Roy drove the car down the street and saw a house with a police car parked in the drive, the two way radio aerial could be clearly seen from the roof. He parked in the street and made a run for the front door.
Vince and Officer Baker drove up the street towards the Fire station, not noticing Roy in the blue car pass them. They were running over how to approach the men in case they were armed. They knew that for some reason Johnny had lied to Baker to get him to leave. They had to assume that Roy or Dr Morton were being threatened in some way and by a weapon was the most likely scenario.
They parked behind the squad and closed the doors as quietly as they could; the rain was drowning out most of the noise they made anyway.
"There's two ways into the dorm, from the bay area and from the back. We should approach from both" Vince instructed. He readied his gun; checking it was fully loaded.
"Agreed" replied Officer Baker who too checked his gun.
"I'll take the back" stated Vince and he headed around the back of the station.
"Dix get a surgical kit and some IV supplies, sutures, our spare biophone and leg and arm splints. I just got off the phone to despatch. Apparently Vince Howard lives down the road from the station and has been in contact with the local authorities. He was concerned that no one has been able to contact the station for some time and that some suspicious characters were at the station when he called in earlier today" Dr Brackett told her as he grabbed some necessary items. "Their sending a helicopter here to transport me to the station" He informed her.
"I'm coming with you" Dixie told Dr Brackett in her firmest manner.
"I wouldn't have it any other way" answered Dr Brackett smiling; knowing that Dixie would be coming before she said it. They both busied themselves getting everything together and went out to meet the helicopter.
Joe tied the husband's hands to the chair. He and Frank left to get Steve from their van.
"Hold it right there, nice and easy, put your hands where I can see them." Both men looked over their shoulders and saw Vince standing with a gun pointing at them. "You with the blue jacket put this on your wrist" Vince threw the handcuffs at Frank. "Now put the other around your friend's wrist. You boys been doing some gardening...nice collection of plants there...I know a few detectives who would like to talk to you guys" Vince informed them. He had already inspected the van and discovered an unconscious man and a load of marijuana plants.
Vince marched Frank and Joe into the station and locked them in small room that had spare equipment stored. He then slowly made his way to the dorm. He heard Officer Baker's voice call out "Hold it police"
Roy knocked on Vince Howard's front door. Mrs Howard answered and was taken aback by the soaking wet paramedic.
"I need to talk to Vince urgently" he told her.
"He's gone to the Fire station with a local officer" she informed him ushering him into her home.
"All our lines of communication are cut off, I need to use Vince's two way" he told her with urgency. "We have two patients who need to be transported to Rampart urgently".
"Of course, it's back here" she guided him to a study. While Roy was getting the local police to arrange for a helicopter Mrs Howard brought a towel and some coffee for him.
"Drop the gun or I'll shoot" Ned was pointing the gun at Dr Morton who was standing in a protective stance in front of Johnny.
Officer Baker saw movement in the corner of his eye; Vince was slowly making his way to the doorway. "Just take it easy. Don't do anything you'll regret" said Baker calming the agitated man in front of him. He stepped to the side so that Ned would have his back to Vince.
Vince slowly made his way into the room and before Officer Baker let go of his gun Vince pointed his gun into the back of Ned and told him to drop the gun. Baker had reacted instantly and was again aiming his gun at Ned. Ned dropped his gun; Vince kicked it over to Baker and told Ned to lie face down on the floor. Officer Baker handcuffed him and led him down to the same cupboard Frank and Joe were locked in.
Dr Morton immediately turned around and checked Johnny. He checked Johnny's temperature and took his blood pressure. He needed to act fast and get the bullet out. He told Vince quickly that Roy had gone to his place to call for a helicopter because Ned and his friends had destroyed all their lines of communication. Vince told Dr Morton that there was a man unconscious in the van and that his leg was bleeding.
"Can you bring him in and lay him on the bed. I need to take care of Johnny first. I've got to get this bullet out."
Dr Morton, although a very confident doctor, wished that Dr Brackett, his mentor was by his side. He took a deep breath and went to work. Probing for the bullet wasn't as difficult as he thought it was going to be. He found the bullet quickly because it wasn't very deep. Once he got it out he flushed and packed the wound, knowing more investigating would need to be done. Something caused Johnny's lung to collapse, he suspected a bone fragment from one of Johnny's ribs had done the damage.
Roy entered the dorm just as Dr Morton finished up. Roy sighed with relief when he saw Dr Morton holding up the bullet with a smile on his face. "He's not out of the woods but this will buy him some time" Dr Morton said happily.
"Helicopter's on its way with Dr Brackett and Dixie on board." Roy informed him "Not that you needed their help" Roy said smiling.
"Well I'm hungry; let's have some of that stew Roy. They'll be none for you my friend but I promise to make you some as soon as you're better" Dr Morton told his sleeping patient.
Steve was taken care of and taken back to the local police station with his friends. Vince filled Roy and Dr Morton in on what the men had been up to "Looks like they were retrieving a crop of marijuana plants before the river broke its banks."
Roy and Dr Morton had just finished their stew when the helicopter landed. They went out to meet their friends and help them carry everything in. Both Dr Brackett and Dixie looked relieved when they saw them walking over. Dr Morton immediately filled Dr Brackett in on what he had done.
"His temperature has come down significantly, but his breathing is still laboured' he told Brackett, waiting anxiously for his approval of his treatment.
"I suspect you're right Mike about the bone fragment. We'll need to x-ray to be totally sure. You've done a good job Mike under difficult circumstances." Dr Morton nodded but was smiling inside and felt a deep satisfaction that he had been able to save a friend using the skills he had worked hard to gain over the last six years.
Roy smiled, remembering a time when Johnny cringed when he heard Dr Morton's name. Johnny and the woman were loaded onto the helicopter. Roy and Dr Morton stayed behind, hoping to be heading home in a day or so.
It was as both doctors had suspected; a bone fragment from Johnny's rib had pierced his lung causing it to collapse. Dr Brackett removed the bone fragment and repaired the lung. Strong antibiotics were administered.
Late the next day Johnny opened his eyes. A nurse told him he was in Rampart hospital and that she was going to get the doctor. Johnny's foggy mind started to clear as he remembered what had happened at station 86.
"Johnny, are you in pain" asked Dr Brackett?
"A little, Doc where's Roy and Dr Morton" Johnny asked, needing to know they were alright?
"They're still at station 86, they'll be back tomorrow. Mike told me what you did. Thank you my friend. Sacrificing yourself like that took a lot of courage. Now rest." Dr Brackett inserted the pain medication, Johnny's eyes slowly closed and he drifted off to sleep.
Next time Johnny woke, Roy, Dr Morton, Vince and Dr Brackett were standing around his bed. He smiled at his friends and was glad to see everyone was ok.
"How are you feeling Gage" asked Dr Morton?
"Good thanks to you" he answered with his crooked grin. Dr Morton slapped him on the shoulder and declared that he had to go back to work.
"Oh and John...I owe you a meal...so when you're up to it...the stew's on me" he left the room chuckling.
"The stew was good...you'll like it" Roy informed him. Johnny looked at Roy a little confused but knew it would all come back to him once he was able to think about the days at station 86, clearly.
"I just wanted to see how you were. Roy will fill you in on those guys. Bye Johnny" Vince patted Johnny's leg and left.
"No one else got hurt" asked Johnny.
"No...just you. That was a very noble thing you did Johnny. I don't know if I would have done the same thing if I was in your shoes." Roy told his partner with admiration.
"I think you would have tried to protect the Doc, knowing how important he was." Johnny looked at Roy all knowing.
"I don't know" Roy said unconvinced.
"Maybe you wouldn't have stepped in front of the bullet Roy, but I'm sure you would have tried to do something" Dr Brackett reassured him.
"I think Johnny deserves a medal" Roy stated.
"So do I and I'm going to recommend him for one. You hose jockeys don't get enough recognition and I aim to change that" Dr Brackett stated firmly and waved goodbye, not giving Johnny a chance to object.
Both partners smiled at each other, both grateful to be alive and for having such good friends.