Chapter 8

It wasn't a quiet night at station 51; the firemen there were called out of their beds three times for traffic accidents, and once for a house fire caused when a burning log rolled out of the fire place. The squad finished off the night with a call all their own, a drug overdose, just one more in a long string of attempted suicides that John had to deal with. The girl was young in her early twenties and all Johnny could do was wonder why. Thanks to their help she'd make it and doctors somewhere would try and help her figure it all out later.

Hank was waiting for his medics when they backed into the bay. The other crew was there to take over and the A shift engine crew were all ready changed and on their way. Once the engine of the squad was stilled Hank gaze bore through the windshield and rested on the youngest of his men.

John was tired from the long night but the sleep he did get was more than he'd had the night before. John had dumped his emotional load and was going to be alright, once he got some serious sleep.

Hank talked his two paramedics into joining him for breakfast as the three of them talked. Hank's first goal was to get John and Roy talking again and toward the end of an all you can eat hot cake breakfast that was beginning to happen. As the three men headed to their cars Hank managed to step up to John's side.

"Hey I know things will be kind of crazy tonight with the crowd and everything but if you can make connections with that new young friend of yours and get him to the back stage after the performance I'd be willing to talk to him. If you think it would do any good."

"Thanks Cap, I'll see what I can do." John gave his captain the most genuine smile he'd seen since he reported for his last shift and felt good about letting the man go home alone.

"Now go home and get some sleep, that's an order," Hank called out playfully from his car three cars away from John's.

"Yes sir," John threw back a salute and a smile to go with it.

It was no surprise to anyone that Roy followed his friend to his apartment to make sure he made it alright before going to his own house.

With his crew taken care of and properly threatened Hank was able to turn his attention to his next great concern. As soon as he walked into his home Hank went straight to the phone and dialed his dance instructor.

"Hi a, Jennie, this is Hank Stanley, is there a chance you can work me in today to practice for this final bow thing, I know I didn't get it right last night and I don't like repeating mistakes."

Jennie did have an opening around mid afternoon so Hank booked it and then collapsed into bed. Like the rest of his crew he needed some real uninterrupted sleep.

Since Kristen was in school Emily stood in with her husband while he practiced the moves until he felt comfortable. After walking through the moves half a dozen times Hank felt confident in his new found skill but had to admit to some jitters. Jennie had the answer for that too, she walked over to her tape deck and changed the music. Hank and Emily spent the rest of his hour at the studio Jitterbugging. A dance Hank remembered fondly from he and Emily's courtship days.

When Hank drove his wife's car into the garage at the family home he was tired and sweaty but also relaxed. After an early light dinner and a long hot shower Hank once again made his way to the school where he parked in a nearly empty parking lot and once on the stage began to stretch his muscles and warm up. Just as the previous night before he was finished his daughter was at his side doing her warm ups.

"You look more nervous tonight than you did last night daddy," Kristen observed, "I think having all day to sit around and think about it is not good for you." She smiled and shook her finger at her father playfully.

"Yeah, you're probably right, add to that the crew is coming tonight." Hank let his daughter in on part of his stress.

"Maybe you should have told them to behave or you'd have them up all night washing the fire engine again," Kristen smiled at her father again. She knew who was in charge at the station and figured her dad just needed a little reminder.

"Actually I've threaten them with the entire fleet with in our response area," Hank smiled back at his daughter as they worked together with their warm ups.

"Just do what you always tell me and focus on me and doing your part," Kristen repeated his advice to her.

"I forget, which one of us here is the parent?" Hank laughed with his daughter and felt much better once he realized she was so very right.

While the cast was waiting for everyone to take their seat Hank moved to the edge of the curtain and pulled it back just a little. Thankfully this only allowed him to see a small part of the auditorium but it did include the part where his men and their families were seating themselves. His stomach muscles began to tighten and his hands began to quiver, then he saw John Gage moving past the people on the ends of the isle guiding a small boy with an unusual gait to his walk, along with what appeared to be his mother and father and another man that looked slightly distinguished was with them.

Hank watched as John helped the boy into a seat as the child's father helped his wife into a seat before motioning to the other man with them. As he focused on the child at John's side Hank felt a calming power, it wasn't really peaceful but calming, he knew he had a responsibility to help that child understand there was nothing wrong for a male to dance, if John managed to get the boy back stage after the production he would tell him all the benefits of dancing but if he were going to be listened to he needed to show everyone that he was not ashamed of what he had learned to do. A missed step he could endure. He was capable of carrying injured people from burning buildings, he could surely carry his daughter, the most important thing he could do now was not be ashamed no matter who was watching him.

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Now that he knew who was playing the part, Roy could identify his captain on the stage easily and was quick to point him out to his wife and children.

John noticed him doing so and pointed the captain out to his young friend.

"That's the move he's been working on at the station," Chet exclaimed in a whisper that was just a little too loud judging by the shushing sounds that followed from his sister sitting next to him.

The eyes of the men from station 51 shown of their awe, especially the B shift with their Captain Ron Tollins, they were there too.

Chief McConnike was very amazed at the skill of the man he was hoping to embarrass just a little with the presence of all the men from the department in the audience. He sat in awe watching from a different section of the auditorium surrounded by his fellow Chiefs, yet on either side of him were his two grown daughters.

"Why didn't you ever do anything like that we us?" One of the girls whispered in her father's ear.

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Hank had made one turn and lost his balance just a little, nothing anyone seemed to notice but he did and he knew he knew better. From that moment on he became oblivious of his men seated in the audience and focused on his daughter and the music and what his next move needed to be. When it came time for her to run to him and jump into his arms for him to lift her over his head he saw the smile on her face and remembered when she was much much smaller. When they turned separately then ended up facing each other and dancing around the stage Hank just knew he was the luckiest man in the world to be able to share this experience with his daughter. When the performance was over and the curtains were closed Hank took a moment to catch his breath before the curtains opened again and the cast took their final bows.

When his turn came Hank did as he had practiced and took his bow before holding his hand out for his daughter to dance to, then hold onto while she did her final pirouette and then her bow. At that point Hank stepped away and accepted the bouquet of flowers that was being handed to him. He paused at the sight of it because it was four times larger than he had purchased but then he noticed the clear plastic bag filled with several cards tied into the bow and realized that others had bought into the bouquet, Hank was instantly sure his men were contributors and took the flowers then returned to his Daughter's side and dropped to one knee presenting the flowers into her arms.

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When Hank Stanley went to one knee and held the huge bouquet of flowers for his daughter to take into her arms, if there was a dry eye in the auditorium it didn't belong to a fireman.

Kristen cradled the flowers in her arms and did a cute curtsy at her father's side and then the house lights came on and both father and daughter along with the rest of the cast could see that the audience was on their feet and Hank noticed more than a few familiar faces.

Doing just what he had told Johnny he'd do, Hank blushed and took a step back waiting for the curtain to fall. But the curtain didn't come down as he expected, instead the principle led a small contingent of people on the stage that included the school board superintendent and the fire department's Chief Engineer Houts. The principal was carrying a microphone stand complete with microphone.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," the principal began to speak, "I am so happy that you have enjoyed tonight's performance. We truly have an extraordinary cast this year and I'm sure more than one of you has noticed that one of our cast members is a little tall to be a Jr. High school student."

Laughter rolled through the crowd and there were a couple of shouts but with the echo in the auditorium few could tell for sure what was said.

"Our Tall and fabulously danced Nutcracker King is in fact a loving parent here to support his daughter, Please join me in another round of applause for our own Mr. Henry Stanley." The applause was loud and long and the principle allowed it to run its natural course. When it was once again quiet enough he spoke again.

"When Mr. Stanley is not expertly dancing on our stage he is even more expertly responding to emergencies and saving lives as the Captain of one of our area fire stations. Just two days ago Mr. Stanley was here at the school after a dress rehearsal when the fire alarm when off. Being the professional fire fighter that he is while every one in the building was running out, he ran looking for the fire. Before the on duty firemen arrived, Mr. Stanley had pulled two students out of the room, put the fire out, contained the ill built smoke bomb, opened the windows to clear the smoke out and then found two more students. He was in the act of carrying both of those students out at the same time when his on duty colleagues arrived by which time he had taken in enough smoke that he also was in need of treatment."

Hank was embarrassed by the attention he was now receiving but there was no place for him to hide. Then his eye's found John Gage and moved down to the young new friend at his side. He knew he had nothing to be ashamed of and was able to stand a little taller as the principal turned the microphone over to the superintendant.

"On behalf of the Los Angeles County education system we would like to present Mr. Henry Stanley with this award of heroism for his life saving actions of December 9th."

With some reluctance Hank stepped forward and accepted a plaque and held it for all to see as the applause filled the air once again while the microphone was passed on to Chief Engineer Houts.

"Because," Chief Houts began in an authoritative tone, "Because you were off duty at the time, and because you went in with out your protective gear, and your breathing apparatus that would have prevented you from needing medical treatment yourself. You may accept that award."

A low chuckle rolled through the auditorium, "but because there is no such thing as a truly off duty firefighter, and because you went in without your protective gear for the purpose of protecting lives and because you knew up front the danger you were putting yourself in and did it anyway to protect life and property, I will also add this commendation to your file for performing above and beyond the call of duty."

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Some in the audience has sat down for the presentations but the men of station 51, both shifts in attendance, and their families remained standing to show their respect for the man being honored. Following the example of those they were sitting with were young Adam Wickler, the boy who was a special guest of Johnny's, and his family, and, Johnny had found out that the other gentleman who accompanied them was Adam's psychiatrist.

In the few moments before everyone took their seats John had learned that after some talking Adam had been checked out of the hospital for the performance but would be returning to complete his counseling. John understood that a young boy wanting to take his own life was nothing to trifle with. They had been lucky the first time if there were another attempt they might not be so lucky.

As Johnny remained on his feet and swelled with pride in his captain's honors, he also kept young Adam in his peripheral vision. 'This has to go a long way in convincing this boy that dancing doesn't make him any less of a man,' John thought to himself.

John also noticed how uncomfortable his Captain was with all the attention he was getting, he also noticed the television and news cameras moving in for a better picture. So much for Cap's little secret, but then as John scanned the room as the applause died down for the last time he saw plenty of familiar faces, and even a few dress uniforms. The way John figured it the only thing that was 'Top Secret' about Cap's dancing was that everyone knew about it, including the Chief Engineer for the looks of things.

As others in the audience were picking up their coats John nudged young Adam at his side, "Would you like to meet him?"

Adam's eyes widened in excitement and his head bobbed up and down in excitement, a quick look at the other adults that were accompanying the young boy and there was a silent consensus that the suggestion was acceptable. John then proceeded to guide his small group to the back of the stage and noticed that was where the rest of his crew were all headed, along with the Captain of B shift, Ron Tollins.

As they all entered the stage area from the back John kept Adam in front of him with his hands on the boy's shoulders to make sure they didn't get separated as they worked through the crowd.

When they first got sight of their captain they found him standing in front of Chief Houts, he had his arm around his daughter's shoulders while she continued to cradle her large bouquet of flowers and at her side was Emily Stanley holding the awards her husband had received while several from the cast and stage crew were looking over her shoulder to get a better look at the plaque that had been awarded.

As the men of station 51 worked their way toward their Captain they noticed that Hank was introducing each of the cast members to the high Chief and they were all coming forward to shake hands with the impressive dignitary.

Once Hank had finished introducing the cast the Chief spoke his praises, "You have all done a wonderful job, I was here last night for opening night and I enjoyed the performance tonight every bit as much a second time, and tomorrow I'll be back again with my granddaughters." The Chief paid the highest age appropriate compliment he knew how.

It was clear by the look on Hank's face that this was all news to him and his wife chose to take some of the pressure off her husband by pointing out some of his other guests. "And these fine men here are Hank's crew," Emily pointed to the men gathered with their families and guests behind their captain.

Hank took a moment and introduced his crew to Chief Houts and then his eyes fell on the boy John was holding in front of him while his father and mother stood close by. "Is this the young man you were telling me about?"

John gave a quick nod of his head, "Cap I'd like you to meet Adam Wickler."

Hank offered his hand and watched as the boy took a couple of steps forward to shake his hand with excitement and enthusiasm. Hank noticed the slight limp and felt sure that was why the boy didn't excel in sports; he could only hope at that point that with time the limp would disappear.

"Wow sir, you're really good, and you're a real live hero besides," the boy exclaimed. "Mr. Gage tells me that you've helped teach the rest of your firemen to dance too. Are they as good as you are?"

"A, No!" Chet spoke up as the rest of the men punctuated his words by shaking their heads.

"Not even close," John translated the shaking heads.

"It makes a difference if you have someone to practice with," Hank offered up as he pulled his daughter tighter into his side still having his arm around her shoulders.

"I was wondering if the rest of the crew danced," the Chief stepped back into the conversation. "Since I received the invitation to attend your performance I've been doing a little research, your shift has had a 14% reduction in injuries this last year when compared to the year before, I've also noticed a 32% reduction in recovery time from your men's injuries compared to similar injuries through out the department. I hope you'll all keep up the good work."

"Attention everyone," Mrs. Merthner called as she nearly ran onto the stage, "I have just been informed that we had a packed house tonight, every seat in the auditorium was filled, we are also sold out for tomorrow. There will definitely be enough funds for us to attend the music and dance competition in New York City this year." The group of cast members still gathered on the stage let out a cheer then Mrs. Merthner turned to Hank, "I do hope you and your wife can make it as part of our chaperone staff, you really deserve to be part of this."

"I'm sure that can be arraigned," Chief Houts answered for Hank. "Having one of our own along on this expedition would be great PR."

Hank cringed at that thought.

"It's a shame the group of you don't come together and put on your own production," the Chief continued to speak, "there is more than one firefighting charity that would benefit by the proceeds and if tonight is any indication there would be significant proceeds."

"I would be honored to help with such a production," Mrs. Merthner spoke up with her hand over her heart, "Of course it would need to be during the summer, my responsibilities here at school would make it difficult any other time."

"I guess we'll have to think about that," Hank finally responded to the silent stares in his direction.

Hank managed to spend some slightly more private time with Adam and his escorts before introducing Jennie Martin, who had also helped with the production, to the Wickler family. What ever would come from that introduction was up to them.

Hank then went home, where a long hot shower and a nice back rub melted the unwanted attention from the evening away and he slept well before reporting for work the next morning.

He was pleased that there was no razzing but somewhat confused that there was no mention of the night before among his men or the departing shift. Hank chose not to say anything himself. There was plenty of work to be done as some paperwork glitch had to be resolved and the hose bed on the truck was due to be recycled.

Mid afternoon the station responded to a five alarm fire in a large office building set off when the warming candles of Chaffing dishes touched off the Christmas decorations, the very flammable Christmas decorations.

The fire was finally out with at least two hours of clean up ahead of them when Hank had his first chance to look at his watch. If he left right then he would still have to cut his worm ups short, he looked around at the work yet to be done and his first thought was that he wouldn't even make it for the production, they'd have to put in his understudy, the music teacher who had two left feet when it came to dancing. Hank looked around and was trying to build up courage to ask to leave when he saw Ron Tollins walking in his direction; he was in uniform and wearing fresh clean turn outs.

Ron just walked up to Hank with his car keys in his outstretched hand, "I can take it from here, you're needed else where."

All Hank could do was give a grateful sigh, "Thanks Ron."

"Break a leg, twinkle toes," Ron gave a playful slap on Hank's shoulder.

"If I do that you'll have to finish the shift for me," Hank joked back before he jogged over to his friend's car and drove back to the station for a quick shower and change of clothes.