Resuscitated (911)

Three "Miracle Man"

The last week had been so boring for Nadine, she'd slept and worked out all week, and even went to visit her niece for a few hours. It had been the first time she'd seen her in almost 5 years, she gave Hollie her birthday present and Hollie gave Nadine her one early. For the first time in a few months, she went to visit her parents, Rae and Taylor, in the Strand's plot in the cemetery. Of course that reminded her that her birthday was in a month and a half. She hated her birthday, it was spent alone with no family, or her being forced to the Grant's. Or the one disaster year, when Hen and Chimney had organised a suprise party not knowing she hated them.

It was her first shift back at the 118, after her week from hell and she had to be smart this time, no breaking down or lashing out. Her next shift at the E.R was in three days and then she had a shift at the firehouse two days later and then a day later a shift in the E.R. They were pacing her, making sure she was ready to go back, by evening out her shifts and taking it slowly. Because they knew that she'd throw herself into work and have to be dragged out of her workplace and that would make it worse. Her brain clouded with memories from almost 12 years ago, the whole week, she'd been reminded of the moment. Constantly looking at her battle wounds she carried, the reminders of how many times she nearly lost.

"Thirteen year old female fell through a third story window around 30 feet. No prior medical issues and on no regular medications. Unconscious in the ambulance but was alert and talking at the scene, coded once on route. Pupil's blown and fixed, possible brain bleed, four broken ribs, scalp and facial lacerations, multiple bruises and broken right leg, dislocated ankle and patella on left leg."

Pity coated their voices. 

"Poor love, what happened?"

Sighs. "Neighbours reported screams and cries and then a crash and saw her on the ground with the glass shattered. Police have been called to the house for domestic violence atleast once a week for 3 years, but never got a case."

"She needs multiple surgeries."

"No family except an older sister, the rest live in New York."

Her memories always taunted and haunted her. It was cruel. They felt real, like they were happening to her then.

Chimney's texts swam into her vision as she glanced at her lit up phone.

'Nadine, you have to stop beating yourself up kid.'

'You've been dealt a shitty hand and you're doing good.'

'We're all proud of you.'

'You need to realise you can't blame yourself or take the blame for everything. You're a great kid.'

She huffed in response and replied with 'I'm not beating myself up, just my pillows, may need to buy more of them and a bin just for all the feathers scattered around my apartment. I could do better. Just coz you're so old doesn't make me a kid, I'm almost twenty five!'

Getting ready into her shorts and tshirt, she grabbed her keys and headed to the station, walking into the locker room and getting changed into her LAFD gear. Greeted with hugs from Hen and Chimney and a smile and few kind words from Buck, she was back.

Then she remembered she had a meeting with Nash, so she bounded up the stairs to his office. "Damnit." She muttered before bracing herself and walking inside. "Nadine, come in. How are you?" Instantly, he questioned her, instinctly she went into defensive but slowly coached herself into neutral as he hugged his psuedo adopted daughter that he shared with Sergeant Grant.

Nadine let out an indignant puff of air and sat down opposite his desk as he sat in the chair next to her. "I hate that question. I'm okay, the break helped, I worked out and slept most of it, saw my niece for the first time in almost 5 years. Faced Iona. Didn't go too well. Went to see my family." She admitted and he was intrigued but proud of her.