K-9 Trials

[Mattie Chappel]

Mattie nodded as Kev asked if she could get the child -- a plan, team work, that would give them the edge that they needed to do this quickly and effectively, and she was glad that she had him here to help.

"Ready?"

She nodded again and took a breath, dropping below the surface of the water, unceremoniously grasping a handful of clothing and hair -- style didn't count here! There was resistance as she tugged, but then Kev lifted the log and the burden was suddenly free, causing her to tumble back. Using the momentum, she pushed to the surface, sucking in air then scrambling to the bank where several sets of eager hands helped her to dry land, and a chain of people got her to the top of the bank where she finally had a chance to look at her burden.

The girl was about five, her dark hair making the mottled blue of her face all the more stark, but Mattie wouldn't note any of that until later.

Laying the girl in the grass, she started CPR, aware of, but barely noticing that Kev was beside her, helping...

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

All that mattered was that today was a good day he thought, no matter how many days before he thought it had been a bad one nothing compared to this and the wishing and hoping they could be able to do something to help.

Under the water things were quiet, there were no voices or yelling, talking or screaming just the sound of water in his ears as it rushed passed. He might have even said it was peaceful but the circumstances didnt exactly allow for that. He tried to hold the long as long as possible until he felt the burning in his lungs before he had to let it go and swim back to the surface. He gasped for air for a moment as he saw Mattie being help to dry land as he followed them finally.

Kev scrambled up the bank to follow Mattie and the girl though the minute he saw her face he tried to put it to the back of his mind. The mottled blue colour and her dark hair wasn’t something he was ever going to forget as he dropped down to his knees with Mattie as he tried to help with the CPR. “Is it working?” He asked as he tried to listen to any sounds of the child taking a breath. “Mattie...” He asked not sure if they were helping or not as tried to tilt the girls head to clear her air way as best he could.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

One, two, three, four...

Mattie counted silently to herself as she pumped on the little girl's chest, focusing on their task and able to look past the individual...it was a 'perk' of the job, being able to shift into 'professional mode' and work impassionately.

"Twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty," she verbalized, giving Kev a warning that it was coming up on his time to give the girl two breaths. As he did that, she felt at the carotid for a pulse.

“Is it working?” He asked as he tried to listen to any sounds of the child taking a breath. “Mattie...”

Shaking her head, she muttered, "Continue CPR." It was his turn to take over compressions for the next two minutes so neither of them fatigued. "Her color is improving," she observed, "keep going."

She sat back on her heels, relieved to hear sirens approaching. "Someone run up to the road and tell them where we are," she called, glancing at the boy that had been pulled out by Kev. He seemed to be stirring, and at least was breathing on his own...

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

Kev was doing his best to stay professional about things, he saw the pictures in files the flat images of what had happened but he wasnt involved in it directly. The Navy had taught him a lot but this wasnt a war zone, no fighting just a child who needed help and there wasnt anything that could change the sight of it.

Hearing Mattie Kev leaned over the girl and went to give her the two breaths after thirty, one and two. In and out as he hoped there would be some ‘surprise’ moment where the girl would cough or wake up or spring back to life. That was what happened in the movies right so why couldnt it happen now he wondered as he leaned back trying to think of anything else to do.

Kev moved into position to start CPR again, “One, two, three...” He counted as he took a breath himself, “Come on kid.” He said as he heard Mattie say her colour was improving as he smiled a little continuing the CPR as he tried to think that an improvement in colour had to be a good thing.

Glancing quickly at the boy he was glad to see at least one kid was stirring. “She’ll be alright.” Kev said looking at Mattie not sure if he was asking the question or telling her that the child would be. “Mattie, are you alright?” He asked knowing it was ridiculous question but then he wanted to make sure she was alright too.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"Yeah, fine, I'm fine..." Mattie nodded, her concentration on the compressions she was doing, most everything else blocked out, although she vaguely could hear the sirens in the background. It wouldn't be long.

Pausing at the next count of thirty so that Kev could give the girl another round of breaths, she felt for a pulse and let out a breath. "She's got a pulse."

The words were spoken almost dead-pan, professional without any triumph, for she knew that a pulse was only a small part of the race. Even if the girl survived, had they gotten to her in time to prevent brain death?

"Breath every six seconds," she instructed, then started counting for him, and in less than a minute the medics were rushing in and taking over.

The next few minutes were a whirlwind, oxygen applied, a second ambulance arrived to scoop up the boy, and not even ten minutes later the kids were on their way...

...and Mattie as deflated, sitting back in the dirt, stroking Koda's thick coat as she stared at the water...

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

Kev glanced at Mattie watching her concentrate on the compressions, how she could be that focused was a mystery as he felt like he might break apart with what he was seeing. Just a child he thought, it wasnt an adult there she was just a child who he hoped was going to make it.

At the pause he gave the girl another round of breaths, praying that it would work somehow as he sighed with relief the minute Mattie said she had a pulse from the girl. He smiled though when he saw her almost dead-pan expression without any triumph he wasnt sure what to make of it. A pulse was a step in the right direction, a pulse meant she was alive that had to count for something.

Kev nodded as he did as asked every six seconds until the medics rushed in and took over. He took a step back to let them work as he watched them before the kids were on their way to the hospital. Pulses was a good sign, he couldnt even think of anything bad because that just wasnt acceptable to him at all.

Kev moved to sit down next to Mattie and Koda as he watched Mattie for a moment staring out at the water. “You did great there.” He said smiling, “If it wasn’t for you than those kids might not have stood a chance.” He reached out a hand toward her not wanting to startle her but then he wasnt too sure what to do or say or even if there was anything he could do or say to make it any better.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"Teamwork." Mattie glanced at him with a weary smile, then nodded, her fingers still fiddling with Koda's ears as the dog lay tolerantly beside her, sensing the unease.

Reaching over, she took his hand and squeezed it, shrugging. "Some date, huh?" Her nerves were frayed, but she didn't want to show that in front of the people here, so she stood and ran her fingers through her wet hair. "Let's get our toys and..."

Well, they were both soaking wet, so first order of business was...

"Let's get cleaned up and..." sighing, she shrugged. "Debrief?" Certainly, he would understand what that meant? She needed to talk, but she still needed to decide if he was the one to unload on. "We can check on the kids..."

She just wanted to at least get to the car, to get somewhere private so she could have a moment to break down, and she hoped he would understand.

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

Kev tried to smile as Mattie spoke but well it was all her work, he just lifted a log or something like that as he watched her with Koda. The two of them seemed to understand each other and he couldnt have expected more from mans best friend.

“Well I can’t say i’ve been on one like it but that's a good thing though.” He said with a smile which given all that had gone on he was pretty sure he would have remembered it as well as he would this one. Kev nodded at the mention of getting cleaned up, considering he was sure he was walking advert for a shower it sounded like a great idea as he put on his shoes and picked up his jacket he had left in the dry.

Debrief, he understood what she meant as he nodded. It would be good to know how the kids were doing as he hoped it would be good news. With that Kev held out his jacket to Mattie. “It’s dry and yours if you want it.” He said not wanting to force it on her but that last thing he wanted was for her to get cold and catch a flu or something.

That would be the first date curse of another kind. Kev fished in the jacket pocket for a moment to find the car keys as he held them.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"Thank you." Mattie smiled as she accepted the jacket, not necessarily cold, but still feeling chilled as she wrapped the coat around her shoulders.

She looked up at him and shrugged. "Guess we'll have to try that golf later, I think this was a ruse because you were losing!" Okay, it was a bad jest, but it helped to pretend everything was normal. "Better collect the clubs, right?"

Leading the way back to the dropped clubs, she took deep breaths to settle herself, now that the excitement was over. As they left, the people from the camp thanked them profusely, and Mattie made a point to come by here with supplies now and then.

As they walked along the quiet trail, she looked up at Kev, deciding to voice what she was thinking. "I'd like to...well, not end this, but we can't go around like this...would you want top drop me off at home and come back around? It'd be time for dinner by then...my treat?"

She wanted to check on the kids, and there were things he deserved to know, and besides, despite the turn the afternoon had taken, she was enjoying spending time with him...

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

Kev simply smiled and nodded to her. “You’re very welcome.” Well at least she wasnt cold he thought or hopefully she wasnt cold. “Oh you think I planned all of this huh?” He said grinning for a moment, “Well maybe I did but pretty sure that I was winning when he stopped play.”

So sure he likely wasnt but then again it was a good reason to stop play to help other people out. Kev could go for a sense of normal right then as he struggled to get the girls face out of his head, the colour more than anything seemed unnatural for a few moments though he wasnt sure if it was his head or what he had seen. “Yeah we’d better get those so we can have a rematch later.” He stated.

Kev picked up the clubs as they left the camp, being thanked for something he hoped they had helped with was strange. Kev knew he would be back with things for the children and adults a like but he just hoped that the kids were alright and he wasnt going to be back to apologise to any parent for not getting there quick enough not that either of them hadn’t done their best. It was just sometimes the best wasnt good enough but he didnt want that to be that day.

Smiling as Mattie talked he nodded. “Yes that sounds great, I mean yes if you want to and it’s not too much trouble.” He said finding despite the obvious he was enjoying spending time with her and didnt want it to end despite what had happened. Mattie was great and he had enjoyed getting to know her so far. It had been a day where he had been smiling and it was something he didnt want to let go of at least not just yet if it was at all possible.

“So I’ll drop you off, I’ll get some dry clothes and meet you back at your place but only if you’re happy with that? Not that I wouldnt love to see you again because I would yes but... if you’re happy with me coming back then yes dinner sounds great.” He said not sure why he was trying to ramble his way though just saying yes.

Honestly if she let him back after that it would be a miracle as he almost wanted to go and throw himself back into the river. Sometimes all he had to do was say yes and he had managed to say that at some point he hoped.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

Mattie assured him that she wanted to see him later in the evening. If nothing else, he deserved an update on the kids, and if he was a willing listener, she'd explain some things to him, at the risk of scaring him off. But she was starting to feel comfortable with him, wanting to see him again in more than a 'freestyle golf' way, and he need to be aware of 'baggage' before she got too invested...she was too old and too jaded to risk her heart for naught.

With the agreement made, Mattie made quick work of hopping in the shower then changing into nice jeans and a cream-colored Western-style shirt that was trimmed with black and red piping, casual but a little on the classy side so that she wasn't 'slumming'. Her hair was down and she wore no makeup, something that was normal for her.

It was just at twenty minutes that she headed out to sit on her porch swing to wait for Kev. Koda was staying home this time.

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

Kev was glad that Mattie still wanted to see him later in the evening. He couldnt keep the smile from his face at all as he made his way home. It was only when he had stepped into the shower he realised how grateful he was for break to wash off the debris from the water. He opened his eyes for a moment and he could have sworn he saw the girls face again, it was different to see the real life version rather than images on an evidence table.

He could only hope that the kids were alright as he changed into a pair of black jeans, a dark blue shirt and a tan jacket. He didnt want to go overboard with dressing up for dinner but he didnt want to be too casual as if he didnt care at all as he had stared at his choice of clothing for a while. Once he had decided it would be okay he went back to his car to drive over making a few stops on the way back.

The first was for flowers though once he was there and had to chose he hadn’t a clue what Mattie liked as he got a bunch that had about one of everything he could see. It was the thing with flowers he figured, if you didnt like one at least it was better to cover it all than leave the one she did like and turn up with everything she didnt he thought as he made the rest of the drive to her place.

Kev grinned when he saw her sitting on the porch swing as he pulled up. He couldnt deny he was glad to see her again as he got out and brought the flowers with him as he walked toward her. “Glad to see you didnt change your mind.” He said smiling as he joked, “I know it was scary how bad at golf I am.”

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

As the familiar car pulled up, Mattie stood, waiting for him park. Before she could go out to him, though, he was out of the car and coming toward her, carrying flowers...all sorts of flowers, an eclectic assortment unlike anything she'd seen, and she couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you, these are really pretty." How long had it been since someone bought her flowers...that weren't meant for a funeral? She found that the simple gesture was sweet and endearing. "I can get these in water, then we can...well, I'd like to check on the kids first?"

She needed to know before they moved on, either way, and she was preparing herself for the worst.

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

Kev smiled when he saw Mattie waiting there for him. Maybe he was a little too eager to see her again or if that was possible because yes he was very eager to see her again. “I’m glad you like them, I wasnt sure what kind you liked.” He explained as he smiled passing her the flowers across and nodded to her. The kids yes he wanted to know how they were getting on.

He had been praying for good news, it wasnt like they hadn’t tried their best and after everything the kids had been through no they had to be alright because if they weren’t then life just wasnt fair at all.”Sure, it’d be good to know how they are getting along.” He said a little nervous as to what they might find when they got there.

“Not that they wont be, I’m sure they’ll be great.” Kev added not wanting to put a downer on things before they knew anything. His stomach was already doing flips over it but there was no point in going down that road before they knew.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"Well, at least we had the chance to give them a chance." Mattie smiled and shrugged, she'd rather have it that way then for the kids to have had no chance at all. And, as a 'bonus' of sorts, it had showed the sort of man that Kev was, and that counted for a lot.

"Just give me a sec..." She smiled as she ducked in the house, talking to Koda. "No, you have to stay..." A few moments later she emerged, feeling a little awkward that she hadn't invited Kev in, but she wasn't ready for that yet.

"So, shall we? I'm starved!" Well, she was hoping she was still going to have an appetite after their stop at the hospital, anyway.

She let him open the door for her, then settled into the passenger seat and put her seat belt on. While they passed some idle chatter, most of the ride to the hospital was in comfortable, consensual silence.

Once at the hospital, though, Mattie started taking deep breaths, steeling herself as Kev parked the car, then...just sat there...

Kev Allison,