"So, Gage, are you gonna tell me how great your morning was on Tuesday with your hot breakfast and magically cleaned clothes," Mike asked, as he filled his cup with coffee. Johnny was already sitting at the table drinking a cup of coffee.
"Try dirty dishes in the sink, stepped on a toy, and had my wife yell at me because when I got worried about her and called out her name I woke Hunter," Johnny said, yawning as he said the last words.
"That doesn't sound like Ainsley," Mike said, concern in his voice. "What's wrong?"
"Hunter's got an ear infection. She'd been up all night with him and had finally gotten him to fall asleep sitting in the rocker. It's been a rough couple days, he was up several times last night and it was all I could do to get Ainsley to let me get him."
"She knows you had to work today and we may not get a lot of sleep, if today is anything like Monday."
"But she's pregnant," Johnny said. "She needs her sleep."
Mike shrugged. "She worries about you; the same way you worry about her. It's nice. You're lucky."
Something in Mike's voice made Johnny look up at him. "Have a rough couple of days yourself?"
Roy walked into the kitchen and headed to the coffee pot.
"Caroline didn't exactly handle my being unavailable on Tuesday well," Mike said.
"She has no experience with firemen and what our schedules are like. The key isn't how she handled this first event, it's how she handles the second. If she is just as irritated or worse, move on. If she gets better, it's worth giving her some time," Roy said, walking over to the table.
"I guess. We actually had a nice night last night, the phone call earlier that day kinda bugged me though." Mike said.
"Excuse me?"
The men looked up to the delivery man who had just entered the back door.
"I'm looking for Mike Stoker?"
"I'm Stoker," Mike said.
"In here, guys," the guy said, moving out of the way as a couple other men carried in silver trays.
"What is this?" Mike asked, standing up from the table. Johnny and Roy stood as well, as Captain Stanley, Marco and Chet walked into the room to see what commotion was.
The delivery man handed Mike a card while the other men quickly set up 5 silver trays and then a large coffee carafe.
Mike ripped open the envelope and slid out the card. He read it and looked over at the delivery guy.
"Eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, French toast and coffee," the guy pointed to each tray and the carafe. "We'll pick them up this afternoon. No need for you to be here. There is syrup, butter, and silverware all included.
"What is all this?" Captain Stanley asked.
"So sorry for my behavior the other day. Hope this helps get you and your friends shift off to a better start. Be Safe, Caroline," Mike read the card out loud.
"Gotta love how she apologizes," Chet said.
"I can think of more fun ways," Johnny said with a wicked grin.
"This benefits all of us, unless you think…"
"Kelly," Captain Stanley caught off the remark of his junior linesmen.
"Just joking, Cap," Chet didn't look the least bit repentant.
Johnny gave Chet a dirty look.
"Sheesh, no sense of humor," Chet said, heading toward the food. "So can we dig in Stoker?"
"Sure, help yourself. Cap, can I use your phone? I think I should call and say thank you," Mike asked.
"Sure, Mike. Go ahead."
Mike started to move toward the office when the klaxons sounded.
"Station 51, dumpster fire, 256 Amberly Way, time out 8:11," Sam's voice came over the speaker.
"Oh man," Chet dropped his eggs back into the tray, and headed toward the engine behind Marco. Mike had stepped forward to open the bay door, Captain Stanley moved over to the podium to write down the information.
"More for us," Johnny said, reaching for a plate as the engine left the station. He piled the plate high with food and then grabbed fresh cup of coffee. "Mmmm, good coffee," he said, heading toward the table. "I hope Caroline has to apologize a lot," Johnny said, his mouth stuffed with bacon.
Roy just laughed and shook his head. He personally thought the apology was a bit over the top, but he looked at the large TV over in the dayroom, he remembered another woman going out of her way to do super nice things for the group. Ainsley had bought the station a new TV when theirs had been destroyed in one of the vandalism attacks Tim performed on the station.
Roy sat down to eat while he could. He and Johnny were still sitting at the table when the guys rolled back in.
"Quick fire," Johnny said.
"No fire," Mike said.
"What?" Roy looked up.
"Prank call, is my guess," Captain Stanley said. "256 Amberly Way, was an abandoned hardware store, there wasn't even a dumpster on the property."
"I just hope the food's still hot," Marco said, as he reached for a plate.
"Don't you think you should let Mike get a plate first, since it was his girlfriend that sent it?" Johnny asked.
"This from the guy with the stuffed belly," Chet scoffed.
"He's right, get in there, Mike," Roy said.
Mike moved forward and grabbed a plate. "I think I will, it smells great, and I just realized I didn't eat before I left this morning because I had to leave early to catch a ride with my neighbor since my truck's still in the shop."
The klaxons sounded, "Engine 51, structure fire, 983 Culver Dr. Time out, 8:35," Sam's voice again interrupted the guys chance to eat breakfast.
Mike set the plate on the counter, grabbed a piece of bacon to shove in his mouth and moved toward the engine with the other men.
Johnny and Roy exchanged looks. "Sounds like it may be another really busy shift," Roy commented. "At least for the engine."
"Roy," Johnny shook his head. "You know not to say things …"
The klaxons sounded.
"Like that," Johnny finished.
"Squad 51, possible heart attack, 487 Wildemere, time out 8:36."
Roy moved to write down the address, while Johnny consulted the map. They both quickly loaded up into the squad and headed out, the sirens going.
They had made it about ½ way to their destination before the radio in the Squad sounded.
"Squad 51, cancel, police officer on site states the location is barber shop, owner and customers report no medical emergency at their location."
Johnny looked over at Roy. He picked up the mic, "10-4, Squad 51 available."
"What do you think…" Johnny stopped talking as the mic clicked with an incoming message.
"LA, this is Engine 51, can you confirm our address, 983 Culver Drive is a vacant lot. We have no structure fire in this area."
"Standby Engine 51."
There was a short pause.
"Engine 51, confirming address is 983 Culver Drive. Caller did not leave their name. Are you canceling your call and making yourself available?"
"10-4 LA, Engine 51 available and returning to Station." Captain Stanley's voice came over the radio.
"Three false alarms in the first hour we're on shift? I don't like where this is going," Roy said, turning the Squad into a parking lot so they could turn around and head back to the station.
Johnny just looked over at him.
E
The klaxons sounded again and the men groaned. They'd had 28 alarms so far today between the squad and the engine; nineteen had been false alarms. They had crawled into bed about 25 minutes ago and the delay had been just long enough for them all to fall asleep.
"Squad 51, woman in need of medical care, no other specific information given. 285 Amber Oaks Dr. Time out 10:55 PM," the call specifics came over the speaker.
Roy wrote down the address and handed it to Johnny as he got into the Squad. Johnny consulted the map on the dashboard quickly and pointed for Roy to turn left out of the station.
"Who wants to bet that's a false alarm," Chet said, rolling over in his bed with some hope of getting a little sleep.
"No bet," Marco said, not liking the lack of specifics.
E
Roy pulled the squad up to the curb of house at 285 Amber Oaks Dr. "Well, at least there are lights on, there is a slight possibility this is a real call."
Johnny opened the door and got out of the squad, turning to open the side compartment.
"I'm so glad you're here," A woman ran out to the squad. "It's my mom, she's really sick. I need to get her to a hospital, but she's too weak to even walk to the car."
"What seems to be the problem?" Roy asked, coming around the back of the squad.
"She's running a fever of 104.3 and she can barely walk," the young woman said.
"Is she having any difficulty breathing?" Johnny asked, looking at the oxygen tank.
"No, she's breathing fine, but her joints are actually red and swollen and she has a rash."
Johnny left the oxygen tank and handed Roy the biophone and he carried in the drug box.
They followed the woman into the house and down the hallway to a back bedroom. A woman probably in her early 60's was laying in the bed. She looked like she was in a lot of pain.
"Ma'am, can you tell me what's bothering you?" Roy asked, setting down the biophone and sitting on the edge of the bed next to the woman.
"I feel miserable," the woman said softly. "I think I have the flu."
"Would you mind if I took your blood pressure," Roy asked, taking the blood pressure cup Johnny was handing to him.
"Okay."
Roy wrapped the cuff around her arm and put the ear pieces for the stethoscope into his ears. He squeezed the bulb multiple times, listening for the changings sounds. "125/82," he told Johnny.
Johnny made a note in his notebook.
"Can you put this under your tongue?" Roy held out a thermometer. The woman complied with is request. Roy held her wrist counting her pulse and watching her respirations while she was sitting with the thermometer in her mouth.
"Would you mind if I looked at your knees and ankles?" Johnny asked.
The woman nodded, as the thermometer was still in her mouth.
Johnny raised the leg of her pant leg, her ankles and knees were swollen to about twice the normal size and looked very red.
"If you touch her ankles and knees, they are really warm to the touch," the young woman said.
"104.6, pulse is 85, respiration is 46," Roy said.
Johnny noted the vitals and picked up the biophone. "Rampart, this is Squad 51."
"Go ahead 51," Dr. Estrada said.
"Rampart, we have a woman in her early 60s complaining of joint pain, rash and fever. She has a temp of 104.6, pulse is 85, respiration is 46. Ankles and knees are red, swollen and warm to the touch. Her fingers are inflamed. Patient also has two distinct rashes on her extremities, one is large, red hives, the other is small red petechiae," Johnny relayed the information over the biophone.
"Does your throat hurt?" Roy asked.
"No, not at all."
"Is your voice always this raspy?" Roy asked.
"My voice isn't raspy," the woman said.
The young woman nodded, "Yeah, mom, it is. And no, it's not normally like this," she said looking over at Roy.
"51, is the patient complaining of any difficulty breathing or swallowing?"
"Negative, Rampart. However, patient has been consistently clearing her throat and her voice is raspy."
"51, is there any tenderness in the abdomen?" Dr. Estrada asked.
"I'm just gonna press on your stomach," Roy said, before moving his hands to her abdomen and lightly pressing down. He then reached up to feel around her neck. "No tenderness or rebounding, and no swollen glands," Roy told Johnny.
"Negative, Rampart. No tenderness or rebounding and patient does not have any palpable glands."
"51, is the patient able to walk?"
"Negative, Rampart, that is why we were called out."
"51, transport as soon as the ambulance arrives. Start an IV of saline solution TKO."
"10-4 Rampart, starting an IV of saline solution TKO and will transport the patient as soon as possible," Johnny hung up the biophone; while Roy withdrew the necessary supplies to start an IV.
The ambulance arrived a few minutes later. "Would you like to ride with her?" Roy asked the daughter.
"No, I'll drive my car so I have a way to get home. She's safe, right?"
"Yes, she's gonna be fine," Roy assured her.
Johnny came back in the room with the two ambulance attendants. They quickly loaded the woman up and moved her toward the ambulance. Roy climbed in with her. Johnny loaded the equipment back into the squad and followed not far behind the ambulance.
E
Roy was waiting for Johnny when he walked into Rampart.
"How's the patient?"
"They're running some tests. I think Dr. Estrada is viewing it as a medical mystery. He says it doesn't really fit the flu, but they'll runs some tests. He also said it doesn't fit with a rheumatological disease because it came on suddenly. He's ordered a bunch of blood work and is contemplating a spinal tap," Roy explained moving toward the squad.
"Well, I'm sorry she's sick," Johnny said, "but I'm glad it was an actual call and not another false alarm. "
"I have to admit I agree with you. What have we had, 10 false alarms today?"
"Just for the squad; I think the engine has had even more than that," Johnny said, getting into the squad and reaching for his seatbelt.
Roy started the engine and pulled out heading toward the station. Johnny leaned forward, keying the mic, "LA, Squad 51 available."
Roy backed the squad into the station, noting that the engine was out again.
"I wonder…,"
"LA, Engine 51, cancel the call for a gas leak at this location. It is a false alarm."
"Guess that answers that question," Johnny said, of his unspoken question.
"Cap has passed mad and just sounds defeated," Roy observed.
"He's probably exhausted," Johnny said. "I don't think the engine has been here long enough for anyone to have a full cup of coffee. And they didn't get any of that fabulous food."
Roy shook his head and moved toward the dorm room. He was hoping that he could at least get a little bit of sleep before the next call. He had just settled into the bed when he heard the engine pull back into the bay. The other guys shuffled in without speaking, quickly stripped down to their boxers and t-shirts and climbed into bed.
Mike lay in his bunk, looking at the ceiling. He was just waiting for the alarms to sound sending them on another wild goose chase. Eventually, he heard the soft rhythmic breathing of his friends, but sleep alluded him. He continued to wait for the tones to ring.
At some point Mike finally fell asleep, but it seemed only a matter of minutes before the wake up tones sounded.
"No more calls," Captain Stanley noted.
"The prankster probably went to bed," Chet sarcastically observed.
"Let's hope it was just teenagers getting their kicks before school starts next week," Roy said, as the gang moved into the kitchen for much needed coffee.
"Maybe, but that's what I'm here to find out."
"Kate," Johnny said, surprised to see his ex-girlfriend.
"We got a report today that said Station 51 had been the recipient of multiple false alarm calls. The Fire Department asked us to look into it. As I am sure you all know, these calls had other stations needing to respond to calls that would have normally gone to you; which caused longer response times."
"Someone died," Roy said, more as a statement than as a question.
Kate nodded. "A man died from a heart attack and there is some concern it may have been avoidable if there hadn't been an additional 10-minute delay because 29 had to respond because you guys were on what turned out to be a false alarm. The police will be investigating to find out who is responsible for these calls. When a potential connection was made between the false alarms and a report Mike filed about vandalism to his truck, I asked for the case. I've worked with the station previously on an attack against all of you. I'm concerned someone is targeting you again," Kate explained.
"Why don't you sit down Kate and we can give you all the details we can before we get another call," Captain Stanley said.
Kate joined them at the table, Johnny poured her a cup of coffee and carried it over to her before taking a seat. Kate lifted the cup to her mouth, taking a small sip of the hot liquid.
"Kate, did you get married?" Chet asked, noticing the diamond ring on her left hand.
Kate smiled. "Not yet, but I am in a couple of months."
The men said a round of congratulations.
"Who's the lucky guy," Johnny asked.
"Eric, my former partner," Kate said, with a shy smile.
"Former partner?"
"Eric was promoted to a Lieutenant position in homicide," Kate explained. The klaxons sounded calling out the engine. "Mike, can I call you later?" Kate called out.
"Try for late afternoon," Mike said, climbing into the engine.
Kate looked over at Johnny and Roy, "I've got all the information on the calls, but do either of you have any thoughts?" Kate asked, still sitting at the table.
Both Johnny and Roy shook their head. "Mike will tell you about the vandalism, but our understanding is he crossed some underage kids when he took their beer," Roy explained.
"Nothing about the locations struck a chord, you didn't see a person in the vicinity at more than one call?"
"No," Johnny said, looking over at Roy.
"Me neither," Roy confirmed.
"Okay," Kate sighed. "I'll talk to Mike later today and interview the boys."
"Any initial thoughts?" Roy asked.
"Not yet, but I just started investigating."
"I'll walk you out," Johnny volunteered, as Kate stood up.
"Congratulations, Kate. I'm really happy for you," Johnny said, really meaning it. Kate was a really great person, and he felt bad the way things had ended with them, but he had been in love with Ainsley before he had even met Kate, he just hadn't realized it at the time.
"Thanks. How's Ainsley?"
"About to deliver our second child," Johnny said proudly.
"Well, congratulations to you," Kate said, with a smile and a nod of her head.
"Thanks. Ainsley is definitely ready for this pregnancy to be over. It's been harder on her than with Hunter."
"Well, I hope everything goes well for her," Kate said, getting into her car.
E
Johnny rubbed his eyes as he put the Rover in park. He was glad to be home. He rubbed Chief's head and headed into the kitchen. Ainsley was at the stove, but Hunter wasn't at the table.
"Where's Hunter?"
"Believe it or not, still sleeping," Ainsley said with a smile. "I think he's catching up from the last couple nights." Ainsley leaned forward to kiss him as he approached.
"Guess who I saw this morning?"
"Who?"
"Kate."
"Kate, as in Detective Kate Stryker? As in the woman who thought I was behind all the terror Station 51 went through a year and a half ago? As in your ex-girlfriend? That Kate?"
"Yeah," Johnny said, a little confused at the anger suddenly in Ainsley's voice.
"And you just causally mention to me that you saw the woman that had me questioned for setting a bomb? That Kate?"
"Kate, who shot Tim and saved your life, that Kate," Johnny said. He closed his eyes briefly, he already had a slight headache and this was just going to make it worse.
"So you're spending time with your beautiful, thin, ex-girlfriend, while your whale of a wife is home taking care of your sick son," Ainsley pouted. She knew she was being ridiculous, but she could feel herself getting so angry and she couldn't seem to stop it.
Ainsley turned to face the skillet, and flipped the pancakes.
"You're pregnant, Ainsley," Johnny mumbled, half asleep.
"So you admit I'm fat," she said, turning around and staring at the back of Johnny's head. He had rested his head in his hands and actually was starting to doze off, he didn't even hear her.
When he said nothing, Ainsley felt her blood start to boil, thinking that meant he agreed she was fat.
She threw the spatula across the kitchen, the bang of it hitting the wall caused Johnny to jump. "What the…"
"I can't believe you would say something like that to me," Ainsley threw the dish towel from her shoulder down on the counter and stormed out of the room.
"Ainsley," Johnny moved to follow her down the hall, but turned back into the kitchen. He removed the pancakes from the skillet and turned it off before turning back to go find his wife. She was laying on her side on their bed, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Ainsley?" Johnny tentatively approached her.
"Get out," Ainsley whispered.
"No, not until you tell me what is going on with you," Johnny said.
Ainsley was quite.
Johnny sat down on the edge of the bed and Ainsley just started to cry harder.
"Sweetheart, why don't you go out today. Go down and get Joanne, go shopping, something fun," Johnny suggested not sure how to deal with her.
"Really?" Ainsley said, wiping at her eyes.
"Yeah, I think maybe you just need to get out of the house for a little bit."
"Thanks," Ainsley said, liking the idea of getting out.
E
Ainsley knocked and let herself into the DeSoto home. "Jo," she called out.
"In here," Joanne called from the kitchen.
"Hey, you want to go out and do some shopping?" Ainsley asked, walking into the kitchen.
Joanne turned to look at her and knew she'd been crying.
"Roy's beat with all those false alarms. I've got to let him get some sleep."
"What false alarms?"
"The Station had 22 false alarms yesterday. They think it might be related to some teenagers who may have also vandalized Mike's truck. The police are investigating. I thought that was why you'd been crying."
Ainsley sat down and sighed. "No, Johnny never got past telling me he saw Kate."
"That's how he started the conversation," Joanne rolled her eyes.
"Oh, Joanne, I was horrible," Ainsley said. "I got super angry and threw a spatula and then went to our room and cried my eyes out. I've got to get home, Johnny's got to be exhausted."
"Why don't I go get Hunter. The kids will love playing with him and they won't get a lot more days to hang at the park with him before school starts," Joanne stood up and walked over to her purse. "I had intended to give you this next week, but you should try to use it today." Joanne handed her a gift certificate for a nearby salon. "Go get a massage, facial, manicure and pedicure."
"Are you sure?" Ainsley felt bad taking advantage of Joanne's kindness.
"I'm sure, you look like you need it."
"What is wrong with me? I feel like I'm going crazy; today was just so insane and I knew I was behaving like an idiot and I couldn't stop myself."
"Pregnancy hormones are tough," Joanne said.
"It wasn't like this with Hunter," Ainsley said.
"Every pregnancy is different. Go, relax, enjoy," Joanne encouraged her.
As soon as Ainsley left her house, Joanne headed down to their house. She let herself intthe back door. Johnny was sitting at the kitchen table, feeding Hunter pancakes.
Johnny turned as Joanne entered.
"I'm gonna take him home with me, Johnny. Get some sleep," Joanne said. She walked over to Hunter and unbuckled him from is booster seat. She picked up a pancake and handed it to the little boy. Hunter took a bite.
"Where's Ainsley?"
"On her way to the spa for a day of pampering."
"Joanne…" Johnny looked at her, unsure of how to word his question.
"Less than a month," Joanne gave him a smile. "I was worse with Jenny, just ask Roy."
Johnny watched Joanne walk out the door with Hunter. He made his way back to his bedroom, stripped off his clothes, leaving them lying by the bed, and slipped under the covers. He was asleep in a matter of seconds.
E
Ainsley quietly walked into the bedroom. Joanne had told her to just come by and get Hunter after dinner so she and Johnny could have some time alone. Ainsley looked down at the clothes on the floor, but didn't get upset, she knew Johnny had to have been so exhausted, but he had been willing to stay up and watch their son so she could get out.
Ainsley slipped out of her sundress and hung it in her closet. She stripped off the rest of her clothes and slid into bed with her husband. Johnny made a small sound, but otherwise didn't move. Ainsley snuggled up against him, she felt his arm go around her, and pull her closer, but he seemed to do it in his sleep.
She rested her hand on his chest and slowly began to run hand across his chest and down his abdomen.
Johnny sighed, opened his eyes and gave her a small smile.
"Hi," Ainsley whispered.
"Hey," Johnny's voice was husky from sleep.
Ainsley let her hand continue to slowly stroke down her husband's chiseled body. Johnny groaned with pleasure as she stroked him. She smiled as she felt him harden at her touch. Ainsley maneuvered awkwardly so she could straddle her husband. Johnny smiled as she joined their bodies. He placed his hands on her hips and enjoyed looking into her eyes as they made love.
Ainsley lay wrapped in his arms after, again gently stroking his chest. "I'm so sorry for earlier," Ainsley said. "I don't know what came over me. Joanne told me about all the false alarms and the vandalism to Mike's truck. Everyone okay?"
"Yeah, except for 6 really tired guys and Mike's poor truck," Johnny said, turning to kiss her temple.
"Does Kate have any ideas?"
Johnny hesitated.
"It's okay, I'm human again right now," Ainsley joked.
"Not yet, but she'll investigate the teenagers."
"How is she doing?"
"Engaged to be married," Johnny said.
"Really?"
"To her former partner, Eric."
Ainsley smiled. "Good for her."
"Feel better?" Johnny asked.
Ainsley sighed, "Kate was never my issue. I'm sorry, Johnny. I don't know what came over me. I suddenly thought about how beautiful Kate is and how huge and frumpy I look right now. I just felt overwhelmed.
Johnny rolled over onto his side and slid his hand over her belly. "You're gorgeous. I love the way you look. You radiate, and I get totally turned on thinking about how you're carrying my baby." Johnny let his hand continue sliding up her body, caressing her breasts. "You're so sexy I can barely keep myself from trying to get you into bed multiple times a day. And if you don't believe me, I can prove it," Johnny leaned forward, catching her mouth in a kiss.
Ainsley let herself melt into the kiss. "I love you so much, my husband," she said when he finally pulled back.
"I love you my wife," Johnny said, pulling her toward him for round two.