The Vortex II

By Wanda Hargrove

Johnny drove into the parking lot of Station 51. Parking his Rover he climbed out and headed for the door. The sound of Chet Kelly's rattletrap station wagon caught his attention. Johnny paused as the dark brown woody type wagon parked. "Hey Chet, why don't you get something else to drive. That thing broke down on us six blocks from the gym for the semi-finals game against 16's."

"What? And give up a classic? No way Gage."

The two men bantered as they walked into the station. Each trading insults as they headed for the locker room. Captain Stanley rolled his eyes as they walked past him. "Hey, John. How was your vacation?"

Johnny frowned, "Don't ask, Cap."

"That bad, huh," Kelly commented seeing new fodder for his alter ego The Phantom to strike with.

"I don't even want to go into it," the dark-haired paramedic commented as he opened his locker. Pulling his shirt tails out of his pants he unbuttoned his shirt.

"What happened? Find a great looking chick and she turned you down?" Kelly continued to needle.

"Yeah, she was great looking but she was married!" Johnny kept trying to avoid the entire conversation. *They'd never believe that I found myself over a hundred years in the past.*

Mike Stoker, Roy DeSoto and Marco Lopez all finished dressing and left the locker room before the first 'Shut up, Chet,' could be heard out of Johnny's mouth. Each one felt a little sorry for their comrade, but at the moment none of them wanted to get on Chet's bad side.

"Traitors!" Johnny shouted at the retreating back of Marco, who turned shrugged his shoulders not stopping to hear more of the conversation between Chet and Johnny.

"Look, Chet," Johnny began before rubbing his hand over his face in agravation. "You wouldn't even believe me if I told you what happened. So just drop the subject."

"Okay, Gage, you win." Chet crossed his fingers behind his back. This round.

+++++

Johnny opened the biophone and screwed in the radio antenna as he picked up the receiver turning the unit on. "Rampart this Squad 51, how do you read?"

He was answered by the Head Nurse of ER, Dixie McCall. "Squad 51, read you loud and clear."

"Ready for the radio check?" Johnny asked. He noted that Dixie sounded a little annoyed today. She's probably done this a dozen times already, Johnny thought. "Sending EKG strip. This'll be lead two," Johnny continued.

"Looking good 51," Dixie replied.

"Thanks Rampart," Johnny replied as he broke radio contact with Rampart Hospital. Turning to Roy, who was checking out the drug box, "Dixie sure sounded annoyed."

Roy looked up at his partner, "Well, she's probably done it numerous times this morning and your call just made her day."

The tones sounded as Johnny and Roy finished putting the equipment back in the bay. "Station 51... Structure fire..." called the dispatcher's voice as all the men ran to their respective vehicles.

Captain Stanley handed Roy the call slip as he hit the button to raise the station door on his way over to his place on the engine beside his engineer, Mike Stoker. The squad pulled out with the engine pulling out behind it.

As they drove coming up to a desolate stretch of road Johnny noticed the phenomenon that had wisked him to the Ponderosa forming ahead of both vehicles. Johnny called out for Roy to hit the brakes but it was too late as both vehicles were sucked in.

+++++

Both rescue vehicles appeared on a dirt road. The sunny skies of Los Angeles County were left behind as they drove through a thunderstorm.

To Johnny it like he'd never left the Ponderosa. Ahead of them with each flash of lightning was a riderless horse. Widowmaker, Johnny thought to himself.

"I can barely see where I'm going," Roy groused as they slowed.

Johnny pointed ahead, "Just follow that horse. He knows where he's going."

Roy glanced over at his partner. "You sound like you know where we're going."

"In a way, I do," Johnny paused as he thought about how to explain to his partner about what happened. Finally he decided to take the plunge as the squad bounced around on the road. "Do you believe in time travel?"

"Do I what?" Roy asked as he glanced over at his partner and then looked back to where he was going keeping the horse in sight.

"I asked if you believed in time travel," Johnny repeated his question as a statement.

"I guess it has some basis in fact," Roy replied as he watched the horse run into a large yard. Pulling up infront of a house Roy turned the engine and headlights off.

"Well," Johnny continued, "when I took my vacation the same thing that sucked us up, well it sucked me up. Only difference it was more violent about how it did it. I wondered around until I found. Roy, I spent oh I'd say maybe a month or more here. Time flows on two different planes. Here it flows as normal as if we were back home, but back home it flows very slowly."

"I don't know if I believe you or not," Roy replied thinking his partner had lost his sanity.

"Whatever!" Johnny called disgustedly as he climbed out of the squad, glancing up he could see Sarah's face peering out from the curtains. He hoped she wasn't frightened by the sight of both rescue vehicles.

Johnny slammed the door shut and walked over to Widowmaker, calming the animal down he led it into the barn. Removing the saddle, he noticed the barbed piece of barbed wire sticking into the saddle blanket. "No wonder you got so mad at me." Johnny rubbed the animal gently on his muzzle as he removed the barb.

Pulling off the saddle blanket he noticed that the vicious piece of wire had cut into Widowmakers hide. "Take it easy big fella," Johnny soothed as he applied some linament to the area. Johnny led him to his stall and closed the gate behind him.

Johnny thought about Sarah's actions that fateful day about a week ago. He shrugged it off. She'd never intentionally hurt her own horse.

Leaving the barn he got Roy to help him grab the drug box, and trauma box. "Cap, you'd best save the battery." Johnny called over his shoulder as Mike Stoker cut off the engine. Climbing down the other four men making up the rest of 51's A-shift followed the two paramedics inside the house.

Johnny led the way up the stairs to Adam and Sarah's room. Opening the door he smiled at Adam, who looked a little shocked to see Johnny wearing his fire department uniform.

Johnny smiled as he moved over to the bed. "Hey Adam, I thought I'd bring my partner Roy DeSoto."

Adam groaned as he went to move to a better position to get a glance at the blondish man behind Johnny.

"It's okay Adam, don't move around too much. We don't know what kind of damage that chucklehead did," Johnny called. He opened the drug box pulling out the BP cuff and Stethescope.

"I'm just going to take your blood pressure," Johnny calmly told Adam as he pumed up the bp cuff. "110 over 70." Johnny pulled out his penlight and flashed it in Adam's eyes checking his pupil responses, then he checked his respiration.

"This is gonna hurt a bit, but I'm gonna have to get that shoulder fracture stabalized and then I'll give you some MS."

Adam looked up at Johnny confused.

Johnny smiled down at his friend. "Don't worry about trying to understand it," Johnny commented.

"Cap, can you and Roy help me here. I need him leaned foreward so I can get this shoulder set as well as possible."

"No problem, Pal," Stanley moved over to the side and Sarah could smell the smell of old smoke on the heavy coat the Captain wore. Roy moved over to the other side, and they eased Adam forward as Johnny got out the guaze and began wrapping Adam's shoulder. Once he was finished he filled a syringe with .05 miligrams of morphine. He grabbed an alcohol swab and wiped the area he planned on injecting. Quickly he injected the shot, and withing five minutes Adam was sleeping peacefully.

Johnny smiled up at Sarah, "He should sleep all night long. If he wakes come and get me."

Sarah nodded and glared at Johnny's back as he turned to leave the room.

+++++

Captain Stanley took his helmet off as he ran a hand through his hair. "Gage, can you explain what happened here, and how do you know these people."

Johnny sank heavily onto the leather couch sitting across from the fireplace. Johnny began his long tale and described all the events that had taken place. Especially how he'd almost died and had to rely on 1870's medicine to save his life. The fire at the barn and how he'd saved the boy, Jesse. Then when Adam got his shoulder smashed by that chuckleheaded horse and how he'd been sent out to the get the doc, but Widowmaker had gotten hurt. Finally, how he'd been sucked up by that phenomenon and found himself back in his own time.

"That's some story," Hank replied as Stanley sat down next to his paramedic.

Confusion and disbelief were clearly written on the faces of the rest of the A-shift crew.

+++++

Ben Cartwright, returned with both his sons Hoss and Little Joe in tow. Hoss was the first to spot both the rescue vehicles. "What in tarnation is that?!" he exclaimed pointing to Big Red and the litte rescue squad.

"Don't get too close, sons." Ben cautioned.

Stabeling their mounts they entered the house, shaking the rain off their hats and slickers. Ben heard voices and followed them. "Would someone care to explain to me what's going on!" his voice thundered as he walked into the room.

Johnny lept to his feet. "Uh... Sorry about the intrusion Ben, but we had nowhere else to go."

"Johnny?" Ben asked as he took in the strange uniform the man was wearing.

"Yes," Johnny answered. "Uh... I don't know how to explain this...." Johnny began as launched into another retelling of the events that had happened to him and adding the story of how they got there.

"I've seen a lot of strange things," Ben began. "But this is strangest I've ever seen." Ben thought about his reaction to the two vehicles parked outside. "We've got to hide those two monstrosities out there. You little... What did you call it?"

"Rescue Squad," replied Roy.

"You can hide it in the barn. But that other one presents more of a problem."

Mike Stoker looked at the men, "Hide it behind the house," he stated simply.

"Good idea, Mikey!" Chet slapped the engineer on the shoulder.

Ben nooded as he sent Hoss into the kitchen to let Hop Sing know there'd be six more for supper. That was soon followed by a loud ranting in Chinese, and the slamming of pots and pans.

+++++

With the additional six men Ben had to send the engine crew out to the bunk house while he allowed Johnny to stay close to Adam in the guest room. Roy was given the extra bedroom downstairs.

Sarah tried to sleep but her brooding mind couldn't get Johnny and Adam's accident out of it. She was certain Johnny had something to do with it. Silently she climbed out of bed not wanting to disturb Adam who was sleeping peacefully.

Pulling on a robe she crept downstairs to the kitchen and pulled a butcher knife out of the drawer. *I'm going to end it now!* she thought as she thought of her mother who was shot down by that arrow in her prime. *Mother, you will be able to rest easy now!*

She crept silently, as she climbed the stairs and passed her bedroom to the guest room. Silently opening the door she stood over the bed watching Johnny sleep. She raised the knife ready to plunge it into the heart of the man she believed was the cause of all her problems.

+++++

Johnny felt a presence in his room, and opened his eyes as he caught a glimpse of some light flashing off of something metallic. He reached up in time as the arm that held it began to drop. He grabbed the arm as a second arm added to the downforce of the weapon.

Johnny manueved his assailant over so he could pin his attacker down on his bed. Reaching over he turned up the lamp so he could see the face of his attacker. "Sarah?" he questioned. "Why attack me?"

"Because your just like those devils who killed my momma when I was five. You didn't try to help Adam," she spat. "Infact, I'll bet you shoved him the way of that horse."

"Sarah your talking crazy!"

"Am I? You don't know what it's like not having your mother, watching her die from a Sioux arrow!"

"So that's what this is all about, it has to do with my skin!" Johnny released his hold on her. "You think you know everything about me, and my people."

Sarah looked at Johnny in shock, "Your one of them, aren't you!"

"Yes, I am one of them. I'm half Lakota, my mother's half. My father was just as white as you are! You don't know what it's like growing up in a world where your mother's people hate you because your not a full-blooded Lakota. And then there's my father's people who hated me because I was half Lakota!"

Sarah looked down at the floor, "I didn't know," feeling throughly rebuked.

"No you didn't know cause you never bothered to ask! You know I had a lot of problems with Chet Kelly because of my heritage, but I'll never... never be sorry for doing the job that I do!" Johnny finished his tirade.

Sarah fled from the room, with tears stinging her eyes. She could still hear Johnny's words ringing in her ears.

+++++

Dashing out of the house into the night she didn't know and didn't care where she would wind up. *What did I try to do?* she thought to herself as she found herself spinning down into a spiral. She couldn't stop the accusing tone of the words, *No you didn't know cause you never bothered to ask!*

She found herself out by the bunk house in the down pour. She fell down to the wet, muddy ground as her sobbing intensified.

+++++

Captain Hank Stanley awoke to a sound, that didn't quite sound right. He thought he heard a woman crying. Climbing out of his bunk he noticed that the noise had awakened the other members of the engine crew. He gathered his men around quietly not wanting to disturb the hands who were still asleep.

Silently he motioned that they should exit the building each man creeping out. There they found Sarah in the mud still sobbing.

"Come on, ma'am," Stanley commented as he grabbed her by an elbow, "you should get inside before you catch your death of pneumonia."

Sarah rose with Stanley's help, as he helped her inside the house. Chet Kelly hovered around hoping he could attract her attention his way. "Kelly, you twit! She's a married woman!"

"Chet! I'm ashamed at you!" Marco commented as he followed his leader and Sarah Cartwright into the house.

Mike Stoker gave Chet a scathing glance.

"What did I do?" Chet groused as he followed them inside the house.

The commotion downstairs, woke Roy and Ben Cartwright up. Ben took one look at the disheveled appearance of his daughter-in-law looking like a drownded rat and covered in mud. "What happened?" he asked as he came to her side.

"I don't know Mr. Cartwright. She was outside the bunk house crying," Stanley answered.

Ben lead her into another room and woke Hop Sing to get her a hot bath and make sure she got out of those old clothes. Ben returned smiling his apologies at the men. "I'm sorry she woke you. She's been through some hard times."

"Understandable," Stanley replied.

Roy glanced upstairs, "I think I'll go take a look at your son for a moment, and then check in with my partner."

Ben smiled and Stanley nodded as Roy took off up the stairs.
 

+++++

Roy quickly checked Adam to find that the eldest of the Cartwright sons was still sleeping from that shot of morphine. Going over to the next room he found his partner, and best friend, pacing the room like a caged tiger. "Johnny?"

"Roy," Johnny paused in his pacing, running a hand through his dark hair mussing it up. "How do I explain to a man that I have come to think of as a friend that his wife tried to kill me with a butcher knife?"

An array of enotions passed over Roy's face. Loathing, confusion, anger and disbelief. Roy felt a little wobbly in the knees as he thought of how Johnny could have been lying there in the bed with a butcher knife sticking out of his chest. Seeing a chair, Roy chose to sit down before he fell down. "Sarah, tried to kill you?" he asked with disbelief coloring the tone of his voice.

"Damn straight! Came right in here with that butcher knife!" Johnny pointed at the discarded object. "And you what to know why?! All because a Sioux arrow killed her mother! I thought I'd left all this racial prejudice behind!"

Roy sat in the chair considering his partner's words. Chet Kelly had razzed him so badly a few years ago, especially with his own prejudice. Reading his so-called experts books on Native Americans and then teasing Johnny later with a sacred symbol, Roy had wanted to personally punch Chet in the mouth. That is until later, when Johnny caught Chet off guard and razzed him with a joke of his own.

Roy thought what might soothe Johnny's gangled nerves, finally settling on a few that he hoped would ease his partner's mind. "Johnny, the only thing I can tell you is to consider the source."

Johnny glanced over at Roy for a moment as if a revelation had just dawned on him. He smiled sheepishly, "Your right." His smile brightened, "How'd you get so smart, Roy?"

"Easy, I gotta deal with your hang-ups on a daily basis at work."

"Roy, I'm crushed," Johnny replied comically.

Roy, now grateful that Johnny's dark mood was sufficently lighter, and he was reacting more calmly. "I wanted to congratulate you on on the catch of Adams broken shoulder."

"Yeah, Adam was lucky. The hoof broke the shoulder blade itself, and nothing else. Atleast it doesn't look like he'll loose the use of that arm."

Roy nodded now satisfied that Johnny was going to be okay. He admonished John to get some more sleep before leaving the room. Rejoining the others downstairs he found out that Ben had sent a rider to Virginia City to fetch back Doctor Crane.

 

+++++

Rampart Hospital's head of Emergency Medicine, Doctor Kelley Brackett, was running late for work this morning. *I can't believe I overslept,* he thought as he found himself fortunate. The strip of highway he was driving on was completely deserted.

Whistling a happy tune, *I'll make it to Rampart in record time.* That was his last thought as a swirling black mass sucked his car in.

 

+++++

Sitting in the Lilac scented bath that Hop Sing had prepared for her, Sarah finally found the tears to mourn her mothers death and release the anger that she had held inside for so long. Sliding down under the water she rinsed her hair. Rising out of the water, she felt the cool rush of air on her wet body.

Grabbing a towel, she hurriedly dried off as it her again. The nauseous feeling. She glanced down at her stomach noticing the small bulge. She smiled for the first time since these people, strangers really, had first appeared. *When Adam wakes, I'll tell him,* she thought as she pulled on her cleaned robe.

+++++

The hand sent to fetch Doctor Crane returned with bad news. "Mr. Cartwright, Doc Crane is over at the Simpons homestead. Mrs. Simpon is in a bad way and Doc Crane can't leave right now. But he did say he'd be over here as soon as he could to check up on Adam."

Ben nodded sadly as his shoulders slumped. Captain Stanley placed a hand on Ben's shoulder. "It's okay. Both of my paramedics will take care of Adam. They've got the medical training."

"Thanks, Hank," Ben replied as he walked out the door to give Candy the days assignments. He froze in his tracks as a big brown Ford LTD pulled up into his yard. Ben groaned and murmured, "Another one?"

Doctor Brackett climbed out of his car as he slammed the door behind him. "Hello? I seem to be lost. I'm Doctor Kelley Brackett from Rampart Hospital."

Ben brightened, "Your a Doctor?" he asked.

"Why, yes, yes I am." Brackett replied not understanding what was going on.

"Well then I've got a patient for you inside the house. My oldest son, Adam was stomped on by a skittish horse yesterday and he needs your help."

Brackett went back to his car, pulling out his medical bag then allowed Ben to lead him inside the house. Brackett looked over as he heard a familiar voice. "Chet Kelly?" he asked.

"Hi Doc, Welcome to the Ponderosa circa 1870."

Brackett stared at Chet as though he'd lost his mind. "Chet, quit joking around!"

"I wish I was Doc," Chet began singing the Twilight Zone song. "Welcome to the Twilight Zone." Chet scratched his scalp for a moment and then and smiled brightly as he started with, "We control the horizontal, we control the vertical...."

"Chet, cut it out with the television shows will you!" Marco shoved his elbow into Chet's Ribs.

Captain Stanley looked angrily over at his man, "Cut it out, you TWIT!"

"Geez! Can't a guy have a little fun?"

He was answered by three resounding 'NO'S!'

+++++

Doctor Brackett finished his assessment of Adam's broken shoulder blade. He turned to both Johnny and Roy, "The both of you did a good job on that shoulder. Too bad we're not at Rampart, then I send him up to Orthopedics and have that shoulder set properly."

He turned back to his patient. "How are you feeling Adam?"

"Feeling pretty good right now, as long as I don't move around too much," Adam's eyes twinkled with an impish gleam.

"I'm surrounded by comedians," Brackett groaned.

Johnny smiled slapping the doctor on the shoulder. "You'll get used to it in no time, Doc."

Brackett just groaned again looking up at the ceiling.

Sarah returned to find the men in her and Adam's room. Cautiously she asked, "How's Adam?"

"He's going to be just fine, Sarah." Johnny replied trying to find a common ground with her. Roy shot her a scathing glare and left the room. Brackett following having missed the look.

Sarah glanced down at the floor, *I suppose I deserved that,* she thought.

"Well, I'll be going myself. Take good care of Adam," Johnny replied as he left the room.

The look hadn't been missed by Adam. "Sarah?" he asked in his own way that would get her to open up to him. "What's going on?"

"Adam, I'm sorry. I didn't tell you something, and the result I know will hurt you." She quickly told Adam about what happened to her mother and finally ended with her attack on Johnny, and how she had blamed him for Adam's accident.

Adam held out his good arm, "Come here," he called as she climbed into the bed snuggling up beside him. "I've told you before, your past doesn't need mean squat to me. It's the future, yours and mine that I'm concerned about."

"Well then I think this'll make you happy," Sarah commented into his chest. "I'm going to have a baby."

Adam smiled down on her, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am," she answered happily as Adam leaned down as far as his injured shoulder would allow. He kissed her and she responded. They seperated as Adam winced as he leaned back against the pillows.

"Are you in alot of pain?" Sarah asked concerned.

"Some," Adam replied as he pulled her closer. "I'm also extremely excited. I'm gonna be a father."

"And I'm gonna be a mother," she replied as she closed her eyes.

+++++

Chet rubbed his hands together as he set his water bomb. The curly, dark-haired, mustachioed fireman grinned in glee. Just to find him a pigeon who could take it all in stride.

Marco stood behind Chet, "Are you sure this is going to work?"

"Of course I'm sure Marco. I didn't get my name, The Phantom, for nothing you know."

Marco whispered. "Here he comes!"

Both firemen scurried to the last empty stall in the barn. Little Joe opened the door to the barn. And then a splash later, he found himself drenched from head to toe. "AUGH!" he screamed.

Chet laughed loudly as he stepped out of the stall. "See, I told you Marco there's a pidgeon born everyday."

What Chet didn't see was the fire in Joe's eyes as he stormed up to Kelly. Grabbing Chet he dragged the squalling fireman from the barn. "You think that was funny, don't ya!"

Chet giggled once more until he found a right cross impacting his face. "Hey! It was just a joke!"

"I've got a better one in mind," Joe commented spotting the water trough behind Chet. Shoving the Irishman, Chet fell backwards into the trough. Joe stood there over Chet laughing.

Chet feeling his ire rise, climbed out of the trough. Water streaming from his water logged clothes. Chet leaned low and charged like a bull, take Joe down like a linebacker. Both of the men were rolling around in the dirt as both Captain Stanley and Ben Cartwright rushed out of the house hearing the commotion.

"Joesph!" "Kelly!" Both men shouted simulataneously. "What is going on out here!" Both men wanted to know.

Marco began to explain about the water bomb and Captain Stanley figured out the rest. "Kelly, if we were back at the Station it'd be latrine duty for a month!"

Ben looked at his son and Fireman Kelly, then he turned to Captain Stanley and they both began to converse quietly. They agreed on a suitable punishment. "Men," Stanley called to the two combatants. "We've decided that your job will be to muck out the barn."

Both men groaned. Mucking out a barn was hard work, and one that neither would have wanted to wish on their worst enemy. Resigned to their newest mission both men went to accomplish the job.

+++++

Bill Mason working deep in the mine heard the rumble. He turned to another minor, "We've got this shaft down too deep, it's gonna cave in."

The other minor shrugged Mason off as he continued to work. Mason quickly climbed out of the silver mine as he heard the rumble intensify. He turned as a giant cloud of dust escaped from the mouth of the mine. He silently crossed himself as he ran to get help.

 

+++++

Bill Mason ran into Virginia City. Sheriff Coffee was the first man he saw. Grabbing him by the arms he shouted frantically. "There's been a cave-in at the mine, we need some help!"

"Okay, okay!" Coffee tried to calm the miner down. Grabbing one of his deputies forcefully. "Get out to the Ponderosa, and bring back as many men you can. We need manpower now!"

"On my way!" the deputy, Bob Mercy, leaped onto his horses back and spurred him into a fast gallop as he headed out towards the Ponderosa.

+++++

Little Joe detested mucking out the barn, but Chet Kelly proved to be making the job more fun than usual. Chet had already slipped once, giving Joe a reason for his laughing.

Muttering under his breath, "If he doesn't stop laughing at me, I'm gonna wipe his face all over this barn!"

"What was that?" Joe asked.

"Nothing!" Kelly responded.

They both heard the steady sound of galloping hooves, then saw Bob Mercy come riding into the Ponderosa. He spoke urgently to Ben who raced out of the house to meet him. Ben's expression told the concern he had.

Bob Mercy turned his horse around heading back to town.

"What was Bob here for, Pa?" asked Hoss as he stepped out of the house.

"There's been a cave-in at the silver mine!" Ben spoke with urgency.

Stanley perked up at that. "Stoker, go fire up the engine. Roy get the squad out of the barn. We're gonna treat this as if we were on a run."

"Can I be of some help?" Brackett asked.

"Come on doc, you can ride with us." Johnny grabbed the Brackett's shirt sleeve as he ran past.

The A-Shift Crew of 51's got themselves together in record time. Stanley looked on proudly. "John, since you were here before us, do you know where this Virginia City is?"

"Yeah, Cap. Follow the squad," Firefighter John Gage replied as Kelley Brackett slid in the middle section of the squad's seat. Johnny dashed in next to him.

Ben approached a little apprehensively. "We'll catch up with you!"

Johnny nodded as Roy put the squad into gear and they headed out onto the road to Virginia City.

 

+++++

Twenty minutes later they pulled up infront of the cave-in sight. Both Johnny and Roy quickly donned their turnout coats and Captain Stanley began to give orders to his men, as Sheriff Roy Coffee approached.

He'd never seen anything like these machines before. Although, he'd heard about a horseless carriage some French man had designed but he'd never seen one in the flesh. Watching as the engine crew and paramedics worked as a well oiled team, the men quickly gathered up timbers and hammers that were left laying around and entered the mine to start with the shoring up process.

"We're going to need as many men you can spare to begin removing those rocks that are in the way so we can get to the trapped men," Stanley began.

Coffee cut him off, as he turned to his deputy, Clem Foster, to get the gawkers moving.

 

+++++

The moving was slow going, they had about nineteen miners trapped and no one knew how badly any of them might be hurt. Chet and Marco were sitting on the by the engine taking a break. "How long have we been here, Marco?"

Lopez glanced down at his watch, "About three hours."

Stanley walked over to the pair. "Okay go spell John and Roy," Each team was working an hour in and hour to rest. Chet stretched as he rose. "We're going."

They entered and a few minutes later Johnny and Roy both drug their tired bodies out. Both looked like moles. Dirt covering them. Side by side firemen, and townspeople worked. One goal on their minds to get to the trapped miners.

 

+++++

Ten hours later they finally broke through, once more shoring was done they moved forward until they found the first of the miners. Crushed. But with more determination the firemen and townspeople worked. Determined that they'd find the rest of the miners.

But that was not to be, this area of the mine had literally caved in on the men who had been working there. It was decided that it would be best to seal up this area of the mine as a mass grave.

Placing the last charge, Bill Mason ran out as the shaft was blown. Terry James, the owner of the mine stalked up to find out what was the hold up on getting his silver out. "What is going on here?! Why aren't you men working!" He shouted angrily.

"Simmer down Mr. James," Roy Coffee told the man. "Didn't you know that there had been a cave-in?"

"Another excuse so these men can loaf. I destest loafers!" James spouted.

"No! Not an excuse!" Mason replied hotly. "You were warned about sinking that shaft down too deep. Now nineteen men are dead!"

James spluttered trying to find a scapegoat. "According to the reports I got from Adam Cartwright, it was going to fine," the little man straightened and bounced on his heels hoping that the distraught miners would want to rip off Cartwrights head.

"Now you just hold on one dang blamed minute!" Hoss stepped forward.

"And who are you?" James replied imperiously.

"Hoss Cartright! I talked to Adam right after he went over your plans to sink that shaft deeper and I know he warned you about it!"

James turned on his heel, "It's his word against mine, and I have an impeccable record!"

"An impeccable record for accidents!" Bill Mason turned on the little man. "I worked out at that gold mine of yours last year. I was there when you sank that shaft too low and killed thirty miners that time!"

"Sounds to me like your a little irresponsible about how you get your money." Sheriff Coffee commented. "I really wish I could charge you for negligence, James. But maybe next year a law will be passed that will stop people like you from making money off the deaths of others. Hope you enjoy your blood money!"

James sniffed and walked back to his hotel room, never giving anyone a second chance.

Johnny leaned over to Roy and commented, "What a piece of work!"

Kel Brackett overheard Johnny's comment, "Some men don't care how they get their money and there goes one of them."

"Well, I think it's time we packed up and headed back to the Ponderosa," Captain Stanley patted both his paramedics on the back.

Johnny grinned that patented crooked smile of his that melted hearts of most women, "I definitely need a bath."

Chet hearing Johnny guffawed.

Johnny turned towards Chet, his eyes narrowing. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Chet replied quietly hiding his smirk.

Doctor Brackett opened the door to the squad, but Johnny was standing in the line of fire. Sploing, Splash. No longer was Johnny looking like a refugee from the B movie *The Mole Men.* Now he was mud covered too.

"CHET!" Johnny shouted with a murderous gleam in his eyes.

Captain Stanley shook his head and looked up towards the sky as if divine intervention would help the situation at hand. "Gage, get in the squad you twit!" Turning toward his firefighter, he asked. "When did you have time to set that up?"

"Sorry, Cap, but The Phantom can't divulge any of his trade secrets."

Stanley shook his, and climbed into the engine.

*****

Hoss was relating to Adam about Terry James and his callousness towards the miners who had died, along with his admonition that he blamed Adam for the accident. Adam's eyes narrowed and his face turned dark with anger. "He did what?!" Adam asked a second time to be certain he'd heard correctly.

"He blamed you. Said you said that it would be safe to go down that far."

"I did not!" Adam felt his blood boil with fury. He'd heard of James's reputation that the man had no regard for human life. This proved it.

"Hoss, help me get dressed! I'm going to pay James a visit!" Adam replied as he moved to get out of his bed.

"Adam Cartwright," Sarah turned to her husband. "Have you lost your mind? Your injured, you can't go anywhere!"

"Sarah, I'm going to have Hoss go with me. I have to let those miners know that it wasn't my fault."

"Adam, they know it weren't your fault," Hoss replied gently.

"Don't you see, Hoss. If I don't go into town they'll begin to believe James. They need to know that I stand behind them with their grievance with James."

"Dadburnit, Adam! You can be just as stubborn as Little Joe sometimes!" Hoss raged.

Adam stood as he grimaced against the pain in his shoulder. "Help me get dressed," he pleaded one last time.

Sarah slapped her hips with her hands. "If you so determined to go, I'll help you get dressed. Against my better judgement, mind you!"

Adam smiled down at her, "You know what?"

"What?" she asked agravated at the man she loved.

"Your beautiful when your angry," Adam replied smiling.

"You'll say anything to get your way," Sarah looked at him, anger still crossing her features. She moved over to Adam getting a pair of his black work jeans and one of his black shirts she loved to see him wear. It brought out his features, and reminded her so many times that she was lucky. *He could have had any woman he wanted, but he chose me.*

Sarah felt her skin tingle as he touched her arm. It was the same everytime, as if he'd just touched her for the first time. She helped him to get dressed as Hoss left the room to get Sport saddled.

Sarah helped him down the stairs, and he argued his way past everyone. One last obstacle stood in his path. Doctor Brackett. He tried to argue with Brackett and lost miserably. He frowned as he thought he'd be taken back up stairs, but he was surprised when Brackett agreed to let him go on one condition. "As your doctor, I'm going with you."

Adam opened his mouth to argue, but Brackett waved his arguments away. "Don't even try, I've won arguments against the best."

Johnny nodded his head. "I'll say he has," Johnny smiled sheepishly.

"Joe," Ben called, "go tell Hoss to saddle up one more horse."

"Sure thing Pa!" Joe ran out of the house as if some unseen force was on his heels.

Sarah helped Adam out onto the porch, closely followed by Doctor Brackett. "If you have any problems, Adam. Let me know, immediately. I don't want any complications to set in the mending of that shoulder."

*****

Hoss, Adam and Brackett headed out on the road to Virginia City. Brackett could tell that Adam was keeping a tight reign on his pain. *How he can fight the pain like he does?* Brackett asked himself.

Finally they rode into Virginia City, and found a group of miners conversing in front of the Bucket of Blood Saloon. Among them was Bill Mason. "See I told you Adam would be here!" Seeing the condition that the man was in, Mason hurried over to Sport's side helping Adam to dismount as both Brackett and Hoss dismounted.

"Let's get him over to the hotel," Brackett nodded to Hoss.

Hoss silently agreed as he supported the weight of his brother. "You dang blamed fool!" Hoss commented to Adam.

"Well, I couldn't let them think that I wasn't on their side," Adam replied as he nodded towards the knot of miners.

"I'll check you over and if your up to it, then you can get the miners to come visit you," Brackett replied silently admiring the man for his convictions.

Adam tried to make it on his own, but the searing pain and encroaching darkness finally took over.

 

+++++

"Ease him down on the bed Hoss," Brackett ordered as he reached into his medical bag. Grabbing his blood pressure cuff and stethescope, he quickly began to take Adam's blood pressure. "A little low, but near normal." Brackett reassured himself. Taking out a syringe he filled it with a shot of morphine.

Hoss's eyebrows rose as he watched the doctor get the shot ready. "What's that fer?" he asked curiously.

"This will help ease his pain, and allow him to rest more comfortably."

Hoss sighed in relief, as Adam was now sleeping. *How peaceful he looks,* Hoss thought as he remembered having his brother crumple in the street as he helped him. Adam became dead weight, and thankfully Bill Mason had been following along giving the two men a helping hand.

 

+++++

Sam Stillman, Terry James's second in command came rushing into James's room. "Don't you ever knock Stillman?" James asked irritated by the disturbance.

"I'm sorry, Mr. James," Sam Stillman croaked knowing his employer was angry. "But I thought it necessary to warn you...."

"Warn me of what?!" James turned on his cowering subordinate.

"Adam Cartwright... He's here in Virginia City. The word is he's going dispute your word for the mine accident."

James rubbed his sharp chin as he considered Stillman's words. James's features reminded everyone of a weasel. James smiled, evil glint to his eyes. "Thank you Stillman. You can leave now."

Stillman exited the room before breathing a sigh of relief for being out of the man's presence. James always left Stillman with an unclean feeling everytime he left the vicinity of the man. Stillman shuddered violently as he headed down the hall towards his room. *Oh, the pay's real good,* Stillman thought as he tried for the umpteenth time to find a reason to leave the company. *I have none,* Stillman thought miserably as he remembered the fate of the last man to have Stillman's position.

Stillman entered his room, placing his head in his hands. *Dear Lord, what kind of mess have I gotten myself into?*

 

+++++

James turned at the sound of rustling from behind the changing screen. "You heard, Miss Owens?" he asked as a young, beautiful but deadly woman stepped out from behind the screen.

Faye detested his formal use of her last name. "I heard. So what do you want me to do?"

James laughed. The sound came out as an evil sounding cackle. "Eliminate Cartwright."

"How do you propose I do that?" she asked quietly.

"Use your feminine wiles. That's what your best at, and your the best paid assassin on my payroll," James grabbed her roughly drawing her up into his embrace. Just as roughly, he kissed her. Breaking their embrace he poured two small glasses of a brandy that he adored and had imported from France.

"To the the death of Adam Cartwright," he toasted.

Faye smiled as she repeated the toast and took a small sip of the firey liquid. "You know me, I always get my man," she purred as he took her into another embrace.

"Yes you do, my dear." He kissed her again as she lost her last semblance of control and found herself melting to his desires.

 

+++++

Faye Owens entered the lobby. Walking up to the hotel owner she swung her hips just right to catch the man's attention. Smiling shyly, she asked in a sweet sounding voice, "Could you tell me what room Adam Cartwright is in?"

The owner, Mitchell Sams, cleared his throat. "To safeguard my guests stay, I can't give that information to you."

She pouted and sniffed while dabbing her eyes daintily with her handkerchief. "I heard he was hurt, and we are old friends from college. Certainly you can see your way of just giving me his room number. I promise, I won't tell anyone where he is."

"Well, I guess it's okay." Sams looked down and checked the room assignments. "Room 29."

She smiled graciously, "Thank you very much." Moving to the stairs she checked to be sure that all her weapons where in there proper place. A long hat pin, for those close moments. A small derenger strapped to her thigh, and a slim stilletto strapped to her wrist hidden under her lacy glove. Plus her small arsenal of poisions that she was fond of using.

Climbing the stairs she made her way to the second floor landing. Moving down the hall, she knocked on the door. Hoss opened the door. "Yes?"

"My!" she smiled. "I suppose I'd best get to down to business. I came to see Adam Cartwright." Tears sprang to her eyes on demand. She pulled out her handkerchief, dabbing at her eyes. "My poor husband was killed in the mine, and I don't know what I'm gonna do!"

"Ma'am, I shore wish there was a way you could talk to Adam right now, but he's sleeping cause the doc gave him something." Hoss turned and pointed back towards the sleeping area of the room that had the curtain drawn.

Doctor Brackett stepped out, noticing the woman standing there. "I'm afraid Hoss is right. He'll probably sleep through the night."

"I'll stop by, first thing in the morning," she called as she left the room.

Brackett looked up at Hoss, "Who was that?"

"One of those poor miner's widows. I shore wish there was a way to help, but until Adam wakes we can't even talk about that."

Brackett silently agreed as something began to nag him at the back of his mind about the woman. Shrugging it off, he went to go back and sit with his patient. He turned back to Hoss, "Make sure you get some sleep too. You won't be any good for your brother if your exhausted." He turned and disappeared behind the curtain.

 

+++++

Faye followed Bill Mason down the street. *If I can't get Cartwright, then I'll get the next major thorn in Terry's side.* Silently she crept, through the alley as he made his way toward his small shack.

She spied her chance. Moving a little faster as he entered a showdow covered street. She removed the hat pin from her hat, and allowed her hair to fall freely about her shoulders. Slipping up to him she spoke silkily. "Mr. Mason?"

He turned and spied a definitely female figure moving towards him. "Yes?" he asked.

"I'm so glad I found you," she purred as she placed a hand upon his arm. "I have a message for you."

He looked down upon her as she came up to his side. "What's the message?" he asked.

"This," she smiled seductively as she plunged the hat pin directly into his heart. She smiled as he fell down to the ground. Taking his handkerchief, she wiped her hat pin clean. Fixing her hair, she replaced the hat pin, and made her way down a different alley, so no one could connect her with the murder.

 

+++++

Doctor Brackett sat next to his patient, he rubbed a hand up against his chin. *Where have I seen her before?* he asked himself. Snapping his fingers, *But that's not possible. How did she get from Rampart Hospital, to this era in time?"

 

+++++

Faye Owens had a secret. One she guarded completely. *These insignificant fools,* she thought of the mortals that surrounded her. *Once I win the prize, I will be the only one left and these ants will worship me as a god!*

 

+++++

Adam woke later. "Doc?" he asked as he tried to find out where he was, fighting off the wave of disorientation that he felt. "Where am I?"

Doctor Brackett who had fell asleep in a chair next to his patient, woke. "We're in a hotel in Virginia City."

The memories began to flood in again. The heated conversation with Hoss and Sarah, along with his bullying of this man. Finally reaching Virginia City and the pain in his shoulder as he eventually passed out in the street, leaning on his younger brother.

"I need to talk with Bill Mason," his head turned as he heard a knock on the door. He heard Hoss talking to a person, but couldn't make out what they were saying.

Hoss moved over and peeked in. "Is Adam?" Hoss asked then saw that his brother was awake. "Uh, Adam, Sheriff Coffee's here, and he needs to talk to you."

Adam moved around to a more comfortable position as Sheriff Coffee entered the room. "Adam, I'm not going to beat around the bush here. Bill Mason was murdered." At Adam's look of shock Roy held out his hand in a placating gesture, "I think you'd better go back to the Ponderosa, you'll be safe there. Especially if it's someone trying to get rid of all of the miners supporters. That would've been Bill Mason and yourself."

Adam agreed with Roy's logic.

Doctor Brackett looked over at Sheriff Coffee. "Can you send a rider back to the Ponderosa to get the squad here. I'd like for Adam to have an easier ride. A wagon would be too rough and a horse is almost as bad."

"Sure thing, Doc," Coffee replied as he left the hotel.

 

+++++

By noon, a rider rode onto the Ponderosa. "Sheriff Coffee sent me to tell a John Gage that they need something called a Squad in Virginia City."

"Thanks!" replied Candy as he ran off towards the house to relay the message. Flying in the door he yelled. "Johnny! Hey, Johnny where are ya!" the ranch foreman called.

Johnny exited the kitchen, drying his hands. "Just giving Roy, and Hop Sing a hand in the kitchen."

"Well, Sheriff Coffee wants you to get the Squad into town to pick up Adam. Doc Brackett, say's it'll be easier on his busted shoulder."

Johnny craned his head around, "Hey Roy! Wanna throw me the keys to the squad?"

Roy poked his head through the doorway. "What do you need them for?"

"Brackett, wants me to go to Virginia City and bring Adam back in it."

Roy stuck his hand in his pants pocket pulling the keys out. "Don't put a scratch on it, or Charlie will have our heads when we get back!"

"I'll be careful with it Roy! Sheesh!" Johnny caught the keys as Roy tossed them to him. Leaving the house, he headed for the barn and with Candy's help they opened the doors Johnny climbed into the drivers seat and turned the ignition over. Pulling out he headed for Virginia City with just the red's flashing. Why? He really didn't know, maybe it was habit.

By one in the afternoon he was pulling infront of the hotel. As he climbed out of the cab of the little red rescue truck, he felt a feeling. Actually a tingling sensation all over his body. He searched the faces until he spotted one that he'd known in another time.

*Now where the hell did that thought come from?* he thought as spotted both Hoss and Doctor Brackett easing Adam out of the hotel.

The face he'd spotted had moved closer to Adam. Johnny knew something was up, and moved in closer to Adam when he saw the flash of an object. Reaching out with lightning quick reflexes he grabbed the woman's slim wrist.

"Sheriff," he called. I've found your killer! She was going after Adam!"

"Well, if it hadn't been for Johnny here, you might have gotten away with it. Thanks for your help Johnny."

She leaned close enough to read his name plate. "J. Gage, I'll remember you. I'll see you again and we'll settle this once and for all."

"My pleasure," Johnny smiled as Hoss backed away from the squad. Johnny climbed back into the squad and turned the squad around as the first few drops of rain began dropping on the windshield.

 

+++++

Johnny drove into the yard of the Ponderosa and ran over to the passenger side of the squad as both he and Brackett helped ease Adam out of the cab. Johnny looked over at the dark haired doctor. "I think it's happening again. This is exactly like the storm that took me back to our own time, the last time I was here."

Brackett nodded his head as they got Adam inside the house. They eased him down on the couch, and left him in the care of his wife Sarah.

Johnny practically bounced as he announced that they might be going back home. The others whooped for joy as they all ran out of the house.

Captain Stanley hung around a little bit longer, "Thanks for the hospitality Ben. If you find yourself in the 1970's, look us up at Station 51."

Ben shook the Captain's hand. Stanley ran out to join his men. Soon the squad, engine, and Ford LTD were headed down the road. The anomaly that had formed ahead of them in the 1970's appeared again, sucking them in.

 

+++++

The next thing Roy and Johnny heard was the chatter on the radio, telling them they were back. Then they heard the dispatcher's voice. "Station 51... cancel."

Johnny grinned as he picked up the mike and spoke into it, "Squad 51." Replacing the mike he heard Captain Stanley's voice as he acknowledged that their run had been cancelled.

As both emergency vehicles slowed down, Doctor Brackett's brown LTD passed. He waved to them as he headed off toward Rampart.

 

+++++

Chet talked Captain Stanley into stopping at the library. There he found a book on Nevada's history. Heading back to the station the engine back in.

Johnny looked up as he was mopping the floor. "What kept ya, guys?" he asked with a big toothy grin on his face.

"Kelly wanted to stop at the library," Marco answered.

Chet found the mine incident. Reading out loud, "Terry James, was lynched by some of the miners after it was discovered that one employee was murdered by his lover and assassin, Faye Owens. Owens disappeared into the night, after a deputy was found murdered in the jail. The same weapon was used, a hat pin. As for the Cartwrights, all of them lived to lead productive lives."

Chet closed the book, and looked at the others. Noticing Johnny tugging on his bottom lip, "What's the matter, Gage?" he asked.

"Nothing," Johnny waved it off as he stated mopping again.

The tones sounded, calling out the squad. Johnny and Roy both ran to it, grateful to be back in their own time.

+++++

The run turned out to be a elderly woman who'd broke her hip when she slipped on loose tile that her grandson hadn't replaced yet.

Johnny drove the squad in while Roy rode in with the patient. As soon as Johnny backed the squad into it's usual parking space, he felt it. The same sensation he'd felt before. Almost like a wild spark of electricity, running all over his body.

He reached into the compartment where the turnout coats, and oxygen tanks were kept and pulled out a longish type scabbard. Pulling on his turnout coat he tucked the object up under his coat.

Entering the building he headed for the elevators and went to the top floor. Turning he walked to the stairwell and climbed to the roof. There he found the first of two surprises. Duncan MacCloud of the Clan MacCloud stood there lounging against one of the air conditioning units.

He smiled, as he reached out a hand. "Johnny! It's good to see you again!"

"Duncan! Where have you been?"

Duncan cleared his throat, "You have some business to attend to first before we catch up on old times." He nodded towards the person standing on the other side of the roof.

Johnny looked and the person turned, "Faye?" he asked.

"Yes, Johnny! I knew you'd turn up sooner or later. It was only a matter of waiting for you." She drew a long sword.

Johnny handed his scabbard to Duncan, and slipped out of the turnout coat. Taking the scabbard he drew his own sword. Holding it up to his face, they both spouted the ritual words which would begin the fight to the death.

"There can be only one!"

They advanced on each other. Each testing the other's strong area and weak areas, as they stabbed at each other. The clanging of metal on metal rang out, mixed with the sounds of traffic from below.

Johnny sidestepped one of Faye's blows as he sliced her arm.

"I see you've gotten better over the years," as they locked blades together. Faye shoved, seperating them both.

Their blades locked again as they stood face-to-face. "How can I forget you! You killed my parents!"

"And I would have gotten you too, if the cops hadn't shown up at the scene." She sneered.

They turned together as if in a deadly dance, "Well this will be the end of your reign of terror on the world of mortals! You see since you left me all those years out there, I was found and taught by two of the best swordsmen in the world."

"Who?" she asked as her anger rose.

"Duncan, and Conner!" Johnny shoved again knocking Faye backwards. He kicked out, catching her in the ribs. She dropped to her knees. Johnny swung his deathstroke that would sever her head from her body.

She shoved her blade into his abdomen.

Johnny felt the pain, but was determined to carry this through. Her head rolled and her lifeless body fell crunching on the rock that made up the roof covering. Johnny pulled the sword out gritting at the pain, and was rewarded with more pain as the quickening began.

Seemingly endless bolts of electricity coursed through his body as he gained her knowledge, his prize for taking her head. Falling down to his knees at the end of the countless bolts that richocheted off of the roof top, he looked up as Duncan approached. "There can be only one."

Duncan knelt down beside him. "How'd it feel to get your first prize?"

Johnny looked up at him and grinned, "It hurt like hell!"

Duncan laughed while slapping him on the shoulder, "It get's easier, with time."

Duncan helped Johnny to his feet, and they both picked up the tossed aside turnout coat and scabbard. Both men left the roof, Johnny elated but also saddened because he had to take a life.

The End
 

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