I'll See You When the Smoke Clears

The Delirium Threemen

July 2010

Don't own the copyright to any of the characters depicted in Emergency they are the property of Universal Studios/Mark VII Productions. Content from the show is the property of the original creators. No copyright infringement intended.

All original characters and story content is the sole property of The Delirium Threemen and may not be used without permission.

Author's Notes:

This is pretty much a Roy and Joanne FF story which is written around the Season 1 episode Brush Fire. I am using creative license in terms of Chris's age. Many writers depict him as a few years older; however, I am choosing to write him at a much younger age. There is a reference in the Season 4 episode Surprise that mentions Roy and Joanne having been married for only 7 years which would make it feasible to write Chris at such a young age but there is also a Season 1 reference that makes it feasible to write him at an older age as well. There are many examples during the run of the show where the "facts" were often inconsistent and conflicting.

There is a little interaction with the Station 51 crew in this story. My general impression from Season 1 was that it lacked the type of cohesiveness or camaraderie between the crew members that was much more apparent with the addition of Captain Stanley in Season 2. Even in terms of Johnny and Roy's relationship, I didn't perceive them as 'best friends' until sometime near the end Season 2. The station was new (pilot episode) so it would make sense that all of the gang was in the process of getting to know one another.

Any dialog in future chapters used from the episode Brush Fire will be in bold formatting. No copyright infringement intended.

Italic formatting is used to indicate thoughts of the characters.

Chapter 1

"Joanne," Roy bellowed from the bedroom into the hallway, "Where did you put my work socks?"

"I already put them in your bag", Joanne hollered back from the kitchen entrance with their 2 1/2-year-old son Christopher hanging from one of her hips.

Roy knew Joanne was probably muttering to herself that he should have packed his duffel bag for work last night. Instead he was hunting for the various items he needed for work. His excuse for not having his bag packed would have been that she had kept him busy from dawn to dusk with a list of chores to be done around the house over that last two days. Yeah I know, he reflected, that's a lousy excuse and in a way I'm trying to blame Joanne for my bag not being packed last night…yeah I'm still sore at her over how icy she was with me last night.

He began to play back in his mind how his day went yesterday as he continued to get ready for work. For the most part he had grudgingly completed all of the tasks that she had asked of him. He had even given her some alone time while he took Christopher to the park and put him to bed later. He still couldn't figure out why she was cold as a block of ice towards him last night and this morning her attitude towards him hadn't thawed out. It had been a scorching day and he had spent most of it doing work around the yard.


It was bad enough yesterday when I came home exhausted and you still wanted the flowers bought for the garden. I was ready to drop after taking the dumb dog to the vet and you still wanted me to go get those danged flowers…and then the second trip because I was missing a stupid color. Really Joanne, do people really care if you have all the colors of the rainbow in your front garden.

Roy had finally finished planting the flowers, at least he though he was finished until Joanne complained that the colors were too 'clumped' together. He reluctantly began rearranging the flowers in the garden for Joanne. Considering her current mood he would never hear the end of it if he didn't. Yes dear, I'll rearrange the flowers to your liking…plus every chance I get I'll be leaving the toilet seat up…maybe if luck shines down on me and you'll get stuck in the toilet bowl.

By the time he had finished re-planting the front gardens twice, mowed the lawn and did the trim he was pretty much bushed from both the heat and yard work. He was also slightly sun burnt on his face and torso. Great now I resemble a cherry tomato...but hey my little Queen of Hearts has all the red flowers she wants in her garden...and they are color coordinated to her liking…good thing or it would be 'off with my head'. Yeah, sometimes I amaze myself when I get it right the second time.

When he walked into the kitchen Joanne reminded him that her station wagon still needed an oil change. Yeah, I know she chases the kid around all day…does most of the house work…but that doesn't give her the right to treat me like her personal slave. He left the house shortly afterwards and drove her vehicle to his Dad's garage. He spent a little time shooting the breeze with his Dad and Larry Whitely before he left the shop to return home.

He had managed to take a quick shower before supper to wash the day's grime off of his body before slipping into in the living room to spend a little time with their son while Joanne prepared supper. Maybe by keeping Chris out of her hair her mood would improve. He managed to keep his son entertained until Joanne announced that supper was ready. He thought he'd share the good news he had heard about their friends Kenny and Geri. What's with the fake smile and silent treatment over Kenny and Geri's good news? Joanne remained somewhat silent and seemed to grow more agitated as they continued their meal.

After supper he had taken Chris to the park for a couple of hours to play to give Joanne a little time to mellow out. Perhaps she just needs some time to herself. He was hoping to wear out the active 2 1/2-year-old so he would be in bed and sleeping early enough for him to have some of his own 'alone' time with Joanne.

Chasing his rambunctious son around the park only wore him out even more. However, he wasn't worn out to the point where he couldn't manage to get affectionate with his wife after their child was 'down for the count' that night. He was optimistic that Joanne's dark disposition would lighten up by giving her some time to herself. Perhaps doing a few nice things for her will warm her up. Roy had bathed Chris and put him to bed in hopes of currying some good favor with his wife. After reading him a story and tucking him in for the night he headed towards the living room to join Joanne.

Joanne was already engrossed in watching a fluffy romantic TV movie when he joined her on the couch. Usually when she watches that junk it puts her in the right mood…let's see a few kisses placed in just the right spot outta do the trick. He wrapped his arms around her and started to lightly nibble on her neck. The little grove at the base of her neck just located above her collar bone was one of her 'sensitive' spots. Oh yeah…her start button is right here. He continued kissing and nipping around the hallow of her neck

Her response to his affection was to extricate herself from his embrace and positioned herself further down on the couch. He was very surprised and somewhat hurt by her response to his overtures. "Roy, do you mind, after having a kid hanging off of me all day…I really don't even feel like being touched right now", she said as he noted the annoyance in her voice. She was too engrossed in her show to see the wounded and frustrated glare he threw her way as she continued watching the television.

A good kick in the butt would have felt so much nicer…what on earth is with her…I mean she complains I don't give her enough affection and then when I give her some she turns around and acts like I have the plague. Roy's romantic mood had instantly curdled as he got up and headed towards their bedroom. She had definitely succeeded in letting the air out of his tires. She makes her mother look like Little Miss Sunshine...nothing I did was good enough…I sure wasn't expecting to get shot down like that though.

He roughly pulled the covers down on the bed before he began undressing. If only Marco cooked last shift…all that spicy Mexican cooking…not to mention the nasty gas it produces. It would have be worth my effort to stay awake just to let one rip after she comes to bed…oh yeah…one manly DeSoto 'Dutch oven' for the little woman in my life…she definitely better watch herself the next time Marco cooks. He continued to rant silently to himself as he stripped down to his boxers and climbed into bed. Geeesssshh, I would have even settled just for some cuddling if she wasn't in the mood. But Oooohhh…Noooooo she doesn't even want me touching her. Now the little Ice Princess finds me repulsive except…EXCEPT…when it comes to yard work, lifting heavy things and killing bugs.


He went to bed last night just before 9:30 pm. He had barely remembered his head hitting the pillow before the alarm woke him up this morning. He looked over and saw that Joanne was on the other side of the bed with her back to him. Good thing I was asleep when you came finally came to bed my little Ice Queen…you probably would have made me sleep on the floor or the couch. I just couldn't do anything right for you the last two days. Everything I did was wrong. He stared angrily at her as she slept before finally getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom to shower and shave before breakfast.

Roy walked into the kitchen as Joanne was finishing frying his eggs for breakfast. Christopher was already seated in his booster seat at the table. Roy ruffled the baby fine reddish-blonde hair of his son before he sat down beside him at the table where he was greeted by the cheerful sing-song voice of his son "Hi Da-dee". He took a sip of the coffee in front of him before he began helping Christopher with his breakfast while Joanne finished making theirs. Their son seemed oblivious to the tension between his parents.

Joanne glowered at him as she roughly set his plate down in front of him. Normally, she sat down at the table with him but today she set her plate down on the counter and sat perched on a stool like a vulture ready to pick his bones some more. She stabbed at her own breakfast while she kept a narrow-eyed gaze upon him. He wished he knew what he had done to set her off. He felt his appetite leave him as he turned away from her gaze. The food in front of him had suddenly gone tasteless but he had managed to eat most of it before getting up from the table. He grabbed the damp face cloth that Joanne had set on the table and gently wiped off Chris's face and hands.

Shoe laces, where are the shoe laces I just bought? If I ask her she'll just have one more reason to continue to be mad at me…Where are they? Well here goes nothing; I can't get into any more trouble than I am already in. "Joanne where did my packages of shoe laces go?" he hollered from the living room.

Joanne couldn't hide the irritability in her voice as she shouted back, "I've already put them in your bag. Maybe you should tell Johnny to buy his own shoe laces instead of being his own personal shoe lace vending machine". She continued on with her nattering, "It's not like we can afford supplying your partner all the time with shoe laces and socks…".

Roy ignored the rest of her statement. He sometimes wished she was still working. She had quit her secretarial job at a local accounting firm just before Chris was born. They had managed to quickly save up the money they needed for the down payment for this house within a few short years after they had gotten married. They certainly weren't in any financial troubles but he knew she missed some of the luxuries that her job entitled her to such as buying more fashionable clothes, weekly trips to the beauty parlor to get her hair and nails done. Maybe if she got out of the house more often she would be less critical over every little thing I did wrong…imagined or real.

He went to the hall closet and pulled out the garment bag containing his clean uniforms and set them down on the chair in the living room that was near the front door. He had everything he needed for work near the front door. He walked back into the kitchen and noticed Joanne was busy finishing up the dishes. He poured himself another cup of coffee and was intent on spending his final few moments at home with his son. I can ignore you too, dear. He helped Christopher out of his chair and brought him into the living room.

Roy pulled out his son's collection of various fire trucks and began playing their "Daddy's Going to Work" game. Today, they were rescuing George Jetson who had managed to get himself trapped on the rooftop of Spacely's Space Sprockets. After their rescue scene had played out and George Jetson was now safe he gave Chris a hug and a kiss goodbye before getting up to heading to the kitchen to let Joanne know he was leaving for work.

He strode into the kitchen to say good bye to Joanne, unfortunately Christopher was now wailing about his 'Da-dee' going bye-bye and trailing close behind him. Roy couldn't help but feel a wave of frustration crash over him as Chris chose this morning to begin pitching a fit over him heading out to work. Most days he was fine as long as they played their game with the fire trucks before he left. He picked up the crying boy and handed him over to Joanne. Now Chris wanted to play the "What Daddy Did at Work" game which they normally played when he came home from work.

He gave Joanne a 'sorry shrug' before attempting to lean in with goodbye kiss; she stepped back from him at the last moment leaving him to kiss thin air. The crying boy in her arms gave her another reason to blast him with another dose of her anger. "Thanks for getting Chris all worked up before leaving…but hey…that's okay…you go have nice quiet day at work…maybe in a couple of hours Chris will wear himself out crying", she huffed as she followed Roy to the front door with their crying son latched onto her hip.

Yep, she's on a roll today. How many more pot shots can she get in before I leave this morning?Roy continued on with his silent tirade of internal anger as he picked up the garment bag containing his uniforms before slinging his duffle bag over his shoulder.I'm soooo glad to be heading into work…maybe if I'm get lucky they'll need me to pull a double shift. Can't get her mad if I'm not home…wait a minute…she'll be pissy because I'm not home. Looks like I'm screwed either way.

Roy could feel his own frustration and anger begin to take possession over his self. I guess this is 'the period before your period' you're going through. Maybe if I'm lucky you'll have the locks changed while I'm gone… Fergie won't mind if I sleep in his nice little doghouse you MADE me build for him…not that he uses it…ooohhh noooo, he prefers to sleep by the back door…or under our bed and what a mood killer that is.

After dumping his items in the front trunk of his beige sports car he looked over at Joanne who stood at the front door with a wailing kid in her arms. Yep, let's put on a nice little show of domestic bliss in front of the neighbors. Nice touch with Chris screeching like a banshee.

He couldn't resist his own nasty goodbye to his wife. In a voice dripped with fury coated in a layer of sarcasm and sprinkled with a fake cheerful tone he said with a pasted-on smile, "Who knows honey, maybe you'll get lucky and I'll be buried at the bottom of a building collapse. I'm sure the handsome stud you were drooling over on TV last night will make the perfect second husband for you". I can be nasty too, Joanne.

He opened the car door angrily and plopped down into the seat; he deliberately avoided turning around to look at his wife. He started the car and backed out of the driveway before heading down their little side street to the main highway which led to the station. He had intended for the mean and hurtful remark to hit her where it hurt. Several minutes had passed before his anger started to dissipate he was beginning to feel the guilt starting to eat away at his stomach. He realized that the last two days of her nitpicking and nagging was no excuse for the hurtful words he had just said to her.

I'm dumb…I'm so dumb…and blind…why couldn't I see there's something else going on with her…I just assumed it was just her period coming…what an insensitive jerk I was to her…all I could think of last night was getting it on…MAN what a selfish idiot I am. A cascade of self-loathing washed over him; he would give them both some time to cool down before calling her from work later on in the day to apologize for being so hurtful towards her as she stood on the front porch with their crying son in her arms.


Had he looked back her way before he would have seen the tears streaking down her face; Joanne knew he would have jumped out of the car and wrapped his arms around her had he known how his 'slap in the face' crack affected her. A part of her realized she had pushed all of his buttons over the last two days while he was home. It was very rare that he ever said anything to her that was downright mean or anger-ridden. She could only recall the very rare occasion where he had verbally lashed out at her. He tended to harbor things inside of himself and every once in a while he would explode like a shaken bottle of pop when its cap was popped open.

She walked back into the house with Christopher who was now down to a hiccupping, sniffled cry. She knew it would be a matter of a few moments before his little temper tantrum ended. She believed Roy was probably feeling guilty over his comment before he had rounded the corner of their street. She put Chris down after she had wiped his face and runny nose. He headed right towards his toy fire engines and began playing quietly; the reason for his temper tantrum apparently forgotten.

She wished she could have a few minutes alone to cry her eyes out over how she had berated her husband over the last two days. It's bad enough he risks his life at work…then he comes home and has to face an overly demanding and bitchy wife. He probably thinks Fergie's collar and leash is REALLY for him…and how could I blame him for thinking that...after the way I treated him over the last couple of days. Joanne began to feel a heaviness weigh down on her heart.