Thank you to the wonderful keepers of this site for giving us fans a way to indulge ourselves. This is my first fanfic of any kind and am proud that it is "Emergency!" that I have chosen to get my feet wet. This is a work that has been completely done and for the most part BETA'd. Thank you to kellymut (aka Kristi) for making sure my "I's" are dotted and "t's" are crossed *grins*. As this is completed, I should be able to post each chapter once a week, either on Saturday or Sunday.
Now, the standard disclaimer:
All things Emergency! belong to Mark VII Productions and Universal Studios
Again, enjoy!
The Missing Family
Chapter 1
In the state of California, within the county of Los Angeles, there is a city known as Carson that has a fire station with three shifts known as "A", "B" and "C". On each shift, there are six men, including the captain, that are a fairly tight-knit group of men.
However, the men of "A" shift are closer than most Why? Because they are more than co-workers; more than a group of men that are tightly-knit. They are for all practical purposes brothers. They are family, and by extension, so are their wives, children, parents, siblings, etc. For example, the captain, Henry "Hank" Stanley is married with two daughters of his own. One of the paramedics, Roy DeSoto, is also married with two younger children (a boy and girl) and all four kids have called each of the men of Station 51's "A" shift "uncle" at one time or another. Then we have Mike Stoker, shift engineer, second in command and good friend to all. He has his parents and two older brothers. There is also Marco Lopez (who has his parents, two sisters, and a number of nieces and nephews) and Chester "Chet" B. Kelly (who has his mother and brother). That brings us to the last member of the crew, the other paramedic, John Roderick Gage. Youngest of the group by a significant margin, he only has his aunt in Sacramento and is originally from an Indian reservation somewhere in Montana, but he's especially close to the other paramedic.
Now, they all joke and kid around the station about various things, especially family, but it seems that every time Gage is the subject of the jokes he takes things a little too personally. It might seem to most that he just doesn't want to joke about that kind of subject matter, but that isn't it. It goes a lot deeper than that. See, there is a secret that John Gage has kept for a very long time. He feels that there is no one he can trust enough to share it with. However, unbeknownst to him, there is someone that would understand. But, more on that later.
Captain Hank Stanley called his men at home the night before requesting they come in an hour earlier than usual for a meeting, "OK, fellas, settle down. We have a few things to go over and not a lot of time to do it. We have received word from the county fire chief that we will be participating in an exchange program with the state of Maryland. The reason for this is due to the fact that one of the counties within Maryland, Prince George's County, has also been pioneering the paramedic program much the same way as L.A. County has. In fact they started the same time we did. Now, the county will be playing host for two months to five paramedics. Five of our folks have already been selected and are on their way to the East Coast to start. They will be at the academy to start for a few days, and then they will be at either Rampart Hospital or Harbor General Hospital for a few days for orientation. Then, after about a week, they will be disbursed throughout the county so that we may be able to learn from them, and they from us. But, there is one thing you need to know about. It seems that they allow women into the service in Maryland and one of the paramedics coming is a female."
The captain let them digest this bit of information then let the bomb really drop, "Now it appears that our shift has impressed the right people because we are going to be playing host to the young lady of the group."
By now, the look on all 5 faces was the exact same. . .eyes popped out and jaws dropped. Hank Stanley was truly enjoying himself, though he didn't let that show. However he noticed that one of his men wasn't looking all that enthusiastic about this. He would have thought that John Gage would have been thrilled at the idea of a female coming to work here. Looks like he was wrong.
At this point, it was scarily quiet among his men. They almost always had something to say about things brought up before shift such as this. Finally, Roy, one of the voices of reason, spoke up and said, "Well, any idea when she will be here, Cap?"
"Actually, they already are. Right now, they are at the academy getting up to speed on our exact procedures, then a two day stint at Rampart, then to the stations. I won't know for a day or two exactly when she is supposed to be here, but I will let you all know when I do find out."
Well, it took three shifts for the "A" shift of station 51 but they found out that Ms. Evans, AKA Christie or Chris would be assigned to them. Needless to say, it would throw the boys for a loop. The first into the station outside of Cap was Mike Stoker, the quintessential quiet one, making his way to the day room to make coffee. However, when he entered Christie was already there making it. Without turning around she said, "Good Morning. Hope you don't mind me making some coffee."
Turning around, they got a good look at each other. She appeared about five feet three inches, one hundred twenty to one hundred thirty pounds, with raven black hair and blue eyes. Her hair was in a braid that went about half way down her back. But what struck him was her smile. In his mind, beautiful didn't even begin to describe it, but what startled Mike was the fact that he had seen that smile before. . .on John Gage! Needless to say, he was almost speechless, but recovered at the last minute to welcome her, "Welcome to Station 51 and thanks for making coffee. I'm Mike Stoker, engineer and 2nd in command. Captain Stanley usually gets in here at about half an hour after me, most everyone else after that."
"Perfect, gives me time to get the muffins done. By the way, what foods should I stay away from? My last station, had two that were allergic to peanuts and tomatoes, so I just want to play it safe."
"No, but cherries are not really liked. Long story that I can explain later. Otherwise, pretty much anything goes."
"Great! Makes my job a lot easier. Hope chocolate chip goes over well. That and blueberry are my personal favorites."
Stoker had a wide grin on his face as he said, "With this bunch, chocolate can't be wrong!"
By now, most of the crew, including Cap, had arrived and were getting dressed. Once done, they followed Cap to the day room for the surprise that waited for them there. Upon entering the day room, they were assaulted with the most wonderful of smells. Chet Kelly couldn't resist making the comment, "I don't remember the last time it smelled this good. Mike, what did you do?"
To which Stoker shot back, "Not me this time. Take a look!" That's when the rest of the boys noticed who was standing by the ovens. "Good Morning, gentlemen. Hope you don't mind. I got here early and decided to poke around the kitchen to see what there was to work with."
As she spoke, she turned around and they got a good look at each other. Mind you, she had an apron on to keep the mess down to a minimum, but it was clear just exactly who she was. However, at that minute, it didn't matter. That's when Cap broke the spell that seemed to be in place and said, "Of course we don't mind, not these chow hounds! Now, gentlemen lets assist her by taking care of setting the table, shall we?" Even though the Captain's last statement came out as a question, there was no doubt by the tone of his voice that it wasn't a question, but an order.
Soon, six very hungry firefighters were sitting down to a breakfast of homemade muffins, coffee and juice. Once the food and drink were consumed, Captain Stanley turned to his crew and said, "I think we should introduce ourselves to Christie and give a little background for her benefit. I'll start things off." With that, they all took turns giving a brief overview of their lives, such as being married, length of service, etc.
Gage was a little reluctant to offer up any information, but figured that it might not be that difficult, "Well, I started with the department right out of high school. That was five years ago and I've been a paramedic for two years. Would I do anything else if I could, heck no. I love what I do, am good at it, and wouldn't have it any other way. Now, Ms. Evans, I do believe it is your turn."
"Looks like you and I have something in common, Gage. I too started right after high school, but that was full time. With Prince George's county, Maryland, you can start as a junior firefighter at age sixteen as long as you have a sponsor and parental permission. So, part time since sixteen, full time since eighteen, and I love every minute of it. I have five siblings: a twin brother, a pair of brothers three years younger than me, and a pair of sisters ten years younger than me. I will admit things weren't easy for me in the slightest, but then again, nothing worth having usually is. Oh, by the way, I am also fluent in a few different languages, Spanish being one of them," she said glancing at Lopez and giving him a smile.
Now that she had finished her story, Captain Stanley let everyone mull things over for a minute or two, and then said, "OK fellas. Since it looks like we are done eating, why don't we get started with the daily assignments? Roy, you and John take Christie and show her the bay, particularly the squad so she knows where everything is. Lopez the kitchen and dayroom. Stoker, the dorm, and Kelly the latrines. Let's try to get things done quickly. I got a funny feeling that we just might have ourselves a busy day."
Well, it would be busy, but not so much that things couldn't get done around the station. For the next several hours, the squad was busy with a number of runs that were, for the most part, non-life threatening. Christie had already been introduced to Head Emergency Room Nurse Dixie McCall and Doctor Kelly Brackett at Rampart, but she also got to meet Doctors Joe Early and Mike Morton. She seemed to get along with all of them, even lending a hand in the ER with a language barrier issue. Turns out she knew sign language and was able to inform the staff of what the problem the patient was having. Fifteen minutes later, an official hospital translator was located and the squad was released.
Back at the station, things were quiet. Nothing more exciting than two dumpster fires during the night and by morning, they were all well rested and ready to go home. During dinner the night before, it was decided that a cookout would be held at the Stanley residence to formally welcome Christie to the station. It wouldn't be during the next two days off they had, but after their next shift which was a 48 hour shift. That way, they would have time to make arrangements for various other folks to be there.
At the Stanley residence, the cookout was in full swing and everyone was having a great time. Everyone that is except John Gage. For some reason, a reason he just couldn't put his finger on, he felt that he knew Christie from somewhere. Problem was, he just couldn't remember. "I wonder if I knew her from before I lost my family. But how? And why am I thinking about them after all these years? I'm gonna have to keep an eye on her. Something about her just isn't sitting right. Wish I could put it together," Gage was thinking this to himself, unaware of one of his "brothers" watching him.
"Well, John, I hope this works out for you. After what she told me, I really think you both need to talk. Looks like we might be more of a family than anyone thought," Hank Stanley thought this to himself, wondering if things would work out. Stanley thought back to the beginning of the get together when Christie was the first to arrive.
"Flashback"
Christie pulled up in her rental car, looked in the mirror to make sure her makeup was in place and proceeded to get out and head up to the Stanley residence. To say she was nervous was an understatement. When Hank Stanley pulled her aside the day before and asked her to come a little early, she had no idea what to think. 'Maybe he wants me to be a little bit more settled in before the rest of the crew gets here' she thought to herself. However, now she's not so sure.
As she knocked on the door and waited to be let in, her mind wandered back to her family in Maryland. She knew they were proud of her for everything she had accomplished, of that there was no doubt. No, she was thinking of what their reaction would be once they found out about John Gage.
She was startled out of her thoughts when the door opened and a woman that looked like she was close to Cap's age spoke to her. "Hi there! I assume that you are the newest addition to Hank's crew? Welcome, welcome. Come in and make yourself comfortable. I'm Emily Stanley. Hank is out back trying to get the grills set up." She was just too warm for words and Christie loved it.
"Yes, I'm Christie Evans. It's a pleasure to meet you Emily. You have an absolutely lovely home. Kinda feels like my home back east…warm and inviting. Do you think he needs any help?"
Just as Christie asked that question, Hank came in and answered it for her. "No, but thanks for the offer. I thought you and I might want to have a little chat before the boys get here." Upon seeing the look on her face he quickly continued. "Now, don't get worried. It's just that I noticed a number of things about you and I wanted to ask you about them, but felt that it shouldn't be done at the station. I hope you don't mind?" Hank looked at her with a question in his eyes, waiting for her answer. He didn't have to wait long.
"Of course we can talk. And thank you for not bringing things up at the station. It speaks to me of the kind of man you are, Hank Stanley." By this time, Christie was smiling and feeling rather relaxed.
He motioned for all of them to sit down while things were still heating up outside. Emily retrieved some iced tea for all of them, then settled down next to her husband and waited for him to begin.
"Christie, I really don't believe in beating around the bush, so I'll just come right out and say what is bugging me. Yes, I do see the resemblance between you and John Gage. I wanted to know if there is a chance that the two of you are related. I know some of John's familial background, but not a lot. I just want to make sure that things will be alright between the two of you." Having said his peace, he sat back and watch Christie digest what she heard. He didn't have to wait long for her to answer.
"Cap, I'll be honest with you. Right now, I am not sure. I can't go into the whole story since we don't have a lot of time here, but the fact of the matter is that I do have a twin brother; a twin that everyone thought was dead."
"End Flashback"
Little did he know that in a few more shifts, things would come to a head, secrets revealed and lives changed-for good or bad-forever.
