Just as an FYI note, the Hazardous Material labeling that is required today on chemical products like industrial bleach did not exist back in the days Emergency was on the air. Any cautions on materials prior to that were pretty much up to the manufacturer.

Part IX

Johnny had seen it in action before so he knew what was up the second he stepped into the door of Chet's room. Dixie was in full out mad mother hen mode. For Chet's part, it looked like he was sleeping. How anyone could sleep with that contraption over their face was beyond Johnny's comprehension. They always made him feel claustrophobic.

He took his chances and came further in to get a better look at Chet. It was weird how the guy always looked like an over-sized kid when he was asleep. Well, an over-sized kid with a cheesy moustache. That thought didn't have long to gel in his head before Dixie had come over, taken hold of his arm and nearly drug him out into the hallway.

"What the devil is going on over at 51, John?"

In all honesty, Johnny didn't know if it was great or lousy timing that Roy, Mike and Marco came into sight just then. Probably great for him and lousy for them because Dixie expanded her focus from Johnny to include them as well.

"Chet's sleeping at the moment. All of you. Lounge. Now."

Mike and Marco seriously looked ready to bolt, but Roy just headed for the lounge. He knew Dixie's tone – it was the one that accepted no arguments. Johnny just followed after Roy and motioned to the other two.

"I wouldn't try it. She's fast in those rubber soled shoes."

Marco didn't look quite sure if Johnny was joking or not, but Mike started for the lounge and Marco fell in behind him.

"Alright guys. What's going on? You've always been one of the tightest knit crews out there. What's unraveled everything?"

Roy took the lead and answered her.

"It's not a what, Dix. It's a who. Our current captain."

Marco looked over to Johnny.

"He's what we were all meeting about. He's been undermining us. And we let him."

Mike's expression was firm.

"That stops now."

Those three words pleased Dixie immensely.

"Glad to hear that. One other thing I want to hear. Any of you four tell Poole that Chet was the weak link in your crew?"

The expressions on their faces pretty much answered that. Johnny was the first to recover enough to speak.

"Chet's jokes are pretty lame, but he's one of the best linemen out there. And his name never even came up when he talked to me. He just told me to –"

Johnny's voice trailed off then as he realized what he was about to say. Roy saw Johnny's eyes cut over to him.

"Spit it on out, Junior. I'm guessing it was about me?"

Flushing a little, Johnny nodded.

"Yeah. It was. He told me to keep you in line because you were looking for trouble."

Dixie mouth opened slightly in surprise at that. Roy just smirked a little.

"That figures. You're supposed to be my role model, you know."

That got Johnny staring at Roy in pure disbelief.

"Holy cow. And I didn't want to say anything to you because you were already pretty hot at the Captain."

"And I didn't want to say anything to you because I was afraid it would come out wrong and you'd feel insulted."

Marco shook his head.

"Divide and conquer. Guy's been playing us. Dixie? Did Chet say anything else?"

"A little, but I think you boys need to have a sit down with all of you together and get all the facts straight. I will tell you one thing though. The first thing you need to do is to let him know that you aren't just tolerating him to be polite."

Marco literally slapped his forehead.

"No wonder Chet been making excuses not to get together. Mi Dios."

Then he glanced over to Mike with a wry expression.

"That one didn't count. We're off duty."

Dixie literally groaned.

"Let me guess. Anti-Spanish as well?"

"Anti-Spanish, anti-marriage, anti-paramedic, anti-fraternizing. It's figuring out what he's pro that seems to be the trick here, Dix."

That said, Roy looked back toward the door.

"Mike's right. This has to stop and that means Chet needs to tell us what Poole said to him. Although I think we have an idea, we need to hear what it actually was from him. We all need to be up front about it to keep any more barriers from being shoved between us."

"Where's is this man from?"

"Delaware, from what I was told by another captain, Dix."

"He's probably used to a lot higher doctor to patient ratios than we have in this city. Not that that excuses his attitudes toward the paramedic department. Tell you boys what. Let Chet's oxygen therapy go a little longer – until Joe comes back and reexamines him. Then I'll see about getting him something to soothe his throat so he can talk without so much discomfort."

Dixie consulted her watch.

"Why don't the four of you head down to the cafeteria? Shouldn't be many people there at this time. Just give us about an hour before you come back up. I'll give Chet the heads up that you'll be coming to see him."

An hour later, they came back to Chet's room to find not only were Dr. Early and Dixie there, but Dr. Brackett as well. Chet was awake, but looking uncomfortable at the gathering around him. Dr. Brackett wanted to hear directly from Roy and Johnny what had been said about both the paramedic program and interactions with the hospital staff. But he agreed that could wait for a few minutes and they left to give the crew some privacy to talk.

It took a little prodding, but they finally got Chet to open up and tell them what Poole said to him. Even with what they already suspected, they were all shocked that Poole had started out by having transfer papers there ready to be filled out.

Roy laid a hand on Chet's shoulder.

"None of us want to get rid of you, Chet."

Chet's eyes went straight to Johnny, who shook his head.

"I might occasionally be tempted to strangle you, Chester, but that doesn't mean I want to get rid of you."

Marco sat on the edge of Chet's bed.

"Why would you believe him?"

"What? Think that maybe Captain Stanley had told you guys to just put up with me?"

Chet paused then as if unsure whether to say anything else. Then he fiddled with his blanket, not looking at any of them as he shrugged.

"Wouldn't be the first time that sort of thing has happened to me."

Roy didn't seem very shocked by that admission. He'd always had a suspicion that Chet's antics and bluster were as much as cover-up as they were a personality trait (it was amazing the insights hanging around those under the age of ten on a daily basis could give a guy). Johnny was flat-out shocked though and, as usual for him, what he was thinking was as evident on his face as a ketchup stain on a white shirt. Mike didn't say anything, but moved closer to the bed to give Chet a supportive nudge. Marco just patted his friend's leg.

"We all have our quirks, amigo. But for all of yours, you're still one of us. I trust my back to you every day and I hope you trust me with yours."

"You know I do, Marco. Heck, all of you guys have helped pull my bu – err, bacon out of messes."

"You've done the same for all of us. We've all been there for each other. Even before Captain Stanley came."

Mike cleared his throat a little self-consciously before speaking.

"If any of you ever wonder if I said anything to the Captain, just ask me. I won't say anything about anyone to him that I wouldn't say to your face."

"Sounds like a good thing for us all to agree to with each other. I, for one, am tired of being played."

"You aren't the only one, Junior."

When they noticed through the window that the five men had all visibly relaxed, Dr. Brackett put his head back in.

"Roy – John? Good time for that meeting now?"

Johnny's lop-sided smile spoke for all of them.

"Yeah. We're good in here now."