Stranded In Bear Canyon
Chapter 10
"Hey John, how are you feeling, pal?"
"Ok, Cap, I guess… when are we getting' out of here?"
"I need to talk to you about that, you see there is a problem with the chopper?"
"Problem?"
"Yea, I had to make a decision that I am not happy with but as the Captain, it is my decision to make."
Johnny sensed the seriousness of his commander's mood and looked him straight in the eyes. "Are you and the other guys alright?"
"Yea, unfortunately my decision involves you. The chopper that is coming can only take two patients."
"Well, you got to send Steve… he's a civilian…. and Mike needs to be checked out right away after last night."
"John, I am really sorry to have to make you wait for care like this."
"It's okay Cap, I can handle it. Steve and Mike got to go. When are they coming back for
us?"
"Don't know yet. Depends on the weather conditions. Roy is having Dix send more medications for you on the chopper until they can get back for us, because we are taking no chances with you while you are out here!"
Roy came back in the cabin. "We are all set. Dix said she will take care of everything." Roy said. "Alright Cap, your turn!"
"My turn for what?"
"Go get some rest. I can watch these guys, and you are exhausted."
"I'll be ok." Hank countered his senior paramedic.
Roy pulled Cap aside so the other men in the room couldn't hear. "You may think I'm out of line here Cap, but with all due respect I am going to be trusting you with the life of my best friend while I am gone and I need to know that you will be able to handle it."
Cap looked Roy in the eye and realized that Roy was trying to do the best he could to protect his 51 family knowing he would have to leave them soon. "Okay Roy, I'll go catch a quick nap; wake me up around 8:30?"
"You got it. Thanks for not making me pull the senior paramedic rank card!"
"That would be a first." Hank laughed as he headed to the other room to rest.
Roy checked on Steve and Mike first and then moveed to Johnny's side. "Hey Junior."
"Yea?"
"Let's get you checked out here." Roy said as he began taking Johnny's vital signs.
"Cap, he is doing the right thing you know. Mike can't wait. He needs to get to Rampart."
"Yea, but that doesn't mean we're happy with it."
"I know that." Johnny responded weakly.
Roy stuck a thermometer in Johnny's mouth and then removed the bandage on Johnny's cheek.
Johnny grunted in pain; thermometer still in his mouth. "Ouch!"
"Alright, it's off. I just want to clean this again; there was a lot of dirt in it." Roy said carefully cleaning out the wound with saline and some 4x4s; checking for any dirt that may have been missed. Satisfied with his work, Roy collected supplies to redress the wound. "Okay, let me put a little silver cream on this and a telfa square ok?"
Johnny nodded and Roy finished with the wound. He removed the thermometer from Johnny's mouth. "101degrees even."
Johnny sighed at the reading of the thermometer.
"At least it hasn't gone up anymore."
"Yea, but I want it to go down."
"It will. Give the medications some time to work. Can I get you anything?"
"Some water would be nice." Johnny requested.
"Sure thing, pally." Roy got him a bottle of water with his own makeshift straw in it and Johnny slowly drank his fill.
Johnny released the straw. "Thanks."
"No problem." Roy replied. "Get some rest."
E!
Roy looked at his watch. It was 8:27am and he knew he had to wake Cap up but he drug it out trying to let Cap get every minute of sleep possible. He knew that once he left Cap would not sleep again until Johnny was back home at Rampart!
"Ah, Cap its 8:30."
Hank woke with a start and wiped his eyes trying to focus. "Is everyone alright?"
"Yeah we are just about ready. I am going to get Mike and Steve ready to go."
"Let me tie my boots here and I will come help you."
Roy and cap prepped their 2 patients for travel; tucking in blankets, setting the IV bags under their shoulders until they were loaded safely on the chopper.
Suddenly the sound of a chopper was heard over head and Roy looked out the window. "They're here. Let's take Steve out first."
Roy and Cap carried Steve out to the chopper. Once Steve was loaded, Cap extended his hand to the pilot. "Captain Stanley station 51."
"Capt Benton…Nurse McCall sent these supplies for you and told me to make sure you get them."
"She always looks out for us, she is the best!" Hank said with a genuine grin.
Roy grabbed two boxes while Cap grabbed a 3rd box and a cooler.
Back inside the cabin, Mike felt he needed to talk to Johnny before he left. "Hey Johnny?"
Mike was frustrated because he couldn't look at Johnny because of the c collar and backboard straps.
"Yea, Mike, are you alright?"
"I'm okay I guess….look I'm really sorry they are making you wait. If you want, I will make Cap switch us?."
Johnny was touched by this gesture from his fellow firefighter and for second does not know what to say. "Whoa… Mike, listen to me. You had a major allergic reaction to that drug yesterday and you need to be checked out ASAP. When you flat lined yesterday you scared the hell out of all of us! Once Roy got you back, Cap would not leave your side all night. Those guys and I would never forgive ourselves if something else happens to you. Besides I'm a paramedic. I can treat myself; hell I've already done it before! So no hard feelings, huh?"
"Of course not. You will keep an eye on Cap and the guys until you get back?"
"Like a hawk!" Johnny said with a smile.
"They are the best crew we could ask for!"
You're right there Pally. Hey save me a pretty nurse will ya?" Johnny joked.
"Sure blonde or brunette?"
"Both." Johnny deadpanned and smiled when he heard Mike laugh.
Cap and Roy came back in and set down the supplies. They then moved to Mike's side.
"Come on Mike. We got to get you out there. The wind is picking up again and I want to make sure they can fly out of here." Hank announced.
Roy and Johnny exchanged glances and then Roy and Hank picked Mike up and headed out the door.
As they reached the door, Mike stopped them. "You won't forget will you, Johnny."
"I got it, Mike."
"Ok, Cap…let's go." Mike said.
Hank and Roy loaded Mike onto the chopper. Then at the last minute Roy announced. "Uh, I gotta do something, Cap."
"Make it quick." Hank ordered then watched Roy disappear inside the cabin.
"Hey, what are you still doing here?" Johnny asked surprised.
"Johnny, I feel bad about this, so does Cap and the rest of the guys."
"Look Pally, I have more lives than a cat. Don't worry… I'll be fine… Cap will be here to help me and Chet and Marco will be back soon. If we are lucky you will be back to get me soon."
"You know it!"
Johnny patted Roy's arm. "Now go on and get out of here. The sooner you leave the sooner you can get back. Send my love to the kids and Joanne."
"Okay Junior, you take care of yourself, right?"
"Yes, Dad!"
"I mean it..no heroics right?" Roy ordered more than asked.
"Do I look like a hero to you?"
"Johnny, I am serious. That fever is nothing to play with. If something is wrong you will tell Cap, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, okay." Johnny acquiesced.
"I got to go, Junior. I'll be back on the first flight out."
"I will see you then." Johnny said as Roy patted him on the shoulder and walked out; glancing back one more time at his partner he must leave behind."