DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything except Julianna. Everyone else belongs to Mark VII and others I can't remember. Hope you enjoy your reading!
This is part 3 of the Something Special series. At the end of part 2, Squad 51 had left to assist in a rescue at sea. The men of Station 51 heard the call that a copter had crashed. And now, Part 3:
Captain Stanley picked up the phone and immediately asked dispatch for more information. He was only told that the helicopter had gone down in the water and were sending another squad and copter to the rescue sight and calling for additional assistance with the fire.
Hank was told he could take his crew to the scene. He didn't have to be told twice and said they'd report to the scene.
He walked into the day room and found everyone looking at Mike.
"What," he asked.
"Julianna is sleeping in Johnny's bunk," Mike said.
"We don't know anything, yet, Mike," Hank said.
"I know, but I have to tell Juli what happened," he said.
Everyone watched him leave the day room.
"We can go to the scene when Stoker gets back. Figured that's what you guys would want," Hank said.
The guys went to the engine and got their gear on and waited for Mike to drive them to the scene.
Chet tried to hold it together, but he found tears slipping through. He hurt. Not only for the loss of his friends, but for what Julianna was going to go through. She'd been through so much and had finally found happiness with Johnny and now this. He didn't know how someone as petite as Julianna could handle what she'd already handled. Chet worried she'd fall apart with this latest blow. He also knew Joanne would be devastated and he hated that it had to happen to anyone he knew. He found himself thinking he should stay single while he was a firefighter, to avoid leaving someone in pain should something happen to him.
Mike entered the dorm and went to Julianna. She had wrapped her arms around Johnny's pillow and was sleeping peacefully. He knew this was the last peace she'd get for a while.
"Hey, Juju," he whispered.
She stirred and opened her eyes. "Hey, Mikey," she said. "Johnny back?" She sat up in the bed, rubbing her eyes.
"No. There was an accident. We're on our way out to Marina del Ray," he said.
"Accident? What kind of accident," she asked, immediately awake.
"There was a copter crash," he said.
"Don't say it," she said, her eyes filling with tears.
"Juju," he started.
Julianna got off the bed and headed toward the door. She saw all the guys in the engine and saw their faces. Captain Stanley stood by the door, pain and compassion on his face.
"Don't. Take me," she said, tears coming fast.
"Julianna, calm down," Mike said.
"I won't calm down. Take me to the scene. If you want to tell me my husband and his best friend died today, then you're going to have to take me to the scene because I won't believe it unless I see the body," she said, determination on her face.
"Juli, you don't want to do this," Chet said.
"Don't Chet. Don't anyone here baby me. I married Johnny and I know all about the risks but I will not believe he's dead unless I see for myself. Now, will you take me or do I drive myself," she said.
"Get in," Hank said.
Julianna climbed into the engine and took Chet's seat. He sat on the floor between the back and front, holding on to the bars. Julianna looked straight ahead as her brother drove the engine to the scene of the accident. Despite the odds against it, Chet hoped they were all wrong and Johnny and Roy weren't anyone near this place.
Mike parked the engine and saw the inferno before them. They heard the copter coming back from the rescue on the boat and exited the engine.
Chet helped Julianna down from the engine and he and Mike stood next to her as she saw the scene in front of her. She covered her face as the copter landed and kicked up a bit of sand from the parking lot.
The helicopter doors opened and two paramedics exited the copter, a patient on the stretcher. Julianna turned back to the crash site and saw two firemen carrying a body covered in a sheet. Two more followed behind with another body.
"You don't have to do this, Juju," Mike said, his hand on her shoulder.
She grabbed Chet and Mike's hands and peered at the two bodies on the stretchers. She sucked in a breath and let it out. She looked up before Mike noticed her eyes filling with tears and she went limp. Chet caught her and Marco and Hank grabbed a stokes and placed Julianna in it. Mike checked her pulse and decided it much be shock. The bodies on the stretcher had been badly burned. He wasn't sure if one of them was his brother-in-law, but judging by Julianna's reaction, he knew it was true.