Johnny and Roy pulled up to the scene to find a woman hanging upside down from a tree branch her long blonde hair hanging below her probably 20 feet above the water. Her long tanned legs were wrapped around a thin tree branch, a rope tied around one ankle and wrapped around the branch. Camera in hand, the young woman twisted to take a picture of the paramedics stepping out of the squad. She zoomed in on Roy's face and snapped the picture as he turned to take in her location and the obstacles they would face trying to reach her. She snapped another photo of Johnny scratching his head as he took in the same scene Roy was observing.
"I think the only option is to climb up to the limb above her and lower down to secure her to a harness and then bring her up to me". Johnny said reaching for two harnesses.
"I agree, I don't think the limb she is on will support both of you and with all those low hanging branches we can't get the ladder out there." Roy put his helmet on the top of the squad.
As Johnny walked toward the tree he called out to the woman, "Are you hurt anywhere?"
"The biggest injury is to my ego, I can't believe I got stuck out here. My ankle is starting to hurt where the rope is cutting into it and I am getting a bit dizzy from hanging upside down for so long". The woman moved the camera off to the side enough to view her ankle again.
Another woman moved over toward the paramedics. "She climbed out there to get a picture of a bullfrog on the lily pad. Thankfully, she thought to tie the rope around her in case she slipped; unfortunately, she doesn't understand knots very well and when she eased herself down the knot tightened and the rope let her fall farther than she had planned. She tried to pull herself back up, but she can't. And as much as I like her, I am not going out on a limb for her". The pretty brunette laughed slightly.
Roy turned his attention toward the second woman, "What is her name?"
"Summer and I am Sara. I am a student at the culinary school and I needed to test a new recipe for outdoor cooking. We figured this would be a great location and she could work on getting some great nature photos. Now, my meal is burnt and she is hanging from a tree. Not a particularly great start to the weekend". Sara smiled as Mike and Marco walked over from the Fire Engine, "Although it is getting better. "
"Summer, my name is Roy DeSoto; the man climbing out to you is my partner, John Gage."
Roy pulled out his pad of paper, "What is her last name?"
"Skye, she has been like that for over an hour. She tried on her own to get back up before she let me go and call for help."
"Summer Skye? How old is she?" Roy wrote the name in his pad when Sara nodded that the name was correct.
"We are both 24 years old".
Roy watched as Johnny started maneuvering across the limb above Summer. She was still taking pictures of him as he worked his way closer to her. Luckily, she did not have the flash working or it could have been a problem, rather than just a distraction.
"Do you think you can hand off the camera first? It is really expensive and I would hate for anything to happen to it. Besides, I got some great photos today," Summer held out the camera to Johnny.
He took the camera, hanging it on a nearby branch, "It will have to survive right there for now, getting you off that tree limb is my bigger priority."
Johnny wrapped his legs around the tree limb and let himself drop down to get closer to his victim. "Can you reach up and try to grab my hands?" Johnny reached his arms down toward her.
Using what was left of her strength Summer tried to do a mid-air sit up and managed to grasp one of his hands. He gently pulled her closer and told her to wrap her arms around his neck while he got the harness around her waist securing her to him.
"Give me a little more slack," Johnny called out to the crew. "I need to get down lower so I can cut that rope off her ankle. When I cut this rope just hang on to my neck, the harness will keep you from falling, but you are going to feel your body drop. I won't let you get hurt, just try to relax and trust me."
Summer nodded, feeling nervous about her situation for the first time. She felt the cold steel of Johnny's knife against her skin as he slid the knife underneath the rope and with a quick upward motion cut it and she felt her legs drop. She tightened her grip around Johnny's neck and felt his arms go around her to steady her. "Can you get your feet on the limb and try to stand up?" Johnny was pulling her up slightly to get her in a position to stand on the limb she had just been dangling from. She was able to get her feet planted and take her weight off Johnny's neck and back. He lowered himself to the same limb so he could guide her back toward the tree, but quickly pulled himself off the branch when he heard the sound of wood splintering.
"Do you think you can walk back to the tree trunk? Just keep holding on to this limb for balance and I will be moving in conjunction with you, the harness won't let you fall." Johnny made eye contact with Summer noticing for the first time she had remarkable blue eyes. She smiled and nodded as she started moving toward the tree trunk. Johnny placed her camera around his neck.
Once they reached the tree Roy reached up and to grasp hold of Summer as Johnny slowly lowered her from the limb. Johnny scrambled down the tree and unhooked Summer's harness and then his own as Roy carried her over to a tree stump and set her down.
"You mentioned your ankle hurt and you were feeling a bit dizzy; now that you are out of the tree are you having any other symptoms?" Roy knelt beside her looking at her ankle. "Let's see if you can put any weight on it." He offered her a hand as she stood. Johnny walked over; noticing her color draining he quickly put an arm around her waist. She raised a shaking hand to her head and leaned against Johnny, "I think I should sit down."
Johnny helped her sit back on the tree stump. "Put your head down to your knees." Johnny opened the biophone as Summer complied with his order. "Rampart, this is Squad 51, how do you read?"
"Go ahead Squad 51," Dr. Brackett voice came across the line.
"Rampart, we have a female victim, age 24, approximately 110 lbs; she had been hanging upside down from a tree trunk with a rope tied to her ankle for over an hour. Victim complains of pain in her ankle, which has visible abrasions from the rope. When we tried to have her stand to see if she could bear weight, victim got dizzy and almost passed out. She had complained of dizziness when hanging from the limb."
"It is just the fading adrenaline, and hunger, we didn't get to have our dinner," Summer slowly sat up straight. "That and I tend to intentionally dehydrate myself when we are going out like this," Summer looked around the park. "Not a lot of restroom facilities around here," she gave a faint smile.
"Rampart, victim states she has not had anything to eat in several hours and may be a bit dehydrated."
"Squad 51, start an IV with normal saline and transport when possible."
"Oh, I really don't want to go to the hospital," Summer shook her head.
"Rampart, victim states she does not want to go to the hospital"
"Squad 51, how bad are the ankle abrasions? Any chance she has fractured or broken that ankle?"
"Negative rampart, the wound definitely needs to be cleaned and bandaged, but there is not any swelling to indicate further injury." Johnny studied her ankle closely.
"Blood pressure is 90/60, pulse is 60 and respirations are 16." Roy finished doing a preliminary check of the woman's vitals.
"Rampart, victim's blood pressure is 90/60, pulse is 60 and respirations are 16." Johnny relayed the information over the biophone.
"Squad 51 do you have time to sit with the victim while she receives the IV and you treat the ankle injury?"
Johnny looked over at Roy and Captain Stanley, both men nodded their heads. "10-4 Rampart"
"Go ahead and start the IV, treat the ankle and call us with another set of vitals."
"10-4 Rampart"
Johnny hung up the biophone and reached into the drug case for an IV. "This is going to pinch a little, "Johnny scrubbed her arm with an alcohol swab and inserted the needle quickly into her vein starting the IV.
Captain Stanley put a hand on Johnny's shoulder before he walked toward the engine, "Nothing left for us to do here boys." He took his radio, "Engine 51 available; Squad 51 will be unavailable for at least another 15 minutes." Sara quickly stepped away from Summer and went up to Captain Stanley.
"Can I ask you a question?" At his nod she continued, "Do you guys eat at the Station, I mean, actually cook dinner?"
"Yes," Captain Stanley smiled at the young woman.
"Do you have one person that does the cooking, or do you share? I guess, what I am trying to ask is would you be willing to let me come in and cook for all of you for a few days? I have this assignment for school where I need to make various types of meals and need people to evaluate me on the quality of the food, taste, presentation, ability to reheat. The evaluators can't be friends or family and I don't know a lot of people in California. I wondered if I could use your team as my evaluators, in exchange for someone cooking for you?"
Captain Stanley smiled thinking of Johnny's meal of hot dogs and baked beans the night before. "I think my men would love that."
"Could I come by starting Monday? I will bring a couple of girls to help me with the preparation so we can get it done quickly and not be in your way."
"I am looking forward to it," Captain Stanley shook her outstretched hand and moved toward the engine. His guys were going to love this news.
Roy cleaned the ankle and wrapped it in a clean strip of gauze.
"Nice camera," Johnny knelt down next to Summer turning the camera over in his hands. "Are you a professional photographer?"
"No, she's a…" Summer cut off Sarah, "No, but it is a very serious hobby." She met Sara's gaze and gave a slight shake of her head.
"Let's try having you stand up again and see if you can stay conscious, and put weight on that ankle," Roy finished wrapping the ankle, stood and offered his hand to Summer.
Johnny also stood so he could be there for support if needed. She took a tentative step and limped slightly, Roy and Johnny both reached for her and she laughed. "I am okay. My ankle is a little stiff and the bandage doesn't help mobility. It is definitely not broken." She took a few more steps in a circle showing the ankle would support her weight, and she was not getting light-headed.
"Let's get another set of vitals." Roy pulled the bp cuff from the box and put the stethoscope into his ears.
Johnny reached for Summer's wrist and checked her pulse. He placed a hand on her stomach counting respirations.
Johnny reached over for the biophone, "Rampart, this is Squad 51, how do you read?"
"Go ahead, 51," Dr. Brackett responded to the call, having expected it would be coming shortly.
"Rampart, victim now has a pulse of 65, respirations are still 16 and bp is…" Johnny looked over at Roy.
"110/75"
"110/75, Rampart. Ankle is tender, but can bear weight. Victim was up and walking slightly without any light-headedness."
"Squad 51, go ahead and release the patient. Advise that we suggest she follow up with her normal physician to make sure the ankle does not become infected. Also advise the patient to hydrate."
"10-4 Rampart," Johnny disconnected the biophone. He reached over to Summer's arm and disconnected the IV.
"Thanks, guys. Sorry for the inconvenience." Summer smiled at Johnny and then turned to Roy.
"All part of the job just be careful the next time you go after the perfect picture." Johnny smiled down at her as he picked up the biophone.
He and Roy walked back to the squad carrying their equipment. Summer reached down and picked up her camera, she focused on the guys retreating backs. "John, Roy," they both turned and she snapped the picture, "thanks."
Both men smiled as they turned and loaded their equipment into the squad. Johnny got into the car and watched as Summer and Sara made their way to their vehicle. "Very nice looking ladies, "Johnny said as Roy got into the squad. "Maybe I should go ask Summer for her phone number?" Johnny put his hand on the door handle just in time to hear the tones on the radio.
"Squad 51 are you available?"
Roy reached for the radio, "Squad 51 available."
"Squad 51, traffic accident with injuries, intersection of Avalon and East 213th street; time out 20:23.
"Squad 51, 10-4," Roy put the squad in reverse at hit the lights. Johnny gave one last look at Summer walking back to the car and felt the regret at not asking for her phone number earlier.
Chapter 2
Captain Stanley had decided not to tell his men about Sara and her friends coming in to cook next week. When they said good-bye Friday night for a free weekend, he simply told them that he had dinner covered on Monday and no one needed to worry about it.
The group was working on the Engine and Squad when a knock came at the back door to the station; Captain Stanley made his way into the kitchen and opened the door for the ladies carrying bags of groceries. He took the first two bags and called out to his team, "Hey fellas, you want to give us a hand in here?"
Marco and Mike walked in first and saw other ladies still holding bags. They hurried over taking the bags from them and putting them onto the table. Chet, Johnny and Roy walked in and stopped viewing the three women standing in the kitchen. "Well, hello again," Johnny said smiling at Summer. He took in her blonde hair hanging past her shoulders, her blue eyes and full lips. His gaze swept over her toned body and his smile widened. She really was a beautiful woman.
"There are still a few bags in the car," Sara gestured toward the door with her keys in her hand.
"I'll get them," Chet moved toward the door walking close to the third woman, smiling at her as he passed. Mike followed him out the door.
"What is going on Cap?" Johnny asked taking in the scene.
"We are going to make you all dinner for the next week," Sara looked in one of the bags on the kitchen table and pulled out a folder. "In exchange, for you completing evaluations on how the food tastes, how it is presented and later, how it reheats, maybe for a late night snack? It is part of my training at the culinary school. The Captain thought you would not mind the one page questionnaire if it meant you got out of cooking for the week." Sara smiled at the group of guys that now included Chet and Mike who had brought in the rest of the groceries.
"Yea, that is great." "Fantastic." "Super." The guys chorused.
Captain Stanley took in all the bags and reached for his wallet, "Sara, how much do we owe you for the food."
The other guys all reached for their wallets. "No, guys, please, let this be our way of thanking you for your service to the community." The guys all stopped moving, but kept their hands on their wallets, waiting to pull them out. "Really," Sara insisted, "I really want to do this, and I promise it is not a hardship."
"That is very generous of you Sara, thank you; and all your friends too." Captain Stanley looked over at the other two women. "Oh right, you all know Summer, but this is Jessie," Sara pointed toward the woman with dark brown hair, brown eyes and an amazing smile.
"Hi, Jessie, nice to meet you."
"Is there anything we can do to help you ladies?" Captain Stanley asked.
"If you can just give us a quick tour of your kitchen that would be very helpful. Then, just go about your day and we will unpack the groceries and get started on today's meal."
Captain Stanley walked over the cupboards and the three women followed him, and the eyes of the other 5 guys all followed the three women.
Johnny leaned over to Roy, "I can't believe my luck, now I can ask Summer for her phone…"
The tones sounded sending all the men toward the squad and engine.
"Station 51, Station 49, Engine 113, respond to an apartment fire at 425 E. Lauder Street. Time out 14:13."
"Station 51, KMG-365," Captain Stanley handed Roy a sheet of paper and then hurried to get into the passenger seat of the Engine as they pulled out.
As the door came back down the Station grew very quiet. Jessie looked over at Sara and Summer standing near the refrigerator, "Firemen are very sexy."
Summer smiled, and blew out a breath through pursed lips, "Paramedics are even sexier; brains and brawn for sure."
"An apartment fire sounds like it could be really bad. I wonder how rough their afternoon is going to be." Sara looked at Summer.
"They can get really bad. I see it after the immediate danger is over and there are days that gives me nightmares." Summer looked at the cupboards under the counter and pulled out a few pots and pans. "Do these look like what you will need?"
"Why did you stop me from telling John and Roy you were a doctor the other day?" Sara checked out the pans Summer had set down. "See if there is a slightly deeper pot, I have to make enough to feed 6 hungry men, the three of us and provide leftovers."
"Do you remember when they were talking to the hospital on that phone when they helped me out? Friday that person that is authorizing them to give treatment could be me. I am not their boss, but it is going to change the way we interact. I want a chance to let them get to know me as me, before they get to know me as Dr. Skye."
"Makes sense," Jessie opened a drawer and pointed out the spatulas to Sara. "I mean, you had so many problems with guys in medical school being threatened by competing with a woman. I mean, geez, even some of your professors were mad about a woman being in their class."
Summer's eyes narrowed and her stomach churned just thinking about some of the things she had experienced the last four years. She had skipped grades in elementary school, finished her undergraduate degree in three years, been accepted to a top-notch medical school and was still treated like she didn't belong by the majority of her fellow classmates and even some of the faculty members.
"Come on," Summer took a sharp knife out of the drawer, "Let's start making dinner so when these guys get back we have something hot and delicious to feed them." She pulled out the cucumbers and started chopping them for the salad.
By the time the guys got back, Sarah had prepared an amazing chicken dish stuffed with spinach and feta cheese. It was severed with roasted rosemary potatoes, and honey glazed carrots. They had salad before the entrée and she had created a mousse cake served with homemade whipped cream for dessert. Jessie poured peach iced tea into each glass as the guys entered the kitchen.
"Welcome back, just in time," Sara carried a tray of chicken toward the table.
"Everything okay?" Jessie asked carrying over the large bowl of potatoes. Summer was putting salad dressings on the table next to the salad.
"No injuries," Roy said as he sat down.
"And we managed to save the building, so a pretty good run." Captain Stanley took his seat.
"That is fantastic," Sara stepped back to view the table. "Summer, can you grab the rolls out of the oven and we should be all set. Guys, just do me a favor and take a look a the food, make notes on if it looks appealing and then as you eat, just remember if you enjoy the food, or if there is anything you don't like. You can fill out the evaluations after you have eaten."
"Ladies everything look amazing," Captain Stanley said reaching for the salad.
There was very little conversations in the beginning as the guys devoured the food. Sara had managed to serve dessert and the guys were almost done when the tones sounded again and the guys got up to leave.
"Just leave the mess ladies; we can take care of it when we get back."
"See you tomorrow," Sara called after the group.
The guys loaded into the engines and squad and were gone very quickly. Sara looked at the mess and over at Jessie and Summer.
"I'll wash," Summer started gathering up dishes.
"I'll dry," Jessie grabbed a few plates too.
"I will wipe down the counter, table and mop the floors. Where do you think they keep their cleaning supplies?"
The women got to work so when the guys got back they could just relax.
Chapter 3
