Rescued Hearts (Hero Series) (11 page)

“Yeah, I heard something about that. Look Captain, I want to apologize…”
fire alarm rings
.

“So much for pizza.” The captain says.

Captain Miller jumps out of his chair and stands in front of Nick and asks, “Can I trust you to follow the rules?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Welcome back then. Let’s go to work.” Captain Miller heads down the hallway, grabs and slides down the pole with Nick following behind. Everyone on the team already had their gear and was on the trucks. Sirens and lights blaring down the Chicago streets as the trucks race to the scene.

After getting detailed information from the police on the scene, the captain informs his men. “Alright listen up! Here’s the situation. Two window washers are dangling by their safety lines after losing their scaffold. One’s on the 15
^th
floor, the other on the 12
^th
. Truck ladder won’t extend that high so we’ll rappel down from the roof, grab them and rappel back down with them to street level. Since this is a glass tower and we can’t open windows to pull those guys in, Troy I want you to go to the 15
^th
floor, find the office where that window washer’s in front of and write him a note telling him what we’re doing, tape it to the window so he can read it, make sure he understands and stay with him until we get him down. Mike, I want you to go with Troy and do the same for the other window washer on the 12
^th
floor. Everyone understand their instructions?”

“Yes, sir” The team yelled.

“Grab the gear we need and head to the rooftop. Let’s go!”

Captain Miller thought, “Nicks my best rappeller. Good thing he came by today.”

On the rooftop, Captain Miller tells his men, “Let’s make these two beams the anchor right over here. When that’s done, I want that shackle right behind where I’m standing this very moment. Let’s get it done people.”

Orders are followed out as the captain instructs. Nick and Alex will be rappelling down together.  Both are hooked up to the cable lines. “Are you both secure?” the captain asks.

“Yes sir.”

“Get it done gentlemen.” The captain said.

Both Nick and Alex lean back into their harness’s and begin to descend down floor by floor from the 30 story building. Once Nick reaches the 14
^th
floor, he yells at the dangling man on the 12
^th
floor, “You’re doing great. Just a little more and I’ll be right there.” Having arrived at the man’s side, Nick grabs the safety harness of the window washer and clips onto his safety harness on both sides.

“Ok sir, just lean back onto me and we are going down slowly.” They continue their descent and Nick knows he’s getting close to street level because he hears clapping and cheering from the street onlookers. Alex is descending with the other window washer and looking good. Nick arrives at street level, unhooks the window washer from his harness who turns around to hug Nick thanking him. EMS techs are standing by with gurney’s to check the two gentlemen. Nick and Alex give each other high five’s on another successful rescue, unknowing that Susan was reporting live and capturing the rescue on video.

After hearing the situation of the dangling window washers on the news station scanner, Susan hurried out of the office immediately with James, her camera guy, to capture the breaking story. Jumping into the News 7 Van, they headed over to the scene on the north side of town.

When they arrived on the scene they were the third news station van to arrive on the scene. Police barricades had already been setup across the street but she needed to get closer to cover the story. Susan saw that Captain Miller was on the scene and he was talking to his men. It appeared that Nick was also back on duty.
I’m happy for you Nick
she thought as she made her way to the police barricade. Seeing a police officer she was familiar with she asked, “Hey Lou, good to see you again.”

“Heya Suzie. I’m sorry but I can’t let you near this one. Fire department’s calling the shots on this one today.” Officer Lou said.

“I understand Lou but if you can just check in with Captain Miller, I’ve already gotten clearance from him.”

“Hold on Suzie.” Officer Lou got on his radio and spoke to a fellow officer standing near Captain Miller.

“Heya Shea, Lou here, come in?”

“Yeah Lou?” Officer Shea responded.

“Ask the fire captain if it’s OK to let Miss Suzie Taylor in?” Officer Lou asked.

“One moment.” Officer Shea said. Susan could see that Officer Shea was talking to Captain Miller who nodded his head.

“She’s cleared Lou. Let her in.”

“Copy that.” Officer Lou replied. “OK Suzie, your in. Report straight to Captain Miller.” Officer Lou pointed to where Captain Miller was standing.

“Thanks Lou. You’re the best!” Susan said

“Now if only I can get my wife to believe that.” Officer Lou said jokingly.

Susan smiled back at him as she walked away. As she approached Captain Miller, she asked James if his camera was ready. He nodded yes. With her microphone in hand, she got the go ahead from the captain to start filming. Susan received a quick rundown from Captain Miller on the situation and what the rescue attempt plan was to get the window washers down. After capturing the brief update on video the captain informed her and James to stay in this area to film the rescue.

“I see Nick is back on duty Captain.” Susan said.

He was meant to be here today. He’s the best rappeller I have. I’m heading to the roof so have your camera ready. Those 2 washers will be down before you know it.” Captain Miller said.

Susan was glad to be here to capture this moment and to get an exclusive with the captain but she was happier to know that Nick was doing what he loved most and she was here to be a part of it all and see him live. Susan called her assignment editor Margaret and informed her of what was currently happening. Margaret placed Susan on hold as she called the news room. A couple of minutes later Margaret informed her that she would going live in 7 minutes and to make sure James is ready. Susan’s heart skipped a beat as she realized this was the moment she had been waiting for.

James signaled Susan with his fingers 3, 2, 1 and pointed for Susan to begin her live report.

While reporting the same information Captain Miller mentioned earlier, she overheard someone in the background state that they were starting to come down. Susan glanced up towards the tower, reporting on the two firefighting rappellers as they begin to lower themselves to the dangling helpless window washers. Even though Susan was in awe of Nick, she couldn’t help but notice some concern creeping into her thoughts. Knowing that he had been doing this for 10 years didn’t stop her from thinking,
do be careful
. Looking back at James after hearing him call her, he signals Susan that they are back on the air in 10 seconds. Continuing with her live report, she informs News 7 viewers that both window washers are connected to the rappelling rescuers and would be down shortly. Hearing the street onlookers break into thunderous applause as the two window washers are almost at street level with EMS techs waiting nearby. Chicago’s bravest have come to the rescue once again.

Back at the firehouse, the captain prepares to make a toast while the ladder company enjoys a meal together. “Here’s to another successful rescue and everyone coming back to the fire house safe and unharmed.”

Alex adds, “Also want to personally welcome Nick back, I missed your lasagna.” Everyone around the table sharing in laughter.

Nick picks up his plate to take it to the kitchen with Susan doing the same. “So I hear you’ve been helping out down at the soup kitchen.” Nick said.

“I found it very refreshing to help. Helps me forget about my own problems.” Susan said.

“Susan Taylor, the expert in helping people out, has problems? I have trouble believing that one.” Nick teased.

“Oh, I’ve got problems like any other person and I’m no expert at helping.” Susan replied grinning.

“I don’t know how you can say that because you’ve certainly helped me plenty.”

“I have?”

Captivated by Susan’s hazel eyes, Nick softly said “Yes. You reminded me what it was like to laugh and be happy not just for yesterday or tomorrow but for today; for right now. ” Susan smiled and felt a sense of shyness as her cheeks turned rosy. She didn’t even know where to look because she felt such an irresistible connection with Nick.

Struggling with these emotions for Nick but wanting to stay true to Tom she said, “Well I should go.”

“Why?” Nick asked.

Hesitantly she admits, Tom and I have plans.

“But you’re coming back, right? I mean to start riding with us?”

“Definitely.” Susan assured him. But kept gazing at Nick and thinking I could love this man.

***

Tom was at the hotel apartment working on some spreadsheets when he decided to take a break from work. He began looking at a real estate website and asked Susan who was sitting in the living room, “How about us going house hunting in Tinley Park tomorrow?”

Tom brought his laptop over to Susan. “Look at this house. They’re having an open house tomorrow, huge lot, private setting. What do you think?”

“I hope it’s not too private; our kids won’t have anyone to play with.”

“Oh, they’ll play with other kids from school and the nanny.”

“The nanny?”

“Yes the nanny.”

“We never discussed that Tom.”

“With both of our salaries including my bonuses, will more than be able to afford it.

“That’s not the point. We need to discuss these things as a couple.”

“Why are we even discussing kids and nannies now anyway? We’re about 4 years away from that and you’ll most likely be a senior reporter by then pulling around $80,000 a year.”

“The decisions we make today will affect our future in a big way and I need you to understand my feelings on what I’m about to tell you.”

“I’m all ears.” Tom said while staring at his laptop.

“Please Tom, I want you to look at me.”

Tom looked at Susan as if she was inconveniencing him.