AU Backdarft corrie

Opie waved the nurse off, smirking, "See how mean they are to me, babe?"

She smiled and laughed, "Let her do her job," she recognized the nurse from when she had cancer, "I need to go grab a bite to eat anyway. I'll be back soon, though."

She stood and left the room so the nurse could do whatever she had come in to do. As she rounded the corner she saw Morrow in the waiting room. She leaned against the wall and put her face in her hands. He'd come so close. Now she knew how he felt all the times she'd almost died, it was gut wrenching.

Morrow came up to her, putting a reassuring arm around her, "Need to take a walk?"

She nodded and put her arm around his waist.

"I've just never been on this side. It's like all my delusions of him being invincible are being shattered."

Morrow nodded, "My wife battles with that feeling every day...I wish I could say it gets easier. Just know he is a good, strong man. He doesn't give up without a fight."

She smiled, "Have I ever told you about the time I pulled this crotchety old man out of a broken down building?"

Morrow chuckled, "Watch your mouth, kid."

"I need to eat, want to go with me down to the cafeteria?"

Morrow nodded, "I need some coffee anyway. Let's go.

They went down to the cafeteria joking and chatting. Corrie ate some less than stellar food and then they headed back up to Opie's room.

"Hey, babe, look who I found. Again."

Opie looked up from his magazine, grinning and extending his arms, "Morrow! My good man!"

Morrow smiled, "Opie, how are you doin?"


Corrie, not giving a damn who was in the room, slid into the bed beside her husband. Relaxing all her tension, she buried her face in his side and fell asleep.

Opie stroked his sleeping wife's hair, smiling slightly, "I'm hanging in there...still pretty shaken up..."

Morrow frowned, he hadn't been in the building when it happened, "Was it that bad?"

Opie sighed, reliving it in his head. "We were on the eleventh floor in an apartment of this elderly woman...I got her out, but as I was running out, the floor collapsed and I went falling. Ortiz managed to catch my arm and pulled me up to safety. Those seconds though...I thought I was a goner."

Corrie had woken up shortly into the conversation, but she didn't dare move. She wante dto hear what Opie would say if she weren't aware.



Morrow shook his head, "Thank god he saved you in time. You'd be leaving behind so many babies and Corrie, man, I honestly think she would mourn you to death."

Opie shook his head, "No...she is strong...I want her to be strong despite what happens. It was me who was selfish; I wasn't ready to leave them behind. I love them far too much."

Corrie fought hard to keep her breath even.

"That's not selfish, Ope, those are your babies and your wife."

Opie kissed Corrine's hair gently, "It was scary...knowing I could lose them all in an instant. You know, when it was just me...I was reckless and dumb. I did things that could have gotten me killed and didn't blink twice...but now, it's all different."

Morrow nodded, " I know. when you're in there you try not to think about how close you always are to death. The flames, the building, the people, but once you have somethingto come home to, it's all you think about.'

Morrow leaned down and kissed Corrie's head, she was like his daughter, "I'd take care of her, you know. I'd make sure she was ok."

Opie nodded, looking down, "I know...Morrow...am I less of a man if I say I want out?"

He sat in the chair next to the bed, "No, son. You have been through enough, so has she. You have both paid your dues."

Opie sighed, looking down at her, "I'm going to think it over...I am torn over it."

Corrie felt so guilty. Opie, unlike her, had saved so many lives in the line of duty. She didn't want him to quit. She appreciated what he did and why.

Morrow nodded, "You do what you have to.'

Opie sighed, smiling at Morrow. "Thanks."