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.

Actual dialog from the episode Brush Fire will be in bold formatting. Character thoughts will be in italic formatting. Some dialog from the show has been altered to resemble a newscast.

Chapter 4

Johnny and Roy finished dropping Winifred off to the staff at Rampart while her sister Emma headed towards the waiting area. They were about to head back out to the Command Post when Dixie came out of one of the treatment rooms with a young boy. She made a special point of introducing "Andy" to the two paramedics and explained how worried the boy was over his lost dog. They could tell by the way she looked at them with such deep precision along with exactness in the tone of her voice that she expected them to cooperate with her. Johnny and Roy knew by her mannerisms that she wasn't going to take 'No' for an answer. Dixie managed to elicit an agreement from the two paramedics to keep a look out for Andy's dog before they headed back to the fire.

Roy didn't have time to squeeze in a phone call to Joanne after they had been cornered by Dixie and her young patient. He began to reflect on the two sisters they had just dropped off at Rampart General Hospital. How do you end up hating someone you're supposed to love? Money…a run-down old house…do people really believe those things are more important than family? His thoughts began to drift towards how both he and Joanne had been acting lately. Is that who Jo and I resemble lately, those two bickering sisters? Is that the road we're starting on? When was the last time we sat down together and just talked? It's been a while since we just talked.

Is our marriage headed into the direction of Joanne's parents? The last thing he wanted was a marriage like Joanne's parents. There was that coldness and uncaring attitude between Norman and Eunice Johnson. The sniping repertoire between his in-laws bordered on meanness most of the time.

Good old Norman and Eunice…married for almost thirty years. Even Jo sees how her own parent's marriage has become one of tolerance. They put up with each other. I can't even imagine them ever being kind and loving towards each other. They NEVER touch each other…or look affectionately at each other. She shrieks at her grandchildren when they go to lay a hand on something. I don't think I've ever seen either one of them hug or kiss ANY of their grand kids. Even as babies she held them at arms length as if they smelled bad or something. I bet if Eunice ever smiled her face would crack…same with Norman.

There is that 'frostiness' between Jo's parents. Norman just sits there looking miserable most of the time he's home. Eunice bitches at him about everything…anything. The couch with those revolting plastic furniture covers…sterile and septic…heaven forbid you actually make physical contact and dirty the fabric of Eunice's couch. 'Furniture condoms' is what those repulsive things should be called. How can Norman stand that squeaky-farty sound they make when you move around on them? Of course that's my only source of amusement when we visit them; the 'noise' those plastic covers make. Separate bedrooms! They sleep in separate bedrooms! I have NO idea how Jo and her sister came into existence when they don't even share the same bed. Joanne denies she and her sister were adopted but I have my suspicions on that. I don't think Jo or I want that type of marriage. In fact I'm certain of that.

Roy's thoughts were interrupted when Johnny asked Roy if he wanted to switch over frequencies to listen to the update on the fire. They listened to the update as they continued en route back to the Command Post.

Joanne managed to catch the tail end of another news bulletin with an update on the fire as she poked her head into the living room to check up on Christopher. She had finished preparing a light supper for the two of them but waited for the news flash to finish.

"The area from Olema Street to Canyon Road was evacuated earlier this afternoon. The main front of the fire has now extended from Las Plumas down towards Rincon. So far 15 homes have been involved in the fire. The fire involves 500 acres at this point. To date a total of 42 injuries have been reported, no serious injuries among…"

Joanne breathed a sigh of relief knowing that nobody had been seriously hurt in the fire so far. She ushered Chris into the kitchen and helped him into his booster seat. She noticed that Chris had his small hand tightly wrapped around his toy "Fireman Da-Dee". He hasn't let go of his little fireman all day, it must be his way of keeping his dad 'safe'. She managed to coax him into setting the little figure beside his plate while he ate. Christopher immediately picked up the toy as soon as he was finished with his supper and held onto it for the rest of the evening. When Joanne had tucked her son into bed that night, he wouldn't release his hold on the little fireman.

Joanne sat down in the living room waiting for the next news bulletin updating the fire. She put Chris's toys back into the wooden toy box and tidied up the room as she stole glances at the TV, hoping for an update… something that would tell her that the brush fire would soon be brought under control. She began thinking about how she and Roy had been behaving towards each other lately. Joanne knew how wrong it was for taking her frustrations out on her husband.

I wish I could be more like Roy's mother. Harriett always seems to have it so together. Nothing ever gets her frustrated. Jim's pretty laid back himself. Whenever Christopher is around, he's the center of their attention. Jim and Christopher spend hours playing with his die-cast cars. Jim teaches him the names of the different cars and the years they were made. The way they smile and laugh whenever Chris shouts out the name of a toy car and it's year…the excited look in Chris's eyes whenever his Papa and Grandma are around. How they love to show off their grandson to their friends.

Their house is always so…so homey with the lace doilies adorning the furniture. Harriett was so worried about the straight pins holding them in place possibly harming her grandson. Christopher wasn't even a month old when she removed the pins and stitched the doilies onto the furniture to hold them in place. Then there's the box of toys tucked under the far end table for Chris or her friends' grandchildren to play with.

Even when Harriett and Jim have a disagreement it doesn't even come off as one…it's almost like they're teasing each other. Sometimes they remind me of when Roy and I were teenagers…stealing kisses when we thought nobody was looking. The way they look at each other like they're still head-over-heels in love. They still hold hands when they walk together. Every once in a while, I'll catch Jim patting Harriett's behind when he thinks nobody's looking.

I've been almost hostile towards Roy. I've been too consumed with not being pregnant and feeling worthless…and taking it out on him. We've both been snappy with each other lately. I don't even remember if we talked afterwards the last time we made love. We're going to have to change that…and soon.

Roy leaned against the hood of the squad in the parking lot of the Command Post and began to think of a plan to show Joanne he was sorry. I don't know…maybe I should bring her home some flowers…naw, bad idea…don't want to remind her of how I screwed up the garden…box of chocolates…that's not it either considering she's been complaining about carrying a few extra pounds…not sure where she's hiding those 'extra pounds' to be honest…must be a woman 'thing' to complain about extra pounds.

His thoughts were interrupted when Johnny returned with a cup of coffee for him. He knew Johnny was a little disappointed that they hadn't really seen much 'action' since they'd been called to the fire. Roy had to admit that he was also finding their role at the fire a little mundane. I suppose the good thing is we haven't had any serious injuries from the fire so far. Both men had come to the agreement that the last six hours had been 'rough'.

Roy barely managed a sip from the Styrofoam cup when they were called out over to Hildago Street for an injured fireman. This was the first call where they were going to meet up with their fellow shift-mates. They hadn't seen their Captain or the rest of the Engine crew since early afternoon when they were first called out to the brush fire. I hope it's not one of our guys…treating a fellow firefighter is hard, but it's even rougher when it's someone you work with.

Captain Hammer directed them to the back of the house when they arrived at the scene. John Conway from 75's had his leg caught in a fallen tree. They grabbed their equipment and headed in that direction, followed by Mike Stoker carrying a chain saw, along with another fireman to help bring their equipment. Johnny contacted Rampart on the biophone while Roy tended to Conway. Once Dr. Brackett was satisfied that the patient's condition wouldn't be compromised by a dose of morphine, he gave the go-ahead for a 10mg dose. Several minutes later Mike had cut away the tree and Conway was ready to be transferred to the waiting ambulance stretcher. Conway's rendition of the 'Wabash Cannonball' was a testament that the morphine was masking his pain. Roy rode into the ambulance with Conway while Johnny stayed behind and put the equipment away before taking the squad to the hospital.

Roy stood outside of Treatment Room 3 waiting for word on John Conway. He leaned against the wall. I sure hope Dr. Brackett can fix Conway's leg. It looked like it was in pretty bad shape back there at the fire. His thoughts were interrupted when Johnny finally arrived at the hospital. Johnny inquired about Conway's condition and Roy informed him that they were still working on him. They were both rudely interrupted by Emma Lenover.

"Haven't you got that fire out yet?" she snipped.

Johnny answered her back as politely as possible, "No ma'am, not yet."

"Well, what about my home? You didn't let it burn did you?" Emma asked indignantly.

Johnny answered her honestly. "We haven't been back in that area, so I really don't know."

"What about your sister?" Roy chimed in. He was astounded at how the older woman's inquiries irked him. What is so important about that damned house? There's a fellow fireman who may have permanent damage to his leg because he was out there trying to protect the lives and homes of others and all YOU can think about is your damn house.

"Well, nobody knows anything," Emma said in frustration before walking back to the waiting area just as Dr. Brackett and Dixie walked out of Treatment Room 3.

Johnny and Roy quickly followed Dr. Brackett and Dixie to the nursing station to inquire about the condition of Conway's leg. Both were relieved to find out that he wouldn't be suffering any permanent damage to his leg. They also appreciated Dr. Brackett's compliments over the treatment they gave Conway. Dixie brought up the matter of the missing dog just before Roy and Johnny left the hospital. They were about half way back to the Command Post when Johnny brought up the matter of the missing dog again.

"I clean forgot about that kid losin' his dog," Johnny said, feeling guilty about not keeping the promise they made to Andy earlier in the day.

Roy replied back, "We were kind of busy, remember?"

"Yeah, I know, but it would sure be nice if…" Johnny began before Roy interrupted him.

"Rule number one: never, repeat, never get emotionally involved with a victim."

"Okay. I was just gonna say it'd be nice—"

"If we could find the kid's dog. I—I know. In that?" Roy said abruptly, indicating the raging fire in the canyon below.

The expression on Johnny's face told Roy he had made his case about finding the boy's dog. It sounds cruel but if that dog is down there it's not likely he's alive unless he had the good sense to run away from the fire.

They continued the drive back to the Command Post in silence. He suspected Johnny's thoughts were still on the lost dog. Roy noticed it was getting close to 11:00 pm. Joanne is probably getting ready for bed. Christopher would have fallen asleep hours ago. He imagined Joanne in Chris's room pulling up his blanket and tucking it around him before leaning in and placing a light kiss on his son's forehead. Yes, that's probably what's she's doing right now.

Roy rinsed the eyes of the fireman leaning against the front bumper of the squad. He couldn't count the number of soot-encrusted eyes he had flushed out today. Johnny was at the side of the squad bandaging the hand of another fireman who was sitting on the running board. The most severely injured person so far had been John Conway. Two other firemen were currently at the hospital being treated for smoke inhalation.

Roy thought back to the Kitchen Creek fire in San Diego County that was ignited by downed power lines almost two years ago. I can't believe that it's been almost two years since that fire. The combination of the Santa Ana winds and thickets of bushes and small trees in the area fueled the fire, which devastated over a 30 mile radius in 24 hour time period. The Harbison Canyon and Crest communities were destroyed by that fire. Eight people had lost their lives, over three hundred homes reduced to rubble, not to mention the loss of wildlife. The Malibu-Chatsworth fire was also going on at the same time. I think that one started the day after the Kitchen Creek fire. There were many other fires breaking out because of the unusual weather conditions. Governor Reagan came out and thanked firefighters for saving his home. I remember he also declared a state of emergency in the fire zones throughout LA County at that time. That time had to be the worst fire season California's ever seen.

Both men had just finished up treating the two firemen and released them back to duty. They began discussing the fire over the hood of the squad. Roy had just mentioned to Johnny that with the winds having decreased the fire might be contained by morning.

"We're on recall. We'll be up here tomorrow too," Johnny reminded him.

Roy shrugged, "This is where it is happening."

"Sure is," Johnny agreed as both men glanced towards the three Battalion Chiefs who were working in front of the Command Post at the Fire Information Center. Out of nowhere a man in his pajamas and robe staggered into the parking lot before collapsing several feet away from the Fire Information Center. One of the Battalion Chiefs called them over to assist the man.

Johnny and Roy sprinted over towards the man and called for some assistance to move him. Once they had placed the man on the steps of the portable Command Post, Roy determined the man may have a concussion due to the contusions he observed on his head. The man began to come to and started babbling about a stampede. It was apparent that to both Johnny and Roy that the man was disoriented. Roy couldn't help but notice the look of amazement that danced across Johnny's face when the man mentioned he was caught in the middle of a small horse stampede. I just bet a stampede of horses running free is something you'd love to witness, Junior. Hopefully you wouldn't get yourself trampled like this fellow here did.

"The fire that started earlier today in Las Plumas Canyon has just reached the front of Cabo Canyon. So far 2,500 acres have been lost, 30 structures and 55 injuries. Three of those injuries involve firemen. One is listed is stable condition while the other two injured fireman are suffering from smoke inhalation. Winds have decreased so they are fairly confident that this fire may be contained sometime tomorrow morning."

Maybe I'll see Roy within the next couple of days. Joanne breathed a sigh of relief over the news update. This isn't like the Canyon Inn fire he was called out on when we were first married. It was five or six days before they had that one contained if I recall correctly. I got a real good first taste of what it was like to fret over his well-being. That morning when he left for work we shared a kiss that seemed to go on forever. Joanne could feel the heat of a blush slowly ebb over her like a slow gentle tide over the memory of that particular goodbye.

The Canyon Inn fire was certainly one fire most of Los Angeles wasn't going to forget. It had burned along both sides of Highway 39 and spread rapidly along the eastern side of the San Gabriel Canyon. The headlines in the Independent Star read "FOOTHILLS ABLAZE." A work crew of seven teenage boys from a juvenile detention facility and their leader, a 10 year veteran with the Fire Department, perished in that fire when they were caught in a violent flare-up while working the wall of a steep ravine. Roy had mentioned that those types of flare-ups were occurring throughout the day along the ravines in that area.

Joanne turned off the TV and went to check on Christopher who lay sleeping peacefully in his bed. You held onto your "Fireman Daddy" all day. Joanne pulled a light blanket around him and tucked it in. "Daddy will be home as soon as the fire is over," she whispered to him as she placed a kiss on his forehead. She quietly left the room leaving the door open a crack. She made sure the front and back doors were locked before turning out all of the lights in the living room and the kitchen. She slowly made her way down the hallway to the master bedroom. Thankfully this fire is turning out to be a much smaller and less devastating fire. So far nobody has lost their life today.

Author's Notes:

The Laguna fire (AKA the Kitchen Creek fire) was ignited on September 26, 1970 by downed power lines. The Laguna fire burned 175,000 acres and 382 homes killing eight people. The fire destroyed the communities of Harbison Canyon and Crest. The Laguna Fire held the infamous title of worst fire disaster in California history for 33 years until The Cedar Fire, October 28, 2003.

The Canyon Fire occurred on August 24, 1968. A work crew of seven juvenile members with 80 hours of training and their foreman (a veteran fireman) were overrun by a fire flare-up and fatally burned. The Canyon Fire burned 20,200 acres before it was finally brought under control.

The phrase 'furniture condoms' was one I heard on "Everyone Loves Raymond" in reference to Marie's plastic furniture covers, which I also borrowed from that show. I do remember going to a friend's house when I was a kid and they had those things on their furniture.

I'd like to thank everyone who is reading and enjoying the story with a special thanks to all those who have left reviews; many containing very helpful and insightful commentary. A special thanks to a couple of new friends on this site for their valuable input.