Ty hit end on his cell phone, a fog settling over his brain. His heart sank, this couldn’t possibly be happening. He grabbed the skin on his forearm, knowing he would be able to wake himself from this horrible dream. “Ow.” No such luck.
“Hey Ty, where is Junior? I need to go over some stuff about his Bud meeting tomorrow before quals.” he stopped in his tracks when he saw Ty pale and shaking. “Ty? What’s up?”
“Go get pops and Tony Jr. Now!”
Jade was going to question him but he knew that if Ty, the one who was always so calm, was this upset something bad must have happened.
The three of them were back in the hauler 15 minutes later and listening to the end of Ty’s conversation. “They haven’t found anything yet, that’s good right? Means there is a chance? Yeah, they just got here. We will get the teams together and then we need to prepare something, the media will get a hold of this eventually.” Tony Sr. got a sickening feeling in his stomach. “Ok, we will and we will see you in a couple of hours.”
He hung up the phone and sat it on the table in front of him. “Ty, what’s going on?”
“Homestead air tower has lost contact with the jet.”
“What? What does that mean?”
He took a deep breath. “Air control received an SOS call from the DEI jet an hour and a half ago then the plane went dead on the radar. It is believed to have gone down. Teresa is making a few calls and will then be on her way.”
Jade felt the bile in his throat and knew if he opened his mouth the taste would come out.
“Who was on the plane?” Tony Jr. asked although he already knew.
Ty’s voice shook as he spoke. “Steve, Tony, Slugger, Junior, Paige, Michael, Buffy, Macy, Caitlyn. Not to mention the pilot, co pilot and Susan.”
“Oh dear God.”
“An investigator is on his way to the airport and as soon as they have an idea of what is going on they will call. We need to start contacting families, get the crew that is here together, and come up with a statement for the press.”
“I will address the teams, Tony will you go get them together in the garage?” Tony Sr. said trying to take all the news in.
“Yeah, pops, we will be waiting.” Tony Jr. said as he walked out of the hauler still disbelieving what was happening.
“Ty, I have most of the emergency numbers on my laptop. I will grab them and start calling the families.” Jade said.
“Thanks. I am going to see if Helton is here yet. He is going to need to be prepared when the media gets wind of this.”
“Hey Ty?” Jade jogged after him through the coach lot.
“Yeah.” he said stopping and letting Jade catch up. The tears evident on Jade’s face. “You ok?”
“No, these calls suck. Steve’s parents wanted to fly down but I convinced them not too. Sluggers are a wreck. I was thinking, was DW coming to the race this weekend. You know how sick their mom is, might be best if she heard it from her son.”
“Yeah, you are probably right.”
“I also have no number for Buffy’s folks, see if he has one. I will get started on the statement for the press after I call Tony and Paige’s families. Was Teresa calling the pilots family?”
“No we need to do that too. Teresa was calling Kelly, Kerry, and Brenda.”
Jade took a deep breath. “Ok. I will get on it.”
“Thanks Jade, I really appreciate it.” Ty said walking towards Helton’s suite.
Mike wasn’t at the track yet so Ty left a message with his assistant, then went to see if DW was going to come to the race. He passed the garage area and stopped to give moral support to Tony Sr. Tony paused letting Ty say a few words. “The most important thing for all of us to remember is that no wreckage has been found. Odds are very good that they just had to land and their equipment is dead.” He cringed at his choice of words. “There is no reason to believe they aren’t alive. Teresa is on her way and families are being contacted as we speak. Please keep this to yourselves for now. We don’t want the media jumping on this too soon.”
Gasps, cries and sobs could be heard throughout the garage. “So what do we do now?”
Ty wasn’t prepared for that. He hadn’t thought that far ahead. “We get these cars ready for tomorrow. Those boys could walk through the garage at any minute and I am not telling them their cars aren’t ready.” Tony Sr. said trying to convince everyone although he knew it wouldn’t happen.
The crews started to slowly scatter, heads hung in sorrow. These people were a family and part of that family was missing, hurt, or worse. “Pop, I am going to stay with the crew for a while then head to the hotel. Call if you hear anything.” Tony Jr. said as Ty and Tony Sr. headed to see about DW.
“I will kid, take it easy.” He pulled his son into a bear hug, hoping to be able to do that to his nephew again.
Teresa and Kelly walked into the Bud hauler and found Ty, Tony and Jade sitting around a table in the lounge area. Word hadn’t gotten out yet and things were pretty silent. “Any word from the airport?”
“Teresa hey, no not yet. The investigator got there about an hour ago and said he would call when he got any news.” Ty said standing and letting Teresa have his seat. Kelly laid a sleeping Karsyn on the couch and sat beside her.
“Thanks.” Teresa said sitting.
“John, the investigator, said they are going to start trying to pinpoint the area where the plane could have gone down. They will send a search party out in the morning at daybreak.” Teresa just nodded and looked at the paper laying on the table. “It’s not much but we weren’t really sure what to say since we don’t know anything.” Ty said referring to the statement in Teresa’s hands.
“It’s fine. Hopefully, by the time we have to use it we will know more.” She dropped her head to the table, still not believing any of this was happening. A knock on the door brought every one out of their fog.
“I got it.” Kelly said standing. “Uh, hi. What’s up?”
“I am looking for Junior or Jade. Need to go over some things on the upcoming signing that is going to happen with all of the DEI/RCR guys.” Richard Childress said stepping into the hauler.
“Uh, Jade is in the lounge but I don’t think now is a good time.”
Ty came out of the lounge. “Who is it? Richard hey. Look now isn’t…”
“Send him in.” Teresa yelled out.
“Come on in.” Ty stepped out of the way and looked at Kelly.
“What’s going on? Teresa, I didn’t think you would be here this weekend.”
“Richard, no one knows of this as of yet. So I am asking you to keep it quiet but our jet went down over 3 hours ago.”
“Oh my God. Who all was on it?”
“Normally, Michael would have flown out on their own jet and Tony and Slugger would have traveled with their teams but being the last race they all came together. Everyone was on there. Michael, Buffy, the girls, Steve, Slugger, Tony, June, Paige. Everyone.” She said just above a whisper.
Richard sat. “Are they?” He couldn’t say it.
“We don’t know, they haven’t found any wreckage or anything yet.”
Just then DW came rushing through the door. “Any word?” He said out of breath.
“No, not yet. How is your mom?” Ty asked.
He slumped in a chair. “Pretty upset. Our sister Carolyn is with her right now, Stevie is with the girls.”
“Kelly, why don’t you take Karsyn to Junior’s coach and try and get some rest. I don’t think anyone will get much sleep but there isn’t anything else we can do for tonight. Let’s meet tomorrow at 7am back here. We will have heard from Helton at that point and can decide on a time for the press conference.” Teresa stood and grabbed her briefcase off the table. “Actually, Kelly, I am going to stay with you in the coach tonight. I don’t want to be away from the track.”
“Yeah, I was thinking of staying here in the hauler. Don’t really want to be over at the hotel.” Ty said.
“I am going to head to the hotel and see how Tony and the teams are doing.” Tony Sr. said as they all headed out of the hauler. DW and Richard headed back to their coaches each in their own shock. Teresa and Kelly made it to Dale’s coach and the emotions were running wild as they entered. “Where do you want to sleep?” Kelly asked her eyes rapidly scanning the room and all the evidence of her brother.
“You take the master bedroom. There is plenty of room for you and Karsyn. I probably won’t sleep much anyway.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, go ahead. I am going to call Taylor and see how she is doing then maybe watch a little tv.”
“Ok, see you in the morning.”
“Goodnight.”
Kelly laid Karsyn in the king size bed then sank down next to her. “June, where are you?”
Teresa turned on the tv in the living area of Junior’s coach. “Shit.” Her cell phone rang. “Hello, yeah, I just saw it. Get everyone together and call Helton. We have to do this now.”
Kelly walked into the room, “What’s up?” She then saw her brother’s face on the tv. “Oh no.”
“We are doing the press conference in an hour.”
“Go, get things started. I am going to take Karsyn to the day care and I will meet you over at the press room.”
Although not too many people were up at that early hour on qualifying day, word was starting to spread now that the story broke on tv. Teresa had asked Mike Helton to read the prepared statement for DEI. The room was filling up quickly with drivers, media, owners, and teams.
Mike Helton took the podium. “It is with a heavy heart that I have called everyone here so early this morning. I have a statement prepared by Ty and Teresa about the events that occurred last night. At approximately 6:15 pm yesterday evening, the Dale Earnhardt Inc. jet was lost on radar and is assumed down. A search party is to begin looking for any wreckage this morning. So far no one has seen or heard anything from the plane or it’s passengers. We have no more information at this time and will keep you posted as details become available.”
“Who all was on the plane?” One reporter yelled out.
Mike looked at Teresa, She nodded and stepped up to the podium. “Two pilots, our attendant, Michael Waltrip, his wife Buffy and his girls, Macy and Caitlyn. Tony Gibson, Richard Labbe, Steve Park, Paige Pruitt, and Dale Jr. I appreciate all of you coming this early and promise as soon as we know more we will let you know.”
Mike took the podium again as Ty’s cell rang. He quickly left the room to take the call. When he didn’t come right back Teresa and Jade followed him. He hung up as they approached. “What’s up?”
“That was John. They have put together what they know for sure, which doesn’t seem to be much and what they are proposing happened. The search party is heading out in an hour. I told him that someone from here would come by, do you want me to go or…”
“Yeah, I am going to be needed here. Jade I would appreciate it if you would help me and Kelly screen calls and ward off the media.”
“Of course.”
“Ok, then I am going to head to the air port, I will call when we get any new information.”
“Kelly.” Kelly heard her name and stopped turning to find Matt Kenseth, Kenny Schrader, and Bobby Labonte following behind her, all looking pretty sullen, looking for any news on their friends.
“Hey guys.”
“I know you are probably sick of talking about it but is there any word?” Matt asked hopefully.
“No, not yet. Ty is at the airport, helping the investigators with the search and trying to come up with a reasonable idea of what may have happened.”
“Ok, well, our prayers and thoughts are with them, if there is any news.” Bobby said.
“I promise you all will know. Thank you so much, it helps to know you guys, everyone is behind us and there for us.” Kelly headed back to the hauler with an odd sense of déjà vu.
When she got there she found Teresa and Tony Sr. discussing the cars. “What do we do?”
“Hey guy’s what’s up?” Kelly said joining them at the table.
“Trying to decide what we do about qualifying. If we don’t and they by the grace of God make it by Sunday and are in race condition. They can’t race. If we do, we have to find someone to fill the cars. I don’t know what to do.”
“I say the Bud car packs up, Junior clinched his 2nd place spot last week. It doesn’t matter if he races or not. The 15 and 1, man, I don’t know.” Kelly said throwing her two cents in.
“I agree. Let’s pack up the 8.” Tony said.
“Ok, if there isn’t any positive news by the time qualifying starts, we will pack up the 8. What about the other two?” Teresa said. Her cell phone ringing broke the tension of the room. “Hello, Ty hey, any news? Ok.” Kelly and Tony looked at her hopefully. “What now? OK. Keep us updated. Bye.” She looked at them as the door opened and Jade joined them.
“Man the media is really out of control.” Jade said sitting.
“Ty just called, he said they have taken all the info they received from the radars and the sos call and they are pretty sure they went down somewhere in the Everglades. Which would be why no one has seen anything yet. The Everglades are millions of acres and if they went down into the swampy parts as apposed to the National Park areas then, it could be awhile before they are found. If they have been able to start a fire or doing something to get attention then that will help. I think it is pretty safe to say they won’t make qualifying. Pack it up.”
“What are we packing up?” Jade asked.
“The Bud car. What do we do about the 1 and 15?”
“I say we qualify them. If we don’t then it looks like we are giving up hope or that we know something that we aren’t telling. At least Junior has it wrapped up, it’s not as big of a deal.”
“What if we put Kerry in the #1 car?” Teresa asked. And for the #15 we could put Shane, Martin, everyone is here this weekend?”
“I say we go Truex Jr. He has ran so much for Chance 2 that he knows how we work, we have to get the seat adjusted, bit of a difference between him and Mikey.” Jade said. “What about crew chiefs for both? Bump the car chiefs up?”
“Yeah, I will monitor both scanners and Tony Jr. and myself will each be down there for support but that’s what we work with the car chiefs so hard for. I know they can do it.” Tony Sr said.
“I agree.” Teresa said “But I do want you down there just in case. These guy’s heads are not going to be in the right place and they will need all the support they can get.”
“Ok, well we have 4 hours until qualifying. I am going to go let the teams know what the plan is and see if they need help and let them know what is up with the search and Ty. I think the more we keep them in the loop the more they will work for the guys.” Tony Sr. said as he headed to the door.
“I will go find Kerry and see how him and Renee are doing. Kelly can you find Martin?” Teresa asked.
“Yeah, on my way.”
“I am going to hide out here for a bit and work on a release for Nascar.com and the Charlotte Observer.” Jade said pulling out his laptop.
“Ok, let’s meet back here in a couple hours, make sure your cells are on, if I hear from Ty I will call you.” Teresa said laying a hand on Kelly’s shoulder before she stepped out into the November sun. She pulled the sunglasses down onto her face and was thankful that the weather was unusually warm for November even in Miami, maybe that was helping them out and making things easier for them.
Kelly found Martin in the Chance 2 hauler with Shane Hmiel, Johnny Sauter, and Kevin Harvick. “Hey guy’s can I come in?”
“Kelly? Of course, any word?”
“Ty called from the airport. The search party went out a couple hours ago. They a pretty sure they went down in the Everglades but considering how big it is that is a pretty safe bet if you ask me.”
“Nothing on their condition?”
“No, not yet. I have a question, if you can’t handle it, your head isn’t in it I will understand but we would like you to qualify the #15 car for Mikey today.”
“Of course I will. Not a problem, whatever I can do to help. Dale and Teresa have been so wonderful to me.”
“Whose driving for the #1 and the #8?” Kevin asked.
“We are asking Kerry to drive the #1 and we are packing up the #8. If they do make it back Dale doesn’t have to run he has clinched the spot so it doesn’t matter but the other guys will need the points. This is all a big if but we can’t bring ourselves to pack it up, like a little hope maybe they will make it back in time to race on Sunday.”
“They running if they don’t make it back?”
“We haven’t decided 100% but I would say probably not.” Kelly stayed and talked to them for awhile longer, it felt good to be with her brothers friends. She kept looking at the door to the hauler expecting him to come bustling through it at any minute, with some stupid idea for another practical joke.
“He’s ok. He will be back giving us shit soon.” Martin said noticing the far away look on Kelly’s face.
Kelly just nodded and looked back to the door, realizing this was the same feeling she had after their daddy died, you just know he would be back at any second.
“Teresa. Hey Teresa.” Teresa stopped hearing her name being called. Richard Childress jogged to catch up to her. “How’s it going?”
“Mind if we step inside, I am avoiding the media all I can.”
“No, of course not.” He held the door to Junior’s coach open for her as she stepped inside.
“Thanks. Have a seat, water?”
“Sure thanks.” He said taking the bottle from her and sitting across from her at the table. “So, any word?”
Teresa relayed Ty’s message and told him about their plans with the cars. They talked for a while about everything except the crash trying to stay upbeat and positive but Richard new she was losing it.
“How you holding up? Really?”
She looked at him and he saw the doubt on her face. “I don’t know. Things moved so quickly after Dale died, there wasn’t any time to just stop and wait. This is so different. There is nothing I can do but wait. Damn it, we can’t lose him too. I mean we can’t lose any of them but…”
Richard watched something happen that not too many people had ever seen. The tears fell down her cheeks and he moved to her side. “Shh. It’s going to be ok.”
“What if they are gone? I can’t go through this again. I can’t do it, I don’t think I am that strong.”
“Hey now.” He sat on the couch and pulled her down next to him. “We have to stay positive that they are all ok.” Richard’s heart was breaking. He and Teresa had a friendship that went back many, many years. Dale Sr. had been one of his best friends and Dale Jr. was like a son to him. He held her in his arms and just let her cry, he knew he was one of the few people who she would allow to see this side of her and he wasn’t about to let her down now.
After several minutes Teresa sat up. “I am so sorry.” She wiped at the tears as she tried to stop them.
“For what? Being human? Teresa, don’t do this to yourself. It’s ok to show a little weakness from time to time.”
Teresa looked at him. “Thanks Richard. I appreciate you being here.”
“I will always be here for you. Don’t forget that.” He stayed and chatted for a while longer then headed out to check on his cars for qualifying.
Teresa sat staring at the sandwich she had made but wasn’t very hungry for. Kelly and Karsyn came through the coach door. “Hey you two. How are things?” She looked at Kelly as she helped Karsyn pull her jacket off. Karsyn then climbed into her lap and started nibbling on her sandwich.
“Karsyn don’t eat grandma’s food I will make you something.”
“No, I am not very hungry, it will go to waste otherwise.”
Kelly grabbed some juice and a water and an apple for herself. She gave the juice to Karsyn and sat across from them. “The media is getting way out of hand. They are everywhere, barely got us back here.”
“Where Unca June?” Karsyn said looking around his coach.
Kelly and Teresa looked at each other. “Karsyn, we don’t know where Uncle June is. He is lost, but hopefully we will find him very soon and he will be here to play with you.”
“Unca June lost where?”
“Well, we don’t know that’s why he is lost. We don’t know where he is.”
Karsyn looked at them both. It was obvious she didn’t understand what was going on but she seemed satisfied with the answer for now.
“Karsyn, you want to go to the garage with mommy or you want to go back to day care and play?”
“Go mommy.” She held out her arms and let Kelly pick her up. Teresa grabbed Karsyn’s jacket and they headed to the hauler to meet with everyone.
The 15 car qualified 10th and the 1 would start in 20th place if they were raced. Ty had called and the area around homestead had been searched with nothing found. They were going to search on foot a little longer, then the search would become strictly air. It would be too dangerous to have men on foot in the Everglades and maybe if they were alive they had a fire that could be seen from the air.
Teresa, Ty, Tony Sr., Jade, and Kelly all watched as the #8, #15, and #1 haulers left the infield and headed to Charlotte before the race got started. This was the first race in which DEI would not be represented in a Cup race. “What now?” Tony Sr. asked.
“Tell the teams they are more than welcome to stay or they are free to go home to their families. I understand if that’s where they want to be. I am thinking of heading home, myself.” Everyone looked to Teresa a little shocked. “I talked to Taylor last night and she is more and more upset everyday that goes by. There isn’t a lot I can do here. She adores her big brother so much, I don’t want her to feel alone.”
“Of course, Teresa go. We can handle things here.” Ty said.
“Actually, can you take Karsyn with you? I called mom this morning, she is going to keep her. I am staying and I can’t keep her here with me.”
“Of course. Tony what you going to do?”
“Don’t know yet. Feel like I should be here but there isn’t a lot I can do.” Tony Sr. said.
“It’s totally up to you but pops why don’t you go home, I am going to stick around.” Tony Jr. said walking up. Tony Sr. nodded.
“Ok, then it’s settled. We will all check into the hotel so the coaches can get out of here.” Jade said as they headed back to pack up Teresa and Karsyn. A while later Teresa, Tony Sr. and Karsyn along with most of the teams were on their way back to North Carolina. Kelly, Jade, Ty, and Tony Jr. checked into the hotel and then headed back to the track for the race.
The race was fairly sullen. Even the crowd was unusually quiet. Watching a Nascar race without a DEI car or an Earnhardt was an odd site. The drivers weren’t into it, their minds on their lost friends. Even Mike Helton was beginning to think they should have called the race. Luckily, the race happened without incident and after the race the drivers, owners, and friends came up to Kelly, Jade, Ty, and Tony Jr. to get updates and give their thoughts and prayers one more time before heading back to Carolina.
“Is there anything I can do before we take off. I can stay.”
“No Matt, go back with Katie and take care of yourselves. I will call as soon as we get any word I promise.” Kelly said pulling Dale’s good friend into a hug. She knew his championship celebration would be in vain until word came in.
Matt hugged her back and hung his head as he walked back towards his coach with his wife. Kelly sighed as she watched the copters taking off. She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find Bobby Labonte. “How you holding up, kid?”
“I would be doing better if everyone would quit asking me how I was doing.” She looked at him. “Man, I am sorry, I didn’t mean to bite your head off, it’s just.”
“I know, don’t worry about it.” He pulled her into his arms. “Come here.” She fell into them easily and let the tears fall for the first time all weekend. She let him put her into his car and drive her back to the hotel.
Jade pounded on Kelly’s hotel room door. “Kelly, open up.”
Tony heard the commotion and came out of his room across from Kelly’s. “Jade, what’s up?”
“Kelly.” The door swung open. “What?”
Jade and Tony both saw Bobby pulling a shirt on over his head by the bed and turned to Kelly. “Please don’t, not right now.”
Jade shook the thoughts from his head. “They found debris from the plane. Come on. Ty is already at the airport.”
“Oh God, are they?”
“Don’t know. They only found part of the plane, they should know more by the time we get there. Hurry up.” Kelly rode to the airport with Bobby and Tony jumped in with Jade.
Ty did a double take as he watched the four of them walk in. Jade just shook his head telling Ty to let it go. “They found the front of the plane.” Ty looked pale as the others listened intently and impatiently. Ty swallowed. “They found 4 bodies.”
“Oh God no.” Kelly sat down in the chair behind her. Bobby was at her side, his hand on her shoulder. The looks from the others didn’t go unnoticed by either of them but right now it didn’t matter.
“We don’t know who it is yet. There were 12 people on that plane, they have 4 bodies, God rest their souls, but we have to keep faith that everyone else is alive.”
“Have you called Teresa?”
“No, I talked to her late last night but I want to know more before I worry her and everyone else at home.”
“How long till they know more?”
“The bodies they found are being flown in now, someone has to identify them. They don’t think the other half of the plane is that far so they will hopefully know more shortly.”
“So who is going to ID the bodies?” Tony Jr. asked.
“I will. I am not going to put anyone else through that.” Ty said. Just then the door to the conference room they were using opened.
“Mr. Norris. The copter just landed. They don’t usually do this but under the circumstances they will allow you to identify them here if you would like or you can go to the morgue in a few hours.”
“I want to just get it over with.”
Kelly held her breath and Bobby’s hand as she watched Ty walk out of the room. She felt a loss for whoever didn’t survive the crash but she said a silent prayer for God to bring her baby brother back to her safe and sound.
The four of them sat in complete silence as they waited for Ty to get back. The door opened and Kelly couldn’t even make eye contact with him. When Jade did the ghostly white stare that faced him gave him goose bumps. Kelly held her head in her hands, she slowly looked up at Ty the bile rising in her throat.
“Ty?” Tony Jr. asked.
“Hey Paige, do you know what time that sponsor meeting tomorrow is?”
“Yeah, let me grab my bag.”
“No, it’s not that important, you can let me know later. I thought you might know off the top of your head.”
“No bother, that’s why Jade hired me, to help with your schedule. Apparently you are too much for him to handle.”
He grabbed her arm as she headed to the back. “And you think you can handle me?” He grinned at her.
“Trust me, Earnhardt, I can handle all you have to offer.” she whispered in his ear causing the hair on the back of his neck to stand on end.
Jade had hired Paige as his assistant to help with the never ending demand on Dale’s time about 4 months earlier. The attraction had been obvious between them from the beginning and as long as she kept him on time and in line, Jade didn’t care what they did. Keep him in line she did. She didn’t tolerate his temper tantrums or his whining. She had stood up to him on more than one occasion and he would back down long before she did, then she would lay into him for getting in her face unjustly in the first place. That was one of the things Dale found so attractive about her, sure she was pretty but really she was just average. She wasn’t one of the leggy blond super model types that usually hung around, she was just average. But mostly she didn’t care one bit about who he was, he was just another boy. However, nothing yet had happened between them, their schedules just wouldn’t allow it but Dale was planning on changing that this weekend.
It was the final race of the season and Matt Kenseth had already wrapped up the championship and he secured 2nd last race so this weekend was really just for show for them both. Dale hoped to have a little extra time to himself, not worried as much about practice and whatnot, to wine and dine Paige. He wanted to do this right, he really was starting to feel something for this woman and it was obvious she felt something back.
“I’ll get that time and be right back.” she squeezed his shoulder as she went by and he turned to watch her walk away. He liked the view but had to admit he would rather see her walking towards him.
“Hey Susan, can you see if we are on time?” Slugger asked of the attendant.
“Sure.” she headed to the front as the plane hit some turbulents and dipped.
Michael made sure the girls belts were fastened “Keep those on till we are sure the turbulents are gone.”
Paige had dropped her papers when the plane dipped and was bent over picking them up. “Damn.” All of a sudden the plane went into a nose dive and Paige lost her balance tumbling down the aisle and slamming into the cockpit door. “Shit.” She yelled as she laid her hand on her now throbbing head.
“Paige.” Dale jumped up and stumbled forward before steadying himself and reaching for Paige. “Give me your hand.” She reached out and he pulled her up against his body and was pulling her back down into the seat when Susan came out of the cockpit.
“Everyone to the back of the plane, buckle in as far back as you can. NOW!” Susan screamed.
Michael grabbed Macy and Buffy was up but having a hard time balancing herself and Caitlyn. “Buffy go, I got her.” Steve said grabbing Caitlyn’s arm and half carrying her to the back.
“Hurry up get back here. Tony, Susan, come on.” Slugger yelled as he buckled himself in.
Dale had pushed Paige down the aisle in front of him. “Steve, grab her.“
Steve turned and pulled Paige into the row with him. She buckled her belt and reached for Dale but not before the plane shook violently, causing him to fall again. Dale was laying in the aisle holding on to the seat leg. “Dale.” Steve yelled reaching across Paige for him. Paige leaned forward and grabbed his arm trying to pull him to her.
Michael watched helplessly at his friends struggling but couldn’t do anything about it. He couldn’t reach them and he couldn’t leave his family. He looked at his kids and wife and let a tear slip down his cheek, it was bad enough that this was the end of him, his wife and his friends but his kids. He pushed their heads to their chests and kissed Buffy. “I love you guys. It’s ok.” He tried to calm his crying children as he covered as much of them as he could with his large frame.
Steve tried to help Paige pull Dale to the seat but there wasn’t enough time, the plane hit the ground with a violent force. The nose hit first causing the plane to snap in two pieces forcing the tail end to fly past the nose and slide about a half mile away from the front. The air whipped through the cabin sucking anything not bolted down outside the plane, including Dale.
The silence was deafening, there was no movement. Several minutes passed before a small cry was heard. “Daddy? Mommy?”
Michael sat up not sure if he was alive or dead. He looked around and realized he was still on the plane. “Buffy? You guy’s ok.” He looked over the three of them and when he was convinced they were ok he stood. He noticed Slugger slumped in the seat in front of them. “Richard? Hey buddy you ok. Come on.”
“Michael?”
“Yeah, there you go.” He helped him sit up before turning his attention to Steve. “Steve, Paige, you alright?”
“Yeah but,” Steve said looking at Paige and the tears that streamed down her face He draped an arm over her shoulders and gave her a shoulder of his own to cry on.
“But what?”
“The front of the plane is gone, so is Dale.” He tightened his embrace on Paige.
Michael looked towards the giant hole that use to be the front of the plane. He heard Paige’s sobs. “What do you mean Dale is gone?” He swallowed dreading the worst.
“I mean gone, literally, we tried to hold on to him but couldn’t. He was sucked out when it broke in two.”
Michael and Slugger walked to the front of the plane. “Where the hell are we?” Slugger asked seeing nothing but trees all around them.
Michael looked back towards the plane to his kids, then to Paige and Steve. “I don’t know but we better find the others and the rest of the plane.” Michael just pushed all the fear and dread to the side and started barking out orders taking control of the situation. “Maybe the pilot has already called for help. Buffy try and find a cell phone see if you can get anything.”
Steve joined the other guys and headed out of the plane, Buffy and the girls started searching through what carry on luggage was still on the plane. They tried several phones but got nothing from all of them. “Ok, well lets see what kind of food and drinks we have just in case we are here over night.” Paige walked back to the galley which was in the back of the plane. “Paige, you don’t have to, sit down and try to regroup, we will do it.” The shock was obvious and Buffy was slightly concerned, Paige had a zombie look on her face.
She looked at Buffy trying to stop her tears for the girls. “I have to find him.” With that Paige turned and walked out of the plane.
“Paige, what are you doing?” Michael asked grabbing her arm as she headed away from the plane.
“I am going to find Dale.”
“Oh, no you aren’t. We don’t know where we are, what is out there. Stay here and help Buffy and we will find him and the others.”
“And I will go with you, you want someone to stay with Buffy? Then you stay with her.” She turned and walked away and Michael knew her enough to know there wasn’t any changing her mind.
He looked to Steve and Slugger. “Let’s go.” Steve caught up to Paige so she wasn’t alone and the other two followed.
“Look there.” Slugger pointed. “Smoke, what about a half mile or so?”
“Yeah, that has to be the other half of the plane.” Steve said.
They headed in the direction of the smoke following the broken trees and wreckage as they went, hoping to find Dale along the way. They came across one of the wings and some scattered suitcases, they decided on the way back they would gather some of the clothes and things in case they were going to be here all night. They continued on their way, calling for Dale as they went.
“Dale! Dale! Where are you?” Paige yelled She searched through the tall grass and trees, walking was difficult due to the thick weeds. “Dale, where the hell are you? Damn it you have to be ok.” They had split up to cover more area but were still in sight of one another. She was on the verge of tears when she heard it, a low moan. “Dale? Is that you?” She heard it again and walked towards the sound then she saw him. “Oh fuck. Mike, Guys.”
She knelt beside him and wiped the blood off his forehead. She noticed his leg was bent in a direction that it wasn’t meant to be bent in. “Paige?”
“Yeah, it’s me. Don’t try and move your leg is broken pretty badly.” Michael, Steve and Slugger ran over.
“My head hurts. My side. You ok?” He asked as he reached up to brush her cheek.
She grinned at his worry over her. “I am ok, a lot better now.” She caught his hand in hers and brought it too her lips. “You have a cut on your forehead, that’s probably why your head hurts. You had to have hit pretty hard, you probably have some cracked ribs. I am sure that‘s where the pain is coming from.”
“That and our plane just crashed.” He half laughed. He looked up to the other guys. “Everyone ok?”
“The front of the plane is farther that way, Susan, Tony, and the pilots are still missing. Everyone else is fine though.” Steve said.
“Ok, you two go on ahead and I am going to get them back to the plane.” Michael said to Steve and Slugger.
“How you doing?” The cut had stopped bleeding and she wiped the dried blood from his face.
“I’m ok.” He took her hand and squeezed it.
“Ok buddy, I am going to carry you back to the plane.”
“You sure, quarter mile is pretty far, especially in this terrain.” Dale asked looking up at Michael.
“Of course, I am a marathon runner.” He grinned. “Ok, ready, this is going to hurt like hell.”
“Oh shit.” Dale groaned as Michael picked him up.
“I am sorry.” Michael said heading towards the plane trying to keep his leg as steady as possible. Paige trailed behind them slightly. “You ok, back there?”
“Yeah just a little tired.” Dale tried to smile at her over Michaels shoulder. She met his stare and smiled back at him, she knew what pain he must have been in. She was realizing just how sore she was. She didn’t think she had been hurt but now that she was moving she was hurting pretty bad. She studied the terrain and was starting to realize where they probably where. Paige stopped to grab some of the bags that they had passed.
“We are almost there.” Michael said as the plane came into sight.
Steve and Slugger found more and more wreckage as they got closer to the nose of the plane. They finally found the cockpit along with the bodies of the pilot and co pilot. “Oh man.” Steve said leaning into what was left of the plane. “Try the radio, see if you can get anything and let’s get back, it’s already getting dark. I am going to see if there is anything we can use.”
Slugger started messing with the controls but everything was fried and he wasn’t getting anything. “It’s dead.” He cringed at his choice of words looking at the bodies. “Sorry.”
“Let’s get the hell out of here.” Steve replied grabbing the few tools, lighter, and flashlight he found. Steve headed back towards the group when he heard Slugger trip and fall.
“Shit.”
Steve turned to see Slugger sitting on the ground next to Tony’s body. The sight of his dead crew chief was the final blow in what Steve could take for one day. Everything suddenly sunk in and he couldn’t hold the bile that floated into his mouth back anymore. Slugger left him alone for a moment needing the time himself as much as Steve did. Finally, he walked to Steve. “Man, you ok?” He laid a hand on his shoulder.
“I don’t know, this is nuts. I mean…” Steve wiped off his mouth and stood.
“I know, come on let’s get back to the others.”
“What about Susan?”
“I think you know as well as I do that she’s gone.”
Steve just hung his head saying a small prayer for their fallen friends.
“Buffy! Buffy!” Michael yelled as they neared the plane.
“Mikey? What the, oh my God. Caitlyn grab those cushions.” She and Caityln laid the cushions out as a bed for Dale. “Ok, easy.”
“Ow, shit.” Buffy grabbed the first aid kit and started patching Dale’s cuts. “Thanks Buffy.”
“It’s ok, you just rest. I will get you some water.”
Paige sat next to Dale as Buffy came back with 3 bottles of water. “How much do we have?” Michael asked eyeing the water.
“The plane was stocked, granted not for a lot of people or a very long time but we have enough for a few days if needed. Where is Steve and Slugger?”
“They went ahead to find the cockpit and the others.” Michael said as he picked up Macy and sat next to Caitlyn trying to calm their nerves. “It’s going to be ok, girls.” He pulled Caitlyn to him and hugged them both.
“Any idea where we are?” Buffy asked.
“The everglades if I had to guess.” Steve said walking back in the plane.
“What? Isn’t that pretty far off from Homestead?” Michael asked.
“Actually it covers most of the southern part of the state.” Paige said as she cradled Dale’s head in her lap. “I was thinking the same thing, it was getting pretty swampy back there, I think we may be pretty far into it.”
“We are pretty lucky actually, had we landed back there this half would have water in it.” Slugger said.
“If we are in the Everglades, we have bigger problems now.” Paige.
“What? Why?”
She looked at the girls not wanting to scare them but figured they just crashed in a plane how much more scared could they get. “Snakes, alligators, who knows what else. Now it’s dark and we don’t have a fire.” She started to get up. “We need to…”
“You stay there with him, we will deal with this.” Steve said.
Several of the seats had come loose or fallen out all together so Slugger started throwing the ones that weren’t attached out of the plane to make more room for them to lay. Macy and Caitlyn went around taking all the cushions off the seats making beds for everyone. Buffy took all the tools and clothes the guys brought back and that were in the plane already and took stock of what they had. Michael and Steve took the two flashlights they had and went looking for firewood. The temperature was dropping fast and hopefully the fire would keep any creatures away from the plane.
Outside the plane Steve and Michael finally got a fire started and Michael headed back into the plane to help Slugger and everyone else. Steve stayed outside for a minute hoping that somewhere someone was already looking for them. For some odd reason since the moment they realized where they were, all Steve could think of was the giant Alligator from the movie Lake Placid. He nervously looked around then decided to head in with the others, getting eaten wasn’t on his agenda.
“Look, why don’t we all try to get some sleep and figure out where we go from here tomorrow.” Michael said.
Buffy stepped up. “We actually have several blankets and pillows, apparently they keep these in the back of the plane.” She started handing them out as everyone picked a spot to sack out for the night.
Paige laid down next to Dale, who was already asleep, and covered them both with the blanket. Michael had set up an area in the back for his family and Slugger and Steve stayed more towards the front of the plane, both figuring they wouldn’t get much sleep.
Slugger and Steve stared out into the darkness. The fire only lit up a very small area around the plane and there was a whole lot of blackness around them. Steve looked back into the plane. The exhaustion of the day taking its toll, everyone was asleep and quiet. Michael and Buffy were on either side of the girls keeping them close to them. Paige was curled into Dale’s body protectively.
“They are looking for us, right?” Slugger asked drawing Steve’s attention back to him.
“Of course. Hell, do you know how freaked out they are?” He said trying to sound convincing when truth was he wasn’t sure they were.
“What if we are in the middle of the Everglades? Do you know how long it could be before they find us? We don’t have that much food or fresh water? We don’t know how severe Junior’s injuries are?”
“Richard, they are going to find us. I know it.”
“He’s right.” Michael said stepping over Dale and Paige to join them. “You know Teresa and Ty, they have everyone working on this as we speak.”
“Yeah, I am just scared.” Slugger looked around, the whole situation was very surreal.
“Well, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.” Steve said.
“We all are, but it won’t help for everyone to freak out.” Paige said sitting up and trying to not wake Dale. “They are going to find us.” She pulled the blanket up around a shivering Dale. “They have to find us and soon.”
The others watched as she cradled Dale. She was right, they had to find them, and for not only Dale but all their sakes.
Steve awoke early the next morning and found Caitlyn sitting just outside the plane, not too far from him. “Caitlyn? You ok?”
“Well, yeah.”
“What’s up?” He asked glancing back at Michael, Buffy and Macy who were still asleep.
“I have to go to the bathroom but I was scared to go out by myself.”
“No, I am glad you waited, you don’t need to be out there alone. Want me to wake Buffy?”
“No, let them sleep. They will be up soon enough. I will wait.”
Steve thought then stood. He walked to the back of the plane, then came back to the front. He held out his hand to her. “Come on.” He led her to the back of the plane and checked things out. “There doesn’t seem to be anything moving back here.” He grinned half joking. He then walked half way back up the plane and stopped, his back to her.
“Thanks, I think.” She looked around nervously, not at Steve being so near but at what might be living out there.
A few seconds later Michael came around the plane. “Tell me you know where Caitlyn is.” He asked in a brief panic.
Steve pointed over his shoulder. “Using the little girls room.”
“Oh, thank God.”
“Ok.” Caitlyn came out from behind the plane. “Morning daddy.” She hugged him. “Thanks Steve.” She hugged him before going back into the plane.
Michael slapped Steve on the back. “You are going to make a fine daddy one of these days.” He said before following Caitlyn back in the plane.
Steve only hoped he would get the chance.
Dale slept most of the next day. Paige kept a close eye on him and his injuries. Buffy, Michael, or someone would bend over every once in a while just to make sure he was still breathing.
Everyone else stayed close to the plane just buying time. The guys went and found enough wood to get them through the night but other than that they spent most of the day trying to entertain Macy and Caitlyn, not to mention take their own minds off their situation.
Paige was helping Buffy get food out for breakfast when she heard Dale stir. “Hey there, sunshine. How you feeling?”
Dale sat up the best he could, wincing as he did so. “Ok, I guess.” Paige bent down and placed a cushion behind him to help support him. He held his side. “Hurts.”
“Doubt that it will help but take these.” She handed him two aspirin and a bottle of water. “Mind if I sit here?” She sat and scooted back against the wall grinning.
He put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him gently. “No where I’d rather you be. How long did I sleep?”
“A day. More or less. You needed it, need to build your strength up.”
She put her head on his shoulder and she wiped at a tear that slipped down her cheek. It didn’t go unnoticed by him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I don’t know, everything. I am trying to stay strong but what if they don’t find us?”
“Hey, do you know how many people are looking for us right now?” He pulled her into a half hug trying not to hurt his side anymore.
She looked up at his sparkling eyes. “How can you stay so damn upbeat about this.”
“Cause, I keep thinking of what I was planning on for this weekend.”
She saw that Earnhardt grin, even through the dirt and dried blood. “Plan? And what exactly did you have in mind, Mr. Earnhardt.” Her curiosity was peaked, she had hoped for sometime that he would make a move but all they ever did was flirt. The sexual tension was definitely thick between them but she didn’t dare make the first move. He was Dale Earnhardt Jr. and although she didn’t care about that, the fact was he could still have any woman he wanted and she wasn’t exactly the typical woman she saw hanging around the tracks on the weekends.
“I thought maybe I could persuade you to actually, I don’t know maybe go out on a date with me. Well, maybe not a date since we are stuck at the track but a home cooked meal, movie on the DVD player and well,” he grinned and blushed.
“Oh, please by all means, finish that plan. Cause it sounds pretty damn good so far.”
“Well, I know how it ended in my vision but, you know, I don’t want to be too pushy.”
“Dale?” She reached up to stroke his cheek.
“Yeah?” He whispered.
“Push.” His mouth gently found hers and she couldn’t be happier. Her tongue softly brushed against his bottom lip until he allowed it to dance with his own. For a brief time they both forget where they were, what had happened, and what injuries he had. She finally pulled away from him quickly becoming aware of their surroundings. “It’s about time.” She whispered then softly laughed.
“We need to get out there and see if maybe we can get to some help.” Michael said grabbing a bottle of water and a cell phone.
“Well, it sure as hell isn’t going to be you.”
“Excuse me.”
“I am not letting you go out there. You have a family here.”
“And you have one back there what is the difference?” Michael asked looking at Slugger.
“The difference is yours is here and you can protect them, all I can do is try to get back to mine.” He grabbed the bottle of water out of his hand. “I am going, end of story.” He turned and walked out of the plane.
“Wait up.” Steve ran after him with a couple of cell phones in his hand. “You aren’t going alone.” Michael and Buffy watched them walk into the distance. They both said a little prayer that their friends would find help and make it back to the plane ok.
Slugger and Steve had walked several miles and hadn’t seen anything but trees, plants, and insects. “Man, the phone still doesn’t work.” Slugger said as Steve stopped and took a gulp of water.
Steve looked into the sky. “We should head back, it’s going to start getting dark in a few hours and I don’t want to be stuck out here.”
Slugger sighed. “Yeah, let’s go.”
They were about an hour from the plane when they heard movement from behind them. “Steve, what is that?”
They both froze and turned slowly. “I don’t know.” He whispered.
“What the hell do we do?”
Steve swallowed. “Just don’t make any sudden movements.” The watched as a small alligator crawled out from the brush. “Oh fuck.”
“Steve?”
“Shh. As long as we don’t move or scare it maybe it will go away.” They stood still for a few moments and as the alligator turned and walked away from them Steve motioned for Slugger to start walking in the opposite direction. “Very slowly and quietly.”
They kept moving backwards away from the gator watching as it got further away. Steve suddenly felt something brush his leg. “Shit.” He turned to see a log floating in a small puddle of water. He half laughed at his jumpiness. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
They picked up the pace and hauled ass back to the plane. “Grab some wood, get the fire built up.”
Michael came out hearing the commotion. “What’s going on?” They told the story to Michael and Paige as they built the fire.
Paige frantically looked around. Sure it had been a threat but now that one had been seen, it was all she could think of. “I guess the phones didn’t work?”
“No, not a signal anywhere.” Steve said and Paige’s heart sank. She thought for sure if they got out away from the plane the phones would work, they could get a hold of someone, anyone to save them.
Buffy brought some food to them and handed some to Paige. She took it straight to Dale and sat next to him. “Here.”
He took a bite of the sandwich and a drink of the water. “Where’s yours?”
“Not hungry.”
“You need to eat.”
“I am not hungry, here take this.” She handed the sandwich to him.
“Paige.”
“Dale, I said I am not hungry. Back off.”
He just stared after her as she wandered outside the plane. He knew tempers were getting thin and everyone was on edge but he was worried about her. Steve went after her. “Hey, hey.”
“I want to be alone.”
“Well that isn’t going to happen out here. It’s almost dark and we all know about the alligators. Come on. What‘s going on? What‘s with biting his head off back there?”
“I didn‘t mean to. It‘s just, the phones aren‘t working, the food and water isn‘t going to last forever. What if they don‘t find us?”
“They will.” He pulled her into an embrace and let her cry.
Inside the plane, Dale was desperate to know what was going on. He knew Steve went after her but it should have been him. Everyone was outside the plane by the fire but he couldn’t see Steve or Paige. He started to stand up and was able to ignore the pain from his ribs but the pain that shot through his leg was unbearable. He stumbled and fell screaming as he did.
Paige pushed away from Steve and ran back into the plane. “Dale.”
Michael ran to his side. “Shit, what were you thinking?” He got Dale back on the makeshift bed as Dale held his legging moaning and whimpering.
“It’s ok, I got it.” Paige said looking up at Michael, her eyes still brimmed with tears. She smoothed Dale’s hair back and wiped the tears that fell down his cheeks away.
“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to push.” He said looking up at her with a pale sad look on his face.
“I know, it‘s ok, I shouldn‘t have yelled at you.” She tried to make him comfortable on the cushions and covered him back up. “Just calm down and breath. What were you thinking?”
Dale looked at her. “I wanted to be with you. Wanted to come after you. Make sure you were ok, I am just worried about you.”
She looked down at him and sighed. “It wasn’t your fault, I am just, I want to go home.” She laid next to him and let him drape his arm over her. She could hear his ragged breath and knew he must have been in a lot of pain. His leg looked horrible. “Try and think of something other than your leg.”
“Easier said than done.” He tightened his grip on her.
She rolled over and faced him. “Let’s see if I can help with that.” She traced his jaw with her fingers and gently kissed his bottom lip. She felt him tremble and smiled as she pulled away. “That help?”
He smiled back at her. “No it still hurts, now I just don’t care.” He kissed her back and they curled up under the cover, hoping that sleep would overcome them both.
Hours turned into days, the food was pretty much gone, except for a little they kept for Dale, Macy and Caitlyn. The water was close to being gone. Patience were limited, tempers were flaring, Slugger was doing his best to keep peace between everyone but it was becoming a never ending battle.
“Look just fucking do it.” Michael yelled as everyone gasped at his outburst.
Steve looked to Macy who was already crying from all the yelling. “Screw this.” He walked out of the plane to catch his breath and calm himself down. Slugger caught up to him.
“He’s just on edge.”
“I know, we all and that’s why I just walked out. I am not going to fight with him in front of his kids. They are upset enough.”
“I know. Do you know how upset he has to be to use that language in front of them?”
“Well, the realization that he and his whole family may not make it out of this is starting to hit him.” Steve said. “I just want to be alone. I will be back.”
“Ok, just don’t go to far and be careful.”
“I will.”
Steve had wondered away from the plane, never letting it completely out of his sight but still far enough to gather his thoughts alone. They were on their 5th day in hell. Steve knew that most of Michael and Buffy’s portions of food had gone to the girls, just as most of his and Slugger’s and Paige’s had gone to keep Dale strong. His stomach had finally stopped growling about a day ago and he was getting use to not eating. He felt weak and knew he was dehydrated, he was exhausted and just wanted to go home.
The only light in their tunnel was that Dale was stronger, that gave everyone hope briefly but it seemed a shame for Dale to survive the severe injuries only to starve to death. Overall moral of everyone was pretty gloomy.
He found an old stump and sat down with his thoughts. The friends he wouldn’t get to say goodbye to, his parents, his brother, at least he knew his parents would take care of his dog, Harley. He had hoped to one day get married, have kids, start his own race team, so much he had yet to do.
He suddenly heard a rustling in the leaves and jumped off the stump. “Shit.” He figured this was it, he couldn’t possibly luck out this many times. Between the almost career ending wrecks in his car, the plane crash, the alligator a few days earlier, he figured he couldn’t have too many of his nine lives left. He could see the plane but if it was an animal he didn’t want to startle it by running and he didn’t want to lead it back to the others. He slowly moved away from the plane watching to see if the noise would follow him. If this was it, he would at least make sure no one else would get hurt.
“Hey, where did Steve go.” Michael asked.
“Said he needed to get some air. Can’t blame him. Trust me, I would leave if I could walk.” Dale said.
“I know, patience isn’t in abundance around here lately. I am sorry about earlier.” Michael said sitting next to Dale and Paige.
“I know Mikey, everyone is on edge. Things aren’t looking to hopeful.” Dale swallowed pulling Paige closer to him.
Paige sat lost in her own thoughts. She was beginning to believe that they wouldn’t be found in time, sure she knew they could all last for a while with no food but the thought of a slow miserable death didn‘t sound to appealing to her. She couldn’t believe that she and Dale would never have a chance to start a relationship. She would never see her friends, her family, never do all the things she has always wanted to do.
“Paige, Paige!” She looked to Dale and realized Michael had left them and was playing with Macy and Caitlyn. “Hey where did you go?”
She took a deep breath. “Just thinking.” She gave her best fake smile.
“Wow, that sucked.”
“What?”
“That cheesy ass grin you just tried to pass off.”
“Sorry, just not a lot to smile about all of a sudden.” He watched as the tears welled up in her eyes. “I just want to go home.”
He tightened his grasp on her as her arms slipped around his waist and she buried her face in his neck. He winced from the pressure on his ribs and she backed off. “No,” he captured her arms and put them back. “The pain doesn’t matter anymore, I just want to feel you next to me.”
“May be our only chance.” She looked up at him sadly.
Dale just studied her face. He tried to stay positive, keep his faith up but things were looking grim and she was right, it may be the only time they would have together. The thought of never making love to this woman, never getting the chance to see if they could make a relationship work. He leaned down and kissed her passionately not caring who was around or what was said. He held her in his arms as he noticed Michael sitting against the wall Buffy and the girls all huddled around him. He looked out to Slugger, sitting right outside of the plane alone and thought of Steve. What they must have been thinking, going through, their families elsewhere. But for all intense purposes, they were all alone in their own minds to deal with the face of death and their own mortality.
Steve had walked out of sight of the plane trying to lead whatever the rustling was away from the others. The idea of slowing starving to death didn’t sound like too much fun so actually being eaten by whatever was in those bushes seemed to be the better of the two evils.
When he was certain he was far enough away he stopped and faced the brush where the noise came from. “Ok, this is it Park.” He was lost in his own thoughts when he suddenly heard voices. “Mike? Slugger?” He walked towards the voices. “Guys?”
“Over here, I hear something.”
“Oh my God. Hello? Hey, over here, is someone there?” Steve ran through the watery weeds towards the voices. “Help, hey, anyone.”
“We found the rest of the plane. We have survivors.” John said as he pushed the door open. “Come on.” Everyone jumped up and followed John back to the room that had become search headquarters.
Kelly walked into the room and couldn’t believe her eyes. All the computers, phones, and people, she at least new they had taken this search seriously. “Who?”
“I don’t know yet. They just found them and are getting them onto a helicopter. I know they are some severe injuries and that there are several survivors.”
Kelly took a deep breath and sat down. “I don’t know how much longer I can take this.” Bobby stood behind her his hands massaging her shoulders.
“You don’t have to wait too much longer. We have 2 military copters bringing them in now, a couple of ambulances are en route to take them to the hospital.”
“What the hell is going on?” Ty asked Tony and Jade as they watched Bobby and Kelly.
“Don’t know. He was there when I went to get them this morning.” Jade said.
“I am curious about his wife. I thought they were happily married?” Tony asked.
“Yeah, so did I.” Ty said wondering what would happen when everyone found out about this.
They heard the helicopters come in. “Let’s go.” John led them to the run way, which had been temporarily shut down to get both copters in. They stood a few hundred feet out and watched as the copters landed side by side.
EMT’S from the ambulances ran to the copters to help get people off. Everyone moved closer to get a better view. Kelly immediately saw Michael climbing off and she ran into his arms. “Tell me he is ok.”
He smiled down at her and nodded. “He’s on the other one, he is hurt though.” Kelly ran to the other copter as Michael turned to help Caitlyn and his family out. Tony Jr. and Ty walked them to one of the ambulances, welcoming them home.
Kelly came around the side of the copter to see Paige and Steve standing outside waiting for the EMT‘S. Paige saw Kelly off to the side and walked over to her. “He’s ok.” She hugged her. “He is pretty banged up but he is ok.” They watched as they pulled Dale off on a stretcher.
Jade joined Paige and Kelly. “Come on we are going to follow them to the hospital.” He grabbed Kelly’s hand.
“I want to see him.”
“At the hospital, come on let them help him.” Bobby said pulling her towards the rental car.
Paige watched Bobby pull Kelly away and she eyed Jade, who just shook his head. “I am going with Dale.” Paige said as she headed to the ambulance.
Although no one other than Dale had any serious injuries everyone was put on an IV for dehydration and kept for a few hours to get some food and liquids in them. Ty had called Teresa to let her know that they had been found and who had been lost. He stayed behind at the airport to wrap up some paper work for the investigator and the police, then was headed back home. Everyone but Dale had been released an hour or so earlier and after being reassured that Dale was fine just a few broken bones, Tony Jr., Steve, and Slugger hopped on a commercial flight back to Mooresville. Macy and Caitlyn weren’t too sure about the whole plane thing, so Michael rented a car and declared the Waltrip Roadtrip underway.
Paige sat next to Dale’s bed, while Kelly stood on the other side. Dale was quickly falling asleep from the pain medication that the nurse gave him but Dale noticed Bobby outside the door and looked at Kelly. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing, everything is fine.”
“Kel?”
“Please not now June. I just want you to get better and come home.” Dale was too tired and in too much pain to push the issue but was concerned that there was more going on than what she was telling him. Dale fell asleep soon after and Jade and Bobby finally convinced Kelly to come back to the hotel to get some sleep, Paige refused to go, choosing to sleep on a cot in the room with him instead.
Sometime in the middle of the night Dale stirred and noticed Paige in the corner of the room. He watched her for a few moments before looking at his leg, he couldn’t remember anything any of what the nurses or doctors had said, actually he didn‘t remember much from once they got to the hospital. “You ok?” He heard from the cot.
“Yeah, I am sorry I didn’t mean to wake you?”
“No, you didn‘t. I just still can’t sleep. Hard to close my eyes peacefully.” She stood and made her way to the bed.
“Apparently I did.” Dale said glancing at the clock.
“Yeah, the pain killers pretty much knocked you out.”
“What’s up with my leg? I see they put a cast on. Was I awake for that?”
Paige smiled. “Sort of, you have been in and out of consciousness all evening. Amazingly, you have no internal injuries except your ribs. You were lucky, very lucky. They aren’t broke, they are severely bruised but your leg is broken in several spots. They were clean breaks so they should heal fine. They put a walking cast on it so you can get up if you need to.”
“Thank God, wasn’t looking forward to having a nurse help me go to the bathroom.” He laughed and she offered an arm to help steady him till he got use to the cast. “Thanks.” He walked into the bathroom and came back a few minutes later. He was climbing back into bed when he heard her giggle. “What is so funny?”
“Oh, nothing.” She quickly looked away and giggled like a schoolgirl again.
Dale noticed her blush and quickly realized what was going on when he felt a draft. He grabbed at the back of the open hospital gown he was wearing. “Nice. Not sure if I am upset about you seeing it or upset that you are laughing at it?”
“I think nice is my line, and don’t worry about it, I had planned on seeing it sooner or later.”
It was his turn to blush as he sat back on the bed. “When can I go home?”
“Tomorrow morning. They just wanted to make sure your vitals remained stable overnight.” She walked over to the bed and tucked him back in.
He pulled her down onto the bed so she was sitting next to him. “You coming home with me?”
“Is that a trick question?” She asked laying her head on his shoulder trying to make sure she didn‘t hurt him.
“What?”
“Nothing. Of course I am going back to Mooresville with you, that’s why I stayed.”
Several minutes of silence passed between them. “So, did you really plan on seeing it sometime?”
“What?” She looked up at him and noticed him blush. “Oh. I was hoping I would get to, that and, well, a lot more.” He just grinned and leaned down and kissed her. Gently at first but the kiss grew in intensity and passion, Paige gently pushed him away. “You know we can’t do this here.”
“Well, I hadn’t planned on doing this here.”
“I know but don’t start what we can’t finish.”
“Ok, oh, wait, coming home with me, is that a trick question?”
Paige could actually see the light bulb go off over his head and couldn’t help but laugh at him. “Welcome to the conversation Earnhardt.”
“Shut up.” He kissed her again and pulled her closer to him and pulled the blanket over her.
She snuggled into his arms feeling safe for the first time in a week. “You sure I won’t hurt you?”
“No, I want you right here.”
“Can I stay here?”
He realized she was talking about more than just tonight. “You can stay here forever.”