Title: Rememories – Pt. 12

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. Emergency! is owned by Universal and Mark VII Productions. I make no profit from my imagination—only a personal joy and peace.

E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!

Johnny couldn't stop shivering. He believed he could see the burning embers from the fire at their campground, but he just couldn't reach it. He had only crawled about 6 or 8 feet before he passed out again. He hadn't made very good progress and did not want to call out to Jenny unless he felt there was absolutely no other choice. He thought to himself before he fell asleep again, "We were supposed to make some good rememories this trip…I don't want her to remember me like this if I can help it." He smiled as he used Jenny's made-up word and then closed his eyes again.

E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!

"Dad, are you still awake?" Chris whispered loudly. Roy shifted in his sleeping bag as he answered.

"Yeah, but you shouldn't be."

"I was thinkin' that maybe we could leave a little earlier in the morning and go to Uncle Johnny's to tend to the animals before he and Jenny get back. Then we could all have dinner together and he won't hafta worry about the chores." Chris was resolute in his idea.

Roy smiled in the darkness. He loved how his children often thought of others before themselves. "You sure, Chris. We'd have to leave right after breakfast to make it there in time to get all the chores done before Jenny and Johnny get back."

"I'm sure, Dad. Is it okay if we do it?" Chris pleaded.

"Yes, Son. It's fine. We will leave right after breakfast. We will surprise them both when they get back. Now, go to sleep, Christopher." Roy sighed.

Usually when Roy called him Christopher, he was in trouble. But, he knew his Dad was just tired and wanted to sleep. Chris rolled over on his side and smiled contentedly. He could not wait to wake the next day and put the plan into motion. "I'll help you make some good rememories for Uncle Johnny, Sis." He thought as he drifted to sleep.

E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!E!

Johnny heard a strange noise and it brought him to awareness once again. He could feel something warm on his face. He thought for a moment that maybe Jenny had woken, found him, and was now applying a warm cloth to his wounds. He tried to adjust himself to see if it was Jenny and whatever it was that was warming him moved away. It was still dark and the moon had dipped below the trees so there was little light showing. But, he knew someone or something was there. He ventured, "Jenny, Princess, s'that you?"

There was no answer and he turned a bit more and tried to focus his eyes. He saw two eyes glowing in the darkness and realized that he was face-to-face with a wolf. He took a ragged deep breath and thought to himself, "I wonder if this guy thinks he's found himself an easy meal?" He had encountered wildlife before when he hiked in these woods, but he had never been in such a vulnerable position. Johnny had to act fast to protect himself and Jenny, if she should wake up and come to find him.

He thought about running, but much to his chagrin, his legs still weren't working. He used both hands to grab fistfuls of dirt and rocks. He hoped that the wolf would retreat when he threw the debris. Just as he got ready to throw the rocks and pebbles, something happened that caused Johnny to stop.

"Gage, c'mon, are you really gonna throw those rocks at me?" The wolf asked. Johnny was shocked and remained still for longer than he felt he should. He found it difficult to regain control of his senses. "S'okay, Gage…you are gonna be okay. Would the Phantom ever steer you wrong?" The wolf mocked.

The Phantom. That was Chet Kelly's alter-ego while serving at Station 51. The prankster often chose Johnny as his Pigeon. "What the hell?" Johnny said aloud. "Chet?" He questioned as his voice raised a few octaves.

"Yeah, who the hell else were you expecting? God? Satan? Daniels?" Chet, the wolf, remarked. Johnny shook his head as if to clear it from a hallucination or dream.

"I must be dreaming. Or…no…I probly have a concussion from the bump on my head. That's it." Johnny reasoned.

"With that hard head of yours, Gage, I doubt you have a concussion. Hey, don't you believe the things that you tell Roy's kids? All those stories, folk tales, Indian lore…don't you believe any of it?" Chet asked, accusingly.

"What? Yeah, well…sure I believe it…well, some of it…what the hell are you talking about?" Johnny was angry and his voice was raised. Suddenly, Johnny knew what the wolf meant. "You mean what Jenny and I were talkin' about today? How the souls of those we've lost live inside wolves?" He tried to reason.

"Yep, that's it Gage. And, that is why I'm here. I'm tryin' to tell ya to get on with your life. I know it was hard on you to lose those men…hell, it was hard on Cap when I bought the farm, right?" Chet cackled. "But, you're a Captain now, Johnny. Your men are depending on you to lead them through this tragedy…not become a victim of it yourself."

Johnny nodded. What the wolf…uh…Chet…was saying made sense. "You're right." Johnny nodded. "I've been thinking too much about myself and not enough about my men. I have to think about my crew and be there for them." Johnny could feel this thoughts clearing and felt a renewed sense of determination and vigor. He was not going to let Jameson and Baker…and, maybe Daniels…deaths be in vain. He would not let this crush him or his Station. They would rise from the ashes… and, they would continue doing what they loved!

Johnny turned his head to talk to Chet again, but the wolf had gone. He looked toward camp and with his renewed strength, began pulling himself toward the fading fire once again.

TBC