The Fire Talks

Chapter Twenty

by GCS and Hotshow

DISCLAIMER: "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions, Inc. and Universal Studios. All rights reserved. No infringement of any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental. This story is only written for entertainment. No financial gain is being realized from it. The story, itself, is the property of the author.

Joanne looked at Roy and back at Johnny. "What did you say?"

"I wrote the book." Johnny kept his head down and looked at his hands as though he couldn't believe it himself.

"Oh sweetheart, the author couldn't be you. His name is Chris J. Bean. I know you're trying to remember. I know it's still so confusing." She shot a glance at Roy who had not offered a word of clarity for his confused friend. Roy had a huge grin on his face and nodded to his wife. "Roy?"

Johnny looked up at Roy and together they burst out laughing. "It's true Jo," Roy managed to get out between laughs. "He really did."

Joanne's mouth dropped open; her eyes darted back and forth between the men. "He…he did?"

"I did." Johnny leaned back in the chair. "I really did."

Finally Joanne began to believe them, "But the author's name?"

Roy had already figured out how Johnny had come up with the name. He was sure that if Joanne thought about it for a while she too would realize where it had come from, but she wouldn't have to wait. Johnny spoke up, "Chris for your son and J. Bean for Jenny Bean."

"Oh Johnny," Joanne paused tears welled in her eyes, "that is so sweet. The kids will be so honored."

"Well Pally, if you think it would be alright I would like to share this news with Cap and the others. I was going to anyway before…" He pointed to his head. Roy nodded his understanding. "Do you think we could give Cap a call and see if everyone could meet this afternoon?"

"I'll call him. See what he says. I can tell you though Cap already knows and so does the Chief." Roy had leaned forward resting his folded arms on the table. "Johnny, the publishers want to make a presentation of the royalty check. They want to have a news conference at the station. The Chief thinks it will be good PR for the department. Cap is supposed to make sure your there on Saturday."

"Saturday? That's only a few days away. I…I don't want to make such a big deal of this. I never wanted to. I don't know Roy. I'd rather not." Johnny's words poured from his mouth without time for a breath. He suddenly felt overwhelmed and a little dizzy.

Joanne noticed the look in his eyes. They had become a little unfocused and glassy. His face paled. She rose from her chair and moved beside him rubbing small circles on his back. "Take it easy Johnny. No one can make you do anything you don't want to do. Can they Roy?"

"Ah, no," Roy said hesitantly. "No they can't, but they are sure going to try." Johnny's breathing became faster. Roy realized he was hyperventilating again. He rose from his chair and moved to Johnny's other side. "Okay Junior, you need to slow down." Johnny didn't seem to hear him. "Johnny, look at me." He squatted down beside Johnny and turned him where they faced each other. Taking Johnny's face in his hands he lifted his chin until their eyes met. "Slow down…in through the nose…out through the mouth. Come on now…again…through the nose." Johnny started to slow his breathing. "We'll figure this out. First I'll call Cap and set up the meeting with the guys, and we'll go from there."

"O….okay." Johnny whispered.

Roy went to the telephone on the wall and dialed Cap's number.

After they made all of the arrangements Johnny asked to swing by his apartment to pick up some things on the way to Cap's house to face his friends. Walking into his tiny apartment, he first walked around looking at his things. He ran his fingers over the picture of his parents, "I think they would have been proud of me."

"They would have," Roy agreed.

Johnny walked over to the large box and pulled out several copies of the novel. "You know Roy I still can't believe I actually have a published novel." He ran his hands over the spines and lifted the books to his nose so he could smell the pages.

"Well Johnny don't think you're alone in that. I'm sure Chester B will want to see proof."

"Yeah, I know. That's why I'm taking this contract. I think that will make him believe. Don't you?" Johnny smiled toward Roy. "Chester B will have to believe once he sees this."

"Are you about ready?" Roy wanted to get Johnny over to Cap's house. This was his first outing since the accident. He was still recovering, and didn't need to over do it.

"I just need to get something from the other room. I'll be right back." Johnny disappeared down the hall.

Once in his bedroom Johnny once again looked around his room. Memories flooded his mind. Things he had forgotten and now remembered. He walked over to the closet, opened the door and reached high up on the shelf in the back corner under the blankets he had some important papers hidden. He pulled them down and opened the envelope.

Inside he found the things he was looking for. He smiled to himself. He looked through them to be sure everything he needed remained in the envelope. He slid the documents back in and closed the closet.

Then he moved to the dresser. Opening the third drawer on the right he took out all of the clothes and laid them on the bed. He pulled the drawer from the dresser and flipped it over. On the bottom side, taped to the wood he pulled another thick envelope off. He returned the drawer and replaced the clothes. Turning the envelope over he opened the gold metal clasp and looked inside. 'This should help prove to Chet. He'll recognize my handwriting. He'll know this is real.'

Tucking the two envelopes under his arm he left his bedroom. "Okay Roy, I'm ready if you are."