It has been a week since my Dad saved Billy and everything seems to have gone back to normal. Well normal for Austin. Of course, there were a few weird calls but that is the south for you. Right now I am double-checking some things in the ambulance while I wait for my dad to arrive at the firehouse after his latest appointment. For some reason, I am feeling optimistic about it.

"Ten dollars says your mood is going to sour in the next thirty minutes," Tim half jokes as I pass him some of the medications.

"The only thing that can ruin my mood is if I lose a patient," I responded. Before Tim has the chance to counter I hear something clicking on the concrete followed by the sound of barking. There is no way that my Dad got a dog. Tyler and I have been wanting a dog for ages. I quickly excuse myself as I am too curious. As I join the others I notice that my Dad has a giant Burmese mountain dog in tow. My Dad looks proud of his decision to get a dog.

"Everybody say hello to the newest member of the 126. Buttercup," My Dad announces. I join the others in patting the dog however I notice that Tyler is a little unsure. After some back and forth about what possessed Dad to get a dog Tyler excuses himself. I quickly chase after him.

"Tyler what's wrong? As soon as Dad came in with Buttercup you looked like the world was going to end," I begin the process of making sure he is alright.

"I don't know. I just have a feeling that something is going to go wrong...like with Buttercup," Tyler responds. I can tell that there is more to the story but I am not going to pressure him into telling me just yet. He needs to organise his feelings. After a few hours of socialising with Buttercup, we finally get a medical call. After ten minutes of driving, we pull up to a creepy-looking house. It reminds me of those houses that you see in horror movies. Thankfully it doesn't take long for us to grab what we need. We all tentatively approach the house. As soon as Michelle knocks on the door we are greeted by a timid-looking man.

"Oh thank goodness you're here. My name is Trevor. Come in, come in," Trevor gestures for us to come in. The first thing that I notice is the fact that it is just as creepy on the inside. I shake the feeling off as we are here to help not judge.

"Uh...Mother is upstairs," Trevor adds.

"Sir, were you with her when her symptoms started?" Michelle gets to work on figuring out what is going on.

"No, I came downstairs to make her dinner. Then when I got back her colour wasn't right and her countenance drooped more than usual," Trevor explains as he shows us upstairs. I find myself glancing at Tim as we follow Trevor. As soon as we enter the room our noses are hit by the smell of rotting flesh.

"Ok, She is dead," Tim whispers.

"Yep," I whisper back. Now for the interesting part.

"Mother, I want you to do what these people tell you to do. They are here to help," The man remarks to his mother. That is easier said than done. After getting to the reason for her symptoms Michelle turns to face Trevor.

"Trevor, can you sit down for me?" Michelle asks.

"What? Why? What's going on? Why aren't you guys helping her?" Trevor is starting to panic. I can't blame him. Being in a situation that will turn your life upside down as you know is not the best thing.

"Your mother is gone," Michelle announces.

"What does that mean? Gone?" Trevor prompts.

"She's passed away. Probably a few days ago by the looks of it," Michelle responds. After a few minutes of back and forth disaster strikes.

" Ok, nobody is calling anybody and no one is leaving here until she wakes up," Trevor announces as he draws a sword on us. After trying to reason with him I notice that Michelle has come up with a plan.

"What are we going to do Cap?" Tim asks.

"Um...we check her ABCs," Michelle responds. With acknowledgement from Trevor, we get to work. The first thing that Michelle does is check her pulse.

"Her pulse is uh, very weak," Michelle announces to our surprise.

"What?" Tim beats me to asking what on earth is going on.

"Twenty milligrams of droperidol," Michelle orders.

"Droperidol for her...?" I know Michelle has a weird way of doing things but this takes it to a whole new level.

"Just do it," She whispers back. I soon figure out what Michelle is planing to do and it is bold even for her.

"Piper get the lifepack now. We need to defibrillate," Michelle orders. I tentatively bring the lifepack over. At least Trevor is a little less crazy now.

"Trevor, we need to remove your mother's clothing now. Maybe you should look away. I'm not sure if she'd be comfortable with you looking," Michelle says as I get to work on hocking her up to the lifepack. After acknowledging, Trevor turns around. Michelle gives Tim the order to make it look convincing.

"Right away Cap," Tim acknowledges as he awkwardly gets to work.

"Charge is set to one fifty...," I add for good measure.

"Make it three hundred. We need this to work," Michelle counters. After some acknowledgement, Michelle begins the countdown. As soon as it ends Trevor turns around. Before he has a chance to react Michelle thrusts the paddles onto Trevor's chest. The shock forces him to the ground. At least it is finally over.

"Tell dispatch to send the mental health unit for a fifty-one-fifty," Michelle orders. Soon after Trevor comes around.

"Why did you do that?" He asks as he tries to get up.

"I'm sorry Trevor but you didn't give me any choice," Michelle replies. I can hear the apologetic tone in her voice.

"What about Mother?" He asks as he tries to get up.

"I'm sorry. There is nothing that we can do for her now," Michelle fills him in as I radio for the mental health unit. It has been a couple of hours since then and we are finally back from another call. The good thing about that call is the fact that it was a simple job. My dad's crew did the hard work for us. After a minute disaster soon strikes. I hear the familiar sound of Tyler complaining. Of course, he is complaining about Buttercup having a go at his stuff. I soon join him in the kitchen area. It looks like a bomb went off. A bomb named Buttercup. Unlike the others, I am able to stifle my giggles.

"That is not a chew toy. Of all of the shoes, why did you have to pick mine?" Tyler throws his arms up in annoyance. I can't blame him.

"Cause he likes you," Dad responds on Buttercup's behalf. I think Buttercup is annoying Tyler because he is trying to get his attention. It seems to be working but in the wrong way. After what feels like an eternity we are finally settling in for the night. The others are trying to get Buttercup to choose whose bed he wants to sleep on. After a couple of minutes, Buttercup finally chooses Tyler. He tries to get him off his bed but nothing works. Tyler gets up.

"Man, you're being a dick to a cancer dog. That is not a good look," Paul tells Tyler off as he pauses.

"What is your deal? Why do you hate him so much?" Marjan asks.

"I don't hate him. Ok?" Tyler shuts Marjan down as he leaves.

"I'll talk to him," I announce as I get up. I quickly follow Tyler out to the balcony. He is clearly not in a good mood. Buttercup follows closely behind.

"You don't quit, do you Buttercup?" Tyler addresses the dog.

"Dad's right. He likes you. You can fool everybody else but you can't fool me. What is going on?" I probe for answers. Tyler clearly likes him but he doesn't want to get attached. Tyler sighs.

"Dad knew it was sick. It could die at any moment and I won't be able to take that. I can't fall in love with one more thing that I know I'm gonna lose, Piper," Tyler is on the verge of breaking down.

"I can't do it. Nobody is going to make me fall in love with that stupid dog. I won't," Tyler finishes his rant. It is at that moment that a thought hits me.

"Well I think this is more about the dog," I respond.

"Of course, it isn't. I'm scared about something happening to Dad," Tyler responds. Of course, what Tyler is feeling is completely natural. In fact I can't blame him.

"Dad hasn't given up yet. Besides there is a chance that we may lose Dad but you sure as hell are not going to lose me," I get to work on reassuring him.

"Plus there are no guarantees on this job. Anything could happen," I add for good measure. After a minute of back and forth, we both reach an interesting conclusion.

"TK it is ok for you to love Buttercup even though you might lose him," I finished my rant. I quickly pass Tyler a treat. He gives me a dirty look as he bends down to give Buttercup some much-needed attention. Seeing Tyler open up to Buttercup makes me feel better. At least their relationship is heading in the right direction. It has been thirty minutes since then and the signal bell goes. So much for trying to get sleep. After what feels like an eternity we made it to the house. We soon find the right room. As soon as Tyler rams the door open a gunshot rings out. The next thing I know I am putting pressure on the wound while barking orders at Michelle and Tim.

"Tim, I need you to pass me all of the gauze that you have. Michelle I need your help getting TK hooked up to the lifepack while I keep pressure on the wound," It feels weird calling the shots but I need to get Tyler stable for transport as soon as possible.

"Piper let Tim and I take over," Michelle gently orders as she gets to work on getting the lifepack connected.

"No. I'm sorry Captain. I am not going to lose TK now," I counter as I take the gauze from Tim. Once his supply is depleted he goes back to the ambulance for the gurney. Luckily for me, he is quick. Dad quickly radios for another ambulance.

"Tim help Piper. I'm going to help our original victim," Michelle orders. With that Tim and I carefully get Tyler on the gurney. We quickly head back to the ambulance. After the longest eternity of my life, we made it to the hospital.

"We have a twenty-six-year-old male with a GSW on his shoulder. It was a through and through," I announce as we are met by the doctors. It doesn't take long for them to prepare Tyler for surgery. Since there is nothing that I can do I join Tim in the ambulance.

"Are you ok?" Tim asks as he glances at me.

"Honestly...no. He lost a lot of blood...," It is at that moment the full weight of my emotions hit me. Tim pulls me into a hug as the floodgates open. The only good thing about tonight was the fact that Tim's driving got us to the hospital before Tyler had the chance to code. It has been a couple of hours since then and Tyler is finally out of surgery. Apparently, it was tough and go but he made it.

"Pip, are you ok?" Dad decides to check on me.

"No...," I trail off as I am feeling too many emotions at once. I quickly excuse myself as I know Dad will want to talk to Tyler alone. I quickly join the others.

"So what's the update?" Marjan asks.

"Well the doctors were able to patch up the wound but it was touch and go because he lost a lot of blood. Also, the doctors won't know if there is any brain damage until TK wakes up," I fill them in. The mood in the waiting room is stiff. We are soon joined by Carlos. He looks concerned.

"How's he doing?" Carlos tentatively asks. I gave him the same report that I gave the others.

"Ok. Look Piper let me know if you need anything," Carlos responds.

"Thank you but I'm fine. Unless you can wake TK up but something tells me that might be difficult," I reply. With that Carlos tentatively joins my dad in Tyler's room. A part of me wishes that I could go back to that event and trade places with Tyler. We have been through so much together. I can't lose him now. A sigh falls from my mouth as I sit down next to Tim. I know that Tyler is going to pull through. I find myself grabbing Tim's hand for reassurance.