake out of breath and shaken to the core just sits there trying to catch her breath. Joanna lays there clutching her stomach and yelling.

Joanna: MY BABY, OH MY BABY!

Blake: You're baby is fine. You're both going to be fine.

Blake tries to soothe as she catches her own breath and tries to figure out how the hell they're going to get down the stairs as the fire is now dangerously close to the bottom of the steps.

Joanna: NO! NO, MY BABY IS COMING! IT'S COMING! I HAVE TO PUSH!

Blake stairs at Joanna in utter horror.

Blake: WHAT?!

Joanna: I'M HAVING MY BABY RIGHT NOW, IT'S COMING! OH GOD, I HAVE TO PUSH!

Joanna cries in agony. As if to punctuate the moment a bolt of lightening hits ominously close to them.

Blake: WELL, WELL, YOU CAN'T HAVE IT HERE!

Joanna: DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT! OH GOD, BLAKE DO SOMETHING! IT'S COMING NOW!

Blake looks around and realizes if they don't get down the steps soon they won't be able to. The fire and the storm along with all the other chaos makes it impossible to see rescuers. She is hit with the chilling thought that if she can't see them they probably can't see her. Pushing away the onset of hysteria Blake tries to stay calm.

Blake: Can you walk?!

Joanna: No! OH IT HURTS!

Blake: Okay, okay!

Not sure what else to do Blake hurriedly pulls Joanna onto her back and with great effort begins making her way down the dangerous steps the extra weight nearly causing Blake to fall twice. As the reach the bottom another explosion is heard causing them both to fall to the ground. Blake's coat catches fire, but remembering what Ken taught her years ago she quickly manages to get it out then runs to Joanna who is writhing on the ground in agony.

Joanna: HELP! OH GOD, HELP US!

Blake grabs Joanna and sitting her up takes her from behind and begins dragging her away from the fire. But as she does this she is forced to accept that there really isn't a safe spot. Fire is everywhere, and the storm has intensified. The smell of gasoline burns her nose as she looks around desperate to find a spot.

Joanna: HURRY, HURRY!

Blake: I'm trying!

Looking back at the inside of the airport she gets an idea. The door she came out of is right above a cement stair case. Under it is just enough room for the two of them.

Blake: I think that's as safe as we're going to get for now!

She drags a hysterical Joanna over and quickly pulls her under the steps. Now out of the storm and not as close to the fire Blake again tries to catch her breath.

Joanna: THE BABY!

Blake: ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT! LET ME LOOK!

Not really sure what she's doing, but knowing something has to be done she pulls Joanna's pants off and looks down. She gasps as she sees the very top of the head already somewhat out.

Blake: Okay, okay, we can handle this!

She cups her hands under the tip of it's head.

Blake: PUSH!

Joanna pushes hard as she screams out in agony.

The head comes the rest of the way out.

Blake supports the head gently.

Blake: DO IT AGAIN! IT'S ALMOST HERE!

Joanna: I'm scared! I don't think I can!

Blake: Yes, you can, come on! You can do this and you have to! Now push! You already made it this far, come on Joanna push!

Joanna screams again as she begins to push hard. Suddenly Blake's eyes go wide with fear as they focus on the cord wrapped tightly around the baby's neck.

Blake: STOP, DON'T PUSH JOANNA! JUST STOP, BREATHE!

Joanna: Why, what's wrong?!

Blake: THE CORD! I'VE SEEN ENOUGH ER TO KNOW IT SHOULDN'T BE AROUND THE BABY'S NECK AND IT IS!

Joanna: NO!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE HELP MY BABY! OH GOD I HAVE TO PUSH!

Blake: Fight it! I -- I have to find a way to get it off!

She looks around quickly and notices a sharp piece of metal on the ground.

Blake: This will have to do.

She grabs it with one hand still supporting the baby's head in the other while Joanna screams in pain.

Joanna: MY BABY!

Blake frantically begins trying to cut through the cord finally she does.

Joanna: I HAVE TO PUSH!

Cupping her hands back under the head and praying removing the cord was enough Blake takes a deep breath.

Blake: Push!

Joanna pushes one more time crying out as she does. The baby slides into Blake's waiting hands.

Blake: IT'S A BOY, IT'S A BOY, YOU HAVE A SON!

Blake is crying tears of amazement as she looks down at the child she just helped bring into the world. But he isn't crying. He is blueish gray and completely still. Joanna falls back on the ground panting when she realizes there is no crying.

Joanna: Why isn't my baby crying?!

Blake looks down at the still infant unsure what to do.

Joanna: What's wrong?!

Blake trying to think fast puts her mouth to the baby's and blows two breaths of air into his little mouth. But nothing happens. Blake tries again. Still no response.

Joanna: OH GOD NO, MY BABY CAN'T BE DEAD! DON'T LET MY BABY DIE!

Blake: I DON'T KNOW INFANT CPR!

Joanna is hysterical.

Joanna: THEN GIVE HIM REGULAR, I DON'T CARE! JUST DO SOMETHING!

Blake lays the baby on the ground trying to figure out what to do. Then decides to just do everything on a smaller scale. She begins chest compression's with just two fingers instead of her whole hand and makes sure to only blow small breaths into the baby, all the while Joanna cries in the back ground. Blake does this over and over praying for a miracle. Suddenly Blake notices that she can feel a faint heart beat under her fingers.

Blake: HIS HEART'S BEATING!

Joanna: OH THANK GOD, THANK GOD! IS HE BREATHING?

Blake shakes her head worriedly as she continues to blow small breaths into the small baby. Suddenly an EMT person spots them and races over.

EMT: You ladies need help?

Blake turns to him at her wits end.

Blake: WHAT KIND OF ASININE QUESTION IS THAT! WE ARE SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A RAGING INFERNO WITH INJURED AND DEAD EVERYWHERE! THERE IS A HUGE STORM RAGING, AND THIS WOMAN JUST GAVE BIRTH TO A BABY WHO BEARLY HAS A HEARTBEAT AND ISN'T BREATHING! OF COURSE WE NEED HELP YOU JACK ASS! NOW DO SOMETHING!

The EMT is a little taken aback by her outburst, but quickly regroups.

EMT: GIVE THE BABY RESCUE BREATHS WHILE I GET MORE HELP?!

He radio's a couple other EMT'S who race over, and begin tending to Joanna and the baby.

Joanna: MY BABY, MY BABY!

EMT: WE'RE TAKING CARE OF HIM MA'AM.

Joanna: ZACK, FIND ZACK! I NEED ZACK!

Blake: I'm sure he's around here, Joanna. Don't worry he'll meet you at the hospital!

The EMT'S rush Joanna and the baby off to a waiting ambulance. Blake overcome by emotion falls to her knees and begins sobbing uncontrollably. A cop comes over to her and puts a blanket around her.

Cop: Come on ma'am let's get you out of here. I'll take you to the hospital to get checked out.

Blake completely spent can only nod as she is led away.

Nearby a frantic Zack stumbles around ignoring his own injures searching for any sign of Joanna.

Zack: JOANNA! JOANNA, HONEY, CAN YOU HEAR ME?! WHERE ARE YOU?! JOANNA BABY, ANSWER ME?! IT'S ZACK!

An officer who was near the ambulance as Joanna was being taken away and heard her name as well as heard her crying for Zack comes over to him.

Officer: Excuse me, you said your name is Zack correct?

Zack: Yeah, why? Look I need to find my wife! She's pregnant and she's somewhere in this mess!

Officer: If her name is Joanna she gave birth not long ago and her and your baby were taken to the hospital. I'll give you a lift, come on.

Zack: WHAT?! HOW?! WHERE?! WHEN?!

Officer: I don't have all the details, I just know a woman named Joanna gave birth here tonight and she was crying out for someone named Zack. Come on.

The men race off to the patrol car.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kyle’s eyes slowly opened to feel pain throughout his body. On top of his arm was a piece of the wall tightly pressed down on his arm. He tried to pull his arm out, but he was too hurt to get it out. A sudden thought of the three he was suppose to protect came through his mind. He had to get up and find them, he had too. He grinded his teeth together pushing the piece of the wall up with his other arm. The wall lifted up slowly as he pulled his arm out from underneath it. He got to his knees as the smoke surrounded him. He looked down at his arm that laid limp and his side. He grinded his teeth in pain, his arm was dislocated. He grabbed his arm with his other hand and snapped it back in place. Groans escaped his mouth as his body fell and his face landed hard on the ground. He was in so much pain, he had forgotten how pain had felt. His eyes closed tightly, but then quickly opened as he slowly got to his feet. The cut on his forehead and cheek didn’t bother him.

"Avery, Russell, Jade?" he yelled out looking around as he held onto his arm.

He bent down lightly grasping tightly onto his arm. He looked in front of him and saw a hand sticking out from under a piece of the ceiling that had fell. He ran over quickly grabbing the thing that covered the helpless person. With all his might he lifted up the piece of ceiling even with a dislocated arm. He threw it to the side looking at the helpless body that lie before him. The face came into focus as he realized who it was.

"Jade," he said sliding down to the floor next to her.

He grabbed her in his arms as fingers ran along her face lightly. "Come on Jade," he whispered lightly. "You have to wake up," he ran his fingers through her hair lightly. "You have to be here for Grady, I can’t let anything happen to you."

Her body slightly moved as her eyes slightly opened. "Kyle?" she got out is a bit of a whisper.

"Hold on, I need to get you some help," he said grabbing her body and picking her up in his arms. He carried her through the broken down airport as he coughed from the smoke around him. The rain fell as it hit their bodies. Lightning cracked in the sky as he bit his lip, his arm hurt so much. He couldn’t give up now, he had to save Jade. He quickened his pace of walking and found a paramedic. The guy went to grab Jade as Kyle turned, making it so he could only hold her.

"Where do I take her?" he questioned.

"Sir, your hurt," the guy reminded him.

"Forget about me, I just need to help her," he exclaimed.

The guy led him to an area where he laid Jade down.

"I think your arm is dislocated," the guy said.

"Tell me something I don’t know," he growled.

"I’ll get someone, to come and look at it."

"Get someone to come over here and help her," he pointed at Jade as the guy left.

Kyle turned to look at Jade as he ran his hand through her hair. He watched as her eyes opened.

"Kyle, Grady, is he alright," she asked in slight pain as he nodded.

"He’s fine sweetheart," he smiled. "You’re going to be okay too."

"You’re hurt," she coughed as he shook his head lightly.

"That doesn’t matter just as long as you’re okay," he nodded.

"I’m fine," she coughed at the smoke reached her nose and filled her senses.

"You could be, but I would feel a lot better if you would just let someone look at you alright?" he asked getting down on his knees next to her.

"Alright," she nodded. "Kyle what happened?"

Kyle sighed and looked down, his dark eyes looked back up to hers, "We’ll talk about it later just as soon as I know you‘re alright."

"Okay," she smiled as his hand ran through her. "Thank you," she slightly smiled before she closed her eyes again.


Part of Kyle believed this was all his fault. What could have happened if just maybe he could have found that bomb faster. He could have saved so many people. Just maybe if he found it faster so many people wouldn’t be suffering and hurt. Damn Randy for this, he knew who was doing this…if it wasn’t for him so many people could have been safe. He knew it couldn’t have been him who had done this, but something told him that Randy probably knew something was up. He also probably knew was up to this. He was going to find out who did this, no matter what it took.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Brant sat at an ambulance watching the chaos that surrounded him. While he’d made it out of the fire virtually unscathed by the flames, there were so many around him that were still caught in the thick of things. The police were everywhere--firefighters with hoses attempting to cool down the inferno before him, yet it all appeared to rage on with a fury. The explosion had come out of nowhere and now, well now it seemed to be without end. Suddenly Brant’s thoughts drifted from the mess before him, to his family inside. He thought of Blake and of Ken and in that moment a fear swept over him.

“Brant,” he heard Blake’s voice call out to him from a few feet away. Turning to see her standing by another ambulance, he couldn’t help but feel a moment of relief upon him. Rushing over to her side, he threw his arms around her in an embrace.

“Oh thank God,” he whispered holding her tightly in his arms.

“Oh Brant,” Blake began to cry, unable to contain her tears a moment longer.

“Are you okay sweetheart,” Brant questioned pulling back enough to gaze into her worried eyes. While her face was darkened by soot, overall she looked as if she hadn’t been touched by much more during the explosion.

“I just don’t understand what’s happening in there,” she confessed in a tiny sob, “One minute I was going to see Seth and then…” she stopped mid-sentence, her face whitening in the moment, “Oh my God. Seth!”

“He’s okay Blake,” Brant promised her wiping at her tears, “I brought him out with me. He’s on his way to the hospital and he’s safe.”

“He is,” Blake offered up a relieved smile, “oh thank God.”

“I’m just glad you’re okay,” Brant hugged her again thinking about how he couldn’t bear to be without her.

“But what about Kenny? Have you seen him,” Blake questioned after a moment of silence, “Is he still in there?”

“If he is the firemen are going to do everything in their power to bring him out,” Brant continued to explain to her.

“But what if he’s trapped? What if they don’t find him? What if he’s…” Blake began her fears getting the best of her.

“He’s not,” Brant cut her off abruptly, “and you can’t think like that.”

“But Brant what if…” Blake started only to be interrupted by the sounds of someone pushing through the crowd.

“Out of my way,” Kyle roared rushing over to an ambulance with Jade in his arms. He rushed over to one of the paramedics who were now attending to her.

“What about Avery…” Jade questioned in the midst of the chaos, “She and Russ…Kyle, they could still be in there.”

“I know and I’m going to find them,” Kyle vowed knowing that Jade was in good hands now that she was with the paramedics.

“No son you aren’t going anywhere,” a police officer explained to him, “No one is going back in there except the professionals.”

“My best friend and his wife are still trapped in there,” Kyle’s voice roared with anger, “I have to find them.”

“Someone will find them, but I can’t risk a civilian going in there,” the officer continued to inform him, getting into a verbal disagreement with Kyle.

“Brant, did you hear that,” Blake spun around to face her brother after she’d listened to Kyle and the officer arguing. However, when she’d spun around, she found herself alone much to her dismay. “Brant?”

Searching the area around her, Blake realized that her brother was gone. He had been right beside her until he’d heard Avery’s name and now…Blake turned her eyes towards the burning building before her praying that Brant hadn’t done what she feared he would consider in the name of saving Avery.

“Brant where are you,” Blake began to pace around the grass beneath her feet. While she’d hoped that her brother wouldn’t go off and do something stupid, there was no telling what he was up to now that he’d disappeared. She thought about how he’d tried to convince her not to take matters into her own hands in seeking out Ken, but now, well now she feared he was inside the mess risking it all for a woman who would never truly be what he needed in his life. She just prayed that this wasn’t the end for him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“You’re going to be alright,” Hart offered up to Gabe, hoping that the EMTs would be able to take it from this moment on with the man he’d saved.

“Thank you,” Gabe replied with a cough as the EMTs put him in the ambulance, clearly far more worried about the severity of his burns despite Gabe’s own ignorance about the situation. He’d pulled through the airport on Hart’s arm, but there was no denying the man was weak--too weak to make it on his own. Still Hart’s thoughts returned to the woman he loved.

“Hart. Hart Steiner,” he heard a voice call out to him. Turning around he saw Cameron Stone approaching him. Feeling his anger mount at the thought of the trouble the man had brought into his life, Hart gritted his teeth.

“What do you want?” Hart questioned roughly, “Want to confess to this mess?”

“Not at all because this wasn’t my doing, but saving Jenna was,” Cameron informed him honestly, “She’s in that ambulance there and she’s been asking for you. I promised her that I would try to find you.”

“She’s what,” Hart’s jaw dropped as he forgot about his feelings about Cameron. Almost immediately he sprinted off in the direction Cameron had sent him in. A few seconds later he found Jenna inside an ambulance as the EMTs were about to close the doors.

“Wait,” Hart pleaded with them, “the woman I love is in there. You have to let me go with you.”

One of the EMTs looked to the other before the man nodded and allowed Hart access within. Watching the scene unfold Cameron took a step back finding himself pleased with how things were working out for him.

“There you are,” Thea’s voice rose above the madness. Cameron spun around to find her standing behind him, her high heels in hand while her white blouse had a gray stain upon it. She wrinkled her nose in disgust before moving in towards him, “Please tell me we don’t have to stick around here.”

“Where’s Heather,” Cameron asked watching the less than happy expression that crossed over Thea’s features.

“Who the hell cares,” Thea barked back at him, “After a mess like that all I want is a good martini. I’m going to the car and…”

“And nothing,” Cameron reached out to seize her arm before snatching the keys from her coat pocket, “You’re going to search around and see if you can find anything about what’s happened to Heather. I on the other hand have to go over to the hospital…”

“But Cam,” she began curling her lip in a pout.

“But nothing,” he cut her off sharply, “Just do it.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but said nothing watching him retreat from the airport grounds. While she’d been fearful of what might’ve happened in the explosion, she was well aware that Cameron’s obsession had gone into overload. When she’d last seen him, he was chasing off after Jade in a frenzy--making a fool of himself and she was certain that was what he was attempting to do right now.

“Go find out about Heather,” she mocked him aloud before throwing her hands in the air. She surveyed her environment noticing a familiar face now that she’d spotted Patrick in the crowd. Sauntering over to him, she witnessed him giving orders to some of the other officers.

“Fancy meeting you here,” Thea flashed him a sultry smile, capturing his full attention despite the disaster before them.

“Thea, what are you doing here? Have you been hurt,” he reached out to touch her arm, “Were you in there?”

“I was, but right now I don’t want to talk about it. I just want to get as far from here as possible. Care to join me,” Thea suggested in a flirty tone, pressing her fingertips over the center of his chest.

“I can’t just up and leave in the middle of this…” he started to protest feeling her shift her body in against him.

“Yes you can. You can escort me back to my place and I’ll make sure that you make the front page headlines as the hero from tonight,” she licked her lips before leaning up on her toes to kiss him wildly far certain that she would be able to get Patrick Sharpe exactly where she wanted him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After rescuing Heather, as well as a number of others while searching for Caitlin, the EMT's try to get Ken to let them examine him but he won't let them touch him before he finds her. They try to stop him from going back in and tell him someone will find Caitlin but he manages to push his way back inside and begins stumbling through the horrendous wreckage.

Ken: Caitlin?! Caitlin, baby where are you?! Answer me?!!!

He begins shakily moving debris searching for any sign of her as he tries not to give in to his fatigue and injures. An EMT finally catches up with him and grabs onto his arm.

EMT: Sir you really shouldn't be in here.

Ken angrily jerks his arm away.

Ken: When it's the love of your life lying in the middle of hell then you can talk to me about where I should and shouldn't be?! Now either help me find her, or get away from me?!

The EMT sees the intensity in Ken's eyes and sighs heavily.

EMT: All right, I'll help you, but she may have already been rescued. This place is huge, finding her is going to be like finding a needle in a hay stack.

Ken: Well then start sifting cause she's one needle I'm not leaving without!

Ken stumbles off with determination.

Ken: CAITLIN!

The EMT sighs and fallows. Slowly they make their way through the immense rubble towards the place where the gate they got off at once stood.

Ken: Caitlin?! Answer me, sweetheart! Caitlin?!

EMT: Caitlin can you hear us?!

Suddenly Ken stops dead in his tracks as his eyes focus on something.

Ken: Caitlin...

Ken kneels down and picks up a charred wallet and opens it. Inside he finds Caitlin's ID.

Ken: This is her wallet! She's here!

He frantically begins flinging debris around searching for any sign of her. The EMT quickly joins in. Suddenly he freezes when he sees a hand sticking out from under some ruble. He moves a heavy piece of smoldering wall and gasps in horror.

Ken: CAITLIN, NO!

The EMT rushes over and sees a severally burned and crushed body laying lifelessly on the ground. Ken drops to his knees and begins to grab onto her, but the EMT pulls him back. Ken tries to fight him off tears spilling out of his eyes.

Ken: Get your hands off of me! That's my Caitlin!

EMT: AND IF SHE'S ALIVE AND YOU MOVE HER YOU COULD HURT HER EVEN MORE THEN SHE ALREADY IS NOW BACK OFF AND LET ME CHECK HER!

Ken stands there in tears shaking with fear as the EMT moves back over and begins to carefully check Caitlin for signs of life.

Ken: IS SHE ALIVE?! PLEASE, TELL ME SHE'S ALIVE!

The EMT nods.

EMT: She is but just barely. If we don't get her help soon it will be to late.

Ken: THEN HELP HER! YOU CAN'T LET HER DIE YOU CAN'T!

Ken falls to his knees sobbing.

Ken: PLEASE DON'T LET HER DIE!

The EMT tries to remain calm.

EMT: I'm going to do everything I can sir.

He quickly grabs his radio.

EMT: THIS IS JOE FROM UNIT 12, I HAVE A VICTIM IN VERY CRITICAL CONDITION! SHE HAS BURNS AND EXTENSIVE TRAUMA TO HER ENTIRE BODY. WE ARE ON THE NORTH END OF THE SECOND FLOOR. ALERT LIFE FLIGHT AND BRING ALL THE EQUIPMENT IN YOU CAN! SHE NEEDS EVERYTHING!

He looks down sadly at Caitlin's mutilated body and mutters to himself.

EMT: Including a miracle.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The flames inside the airport had started to die down around Brant, but there was still so very much happening around him. Firefighters were putting out the chaos that had reigned supreme up until now, and others were going through the tattered fragments of the building’s structure itself hoping to pull out any survivors. The entire scene was filled with desperation and misery, but as Brant moved on, he thought about the thing that had driven him inside. Granted, he’d contemplated helping Ken, but once he’d heard that Avery was inside, he’d gone into a complete panic. Now as he glanced around, he just prayed that he’d be able to find the both of them in one piece.

“Hey, you can’t be in here,” a man’s voice roared through the thunder up above now revealed by the missing ceiling of the airport. Brant spun around to see a man in a uniform chasing him, but he refused to allow anyone to stop him. Running in the opposite direction, Brant surveyed the area, praying for some kind of clue--some kind of hint as to where they could be. He knew the airport wasn’t as big as one of a major city, but still there was a lot of ground to cover and if he wasn’t careful…

“Avery, where are you,” Brant mouthed to himself realizing that he’d been able to dodge the officer behind him. In that instant, that’s when he spotted the heap of a woman before him. She was face down in a pool of water and her dark hair surrounded her covering her face from him. His gaze lingered to the ring on her finger and in that instant, he knew it was her. It was Avery. Rushing to her side, he reached out to her hoping to beckon her from her unconsciousness.

“Avery,” he spoke aloud turning her in his arms. He could see that there was a thin line of blood coming from her neck and as he took a closer look, he noticed a piece of sharp metal lodged in the side of her shoulder.

“Oh God no,” he began to panic seeking out her pulse thankful to discover one. Without a second thought, he scooped her up into his arms ready to brave the remaining fire that had suddenly crept up on him in his search for Avery. Quickly he hugged her body closed to his, urging her head into his chest, “Don’t worry I’m going to get you out of here.”

With that promise, he leapt forward, carefully avoiding the pieces of the bomb’s fury that lay before him on the ground. Racing to an exit, he found himself at an ambulance keeping Avery in his arms. He looked to the man before him, his eyes wild with worry.

“Help us,” Brant mouthed finding himself covered in Avery’s blood as he held her. The paramedic before him must’ve thought Brant was injured by the amount of blood that covered him, but before the man could approach Brant, Brant urged him to take a look at Avery.

“She’s pregnant,” Brant explained quickly, “and she’s been hurt. She’s bleeding and she has something in her shoulder….something that I couldn’t…”

“We’re going to help your wife sir, but we have to take her to the hospital to do that,” the paramedic urged him on. Brant nodded in understanding helping to raise Avery into the ambulance with the paramedic. Jumping inside as well, he reached for her hand watching as her lips remained parted.

Looking up at the paramedic before him, Brant’s eyes glazed over with emotion, “You have to save her. You have to save the baby.”

“We’re going to do everything we can sir,” the man promised Brant as Brant noticed that her face was draining color. He reached out to her, squeezing her fingers in his. In that instant he said a silent prayer that this tragedy didn’t cost Avery the very thing she’d wanted for so very long in her life.