Title: Helpless – Pt. 11

By: FanofRandy

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Roy did not hear his captain's reassurance of rescue. He was not certain his message was even received. He decided that he would continue to transmit every 15 minutes to repeat their location and update John's condition…so, in case someone could hear them, they would be ready to treat once they found the two men.

Roy leaned back down to John and took his pulse. The younger paramedic looked pale and was still bleeding from the head wound. Roy sighed in frustration. "Who's helpless now, Junior." He said as he realized that he could not do anything to help his injured partner. "I have all this training, but without the equipment and meds, Johnny, I…I…Dammit, I can't do anything to help you." Roy felt the burden of his Partner's life rest onto his broad shoulders and took another deep breath.

As he looked at his Partner, he wondered how a loving God could allow John Gage to survive a car accident that took the lives of his parents, only to allow him to die in this stairwell. "God, if you are really there, please help my Friend." Roy pleaded with the Deity.

John Gage was still lost in his past…

"You will be okay, Kid." He heard the man who was driving say. He had been by the rushing waters of the river, rain pelting his face, and struggling to breath—and, now, he was in a warm car being taken away from the only family he ever knew. He felt cold, tired, scared, and…more than all of that…he felt desperately alone.

"What happened, Kid?" The man asked. John noticed the badge and uniform. He had been wary of law enforcement since he was young. It seemed as though things were better since they moved to Oklahoma, but white people—especially those in authority—did not have much respect for Indians.

"My name's John." The young boy said quietly. "John Gage." The older man just stared at the boy and processed the new information.

"Oh, okay. John. Can you tell me what happened?" The man pressured.

John was again leery of the man's intentions. "Where are we going?" The 12 year old asked.

"Uh, we are going to the Sheriff office…Hey, kid…uh, John. Tell me what happened." The man was running out of patience and it was apparent.

John took a deep breath and it hurt. His head hurt, his lungs hurt, and his heart ached. "Are my parent's dead?" He finally asked.

"This kid is somethin' else." The Deputy Sheriff thought. "He won't answer my questions, but expects me to answer his." The Deputy sighed loudly and there was no need to verbalize. John knew the answer already.

"What's gonna happen to me?" John asked.

"Well, we will get you checked out and then try to find some family to take you in. Do you have any family around here?" The man hesitantly asked the boy.

John just shook his head and that was the last he spoke to anyone that night…

"Dad. Dad. Please don't leave me." John cried out. Roy heard his Partner's calls and felt helpless to do anything but put his hand on John's shoulder and offered…

"It's okay, Johnny. It's gonna be okay." Roy hoped he wasn't lying.

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Brackett waited with Dixie by the Base Station for more news on what was happening. The last update was that the men were alive, but that one—probably John Gage—had a head injury. No one knew how bad the injury was or if the man was still alive now. But, all hoped and prayed that the search and rescue team would reach the men in time to save their friend.

Dr.'s Early and Morton had stepped away to handle other cases that came in to the ER. Brackett kept a vigil and this caused Dixie to beg the question.

"Kel, what's got you so bothered? I mean, besides Roy and Johnny being trapped." Dixie finally asked.

Brackett shook his head, and furrowed his brow…"Doctor, patient privilege, Dix. But, let's just say that John Gage and I have reached an understanding that has caused me to have a lot more respect and admiration for him."

"It's about time, Kel!" Dix chided. "Those men put their lives on the line every time they are on duty—that alone should cause you to have a great deal of respect for them." Brackett nodded his understanding at her point.

"Yeah, I know, Dix. And, I do respect them for that…but, this is different. Johnny has had a lot to deal with in his young life, and the way he has dealt with it is admirable…that's all I mean." Seeing Dixie's eyes twinkle, he knew she was probing for more information. "And…that is all I have to share on the subject of John Gage. At least until we find out more about his condition."

Dixie pressed…"Kel, that water rescue the other night…with those boys. Was Johnny okay? I mean…he seemed…kinda lost afterward."

Kel smiled at the woman before him. He loved her heart and loved that she had given it to him. He shook his head from side to side as he considered the question and the comment…"Dix, this is all I'm gonna say and then you can consider the subject dropped." He looked her in the eye to gauge her understanding. When he was sure she did understand, he continued. "Johnny did experience 'something' during that rescue…and, he and I are trying to sort through it now."

Dixie could charm anything from Dr. Kelly Brackett and she knew it. She smiled and nodded. She knew that, for now, she would have to settle for what he said. She worried about John Gage…he was like a little brother to her and she hoped that he would be okay…that BOTH he and Roy would be okay.

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John's eyes opened and he searched for the familiar. He could not figure out where he was. He had just remembered almost drowning, his father rescuing him, and then driving with the Deputy Sheriff to the station. He tried to move but everything hurt. He pulled his hand up to his head only to have it stopped by an unseen force.

"Don't move, Junior." Roy admonished. "You took quite a tumble down those stairs and that head wound is pretty bad." Roy hoped John understood his words and was not still stuck in memories of the past.

John looked at his Partner, but did not immediately recognize him. Then John remembered…"My mom drowned, Roy. And, I would have, too, but Dad pulled me out. He died saving me. Just like you saved me tonight…" The younger man's eyes closed again as the emotional and physical pain took hold of him once again and then…he stopped breathing…

TBC