Two shifts later the silence that had consumed the inside of the squad was broken. Johnny had been eyeing his partner who looked a little green and seemed to be swallowing as if warning off being sick. Since Roy was driving he didn't like to break his concentration but he couldn't stand it any longer.
"Roy are you alright? You're looking a bit green there pally" Johnny claimed using the familiar name.
Roy almost threw up there and then when Johnny spoke. The combination of feeling so unwell and Johnny's use of his nickname caught him off guard. He pulled the squad over and jumped out running to the edge of the road and consequently threw up.
Johnny grabbed a bottle of water for Roy to rinse his mouth. Roy was clutching at his midriff as if in pain. Johnny offered the water but Roy was in so much pain he couldn't take the bottle from his partner, he held his arms around his stomach. He threw up again and almost passed out from the pain. When his retching stopped Johnny got him into the squad and let despatch know he was code 8 to Rampart.
The gurney was waiting but before Roy could be loaded onto the gurney he threw up again. "That's the third time Doc" Johnny informed Dr Brackett. They finally got Roy onto the gurney; he was still hugging his midriff and was starting to shake.
Johnny helped with taking vitals once they were in the treatment room. Roy was groaning in pain. Dr Brackett was trying to get information from him. "How long had you been feeling sick, Roy?"
"It...came on me ...suddenly..I'm gonna be sick again." The nurse quickly placed a basin under his chin. Johnny watched worriedly.
"Doc what do you think it is?" he asked with concern.
"I'm not sure Johnny. What has he eaten today?"
"I don't know Doc we only just came on shift before that last call" stated Johnny looking at his very ill partner.
"I'll call Joanne and check with her" said Dixie and she rushed out of the treatment room, Johnny followed her.
She dialled the number and waited, and then she pulled the receiver from her ear and looked at it. "It's busy" she said a little concerned.
Dr Brackett rushed out of the treatment room. "Roy just told me they had seafood last night. Did you get a hold of Joanne, cause it's very likely she'll be sick too."
Dixie shook her head and dialled the number again "Still busy".
"I'll go to Roy's place" exclaimed Johnny as he ran towards the doors "I'll call you when I get there" he called out.
Johnny got to Roy's in fifteen minutes. He ran to the front door and banged on it. He could hear crying. He peeked through the window and saw Chris holding up his sister and was crying. Johnny yelled "Chris open the door. It's Uncle Johnny." He watched him drag his sister over to the door.
When the door opened Johnny grabbed Chris and his sister and led them back into the house. Chris was crying and his sister was covered in vomit. "Where's your mum Chris?" Johnny asked urgently as he laid Chris's sister on the couch.
Chris hiccupped "She's on the floor in the bedroom. I can't wake her up" he said despairingly.
"It's ok Chris I'll take care of her. Listen, your dad is sick too. He's at the hospital, so how about you take his place and be my partner, ok?"
Chris stopped crying and nodded.
"Good boy. Now do you think you could get your sister a clean nightgown, her robe and slippers?"
Chris nodded and ran to his sister's room. Johnny ran to Roy and Joanne's bedroom. Joanne was slumped on the floor. The phone was on the floor next to her. She was hugging her stomach much the same as Roy had been.
"Joanne can you hear me?" Johnny picked her up and put her on the bed.
Joanne looked at Johnny and started to cry. "Oh Johnny I'm sick. I called Rozanna Adam's wife but she said she was on her way to a hair appointment. Then my stomach cramped and I could..." She started retching. Johnny grabbed a waste bin for her.
"I have the clothes Uncle Johnny" said Chris from behind.
Johnny smiled "Good boy Chris. Stay here I'll bring your sister into here" Johnny told him as he ran back out to Chris's sister who was lying still on the couch. Johnny quickly picked her up and ran to the bedroom and laid her down next to Joanne. "Chris can you get me a bucket please?"
Chris ran from the room. Johnny got a wet cloth from the bathroom and wiped down the little girls face. She was very pale. Chris came back to the room.
"Ok Chris I need to get my...our...equipment so I need you to stay here and watch your sister. If she looks like she's going to be sick make sure she turns on her side and uses the bucket?"
"Ok Uncle Johnny" Chris answered and sat on the bed next to his sister.
"Joanne I'm just going to get the equipment. I won't be long" Johnny took off without waiting for Joanne to reply.
When he came back in the room Chris was brushing his sister's hair off her face tenderly. Johnny smiled at him. "You're doing good Chris" he stated in a calming tone. Johnny quickly got both of their vitals and called Rampart. They were both started on IVs. An ambulance was ordered but it was thirty minutes away so Johnny decided to take everyone in the squad. He and Chris quickly changed his sister into clean clothes. Johnny put a robe on Joanne and carried her to the squad. He went back inside and picked up Chris's sister and Chris grabbed the bucket and followed Johnny out to the squad.
Johnny quickly locked the house and jumped into the squad and raced back to the hospital. Joanne was seated next to Johnny. She looked up at him "Will you ever forgive me. I've been a fool Johnny. I'm so sorry I acted just like my parents, something I promised myself I'd never do."
"It's ok Joanne" Johnny wanted her to just sit quietly. This really wasn't the time or place for this conversation.
"No it's not ok. I can be a real snob sometimes and that's how I was towards you. It doesn't matter if you can't forgive me but please forgive Roy. I put him under so much pressure, if he didn't love us so much, I think he would have left me by now" she stated dismally.
Johnny glanced at her as he concentrated on his driving. It was the first time he drove the squad with the sirens. "It's alright Joanne, we'll work something out, I promise" he said reassuring her.
Joanne sighed but hugged her stomach tighter as a cramp intensified. "Thank you Johnny, you're a good person. I don't deserve your friendship" she said as her head dropped. Johnny stepped on it, he could see the hospital.
"Is your sister awake Chris?" Johnny asked him.
"Yes but she's..."
"She's what Chris?" Johnny pulled into the hospital.
"I think she's choking" Chris said alarmed.
"Lay her on her side over your legs Chris" directed Johnny "Quickly Chris".
He followed Johnny's instructions. "Eeww" said Chris in disgust.
Johnny saw the vomit come out of her mouth onto Chris's legs.
The gurneys were waiting and Joanne and her daughter were quickly taken away. Johnny took Chris to the bathroom and cleaned him up. "You did good today Chris, your dad will be very proud of you" said Johnny. Chris suddenly launched himself into his Uncle's arms and hugged him. Johnny could feel him shaking, the whole ordeal catching up to him.