Captain Stanley climbed down from Engine as Mike parked it in the bay. Marco had taken the squad to pick up Keith and Katrina at Rampart. "I'll be in my office for a few minutes," Captain Stanley said to Mike.
Captain Stanley closed the door as he entered the office and dialed Johnny's phone number from memory.
"Hey, John, are you busy?"
"No, Cap. Is Katrina okay?" Johnny asked, concern obvious in his voice.
"We sent her to Rampart to get her shoulder looked at, but I think she'll be okay," Captain Stanley said. "That's not really the reason I'm calling."
"What happened to her shoulder?"
"We had a two-person plane crash. After they got the victims out, the plane slipped. It cut her rope and knocked her off a cliff. She caught a boulder and didn't fall the twenty-some feet; but…," Captain Stanley paused.
"But, but what, Cap?"
"She was terrified, John. We couldn't get her to climb up onto the boulder. Keith had to go down and get her."
"That doesn't sound too unreasonable to me. That accident could have been a lot worse; it could've killed her."
"It wasn't just that John, I had to direct her on how to climb down. You wanted to know if we saw anything that she needed to work on. That's why I'm calling; she really needs to work on her climbing skills," Captain Stanley stated.
Johnny nodded, then realized Captain Stanley couldn't see him. "Oh, uh, yeah, sure, Cap. Do you think I should go over to Rampart and check on her?"
Captain Stanley hesitated. "If it was a serious injury, John, absolutely. But, given what I saw, I'm guessing she comes back to finish her shift. This is where you have to be careful. This is where it gets easy to cross that line. If it was one of the guys, would you be thinking about going to Rampart?"
Johnny paused. "I don't know."
"If it's worse than I thought and she doesn't come back to work, I'll call you," Captain Stanley assured him.
"Thanks, Cap," Johnny said hanging up the phone.
Johnny paused, his hand still on the receiver. He picked the phone back up and dialed Roy's number.
"Hey, Roy," Johnny said, when Roy picked up the phone.
"Hi, Johnny, what's up?"
"When we talked last week, you mentioned that you needed to work with Pat on climbing, right?"
"Yeah, he lacks the skills, and his upper body strength isn't great either. He needs to learn some techniques to make him more effective. Why?" Roy asked.
"Katrina is doing some OT with 51 today. Captain Stanley called me and said Katrina needs to work on her climbing skills. I obviously can't take her out just the two of us, you know, considering our history. But, if you and Pat came with Katrina and I; the four of us could work together," Johnny suggested.
"I'm willing to try anything. I've got to get my paramedic team working together. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing a big reason Josh is so against Pat is because he doesn't think he's a very good fireman. I'd like to improve that situation."
"We're both on shift tomorrow, how about the afternoon when we get off shift. That way if it's been a rough night we can get some sleep; but we can work at least once before Katrina rotates with 51 again.
"Sounds good to me. I'll call Pat at home and let him know to plan on it. You just gonna tell Katrina when she gets to the shift tomorrow?" Roy asked.
"I think I'm gonna go stop by 51s," Johnny said quietly.
"Johnny…,"
"She got hurt, Roy. A plane knocked her off a cliff, cut her life line, she injured her shoulder. But, she's afraid of heights. Cap said she was really panicked. I just want to check on her."
"Johnny, that's not a good idea. Call Captain Stanley and ask him to relay the message to Katrina. Don't go there," Roy warned.
"You're probably right," Johnny said.
"I'm definitely right. Let's meet at Stoney Point Park for the climbing lesson, say about 4:00 PM."
"Sounds good."
E
Marco was leaning against the squad when Katrina and Keith exited Rampart. "You okay?" Marco asked Katrina.
"Just a bruise," she said.
"Still up to cooking Mole Poblano?" Marco asked.
Katrina smiled. Keith moved toward the driver's seat and Katrina followed Marco to the passenger side. "I need to do something to redeem myself," Katrina whispered.
"You did a fine job," Marco said quietly.
"Cut the crap, Marco," Katrina stopped and grabbed Marco's arm. "I froze out there; I blew it."
"Everyone has their fears, Katrina. Yes, you froze out there. Yes, you need to work on overcoming that fear, but you didn't blow it. You're new, you're not expected to be perfect," Marco said.
"Perfect is the only chance I've got of getting people to accept me as a fire fighter," Katrina whispered.
"Perfect won't get you accepted Katrina. Being willing to admit your weaknesses and working your butt off to fix them, that's what you need to do," Marco said moving to open the passenger door.
Katrina looked at Marco for a few seconds before getting into the squad and sliding over to the middle. Marco got in and closed the door.
Katrina stared at the traffic moving around them; her thoughts racing around what Marco had just said. Should she apologize to Keith for her failure? She'd spent the last several months working so hard to be perfect; all of it for nothing because of five stupid feet.
"Katrina, you coming?"
Katrina looked over at Marco. He was standing outside the squad, holding the door. Katrina jumped slightly, as she heard Keith's door slam shut. She looked back over at Marco and slid across the seat. "Sorry."
"Let's get a list of what supplies we need to buy for dinner. I'll try to make a run to the grocery store after lunch. I think we've got stuff to make chicken salad sandwiches for lunch, whatdya think?" Marco asked, putting his hand on Katrina's back and leading her toward the kitchen.
"Sure, think we have the stuff to make brownies for dessert?"
"Probably, that's definitely a way to the guy's hearts," Marco teased.
"It's not their hearts I'm trying to win," Katrina said.
"Look, I know I don't completely understand, but being Hispanic I've seen my share of discrimination. I saw some of what you're experiencing from Keith's reaction to you this morning; but you need to relax. You're not going to win people over by pushing so hard. You don't have anything to prove to them. You need to work on believing yourself that you can do this job."
"I know I can do this job," Katrina said, feeling offended by Marco's comment.
"Do you?" He asked, looking at her.
Katrina was saved from answering by the sounds of the klaxons sounding, calling out the squad to a possible heart attack victim.
E
Keith pulled up to the scene and Katrina jumped out and grabbed the defibrillator and oxygen. Keith grabbed the drug box and biophone. They quickly moved up the walkway, Katrina knocking on the front door.
A woman answered the door. "Thank God, you're here. He can't seem to catch his breath and says he feels like an elephant is sitting on his chest."
"Where is he?" Katrina asked, her gaze quickly sweeping the living room.
"Back in the den," the woman said, still standing in the doorway.
"Can you show us?" Katrina asked.
"Oh my, oh yes, I'm sorry, I'm just so frazzled," the woman said, moving deeper into the house.
When Katrina and Keith got to the doorway, they saw a man, approximately 60 years old, laying on the floor.
Keith moved around him and started setting up the biophone. Katrina knelt down next to him, reaching for his wrist to start taking his pulse. She quietly counted his respirations while holding his wrist. When she was finished, she reached over and got the BP cuff.
"Rampart, this is Squad 51, how do you read?" Keith said into the biophone.
"I can't breathe," the man gasped. "My chest is hurting so bad."
"Go ahead, 51," Dr. Brackett's voice came across the line.
"Rampart, we have a male approximately 60 years old. He is complaining of chest pains and is having difficulty breathing. He is diaphoretic. Stand by for vital signs."
"BP is 155/110, pulse is 110 and respirations are 32," Katrina said. She was pulling the oxygen tube to get the man started on oxygen.
"Rampart, BP is 155/110, pulse is 110, respirations are 32. We have started the patient on 6 liters of O2," Keith said.
"51, can you send me a strip?"
Keith had already been preparing the patches. He quickly finished placing them on the man's chest.
"10-4 Rampart, this will be lead 2," Keith said as he started the monitor.
"The patient is in V-tach, 51. Start an IV with lidocaine. Is the ambulance there?"
"Negative rampart, but one has been called," Keith advised Dr. Brackett as Katrina began to prepare the IV. She slapped the red sticker on the bag, showing it was lidocaine.
"10-4, 51. Continuing monitoring vitals and transport as soon as possible," Dr. Brackett said.
"Ma'am, could you go back to the front door and watch for the ambulance?" Katrina asked the wife.
"Oh sure, okay," she quickly moved out of the room.
"Do I really have to go to the hospital?" The man asked.
"Yes, sir, you really need to go to the hospital," Keith said, watching as Katrina quickly inserted the IV. Keith looked over at the monitor, watching for changes in the heart beat.
Katrina rechecked the man's bp and starting taking his pulse again.
"Respirations are down to 25," Keith said.
"BP is down to 145/100, pulse is 99," Katrina said, making a notation in her notebook.
"Rampart, patient's respirations are now 25, pulse is 99 and BP is 145/100," Keith said into the biophone.
The woman walked back into the room followed by two ambulance attendants, pulling a gurney.
"Rampart, be advised ambulance is on scene. We are preparing to transport the patient," Keith said as Katrina started packing up their equipment.
The ambulance attendants loaded the man on the gurney.
"Can I go with him?" The wife asked.
"Yes, ma'am, you can ride in the front of the ambulance," Keith said, closing up the biophone. "I'll ride in with him," Keith said to Katrina.
She nodded and gathered up the equipment, following the group out of the house. Keith climbed into the back of the ambulance. Katrina quickly stored the equipment Keith was not taking with him and got into the squad to follow the ambulance.
Once they arrived at the hospital, Keith went into Treatment Room 3 with Dr. Brackett. Katrina showed the wife where she could wait and then went to the nurse's station to get supplies.
"How are things going, Katrina? Are you enjoying working with 51 today?" Dixie asked.
"It's been good. The guys seem really nice," Katrina said, filling a box with the needed supplies for the squad.
"You know Keith from the academy, correct? He seems to have a pretty good grasp of the medical side of things," Dixie said.
"Yes, he did well in the academy," Katrina said, but she looked uncomfortable with the conversation.
"Is something wrong?" Dixie asked, picking up on Katrina's tone.
Katrina simply shook her head.
"If there's something Dr. Brackett and I need to know about Keith's skills, you really should tell us," Dixie said.
"Oh, no, nothing like that," Katrina said, shaking her head. "Keith's medical knowledge is good. He does a good job."
"What's wrong then?" Dixie asked.
"I worked so hard in the academy to prove I was just as good as Tom, or Kory, or Keith, and this afternoon, I," Katrina stopped talking when Keith stepped out of Treatment Room 3 and started walking toward the nurse's station.
"How's the patient?" Katrina asked.
"It looks like he'll be fine," Keith said. "Are you ready to go? I'd like to get back to the station for lunch."
"Sure. See ya later, Dixie," Katrina said, scooping up the box of supplies.
E
The afternoon went by without any excitement. A few routine runs for the Squad and Engine separately and one house fire they responded to as a station. Marco and Katrina started making dinner as the rest of the guys enjoyed some down time. Mike was in the dayroom reading a book, Captain Stanley was in his office finishing some paperwork and Chet and Keith were sitting at the table playing cards.
"Good afternoon everyone!" Johnny called out as he walked in the back door.
"Gage, what are you doin' here? I thought we were rid of you?" Chet commented looking up from his cards.
"I just dropped in to see how things were going. From the smell of dinner, I think I picked a good time to drop in. Is there enough for an extra person?" Johnny said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Sure, Johnny. You're in for a real treat. Katrina and I are making Moles," Marco said.
"Moles?"
"Trust me, you're gonna love 'em," Marco said.
Katrina continued slicing the cucumbers for the cucumber salad and said nothing. She knew Captain Stanley must have called him and he'd come to check up on her.
At that moment, Captain Stanley stepped into the kitchen. "John, what are you doing here?" He asked, raising one eyebrow and casting a quick glance at Katrina, who had her head down, focusing all of her attention on slicing the cucumber in front of her.
"I just dropped in to say Hi, and see if I could invite myself to dinner," Johnny said, his voice a little hesitant at Captain Stanley's look.
"Why don't you come in my office for a few minutes, Pal," Captain Stanley suggested.
"Sure," Johnny said, following Captain Stanley out of the day room.
Marco looked over at Mike, who was still sitting at the couch and then at Chet, who was watching Johnny walk out behind Captain Stanley. He briefly looked over at Katrina, who still had her head down, focusing on cutting another cucumber.
"What the heck was that about?" Chet said, looking over at Marco as Johnny disappeared around the corner.
"Drop it, Chet," Mike warned.
"Is that your Captain," Keith said looking at Katrina, who did not respond.
"Katrina, isn't that your Captain?" He asked again.
Katrina looked up and could feel the heat rushing to her face. "Yes."
"Why do you think he's here?" Keith asked.
"Because I blew it on the rescue this morning," Katrina said, scooping the cucumbers off the cutting board and into a bowl. She moved to the refrigerator and pulled out sour cream, lemon juice and dill for the cucumber salad, and avoided looking at anyone.
Captain Stanley let Johnny enter the office first and then closed the door as he entered the office. He crossed his arms and looked at his former paramedic. "What are you doing here, John?"
Johnny had his hands in his pockets and was looking down, not meeting Captain Stanley's stern gaze. "I had to check on her, Cap."
"This was a very bad idea. You've left her thinking that I called you because I think she screwed up so bad that her Captain needs to get involved. Or, worse, you've opened yourself up to rumors that she's more than just a member of your crew to you. Now, I know what I said to you, which makes me even more convinced that her being assigned to you is a bad idea and you need to be upfront with Chief McConnike and ask that she be reassigned."
"This has nothing to do with my kissing her," Johnny said defensively.
"Really?" was all Captain Stanley said, as he stood there, his gaze boring into Johnny.
Johnny pulled his hands out of his pocket and ran them through is hair. "I'd be just as worried if it'd been Kory."
Captain Stanley said nothing, he just raised one eyebrow and continued to look at Johnny, his arms crossed.
"Roy and I are going to take her and Pat, Roy's paramedic, climbing when we get off our next shift. I wanted to give her the time and location," Johnny said meekly.
"Johnny," Captain Stanley tried to think of what to say to his friend that he hadn't already said. He was convinced there was more to Johnny and Katrina's kiss than Johnny was admitting even to himself and he saw trouble written all over her assignment to his station. "Maybe I should request that Katrina come work here and we send Keith to work with you. Marco, Chet and Mike will accept her and help her develop."
"I don't want you to do that, Cap. I need to prove myself as a Captain. Okay, maybe coming here was a stupid move. I'll give her the information about climbing, check in to make sure her arm is okay and then if you want me to, I'll leave. Although, that dinner does smell really good," Johnny said, giving Captain Stanley his trademark grin.
Captain Stanley shook his head and couldn't help the chuckle that escaped his lips. "Go talk to Katrina, you can stay for dinner. But, my offer stays out there, I can request Katrina to work with me. That way it doesn't reflect poorly on either of you."
"Thanks, Cap. I'll keep it in mind," Johnny said, moving past him toward the door.
Katrina and Marco were moving the cucumber salad, rice and Mole Pobalnos to the kitchen table.
"Katrina, can I see you for just a minute?" Johnny asked as he entered into the kitchen.
"John, you staying for dinner?" Marco asked.
"Yeah, Marco, I am. Will you pour me a glass of milk? We'll be right back," Johnny said, leading Katrina into the bay.
"I just wanted to check on your shoulder, Captain Stanley told me you were injured," Johnny said, moving her in between the engine and the squad, to give them a bit of privacy.
"You're here because he told you I panicked," Katrina said, crossing her arms and leaning against the squad, looking at the ground.
"I know you're afraid of heights, Kat, that's why you always go to the cove by water and never let me take you up the cliff," Johnny said lowering his voice. "But, you just don't seem the type to panic. I heard the plane knocked you off the cliff, cut your life line; that's pretty traumatic. I just wanted to see for myself you were okay."
"That wasn't the problem," Katrina said quietly.
"What was the problem?" Johnny asked, tilting his head to try to get her to meet his eyes.
"You shouldn't have come here, Captain Gage," Katrina said meeting his eyes. He looked so concerned though, she felt herself starting to smile. "It's nice to know you care though."
Johnny reached over and touched her arm. "What happened, Kat?"
Katrina shook her head. "I'll get over it. I'll learn how to do better."
"That's one of the reasons I stopped by. Roy, my former partner, is now the Captain over at 101. He needs to work on climbing skills with one of his paramedics. We are both on shift tomorrow, but Tuesday, when we get off, the four of us are going to meet at Stoney Point Park at 4:00 PM so we can work with both of you on climbing techniques."
"Do you think that's okay?" Katrina asked.
"Roy and Pat will be there with us. It's just two Captains helping two of their crew members improve their skills. It'll be fine," Johnny assured her.
"If you're sure; I'd really appreciate the help," Katrina said.
"Great, then it's settled," Johnny said, smiling at her. "Now let's go eat, the food smells amazing. You helped cook that?" Johnny started heading toward the kitchen.
"My neighbor's YaYa, grandmother, taught her and I how to cook several traditional Mexican dishes. Mole Poblano is one of my favorites," Katrina said, following behind him.
Johnny and Katrina took seats at the table and dished up the food.
"This is really good, I mean really good," Johnny said his mouth full of food.
"Geez, Gage, even with a woman at the table your table manners are disgusting," Chet said.
"Hey, that's Captain Gage to you," Johnny said, shoveling in another bite.
"You know, Katrina, we haven't told you any stories about your fearless Captain yet," Chet said, a mischievous twinkle in his eye.
"Chet," Johnny said, warning his former crew member.
"Has he ever talked to you about the female car accident victim that got him to watch her dog for him?" Chet asked.
"Wouldn't that be breaking paramedic rule number one?" Katrina asked.
"Never get personally involved with the patient," Chet said. "Let me tell you…"
"Nothing. You'll tell her nothing, since this is her Captain," Captain Stanley warned, his voice and expression stern.
"I'm just having a little fun, Cap," Chet protested.
At Captain Stanley's look he stopped talking and went back to eating.
Mike turned the topic to the upcoming fireman's Olympics and the guys were soon talking about who they thought was going to enter each event. "Do you think Bryce will compete again; now that he's a Captain?" Mike asked.
"Probably, you know he won the last couple of years in a row," Mike said.
"What about you John? You gonna go out for the Olympics?" Marco asked.
"No way. Roy tried to get me to do that a few years ago. I don't run like that anymore."
"You used to run?" Katrina asked.
"I used to do the 400," Johnny said.
"I ran cross-country in high school," Katrina said.
"Maybe you should try out for the fireman's, fire fighters, Olympics, Katrina," Captain Stanley said.
"I think for right now, I need to be concerned with improving my climbing skills, first and foremost," Katrina said, not looking at the guys.
Keith looked up, a shocked look on his face, at her confession.
"You'll get there," Johnny said.
"You gonna start working with her?" Mike asked Johnny.
"Roy and I are gonna go out a few times with Katrina and his paramedic, Pat. Just to help them learn some finer points," Johnny said, reaching for more rice. "I think this is the best meal I ever had in this station."
"It is really good," Captain Stanley agreed.
The klaxons sounded, everyone pushed back from the table, Johnny stopped himself as he started to enter the bay. "I almost forgot that's not for me," he said to no one in particular.
Johnny watched as the crew loaded into the squad and engine and pulled out on their way to a multi-vehicle accident. Johnny turned around and surveyed the kitchen. He walked over the table and started putting away food and getting ready to wash the dishes. At least that would be one thing the crew wouldn't have to worry about when they got back.