An Act of Friendship

Chapter 11

The ICU waiting room was packed full when the men of 51s A-shift arrived. Men were spilling out into the hallway and little pockets of conversation had started up here and there. Roy gave Cap an amused smile as Chet gave a low whistle. "Will you look at that. Man—only Gage could manage to have a room filled with men willing to watch him sleep," he said as he shook his head.

The whole room burst into laughter as Cap shook his head thinking that only Chet would make such an observation. Mike looked at Chet seriously and said, "Yeah, the only thing worse would be if we asked some ladies to watch over him." Mike tried to contain his grin as he wiggled his eyebrows.

Chet nodded his head and said, "Yeah." He stopped nodding as he realized Mike was poking fun at him. "Awww Mikey, cut it out. I'm serious man."

Mike cuffed him on the head. "So am I and don't call me Mikey," he said as he stepped forward and found a seat.

"All right you twits, knock it off," Cap grumbled good naturedly as he sat next to Mike. Marco and Chet walked over and sat across from them.

Roy turned to his captain and said, "I'll go check with Brackett to see if you guys can come in." At his captain's nod of approval, he walked over to the harried looking nurse at the desk. "Excuse me," he said politely.

The nurse glared up at him. She had been working on the same report for the last 40 minutes and was anxious to finish it. Usually, she could have completed a report like this in half the time, but every 2 minutes one of the many firemen in the room were interrupting her with one question or another. It felt like she had spent the whole day babysitting firemen and she was at the end of her rope. "Look, if I've told one of you, I've told a hundred. Mr. Gage is not allowed visitors at this time. It would be better if you all would just go home," she snapped as she shooed Roy away with her hand then turned to the counter behind her.

Hank had overheard the exchange and immediately rose to his feet and walked over. Mike, Marco and Chet quickly followed. Roy stood stunned. He had never had a problem gaining admittance to ICU before. 'Just who do you think you are,' he thought as his ire rose. He was getting ready to blast her when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked back into the furious eyes of his captain.

Hank squared his shoulders. "Excuse me, Ma'am," he said his voice ringing with authority. As the nurse turned, he continued, "I'm Captain Hank Stanley of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and this gentleman." He indicated Roy. "And I do stress the word gentleman, is Roy DeSoto. He is Mr. Gage's paramedic partner and also his medical power of attorney. Now, I would suggest that you call Dr. Kelly Brackett and ask him to come here—immediately."

The nurse looked Captain Stanley up and down, disgust plainly written on her face. "He's not available and doesn't have time to talk to you anyhow," she said contemptuously then continued with her work. She muttered under her breath, "I don't know how they expect me to get a thing done with all these stupid fireman out here."

Hank stiffened as he heard Marco gasp. Apparently he wasn't the only one to hear her little comment. He looked back at his men, noting their expressions. Chet looked like he was about to sail over the desk and wring the nurse's neck. While Marco's mouth hung open, his eyes wide in incredulity. Even Mike looked outraged. And Roy's face was getting redder by the moment. He easily matched Big Red. Hank didn't think he had ever been so mad in his life. Nothing bothered him more than a person who worked in the public sector and had no patience for them. He and his men were completely exhausted, both physically and emotionally and this was the final straw. "May I have your name," he asked in a deadly calm voice.

The nurse's head snapped up. She looked closely at the tall, dark haired man in front of her. He exuded an air of authority and it was obvious that he was a man who was used to being listened to. A ripple of anxiety traveled up her spine, but she ignored it as all she wanted to do was finish the report. "Why?" she asked warily.

"So that I can report you…"

"Report me! Report me for what? I'm just sitting here doing my job. It's all you pesky firemen who are the problem. You come in here acting like you own the place. Using up all the seats so a decent person who wants to visit their loved one has nowhere to wait. And even if someone did want to wait, with all the noise you're making, laughing and carrying on, they wouldn't want to wait for long. You all act like its party time. You should be ashamed of yourselves and just go home and leave the room for someone who actually needs it. Besides, you're not going to get to see him anyway. And even if you do see him, it's not like he's going to know you're there…" She saw the man's eyes drift beyond her left shoulder. As he gave a brief nod, her eyes followed and she looked behind her into the blazing blue eyes of the head of the ER.

"Nurse Smelling!" Kel barked. He had been standing behind her for almost the entire time. She felt her stomach churn as he said, "Report to your supervisor immediately and bring her to my office in 30 minutes."

"But, Dr. Brackett…" Nurse Smelling tried to explain.

Kel raised his hand. "Not now. I'll see you shortly," he said as he summarily dismissed her. He turned and looked at the men of 51s. Anger was tangible as it radiated off of them in waves. "Hank, guys, I'm truly sorry about that. Nurse Smelling's treatment of all of you was unconscionable. Let me assure you she will be dealt with accordingly," he said soothingly as he tried to quell his own anger.

Hank gave a brief nod as he was still too angry to speak.

Kel indicated the doors to ICU. "Why don't we all go in here and I can update you on Johnny's condition," he said as he led them through the double doors.

As soon as they crossed the threshold of the ICU, the anger drained out of them and was instantly replaced with concern. They gathered closely to listen to Dr. Brackett.

Kel put his hands in his pocket as he turned toward the group. "I'm afraid Johnny's condition hasn't changed much, which is not necessarily a bad thing," he said as he looked over the group. "However, he has developed a fever and I don't like the sound of his lungs." He looked at Roy. "Roy, the rales are increasing and the congestion is thickening," he reported.

Roy's brow creased as he asked, "Pneumonia?"

"I'm not one hundred percent positive, but I'd have to say yes. I've sent some samples down to the lab to be cultured. When we get the results back, I'll know if I need to change his antibiotics," Kel explained.

"How high is his fever, Doc?" Chet asked anxiously. When he heard somebody snort, he said, "I'm just askin' cause I know Roy here wants to know." He looked over at Roy and grinned. "Don't worry buddy, since Johnny can't take care of you, I will," he replied.

Roy snorted as he shook his head. "Thanks…I think," he replied dryly.

Cap had to put a hand over his mouth to hide his smile as Kel pursed his lips and twitched his mouth in an effort to contain his grin. "It's risen by 1 degree in the last hour. It's 100.5 right now, Chet," Kel confirmed. He contemplated his next statement. "I'm going to have to limit Johnny's visitors. At this point, I think it's best if he's exposed to as few people as possible."

"Well I guess that shoots that idea," Hank said dispiritedly. At the curious look on Kel's face, Hank explained about the list that was put together to sit with John, being that he had no family.

Kel shook his head as he replied, "I'm sorry guys, but right now Johnny is just too compromised to risk that much exposure. I'll let all of you have unlimited access, but that is all. Once Johnny is stronger, we can revisit the idea and make a determination."

Everyone sighed in relief, knowing that they would still be able to be there for their friend.

Kel gave a small smile at the closeness and loyalty of these men. "The one thing I will ask is that you gown, glove and wear a mask when you're in with Johnny. That way we can minimize any additional exposure to germs. And no more than 2 or 3 of you at a time." He shook Hank's hand then turned to Roy. "Roy, could I have a word with you?" he questioned.

"Sure Doc," Roy replied and moved with Brackett down the hall. "What's up?" he asked as Brackett crossed his arms.

"I think we should forego Joanne's visit with Johnny for today," at Roy's questioning look he continued, "There are a couple of reasons for this decision. First, Joanne is still recuperating from a concussion. Now I've checked with Joe, and she's doing well but I'm afraid seeing Johnny in this condition will cause too much of an emotional strain and aggravate her condition."

Roy scrubbed the back of his neck as he thought about what Brackett said. "I think you're right, Doc. I know how hard I found it to see Johnny last night. I'm sure Joanne isn't gonna take it any better. What's the other reason?"

"I checked on her a little while ago and she's developed a low-grade fever."

"How high, Doc?" Roy interjected with concern.

"I checked just before I came up here. It was 99.7. It could be that she's developed something from Jenny or it could be as a result of the accident. She's already on an antibiotic that will hopefully take care of it, but we'll keep a close watch on it. She was resting comfortably and looked like she was about to fall asleep when I left," he assured knowing that Roy would feel torn between his wife and friend. "Now why don't you go check on that partner of yours?" Roy nodded in acquiescence. "Oh and Roy, I want to apologize again for Nurse Smelling's treatment of you and the guys. There's no excuse for it."

"Doc, don't worry about it, it wasn't your fault. I know you'll take care of it." Roy did not envy her. Judging by the look on Brackett's face, she'd be lucky to still have a job by the time he was done with her.

Roy nodded and walked back down the hall, joining his crewmates. Chet, Marco and Mike were in visiting Johnny, so Cap and Roy decided to go wait in the waiting room for their turn.

As they sat there waiting, Roy filled Cap in on all that was going on with Joanne. They both agreed that her not seeing Johnny was for the best, but Roy knew and could understand that she would not be happy by it. They talked quietly until Mike, Chet and Marco returned. Roy noted that although they appeared better than the last time they had seen Johnny, they still looked disheartened. Cap put a hand on his back and gave a gentle push. "C'mon Roy, let's go see our boy."