Copyright June 2004 All EMERGENCY! Characters belong to MARK VII LIMITED but any and all OC’s (Original Characters) belong to me and can not be used without my permission

Summary: A rescue at the County Jail almost spells disaster for one of the paramedics
 
Author’s note: After watching a news story, the idea for this story popped into my head. Also, as you read the story, the drug that is being talked about, to my knowledge, does not exists…I was stuck and came up with it and it’s only there to help move the story along

A Day In The County Jail
By Sherry

 
The crew of Station 51 was having a day like most other days…hectic and full of runs. After returning from an automobile accident, and finally having some time to relax, along with having to listen to Chet start in on and irritate Johnny, the station received a call that was at the local jail.
 
“Station 51, man injured, 1700 West Main, 1-7-0-0 West Main, ambulance is responding, timeout 14:30.”
 
“Station 51 10-4, KMG365.”
 
The squad and engine then rolled out of the station, Code R.
 
After arriving at the scene, Stanley spoke into the mic, and said, “LA, station 51 at scene.”
 
“10-4 51, time, 14:47.”
 
As the crew exited the vehicles, one of the guards quickly approached Captain Stanley.
 
“You in charge?”
 
Shaking the guard’s hand, Hank replied, “Yeah, I’m Captain Stanley. What’cha got?”
 
“Greg Morgan, I’m one of the guards here. Two of our inmates got into a fight, and it’s somethin’ that’s been goin’ on between ‘em for quite a few years…they’re both lifers, but one wasn’t hurt…well, except for a few bruises and a bloody nose, but the other one’s been stabbed.“
 
Suddenly stopping from getting out the equipment, Johnny asked, “A fight…but it has been broken up, right?”
 
“Oh yeah, it was just between the two guys, everything should be fine now. Come with me and I’ll introduce you to the warden.”
 
Should be…and what if it isn’t the dark-haired paramedic thought to himself.
 
As the paramedics finished gathering the equipment that they thought they would need, the men made their way into the jail.
 
“Stoker, stay by the engine pal.”
 
“Right Cap.”
 
Mike leaned up against the engine, as the rest of the men entered the building and were immediately met by the warden.
 
“I’m the warden, Ted Johnson.”
 
“I’m Captain Stanley, these are my paramedics, Roy DeSoto and John Gage.”
 
The men exchanged hellos and handshakes, then Roy asked, “Where’s the injured man?”
 
Motioning for the men to follow him, Johnson said, “He’s this way. He’s seems very agitated and won’t even let us near ‘im, he goes crazy if we even get close, so the rest of you probably need to stay back, even the two of you might have a problem gettin’ close to him.”
 
“Well, we’ll give it a try.” Johnny replied.
 
As the men walked up to the cell, they saw a man sitting on the floor and leaning up against the wall, breathing hard and bleeding. As Johnny and Roy came closer, the inmate inside started to scream and yell, warning the two men to stay away.
 
“Cops you…stay away from…from me…don’t come any…any closer…!”
 
Johnny calmly spoke to the injured man and said, “Sir…sir, take it easy. We aren’t cops, we’re paramedics with the Fire Department, and we just want to help you.”
 
“I said to…to stay away…from me…!”
 
Giving it a try, Roy said, “Sir, you’re bleeding and you need help. Please, let us see what we can do for you.”
 
As the man moved his hand away from his abdomen and then looked at his left arm and saw the blood that he was losing, he then wanted the paramedics to help him.
 
“Oh no…I’m gonna kill him…Mark…you’re a dead…dead man…I’ll kill you…get in here…and help…help me…please…”
 
Unfortunately, with the men looking at one another, trying to figure out how they were going to handle this situation, no one noticed that the man was looking at the paramedics, as he made his threat to kill someone.
 
Cautiously stepping inside the cell, Roy said, “All right, take it easy…that’s what we’re gonna do. What’s your name?”
 
“Dennis…Dennis Davidson.”
 
“Okay Dennis, my name’s Roy and this is my partner, Johnny. Just take it easy, we’re gonna check you out and get you into Rampart. Johnny, I’ll get his vitals.”
 
“Okay Roy, I’ll see about gettin’ this bleeding under control.”
 
The men could see that Dennis seemed a little apprehensive and pulled away slightly from Johnny when the dark-haired paramedic came near him, but no one thought anything about it. As Roy was taking vitals on Dennis, Johnny got a pressure bandages and tried to control the blood flow, wrapping and securing a dressing around the man’s left arm, then he placed a large pressure bandage over the abdominal wound, but he pressed too hard, causing their patient a great deal of pain.
 
Before Johnny knew what was happening, he heard Dennis yell, then he felt himself being roughly pushed away, as he fell over against the wall, hitting his head.
 
“Ahhh, hey man…watch…watch it…that hurts…you’re spos’d to help…help me…not hurt me!”
 
Seeing that his partner was dazed, as he rubbed the back of his head, Roy dropped the phone and quickly made his way over to his best friend.
 
Gently shaking his friend’s shoulder, Roy asked, “Johnny…Johnny, you alright…Johnny?”
 
Taking a few deep breaths and shaking his head, Johnny finally answered his worried friend.
 
“Ah…ah yeah, I’m okay…I think. Whoa…my head hurts a little…but I’m alright.”
 
“Well, you might be Junior, but take it easy for a few minutes, I’ll go take care of him.”
 
Taking another deep breath, Johnny said, “Yeah, okay…I think you’ve got a…a good idea Pally.”
 
As Johnny sat there, trying to get himself together, Roy went back to work on their patient, but with all the blood Dennis had started losing, Roy knew that he would soon go into shock. As Johnny started to move back over with his partner to help, Davidson saw him coming towards him and got agitated again, as he started screaming at Johnny.
 
“No…you won’t hurt…me again I…I won’t…let you…I’ll kill you first…I swear…!”
 
“Take it easy man…I’m not gonna hurt’cha, just relax. I’m just here to help.” Johnny replied.
 
“No…no you’re not…you’re tryin’ to…kill me…!”
 
As the paramedics got back to work on their patient, suddenly and without warning, Dennis reached behind him and pulled out a knife and lunged towards Johnny. The paramedic never saw it coming and Roy saw it too late to warn his partner in time, but he tried.
 
“Johnny, watch out!”
 
“Huh?”
 
Not realizing what was happening, the next thing Johnny felt was being pushed down on his back and held down, as the knife sliced rapidly through his chest and abdomen…repeatedly.
 
“Ahhh…Roy…no…!”
 
Quickly getting on the HT, Cap said, “LA, Engine 51.”
 
“Go ahead 51.”
 
“LA, we have a Code I at our location, respond me another squad and ambulance, immediately!”
 
“10-4 51.”
 
Looking up, Dennis saw Roy, the rest of the crew from 51, as well as the warden and the guards coming towards him. He somehow got Johnny pulled in front of him and using him as a shield, Davidson held the bloody knife to the injured paramedic’s throat…everyone froze in their tracks.
 
“Come…come any closer…and Mark…Mark dies…!”
 
Everyone heard Johnny weakly calling out his best friend and partner’s name.
 
“Roy…Roy help…help me…please…”
 
Seeing the pain that his partner was in, Roy tried to stay calm, but also seeing how many times Johnny had been stabbed, along with the blood loss, the senior paramedic knew that his friend could die. Holding his hands up in front of him, Roy slowly inched closer to his partner and Dennis, but suddenly stopped when he saw Dennis pressing the knife into his friend’s throat.
 
“Don’t think I’ll…do it…do ya…I got nothin’…to lose…you better stay…stay away…or I swear I’ll…I’ll kill ‘im…”
 
“Okay…all right, I won’t come any closer, just don’t hurt him. He isn’t the man that stabbed you, he’s my partner.”
 
Dennis felt himself getting weaker and he shook his head to clear it. Then he spoke to Roy.
 
“Your partner…no he isn’t…you’re lyin’ cause…I…I know who…who he is…Mark tried…to kill me…I needed to…to defend…myself…he’s the reason…I’m bleedin’…so bad…now he gets…gets to die…”
 
“No…no I swear, Johnny did not hurt you, he’s a paramedic and he tried to help. Look, you have a knife to my best friend and partner’s throat…do you really think that I’m gonna stand here and lie to you…believe me, I’m not…please let him go. He…you…both of you need help.”
 
Roy could see that his partner was also sliding into shock and that Johnny had started bleeding more…he was extremely diaphoretic and having more trouble breathing. He heard Johnny softly calling his name again, as he begged for help.
 
“Roy…help me…please…help me…hurts…hurts bad…can’t…I can’t catch…my breath… help me…”
 
Jerking the paramedic, Dennis shouted, “Shut up…shut up now…you should…shouldn’t have tried to…to kill me…now I’m…gonna kill you…!”
 
“Please don’t…Johnny tried to help you. Please don’t hurt him.”
 
Looking up at Roy, Dennis said, “I’ve already hurt…hurt him…now…I’m gonna…finish the job…and kill him …get outta here…now…I swear I’ll…I’ll kill him…right now…!”
 
Johnny reached out a shaky hand and whispered, “Roy please…please don’t…leave me… breathe…I can’t…can’t…breathe…”
 
Dennis pressed the knife farther into Johnny’s neck, making the paramedic tense up. As a pain ran through Johnny’s body, he jerked and Roy saw a trickle of blood running down his best friend’s neck.
 
Kneeling down in front of his injured friend, Roy said, “Johnny…Johnny, don’t move…try to stay still partner. Dennis please, let me help him…and you…like I said, you both need…”
 
Interrupting Roy, Dennis weakly shouted, “We don’t need…anything…from you…I said to…to get out…now…!”
 
Roy looked over at his Captain and saw Hank motion and calling for him to come out of the cell.
 
“Roy, come on, come out of there. Don’t worry, we’ll get Johnny out.”
 
Roy didn’t want to leave his friend, but as he started to stand, he heard Johnny begging him to stay with him and help him.
 
“Cap…Roy…don’t…don’t leave…me…help…me Pally…please…help me…”
 
“Hang on Junior, just hang on. I’ll be back.”
 
“Don’t be…too long…ahhhh…Roy it…it hurts…hurts bad…I can’t breathe…cold …I’m gettin’ cold…”
 
Giving his arm a light squeeze, Roy softly answered and said, “I know, just breathe as slow and easy as you can and hang in there.”
 
Becoming irritated, Dennis shouted, “Get…out…!”
 
Fearing for Johnny’s life, Roy slowly stood and backed out of the cell, leaving his best friend and partner alone with this madman.
 
“Get out…close…close the door…now…lock it and…throw the…the keys inside…to me…” Dennis ordered.
 
Even though Roy didn’t want to, he pulled the cell door shut, as one of the guards locked the two injured men inside, throwing the keys to Dennis. As Davidson grabbed the keys, keeping them close to him, he spoke to his injured hostage.
 
“Now Mark…it’s just you…you and…me…I’m gonna make…make sure that…you pay… for hurtin’ me…”
 
Outside the cell, a second guard, Lance Morris looked over at Roy, and asked, “Why is he callin’ your partner by the name of Mark, I mean, your friend looks a whole lot like the guy that stabbed him…but why call him by his name?”
 
As Roy sadly answered, he said, “He’s goin’ into shock from the blood loss…just like Johnny is…people like that are in their own little world and they don’t really know what’s going on around ‘em…he thinks Johnny’s this Mark guy. Oh, by the way, how is the other guy?”
 
“Oh he’s fine, he’s in the infirmary, bein’ checked out, he’s got some bumps and bruises and a broken nose from where Dennis got in a few good punches…overall, he’s in a lot better shape than Davidson is.”
 
Hearing Johnny speak again, in a soft and shaky voice, drew the men’s attention back to the cell.
 
“I didn’t…hurt you I…I tried to…to help…please let…my partner help…help us…we…we both need…a doctor…please…”
 
Although Johnny felt himself getting weaker, he hoped that if he could hold on just a little bit longer, he would be able to get out of this alive…he was hoping that Dennis would pass out before he did.
 
Johnny suddenly felt Dennis removed the knife from his neck, as he moved away from him and the paramedic felt himself hit the floor.
 
Maybe I’ll make it after all
 
He watched as Dennis somehow made it to his feet and stood over him, still holding the knife.
 
Or…maybe not
 
“Please…please don’t…kill me…I don’t wanna…die…Roy…Roy where…where…are you …please help me…so cold…”
 
Roy was being torn up inside, as he stood and saw his best friend inside the locked cell, badly bleeding, beginning to shiver and pleading with him to help him.
 
“I can’t do this, I’ve got to get in there and help Johnny. Open this door up…now!”
 
“Roy, don’t go…” Cap said.
 
Roy ignored his Captain and took a few steps toward the cell…but what he saw made him regret that move. Dennis saw Roy and Lance coming towards the cell door and struggling to remain on his feet, Dennis stumbled over to Johnny, stabbing him again…twice. Johnny saw him coming and tried to protect himself, but was unable to.
 
“Nooo…help…me…Roy…make it…stop…!”
 
“No, leave Johnny alone!” Roy yelled.
 
Turning to the guard, Roy angrily asked, “Isn’t there something you can do…shoot this guy before he kills my partner!”
 
The warden and the guard looked at each other, as Ted nodded his head. Lance drew his gun and aiming it at Dennis, he shouted at the inmate.
 
“Davidson…drop the knife and move away from him…now!”
 
Dennis started to feel his knees buckle and could no longer stay on his feet. Falling down beside Johnny, he roughly rolled him back onto his back and placed the tip of the sharp, bloody blade right over the paramedic’s heart…Johnny didn’t dare move, but with the difficulty he was having to breath, being on his back, the pain he was in and as cold as he was, it wasn’t easy.
 
“No…please…don’t kill…me…” Johnny weakly pleaded, as he breathed and shivered harder.
 
“Go ahead…cop…shoot me…then Mark here…he gets it…in the…in the heart…!” Dennis shouted.
 
“Don’t…kill me…Roy please…help…me…”
 
Johnny took a shaky breath as his eyes slowly slid shut and he lost consciousness.
 
“Johnny…Johnny please don’t die partner.” Roy softly whispered.
 
The guard was standing, still as stone, with his gun aimed at Dennis. Roy saw how weak this man was becoming and was hoping that he would soon pass out, before his best friend was killed…he needed to get to Johnny, but with his partner unconscious and not moving, they didn’t even know if he was still alive.
 
Please Junior, you’ve got to be alright
 
Weakly, Dennis grabbed the unconscious paramedic by the front of his shirt and pulled his head and shoulders up off the floor, as he held the knife over Johnny.
 
“Yeah…cop…come on shoot…shoot me…Mark wants…to die…”
 
As he weakly lifted the knife and started to move it in a downward motion toward the injured, unconscious paramedic, Lance fired his gun twice, hitting Dennis, causing him to let go of his injured hostage, as he grabbed his chest. Johnny roughly hit the floor and the knife fell from Dennis’ hand…landing right beside Johnny’s head. A moment later, Dennis fell on top of the paramedic, unconscious.
 
“Do you have another set of keys to this cell?” Hank asked.
 
“Yeah, right here.” The warden answered, pulling the keys from his pocket.
 
“Kelly, Lopez, go help Stoker bring in the rest of the equipment…hurry. Engine 51 HT 51…Stoker…Lopez and Kelly are on their way out, help them bring in the rest of the equipment from the squad…Johnny’s badly injured.”
 
“10-4 Cap, I heard your relay to LA and the equipment is sitting by the engine and ready.” was Stoker’s reply.
 
Good man Michael, always on your toes pal…Johnny’s gonna need that
 
“10-4 engine 51.”
 
Marco and Chet ran outside to help Stoker bring in the gear.
 
When the others saw that Dennis wasn’t moving, Roy said, “Come on, hurry up…hurry up…I gotta get in there to Johnny.”
 
As the warden unlocked and opened the cell door, Roy quickly made his way to his best friend and partner. Pushing Dennis off of his friend, Roy checked for a pulse on Johnny and was relieved to have found a slow and very weak one.
 
It’s slow and weak but at least it’s still there
 
“Hang on Johnny…just hang on.” Roy softly whispered.
 
Mike, Marco and Chet came in with the rest of the gear, and entering the cell, they set it up beside Roy, as the paramedic quickly grabbed a B/P cuff and stethoscope from the drug box and started taking Johnny’s vitals.
 
“Mike, get a dressing and put some pressure on that neck wound for me. Marco, Chet, get some dressings and try to get the bleeding from his chest and abdomen slowed down some.”
 
“Okay Roy.” the three men answered.
 
After Cap came in and checked for a pulse on Dennis, and found none, he got back on the HT.
 
“LA engine 51, we have one Code F at our location, cancel second squad and ambulance, this facility will handle the body.”
 
“10-4 51. Squad 64, cancel.”
 
“Squad 64.”
 
Hank then opened the line to Rampart.
 
“Rampart, this is squad 51, how do you read me?”
 
“51, this is Rampart, go ahead, we read you loud and clear.”
 
“Rampart, we have two stabbing victims, victim one is DOA…victim two is a 33 year old paramedic, he has multiple stab wounds in the chest and abdomen and he also has a neck wound, we are trying to control the bleeding…he also hit his head and he lost consciousness about two and a half minutes ago. Please stand by for vitals signs.”
 
“Standing by 51.”
 
33 years old…Hank’s calling it in…oh no…please don’t let it be Johnny
 
“Cap, his B/P is 80/55, pulse is 130, slow and weak and respirations are 30 and extremely labored, his pupils are equal, but very sluggish. He’s goin into shock and he’s extremely diaphoretic…he’s havin’ a really hard time breathin’.”
 
Hank relayed the information that Roy had given him to Rampart, then waited for Doctor Brackett’s instructions.
 
“51, start two IV’s, D5WTKO, control the bleeding as much as possible, put him on 15 liters of O2 by non-rebreather, monitor his B/P and get him in here fast.”
 
“10-4 Rampart…our ETA is fifteen minutes.”
 
“10-4 51.”
 
Hank then repeated the instructions to his senior paramedic and they did as Brackett had ordered. Finally the ambulance arrived and the attendants brought the gurney in.
 
After Johnny was placed on the gurney and strapped down, Roy said, “Okay, let’s get him to Rampart…fast.”
 
Johnny slowly started coming around and through the O2 mask, he weakly said, ”Roy...I…I can’t…breathe…hurts…I’m gonna…die…help…help me…I’m cold…”
 
“Hang on Johnny, you’re gonna be alright. We’re gonna get’cha to Rampart.”
 
Being unable to breathe, Johnny suddenly became agitated and started fighting against the straps that held him down.
 
“Help me…don’t…don’t hurt…me…please…please let me…go…can’t …breathe…gonna …gonna die…can’t breathe…!”
 
Stopping the gurney and kneeling down by his partner Roy softly and calmly spoke to Johnny as the attendants raised the head of the gurney.
 
“Guys, raise the head up…more…more…a little more…okay, that’s good. Johnny…Johnny calm down…nobody’s gonna to hurt you. They’ve raised the head up so you’re gonna be fine, just relax for me…it’s all over, just rest.”
 
“All…over…help…me Roy…scared that…I’m…gonna die…I’m so…cold…so scared…”
 
Tears started to roll down Johnny’s face as he started to shiver more. Becoming upset was only making breathing more difficult for him.
 
Looking up at Hank, Roy asked, “Cap, can you get me another blanket, quick?”
 
“Sure Roy, be right back.”
 
As Hank hurried to the ambulance a brought back another blanket, he handed it to Roy and he placed it over his friend. Brushing Johnny's long hair out of his eyes and feeling his warm forehead, Roy softly spoke to his partner.
 
“Easy Junior, just relax and breathe easy, you’ll be fine. You’re not gonna die, you understand me, you are not gonna die on me…I promise.”
 
Struggling to breath, Johnny panted, “Thanks Pally…still scared…though and…and cold…I just can’t…can’t do this…Roy…I’m …I’m sorry but…but just…can’t do this…”
 
Roy knew that Johnny wanted to give up, that he wanted the pain to end, but Roy couldn’t let that happen.
 
“Yes you can…if anybody can get through somethin’ like this, you’re the one to do it, you’re strong enough…and partner, I’m just as scared as you are. Just close your eyes, relax your breathin’ and rest…you’ll be at the hospital before you know it partner.”
 
“Just…rest…sleepy…gotta…gotta rest…” Johnny softly whispered.
 
No longer being able to keep his tired eyes opened, he let them slowly close as he once again lost consciousness. Roy could still hear the trouble Johnny was having to breathe.
 
“Come on, let’s get him outta here.” Roy said.
 
“Marco, you take the squad in pal.”
 
“Right Cap.”
 
They quickly rolled Johnny out of the building, placing him inside the ambulance for the trip to Rampart Emergency. Fifteen minutes later, the ambulance carrying the injured paramedic arrived at Rampart and backed into the bay. Brackett and McCall met Roy.
 
As Johnny was pulled from the back of the ambulance, Kel stepped up beside the gurney and asked, “How’s he doin’ Roy?”
 
“Not too good Doc, I just checked again and his blood pressure has dropped to 75/40, pulse is up to 140 and he’s havin’ a lot more trouble breatin’. Doc…the bleeding…I can’t get it under control either. Please help him.”
 
Kel heard the panic in Roy’s voice but tried to calm him down and reassure him that his best friend was going to be all right. But after getting a better look at his young friend, Brackett was beginning to have his doubts as well.
 
“Okay Roy, we’re gonna do all we can for him, just try to calm down. Dix, hook him up to the monitor, then call the OR and tell them we need a room immediately for a seriously injured patient, I’ll be bringing him up as soon as I can get him stabilized.”
 
I’ll take him up *If* I can get him stabilized…man Johnny, how did you get yourself into this mess
 
Coming out of his thoughts, Kel continued and said, “Ah…then get 4 units of AB Negative blood down here fast and have at least 8 more units standing by…tell them to be ready with more at a moments notice, we’re probably gonna need it. Also, get Joe down here, I’m gonna need some help, Johnny’s bleeding out.”
 
“Right Kel.”
 
As Brackett, Roy and the ambulance attendants quickly rolled Johnny into treatment room 5 and transferred him from the gurney to the treatment table, Dixie called for Joe, radiology, the blood bank and notified the OR
 
“This is Nurse McCall in emergency, treatment room 5…we have a seriously injured patient that we’ll be bringing up as soon as we have him stabilized, we need an OR immediately…OR 7, that’s fine, thank you.”
 
As Dixie got off the phone and went over to help with her friend, Joe came into the room.
 
“What’cha got Kel?”
 
“It’s Johnny…he’s pretty bad.”
 
Joe saw the blood soaked bandages on his friend and he couldn’t believe how badly injured Johnny was.
 
“Oh no.”
 
Stepping over to the table, Dixie said, “Kel, Rhonda said OR 7 would be open and ready when we are.”
 
“Okay, thanks Dix.”
 
The team noticed the trouble that Johnny was having as he tried to breathe.
 
“His breathing’s starting to get worse Joe, we better get him intubated.”
 
“Right Kel. What happened to him Roy?”
 
As Joe reached for the needed items, and placed the tube down his injured friend’s throat, Roy had to momentarily look away, as the sight of it going in almost made him sick…he just stood there, in shock over what happened.
 
Finally looking back at his best friend and being able to answer, Roy said, “On our last run…we went to the…the County jail, we had a stabbing victim…everything was fine till…till he suddenly pulled out a knife and…he just kept stabbin’ Johnny…over and over and over…it happened so fast and…and neither one of us knew he had it…we didn’t see it…I…I couldn’t stop ‘im…I’m gonna lose ‘im…I know…I’m gonna lose Johnny.”
 
Dixie stepped over to the worried paramedic and lightly placed her hand on his shoulder. She put on her best smile…even though she knew the prognosis for their friend was grim.
 
“Roy, nobody is gonna lose Johnny…you know he would never do that to us…he’ll be alright. Now, you just relax and stay outta the way so we can work on him.”
 
Roy only shook his head, but he didn’t believe what the head nurse was saying anymore than Dixie did, he knew that his partner was seriously injured and that he could die. He saw, that as hard as the two Doctors worked, they were unable to get the bleeding under control… they all knew they had to get their friend into surgery fast, if Johnny was going to have a chance to live.
 
Taking the stethoscope out of his ears, Joe said, “Kel, we’ve gotta get Johnny up to the OR right now, we’ll never get this bleeding stopped if we don’t…his B/P is bottoming out, we’re losing him.”
 
Hearing Doctor Early say those words made Roy’s heart almost stop.
 
“Yeah, you’re right Joe, the hemorrhaging is just too bad. Dix, call the OR and tell ‘em we’re coming up…right now…then call x-ray and tell them to meet us in OR 7 and we’ll get skull films.”
 
“Right away Kel.”
 
Dixie alerted the OR as Joe and Kel packed the wounds as best they could and started to roll Johnny out of the room and toward the elevators. The dark-haired paramedic suddenly went into V-fib.
 
“V-fib Kel!” Joe shouted.
 
Quickly grabbing the paddles, Brackett gelled the paddles and prepared to shock Johnny.
 
“Charge it!”
 
1…2…3…4…!”
 
“CLEAR!”
 
Looking back at the scope, the paramedic was still in V-fib.
 
“Nothing…let’s hit him again!” Brackett ordered.
 
“!…2…3…4…!”
 
“CLEAR!”
 
That brought Johnny back to a normal rhythm.
 
“Okay, we got ‘im back. Let’s get Johnny upstairs now.” Joe ordered.
 
Roy quickly stopped the gurney and took his best friend’s hand as he softly spoke to him
 
“Johnny, hang on, don’t leave us partner…please. Please, take care of him Doc.”
 
“You know we’ll do everything we can Roy.” Early assured the worried paramedic.
 
Roy smiled at the Doctors as he let go of Johnny’s hand, as he stood and watched his best friend being taken out of the room and up to surgery. Being alone, Roy stood there in the middle of the room, stunned at all the blood that was on the floor…his best friend and partner’s blood…and he wondered how Johnny would ever survive this one.
 
“Please Johnny…you’ve got to be alright. We can’t lose ya partner.” Roy softly whispered to himself.
 
Moments later, after seeing that Johnny had been taken up to surgery, Marco came into the treatment room and stood beside Roy. Even though he had seen Johnny at the scene, he too was surprised at all the blood that his friend had lost.
 
“Roy…ah Roy, how’s Johnny…is he okay?”
 
Slowly looking up from the sight on the floor to his friend, Roy slowly shook his head, as he answered Marco.
 
“He’s not doin’ good at all Marco. They couldn’t even…get the bleeding under control and…Marco, he went into V-fib…just a few minutes ago…they just…just took him up to surgery…OR 7 Dixie said. Where’s the rest of the guys?”
 
“They should be here anytime. Roy, Johnny is going to pull through this, it might take some time but he’ll be fine, you’ll see.”
 
Looking back down at the floor, Roy whispered and said, “I wish I could believe that. Look Marco, look at all the blood Johnny’s lost…how could he ever make it this time?”
 
“I don’t know Roy, but he always has before…he will again.”
 
As he was talking to his friend, Marco saw that Roy was just starring down at the pool of blood that was on the floor. He also noticed how shaky and diaphoretic Roy was becoming and he quickly became worried.
 
“Roy…I’ll be right back.”
 
Marco didn’t know if his friend even heard him, but quietly stepping out into the hall, and spotting Doctor Morton, he called him aside and explained the situation to him.
 
“Doctor Morton…can I talk to you for a minute?”
 
“Hey Marco. Sure, what can I do for ya?”
 
Trying to stay calm, Marco said, “Doc, I don’t know if you’ve heard or not, but John was brought in a little while ago…he was stabbed on our last run, he’s in pretty bad shape and Brackett and Early have him up in surgery. But I'm really worried about Roy, he’s in here…he seems out of it, could you take a look at him.”
 
“No Marco, I hadn’t heard, but I’m sure he’ll be alright. Sure, let’s go check on Roy.” Mike replied.
 
The two men went into the treatment room to find Roy still standing in the same place. Morton walked up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder…he too was amazed at all the blood and wondered how Johnny even made it to the emergency room.
 
Softly speaking to Roy, Morton said, “Roy…Roy, it’s Doctor Morton…Marco told me what happened. Johnny’s going to be alright, really he is…besides, John’s strong and can get through anything, plus, he’s too stubborn to die, we all know that.”
 
Marco and Doctor Morton saw as Roy just shook his head no, as he continued to look down at the floor.
 
Softly speaking, Roy said, “No Doc…no Johnny he…he’s not gonna make it this time… there isn’t any way that he could, he’s gonna…he’s gonna die…my best friend is…is gonna die…I swear…I tried to help him.”
 
“Roy, I was there to remember…and I know…all of us know, that you tried to help John, but like Doc said, Johnny’s too stubborn to die…with all he’s already been through, how could you even think of giving up on him? He’s gonna be fine.”
 
Looking up at Doctor Morton, Marco quietly asked, “Doc…is Roy okay?”
 
“He’s in shock Marco…and by the looks of the floor, I can understand why. I’m gonna go get somebody to clean this up, then I’ll check ‘im out…stay with him.”
 
Before Morton could make a move, he and Marco heard what they didn’t want to hear and what they knew that Roy didn’t need to hear.
 
CODE BLUE OR 7, CODE BLUE OR 7, CODE BLUE OR 7
 
“7…OR 7…Marco…oh god, Johnny…no he…he can’t be dead.”
 
Roy finally broke down and sank to his knees, with Morton and Marco there to steady and support him, as the Doctor tried to convince Roy that it wasn’t his best friend.
 
“Roy…Roy listen to me…you don’t know if that’s Johnny or not, it’s probably somebody else. You know that Joe and Kel are gonna take good care of ‘im…don’t think the worse.”
 
Morton looked up at Marco and saw him shaking his head yes, as he mouthed the words, “It is Johnny Doc.”
 
“He’s dead…I know he is.”
 
“No Roy, Johnny is not dead.”
 
“Marco’s right Roy…and once we get you to treatment 3 so you can lay down, I’ll go and check. Sound like a good deal?”
 
 Looking at Morton, Roy asked, “You’ll check for me Doc?”
 
“Yeah Roy, I’ll go check, but let’s take care of you first. Marco, help me with him.”
 
Doctor Morton and Marco helped Roy to his feet and took him to treatment 3.
 
Entering the room and going over to the table, Mike said, “Lay down here Roy. You rest and I’ll go call upstairs and see what I can find out about that partner of yours. Stay with him Marco.”
 
“I will Doc…and thanks.”
 
Doctor Morton left the room and went to see what he could find out about the injured paramedic, while Marco stayed with Roy. It only took a few minutes before Roy relaxed enough to finally fall asleep…Marco dreaded hearing what Morton found out.
 
About ten minutes later, Mike Morton came back into the room, along with Hank, Stoker and Chet…Roy was still sleeping and Marco motioned for his friends to be quiet. Stepping away from the sleeping paramedic, Marco spoke quietly to his friends.
 
“Roy’s asleep. Doc, is Johnny…?”
 
Marco didn’t finish and that made Hank and the others immediately think the worse about their friend.
 
“Marco…is Johnny…is Johnny dead?” Hank worriedly asked.
 
“I don’t know Cap, they called a code in the OR that John’s in and Doc was going to see what he could find out. Doc…what’s the news on Johnny?”
 
“Guys…I called and talked to Sara Owens, the OR nurse and she said that…Johnny did code…Kel and Joe had a hard time…a very hard time…but they were finally able to get his heart back into a sinus rhythm and right now he’s holding his own. The surgery is still goin’ on and probably will for quite a while, but he is alive.”
 
“He…he is still alive…are you sure Doc?” Chet nervously asked.
 
“Yes Chet, I’m positive…Johnny is still alive.”
 
Sighs of relief went around the room. Stoker then realized that Roy needed to be woke up and told about his partner.
 
“Cap, shouldn’t you tell Roy?”
 
Looking over at his sleeping paramedic, Hank said, “Yeah Michael, he does need to be told…I just hate to wake him up.”
 
Walking over to the table, Hank gently shook Roy to wake him up.
 
“Roy…Roy, come on pal, wake up. I’ve got news about Johnny.”
 
Slowly waking up and being groggy, Roy said, “Huh…what…Cap, you’re all here…it’s Johnny isn’t it…he’s dead isn’t he?”
 
“Roy, relax and calm down…no, Johnny is not dead. Doctor Morton called and checked …John did go into cardiac arrest, but they were able to get him back, and they’re still working on him, but he is still with us.”
 
Being relieved that his friend was alright, Roy asked, “He’s alright…he’s alright…but how much longer will he be in surgery?”
 
Doctor Morton came over to Roy and answered, “I was only told that it would be a while longer, but he’s hangin’ on and fightin’ to survive.”
 
Half-heartedly smiling, Roy said, “Yeah, that’s Johnny…ever since I’ve known him, he’s always been a fighter, no matter what happens to him.”
 
“Well see Roy, you know he’s gonna fight so don’t worry, Gage is gonna pull through this…I just know he is.”
 
Chet calling his friend Gage instead of Johnny, made the rest of the guys realized that he was trying to keep all of the men thinking positive. Everyone knew how the paramedic and firefighter really felt about each other…if something happened to Johnny, Chet would be devastated, as would the rest of the crew.
 
Stoker spoke up and said, “Yeah Chet, Johnny isn’t gonna let us down, he’s gonna be okay.”
 
“I hope you’re right Mike.” Roy replied.
 
“Of course Mike’s right pal, John’s gonna be just fine. What I wanna know is, how you’re doin?” Cap asked.
 
Rubbing his eyes, Roy replied, “I’m…I’m doin fine Cap, Johnny’s the one that’s hurt. It was just…just a shock to see Johnny stabbed over and over and over, with nothing I could do to help him. Then hearing him, beggin’ me to help, hearing the code here. No, Mike and Chet are right, he’s gonna be alright Cap…he’s gotta be.”
 
“He will be pal, he will be. As I always hear him telling you…think positive.”
 
Morton spoke up and said, “That’s right, and in the mean time, why don’t I check you out, just to be sure that everything is okay with you.”
 
“No, that’s okay Doc, I’m alright now. Knowin’ that Johnny’s still alive helps to.”
 
Just like his partner…hates to be checked over by a Doctor Morton thought.
 
Morton crossed his arms over his chest and let out a breath as he looked over at Hank and raised his eyebrows…Stanley knew what he wanted.
 
Looking from the Doctor to his senior paramedic, Hank said, “Roy, you will let Doctor Morton check you out…just to be sure. It’s not like you have to worry, he’ll be done with you before Johnny gets outta surgery.”
 
“But Cap.”
 
“But Roy…he’s gonna check you over.”
 
With all his crewmates looking at him, Roy finally gave in.
 
“All right…okay…let’s just hurry and get this over with.”
 
“Good, now that we have that settled, Hank, if you and the guys will step out for a few minutes, I’ll check him over.” Morton said.
 
Patting his paramedic on the shoulder, Hank said, “Sure Doc. Roy, we’ll be out in the hall.”
 
“Okay Cap.”
 
As the engine crew stepped out of the room, Morton checked Roy over.
 
After the exam, Mike said, “Okay Roy, you’re fine, but if you start feeling bad, you let me know. If you want, you and the others can go wait in the doctor’s lounge for news on Johnny.”
 
Buttoning his uniform shirt, Roy replied, “Thanks Doc, but I told you I was okay. Ya know, that sounds like a good idea, I need some coffee anyway…just hope we hear somethin’…and soon.”
 
“We will Roy, just try to relax.”
 
“Yeah, relax…that’s easier said than done Doc.”
 
Roy jumped off the treatment table and he and Morton walked out into the hall and were meet by their friends. Roy realized that what his Captain had said was true…Morton was finished with him long before Early and Brackett were finished with Johnny.
 
After telling his shiftmates that he was fine, Roy asked, “Have you guys heard any news on Johnny yet?”
 
“No, nothin’ yet Roy.” Cap answered.
 
“Hank, as I told Roy, you all can go to the Doctor’s lounge and wait if you’d like, you’ll be more comfortable. I’m sure that Kel and Joe will let you know any news on Johnny just as soon as they can.”
 
“Okay, thanks Doctor Morton.
 
“Anytime, and please…hunt me down, have me paged, just keep me posted on how Johnny’s doin’. I’ll see you guys later.”
 
As the Doctor went off to take care of other patients, Hank and the crew of 51 went to the lounge to await news of their youngest crewmembers condition.
 
*~*~*~*~*~*
 
After three long hours of surgery, Doctor Brackett finally came into the lounge to talk to five very worried firefighters. Roy was the first on his feet, followed by the rest of his friends.
 
“Doc…is he…?”
 
“Roy, you and the guys go have a seat.”
 
The tone of Kel’s voice, along with the look of his face, made the men afraid of what they were about to hear, but they all took a seat around the table, as Brackett got a cup of coffee and joined them to give them an update on Johnny’s condition.
 
“Doc, is Johnny alright?”
 
“Well, he’s critical but hanging on Chet…somehow. The surgery was touch and go and he did go into cardiac arrest…we had a very difficult time getting him back, but we did, but… but his internal injuries were severe.”
 
Quietly, Mike asked, “How severe?”
 
“Very…and I hate to say this but…I don’t even see how Johnny made it here to the hospital…alive.”
 
There was a moment of silence after hearing that. Then Marco spoke up.
 
“What were his injuries?”
 
After taking a drink of his coffee, Kel said, “His lungs, gallbladder, which we had to remove due to all the bleeding, he had some wounds that were only inches from his heart, his ah…his kidneys, pancreas…his intestines were nicked but we got that taken care of. And the skull series was negative, no fracture…just a mild concussion.”
 
“So, his head is…okay, just everything inside of ‘im is all messed up.”
 
Taking another sip of coffee, and smiling at the way Chet said that, Kel replied, “Yes Chet, his head’s…okay…and just about everything inside of him. But there is another problem… his kidneys. The right one, even though the damage was severe, I think we got all of it taken care of, for now, and the function seems to be fine, but we’ll be keeping a close check on it. But his left one…”
 
Seeing the Doctor’s hesitation, Hank asked, “What about it Doc?”
 
“Hank…there’s a chance that Johnny…he might lose his left kidney, the function is almost non existent. Now of course, you are able to live with only one, and we are going to do everything we can to make sure he keeps it but…”
 
“But there’s a chance he won’t.” Roy stated.
 
“Yes Roy, there is that chance. But we will do everything we can to see that he doesn’t lose it.”
 
The crew sat there, unable to believe what was going on with their friend, but they weren’t the only ones that knew the consequences of a firefighter losing a kidney, so did Doctor Brackett…and if Johnny lost one of his, he would also lose the job he so dearly loved…his job of being a firefighter…and all of them also knew how Johnny would handle it.
 
Trying to keep himself together, Roy asked, “Doc…all I wanna know now is just one thing …Johnny isn’t gonna die is he…I mean, yeah, he might lose a kidney but…but not his life… right?”
 
 The Doctor didn’t answer right away and the longer Brackett hesitated, the more worried the crew became.
 
“Right Doc…Johnny isn’t gonna die?”
 
Kel finally answered his friends…but not with the news they wanted to hear.
 
“I’m sorry…but right now Roy…there isn’t any way that I can say that he won’t…but I can say this…he is fighting…and that’s the best sign we can have from him right now. The damage to his organs and the blood loss…were massive, and the next few days are critical and it’s gonna be touch and go…but if he can make it through the next…few…hours, and hopefully without any complications, then he should have a very good chance at a full recovery.”
 
Everyone noticed how the Doctor had paused, and that worried everyone.
 
“Exactly, how many are a “few…days and hours” Doc?” Mike cautiously asked.
 
“With the severity of his injuries, along with all the blood loss…at least 72 hours. And Johnny could go either way within that time.” Kel sadly said.
 
Running his hand over his face, Chet asked, “72…but that’s three days Doc…we have to wait for three days to know if Johnny’s even gonna live or not?”
 
Shaking his head, Kel replied, “Yes Chet, three days. And I know that’s a long time to wait, and even though he is critical and extremely weak, everyday…every minute…he lives, it just improves his chances of survival. As I said…he’s fightin’ this, he doesn’t seem to be ready to give up yet...and because of that, we can’t give up on him.”
 
“Doc, before you said complications…what kind of complications could John have?” Hank asked.
 
Brackett rattled off a list of possible complications that the young paramedic could encounter.
 
“Infections from the stab wounds…and if the knife was dirty, and from what I’ve been told, it probably was, so the chance of infection increases…pulmonary edema…blood clots that form in his legs from being off his feet for so long, that could go to his heart or lungs… pneumonia, probably a case of double pneumonia…more cardiac arrests…and each one he has doesn’t help him any. Look, I better get back upstairs and check on him… I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
 
“Thanks Doc.” Roy softly said.
 
Placing his hand on Roy’s shoulder, Kel replied, “You’re welcome Roy, and just remember, that Johnny has a strong will to live, he’s already proven that up in the OR when he coded… we got him back because he wants to live.”
 
Realizing that his friend was right, Roy said, “I sure hope so but…well, he’s gonna have to fight with all he has.”
 
“That’s true, but he will. I’ll let you know when you guys can see him.”
 
With that, Brackett reached to open the door to leave, but Marco stopped him.
 
“Doc…is there anything we can do for Johnny?” Marco asked.
 
Looking at the gather group of men, Kel softly replied, “Pray…he’s gonna need it.”
 
Slightly smiling, Marco said, “I’ll be sure to do that.”
 
Kel then left the room, as the information that the men received finally started to sink in.
 
“Roy, I wanna understand this, Doctor Brackett said three days before we’ll know if Johnny’s gonna make it or not but…he could still…still die within that time, couldn’t he?”
 
Roy only shook his head yes as Mike went on.
 
“But if he doesn’t…then he’ll be okay, right…that’s what he said?”
 
“Yeah Mike, if he makes it through the next 72 hours, he should be fine.”
 
All the men were stunned when Brackett told them that the next 72 hours were critical and could mean life or death for Johnny, and none of them were ready to lose their good friend… especially Roy. They took a seat back at the table and waited to be able to go see their friend.
 
Twenty minutes later, Kel came back into the lounge.
 
“Roy, you and the guys ready to go see Johnny?”
 
“Yeah Doc, we’re more than ready.”
 
As the men stood to follow Kel, Marco hesitantly asked, “Any chance…well, that maybe there’s…there’s been any kind of change Doc?”
 
Kel knew how the crew felt, they worried about their friend and wanted him to get well.
 
“No Marco, no change at all. He’s still critical and we have him on blood, we have him intubated and on a ventilator to help him breathe, but since he’s in ICU, you guys won’t be able to stay but just a few minutes at a time.”
 
“Well, let’s go see him then.” Hank said.
 
“Come with me.”
 
The six men made their way to the elevator and up to ICU and their friend.
 
Reaching the ICU and walking inside, Kel asked, “Roy, do you want to go in first?”
 
Trying to ready himself for what he would see, Roy answered, “Yeah…yeah Doc, I do. Guys, I’ll be just a few minutes.”
 
“Take your time Roy, we’ll be waiting.” Cap told him.
 
Roy walked inside the cubicle where his friend was and went up to the bed. Looking around the tube, he immediately noticed how pale Johnny still was and he saw the steady rise and fall of his chest, along with the long bandage covering his chest and abdomen. He was grateful for it but he, along with the others, still wondered how his best friend had made it through the stabbing.
 
“Oh Johnny, I’m so sorry, I tried to warn ya when I saw that guy grab that knife but…I didn’t do it in time. Come on partner, I know you can live through this, you’ve come this far so you have to survive.”
 
Roy took hold of Johnny’s hand, then continued speaking to him.
 
“Listen to me Junior, Doc told us that if you can make it through the next 72 hours, which I know is a long time but hey, what’s a 72 hour nap to you, that’s normal for ya, you do that all the time…but if you can…when you do, I’ll put it that way…then you’re gonna be just fine. Do this for us partner, please, we don’t wanna lose you.”
 
Roy stood there for a few more minutes, just looking at his unconscious best friend, then spoke again.
 
“Well, Brackett told us that we can’t stay too long, and Cap and the rest of the guys are outside waitin’ to come in and see ya, so I better go. I promise Junior, I’ll be back to see ya as soon as I can. Hang in there Johnny.”
 
Roy squeezed his partner’s hand and laid it back down beside him, then slowly backed away from the bed and left the room. The rest of the men went in two at a time and were also surprised at Johnny’s pale appearance.
 
When they all came back out, Brackett tried to get them to go home and get some rest, since Johnny would be unconscious for the rest of the day…and probably longer. He was met by the usual no’s from the crew…especially Roy, but Kel quickly put an end to that.
 
“Guys, there’s nothing you can do right now, Johnny’s not gonna come around anytime today. So go home, get some rest and come back tomorrow.”
 
Finally but reluctantly, the men agreed and went home.
 
*~*~*~*~*~*
 
The next day continued the long wait that Roy and the rest of Johnny’s friends would go through before they knew if their friend would survive. The rest of the crew had reported to work, but as the guys knew he would, Roy took time off to be with his partner. As he arrived at the hospital and entered the elevators, he made his way up to the second floor and his best friend.
 
Walking into Johnny’s cubicle in ICU, Roy saw Brackett and Early checking his partner over.
 
“Hey Doc, how’s Johnny doin’?”
 
Brackett turned to Roy and said, “Hi Roy. He’s still critical, but holding his own.”
 
Roy walked over to his best friend’s bed and started talking to him.
 
“Hey partner, ya hangin’ in there for us? We all know you can, so you just hurry and get well so you can get outta here and back to work. Trust me Junior, I really don’t wanna get stuck workin’ with Brice, so hurry up and get back on your feet.”
 
Both Brackett and Early smiled at that comment…they both knew that Roy had to work with Brice after Johnny got hit by the car and that there wasn’t any of the men in the Department that liked working with the perfect paramedic, as they had heard him called.
 
As Roy stood by the bed, Joe suddenly looked over at the monitor…knowing that Roy hadn’t seen it and for his friend’s sake, he tried to keep his voice calm, as did Brackett.
 
“Kel, Johnny’s throwing PVC’s.”
 
“Okay, let’s give him 100mg Ladicane IV push.”
 
Roy became worried hearing this, but he stepped back, as Joe pushed the drug. The PVC’s stopped but only moments later, Johnny went into V-fib.
 
“V-fib Kel.”
 
“Johnny…Johnny no partner, please don’t do this!”
 
Joe started CPR while Kel got the paddles ready. Brackett pushed the charge button as Roy counted off.
 
“!…2…3…4…”
 
“CLEAR!”
 
Kel shocked Johnny…with no conversion. Joe continued CPR.
 
“Again, 400.”
 
“1…2…3…4…”
 
“CLEAR!”
 
Still nothing.
 
“Joe, 2 amps bicarb.”
 
Roy took over CPR as Joe gave the drug. Roy stopped as the Doctors checked the scope.
 
“Okay Roy, stop CPR…flatline…1 amp epinephrine IC.” Kel ordered.
 
Roy again had to look away, as Joe went directly into Johnny’s heart with the medication. After doing CPR for another minute then stopping, the three friends looked back at the scope…
 
“Come on Junior…come on, you can do it…that’s it Johnny, keep fightin’.”
 
Johnny slowly came back to a sinus bradycardia.
 
“Push .5mg atropine Joe.”
 
Joe gave the medication and Johnny finally went into a normal sinus rhythm.
 
“Okay, he’s back into a normal sinus rhythm, about 80.” Joe said.
 
“Doc, is Johnny gonna be alright?”
 
Looking up at the paramedic, Kel answered, “Honestly Roy…I don’t know. He’s back into a normal rhythm, but he still isn’t showing any signs of improving yet. You can stay with him for a while if you want to.”
 
“Thanks Doc, I’m going to. He needs somebody with him.”
 
As both Doctors left the room, Roy took a seat beside his partner.
 
“Junior, what am I gonna do with you…you scared me to death just now. Come on Johnny, you can keep fightin’, I know you have it in ya to do it, please partner, we can’t lose you.”
 
Holding his partner’s hand, Roy leaned back in the chair and kept watch.
 
~~~~~~
 
The next day, when they all thought that the paramedic might be starting to improve, and nothing more could go wrong for their injured friend…it did. He went into cardiac arrest four more times during the day, and a serious infection had developed from the stab wounds and a high fever to go along with it. He was kept in ICU and monitored very closely while being given high doses of strong antibiotics to fight the fever and the infection…but nothing seemed to be helping.
 
Roy stood in the room and watched as Doctor Brackett fought to bring his partner back for the fourth time.
 
“All right, sinus rhythm. Lynn, check his temperature.”
 
Lynn checked the paramedic’s temperature and said, “His temperature is 104.8”
 
Frowning, Kel replied, “Okay, continue cooling measures and I want him constantly monitored. Page me immediately if there is any kind of change.”
 
“Yes Doctor.”
 
As the nurse left the room, Roy asked, “Doc…it doesn’t look good for Johnny, does it?”
 
Sadly Kel answered, “No Roy, it doesn’t. His body is just too weak to fight the infection, and not having his spleen doesn’t help, and so far, the antibiotics aren’t working either, his fever’s going up…we’ll just have to give the drugs more time to kick in. I might get x-ray down here and take some more pictures.”
 
Being surprised at that, Roy asked, “Why more x-rays…what do you think might be wrong?”
 
“He could be bleeding internally again…with all the damage, it’s possible that we might have missed something. In five minutes we’ll check his vitals again…I’ll see how his B/P’s holding out and I’ll know what to do. About the only thing that is improving are his lungs.”
 
Roy became excited at that news, as he said, “Well, at least something’s goin’ right for him. Do you think you’ll be able to take him off the ventilator soon?”
 
“If his lungs continued to improve and he doesn’t get pneumonia, I should be able to take him off in the next couple of days…probably by Friday.”
 
“That’s just two more days…well, at least that’s a start and maybe gettin’ off the vent would help.”
 
“Maybe Roy, maybe…we’ll just have to wait and see. I’ll check back in a few minutes.”
 
“Okay, thanks Doc.”
 
As Brackett walked out of the room, Roy stepped over to the bed.
 
“Hey Johnny, that’s some good news isn’t it partner. Just don’t get pneumonia and Doc’ll have that tube out of ya by Friday…you know how much you hate those things. Now, if you could just fight that infection and fever, you’ll be doin’ good…you can do this Junior, I know you can.”
 
Roy took hold of Johnny’s hand, then continued talking to him.
 
”Johnny…listen to me…if you can hear me, I want you to squeeze my hand…come on partner, squeeze my hand.”
 
Johnny didn’t respond or open his eyes. Roy was disappointed, but not surprised.
 
Roy took a deep breath and slowly let it out, as he said, “That’s okay Junior…you just need some more time. Lay there and rest so you can get well for us.”
 
Five minutes later, Kel came back into the room to see how Johnny was doing. Checking his blood pressure himself, he frowned.
 
“Doc…?”
 
Without answering Roy, Brackett took the stethoscope out of his ears and turned to Lynn, and said, “Call x-ray and get ‘em down here…stat.”
 
“Right away.”
 
“Doc…what is it?”
 
Looking at Johnny first then to Roy, Kel said, “His B/P is 80/60…I’m gonna take more x-rays and we may have to take him back to surgery.”
 
Moments later, the portable x-ray unit was brought in.
 
“Ben, I need chest and abdominal films, stat.”
 
Ben nodded his head and got to work, as Roy and Kel stepped out in the hall.
 
~~~~~~
 
Ten minutes later, Ben appeared in the hall, and said, “Doc, give me a few minutes on these.”
 
“Thanks Ben.”
 
After 15 minutes, Ben brought the films back to Doctor Brackett. When he checked them over, he saw the bleeding in Johnny’s belly.
 
“I was right, he’s bleeding again.”
 
Placing the x-rays back in the envelope, Kel made his way over to the phone.
 
“Dix, call Joe and the OR…yeah, Johnny’s bleeding again and we gotta get him back to surgery…yeah, I will…thanks, bye.”
 
Turning to Roy, Kel said, “We’ll bring Johnny back here to ICU, if you wanna wait. We’ll get upstairs and stop the bleeding…he’ll be alright.”
 
“Thanks Doc.”
 
As the orderlies came and took Johnny from ICU, Roy only stood there, watching, as his friend was wheeled out of sight.
 
Hang on Johnny
 
~~~~~~
 
Two days later, and after the other operation, 5’s A-shift crew, had that Friday and weekend off and they were all at the hospital to check up on Johnny’s condition.
 
Going into the ICU, they all stood around the bed as Brackett examined their friend. After listening to Johnny’s lungs and finding no signs of pneumonia, Kel took the paramedic off the ventilator.
 
After removing the tube, listening to his patient’s lungs one more time and taking the stethoscope from his ears, Kel said, “Well, he’s breathing much better…but…his temperature isn’t coming down and the infection isn’t clearing up either.”
 
“What else can you do for ‘im Doc?”
 
“Not much Hank, except to wait…it’s almost to the point where it’s really up to Johnny now. We’ll continue with the cooling measures, but I’m gonna give him two more hours, unless his temperature goes up more before then, but if he isn’t showing signs of improvement by then, I’m going to give him an even stronger antibiotic. But…well, it could be deadly for him.”
 
Being surprised by that, Roy asked, “Deadly…but why Doc, wouldn’t…wouldn’t something stronger help him?”
 
“Yes Roy, it would…under different circumstances.”
 
That statement confused the rest of the men…they didn’t know what Doctor Brackett was talking about or why a stronger medication would be deadly to Johnny, but all they want Brackett to do was to help their friend.
 
“Doc…what do you mean…different circumstances?” Mike asked.
 
“Mike, you all know that Johnny’s immune system isn’t the greatest…and because of that, this antibiotic could cause major damage to his organs, and with what he’s already been through, he doesn’t need that. It works better and with no side effects if the immune system of the person taking it, works properly and isn’t compromised …but Johnny’s is. It’s kind of a catch 22…it’ll clear up the infection and bring his fever down… but it could damage his organs.”
 
Roy and the crew couldn’t believe what the Doctor had told them. Chet finally spoke up.
 
“If you have to give it to him, could…could Johnny die because he’s having to take it?”
 
“Depending on the amount that I might have to give, and the severity of the damage…yes Marco, if I have to give it and we wouldn’t be able to get the damage taken care of…he could. But as I said, I want to wait a couple more hours…maybe longer if I can…he might start to turn the corner and I won’t have to resort to using it. If his immune system was better, guys, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it, right now, but that isn’t the case here.”
 
“Oh great, some drunk hits Gage, causin’ him to lose his spleen, now he’s in such bad shape that a medication could kill him, just because of his immune system is shot…that isn’t fair.”
 
As Kel reached to open the door, he stopped and shook his head, as he replied, “No Chet, it isn’t fair…it’s not fair at all. I’ll check back in a little while.”
 
“Thanks Doc.” Roy replied.
 
Doctor Brackett left the room, as Johnny’s friends stayed with him. With Chet’s comment and the way that the firefighter was standing, looking at his friend, Hank and the crew figured that he might want to be alone with the dark-haired paramedic. Stanley looked over at Roy and the paramedic nodded his head…DeSoto, along with the rest of the crew, knew how these two men really felt about each other.
 
Hank walked over to Kelly and gently placed his hand on his shoulder, and asked, “Chet… you wanna stay with Johnny for a while…Roy could really use a break.”
 
Coming out of his thoughts, Kelly replied, “Ah…ah yeah Cap…I’ll sit with him. Roy, go get some coffee or somethin’ and I’ll stay here with Gage, take your time.”
 
Smiling at his friend, Roy replied, “Thanks Chet…I’ll be back a little later. Be sure to keep changin’ the cloths on his forehead.”
 
“Sure Roy…no problem.”
 
Roy and the others left the room, leaving Chet alone with Johnny.
 
Pulling at chair close to his friend’s bed, Chet placed his elbows on the side of the bed, interlocked his fingers together and rested his chin on his hands.
 
After a moment, he spoke to his unconscious friend.
 
“Johnny…you know…you’ve really got everybody worried…Roy’s about to go nuts…Cap, Mike and Marco, they’re right behind him…even me…I’m scared to death to. Doctor Brackett has ya off the ventilator, he said your breathin’ fine, that’s good…but him and Early, they can’t get your fever down or this infection cleared up…and that’s not good.”
 
Standing and putting another cloth in the cool water, Chet wrung the water out of it and pushing Johnny’s long hair out of his face, he replaced it with the one already on his friend’s forehead…he placed that one back in the cool water. Drying his hands, Chet sat back down in the chair, as he again leaned forward and placed his hand on Johnny’s very warm and sweaty arm.
 
Continuing, Chet said, “You’re burning up…come on Johnny, if you don’t start gettin’ better, Doc said that he would have to give ya a stronger medicine, but that it could cause even more damage. Don’t die on us Johnny, please…everything else that’s happened to ya, you’ve gotten over it, so you have to this…what would we do without’cha…what would I do with my favorite pigeon…my good friend.”
 
Still, Johnny didn’t respond. Chet continued to change the cool cloths, as he leaned back in the chair and kept his friend company.
 
~~~~~~
 
After two hours had gone by, Brackett, Roy and the others entered the room. As they all made their way over to the bed, Kel took Johnny’s temperature, as Roy spoke to Chet.
 
“Any change Chet…or has he started to come around at all?”
 
Regretfully, Chet answered, “No Roy, not yet. I’ve been changin’ the cloths, but he still feels awful warm.”
 
Looking at the thermometer, Kel frowned, and said, “That’s his fever Chet…and it’s gone up to 105.4. As much as I wanted to avoid it, I’m gonna have to give him the stronger antibiotic …he’s just not improving.”
 
Nobody liked hearing that and Kel knew it…he could see by the looks on the men’s faces that they knew that Johnny’d had enough damage done to his body and that he didn’t need anymore…but he also know that in order to try to save his friend’s life…he didn’t have a choice.
 
Brackett walked over to the table and readied the medication, and as he made his way back to Johnny’s bedside, Chet stopped him.
 
“Doc wait…can’t you hold off givin’ it to him for just a little while longer?”
 
Kel heard the other men agreeing with Chet, but he felt that he couldn’t do it.
 
“Chet, believe me, I don’t want to give this to Johnny any more than you guys want me to…but the cooling measures aren’t working, the antibiotic he’s already on isn’t working and his fever is going up. I have to get that down and try to get this infection under control…or he’s gonna die.”
 
Looking pleadingly at Roy and his Captain, Chet said, “Roy…Cap…come on you guys, help me out here…Mikey…Marco…”
 
“Can you wait Doc?”
 
“I can Roy…but I shouldn’t.”
 
When Roy or the others didn’t say anything, Kel inserted the needle into the IV port and was about to push the plunger. Chet placed his hand on top of the Doctor’s and stopped him again.
 
“Doc please…give Johnny one more hour.”
 
“Chet…I don’t think that would be…”
 
Quickly Kelly said, “30 minutes…just 30 more minutes…please. You said that Gage could start turning the corner and get better…and we all know how he loves attention…30 more minutes is all I’m askin’ Doc.”
 
Kel looked around the room and saw the pleading looks in the eyes and on the faces of the gathered firefighters. He knew what the possible outcome could be if he gave his friend the drug…and the probable outcome if he didn’t.
 
Turning to Roy, Kel said, “It’s up to you Roy…since you’re listed as Johnny’s next of kin…you make the call.”
 
Standing, looking at his best friend, Roy also realized what waiting could mean…if the fever went any higher, Johnny could go into a seizure, and the infection could kill him…but he knew that his partner’s organs, and even his body, couldn’t stand much more.
 
Hearing Brackett calling his name, brought the paramedic back to the situation at hand.
 
“…Roy…Roy…what do you want to do?”
 
Finally answering, Roy said, “I might regret this, but…give him 30 more minutes.”
 
Looking at his watch, and nodding, Kel replied, “Okay, it’s 3:30…30 minutes and no more. I’ll have the Diazepam ready in case his fever goes up more and he has a seizure…if I’m not in the room, and Johnny has one, you can give it to him Roy.”
 
Roy only shook his head. When Brackett had agreed to 30 more minutes, all of the guys were relieved…but also nervous…none of them knew what the outcome for their friend would be.
 
Roy stepped close to his partner’s bed, as he softly spoke to his friend.
 
“Hey Junior…me and Chet bought ya an extra 30 minutes…so you have to start improving or Doc’s gonna…well, you don’t really wanna know…come on partner, don’t let us down … wake up Johnny, we know you can do it.”
 
~~~~~~
 
For the crew, the next 30 minutes went by painfully slow…and too fast at the same time. Brackett had been in and out of the room, all the guys had been talking to Johnny, trying to get him to wake up, but so far, he hadn’t come around.
 
Mike was standing looking out the window, when he suddenly looked at his watch…3:55pm. Although everyone was talking to the paramedic, encouraging him to wake up, nothing was working, so Mike decided to try a different approach to the problem. With him being the quiet one, he knew the rest of the guys would be shocked.
 
Walking over to the bed, Mike leaned on the rail, and in a slightly raised voice, at least for him, the engineer said, “Alright Gage, now we are really gettin’ tired of this.”
 
The engineer was right…all the men were shocked, they had never heard Mike Stoker ever raise his voice...at anyone. They all stood in stunned silence and continued to listen.
 
“You made it through the critical 72 hours…although there were a few complications…like your heart stoppin’…but you made it and you’ve gotten this far…and if you think for one minute, that we’re gonna give up on you just like that…you’re crazy. Now, you stop being stubborn and hardheaded and wake up…right now.”
 
Roy had been standing on the other side of the bed, when he saw his best friend’s left hand slightly jerk at the sound of Mike’s voice.
 
Becoming excited, Roy said, “Hey guys…his hand moved…I know it did. Say somethin’ else Mike.”
 
Before Mike could continue, Hank looked at his watch, and said, “Just a few minutes to go guys.”
 
Just then, Doctor Brackett came back into the room. Seeing Kel, everyone nervously looked back at Johnny.
 
“Doc, Johnny’s hand moved.” Roy told him.
 
Brackett move over beside Mike, as the engineer once again spoke.
 
“Come on Johnny, I said to wake up. Doc’s back and if you don’t open your eyes, he’s gonna stick ya with a needle…and we all know how much you hate needles. Open your eyes Gage...now.”
 
All the guys laughed at that…they did know how Johnny was over needles. Everyone heard as the dark-haired paramedic started to moan, as he slowly and finally started to come around. Everyone let out sighs of relief, as they saw Johnny slowly open his eyes.
 
“What…what’s goin’ on…Roy…what happened…to me…?”
 
Placing a hand on Johnny’s shoulder, Roy said, “Calm down Johnny, you’re gonna be okay. Just lay there and rest.”
 
Leaning over his friend, Kel said, “Johnny…it’s Doctor Brackett…I need to check your temperature again. Can you hold this thermometer under your tongue for me?”
 
Thermometer… check my temperature again…in Rampart again…oh man, what’s wrong with me
 
Johnny slowly raised his right arm up, seeing the IV, then he reached his left hand up to his head, feeling the cool, wet cloth on his forehead.
 
“Check temperature…tell me…what happened…head hurts…chest and belly…hurts too…I’m hot…”
 
“Hold this thermometer in your mouth, and Roy’ll tell ya.”
 
Looking first at Brackett then to Roy, Johnny said, “Tell me…okay…”
 
Placing the thermometer in Johnny’s mouth, Brackett then took Johnny’s pulse, as Roy talked to his partner.
 
“Okay Johnny, first, is there anything that you remember about our last run? With the thermometer in your mouth, just shake your head yes or no.”
 
Johnny thought for a minute and finally shook his head no.
 
“Us and the guys, we had a run that was at the jail…a stabbing victim…”
 
With still no sign that his best friend remembered, Roy hesitantly said, “Johnny…our victim…he ended up stabbing you…multiple times…that’s why you’re here and hurtin’ like you are. We ah…we almost lost ya a few times too…you really scared us Junior.”
 
Kel took the thermometer out of Johnny’s mouth and looked at it.
 
“Doc, is his fever comin’ down?”
 
Looking at the engineer, Kel replied, “Well Mike, it was 105.4 a little while ago…now it’s 105. It’s not much, but yeah, it’s starting to get back to normal, so we’ll continue with the cooling measures until it does.”
 
Johnny softly spoke, and said, “Yeah…I remember now…hey Pally…sorry I…I scared you all…how’s the other…other guy doin’…is he…okay…?”
 
Leaning on the bedrail, Roy smiled and answered his friend, saying, “It’s alright, we’re use to you scarin’ us all the time. No Johnny, he’s not okay, he’s dead…after you passed out, he was threatening to…anyway, one of the guards had to shoot him.”
 
“He had to…to save me…”
 
“Yeah partner…to save you…the two of you were locked in that cell, if he hadn’t, that guy woulda killed ya.”
 
Slightly nodding his head, and having trouble keeping his tired eyes opened, Johnny said, "Thank ‘im…for me…gotta…sleep…”
 
Speaking softly to his sleeping friend, Roy said, “That’s okay partner, you rest and get well for us.”
 
“Johnny, you rest and I’ll be back a little later to check on you.”
 
Letting his eyes finally close, Johnny whispered, and said, “Thanks…Doc…”
 
Turning to Hank and the rest of the crew, Kel said, “You guys should go on home and get some rest…Johnny’s gonna need all the rest he can get to.”
 
“Okay Doc. And listen, thanks for everything you’ve done for Johnny…we were really worried there for a while.”
 
Smiling, Kel replied, “Hank, I didn’t do all that much…Johnny did it on his own. It’ll take a little while but, he’s gonna be alright.”
 
“Well, maybe John did…but you helped too, and we all appreciate it.”
 
Kel looked around at the men, they were all agreeing with their Captain.
 
“You’re all very welcome. I was worried too.”
 
“Me too.” Roy said.”
 
Stepping to the foot of the bed, Hank placed his hand on Johnny’s lower leg and softly spoke to his sleeping paramedic.
 
“Hey John…you like to make us all worry, don’t’cha? Welcome back pal, and you hurry and get well…and don’t you ever do this to us again.”
 
After saying that, Hank looked around the room…he, along with everyone else in the room, knew that sooner or later, they would be going through this again…but they all hoped it would be later…much, much, much later.
 

THE END

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Guest Dispatchers         Stories by Sherry P.