"A First Time for Everything"
By Ross7
Chapter One
LA County Firefighter/Paramedic John Gage touched his right front tooth with his tongue and winced. No doubt about it! He was going to have to stop ripping wrappers open with his teeth. Especially the aluminum ones. Those really grated on him.
"Here, Gage...Let me take that," one of his fellow paramedics volunteered. "No sense in tying up two squads."
John flashed one half of 36's paramedic team a grateful grin and gladly handed him his patient's IV. "Thanks, Dwyer!"
"No problem, Big John!" Dwyer assured him. The paramedic passed the clear, plastic sack into his left hand, leaving his right free to pull his 6'1", kneeling associate stiffly to his feet. "Like I said…Why put both squads out of service?"
Gage gave his helper's hand a slight shake, before releasing it to brush the broken glass, and other bits of debris, from the knees of his navy-blue slacks.
John snatched his helmet up from the pavement before straightening.
Once completely vertical again, he allowed himself to take a long look around.
Multiple Vehicle Accident was such an antiseptic way to describe the carnage that had just taken place on this particular piece of California real estate.
All three lanes of highway were covered with car parts. There were pieces of automobiles everywhere!
Three of the four vehicles involved had been wrecked beyond recognition.
It was no wonder that their contents had been so badly mangled.
It was nothing short of a miracle that they had encountered only one fatality.
"Thank God for seat-belts," he muttered to himself and quickly turned his back on the gruesome scene. A bit too quickly, he realized as he collided head-on into a television news crew cameraman. 'Talk about your close-ups,' the un-amused fireman mused. Gage shot the guy who was shooting him an annoyed glare and shoved the lens out of his face. The paramedic caught sight of his partner.
Roy DeSoto was busy packing up their truck.
However, John could tell, by the look on his friend's face, that Roy had witnessed his close encounter of the cameraman kind.
"Sorry..." the young newsman said, lowering the camera and extending his hand. "Pete Mitchell. KXLA," he introduced.
The paramedic hesitated, briefly, before finally accepting the cameraman's proffered palm. "John Gage. LACFD," he countered and watched his partner's suppressed smile broaden into a grin.
"Man! That was amazing!" the young man continued and kept a firm grip on the paramedic's crushed appendage.
John jerked his hurting hand back and he and his partner exchanged confused glances. "What was amazing?" Gage finally came right out and asked.
"Watching the two of you work!" the kid with the camera came back. "That was totally awesome! Man, that was the slickest thing I've ever seen! You two are goo-ood! Really good!"
The paramedic pair exchanged confused glances again.
"It was a team effort," Roy reminded their 'admirer'. "There were twelve of us out there. And that's not counting the CHP Officers, or the ambulance attendants."
"I know, I know," Pete assured him, "but watching the two of you operate...the way you anticipated each others every move. It was just like watching a well-choreographed ballet. It was...well...beautiful to behold! And, I got it all on film!" he added, sounding about as proud as somebody who'd just bagged a big trophy on safari. The photographer flashed both firemen a broad smile and gave his trusty camera a few affectionate taps.
The now astonished pair turned to stare at each other again.
Gage shot DeSoto an 'Is this guy for rea-eal?' look.
Roy shrugged and headed off to retrieve some more of their equipment. "Hey, Baryshnikov!" he called back over his shoulder. "You wanna give me a hand here!" he ordered more than asked.
His previously inert partner immediately sprang into action. John tossed his helmet into their truck's cab and then began retrieving equipment cases.
"What did you just call me?" Gage nervously inquired when he caught up with DeSoto back at their Squad.
Roy noticed that the kid had raised his heavy camera back up to shoulder level, and was once again documenting their every action. "I'll explain later," he tersely replied—er, promised.
His culturally challenged companion was about to complain, but then he caught sight of the rolling camera, as well, and allowed the subject to be dropped…for now.
The two rescue men silently finished stowing their gear. They quietly closed Squad 51's side compartments and then headed over to where Engine 51 was parked, to consult with their Captain.
Their 'fan club' followed along, filming all the while.
"You need us for anything, Cap?" Roy called out.
Captain Hank Stanley's focus of attention shifted from his engine company to his paramedic team.
There was a TV news camera aimed at them, and the two men were obviously unnerved by it.
'Shee-eesh! They look like a couple of deer caught in a car's headlights,' Hank mentally noted, and couldn't keep from smiling. "No. We're just about through here. The two of you can take off."
Gage and DeSoto shot their Commander-In-Chief looks of undying gratitude and turned to take their leave.
KXLA's cameraman stood his ground and blocked their getaway.
Stanley studied the situation for a moment or two. "Looks like we got us a standoff," he calmly stated and grinned outright.
The members of his engine crew paused in their overhaul operations to exchange amused glances.
"Must be a real slow news day," Chet Kelly concluded.
His comment was quickly followed by several snorts of suppressed laughter from his crewmates.
Gage and DeSoto were not amused.
When sidestepping failed to get them around the annoying obstacle, the two men split up.
The kid was unable to block them both, so Roy got by.
Pete decided to interrogate his camera's remaining hostage. "So-o, how long have the two of you been a team?"
John heaved a heavy sigh of surrender and set his hands on his hips. "For the past six years. Now, will yah let me leave in peace?"
"Six yea-ears?" the kid with the camera exclaimed. "Really?
Silence.
"You guys have been doing this for six years?"
Continued silence.
"Guess that explains why you're so good, huh. The two of you have had a long time to practice!"
Silence.
"Man! Six years! That's a lot of rescues! You've probably had some real interesting experiences along the way…"
More silence.
"No wonder the two of you were so cool and calm out there today! I'll bet nothing rattles you two anymore. You've probably seen it all by now!"
A woman's shouted voice shattered what would have been even further silence. "C'mon, Pete!"
The kid dropped the camera from his shoulder. "Sorry," he told the 'dynamic duo'. "Gotta go. Princess Melissa is finally ready to read her report." Pete paused, as all eyes turned in the princess' direction.
Her Highness was standing beside the KXLA News van, holding a clipboard.
"Melissa Graham. The producer's daughter. A real 'air-head'. The poor thing can't even remember her own name unless she's reading it from a script!" the cameraman went on to explain, with a grin. "Be seein' yah, fellahs!" Pete predicted. The kid flashed them all a final smile. Then he waved and was gone.
"Ah-ah, too bad, Gage!" Kelly taunted. "It looks like you guys just lost your groupie!"
Gage glanced back over his shoulder and gave the mustached man a 'Shut up, Chet!' glare.
Stanley and his engine crew swapped grins again.
The paramedics heaved heavy sighs of relief and then plodded peacefully off in the direction of their rescue squad.
TBC