Part XIII

Dr. Brackett insisted that both Roy and Chet needed to come in and be checked over before being released back for duty, but agreed that they didn't need to make the trip in an ambulance. Craig rode in with the last of the civilian victims in the ambulance while Bob drove Chet to Rampart in their squad. Johnny took over driving duties to take Roy in.

The incredulous Brice had already starting filling Dixie in on what happened before the squads arrived. If it had been anybody but Brice, Dixie would have assumed he was exaggerating. The squads arrived then and she quickly had Chet headed for treatment room one with Dr. Early while Roy was put in treatment room two with Brackett. Dixie went into treatment room two, giving Kel an 'I told you so' look as she moved over to Roy.

"Poole suspended everyone?"

Johnny broke in before Roy had a chance to answer.

"Do you believe that guy? Did he really expect you guys to just sit in there with the fire eating the floor out from underneath you? I mean, maybe that might have been procedure if you went strictly by the book, but what about a little common sense, for pity's sake?"

Dixie just looked bemused as Johnny finally had to stop for air.

"I take it that was a yes?"

"Yep. First me and Chet for disobeying the order to stay put – then Johnny for coming to our defense. Then Mike and Marco threw in their lot with the rest of us."

Dr. Brackett looked uncomfortable at that.

"Dixie told me that you men might pay the price for me having a talk to him. Why didn't you tell me?"

With a shrug, Roy repositioned himself at Dixie's direction so they could get a better look at the condition of his leg.

"It needed to be said. He switched to other things to punish us, but at least Chet's lungs were safe. While losing a week's pay is going to hurt, Joanne will understand. Just be a lot of rice dishes in my immediate future."

By now, Dixie was fuming.

"That just isn't right. If Captain Poole didn't care for what Kel had to say, he should have taken up with him."

"Yes. He should have."

Johnny jumped up and, if Dixie hadn't been holding his leg down for cleaning, Roy likely would have as well. Chief McConakee was standing at the door, looking in.

"Saw Brice and Belliveau out there and they told me you were in here, DeSoto. How's the leg looking, Dr. Brackett?"

"Some bad scraps, a few burns and some colorful bruising in the works. He'll be sore for a day or two, Chief. I'm ordering a set of x-rays just to make sure there aren't any hairline fractures, but I don't expect to find any."

"Excellent. Do you think he might be able to be released shortly? I need to have a meeting with his shift as soon as possible."

"After I've gotten a look at the negatives, I wouldn't have any problems releasing him to light duty for the rest of the shift, but -"

"I've stood 51 down for the remainder of this shift, Doctor. He can even keep it elevated during the meeting if that's your recommendation."

"It is. In that case - assuming the negatives come back as expected - I'll release him to your care, Chief. Roy? No driving at least for the rest of today."

"Jo is picking all of us up at the end of the shift any way, doc, so that's not a problem."

Dixie looked up from where she was rechecking Roy's pulse rate.

"All five of you?"

While Roy normally would have explained it to Dixie, he didn't feel free to say it in front of the Chief. Not that the Chief wasn't taking note any way as was evident as he spoke.

"Not trusting you men to drive when you're tired, is she?"

Flushing a bit, Roy nodded.

"Yessir."

"Thought that might be it. Good woman you have."

"The best, sir."

"I see the x-ray machine has arrived. I think I'll step next door and see what the verdict is on Kelly."

Without further ado, the Chief was gone from the treatment room as suddenly as he'd come. Roy laid back to await the x-rays, giving a glance over to Johnny as he exited the room.

"I'd feel better if I had any idea if we've still got a job, Junior."

"Two of us, pally. Two of us."

Brice and Belliveau were still waiting for word as Johnny came to grab a cup of coffee to try and get his noisy stomach to shut up.

"How's Roy? They really think anything's broken?"

"He's sore, but the x-rays sound like more of a precaution than anything."

Brice cleared his throat.

"If you guys really are out without pay, let me know. We'll contact all the other stations and help support you guys through it."

Johnny mouth dropped open briefly, but then he gave a smile.

"Well, that's a nice thing to think of, but –"

Bob broke in then.

"No buts. We aren't going on scuttlebutt. We heard what he said to all of you. You shouldn't have to suffer just because he thinks he's the Captain of the Bounty instead of Station 51."

Brice waiting until Johnny finished fixing his coffee.

"Gage? I - do I come across like that?"

Johnny jerked his head up at that question, then shook his head.

"No way, Brice. I mean, I'll be the first to admit that the constant rules can get old quick, but you've never done anything to be malicious to anyone. You like to have things a certain way and I can kinda understand that. Captain Poole - he won't even let us call each other by our first names. Heck, unless it's directly related to the job, we can't even talk to each other any more."

Bob reached over to top off his own cup.

"You mean when you're out on a call?"

"Nope. At all. We've been getting together after the end of the shift at the diner to catch up with each other."

"Man. Must be pretty grim at your station house during your shift."

"Grim barely scratches the surface, Bob."

Brice's HT went off and they gulped down what was left of their coffee.

"Just leave your mugs, guys. I rinse them out for you."

"Appreciate it, Gage. Hey - keep us up to date in what's going on."

"Will do. And thanks."

As Johnny watched the pair head out, he mused to himself that sometimes support could come where you least expected it.