Captain Stanley set a fresh cup of warm coffee down on the table for JoAnne. Earlier Marco went back into the waiting room with Chet and Mike to update his colleagues, and with Dixie now keeping an eye on Johnny he and JoAnne were now alone in the doctor's lounge.
"So how are Chris and Jenny?" Captain Stanley was trying to keep JoAnne's mind off of Roy as much as possible.
"Fine." JoAnne stared at the unappealing mug of coffee. "Chris wants to join little league this summer and Jenny's shown an interest in art. Right now they're staying with my mother."
"Do they... uh, know?" He struggled to find the delicate words.
"Not yet. I told them their daddy wasn't feeling well and I was going to see him at the hospital."
"I see. You know that if you need anything for any reason..."
"I know. Thank you Hank."
Chet walked into the lounge and gently greeted JoAnne with his usual cheesy grin. "Hey JoAnne, you need anything?"
"No Chet, I'm okay. Thank you."
"Uh, cap?" Chet addressed his superior. "Vince stopped by a few minutes ago and cleared the squad of any charges."
Captain Stanley shrugged a little. "Not surprising."
"And we received word that the back-up squad has arrived at the station." He continued. "Chief McConike..."
"Yeah, I know." He looked back to JoAnne. "Duty calls."
"I understand. I'll be alright."
"Remember, if you need anything at all, we're just a phone call away." Reluctantly Captain Stanley rose from the table, but stopped to squeeze JoAnne's shoulder in a reassuring manner.
Dixie walked into the lounge put her hand on Chet's arm. "I take it you have to return to the station."
"Yeah. Any update yet?" Chet asked hopefully.
"They're both in surgery now. I'll call you at the station as soon as it's over." She turned her attention to JoAnne. "I'm sorry you couldn't see Roy before he was taken into the O.R., but the sooner the better."
JoAnne just nodded to acknowledge Dixie. She was afraid that if she tried to peak she'd end up sobbing instead.
Captain Stanley and Chet didn't want to leave JoAnne alone. She was so sweet and kind, it pained them to see her so vulnerable. Dixie flashed them a look to let them know she'd lend her shoulder for JoAnne to cry on. In response they gave her appreciative grins and slipped out the door.
Dixie sat down next to JoAnne and put her hand on JoAnne's arm. "He's strong. He'll be alright."
Unable to hold back her tears anymore JoAnne began silently weeping while Dixie embraced her in an empathetic and supportive hug.
In the sterilized operating room Dr. Brackett and Dr. Morton prepared for the lifesaving procedure that would repair Roy's collapsed lung.
Fortunately Roy was fit, healthy and had a naturally strong constitution. Unfortunately Roy was also a friend to both surgeons.
"Ready doctor?" Dr. Morton asked his more experienced colleague.
Dr. Brackett had been carefully reexamining the x-rays. "Ready." He answered reassuringly as he looked down at Roy, who has been long unconscious and now under anesthesia. "I hope he is too."
In the second O.R. Dr. Early along with a fantastic orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Taylor, prepared to work on Johnny's arm. Dr. Early leaned over the very reluctant and unintentionally frequent patient. "Johnny, we're going to put you under. Do you have any questions?"
"Did everyone wash their hands?" He tried to be funny but he was in too much pain to put his whole heart into the quip.
Dr. Early smiled from behind his surgical mask. "Don't worry, we're professionals." He looked to Dr. Taylor. "Ready to begin?"
"Ready." She replied warmly. "So this is the 'famous' Johnny Gage. Wish we could've met under better circumstances."
Johnny looked at the unfamiliar blonde bombshell with curiosity. "Actually these are pretty average circumstances for me."
She smiled as the attending anesthesiologist put the mask over Johnny's face. Within a matter of seconds Johnny was under and blissfully unaware of the incredible mounting pain in his severely broken arm.
Dr. Early exposed the injury. "Glad he's under. No one in their right mind would be able to stand the pain for much longer."
The engine pulled into the garage of Station 51 and parked next to the shiny back-up squad. The four crew members climbed out of the cab and slowly walked into the day room. Paramedics Joel Forrester and his partner Clay Nelson were sitting around the table, anxiously awaiting for the return of their temporary crew.
"Captain Stanley?" Joel rose from the table. "I'm Joel, this is my partner Clay."
"Oh, hey fellas." Captain Stanley offered his hand to shake and properly greet the new paramedics. "Welcome to Station 51. This is Mike Stoker, Chet Kelley and Marco Lopez."
The six men awkwardly but politely introduced themselves to each other. As if on cue the Klaxons sounded off and called the 'reunited' station to a new call.
"They're playing our song." Captain Stanley commented. "Hope you guys are ready."
"Always." Clay replied confidently as he and Joel followed the engine crew into the garage.
Two hours passed by agonizingly slow. Evening set in.
Dr. Early and Dr. Taylor had successfully relieved the mounting fluid and pressure in Johnny's arm, effectively reversing the potential damage of the compartment syndrome. The dark haired medic was in post-op, still unconscious. His right arm heavily bandaged and splinted in a temporary cast. Hours after the accident bruises and scrapes were still forming on his beaten body and face.
Checking the monitors Dr. Early decided that Johnny was going to make a full recovery. "Good work Johnny. Looks like you're going to live to fight another day. "
...to be continued...