Turn Turn Turn

by tinywriter365

No, this is not going to be a song fic, although the premise of that song seemed fitting for this third part of my Changes series. If you have not done so, you'll want to read The First Step to Major Changes and Changes Amid Frustration to understand this story. This story picks up two weeks after the end of Changes Amid Frustration. As always, I do not own anything belonging to E

10. Chapter 10

Chapter 10-How Many More?

Summary: Two calls simultaneously leave Roy asking an important question in the middle of April.

KMG 365

As the temperatures around Los Angeles County started to rise, the citizens were enjoying more time outdoors. Many families were enjoying meals from a variety of food trucks. At times there joined by various public servants who wanted a quick bite for lunch or dinner between calls.

This was the case on Tuesday, April 15, for Captain Roy Desoto and his crew. The men were on their way back from their fourth call of the morning. The men had been going since before they officially went on duty. As they approached a local hotdog stand, Chet asked, "Hey Cap, can we stop for lunch?"

Roy was not the biggest fan of food truck food; however, the Captain could not ignore his growling stomach. "Yeah, Chet, let's get some food."

Chet grinned and made the turn into the gravel parking lot where the food truck sat. "Yes, Cap." As soon as the truck stopped, all four men climbed out. Roy updated their location over the HT while the men headed toward lunch. All four of them shared the same silent thought, 'please let the county forget about us for a little while.' The guys smiled and said hi to a young mom and her son as they waited to order. They were playing in the corner of the lot, having just finished their meal.

Roy smiled at the young boy who wouldn't stop waving to him. As the guys ordered, there was a familiar voice behind them.

"Hey guys," Deputy Vince Howard said with a smile as Shane placed the last order among the crew.

Roy turned at the sound of his friend's voice. "Good afternoon, Vince. How are things?"

"Par for the course. How about you guys?"

"Same here hence the lunch stop."

Vince laughed, "I can understand that."

The five men gathered by the back of the engine to enjoy their food. All of them ate at their average on-duty pace; eat it now, taste it later. The group made small talk as they ate.

KMG 365

As they ate, Roy's internal alert started to sound. The seasoned firefighter and rescue man stiffened and searched the premises for the source of the problem. Vince, Seth, Shane, and Chet picked up on the captain's body language change. Seth quickly gathered the crew's trash and threw it away; it was time to go back to work.

Chet asked, "Roy, what's going on?"

Roy spoke in a serious tone. "Something's not right. Make sure the engine is ready to go…."

Before Roy could finish the command, a blood-curdling scream tore through the air. On reflex, Roy and his crew, along with Vince, ran toward the sound. It was coming from the corner of the parking lot in the same area where the young mom and her son had been playing.

KMG 365

The young woman was in an absolute panic as the first responders reached her. She was cradling her son in her arms.

Roy kept his voice caring, but even as he asked, "What's wrong?"

"He…he's not breathing right. I…I don't know what's going on. We…we were playing, there were few bugs around and then suddenly he screamed. Now he isn't breathing right." The frantic woman finished her explanation.

"Ma'am, may I?" Roy asked with a sense of urgency in his voice. "Can he receive emergency medical care?"

The young woman nodded and cried out. "Please, please help him. Do whatever you need to do." Roy quickly picked up the young boy, who was quickly developing more issues breathing. Roy looked up at Vince. "Vince, take her to Rampart."

The officer nodded and guided the frantic mom toward his squad car while Roy's crew quickly turned and ran toward the engine.

While the woman was talking, Chet had grabbed the HT off of Roy's belt. The crew was already in motion as he spoke in a crisp tone. "LA, Engine 95."

It took a few seconds, but dispatch responded. "Go Engine 95."

"LA, we have a medical emergency at our location. What is the ETA for the closest squad to our location?"

"The closest squad to you is squad 36; they are fifteen minutes from your location."

Roy grimaced at the time frame given by dispatch. He shook his head as the crew reached their vehicle. The young boy in his arms was struggling even more. "Ask them to contact Rampart and let them know we are transporting a pediatric patient with difficulty breathing aboard the engine," Roy said as he gave a quick rescue breath to the young boy.

Chet nodded as he keyed the HT again. "LA, we are going to transport a pediatric patient with difficulty breathing to Rampart. Please alert them that we are going to be coming in hot."

"10-4 Engine 95. LA clear KME 496."

Chet quickly boarded the engine and started the large truck. Roy knew he needed room to work on the young boy he had been giving rescue breaths too. "Shane, ride on the back for me. Seth, I'm going to need you on radio relay for me. I also need the stethoscope out of the first aid kit."

"Yes, Cap," Seth said as he helped Roy into the truck. As soon as the four men were aboard, Chet hit the lights and sirens and took off. Shane quickly jumped on the back. He was pressing the pedal nearly through the floor. Vince was on his tail with the mom in his passenger seat and his lights and sirens going.

KMG 365

As soon as he was inside the cab, Roy quickly laid the young boy down and removed his shirt. He looked up and saw the open first aid kit. He grabbed the stethoscope and a small pen light. The ears went over his neck as if they belonged there. He clicked the light on and carefully opened the boy's mouth. It was quickly apparent the young man had several hives in his mouth. His tongue was also swelling.

"He is in anaphylactic shock," Roy spoke quickly as he listened to the young man's chest. The former paramedic shook his head. Time was critical, and things were not looking for the young man. Seth watched his captain work in awe. The older man looked his lineman in the eyes. "Seth, get LA on the horn request tac-two for an open line to Rampart."

"LA, Engine 95." Seth nodded and quickly placed the requested call. While he did, Roy stripped the young boy and found the source of the issues. His ankles were swollen with noticeable bites on them. It only took a moment before they had the open connection.

"Go ahead, engine 95. I have Rampart on the phone."

Seth keyed the mic as Roy spoke. "LA, we are transporting a four-year-old male in apparent anaphylactic shock. The source seems to be some type of insect bites on both ankles. Breathing is labored. There are bilateral rails and congestion. There are several hives in his mouth, and his tongue is swelling."

"10-4 Engine 95. Rampart is requesting your ETA."

Chet heard the transmission and called out. "Two minutes."

Roy yelled back. "Make it a minute, Chet."

The engine lurched as Chet hit the gas pedal even harder.

KMG 365

As the lumbering engine made the tight turn into the parking lot of Rampart, the young boy gasped and stopped breathing. "He stopped breathing!" Roy yelled out as he quickly started rescue breathing. Seth said a silent prayer for both his steadfast, focused Captain and the young boy he cradled in his arms as Chet brought the engine to a halt.

It was mere seconds after the engine stopped before Chet was out of the driver's seat and opened the door closet to Roy. The seasoned man turned, and the sight that greeted him made him grateful. Doctor Kelly Brackett was at the door in just seconds.

Roy called out, "Doc, he just stopped breathing as we pulled in."

Kel nodded and helped his friend out of the engine. The young boy was quickly laid out on a waiting stretcher. Brackett quickly administered the medicines that a young intern was holding out that Roy didn't recognize.

Roy coughed to catch his breath as he was handed an Ambu bag. He quickly started bagging the boy as Brackett yelled out, "Let's go."

The men quickly took off with Chet, Shane, Seth, Vince, and the boy's mom following them. Kel asked, "Do we have parental consent."

"Yes, mom gave verbal consent. Vince Howard has her now." Roy answered as he continued bagging the boy. The medicines had begun to work, but he still needed to support his breathing. The stretcher was turned into the exam room, where Dixie was waiting for them.

KMG 365

"Let's get a complete blood workup, and a Benadryl IV started." Kel barked as Roy locked the wheels on the stretcher. He wanted to get the meds going, and the pain of not doing so reflected in his sharp blue eyes. As Dixie started the IV, the unknown intern got a new set of vitals.

Roy let out a tight breath as he heard the boy's breathing was improving. He no longer needed the bag. Without a second thought, Kel handed a mask to his friend. He wanted to support the kid with very little work.

"Doctor Brackett does he…."

Roy cut off the comment by applying the support with practiced ease. "Doc, can I do anything else for you?"

"Did you see what happened/'

"No, we were finishing lunch when his mom yelled out."

"Where was he playing?"

"In the corner of the parking lot. While the guys and I were in line to order, I noticed many fire ants near where they were. The mom kept trying to move her son away."

"I bet that's it. Dix…" Dixie quickly handed Kel the scrape kit to take an allergy scrape for fire ants. After the scrape and blood draw was done, Kel looked at Dixie. "Dixie, do me a favor?"

"Yes, Doctor Brackett?"

"Take this to the lab and tell them I needed this yesterday."

Dixie grinned, "I'll talk nice to them."

Roy involuntarily shuddered at that thought. A reaction that brought a smirk from his friends as Dixie turned and left.

KMG 365

Kel turned to Roy. "Roy, we've got it from here. Thank you for all your help."

Roy's voice was solemn and sincere. "Anytime, Doc. Anytime." The fire captain leaned down and whispered in the young boy's ear. "Hang in there, little one." Then he stood, turned, and walked out the door.

KMG 365

As the door, Kel growled through his teeth at the intern. "Doctor Marks, when I hand something to someone who is helping me with a patient, it is because I know they know what they are doing. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir." The intern spoke in an almost sad tone.

"Good."

KMG 365

Roy turned toward the waiting room where the young boy's mom was waiting, surrounded by Vince and his crew. The familiar walk was made at a relaxed pace. One that let the former medic soak in the feeling and calm his mind after the call.

The mom looked up with fear in her eyes. Roy knelt in front of her and took her hands in his. His voice was soothing. "Ma'am."

"Pl…please, call me Meg." Her voice was full of nerves and emotion.

"Meg, my name is Roy Desoto. I am a Captain with the Los Angeles County Fire Department."

"Your men told me about you. May I ask you a couple of questions?"

"Yes."

"How is Rich?"

"He is breathing a lot easier. Doctor Brackett is running a few tests on him, but he is steadily improving. I know he will be out to talk to you as soon as he has all the test results."

Meg started to tear up as she surprised Roy with a hug. "How do I thank you for saving my son's life?"

Surprised, Roy returned the hug as he smiled warmly. "I was just doing my job, ma'am."

"How did you stay so calm? I mean, I screamed, and you guys came running without a second thought."

"It was our reflexes, ma'am."

"You knew exactly what to do?"

"Before I became a captain, I was a paramedic for nearly seven years my natural training kicked in."

"Thank God that it did. I owe you my son's life."

Roy was about to respond when a loud sound tore through the emergency room. It was a sound that caught the attention of all of the firemen. The men went back to work mode and were on their feet in a second.

Meg spoke quickly. "Go, I'm okay. I can wait for news on my son. Somebody needs you."

The now concerned mom had barely finished her sentence before Roy and crew turned and ran toward the source of the sound.

KMG 365

Just up the road from Rampart, the crew of station 127 had been keeping a close ear on their radio for the last several minutes. The urgency of Chet's transmission had caught the ears of both Marco and Johnny. Reflexively, Johnny stiffened. The former paramedic found himself wishing that he could be at the scene to help his best friend.

Johnny's reaction caught Victor and Keith's attention as they came in from playing basketball. "Cap, is everything okay?" Victor asked.

Johnny swallowed his urge to chase Chet to the hospital before he responded. "Things are okay, guys. We're listening to the transmission from engine 95. They are taking a kid to Rampart with difficulty breathing; it's going to be a rough one from the sound of things.

"Is there anything they need?"

"Good traffic and a little bit of luck. I know Roy is going to do everything he can, but…."

"They've got this, Johnny." Marco understood why Johnny was nervous. Not only did calls with kids get him on edge, but he wasn't there to help Roy, and kid calls tore the blonde-haired man up.

Johnny knew his friend was right. He took a deep breath and smiled. "Thanks, Marco; sometimes even captains need a reminder that everything is going to be okay."

"Anytime, my friend." Marco smiled.

The crew settled in. Johnny went back to his paperwork. Marco was reading while Keith and Victor watched television.

The calm that had settled over the station was disrupted almost as fast as it arrived as the klaxtons beckoned multiple units. Once the tones were finished, Sam Lanier's voice filled the station "Squad 10, Squad 36, Truck 127, and Battalion 14, respond to an elevator emergency at Rampart General Hospital…."

Rather than waiting at the radio stand for the information, Johnny often filled out the call sheets from the captain's seat to save time for the response. The rest of the information blended into the background as the men sprinted for their vehicle. Marco had the lights and sirens going; he was halfway down the driveway before Johnny acknowledged the call.

The crew was tense but focused. There was no way to know exactly what they were responding to.

KMG 365

At Rampart, the pace was already reaching controlled chaos. Roy and his crew sprinted through the emergency room. They made a beeline for the source of the noise; the elevator bank. They were met there by two security guards, Doctor Joe Early, nurse Betty, and Angie, a relatively strong ambulance attendant who had stopped to see if he could help.

"Doctor Early, what happened?" Roy asked in his captain's tone.

There was a tight smile in the older man's eyes at the sound of his friend's voice. "The second elevator is stuck between floors."

"Where is the first elevator?"

"Sixth floor."

Roy turned to Betty, "Call the nurse's station on the sixth floor, have them block the elevator. I am sending one of my men up to put it in firefighter operation."

Joe nodded to Betty, who responded to Roy. "Yes, Captain." Betty took off to make the call.

Roy turned to Shane, the fastest member of his crew. "Shane…"

Shane cut his Captain off. "On my way, Cap." Shane took off and headed for the stairs.

Roy turned to Chet and Seth. "Chet, Seth, we're going to need the jaws, a crowbar, and rope."

"Yes, Cap," the duo responded as they ran off. Roy grabbed his radio and called the scene into dispatch before he turned to Joe.

"Doc, was this one on the way up or the way down?"

"Down. I was waiting for it to go up and check on a patient when I heard it stop…."

A sudden loud sound cut off the conversation, people screaming. "Help! Help us, please."

Knowing that Joe was not known for his loud voice, Roy pounded on the door and yelled back. "The fire department is here. Please stay calm. We are coming to get you." He hoped his words would calm the trapped people while the pieces of a rescue plan were coming together. "How many people are in the elevator?"

"Six." One of the people responded.

"Okay," Roy yelled back. Joe wrote the information down.

Joe turned to Angie and the security guard. "Angie, Buck, We are going to need six stretchers, and exam rooms prepped. Work with Dixie to get the rooms prepared."

"She's in three with Kel and my pediatric anaphylaxis case," Roy spoke as he was helping Chet and Seth set up their equipment.

Joe nodded. "Angie, she's in three."

The dark-haired man jogged toward the exam room with Buck on his heels. As they left, Hank, Johnny, and crew, as well as the requested paramedics, showed up.

KMG 365

Hank jogged over to Roy. "Roy, what do we have?"

"Six people trapped in elevator two between the floors. One is already in our control."

Hank turned and quickly handed out the orders. Ideally, the crews would not have to go through the roof hatch. However, all of the responders knew that was very much a possibility. Adam and Taylor were helping Joe prepare for the victims once they were rescued.

The others were put to work on the rescue. All of the men could feel the eyes of everyone in the emergency room on them. However, they stay focused on the job at hand. Hank kept an extra eye on his former paramedics, knowing both men were ready to get into rescue at any moment.

It only took a few minutes for the crews to get the outer elevator doors open. The sound of the doors opening made those trapped scream out again. "Help, help!"

This time, Hank yelled down. "Ladies and gentlemen, the county fire department is working on getting you out. We'll be in soon."

A quick assessment of the scene revealed they could get most of those trapped out without using the hatch. The crews worked together to open the inner doors of the elevator carefully. Five extremely grateful people were carefully removed from the car. The people who were not severely injured, much to the relief of the crowd.

As the fifth rescue finished, the elevator began to slip again. This sudden movement did not help the nervous young woman in the back corner of the elevator.

KMG 365

"Please, please, help me." The young woman whimpered. "My…my back hurts. I…I don't want to move again."

The potential back injury added a sense of urgency to the situation. By now, Kel had replaced Joe at the scene. Kel was about to start barking orders when Johnny beat him to the punch.

"Taylor, we need a long board and c-collar as well as a stokes and two climbing rings. Marco, go with him." Marco nodded and followed Taylor back through the emergency room. Roy turned to the paramedics from squad 36, "Jack, we need your climbing gear, both belts, please."

"Yes, Sir," Jack said as he took off to get his equipment.

Hank looked at Johnny and Roy, "How do you want to do this?"

Johnny answered. "If there is any potential for a back injury, we are going to need to get her out as straight as possible. That means we have to go through the roof hatch."

Roy added. "We are going to have to use the lightest guys here to limit the amount of pressure in the car."

"The one saving grace is she is standing," Kel added to the conversation.

Roy's tone was serious. "You are right, Doc."

Minutes after Marco and Taylor had left, they returned with needed equipment as well as the squad's IV box and oxygen. Kel was about to comment on the IV box but wanted to stay quiet and let the men focus on the nerve-wracking rescue.

KMG 365

Roy took control of the scene as soon as the men and people arrived. "Taylor, Josh, you are going down with Johnny. Victor, Seth, you are going to be their anchors. Jack, can I have your rings?"

Without question, Jack handed over the requested equipment as well as two sets of climbing gloves. "Thank you, please stand by to receive the stokes." Roy turned to Kel. "Doc, we're going to need a stretcher."

"You got it."

As he spoke, both Roy and Johnny put the climbing gear on. Reflexively, both men checked the other's equipment. While they did, the stokes was loaded with oxygen, c-collar, and board.

Taylor turned to Kel. "Doctor Brackett, do you want a TKO IV?"

"D5W, yes."

"Yes, Sir."

Hank looked down the elevator shaft and yelled, "Ma'am, please don't move. We are coming to get you right now."

"It…it hurts too much to move." The lady whimpered.

Jack was the first lowered. He opened the hatch door with ease. Once the door was open, he carefully entered the elevator. He was followed by Taylor and Johnny, who had the stokes between them. As he was lowered, Johnny shared his traditional look with Roy.

As per usual, it served to center Johnny for the rope work. This time it also served to help Roy, who was still struggling with his call, recenter and focus on the rescue. The group was silent up top as they watched the rescue unfold.

KMG 365

Taylor and Johnny laid the stokes down. Johnny picked up the c-collar while Jack and Taylor prepped the long board and oxygen.

Johnny's voice held its normal, soothing tone. "Ma'am, my name is Captain Johnny Gage with the Los Angeles County Fire Department."

"T…thank you for coming to get me, Johnny."

"You're welcome, Miss…."

"Brittani."

"You're welcome, Brittani. I will put this brace on your neck to protect it while we get you out of here. Does that sound okay?"

"Yes," Brittani said with some fear and pain in her voice. "I'm a bit light-headed too. I think it's from being scared."

"We'll take care of that too, okay."

"Okay."

Johnny carefully applied the brace while Jack introduced himself and applied the oxygen. Johnny held Brittani's head still while Jack and Taylor slid the backboard into place. Once the backboard was in place, Johnny strapped Brittani's head in place. Taylor finished the other straps.

Taylor looked up. "Ready to go, Captain."

Johnny nodded. "Let's get her in the stokes."

"Wh…what's going on?" Brittani asked nervously as the three men carefully worked together to move and lower her into the stokes.

Johnny replied. "We are getting you ready to get out of here, Brittani."

"O…okay."

The young woman was lowered into the stokes. Taylor took a baseline set of vitals which he turned and relayed to Kel.

Brackett responded with, "Start the IV D5W TKO and get her up here."

"Yes, Sir."

Johnny smiled as he watched Taylor start the IV with ease. Once, the bag was under Brittani's shoulder. Johnny looked up. "Bring her up slow and easy, boys." Seconds later, the stokes was in the air and slowly moving topside. After Brittani was topside, Jack and Taylor followed her up.

Johnny was the last out of the elevator. The elevator dropped just as he cleared the hatch. Roy and Johnny shared a combined sigh of relief as the younger man was brought up.

KMG 365

As Brittani was brought up, Kel had positioned the stretcher to receive the stokes. He had also made the call to have a portable x-ray machine meet him in exam two. It seemed like you could hear a pin drop throughout the emergency department during the rescue. A collective sigh of relief echoed through the vast space as the basket stretcher emerged. There was another sigh of relief as each of the rescuers appeared.

Once Brittani was on the stretcher, Kel and Angie quickly wheeled her away. She was just out of sight when Taylor and Jack emerged from the shaft. Johnny soon joined them. Hank let out a mental sigh of relief as each man emerged uninjured from the shaft.

Hank spoke warmly. "Nice work, boys."

"Thank you, Chief," Jack, Taylor, and Johnny said with a smile.

"Alright, boys, let's get this cleaned up, so they can start the inspection and stuff on both elevators." Hank turned to the security guard. "Are you going to stay here and make sure no one uses either elevator?"

"Yes, sir."

"Okay, thank you."

Just before the crews started the clean-up efforts, Dixie approached them. "Chief."

Hank turned at the sound of his friend's voice. "Yes, Miss. McCall."

Dixie smiled at Hank. "Since everyone is back on terra firma, can I borrow Roy for a few minutes? We need to get his anaphylaxis patient upstairs, and the boy's mom is wondering if Roy will carry him."

Hank smiled as he turned to Roy. The older man was trying to keep his emotions hidden. "Go ahead, Roy."

"Thank you, Chief." Roy shot Johnny a look that screamed, this is not going to be easy. Johnny nodded to acknowledge things. It was also a motion to say, 'I'll be here, get him settled in.' Roy took a deep breath and followed Dixie back to the young boy's exam room.

Chet looked at Johnny and Hank. "Guys, he is hurting."

Johnny nodded tightly. "I know, Chet. Chief, do you mind if we stay a few extra minutes?"

Hank nodded. "You can, Johnny. Are you okay from the ropes?"

Johnny smiled tightly. "Would you think I was crazy if I told you I had missed that?"

Chet smirked but respectfully bit his tongue. Hank smiled, "Not at all."

The men worked together to gather and put the gear away in the proper vehicles. The squads also replenished their supplies with Betty. Squad 36 was called out just after they were done with the restock. Kyle headed to the lounge with Johnny, his crew, Roy's crew, and Hank to get a little bit of coffee before they rejoined the county. They spent time together while waiting for Roy.

KMG 365

While the clean-up was going on, Roy followed Dixie into the exam room. Meg turned at the sound of the door opening. She smiled when she saw Roy. "Thank you, Miss. Dixie."

Dixie smiled, "You're welcome, Meg."

Roy smiled as he walked over to the exam table. Rich was sitting up and looked better than he had earlier. "Well hi there, Rich."

"Hi…."

"You can call me, Roy."

"Hi, mister Roy."

"How are you feeling?"

"Better, my leg still hurts, but it's okay. I'm tough."

"Yes, you are, little man." Roy turned to Dixie. "Are they waiting for him upstairs?"

"Have been for a bit. He hung out with me while you guys worked on getting everybody out of the elevator."

Roy turned back to Rich. "Hey Rich, how would you like a special ride upstairs?"

"Oh?"

"Yeah, in my arms."

Rich started cheering. Meg giggled. "I think he likes that idea."

Roy chucked as he picked up Rich. The older man had to swallow back a sudden wave of emotions as the young boy snuggled into his chest. "Are you comfortable, buddy?'

"Yes…I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. Are you warm enough?"

"Little chilly."

"We can fix that real quick." Roy carried Rich over to the door. He heard multiple footsteps outside the door and smiled when he opened the door.

He looked up and saw Chet. "Chet."

Chet turned at the sound of his name and jogged over. "Yes?"

"Can you grab my jacket before I take Rich upstairs?"

"Sure, Cap. I'll be right back."

"Thank you." Rich snuggled into Roy.

The duo waited for just a couple of minutes before Chet was back with the requested jacket. Roy wrapped Rich in the coat, and the young man sighed in relief. He was comfortable and didn't want to move.

KMG 365

The trip upstairs was quiet as Rich started dozing in and out on Roy's shoulder. The former medic had to use every mental trick in the book to keep it from losing his emotions. As a dad of two, his mind went to his kids. The call was also playing with him, especially with how close he knew he had come to losing the young boy sleeping on his shoulder. It was those final thoughts that had him mentally asking, 'how many more?' He knew it was a question that he would voice when he got back downstairs.

Minutes after the group left the emergency room; they arrived at Rich's room. While the pediatric nurse got the orders from Dixie, Roy walked into the room.

Unlike the adult rooms, the ones on this floor were a bit brighter. They were meant to help keep kids calm for the whole time they were a guest at Hotel Rampart. Roy used a couple of techniques he had perfected when Chris and Jenny were younger to lay Rich down without waking him up. The warmth of the blankets replaced his jacket.

Roy gently stroked Rich's face before he turned to Meg and spoke softly. "Don't be afraid to ask anybody for anything you need. He looks amazing."

"Thank you for everything you've done today," Meg smiled as she spoke softly while hugging Roy. The captain returned the gesture warmly. After a few seconds, Roy turned and walked out of the room. The information swap finished as he left the room. The floor nurse smiled and nodded her thanks at the captain and replaced him in Rich's room.

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Dixie turned and looked at her long-time friend. "Come on, Roy. I'll walk back downstairs with you. I have a feeling several hose jockeys are waiting to see you."

Roy swallowed hard; his building emotions swirled in his sharp blue eyes. "Thanks, Dix. I'll be honest with you this was not an easy one. Now that I know he's okay…I can't help but think how…how many more?" Roy nearly choked on the question as he asked. "How many more times does a former paramedic, with the skill to respond, have to pray while a firetruck flies through the county bringing a critical patient to you? One that could be stable if the man could have used the drugs he has administered for years?"

Roy stopped as he opened the door to the emergency room and held it for Dixie. Neither realized that Roy's emotional questions had been heard by a very intrigued party who was just a few steps behind them. The pain in the man's voice had caught the person's attention, who listened quietly, knowing more information was needed before they could bring up changes for the future.

KMG 365

Roy and Dixie quickly made the trip into the lounge. Before she put her hand on the knob, Dixie was called back into action. She nodded a goodbye and mouthed, 'talk to them,' to her friend before she turned and left. Roy nodded and opened the door.

Nine men jumped to their feet at the sound of the door opening. While the group had enjoyed catching up, there had been an err of tension in the room while they waited for Roy. Kyle was enjoying learning about two men that he considered friends.

Roy walked into the room with a shaken look in his eyes. Roy took in the sight and finally let himself take a breath. As he did, he doubled over as his emotions were swirling faster than a whirlpool. The group immediately surrounded the emotional man with Johnny right in front of him.

Johnny's voice was sincere and full of concern as he rubbed his best friend's neck. "Roy, is your friend okay?"

Roy was quiet for a moment before he slowly stood up straight. "He's stable and talking on his own. They want to keep him overnight to monitor his ankles and all." The group let out a collective sigh of relief.

Roy turned to Hank. "Chief, I'm okay to stay on duty. He just….he just got to me."

"I know he did, pal."

"It's not just the fact that he's a kid." Roy's voice was starting to crack again. While Hank knew they had to get back on duty, he knew Roy needed to get this off his chest.

Johnny asked, "What is it?"

Roy's voice cracked again, "It's the question that keeps eating at me. H…how many more…."

"How many more what, Roy?" Kel asked. The group jumped; none of them had heard Kel or Kyle walk into the room.

Kel looked sheepish. "Sorry, guys, didn't mean to scare you."

Roy looked over. "It's okay, Doc." There was a tinge of frustration in his voice. "My question is how many more times? How many more times will someone who knows what needs to be done have to respond knowing they have the capabilities to stabilize the patient but unable to carry the equipment or drugs to do the job in a timely fashion."

The question hung in the air with heaviness as it hit all of the men in the gut. What made it stick even more for his former crewmates and Kel was that Roy was not known to let his emotions show.

Kel walked over to Roy and laid his hand on his friend's shoulder. "I'll be honest, Roy, I cannot give you a full-time table. I know that I am meeting a county government official for dinner tonight to discuss this very subject. I promise they are going to know about everything that happened today."

Roy's voice went cool. "Doc, please make them understand this is as important as passing the Wadsworth-Townsend Act was on the state level. If there is anything any of us…." Roy pointed to the others, "can do just let us know and consider it done in spades."

"Understood."

Hank spoke up. "Guys, I hate to say it, but it's time we get back to the county."

Johnny responded to the group. "Understood Chief, thank you for giving us a few minutes."

"You're welcome, Johnny. Let's get going, boys."

Hank led the group, minus Kel, out of the lounge and through the emergency room. Waves were exchanged with various people as they headed outside.

KMG 365

Almost immediately after going back in service, Kyle and Taylor were called out. The rest of the guys headed for their trucks; they were parked next to each other. Hank waved and left to get a jump on the pile of paperwork from the elevator rescue. Roy and Johnny's crews settled back into their seats, minus their captains. Marco and Chet realized the duo needed a minute to make sure Roy would be okay for the rest of the shift.

Johnny wrapped his arm around Roy's shoulders and whispered. "Pally…."

Roy swallowed and whispered. "Junior, I need to talk to you tomorrow. I…I can't focus on Rich tonight, or I'm going to be a mess."

"I know, my friend. Do me a favor, call Jo, and let her know I will come over in the morning so we can talk. I'll call Lauren as soon as we get back."

Roy took a breath. "Thanks, Junior."

"Anytime, Pally."

The duo shared a look as they reboarded their trucks and called themselves back into action. Both were called out just after leaving the parking lot at Rampart.

As much as Johnny hoped Roy and his crew would rest, he also hoped they would stay busy enough to keep his best friend's mind occupied. The big fireman upstairs seemed to listen to a point as the county was active but not too crazy throughout the rest of the shift.

KMG 365

It was nearly 0830 before Roy pulled into his driveway. Joanne had left the house so the men could talk in private. Johnny followed him roughly ten minutes later. By that time, Roy had changed and started coffee.

Johnny knocked as he walked into the house. "Hey Pally, where are you?"

"In the kitchen," Roy called out.

Johnny jogged through the house toward his best friend's voice. Roy turned at the sound of his footsteps. A look of relief filled his face when he stared into the eyes of his best friend. "Morning Junior, do you want some coffee?"

"I'll take some if you're going to have some. If you want, we can wait." Johnny said as he crossed the kitchen.

"Honestly, I can use a little bit now. After we talk, I am hoping we can just crash for quite a while. Nights like last night hurt."

Johnny groaned. "I know what you mean, Pally." He spoke as he poured two fresh cups of coffee and handed Roy his. Johnny quickly added some milk to his before he took the first drink. "You are a God Pally."

Roy smirked. "Thanks."

The men drank their coffee as they walked through the house. Roy sat down in his favorite chair. Johnny knelt in front of him. The attitude took on a serious tone.

KMG 365

Johnny wrapped his arms around Roy. The blonde man dropped his head against his best friend's shoulder. The familiar warmth of his smooth hands ran along Roy's neck in soft circles. The simple motions broke the older man. At first, nothing was said as much-needed tears of relief and frustration fell from his blue eyes.

Johnny whispered as he continued the slow massage. "That's it, Pally, let it all go. It's just you, and I get it all off your chest."

Roy followed his advice for several minutes before he finally spoke. His voice was full of emotion and slightly muffled by the shoulder he leaned on. "I…I needed that more than I wanted to admit."

"I know you did, Pally."

"I haven't been that scared in almost ten years. He damn near died in my arms. I knew exactly what he needed, and I couldn't do a thing about it. I thanked Chet more times than I can count last night for the way he drove. Rich was more his save than mine."

"My heart was with you as soon as his call went out. Marco and I stopped dead and were glued to the radio. I so wanted to be there and hand you the drugs you needed. I was so grateful when you said he was okay."

"I know."

Johnny swallowed. "I only wish I knew how Kel's dinner meeting went last night?"

"I talked to him before I left this morning because I was checking on Rich."

"How is Rich?"

"Doing well. They are working on getting the poison out of his ankles and finding the dose he'll need for his meds."

"Good. Did he say how the meeting went?"

"He said it went well. The only thing he is trying to figure out is exactly when the county meeting to bring this up is. His contact was going to try and move it up but couldn't guarantee it."

"If he can't move it up, when would it be?"

"July 29."

"Isn't that his birthday?"

Roy smirked. "Actually, yes. Kel said it would be a perfect birthday present if we could convince them to find the money for everything."

Johnny smirked, "I believe we can do that." He sobered. "How are you feeling?"

Roy yawned. "Honestly, drained now. My brain is focusing on what Kel said, but my body is feeling everything from yesterday."

"Let's get some sleep. If you need anything, just let me know."

"You don't mind if I crash here, do you?"

"Not at all. I'll take the couch."

"Thanks again for everything, Junior."

"Anytime, Pally, anytime."

Roy and Johnny broke apart. Roy sat back and was quietly covered with the blanket he kept on the chair. Once he was covered, Johnny headed for the couch. He grabbed a second blanket from the back of the furniture and laid down. It wasn't long after that both men were sound asleep and snoring. Johnny was on his back with his arm over his eyes while Roy was turned in the chair facing Johnny and out cold.