Chapter 2
When he returned the next shift Roy was still at Rampart. He'd not bounced back from his concussion as well as the doctors wanted him so he was held there for a few more days. Johnny then was given the snickering report he'd be paired with Brice for the duration.
Craig Brice, the walking rule book. Heaven knows he'd heard about the man from Roy. Over and over and over. He could hear the resigned sighs from his crew mates and noted the quick flash of hurt over the substitute. Hmmm.
"Gentlemen," Brice said by way of coming in.
"Good morning!" Johnny said with his normal, sunny smile. "Glad to see you, Brice!" He did remember Roy's complaining about the impersonal way the substitute preferred to deal with each station he was assigned to. Brice looked surprised. Briefly.
"Hello," he said, "Gage."
"Would you like some coffee?" Johnny continued ignoring the stares. "Mike made it so it's drinkable. Then we can go check out the squad." Stunned, Brice could only nod and accept a cup of excellent coffee from his new partner.
The chatty man stood there and simply talked with him about spring training. Both Dodgers and Angels. The surprised man managed to talk about the latest roster as he loved baseball. The statistics alone were enough to appease his sense of order. Once the coffee was finished Gage rinsed their cups and they went out to roll call. Hank kept it brief, assigning dorms to Brice, latrine to Chet (as he'd earned it for, well, ever, after the previous shift) and meals fell to Gage.
First the paramedics went through morning routine. Brice began re-arranging the drug box to his specs when Johnny stopped him.
"I know there's the set-up suggested by the county," he gave a disarming, lopsided grin, "but when I've subbed at the other stations I find that it's best to leave their set-ups alone. Unless both of the paramedics are subs. Then we discuss the arrangements."
Brice thought about this. He'd always just arranged everything to his comfort. It gave him a sense of control in a situation where he had none. But Gage made sense and the set up of equipment was not governed by rules. Maybe he could live with it.
"Well, I always rearrange it for me, but if you'd explain your set-up, it'd help," he actually acquiesced. No one had ever taken time to explain their equipment to him.
So, for the next thirty minutes Gage walked Brice through the squad compartments. He even compromised by agreeing to lock the equipment up until they went to pull it out. They even discussed driving arrangements. Johnny figured Craig should drive and let him navigate as he knew the area better.
Brice was stunned! The man actually gave up control of the squad to a sub! He found himself agreeing to the arrangement as they locked up the compartments and slipped the key into the front of the squad.
The two split up as Gage went into the kitchen to get a grocery list together and Brice went into the dorms to clean and remake beds.
A long series of tones began playing while Johnny was planning dinner.
"Station 36, Station 51, pumper 82, factory fire. 6742 Garfield. Lamont Paint Company. Cross street, Jackson. Time out, 10:55."
"Station 51, KMG 365," Stanley accepted the run and handed a slip over to Brice. Gage checked the map and quickly climbed into the squad giving his partner directions. Brice easily found his way given Gage's directions.
The factory wasn't fully involved when they arrived. The workers had already set up a triage area and the 36's were working with the injured. 51's paramedics were directed to do search and rescue.
As a team the two men entered the factory and began searching the office areas. A couple workers trying to save files were sent out post haste. When they went deeper into the building they began to have difficulty seeing through the smoke and kept together.
As they entered the storage area they found several firemen spraying water on flame and paint cans. Hot paint had a bad habit of exploding. They skirted around and looked for workers.
"GAGE!" Brice yelled and pointed. There were two men down and a third trying to pull them out. As a team they moved in, picked up the fallen, and with the mobile worker leading them headed out to triage.
The 36's were ready and took the two wounded in stride. "The Cap said there might be one more worker in the mixing room." Harris said. Tapping Brice on his shoulder the two men re-entered the factory. As they worked their way back the heat grew more intense. Water rained down as the fire crew battled the flames. They were near the very back of the factory where the fire was out of control when the HT squawked.
"51, all are accounted for! Get out of there!" Hank recalled his men. They turned and wasted no time in leaving as the paint cans began to explode. Somehow they made it out to the lot, but both were splashed with white and yellow paint. The hose crew flushed them down to make sure they had no hot spots as they ran out.
"Whoo hoo!" Johnny called out as he pulled his mask off. "That was closer than I like!"
"Me, too!" Craig jerked his mask off. "Way too close!" They continued to laugh off the adrenaline high as they pulled off their equipment and checked each other for any burns or injuries.
"You two clowns ok?" Hank asked as he looked over his paramedics.
"Yeah, think so," Gage answered. "At least Brice looks fine."
"Gage has a burn on his neck where some paint splashed," Brice said. "But it's small and looks to be blistered. We can let the doctors check him out if you want."
"Why don't you ride in with one of the ambulances?" Cap suggested. "Brice can follow and bring you back if you're cleared."
"Ca-ap!" Johnny protested.
"Ok, Cap, I'll make sure he's checked out," Brice agreed quickly. He pushed his partner towards triage. Hank was impressed. This was the first time Brice had covered for anyone. Maybe Gage was good for him.
Brackett was thorough. He looked over the paramedic's burns on his neck and cleaned them. A light gauze bandage was applied. Then he checked out Brice.
"Hey, I'm gonna go check on Roy," Johnny said.
"But we need to be on call," Brice stated.
"Ten minutes!" Johnny called over his shoulder as he headed for the door and down to the elevator. Brice stewed as Brackett checked him out.
"Calm down," Kel suggested. "It's only normal he'd want to check on his partner."
"But it's against regs!" the twitching man complained.
"It's ok," the doctor replied. "I expect it."
"But..." Brice began again only to have the doctor cut him off.
"It's only ten minutes," Brackett said. "Go get your supplies replenished."
Grumbling, Brice took his list to Dixie and proceeded to get the few supplies they needed. As he was signing the paperwork Johnny was there. He picked up the supplies, said thanks to Dixie and headed out to the squad, disgruntled sub in tow.
"We aren't suppose to waste any time at Rampart," he grumbled once more.
"And we didn't," Johnny said patiently. "I just ran up, said 'hi' and came back. Roy hates to be up there alone so I make sure to stop in every time we have a run. Unless we're called, of course."
"Don't make it a habit," Brice grumbled. "I'd have to make a report." Gage looked over at the stubborn paramedic. He really didn't have a clue about having a partner. Johnny wondered if he'd ever formed a bond with another person.
After months and months, (*Ok, years*) of therapy he'd realized he'd never learned how to bond with other people. Roy had been the first person he'd every felt comfortable with. Then his family. It was a warm, enveloping feeling that helped him during bad times. Cap was the next person he opened up to and gained another family. Once you started bonding it became addictive.
But this uptight, rules-driven man next to him didn't understand how friendship changed things. And some rules were there for the excessive cases. Ten minutes here and there wasn't hurting anyone and he was on call the whole time. If he was toned out he'd be there.
This was one point Johnny wouldn't give up. Driving, negotiating drug boxes, being the friendly people-person on calls, those were things he was willing to do. He would not give up caring for his friends.
"I guess you'd better get those forms ready," Johnny smiled his most friendly, disarming smile as he climbed into the squad.
Brice was in a quandary. He'd formally told Gage he'd broken a rule. He'd given him a warning. But the paramedic blew him off. He decided to mention it to Captain Stanley when they got back to the station.
After a quick stop at the market for groceries, the squad backed into the apparatus bay. Johnny took his sack of food and disappeared into the kitchen. Brice searched out the Captain and lodged his complaint.
He was blown off again! Stanley had the audacity to repeat what Brackett had said, then said he didn't have a problem with his men checking up on one another. He even intimated he'd gone over with the ENGINE on occasion to see how one of his men were.
Brice absolutely was beside himself. He'd have to go over the station captain's head and report the violation directly to Chief McConnike's office. He decided he'd log violations for the shift then if they were repeated he'd send it in.
So for the remainder of the 48 the by-the-book paramedic logged each and every violation Gage made. And he made quite a few! Every time they ended up at Rampart he stopped by to see his partner. Four times! Plus the original visit. He wasted almost 50 minutes! He carefully documented each violation on the proper forms and put them in the mail after his shift.
Johnny drove Roy home after he got off shift. The senior paramedic was more than ready to get out of that hospital room. Joanne celebrated by fixing them a big breakfast.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Jenny bounced out the door to her father. He gave her a careful hug.
"Uncle Johnny!" she shrieked and launched herself at the younger man. He responded by spinning her around and flipping her up on his shoulders. Her laughter warmed Roy's heart. He pulled Joanne to his good side for a longer kiss. Mmmm, maybe Uncle Johnny could entertain his niece for a bit.
They happily ploughed through breakfast. Pancakes, eggs and sausage. Slice fruit. Johnny was in heaven. So much so he was more than happy to take Jenny down to the park to play for a few hours. And when they returned he said nothing about the mussed up hair and relaxed smile on his partner's face.
Although he did give him a knowing grin.
Two days of relaxation followed and then Gage returned to the 51s to partner up with Brice once more. This was another 48 and they worked together to check out the squad. Once more the equipment was left where it was and once more Gage deferred to Brice regarding driving the squad. They were assigned to hoses and spent a sweaty hour getting everything squared away.
Next on tap was Captain Stanley's discussion of the paint factory fire. Although Johnny and Brice hadn't handled the hoses, they were included in the discussion to better fight a paint blaze. The main problem was the explosive nature of the product and the need to cool it quickly.
"Excuse me, Captain Stanley?" an authoritative voice called from the doorway. The men all turned and found themselves scrambling to their feet.
"Chief McConnike!" Stanley was somewhat surprised. He knew he was up for inspection, but the head of the County rarely came out for one.
"I need to speak with," he referred to his clip board. "Paramedic John Gage." All eyes swiveled to the young man. Brice bit back a smirk; his complaint had been heard and recognized as a flagrant violation! The other four men were surprised. What could have possibly happened to cause the Chief to come out?
"Sir," Johnny inclined his head respectfully.
"May we use your office, captain?" McConnike asked formally. Of course Hank agreed and showed them into his space. He was not asked to stay and was told to close the door on the way out.
Gage stood at attention waiting for the ax to fall. McConnike reviewed his notes then glanced up surprised to see the man still standing.
"At ease, Gage," he said. "Sit down." The lanky paramedic sank into the stiff wooden chair and waited.
"It seems you were wasting time at Rampart General Hospital last shift," the chief commented. "50 minutes."
"I visited my partner on five occasions over the previous 48," Gage said.
"Any reason in particular?" McConnike pushed. Johnny carefully thought about his answer.
"Roy had been hurt the previous shift. I know he was worried about me with a substitute partner," he said. "It helped him to know I was ok. It helped me to know he was doing better."
"But 50 minutes?" the chief pressed.
"Stretched out over a 48," Johnny explained. "I finished my run, took the HT and went upstairs to see him. I was on call the entire time. You know exactly how it is, sir. We are closer than partners; we're family. We watch out for one another day in and day out. It feels... strange not having Roy next to me in the squad." McConnike raised an eyebrow.
"Are you saying Paramedic Brice is not ready for his job?" he asked.
"No," Johnny responded quickly. "Brice is a fine paramedic. He's just not my partner. Roy and I have been together nearly 3 years now. We're used to each other." McConnike considered the response.
"Paramedic Brice is relatively new. He's been partnered with several other paramedics, including your own partner, Desoto," he commented. "There seems to be some.... difficulties with him."
"Sir, I don't think any substitute fits in perfectly," Johnny actually defended Brice. "It's not easy coming into a team, especially as close as we work together. I know I appreciate the people the county assigns to us. It can difficult. But that doesn't mean they are incompetent."
"But paramedic Brice seems to have a reputation," the chief commented.
"He is very rules-oriented," Gage allowed. "And well he should be as the outsider. He needs some consistency." McConnike looked at the paramedic.
"You are the first person to understand him," he said.
"I understand not fitting in," Johnny admitted. "I know you have my file. You know I've been in counseling for over two years."
"Yes, I know that," he admitted. "But you do well at your station and as a substitute."
"That's because I have a solid base," Johnny asserted. "No matter where I sub I still come home. Brice doesn't have that. He's still looking for a partner."
"Do you think he's a good paramedic?" the chief asked, almost casually. Johnny took a while to answer.
"Yes, he is a good paramedic," he said. "He is extremely organized. He knows procedures. He follows orders exactly as they're given. He... just needs a base. A partner. A crew. Then he'll fit in anywhere he subs."
McConnike took this information in and aligned it with his notes. It all fit. So he left that and returned to the complaint.
"And the 50 minutes you 'wasted' at Rampart?" he switched gears quickly.
"We are human," Johnny stated. "We are concerned about our partners, our brothers. The rules are there for those who abuse them. Ten minutes here or there is not a violation. It is reaffirming ties. I need to know my partner is ok. He needs to know I am ok. Even Cap and our crew needs to know we're all safe. It's a completely normal reaction."
McConnike reviewed his notes. He completely agreed with this paramedic. He knew the concern that was there. He knew exactly how close this team was. He, and the governing board, had no problem with these quick check-ins at the various hospitals. The rules needed to be adjusted to recognize the ties of the firefighters' family. And Brice needed to find a team to belong to. He did not want to lose a valuable man simply because he did not fit in as yet.
"You make a very valid point, Gage," McConnike said. "I believe that the rules need to be adjusted to accommodate visits to hospital bound firemen. Also, if you could help Brice find a team to belong to, that would be even better. I'd hate to lose a man as good as he seems to be." Johnny looked up at the chief.
"I will take that in to consideration," he said. "I'd hate to lose him, too. He just needs to fit in. Just like I did," he added.
"Then I will send out an addendum to the rules," McConnike decided. "To clarify hospital time. I agree, you and all personnel should be able to see their partners and team mates for brief periods. I am sure the board will agree and set reasonable time limits."
"I know Roy and I will appreciate that!" Johnny said. He waited until the chief wrote several notes on his clipboard. He then looked up at the paramedic.
"What's for lunch?" he asked with a smile. "I think I'd like to buy in."
"Well, Mike is the cook on shift," Johnny considered. "I think it's sandwiches, soup and coleslaw. He does a great coleslaw."
"Perfect! I'm hungry!" McConnike asserted as he stood up. He followed the paramedic out of the office back into the kitchen area.
Mike made ham sandwiches with chicken soup. He was a bit nervous but the chief seemed to like his cooking. All the men ate in polite quiet, very few comments made. Johnny seemed to be the happiest with the situation and carried a light conversation about the fireworks at Disneyland versus the show at Angel Stadium. The chief seemed to be happy with the station.
"I think I can safely write off the station, Captain Stanley," McConnike said as he was getting ready to leave. "Everything is in order." He knew every man was listening as he added, "and there will be some changes to the rules governing runs by the various hospitals," he added. "I think that a partner or a crew member should be able to visit his or her partner briefly, ten to fifteen minutes, when they bring in a patient. Let's face it, men," he smiled, "these people are our family! We all need to assure ourselves they're healing." With that, McConnike went out to his car and left.
To say he was stunned was an understatement. Brice looked at Gage wondering just what had been discussed. But he didn't have the nerve to ask. Before Chet could pursue his pigeon for information, Cap spoke up.
"Gage, my office," he ordered. "Marco, Chet, clean up. And Kelly? Don't listen at my door!"
The office door was closed nearly half an hour. Then it only opened because the squad was toned out on run.
"Squad 51, child down, 596 Lincoln Boulevard, time out 14:30," dispatched relayed.
"Squad 51, KMG 365," Stocker took the call then handed the slip over to Brice. The paramedics did not talk, except for given directions. Soon they pulled up in front of a two-story home with perfectly edged shrubs and carefully spaced flowers. If Brice had noted this, he would have been impressed by the organization and management. If Gage had noted this, he would have been bothered by the sterile surroundings.
As it was both men grabbed their equipment and went up to the front door. After knocking a woman answered the door. She was as beautiful as a movie star with perfect makeup and not a hair out of place.
"I'm glad you here!" she exclaimed. "It's Robert, he didn't wake up from his nap." She led them through the house and up the stairs. Gage now saw that it looked like a model home, no dust, no clutter and the furniture was covered in plastic. On the second floor he noted everything was perfectly neat. Then they went into one of the bedrooms.
It was designed for a child complete with a low table, chair and toy box. There were cute animal designs stenciled on the walls. Once more, everything was organized and neat. No toy dared to be out of place. On the bed, which was the only thing he'd seen so far that was not straight, lie a child of perhaps six. He was sweaty and struggling to breath.
"I couldn't wake him," the woman fretted. "He was a little tired this morning, and didn't want to play with his things. He hasn't napped since he was three!"
"Ma'am, I'm John Gage and this is my partner, Craig Brice," the paramedic began.
"I'm Judith Spencer," she said. My husband is out of town at a convention." She watched as the other paramedic began to assess and take vitals.
"How long has Robert seemed ill?" Gage continued.
"Well, the past few days, I suppose," she said. "He's been very irritable and somewhat clumsy. He's tripped several times."
"Ok, we're going to call Rampart Emergency and speak with a doctor about Robert," Johnny said in his most soothing tones.
"Has he been pulling on his ear?" Brice suddenly asked.
"Now that you mention it, yes," Judith said. "His left ear. I looked at it but nothing seemed to be in there. He never sticks anything in his nose or ears."
Soon the biophone was hooked up and vitals written down. Gage succinctly relayed the information to Dr. Early. An IV was ordered as well as immediate transport. Brice rode in with the child, the mom rode in the front seat of the ambulance.
It didn't take Joe Early long to find the severe ear infection. He put the child on a cooling blanket because he was running just over a 105• temperature. Antibiotics were put on board as well as analgesics for the fever. When Brice finally came out of the exam room he looked for his partner. But Gage was not at the nurse's station nor in the lounge.
"Looking for Johnny?" Dixie asked. Receiving a nod she continued. "Dr. Bracket needed to speak with him. He said to have you wait in the lounge. Why don't you grab some coffee?" With a terse nod the paramedic went and waited.
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