K-9 Trials

[Kev Allison]

“Yeah I’m glad of that at least, if we could make a difference to them then it’s a good day.” He said glad that they had been there and able to do something at least for them. Mattie had been great, first into the water she was the real hero of the day and all he hoped was that she knew it no matter what the result was.

“Sure take your time.” He said as he watched her go inside while he waited outside. He didnt mind waiting outside as it felt like he might have been intruding on her slightly as she had said she looked after her mother. After all they had practically just been on one outing together and that had ended with two kids in hospital so probably best not to mention that to anyone who wasnt there.

Kev grinned and nodded as he opened the car door for her holding it until she settled into the passenger seat before he got in the drivers side. The idle chatter was comfortable and it took his mind off what they were going into too. Hospitals were unnerving at the best of times but when he didnt know what to expect he felt more nervous than ever.

Kev parked the car after lapping the lot a few times to get a space. He looked over at Mattie as he heard her taking deep breaths. “They’ll be fine, they are tough kids.” He said hoping it was true. “Is there anything I can do to help?” He asked her not sure if there was or not. After all as a cop she likely had a much better idea than he did what might be going on.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

Mattie glanced at him with a sort of half-smile as she shook her head. "No, I'll be fine...I'll explain more later." Yeah, he deserved to know about 'baggage' if they were going to go any farther with this, and right now she knew that she was interested in seeing where 'farther' might lead.

She got out of the car and led them into the emergency department ambulance entrance, tapping in the code at the back door. She knew the place well -- not as well as the ambulance crews and firefighters, of course, but she was here often enough with drunks needing their blood drawn, or with unfortunate women who needed rape exams.

As they approached the nursing station one of the nurses noticed her and came over. "Mattie! The medics told us what you did for those kids...and you," she glanced at Kev with a smile, "must be 'some other guy'. Come on, I bet you want to check on them."

"Yeah...this is Kev. Kev, Brenda." Her thoughts were preoccupied, though..the nurses' demeanor told her that this was likely going to be...well, at least not bad. Anxiously, she reached to grab Kev's hand briefly, then let out a breath as they stepped into the trauma bay.

"This is Joshua," the nurse nodded to the little boy who was attached to oxygen and an IV. His parents hovered near him, but he was sitting up, coloring. "He'll be staying overnight for observation, but he should be able to go home in the morning."

"Good..." Mattie smiled, although she did know that 'home' was a camp by the river, but then his parents rushed over and tearfully embraced the pair.

"Oh, thank you so much," the man gushed, shaking Kev's hand, "we don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come along..."

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

Kev smiled back at her and nodded, he hoped everything was okay but given where they were and the unknowns that went along with that it was understandable. Unless she was thinking it was a mistake that she had invited him back, no she would have said something or made an excuse he thought as he figured that she would explain if she wanted to though he knew if she wanted to know him better then he definitely wanted to know her better.

He followed Mattie into the emergency room, it was a place he was both familiar with and unfamiliar with the route they were taking though it was rare he was down there for anything. Unless it was case related but those cases were few and far between. He watched Mattie tap in the code and could only guess why she knew it so well as he followed her.

Kev stood back a moment when one of the nurses came over to them. He grinned at the nurse for a moment, “Yeah I’m ‘some other guy’.” He said chuckling lightly as he nodded to checking on the children. “Hey Brenda, nice to meet you.” He said feeling a little better about the situation, at least if the nurses were happy then that was a good sign or he was taking it as such. It had to be because the other option wasnt worth thinking about.

Kev squeezed Mattie’s hand for a moment the minute she grabbed it before they stepped into the trauma bay. Looking at Joshua Kev wished there was more they could have done to stop the sight of the oxygen and the IV. Just a kid he thought as he glanced at the parents who hovered near him but at least he looked better than he had done when he had seen him last. Kev let a sigh of relief out when he heard that he should be able to go home.

Then again it was home that bothered him but there was little time to dwell on that as he found himself embraced by the parents as he glanced at Mattie smiling. Kev shook the man’s hand and shook his head while he smiled feeling the relief of knowing that at least one of two were getting to go home so far. “Mattie here had it covered, she was the one who did the hard work. I’m sure someone else would have done the say but thanks.” He said nudging Mattie lightly for a moment, in his head it was true she had done all the work he had just waded in behind her. “Glad Joshua is alright.” Kev said as he glanced at Mattie for a moment, no he had to ask about the girl.

“How’s your daughter?” Kev asked the couple presuming the connection but then asking about the girl in his head seemed so impersonal. The girl had been a colour that he hadn’t seen before and even when he had changed out of his wet clothes and got the flowers for Mattie it was an image he wasnt going to forget in a hurry.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"Daughter?" The woman looked at them, confused for a moment, then nodded. "Oh, you mean Amy? She's not our daughter...she's with her mother in another room."

Mattie nodded understanding, taking from that that at least the girl was still alive. She glanced at Kev, then at Brenda.

"I can take you there," the nurse commented, giving them a little nod. "She's still sedated," she continued as she led them to another room where the little girl was laying on the gurney, looking so small and frail. But her color was pink, likely assisted by the breathing tube in her throat. Next to her was an equally frail appearing woman who was sleeping in a chair but looked up as they came in.

Brenda smiled at the woman as she crossed the room and went to check on the girl. "Her oxygen levels are good," she commented, "and she was starting to respond when the medics brought her in, so the prognosis is good."

"Good," Mattie muttered as Amy's mother stood and smiled wearily at them.

"I can't thank you enough," she murmured, reaching down and stroking her daughter's hair. "We tell them not to play down there, but...you know children."

"Yeah." Mattie nodded, finally relaxing. "They'll do what they want to. I'm just glad it worked out."

She would have preferred to see the girl sitting up and talking, but she did know enough about this sort of thing to know that real life didn't work like Hollywood.

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

Kev glanced between them, oh so not daughter he thought as he wondered if it was a relative or just a friend though when the woman seemed to know who he was meaning he smiled. “Sorry, I just assumed, I’m glad your son is doing well though.” He said hoping that he hadn’t just offended anyone.

Smiling at Mattie at least no one had bad news he thought, they were alive which was far better than what he thought they might be coming into. Kev followed Mattie and Brenda as they were led to another room. He could feel the breath catch in his throat as he glanced at the girl, small, frail but pink which was a lot better than the colour he had seen on her earlier. It was hard to tear his gaze away from the girl as he looked toward the mother.

Kev nodded when Brenda explained about oxygen and the prognosis being good. He felt relieved by that, at least there was some good he thought as he watched the mother stroking her daughter’s hair. He reached out for Mattie’s hand for a moment, both children were alive and both had a long road to go but how seeing the children in hospital. He knew it wasn’t like Hollywood but breathing tubes, they were just kids.

“I’m glad she is going to be alright.” Kev said, “Ma'am, I don't mean to overstep but is there anything I can do to help? Shelter, food or I can look into safer places for the children to play?” He wasn’t as naive to think that he could change the world and save everyone from a life on the streets of the city but children and their families. It was no place for them and if there was just one thing he could do he wanted to make sure he would do it as best he could.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

The woman looked up wearily, but managed a smile for Kev and Mattie. "You've done enough just helping my baby." Then she sighed and shook her head. "A job, one that pays enough to cover child care on top of everything else."

Her tone was defeated. "...and medical expenses. It's kind of you, though. We have good friends at the camp, I feel safe there, safer than the shelters." A hint of a smile flashed over her face. "Amy loves dogs, maybe you could bring yours by to visit?"

"Oh, sure." Mattie nodded and glanced at Kev, letting him take some credit for Koda, too. Her opinion of him had gone up considerably with his offer to the woman. "We'll keep checking on her, too, if that's all right?"

"Of course, I'd like that."

"You'd better let them rest now," Brenda whispered, tapping Mattie and Kev lightly on the shoulder, "but I'll keep you updated."

"Thank you." Mattie nodded, then let out a breath, but as they walked back to the car she was silent, biting the inside of her cheek.

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

Kev smiled and nodded seeing how weary the woman looked, at least she could rest given her child was alive and by all accounts going to be alright. He was glad for that as he nodded to her. “Sure I will get into things and see what I can come up with.” Kev said trying to be enthusiastic as he was happy to do anything he could to help her.

At the mention of bringing Koda by Kev looked to Mattie, as much as he would have loved a dog Koda wasnt his as he grinned at Mattie for a moment. He was happy to hear that they would still be okay to check on them. It would be nice to know how they were getting on and he had to get back to them with any jobs he could find.

Kev glanced between Brenda and Mattie she tapped him on the shoulder. Kev followed Mattie before looking back to Brenda. “Hey, can you bill me for both of those kids expenses? I’ll call with the details but don’t say anything to them.” He asked not sure if it was possible but then good things had to happen once in a while and it wasnt as if he guess the families had much.

Walking back to the car Kev wasnt sure what to say though all he felt was relief until he realised Mattie was silent. “Hey is everything okay?” He asked her smiling, “Those kids are alive because of you. It couldn’t have been a better ending.” Considering all that he had thought on the drive over there he was happy for the outcome they had.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

Mattie waited until she was in the car before slumping down in the seat, then finally taking a deep breath.

"We used to camp a lot when I was a kid," she murmured, hugging herself, "my sister Anne only went because she thought I was the Sun and Stars...she drowned on a rafting trip...I was just fourteen, but it took a long time not to blame myself. Today..."

Taking a deep breath, she stared blankly out the window. "It just hit close to home," she murmured, "too familiar, although this came out far better...Sorry."

It wasn't fair to dump this on him, but then, it was part of who she was, so he needed to understand.

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

As Kev got into the car he noticed Mattie slump, it had been a long day in a way. The children he was worried about and now the parents too, it was unexpected but then at least they had a goodish outcome for them. They were alive and sure they needed time to get better but it didnt sound like there would be lasting damage of any kind. Then there was the fact that they had managed to save two children which was also great.

Kev listened when Mattie spoke, camping well she seemed to enjoy it he thought though the mention of her sister and he just nodded. “I’m sorry to hear about your sister Mattie, I’m sure she was a great person.” He said not quite sure what to say to her because suddenly I’m sorry for your loss seemed to be so cold and impersonal to him.

“I can understand but Mattie you were fantastic, those kids were lucky to have you there and you saved them. They are alive because of what you did.” He said to her trying to make her feel better about it all but then losing a family member he had no idea what that was like at all. “I can see why Anne though you are the Sun and Stars because you are in my view.”

Kev didnt thinking tell her that it wasnt her fault would do much good either, he knew it wouldnt have ever been her fault but when bad things happened it was tough to take away the guilt of that. “Thank you for telling me Mattie but today I’m sure Anne in insanely proud of you.” He said quietly as he sat there ready to listen to whatever she had to say.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"You think so?" Mattie murmured, eyes closed, but then the hint of a smile played over her lips. "Yeah, I think you're right." It was probably the best thing he could have said. She'd heard the platitudes and knew that they were sincere, but also that revealing such things, even to someone you knew well just made for an awkward moment.

But this man...maybe he was special and one day she could tell him more so he would understand her better, and it had been a long time since she'd cared if anyone understood.

"Maybe..." She shrugged then let out a short laugh. "Maybe it all led to this. I mean, if Annie hadn't drowned things would have led in a different direction and we wouldn't have been there."

She sighed, her smile more relaxed and genuine. "That was Mark Twain, wasn't it? Who said that everything we do leads to the next, that it determines the next?" She laughed then. "Of course, if you start to dwell on that you could go crazy! And, um, it took us both to do that, you know...and saving lives is hard work, I'm famished!"

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

Kev smiled and nodded, “Yeah I think so and know so.” He said enjoying seeing her smile. He had no idea if what he said was alright or if he had seriously caused her more upset but her sister was right in what she saw in Mattie. She was special and only a person like her would have done what she did for those kids. Others might have walked away or just ignored the call for help but she literally went in head first to lend a hand.

The evidence of which happened to be recovering in hospital because she was there that day. “True, I guess everything has a reason and without you today those kids. Well there are two families in that hospital that might have lost their children because you weren’t there so I’m glad you were Mattie.” He said also glad she was there with him too because he didnt want that to change or think that he might not have met her if things had been different.

To see her more relaxed and her smile genuine he grinned at her. “I think so Philosopher Mattie.” He said grinning at her. “Well one of you and just me to lift a log... I don’t think that counts too much. You did the CPR that saved the girl, all you Mattie.” Kev stated as he nodded to her mentioning saving lives was hard work and she was famished. “You know... me too, so let’s do dinner before one of those doctors decides to take you to dinner instead of me getting to.” He said with a grin as he started the car. “Where to?” Kev asked her.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"Don't sell yourself short," Mattie declared, "honestly, if not for you and your picnic we wouldn't have been there, and without your muscles, I'd never have moved that log."

But it was time to move on from playing reverse-blame, a game that had no end-point. "I'm just grateful that it all fell into place the way it did." That was one of the things that made her believe that there was a God, and she was determined to try to help the river families if she could...the incident had given her a different perspective, and maybe with Kev's help they could make a small impact on others' lives.

Then she rolled her eyes when h mentioned doctors hitting on her. "Lord, no! They would have done that a long time ago if they were going to, the ones I have nailed for drunk driving or something. And they just know me for blood draws on drunks...excuse me, alleged drunks!"

She laughed. "So, what about Mary's Pizza Shack?" A non-threatening, casual environment, eating with your hands didn't count as anything close to a date -- just friends chowing down!

Kev Allison,

[Kev Allison]

Kev smiled and shrugged, he didnt exactly feel like he had done a lot and to him Mattie was the one who had done the hard work on it all but then going back and forth on it. Well it wasnt going to get either of them anywhere at all. “Me too, the children are mostly alright and I still get to go to dinner with you so really, it’s a pretty fantastic day so far.” Kev stated though sure the children being hurt and in danger wasnt so much fun but it had worked out just like Mattie said.

A new job and Kev would do exactly that for the parents, a safe place to stay if they wanted it and he would see if there were any after school clubs he could get the children into to save them playing down by the river. After all it was the least he could do to try and help them, they were good people and everyone had those times when they were unlucky it just took time and help to get to where they wanted to be. Or so he hoped it would.

Kev chuckled when she rolled her eyes. “Oh I’m sure they still would but yes I can see nailing them for drunk driving isn’t a great conversation starter.” He said grinning as he nodded, “Always alleged but I’m pretty sure that they are drunks. Just like the anaesthetic guy who the city charged a few weeks ago, alleged drunk who was a drunk while in surgery... no alleged there.”

It was true of most professions he guessed that certain things stuck with you and that for the past few weeks was his. There was nothing extraordinary about it, just the fact that the hospital seemed a lot less safe now that it had done a while ago. “Pizza, you’re speaking my language.” He said as he pulled the car out of the parking lot. He was glad of her choice, casual, easy to relax and of course pizza who didnt love pizza.

Mattie Chappel

[Mattie Chappel]

"Of course, no anchovies," she corrected, "and honestly, I don't think that zucchini belongs on pizza, it just ruins the whole 'guilty-pleasures' thing, right?" She laughed. "I don't mind so much the 'Hawaiian' concept, and vegetarian...what's the point?"

Hopefully he wasn't put-off by her opinions on the matter, she knew that some people wanted all sorts of things on their pizza and that there were some 'purists' who only wanted cheese and pepperoni...that didn't make one of the other right, and if he liked anchovies and zucchini, they could do half-and-half.

"Man..." The single word was followed by a long breath as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. "You'd think in my line of work that something like this wouldn't be so unusual," she commented, then she shrugged. "But, ya know, the truth is, it's pretty routine, even annoying or boring sometimes...not that I'm complaining, I can do without that sort of drama."

Of course, he'd been completely out of his element, even with a history in the military, so he deserved added credit for jumping in beside her.

Kev Allison

[Kev Allison]

Kev screwed up his face when she spoke about anchovies, “Exactly, there’s no pleasure in pizza being healthy and really apart from the Hawaiian concept, no fruit should be there or anything remotely healthy and no fish.” He said shaking his head, there was no way he was put off by her opinions unless she suddenly had ordered an anchovy pizza as then there would be a serious discussion to be had.

Everyone had different ideas about pizza but he was more an, anything goes as long as it isn’t remotely healthy. No half fat, skinny cheese, fat free dough for him. Nope, pizza was pizza and there was no arguing with it at all. Kev glanced over at Mattie when he heard that single word. It had been a surprise of a day he thought as he grinned wondering how she could do that day in day out.

“That is routine?” He spluttered for a moment not sure how she managed to do her job at all. “Yeah I bet, I guess i’m the lucky one that only gets to see things like that once in a blue moon. Paper work and a mostly sitting or standing desk job doesn’t exactly lead to that much excitement in life.” He said realising that his excitement was an argument with a person on the desk across from him.

It sounded crazy but then again heated debates well it was his excitement at work. “Well I vote you for cop of the year if you do that kind of thing a lot. So if ever you want a hand, you know where I am but I really have no idea how you do it or manage to see that every day.” He said not wanting to pry but then he wasnt too sure how he would handle doing that on a daily or weekly basis. Once was an adventure but then it could have gone the other way too.

Mattie Chappel